NSB's iconic Chase's on the Beach reopens after months of renovation with new 'concept'

NEW SMYRNA BEACH — Chase's on the Beach, an iconic spot in New Smyrna's beachfront dining scene, is serving patrons after eight months of renovations.

The restaurant opened its 3401 S. Atlantic Ave. location on Fourth of July weekend. But don't expect to see the Chase's you remember.

With a new indoor dining area, a fresh menu with daily specials and even dinner nights, the beloved bar is offering a refreshingly different experience.

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"Two hundred and 44 days. That's how long it was from the last time we served our guests to when we served them again," Joe Ryan, the restaurant's general manager, said in an interview.

Like every beachfront property along Volusia County's coastline, Chase's was affected by the high surge and rainfall of last year's Tropical Storms Ian and Nicole, which destroyed the restaurant's outdoor seating area — its most popular spot.

"Ian hit us a little bit, but (to a degree) where we could fix it," Ryan said. "Then Nicole came so fast — we weren't even able to start the fixing process — and she took out all the deck and the tiki bar … . It was 18 tables on that deck."

The restaurant's pool, another popular feature, survived the storms, Ryan said.

He remembers feeling heartbroken the morning after Nicole had done the worst of the damage.

"It took a little bit of just standing there and processing," he said.

Ryan said that after Nicole's final blow, it would be difficult to return the restaurant's outside seating area to the way it was, given how the storms affected the shoreline structure.

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"But we figured Chase's has been around for 30 years," said Ryan, who has been general manager for four years. "It was one of those, 'Hey, let's spruce it up.'"

Giving Chase's a new concept

When the time came to rebuild, Ryan, together with Chase's owners, decided to "change the concept a little bit."

"We're still a fun beach bar during the day," Ryan said. "But then at night, it is an upscale dining experience."

White tablecloths and candles decorate tables in the new indoor seating area, and while open throughout the day, it is part of what the restaurant is now calling "Chase's After Dark," which happens a few nights a week.

"It's an awesome date night, or to bring the family together for a really nice dinner," Ryan said.

The new space and dining experience has a new menu, created by chef Nico Douchand, which features a variety of seafood, sandwiches and other dishes, including daily specials, such as Thursday's fresh catch of the day.

Ryan said they were able to keep most of the restaurant's staff through the renovation period. Although he did not specify how much the damage cost the restaurant, he said it was "a lot."

"It was a huge undertaking," Ryan said. "We expanded our inside area. We still have the same amount of seating that we had before. But now, we put windows in … and (customers) can see this amazing view."

He added that being able to have a new indoor area with air conditioning will help the business during both the summer and winter.

Ryan said the positive response from locals came as soon as the restaurant reopened and he's pleased with how the first week went.

"It's been fantastic," Ryan said. "It has been very well-received by the community."

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Chase's on the Beach is open Monday through Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (dinner begins at 5 p.m.).

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Chase's on the Beach restaurant reopens in NSB after 8 months