Sawgrass Tavern Reopens as The Grove House, Plus Changes in Middleton

Updates checked October 19, 2026.

Sawgrass Tavern reopened today as The Grove House, following a week closed for renovations and staff training.

Over in Middleton, Southern Roots Collection is open, China Taste is still under construction, and Piesanos is now serving customers. Here’s what has changed since our last update.

Sawgrass Tavern is now The Grove House

The restaurant at 810 Marilee Place has a new name, a redesigned dining room and a new American menu. FMK Restaurants continues to operate it.

The restaurant’s October 9 Facebook announcement set out the schedule: closed October 12–18, with reopening planned for October 19 at 11 a.m. Today’s announcement from The Villages confirms that it is welcoming customers.

Menu changes include dishes such as Bourbon Peach Ribs, a Hot Honey Pastrami Sandwich and Citrus Herb Salmon. I haven’t visited since the changes, so I can’t yet say how the food or dining room compares with Sawgrass Tavern.

The restaurant’s website has more information for anyone planning a visit.

Southern Roots Collection opens in Middleton

Southern Roots Collection is now open at 2177 Dr Randy McDaniel Way, according to Middleton’s October 14 announcement.

The boutique sells clothing and accessories. Published hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

I haven’t been inside yet, but it adds another shop to downtown Middleton’s growing mix of businesses.

China Taste is still getting ready

China Taste remains under construction at 7625 Middleton Drive.

An October 14 report from Villages-News shows decorative window graphics and a “coming soon” sign. Those observations date to earlier in October, and I haven’t been back to check the latest work.

There’s no opening date I can verify yet.

Piesanos is now serving customers

A quick follow-up to the restaurant we’ve been watching: Middleton’s official site confirmed on October 14 that Piesanos is open at 2259 Dr Randy McDaniel Way.

It looked close when I photographed it in September. For a look at that visit, including Woodrow’s Duckpin Bowling, Smalls Sliders and the surrounding construction, see my Middleton and Eastport photo update.

Those photos are from September 28, so keep that date in mind when comparing them with what’s open today.

Genesis gym site still untouched

A reader reports that work has not yet started at the planned Genesis gym site near Middleton. No opening date has been announced.