What Do We Want In The Whiskey Creek Location?

[Villages Kahuna]

Not that there's a shortage of dark storefronts around here. Let's see, Bono's and the restaurant space across from Patchington have been dark for about a year. Someone has said that the Dairy Queen on 466 has closed. Bourbon Street replaced the Italian restaurant which replaced...what was it before? What was in the Copper Pot space before it folded and became a Mexican restaurant? Big City Grill is replacing the sub sandwich place at Spanish Springs after only a few months. What was it before that? We stopped by the new seafood restaurant in the Spanish Plaines shopping center the other night. They were telling people that it would take 90 minutes to get something to eat...on a Tuesday off-season night! If you want to try that one, better hurry.

The Villages leasing agents have their hands full. So maybe it would be worthwhile if we just concentrated on what we'd like to see in just one of the open storefronts...the recently vacated Whiskey Creek location. Lots of stuff might work there--it's a pretty good location. I'll take a flyer here. I'd vote for...

OAKWOOD BARBECUE (West or #2 or whatever)

What would you like to see in that location?

[chelsea24]

Yes, I'll vote for that. Fabulous barbeque! :#1:

[jadebox]

I was just telling my son that Oakwood is really good but I don't travel that far very often. Bring them ON!!!!!!

[blueeagle65]

I didn't know Whiskey Creek was no more. The one time I was there the food was good, but painfully slow in getting to us. I also vote for Oakwood (yum!) :agree:

[Muncle]

Not that there's a shortage of dark storefronts around here. Let's see, Bono's and the restaurant space across from Patchington have been dark for about a year. Someone has said that the Dairy Queen on 466 has closed. Remember, there was a DQ on 27/441 that is not a Thai place.

Bourbon Street replaced the Italian restaurant which replaced...what was it before? Don't remember. Also, the joint across the street changed last year. I was Oles and became something else or was something else and became Oles.

What was in the Copper Pot space before it folded and became a Mexican restaurant? An Irish Steakhouse -- upscale prices/midscale quality

Big City Grill is replacing the sub sandwich place at Spanish Springs after only a few months. What was it before that? A Mexican joint --- yuppie-ish. No candle to El Ranchito

We stopped by the new seafood restaurant in the Spanish Plaines shopping center the other night. They were telling people that it would take 90 minutes to get something to eat...on a Tuesday off-season night! If you want to try that one, better hurry.

The Villages leasing agents have their hands full. So maybe it would be worthwhile if we just concentrated on what we'd like to see in just one of the open storefronts...the recently vacated Whiskey Creek location. Lots of stuff might work there--it's a pretty good location. I'll take a flyer here. I'd vote for...

OAKWOOD BARBECUE (West or #2 or whatever)

What would you like to see in that location? I'd rather have a good BBQ place --- not another Sonny's either. Oakwood's better than nothing, but I can dream. I'd take a Boston Market, but not a good location.

[zcaveman]

A good BBQ place would be nice. My vote would be to get the original Buddy from Buddy's BBQ in Wildwood out of retirement. The original Buddy's had great ribs and steaks. the ribs were show cooked on a special set of grills outside of the building.

IMO - Oakwood and Sonny's are chains and don't have the real BBQ taste.

[Floridagal]

I'm for Oakwood. One of my favorite restaurants. I'll vote for it.

[samhass]

Oakwood for me!

[KathieI]

I think Donna should open a Playboy Club and wear her costume

Julia will be the cook!!!

Good idea? All men in favor say "Aye!!"

[golfnut]

I vote for Oakwood!

[Hancle704]

Try to convince Belleview Pizza or Angelo's from Leesburg to open in TV. They are both doing well at their current locations with large Village customer base who are willing to travel for a good meal at reasonable prices. Owners may find the higher Village Rents/Leases to high, but you never know. With increasing costs to travel, maybe moving closer to their customers might help them.

[Donna]

I think Donna should open a Playboy Club and wear her costume

Julia will be the cook!!!

Good idea? All men in favor say "Aye!!"




Not too sure about the bunny outfit, Hef wouldn't like me stealing his idea...LOL
We could always find something similar...http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/yes.gif (http://www.millan.net)

[renielarson]

My choice would be P. F. Chang's China Bistro. It's lettuce wraps are out of this world and it's one of the few chain restaurants that offer extensive vegetarian and vegan food choices.

[chacam]

Hooters ! ! !

Really, anything with good food and good service at a reasonable price will do.

[Dayton]

I would second P.F. Changs.....or a fondue restaurant...or a DB's Mongolian Barbeque. Nothing like those around here now.

[trichard]

Sonny's Real Bar-B-Q!

