Hacienda hills country club restaurant

[busoffusa]

The ownership of the restaurant is changing. They are closed today and according to the tiki hut personnel will be opening under new ownership tomorrow. It is rumored that it is the people that own world of beer.

[rdhdleo]

Hope the Sunday Buffet doesn't change! We went for the first time this past Sunday and it was incredible!

[Skip]

Years ago John McDonough (Legacy Restaurant) wanted it.
Maybe he succeeded.
Hope they bring back Brian Webster.
The Villages needs and loves him.

Skip

[DigitalGranny]

Agree Brian is the best chef we have found in a TV so far. Where did he go? Mis fish recipes are wonderful!

[Skip]

Hacienda Hospitality LLC.

Skip

[ldj1938]

Any improvement would be appreciated. Very noisy and food is 3/10. I live in the area and would appreciate a change. Glenview CC is my favorite. When we moved here is was white table clothes and a baby grand for music.

[graciegirl]

Any improvement would be appreciated. Very noisy and food is 3/10. I live in the area and would appreciate a change. Glenview CC is my favorite. When we moved here is was white table clothes and a baby grand for music.

Did I hear that the gentlemen had to wear a jacket?

[sunnyatlast]

Love Brian Webster's food there, but one thing HAS to be changed:

The acoustics! There is no place more echo-y in all of TV.

It is horrendous and makes "dining"--not just "eating"--impossible. When there's music, FORGET it.

[Challenger]

Love Brian Webster's food there, but one thing HAS to be changed:

The acoustics! There is no place more echo-y in all of TV.

It is horrendous and makes "dining"--not just "eating"--impossible. When there's music, FORGET it.

Had a large group there one night for dinner. Honestly could not hear a person sitting right beside me. Ask that amplifiers be turned down and we were turned down. This group will not return.(16 people)

There is no reason for noise levels this high and I believe that in the case of the employees (waitresses) that OSHA work place rules are being violated.

[simpkinp]

Any word yet as to whom has taken over the CC or what changes are forthcoming?

[Skip]

Any word yet as to whom has taken over the CC or what changes are forthcoming?

Yup, bought by the franchise holders of World of Beer here in The Villages.
So says The Villages Gourmet Club's Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Villages-Gourmet-Club/241103526018764) link.

Skip

[kaydee]

love HH just as it is. I truly hope the changes if any are minimal. The pool area is the liveliest and most fun country club.

[Bonny]

Did I hear that the gentlemen had to wear a jacket?
When we moved here in 2000, men had to wear a jacket in Hacienda. Their seafood buffet was awesome !

[Bonny]

Years ago John McDonough (Legacy Restaurant) wanted it.
Maybe he succeeded.
Hope they bring back Brian Webster.
The Villages needs and loves him.

Skip
Brain was always my favorite chef in the Villages. I miss the old Santiago Club days when Robin & Caroline owned it and Brian was the chef !

[newguyintv]

Brain was always my favorite chef in the Villages. I miss the old Santiago Club days when Robin & Caroline owned it and Brian was the chef !

El Santiago was a filthy dump!

[wereback]

I agree with Bonny Fri fish was the best. I really miss what was here early 2000 years all the new people have no idea how nice it was and how they are destroying the whole concept of the Villages

[Bonny]

El Santiago was a filthy dump!
It wasn't when Robin and Caroline owned it !!

[graciegirl]

I agree with Bonny Fri fish was the best. I really miss what was here early 2000 years all the new people have no idea how nice it was and how they are destroying the whole concept of the Villages


Who are "they"?

[Bonny]

I agree with Bonny Fri fish was the best. I really miss what was here early 2000 years all the new people have no idea how nice it was and how they are destroying the whole concept of the Villages
Not sure I understand your post. What whole concept ?

[house3615]

The ownership of the restaurant is changing. They are closed today and according to the tiki hut personnel will be opening under new ownership tomorrow. It is rumored that it is the people that own world of beer.

Went by last evening, people were coming in and out, lights were on.

