[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by Dis2cruise

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

If you're coming on the Lifestyle plan, probably near Brownwood. South. We have some friends coming in October and that's where they're staying. I've heard that the planners do that because there are new(er) houses and neighborhoods in that area.

[Kelevision]

They’ll most likely put you up south of 44 in which case Brownwood will be the closest square. They have Prima, Harvest, Blu fin among other more casual places. The next closest would be Lake Sumter Landing which has Chops. I’m not sure of anything else there. I rarely go. then there’s Spanish Springs which I haven’t been to in over 20 years back when Cattlemen’s Club was there. Lopez CC is good ( same owner as Prima) but I rarely go due to its location so far north. I love having lunch at Fenney Grill. Fenney is a beautiful village. Sawgrass Grove will be very close for a drink or watching a band too. Prime 3 in Leesburg is good for dinner outside the bubble. Edna’s is good for lunch or afternoon if that’s your thing. Just remember, July, Aug, Sept are the most miserable months ( humidity/heat) so if you can make it through this time, you’ll be good to go!!!!

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by swooner

Absolutely awful!

Yep, that's way it's always busy.

[Cupcake57]

Originally Posted by 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!

Ditto Bluefin, Chop House, Costa Del Mar; food is good at Prima but service can be sketchy during snowbird season. Have been to Harvest 3 times and didn't impress me. Fenney grill isn't gourmet, but you can play in the Fenney pool and get lunch/bar takeout at the bar which is right there. Another Broken Egg for breakfast; if you don't finish your Mimosa pitcher, they put it in a plastic baggie with a straw for a big girl juice box! Maybe you don't know, but the country club restaurants are open to all-don't need to be a member of anything.

[Pugchief]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

Yep, that's way it's {Harvest} always busy.

Originally Posted by Cupcake57

Have been to Harvest 3 times and didn't impress me.

Agree with Cupcake, not a fan of Harvest. Overpriced and weird selections on the menu. Maybe people go there bc the other places have long waits? Much better options in Brownwood IMO.

[Normal]

Originally Posted by Pugchief

Agree with Cupcake, not a fan of Harvest. Overpriced and weird selections on the menu. Maybe people go there bc the other places have long waits? Much better options in Brownwood IMO.

IMO Fiesta Grande is better than the whole lot in Brownwood, but Wolfgang Pucks is near and has the best bacon wrapped meatloaf and cheesecake. Most restaurants inside the bubble are over salted and lack individual TLC to their dishes. I certainly would encourage a few drives out into the local economy.

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

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

Pretty good list ! Of course, this will grow and grow as everyone has their "fav", and some will post to promote this or that restaurant, but IMO your list is very accurate !

[ElDiabloJoe]

I'm a Prima fan (Brownwood Paddock Sq.).

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by 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.

We went a few weeks ago. Priced like a "Morton's", a "Capitol Grille", or a "Ruth's Chris" but while nice, it didn't come close to measuring up to any of those places...

Mark's in Ocala was much better, IMHO...

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by 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

Solid choices... (I've never been to Chop House or Kumo, and Robertos left my mildly unimpressed, but the other people in my party loved it...)

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

We went a few weeks ago. Priced like a "Morton's", a "Capitol Grille", or a "Ruth's Chris" but while nice, it didn't come close to measuring up to any of those places...

Mark's in Ocala was much better, IMHO...

We have been to MRKS PRIME ONCE and had a very good meal there. Unfortunately dear wife is not a steak eater or we would go regularly

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Dis2cruise

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

If you're coming for a "Lifestyle Visit", you'll be living well south of 44, which puts some of those places a long cart ride away...

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

We have been to MRKS PRIME ONCE and had a very good meal there. Unfortunately dear wife is not a steak eater or we would go regularly

They had a nice fish selection for SWMBO...

[Dusty_Star]

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!

Agree with the Flying Biscuit in Lake Sumter Landing, even if going for lunch (not a bad option), the signature biscuits & apple butter are great! They did know what they were doing when naming the restaurant after the biscuits.

[Buzman]

If you like Prime Rib, you should try it at the Mezza Luna Grill located at the east end of the Colony Plaza. It also has many traditional pasta dishes.

Wolfgang Puck is located at the Brownwood Hotel. They serve a double pork chop that is marinated, juicy, slow roasted and simply excellent.