Originally Posted by earlehancock (Post 1169839)

I went but was not impressed. Expensive, food was average. it used to be a fun venue, not so much any more.

Originally Posted by JSR22 (Post 1167503)

My husband and I ate dinner last night at Katie Belle's and it was terrific! The restaurant is beautiful decorated well and very nice comfortable furniture. The menu has been completely revamped and upgraded along with a new very good wine list. Entree's come with Caesar salad or salad bar, a side dish and warm crusty bread with herbed olive oil for dipping. Appetizers included clams casino, jumbo shrimp cocktail, seared ahi tuna, spinach artichoke dip and more, We split the ahi tuna and it was excellent. There are a lot of entrees. Several fish which can be prepared baked, broiled or blackened and accompanied with choice of several sauces, chicken, veal,
rack of lamb, lollypop pork chop, crab cakes, pasta dishes. We both had very well prepared fish. Side dishes were very good. Service was excellent and we will return often. A 100% positive experience. Don't listen to the bashers who have never been there. Go and enjoy!

Originally Posted by dadspet (Post 1167695)

We did the pass through last week and haven't had a chance to try the food yet. Our opinion (shared my many we have talked with) on New vs Old Katie Belle's is > while its not bad it clearly doesn't have the class or atmosphere of the old Katie Belles which was unique and a real attraction that most residents were proud to take their quests and show off the "resident only" restaurant and entertainment center. Dancers have now lost the afternoon music many enjoyed and even most nights since they are now "shows". So from a dancers point of view and those who enjoyed a unique experience I think its lost that pazaz - but for those who expected better dinning it sounds like it will be a step in the right direction. To be honest we liked the food and drinks at Katie Belles, very reasonable and entertainment that was great. Cattle Barron's food was a step up and enjoyable with prices that were still reasonable. You couldn't beat the atmosphere downstairs or upstairs.

Originally Posted by OhioBuckeye (Post 1170228)

4 yrs. when we were just guest we ate at Katie Belle's & it was good & the prices were pretty cheap but before the close to remodel the prices went up I thought quite a bit. Now that they've remodeled I would think the prices would of went up quite a bit. But I'm sure the die hard Katie Belle go getters will argue that point. I guess I always thought that The Villages gave the residents a cut rate if they showed their ID's, but anyone from Ocala, Wildwood, Fruitland Park can go anyway in The Villages & be treated just like the residents that pay $150. a month amenities! The longer I live here the more I learn that it's not as great as they make it sound when you talk to them about buying a house.

Originally Posted by OhioBuckeye (Post 1170228)

4 yrs. when we were just guest we ate at Katie Belle's & it was good & the prices were pretty cheap but before the close to remodel the prices went up I thought quite a bit. Now that they've remodeled I would think the prices would of went up quite a bit. But I'm sure the die hard Katie Belle go getters will argue that point. I guess I always thought that The Villages gave the residents a cut rate if they showed their ID's, but anyone from Ocala, Wildwood, Fruitland Park can go anyway in The Villages & be treated just like the residents that pay $150. a month amenities! The longer I live here the more I learn that it's not as great as they make it sound when you talk to them about buying a house.

Originally Posted by billethkid (Post 1170258)

Now entering year 12! Some things have changed. Some are always disappointed with change....no matter what it is.

More good has come from the evolution of TV.

And 12 years hence, with the plus or minus changes TV is not what they make it sound like when the sales people talk but it has been and is what just about everybody was looking for when the decided to buy here.

Remember TV provides the infrastructure.....we are TV.....there is no better lifestyle in my humble opinion.

Originally Posted by 2BNTV (Post 1170454)

:agree:

Sorry, I have to disagree with some people in TV. The $150 ammenity fee does not mean all things in TV, should be free. There are a certain amount of people who want things to be virtually free, as when you see someone bringing a cooler into the square, instead of supporting the entertaining provided.

I hear of certain places trying to imitate our lifestyle but will never duplicate it! This developer has spent billions creating this paradise and I am deeply grateful.

Everyone has the option of staying home and or, not spending any money, or living in a nearby community and visiting all of the wonderful activities that are always happening. Outsiders that spend money at businesses in TV are supporting those businesses. It's better than having them close.

I've heard people complaining of snowbirds, (traffic, restaurant crowding, etc), but they also bring a lot of money into TV economy.

But can 114,350 people be wrong? :D

Nuff said.

Originally Posted by ladean46 (Post 1168003)

So happy that the restaurant was redone.........but what about us, The Village residents
Katie Belles was our restaurant, now anyone and everyone can go in
I think they made a big mistake when they made it open to the general public.

Originally Posted by the square (Post 1168008)

Ah yes. "resident only", that term seems to be going the way of the dial telephone. I think Katie Belles and the Alamo have something in common. They're both been over run by outside forces. I believe that non-residents already get enough entertainment here as it is. The three squares leading the list. If the Villages with it's supposed 100,000 residents can't keep Katie belles afloat then maybe it wasn't meant to be. I've been going there since 2008 and thought is great the way it was. It seem that The Villages is going from a " friendliest hometown" to another tourist destination.

Originally Posted by JoMar (Post 1169044)

How was opening it to the general public a mistake? As I understand it the residents didn't really support Katie Belles. The came to dance and didn't spend much money which was one of the reasons for the change. So if the general public can help make it successful I don't know how you can say it's a mistake.

Originally Posted by Mudder (Post 1169092)

"Outsiders" can go into any country club to eat also so why all the complaints about letting them into KB?

Originally Posted by glenbrook (Post 1170547)

Will the new Katie Belles be opened to the public?

Originally Posted by abbysmom (Post 1170680)

Never was exclusive despite what they said. Loads of outsiders in there all the time. New policy just says anyone is now welcome.

Originally Posted by abbysmom (Post 1170680)

Never was exclusive despite what they said. Loads of outsiders in there all the time. New policy just says anyone is now welcome.