[Villages Kahuna]

On the pizza front, how about Uno's from Chicago, making both Chicago thincrust as well as the famous deep dish pizza. Uno's is a chain and they already have 13 stores in Florida. Why not a 14th in TV?

Brightspot's suggestion of P.F. Chang's is another terrific idea! My wife and I make a run to Orlando about every 4-6 weeks to shop at Costco and Restoration Hardware and then stop to eat at P.F. Chang's in Winter Park. Surprisingly, we don't have very many "white tablecloth" oriental restaurants around here. (Only Panda Express comes to mind, and that's only fast food.) P.F. Chang's would be a great idea!

The only problem with having Chang's come in is that there's no room for their huge signature horse sculptures out front at the former Whiskey Creek site. I could get by without them if they could!

[Beltlady]

You can forget about Oakwood coming. I heard they don't want to pay The Village Fee, which I hear is very high. Anyone have any more information on the fees. But I notice alot of you want Bar-b-que. We went to RJ Gators last week and new on the menu was Ribs. They were on the sweet side and delicious. Also Bob Evens has ribs for the season, but don't know if they are on the menu yet. They were very good too. I would vote for a Uno pizza.

[inholmdel]

Had dinner with another couple from TV Wednesday at SKY ASIAN FUSION in Ocala. After a great dinner, we met the manager and he thanked us after we announced we were from TV. He also informed us that the company that owns, SKY FUSION and IPANEMA are seriously thinking of comng to TV. I told him that Wiskey Creek had closed which he did not know. He seemed very interested in the Wiskey Creek facilities.
Having Sky Fusion or Ipanema or some combination of these two at Wiskey Creek would be just great. Don't you think?????

[samhass]

Yes!!!!!!! I would love for Ipanema to be in TV..or Sky. Thanks for pleading our case with them.

[sschuler1]

When we were there I saw that my favorite restaurant was not in TV. So my vote would be for Carraba's Italian Grill. My second favorite is Macaroni Grill, and that wasn't there either. Either one of those would be great!

[Russ_Boston]

There is already a Carrabba's in Rolling Acres Plaza

[wlou]

My Vote is a good raw bar! Why in the world can you not get good crab legs or a good raw bar at a place called Sumter Landing that looks a little like Key West??? That one escapes me. RJ Gators has only shrimp and it is not that good....

[sschuler1]

Did not see the Carraba's when we were there! Yeah!!!! I won't have to go without my Chicken Bryan!!!

[Sandy222]

How about a place like Crispers.?....A place that offers delicious salads and soup. Sure would be a healthy alternative . Another suggestion would be D'Lites Emporium a yummy dessert. Just Love it

[chelsea24]

Another vote Uno's Pizza. I keep wondering why they don't open up down here. One of the best Chicago Pizzas around. Also love P.J. Chang's. Hmmm, maybe we can get both! woooo hooooo! :bigthumbsup: :bigthumbsup:

[beady]

Melting Pot gets my vote. A fabulous fondue restaurant.

Yippeeeeeeee.......... if Ipamema comes to town another of my favorites.

[nONIE]

Another vote for Uno's Pizza!!!! Good choice Chels :bigthumbsup:

Oops on my part, good choce VK :bigthumbsup:

[Taltarzac]

Fuddruckers. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuddruckers

[SteveFromNY]

Fuddrucker's - That's a GREAT idea!

[Donna]

I vote for a real Jewish Deli like the Carnegie Deli... :bigthumbsup:

[graciegirl]

Is there a Bravo's Cucina?Ristorante here? There? We are halfway home. Sob.

[marianne237]

I'd also vote for Uno's! Or, how about Friday's moving to that location instead of building next to the Barnes/Nobles? Make that area next to the book store another parking area which is sorely needed in LSL.

[Talk Host]

Do you think that Villagers would support an upscale restaurant like PJ Changs? Specially in the off season?

[MSNPA]

The Bonefish Grill is still doing great; always crowded so I think PF Chang's would do well.
I lived in PA and drove to Columbia, Maryland in order to go to PF Chang's. You can never have enough good restaurants.

[Happy62]

BAHAMA BREEZE

[Frangyomory]

IHOP is supposed to be moving into BONOs but I understand is is hard for anyone to make good money with the contracts they sign with the developer. Seems that Friendly's backed out of their "agreement" for BONO's old property and that is how IHOP got it.

Food business really only thrives in the Winter down here so who knows what will happen??? I would just like to actually see the Olive Garden and Red Lobster break ground and then I'll believe they are actually coming here. :welcome:

[marianne237]

What kind of restaurant is PF Chang?

[Dayton]

Yes..Bahama Breeze is another good one.

