Panera and The Veranda
 

Has anyone noticed whether Panera has started to take over the Veranda as yet? Sure hope they retain some of the special feel it has/had? LB &LB

I feel sure they won't. Most national chains have a certain look that they repeat time and time again.

Some are decorated exactly the same in every restaurant. The Max and Erma chain of restaurants all have the exact decor in every one of their restaurants including the same photograph of a huge brewery worker family picnic taken in Columbus, Ohio in 1938. I know this because my dad and mother, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins are all in it.

AND I have tried in vain to get a copy of that photograph.

Now I have hijacked yet another thread.

Am I the only one ???
 

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I was not that impressed with the Veranda; especially the food. So I'm glad Panera's is opening a restaurant in LSL, even if it is displacing the Veranda.

Just my opinion ... :shrug:

I'm with you, Mike. I had lunch there maybe three times and always thought the food was just so-so. Service was fine and ambiance was special. But not the food. I've always liked panera and look forward to their arrival.

Perhaps a number of folks have sentimental attachment to veranda because of patronizing it during their lifestyle preview visit.

I always agree with 07 and Memason.

I think the food is not so great anywhere in TV. I wonder why that is ? (There are exceptions and we know where they are and we frequent them)

Do all of the good cooks who do it for money still live outside of The Villages?

We need immigration from young people who know how to cook and want to cook here in The Villages.

Maybe they don't pay them enough? The prices are low in most restaurants. hmmm.

Not necessarily so! McDonalds wanted to put a restaurant in a section of our town and the residents got up in arms. McD finally took over an existing location and just put up their golden arches out in the parking lot. Not nearly as large as most locations either. Actually, if you didn't know there was a McD there, you'd probably pass right on by it.

Today's Daily Sun
 

In the construction update section:

Panera Bread (1010 Lake Sumter Landing): Design plans and permitting are pending on the new bakery and cafe that Covelli Family L.P., a Panera Bread franchisee, intends to open in the first quarter of next year.

I had Breakfast at the Veranda yesterday and the lady that waited on me said that Sunday (tomarrow) is the last day that they will be open.

There were many hugs and some tears as many people were there to eat for the last time and say goodbye to the people who had served them Breakfast for several years.

I ate there frequently for Breakfast and always enjoyed it. This will cause a problem for us Breakfast eaters in the area South of 466 as there are not many places for Breakfast in the Lake Sumter Landing area other than Too Jays and Havana which I don't happen to care for either for Breakfast. Looks like I will be heading to the Southern Trace area for Breakfast but it is a longer golf cart ride from The Village of Poinciana. I will be taking the car to Southern Trace.

I know Panera is very good but I prefer a more traditional Breakfast.

Or because of GEORGE!

Long story.

Guess I don't know about GEORGE (sounds, interesting though) but what I liked about Veranda, and some other places in TV, ibut noticeably Veranda (probably because they only served breakfast and lunch, and I think we 60 (or almost) and over wind down earlier) is that some of the servers are over that "certain age." Gave me hope.

If I ever decide, or need, to get a part-time job, I always thought I'd be a great server (or short order cook), although I've been told (during this packing/moving period) that I apparently have lost my ability to "multi-task."

Do any of the rest of you notice that the servers in your home-town are all like 30 or under? Did you notice I used the word "like"? I'm really trying to "get with it."

I liked the Veranda. The food was always fine and the ambiance was excellent. Getting another cold cookie cutter chain is a step down in my mind. Panero's doesn't appeal to me at all.

As for the food in the Villages, it's no better or worse than anywhere else in the country. If you don't like it there's a real simple solution.

You're right about their good traditional breakfasts. I guess I should have eaten there more often. Oh well, nothing is forever.

Careful there, your generation gap is showing.

LOL

Hey PT,

I remember George!
Doesn't somebody have a picture?

:girlneener:

G

Yes, and you're in it!

Can anyone guess which one is George? U U is excused from the test, because she has a note from home.

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...GEORGEGwen.jpg