Your Last Meal?

[margaretmattson]

You are hankering a great meal. What restaurant in the Villages do you choose and what dish?

[margaretmattson]

Chop House - Lake Sumter Landing
French Onion Soup, 12 oz medium New York Strip Steak, creamed spinach and whipped potatoes. Pain Perdue Bread Pudding and lots of wine! I would also have Cody's soft rolls with cinnamon butter delivered.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I'll have a friend fly down from New England with all of the following:

A package of Hummels' hotdogs made in New Haven, CT.
A package of Maine lobster meat.
A frozen white clam pizza from The Modern Apizza Restaurant, New Haven, CT.
A quart of Kahlua Skor-bar ice cream from Wentworth's, Hamden, CT
A 1/4 pound of ground Sumatra Mandheling coffee, freshly roasted at Willoughby's, New Haven, CT
A bottle of Foxon Park White Birch Beer, New Haven, CT

I'll buy some hotdog buns.

I'll then make myself a hotdog, a lobster roll, and a couple slices of pizza. Wash the main courses down with the birchbeer, and make a cup of coffee to go with the dessert.

[Taltarzac725]

Probably the Bang Bang Shrimp and then the Mahi Mahi at Bonefish Grill.

I do not go out that much for lunches nor dinners so have not actually tried food at many Villages' restaurants.

[Keefelane66]

I'll have a friend fly down from New England with all of the following:

A package of Hummels' hotdogs made in New Haven, CT.
A package of Maine lobster meat.
A frozen white clam pizza from The Modern Apizza Restaurant, New Haven, CT.
A quart of Kahlua Skor-bar ice cream from Wentworth's, Hamden, CT
A 1/4 pound of ground Sumatra Mandheling coffee, freshly roasted at Willoughby's, New Haven, CT
A bottle of Foxon Park White Birch Beer, New Haven, CT

I'll buy some hotdog buns.

I'll then make myself a hotdog, a lobster roll, and a couple slices of pizza. Wash the main courses down with the birchbeer, and make a cup of coffee to go with the dessert.
Wise choices. Someday they'll get real hot dogs, pizza (inThe Villages) and ill include fresh RI clear or red clam chower with clam cakes and stuffies.

[Ecuadog]

What with the pandemic and all, it has been quite a while, but I remember having a great rack of lamb at The Rose Plantation.

[Gpsma]

And here i thought this was about last meals before going to Old Sparky.

[Taltarzac725]

And here i thought this was about last meals before going to Old Sparky.

I doubt if they order from fancy restaurants.

Death row inmate last meal: What Darryl Barwick ate before execution (https://www.pnj.com/story/news/crime/2023/05/03/death-row-inmate-last-meal-before-darryl-barwick-execution/70180792007/)

[margaretmattson]

And here i thought this was about last meals before going to Old Sparky. My intent of the post was to find out your favorite restaurant and dish in the Villages. Guess I should have posted it in that manner. I wasn't thinking about Ol' Sparky at all. My bad! I edited my question.

[eweissenbach]

Blue Fin - Ahi Tuna steak, rare with garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus.

[La lamy]

I'd go to Legacy Restaurant at Lopez golf club. I usually just have an entree and wine, but if it was my last meal here goes:
- Lobster bisque with probably that whole warm loaf and butter they serve for the table
- Short rib risotto
- Filet Diane
- New Zealand Rack of Lamb
- lots of red wine picked by boyfriend
- Cappuccino cheesecake with a cappuccino.
4 hours later, off to meet my maker!

[Two Bills]

I would search out the best Greasy Spoon around, and fill my self to the brim.
My dear wife feeds me 'Healthy Stuff,' but the Trucker in me is still fighting to get out! :mmmm:

[MidWestIA]

Handel's Little Elm TX - cotton candy ice cream
Whitey's Moline IL - Black Cherry & Graham Central Station

[banjobob]

Best in the Villages Lopez Legacy, Havana CC, others are good but these two are tops in my view.