[Beltlady]

Your right we don't have good crab legs in TV but while your waiting, go to Sams St. Johns in strip mall across from Wal Mart 27/441. They get fresh ones EVERYDAY. You can get 2LB or 3LB for not a bad price. And that's plenty to eat. We mustn't make a Pig out of ourselves.
My Vote is a good raw bar! Why in the world can you not get good crab legs or a good raw bar at a place called Sumter Landing that looks a little like Key West??? That one escapes me. RJ Gators has only shrimp and it is not that good....

[marianne237]

How about a Culver's Restaurant?

[chelsea24]

Yes, Culver's is another good one. Great Butter Burgers and fabulous ice cream. Yum! :bigthumbsup:

[wlou]

Great! Thanks for the info, had never heard of it but will definitely try Sam St Johns! Thanks again!

[graciegirl]

Do you think that Villagers would support an upscale restaurant like PJ Changs? Specially in the off season?



PF Changs is an Americanized Chinese restaurant, very beautiful and dramatically decorated and with reasonably priced entrees, usually no more than $12.00. I like it because the menu is in English and it is a chain, and I have a serious shellfish allergy and like Chinese food, and I am never sure that I have communicated that to someone whose first language is something other than English. The food is good, sometimes even better than good. I don't know much about exotic and true Chinese cooking, but I love PF Changs equivalent to General T'sos chicken, their spring rolls and some beef something...I can't remember.

[renielarson]

I apologize this is off topic but I am wondering where I can buy dungeness crab. Costco back in Michigan sells it but want to know if we can buy it here.

As for PF Changs...it's an Asian influenced Americanized restaurant. Their website defines it as "a blend of traditional Chinese cuisine and American hospitality in a contemporary bistro setting."

Here's the link for its homepage.

http://www.pfchangs.com/

[Boomer]

As any Buckeye from my end of the state knows, what TV really needs is a Skyline Chili with a Graeter's ice cream store next door.

Of course, if Skyline opened in TV, what would probably happen next is that some writer trying to make a name for himself, like that little whippersnapper who wrote Lesisureville, would pick up on Skyline's menu and take the wording totally out of context.

Said writer would then write all about Villlagers getting into 3-ways, 4-ways, and 5-ways.

For those who think that Boomer has gone raunchy -- Nope, she has not.

3-way? - spaghetti, chili, cheese
4 way? - spaghetti, chili, cheese, red beans or onions
5-way? - spaghetti, chili, cheese, red beans, and onions

Skyline is addictive.

Boomer

[inda50]

how come no one said ''The Cheesecake Factory"

[downeaster]

This is my first post and I know it is a long shot but I am casting the first vote for Harry's. Their nearest location is downtown Ocala. Their New Orleans cuisine is great for the money.
It is worth the drive to Ocala but if it were golf cart accessible it would even be better.

DC

[graciegirl]

As any Buckeye from my end of the state knows, what TV really needs is a Skyline Chili with a Graeter's ice cream store next door.

Of course, if Skyline opened in TV, what would probably happen next is that some writer trying to make a name for himself, like that little whippersnapper who wrote Lesisureville, would pick up on Skyline's menu and take the wording totally out of context.

Said writer would then write all about Villlagers getting into 3-ways, 4-ways, and 5-ways.

For those who think that Boomer has gone raunchy -- Nope, she has not.

3-way? - spaghetti, chili, cheese
4 way? - spaghetti, chili, cheese, red beans or onions
5-way? - spaghetti, chili, cheese, red beans, and onions

Skyline is addictive.

Boomer


OH Boomer, again you are so right. But as the other folks who don't understand Ohioese, this is like explaining the Buffalo at TV.

You didn't even mention Boom, that a key ingredient in Cincinnati Chili is cinnamon, and invented by Greeks, nice folks, but not nearly as many of them as German immigrants originally here in Cincy...go figure.

Anyway now that you mention it, I will have to have my "fix" of good ole five way tomorrow.
Graeters is great ice cream too, but so is United Dairy Farmers! I have to get out of this food capital or I am going to weigh a ton.

[Ooper]

I agree with ChaCam... Hooters has fantastic wings as well as The Winghouse. Have eaten at both. Or what about a franchise of the Ale House... The Villages Ale House! The Ocala Ale House has a fantastic menu, good prices, and great service.

[Muncle]

I hate to repeat myself, but if you want these places to move here, send them a letter and/or email. I just sent one to Bojangles this evening --- not for the Whiskey Creek site, but that big empty DQ looks ideal for a fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, and country ham/biscuit sandwiches.

Send your favorite stores/restaurants a note. You can probably find a "contract us" page on their web site.

