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Fine Swine open and ready

By PAULETTE LeBLANC / pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com - | Apr 6, 2022

PAULETTE LeBLANC

Brian Crowley and Mark Gray met and became friends at the Low Key Tiki in St. James City where they discovered they shared a love for good food.

Gray describes Crowley as a pit master who has done well competing, while he loves to grill and smoke. A love for food not only brought the two together, but also took them on a continued journey to opening a restaurant together.

“We liked each other right away and wanted to hang out and the next thing you know we’re excited about having a smoke house with this type of food,” Gray said.

“Nauti Tiki seasonings is our company and we were doing a lot of catering and a lot of events with the barbecue big rig, but we were looking for a home base,” Crowley said.

Crowley and Gray agree that “the people” is what they love most, so far, about their Fine Swine Restaurant, which is located at the site of the old Saltwater Smokehouse. In the remodel, 20 whiskey soaked barrels were incorporated and now reside in the restaurant walls. The kegs that hold the draft beer were designed by Crowley, who said the beer comes out at 28 degrees on tap. The tables and bar were all made from Georgia heart pine circa 1800s. Other décor includes wood from pallets, the two sanded and burnt themselves.

The patio at the new island restaurant. PHOTO PROVIDED

“He’s got a creative eye and I’m a contractor. Between the two of us, we’re a match made in heaven,” Gray said.

In keeping with the theme, the Fine Swine will be comprised of the swinery (dining area), the trough (bar area), the pigpen (patio) and the pigsty (office), said Gray.

Some the top selling items, said Crowley, are the pulled pork and brisket, which call for him to smoke over 1,100 pounds of meat each week.

“I’m running out every week. I can’t keep up. We smoke everything right on our pit out here,” Crowley said.

In addition to Crowley’s cooking, the previous chef has stayed on along with much of the help, which the two agree is fortunate and in short order these days. They were able to keep the staff working before the restaurant’s opening by serving folks from the Nauti Tiki truck out front.

The kegs at the Fine Swine. PHOTO PROVIDED

“They waited four months for us. We did some out of the trailer to keep them working. We didn’t make any money, but it kept them getting paychecks. That’s how we bridged getting in here,” said Gray.

Crowley and Gray are looking to take care of everyone, they said, emphasizing that it’s not just about the snowbirds during season, but all the year round locals.

“Literally since the day that people found out that we’re doing this the biggest thing I want to see is the smile on people’s faces. If we see a smile on their faces, then the environment is right, they like the food and they like the company, so the biggest thing we’re looking for is a smile,” Gray said.

“If you take care of the island, the island will take care of you,” Crowley said.

The Fine Swine can be found at 10251 Stringfellow Road, St. James City. For more information, call 239-282-8811.