Resturant suggestions…
 

We will be arriving soon for our discovery stay. I would like some nice ( steak and seafood) resturants around the area where the villages will be housing us. We wouldn’t mind a 20 min. Drive outside the area as well. Thanks!

Bonefish, Chop House, Costal Del Mar, Blue Fin, and Lopez.

I would add Harvest and say you have a complete list.

:BigApplause:

Thanks so much!!

Depending on where you're from, don't get your hopes up.

The Villagers is far from an Epicurean's delight. Get ready to over-pay and be under-whelmed.

We were definitely not underwhelmed at Costal Del Mar last night?

Over time many of us have learned that a 30 minute drive to Ocala or Leesburg will yield better restaurants.

The short golf cart ride is a big part of the experience for us. Plus, we flew down for this stay at our Villages home and are without a car.

Absolutely awful!

Try Prime 3 in Leesburg. It is a bit pricier than the usual restaurant in TV but worth the money. They also have an interesting wine list as well.

What square is nearest to where you are staying? The Villages is a BIG place and a golf cart ride from the far northern reaches to (say) Brownwood Paddock Square is anything but a short golf cart ride. Also if you've never driven a golf cart in The Villages it is very easy to get lost, especially at night.

Anyway, I agree with most of the recommendations here, however my input is as follows:

If you like ice cream, definitely stop by Kilwin's at Spanish Springs. Their idea of a scoop is about 1.5 times as big as other places and service is great. Haagen-Dasz at Lake Sumter Landing is good or not depending on who's working, and wait times tend to be long. I've never tried Scooples at Brownwood but have talked to folks who have liked it.

Breakfast? The Flying Biscuit at Lake Sumter Landing is good, especially if you like chicken as part of your breakfast meal. I'm a bacon guy myself and they do have it, but it seems as if the chickens are winning over the pigs there about 5-1. Good, friendly service. Their signature "side" is fresh biscuits with apple butter and they are fantastic. First Watch (by Publix in the Spanish Plaines shopping center) is pretty good as well.

Dinner: can't go wrong at Coastal Del Mar in Spanish Springs. It isn't high-end by any means, more middle of the road, but the food is good, the service is impeccable, and the place is clean and well-run. Their seafood offerings are somewhat limited but what they have is fine. Bluefin (Brownwood) is good for dinner, medium-high $$ but good food and service. Bonefish Grill (on 466, in a small mall in the same area as the Fresh Market) is good but somewhat hit-or-miss. I had a NY Strip Steak there once, medium, that was melt-in-your-mouth tender. Another time, same thing was on the far side of tough. Best on Friday and Saturday evenings when the A-team is working.

I don't recommend Chops at Lake Sumter Landing: had chateaubriand there once that was VERY tough: had a hard time believing that it came from tenderloin. Don't get me wrong though: the food is generally pretty good there. But you're eating at what is probably the priciest restaurant in TV so "pretty good" is not acceptable. Steer clear of Lighthouse Point (Lake Sumter Landing on the shore).

Anyway, enjoy your stay!

Real Food
 

Just 5 minutes outside of Villages North are Gio’s and Francesco’s, the southern area also has Rodellos and the Oakwood smokehouse. Most of the Villages restaurants are par at best.

An interesting and rustic Florida atmosphere option about an hour drive west is Homosassa State park (takes about 1.5 to walk through and enjoy the wildlife) and then a trip to The Freezer for a couple pounds of Cajun steamed shrimp and a bread bowl of chowder. It’s super cheap and super good. There is also a more refined place called FD Woodfired just inside Orlando. Try the Black Iron Mussels.

“Best Restaurants” is so subjective. We all have various likes/dislikes. I eat out most of my dinners. Most of my favorites are outside “the bubble”. I’m not a fan of “bar food”. For what it’s worth, here’s my current ten restaurants that I rotate through that are inside “the bubble”. I’ve learned what’s good to order and what to stay clear of at each establishment.
1) Harvest
2) Blue Fin
3) Kumo
4) Roberto’s
5) Chop House
6) Havana CC
7) Nancy Lopez CC
8) Coastal Del Mar
9) Amerikonos
10) La Bella Vita

Thanks for your info! Not exactly sure where they house us for our stay.

Food is good at Gios but can be horribly noisy especially the back room. Wish they never sold Giovannis

If you're coming on the Lifestyle plan, probably near Brownwood. South. We have some friends coming in October and that's where they're staying. I've heard that the planners do that because there are new(er) houses and neighborhoods in that area.

They’ll most likely put you up south of 44 in which case Brownwood will be the closest square. They have Prima, Harvest, Blu fin among other more casual places. The next closest would be Lake Sumter Landing which has Chops. I’m not sure of anything else there. I rarely go. then there’s Spanish Springs which I haven’t been to in over 20 years back when Cattlemen’s Club was there. Lopez CC is good ( same owner as Prima) but I rarely go due to its location so far north. I love having lunch at Fenney Grill. Fenney is a beautiful village. Sawgrass Grove will be very close for a drink or watching a band too. Prime 3 in Leesburg is good for dinner outside the bubble. Edna’s is good for lunch or afternoon if that’s your thing. Just remember, July, Aug, Sept are the most miserable months ( humidity/heat) so if you can make it through this time, you’ll be good to go!!!!