[renielarson]

Muncle

There are too many overweight Americans and TV restaurants don't offer enough alternatives to healthy eating. Bojangles would NOT be my choice...not with fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, and ham/biscuit sandwiches...

Maybe I'm just too "in tune" to a healthier lifestyle since I started watching what I eat in order to lose weight.

Please email PF Changs...much healthier food!

[Muncle]

Muncle

There are too many overweight Americans and TV restaurants don't offer enough alternatives to healthy eating. Bojangles would NOT be my choice...not with fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, and ham/biscuit sandwiches...

Maybe I'm just too "in tune" to a healthier lifestyle since I started watching what I eat in order to lose weight.

Please email PF Changs...much healthier food!

Well, if you don't want Bojangles, don't write to Bojangles. That's pretty simple. If you want them to open a Tofu R Us, then go for it. Send them letters and emails. Though I'd never set foot in the place, I'd be more than happy for one to open in the TV for the sake of those who would patronize it. I don't feel that every restaurant, every store, every club, every race track or poker parlor has to appeal to me to be acceptable. I recognize others have different tastes and are entitled to them.

All I was trying to state was that if you want anything in TV, be it the Seaweed Palace, Fried Lard to Go, Freddy's House of Porn, or Olga's Stuffed Owls, it would be to your advantage to contact the companies direct and point out the advantages of locating in TV.

[renielarson]

:agree: Munc

Gonna write PF Changs right now!

And...bet I could cook you a tofu dinner you would like and never know you were eating it...

Hmmm....I can be sneaky...

But...I'd never do that to you...promise!

[francesco]

Umberto's At Barefoot Landing in Myrtle beach. This is the best restaurant in the USA that I have every eat at. I would love it to be there by the time I get to move to TV. I go to play in Myrtle beach and it is my first stop.

[tucson]

OLLIE'S ICE CREAM !!!!!!!

[tucson]

also, how about Bravo's moving into the space,they surely need it with the great business they have in the small area they're in now.

[ouma1938]

I'd vote for Indian. On my one visit to TV I never saw any Indian places in the area although I didn't get to go everywhere. When we get there (house still not sold....sob) I would love to have good Indian Tandoori nearby.

[Floridagal]

I got in touch with Pottery Barn. They said they are not interested in coming to TV yet. They make look into it next year.

[Muncle]

:#1: Well done, Floridagal. All you can do is try and that beats hell out of bemoaning the fates. Keep it up.

[Pebbles]

how come no one said ''The Cheesecake Factory"


My DH and I love The Cheesecake Factory! :agree:

[Terra Ridge]

Since I am not yet a resident yet, I don't think I can comment on what restaurants I would like yet. However........ I am interested in opening a rib place in or around TV. If I am "highjacking" this thread, I am sorry. I am new (mostly a reader) of this message board.

I see that many would like a BBQ place and I wonder how far you would be willing to travel for great ribs? My dream has been to move to TV for the last two years. I just recently conceded to all my friends and family that keep telling me to open a place of my own. I am in the due diligence stage now and Mr. Whiskers and I were down two weeks ago looking for a place. You are right, the rent in the Villages is very high. Too high for a little mom & pop place like me.

So we are looking around TV for the right spot and I post this question How far will you travel for great ribs? Do I need to be "golf cart" accessible?
Thanks. Your feedback would be very helpful to me.
PS...If this appeals to you....pray real hard for me to sell!

Petunia

[Russ_Boston]

Freddy's House of Porn,

We're just going to let this go without a comment?

Muncle - Tell me your first name isn't Fred! :joke:

[Muncle]

We're just going to let this go without a comment?

Muncle - Tell me your first name isn't Fred! :joke:

No Russ, it's not. I was going to call it "Handie's House of Porn" but I thought that too obvious (and I thought the name might already be copyrighted.)

Petunia --
Golf cart access is nice and likely does increase potential business considerably, but probably not enough to offset the rent and percentage. People here routinely go "off-campus" for lunch and especially dinner. Oakwood draws a lot of Villagers and it's quite a ways down 27/441 on the southeastern edge of Lady Lake. If you make good ribs (hickory smoked????), good brisket, and good beans, you'll get people to come 5 to 10 miles easily --- not every night, but frequently.

[Terra Ridge]

Muncle - Thank you for your feedback. This is just what I was looking for. Yes, I am a "Hickory Smoker" and a "Dry Rubber" too! Ribs, Pulled pork and brisket are what I do best. And beans. gotta have them beans!

[travelstiles]

We really don't need another restaurant -
I'd like to see a Raindew variety store - an old-fashioned one-stop shop (like Woolworths), where you can stop in an pick up various household items, a sewing kit, t-shirts, hardware, tablecloths, shower curtains, makeup, inexpensive gifts (like picture frames, toys for the kids) get a key made, pick up the newspaper, prescriptions - you know, the basics.
We had them on Long Island, and you could get anything you want there without driving all over the place or waiting on long lines in the big box stores.