[dougawhite]

Wise choices. Someday they'll get real hot dogs, pizza (inThe Villages) and ill include fresh RI clear or red clam chower with clam cakes and stuffies.

Love Clam Fritters (some call them clam cakes) and I make my own clear RI clam chowdah. Try The Seafood Shack, a new place in Leesburg, they have authentic clam fritters, which they call clam cakes. Back in the day I begged mom for a quarter so I could buy 5 clam fritters at Ocean Beach in New London CT.

[Jewelz]

Whiteys is the BEST!!!!

[ThirdOfFive]

Nothing in TV compares to my wife's cooking: a few dishes from this last week:

Tom yum goong (sour shrimp soup).

Green currie with beef.

Barbecued chicken with green papaya salad (with shrimp that she processed and dried herself).

Pork chops with applesauce and brussels sprouts.

...And the week ain't even over yet!!

[deanjohnson]

You are hankering a great meal. What restaurant in the Villages do you choose and what dish?

Lopez

[wbilbrey99@gmail.com]

Cody’s. Chop steak. Excellent

[Tweety Bird]

Lolololol

[airstreamingypsy]

I'll have a friend fly down from New England with all of the following:

A package of Hummels' hotdogs made in New Haven, CT.
A package of Maine lobster meat.
A frozen white clam pizza from The Modern Apizza Restaurant, New Haven, CT.
A quart of Kahlua Skor-bar ice cream from Wentworth's, Hamden, CT
A 1/4 pound of ground Sumatra Mandheling coffee, freshly roasted at Willoughby's, New Haven, CT
A bottle of Foxon Park White Birch Beer, New Haven, CT

I'll buy some hotdog buns.

I'll then make myself a hotdog, a lobster roll, and a couple slices of pizza. Wash the main courses down with the birchbeer, and make a cup of coffee to go with the dessert.

My hot dog would be a Sabrett's dirty water hot dog with all the fixins. I don't remember Hummels when I lived in CT.

[Veiragirl]

You are hankering a great meal. What restaurant in the Villages do you choose and what dish?

Legions Restaurant. It's on a golfcourse and the food and help are THE BEST. We've eaten there so many times it's hard to say my favorite dinner. Never a bad meal

[airstreamingypsy]

Bluefin or Bonefish Ahi tuna, lobster roll, Shrimp Cocktail, Chilean Sea bass, house salad. bread with real butter and Crème Brulee for dessert.

[Regorp]

I'll have a friend fly down from New England with all of the following:

A package of Hummels' hotdogs made in New Haven, CT.
A package of Maine lobster meat.
A frozen white clam pizza from The Modern Apizza Restaurant, New Haven, CT.
A quart of Kahlua Skor-bar ice cream from Wentworth's, Hamden, CT
A 1/4 pound of ground Sumatra Mandheling coffee, freshly roasted at Willoughby's, New Haven, CT
A bottle of Foxon Park White Birch Beer, New Haven, CT

I'll buy some hotdog buns.

I'll then make myself a hotdog, a lobster roll, and a couple slices of pizza. Wash the main courses down with the birchbeer, and make a cup of coffee to go with the dessert.

I would prefer a Martin Rosol hot dog, fresh MR kielbasa, some Munson's chocolates with an Avery's cream soda to wash it down.

[retiredguy123]

Legions Restaurant. It's on a golfcourse and the food and help are THE BEST. We've eaten there so many times it's hard to say my favorite dinner. Never a bad meal
Huh? Do you mean Legends in Fruitland Park, Arnold Palmer Legends, or Legacy at Nancy Lopez?

[jmpalladino]

I'll have a friend fly down from New England with all of the following:

A package of Hummels' hotdogs made in New Haven, CT.
A package of Maine lobster meat.
A frozen white clam pizza from The Modern Apizza Restaurant, New Haven, CT.
A quart of Kahlua Skor-bar ice cream from Wentworth's, Hamden, CT
A 1/4 pound of ground Sumatra Mandheling coffee, freshly roasted at Willoughby's, New Haven, CT
A bottle of Foxon Park White Birch Beer, New Haven, CT

I'll buy some hotdog buns.