[newguyintv]

Yup, bought by the franchise holders of World of Beer here in The Villages.
So says The Villages Gourmet Club's Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Villages-Gourmet-Club/241103526018764) link.

Skip

Hope they do a better job than the junk they call meals at World of Beer.

[graciegirl]

Hope they do a better job than the junk they call meals at World of Beer.

I am curious as to what would be your favorite meal. Do you enjoy Italian food or country cooking or French cuisine?

What do you fix for yourself at home when you want something quick and easy?

I am guessing that before you retired you wrote the food column for the New York Times.

[Ecuadog]

I am curious as to what would be your favorite meal. Do you enjoy Italian food or country cooking or French cuisine?

What do you fix for yourself at home when you want something quick and easy?

I am guessing that before you retired you wrote the food column in The New York Times.

OMG. Is it Ruth Reichl? Is it William Grimes? Is it Frank Bruni? Is it Sam Sifton?

[NYGUY]

Hope they do a better job than the junk they call meals at World of Beer.

That's funny, I like the food at World of Beer....I guess everyone has their own opinion!!

[Doro22]

Glad that they are re-opening. I saw an ad in this morning's Sun for HH. Yippee!

[gap2415]

Love Brian Webster's food there, but one thing HAS to be changed:

The acoustics! There is no place more echo-y in all of TV.

It is horrendous and makes "dining"--not just "eating"--impossible. When there's music, FORGET it.

A restaurant with soft music as a background is welcome to most...but restaurants seem to cater music to their young staff and drive a lot of us away. We don't need a migraine with dinner.

[starflyte1]

Some restaurants play loud music so you can't relax. Eat fast and get out. Turn that table over.

[sunnyatlast]

A restaurant with soft music as a background is welcome to most...but restaurants seem to cater music to their young staff and drive a lot of us away. We don't need a migraine with dinner.

All live music in the restaurant at Hacienda Hills is aimed at the over-55 crowd. Lots of seniors go there to dine and dance.

The problem is not that the music is played too loudly. It's the horrible acoustics with the sound going up the high, windowed-in atrium and then the sound bounces and echoes all over the place so all speech and music sounds garbled, plus too loud. They need some serious acoustic paneling up there to keep the sound contained.

It's impossible to talk with people at your table. We try to sit outside whenever possible to avoid that.

[Ozzello]

HH was closed for 1 day. They kept the entire staff.

They are making upgrades to the kitchen and storage system as much of that is/was archaic, but staying open and serving. Should see food getting out quicker in the near future.

I agree with the acoustics trouble there.. Where they set up the band, the quality of the band's sound equipment and the tile floor were the 3 big problems. Change the location of the speakers and turn it down, imo.

[Challenger]

HH was closed for 1 day. They kept the entire staff.

They are making upgrades to the kitchen and storage system as much of that is/was archaic, but staying open and serving. Should see food getting out quicker in the near future.

I agree with the acoustics trouble there.. Where they set up the band, the quality of the band's sound equipment and the tile floor were the 3 big problems. Change the location of the speakers and turn it down, imo.

It seems that the request to "turn it down " falls on deaf ears-duh!!

At Hacienda my request to reduce the volumn has twice been met with a resounding " non reply and no action"

You know that the decibel level, will be high when the piccolo is connected to an amplifier.:boom:

[Ohiogirl]

That's funny, I like the food at World of Beer....I guess everyone has their own opinion!!

Wonder if there will finally be a country club that has decent beer offerings? My husband is very tired of Yuengling, Miller, Bud, etc. He really enjoys craft beer but none of the country club bars seem to have any. At least there are now a few restaurants offering some choices. Hope Hacienda does.

[simpkinp]

We had dinner there last night. Food was the same, wait staff was happier. New owner/manager whatever was there working hard. Always been a favorite of ours.

[coach]

Wonder if there will finally be a country club that has decent beer offerings? My husband is very tired of Yuengling, Miller, Bud, etc. He really enjoys craft beer but none of the country club bars seem to have any. At least there are now a few restaurants offering some choices. Hope Hacienda does.