[renielarson]

travel

Isn't that what we call the dollar store now?

[marianne237]

Terra Ridge...most folks WILL travel outside of TV for good food. Since the building currently seems to be west and south, you could consider the Oxford area or Wildwood.
Fruitland Park could use a new restaurant too, but going south on 27/441 you would be in competition with Oakwood.

The one thing to know is that you don't have to rely on TV to sustain a new business. There are retirement communities in every direction, and we all eat out on occasion.

[gingersmom]

Maybe we can get TGI Fridays to go there since they're obviously not going in next to Barnes & Noble.

[Jullie]

Oakwood & Uno sounds good. Or what about Naples or cheesecake factory?

[samhass]

How about a card parlor? ;)

[chelsea24]

:#1: I second that vote Sam!

[renielarson]

Sam

Mr. Bright would agree...he's already thinking of a nic to use for his poker playing name...

His first choice is CRAP

Yep...Crap is looking at his hand....Oh no, it's Crap!

UH OH....tony :cop: is going to come after me again....

[Carla]

Woody's in Wildwood is great ! It is very similar to Oakwood and tastes just as good. They just opened a few weeks ago. It is on 301 just before the entrance to the Turnpike on the left hand side. No wait and great food.

[graciegirl]

Sam

Mr. Bright would agree...he's already thinking of a nic to use for his poker playing name...

His first choice is CRAP

Yep...Crap is looking at his hand....Oh no, it's Crap!

UH OH....tony :cop: is going to come after me again....


Heavens to Murgatroyd. Bright will you never learn??.......OH NO. Tony is carrying a bar of Ivory. :o

[renielarson]

Gracie

I'm laughing so hard.... 1rnfl

[beady]

Oh Gracie I am LOL and 1rnfl 1rnfl 1rnfl with tears in my eyes.

My grandmothers favorite saying was "Heavens to Murgatroyd" always followed by " what have you done now, girl". Usually directed at me,especially when she was trying teaching me something.

Thanks for reminding me of her.

[nONIE]

Beady, I have always wondered, who is Murgatroyd?? :dontknow:

[conn8757]

I love Cracker Barrel but I know there is one in Leesburg. One of my old favorites was Picadilly Cafeteria because you could always get what you wanted and outstanding vegetables. Good portion size too, so you did not over eat. They closed in Orlando, so I don't know if they are still in Florida.

[The Great Fumar]

I vote for a POSSOM PANTRY ......Now that Missouri is under water maybe they'll look for a new location....

yum yum fumar

[villages07]

Here ya go Nonie....ah, the wonders of google and the internet:

Heavens to Murgatroyd

Meaning

An exclamation of surprise.

Origin

'Heavens to Murgatroyd' is American in origin and dates from the mid 20th century. The expression was popularized by the cartoon character Snagglepuss - a regular on the Yogi Bear Show in the 1960s, and is a variant of the earlier 'heavens to Betsy'.

The first use of the phrase wasn't by Snagglepuss but comes from the 1944 film Meet the People. It was spoken by Bert Lahr, best remembered for his role as the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz. Snagglepuss's voice was patterned on Lahr's, along with the 'heavens to Murgatroyd' line. Daws Butler's vocal portrayal of the character was so accurate that when the cartoon was used to promote Kellogg Cereals, Lahr sued and made the company distance him from the campaign by giving a prominent credit to Butler.

As with Betsy, we have no idea who Murgatroyd was. The various spellings of the name - as Murgatroid, Mergatroyd or Mergatroid tend to suggest that it wasn't an actual surname. While it is doubtful that the writers of Meet The People (Sig Herzig and Fred Saidy) were referring to an actual person, they must have got the name from somewhere.

No fewer than ten of the characters in Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera Ruddigore (1887) are baronets surnamed "Murgatroyd", eight of whom (or is that which?) are ghosts. Herzig and Saidy were well versed in the works of the musical theatre and that plethora of Murgatroyds would have been known to them.

Where then did the librettist Sir William Gilbert get the name? It seems that Murgatroyd has a long history as a family name in the English aristocracy. In his genealogy The Murgatroyds of Murgatroyd, Bill Murgatroyd states that, in 1371, a constable was appointed for the district of Warley in Yorkshire. He adopted the name of Johanus de Morgateroyde - literally John of Moor Gate Royde or 'the district leading to the moor'.

