Restaurant suggestions
 

Hello, next week is our 25th wedding anniversary and I am looking for suggestions on an upper-class restaurant that's eloquent to surprise my wife. We've only been here six months, and I am looking for something that's really special for obvious reasons. Thank you for your help!!

There's the Lakeside Inn/Beauclaire in Mt. Dora, if you're up for a drive.

In Spanish Springs Town Square right here is Coastal del Mar for fresh seafood/fish, and Bella Vita Italian Steakhouse.

Fancy places are above our paygrade so we can't offer an opinion of any other higher-end places in the area. I'm told Chophouse is great though.

In TV there are not any "5 star" restaurants but there are several good and upscale. Harvest, Blue Fin, Costa del Mar, Chop House, Bella Vita, and a few more.

Turners in Leesburg is great and very nice atmosphere

We don't do elegant but Turners in Leesburg and the Rose Plantation have gotten good reviews in the past.

Orlando and Tampa will have restaurants you are looking for. Gainesville has potential and is much closer. And, I'm sure there are hidden gems around.

The Villages Gourmet Club has a searchable database that you might find useful.

Paulies, on Rt 44.

Berns in Tampa is great but might be tough to get into.

Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort.

If you're looking for haute cuisine, you won't find it in The Villages. Chop House has pretensions in that direction but in my experience you'll pay $$$$ for $$ and $$$ quality. Good, but not what you'd expect given the cost. There are other eateries though that are not quite top-dollar but which should fit the bill well. Lopez Legacy for one: great food and service that, though not cheap, won't break the bank either. Bluefin in Brownwood is another one.

As a general rule, exception to Chop House, if you pick an FMK-run restaurant here in TV you won't be disappointed.

Look at Three Six Bistro in Ocala.
three six bistro | Fine dining food wine beverage breakfast dinner | 3751 Southeast 36th Avenue, Ocala, FL, USA
Congrats

We like Stirrups at the World Equestrian Center for both food and ambiance. Very elegant and delicious.

For our last three anniversaries I took my wife to Chop House, Lopez, and Costal Del Mar. She was happy with all three choices and all were very good. Our first year in the Villages, our Anniversary fell on a Saturday Night. I stupidly took her to Palmer without a reservation and we were turned away. We proceeded to go to Lake Sumter only to find every restaurant had a very long wait, so we ate at Johnny Rockets. Needless to say, that didn’t go over exceedingly well and I learned my lesson. But now we have a good laugh every time we pass by that place. Happy Anniversary : )

Marks Prime in Ocala

Turners exceptional
 

One of a kind.

I think you mean elegant rather than eloquent. Ex-President Obama was eloquent. Ex-President Trump’s home in Trump Tower is elegant.

Try The Rose Plantation. Wear a dress shirt and slacks and a sport coat, and definitely don’t wear a cap. It’s just a few minutes away from The Villages, just off 466A.

If you have $500 to spare, try Burns Steakhouse in Tampa, but good luck getting a reservation. Get a steak that has been aged sixty days, a $200 bottle of wine, then upstairs to the private dessert rooms. Very romantic! And dressy.

The Rose Plantation - Leesburg, Fruitland Park, FL

There's a private room at Rose Plantation - East on 466a to rose street just before rt 441. Crab cakes are delicious

Remingtons Prime in Ocala.

I think you mean elegant not eloquent.

go to the World Equestrian Center in Ocala. Very expensive.....a truly unique experience....for special occasions like yours. Service is impeccable and food is beyond awesome. High class and you need to dress up.

Send her off for a spa day, Brownwood Hotel is lovely, Get a meal catered. Light the LED candles in your dining room, and treat her as you did 25 years ago. No need to have others around as you celebrate eachother. Or go to the spa together, stay overnight, room service and memories. Much joy!

I was just going to post Rose Plantation. Beautiful restaurant, superb service, great food, and homemade pies! If you can snag the private room, you’ll have a wonderful, intimate experience.

Johnny Rockets at LSL - the hot dogs are great.

I think you have to reserve a table 1-2 months in advance, but it is a real experience. Most of the wait staff have worked there for decades.

Market to Table. More old school Rose Plantation.

"Eloquent" restaraunt
 

Now I am gonna assume you meant "elegant" as opposed to "eloquent". Everyone's idea of elegant is gonna differ, but go to the following web site and it will give you a good idea of the restaraunts in and around The Villages, along with the ethnicity, menus, prices and ratings. Happy dinings.

The Villages Gourmet Club Restaurant Review Site :popcorn:

Goblin Market
 

The Goblin Market in Mt Dora. Make a reservation by phone. Small dining areas with great food. You will be looking at 100 bucks a person. Food and atmosphere are excellent.

Just a personal opinion.]
My wife and I found the food at Rose Plantation was, in our book, not value for money.

For something different, try Paulie's at the Oaks. Located at Continental Country Club, "just outside" the bubble on SR-44 near Morse Blvd. Nice, quiet atmosphere with a very good menu at reasonable prices.

If money is no object, Stirrups at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala..... on State Rte 40. If you really want to make a big deal, get a room at the hotel. Entrees start at around $50.00 and got up to around $175.00. Legacy at Lopez is quite wonderful... the Seafood Risotto is to die for. Rose Plantation is a bit overrated I think, but very pleasant. Bluefin in Brownwood if you like seafood.

Toledo at the Coronado
 

The Toledo restaurant at the Coronado Resort at Disney . Make a reservation for about 7pm so that your view changes from day to night and you can see the sunset. There is a balcony so you can also step outside and when the Epcot fireworks go they play the corresponding music.

This is not as expensive as Victoria and Albert’s but you still have the Disney attitude to decor, service and product.

The resort is an easy, short drive from route 429.

Excellent brisket

LaQuistdor, Mission Inn , Howie in the Hills. Well worth the drive.

The Rose Plantation

Paulies at the Oaks on 44
 

It is old elegant, but the food is amazing and it has a cozy atmosphere. Somewhat pricy but the portions are NYC portions.
pauliesattheoakson44 dot com

Closest to Villages fine dining
 

Try The Rose Plantation. Very nice.

Marks
 

Marks in Ocala you will neeed reservations.

Absolutely! But good luck getting a reservation. And be prepared to spend close to a grand for a couple including drinks.

We like Prime 3 on Main St in Leesburg. The food is interesting and the wine is excellent. Enjoy!

I agree with all the above suggestions but they are all very average except Harvest Grill -white table cloth excellent food, perfect for an anniversary.