I'll then make myself a hotdog, a lobster roll, and a couple slices of pizza. Wash the main courses down with the birchbeer, and make a cup of coffee to go with the dessert.

The question was what restaurant would you go to in The Villages. Sounds like you need to go to New England.

[jmpalladino]

Whiteys is the BEST!!!!

Where is Whitney's? I am not familiar with this restaurant in The Villages.

[jmpalladino]

Handel's Little Elm TX - cotton candy ice cream
Whitey's Moline IL - Black Cherry & Graham Central Station

Not familiar with these restaurants in The Villages. Stay focused folks, and respond to the question asked by the original poster.

[Nanlob]

Stavros Pizza and wine, lots of wine.

[asiebel]

Nancy Lopez or Blue Finn
both always do a great job!
I do like Bonefish too!

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

My hot dog would be a Sabrett's dirty water hot dog with all the fixins. I don't remember Hummels when I lived in CT.

Hummels is the brand used by pretty much every seafood joint along the shoreline, from Bridgeport to New London.

[Two Bills]

Where is Whitney's? I am not familiar with this restaurant in The Villages.

Houston's. :icon_wink:

[bilcon]

Lobster Cannelloni at Prima Steak House.

[paulajr]

In Massachusetts we called them Clam Cakes

[Tadpole]

Interesting. I remember our 1st visit to Chop House. We both ordered filet mignon, med-rare. It was so tough we couldn't even bite through it; a FILET!!! We complained to our server, who apologized, left our table, never again to be seen! Someone else (not the mgr, unfortunately) delivered our bill. We paid and vowed never to come back. Was this a fluke, or has anyone else experienced it?

[Tadpole]

Legions Restaurant. It's on a golfcourse and the food and help are THE BEST. We've eaten there so many times it's hard to say my favorite dinner. Never a bad meal
"Legions Restaurant. It's on a golfcourse....." - like WHAT golf course??? There are 56 golf courses in The Villages!

[JSR22]

Interesting. I remember our 1st visit to Chop House. We both ordered filet mignon, med-rare. It was so tough we couldn't even bite through it; a FILET!!! We complained to our server, who apologized, left our table, never again to be seen! Someone else (not the mgr, unfortunately) delivered our bill. We paid and vowed never to come back. Was this a fluke, or has anyone else experienced it?

Honestly, I have eaten lunch or dinner there more than fifty times and never had a bad meal or service. I have hosted many luncheons and dinners with up to 65 people and everyhing has been great.

[JSR22]

"Legions Restaurant. It's on a golfcourse....." - like WHAT golf course??? There are 56 golf courses in The Villages!

Only 12 golf courses have restaurants. Two starts with an L, either Legacy or Legends.

[retiredguy123]

Interesting. I remember our 1st visit to Chop House. We both ordered filet mignon, med-rare. It was so tough we couldn't even bite through it; a FILET!!! We complained to our server, who apologized, left our table, never again to be seen! Someone else (not the mgr, unfortunately) delivered our bill. We paid and vowed never to come back. Was this a fluke, or has anyone else experienced it?
If you want a tender filet mignon, buy it at Publix. They sell USDA Prime filet mignon under their Greenwise label. You can also buy them at Sam's, but they are not as good as the ones at Publix. None of the steak restaurants in the area sell a USDA Prime filet, except Ruth Chris near Orlando. That includes the Chop House, Mark's in Ocala, and Prime 3 in Leesburg. It amazes me that the top steak places do not sell a USDA Prime filet.

[Taltarzac725]

Only 12 golf courses have restaurants. Two starts with an L, either Legacy or Legends.

Palmer Legends Country Club - Spirits and Fine Dining - The Villages Florida (https://www.palmerlegendscc.com/)

We have eaten at Legends a few times. Usually for guests' visits. The food is very good but not something that was great.

Have not been to Legacy for a few years. Menus | Legacy Restaurant (https://www.legacyrestaurant.com/menus)

[RUCdaze]

Best restaurant around, but not in The Villages, is Paulie's Oaks, across CR 44 near Brownwood. Paulie is the former chef at Rose Plantation. Hired away a few years ago to put The Oaks "on the map." Now better than anyplace in The Villages.