Whether the Murgatroyd name took that route from Yorkshire to Jellystone Park we can't be certain. Unless there's a Betsy Murgatroyd hiding in the archives, that's as close as we are likely to get to a derivation.

Sorry, topicop :cop:

[nONIE]

Thanks 07, you always come thru for us!Appreciate your efforts :bigthumbsup:

[Ceevee]

I also read that IHOPs is going into Bono's. I never could understand why Bono's closed. I miss Sweet Tomatoes . We used to go there a lot in Sarasota., Jacksonville ,Brandon etc.

[renielarson]

Sweet Tomatoes would be a "sweet" addition to TV. That is a :bigthumbsup: in my book, too.

[Just Susan]

What is "Sweet Tomatoes" like Bright? I don't think I have seen one of those. I would love to see a great place for salads, tapas, or P.F. Changs.

[barb1191]

My choices would be:

UNO's
Red Lobster
Olive Garden
Friday's
Boston Market

[thegreenerside]

Someone had mentioned The Ale House. We drive up to Ocala at least once a month to eat at the Ocala Ale House. The meals have always been very good and the prices are excellent.


I have said it before and I will say it again. Regardless what goes into the old Whiskey Creek location, they will have a hard time finding good help and these large chains are aware of the lack of quality help in the Tri County area. We went to Chili's last night for dinner (6.30PM) and 70 percent of the tables were vacant. Our waitress had our table and one other table from what I could see, and she had a hard time handling the two tables. The food was good, but service was just not up to par.

[under55]

Ok why does every place have to be a place to eat? We have visited TV twice now and are building a new home in Hemmingway. But the one thing I think they are missing is a real Bar. You know just like we all have back home a place that is just a bar with a juke box. Oh there is stuff to eat like slim jims and chips and if it is really the old bar we like they will have pickled eggs and pigs feet. But just a bar serving beer and just your normal hard liquor. You dont need the grey goose stuff and all of the fancy wine. Just a big gallon jug of wine setting in the cooler. I grew up in a town of 650 people and we had 5 bars just like this in town. Back then we called them taverns. I mean they do call them town squares and all the town squares here have just bars on them.

[Rokinronda]

I vote for Ale house! We had lunch there yesterday. It is a great sports bar/restaurant. tv's everywhere. Great specials, yesterdays specials were: $1 baybreeze (my favorite mixed drink) 4.95 meatloaf, 5.95 fried chicken salad. Hub had the ribs. I had a great burger. the calamari is delicious. Huge menu selection. Consistant quality. Wonderful staff! I was 1st introduced to Miami Ale house in 2002 when our daughter worked there. No matter which Ale house we've been to, the food was consistantly good. :bigthumbsup:

[gobarb26]

:agree:
I think the Ale House chain would be a great idea. It would be the right kind of place for the Villages. Great food, lots of TVs with sports, and excellent prices. I have eaten at several of the Ale Houses, including the original one. I also agree about Bravo's Pizza moving to the location. I don't like the cramped feeling I get in their present location. By the way, I have eaten at Woody's BBQ in the Sebastian area and it is always consistently good.

[Dayton]

Has anyone been to BD's Mongolian Barbeque??? Go to www.gomongo.com
and check it out. It's unique and would be a great addition to The Villages. Personally, I would like to see something special rather than a restaurant that you find everywhere else.

A fondue restaurant would be a welcome addition, too; whether it would be the Melting Pot or something else.

Anyone with me on this?

[jimfran]

How about a good fashion, hearty "German Restaurant"

[rdhdleo]

Having lived in Chicago all my life till moving to TV 5 years ago Uno's would be great but I do prefer Ginos East ;)
I still haven't found good BBQ, Oakwood is just ok, Woodys was OK,(their banana pudding is awesome though homemade) I choked on the bbq chicken it was so dry and I'm not kidding about that!. Spareribs were good though. So far though if I want great baby back ribs I'll let hubby do them on the grill they melt in you mouth :) mmmmmmm
I have not found anything that remotely resembles good chinese food. I will give Changs a try. Hopefully they use chinese veggies and not peas and carrots! It would be nice to see waterchestnuts, snow peapods, bamboo shoots and bean sprouts in the food for a change! I had an aunt that lived near China Town in Chicago and nothing here remotely resembles they way that Chinese commutiy cooked.
Harrys in Ocala is wonderful!!! We have been to Bonefish now 3 times and it was great everytime, you just have to go early. But a long time favorite has been Nancy Lopez' the filet melts in your mouth and the lobster scampi is to die for.
We just went to Hollenbachs in Sanford for German food and it was great. Good ethnic restaurants is Florida are very rare!

[rdhdleo]

Ooops, The German restaurant is Hollerbachs' Willow Tree Cafe, here's the website :)
www.willowtreecafe.com.

