Oh, wow, 10 years ago! There is a special tool meant just for grout removal, your local hardware store should have it. It will be time consuming but aside from removing everything it's probably the way you'll need to go.

I think a comfortable distance between the island and the counter is around 42". It seems that you have only 30" between your cook top and the counter. I might be a little too tight. The wall between the entrance and the kitchen could be 4' long instead of 6', you would then be able to move the island a foot which would give you more room between the cook top and the island. Could you switch the location of the toilet and vanity in your dad's bathroom so your enter facing a vanity instead of a toilet which is a lot nicer.

Here's an idea for a small bar in a corner that you could close off with beautiful draperies. The second photo shows a pretty bar cart which could hold the necessary items, and the third photo is of a simpler butler's tray.

where do u stay... if ur really interested in changing ur kitchen in a spacious manner.. pls consult us for the same.. i will make more use of space with necessary electronics gadgets to be placed along with other necessary food items... Because whatever is the square feet we get in kitchen.. the fridge space and the sink space is dead to use, sink below space will be used for storing dustbin and fennel bottles,etc to store.. etc.. and if u dont have space for washing machine then that also will be used in kitchen if there is no space anywhere.. so basically make a list of ur requirement for anyone to work on it, so that they will give their best ideas on it..