Yep, that's way it's always busy.

:beer3:

Ditto Bluefin, Chop House, Costa Del Mar; food is good at Prima but service can be sketchy during snowbird season. Have been to Harvest 3 times and didn't impress me. Fenney grill isn't gourmet, but you can play in the Fenney pool and get lunch/bar takeout at the bar which is right there. Another Broken Egg for breakfast; if you don't finish your Mimosa pitcher, they put it in a plastic baggie with a straw for a big girl juice box! Maybe you don't know, but the country club restaurants are open to all-don't need to be a member of anything.

Agree with Cupcake, not a fan of Harvest. Overpriced and weird selections on the menu. Maybe people go there bc the other places have long waits? Much better options in Brownwood IMO.

Agreed
 

IMO Fiesta Grande is better than the whole lot in Brownwood, but Wolfgang Pucks is near and has the best bacon wrapped meatloaf and cheesecake. Most restaurants inside the bubble are over salted and lack individual TLC to their dishes. I certainly would encourage a few drives out into the local economy.

Pretty good list ! Of course, this will grow and grow as everyone has their "fav", and some will post to promote this or that restaurant, but IMO your list is very accurate !

I'm a Prima fan (Brownwood Paddock Sq.).

We went a few weeks ago. Priced like a "Morton's", a "Capitol Grille", or a "Ruth's Chris" but while nice, it didn't come close to measuring up to any of those places...

Mark's in Ocala was much better, IMHO...

Solid choices... (I've never been to Chop House or Kumo, and Robertos left my mildly unimpressed, but the other people in my party loved it...)

We have been to MRKS PRIME ONCE and had a very good meal there. Unfortunately dear wife is not a steak eater or we would go regularly

If you're coming for a "Lifestyle Visit", you'll be living well south of 44, which puts some of those places a long cart ride away...

They had a nice fish selection for SWMBO...

Agree with the Flying Biscuit in Lake Sumter Landing, even if going for lunch (not a bad option), the signature biscuits & apple butter are great! They did know what they were doing when naming the restaurant after the biscuits.

If you like Prime Rib, you should try it at the Mezza Luna Grill located at the east end of the Colony Plaza. It also has many traditional pasta dishes.

Wolfgang Puck is located at the Brownwood Hotel. They serve a double pork chop that is marinated, juicy, slow roasted and simply excellent.

Been there 3 times hoping for success.
Food and service subpar.
1 of the owners hangs out at the bar with his friends.
It’s a hobby for the 3 Drs.

Duplicate

It’s summer so every in the bubble restaurant wants your business with a multitude of specials. You should hopefully be near Brownwood, it’s close and except for Harvest all offer great service and food.
Harvest has unique dishes, ingredients that sometimes doesn’t appeal to everyone.
However, I would go if you’re looking for good steak I would go to Leesburg.
Problem is when we vaca, we don’t want to eat at a chain, but more of a mom and pop single venue.
One needs to travel outside the bubble to get that experience, Leesburg, Ocala not that far for a better experience

I was thinking the same thing. That’s good advice, and it’s important to keep your expectations in perspective when dining out in TV.

Turners in Leesburg

The Rose Plantation in Fruitland Park ( Rose Ave off 466A) right on the lake

Really like the food, service and prices.
1. Sammy’s Italian –301, Oxford. All Dishes and Salads are really good
2. Oxford Express – 301, Wildwood or 441 Leesburg. Best Ribs around
3. Oxford Downs – 301, Oxford/Summerville. Best Tiki Bar and Bar food around
4. Bori Burger – 427/14th St., Leesburg, Cuban and Puerta Rican food, It’s a real hole in the wall with four inside table and four outside, Try inside then carryout. (support Minority and women owned, their story is very interesting)
5. The Freezer – 44/19 (roughly), Homosassa, If you love shrimp
6. Legacy Restaurant – North Buena Vista, Never had a bad meal or bad experience
7. Fords Garage – We go to Wesley Chapel location when down that way. A big Bar essentially
8. Any hole in the wall Cuban Restaurant in Tampa if you love Cuban sandwiches, Yellow rice and Beans.
9. Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City, 1905 salad and Atmosphere are impressive

I am not a fan of Harvest either. We took another couple there as a thank you, and our guest ordered the filet Mignon, which was $40 and the least expensive steak on the menu. It wasn’t great. Embarrassing, since he’s from Kansas City. But, in fairness it’s a pretty place and it offers some nice happy hour options: reduced prices on cocktails and a few plates at the bar for around $15. I just wouldn’t get a steak there.

OMG, I bout died when I looked up what that acronym meant.

👍👍👍…accurate assessment.