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Highlands Today

Local Eateries Serve Up New Fare

Jasmina Meyer/Highlands Today

Sous Chef Tara Selander prepares Beach Sliders an item from the new menu at Sunset Grille on Thursday in Sebring.

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By Bill Rogers | Highlands Today

Published: May 31, 2008

SEBRING – The Sunset Grille has devised a new beach and bar menu in line with the theme "Life Is A Beach Down At The Sunset Grille."

"We didn't think we were utilizing it (the beach)," said Robert Gray, one of the owners of the restaurant overlooking Lake Jackson in Sebring. "We have a beach here, and you can pull up in your boat. We will be putting picnic tables on the beach."

Food items on the menu that Gray describes as "true beach fare" include peel and eat shrimp, gator tail, fish fingers and catfish nuggets. There are also hot dogs, beach burgers, chicken wings, french fires and onion rings.

Gray said the eatery is going to bring in an event coordinator to help plan some events.

It has a large deck with seating for more than 100 where Gray will have entertainment at night. There could be events during the day like a volleyball tournament.

Gray hopes the entertainment, food and drink offerings will entice people to stay in the area and not have to travel to have some fun and a good time.

"It (gas) has become a cost you have to consider," he said.

Veggie Burgers, KaraokeAt Roadhouse Grill

Margie Larkins, head chef and kitchen manager at Roadhouse Grill in Sebring, said the restaurant is adding veggie burgers that will be made fresh daily. Although still in the works, the choices will include potato-based, soy-based and black bean-based.

In addition to offering customers more options, Larkins thinks people, especially senior citizens, want more vegetables because of dietary concerns. She said she has a lot of friends who are vegetarians.

"I love vegetables," she said, noting that Roadhouse has fried mushrooms and beer-battered green beans on the menu.

The daily chef specials will include meat loaf on Wednesday and stuffed peppers on Saturday.

Karaoke began at the restaurant a month ago on Saturday nights from 9 to 2 a.m.

"It has gotten bigger and bigger every week," Larkins said.

Larkins, who said she sang in a band for five years before getting into restaurant management, and bar tender Ray Rodriguez handle the Karaoke.

The bar offers drink specials.

The Sebring Roadhouse is one of a few remaining in the chain that is still open. The corporate office closed 20 restaurants May 15 after a loan fell through, according to Restaurant News.

Roadhouse, which filed for bankruptcy for the second time last October, told the bankruptcy court that it would have to shut down all locations because a $1.3 million loan from MCF Development LLC did not come through on time.

Farmer's Market Buffet

The Farmer's Market Buffet is scheduled to open later this month at the corner of New Life Way and U.S. 27 in Sebring. A target date has been set but not confirmed.

Nellis Cuban Cuisine

The restaurant at 5367 U.S. 27 S. in Sebring has been featuring live music Thursday nights from 6 – 8. It is planning to have Karaoke that evening.

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