Restaurant Turn Around Kudo's

[Chatbrat]

Hats off to two restaurant groups for turning around failed restaurants

FMK for turning around a dismal failure into two top notch restaurants, the Blufin & the Chop House

And the Suleiman family for resurrecting the Havana, Lopez Legacy & finally the Glenview

Went to the Glenview yesterday, really good for a medium $$ dining experience and they have Stoli Elite

[gatorbill1]

Hats off to two restaurant groups for turning around failed restaurants

FMK for turning around a dismal failure into two top notch restaurants, the Blufin & the Chop House

And the Suleiman family for resurrecting the Havana, Lopez Legacy & finally the Glenview

Went to the Glenview yesterday, really good for a medium $$ dining experience and they have Stoli Elite

Hope the two super power restauranters don't buy anymore. Would be forced to eat outside TV even more than I do now.

[JSR22]

[QUOTE=Chatbrat;1708440]Hats off to two restaurant groups for turning around failed restaurants

Totally agree. We use to go to Ocala at least once a week to eat. Since BlueFin, Chop House, Lopez, Glenview and Havana have stepped up the game we eat in TV much more frequently. Having dinner at Chop House tonight. Love the food, service and ambiance.

[Aloha1]

Was at Blufin again, last night. Outstanding food and service. Only knock was they should have Luxardo cherries for their Manhattans. Crab Stuffed Shrimp was delicious and different: deconstructed with lump crab around the shrimp instead of a breaded stuffing.

[JoMar]

Hope the two super power restauranters don't buy anymore. Would be forced to eat outside TV even more than I do now.

I gather you aren't a fan of any those two management groups?

[gatorbill1]

I gather you aren't a fan of any those two management groups?

There are better places to eat without taking out a loan. We eat out a lot and must watch our finances more than some "fat cats" with big pensions.

[retiredguy123]

I went to Bluefin last week. The crab cakes were fair. To me, a great seafood restaurant should have:

Raw oysters on the half shell
Raw clams on the half shell
Steamed clams in a bucket
Spiced peel and eat shrimp
Steamed jumbo blue crabs with Old Bay seasoning
Broiled lobster tails
Fried catfish
Broiled or blackened scallops
Broiled or blackened salmon
Broiled or fried seafood platter with hush puppies

The next time, I will go to O'Shucks and eat oysters. I sure miss Fairfax, Virginia, where I could go to Captain Pells and get a dozen steamed blue crabs any time.

[Northwoods]

We went to Blue Fin tonight... very good! I also love Chop House and Lopez (and Havana!!). I love it that you have choices where you can get a good meal.

[dominojc]

I agree Chop House and Blue Fin are nice.. for a special occasion as, IMHO they are pricey for just a dinner out. As for Country Clubs Mallory, Tierra del Sol and Cane Gardens would be my choices. Went to Glenview the other day and it just didn’t seem clean to me. Odor walking through the bar area and also bathroom hallway. The service towards the 6 of us was also sketchy, several (5) different people so no one really knew what was going on with the order, and a few of them were very curt. Don’t think I’ll go back. We are lucky to have so many choices .. for me I prefer a casual eatery, and a Bluefin or a Chophouse once in awhile.

[dewilson58]

I went to Bluefin last week. The crab cakes were fair. To me, a great seafood restaurant should have:

Raw oysters on the half shell
Raw clams on the half shell
Steamed clams in a bucket
Spiced peel and eat shrimp
Steamed jumbo blue crabs with Old Bay seasoning
Broiled lobster tails
Fried catfish
Broiled or blackened scallops
Broiled or blackened salmon
Broiled or fried seafood platter with hush puppies

The next time, I will go to O'Shucks and eat oysters. I sure miss Fairfax, Virginia, where I could go to Captain Pells and get a dozen steamed blue crabs any time.




I dew enjoy.

[HoosierPa]

Same thing with The Oaks on 44 Restaurant & Lounge. Major turnaround. Great food & service. Had prime Rib there last night that was great.

TheOaksOn44.com

[Chatbrat]

We used to go to the Cane very often, haven't set foot in the place in 4 months--the food & dinginess were a turn off & the old bar persons we knew have flown the coop--

[Bay Kid]

I went to Bluefin last week. The crab cakes were fair. To me, a great seafood restaurant should have:

Raw oysters on the half shell
Raw clams on the half shell
Steamed clams in a bucket
Spiced peel and eat shrimp
Steamed jumbo blue crabs with Old Bay seasoning
Broiled lobster tails
Fried catfish
Broiled or blackened scallops
Broiled or blackened salmon
Broiled or fried seafood platter with hush puppies

The next time, I will go to O'Shucks and eat oysters. I sure miss Fairfax, Virginia, where I could go to Captain Pells and get a dozen steamed blue crabs any time.

