Many if not most restaurants use pre-prepared foods.

[graciegirl]

I don't think that is bad or wrong or inferior. I think that in many ways pre-prepared foods are safer and better than those done by a not "seasoned" cook or food preparer.

Many people, in their homes, will make a big batch of vegetable soup, or spaghetti sauce and freeze it and then toss up a fresh salad or boil up a pasta. I think that is what large companies who supply pre-prepared foods do. I think they are using new technology to be the sous chefs, the choppers, the slicers, the trimmers and the simmerers, and their dishes are consistent and often very good.

Here is the page from Sysco, a large if not the largest restaurant food supplier;

Sysco (https://sysco.com/)

[Chatbrat]

These suppliers have several different levels of food quality--they range from prison quality to upscale--the really good restaurants that I was involved in their construction--used fresh, everything and meat & fish from local (nothing frozen) purveyors

If you look and the kitchen in Koyome--everything is made from scratch--a restaurant that serves Dim Sum should have a night crew doing all the prep work

[Nucky]

These suppliers have several different levels of food quality--they range from prison quality to upscale--the really good restaurants that I was involved in their construction--used fresh, everything and meat & fish from local (nothing frozen) purveyors

If you look and the kitchen in Koyome--everything is made from scratch--a restaurant that serves Dim Sum should have a night crew doing all the prep work

Mr. Chatbrat have you ever eaten at The Afton Inn on Columbia Turnpike in Florham Park? It has been knocked down in the interest of extending an office park. How about Rocco's Pizza in Madison and The New York Tea Room in Morristown.

To me, I don't care how the food is prepared but only how good it is to eat. I agree :shocked: with you about Koyome, fantastic.

[Chatbrat]

Been to the Afton,Rocco's NY Tearoom--favorites when we lived in Chatham & then Chester,TWP--Charley's Aunt (business man's lunch) with buds, Rods Ranch in Madison, Publick House in Chester, William Morris Fri night unlimited lobsters, The Manor, Sammy's Ye Old Cider Mill. Black Horse Inn Mendham-, the lamplighter Chester--there was an Inn in Oldwick where we had our own private upstairs with our own personal waiter WOW!!!


Bailed out of Morris county in 95 the we retired

[600th Photo Sq]

I don't think that is bad or wrong or inferior. I think that in many ways pre-prepared foods are safer and better than those done by a not "seasoned" cook or food preparer.

Many people, in their homes, will make a big batch of vegetable soup, or spaghetti sauce and freeze it and then toss up a fresh salad or boil up a pasta. I think that is what large companies who supply pre-prepared foods do. I think they are using new technology to be the sous chefs, the choppers, the slicers, the trimmers and the simmerers, and their dishes are consistent and often very good.

Here is the page from Sysco, a large if not the largest restaurant food supplier;

Sysco (https://sysco.com/)

Interesting post which will no doubt generate many responses:

TooJays for example has a central location that cooks most of their meals that are on their menu..obviously then frozen and delivered to their various locations.

Most of the Villages " Restaurant " do not employ a Chef they are simply cooks with very little experience.

We like going out to dinner, we know however that going out to dinner in The Villages is fine and we go with the attitude it is what it is...one or two steps above hospital food.

We frequent and like Carrabba's, Havana, Cane Garden, Bonefish, and Red Sauce, which are not IMO one or two steps above hospital food. They are pretty decent.

Havana and Bonefish take reservations.

Brownwood Square ? Not one restaurant is worth considering..ugh..a shame....the location is fantastic ! :plane:

[Chatbrat]

Must agree about Brownwood--Of all the Italian Restaurants in the area Ricciardis and Mezzaluna are tied in a dead heat for being stinko

[Carl in Tampa]

The Columbia Restaurant in the historic Ybor City area of Tampa is the epitome of fine dining, with an emphasis on Spanish dishes. It has been at the same location for 110 years, and the third generation of the same family is being groomed to take over its operation.

Food Preparation is done by Chefs either with decades of experience at the Columbia or Chefs who have been recruited from Europe more recently.

Satellite Columbia Restaurants have been established in Celebration, Florida, St. Augustine, Florida, St. Armand's Circle near Sarasota, Florida, and on Sand Key near Clearwater Beach, Florida. Although lacking the patina of historical elegance of the Ybor City location, all of the locations serve similar dishes.

The leader of the Columbia Restaurant Group, Richard Gonzmart, has also pioneered other upscale restaurants in the Tampa area, including Ulele in a restored historic waterworks building, and a planned Sicilian food restaurant to be located in Ybor City.

