By SAMANTHA GHOLAR
sgholar@newssun.com
SEBRING - The restaurant scene in Highlands County is heating up as an area favorite has a new location and a new way of serving up Asian favorites.
For the past month, Cang Tong, formerly known as Cang Tong Chinese and Japanese, has been the go-to destination for diners looking to tantalize their tastebuds. The well-known establishment has relocated (only a few doors down) and re-vamped, creating a unique atmosphere for diners to enjoy.
Cang Tong owner Jennie Le has had her hands full since the grand re-opening of her restaurant in February. The move and expansion took about seven months, according to Le.
"It wasn't that hard to move and expand," Le explained. "The hardest part was the new staff. Everything is so new and they have to learn so much - that has been a big challenge."
With a full staff of bartenders, servers, chefs and greeters, Le finds it hard to remember how many she has on staff at times. Though the number isn't important, the service is, Le said.
The Chinese, Japanese and Hibachi restaurant serves up everything from traditional Chinese dishes such as fried rice and wontons, to hand-made sushi and lobster tail.
"There's a few favorites. The Chinese favorite is the sweet and sour chicken. For the sushi favorites customers really love the Ruby Jade roll and the OMG roll, and the Hibachi favorites are salmon and filet mignon," Le revealed.
Though the favorites are always in heavy rotation in the kitchen, Cang Tong chefs spend a lot of time preparing new and exciting items that many customers aren't so familiar with.
Eel and seaweed salad are just a couple of the items from the sushi menu that brave diners are welcomed to try. Sushi chefs are constantly busy at the sushi barr.
The new hibachi-style grill, however, is the highlight of every dining experience.
Hibachi translates to "fire bowl" from Japanese and is described as a heating device. Chefs use the shichirin (in Japanese), or hot plate to cook. The technique is known as Teppanyaki - the word is derived from two parts, teppan, which means iron plate, and yaki, which means grilled, broiled or pan-fried.
"Our hibachi chef, Mark (Lee), is amazing. He is a top chef. He's been doing this for 15 years," Le said. "We've been friends for a while. I called him up and told him I needed his help for the grand opening and asked if he would come down for a while, but I've convinced him to stay."
Lee, who is from Georgia, has given Cang Tong his full attention since its opening and has made plans to relocate himself and his family to Sebring within the month.
Most hibachi/Japanese restaurants feature numerous grills. Le decided that Cang Tong could work perfectly with a smaller setting.
"Two is good for us. We don't need four or five like other restaurants have. Not here (in Sebring). If we need them later on, then an expansion is definitely a possibility," Le said.
Cang Tong also features a full bar complete with wine and liquor options for customers.
An experienced bartender serves the needs of diners each night. An array of different drink specials - buy one get on free, happy hour, and more - are available with every dining experience. Drink specials are chosen daily by the bartender who creates traditional drinks, margaritas and Long Island Ice Tea, as well as one-of-a-kind refreshers like the Lychee Martini.
Le, a hard-working wife and mother, greets each customer with a smile.
"I did this because there was a need. I think this town really needed a place where the younger crowds and young families can come and enjoy a unique atmosphere and great food. There aren't many places geared directly toward the younger generations here and that's what I tried to do with this, along with introduce people to good Asian food," Le said. "We have been very busy. We've been slammed and the weekends can get a little crazy, but we have a lot of happy customers walking out. So it's been really good."
Cang Tong is at 110 Sebring Square in the Winn Dixie shopping plaza. Restaurant hours are 11:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. Sunday and Tuesday through Thursday; 11:30 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Cang Tong is closed on Monday. Carry-out orders may be placed by calling 386-1924.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013 - www.newssun.com/032013-sg-cang-tong