[Dis2cruise]

We will be arriving soon for our discovery stay. I would like some nice ( steak and seafood) resturants around the area where the villages will be housing us. We wouldn’t mind a 20 min. Drive outside the area as well. Thanks!

[tophcfa]

Bonefish, Chop House, Costal Del Mar, Blue Fin, and Lopez.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

Bonefish, Chop House, Costal Del Mar, Blue Fin, and Lopez.

I would add Harvest and say you have a complete list.

[Dis2cruise]

Thanks so much!!

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by Dis2cruise

Thanks so much!!

Depending on where you're from, don't get your hopes up.

The Villagers is far from an Epicurean's delight. Get ready to over-pay and be under-whelmed.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

Depending on where you're from, don't get your hopes up.

The Villagers is far from an Epicurean's delight. Get ready to over-pay and be under-whelmed.

We were definitely not underwhelmed at Costal Del Mar last night?

[Stu from NYC]

Over time many of us have learned that a 30 minute drive to Ocala or Leesburg will yield better restaurants.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Over time many of us have learned that a 30 minute drive to Ocala or Leesburg will yield better restaurants.

The short golf cart ride is a big part of the experience for us. Plus, we flew down for this stay at our Villages home and are without a car.

[swooner]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

I would add Harvest and say you have a complete list.

Absolutely awful!

[dtennent]

Try Prime 3 in Leesburg. It is a bit pricier than the usual restaurant in TV but worth the money. They also have an interesting wine list as well.

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

The short golf cart ride is a big part of the experience for us. Plus, we flew down for this stay at our Villages home and are without a car.

What square is nearest to where you are staying? The Villages is a BIG place and a golf cart ride from the far northern reaches to (say) Brownwood Paddock Square is anything but a short golf cart ride. Also if you've never driven a golf cart in The Villages it is very easy to get lost, especially at night.

Anyway, I agree with most of the recommendations here, however my input is as follows:

If you like ice cream, definitely stop by Kilwin's at Spanish Springs. Their idea of a scoop is about 1.5 times as big as other places and service is great. Haagen-Dasz at Lake Sumter Landing is good or not depending on who's working, and wait times tend to be long. I've never tried Scooples at Brownwood but have talked to folks who have liked it.

Breakfast? The Flying Biscuit at Lake Sumter Landing is good, especially if you like chicken as part of your breakfast meal. I'm a bacon guy myself and they do have it, but it seems as if the chickens are winning over the pigs there about 5-1. Good, friendly service. Their signature "side" is fresh biscuits with apple butter and they are fantastic. First Watch (by Publix in the Spanish Plaines shopping center) is pretty good as well.

Dinner: can't go wrong at Coastal Del Mar in Spanish Springs. It isn't high-end by any means, more middle of the road, but the food is good, the service is impeccable, and the place is clean and well-run. Their seafood offerings are somewhat limited but what they have is fine. Bluefin (Brownwood) is good for dinner, medium-high $$ but good food and service. Bonefish Grill (on 466, in a small mall in the same area as the Fresh Market) is good but somewhat hit-or-miss. I had a NY Strip Steak there once, medium, that was melt-in-your-mouth tender. Another time, same thing was on the far side of tough. Best on Friday and Saturday evenings when the A-team is working.

I don't recommend Chops at Lake Sumter Landing: had chateaubriand there once that was VERY tough: had a hard time believing that it came from tenderloin. Don't get me wrong though: the food is generally pretty good there. But you're eating at what is probably the priciest restaurant in TV so "pretty good" is not acceptable. Steer clear of Lighthouse Point (Lake Sumter Landing on the shore).

Anyway, enjoy your stay!

[Normal]

Just 5 minutes outside of Villages North are Gio’s and Francesco’s, the southern area also has Rodellos and the Oakwood smokehouse. Most of the Villages restaurants are par at best.

An interesting and rustic Florida atmosphere option about an hour drive west is Homosassa State park (takes about 1.5 to walk through and enjoy the wildlife) and then a trip to The Freezer for a couple pounds of Cajun steamed shrimp and a bread bowl of chowder. It’s super cheap and super good. There is also a more refined place called FD Woodfired just inside Orlando. Try the Black Iron Mussels.

[Michael 61]

“Best Restaurants” is so subjective. We all have various likes/dislikes. I eat out most of my dinners. Most of my favorites are outside “the bubble”. I’m not a fan of “bar food”. For what it’s worth, here’s my current ten restaurants that I rotate through that are inside “the bubble”. I’ve learned what’s good to order and what to stay clear of at each establishment.
1) Harvest
2) Blue Fin
3) Kumo
4) Roberto’s
5) Chop House
6) Havana CC
7) Nancy Lopez CC
8) Coastal Del Mar
9) Amerikonos
10) La Bella Vita

[Dis2cruise]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

What square is nearest to where you are staying? The Villages is a BIG place and a golf cart ride from the far northern reaches to (say) Brownwood Paddock Square is anything but a short golf cart ride. Also if you've never driven a golf cart in The Villages it is very easy to get lost, especially at night.

Anyway, I agree with most of the recommendations here, however my input is as follows:

If you like ice cream, definitely stop by Kilwin's at Spanish Springs. Their idea of a scoop is about 1.5 times as big as other places and service is great. Haagen-Dasz at Lake Sumter Landing is good or not depending on who's working, and wait times tend to be long. I've never tried Scooples at Brownwood but have talked to folks who have liked it.

Breakfast? The Flying Biscuit at Lake Sumter Landing is good, especially if you like chicken as part of your breakfast meal. I'm a bacon guy myself and they do have it, but it seems as if the chickens are winning over the pigs there about 5-1. Good, friendly service. Their signature "side" is fresh biscuits with apple butter and they are fantastic. First Watch (by Publix in the Spanish Plaines shopping center) is pretty good as well.

Dinner: can't go wrong at Coastal Del Mar in Spanish Springs. It isn't high-end by any means, more middle of the road, but the food is good, the service is impeccable, and the place is clean and well-run. Their seafood offerings are somewhat limited but what they have is fine. Bluefin (Brownwood) is good for dinner, medium-high $$ but good food and service. Bonefish Grill (on 466, in a small mall in the same area as the Fresh Market) is good but somewhat hit-or-miss. I had a NY Strip Steak there once, medium, that was melt-in-your-mouth tender. Another time, same thing was on the far side of tough. Best on Friday and Saturday evenings when the A-team is working.

I don't recommend Chops at Lake Sumter Landing: had chateaubriand there once that was VERY tough: had a hard time believing that it came from tenderloin. Don't get me wrong though: the food is generally pretty good there. But you're eating at what is probably the priciest restaurant in TV so "pretty good" is not acceptable. Steer clear of Lighthouse Point (Lake Sumter Landing on the shore).

Anyway, enjoy your stay!

Thanks for your info! Not exactly sure where they house us for our stay.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Normal

Just 5 minutes outside of Villages North are Gio’s and Francesco’s, the southern area also has Rodellos and the Oakwood smokehouse. Most of the Villages restaurants are par at best.

An interesting and rustic Florida atmosphere option about an hour drive west is Homosassa State park (takes about 1.5 to walk through and enjoy the wildlife) and then a trip to The Freezer for a couple pounds of Cajun steamed shrimp and a bread bowl of chowder. It’s super cheap and super good. There is also a more refined place called FD Woodfired just inside Orlando. Try the Black Iron Mussels.

Food is good at Gios but can be horribly noisy especially the back room. Wish they never sold Giovannis