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published: Friday, November 28, 2008
Sports bar ready for action
ROXANNE BROWN
Staff Writer
CLERMONT -- Eric Laird, the general manager of Sports on Tap Bar and Grill, is sure people will love everything the grill offers from the big screens, homemade foods and exceptional service that he is intent on providing.
Sports on Tap, at 528 8th St. in Clermont, is one of the newest places to hit downtown Clermont, having taken over the spot that previously housed the Pier House, then Benchwarmers.
Laird however, said he wants people to come in and experience Sports on Tap for themselves because the entire place -- inside and out -- has been remodeled, rethought and reworked into a classier place to eat, mingle and enjoy every major sporting event.
"I'd like to welcome everyone to the restaurant like the people of Clermont have welcomed me," Laird said. "It's not the place that it was, and I know that people will be pleased with the changes.
"With me, the customer is the focus. I know how they want to be treated and that is how we are going to treat them."
Sports on Tap has 8,000 square-feet of space inside, along with an additional 2,000-square-foot outdoor porch area.
"We have the largest screens in Lake County and over 40 TVs to choose from," Laird said. "That pretty much covers any sporting event on any given day."
Laird, originally from Columbus, Ohio, came to Clermont for Sports on Tap and is dedicated to taking his 25 years experience in the business to ensure its success in the Clermont community.
Before opening up the grill, Laird also invited a chef from Ohio down with him to create a menu and recipes that were pleasing to Laird, his staff and hopefully, he said, everyone in town.
Laird said all the sauces, dressings and soups carry only the freshest of ingredients in recipes that are strictly homemade, adding that the beer batter they use has a distinct flavor that people will not find anywhere else.
"Everything is fresh and homemade; nothing out of a box," Laird said.
In fact, Laird said Kevin Lane, his kitchen manager/chef, makes the best soup of any he's ever tasted during his entire career.
"He makes some fantastic and flavorful soup," Laird said. "When people try it, they usually agree."
Other dishes on the menu include Cheesy Crab Bread, the grill's signature appetizer, burgers, salads, wings, crab cake sandwiches, Philly cheese steaks, fresh fish and "to die for" Reuben sandwiches.
For more information, call 241-9525.
