The restaurant borrows the name from its new owner, Gino Rivera, who wanted to give the interior a cozier, fancier look.

Seafood, steaks, pasta, pizza as well as comfort food made from scratch are among the menu offerings, and Rivera said his idea is to offer food at a reasonable price. New to the Kitsap County business scene, he is not new to the industry: Rivera owns Gino’s Bistro in Federal Way. His wife, Kelly, is a partner in the business but less hands on, focusing instead on the couple’s four children, who range in age from 7 to 13.

Rivera, 36, came to King County from Peru in 1989. He spoke no English. More than a decade later, he not only knew English well but opened his own restaurant. Now shifting his full attention to Port Orchard, he is currently the chef there, working seven days a week. While he’s focused on the “back of the house,” brother-in-law Jason Enyart is the general manager, supervising the front. Gino is also training his wife’s cousin to eventually take over the kitchen duties. The business is truly a family affair. Even the youngsters have helped out.

The building, still owned by Tim Tweten, has been a landmark of downtown Port Orchard for more than 20 years. Rivera, who has known Tweten through their church, has been wanting to expand and at first they looked at a Gig Harbor location. When that didn’t come through, their thoughts turned to the Lighthouse. “The minute I pulled in, I got a good vibe and a good feeling about it,” Rivera said.

The restaurant was closed for about three weeks while undergoing the changes. Doors had only been open for a couple of weeks but business is already brisk. Gino said the average lunch crowd is about 100 people. He has been touched by all the people who have provided positive comments. “It makes me feed off that, and I want to do my best,” he said.