Oct. 28--Gibsons is going to Disney World. Sort of.
Gibsons Restaurant Group (Gibsons Bar Steakhouse, Hugo's Frog Bar Fish House, Luxbar, Quartino) will partner with Schussler Creative to open The Boathouse, an expansive waterfront restaurant opening in Disney Springs, an under-construction expansion of Downtown Disney in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
"We were very fortunate to find a terrific partner," says Bob Kanzler, a managing partner with GRG. "We couldn't be more excited."
The creative aspect of The Boathouse, which will feature three bars (one built over water), live entertainment and watercraft rides, will be handled by Schussler, creators of such concepts as Rain Forest Cafe, T-Rex Cafe, Jukebox Saturday Night and more. Gibsons group will manage the restaurant and its steaks, seafood and raw bar menu.
"We're still in the process of recipe creation and menu design," Kanzler says. "But we've obviously been successful in Chicago with steaks and fresh seafood, and I'm sure some of that will carry over."
The Boathouse is aiming for a spring 2015 opening.
pvettel@tribune.com
Twitter @philvettel