[JSR22]

Best restaurant around, but not in The Villages, is Paulie's Oaks, across CR 44 near Brownwood. Paulie is the former chef at Rose Plantation. Hired away a few years ago to put The Oaks "on the map." Now better than anyplace in The Villages.

I have to disagree. My last dinner there with my husband we were not impressed. Attended a luncheon there with 12 women. Service was beyond slow, and half of the group did not like their food. I think the food at Chop House, Coastal del Mar, Harvest, Lopez and Prima is better.

[jmpate]

What with the pandemic and all, it has been quite a while, but I remember having a great rack of lamb at The Rose Plantation.

You will be agast at the prices of food at Rose Plantation....1/2 rack $46, full rack $72.
The beef is significantly higher than I've ever seen the prices. Will think twice about going there again!

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Coastal del Mar was very good. It's not something we could afford to enjoy on a regular basis, but it's definitely in our rotation for "splurge" dinners. My second social security check ever is coming next week - so I'm thinking it's time for one of those splurges!

[shaw8700@outlook.com]

Are there any Indian (from the country of India) restaurants around TV?

[Stu from NYC]

Does an English roast with yorkshire pudding on a cruise ship count?

[HoosierPa]

Stavros Pizza and wine, lots of wine.

It’s not in TV. Geez

[Bigstu]

We have 3 we consider the best, Coastal Del Mar, nancy Lopez and chop House. Pork Chop at all 3 and meat loaf too at Lopez

[ThirdOfFive]

Interesting. I remember our 1st visit to Chop House. We both ordered filet mignon, med-rare. It was so tough we couldn't even bite through it; a FILET!!! We complained to our server, who apologized, left our table, never again to be seen! Someone else (not the mgr, unfortunately) delivered our bill. We paid and vowed never to come back. Was this a fluke, or has anyone else experienced it?
We had a similar experience there about a year ago. I ordered Chateaubriand which also came tough--great flavor, but tough and somewhat dry. This can happen in the hands of an inexperienced cook: Chateaubriand is sirloin, which can be a challenge. However the way it is supposed to come is butter-tender. Mine was far from that. My wife had (as I recall) lobster, which she said was fine. I did complain to the waitress who apologized, saying something about new staff coming on board. They did offer us free dessert.

I remember thinking that if the price of the meal was in the $50-75 range total I wouldn't have had a complaint. But approaching $200 including gratuity was something else entirely.

Maybe this is true for other folks as well, at Chop House or wherever. Now and again when a meal isn't up to par the excuse is "new cook", "new waitstaff", whatever. Probably true--but in such cases shouldn't prices be adjusted accordingly? Say "New Cook Special Tonight Only: 25% off all meals"? We as customers pay the same no matter who is in the kitchen.

[ThirdOfFive]

Coastal del Mar was very good. It's not something we could afford to enjoy on a regular basis, but it's definitely in our rotation for "splurge" dinners. My second social security check ever is coming next week - so I'm thinking it's time for one of those splurges!
We ate a Coastal Del Mar shortly after it opened. No reservations...just stopped in after a somewhat disastrous experience with the "hostess" (giving her the benefit of the doubt) at Amerikanos. Our first time so we had no idea what to expect. More than satisfied in every respect: service prompt and knowledgeable, food came out promptly and hot, large portions prepared very well. I recall my order was the seafood platter (or whatever they serve that is comparable to that name): our waiter, a young man with somewhat limited English skills, took my order and said "big--big", holding his hands apart. He was wrong. It wasn't big. It was huge. But great. With the stuff I ended up taking home it was pretty much two full meals.

My only complaint after a couple of visits there? They use French Fries as a base for other food: my fries came buried under a very large piece of (as I recall) haddock. But that is minor. Overall for what we paid, A. Maybe, considering other experiences in TV, an A+.

