Page 46 - South Mississippi Living - March, 2017

DINING experience
OPENS IN DOWNTOWN GULFPORT
story by Lynn Lofton photos by Teddy Lewis
Steaks, including wet- and dry-aged prime and choice cuts, will be the featured fare, but other menu items
will include lamb, veal, game, lobster and fresh fish dishes. The appetizers, side items and desserts have been carefully created to complement the entree options.
According to Fish, this restaurant concept was chosen for a couple of reasons. “All four of us have significant steakhouse experience. Bob was a long time proprietor for Outback Steakhouse here on the Coast; Rob worked there in management; Brian worked with Logan’s Roadhouse Grill; and I was a multi-unit operator for both Roadhouse Grill and Lonestar Steakhouse. We felt there was a need for this niche on the Coast — that ‘upscale casual’ steakhouse that’s a notch above Logan’s, Outback or Lonestar, but not the fine dining of a Ruth’s Chris or Morton’s.”
Managers for the Rackhouse transferred from the Half Shell Oyster Houses and additional staff is being hired for a total of 80 employees.
“We’ve taken the Half Shell Oyster House on the road with nine of them
in four states, but we all live here, and this is where our heart is so we will continually look for opportunities in our town,” Fish said.
The owners of the popular Half Shell Oyster House restaurants are bullish on
downtown Gulfport. That’s why they’re opening a new restaurant, The Rackhouse Steaks & Spirits, in the building that formerly housed Lookout Seafood & Steaks. Rackhouse owners Bob Taylor, Kevin Fish, Brian Raspberry and Rob Heffner have transformed the building with its exposed brick and wooden beams without sacrificing any of the character. New lighting and contemporary décor were added to enhance the original features.
“We’ve been bullish on
downtown Gulfport for
a long time,” Fish said. “With projects such as
the Aquarium coming,
the refurbishment of the Markham building and hopefully someday a
new casino in the port, downtown Gulfport is set to be a thriving business center for years into the future and we want to be a significant part of that.”
The Rackhouse, which
is named for the building where bourbon barrels are stored and aged, will offer an extensive selection of bourbon, wine and other spirits. “A mezzanine lounge will provide the perfect setting for pre-dinner cocktails and after-work happy hour,” Taylor said.
Rackhouse Steaks & Spirits
1301 26th Ave., Gulfport 228.206.2744
46 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • March 2017
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Owners from left to right:
Rob Heffner, Bob Taylor,
Brian Raspberry and Kevin Fish.