More space, new pancakes at waterfront restaurant now reopen after major remodel

Devoted Kiss Cafe reopens Tuesday morning after an 11-week renovation and expansion project that nearly doubles the seating capacity inside and out, from the easygoing dining room to the partly covered deck with sensational views of Gig Harbor and from the bar to the kitchen, where a 48-inch griddle can now handle one significant, previously omitted breakfast dish:

Pancakes — made from scratch, to be precise, grilled with butter until golden and fluffy, accompanied by warm maple syrup and peppered bacon.

Chef Devon Dengler has practiced the recipe over many weekend mornings at home, explained Christina Dengler. Any time their middle schooler has friends over for a sleepover, she said, “They all beg Devon to make them pancakes.”

The original kitchen at the couple’s popular brunch destination on the quieter side of the Gig Harbor waterfront had just a 24-inch griddle — much too small to fill up with nothing but pancakes, said the chef. What was a six-burner stove is now 10, under an extended hood. There’s also a dedicated pastry area for house baked goods of scones, muffins, cinnamon rolls and a Beecher’s biscuit, as well as a much larger walk-in cooler, dry-storage closet and on-site office.

During a sneak-peek visit of the completely overhauled Devoted Kiss on Monday, the Denglers expressed nervous optimism for the moment they would welcome guests back in for the first time since March.

“It feels like forever,” said Christina, “but we’re so excited to be done and invite people back.”

And, she added, “To not have the smells of construction.”

Major remodel at Devoted Kiss

They first announced the expansion project at the cusp of 2026, soon after Salon Riviera shared plans to move out of its space next door, and hoped that careful planning might translate to just a month or so of downtime. With the help of building owners Josh and Erin Gatherum, they filed initial planning permits in February, moving to engineering and operations in March. The cafe officially closed for renovations April 1, as The News Tribune reported.

By early May, the Denglers posted on Instagram a possible reopening by mid-May. A few weeks later, they shared that it might not happen until early June.

No one seemed phased around 11 a.m. on June 22, as staff buzzed around the bar prepping the new La Marzocco espresso machine for Cutters Point Coffee, stocking mugs and testing the new tea maker. Crews from Fox Island Woodworks, which installed the wainscotting and trim throughout the new digs, finalized some last-minute tasks. In the kitchen, cooks sliced corned beef for hash and Reubens and sorted bunches of basil for a batch of provolone pesto for the DKC Club Panini.

No longer will guests walk through a single door, greeted by a check-in counter that was also the espresso and cocktail bar, then down a tight hallway past a few bar stools to the dining room or deck.

“It was … extremely congested,” admitted Christina. One of the most unexpectedly satisfying elements of such a remodel was to “find solutions for problems” that developed over 15 years of the daily grind, she said.

She and Devon met while working in management next door at Anthony’s Gig Harbor, and his experience on this strip dates back decades. Their initial business plan focused on catering, she explained, which morphed into a cafe in late 2011. They thought maybe they would serve 30 people a day. These days? “We serve 30 people in 15 minutes,” said Christina. “It’s very humbling to look back and see this is working.”

The immense response of Gig Harbor locals and fans near and far to their renovation plans, especially on social media, has kept them going. On Monday, multiple parties strolled past the storefront and pressed their hands against the glass. “We wash our windows a lot!” said Christina, gesturing toward the eager smudgemarks. “We’re excited. We’re nervous, too.”

Same views, double the room

The new front door is on the right as you look at the building. Now you’ll be greeted by a dedicated host stand, and to your left are a few tables along the streetside wall. A new L-shaped bar wraps down a new hallway with spacious, accessible bathrooms, each with two stalls — a major upgrade from the single-use restroom of the original cafe.

The color scheme remains, with neutral tones mixed with the signature red. The main dining room spans several big windows, with the big Devoted Kiss boat stern on one wall and the others decorated with gallery walls of Gig Harbor moments. Most of the photos were donated by local fishermen and the Harbor History Museum, said Christina. Other details include their salvaged wooden bar top repurposed into frames for artwork and maritime knots and a striking three-frame panel of dozens of wooden fish, each painted by employees. Together they recall the building’s history as a TideRunner boat facility — a legacy the Denglers had wanted to honor from the beginning but never felt fully came to fruition until now, said Christina.

The owners also took prior laments of a “loud and clattery” atmosphere to heart: Wood slats lining the backbar double as soundproofing, and the space now has 50 sound panels arranged by Gig Harbor Audio for optimal acoustics.

“We definitely want you to walk in the door and feel like you’re still in Devoted Kiss,” said Christina.

The biggest difference is capacity and expected turn-times. Interior seating has increased from 40 to 66 and outside from just 14 to 30. The new deck boasts glass along the railing and extends seating past the former barricade between the cafe and salon, adding a fully covered square with several tables.

“We were so limited with how many people we could serve,” said Christina. They also had to cut off takeout orders on busy weekend mornings to maintain the on-site guest experience. They should be able to accommodate takeout at most hours of the day, she continued, and might look to add party platters in the future.

As for the views, well, they haven’t changed.

During the pause, the Denglers offered all staff the opportunity to accept paid time off and work volunteer hours, both at local nonprofits and on the build-out, or take a sabbatical. All 32 employees returned, said Christina, and they have hired a few more.

“We would not be able to do this without them, not even close.”

Devoted Kiss Café

• 8809 Harborview Dr., Gig Harbor, 253-851-0055, devotedkisscafe.com
• Daily 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Details: waterfront breakfast restaurant reopen as of June 23 after renovations with more space and pancakes