[deborahcme]

Intrigued by two things: How few responders actually responded to the OP's original question. And by how many people write "for this price it should have been better". So, first things first. OP: My TV favs are Mezza Luna, Coastal Del Mar, Coney Island Dogs (super dogs), Blue Fin, Scooples (for the ice cream). Food at any restaurant should be good, regardless of price. And for the poster looking for Indian (as in the country) food, Ocala seems your nearest best bet: Amrit Palace.

[oldtimes]

Intrigued by two things: How few responders actually responded to the OP's original question. And by how many people write "for this price it should have been better". So, first things first. OP: My TV favs are Mezza Luna, Coastal Del Mar, Coney Island Dogs (super dogs), Blue Fin, Scooples (for the ice cream). Food at any restaurant should be good, regardless of price. And for the poster looking for Indian (as in the country) food, Ocala seems your nearest best bet: Amrit Palace.

You didn't really reply either
You are hankering a great meal. What restaurant in the Villages do you choose and what dish?

[oldtimes]

I would have the lobster at Havana or Legacy

[airstreamingypsy]

Hummels is the brand used by pretty much every seafood joint along the shoreline, from Bridgeport to New London.

That explains it, I was on the coast closer to NYC than Bridgeport.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Are there any Indian (from the country of India) restaurants around TV?

Nope. Ocala is the closest, as deborahcme pointed out. There's also a nice one in Mt. Dora right in the main downtown shopping area, but they only have I think five tables, with two of them being only big enough for two people. Really tasty chicken curry. I wish they'd give you three gulab jamun for dessert but IIRC they only gave me one.

[Donegalkid]

You are hankering a great meal. What restaurant in the Villages do you choose and what dish?

I’d have a glass of red at Legacy, saunter down to Havana for a glass of Chardonnay (two excellent TV venues for drinks and dinner), and then I’d proceed to MCO and hop a plane(s) and then, upon arrivals to start things off: a pint each of Guinness and Smithwick’s at The Matchmaker — Lisdoonvarna, County Clare, Eire; Roast Lamb at the Château Frontenac, Quebec City, PQ; Tea and Popovers at The Jordan Pond House, Acadia National Park. In between the above, a brisk walk/hike around Lisdoonvarna, the Plains of Abraham in QC, and then the West Face of Cadillac Mt in ANP (or alternatively hike the “Bubbles” in the background of JP photo). Been there … travelers, hikers, take note. All worthy.

[Two Bills]

Does an English roast with yorkshire pudding on a cruise ship count?

As long as you are not in a Russian cruise ship on the Black Sea, I would go for it.

[Tobys Dad]

You are hankering a great meal. What restaurant in the Villages do you choose and what dish?
Blue Fin Ahi tuna.

[cdzizzy]

Its unfortunate so many didn't get the point of the exercise! I'm clear, so I'd probably do a progressive dinner and it would look like this:

Havana CC - Lobster Bisque & Caesar Salad (same bisque as Lopez, but I'm not there yet...). Their Caesar is divine and that would be my pick 2 lunch choice every time.

Then I'd travel North to Lake Sumter Landing for a biscuit at The Flying Biscuit and then to Red Sauce for their Bada Bing Shrimp appetizer

On to Spanish Springs for the Calamari appetizer at Coastal Del Mar (incredible!)

Next over to Lopez Legacy for both the Stuffed Sole and a filet (I can never decide)

I'd finish back in Spanish Springs at Kilwin's Ice Cream for the toasted coconut in a sugar cone.

I'd feel prepared to pass on after that!

[kellyjam]

Interesting. I remember our 1st visit to Chop House. We both ordered filet mignon, med-rare. It was so tough we couldn't even bite through it; a FILET!!! We complained to our server, who apologized, left our table, never again to be seen! Someone else (not the mgr, unfortunately) delivered our bill. We paid and vowed never to come back. Was this a fluke, or has anyone else experienced it?
Same experience 2 meals two bad pieces of meat. Tough filet experience also.

[Tsmart]

You are hankering a great meal. What restaurant in the Villages do you choose and what dish?
Latinos Y Mas ocala