I, along with people who still live in The Villages, have tried to convince Richard to open a Columbia Restaurant in the area of The Villages. I get the impression that he is not convinced that there would be enough revenue generated by an upscale restaurant in this area to justify the effort required to open a new restaurant.

[village dreamer]

Been to the Afton,Rocco's NY Tearoom--favorites when we lived in Chatham & then Chester,TWP--Charley's Aunt (business man's lunch) with buds, Rods Ranch in Madison, Publick House in Chester, William Morris Fri night unlimited lobsters, The Manor, Sammy's Ye Old Cider Mill. Black Horse Inn Mendham-, the lamplighter Chester--there was an Inn in Oldwick where we had our own private upstairs with our own personal waiter WOW!!!


Bailed out of Morris county in 95 the we retired
chatbrat where is William morris loction , tomorrows fri i may try it

[Chatbrat]

Pardon--It was the Gov. Morris Hotel--just looked @ their menu, all I can say is tightened your seat belt--its an expensive ride

[graciegirl]

Pardon--It was the Gov. Morris Hotel--just looked @ their menu, all I can say is tightened your seat belt--its an expensive ride

I dunno, Mr. Brat. I wonder if I'd like their cauliflower with pinenuts and raisins as much as mine with Velveeta...……….

Menu – Blue Morel (http://bluemorel.com/menu/)

[Chatbrat]

Remember -healthwise, if its spreadable its inedible--guaranteed to slam your arteries shut--

[crash]

Remember -healthwise, if its spreadable its inedible--guaranteed to slam your arteries shut--

Worked for Kraft Foods and Velveeta has less saturated fat (clog arteries) than Cheddar Cheese. The melt characteristics are modified with phosphates.

[manaboutown]

IMHO we are what we eat!

When I eat freshly picked fruit and vegetables I just feel better. I cannot explain why but I notice the difference. Although I avoid manufactured and processed food like the plague I do eat frozen vegetables and fruit as well as some dried fruit. I try to eat a small handful of assorted unsalted nuts each day. I avoid soda pop except perhaps a small can of Coca Cola now and then in France where it is still made with real sugar, not a corn based sweetener as I assiduously avoid them.

My belief is "the longer the shelf life the shorter your life". Today's processed food is loaded with sodium, many preservatives which do not exist in nature, corn sweeteners and the 'bad' fats. Processed foods may be necessary to have on hand for emergencies such as earthquakes and hurricanes so they do serve a purpose.

It would be nice if restaurants were required to disclose more about their ingredients. Many do used prepackaged salad mixes and mixed vegetable packets. The veggies are obviously machine cut.

I try to go to restaurants that advertise fresh, never frozen food. I know never frozen steaks and other red meat tastes better to me,

IMHO the high end, quality restaurant industry does not view retirement communities as viable venues. Their market as they see it is to big spenders, expense accounts and luxury tourism. That is where the big dollars are. Although The Villages is large and its median income relatively high, few retirees are willing to spend large on expensive dining out.

[CFrance]

Mr. Chatbrat have you ever eaten at The Afton Inn on Columbia Turnpike in Florham Park? It has been knocked down in the interest of extending an office park. How about Rocco's Pizza in Madison and The New York Tea Room in Morristown.

To me, I don't care how the food is prepared but only how good it is to eat. I agree :shocked: with you about Koyome, fantastic.
Morristown! We used to live in Randolph (Shongum Lake).


Okay, carry on.

[tuctba]

Worked for Kraft Foods and Velveeta has less saturated fat (clog arteries) than Cheddar Cheese. The melt characteristics are modified with phosphates.



In Tarrytown? Glenview?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[CFrance]

Remember -healthwise, if its spreadable its inedible--guaranteed to slam your arteries shut--
And I've read just the opposite. Once for ounce, the dryer the cheese, the less moisture it has and the more fat, as it's concentrated.

[village dreamer]

looks like im going to pub 199 for clams and lobster $30:crap2:

[rivaridger1]

IMHO we are what we eat!

When I eat freshly picked fruit and vegetables I just feel better. I cannot explain why but I notice the difference. Although I avoid manufactured and processed food like the plague I do eat frozen vegetables and fruit as well as some dried fruit. I try to eat a small handful of assorted unsalted nuts each day. I avoid soda pop except perhaps a small can of Coca Cola now and then in France where it is still made with real sugar, not a corn based sweetener as I assiduously avoid them.

