[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Trayderjoe

First, I will acknowledge drifting away from the theme of the original thread.



Totally agree with you Gracie



The problem with such generalizations is that what one person finds to be mediocre, another may find the food tasty and enjoyable. Not everyone has had the same culinary experiences so while there is an opinion about the quality of the food, to broad brush a group of people because of an individual's opinion could offend people (you can count me in such a group).

I have had the benefit of dining around the country and have had my share of mediocre and excellent food, whether it be expensive or not. What I quickly learned after a job relocation, when I asked my new neighbors and work colleagues about restaurant recommendations, MY culinary preferences did not match the recommendations I received. Instead I started to ask about the service and the cleanliness of the restaurant then proceeded to try the various restaurants to see if there was something to my liking. Keep in mind too that even the service can be impacted by the local culture. I lived in the metropolitan area (near NYC) where everything was go go go, but when I went to North Carolina for a period, I had to adjust to a slower pace-it wasn't a function of poor service, but I had to realign my expectations. I loved the friendliness of the wait staff and got to enjoy the slower "style".

Another example, was when I had to travel to Victoria Texas to complete an audit. I was given the name of a local restaurant that served excellent food (it did by the way). Unfortunately I forgot the name of the restaurant, so I asked the front desk person at the hotel about some good restaurants in the area. The person was trying to be helpful and told me that there was a Country Buffet in the mall area behind the hotel and that there was a McDonald's down the road. I explained that I was on an expense account and was looking for something more upscale. She turned and said, "Oh, well there is a Burger King just down the road in the other direction". I did not denigrate the woman, although I do admit that I found it humorous to hear that Burger King would be considered upscale dining. Fortunately I remembered the name of the restaurant and when I gave it to her, she indicated that it was clear on the other side of town (like it would be a significant drive). I asked how long to get there, and was told 20 minutes, so I got directions and ended up enjoying some good local Tex-Mex.

I believe that we can agree to disagree on the quality of food that may be served at the various establishments within The Villages, but perhaps leaving the broad brush aside about the general populace and what they accept or not might be prudent.

Your opinion is respected and I agree.
There are some snobs in TV that look down on many others........................

[CFrance]

You shouldn't judge a restaurant on how much they charge, either. Last night in Indianapolis we took our kids to McCormick & Shmicks (sp?) downtown. The atmosphere was great, the appetizers & wine were great, the price was high by TV standards, the entrees were meh.

Afterward, we walked down the street to the outdoor section of an Italian restaurant (Bucas? Or something like that) for a drink. Our DIL ordered what she thought was going to be one canoli. They brought three for the price of one. I don't even like canoli, and these were great! And inexpensive.

So whatever. Go where you like. Someone else might like what you don't; don't wave people off if you just didn't like the food. The only thing I find vaguely helpful about restaurant reviews concerns the level of service and how the manager responds to customers. But even then, you don't know if the complainer was a hot-head or not. Some things are actually the customer's fault.

[Dennis and Rose]

Cant take it with you guys Splurge and enjoy

[bagboy]

Originally Posted by CFrance

You shouldn't judge a restaurant on how much they charge, either. Last night in Indianapolis we took our kids to McCormick & Shmicks (sp?) downtown. The atmosphere was great, the appetizers & wine were great, the price was high by TV standards, the entrees were meh.

Afterward, we walked down the street to the outdoor section of an Italian restaurant (Bucas? Or something like that) for a drink. Our DIL ordered what she thought was going to be one canoli. They brought three for the price of one. I don't even like canoli, and these were great! And inexpensive.

So whatever. Go where you like. Someone else might like what you don't; don't wave people off if you just didn't like the food. The only thing I find vaguely helpful about restaurant reviews concerns the level of service and how the manager responds to customers. But even then, you don't know if the complainer was a hot-head or not. Some things are actually the customer's fault.

Maybe Buca Di Beppo? Good restaurants in many states.

[banjobob]

we echo Bonny the food and service is good if your looking for something different keep looking its a fun place to be and looking forward to football season. We will be regulars.

