Guy's American Kitchen & Bar

[Bonny]

Went to the opening yesterday for Guy's American Kitchen & Bar. Fun time, great place!! Prices are good and there is a good variety of choices. Drink prices are good. Excellent service. This place will be a hit.
We got the Spinach Artichoke Dip, I got the Volcano Chicken with Mashed Potatoes, Spinach and Chicken on top with little potato strings and a yummy Chipolte Cream Sauce. Hubby got the Chicken Pot Pie.
This will be one of our go to places.

71125

71126

[Taltarzac725]

Looks good Bonny. We will have to try it some time. Do they take reservations?

[Bonny]

Looks good Bonny. We will have to try it some time. Do they take reservations?
Not sure.

[Sandtrap328]

Is there a Happy Hour? Half price drinks and hours?

[Bonny]

Is there a Happy Hour? Half price drinks and hours?
Not yet. However the house wines were $3.75 & well drinks were $2.75. :D

[Bonny]

Went to the opening yesterday for Guy's American Kitchen & Bar. Fun time, great place!! Prices are good and there is a good variety of choices. Drink prices are good. Excellent service. This place will be a hit.
We got the Spinach Artichoke Dip, I got the Volcano Chicken with Mashed Potatoes, Spinach and Chicken on top with little potato strings and a yummy Chipolte Cream Sauce. Hubby got the Chicken Pot Pie.
This will be one of our go to places.

71125

71126
Some of the pricing. Pot Pie -$13.95 Volcano Chicken - $14.95 Spinach Artichoke dip - $8.95 Big Bite Burger - $9.95
Well drinks $2.75 House wine $3.75

[JerryLBell]

His location in NYC (near Times Square if I recall) got pretty mediocre reviews. Here's hoping that Bonny's review is an indication that this will be a better fit for TV than for NYC!

[dewilson58]

Went to the opening yesterday for Guy's American Kitchen & Bar. Fun time, great place!! Prices are good and there is a good variety of choices. Drink prices are good. Excellent service. This place will be a hit.
We got the Spinach Artichoke Dip, I got the Volcano Chicken with Mashed Potatoes, Spinach and Chicken on top with little potato strings and a yummy Chipolte Cream Sauce. Hubby got the Chicken Pot Pie.
This will be one of our go to places.

71125

71126

Do they have beds??????..............I'll need a nap after one of those. :mmmm:

[Bonny]

Do they have beds??????..............I'll need a nap after one of those. :mmmm:
Needless to say, we have leftovers. LOL ;)

[Chatbrat]

Looking at an article on the unmentionable online news source and from what I could see of the menu--its basically a villages clone of a lot of CC restaurants--hope they're wrong we need a reason to go to the square,besides a movie

[fw102807]

His location in NYC (near Times Square if I recall) got pretty mediocre reviews. Here's hoping that Bonny's review is an indication that this will be a better fit for TV than for NYC!

The food in NYC is by no means comparable to here in either price or quality. I find the food here very good for the price but trying to compare it to NYC is just silly.

[OpusX1]

Just got back from dinner. We had a well martinis each, a order of mussels, my wife had meat loaf and Mac n cheese, I had chicken pot pie, both meals were served in a skillet. Food and service were very good, everyone was friendly and attentive, we sat at the bar. No happy hour yet, I'm sure that will change. Our bill including tax was $52.The nice sized martinis were $4.25 each. It will be in our rotation for now.

[rubicon]

you can please SOME of the people SOME of the time or ALL of the people SOME of the time or SOME of the people ALL of the time but you will never please ALL of the people ALL of the time

Cést la vie

[MSGirl]

Went there tonight for dinner. Food was excellent. Right now they do not take reservations. We had a party of 6 and were seated within 20 minutes. They serve an abundance of food. You will not go home hungry. I had the volcano chicken. My hubby had the thanksgiving turkey dinner sub. Prices reasonable! Service excellent. Food not comparable to the CC restaurants. Menu was different and very good. We also had dessert. Mint ice cream pie, chocolate cake and bread pudding were all yummy

[NYGUY]

Looking at an article on the unmentionable online news source and from what I could see of the menu--its basically a villages clone of a lot of CC restaurants--hope they're wrong we need a reason to go to the square,besides a movie

Believe me Chat, you will find nothing on the menu that resembles one of the CC. We had dinner there tonight. My wife had a Strip Steak that she loved. I had Meatloaf, that while not "my" meatloaf was good. Their napkins are actually towels. My wife bought a set of 4.:sigh: Service was great!! Most Villagers will think it is over priced. We will be back.

[Fraugoofy]

...

[Chatbrat]

And Cane Garden includes top shelf during happy hour-- we never drink well drinks and house wine--the brain hurt isn't worth drinking the cheap stuff and since we drink straight vodka martini's with lemon twists it has to be the good stuff

[Schaumburger]

I will be in TV in 6 days...I hope to give Guy's a try...sounds very good. :pepper2: :mmmm:

[perrjojo]

We are currently in Vegas and wine is $16 per glass. I will be happy to try the new restaurant.

