Five favorite places to eat in and nearby The Villages

[graciegirl]

My five favorite places to eat around our hometown are, and not necessarily in order of best or least;

Toojays. More than decent food and decent prices and wonderful service consistently.

Glenview. Pretty darn good food and nice presentation and very good service, consistently.

Oakwood Barbecue. Yummy old fashioned sides, Great barbecued ribs, always busy, relaxed and reasonable in price. (Off campus on 27/441, south of TV, between Lady Lake and Fruitland Park, not far at
all)

Cane Garden Country Club. The best burger in town. Good salads, no, Great salads. New management, but so far still great service. Always busy.

Mallory Country Club. A good menu of reasonably priced food and good service. Always busy.

Gotta add a sixth one.
Helene and Grandchildrens favorite, The Lighthouse. The fried Catfish with the slaw that has pineapple in it and the view is her favorite. We love it too.

Type us YOUR list. Now we will never get in.....;)
Don't snowbirds EVER cook at home?????

[bkcunningham1]

My favorite places to eat in TV are Carrabbas (for the food and service), Toojays (for the food and service), The Lighthouse (for the food, service and atmosphere), McCall's Tavern (food and service), Orange Blossom Country Club (food, service and atmosphere - Sunday brunch is de-lish) and Cattle Baron's (food, service, music and atmosphere).

You can't beat Golden Corral for the variety and casual dining.

We tried Oakwood BBQ once and were not impressed with the food. We have to give it another try. Everyone who has eaten there that we've talked to rave about the food. Neither of us were impressed. My husband does his own smoked BBQ so maybe that is why we were underwhelmed.

I also like Pasta Faire in Belleview.

[Sally Jo]

bkcunningham1---- Glad to hear I'm not the only one who isn't wild about Oakwood. Everyone raves aboout it. I don't dislike it, I just wouldn't break my neck to get there.

[jackz]

I would have to include Thai Ruby in a list of the top 5.

[l2ridehd]

Bamboo Bistro, Thai Ruby, Cane Garden (VERY close to home), Cotillion Cafe, and Bonefish. Probably just me, but TV is not known for great places to eat. Some that are OK, a few decent, but none that I would travel very far to go to. I am spoiled in Northern VA as there are so many really good places. So far I have not found what I would consider a place to go for special occasions.

[graciegirl]

Bamboo Bistro, Thai Ruby, Cane Garden (VERY close to home), Cotillion Cafe, and Bonefish. Probably just me, but TV is not known for great places to eat. Some that are OK, a few decent, but none that I would travel very far to go to. I am spoiled in Northern VA as there are so many really good places. So far I have not found what I would consider a place to go for special occasions.

I agree. Carrabbas is my favorite one that is a little more expensive.

The rest are reasonable in price and quality.

I like to cook, and some, when threatened, say it is fair to middlin' grub.

I can cook what I like, since the other two never ask for anything or say anything when I do beg for them to tell me what they want. I hope they are satisfied. I am too old to get a new job easily.

[eweissenbach]

My five favorite places to eat around our hometown are, and not necessarily in order of best or least;

Toojays. More than decent food and decent prices and wonderful service consistently.

Glenview. Pretty darn good food and nice presentation and very good service, consistently.

Oakwood Barbecue. Yummy old fashioned sides, Great barbecued ribs, always busy, relaxed and reasonable in price. (Off campus on 27/441, south of TV, between Lady Lake and Fruitland Park, not far at
all)

Cane Garden Country Club. The best burger in town. Good salads, no, Great salads. New management, but so far still great service. Always busy.

Mallory Country Club. A good menu of reasonably priced food and good service. Always busy.

Gotta add a sixth one.
Helene and Grandchildrens favorite, The Lighthouse. The fried Catfish with the slaw that has pineapple in it and the view is her favorite. We love it too.

Type us YOUR list. Now we will never get in.....;)
Don't snowbirds EVER cook at home?????

You and I must have similar tastes, though I have not eaten at Oakwood (will have to give it a try)


1. Mallory (love the atmoshere, the specials, the pizzas and the prices)

2. Cane - Similar to Mallory

3. Lopez - For a little more upscale dining

4. Bonefish

5. Toojays and Lighthouse

I like Golden Corral for Sunday brunch

[jnieman]

Bonefish
Carrabba's
Bamboo Bistro
Ramshackles (in Leesburg)
Longhorn Steakhouses
:icon_hungry:

[jnieman]

Forgot to mention:

Giovanti's for the greek salad

[Bosoxfan]

Bamboo Bistro, Thai Ruby, Cane Garden (VERY close to home), Cotillion Cafe, and Bonefish. Probably just me, but TV is not known for great places to eat. Some that are OK, a few decent, but none that I would travel very far to go to. I am spoiled in Northern VA as there are so many really good places. So far I have not found what I would consider a place to go for special occasions.