[kcrazorbackfan]

Originally Posted by Dennis and Rose

Cant take it with you guys Splurge and enjoy

No, we can't take it with us but we can try and leave more to the kids and grandkids for them to enjoy life.

My wife and I went to Beef O'Bradys tonight at Colony and splurged on the 2 for $20 which included a salad for each of us, grilled shrimp (20) with broccoli for my wife and grilled chicken breasts (2) with rice and broccoli for me. I had tea, my wife had water and the total bill with a 20% tip was $29.00.

If you're flush with money or don't care what you spend for food or never think about saving for the later years in life, by all means spend everything you have. The point is that our meal tonight satisfied us the same way as those of you that can only be satisfied by spending $50+ on meals for the both of you. To each their own............

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by bagboy

Maybe Buca Di Beppo? Good restaurants in many states.

Yes, that's it. Thanks.

[Madelaine Amee]

I think there is another side to this discussion of food in TV. I used the word "quality" in a post and that, in my opinion, is the wrong word. The quality of food available to us in the USA is excellent, it is the way in which it is prepared that becomes the problem.

Could the problem in TV be the lack of seasoned cooks, or chefs? Do our restaurant owners pay sufficient wages to bring in people to cook and prepare the foods? Due to the number of eating places in TV owners must have difficulty in finding good cooks.

I have had discussions with many professional people who have relocated here from excellent high paying jobs in their former locations and most of them will say that they are close to retirement age and want to live in the southern climate and slow their pace of life. I don't think that can be the case for cooks. I imagine there are short order cooks who can easily find a job here and come for the same reasons, but how many are basically really good cooks and they certainly cannot be classified as Chefs. Being a Chef or short order cook is a highly stressful job and people burn out very quickly.

When you stand back and look at Florida as a whole, there are thousands upon thousands of eateries that use cooks and if you want a really good cook to work for you that person needs to be compensated by working for a restaurant with a reputable name and they need a decent living wage. In the restaurant industry, the person who pays the best wages gets the best staff - which, of course, applies to any business.

It can be done here and The Rose Plantation is a case in point. Their food is excellent, their restaurant has ambience, their wait staff are excellent and their Hostess is professional.

At one time I knew a cook who used to spend his summers on the ocean in Maine and then come down here to cook in a restaurant on the Keys during the winter.

[Bonny]

Originally Posted by cavalier65

First, the food was great. Basic hamburger and fries, plus, a Patty Melt. No problems. However the place is not managed very well as to seating and the kitchen.

In fact we were told by the Hostess that the kitchen cannot keep up with the orders, thus 4-5 tables were empty. After 15 min. or so they started seating people again. Hmmm...a 3/4 full restaurant cannot keep up with the orders? Not ready for primetime.

Once seated we ordered, then waited another 20+ min. to be served. There seemed to be no rhyme or reason as to which table food was delivered. Also, one dinner told me that she asked for the burger without a roll and that delayed the order. Go figure!

I thought Guy Fieri was a big city boy! This type of service is not acceptable even in The Villages.

They have only been open a couple of days. Give them a chance to get the rhythm going.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Madelaine Amee

I think there is another side to this discussion of food in TV. I used the word "quality" in a post and that, in my opinion, is the wrong word. The quality of food available to us in the USA is excellent, it is the way in which it is prepared that becomes the problem.

Could the problem in TV be the lack of seasoned cooks, or chefs? Do our restaurant owners pay sufficient wages to bring in people to cook and prepare the foods? Due to the number of eating places in TV owners must have difficulty in finding good cooks.

I have had discussions with many professional people who have relocated here from excellent high paying jobs in their former locations and most of them will say that they are close to retirement age and want to live in the southern climate and slow their pace of life. I don't think that can be the case for cooks. I imagine there are short order cooks who can easily find a job here and come for the same reasons, but how many are basically really good cooks and they certainly cannot be classified as Chefs. Being a Chef or short order cook is a highly stressful job and people burn out very quickly.