[Bonny]

Had the mussels last night. Best I have ever had. The broth was delicious!!!

[kcrazorbackfan]

Just got back from dinner. We had a well martinis each, a order of mussels, my wife had meat loaf and Mac n cheese, I had chicken pot pie, both meals were served in a skillet. Food and service were very good, everyone was friendly and attentive, we sat at the bar. No happy hour yet, I'm sure that will change. Our bill including tax was $52.The nice sized martinis were $4.25 each. It will be in our rotation for now.

Wow, my wife and I must be simple/frugal/watch our pennies kind of people; I don't think we've ever spent $52 on a meal for the both of us. To each their own......

[Chatbrat]

$52.00 in this day and age is not expensive 2 entrees @ $15.00 ea. 2 beverages @ $5.00 ea and tip voila $50.00+

[graciegirl]

$52.00 in this day and age is not expensive 2 entrees @ $15.00 ea. 2 beverages @ $5.00 ea and tip voila $50.00+

How we budget our money reflects each of our own personal values and lifestyles. How much money people have and what they spend it on is another.

I would be willing to bet that most people on a day to day basis who live in The Villages, no matter how much money they have, avoid paying fifteen dollars for an entrée on a regular basis.

Careful with money Gracie.

[Madelaine Amee]

If I could go out and get food as good as comes out of my own kitchen I would enjoy spending the money to eat out. Unfortunately, it is our experience that the quality of food in TV does not warrant the price. There are a couple of restaurants here that we do frequent from time to time, but only when I just do not feel like cooking and we need something different. Someone mentioned Mac and Cheese and Meatloaf ............. really, you are prepared to go out and pay for those two basic foods which can be made in your own home.

I also enjoy cooking and experimenting with foods and I can put some excellent food on our table with $52.

But, referring back to another ongoing thread "this is just my opinion":D and you know what they say about OPINIONS, everyone has one!

[graciegirl]

If I could go out and get food as good as comes out of my own kitchen I would enjoy spending the money to eat out. Unfortunately, it is our experience that the quality of food in TV does not warrant the price. There are a couple of restaurants here that we do frequent from time to time, but only when I just do not feel like cooking and we need something different. Someone mentioned Mac and Cheese and Meatloaf ............. really, you are prepared to go out and pay for those two basic foods which can be made in your own home.

I also enjoy cooking and experimenting with foods and I can put some excellent food on our table with $52.

But, referring back to another ongoing thread "this is just my opinion":D and you know what they say about OPINIONS, everyone has one!

Well said.

I would think that if a person's personal happiness is based on getting easily, a certain kind and quality of food and drink, and they find that it is difficult to obtain or unavailable to them where they live, and they have enough money to relocate where it is available to them...well you get where I am going.

That is from me, who like Madeleine can still cook and enjoy doing it, and like sitting to eat where I can hear conversation. We are all different, and all valuable.

[Chatbrat]

Like Madeleine, we only go out to eat what we don't do at home--we would never go out to eat--mac & cheese, meatloaf, burgers, and breakfast

Not rocket science to cook any breakfast item==we primarily go out for fish and prime rib-- and barbecue, sushi

[Chi-Town]

Wow, my wife and I must be simple/frugal/watch our pennies kind of people; I don't think we've ever spent $52 on a meal for the both of us. To each their own......You must have avoided big cities and Disney.

Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk

[Madelaine Amee]

Like Madeleine, we only go out to eat what we don't do at home--we would never go out to eat--mac & cheese, meatloaf, burgers, and breakfast

Not rocket science to cook any breakfast item==we primarily go out for fish and prime rib-- and barbecue, sushi

Breakfast out .... love it, no grease in my kitchen, no cooking smells and plenty of choice, yes I love breakfast out and if I am in the vicinity it is Cracker Barrel:smiley:

[OpusX1]

Wow, never spent $50 for a dinner out for two
$52 for a meal out that include two alcoholic beverages, a appitzer, and two entrees is normal and on the less expensive side, with tip it was $65. Just going to 5 guys runs close to $20. Remember we had two separate entrees so if we cooked at home we would have had to make a meatloaf and a chicken pot pie. For us that's a joy of eating out, order hat you want, no prep, people wait on you and no clean up.
We eat about 75 percent of our dinners at home. When we have steak it's almost always at home because there are no good steaks to be had in TV. Same with seafood, fish is the easiest thing to cook at home. A good tuna steak around 8 ounces cost $5 at fresh market, make a mango, peach and jalapeño salsa and we have a great dinner for less than $10 pp that would cost close To $40 pp at Lopez and ours is much better.

[Madelaine Amee]

What this discussion really comes down to is that we are all basically the same ...............

So far the majority of us go out for what we don't want to cook at home or that we cannot cook at home, and we stay home for what we can cook and enjoy in our own homes.

