[Darield]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

I am moving to TV in a few months from Colorado, and can’t wait! I am the biggest cheerleader for TV here in Colorado, encouraging all my friends who are approaching retirement to book a lifestyle visit. There is one thing I’m going to miss when I move however. TV lacks the restaurant diversity I am used to. I eat out most meals (breakfast and dinner), and enjoy locally owned and ethnic restaurants. I completely stay away from fast food and any chain restaurants. I am an admitted “foodie” and also a pretty good cook myself. During my lifestyle visit, I checked out all the highest rated restaurants based on Yelp reviews. I thought Harvest/Blue Fin/Chop house were all “OK”, as well as Thai Ruby. The Mexican and Chinese places were awful. (We have excellent Mexican here in the West). For the TV being so large, where are the Indian, Vietnamese, Korean, Greek, Cuban, Cajun, German restaurants? Where are the French bistros and Spanish tapas places? I was surprised how “meat and potatoes” and chain-restaurant heavy TV is. I guess I will need to drive to Orlando weekly for some restaurant diversity, or I will be cooking more at home myself. Please don’t think I am bashing the TV in anyway -I can’t want to move in a few months, but I will miss my restaurants.

One more restaurant that's worth a try. there's been controversy that they are expensive but their food is really fresh and they have many good gluten free options including fantastic fried chicken. Their sides are also different. It's Farmshed in Spanish Springs.

[valuemkt]

Coming from Atlanta, while we had some restaurants within a few miles, it wasn't unusual to travel (and wait in traffic) 30-45 minutes or more each way to some restaurants that were our favorites. So, draw a big circle that contains Tampa, Orlando and Ocala, and within a reasonable drive you will find something you like. No, you won't be there in five minutes, and no you won;t reach there by golf cart. And if you read other blogs, many of the places you might like will be out of the price range that many Villagers are willing to spend. In addition to the aforementioned cities, the towns of Mt Dora, Clermont and others will have selections other than fried bar food.. Flemings in the Dr Philips area of Orlando is very nice, as is Mark's in Ocala. Both give a traditional steak house feel with the decor, the service and of course the quality of the food. I understand Charlie's in Tampa is in the vein as well. For another level, you have bern's in Tampa, CHatham House near Flemings in Orlando, and Stirrups in the Equestrian Center of Ocala. As also mentioned, Tarpon Springs is the Greek restaurant magnet, with Clermont and Mt Dora having very credible Indian offerings. IMO, within the Villages, Nancy Lopez, PRIMA and Havana are the better offerings, but while upscale for the Villages, lack the ethnic offerings you;re looking for. Last I knew, the very upscale restaurant on Disney grounds was still closed. Before you get used to staying in the bubble, you will have plenty of places to exhaust yourself a pleasant car ride away.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Will disagree with Takis. People tell us only good place to get good Greek food is in Tarpon springs over an hour away.

I don't care for Greek food but my husband likes the Greek restaurant in Spanish Springs.

[TOMTOFVIL]

Please tell me where I can find all these great restaurants in the Thornton area?

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

I don't care for Greek food but my husband likes the Greek restaurant in Spanish Springs.

Amerikanos Grille? Another "Americanized" "ethnic" restaurant. They use dry feta, canned kalamatas, italian-style olive oil blend, what they call falafel aren't falafel, and what kind of Greek serves hummus with a dill pickle?

Their gyros meat isn't off the spit - and isn't pork or chicken. Their "chicken pita" comes with provolone and tzatziki, which is like putting ranch dressing on a ceasar salad.

There's really nothing authentically Greek about Amerikanos.

[EdFNJ]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

I don't care for Greek food but my husband likes the Greek restaurant in Spanish Springs.

They are about as authentic "Greek" as Pubix's deli counter is an authentic New York Kosher Deli.

[thelegges]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

I don't care for Greek food but my husband likes the Greek restaurant in Spanish Springs.

We lived next to the families that were just like “My Big Fat Greek Wedding ”. Even though we had Greek Town in the “D”, our neighbors Yia-Yia made food one could only dream about.

Takis really doesn’t come close to authentic Greek Food. Everyone is right Tarpin Springs is worth the trip.

Sadly OP you will not find Foodie Restaurants in the bubble. But if you travel outside there are good ethnic restaurants.

[kkingston57]

Originally Posted by Rwirish

Regardless of where you live the best place to eat us at home. Dining out should be a treat.

Don’t encourage more people to come, way overcrowded already!

Writer was looking for diversity. DIfficult to do this at home.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580

Personally, I find most of the finest food alternatives to be C+ at best.
One of the reasons is that, using Mexican food as the example, Mexican food typically found in Colorado will be different from what you find in California, which is different from Arizona, which is different from Texas, etc. Regional ingredients, spices, typical sides vary. Excellent to one may be hideous to another. Also, authenticity takes a hit when you have cooks trained in one culture style trying to prepare food of another culture.
Come to TV for the lifestyle. Toss your foodie hopes or expectations out the window.

I think that’s exactly what I said in post #44.

[pauld315]

Still looking for a good soul food restaurant I can go to on my golf cart

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by pauld315

Still looking for a good soul food restaurant I can go to on my golf cart

Think you will have to go well outside the bubble to find one

[Garywt]

Coming from New England it is hard to find food to match what we are use to. The fact that no one even knows what steak tips are is bothersome. If you removed all the fast food in The Villages there would be very few restaurants. I am not a big Chinese person but was told not to bother as it is bad. Mexican I have tried a couple places but not to good. Steak and potatoes is my go to but Texas Roadhouse is the best for that. Pizza is tough as well but we have found a couple places we go to. Red Sauce is probably our favorite restaurant there. Lunch at some of the country clubs is good as well.

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

I think that’s exactly what I said in post #44.

Great minds think alike!
One difference is that you said the three Japanese were "excellent". I, personally, find them acceptable only because we have nothing authentic ( imo, based on my time in Japan).

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580

Great minds think alike!
One difference is that you said the three Japanese were "excellent". I, personally, find them acceptable only because we have nothing authentic ( imo, based on my time in Japan).

We think Chinese restaurants in NYC were good to very good but compared to Chinese restaurants in China not even close to being authentic

[BRN_RI_FL]

We do Chinese take-out occasionally here in RI and there are 3-4 restaurants within a short drive. We find Koyame superior to the Chinese restaurants up here. I wish I could say there are other restaurants we prefer in The Villages over RI/MA/CT nearby restaurants but we haven’t found them yet.