Looking for upscale restaurant
 

I will be visiting The Villages in August/September. While there, I am planning a surprise 80th birthday celebration for a family member. Any ideas would be so helpful. Thank you.

I see that you visit The Villages twice a year. Where have you enjoyed eating during your stays here?

You haven't mentioned how many people that you are considering for the surprise party. With that being said rose plantation would be a nice place or Miz Kathy's cotillion

Or Marks in Ocala but depends on how you define upscale.

I had a "reveal" party at The Rose Plantation around 2pm on their outside porch. We were al from NJ and agreed it reminded us of Cape May. A beautiful old Victorian shore town at the tip of the state.

ps I didn't know what a reveal party was until my son explained. My daughter in law was pregnant but only her doctor knew the gender. I went to publix with a special balloon. I gave the balloon guy pink and blue confetti and went in the back of the store. He sees what the doctor wrote and puts in the right confetti.

I recommend The Rose Plantation in Fruitland Park.

No big parties in the Rose Plantation

Rose
 

They do private parties.

What a cute idea

The Rose Plantation is our favorite. They always give a very good pour on Sweet Tea! :a20: This place will not let you down.

Now there's an accolade I can understand; a good pour on sweet tea.


I am not sure about upscale. I understand fancy and expensive and good. I understand good. Sometimes fancy is expensive and not good. Sometimes good is not expensive. Sometimes you just pay for fancy and expensive and they only have choice steak and no GOOD hamburgers.

Oops I forgot, they have Grey Poupon and you don't even have to ask for it!

The Rose Plantation is our choice for special occasions and out of town guests. Upscale dining. Website: The Rose Plantation - Home

"The Rose Plantation is casual elegant dining amidst a beautiful serene atmosphere. This century-old home, built by the prominent Dwight family of Massachusetts, sits on four acres of Rose Avenue along Fountain Lake. Eclectic china, fine silverware, stemware and linen tablecloths enhance the setting for the Americana-style food and wine that awaits the discerning evening diner. Lunch is served in a more casual setting, consisting of delicious soups, salads, sandwiches and smoked meats. The Rose Plantation is family owned and operated by Village residents. Come meet the on-premise owners John & Judy Gibson, with a combined 60 years of hospitality experience and enjoy delectable food alongside peaceful ambiance."

Give them a call to determine if they can arrange a seating area (depending on the #), a time and a special menu.
352-805-4340

You mean like a place that serves seasoned fries instead of just fries? :a040:

What would the responses be to the above post if it specified "inside the bubble", or "that is golf cart accessible"?

Upscale
 

TV is not known for upscale restaurants. The closest to upscale is Palmer or Lopez. Outside of TV and upscale Ocala has the most.

Lopez is still the best!

Lopez could probably handle a larger group. Small group? Rose Plantation.

I went to Rose Plantation twice and found the ambiance to be wonderful and the food good but not great.

Rose Plantation is over rated.

Harry's in Ocala is upscale. No white table cloths but excellent service and food.

I too like the Rose Plantation but it is closed for certain hours of each day. Another place which is not completely upscale but gives good service and good food is Mezzaluna in Colony.

I don't feel like reading everything again and this is your first post. If you are down here now go to Rose Plantation for lunch. Bring 3 friends and order 4 different things and share. Take notes. I think the outside porch is best but it was a nice day, not too hot, not too cold.
If you have questions ask for Judy or John, the owners. They are very friendly and easy to talk to.

Dear Robin Lady.

You are welcome.

Ahhhh... The voice of reason.

Mezzaluna is not worth the trip for anything--horrible food

If Lopez Legacy is not "upscale" enough for you, I don't know what to tell you. Ambience is great, food outstanding and service stellar.

A ways to drive, but for the special occasion of the MIL's 90th birthday we took her to Bern's Steakhouse in Tampa. It is one of the top rated steak places in the USA. Definitely upscale and definitely good. Dessert upstairs in the Harry Waugh Dessert Room is a perfect way to end a special occasion.

Right now I'm a big fan of Rose Plantation, as I just got back from dinner there this eve, part of a group of 50+/-, put on by a corporate sponsor. We had the best ever filet mignon steak, cooked perfectly rare, a rarity when ordering steak at a restaurant.

Turners in Leesburg

Mark's Prime Steakhouse in Ocala

Home - Mark's Prime Steakhouse

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Mostly tables of 4, two tables of 6, and won't serve groups. Nor will they put tables together. It's part of their dining philosophy.

Gracie, Rose Plantation is upscale, but not in a fancy way. It is also good and yes, expensive, but worth it. We will be there on Mother's Day.

It seems that searching for a high end restaurant within The Villages itself may prove to be an otiose endeavor. One may need look to Ocala and if necessary Orlando to locate a true high end restaurant.

"otiose - serving no practical purpose or result"
Thanks man I have just increased my vocabulary with one more word

otiose. Never read the word or heard it spoken.

I do agree that we do not have much in the way of expensive dining, or birthday destination dining or date night dining here.

I think it is because that people use their dining out budget for more frequent dining out. It is obviously market driven.

I was about to look it up when I saw your post. I did look up how it is pronounced.

Oh She Ohs, or Oh Tshe Ohs

I meant it as "futile".

I think your search was otiose. People are gonna think you are showin' off. ;)

Thanks I would have said it wrong and just looked silly