Life is good. :thumbup:

[Chi-Town]

Wow, never spent $50 for a dinner out for two
$52 for a meal out that include two alcoholic beverages, a appitzer, and two entrees is normal and on the less expensive side, with tip it was $65. Just going to 5 guys runs close to $20. Remember we had two separate entrees so if we cooked at home we would have had to make a meatloaf and a chicken pot pie. For us that's a joy of eating out, order hat you want, no prep, people wait on you and no clean up.
We eat about 75 percent of our dinners at home. When we have steak it's almost always at home because there are no good steaks to be had in TV. Same with seafood, fish is the easiest thing to cook at home. A good tuna steak around 8 ounces cost $5 at fresh market, make a mango, peach and jalapeño salsa and we have a great dinner for less than $10 pp that would cost close To $40 pp at Lopez and ours is much better.You sure are right about steaks and seafood. When it comes to them in The Villages there is no place like the home grill.

Sent from my VS995 using Tapatalk

[Doro22]

Like Madeleine, we only go out to eat what we don't do at home--we would never go out to eat--mac & cheese, meatloaf, burgers, and breakfast

Not rocket science to cook any breakfast item==we primarily go out for fish and prime rib-- and barbecue, sushi

Me too!

[asianthree]

We have a hard time spending money on a glass of wine that costs more money than the whole bottle retail. And than it's unlikely I am going to buy a cheap wine anyway

[Skip]

We have a hard time spending money on a glass of wine that costs more money than the whole bottle retail. And than it's unlikely I am going to buy a cheap wine anyway

Bring your own and pay the corkage fee - if any.

Skip

[Chatbrat]

When they charge a corkage fee do they give you a kiss--the only place in TV that allowed the corkage fee to the best of my knowledge was Hemmingways ,their fee was was just $10.00

[Aloha1]

What this discussion really comes down to is that we are all basically the same ...............

So far the majority of us go out for what we don't want to cook at home or that we cannot cook at home, and we stay home for what we can cook and enjoy in our own homes.

Life is good. :thumbup:

And sometimes we go out just for the heck of it because we want to/can :)

[Henryk]

Bonny, I see you've been to Guy's twice--that we KNOW about. ;) Tell me, please, how were the lines to get in?

[Trayderjoe]

What this discussion really comes down to is that we are all basically the same ...............

So far the majority of us go out for what we don't want to cook at home or that we cannot cook at home, and we stay home for what we can cook and enjoy in our own homes.

Life is good. :thumbup:

Amen to that!

[Bonny]

Bonny, I see you've been to Guy's twice--that we KNOW about. ;) Tell me, please, how were the lines to get in?
The line comes and goes. We've been there 4 times. No long line about 4:00 but it got longer the closer it got to 5:00, but it was going pretty quick.

[Annie01]

his location in nyc (near times square if i recall) got pretty mediocre reviews. Here's hoping that bonny's review is an indication that this will be a better fit for tv than for nyc!

just left there...the food was nothing special..the gal next to me had the salmon..overpriced and just so so...nothing to brag about...i guess they copied too jays for the sandwiches...huge...other than that just normal...don/t know what all the hype was about...the food is just so so from the people i spoke to steaks for $26...which ruined the other place before this...no one is going to get that !!! Time will tell....

[Chatbrat]

Same ownership--different title--without good happy hour prices on top shelf --they're not going to attract people who want to spend $26.00/entree--not in TV

[Bonny]

Same ownership--different title--without good happy hour prices on top shelf --they're not going to attract people who want to spend $26.00/entree--not in TV
Not the same ownership.

[CowBubba]

Not the same ownership.

Correct. Our realtor told us that ownership changed.

[CowBubba]

Just talked to my neighbors that had dinner on Friday. They were excited about how good it was and his entry was 12 dollars and hers was 14. We will try it this week
K.

[kcrazorbackfan]

$52.00 in this day and age is not expensive 2 entrees @ $15.00 ea. 2 beverages @ $5.00 ea and tip voila $50.00+

Most of the time we split a meal or we do a 2 for $20/$25 and drink water/ice tea. Again, to each their own. Food to us is just that - food. It doesn't matter whether a couple gets a hamburger from McDonald's or a $52 dollar meal from wherever, the end byproduct is still the same.

[Bonny]

Most of the time we split a meal or we do a 2 for $20/$25 and drink water/ice tea. Again, to each their own. Food to us is just that - food. It doesn't matter whether a couple gets a hamburger from McDonald's or a $52 dollar meal from wherever, the end byproduct is still the same.
Yep, us too. We can't eat a lot anymore. I always bring 3/4 of mine home. Good thing I love left overs.
FYI.... my dinner tonight was Taco Bell Nachos Supreme. $2.59 :D

[kcrazorbackfan]

Yep, us too. We can't eat a lot anymore. I always bring 3/4 of mine home. Good thing I love left overs.
FYI.... my dinner tonight was Taco Bell Nachos Supreme. $2.59 :D

As the saying goes, "that's what I'm talking about"!!

[daca55]

Can't believe the discussion I am reading here. Bonny gives a little review of Guy's new restaurant which I thought was very good and people start talking about how pricy the food is and it's better to eat home than go out. I think some of you year round residents need to get out of TV and see what it really costs to eat out these days. I would much rather eat out than cook at home and I love home cooking but eatting out is more than just the food. It is meeting new people, relaxing with that special person and just doing something different. The menu sounds very good to me and the prices seem very reasonable. I can tell you that when the snow birds get down there this restaurant should do very well. I'm just saying.. ....

