[Dis2cruise]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

What square is nearest to where you are staying? The Villages is a BIG place and a golf cart ride from the far northern reaches to (say) Brownwood Paddock Square is anything but a short golf cart ride. Also if you've never driven a golf cart in The Villages it is very easy to get lost, especially at night.

Anyway, I agree with most of the recommendations here, however my input is as follows:

If you like ice cream, definitely stop by Kilwin's at Spanish Springs. Their idea of a scoop is about 1.5 times as big as other places and service is great. Haagen-Dasz at Lake Sumter Landing is good or not depending on who's working, and wait times tend to be long. I've never tried Scooples at Brownwood but have talked to folks who have liked it.

Breakfast? The Flying Biscuit at Lake Sumter Landing is good, especially if you like chicken as part of your breakfast meal. I'm a bacon guy myself and they do have it, but it seems as if the chickens are winning over the pigs there about 5-1. Good, friendly service. Their signature "side" is fresh biscuits with apple butter and they are fantastic. First Watch (by Publix in the Spanish Plaines shopping center) is pretty good as well.

Dinner: can't go wrong at Coastal Del Mar in Spanish Springs. It isn't high-end by any means, more middle of the road, but the food is good, the service is impeccable, and the place is clean and well-run. Their seafood offerings are somewhat limited but what they have is fine. Bluefin (Brownwood) is good for dinner, medium-high $$ but good food and service. Bonefish Grill (on 466, in a small mall in the same area as the Fresh Market) is good but somewhat hit-or-miss. I had a NY Strip Steak there once, medium, that was melt-in-your-mouth tender. Another time, same thing was on the far side of tough. Best on Friday and Saturday evenings when the A-team is working.

I don't recommend Chops at Lake Sumter Landing: had chateaubriand there once that was VERY tough: had a hard time believing that it came from tenderloin. Don't get me wrong though: the food is generally pretty good there. But you're eating at what is probably the priciest restaurant in TV so "pretty good" is not acceptable. Steer clear of Lighthouse Point (Lake Sumter Landing on the shore).

Anyway, enjoy your stay!

Thanks for your info! Not exactly sure where they house us for our stay.