My belief is "the longer the shelf life the shorter your life". Today's processed food is loaded with sodium, many preservatives which do not exist in nature, corn sweeteners and the 'bad' fats. Processed foods may be necessary to have on hand for emergencies such as earthquakes and hurricanes so they do serve a purpose.

It would be nice if restaurants were required to disclose more about their ingredients. Many do used prepackaged salad mixes and mixed vegetable packets. The veggies are obviously machine cut.

I try to go to restaurants that advertise fresh, never frozen food. I know never frozen steaks and other red meat tastes better to me,

IMHO the high end, quality restaurant industry does not view retirement communities as viable venues. Their market as they see it is to big spenders, expense accounts and luxury tourism. That is where the big dollars are. Although The Villages is large and its median income relatively high, few retirees are willing to spend large on expensive dining out.

Congrats ! If you do not like the taste of the foods you consider unhealthy you are ahead of the game. If you do like them and are denying yourself the pleasure of eating them in the hope of adding a few years to your life that is a noble goal as well.

However, as much as it might seem unpalatable, we all will meet our maker in some fashion or the other. Since most of us are seniors the date to do so is not all that far in the future. My vices are few, but when I do I will have enjoyed them until the date that occurs.

[missypie]

Morristown! We used to live in Randolph (Shongum Lake).


Okay, carry on.

From Chester.

[manaboutown]

However, as much as it might seem unpalatable, we all will meet our maker in some fashion or the other. Since most of us are seniors the date to do so is not all that far in the future. My vices are few, but when I do I will have enjoyed them until the date that occurs.

You are correct. Two of my high school classmates checked out permanently yesterday and a third, a Berkeley PhD clinical psychologist, has developed dementia according to FB posts made today.

I just got back from Costco and am going to broil a NY cut steak (medium rare), steam some fresh asparagus, microwave a sweet potato and prepared a small green salad for dinner. It will all go down with a glass or two of Chateau Mayne Guyon from Trader Joe's.

Bon Appetit!

[Gpsma]

Amazimg the garbage some people will accept here from the country clubs. Vut then again, I have to assume some here never had more than fast food where they came feom.

As one poster told me...they think beans over cornbread is haute cuisine

[eweissenbach]

Thankfully I don't pay much attention to posts by people who seem to joyfully trash ninety percent of the restaurants in the area. I have eaten at numerous highly ranked eating establishments across the nation, so I am not unfamiliar with haute cuisine, but I have enjoyed dozens of meals at many of the TV country clubs and other local establishments. My tastes may be unsophisticated and substandard by some measures, but I am happily oblivious to my lack of taste. I have had some marginal meals and some bad service, but those are the anomalies. Next time I go to one of the substandard venues in TV and have to wait for thirty minutes for a table I will assume that all the good places must have an hour or more wait

[graciegirl]

Still your fan, Coach.

I so agree.

[tophcfa]

When we go out to eat we always look to get a broiled piece of meat or fish and either a salid or veggie. That way it can't be pre-packaged. Not that there is anything wrong with quality pre-packaged food, just that it is kind of a crap shoot and you can't count on it being consistent. That being said, nothing beats going to the farmers market and getting some great fresh seafood like red snapper, mahi mahi, or grouper along with some fresh salid ingredients and grilling the fish and having a fresh salid, along with a skinny (no sugar) margerita made with 100% blue agave tequila :)

[manaboutown]

When we go out to eat we always look to get a broiled piece of meat or fish and either a salid or veggie. That way it can't be pre-packaged. Not that there is anything wrong with quality pre-packaged food, just that it is kind of a crap shoot and you can't count on it being consistent. That being said, nothing beats going to the farmers market and getting some great fresh seafood like red snapper, mahi mahi, or grouper along with some fresh salid ingredients and grilling the fish and having a fresh salid, along with a skinny (no sugar) margerita made with 100% blue agave tequila :)

:agree:

The lack of decent restaurants in TV is a definite downer!

[manaboutown]

Amazimg the garbage some people will accept here from the country clubs. Vut then again, I have to assume some here never had more than fast food where they came feom.

As one poster told me...they think beans over cornbread is haute cuisine


:BigApplause::BigApplause::BigApplause:

[graciegirl]

Amazimg the garbage some people will accept here from the country clubs. Vut then again, I have to assume some here never had more than fast food where they came feom.

As one poster told me...they think beans over cornbread is haute cuisine

We prefer a little sweetness in the cornbread. Also serve with grated Vidalia onion.