[bagboy]

Can't believe the discussion I am reading here. Bonny gives a little review of Guy's new restaurant which I thought was very good and people start talking about how pricy the food is and it's better to eat home than go out. I think some of you year round residents need to get out of TV and see what it really costs to eat out these days. I would much rather eat out than cook at home and I love home cooking but eatting out is more than just the food. It is meeting new people, relaxing with that special person and just doing something different. The menu sounds very good to me and the prices seem very reasonable. I can tell you that when the snow birds get down there this restaurant should do very well. I'm just saying.. ....

You are right on several counts.

[PoolBrews]

My wife and I tried Guy's and came away very disappointed. It wasn't the price - although I agree the prices are higher than nearly every other restaurant in the area for what you get - it was the lack of flavor in the food, and the limited menu options.

We tried the garbage can nachos - appearance is amazing, and the way they are served is pretty cool. However they were bland, bland, bland.

We then tried the caramel apple bread pudding - who could possibly screw that up, right? Wrong - again, not much flavor - just OK.

We go out quite often (5 -6 times a week), and are looking for flavor and something special. Guy's did not provide either.

I have to say that the service was fantastic, and our server was enthusiastic - so they get points for that. However, drink prices were high as well, and no happy hour.

So - we had 1 appetizer, 1 desert, and 1 drink (not 1 drink each - only one of us got a drink), and our bill was a little over $35.

There are so many other good options out there, I fail to see how this restaurant with it's current menu will do well.

[Bonny]

My wife and I tried Guy's and came away very disappointed. It wasn't the price - although I agree the prices are higher than nearly every other restaurant in the area for what you get - it was the lack of flavor in the food, and the limited menu options.

We tried the garbage can nachos - appearance is amazing, and the way they are served is pretty cool. However they were bland, bland, bland.

We then tried the caramel apple bread pudding - who could possibly screw that up, right? Wrong - again, not much flavor - just OK.

We go out quite often (5 -6 times a week), and are looking for flavor and something special. Guy's did not provide either.

I have to say that the service was fantastic, and our server was enthusiastic - so they get points for that. However, drink prices were high as well, and no happy hour.

So - we had 1 appetizer, 1 desert, and 1 drink (not 1 drink each - only one of us got a drink), and our bill was a little over $35.

There are so many other good options out there, I fail to see how this restaurant with it's current menu will do well.
No happy hour yet, but I thought the drink prices were very good. $2.75 for well drinks, $3.75 for house wine and $4.25 for martinis.

[Madelaine Amee]

Can't believe the discussion I am reading here. Bonny gives a little review of Guy's new restaurant which I thought was very good and people start talking about how pricy the food is and it's better to eat home than go out. I think some of you year round residents need to get out of TV and see what it really costs to eat out these days. I would much rather eat out than cook at home and I love home cooking but eatting out is more than just the food. It is meeting new people, relaxing with that special person and just doing something different. The menu sounds very good to me and the prices seem very reasonable. I can tell you that when the snow birds get down there this restaurant should do very well. I'm just saying.. ....

You under estimate many of us year round residents. The majority of us travel extensively and do know what prices are like in other cities. Just a few weeks ago I was in NH for over a month and ate out frequently, we were in Manchester and Portsmouth and the quality of food was excellent and we had no problem paying for good food. When we were in Portsmouth We ate out in several great little restaurants and did not even look at the price because the food was excellent. We were in San Francisco and ate at one of the best Italian restaurants we have ever been to, and never bothered to look at the price.

The reason many of us eat at home is due to the lack of good restaurants serving excellent food, it is not the price of those meals, but the quality. Give us value for money and a restaurant will be full every night.

You are so right ........... when the snow birds get here every restaurant will be full .......... and that is basically why mediocrity in our restaurants is so accepted by the owner. They make their money in the winter season.

[Chatbrat]

Madelaine, you're soon right-we were in Highlands for 2 months--we forgot what really good food was after being in the bubble for 6 years--with great food price is not the criteria--a local pub "The Ugly Dog", put best restaurants here to shame

[graciegirl]

Madelaine, you're soon right-we were in Highlands for 2 months--we forgot what really good food was after being in the bubble for 6 years--with great food price is not the criteria--a local pub "The Ugly Dog", put best restaurants here to shame

I am sure you are right.

We all know where to find good food up North in all of our own old areas.

I don't think that anything but the market will change the type or quality of food served here. I don't like that anyone suggests that most people who live in The Villages do not know and appreciate good food or that they are cheap. I don't think that anyone, the developer or the people who now have leases at the country clubs will change much because they have adequate patronage.

I think that people who seek excellent food are living here, but not people who are willing to pay as much as some people are willing to pay for eating out, especially since many do it many times a week.

That does not mean they don't have the money.