Hard to argue with your list.I'd have to find a spot for Sakurra in Colony plaza.Excellent sushi & service!!

[lightworker888]

To dine: for Lunch:
Sakura RJ Gator
Bamboo Bistro Gator Dockside
Cane Garden Sweet Tomato
Thai Ruby City Fire
Glenview Athens

Chains:
Ruby Tuesday
Red Lobster

Fast:
Panda Express
5 Guys
Gandolfo's

[rubicon]

Toojay's
Little Joey's
Olive Garden
Red Lobster
Giovanni's
Golden Corral once in a while
Ambrosia my favorite place orange/vanilla

Bone fish ..no
Oakwood ..no

[lightworker888]

Peachwave of course!

[kentucky blue]

Bamboo Bistro, Thai Ruby, Cane Garden (VERY close to home), Cotillion Cafe, and Bonefish. Probably just me, but TV is not known for great places to eat. Some that are OK, a few decent, but none that I would travel very far to go to. I am spoiled in Northern VA as there are so many really good places. So far I have not found what I would consider a place to go for special occasions.

Got to agree with you,no place that i would go for special occasions.I'm spoiled from all the great restaurants in NYC ,when i visit my kids.Plus Lexington,Louisville ,and Cincinnati all have really good places to dine that are close to home.TV has a great variety of restaurants that are very reasonably priced and decent food. I have not found a great steak in TV,but Bonefish has really good seafood.

[wendyquat]

My five favorite places to eat around our hometown are, and not necessarily in order of best or least;

Toojays. More than decent food and decent prices and wonderful service consistently.

Glenview. Pretty darn good food and nice presentation and very good service, consistently.

Oakwood Barbecue. Yummy old fashioned sides, Great barbecued ribs, always busy, relaxed and reasonable in price. (Off campus on 27/441, south of TV, between Lady Lake and Fruitland Park, not far at
all)

Cane Garden Country Club. The best burger in town. Good salads, no, Great salads. New management, but so far still great service. Always busy.

Mallory Country Club. A good menu of reasonably priced food and good service. Always busy.

Gotta add a sixth one.
Helene and Grandchildrens favorite, The Lighthouse. The fried Catfish with the slaw that has pineapple in it and the view is her favorite. We love it too.

Type us YOUR list. Now we will never get in.....;)
Don't snowbirds EVER cook at home?????

Gracie you have wonderful tastes! I would have listed the same places!:agree:

[chuckinca]

American Legion on Rib nite

Cracker Barrel

Belleview Pizza

Pepe's Mexican restaurant (CR 40 7 miles West of Ocala)

Sweet Tomatoes

(GG's list is very good also)


.

[bkcunningham1]

Has anyone tried the Mission Inn in Howie in the Hills? Some neighbors just left and one of my new friends invited us to go with them. She said they offer a buffett and you must have reservations. According to my new friend, the food is superb.

[BobandMarilyn]

When we first moved here, we went to Oakwood. Pulled pork was excellent, ribs Ok, but the chicken was terrible. Woody's in Wildwood is now our favorite. Food is very good and reasonably priced.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

In a word: Krystal :shocked:

Fire suit is on - let the flame throwing begin!! :1rotfl:

Bill :wave:

[cappyjon431]

1.Vic's Embers
2.Bamboo Bistro
3.Sakura
4.Ruby Thai
5.Toojays

...and I love Katie Bell's for breakfast!

[SALYBOW]

My favorites are as follows:

Little Joeys mostly Italian
Pasta Faire Bellview
The Palm Tree Grove Mt. Dora Italian and other
Bonifay CC
Cane Garden

:bigbow:

[ladydoc]

Cane Garden---love the pan asian coconut shrimp salad
Little Joey's
Sakura
China Gormet (I think that is the name) in Colony Plaza...great egg foo jung
Sweet Tomato (cream of mushroom soup is highly addictive)

[gongoozler]

5 best in TV . . . that means I can get there by golf cart . . .

1) Lopez . . . as long as cost is not an issue
2) Bonefish
3) Thai Ruby
4) TooJays
5) Cain Garden/Mallory/Glenview/ depending on the nightly special

5 best if you drive there

1) Vic Embers . . . Leesburg
2) Harry's . . . Ocala . . best New Orleans food outside of New Orleans.
3) 110th St. Grill . . . Belleview . . . run by the same people who run Glenview
4) Longhorn
5) Horse and Hounds

[jojo]

I'm surprised a couple of you listed Longhorn and no one did Outback. I have preferred Outback but perhaps should give Longhorn another try?

