[graciegirl]

boy howdy gee whiz

My mother told me a million times not to exaggerate. She would say "starving to death" is an exaggeration.

Eleven dollars for a good burger is way overpriced. Cane Garden has a wonderful burger for eight with yummy fries and wonderful slaw.

I'm good.

[Peachie]

Originally Posted by Geewiz

An example from Chicago - not as cheap town. I go to Chicago Cut Steakhouse in River North...a very pricey place. I get their hamburger which is made from the trimmings of their aged beef. A steak there runs $40+. The 1/2 pound burger is $11. Because it is made of aged beef ground fresh that day, the taste is intense..tart and very beefy. I substitute corn or broccoli for the fries. I get the burger medium rare and frankly, after eating about a third of it...I am satisfied. Yes, I could force down more...but, why? I bring the rest home. The next day, I re-heat the meat in a fry pan. I eat about 1/3 or the burger and give Rada, the kitten, the other third. She sometimes eats it all - but, is typically satisfied with less. She is so happy that she sits on my chest and nuzzles my cheek for the next hour. Good food makes good friends. So - for $11, I had 2 great meals and Rada had the best beef a cat could ever have - even if she was a tiger...plus, I get a good nuzzle. Good food doesn't have to be expensive and it doesn't have to make you want to gorge yourself. Plus, sharing makes friends.

I think you just answered the question posed by the OP, Geewiz. Most of The Villagers would opt for the $11. burger and few would support the $40.+ steaks on the menu of the fine restaurant.

There are many limited budgets in The Villages, many Villagers eat smaller volumes of food now and can't justify paying over $50. for a plate of food and some are perhaps, too cheap. I don't think a high-end restaurant would make it here. Ocala, Orlando and Clearwater aren't too far for that exceptional meal on occasion and there have been previous posts mentioning good restaurants in those areas.

[jimbo2012]

Originally Posted by ilovetv

"Starving to death"??????????? Gimme a break.

America is too FAT.

Originally Posted by Geewiz

The proper term is "obese." "Fat" is a perogative word that is ignorant and obnoxious.

In the context of this thread "fat" gets the point across.

I don't think it's derogative

[shcisamax]

Oooooh, what I wouldn't do for a lightly cooked pasta with a light pesto sauce with some fresh veges and or a tagliatelle noodle with some veal and a creamy gravy sauce or a penne with real salmon and real cream and peas...Maybe some rabe in oil and garlic on the side. I was so desperate the other evening for good Italian, I was going to go on here and ask if there were any Italian people from perhaps Brooklyn who would let me come me for dinner Anything they were serving would have been great.

[shcisamax]

But good food doesn't have to be expensive.....broccoli can be cooked til it falls apart or it can be steamed.

[l2ridehd]

Originally Posted by jane032657

I have always wanted to open a restaurant and cook one ethnic food per night, and until you came to the restaurant or called ahead, you would not know what was cooking. It would be fresh ingredients, all made from scratch, with great wines. I talked about doing that in The Villages but opening a restaurant for a business is my CPA husband's worst nightmare for investment. So, I will just have to have you over for dinner instead! I have done a different ethnic dinner for 60 people almost every year for my husband's birthday. Too fun! I think that type of restaurant would be festive, fun, and adventurous!

WOW Jane. Love your ideas. Lets start a progressive dinner or monthly rotating dinning club.

[ssmith]

Does Thai Ruby fit the bill for the OP? Also agree those restaurants that thrive are the ones that last. Exotic/expensive does not fit everyone's taste or budget. Also wonder how many truly ethnic folks there are in TV to support this desire. Always good to dream though.

[shcisamax]

I wonder about real ethnic food as well. People like what they are accustomed to and their taste buds are used to. Most people who have not lived in major cities are used to the Americanized version of these ethnic foods.

I can speak to Mexican food having lived in Mexico for many many years. The food I have tasted here does not resemble any food I have had in Mexico. But, in general, the throughout the states Mexican food is TexMex or some concoction that isn't Mexican. For example, chili rellenos are not stuffed with American cheese. Red salsa does not contain any ketchup.
So I think that the majority of people here are truly happy with the food available because they are used to it. I do think also though there are some who would like more authentic cuisine. But are there enough in any particular cuisine to make it a viable restaurant investment? That's the question. Perhaps when Brownwood opens, a different kind of restaurant will be included in the mix.
But let's face it, man does not live by bread alone. That's why they have cheap wine at happy hour

[Geewiz]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

boy howdy gee whiz

My mother told me a million times not to exaggerate. She would say "starving to death" is an exaggeration.

Eleven dollars for a good burger is way overpriced. Cane Garden has a wonderful burger for eight with yummy fries and wonderful slaw.

I'm good.

For one meal, it is expensive. For 2 meals plus a kitty fling, not so bad.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Richard1366

Let me be the first to say that I feel sorry for us. Here we live in a wonderful “village” with all the beauty of nature, companionship, and activities…yet we are in a gastronomic wasteland. Our “Italian” restaurants are “red sauce’ dispensers, pasta with a variety of red and white sauces slathered on. Where are Italian restaurants that serve contemporary Italian cuisine; Gnocci, hot pastas with cool fresh and light sauces, simple wonders such as cacao e pepe (fresh spaghetti with cheese and ground pepper?) Where are the authentic Oriental restaurants? Isn’t everyone tired of fried rice, General Tso’s chicken, sweet and sour pork. Why hasn’t some Asian restaurant provided us with a variety of dim sum (even if only on weekends} adding such dishes as scallion pancakes, pigs ears (really delicious,) and wonderful noodle soups? With a large number of Vietnamese veterans, why doesn’t any restaurant offer Vietnamese Pho with spring rolls and that wonderful Vietnamese iced coffee. No restaurants anywhere around offer any spicy and delicious Korean dishes.
Hopefully one of these days a restaurant investor will take a leap of faith and provide this community with something other than chain restaurant pap.

Do you mean Vietnam veterans rather tha Vietnamese veterans?

[courtyard]

I'd love to see a health food restaurant here, preferably one that serves only Organic food!

[paulandjean]

"Starving to death" Because there is not good enough restaurant. Please, So many many people go to bed hungry in this country and you have a problem finding a good meal. Sad

[paulandjean]

This post will probably be taken off.

[Happinow]

I agree with the OP. We need some really good natural restaurants here. Everywhere you look it's fast fried fat food (say that 3 times fast!)....fries, burgers, chicken, slaw....not that this food doesn't taste good cause it does, but it's pretty unhealthy. I vote for fresh, wholesome ingredients and some real ethnic restaurants. Quantity is not a factor, it's quality that packs a punch! In general, restaurants serve a ton a food on a plate, probably enough for two people. How about cutting portions in half, making a quality product and keeping prices the same?? I would pay the same price for less food if it was healthy. One good thing is we can all prepare food in our own kitchens just the way we like it!

[jane032657]

Originally Posted by l2ridehd

WOW Jane. Love your ideas. Lets start a progressive dinner or monthly rotating dinning club.

Love this idea. Will be moved in as of sometime early November. I would say let's dicuss this for a January start. PM me a phone number and I will call you when settled.