Boathouse Restaurant Set To Open Thursday

Smelling of fresh varnish and new carpet, the new Boathouse on the Bay is expected to welcome guests for the first time Thursday.

Less than a month after the closure of McKennas on the Bay, a high-end restaurant that anchored Alamitos Bay Landing for more than a decade, the owners of Boathouse on the Bay said they are happy to turn things around and unveil a similar-quality dining and entertainment venue overlooking the water.

McKennas had been repossessed by its landlord after McKennas on the Bay LLC defaulted on its lease and other financial obligations, in part because of the death of majority owner Nick Limer. Limer, who was receiving treatment for cancer, passed away in November 2013.

The Boathouse restaurant concept was conceived by McKennas former general manager John Morris, who is working alongside restaurateur Eric Johnson. The two men also own Legends Sports Bar & Restaurant in Belmont Shore, and Johnson is an owner of the Auld Dubliner in downtown Long Beach.

Boat House on the Bay will be managed by a new company called Naples Restaurant Group LLC. Other business partners involved in the venture include David Copley, Dave Erickson, Glenn Russell, Josh Lowenthal and Matt Knabe.

This is a great new chapter we are beginning, Morris said, emphasizing that the group of partners put together to run the Boathouse are a slice of heaven combination of people he is excited to work with. Morris added that he would again be working with Chef Naga, the culinary mind behind the now-closed Mums restaurant on Pine Avenue.

Just days before opening, Morris and Johnson were bustling to complete last-minute details, including finalizing proofs of the menu, re-arranging seating, coordinating the installation of new signs for the business and scheduling required city inspections. The new restaurant will feature a variety of paintings by local maritime artist Bob Senske. Additionally, there are plans underway to expand the patio dining area after the reopening.

Johnson said the Boathouse is going to have high-end seafood and steak as well as a sushi bar. The restaurant, which has areas designated for both high-end and more casual dining, will be open daily, with entertainment scheduled every evening. Free Duffy boat rides to the restaurant also are available for dinner guests.

We have some small changes to the restaurant (McKennas), but nothing major, Johnson said. Its just a beautiful venue by the waterfront and its perfect for this type of restaurant.

The closure of McKennas on the Bay, and the addition of the Boathouse, will not impact McKennas on the Fly, a sister restaurant that opened a year ago at the Long Beach Airport, according to LGB officials.

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Boathouse Restaurant Set To Open Thursday