[pauld315]

In case you haven't seen this, here is a good website that rates all the restaurants in and around The Villages along with a description of what each one serves.

http://thevillagesgourmetclub.com/

[LittleDog]

My favorites in the Villages and surrounding area :
Cane Garden
Lopez
TooJays
Sweet Tomato
Ruby Tuesday

My wifes favorites are:
Cane Garden
TooJays
Sweet Tomato
Little Bites
Chinese restaurant at Colony Plaza

John

[DaleMN]

No one beats Lil Bites for a breakfast.:laugh:

[LittleDog]

No one beats Lil Bites for a breakfast.:laugh:

We couldn't post more than 5 but we prefer the Eatery for breakfast which is located on Bichara Blvd. by Ace Hardware.

John

[barb1191]

bkcunningham1---- Glad to hear I'm not the only one who isn't wild about Oakwood. Everyone raves aboout it. I don't dislike it, I just wouldn't break my neck to get there.

:agree: :icon_hungry::ohdear:

[Skip]

In case you haven't seen this, here is a good website that rates all the restaurants in and around The Villages along with a description of what each one serves.

http://thevillagesgourmetclub.com/

Best reliable information there is...
Great documentation...

Skip

[Bill32]

Got to agree with you,no place that i would go for special occasions.I'm spoiled from all the great restaurants in NYC ,when i visit my kids.Plus Lexington,Louisville ,and Cincinnati all have really good places to dine that are close to home.TV has a great variety of restaurants that are very reasonably priced and decent food. I have not found a great steak in TV,but Bonefish has really good seafood.

Ruby Tuesday has a very good steak now. Had the chefs cut sirloin 3 times and found it surprisingly good. Also love the 22 oz rib-eye at Cody's

[zcaveman]

We only do lunch so ....

Longhorn
Sonny's (1/2 chicken meal and brisket sandwich)
Oakwood (pulled pork sandwich and roast beef sandwich)
Gator Dockside
Sam St Johns

Also:
Golden Corral
TooJays
Olive Garden
Logan's in Ocala

There are others but not during the winter months. Too crowded.

We make rxtensive use of all of the coupons in the papers, the Sunday inserts and all of the online clubs that we belong to.

[Lions Den]

The places you've all listed are great places to eat. Some of them my favorites, but I need to add one to my favorite list and that's Gandolfo's NY Deli. GREAT sandwiches and deli salads. A little more casual then Too Jays but great food.

[TomW]

This thread is probably passe but I just wanted to add my favorites in different catagories:
1. Toojays (general)
2. Lighthouse (when it isn't crowded in TV)
3. Palmer, then Mallory, then Bonifay (country clubs)
4. Oakwood (BBQ places)
5. Gandolfo's (deli)
6. Olive Garden, Carrabbas (Italian)
7. Red Lobster (General, Seafood)
8. Bamboo Bistro (Asian)
9. Outback (General)

[Daisy]

Well that's 9 Tom, but who's counting;-)
My favourites are:
Bonefish
Nancy Lopez
Japanese Steakhouse in LSL
Panera's
Oakwood
But I'm looking forward to trying many that I've yet to experience!
Daisy:0000000000luvmyhors

[bkcunningham1]

We went to the Mission Inn in Howey in the Hills last night. It is absolutely one of the nicest and most delicious buffets I've ever eaten. Prime rib, clams casino, sushi bar, snow crab legs, smoked salmon...and desserts to die for. The service was superb.

[eweissenbach]

We went to the Mission Inn in Howey in the Hills last night. It is absolutely one of the nicest and most delicious buffets I've ever eaten. Prime rib, clams casino, sushi bar, snow crab legs, smoked salmon...and desserts to die for. The service was superb.

Where is that bk?

[swimdawg]

I agree. Carrabbas is my favorite one that is a little more expensive.

The rest are reasonable in price and quality.

I like to cook, and some, when threatened, say it is fair to middlin' grub.

I can cook what I like, since the other two never ask for anything or say anything when I do beg for them to tell me what they want. I hope they are satisfied. I am too old to get a new job easily.

5 stars for Gracie's Place...trust me!

[aln]

If you had a guest to impress with 1 meal where would you go

My top 5 are

Cane Garden

Red Sauce

Katie Belles

TooJays

Lopez

[skyguy79]

5 stars for Gracie's Place...trust me!Does she accept reservations? :icon_hungry:

[eweissenbach]

Does she accept reservations? :icon_hungry:

Walk-ins only!

