John, you are talking about something I have always wanted to do but have been scared.
When I was in that industry, I opened 7 Bars, Night Clubs and Reastaurants, in Las Vegas in the last 10 years. It is the hardest business, (in my opinion) to be successful in, ever.

However, if you got a great product, and good employees, and are filling a niche', I say go for it.

There is nothing better than a great place to eat, being that there are so few.

I still have 2 business plans collecting dust somewhere, of 2 great restaurants ( menus and all) that I never got off the ground, knowing what I know about that business.

Out of the 7 Hospitality business that I opened, only 2 still survive.
The main reason.
They did not know their market, and they did not listen to the people that did.

You sound like you have a great support system behind you, which is invalueable, and I can hear the exitement in your writing.

Stick with it. If you can keep that exitement going all the way to the grand opening, and after, you can be very successful.

I like the fact that you are willing to get a job in the industry to learn.
You sound determined.
That is something that no one can teach you.
Good luck.