Here is the recipe served in the U.S. Senate;


Senate Bean Soup Recipe - Allrecipes.com (https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/15740/senate-bean-soup/)

[manaboutown]

I first tasted that in the Senate Dining room in 1966. Yum! It may be their most famous dish.

[Nucky]

Morristown! We used to live in Randolph (Shongum Lake).


Okay, carry on.

I never got kicked out of Smiles see it was a frame-up. I graduated from Harvard on the Highway. County College of Morris with a degree in Law Enforcement. It's a blur. All I know is the hill from the parking lot up to the school was rough so instead I would head to the Little Brown Jug instead. Cheers. :pepper2:

I was a proud slumlord on Lake Hopatcong. Oh Boy.

We rode thru the Hollow in Mo-town blasting Play That Funky Music White Boy trying to stir up trouble. Forgive me for I did not know what I was doing?

[Chatbrat]

I used to drive my wife to CCM before she transferred to Fairly Ridiculus, had to audit some classes for her when she broke her leg--best was teaching her enough math thru a navy correspondence course of a summer--it enable her to ace calculus and analytic geometry

[Mrs. Robinson]

The Columbia Restaurant in the historic Ybor City area of Tampa is the epitome of fine dining, with an emphasis on Spanish dishes. It has been at the same location for 110 years, and the third generation of the same family is being groomed to take over its operation.

Food Preparation is done by Chefs either with decades of experience at the Columbia or Chefs who have been recruited from Europe more recently.

Satellite Columbia Restaurants have been established in Celebration, Florida, St. Augustine, Florida, St. Armand's Circle near Sarasota, Florida, and on Sand Key near Clearwater Beach, Florida. Although lacking the patina of historical elegance of the Ybor City location, all of the locations serve similar dishes.

The leader of the Columbia Restaurant Group, Richard Gonzmart, has also pioneered other upscale restaurants in the Tampa area, including Ulele in a restored historic waterworks building, and a planned Sicilian food restaurant to be located in Ybor City.

I, along with people who still live in The Villages, have tried to convince Richard to open a Columbia Restaurant in the area of The Villages. I get the impression that he is not convinced that there would be enough revenue generated by an upscale restaurant in this area to justify the effort required to open a new restaurant.

Carl -- everything you said regarding the Columbia Restaurant is right on target. You've probably even left out a few things because it is so good, ranging from the quality of the food, the atmosphere, the menu choices, the service, etc.
When I lived in Sarasota, it was my favorite restaurant.

I must agree that The Villages is not ready for a Columbia or any restaurant of that caliber, and I seriously doubt that it could ever survive.
Although there might be the population here to support it, and possibly even residents' income, there isn't enough culinary sophistication or willingness to spend enough for it to be successful over the long haul.

Restaurants that offer Columbia's type of fine dining need the atmosphere of a city to survive, and TV's bubble will never be able to offer that.

[ColdNoMore]

Carl -- everything you said regarding the Columbia Restaurant is right on target. You've probably even left out a few things because it is so good, ranging from the quality of the food, the atmosphere, the menu choices, the service, etc.
When I lived in Sarasota, it was my favorite restaurant.

I must agree that The Villages is not ready for a Columbia or any restaurant of that caliber, and I seriously doubt that it could ever survive.
Although there might be the population here to support it, and possibly even residents' income, there isn't enough culinary sophistication or willingness to spend enough for it to be successful over the long haul.

Restaurants that offer Columbia's type of fine dining need the atmosphere of a city to survive, and TV's bubble will never be able to offer that.

Yep.


Unless they offer coupons...or 'Early Bird Specials.' :1rotfl:

[manaboutown]

Yep.


Unless they offer coupons...or 'Early Bird Specials.' :1rotfl:

:agree:

[coffeebean]

Is Rose Plantation close to upscale cuisine?

[NYGUY]

Is Rose Plantation close to upscale cuisine?

Yes it is and the closest you will come to in this area.

[CFrance]

I never got kicked out of Smiles see it was a frame-up. I graduated from Harvard on the Highway. County College of Morris with a degree in Law Enforcement. It's a blur. All I know is the hill from the parking lot up to the school was rough so instead I would head to the Little Brown Jug instead. Cheers. :pepper2:

I was a proud slumlord on Lake Hopatcong. Oh Boy.

We rode thru the Hollow in Mo-town blasting Play That Funky Music White Boy trying to stir up trouble. Forgive me for I did not know what I was doing?


We called it Lake Hapopcorn!

[manaboutown]

I enjoy the raillery that develops on various threads. It lightens my day and in some instances even provides some intellectual stimulation.

