If you’re looking for delicious seafood, juicy chicken, plump burgers or fresh salads, then a trip to your own neighborhood waterfront restaurant is a must.
Lighthouse Point Bar & Grille, at 925 Lakeshore Drive, sits directly on Lake Sumter in Lake Sumter Landing. And here’s a great thing – it’s practically in your backyard!
When you arrive at the restaurant and enter the dock, you’re greeted by two rope-entwined pilings. And a friendly hostess quickly greets you at the door and welcomes you in.
You really feel the lakefront atmosphere at the Lighthouse. A light-and-breezy nautical theme is prevalent throughout the restaurant. And if you have to wait for a table, there’s plenty of seating – both inside and on the dock outside.
You’ll also have your choice of seating, either at the large bar boasting several large television sets, at a high-top table in the bar, table seating inside, or table seating on the large, wrap-around deck. The deck is covered and has both overhead fans for cooling and warming heaters for those chilly days or nights.
You’ll have great views, no matter where you choose to dine. Inside, you are surrounded by large windows. And outside, your views are unobstructed. From just about any seat, you’ll be able to see the lake, Palmer Legends Golf Course across the lake and even the lighthouse for which the restaurant is named – right on the deck.
This was not our first time dining here. In fact, we’ve been coming to the Lighthouse since it opened in 2006, before it was expanded and closed in to accommodate more dining. And we’ve never had a bad meal or complaint since then.
The owners keep things fresh by occasionally changing up the menu. However, if you have a favorite that isn’t currently on the menu, our server told us to just ask for it.
On a recent visit, my three companions and I started with the Captain Fingers appetizers. They are Haddock fingers battered and rolled in corn flakes, then deep fried. They were hot, juicy, flaky and huge! And they’re best when dipped in the pineapple tartar sauce.
Next up, we ordered the daily special of all-you-can-eat peel-and-eat boiled shrimp, a blackened redfish sandwich, the fried shrimp and scallops dinner and a Boston Burger on a brioche bun – with a surprise of fried pickles under it. All of our entrees came with coleslaw and French fries.
The seafood was fresh and juicy and the burger was cooked to perfection. The portions were very generous, too. The coleslaw had a refreshing citrus flavor to it. And since I love my fries with a bit of a crunch to them, I was not disappointed!
It’s not unusual to have to wait for a table, as the restaurant is usually packed with plenty of guests. However, we must have arrived at just the right time because we were seated immediately, our food came out quickly and was fresh and hot. But if you have to wait, please get comfortable because it will be worth it!
