Another FMK Restaurant coming to Spanish Springs

[coffeebean]

Spanish Springs to welcome new FMK restaurant | News | The Villages Daily Sun | thevillagesdailysun.com (https://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/news/villages/spanish-springs-to-welcome-new-fmk-restaurant/article_d57598fc-e8a6-11ed-b120-839b9b718223.html)

Another gold mine for this company and a welcome addition to this town square.

[mrf0151]

It would be cool if they would put the Spanish Springs Brewery back in at that location. Ahh the good Ol 'days.

[kkingston57]

It would be cool if they would put the Spanish Springs Brewery back in at that location. Ahh the good Ol 'days.

World of Beer would not be happy with that and they are a lob wedge away.

[raynan]

We enjoyed many meals at Augustine's 1812 House and went there several times with large groups. They were always accommodating to reservations made for groups. Sorry to see them go. Problem with FMK is all their restaurants serve same food.

[ThirdOfFive]

Spanish Springs to welcome new FMK restaurant | News | The Villages Daily Sun | thevillagesdailysun.com (https://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/news/villages/spanish-springs-to-welcome-new-fmk-restaurant/article_d57598fc-e8a6-11ed-b120-839b9b718223.html)

Another gold mine for this company and a welcome addition to this town square.
Agreed. I like all of the FMK restaurants here in TV...with the exception of the Chop House which, in my opinion, is overpriced considering the quality of food and service one gets there.

[tophcfa]

Great news.

[BrianL99]

We enjoyed many meals at Augustine's 1812 House and went there several times with large groups. They were always accommodating to reservations made for groups. Sorry to see them go. Problem with FMK is all their restaurants serve same food.

That and the food is awful, the service is awful and they're over-priced.

Other than that, they're great.

The only good meal I've had since coming to TV 2 years ago, was at the 1812. It figures, they're leaving.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

Well I’m a regular at Blue Fin and always have enjoyed the food and atmosphere,I also go at least once a month to chop house , Harvest and now a little more to Costal Del Mar , I find all these restaurants better then average for villages and always great service , as far as 1812 I never went but heard sometimes good and sometimes bad , but if it was so much better then the FMK restaurants then why is it closing ? Maybe our taste buds are not as sophisticated as yours perhaps

[RedChariot]

Spanish Springs to welcome new FMK restaurant | News | The Villages Daily Sun | thevillagesdailysun.com (https://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/news/villages/spanish-springs-to-welcome-new-fmk-restaurant/article_d57598fc-e8a6-11ed-b120-839b9b718223.html)

Another gold mine for this company and a welcome addition to this town square.

Just more of the same old, same old. Serves the same meals in many of his restaurants on a given night. Continued mediocrity.

[golfing eagles]

World of Beer would not be happy with that and they are a lob wedge away.

Putter

[Papa_lecki]

If 1812 was so good and the service was so good, it would not be leaving. The only reason they are wrapping it up is because they weren’t making enough money

If FMK food was so boring and service so bad, they wouldn’t be expanding, because no one would eat there.

Villagers talk with their wallet.

[Bill14564]

Just more of the same old, same old. Serves the same meals in many of his restaurants on a given night. Continued mediocrity.

Bluefin, Bonifay, Coastal del Mar, Harvest, Chop House, and Scooples have the same menu on any given night?????

[Chi-Town]

FMK Square Restaurants are very good by Villages standards, good to fair otherwise. Hopefully, they'll update the decor at the new location.

[BrianL99]

FMK Square Restaurants are very good by Villages standards, good to fair otherwise. Hopefully, they'll update the decor at the new location.

13 words says it all.

If I was able to be as succinct, I would have said "fair to OK".

Good job.

[shut the front door]

If anyone actually read the linked article, they would know why the McIntyre family is closing Augustines. And it doesn't involve not making money there.

[Bill14564]

If anyone actually read the linked article, they would know why the McIntyre family is closing Augustines. And it doesn't involve not making money there.

I actually read it (twice now) but didn't find the reason they are closing. I see what they will be doing with their free time but no explanation for why that time became free.

In any case, the reason doesn't matter. Enjoyed Augustines and expect we will enjoy the new place as well.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

I actually read it (twice now) but didn't find the reason they are closing. I see what they will be doing with their free time but no explanation for why that time became free.

In any case, the reason doesn't matter. Enjoyed Augustines and expect we will enjoy the new place as well.
Im with you , maybe we both need to go back a 3rd time. ,must be something we missed lol

[shut the front door]

I actually read it (twice now) but didn't find the reason they are closing. I see what they will be doing with their free time but no explanation for why that time became free.

In any case, the reason doesn't matter. Enjoyed Augustines and expect we will enjoy the new place as well.

Did you see this part, or just not comprehend it?

The McIntyre family, which has operated the restaurant since November 2020, will remain in The Villages and turn its full attention to its other property in The Villages — Lighthouse Point Bar & Grille at Lake Sumter Landing.