I will repeat. THAT DOES NOT MEAN THEY DON'T HAVE THE MONEY. Another thing that happens as we age, is that our tastes change and our appetite may drop. Many of us don't eat as much as we used to and are satisfied with simple meals. THAT DOES NOT MEAN PEOPLE HERE HAVE POOR TASTE IN FOOD AND IT DOES NOT MEAN THEY DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO SPEND ON IT.

[Chatbrat]

IMHO the problem here is people just don't settle for mediocrity, they praise it--we didn't get to where we are by being mediocre, I had to be the best in my field or someone else would take my place and my customers

[cavalier65]

First, the food was great. Basic hamburger and fries, plus, a Patty Melt. No problems. However the place is not managed very well as to seating and the kitchen.

In fact we were told by the Hostess that the kitchen cannot keep up with the orders, thus 4-5 tables were empty. After 15 min. or so they started seating people again. Hmmm...a 3/4 full restaurant cannot keep up with the orders? Not ready for primetime.

Once seated we ordered, then waited another 20+ min. to be served. There seemed to be no rhyme or reason as to which table food was delivered. Also, one dinner told me that she asked for the burger without a roll and that delayed the order. Go figure!

I thought Guy Fieri was a big city boy! This type of service is not acceptable even in The Villages.:confused:

[dewilson58]

First, the food was great. Basic hamburger and fries, plus, a Patty Melt. No problems. However the place is not managed very well as to seating and the kitchen.

In fact we were told by the Hostess that the kitchen cannot keep up with the orders, thus 4-5 tables were empty. After 15 min. or so they started seating people again. Hmmm...a 3/4 full restaurant cannot keep up with the orders? Not ready for primetime.

Once seated we ordered, then waited another 20+ min. to be served. There seemed to be no rhyme or reason as to which table food was delivered. Also, one dinner told me that she asked for the burger without a roll and that delayed the order. Go figure!

I thought Guy Fieri was a big city boy! This type of service is not acceptable even in The Villages.:confused:

Glad to hear the food was good.

Start-ups are always difficult...........I'm assuming it will smooth out.

[cavalier65]

IRVALLEY the service is very slow. Wait time to get seated, even with a plethora of open tables, is 20 min at 1pm. The kitchen so slow that the hostess told us that they could not seat any additional customers for a while since the kitchen could not keep up with the orders. If one needs to make a movie time, go 1.5 hrs. ahead of time.

[Trayderjoe]

First, I will acknowledge drifting away from the theme of the original thread.

I am sure you are right.

We all know where to find good food up North in all of our own old areas.

I don't think that anything but the market will change the type or quality of food served here. I don't like that anyone suggests that most people who live in The Villages do not know and appreciate good food or that they are cheap. I don't think that anyone, the developer or the people who now have leases at the country clubs will change much because they have adequate patronage.

I think that people who seek excellent food are living here, but not people who are willing to pay as much as some people are willing to pay for eating out, especially since many do it many times a week.

That does not mean they don't have the money.

I will repeat. THAT DOES NOT MEAN THEY DON'T HAVE THE MONEY. Another thing that happens as we age, is that our tastes change and our appetite may drop. Many of us don't eat as much as we used to and are satisfied with simple meals. THAT DOES NOT MEAN PEOPLE HERE HAVE POOR TASTE IN FOOD AND IT DOES NOT MEAN THEY DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO SPEND ON IT.

Totally agree with you Gracie

IMHO the problem here is people just don't settle for mediocrity, they praise it--we didn't get to where we are by being mediocre, I had to be the best in my field or someone else would take my place and my customers

The problem with such generalizations is that what one person finds to be mediocre, another may find the food tasty and enjoyable. Not everyone has had the same culinary experiences so while there is an opinion about the quality of the food, to broad brush a group of people because of an individual's opinion could offend people (you can count me in such a group).

I have had the benefit of dining around the country and have had my share of mediocre and excellent food, whether it be expensive or not. What I quickly learned after a job relocation, when I asked my new neighbors and work colleagues about restaurant recommendations, MY culinary preferences did not match the recommendations I received. Instead I started to ask about the service and the cleanliness of the restaurant then proceeded to try the various restaurants to see if there was something to my liking. Keep in mind too that even the service can be impacted by the local culture. I lived in the metropolitan area (near NYC) where everything was go go go, but when I went to North Carolina for a period, I had to adjust to a slower pace-it wasn't a function of poor service, but I had to realign my expectations. I loved the friendliness of the wait staff and got to enjoy the slower "style".

Another example, was when I had to travel to Victoria Texas to complete an audit. I was given the name of a local restaurant that served excellent food (it did by the way). Unfortunately I forgot the name of the restaurant, so I asked the front desk person at the hotel about some good restaurants in the area. The person was trying to be helpful and told me that there was a Country Buffet in the mall area behind the hotel and that there was a McDonald's down the road. I explained that I was on an expense account and was looking for something more upscale. She turned and said, "Oh, well there is a Burger King just down the road in the other direction". I did not denigrate the woman, although I do admit that I found it humorous to hear that Burger King would be considered upscale dining. Fortunately I remembered the name of the restaurant and when I gave it to her, she indicated that it was clear on the other side of town (like it would be a significant drive). I asked how long to get there, and was told 20 minutes, so I got directions and ended up enjoying some good local Tex-Mex.

