upscale restaurant?

[NJSonja]

bought a house, but can't move in for a bit....am visiting and would like to take people out to a nice restaurant in the area....there will be 6 of us...

any suggestions? (and no dressing up please!)

thanks!!!!

[cathyw]

Congratulations on buying a home !

My favorite restaurant is Nancy Lopez Legacy.
I believe Monday night is Lobster Night...it gets crowded....so make a reservation.
The rest of the menu is excellent also.
Enjoy !

Legacy Restaurant at the Nancy Lopez Country Club » Menus (http://legacyrestaurant.com/menu/)

[hotrodgirl]

Someone from TOTV sent me this link a while back and I find it very useful!
The Villages Gourmet Club Restaurant Review Site (http://thevillagesgourmetclub.com/)

[784caroline]

What kind of food are you looking for,,steak, seafood, Italian ????

Are you willing to drive 5, 10, 20 mile or more or simply stay in and around The vIllages??

[Rael Furniture In House Repair]

nancy lopez gets first prize every nite

[dfn8tly]

I like Vic's Embers. It's owned & run by Vic and his son primarily providing good steaks. The service and ambience are excellent. The clothing atmosphere is what I'd call "slightly dressy resort casual". Enjoy.

[NJSonja]

i'll only be there thursday - sunday! :(

[cathyw]

i'll only be there thursday - sunday! :(

Nancy Lopez Legacy has steak specials on Thursdays, and if you order a steak, you get complimentary bananas foster prepared tableside.

I believe Sunday is prime rib night.

Everything is really good...if you look at the link of restaurants that someone else posted....Legacy is rated 14 of of 15.

[billethkid]

the places mentioned above are very nice places to eat (and drink).
But when someome asks about an "upscale" place to eat I personally do not believe there is a place that meets, at least my definition of up scale.

However if you are willing to drive 30 minutes to an hour there are very many real upscale restaurants.....add another 20 minutes or so to include Tampa and there are even more.

In Orlando on International Drive you will find a very nice array of upscale places to dine.

Recognize that upscale means some thing different to each of us.

btk

[cathyw]

the places mentioned above are very nice places to eat (and drink).
But when someome asks about an "upscale" place to eat I personally do not believe there is a place that meets, at least my definition of up scale.

However if you are willing to drive 30 minutes to an hour there are very many real upscale restaurants.....add another 20 minutes or so to include Tampa and there are even more.

In Orlando on International Drive you will find a very nice array of upscale places to dine.

Recognize that upscale means some thing different to each of us.

btk

I totally agree. The post was titled upscale restaurant, but then they asked for a nice restaurant...but no dressing up. Plus they will only be here for a few days.
Normally, I would not say Lopez for upscale. But nice restaurant that you don't have to dress up.....Lopez definitely fits the bill. Then again....what's dressed up....more different opinions. Oh well, whatever they choose, I hope they enjoy it.

[784caroline]

I totaly agree that NONE of the TV Country Clubs are upscale eating establishments...good, well worth a visit, but not upscale. If thats your criteria, I would place Bonefish on top of all of them for better seafood, service and happy hour than most CCs. Its all what you expect and from where you are starting to define "upscale". There are alot of very nice places 20 -30 minutes away but they will be much pricer.

[Skip2MySue]

I like Vic's Embers. It's owned & run by Vic and his son primarily providing good steaks. The service and ambience are excellent. The clothing atmosphere is what I'd call "slightly dressy resort casual". Enjoy.

Here's another vote for Vic's Embers. An outstanding place to eat well and relax in a nicely decorated atmosphere. If you wanted to stay in the Villages I'd then 2nd Nancy Lopez.
Skip 2

[PaPaLarry]

Nancy Lopez & Vic Embers are my favorite also!!!!

[Yorio]

I agree with many posts that there are no upscale restaurants in TV. There are some great restaurants on Park Ave. South in Winter Park and we do drive there once in a while to taste the ambience of upscale establishments. Takes about an hour. We love the area around Morse Museum. Like it better than International Drive.

[buggyone]

Nancy Lopez & Vic Embers are my favorite also!!!!



In The Villages, you cannot beat Nancy Lopez. Try their drink at Happy Hour called "The Firefly". It is sweet tea flavored vodka with lemonade. It is also called the "John Daly" at some places or a "Drunken Arnie Palmer". Monday night Lobster Special of 2 5oz lobster tails for $22 is a bargain and they are very fresh tasting.

Vic Embers is also a very good place. Try their Sunday Brunch which is a buffet for $17.95 and is excellent.

[Indydealmaker]

Here's another vote for Vic's Embers. An outstanding place to eat well and relax in a nicely decorated atmosphere. If you wanted to stay in the Villages I'd then 2nd Nancy Lopez.
Skip 2

:agree:

[BAILYBOOHOO]

Come on down to Orlando Sand Lake Rd in Dr Philipps .There our a lot of Restaurants on Sand Lake rd. Ruth Chris is one of many .

