Drift on Pine is rapidly becoming the go-to spot for casual, upscale dining in La Porte. Located right off of Pine Lake, customers can feel comfortable stopping in for lunch or dinner right after a business casual board meeting or an afternoon on the boat.
A big part of creating this welcoming atmosphere is Drift’s inviting design inspired by the travels of Owners Brandon and Ashlie and brought to life with the help of Facet Architecture and Larson-Danielson Construction Company.
“The idea for Drift came from our passion to build a unique restaurant on a unique piece of property overlooking the lake,” said Brandon. “We wanted to do something very special for our city of La Porte because it's where we grew up, and where our family resides. Throughout our building, we didn't take any shortcuts; We used the best materials, and we made it a great environment for everyone.”
The end result of Brandon and Ashlie’s vision is a two-story restaurant and bar featuring two distinct dining environments, several outdoor spaces, and a rooftop hangout ready just in time for the incoming summer weather.
Walking in, patrons will immediately see a ground floor dining room and bar with several high-tops, tables, and booths. The downstairs dining room is perfect for the whole family, and it connects to an outdoor space overlooking Pine Lake with several seating options, easy access to the bar without having to return inside, and a large, cozy firepit that’s lit every night.
Guests 21 and older also have access to the Buoy, Drift’s second floor bar accessible via elevator or a staircase decorated by a local South Bend artist. The Buoy features its own kitchen where they cook with real firewood, outdoor balcony, and a weather resistant patio area with retractable windows and a retractable roof, that can be rented out for private events. Additionally, when the weather is nice, the lake-facing floor-to-ceiling windows on the Buoy can open all the way up, providing a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor space.
Brandon and Ashlie designed Drift to incorporate all of the best things they’d seen on their travels.
“They experienced a lot of really cool places through their travels and came back with a lot of great ideas that they wanted to bring to this community,” said Robin Witte, lead architect at Facet Architecture. “What they wanted to do was create a vibrant restaurant and outdoor space that the people of La Porte could really enjoy, and part of what Facet did was just incorporate some of these ideas into a building. That’s what created these unique spaces and all the different dining and beverage areas that people can enjoy.”
On top of working with local architects and construction groups, Brandon and Ashlie emphasized doing as much of Drift as possible using local resources. This includes tables created from the Thunderbird Lanes bowling alley originally built on Drift’s location, artwork from local artists like art teachers in the La Porte Community School Corporation, and tables made from trees that have fallen in storms throughout the years in La Porte County.
“I knew that Larson-Danielson would be a great partner, and when we sat and talked about the direction we were taking with Drift, I made it very clear that I wanted as many local subs as possible,” said Brandon. “Those are the same folks who are going to come here and enjoy the place.”
Brandon and Ashlie’s investment into the community has paid off. Since Drift’s opening in October, the restaurant has seen plenty of support from home. With a unique space to call its own, La Porte has made Drift a mainstay of the city in its first few months, and it's attracting attention outside of home as well.
“What's really been welcoming and neat is that the design of the building, our food and beverage, our staff, it's gotten attention and attraction from guests coming to Drift all the way from Chicago to St. Joe, MI, and everywhere in between,” Brandon said. “We're becoming a destination restaurant. We’re built for the locals but supported by so many on a larger scale, and that really makes us feel good.”
As summer approaches, Brandon and Ashlie are excited to welcome guests to enjoy the final level of Drift: a rooftop patio space looking across both Pine Lake North and Pine Lake South. With its own miniature bar, the rooftop space will be the perfect place to unwind during the warmer months.
“I'm a dreamer, and I imagine standing on the rooftop amongst 50 other people looking down on the second level walk out balcony to 25 more guests, and to the first-floor patio with the fire pit at night with 50 more guests there,” said Brandon. “Opening in October, we haven't had the opportunity to see that come true yet, but I think we're just weeks from it becoming a reality. We’re excited about that.”
Drift utilizes everything that makes La Porte great – beautiful environment, local artisans and artists, friendly community – and creates an environment unlike anywhere else in the Region. Whether you’re looking for dinner for the family, a place to relax with friends, or a good drink, you can’t go wrong with a night at Drift.
To view Drift on Pine’s menu and make reservations, visit driftonpine.com.
To view other projects Facet Architecture has had a hand in bringing to life, visit facet-architecture.com.
To learn more about Larson-Danielson Construction Company, visit ldconstruction.com.