“We’re going to pull the entire family back together and focus all of our efforts into the Lighthouse” said Brittany McIntyre, Lighthouse Point manager. “This is our home. It’s where our hearts are.”

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

Did you see this part, or just not comprehend it?

The McIntyre family, which has operated the restaurant since November 2020, will remain in The Villages and turn its full attention to its other property in The Villages — Lighthouse Point Bar & Grille at Lake Sumter Landing.

“We’re going to pull the entire family back together and focus all of our efforts into the Lighthouse” said Brittany McIntyre, Lighthouse Point manager. “This is our home. It’s where our hearts are.”that doesn’t mean anything , it doesn’t say whether they were making money or not making money it also is what many people in different businesses say when they want to focus on some other’s business , because the present one isn’t doing well ,we don’t know what we don’t know , but saying we want to focus on our main business tells you nothing about how good or bad they we’re doing with 1812, FYI I like the light house ,the food is okay but that’s not the reason I go there , I go because it’s a fun place with a great view

[Papa_lecki]

that doesn’t mean anything , it doesn’t say whether they were making money or not making money it also is what many people in different businesses say when they want to focus on some other’s business , because the present one isn’t doing well ,we don’t know what we don’t know , but saying we want to focus on our main business tells you nothing about how good or bad they we’re doing with 1812

Correct, I am sure they closed the more profitable business, to focus on the less profitable business
They were making a fortune at 1812, and decided to walk away. That’s how operating a business works. Do you think they are going to say “we sucked at running 1812, we lost a fortune, but we will do better at the other place”

[Bill14564]

Did you see this part, or just not comprehend it?

The McIntyre family, which has operated the restaurant since November 2020, will remain in The Villages and turn its full attention to its other property in The Villages — Lighthouse Point Bar & Grille at Lake Sumter Landing.

“We’re going to pull the entire family back together and focus all of our efforts into the Lighthouse” said Brittany McIntyre, Lighthouse Point manager. “This is our home. It’s where our hearts are.”

My eyesight and my reading comprehension is just fine, thank you. It is my desire to jump to conclusions that is lacking.

A) Since Augustine's is closing....
B) Since Augustine's was losing money we chose to close it and now...
C) Augustine's seemed like a good idea at the time but we've had a change of heart and now...
D) Lighthouse has been suffering recently due to lack of attention and we want to correct that so now...
E) Our reasons are our own; what is important is...

Choose one of A-E or even some other reason. The article does not tell us the reason they are closing, just the result.

[BrianL99]

Did you see this part, or just not comprehend it?

The McIntyre family, which has operated the restaurant since November 2020, will remain in The Villages and turn its full attention to its other property in The Villages — Lighthouse Point Bar & Grille at Lake Sumter Landing.

“We’re going to pull the entire family back together and focus all of our efforts into the Lighthouse” said Brittany McIntyre, Lighthouse Point manager. “This is our home. It’s where our hearts are.”

I'm shocked to read the same family own's both. I ate at the Lighthouse Point once and it was without a doubt, one of the worst dining experience of the last 20 years. It was horrendous.

From what I saw, the Lighthouse is more geared towards "drinking", which is a way more profitable business than selling food. It makes sense to concentrate on that location, given the scarcity of restaurant/bar help these days.

[dewilson58]

FMK is going to be hitting their quality standards diminishing returns.

[ThirdOfFive]

If 1812 was so good and the service was so good, it would not be leaving. The only reason they are wrapping it up is because they weren’t making enough money

If FMK food was so boring and service so bad, they wouldn’t be expanding, because no one would eat there.

Villagers talk with their wallet.
"Nobody goes there any more. Its too crowded". (Yogi Berra)

[JSR22]

We enjoyed many meals at Augustine's 1812 House and went there several times with large groups. They were always accommodating to reservations made for groups. Sorry to see them go. Problem with FMK is all their restaurants serve same food.
Harvest Chop House Coastal Del Mar and Blue Fn each have unque menus.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Loved the food when we ate at Lighthouse. Was not fond of the service. If the St. Augustine family is planning on improving on the Lighthouse, then I'm all for it. "We want to focus our efforts on THAT restaurant" is good enough for me, no other reason needed.

No one is a stockholder of St. Augustines, and therefore no one is entitled to their financials. It's frankly none of your business whether they were doing well or not. And even if they weren't doing well, that wouldn't be a good enough explanation for some of you. You'd want to find out WHY they weren't going well, and coming up with theories and anecdotes about your last visit where the bartender didn't give you a cherry on your fruity cocktail and therefore the service is subpar and blah blah blah.

Really. Y'all need to find a better hobby.

