[marianne237]

I agree with comments for Marks Steakhouse in Ocala, also Turners in Leesburg.

[MSGirl]

Originally Posted by Golfer222

What are recommendation for an upscale restaurant in or near the villages for a special occasion

Marks Steakhouse in Ocala!

[jonathanb]

Goblin Market in Mt Dora

[RedChariot]

Originally Posted by Golfer222

What are recommendation for an upscale restaurant in or near the villages for a special occasion

As it has been said many times throughout this thread, there are no upscale restaurants here in TV. I have gone to several who project themselves as upscale. I've gone on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day expecting some sort of an upscale experience. But then in walks Villagers in shorts, baseball caps , sweatshirt type hoodies, tee shirts, you name it. I KNOW you're retired! So am I, but we will never have that special ambiance in any restaurant if you can't even dress appropriately on Christmas.

Stirrups at the Equestrian Center is devine for both dinner and brunch. Don't miss the blueberry pancakes with in house made blueberry compote. The lobby alone at Christmas is worth the trip.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by RedChariot

As it has been said many times throughout this thread, there are no upscale restaurants here in TV. I have gone to several who project themselves as upscale. I've gone on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day expecting some sort of an upscale experience. But then in walks Villagers in shorts, baseball caps , sweatshirt type hoodies, tee shirts, you name it. I KNOW you're retired! So am I, but we will never have that special ambiance in any restaurant if you can't even dress appropriately on Christmas.

Stirrups at the Equestrian Center is devine for both dinner and brunch. Don't miss the blueberry pancakes with in house made blueberry compote. The lobby alone at Christmas is worth the trip.

I guess there are all kinds. Go to restaurants for good food and service. Do not care what others wear and shorts are the attire of the day in the summer and also warm weather.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by RedChariot

As it has been said many times throughout this thread, there are no upscale restaurants here in TV. I have gone to several who project themselves as upscale. I've gone on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day expecting some sort of an upscale experience. But then in walks Villagers in shorts, baseball caps , sweatshirt type hoodies, tee shirts, you name it. I KNOW you're retired! So am I, but we will never have that special ambiance in any restaurant if you can't even dress appropriately on Christmas.

.

I used to think we were a generation that were brought up with decent manners and some basic clues, as to what's appropriate and what's not.

A visit to any "upscale" TV restaurant, always proves I'm mistaken. The last time I decided I wanted a decent burger and went to the Chop House, I was surrounded by jerks in bathing suits, flip flops, ratty T shirts and baseball caps, talking on their cell phones.

TV may be a retirement community, but I'm pretty sure the Chop House wasn't intended to be a "beach bar".

I swear those giant The Villages signs you go under as you enter TV, have some magical force field, that sucks out people's common sense and injects them with the mentality of a 21 year old. I wouldn't mind if they could inject me with the body of a 22 year old, but I grew out of the frat party mentality, a lot time ago.

[JSR22]

Originally Posted by RedChariot

As it has been said many times throughout this thread, there are no upscale restaurants here in TV. I have gone to several who project themselves as upscale. I've gone on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day expecting some sort of an upscale experience. But then in walks Villagers in shorts, baseball caps , sweatshirt type hoodies, tee shirts, you name it. I KNOW you're retired! So am I, but we will never have that special ambiance in any restaurant if you can't even dress appropriately on Christmas.

Stirrups at the Equestrian Center is devine for both dinner and brunch. Don't miss the blueberry pancakes with in house made blueberry compote. The lobby alone at Christmas is worth the trip.

Chrstmas Day in TV the only restaurants open are Asian and couple of low end chains. What upscale restaurant do you eat at Christmas Day?

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by JSR22

Chrstmas Day in TV the only restaurants open are Asian and couple of low end chains. What upscale restaurant do you eat at Christmas Day?

Amelia's did a fabulous job at Christmas Dinner.

I'm fairly certain that's considered part of The Villages.

I'm not sure "up scale" would be the first word I'd use, but the food was excellent, the service was fabulous and the place was decorated very tastefully and appropriately.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

Amelia's did a fabulous job at Christmas Dinner.

I'm fairly certain that's considered part of The Villages.

I'm not sure "up scale" would be the first word I'd use, but the food was excellent, the service was fabulous and the place was decorated very tastefully and appropriately.

From their website:

"Amelia's, Casual yet delectable"

"Dress Code: Casual"


What did you expect? Tuxedos and red dinner jackets?

[beckylou152]

Originally Posted by Golfer222

What are recommendation for an upscale restaurant in or near the villages for a special occasion

We really love Lopez Legacy. The food is very good, as is the service. Second to that is Harvest in Brownwood.

[Ssouan]

Prime Three in Leesburg

[Chandra10100]

There isn’t one here because the villages takes a percentage of money from every business within the bubble. Doesn’t make it a very attractive business opportunity.

Originally Posted by JGVillages

Lopez, Chop House, Prime Steakhouse, and others, are all excellent restaurants that offer great food. I’ve been to Mark’s , Harry’s and a few others in Orlando. For me The Villages Restaurants mentioned offer as good a quality of food as the “upscale”, or as I prefer to call “overpriced”restaurants outside the compound. If our market here would be attractive for a so called ”upscale” restaurant the why isn’t one here???

[Kelevision]

Originally Posted by oldtimes

I was thinking that too. We ate at The Knife and Spoon, a Michelin star restaurant at the Ritz, and it was not even close to that.

While certainly not the normal for most upscale places. it’s not unheard of for high end Michelin restaurants. For example French Laundry. I flew up to Napa for one night just to eat there because someone got me a reservation. The base price for one person, just for food in 350 add on the wine pairing and it’s nearly 1000 for one person. I’ve eaten at several Michelin restaurants over the world and 500 for one is not bad. Having said that, there’s no place anywhere close to TV that would entail spending that kind of money for “upscale”. I like Kres Steakhouse in Orlando or Eddie V’s. Prime in Leesburg is fine if you’re looking for closer. It’s too bad TV doesn’t have anything.

[villageuser]

Originally Posted by Sensei

Turners in Leesburg. Parties of four or fewer.

Turners is DELICIOUS!

I also like Harry’s. I’ve been to the one in Ocala.

I haven’t had dinner yet at Rose Plantation, but I like that they have a dress code (an upscale restaurant usual requirement). Their lunch was satisfactory. I’m hoping dinner will delight my taste buds more, especially since we’re going there for our anniversary. By the way, if one doesn’t like where they get seated, I’d recommend asking for another table before you sit down.

[lynnbarnes]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

The only time I was there, I had to sit on the porch, where the tables were too close together. I also don't like that they have a dress code, and I think it is overpriced. But, that is just my opinion. I know a lot of people like it.

I agree with everything you said and I want to add so comments. The last time I went was on a Tues. There were 8 of us celebrating a 70th birthday. When i made the reservation weeks in advance i asked for a specific table and was told i would have to pay $10 per person to reserve a particular table. I refused to pay $80 to make a reservation so we took out chances. Wehen we got there were the only people in the restaurant but for some reason the service was still very slow and the food was terrible. Prime rib was dark brown and very salty, like it had been soaked in packaged au just. Other meals were equally as bad. That was my second and last time at the Rose Plantation.