[swimdawg]

Does she accept reservations? :icon_hungry:

1-800-GRACIE

She's booked for months to come, I hear....:D

[skyguy79]

Walk-ins only!Are her hours consistant or is she irregular? http://dramis.info/board/images/smilies/103182.gif

[Bill-n-Brillo]

We went to the Mission Inn in Howey in the Hills last night. It is absolutely one of the nicest and most delicious buffets I've ever eaten. Prime rib, clams casino, sushi bar, snow crab legs, smoked salmon...and desserts to die for. The service was superb.

Where is that bk?

Ed, this should be it:

http://www.missioninnresort.com/dining.html

Click on "Nicker's" - that sound like the buffet she's describing.

Bill :)

[bkcunningham1]

Where is that bk?

Mission Inn Resort & Club
10400 County Road 48
Howey-in-the-Hills, FL 34737

It was really delicious and beautiful. Reservations are required. It is a Saturday night only, casual, buffet in the clubhouse, Nickers. Golf casual dress.

[eweissenbach]

Ed, this should be it:

http://www.missioninnresort.com/dining.html

Click on "Nicker's" - that sound like the buffet she's describing.

Bill :)

Thanks Bill - do they serve popcorn?

[bkcunningham1]

Thank you, Bill. You are correct. We went with another couple. He used to be a golf instructor at the resort and they had been telling us about the buffet. The service and food were spot-on. No popcorn on the menu though.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Thanks Bill - do they serve popcorn?

Probably not. But just tell them you know me - they'll hook you up!! :popcorn:

:pepper2:

Bill :wave:

[bkcunningham1]

Probably not. But just tell them you know me - they'll hook you up!! :popcorn:

:pepper2:

Bill :wave:

Do they know you as Jiffy Pop? lol

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Do they know you as Jiffy Pop? lol

Ha-ha! :1rotfl:

Bill :)

[chuckinca]

Where is that bk?



http://missioninnresort.com/


.

[damily]

Bamboo Bistro, Thai Ruby, Cane Garden (VERY close to home), Cotillion Cafe, and Bonefish. Probably just me, but TV is not known for great places to eat. Some that are OK, a few decent, but none that I would travel very far to go to. I am spoiled in Northern VA as there are so many really good places. So far I have not found what I would consider a place to go for special occasions.
For special occasions we go to either The Cotillon in Wildwood or Vic's Ember Steakhouse in Leesburg. excellent excellent food and service.

[debzaranti]

In no particular order:

The Lighthouse
RJ Gators
Cody's
Ruby Tuesday
Too Jays

A side note....hubby and I try to eat healthy and the restaurants above not only serve delicious food w/good service...they also have several HEALTHY options on the menu, both for weight management and heart health.

[dporta]

Thanks for the posts. It looks like there are several places that we need to try, including the country clubs in The Villages. We've only been to the Havana Country Club once and haven't tried any other ones. It looks like several people mentioned Cane Garden is good for their burgers and salads and that Mallory is known for their pizza. If there are any other suggestions, I'd love to hear them.

[Lions Den]

I see a lot of people like Too Jay's as do my wife and I, however that Gandolfo's NY Deli located in the publix shopping plaza has some of the best sandwiches in the villages. Their Reubens and Pastrami on Rye are to dye for. Also ate a great knishe while I was there. Almost like being home in the deli's I grew up with. If you haven't already been there you might want to check it out. Just my 2 cents

[DaleMN]

In no order:
Cody's
Lighthouse
Sonny's
Steak 'n' Shake
Paulie's Pizza

[keithwand]

During our LSV we ate at The Lighthouse, City Fire, Red Sauce, Bonifay CC, the restaurant in LSL with the old truck out front and all was well especially the burger at Bonifay sitting outside by the putting green.
After seeing a movie (The Artist) we tried to get in at Gators but they sat us outside where there was only 2 other tables so we left and went back to the unit.

[anlashokna]

Being a near future villager I Guess I'll throw a warning up to watch your CC statements when eating at Olive Garden out on 466. Three of us ate there when we were visiting last month and we payed for the meal on the CC and left a cash tip. Card statement arrived and it appears the waiter thought that she deserved an additional $11.00 tip on top of what was left. And we left a decent tip (roughly 18%) even though I didn't think the service warranted it. Slow, poor service and the appetizer was definately overcooked. Made a note about that place. And of course got the CC involved in going back on them about the money.

Will say on the flip side of experiences... Cracker Barrel has always been a fave wherever we travel..and it didn't disapoint in the Villages. Fast good food as always. And the place was packed to boot the night we ate there.

[joanofarctv]

Oakwood, Cottage Inn (lady lake), Giovannis