Meanwhile I'm looking forward to seeing what FMK plans to do with St. Augustine's. The seafood joint they opened sounds nice, will eventually give it a try. We've been happy with the Orange Blossom Country Club menu, and it's in walking distance, plus we can order from the pool menu when we're at the pool. If they had the same butterfish dish at every single one of their restaurants - that'd be okay since - I like their butterfish.

Not understanding why people can be so nasty about restaurants that aren't "bad." FMK restaurants aren't Manhattan 5-star chef reservation-only $400 per person fixed price meals served with tuxedoed waiters and whatever the current trendy champagne is this week. They're just decent dine-in restaurants with waiter service. For what they are, they're nice places.

[Stu from NYC]

If anyone actually read the linked article, they would know why the McIntyre family is closing Augustines. And it doesn't involve not making money there.

Sorry do not buy their answer. More to it than that.

[Bogie Shooter]

Does the reason they really, really left…….make any difference at this point. Whole lot of hand wringing over nothing!

[shut the front door]

OK, let me set this straight because reading comprehension is very much lacking here. I have had conversations with the owner. She stated exactly what was in the article and since some people didn't pass reading comprehension, I'll splain it for you.
A family business decided to branch out and open a 2nd restaurant. Prior to this 2nd restaurant, the WHOLE FAMILY was putting their time and efforts into ONE restaurant. After dealing with splitting up the family to work at 2 different venues, and having to hire outside the family to fill the missing holes, they decided that they would prefer to own ONE family business where they are all involved and not having to run from place to place to keep things running smoothly.
Reading is one thing. Comprehension is very lacking here.

[shut the front door]

Sorry do not buy their answer. More to it than that.

And guess what, they don't give a flying flip what you think. You think you can do better? Jump in there, cupcake!

[shut the front door]

Loved the food when we ate at Lighthouse. Was not fond of the service. If the St. Augustine family is planning on improving on the Lighthouse, then I'm all for it. "We want to focus our efforts on THAT restaurant" is good enough for me, no other reason needed.

No one is a stockholder of St. Augustines, and therefore no one is entitled to their financials. It's frankly none of your business whether they were doing well or not. And even if they weren't doing well, that wouldn't be a good enough explanation for some of you. You'd want to find out WHY they weren't going well, and coming up with theories and anecdotes about your last visit where the bartender didn't give you a cherry on your fruity cocktail and therefore the service is subpar and blah blah blah.

Really. Y'all need to find a better hobby.

Meanwhile I'm looking forward to seeing what FMK plans to do with St. Augustine's. The seafood joint they opened sounds nice, will eventually give it a try. We've been happy with the Orange Blossom Country Club menu, and it's in walking distance, plus we can order from the pool menu when we're at the pool. If they had the same butterfish dish at every single one of their restaurants - that'd be okay since - I like their butterfish.

Not understanding why people can be so nasty about restaurants that aren't "bad." FMK restaurants aren't Manhattan 5-star chef reservation-only $400 per person fixed price meals served with tuxedoed waiters and whatever the current trendy champagne is this week. They're just decent dine-in restaurants with waiter service. For what they are, they're nice places.


And this sums up 90% of the posts on this site. I happen to have a life, so I rarely post. But I come to read just to get a laugh from the pearl clutching antagonists who have nothing better to do.
I will, however, step in to defend good people and business owners who have brought nothing but their heart and soul to make the villages a better place. But they will always be bashed, second guessed, and slandered by those who wish to destroy good people here.

[Ele201]

I'm shocked to read the same family own's both. I ate at the Lighthouse Point once and it was without a doubt, one of the worst dining experience of the last 20 years. It was horrendous.

From what I saw, the Lighthouse is more geared towards "drinking", which is a way more profitable business than selling food. It makes sense to concentrate on that location, given the scarcity of restaurant/bar help these days.

Well, people don’t go to the Lighthouse for the food. It’s the view of the water!

Having said that, I can understand your experience. I’ve had pretty good experiences there regarding the food overall, but not every time. One particularly bad one. Ordered “one pound of whole belly clams” — that’s what the menu stated, for $35. When the dish arrived, I could hardly believe it: there were about a 1/4 pound of clams. Very disappointing.

But the wait staff has always been nice, and attentive. Didn’t notice it was a “drinking place” though. There are other places in TV with much more of that type of activity!

[KimmieK]

Could be a great opportunity for them to stretch their menu imagination? Something along the lines of a “Columbia” style restaurant — great venue for Spanish/Cuban cuisine, which is lacking in this area.

[krick093]

They claim to be closing Augustines to focus on the Lighthouse restaurant in Sumter. Hopefully it's addition by subtraction. The Lighthouse has good potential and a great location/view, but it's been going downhill the last couple years. Service is OK, but the quality/quantity of food has declined. Also, whose idea was it to have wine glasses that weigh half a pound each and are more suitable for a margarita than a glass of wine.

