[kimball]

Originally Posted by Raen Dear

What's up with the restaurants in The Villages. None of them seem to take reservations. I expect it from Carabbas and the Olive Garden -- they are, theoretically, fast food restaurants -- but the Country Clubs are -- and, again, theoretically -- white tablecloth. Most of the "dining experiences" in TV seem pretty bush-league to me.

Two thumbs up for your comments. Bush League defines most Villages Restaurants to a "T". Unfortunately, many fellow residents are so indescriminate that they don't have a clue what we are referring to.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by kimball

Two thumbs up for your comments. Bush League defines most Villages Restaurants to a "T". Unfortunately, many fellow residents are so indescriminate that they don't have a clue what we are referring to.

Dale Carnegie would be eating his shorts about now.

I really disagree with your assessment. I find most villagers are quite sophisticated and cosmopolitan. Florida is just very casual. AND you can't have excellent dining and reasonable prices. I believe that price is the driving force especially for those who live here year 'round.

It ruffles many a feather when someone says that "many fellow residents are so indiscriminate that they don't have a clue what we are referring to."

You could have gone all day without saying that.

[bluedog103]

Originally Posted by Virtual Geezer

You can't please everyone and this is NOT New York.

VG

Not too familiar with NY are you Geezer?

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by kimball

Two thumbs up for your comments. Bush League defines most Villages Restaurants to a "T". Unfortunately, many fellow residents are so indescriminate that they don't have a clue what we are referring to.

Opposite of "bush league" the "upper crusters" fits some to a tee................

[justjim]

"Bush League" is a bit harsh to call our restaurants and County Clubs here in TV. "Casual" would be more correct and fits the Village lifestyle. Arguably, TV could maybe use a fine dining restaurant with white table cloths. Misson Inn at Howey-in-the-hills type of restaurant could be successful in TV. We go there once or twice a year and its not far. It's not Chicago, New York, San Francisco, or even Miami fine dining but It could suffice for us semi- sophisticated TV residents. Otherwise, you just might have to go elsewhere for the real fine dining.

[ilovetv]

Originally Posted by kimball

Two thumbs up for your comments. Bush League defines most Villages Restaurants to a "T". Unfortunately, many fellow residents are so indescriminate that they don't have a clue what we are referring to.

Well....out here in "the bush league", we at least know how to SPELL "indiscriminate".

And, we'd call your indiscriminate snobbery "snotty".

[Flip Flop Forever]

Well stated, IloveTV.

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by kimball

...residents are so indescriminate....

Yeap...us bush leege peeple dont evin no how two tawk er spel gud.

Oh wait...no...that was you!

[USSGompers]

Originally Posted by laceylady

Maybe The Villages is not the place for you. Most of us enjoy the casual, laid back atmosphere. After all, we're retired. If we have to wait 20 minutes for a table, who cares. We ate at Palmer Legends and they took reservations. Personally, I like to go to dinner when I get hungry, not at some preordained time that I have to plan my whole day around. Perhaps you should loosen up.

Some residents work here. Nurses, gate guards, retail, mgment in The Villages itself. Not Everyone is retired in the full since of the word. A lot of people do not have all the time in the world to wait in a line to eat. I know that I don't and I won't.

Sometimes people are going out before a show at the Savannah Center or Church on the Square and don't want to miss the show.

Others may have figured out how much time they have after volunteering at the hospital before they meet their friends for the weekly club meeting at the Rec Center.

Please don't lump all of us Villagers in the group of, "We don't mind standing in a line for dinner for 1 hour!" I do. I watched sailors stand in line at the Mess Hall while I was a cook in the Navy and used to feel sorry for them, even though I was working 12-14 hrs a day to feed them.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by justjim

"Bush League" is a bit harsh to call our restaurants and County Clubs here in TV. "Casual" would be more correct and fits the Village lifestyle. Arguably, TV could maybe use a fine dining restaurant with white table cloths. Misson Inn at Howey-in-the-hills type of restaurant could be successful in TV. We go there once or twice a year and its not far. It's not Chicago, New York, San Francisco, or even Miami fine dining but It could suffice for us semi- sophisticated TV residents. Otherwise, you just might have to go elsewhere for the real fine dining.

Your argument is valid and diplomatic but the bottom line question is this.

Would a fine dining restaurant survive here year 'round? I think if it would, it would be here. A poster said that they go off campus for "special occasions". Fine dining costs very upwards of a hundred for two as you all know.
Not something most of us want to do a couple of times a week especially now that we are not in our peak employment income.

And in answer to another posters statement about having to eat before a show. In high season, we grab something at home. I think that Virtual Geezer is correct that they are not going to hold tables and have a long line of people look at empty tables. Oh the hue and cry.

The restaurants here must "make hay while the sun shines" as we midwesterners are heard to say. They have to make the money in high season to get through the slow season. It is just a fact of life and survival here in the restaurant business and economics 101.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by bluedog103

Not too familiar with NY are you Geezer?

Virtual is from Ohio, like me..

The Maisonette

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Maisonette, now defunct, was North America’s most highly rated restaurant before it closed its doors on July 25, 2005.
Owned and operated by the Comisar family and located at 114 E. 6th Street in Cincinnati, Ohio, the Maisonette boasted the longest running streak of five-star awards, the highest designation given by Mobil Travel Guide. That streak ended at 41 years when the Maisonette closed.


Uh hum.

[rharrisjr]

Why the rush?? Great way to meet and talk with people.
You're in The Villages now.

[Uptown Girl]

Just a note to add.... I was born and raised in Chicago, worked in what is called "the Gold Coast' of the downtown area for 31 years and owned a business there. Plenty of white tablecloth dining all around me and they took reservations.

It was COMMON to wait upwards of an hour WITH or without reservations because those dining relaxed and enjoyed themselves, lingered over dessert and after dinner conversation, making for what others have said, "a scheduling nightmare' for the staff. You can't just tell people ( as comedian John Pinette would say,) "You go home now, you been here 4 hour!"

Some innovative owners provide an "after dinner' room for those who want to make their dining experience last longer.... but getting people to move to that room can also be a headache, if they are stubborn or half in the bag.

Unless we figured this chunk of time into our plans, we would not choose this type of restaurant, having a concert, play or opera to attend, or an appointment to get to on time. We'd definitely go somewhere more casual, wait 10 minutes for a table, enjoy the heck out of our meal and be on our way.

In addition..... we rarely saw dining parties of 16 or more, like you see on a regular basis here. All things considered, our country clubs do a heck of a job.

[bonrich]

We have reached a time in our lives where we can slot our dining preferences into possibly 4 groups. They are:
Fine Dining (best food, service, ambiance)
Great meal (would come back)
Good meal (satisfying)
Grab something quick. (just what it says)
Now all you have to do is to number them in accordance to your taste buds and needs at that particular time.

[justjim]

Originally Posted by njbchbum

orange blossom gardens hilltop country club takes reservations - make them every thursday nite when we go for auce crab legs.

Thanks----Good to know.