I believe that we can agree to disagree on the quality of food that may be served at the various establishments within The Villages, but perhaps leaving the broad brush aside about the general populace and what they accept or not might be prudent.

[Bogie Shooter]

First, the food was great. Basic hamburger and fries, plus, a Patty Melt. No problems. However the place is not managed very well as to seating and the kitchen.

In fact we were told by the Hostess that the kitchen cannot keep up with the orders, thus 4-5 tables were empty. After 15 min. or so they started seating people again. Hmmm...a 3/4 full restaurant cannot keep up with the orders? Not ready for primetime.

Once seated we ordered, then waited another 20+ min. to be served. There seemed to be no rhyme or reason as to which table food was delivered. Also, one dinner told me that she asked for the burger without a roll and that delayed the order. Go figure!

I thought Guy Fieri was a big city boy! This type of service is not acceptable even in The Villages.:confused:
Didn't they just open this week??

[Bogie Shooter]

First, I will acknowledge drifting away from the theme of the original thread.



Totally agree with you Gracie



The problem with such generalizations is that what one person finds to be mediocre, another may find the food tasty and enjoyable. Not everyone has had the same culinary experiences so while there is an opinion about the quality of the food, to broad brush a group of people because of an individual's opinion could offend people (you can count me in such a group).

I have had the benefit of dining around the country and have had my share of mediocre and excellent food, whether it be expensive or not. What I quickly learned after a job relocation, when I asked my new neighbors and work colleagues about restaurant recommendations, MY culinary preferences did not match the recommendations I received. Instead I started to ask about the service and the cleanliness of the restaurant then proceeded to try the various restaurants to see if there was something to my liking. Keep in mind too that even the service can be impacted by the local culture. I lived in the metropolitan area (near NYC) where everything was go go go, but when I went to North Carolina for a period, I had to adjust to a slower pace-it wasn't a function of poor service, but I had to realign my expectations. I loved the friendliness of the wait staff and got to enjoy the slower "style".

Another example, was when I had to travel to Victoria Texas to complete an audit. I was given the name of a local restaurant that served excellent food (it did by the way). Unfortunately I forgot the name of the restaurant, so I asked the front desk person at the hotel about some good restaurants in the area. The person was trying to be helpful and told me that there was a Country Buffet in the mall area behind the hotel and that there was a McDonald's down the road. I explained that I was on an expense account and was looking for something more upscale. She turned and said, "Oh, well there is a Burger King just down the road in the other direction". I did not denigrate the woman, although I do admit that I found it humorous to hear that Burger King would be considered upscale dining. Fortunately I remembered the name of the restaurant and when I gave it to her, she indicated that it was clear on the other side of town (like it would be a significant drive). I asked how long to get there, and was told 20 minutes, so I got directions and ended up enjoying some good local Tex-Mex.

I believe that we can agree to disagree on the quality of food that may be served at the various establishments within The Villages, but perhaps leaving the broad brush aside about the general populace and what they accept or not might be prudent.

Your opinion is respected and I agree.
There are some snobs in TV that look down on many others........................

[CFrance]

You shouldn't judge a restaurant on how much they charge, either. Last night in Indianapolis we took our kids to McCormick & Shmicks (sp?) downtown. The atmosphere was great, the appetizers & wine were great, the price was high by TV standards, the entrees were meh.

Afterward, we walked down the street to the outdoor section of an Italian restaurant (Bucas? Or something like that) for a drink. Our DIL ordered what she thought was going to be one canoli. They brought three for the price of one. I don't even like canoli, and these were great! And inexpensive.

So whatever. Go where you like. Someone else might like what you don't; don't wave people off if you just didn't like the food. The only thing I find vaguely helpful about restaurant reviews concerns the level of service and how the manager responds to customers. But even then, you don't know if the complainer was a hot-head or not. Some things are actually the customer's fault.

[Dennis and Rose]

Cant take it with you guys Splurge and enjoy :)

[bagboy]

You shouldn't judge a restaurant on how much they charge, either. Last night in Indianapolis we took our kids to McCormick & Shmicks (sp?) downtown. The atmosphere was great, the appetizers & wine were great, the price was high by TV standards, the entrees were meh.

Afterward, we walked down the street to the outdoor section of an Italian restaurant (Bucas? Or something like that) for a drink. Our DIL ordered what she thought was going to be one canoli. They brought three for the price of one. I don't even like canoli, and these were great! And inexpensive.

So whatever. Go where you like. Someone else might like what you don't; don't wave people off if you just didn't like the food. The only thing I find vaguely helpful about restaurant reviews concerns the level of service and how the manager responds to customers. But even then, you don't know if the complainer was a hot-head or not. Some things are actually the customer's fault.

Maybe Buca Di Beppo? Good restaurants in many states.

[banjobob]

we echo Bonny the food and service is good if your looking for something different keep looking its a fun place to be and looking forward to football season. We will be regulars.

