New management, slightly new name with a British flare coming to downtown Manteo eatery

Lost Colony Brewery and Cafe on Queen Elizabeth Avenue in Manteo. [submitted photo]

Another iconic Outer Banks restaurant will be undergoing some changes in the new year that brings a taste of Britain to the Banks while complimenting the eatery’s long-running roots.

Lost Colony Brewery and Cafe owners Paul Charron and Sharon Enoch announced earlier this week they are stepping away from the restaurant side of the business after 26 years, and passing the reigns to Geno Seay and Jared Sadler.

“Geno and I are extremely excited and grateful for the opportunity to continue the legacy built by Sharon and Paul,” Sadler said. “Tons of hard work went in to make this a reality and we are both ready for years and years more of it.”

“We are about to evolve the heck outta this restaurant in downtown Manteo,” Seay said.

After thousands of revelers celebrate the New Year during Midnight Magic in the streets outside, the pub will throw open the doors for an after-midnight, post-fireworks party.

That will be followed from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday with a traditional New Year’s Day supper.

They will offer a smaller version of the current menu through the month of January, then roll out the new version with the slogan “From the British Isles to the Barrier Islands” and a slightly new name for the pub they haven’t quite finalized.

“We aim to offer a uniquely British experience on Roanoke Island near the first English colony in the New World, with a full menu of food, beer, and spirits of the British Isles,” Seay said. “We are creating an authentic British tavern and alehouse right here where it all started.”

Seay said the menu will feature a number of traditional items with English, Scottish and Irish flavors, along with an Outer Banks twist, that compliments the traditional brews Paul and Sharon will continue producing in Stumpy Point.

In addition to beer and wine, Seay and Sadler are adding cocktails to the bar menu, with a special focus on spirits of the British Isles.

They are planning a soft opening for family and friends on February 1, followed by the grand opening to the public on Groundhog Day.