[Stu from NYC]

Does an English roast with yorkshire pudding on a cruise ship count?

[HoosierPa]

Originally Posted by Nanlob

Stavros Pizza and wine, lots of wine.

It’s not in TV. Geez

[Bigstu]

We have 3 we consider the best, Coastal Del Mar, nancy Lopez and chop House. Pork Chop at all 3 and meat loaf too at Lopez

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by Tadpole

Interesting. I remember our 1st visit to Chop House. We both ordered filet mignon, med-rare. It was so tough we couldn't even bite through it; a FILET!!! We complained to our server, who apologized, left our table, never again to be seen! Someone else (not the mgr, unfortunately) delivered our bill. We paid and vowed never to come back. Was this a fluke, or has anyone else experienced it?

We had a similar experience there about a year ago. I ordered Chateaubriand which also came tough--great flavor, but tough and somewhat dry. This can happen in the hands of an inexperienced cook: Chateaubriand is sirloin, which can be a challenge. However the way it is supposed to come is butter-tender. Mine was far from that. My wife had (as I recall) lobster, which she said was fine. I did complain to the waitress who apologized, saying something about new staff coming on board. They did offer us free dessert.

I remember thinking that if the price of the meal was in the $50-75 range total I wouldn't have had a complaint. But approaching $200 including gratuity was something else entirely.

Maybe this is true for other folks as well, at Chop House or wherever. Now and again when a meal isn't up to par the excuse is "new cook", "new waitstaff", whatever. Probably true--but in such cases shouldn't prices be adjusted accordingly? Say "New Cook Special Tonight Only: 25% off all meals"? We as customers pay the same no matter who is in the kitchen.

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

Coastal del Mar was very good. It's not something we could afford to enjoy on a regular basis, but it's definitely in our rotation for "splurge" dinners. My second social security check ever is coming next week - so I'm thinking it's time for one of those splurges!

We ate a Coastal Del Mar shortly after it opened. No reservations...just stopped in after a somewhat disastrous experience with the "hostess" (giving her the benefit of the doubt) at Amerikanos. Our first time so we had no idea what to expect. More than satisfied in every respect: service prompt and knowledgeable, food came out promptly and hot, large portions prepared very well. I recall my order was the seafood platter (or whatever they serve that is comparable to that name): our waiter, a young man with somewhat limited English skills, took my order and said "big--big", holding his hands apart. He was wrong. It wasn't big. It was huge. But great. With the stuff I ended up taking home it was pretty much two full meals.

My only complaint after a couple of visits there? They use French Fries as a base for other food: my fries came buried under a very large piece of (as I recall) haddock. But that is minor. Overall for what we paid, A. Maybe, considering other experiences in TV, an A+.

[deborahcme]

Intrigued by two things: How few responders actually responded to the OP's original question. And by how many people write "for this price it should have been better". So, first things first. OP: My TV favs are Mezza Luna, Coastal Del Mar, Coney Island Dogs (super dogs), Blue Fin, Scooples (for the ice cream). Food at any restaurant should be good, regardless of price. And for the poster looking for Indian (as in the country) food, Ocala seems your nearest best bet: Amrit Palace.

[oldtimes]

Originally Posted by deborahcme

Intrigued by two things: How few responders actually responded to the OP's original question. And by how many people write "for this price it should have been better". So, first things first. OP: My TV favs are Mezza Luna, Coastal Del Mar, Coney Island Dogs (super dogs), Blue Fin, Scooples (for the ice cream). Food at any restaurant should be good, regardless of price. And for the poster looking for Indian (as in the country) food, Ocala seems your nearest best bet: Amrit Palace.

You didn't really reply either

You are hankering a great meal. What restaurant in the Villages do you choose and what dish?

[oldtimes]

I would have the lobster at Havana or Legacy

[airstreamingypsy]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

Hummels is the brand used by pretty much every seafood joint along the shoreline, from Bridgeport to New London.

That explains it, I was on the coast closer to NYC than Bridgeport.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by shaw8700@outlook.com

Are there any Indian (from the country of India) restaurants around TV?

Nope. Ocala is the closest, as deborahcme pointed out. There's also a nice one in Mt. Dora right in the main downtown shopping area, but they only have I think five tables, with two of them being only big enough for two people. Really tasty chicken curry. I wish they'd give you three gulab jamun for dessert but IIRC they only gave me one.

[Donegalkid]

Originally Posted by margaretmattson

You are hankering a great meal. What restaurant in the Villages do you choose and what dish?

I’d have a glass of red at Legacy, saunter down to Havana for a glass of Chardonnay (two excellent TV venues for drinks and dinner), and then I’d proceed to MCO and hop a plane(s) and then, upon arrivals to start things off: a pint each of Guinness and Smithwick’s at The Matchmaker — Lisdoonvarna, County Clare, Eire; Roast Lamb at the Château Frontenac, Quebec City, PQ; Tea and Popovers at The Jordan Pond House, Acadia National Park. In between the above, a brisk walk/hike around Lisdoonvarna, the Plains of Abraham in QC, and then the West Face of Cadillac Mt in ANP (or alternatively hike the “Bubbles” in the background of JP photo). Been there … travelers, hikers, take note. All worthy.

[Two Bills]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Does an English roast with yorkshire pudding on a cruise ship count?

As long as you are not in a Russian cruise ship on the Black Sea, I would go for it.

[Tobys Dad]

Originally Posted by margaretmattson

You are hankering a great meal. What restaurant in the Villages do you choose and what dish?

Blue Fin Ahi tuna.

[cdzizzy]

Its unfortunate so many didn't get the point of the exercise! I'm clear, so I'd probably do a progressive dinner and it would look like this:

Havana CC - Lobster Bisque & Caesar Salad (same bisque as Lopez, but I'm not there yet...). Their Caesar is divine and that would be my pick 2 lunch choice every time.

Then I'd travel North to Lake Sumter Landing for a biscuit at The Flying Biscuit and then to Red Sauce for their Bada Bing Shrimp appetizer

On to Spanish Springs for the Calamari appetizer at Coastal Del Mar (incredible!)

Next over to Lopez Legacy for both the Stuffed Sole and a filet (I can never decide)

I'd finish back in Spanish Springs at Kilwin's Ice Cream for the toasted coconut in a sugar cone.

I'd feel prepared to pass on after that!

[kellyjam]

Originally Posted by Tadpole

Interesting. I remember our 1st visit to Chop House. We both ordered filet mignon, med-rare. It was so tough we couldn't even bite through it; a FILET!!! We complained to our server, who apologized, left our table, never again to be seen! Someone else (not the mgr, unfortunately) delivered our bill. We paid and vowed never to come back. Was this a fluke, or has anyone else experienced it?

Same experience 2 meals two bad pieces of meat. Tough filet experience also.