[kcrazorbackfan]

Cant take it with you guys Splurge and enjoy :)

No, we can't take it with us but we can try and leave more to the kids and grandkids for them to enjoy life.

My wife and I went to Beef O'Bradys tonight at Colony and splurged on the 2 for $20 which included a salad for each of us, grilled shrimp (20) with broccoli for my wife and grilled chicken breasts (2) with rice and broccoli for me. I had tea, my wife had water and the total bill with a 20% tip was $29.00.

If you're flush with money or don't care what you spend for food or never think about saving for the later years in life, by all means spend everything you have. The point is that our meal tonight satisfied us the same way as those of you that can only be satisfied by spending $50+ on meals for the both of you. To each their own............

[CFrance]

Maybe Buca Di Beppo? Good restaurants in many states.
Yes, that's it. Thanks.

[Madelaine Amee]

I think there is another side to this discussion of food in TV. I used the word "quality" in a post and that, in my opinion, is the wrong word. The quality of food available to us in the USA is excellent, it is the way in which it is prepared that becomes the problem.

Could the problem in TV be the lack of seasoned cooks, or chefs? Do our restaurant owners pay sufficient wages to bring in people to cook and prepare the foods? Due to the number of eating places in TV owners must have difficulty in finding good cooks.

I have had discussions with many professional people who have relocated here from excellent high paying jobs in their former locations and most of them will say that they are close to retirement age and want to live in the southern climate and slow their pace of life. I don't think that can be the case for cooks. I imagine there are short order cooks who can easily find a job here and come for the same reasons, but how many are basically really good cooks and they certainly cannot be classified as Chefs. Being a Chef or short order cook is a highly stressful job and people burn out very quickly.

When you stand back and look at Florida as a whole, there are thousands upon thousands of eateries that use cooks and if you want a really good cook to work for you that person needs to be compensated by working for a restaurant with a reputable name and they need a decent living wage. In the restaurant industry, the person who pays the best wages gets the best staff - which, of course, applies to any business.

It can be done here and The Rose Plantation is a case in point. Their food is excellent, their restaurant has ambience, their wait staff are excellent and their Hostess is professional.

At one time I knew a cook who used to spend his summers on the ocean in Maine and then come down here to cook in a restaurant on the Keys during the winter.

[Bonny]

First, the food was great. Basic hamburger and fries, plus, a Patty Melt. No problems. However the place is not managed very well as to seating and the kitchen.

In fact we were told by the Hostess that the kitchen cannot keep up with the orders, thus 4-5 tables were empty. After 15 min. or so they started seating people again. Hmmm...a 3/4 full restaurant cannot keep up with the orders? Not ready for primetime.

Once seated we ordered, then waited another 20+ min. to be served. There seemed to be no rhyme or reason as to which table food was delivered. Also, one dinner told me that she asked for the burger without a roll and that delayed the order. Go figure!

I thought Guy Fieri was a big city boy! This type of service is not acceptable even in The Villages.:confused:
They have only been open a couple of days. Give them a chance to get the rhythm going.

[graciegirl]

I think there is another side to this discussion of food in TV. I used the word "quality" in a post and that, in my opinion, is the wrong word. The quality of food available to us in the USA is excellent, it is the way in which it is prepared that becomes the problem.

Could the problem in TV be the lack of seasoned cooks, or chefs? Do our restaurant owners pay sufficient wages to bring in people to cook and prepare the foods? Due to the number of eating places in TV owners must have difficulty in finding good cooks.

I have had discussions with many professional people who have relocated here from excellent high paying jobs in their former locations and most of them will say that they are close to retirement age and want to live in the southern climate and slow their pace of life. I don't think that can be the case for cooks. I imagine there are short order cooks who can easily find a job here and come for the same reasons, but how many are basically really good cooks and they certainly cannot be classified as Chefs. Being a Chef or short order cook is a highly stressful job and people burn out very quickly.

When you stand back and look at Florida as a whole, there are thousands upon thousands of eateries that use cooks and if you want a really good cook to work for you that person needs to be compensated by working for a restaurant with a reputable name and they need a decent living wage. In the restaurant industry, the person who pays the best wages gets the best staff - which, of course, applies to any business.

It can be done here and The Rose Plantation is a case in point. Their food is excellent, their restaurant has ambience, their wait staff are excellent and their Hostess is professional.

At one time I knew a cook who used to spend his summers on the ocean in Maine and then come down here to cook in a restaurant on the Keys during the winter.

This is all true. But, when you pay more to hire good kitchen staff, then you must charge more for the food. More expensive restaurants do not do well here or last long for whatever the reasons.

And you can't take it with you, that is true, Dennis and Rose, but most of us don't want ever to be in a situation where we are dependent on others financially. I think those kind of people are the predominant type of people who live in The Villages. I am proud to be one of them.

[jane032657]

I think everyone should stay home this week and donate the money they would spend on eating out and give it to The Red Cross, drinks included and 20% tip too. I assure you that after you do that, you will feel good about the value you got for your money and you will have no indigestion.

[golf2140]

They have only been open a couple of days. Give them a chance to get the rhythm going.

