[Bonny]

Originally Posted by ROCKETMAN

I am amazed this didn't make the totv rumor mill. Had to be th best secret since the great wall of orange blossom went up in the middle of the night.

It really wasn't a secret. A lot of people knew, just not when it would be finalized.

[AriaGrandparents2013]

I dined at Lopez yesterday early evening and enjoyed a "surf & turf" special they were offering. I must honestly say that it was one of the best meals I've experienced in The Villages.

If the Lopez Owner brings the same quality of food and service to Havana.......it will be a huge success.

[DougB]

Originally Posted by Golfingnut;8***68

What great news. I have been wishing for improvement to Havana for years. Amazing it hung on this long. I am so happy I will no longer argue with disagreeable posters on TOTV anymore.

Don't post too quickly, grasshopper!

[DougB]

Originally Posted by ilovetv

I love music of all styles, and think it is key to most any party, reunion, or reception.

But. The country clubs dining rooms here are not for receptions and "shows". They are for TV residents to dine with our visiting relatives, friends or previewing guests, many of whom we do not see very often because they live across the country. We go out to dinner together so we do not have to shop, cook, and cleanup while we converse with them and try to catch up on years' worth of conversation.

These dining rooms are NOT an audition venue for up and coming Broadway or Hollywood wannabees to get the waiter experience they WILL need when they're a dime a dozen trying to get hired as a musician in NY or LA.

Diners should not have to yell to be heard. Period. And the food should be excellent and the service should be quietly understated.....as in: servers are
right there ready to be attentive to be of service for every food and beverage need/request....NOT "I'm singing for tips from
you".

Is that the rule? I can't seem to locate them.

[Golf-Tinker]

After it's long anticipated opening for about three months (on a sliding scale) Havana enjoyed acceptance by the community. Following his master plan, Kris dumped George Stella (which changed the kitchen forever), then his operation manager, Dameon (name in my files), the bartenders (they were making too much in tips), the waitstaff (can't allow you to work those hours), and so on. For all too many year, I prayed his reign of stupidity would end. I suggest we all come to the parking lot some night soon and party to demonstrate the rise of Havana once again. The bad king has been disposed. Long live Havana.

Jim

[Matzy]

I like Havana and the singing waiters, very enjoyable. In case of food??? Well, depends on one's expectations, I always was satisfied with food and service there (I m going with the expression 'if I like it I will tell that to the public, if something was wrong I will tell it to the waiter/chef/manager' because it is/was MY opinion'.
And, that i learned from my dad: If I wan't to find a "hair" in the soup, I'll find it.

[PaPaLarry]

Finally!!!! No more complaints about Havana. (Now called Hemmingway's) I know some liked the singing waiters etc, but now it's back to quality food. I always seem to get a good meal at Lopez Legacy, so I'm pretty sure the same quality will be at Hemmingway's. Let's give them a chance before we criticize them. I wish them well, and hopefully us "Villagers" will be the winner's!!!!

[shcisamax]

Originally Posted by ilovetv

I love music of all styles, and think it is key to most any party, reunion, or reception.

But. The country clubs dining rooms here are not for receptions and "shows". They are for TV residents to dine with our visiting relatives, friends or previewing guests, many of whom we do not see very often because they live across the country. We go out to dinner together so we do not have to shop, cook, and cleanup while we converse with them and try to catch up on years' worth of conversation.

These dining rooms are NOT an audition venue for up and coming Broadway or Hollywood wannabees to get the waiter experience they WILL need when they're a dime a dozen trying to get hired as a musician in NY or LA.

Diners should not have to yell to be heard. Period. And the food should be excellent and the service should be quietly understated.....as in: servers are right there ready to be attentive to be of service for every food and beverage need/request....NOT "I'm singing for tips from you".

This is a joke, right? In what restaurant bible is it written that there can't be music? There are many who think a little different ambiance is a nice or fun thing. There are so many restaurants here if one doesn't like singing waiters, there are infinite other choices.

Whether there are singing waiters or great music, if it is loud or silent, whether it gives entertainment by "wannabees" or not, I am excited to see what will ensue.

[Bonny]

I enjoyed the singing waiters and waitresses. They had beautiful voices and it was something different.

[KathieI]

Originally Posted by Golf-Tinker

After it's long anticipated opening for about three months (on a sliding scale) Havana enjoyed acceptance by the community. Following his master plan, Kris dumped George Stella (which changed the kitchen forever), then his operation manager, Dameon (name in my files), the bartenders (they were making too much in tips), the waitstaff (can't allow you to work those hours), and so on. For all too many year, I prayed his reign of stupidity would end. I suggest we all come to the parking lot some night soon and party to demonstrate the rise of Havana once again. The bad king has been disposed. Long live Havana.

