[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by senior citizen

For those who quibble that the prices in THE VILLAGES restaurants are too high, let me tell you.......they are NOT. We thought they were LOW.

Having just returned from a two week vacation in seacoast Maine, the restaurant prices were exhorbitant.......but you pay it as it's part of the experience. If one doesn't want to pay the high prices, just as easy to prepare the stuff at home, courtesy of a good cookbook.

But, folks go out to dine for a reason........to enjoy something different and so that they do not have to cook it themselves.

Restaurants have a lot of overhead, especially in resort areas.........
Plus........food is perishable and has to be restocked daily.
The customer shares in these costs.......

Personally, I can't see quibbling over a few dollars....but that's me.

I don't really have an opinion on Villages restaurant prices. They always seems about average to me, but I've only eaten at country clubs a few times and they seemed a bit over the top for me. I wasn't real happy paying $16.00 for a plateful of Spaghetti with little else.

I have more of a problem with the service in this entire area. Maybe it's a southern thing but I am very frustrated by how slow the service here is and how much the servers seem to not care about the customers. But that's another discussion.

But what I can say is that you are comparing apples and oranges here. The Villages restaurants are basically neighborhood establishments and comparing them to seasonal resort area restaurants is not really fair. Any time you are in a seasonal resort are you are going to pay top dollar. Establishments in these areas know that they have a captive audience with little choice except to eat out. They are also closed for several months of the year and need to make up for that down time. As the old saying goes, "You need to make hay when the sun is shining". Rents and property values in resort area like the Maine seacoast tend to be higher as well.

[TheCollierCpl]

We agree. TheVillage restaurants are quite reasonable for what you get. Unfortunately, many people are clueless about what it costs to run a restaurant. (And they don't think either.) whoever thinks the prices are exorbitant ought to take advantage of this and open their own. If they can sell for less, then they will make a fortune. Maybe people should have to put their money where their mouth is?

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

I don't really have an opinion on Villages restaurant prices. They always seems about average to me, but I've only eaten at country clubs a few times and they seemed a bit over the top for me. I wasn't real happy paying $16.00 for a plateful of Spaghetti with little else.
.

Doc, it sounds like the country club restaurants you have tried would be Lopez, Palmer, and maybe Evan's Prairie. The prices at Mallory, Cane, and Bonifay are much more reasonable than you describe. Mallory has specials every night for under ten dollars and they are consistently good.

[Pturner]

The ones I've been to seem reasonably priced to me.

[manaboutown]

I checked out the Bonefish menu. It seemed quite inexpensive to me compared to what I am accustomed to paying for similar fare in states other than Florida.

[TomOB]

I think it all depends on where you come from and what you expect. The chain restaurants are pretty much the same everywhere. Otherwise, the drinks and food are very reasonable to me. I moved here from Hawaii...try to afford to live there!

[bmarlo767]

Originally Posted by Golfingnut

You are among thr larger group.

I agree you are among the larger group but not the most vocal.

[keithwand]

There's an AARP discount at Bonefish?

[graciegirl]

Doc. I can't think what Country Club you went to get pasta and paid $16.00 for it.

It wasn't Mallory, Cane, Glenview, Havana, Evans Prarie, Bonifay or Tierra del Sol.

I love to go to those restaurants. The food may not be as good as the east coast gourmets are used to, but it is decent and often much more than that...and again I say..the servers are the best. If you have to wait for food, blame someone else.

[Lbmb24101]

Originally Posted by 784caroline

Are we talking about the same place..BONEFISH on 466 ?? Based on the crowds there every night, you are definintely in the minority, in my view on every point you made. The food served has always been fresh, good hot and more than adequate portions. Most of the menu itens are under $20 with some specials running up to $25. Just had the Lobster roll with a side for $13 and it was very good...this would easily cost $20+in Maine! Alot of items and combinaions for under $20 and the happy hour menu cant be beat!

Never had a bad meal here and service has always been top notch!

Bonefish is one of the best resturants in TV!!

Originally Posted by keithwand

There's an AARP discount at Bonefish?

Yes there s.
Furthermore, Outback ( which is owned by the same corporation as Bonefish) has aarp discount on MONDAYS.
Bon app�tit!!

[Sal D]

Here is a quick way of looking at it. Go to your kitchen and look @ the tiles on the floor (or anywhere you may have 12X12 tiles). next imagine paying $40 - 60 for each one. every month. Imagine that cost for the square footage of your home. then you will be able to understand how expensive rent alone is in the villages. Oh and did I forget to mention the 3 - 5% TV gets on your sales too.