[graciegirl]

Carl -- everything you said regarding the Columbia Restaurant is right on target. You've probably even left out a few things because it is so good, ranging from the quality of the food, the atmosphere, the menu choices, the service, etc.
When I lived in Sarasota, it was my favorite restaurant.

I must agree that The Villages is not ready for a Columbia or any restaurant of that caliber, and I seriously doubt that it could ever survive.
Although there might be the population here to support it, and possibly even residents' income, there isn't enough culinary sophistication or willingness to spend enough for it to be successful over the long haul.

Restaurants that offer Columbia's type of fine dining need the atmosphere of a city to survive, and TV's bubble will never be able to offer that.

I resent the comment on behalf of a lot of people who live on a budget so as to enjoy living in this beautiful place. Where I come from, THAT is a good thing, not spending your last buck before you breathe your last breath.

There are so many here with "culinary sophistication" equal and better than the food snobs who post. AND better manners. And kinder hearts. AND probably more money.

[coffeebean]

Yes it is and the closest you will come to in this area.

Thank you.

[manaboutown]

Carl -- everything you said regarding the Columbia Restaurant is right on target. You've probably even left out a few things because it is so good, ranging from the quality of the food, the atmosphere, the menu choices, the service, etc.
When I lived in Sarasota, it was my favorite restaurant.

I must agree that The Villages is not ready for a Columbia or any restaurant of that caliber, and I seriously doubt that it could ever survive.
Although there might be the population here to support it, and possibly even residents' income, there isn't enough culinary sophistication or willingness to spend enough for it to be successful over the long haul.

Restaurants that offer Columbia's type of fine dining need the atmosphere of a city to survive, and TV's bubble will never be able to offer that.

:agree: along with the successful restauranteurs who know where to locate and how to run their fine dining restaurants!

[rivaridger1]

If you are 70 years of age and older and actually believe denying yourself the occasional culinary treat that is rich in most things which taste good, but the doc's and food police condemn, will buy you a few years of additional existence that is perfectly okay. You might be spending one or two of those extra years in a skilled nursing home however drooling, tube fed and calling out names of those long departed to the annoyance of the visitors of your similarly inclined roommate. I'll have doughnut, and maybe two, in the hopes of avoiding that.

[manaboutown]

"If you are 70 years of age and older and actually believe denying yourself the occasional culinary treat that is rich in most things which taste good, but the doc's and food police condemn, will buy you a few years of additional existence that is perfectly okay. You might be spending one or two of those extra years in a skilled nursing home however drooling, tube fed and calling out names of those long departed to the annoyance of the visitors of your similarly inclined roommate. I'll have doughnut, and maybe two, in the hopes of avoiding that."

Well then, please pass the goose foie gras, crab imperial, rare T-bone steak, lamb chops, bacon, French fries, Bordeaux, triple cream brie, carne adovada, guacamole and tortilla chips, salsa, mole poblano, biscochitos, tres leches cake, flan, brownies, pecan pie, fruit cake, mince meat pie with rum sauce...burp!

[ColdNoMore]

I'm all for unhealthy eating.

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:D

[JimD215]

The Columbia Restaurant in the historic Ybor City area of Tampa is the epitome of fine dining, with an emphasis on Spanish dishes. It has been at the same location for 110 years, and the third generation of the same family is being groomed to take over its operation.

Food Preparation is done by Chefs either with decades of experience at the Columbia or Chefs who have been recruited from Europe more recently.

Satellite Columbia Restaurants have been established in Celebration, Florida, St. Augustine, Florida, St. Armand's Circle near Sarasota, Florida, and on Sand Key near Clearwater Beach, Florida. Although lacking the patina of historical elegance of the Ybor City location, all of the locations serve similar dishes.

The leader of the Columbia Restaurant Group, Richard Gonzmart, has also pioneered other upscale restaurants in the Tampa area, including Ulele in a restored historic waterworks building, and a planned Sicilian food restaurant to be located in Ybor City.

I, along with people who still live in The Villages, have tried to convince Richard to open a Columbia Restaurant in the area of The Villages. I get the impression that he is not convinced that there would be enough revenue generated by an upscale restaurant in this area to justify the effort required to open a new restaurant.
It would be a great restaurant here. They would be packed with what the competition is here. Have been to the one in St Armand’s Circle and always great food

[manaboutown]

I'm all for unhealthy eating.

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:D

True that! Lack of self discipline in eating, exercising regularly and following good health habits can lead to obesity, diabetes, perhaps even dementia, requiring one move to assisted living for an extended period of time sooner rather than later.