[renielarson]

...I have not found anything that remotely resembles good Chinese food. I will give Chang's a try. Hopefully they use Chinese veggies and not peas and carrots! It would be nice to see waterchestnuts, snow peapods, bamboo shoots and bean sprouts in the food for a change! I had an aunt that lived near China Town in Chicago and nothing here remotely resembles they way that Chinese community cooked....Good ethnic restaurants is Florida are very rare!


:agree: I have to admit the only menu item I've had at PF Chang's are the lettuce wraps but they were outstanding. We now imitate them at home at least a couple times a month. Here is their website for you to check out their menu: http://www.pfchangs.com/

The best and most authentic Chinese food I've ever found was in Chinatown in Manhattan. The ambiance was strange for me...sitting us at tables with strangers in order to accommodate the long lines of waiting patrons. The food was outstanding and, in my opinion, authentic.

Another exquisite Chinese restaurant that served authentic food was Wong's on the banks of the Detroit River on the Windsor side (sadly, no longer in business). Management took us under its wings and treated us like royalty. We never ordered a thing...they brought us an assortment of delicacies and each one was magnificent although I can't tell you what each one was. It was so good it didn't matter...we trusted the management and they didn't let us down.

[JanetandCarol]

:bigthumbsup: I would like to see "Cheesecake Factory" in that location. Everything is always good and they are all over the country. Could TV support it during the summer??

JanetandCarol

[par]

:redface:How about a topless casino with all day happy hour!

[georgea]

I'd vote for Indian. On my one visit to TV I never saw any Indian places in the area although I didn't get to go everywhere. When we get there (house still not sold....sob) I would love to have good Indian Tandoori nearby.
:agree:
Agree with Indian somewhere near TV. There's an adequate Indian restaurant in Ocala not the best but OK. Most American's have not yet learned to appreciate Indian cooking so rates inside TV may make it impossible now. Nearby would be great!

[renielarson]

I would agree to any food establishment as long as it was NOT Ethopian.

We ate at an Ethopian restaurant once...and no offense to anyone....but the food was horrible! The sponge-like flavorless bread was the best food item which doesn't say much.

The restaurant we ate at served food family style, which I usually like, but the food selections were chicken (with teeny tiny bones that made finding the meat like a treasure hunt), and veggies that were close to inedible (and I'm almost a vegetarian and LOVE veggies).

So, please....no Ethopian!

[sschuler1]

I will miss the cheap coney island restaurants when we leave Detroit. Are there any in TV? I have to get my occasional gyro and saganaki.

[tucson]

Yalaha Bakery!!!!!!!!

[rdhdleo]

I have to get my occasional gyro and saganaki.
Takis has ok gyros and saganaki.

[renielarson]

I like Takis gyros but that's the only place in TV I've found to have them. Are there other places? Sure would like to know because gyros are one of my favorite sandwiches.

[rdhdleo]

So far I think Takis is it.

[Muncle]

:redface:How about a topless casino with all day happy hour!

That got voted down, but don't go there.

[thegreenerside]

:redface:How about a topless casino with all day happy hour!


:agree:

Then turn the square into a Quarter Horse Track and we would be set.

[Duffer]

I vote for the Playboy Club with Uno's ;D

[llaran]

Most of the suggestions would take major reconstruction! How about Logan's steakhouse or Texas roadhouse; something like that could move right in.

We talked to the manager of Uno's in Schaumburg, IL and gave him alot of info about the villages, He said he would pass it along to the owner of Uno's who lives in Orlando.

Big City grill also has Gyro's altho I haven't tried one.

Real good Chinese is no where to be found. There is a new place near Big City Grill on 466, haven't tried them either. there is a new bakery in the same group which we looked over and the items looked good; we just sniffed and gained weight and left

[Taltarzac]

I would agree to any food establishment as long as it was NOT Ethopian.

We ate at an Ethopian restaurant once...and no offense to anyone....but the food was horrible! The sponge-like flavorless bread was the best food item which doesn't say much.

The restaurant we ate at served food family style, which I usually like, but the food selections were chicken (with teeny tiny bones that made finding the meat like a treasure hunt), and veggies that were close to inedible (and I'm almost a vegetarian and LOVE veggies).

So, please....no Ethopian!


If you are ever in Minneapolis, I remember that this place had good Ethiopian food even though it is the only Ethiopian restaurant I have ever been in. http://www.bluenilempls.com/

Hope this is not the same place brightspot01?? I ate here at the Blue Nile Restaurant about the first year it opened in 1989. I remember you ate with your hands. There were not any utensils.