I only eat my raw oysters fresh anytime. In 4 months blue crabs will be climbing into my pots. Large can of Old Bay is waiting!

[jmtruax]

Both groups have done an outstanding job and we certainly appreciate the service and the quality. We are very fortunate to have such a great selection of restaurants in The Villages and very surprised that your experiences haven't been as good

[bilcon]

We had our family here for the Christmas Holidays and went to all the above mentioned good restaurants with the exception of Lopez. We were going there Christmas Eve (8 of us), but when I saw they had a special Christmas Eve menu, I scraped the idea. The special menu prices were way over their regular prices. Why? They have no problem filling the restaurant on a daily basis. $47 for prime ribs? We went instead to the Chop House and had their regular menu which was great. Nice going Fred.

[Sunflower33]

Hats off to two restaurant groups for turning around failed restaurants

FMK for turning around a dismal failure into two top notch restaurants, the Blufin & the Chop House

And the Suleiman family for resurrecting the Havana, Lopez Legacy & finally the Glenview

Went to the Glenview yesterday, really good for a medium $$ dining experience and they have Stoli Elite

All their restaurants are great and the family works hard to give you a great experience. And the owner if bluefin and chop house has done the same but he needs to work on his country clubs

[Deanmasser]

Perfect! Wish they would purchase the vacant La Hacienda restaurant. Shame that historic landmark is sitting empty.

[Petehoyt]

All their restaurants are great and the family works hard to give you a great experience. And the owner if bluefin and chop house has done the same but he needs to work on his country clubs

Agree on family working hard to give great experience. Also, agree on FMK giving better attention to the country clubs they operate. Diversity in menu would be a great start! On another related issue, my son was visiting & we heard so much positive about Chop House, we decided to check it out. Horrible experience, which was disappointing based on all the positive we had heard. Manager took name & address, etc., and ensured he would send a gift card to make up for the experience. NEVER happened!

[Waltdisney4life]

Most country clubs have heat and serve Sysco food which are Reasonably priced if that’s your thing.
I prefer the chef driven restaurants that both families are now opening in the villages my hats off to Fred and the Sulimans.
The more restaurants the more choices the better it is for all villagers.

[BS Beef]

Heaven help you posting something positive on here. Prepare to be sternly corrected.

[RedChariot]

We had our family here for the Christmas Holidays and went to all the above mentioned good restaurants with the exception of Lopez. We were going there Christmas Eve (8 of us), but when I saw they had a special Christmas Eve menu, I scraped the idea. The special menu prices were way over their regular prices. Why? They have no problem filling the restaurant on a daily basis. $47 for prime ribs? We went instead to the Chop House and had their regular menu which was great. Nice going Fred.

Cancelled our Christmas Eve reservations also. Was not aware of this special menu. The cost was outrageous. Hope this does not happen next year.

[Ronlynch@comcast.net]

Agree with Chatbrat. Would add that Evans Prairie has upped their game as well. Worth a try.

[JSR22]

Perfect! Wish they would purchase the vacant La Hacienda restaurant. Shame that historic landmark is sitting empty.

Historic landmark?

[dewilson58]

Agree with Chatbrat. Would add that Evans Prairie has upped their game as well. Worth a try.




been hoping for EP

[swooner]

I don’t need to be frugal but don’t like getting screwed by high prices and less than appropriate quality. Last two meals at Havana and Lopez were pathetic. High prices and poor quality beef at both. Had Stoli elite at Lopez a while back. $15 a shot, give me a break. Glenview golfer menu is disgusting. Oh, only $2 for potato chips.

[Davelinda91]

We went for Thanksgiving dinner at Nancy Lopez and was disappointing. Turkey was processed meat, not even turkey breast. The prime rib was cold and chewy, with warm juice. I’ve eaten there prior and hadn’t has a bad meal. I didn’t complain because we were with out of town family and we’re enjoying the holiday. Not sure if anyone else had the same experience. Went to Arnold Palmer the year before and the Turkey dinner was much better. New Years Eve was also at Arnold Palmer and we enjoyed the limited Entrees. All were a bit pricy but it’s TV and Holidays.