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by buggyone

Are you implying the portions of food at Bonefish are too small? I am a pretty hearty eater and I usually take home leftovers from Bonefish - and mighty tasty leftovers, at that. That is from the main menu.

Mrs. Buggy and I now like to go to Bonefish and sit at the hightop tables by the bar. We get the bar menu food with a drink or two each. I like the Bang Bang Tacos (two flour tacos filled with bang bang shrimp and salad) for $6. A couple of vodka & tonics at $3 each and you have very good dinner for about $12 each. With the bar food menu, we do not take food home.

Hi buggy. This thread just appeared again...don't know where they disappear to but anyway to answer your questions.

Based on my comments I know bonefish has a loyal following. I just happen not to be one of them.

The last time I was there I ordered steak and shrimp. The shrimp on the skewer was that tiny shrimp restaurants usually put in salads for accent
The steaks was consumed in about three bites. I can't recall the exact price but then I was over bonefish when the waitress set my plate down in front of me and I knew I would be cooking something when I got home.

and yes I did say that given price to quality the place is overpriced. I am no longer a big eater so that is not my issue. My issue is utility for my dollar and frankly I gotten better steak and shrimp at golden corral then bonefish.

Perhaps my taste buds are going bad. I am not saying I am right I am just saying that bonefish is not right for me.

Bon Appetit'

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by rubicon

Hi buggy. This thread just appeared again...don't know where they disappear to but anyway to answer your questions.

Based on my comments I know bonefish has a loyal following. I just happen not to be one of them.

The last time I was there I ordered steak and shrimp. The shrimp on the skewer was that tiny shrimp restaurants usually put in salads for accent
The steaks was consumed in about three bites. I can't recall the exact price but then I was over bonefish when the waitress set my plate down in front of me and I knew I would be cooking something when I got home.

and yes I did say that given price to quality the place is overpriced. I am no longer a big eater so that is not my issue. My issue is utility for my dollar and frankly I gotten better steak and shrimp at golden corral then bonefish.

Perhaps my taste buds are going bad. I am not saying I am right I am just saying that bonefish is not right for me.

Bon Appetit'

I am not sure what the appeal of Bonefish is either rubi. It is just fine, but not exceptional IMHO. I have eaten at Bonefish in Des Moines, Kansas City, and TV and found no difference. Seems to me fresh seafood would be better, cheaper, and more available an hour away from either coast, but that's just me. I never hear anyone extolling the virtues of Red Lobster, but for my money it is just as good, less expensive, and easier to get seated than Bonefish. I am not knocking bonefish, just don't see why it is such a go-to destination for so many. By the way, if you like lobster, Lopez on Mondays, and NY Athens have very good lobster at great prices.

[LuckySevens]

Originally Posted by senior citizen

For those who quibble that the prices in THE VILLAGES restaurants are too high, let me tell you.......they are NOT. We thought they were LOW.

Having just returned from a two week vacation in seacoast Maine, the restaurant prices were exhorbitant.......but you pay it as it's part of the experience. If one doesn't want to pay the high prices, just as easy to prepare the stuff at home, courtesy of a good cookbook.

But, folks go out to dine for a reason........to enjoy something different and so that they do not have to cook it themselves.

Restaurants have a lot of overhead, especially in resort areas.........
Plus........food is perishable and has to be restocked daily.
The customer shares in these costs.......

Personally, I can't see quibbling over a few dollars....but that's me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Let's just say that this is YOUR opinion. Where I moved from (The midwest), restaurant food was 20-25% lower than in TV.... for the same food,. I would imagine they have pretty much the same overhead in both places, (minus what the Villages takes from the restaurant). Also, grocery store food is 20-25% HIGHER in TV. Having said this, it is what it is. It's just that we all hail from different places before moving here, and obviously the cost of living differs from place to place, so to say that it is not high here, just doesn't apply to everyone.

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by LuckySevens

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Let's just say that this is YOUR opinion. Where I moved from (The midwest), restaurant food was 20-25% lower than in TV.... for the same food,. I would imagine they have pretty much the same overhead in both places, (minus what the Villages takes from the restaurant). Also, grocery store food is 20-25% HIGHER in TV. Having said this, it is what it is. It's just that we all hail from different places before moving here, and obviously the cost of living differs from place to place, so to say that it is not high here, just doesn't apply to everyone.

I too am a Midwesterner (Mo., Ks, ND, Mn) and I think the restaurant prices are comparable if not slightly cheaper in TV for similar food choices and ambience. Now the groceries are a different story. Publix is the most expensive regular grocery (not including Whole Foods or Fresh Market) that I have shopped. We do most of our grocery shopping at ALDI when in TV and save big time compared to Publix and even Wal Mart.