[renielarson]

Tal

It must be a chain because my experience was at The Blue Nile in Ann Arbor, Michigan...http://www.annarbor.org/pages/bluenile.html If it's not a chain, then the name must be popular for Ethopian restaurants.

Not one of the four of us thought the food was good. We all were so hungry but we had a hard time choking the food down. We left and found another restaurant for dessert that all of us enjoyed tremendously.

[Taltarzac]

Tal

It must be a chain because my experience was at The Blue Nile in Ann Arbor, Michigan...http://www.annarbor.org/pages/bluenile.html If it's not a chain, then the name must be popular for Ethopian restaurants.

Not one of the four of us thought the food was good. We all were so hungry but we had a hard time choking the food down. We left and found another restaurant for dessert that all of us enjoyed tremendously.


There are a lot of Blue Nile restaurants around the US but probably not enough for it to be a chain. I guess no one registered it as a trademark so various Ethiopian restaurateurs have used it for the name of their place??

[garsha]

Our vote for Cheesecake Factory> only thing is that they are a little expensive. Bojangles in Ca. is a gay bar--maybe something different in FL?

[GERALDINE]

DEFINITELY OAKWOOD !!! :bigthumbsup:

[marianne237]

Per earlier suggestions, I wrote to Uno's about the possibility of locating here. This is their reply:

"Thank you for wanting an Uno in The Villages. I know it would be a perfect location for an Uno. Unfortunately, at this time we do not have plans to expand into that area.

Don't give up hope. I will forward your recommendation to our Franchise and Real Estate Departments. It always helps to know that we have customers waiting.

(signed) Kacey Bogue, Senior Hospitality Representative

[rdhdleo]

I have been reading the back posts. Someone recommended a Yalaha Bakery! I would vote for any good old fashioned bakery. Yalahas' is very good, a lot of good old European style baked goods. But just a good quality old fashioned balkery would be wonderful. We used to really like Bicharas' in Spanish Springs Town Square but unfortunatley it was replaced by yet another Starbucks :(

[chelsea24]

Marianne, thanks for the letter to Uno's! :bigthumbsup:

[marianne237]

How about more letters to Uno's management from those of us who enjoy Uno's? We just have to convince them to consider us!

[graciegirl]

I vote for a good German bakery? I like that better than even French baked goods.........except for the Croissant. Yum O.

[nitehawk]

White Castle with a happy hour

[marianne237]

White Castle...hummmmm doesn't sound bad!

[graciegirl]

Loooooove White Castles. :bigthumbsup:

[foxmeadow]

A country Western bar

[KayakerNC]

Sonny's BBQ.
Famous Dave's.

I've been told that Krystal's burgers are very similar to the White Castle. Don't know how true that is.

[Peachie]

My vote is Iguana Mia
http://www.iguanamia.com/
Wish we could talk them into moving north a bit...

[thegreenerside]

We use to celebrate everyones birthday at Iguana Mia down in Naples.

[Peachie]

Greener, we went there often with our friends when they lived in Bonita Springs and never had a bad dinner. There was a wait but for good reason.... busy, busy, busy.

[JAV0108]

For crab legs you can go to the All You Can Eat at Orange Blossom CC every Thursday. They were delicious the last time I was there, course I did make a piggy of myself!
I vote for PF Changs, I've never eaten there but my son keeps telling me about it and raves about how good it is.
On some what of a negative note, you would think that the Villages would lower their rent to at least keep all empty stores full, a little rent is better than no rent at all. Don't cha think?!!

[aln]

TGI Fridays.
According to the VHA paper they're still comin'!
It would be a better location for them (accross form TooJays) than next to Barnes n Noble.

Whiskey Creek is too small for PF Changs.
I ate at one in Scotsdale and it was very good but very big and very crowded.

[cherman338]

Both me and my wife would like to see a Sweet Tomatoes. We go there whenever we pick people up from the Orlando airport and we are never dissapointed with the fresh Salad Bar, Pasta Bar, and Soup Bar. Villagers like Bars.

[Russ_Boston]

I thought I read about a year ago that Sweet Tomatoes was moving to 466A area. What happened to that? I know I read that because I remember going online to look at their menu. Any restaruant that serves that much soup can't be bad. Love me some soup!

[BJ Spencer]

Something needs to go into there that is unique, just so it's not Uno Pizza. I see alot of suggestions that it should go where Whiskey Creek was. My husband and I moved here from Melbourne, FL where there is one. Before that we moved to FL from Chicago. So deep dish pizza I know. What we got in Melbourne for a deep dish pizza could have passed just for a thick crust pizza. There's only one deep dish pizza in Chicago and that's Gino's.
Thinking about it, a nice raw seafood bar, where they also do just grilled or baked fish - not fried.