[NotGolfer]

How about Glenview Country Club? We've eaten there and their prime rib was delicious!!

[mickey100]

The Villages country clubs are rather casual, not, imho, upscale. Generally I find their food to be so-so. The gourmet club mentioned a couple of restaurants in Mt Dora - one is Pisces Rising, which friends have given good reviews.

[perrjojo]

Someone from TOTV sent me this link a while back and I find it very useful!
The Villages Gourmet Club Restaurant Review Site (http://thevillagesgourmetclub.com/)

I wonder why the site does not give the criteria for their ratings???

[mickey100]

The other restaurant in Mt. Dora that I've heard good reviews about is Goblin Market. We have been to neither, so just passing along the information. Mt. Dora is a pleasant little town, on a lake, with lots of arty stores and neat little shops. Nice place to go for a few hours to get away from "the bubble".

[jblum315]

I wonder why the site does not give the criteria for their ratings???

The criteria are from members' reviews. Points for food, service, ambiance, etc. The best possible rating is 15.

[buggyone]

I have been to both Pisces Rising and Goblin Market in Mt. Dora. Both are way over-rated. Pisces Rising does have a very nice view of the lake but the food is mediocre at best and the prices are high. Goblin Market does not offer any views whatsoever and the food is so-so with the prices being high for what you get.

[ssmith]

There is a thread by GracieGirl about favorite places to eat....check the search option above.

[mickey100]

I have been to both Pisces Rising and Goblin Market in Mt. Dora. Both are way over-rated. Pisces Rising does have a very nice view of the lake but the food is mediocre at best and the prices are high. Goblin Market does not offer any views whatsoever and the food is so-so with the prices being high for what you get.

Buggyone, thanks for your comments. I notice that the most recent reviews for Pisces Rising on the Gourmet Club website weren't that great, although the overall rating is around a 12. I didn't see any recent ratings for Goblin Market.

Another one I've been interested in trying is Cuvee Wine and Bistro, up in Ocala. Their menu looks fabulous, and the Gourmet club rates in 13.5 out of 15. Pretty good marks. It appears to be what we'd term an upscale dining experience.

[swrinfla]

"Upscale" is a very, very individual and personal assessment! That said, my 'personal assessment' is that Nancy Lopez' Legacy is the very best place in town!

On t'other hand, Pisces Rising has a well-earned but perhaps over-blown reputation, as does the near-by Lakeside Inn. My biggest objection to any venue outside The Villages "campus" is the fact that they are outside The Villages "campus!"

Cuts down on the consumption of wine, don't you know!?!?

SWR
:beer3:

[tommy steam]

Someone from TOTV sent me this link a while back and I find it very useful!
The Villages Gourmet Club Restaurant Review Site (http://thevillagesgourmetclub.com/)

bump

[sueandskip]

I like Vic's Embers. It's owned & run by Vic and his son primarily providing good steaks. The service and ambience are excellent. The clothing atmosphere is what I'd call "slightly dressy resort casual". Enjoy.

Where is Vics?

[jimalto]

bought a house, but can't move in for a bit....am visiting and would like to take people out to a nice restaurant in the area....there will be 6 of us...

any suggestions? (and no dressing up please!)

thanks!!!!

After reading three pages of responses I cn tell you that none of the referrals meet your criteria. Upscale does not exist in TV. (One dude got that part right) No one has mentioned the two best in the area that meet a reasonable definition of upscale.
1) Jeffrey Paul's Chophouse in Leesburg. Excellent Steaks and pleasant athmosphere.
2) Mark's Prime Steakhouse in Ocala. Excellent, expensive but clearly the best upscale place in the area.

In both cases, upscale and "no dressing up" don't go together. Unless you want to feel out of place, don't wear jeans or shorts.

[cathyw]

Where is Vics?

Vic's is in Leesburg.

Vic's Embers Supper Club ~ Fine dining in Lake County, Florida (http://vicsembers.com/Location.htm)

[spk7951]

Buggyone, thanks for your comments. I notice that the most recent reviews for Pisces Rising on the Gourmet Club website weren't that great, although the overall rating is around a 12. I didn't see any recent ratings for Goblin Market.

Another one I've been interested in trying is Cuvee Wine and Bistro, up in Ocala. Their menu looks fabulous, and the Gourmet club rates in 13.5 out of 15. Pretty good marks. It appears to be what we'd term an upscale dining experience.


My wife & I have been to Goblin Market maybe five times and thought the food was very good. But I think the new prices are a bit high.

Cuvee is excellent. I thought the food there was about the best I have had in this area, outside of Bern's or Mark's Prime. We tried a cheese appetizer that was just outstanding. While they do have a very good selection of wine be careful on what you select. Your bill can go up fast with the addition of some of the wine prices.

