by Jeff Saunders

Reporter

Northfield Village -- The opening of Lagoons Island Grill is a homecoming for owner Scott Deyling.

"I graduated from Nordonia High School in 1982," said Deyling, who also owned the Hideaway Night Club and Grill in Sagamore Hills for six years until it closed in 2001. "I'm looking forward to being back and serving some great food."

Deyling, who is also a modeling agent, returned from California to open his new venture in Summit Plaza at the former site of the Krusty Krab on Northfield Road. The 6,800-square-foot restaurant, which employs 15 and seats up to 241 patrons, opened July 16.

"It's American food with a New Orleans slant," said Deyling.

Items on the menu include Turducken, consisting of duck inside chicken inside turkey, all deboned, a filled throughout with a Creole shrimp stuffing, and fresh stuffed burgers made with Angus beef.

"It's the best type of beef to have for hamburgers," said Deyling.

Stuffing for the burgers include avocado and salsa, sausage and alligator meat, and portabello mushrooms and mozzarella.

Among a variety of other fare is a choice of seafood, including king crab, salmon and shrimp dishes.

Deyling characterized the food as "five-star quality," but not at five-star prices.

"We emphasize freshness and buying the best we can," said Deyling. "We see where the food comes from first."

Deyling said Lagoons also makes a lot of what it offers, such as a Cajun house butter, from scratch.

In addition to its menu, Lagoons also features a dance floor. Tuesday is karaoke night, with a focus of disco and 80s music on Thursdays. Nightly events throughout most of the week will take place in a back room, including a live radio broadcast Mondays, bingo on Tuesdays, a ladies night photo session Wednesdays, complete chair massages Thursdays and a variety of events Fridays and Saturdays.

Nintendo Wii video game tournaments are also expected to take place Mondays and there will be a monthly fashion show, said Deyling.

Lagoons Island Grill is open from 3 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

E-mail: jsaunders@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3169