by Lilly Soroko

Inspired by their puppy, Louie, and their island travels, Jim and Karen Cerenzia are opening Louie’s Little Hut, 8419 Germantown Ave. in Chestnut Hill, a beach-inspired restaurant that puts an island twist on traditional Italian and Philly food.

Being natives of Prospect Park, Pa. who have traveled and spent plenty of time in the exotic Hawaiian Islands, Jim and Karen have a unique perspective on food from which Chestnut will certainly benefit.

“In Philadelphia, you don’t normally walk into a place that has an island-beach theme,” Karen said.

The restaurant is colorfully painted, has a garden that will be used for outdoor seating and is covered in beautiful pictures of tropical landscapes taken by the Cerenzias themselves.

Louie’s Little Hut will be serving breakfast and lunch every day with dine-in and takeout options. The breakfast menu consists of breakfast sandwiches, “wafflewiches” (sweet and savory waffle creations), freshly brewed coffee and other classic breakfast items. The lunch menu is bigger, and includes a wide variety of sandwiches, which will be the focus of the menu, surf tacos, grilled cheese, burgers, island hot dogs and different types of tater tots. There will also be a deli with pasta salads, a variety of salsas and various specials.