[l2ridehd]

There is one type of place that seems to be missing in The Villages. There is no high end special place to dine. A place where you go for a special occasion. Someones birthday or anniversary, or to celebrate a special event. Somewhere you can get a great meal with a really good bottle of wine and that extra special level of service. Somewhere you need to make a reservation a few weeks in advance. Every place the size of here usually has at least one and sometimes more then one such place. I have not even found it in the surrounding area. I am sure there are a few in Orlando or Tampa, but there should be something closer.

So where do you go for that special event? I am talking about a place where the salad plus entrée is $40 plus and a good wine is $60 so you end up at well over $100 plus for two and are happy with what you paid because it was so good. And usually there are more nightly specials then there are menu items. Not a place you would go even once a month, but only when you wanted something very nice. I realize most all of us are on a fixed income, but we still want that special place once in a while. Where do you go?

[zcaveman]

Lopez is my choice for a special meal. I am not a wine drinker so I don't know how much a good bottle of wine would cost at Lopez.

Lopez has booths for privacy and big tables and special rooms for group celebrations.

[BogeyBoy]

It would be nice to have such an establishment for those special occasions.

I guess you could ask for a secluded table at Lopez, but somehow I don't think that fits what you're seeking for that special event.

If you want a nice bottle of wine ask the server for the "other" wine list. I know Palmer has one with some nicer high end wines.

A Seasons 52 or Capital Grille would be nice additions to TV, although maybe not as intimate as you would like for your "special place". I find the food, service, and wine selection a cut above expectations each time I go.

[l2ridehd]

I have been to Lopez many times. Although it is good food, nice place, one I will go back to, it is still two steps below what I am trying to describe. I live in Northern Virginia so I can name places here that meet what I am having difficulty asking about. Boomer where are you? You are articulate enough to put it into words.

But where I live now, I think of places like Café Renaissance (http://caferenaissance.com/), L'Auberge Provencale (http://www.laubergeprovencale.com/restaurant.html), Garisole maybe, and several others. A place I might go twice a year for a really nice dinner to celebrate. L'Auberge has a fixed price menu for $88 per person for 4 courses as an example. I am not rich and I don't waste money, but every now and then you want to do something extra special. Where is that around TV?

Originally Posted by l2ridehd

There is one type of place that seems to be missing in The Villages. There is no high end special place to dine. A place where you go for a special occasion. Someones birthday or anniversary, or to celebrate a special event. Somewhere you can get a great meal with a really good bottle of wine and that extra special level of service. Somewhere you need to make a reservation a few weeks in advance. Every place the size of here usually has at least one and sometimes more then one such place. I have not even found it in the surrounding area. I am sure there are a few in Orlando or Tampa, but there should be something closer.

So where do you go for that special event? I am talking about a place where the salad plus entrée is $40 plus and a good wine is $60 so you end up at well over $100 plus for two and are happy with what you paid because it was so good. And usually there are more nightly specials then there are menu items. Not a place you would go even once a month, but only when you wanted something very nice. I realize most all of us are on a fixed income, but we still want that special place once in a while. Where do you go?

Tampa's Bern's Steakhouse is quite expensive and gets very good reviews.
http://www.bernssteakhouse.com/


For special occasions it is well worth the trip from TV.
http://www.fodors.com/world/north-am...iew-43111.html

[784caroline]

I also would like a nice place for the special occasion as you describe but your comment "might visit twice a year" is very relevant and to the heart of the issue. People in The Villages enjoy the chain resturant experience and in many eyes, Country Club dining (Lopez, Palmer etc) is upscale. You most likely would have to travel to Ocala or definitely outside of the "bubble" to find what you want. The upscale resturant in or aroud the Villages simply would not get the year round traffic to support it..I mean if you and I who enjoy such dining would only visit twice a year...it would take alot of people to support such an establishment. I mean just look at all the resturants that come and go in and around the villages...in most cases its a service or food quality problem but resturants are hurting today, especially high end resturants. I know I would not want to be investing in such a place in todays economy.

[OpusX1]

Bern's is a very high quality steak house with impeccable service and well worth the drive to Tampa for special occasions. Last time we were there about 7 years ago the wine list was well over 50 pages.

[l2ridehd]

I am sure Bern's would work although never been there. There wine cellar is highly rated and I will check it out. Just want something closer. I don't like having to drive an hour and a half after that type of a dinner.