Palmer bar always offers three or four unique beer offerings. Give them a try.

[EnglishJW]

You know that the decibel level, will be high when the piccolo is connected to an amplifier.:boom:

Great imagery - I can't get this picture out of my mind! It reminded me of The Blues Project and their Electric Flute Thing back in the sixties.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2GfgNpX2QA

[Eastwind53]

Yes, before your time. great place, many things have gone down hill.

[StepByStep]

"""

[Tobys Dad]

Music stopped on Thursday and Friday. Same musicians on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday. They will close for 2 weeks in August to re-do rugs and several other tweaks. Best thing is they will bring in a true sound system, not the garbage purchased by the former owner. And yes, employees much happier with new management.

[Bonny]

Hacienda tried the white jacket and tie thing and failed miserably---shut down for two years or so with no lessee. Employees now see business slipping away under World of Beer. They appear really unhappy and ready to move on. Food now is reported to come exclusively from Cisco Restaurant Supply. Not really gourmet quality!
Why would you say the jacket (not white) and tie failed miserably ? Did you live here then ? It was always busy. The seafood buffet was the best. They stopped the jacket & tie because time changes things.

[dewilson58]

Why would you say the jacket (not white) and tie failed miserably ? Did you live here then ? It was always busy. The seafood buffet was the best. They stopped the jacket & tie because time changes things.

Their first post.

Hmmmmmmmmm

[Bonny]

Their first post.

Hmmmmmmmmm
Yepper, never ceases to amaze me ! :smiley:

[sunnyatlast]

Their first post.

Hmmmmmmmmm

Everybody has to start somewhere. Is a new poster supposed to start with pretense like "Everything is wonderful, perfect, and AMAZING"...and....

..... "Oh. By the way. Many of my co-workers are quitting because everything is perfect and AMAZING. In fact the former owner sold it because it was perfect and AMAZING"????

Adult readers can figure out for themselves whether a new poster has an axe to grind.

[Bonny]

Everybody has to start somewhere. Is a new poster supposed to start with pretense like "Everything is wonderful, perfect, and AMAZING"...and....

..... "Oh. By the way. Many of my co-workers are quitting because everything is perfect and AMAZING. In fact the former owner sold it because it was perfect and AMAZING"????

Adult readers can figure out for themselves whether a new poster has an axe to grind.
I just thought the line about the "white" jacket and tie was kind of funny ! That was a long time ago.

[WAC2371]

We went to the Sunday brunch 2 weeks ago and it was great. everything was like they did it in the past. It was just alittle more than 1/2 full at 10 AM but they had plenty of staff and food.

But we didn't see Chef Brian. Later we were with friends who said they heard he has left Hacienda Hills. Does anyone have a update?

[newguyintv]

The ownership of the restaurant is changing. They are closed today and according to the tiki hut personnel will be opening under new ownership tomorrow. It is rumored that it is the people that own world of beer.

Went a couple of days ago. Service and timg stunk, food ok.

[PaPaLarry]

Hope the fish (haddock) will be the same. Something tells me "World of Beer" is not the answer?? BUT I should wait before I criticize. I'll give it one try, only to see. Just when I thought Hacienda was finally doing it right, they sell!! Boooooooooo

[Skip]

But we didn't see Chef Brian. Later we were with friends who said they heard he has left Hacienda Hills. Does anyone have a update?

Brian Webster left about Christmas time. He won't say why. I see him frequently at SS. He's looking for a kitchen to run.

The Villages would benefit from his return. He's very creative.

Skip

[Bonny]

Brian Webster left about Christmas time. He won't say why. I see him frequently at SS. He's looking for a kitchen to run.

The Villages would benefit from his return. He's very creative.

Skip
He's the best chef in the Villages.

[golf2140]

Why would you say the jacket (not white) and tie failed miserably ? Did you live here then ? It was always busy. The seafood buffet was the best. They stopped the jacket & tie because time changes things.

