Restaurant ideas
 

We like the restaurants here in "the compound" but thought we would like to get a list for when we're ready to venture out. How about a list of your favorite restaurants within an hour of The Villages.

Harbor Lights on Lake Panasoffkee ! Great weekend buffet !! It's about 40 minutes.

Raglan Road
 

My favorite restaurant in all of Florida is Raglan Road in downtown Disney. IF I DRIVE.... it an be made in under an hour to meet your distance requirement lol Good food plus fantastic Irish dancers and singers Plus the added features of downtown Disney sites and entertainment. Go early stay late.

I really enjoy Latinos y Mas. It's about 40 minutes up the road in Ocala.

Good places to eat
 

Emerl's at Universal City Walk
Cuvee Bistro, Ocala
Seasons 52 Dr. Phillips (Orlando)

All pricey but well worth it once in awhile

Goblin's Market in Mt. Dora. Very quaint, great food at a fair price.

Here are a few, in order of distance from The Bubble:

OakWood (on 441 in Fruitland Park between 466 and 466A): one of the best barbecue places I'd ever had the pleasure of eating in.

Ramshackle Inn (on 441 I think by the intersection of 44 in Leesburg; on the right side of the road as you head south in front of a hotel whose name I can't remember): a good burger place in a funky setting with a lot of local color.

110th Street Grill (441, on the right as you head north, the last establishment in a small strip mall, just past where 301 and 441 merge together, in Belleview): recommend only one dish (which you have to like...), and they prepare it THE best: shrimp & grits.

Tony's Sushi (just off 200, close to the Paddock Mall, in Ocala—behind and a little ways over from Olive Garden, if that helps): the best sushi we've had in the region.

Duck's Dam Diner (9748 SE Hwy 464C in Ocklawaha, 352-288-8332—suggest you call for specific directions or use GPS): a real off-the-beaten-path local diner which is just a hoot to visit!

Old Spanish Sugar Mill Restaurant at De Leon Springs State Park (might be a bit over an hour, and only if you like pancakes—and preparing them yourself! Info at their website <http://www.floridastateparks.org/deleonsprings/>). A cook-your-own-pancakes restaurant in a historic building; the park itself is beautiful, with a swimming area built directly above an aquifer, picnic areas, and a small museum on the history in the area.

The Cotillon Southern Cafe in Wildwood (next to the Hollywood Cafe, also yummy for a casual lunch). The Cotillion is a charming, quaint and intimate family owned "Southern" restaurant. Our meal was fabulous, albeit pricey for the area, but well worth every penny. And the homemade desserts - you gotta try for yourselves.
P.S. be sure to take home a jar of Dixie Dust for your own home cookin'.

These are a bunch of restaurants I haven't seen mentioned before (except for Oakwood of course). Thanks for the post. We intend to try them all!

Forget the name but a good German restaurant in downtown Sanford with great Wursts and German beer to choose from. Also a small but authentic Japanese restaurant Hatsuhana close to Cotsco driving on 441 towards Winter Park. Winter Park has quite a few good restaurants. Love the ambience of South Park Avenue.

I like to view the Gourmet club's site for restaurants, especially those that are a bit of a drive.

The Villages Gourmet Club Restaurant Review Site

Ipanema in Ocala.

Seasons' 52 (Apopka, one in Orlando and one out by Universal)

Alfies North on 25. Get the prime rib for 2.

One is always hesitant to make a recommendation, since it's not "chiseled in stone factually" but rather just an opinion. Please post what YOU think after you've visited these places. Thank you.