[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by Madelaine Amee

How true - I used to get really up tight about cooking for my husband when he was traveling and eating gourmet foods. He finally said to me "please, just make me one of your steak and mushrooms pies, mashed and peas"!

What time will it be ready?

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

What time will it be ready?

We have always said that what this place (in fact, most places) really needs is a good home cooked style restaurant. Just about any place in the world can serve you a steak, great seafood, and other high end delicacies, but where can you get home made food just like Nana used to make? My grandmother was a cook in service and boy she could cook like an angel and then make the left overs into gourmet eating. Roast Beef with popovers, real roast potatoes, roast chicken with sausage stuffing, seafood pie, and real green veggies, not those rubber green beans that turn up in every restaurant. What about some cauliflower with cheese sauce, kale with garlic ............... oh that's it, I am now so hungry I could eat the computer.

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by Madelaine Amee

We have always said that what this place (in fact, most places) really needs is a good home cooked style restaurant. Just about any place in the world can serve you a steak, great seafood, and other high end delicacies, but where can you get home made food just like Nana used to make? My grandmother was a cook in service and boy she could cook like an angel and then make the left overs into gourmet eating. Roast Beef with popovers, real roast potatoes, roast chicken with sausage stuffing, seafood pie, and real green veggies, not those rubber green beans that turn up in every restaurant. What about some cauliflower with cheese sauce, kale with garlic ............... oh that's it, I am now so hungry I could eat the computer.

Have you tried the Southern Cotillian in Wildwood?

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

Have you tried the Southern Cotillian in Wildwood?

No, we have never been there, but I just visited their website and now I have to go there. Sweet onion fries, butter bean soup ............... and the deserts, yes I am definitely going to try it.

[mickey100]

Originally Posted by EnglishJW

I hope this isn't really what you believe. Anyone might be interested in a special meal for an anniversary, the arrival or departure of some dear friends or family, that birthday you never thought you would reach, or any number of other reasons. That doesn't make them rich.

It also amazes me that so many seem to think upscale = price. Yes, "upscale" will likely be more expensive but you don't select where you eat because it costs more. You select based upon quality. While the vast majority of us may be very satisfied with the choices we have, why can't we understand that others may not be as satisfied?

An upscale restaurant will make it here when there are enough people here who will support it. The majority will not. With over 100,000 people, many with adequate funds and a growing number looking for such an option, maybe the time has come.

Well said. The lack of understanding regarding others' wishes, and almost turning that wish, and those people who wish it, into something negative, is appalling.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Bonny

I think we have lots of good choices here for reasonable prices that we can afford. Let's count our blessings !!! We couldn't live anywhere and have the choices that we have here. Let's not forget, that we can get to these places by golf cart .

Maybe it's because we are Seasonal Residents so we don't get bored with the choices. We enjoy all the eating establishments.
Although we still miss "Up The Creek" at Sumter Landing.
We think The Villages offers an amazing variety of restaurants and entertainment.

[Chatbrat]

Was in Sarasota yesterday, had a snack@ the bar with my wife @ restaurant called the Lucky Pelican--it was the best oysters on the half shell and stone crabs we have had in many years-three of their oysters are the equivalent of a dozen @ Hemingways. Not cheap but great. This is the so called upscale restaurant I'm talking about. 1 doz oysters, 3 stone crab claws, = 2 Johnny Walker Blacks on the rocks & 1 Grey Goose Martine---$80.00 including tip. Well worth it !!!

[steamdogman]

I agree with Berns probably the best "upscale" restaurant in Fla. Have not been there in many years but to this day, one of the best around. Lawry' s would also be a great "upscale" restaurant around here. Anytime they serve prime rib in a stainless steel cart at your table so delicious that is where I want to be

[Yorio]

Do you remember a hick town called Washington DC back in early 70s? When our division had to move from NYC, many staff opted to move to another division or quit because for some it was lack of great food compared to NYC. When we moved to Old Town Alexandria, Virginia there was one or two restaurants opened to accommodate us New Yorkers. Many restaurants didn't know Espresso or Capuccino. Look where they are now. Still not NYC or San Francisco level but way up there. As I posted in a different post, we will have great restaurants one of these days. We need a visionary like Morse amongst local chefs and owners but we customers need to encourage such endeavors when they come. Graduates of CIA but not that CIA but graduates of Culinary Institute of America. Please come and take up a challenge.

[rdhdleo]

Originally Posted by Bonny

We have been here 14 1/2 years. I remember Hacienda Hills Country Club was a jacket only restaurant ! Not sure how many on here remember that because it sure didn't last long !!!
They had a delicious seafood buffet. It really was good but no one wanted to pay the price nor did they want to go out with sports jackets on.
Then they tried to make the upstairs of Katie Belles into a high priced exclusive Cattle Baron Club where you had to spend a certain amount of money. Again that didn't last long. BTW, I love Cattle Baron, but I was never going to join at those high prices. It actually is one of my favorite places in the Villages !!
With that being said, I love that the Villages tries to have something for everyone, but the higher prices never works !!!
So many people say high end restaurants. In reality, how many times a month or year are you going to spend that kind of money.
I think we have lots of good choices here for reasonable prices that we can afford. Let's count our blessings !!! We couldn't live anywhere and have the choices that we have here. Let's not forget, that we can get to these places by golf cart !!
I hope everyone has a wonderful and peaceful night !!

I couldn't agree more! Well said!

[rdhdleo]

Originally Posted by Madelaine Amee

We have always said that what this place (in fact, most places) really needs is a good home cooked style restaurant. Just about any place in the world can serve you a steak, great seafood, and other high end delicacies, but where can you get home made food just like Nana used to make? My grandmother was a cook in service and boy she could cook like an angel and then make the left overs into gourmet eating. Roast Beef with popovers, real roast potatoes, roast chicken with sausage stuffing, seafood pie, and real green veggies, not those rubber green beans that turn up in every restaurant. What about some cauliflower with cheese sauce, kale with garlic ............... oh that's it, I am now so hungry I could eat the computer.

I so agree! Coming from Chicago, yes I have eaten at some very fine restaurants there but they were once or twice a years deals. I really miss the "home cooking" type restaurants you refer to. There used to be so many in ethnic neighborhoods in Chicago mmmmm Oh and those that like Ruth Chris can have it, my filet mignons at Lopez Legacy have been just as good if not better at a much more reasonable price. Fine dining here in TV's well while I realize there are more and more very affluent people moving here are there or will there ever be enough of you to pack a restaurant 5 -7 nights a week to make it successful? This I doubt. Just my opinion ...

[rdhdleo]

Originally Posted by steamdogman

I agree with Berns probably the best "upscale" restaurant in Fla. Have not been there in many years but to this day, one of the best around. Lawry' s would also be a great "upscale" restaurant around here. Anytime they serve prime rib in a stainless steel cart at your table so delicious that is where I want to be

Ooooh now you have me drooling miss Lawry's in Chicago so much!

[Shimpy]

Originally Posted by rdhdleo

Ooooh now you have me drooling miss Lawry's in Chicago so much!

Why would you want to go to Miss Lawry's when you could go to Chucky Cheese in Leesburg?

[rdhdleo]

Originally Posted by Shimpy

Why would you want to go to Miss Lawry's when you could go to Chucky Cheese in Leesburg?

Ok guess I am missing your sense of humor so please excuse me ....... have no idea what Chuckie Cheese has to to with a very high end restaurant in Chicago called Lawry's.

[TheVillageChicken]

Fine Dining...according to me.

Christini's

One hour and seven minutes from The Villages