Bonny, wasn't the seafood buffet the greatest.

[WAC2371]

Thanks Skip....We do need his talent here. I'm sure he'll finds something.

[Bonny]

Bonny, wasn't the seafood buffet the greatest.
It was !! We loved it. And it always looked so beautiful !!

[ldj1938]

It's in the neighborhood so we had to check out the new HH. This restaurant wouldn't make a good truck stop. Way too noisy. Same old furnishings. Wait staff not professional . Food - yuck. Sad. Really needs an overhaul.

[newguyintv]

It's in the neighborhood so we had to check out the new HH. This restaurant wouldn't make a good truck stop. Way too noisy. Same old furnishings. Wait staff not professional . Food - yuck. Sad. Really needs an overhaul.

Agree 100%

[Riccckkk]

Went there a week ago for the Sunday brunch buffet. They said it was open till two PM so we got there about eleven AM. Waited in line for an omelet and when we went to the prime rib carving station they stated they had run out of prime rib, it was eleven forty five. I gave the omelet back to the fellow at the carving station and told him I could get an omelet and bacon at Dennys for three ninety nine, we then left. He appeared to be upset.

[Rollie]

We went there last Sunday for the brunch, and won't be going back any time soon. The meat at the carving station was luke warm at best. On two of the food stations the burners wern't even on. It was not busy, but still the service was bad at best. This use to be a very good brunch, now it's a waste of good money.

Rollie

[rubicon]

Bonny, wasn't the seafood buffet the greatest.

We came down for the first look at The Villages 2005 and found the seafood buffet to be outstanding. When we returned early 2006 it was gone

It just baffles me as to why with such a large captive customer base that The Villages eateries continue to fail ?

[Bonny]

We came down for the first look at The Villages 2005 and found the seafood buffet to be outstanding. When we returned early 2006 it was gone

It just baffles me as to why with such a large captive customer base that The Villages eateries continue to fail ?
When the Villages ran the restaurants they were great. It's when they sold them that they went down hill. When we moved here, men needed to wear a sport coat in HHCC. It was an upscale restaurant. People want upscale but they want to pay McDonald prices so it was transformed into a regular restaurant.

[spring_chicken]

HH was closed for 1 day. They kept the entire staff.

They are making upgrades to the kitchen and storage system as much of that is/was archaic, but staying open and serving. Should see food getting out quicker in the near future.

I agree with the acoustics trouble there.. Where they set up the band, the quality of the band's sound equipment and the tile floor were the 3 big problems. Change the location of the speakers and turn it down, imo.

They did not keep the entire staff. They fired the best tiki hut bartender that had been there for years. Said she didn't "fit in" with their plan.

[Chatbrat]

What about the bar staff, loved the sunken bar aspect-if they fired the bar persons there--it will have to be a blizzard before we set foot in there again.

I know the people who own world of beer , the bottom line is paramount--do it their way or the highway- he's a good cardiologists--but a mediocre restauranteur

[simpkinp]

When the Villages ran the restaurants they were great. It's when they sold them that they went down hill. When we moved here, men needed to wear a sport coat in HHCC. It was an upscale restaurant. People want upscale but they want to pay McDonald prices so it was transformed into a regular restaurant.

Amen Bonnie

[Annie01]

The ownership of the restaurant is changing. They are closed today and according to the tiki hut personnel will be opening under new ownership tomorrow. It is rumored that it is the people that own world of beer.

THEY bought that place 3 months back...and were going to close for 3 days in august..never did...we shall see....

[Annie01]

What about the bar staff, loved the sunken bar aspect-if they fired the bar persons there--it will have to be a blizzard before we set foot in there again.

I know the people who own world of beer , the bottom line is paramount--do it their way or the highway- he's a good cardiologists--but a mediocre restauranteur

i agree one of the gals there the blond...needs to go....hitler is think is her name ...heeeee terrible !!!!