Jim

Wow, I agree... Havana was doomed early on because of the thick-headedness of an owner who thought he knew everything and no one else knew anything, especially his staff. All that you said is so true, if a waiter/male or female, was great but making too much in tips, he would literally move them to another section and not listen to any of his customers. If the bathrooms were filthy, he would yell at the staff to clean it up, in between their other duties,, UGH!! This was from the early days, and when we would confront him with a list of issues to improve his beautiful restaurant, he would totally ignore us and dismiss us as not knowing how to run a business.

I helped run the kitchen at a charity breakfast because he did not inform any staff or make the proper preparations to accommodate the event early in AM. It was a disaster. He still wouldn't listen, thank goodness the event went well, but not because of his efforts.

I agree, a party is due in the parking lot to celebrate the start of a new beginning!! Havana is really a pretty place, with a wonderful view and has so much potential but was ruined by a Czar.!!! Let's celebrate.

[Chi-Town]

Originally Posted by Bonny

I enjoyed the singing waiters and waitresses. They had beautiful voices and it was something different.

I agree totally. One of the main reasons we all moved to The Villages was for the year 'round entertainment, and the singing waiters and waitresses sure were entertaining.

[Villager Dude]

Originally Posted by Chi-Town

I agree totally. One of the main reasons we all moved to The Villages was for the year 'round entertainment, and the singing waiters and waitresses sure were entertaining.

WE remember when Havana opened and was impressed with the architecture and enjoyed the nice outdoor area.

When we moved here permanently in Nov 2012 we were very disappointed with the Operation and did not go there even though we live 1 mile form it in Amelia.

We love Lopez but occasionally we do not go up there due to the distance.

Lopez taking over Havana is great news and we are looking forward to it.

VIVA HAVANA !

[skyc6]

Originally Posted by ilovetv

I love music of all styles, and think it is key to most any party, reunion, or reception.

But. The country clubs dining rooms here are not for receptions and "shows". They are for TV residents to dine with our visiting relatives, friends or previewing guests, many of whom we do not see very often because they live across the country. We go out to dinner together so we do not have to shop, cook, and cleanup while we converse with them and try to catch up on years' worth of conversation.

These dining rooms are NOT an audition venue for up and coming Broadway or Hollywood wannabees to get the waiter experience they WILL need when they're a dime a dozen trying to get hired as a musician in NY or LA.

Diners should not have to yell to be heard. Period. And the food should be excellent and the service should be quietly understated.....as in: servers are right there ready to be attentive to be of service for every food and beverage need/request....NOT "I'm singing for tips from you".

GEE, Thanks for the heads up on restaurant ettiquette. We have many restaurants and country clubs here in TV, so hopefully, those who may enjoy music can choose the appropriate ones to frequent. You could do the same! There is something here for everyone and differences can be interesting. Your name suggests that you LOVE The Villages, yet your rants say something else. How about we wait to shoot down the new place until it actually opens? Possibly lots of people will like it and if you don;t, then don't go there! Personally, I enjoy the music. These are not Hollywood wannabees at all; they are members of the Central Florida Lyric Opera, and to hear them with dinner at no extra charge is for some a treat! When someone is so hard to please, staying home is an option as well.

[Bonny]

Originally Posted by skyc6

GEE, Thanks for the heads up on restaurant ettiquette. We have many restaurants and country clubs here in TV, so hopefully, those who may enjoy music can choose the appropriate ones to frequent. You could do the same! There is something here for everyone and differences can be interesting. Your name suggests that you LOVE The Villages, yet your rants say something else. How about we wait to shoot down the new place until it actually opens? Possibly lots of people will like it and if you don;t, then don't go there! Personally, I enjoy the music. These are not Hollywood wannabees at all; they are members of the Central Florida Lyric Opera, and to hear them with dinner at no extra charge is for some a treat! When someone is so hard to please, staying home is an option as well.

I agree !!

[memason]

From the Gourmet Club website:

Havana Country Club, 2484 O'Dell Circle, The Villages, FL. 430-3200. (American) B/L/D. Closed on 3/10/14 while new owner, John McDonough of Legacy Restaurant at Lopez Country Club makes some renovations and changes the menu and staff. The "Singing Waiters" will not return. The restaurant will be called Hemingway's (see that listing). Due to reopen in April, 2014.