[rustyp]

How many different restaurants has this establishment been ?
I can remember the following:

Augistine's (part of which also housed The Spanish Springs Brewing Company)
Luigino's
Demshar's
Augistine 1812 House

[midiwiz]

Spanish Springs to welcome new FMK restaurant | News | The Villages Daily Sun | thevillagesdailysun.com (https://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/news/villages/spanish-springs-to-welcome-new-fmk-restaurant/article_d57598fc-e8a6-11ed-b120-839b9b718223.html)

Another gold mine for this company and a welcome addition to this town square.

well at least 1812 will be finally gone, ate once never again. which is why we never go to the other place. Not impressed with coastal either, reminds me of chop house which as someone said overpriced for what you get.

[Alarmed]

When is 1812 closing? Missed the article. Hoping to go for Lasagna one more time.

[Stu from NYC]

And guess what, they don't give a flying flip what you think. You think you can do better? Jump in there, cupcake!

Last I looked I have the right to voice my opinion. I really do not care if they do not care about my opinion and than again your opinion is your own and really does not matter to me.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

How many different restaurants has this establishment been ?
I can remember the following:

Augistine's (part of which also housed The Spanish Springs Brewing Company)
Luigino's
Demshar's
Augistine 1812 House before 1812 closed ,I thought the place might be haunted , now I’m sure

[Blackbird45]

Does anyone know what happened with Burger-Fi? There was a sign one was supposed to open on 466A, the sign is no longer there.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

And this sums up 90% of the posts on this site. I happen to have a life, so I rarely post. But I come to read just to get a laugh from the pearl clutching antagonists who have nothing better to do.
I will, however, step in to defend good people and business owners who have brought nothing but their heart and soul to make the villages a better place. But they will always be bashed, second guessed, and slandered by those who wish to destroy good people here. I wish you would post more because I always get a laugh from your post also , especially when you get so excited because everyone else is wrong and you let us know with big lettering

[JSR22]

When is 1812 closing? Missed the article. Hoping to go for Lasagna one more time.

Friday the 6th

[chetotv]

How many different restaurants has this establishment been ?
I can remember the following:

Augistine's (part of which also housed The Spanish Springs Brewing Company)
Luigino's
Demshar's
Augistine 1812 House

It was also Bourbon Street for awhile

[Joe C.]

I'd love to see a simple restaurant, offering soup, sandwiches and a salad.
Nothing fancy, but good food at a good price.

Oh, and no annoyingly loud live "entertainment".

[flsteve]

OK, let me set this straight because reading comprehension is very much lacking here. I have had conversations with the owner. She stated exactly what was in the article and since some people didn't pass reading comprehension, I'll splain it for you.
A family business decided to branch out and open a 2nd restaurant. Prior to this 2nd restaurant, the WHOLE FAMILY was putting their time and efforts into ONE restaurant. After dealing with splitting up the family to work at 2 different venues, and having to hire outside the family to fill the missing holes, they decided that they would prefer to own ONE family business where they are all involved and not having to run from place to place to keep things running smoothly.
Reading is one thing. Comprehension is very lacking here.

This is exactly what I heard as well. The emphasis on this whole thing should be that EVERYONE is happy (well, except for maybe many TOTV posters). :smiley:

I have seen before that sometimes a successful restaurant opens another one only to find it hard to balance both operations. TOTV had threads about the Lighthouse not being as good as it once was. I understand that Fred made an offer to purchase 1812, and now EVERYONE IS A WINNER!

IMHO, we now will probably find:
1. A greatly improved Lighthouse restaurant at LSL.
2. A very nice addition to Spanish Springs for food AND drink.
3. The MCintyre family is at one location again and happy managing 1 place again.
4. FMK gets ANOTHER restaurant to add to their successful list of places.

While my post may not address the WHY question of 1812's closure, I guess MY answer to the WHY question would be: Who cares? EVERYONE WINS HERE! :smiley: :pepper2: :BigApplause:

[Bogie Shooter]

This is exactly what I heard as well. The emphasis on this whole thing should be that EVERYONE is happy (well, except for maybe many TOTV posters). :smiley:

I have seen before that sometimes a successful restaurant opens another one only to find it hard to balance both operations. TOTV had threads about the Lighthouse not being as good as it once was. I understand that Fred made an offer to purchase 1812, and now EVERYONE IS A WINNER!

IMHO, we now will probably find:
1. A greatly improved Lighthouse restaurant at LSL.
2. A very nice addition to Spanish Springs for food AND drink.
3. The MCintyre family is at one location again and happy managing 1 place again.
4. FMK gets ANOTHER restaurant to add to their successful list of places.

While my post may not address the WHY question of 1812's closure, I guess MY answer to the WHY question would be: Who cares? EVERYONE WINS HERE! :smiley: :pepper2: :BigApplause:
Well stated!

Wonder where all those naysayers are that 6 months ago were sure Spanish Springs will be closing up. Predicting no new investment, blah, blah……..

