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Hernando Today

It's An Easygoing Atmosphere At The Hideaway

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By TONY HOLT

Hernando Today

Published: March 30, 2009

SPRING HILL - Lounge manager Caitlin Shaw knows how to sell.

When asked how she would describe the Hideaway, she confidently called it the "best restaurant in Hernando County."

The seasoned bartender and server emphasized how it was a full-scale restaurant and not a place for the average barfly.

There is food, live music, sports viewing, a pool table, videogames, dancing and down-home dining at the family restaurant, which opened two months ago.

Shaw continued to sell it. She mentioned how it serves an array of juicy entrees, including ribs, steaks, chicken, burgers and fish.

Fit for someone with a carnivorous appetite?

"Pffft … We've got salads, too," Shaw said. She made sure she covered everything.

She shares the same enthusiasm and attention to detail as her boss, owner Kevin Gates.

"We don't want to be Hooters and we don't want to be Chili's," said Gates, who wanted a hometown restaurant that was free of corporate control and unruly guests.

The Hideaway occupies the building formerly known as the Lion's Club. It is nuzzled in a quiet neighborhood south of Spring Hill Drive.

"Anyone can make a rum and Coke," Gates said. "The food here is great. I haven't had an unhappy customer yet … People from Tampa come for the Italian beef sandwich. I get a lot of response on that one."

The menu is not expansive, but includes all the major must-haves – including appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, dinners, salads and desserts.

There is a stage on one end of the restaurant and an open floor for dancing. It is not unusual to find 30-somethings dancing alongside 60-somethings on any given night, Shaw said.

Gates realized he was opening a restaurant in the middle of a neighborhood, not along a busy highway. Live music is kept at a reasonable volume and everything is indoors. There is even foam around the stage to muffle some of the sound.

"My mom spent my whole life telling me to turn my music down and she was here not too long ago enjoying herself," Gates said, emphasizing how much he controls the volume in his restaurant.

Some noise complaints have been filed, but the owner shrugged them off and said they came from one neighbor with a chip on his shoulder.

The spacious building includes a storage room and kitchen. There is another bar adjacent to the storage area, but it might be another 18 months before Gates considers opening it as a lounge.

He employs 14 people, including cooks, servers and bartenders. He hopes to hire more as business grows.

His busiest nights are Fridays and Saturdays. His Sunday buffet also is drawing a crowd.

Gates has a live band play Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Local band Without Smith performs everything from ZZ Top to Frank Sinatra. They regularly take requests.

"The weekends can get pretty busy here," said Shaw, who used to work at Ker's WingHouse in Ocala. "Every time someone comes here, they keep bringing more people."

Dollar drafts are available along with drink and dinner specials every night.

The venue also is ideal for a sports fan. Flat-screen televisions are found throughout the bar area and Gates hopes to tap into the football and NASCAR crowds as the year continues.

"We're very flexible," he said, again emphasizing his preference to individuality. "We don't have any corporate laws to deal with here. This is a local restaurant for local people."

Reporter Tony Holt can be reached at 352-544-5283 or wholt@hernandotoday.com.

Biz at a glance:

Name of biz – The Hideaway

Owner – Kevin Gates

What it is – restaurant/bar

Where it is – 247 Hallcrest Ave. in Spring Hill

Hours of operation – 3 to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday

Get in touch – 352-666-1416

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