Columbia Restaurant Group to Open New Restaurant on Longboat Key

Richard Gonzmart, the CEO of the Columbia Restaurant Group along with other dining concepts such as Ulele, Cha-Cha Coconuts, and Goody Goody Burgers, has plans to build The Buccaneer on Longboat Key as his newest restaurant. The location will be the former home of PattiGeorge's, which called the land home for four decades. Gonzmart's family long admired The Buccaneer Inn, a longtime Longboat Key dining establishment, which inspired him to reboot the beloved restaurant.

In 1959 Gonzmart's father opened the second Columbia Restaurant location in Sarasota, and the family has a long history with the area where Cha Cha Coconuts is also located. He purchased the land in 2016 with plans to tear down the current building, and he began working with architects right away on both interior and exterior designs. Over time, he has traveled all over the world and collected a bevy of buccaneer antiques and artifacts, many of which will be featured in the restaurant. 
 
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Mark Boor has been hired to be the Executive Chef of The Buccaneer, who comes from multiple properties at Disney Springs. Boor has previously been chosen as a "Top Chef of Central Florida", by Restaurant Forum Magazine. In addition to working for Gonzmart's Columbia Restaurant in Sarasota on St Armands Circle, he also served as the Executive Chef of Trio Bistro, one of Cincinnati's finest restaurants.

The Buccaneer, in addition to having boat slips, will feature public access to the waterfront, along with bicycle access to Bayfront Park which is just south of the property. The original restaurant featured distinct favorites such as prime rib and oysters, which Gonzmart intends to ingratiate into the new menu. Also look for unique touches to blend the historic past with the present, and future, of the restaurant. Early estimates project the restaurant to have approximately 200 seats, but an exact opening date is not yet known. Gonzmart, to this point, has only confirmed that it will open sometime in 2019. And for those that waited for his Goody Goody re-opening in Hyde Park Village in Tampa, a project that took longer than expected but quickly became a neighborhood favorite, that timeline is over the long-haul.

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If history is any indication diners will enjoy both the food itself, as well as a unique ambiance, both of which are longtime staples of the Gonzmart Family. You can check out other Sarasota Restaurants, and don't forget to sign up for 941area, it's free to join!

Cover photo from Pixabay