[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by lindaelane

I regret moving here due to lack of restaurant diversity. I see people below talking about going to Ocala or Mt. Dora to get diversity. Minimum 50-mile round trip - for most it would be much more.

Our Chinese is not good. We have seafood, Italian (OK), Vietnamese (good), Mexican ( about 3 good ones), Deli, one Thai (not very good) and American. There is a place that serves "Greek" but the pita bread is thick and cold so I don't go there, and it is only one place. There are a few places in the lower part of Hwy 441 but travel on that "one main highway" is congested and unpleasant.

Yes, you can go on the long trip to Ocala for a special occasion to get French, Korean, Brazilian, Indian and authentic Hispanic (not Tex-Mex). But the drive is irritating (speeders, heat, etc.) and gas is likely to remain high. There is nothing like Middle Eastern, Columbian, Ethopian, etc. - cuisines I have enjoyed elsewhere - and there is no likelihood there ever will be that I can see.

I like many things about this place but the lack of restaurant diversity is something I wish I had known about.

Bonus: I have learned cook some new dishes.

We find Kayame (Chinese/Thai) and Sunrise (Chinese) to be good. Do not expect to see Columbian or Ethiopian or a good Middle Eastern restaurant to ever open or be sucessful if they did.

We are going to Ocala more and more.