Ron and Noël Stevens, owners of HopLite Irish Pub & Restaurant in Carolina Beach, are putting the finishing touches on Lake Park Steakhouse, formerly known as The Squeeze.

Restaurateur Ralph Roof spent nearly two years renovating the building at 12 N. Lake Park Blvd., which he has owned since 2002, and opened The Squeeze this past March. 

Ron Stevens said he discussed the possible purchase of the business with Roof from the start, knowing that Roof often likes to get restaurants up and running and then turn them over. 

Like Roof, he saw a need for a steakhouse on the island.

“A lot of people ask me where they can go for a good steak,” Ron Stevens said. “Everyone thinks about seafood at the beach, but there are plenty of people who want steak as an option.”

Ron Stevens said he is working with what Roof has built, but has pared down the menu. Lake Park’s menu will include classic steakhouse appetizers such as shrimp cocktail and French onion soup, along with hand-cut steaks, bone-in pork chops, an 8-ounce lobster tail and broiled or fried shrimp and scallops. All entrees are served with a baked potato and a custom-built salad.

Additional al a carte sides include steak fries, Brussels sprouts with bacon, creamed spinach and macaroni and cheese. There are also several options for children on the menu.

The custom salad allows diners to fill out a sheet, building their salad from a choice of over 30 ingredients and eight homemade dressings. Each salad is tossed and presented with dressing on the side.  

“We looked at what other places are charging for similar dinners and feel that our prices are right on par,” Ron Stevens said. “And we think the custom built salads will really add to the experience. It’s like having a salad bar without having to make it yourself.”

The Stevenses have made a few structural changes to the dining room to make the booths a bit larger, and crafted a wine list to complement the menu.

“We’ve tasted a lot of wine and put together a really great wine list,” Ron Stevens said. “And we will have a rotating selection of featured bottles on display at each table, along with specialty bottled waters and a featured bottled beer. It’s a unique approach to presenting our feature selections, which we adapted from a visit to the Amalfi Coast.”

Lake Park will also serve desserts, including homemade cheesecakes, key lime pie and crème brûlée. 

The grand opening of Lake Park Steakhouse is scheduled for Nov. 8. The restaurant will be open Thursday through Monday beginning at 4:30 p.m. Reservations will be accepted. 

Have a tip for Restaurant Roundup? Email [email protected].