(La Porte, IN) - Construction is in the early stages of a new three-story restaurant on Pine Lake Avenue, and final plans for the interior design are still in the works. That’s the latest update from the property’s developer, who met with the La Porte County Alcoholic Beverage Commission on Thursday.

 

Restaurateur Brandon Jones addressed the Beverage Commission seeking to take over the liqueur license from Thunderbird Lanes, which was located where his new eatery is going.

 

Jones described the food menu as “traditional upscale American cuisine.” The menu itself is also a work in progress, Jones admitted. “It’s definitely a bit different than what I come from,” he told the Beverage Commission. “I come from a bar; it’s not bar food. I come from casual dining, like Buffalo Wild Wings; it’s not that either. So I’m really going out of my comfort zone a little bit to try something a little different, and bring something different to La Porte."

 

Jones is no newcomer to the food business. “I started cooking in a bar when I was 14, [now] I own 40 restaurants, mostly in Indiana,” he said. He has restaurants of various types in eight states, spanning from Florida to Alaska. “Most are franchises, most are Buffalo Wild Wings,” he continued, “but this is the first one I’ve done from scratch… It’s been a fun process putting this together and going from scratch rather than having to go off a franchise cookie cutter, although it’s a lot easier that way.” 

 

Jones said he expects the new restaurant to be open by early October. Right now, he told the Beverage Commission, he’s calling the restaurant Drift, but admitted that the name is likely to change.