And as to this area supporting a place like I describe, (Berns is much larger then I am suggesting), the demographics here would support two or three of this type place.

[spk7951]

Two suggestions already given, Seasons 52 and Bern's, are right on and I would recommend either as excellent restaurants.

But if you want something with a shorter drive then I would suggest trying Mark's Prime Steakhouse in Ocala ( http://www.marksprimesteakhouse.com/page/33-4311.htm ).
The drive is about 30 minutes and while it is not Bern's I do feel it is a very good steakhouse with a great wine selection. Have been there a couple of times and have neighbors who make a monthly trip there.

[jblum8156]

I'm afraid I don't agree that TV would support 2 or 3 small upscale restaurants. It seems to me that people here are perfectly willing to settle for mediocre food as long as it's cheap and the service is adequate.
I think it's a sad comment on our community. Living in NY (Westchester Co.) for 40-some years, we would never consider going to a chain restaurant except maybe for a quick lunch. There are oodles of choices from tiny bistros to elegant prix-fixe French restaurants, not all of them super-expensive. I really miss that.
I really don't know if there's anything in Ocala or Gainesville. Maybe someone else knows?

[canuk69]

The answer to your prayers is just down the road in the Ocala Town Square. It's called Mark's Prime Steakhouse and is guaranteed to meet your every expectation. Quality Food, Quality service and a classy environment not available in TV.

Another great choice that would satisfy your taste for Quality and Class is Jeffery Paul's Chophouse in Eustis Florida. Top shelf Steaks and Service and not quite as expensive as Mark's. Ladies receive a long stem Rose on departure.

Either of these are a cut above Berns in Tampa when Class and aesthetics are important to you.

[Tweety Bird]

Originally Posted by l2ridehd

I have been to Lopez many times. Although it is good food, nice place, one I will go back to, it is still two steps below what I am trying to describe. I live in Northern Virginia so I can name places here that meet what I am having difficulty asking about. Boomer where are you? You are articulate enough to put it into words.

But where I live now, I think of places like Café Renaissance (http://caferenaissance.com/), L'Auberge Provencale (http://www.laubergeprovencale.com/restaurant.html), Garisole maybe, and several others. A place I might go twice a year for a really nice dinner to celebrate. L'Auberge has a fixed price menu for $88 per person for 4 courses as an example. I am not rich and I don't waste money, but every now and then you want to do something extra special. Where is that around TV?

I REALLY understand what you are talking about. We used to live in Sonoma County (wine country) and had vast amounts of excellent choices. I also think what you might be referring to would be more like French cuisine. What comes to mind for me was memories of Masa's in San Francisco, French Laundry in Yountville (Napa County)..the list is endless. TV doesn't seem to cater to quaint, intimate dining. It deals with tons of people and crowds and loud noise levels. Lots of chain restaurants. I DO love many different chain restaurants, but I definitely understand that "upper end" service of fine dining that you are searching for. If you find it, let us know! And, I might surmise that you aren't really looking for a "steak place" either.

I often wonder when people are hearing impaired, what restaurants would work for them? (just a side thought).

Would love to hear what you will find. Please keep in touch.

[The Great Fumar]

Believe it or not !! The ELKS LODGE in Ocala is one of the classiest restaurants in the area......... Yes , You do have to be a member or a guest
Soft music while eating is always good for the digestion ....

Burp fumar....

[l2ridehd]

You hit it exactly tweety. I also have spent lots of time in Napa and Sonoma and there is many quality restaurants and you named a couple.

As to this area supporting those type places, do the math and you find that it would. Those type places do a maximum of 100 table turns a night Friday and Saturday and about 50 another 4 nights every week. That is 400 a week at 2.9 diners per table and 2 visits a year by a couple requires a total of around 15,000 patrons to support. We have 70,000 people in TV and another 500,000 within 45 minutes. So you could put one in TV, one in Ocala, one in Leesburg and support them all very easy.

[golf2140]

A couple of higher end restaurants made a try of it in Spanish Springs. Both went under not long after opening. The folks in TV dine out five plus evenings a week. They cannot afford $50.00 to $100.00 bills every night. We would rather have a middle of the road restaurants so we can conserve our home electric bill !!!!!