[rickaslin]

Agreed. I like all of the FMK restaurants here in TV...with the exception of the Chop House which, in my opinion, is overpriced considering the quality of food and service one gets there.


I don't understand why The Villages can't get different restaurant owners in some of our restaurants. Get different ownership groups and get some different perspectives and concepts, variety is the spice of life!!

[retiredguy123]

I wonder why so many mediocre and substandard restaurants stay in business. I guess it is because Villagers are not demanding enough. I also wonder why so many people feel the need to leave a 20 percent tip to a server who provides bad service. This just encourages continued bad service. Some posters on TOTV have actually said that they leave a 20 percent tip even if the service was bad.

[Stu from NYC]

I wonder why so many mediocre and substandard restaurants stay in business. I guess it is because Villagers are not demanding enough. I also wonder why so many people feel the need to leave a 20 percent tip to a server who provides bad service. This just encourages continued bad service. Some posters on TOTV have actually said that they leave a 20 percent tip even if the service was bad.

Very true. Tips are supposed to be earned not given after getting terrible service

[jminnis]

We found Coastal del Mar pricey....

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Very true. Tips are supposed to be earned not given after getting terrible service

That's been my opinion since my parents taught us kids the point of tipping. However - my parents tipped 15% if the service was "acceptable but not stellar." They tipped 18% if the service was very good, but not stellar." And 20% plus 1 penny if it was "stellar."

If the service was anything less than "acceptable" they wouldn't tip at all, and would explain why to the manager on the way out.

That's how I tip. My grandmother is the one who started the "plus a penny" trend in the family. It was her personal touch to say "you, personally, were awesome. Not merely this restaurant and the overall customer service."

[dewilson58]

However - my parents tipped 15% if the service was "acceptable but not stellar." They tipped 18% if the service was very good, but not stellar." And 20% plus 1 penny if it was "stellar."


Have always struggled with tipping a percentage.

Does "good service" at Gibson's (Chicago), vs. Chop House (LSL), vs. STK's (NYC), vs. TooJay's have significantly different values just because of food prices??? Not for me.

Have not tipped based on percentages for years.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Have always struggled with tipping a percentage.

Does "good service" at Gibson's (Chicago), vs. Chop House (LSL), vs. STK's (NYC), vs. TooJay's have significantly different values just because of food prices??? Not for me.

Have not tipped based on percentages for years.

Well let's see. Your dinner order comes to $50 at a decent restaurant, including tax and a drink. Is the service just as good as the gal at the coffee shop who sells you your cup of coffee for $2.

I'll just take a guess that you're not going to pay that gal at the diner $5 for your cup of coffee as a tip. I'm also going to take a guess that a $5 tip on a $50 dinner is going to get you a cramped seat near the kitchen next time they see you walk in to the nicer place.

We go by percentages because it works out more efficiently that way. Tip the coffee server whatever change reaches the next dollar value after tax, or 50 cents, whichever is higher. Tip the waiter at the restaurant $10 for your $50 dinner.

You're not getting a pastrami and swiss at Chop House, and you're not getting filet mignon at TooJays.

You tip accordingly, and "accordingly" is percentages. You can give more or less, but percentages is the guideline from which you can divert.

[dewilson58]

You tip accordingly, and "accordingly" is percentages. You can give more or less, but percentages is the guideline from which you can divert.

I do tip accordingly, accordingly is not based on an irrelevant percentage.

I tip based on how pleasant of an experience, the pleasantness of the server, the responsiveness of the server, how much time spent by the server, etc.

In your silly example, serving a cup of coffee takes no time (compared to taking an order, providing water, providing other beverages, delivering the meal, following up on our satisfaction with the meal, clearing the plates, asking about desert (maybe even a cup of coffee), etc.) ............so there is not much tip for that factor for a coffee.

Pastrami vs. Filet has "no effect" on the server.........it's on a plate. :loco:

:wave::wave:

[BrianL99]

Well let's see.

You tip accordingly, and "accordingly" is percentages. You can give more or less, but percentages is the guideline from which you can divert.

No, you can divert from ZERO.

The whole tipping thing is getting out of hand and if folks in the restaurant (& other businesses) don't begin to see that, they're going to kill the golden goose and the USA will join the rest of the world and tipping won't be a thing anymore.

It wasn't a thing, until Congress jumped into the restaurant world and passed a law that allowed restaurants to pay less than minimum wage.

As usual, Congress messed things up, to placate business owners.

BTW, most every restaurant in the USA, now "pools tips". Which means, if you tip 25% for the great service you got, your server won't get any more of that money, than the lowliest, incompetent server on the staff.

[Pairadocs]

13 words says it all.

If I was able to be as succinct, I would have said "fair to OK".

Good job.