When you stand back and look at Florida as a whole, there are thousands upon thousands of eateries that use cooks and if you want a really good cook to work for you that person needs to be compensated by working for a restaurant with a reputable name and they need a decent living wage. In the restaurant industry, the person who pays the best wages gets the best staff - which, of course, applies to any business.

It can be done here and The Rose Plantation is a case in point. Their food is excellent, their restaurant has ambience, their wait staff are excellent and their Hostess is professional.

At one time I knew a cook who used to spend his summers on the ocean in Maine and then come down here to cook in a restaurant on the Keys during the winter.

This is all true. But, when you pay more to hire good kitchen staff, then you must charge more for the food. More expensive restaurants do not do well here or last long for whatever the reasons.

And you can't take it with you, that is true, Dennis and Rose, but most of us don't want ever to be in a situation where we are dependent on others financially. I think those kind of people are the predominant type of people who live in The Villages. I am proud to be one of them.

[jane032657]

I think everyone should stay home this week and donate the money they would spend on eating out and give it to The Red Cross, drinks included and 20% tip too. I assure you that after you do that, you will feel good about the value you got for your money and you will have no indigestion.

[golf2140]

Originally Posted by Bonny

They have only been open a couple of days. Give them a chance to get the rhythm going.

Amen Give them a chance

[stujake]

Originally Posted by Madelaine Amee

You under estimate many of us year round residents. The majority of us travel extensively and do know what prices are like in other cities. Just a few weeks ago I was in NH for over a month and ate out frequently, we were in Manchester and Portsmouth and the quality of food was excellent and we had no problem paying for good food. When we were in Portsmouth We ate out in several great little restaurants and did not even look at the price because the food was excellent. We were in San Francisco and ate at one of the best Italian restaurants we have ever been to, and never bothered to look at the price.

The reason many of us eat at home is due to the lack of good restaurants serving excellent food, it is not the price of those meals, but the quality. Give us value for money and a restaurant will be full every night.

You are so right ........... when the snow birds get here every restaurant will be full .......... and that is basically why mediocrity in our restaurants is so accepted by the owner. They make their money in the winter season.

I agree with you 100%. We have enough sports bars and burger/sandwich places here in The Villages. As it is now, when we want an upscale meal or just plain good dinners, we usually go "off campus" to Ocala, Leesburg, Mt. Dora, etc. Bonefish is our place to go locally. The Rose Plantation just had a special with one appetizer to share, a salad or soup each, an entree each (we each had prime rib) and a dessert to share for $65. It was a nice atmosphere with white tablecloths and great service. Their bottled wines were all half price that night. Did not mind spending the money; however, under normal circumstances, without the special, the cost would have been about $100 per couple.

[Celebrator]

Six of us had dinner there last night and had the following experience. Arrived at 4:30 and put our name on the waiting list. Had a drink at the bar, one vodka and one wine spritzer for $6.77 not including tip. We had a 45 minute wait for our party of 6 while numerous parties of 4 were seated before us. Not complaining, just the tables for 6 were limited. Another party of 6 who came after was complaining about the long wait and the manager apologized but they left. I told the people that it was their first week and perhaps they needed to be a bit more understanding but they made some rude comments and left.
Our dinners included St. Louis ribs, chicken pot pie, french dip sandwiches, and ahi tuna tacos. We had a long wait for our dishes to arrive and our excellent waitress and manager apologized. (about 45 minutes). Ribs were tender and plentiful although you need to like the smoked rib taste. Two of our party loved the chicken pot pie. The french dip was good, nothing special. The ahi taco were very good but for a light eater. Prices were not outrageous as I have heard on this website and portions were generous.

Overall, I would rate our experience as good. We will definitely return and believe with a few more weeks to improve logistics, this will be successful.

[asianthree]

We take a drive over to Disney, Ocala and such, for dinner just to get something that will not disappoint. Rarely eat inside the bubble, just personal preference.