The dining room of the Winchester Country Club is under new management, and in the coming weeks members of the public at large will be able to enjoy the traditional southern cuisine on the menu.

The dining room has been purchased by Kathy and Terry Montgomery, a mother-son duo that has operated restaurants in Mount Sterling for years, including Terry and Kathy’s on Main Street, which has since closed, and the Indian Creek restaurant at the Indian Creek Golf Course that they still own.

The two spent about two months cleaning and organizing the dining room for its eventual opening to both club members and others.

“We just opened Thursday for the club,” Kathy Montgomery said. “We’ve had a great first week.”

The restaurant will serve daily specials, including filet mignon medallions, Kentucky hot browns and fried green tomatoes prepared by chef Nolan Colliver.

Colliver, like the Montgomerys, is a Mount Sterling native. He said he began his culinary career at Dudley’s in Lexington.

“We serve southern fare,” Colliver said. “But it’s got an extra step in it, a little more care put into the product. We serve fresh, hand-cut fries and onion rings. I cut all of our ribeye.”

Kathy Montgomery also serves her homemade beer cheese — a recipe perfected over 15 years.

Terry Montgomery will act as the restaurant’s manager. He said the date the restaurant will open to the public has not yet been determined, but will be in the near future.

Terry Montgomery said he and his mother had been looking at the possibility of reopening Terry and Kathy’s when they found the country club.

“It seemed like a good fit,” he said.

“We’re excited to be here, and we aim to please,” Kathy Montgomery said.

The Winchester Country Club dining room will be open for lunch 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Dinner will be served 5 p.m. to closing Tuesday through Saturday.

Kathy Montgomery said that reservations are not required at the restaurant, but are appreciated for large groups. The dining room can be contacted at 744-0280.