Agreed, "by villages standards" says it all. However, I suspect "most" of us came here with full knowledge we were moving to a relatively unsophisticated inland Florida area, a mostly rural location of blue collar working people and mostly middle class retirees, not the East or West coast "upscale" communities, nor, south Florida. We just took it for granted that would mean a lot of fast food chains, restaurants like Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Golden Corral, Outback, etc. and
"fine dining" would mean something quite different than in an urban setting ! Overall, we have quite a selection even if mediocre chains.

[coffeebean]

It would be cool if they would put the Spanish Springs Brewery back in at that location. Ahh the good Ol 'days.
That is before my time in The Villages.

[coffeebean]

Bluefin, Bonifay, Coastal del Mar, Harvest, Chop House, and Scooples have the same menu on any given night?????
Agree. I didn't understand that comment either.

[Pairadocs]

That's been my opinion since my parents taught us kids the point of tipping. However - my parents tipped 15% if the service was "acceptable but not stellar." They tipped 18% if the service was very good, but not stellar." And 20% plus 1 penny if it was "stellar."

If the service was anything less than "acceptable" they wouldn't tip at all, and would explain why to the manager on the way out.

That's how I tip. My grandmother is the one who started the "plus a penny" trend in the family. It was her personal touch to say "you, personally, were awesome. Not merely this restaurant and the overall customer service."

I have very rarely found anyone to whom I tipped "nothing", but it has happened less than half a dozen times my entire life. One, LOL, I do still remember, LOL. Did not get a fork, when waitress never came to check if everything was going "okay", I put my hand up, as in school. She passed us several times, nodding she would come back, etc. Never did. Ate a good part of my meal with a spoon, LOL, until hubby could not take it any longer, got up went to the bus station, got me a complete set of flatware.... and..... took the coffee pot off the warmer and brought us both a hot refill, LOL ! That was a zero tip, very unusual for us. But as hubby said, to leave her anything at all only encourages her to do similar things.

[coffeebean]

Does the reason they really, really left…….make any difference at this point. Whole lot of hand wringing over nothing!

It doesn't make a difference to me. I never dined at Augustine's 1812. I'm just glad the space will be taken over by FMK. I like the FMK restaurants. I've only dined a the Lighthouse once several years ago. They do have a beautiful view there but I can't recall what my dining experience was like. I haven't been back there so maybe I wasn't too impressed at the time. If I recall (which at at this stage of the game can be very iffy), The Lighthouse served the food with plastic forks and knives and paper plates. Does anyone remember that?

[Pairadocs]

I do tip accordingly, accordingly is not based on an irrelevant percentage.

I tip based on how pleasant of an experience, the pleasantness of the server, the responsiveness of the server, how much time spent by the server, etc.

In your silly example, serving a cup of coffee takes no time (compared to taking an order, providing water, providing other beverages, delivering the meal, following up on our satisfaction with the meal, clearing the plates, asking about desert (maybe even a cup of coffee), etc.) ............so there is not much tip for that factor for a coffee.

Pastrami vs. Filet has "no effect" on the server.........it's on a plate. :loco:

:wave::wave:

Completely agree with you ! What is ordered and served has absolutely nothing to do with the service a human being is providing to you, and the degree of "genuine consideration" the person radiates. I've had a typical truck stop breakfast served with more genuine care, more checking to see if it is the correct temperature, if my coffee is getting cold, if I need anything more, etc. When a server offers to refill your coffee, and then looks at the cup and says "that looks cold", and takes the cup and dumps it instead of just adding coffee to the cold coffee to make it "a lukewarm cup", without having to request that service, now to me, THAT'S classy service...LOL !

[coffeebean]

When is 1812 closing? Missed the article. Hoping to go for Lasagna one more time.

The article is linked in the original post on this thread.

[coffeebean]

We found Coastal del Mar pricey....

Agree but the menu is great, food was great and service was great. I'll continue to pay for great.

[MillerD]

that doesn’t mean anything , it doesn’t say whether they were making money or not making money it also is what many people in different businesses say when they want to focus on some other’s business , because the present one isn’t doing well ,we don’t know what we don’t know , but saying we want to focus on our main business tells you nothing about how good or bad they we’re doing with 1812, FYI I like the light house ,the food is okay but that’s not the reason I go there , I go because it’s a fun place with a great view

Where is this lighthouse?

[fdpaq0580]

Where is this lighthouse?

North end of the Johnstone Straights in B. C.

Or, Sumter Landing in T V.

[BrianL99]

Agreed, "by villages standards" says it all. However, I suspect "most" of us came here with full knowledge we were moving to a relatively unsophisticated inland Florida area, a mostly rural location of blue collar working people and mostly middle class retirees, not the East or West coast "upscale" communities, nor, south Florida.



Best description of TV ever seen on this site.