[Chatbrat]

When you go out to eat on special days, Christmas, New Years,Valentines day & especially Mothers' Day--expect to get the bum's rush--high prices, lousy food , & lousy service--its amateur hour on steroids--stay home & enjoy the company of your significant other & cook a great meal together

[Mmarr]

New owners.. Cane no longer the same..

[justjim]

New owners.. Cane no longer the same..

Cane could use a bit of renovation. They had a good run and for several years was one of the busiest Country Clubs in The Villages. If you want quality food in a nice environment it’s going to be more expensive. There is something for everyone that eats out in TV.

[John M. Acaron]

However, I am a dirty Martini guy and recently they decided to use canned blue cheese olives that are terrible. They taste like plastic. Bad move Frederick. You need to go back to the home made blue cheese stuffed olives..... Cut and changes like this can really ruin your restaurant...…. at $12.00 each you should have the best ingredients and best presentation.

Just an observation.... do not cut corners...you have great bar tenders and great food..... lets keep it rolling.... R/John

[Chatbrat]

Best stuffed blue cheese olives, Bone Fish & Arnold Palmer--,we keep the olives on the side- don't want to mess up premium vodka

[Buzinvest]

Check out the Gourmet Club Restaurant rating list of about 300 restaurant options in and around TV. It’s awesome. We are very fortunate to have so many good restaurants to choose from.

[Chatbrat]

Just a thought about the restaurant reviews of TV Gourmet Club, I would not put too much creditability as to the term "Gourmet", when City Fire in Sumter Landing is the highest rated restaurant in TV @ 141/2

[ZanieV22]

Guess there will be more room there. Completely freshed up a couple months ago. Yes it changed hands but it's still good food, atmosphere and great service.

[RDhot]

The menu at Lopez is very diverse compared to any place else in the villages

[RDhot]

Perhaps you might consider choosing quality over quantity when you go out. If you prefer to go out more frequently and eat crap, that’s your choice.

[RDhot]

Did you read it carefully? It was probably a two or three course meal, not ala carte

[RDhot]

And they charge for olives and a martini. I have never been anywhere in the world that charges for olives in a martini, except the villages.

[stan the man]

And they charge for olives and a martini. I have never been anywhere in the world that charges for olives in a martini, except the villages.

If you give an inch - they take a mile

[Chatbrat]

That is why the Golden Corral is always packed, they don't charge xtra for a wheel barrel, for table drops

[New Englander]

And they charge for olives and a martini. I have never been anywhere in the world that charges for olives in a martini, except the villages.

What restaurant charges for olives in a Martini?

[Chatbrat]

The restaurants that use Sysco, Gordons & Cheney for the supplies & meals have various product lines to choose from--When we informed that the Cane had gone to a cheaper line from Sysco, in hastened our decision to stop going there--they are using "institutional" line food & it shows

[stan the man]

Best stuffed blue cheese olives, Bone Fish & Arnold Palmer--,we keep the olives on the side- don't want to mess up premium vodka

Is there any place in The Villages that has Kilian vodka that you know of? "Neat" no rocks unless ice is made with "Voss" bottled water. This is my wife (Top Gun) and myself, drink of choice. Please help

[Ecuadog]

Is there any place in The Villages that has Kilian vodka that you know of? "Neat" no rocks unless ice is made with "Voss" bottled water. This is my wife (Top Gun) and myself, drink of choice. Please help

Perfume?

[Chatbrat]

Sure looks like perfume, beats Aquavelva strained through bread, the favorite of underpass dwellers

[Aloha1]

Absolutely agree about the ridiculous charge for blue cheese stuffed olives at Bluefin. Come on, Fred, you can do better. 75 cents ?? For bottled crud?? A 1.75 bottle of Ketel One retails for $31 at Total Wine. Your distributor sells it to you for less..a lot less. Even at $31 a 4oz martini for $12 means you're getting 15 drinks per bottle = $180, less $31, gross profit of $149.00 per bottle. You can afford to do the right thing.

[Chatbrat]

At times the premium vodka charges @ the Blufin & the Chophouse are truly NUTS, especially if the scrutiny of the on duty mgr, makes the bar person pour using a measurer, when we go to the Blufin, the first thing we check, who's tending bar

Have not returned to the Chop House, they really have bar help totally whipped