[NJSonja]

wanted to thank everyone....i will only be down there for 96 hours this time...need to stay close...by upscale I meant a little more than regular, but yes, you are right, i am taking a carryon and not taking anything but jeans....

thanks, again

sonja

[Skip2MySue]

Where is Vics?

You drive and I'll show you exactly where it is:eclipsee_gold_cup:
Skip 2

[uujudy]

wanted to thank everyone....i will only be down there for 96 hours this time...need to stay close...by upscale I meant a little more than regular, but yes, you are right, i am taking a carryon and not taking anything but jeans....

thanks, again

sonja

Jeans? At Nancy Lopez? Um, my age is showing. Our country club in Utah actually had to post a small sign "No denim in the dining room," because the new members (apparently) couldn't be bothered to read the dress code.

I guess I just brought our old country club rules with me when I came to the Villages. I wouldn't dream of going to Nancy Lopez or Glenview or Arnold Palmer in jeans. But that's just me. I'm not judging.

[784caroline]

Your more likely to see shorts than jeans at one of the local Country clubs!!

[lovesports]

Your more likely to see shorts than jeans at one of the local Country clubs!!

Definitely. Many go to the country clubs right from golfing. I don't considered them country clubs but more restaurants. Causal works everywhere in the Villages.

[Threeputt]

Lopez
Palmer
Glenview

[thekeithfan]

I like Gator Joes. Good food and the ambience is surly and pugnacious. lol

[mickey100]

My wife & I have been to Goblin Market maybe five times and thought the food was very good. But I think the new prices are a bit high.

Cuvee is excellent. I thought the food there was about the best I have had in this area, outside of Bern's or Mark's Prime. We tried a cheese appetizer that was just outstanding. While they do have a very good selection of wine be careful on what you select. Your bill can go up fast with the addition of some of the wine prices.


Thanks spk! We have a gift certificate for Cuvee's and are looking forward to going. One of these days we need to head over to Mt. Dora as well.

[amazongal]

Thanks spk! We have a gift certificate for Cuvee's and are looking forward to going. One of these days we need to head over to Mt. Dora as well.

Good choice

[Mimivillager]

Definitely Charlie's in Orlando.

[Madelaine Amee]

From my own personal perspective, I don't think there is a really upscale restaurant in TV, or even locally. When we have guests we take them to either Lopez or Bone Fish. Both have excellent ambiance and the wait service is good.

We have just come back from our annual sabbatical to Boston and dined in a couple of upscale restaurants and paid through the nose to do so ....... were the meals any better than here, maybe, but not enough to warrant the cost . On the other hand, I love fish and the fish was outstanding compared to local fish - so that was worth the price.

We took a European river cruise this summer and now that is what I call UPSCALE DINING.

[rabonkmontage@msn.com]

Mark's Prime Steakhouse in Ocala.

[Richard1366]

Upscale to me is a McDonalds with a kids play area..

[Shirleevee]

As a New Yorker, I agree!

[cathyw]

:BigApplause:Upscale to me is a McDonalds with a kids play area..

As long as you are sitting on the TOP of the childrens slide, eating a Big Mac, it's upscale. LOL

[joanna]

with all the fun nice restaurants in the village
some of you suggest driving to tampa
must not eat out much
to the inquirer
just pick one of the country clubs for dinner there all nice
really

[Virtual Geezer]

:BigApplause:

As long as you are sitting on the TOP of the childrens slide, eating a Big Mac, it's upscale. LOL

Eating the Big Mac will definitely up the scale. Been there, done that and the t-shirt no longer fits.

VG

[thekeithfan]

with all the fun nice restaurants in the village
some of you suggest driving to tampa
must not eat out much
to the inquirer
just pick one of the country clubs for dinner there all nice
really

I agree. Some of my well to do friends have a need to spend an insane amount of money in order to call it "fine dining". Many times I've heard: oh we took Bob Ted Carol and Alice there and spent $700.00!!!! It's not about the food for some it's all about telling those after how much they spent. I for one am NOT IMPRESSED in fact I kind of look at them and think what an idiot!

[amazongal]

I agree. Some of my well to do friends have a need to spend an insane amount of money in order to call it "fine dining". Many times I've heard: oh we took Bob Ted Carol and Alice there and spent $700.00!!!! It's not about the food for some it's all about telling those after how much they spent. I for one am NOT IMPRESSED in fact I kind of look at them and think what an idiot!

People who have the class and wherewithal to occasionally visit an "upscale" restaurant for celebrating special occasions don't do it so they can demean less than well to do "friends". They typically do it to enjoy the ambiance, excellent food and great service that are trademarks of "upscale" restaurants. By the way, there are no such places in TV.