Unfortunately, despite knowing the truth, folks seem to assume the attitude of the nouveau riche, immediately upon arrival.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

Agreed, "by villages standards" says it all. However, I suspect "most" of us came here with full knowledge we were moving to a relatively unsophisticated inland Florida area, a mostly rural location of blue collar working people and mostly middle class retirees, not the East or West coast "upscale" communities, nor, south Florida. We just took it for granted that would mean a lot of fast food chains, restaurants like Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Golden Corral, Outback, etc. and
"fine dining" would mean something quite different than in an urban setting ! Overall, we have quite a selection even if mediocre chains. so sorry that most of us didn’t come from some sophisticated or cool place like you , and that most of us never go anywhere so we don’t know what real upscale dining is like ,i and most of my unsophisticated friends can’t wait for the next hot dog or Chucky Cheese to open , after all that’s all we know about fine dining

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

so sorry that most of us didn’t come from some sophisticated or cool place like you , and that most of us never go anywhere so we don’t know what real upscale dining is like ,i and most of my unsophisticated friends can’t wait for the next hot dog or Chucky Cheese to open , after all that’s all we know about fine dining

I am not a foodie. I don't "get" the concept of adding sea foam or liver bubbles or truffle aoli to what would otherwise be a perfectly good cheeseburger.

HOWEVER - I do come from a place where we had a VARIETY of foods. A cultural buffet - western Mexico, eastern Mexico, Tex-Mex, Dominican, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Spain - and that's just the restaurants that were run by people whose family's primary language is Spanish. There was Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Ethiopian, Syrian, Vietnamese, Greek, Moroccan, Jamaican, Haitian, Caribbean, Bahamian, at least six different "types" of Italian plus an additional half dozen "types" of pizza spread among over 50 pizza joints in a single 4-town area, etc. etc. etc. Vegan, vegetarian, kosher, halal, real actual greek diners housed within antique dining cars from trains

Here, we have steak/burger joint #1, steak/burger joint #2, steak/burger joint #3, etc. etc. etc. And they all boast the best breaded fried fish/fish sandwich in the area, and they all get their food and/or ingredients off the same Sysco truck.

[Michael 61]

I am not a foodie. I don't "get" the concept of adding sea foam or liver bubbles or truffle aoli to what would otherwise be a perfectly good cheeseburger.

HOWEVER - I do come from a place where we had a VARIETY of foods. A cultural buffet - western Mexico, eastern Mexico, Tex-Mex, Dominican, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Spain - and that's just the restaurants that were run by people whose family's primary language is Spanish. There was Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Ethiopian, Syrian, Vietnamese, Greek, Moroccan, Jamaican, Haitian, Caribbean, Bahamian, at least six different "types" of Italian plus an additional half dozen "types" of pizza spread among over 50 pizza joints in a single 4-town area, etc. etc. etc. Vegan, vegetarian, kosher, halal, real actual greek diners housed within antique dining cars from trains

Here, we have steak/burger joint #1, steak/burger joint #2, steak/burger joint #3, etc. etc. etc. And they all boast the best breaded fried fish/fish sandwich in the area, and they all get their food and/or ingredients off the same Sysco truck.

I have to concur- I knew coming to The Villages, that my dining options were going to be very limited, and would be more meat and potatoes type chain restaurants, and breaded deep-fried bar food. I decided not to be “that person”, who constantly reminds people of how much better the food was where I come from. It’s a small sacrifice to enjoy everything else about The Villages. Fortunately, I’m a pretty good cook, and can make most of the dishes that I miss, and I take advantage of eating out at authentic, good ethnic restaurants when I travel outside the bubble.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Just more of the same old, same old. Serves the same meals in many of his restaurants on a given night. Continued mediocrity.

If it's a gold mine then somebody must like it.

[walterray1]

I am not a foodie. I don't "get" the concept of adding sea foam or liver bubbles or truffle aoli to what would otherwise be a perfectly good cheeseburger.

HOWEVER - I do come from a place where we had a VARIETY of foods. A cultural buffet - western Mexico, eastern Mexico, Tex-Mex, Dominican, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Spain - and that's just the restaurants that were run by people whose family's primary language is Spanish. There was Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Ethiopian, Syrian, Vietnamese, Greek, Moroccan, Jamaican, Haitian, Caribbean, Bahamian, at least six different "types" of Italian plus an additional half dozen "types" of pizza spread among over 50 pizza joints in a single 4-town area, etc. etc. etc. Vegan, vegetarian, kosher, halal, real actual greek diners housed within antique dining cars from trains

Here, we have steak/burger joint #1, steak/burger joint #2, steak/burger joint #3, etc. etc. etc. And they all boast the best breaded fried fish/fish sandwich in the area, and they all get their food and/or ingredients off the same Sysco truck.

you come from the world and have all that to fall back on. Poor Villages just doesn't stack up to all that. However you are here.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

If it's a gold mine then somebody must like it.