Amen Give them a chance

[stujake]

You under estimate many of us year round residents. The majority of us travel extensively and do know what prices are like in other cities. Just a few weeks ago I was in NH for over a month and ate out frequently, we were in Manchester and Portsmouth and the quality of food was excellent and we had no problem paying for good food. When we were in Portsmouth We ate out in several great little restaurants and did not even look at the price because the food was excellent. We were in San Francisco and ate at one of the best Italian restaurants we have ever been to, and never bothered to look at the price.

The reason many of us eat at home is due to the lack of good restaurants serving excellent food, it is not the price of those meals, but the quality. Give us value for money and a restaurant will be full every night.

You are so right ........... when the snow birds get here every restaurant will be full .......... and that is basically why mediocrity in our restaurants is so accepted by the owner. They make their money in the winter season.

I agree with you 100%. We have enough sports bars and burger/sandwich places here in The Villages. As it is now, when we want an upscale meal or just plain good dinners, we usually go "off campus" to Ocala, Leesburg, Mt. Dora, etc. Bonefish is our place to go locally. The Rose Plantation just had a special with one appetizer to share, a salad or soup each, an entree each (we each had prime rib) and a dessert to share for $65. It was a nice atmosphere with white tablecloths and great service. Their bottled wines were all half price that night. Did not mind spending the money; however, under normal circumstances, without the special, the cost would have been about $100 per couple.

[Celebrator]

Six of us had dinner there last night and had the following experience. Arrived at 4:30 and put our name on the waiting list. Had a drink at the bar, one vodka and one wine spritzer for $6.77 not including tip. We had a 45 minute wait for our party of 6 while numerous parties of 4 were seated before us. Not complaining, just the tables for 6 were limited. Another party of 6 who came after was complaining about the long wait and the manager apologized but they left. I told the people that it was their first week and perhaps they needed to be a bit more understanding but they made some rude comments and left.
Our dinners included St. Louis ribs, chicken pot pie, french dip sandwiches, and ahi tuna tacos. We had a long wait for our dishes to arrive and our excellent waitress and manager apologized. (about 45 minutes). Ribs were tender and plentiful although you need to like the smoked rib taste. Two of our party loved the chicken pot pie. The french dip was good, nothing special. The ahi taco were very good but for a light eater. Prices were not outrageous as I have heard on this website and portions were generous.

Overall, I would rate our experience as good. We will definitely return and believe with a few more weeks to improve logistics, this will be successful.

[asianthree]

We take a drive over to Disney, Ocala and such, for dinner just to get something that will not disappoint. Rarely eat inside the bubble, just personal preference.

[Chatbrat]

Has anyone been to this place more than once? And if you did why?--looking for a reason to try it

[Bonny]

We have eaten there 5 times. We like several items. Volcano Chicken, Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwich, Chicken Cordon Blu Pasta, Chicken Pot Pie & Cobb Salad.
We like the bar there and the atmosphere.

[Chatbrat]

Happy you enjoy this place--we never go out to eat sandwiches and pasta--how's the bar, what's their top shelf vodka?

[Henryk]

We have eaten there 5 times. We like several items. Volcano Chicken, Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwich, Chicken Cordon Blu Pasta, Chicken Pot Pie & Cobb Salad.
We like the bar there and the atmosphere.

Bonny, are they still having long lines?

[chuckinca]

We had lunch at Beef O'Brady's in Mulberry last Tuesday while the power was out at our house. $42 for 2 (one $3.50 draft beer).


Went to Guy's new place Saturday afternoon at 4 PM for dinner with 8 card players. Think someone called ahead as we got seated when we walked in the door. $47 for 2 (one $3.50 bottle of Coors). Wife splurged and bought their cute red skeleton towel sized napkin for 5 Bucks otherwise the bottom line would have been same as Tuesday. Will go back in about 3 months to get the blue skeleton.

.

[NYGUY]

Has anyone been to this place more than once? And if you did why?--looking for a reason to try it

We went for our second time last night. Sat at the bar and enjoyed the food and service. We also enjoy the atmosphere which is pretty much the same as Honest Johns was.

[karostay]

I think everyone should stay home this week and donate the money they would spend on eating out and give it to The Red Cross, drinks included and 20% tip too. I assure you that after you do that, you will feel good about the value you got for your money and you will have no indigestion.

:bigbow::bigbow::bigbow::bigbow::coolsmiley::a040: :MOJE_whot:

[Bonny]

Happy you enjoy this place--we never go out to eat sandwiches and pasta--how's the bar, what's their top shelf vodka?
I'm not sure. I'm not a big vodka drinker unless it's in a martini.

[Bonny]

Bonny, are they still having long lines?
Yes, depending on the time you get there.

[philnpat]

Went there last Friday around 5:15 with a group of seven. One of our group got there a bit earlier and put his name on the list. When we arrived we were seated without waiting.

[dewilson58]

Happy you enjoy this place--we never go out to eat sandwiches and pasta--how's the bar, what's their top shelf vodka?

Call them and ask.

[Bogie Shooter]

Call them and ask.

Well said.