It's a gold mine because Sysco basically has a near-monopoly. If you want to dine out, you can eat from steak place #1, 2, 3, or 4, or nachos from Mexican joint 1, 2, 3, 4. They all taste almost the same, they're all priced similarly, and if you want to pay extra you can go to the nicer one and get the same exact steak but with the "aoli" (which is just fancy mayo, I mean c'mon) or your sauteed mushrooms with less pepper in the seasoning than the other ones have.

[fdpaq0580]

It's a gold mine because Sysco basically has a near-monopoly. If you want to dine out, you can eat from steak place #1, 2, 3, or 4, or nachos from Mexican joint 1, 2, 3, 4. They all taste almost the same, they're all priced similarly, and if you want to pay extra you can go to the nicer one and get the same exact steak but with the "aoli" (which is just fancy mayo, I mean c'mon) or your sauteed mushrooms with less pepper in the seasoning than the other ones have.

Scary just how right you are. Didn't realize how "blah" food had become until I got hold of a "mud bug" (crawfish) po'boy with Tabasco scorpion sauce. Now that is actually worth eating.

[RedChariot]

If it's a gold mine then somebody must like it.

Our choices are limited. So we are all resigned to the same old same old mediocre meals.

[affald]

I have accumulated some fmk gift cards. Grandkids , ages 2 and 8, are coming in October and one is celebrating a birthday. What fmk restaurant or country club would you recommend? There will be 5 adults and two children. Thank you.

[Bill14564]

I have accumulated some fmk gift cards. Grandkids , ages 2 and 8, are coming in October and one is celebrating a birthday. What fmk restaurant or country club would you recommend? There will be 5 adults and two children. Thank you.

Harvest or Evans Prairie for us.

Bonifay and Scooples are good but not as good as the two above.

Bluefin has a really good brunch but we haven't had dinner there.

Chop House is probably really good but steak houses aren't for us.

[margaretmattson]

And this sums up 90% of the posts on this site. I happen to have a life, so I rarely post. But I come to read just to get a laugh from the pearl clutching antagonists who have nothing better to do.
I will, however, step in to defend good people and business owners who have brought nothing but their heart and soul to make the villages a better place. But they will always be bashed, second guessed, and slandered by those who wish to destroy good people here. Let me get this straight. You bashing, second guessing, and slandering people on this forum, people you have never met, is okay. And, you reading posts with an emotion that may or may not be there, is also okay. All this you do "to defend good people and business owners." Sure! I believe that! Pot meet kettle.

[Miboater]

It's a gold mine because Sysco basically has a near-monopoly. If you want to dine out, you can eat from steak place #1, 2, 3, or 4, or nachos from Mexican joint 1, 2, 3, 4. They all taste almost the same, they're all priced similarly, and if you want to pay extra you can go to the nicer one and get the same exact steak but with the "aoli" (which is just fancy mayo, I mean c'mon) or your sauteed mushrooms with less pepper in the seasoning than the other ones have.

Sysco has a market share of 17% so I would not call that a near-monopoly. They are the largest food distributor granted but US Foods and GFS have significant presence.

[Randall55]

Let me get this straight. You bashing, second guessing, and slandering people on this forum, people you have never met, is okay. And, you reading posts with an emotion that may or may not be there, is also okay. All this you do "to defend good people and business owners." Sure! I believe that! Pot meet kettle. Dont you just love people who believe their bashing is appropriate and needed. But, whenever others do it, they are "pearl clutching antagonists who have nothing better to do with their life." The post is extremely inappropriate since the poster believes most people who bash or complain are women. Never saw a man clutching his pearls! I am glad shut the front door doesn't post often. I understand why you responded this way, Margaret.

[Randall55]

I'd love to see a simple restaurant, offering soup, sandwiches and a salad.
Nothing fancy, but good food at a good price.

Oh, and no annoyingly loud live "entertainment". Aren't you describing a Panera? Which happens to be down the street?

[shaw8700@outlook.com]

Could be a great opportunity for them to stretch their menu imagination? Something along the lines of a “Columbia” style restaurant — great venue for Spanish/Cuban cuisine, which is lacking in this area.

So is Indian.

[Kelevision]

Spanish Springs to welcome new FMK restaurant | News | The Villages Daily Sun | thevillagesdailysun.com (https://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/news/villages/spanish-springs-to-welcome-new-fmk-restaurant/article_d57598fc-e8a6-11ed-b120-839b9b718223.html)

Another gold mine for this company and a welcome addition to this town square.

Wow, I haven’t been to Spanish Springs since I ate dinner at Cattleman’s Club. Many many years ago.

[Rzepecki]

If 1812 was so good and the service was so good, it would not be leaving. The only reason they are wrapping it up is because they weren’t making enough money

If FMK food was so boring and service so bad, they wouldn’t be expanding, because no one would eat there.

Villagers talk with their wallet.

Ditto!