This is a service of The Villages Gourmet Club containing unbiased ratings by club members. Restaurants listed serve dinner only unless otherwise stated (such as B/L/D). Fast food establishments are not included. Not every restaurant listed is considered gourmet, however most establishments are famous for at least one specialty. Underlined names are linked to another website containing more information. You may print out the description of each restaurant with the or an area map with the . In the reviews, Q stands for Food Quality, S for Wait Service and V for Meal Value, all scored 1 to 5 each. Only Club Members may submit a review; just click on that listing's . Make sure your browser preferences are set for "Enable JavaScript" for the buttons to work properly. To search for a specific location or style of food, do an EDIT/FIND (Ctrl-F) with your browser and type in the search word or phrase (like "Ocala", "Italian" or "Filet Mignon") and the browser will find the first occurrence of that word/phrase. Do Ctrl-G to find the next one on this page. Where restaurants have been reviewed at least twice, their average rating is now indicated by our STAR SYSTEM, ranging from:

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Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar, 1009 Bichara Blvd., The Villages, FL. 753-0000. L/D. Open 'til 10 PM Sundays and 2 AM other days. Popular American fare with a new menu created by Tyler Florence. Killer Apps (appetizers) range from $4 to $8. Apple Walnut or Santa Fe Chicken Salad, Shrimp & Parmesan Sirlion and Southwest Steak Skillet as well as Fiesta Lime Chicken and Honey BBQ Baby Back Ribs are featured on the menu. Rollups, sandwiches and burgers also available. Usual prices are $8 to $16 for entrées. Weight Watcher® items for those followers; if not, save room for the Blue Ribbon Brownie. Small Dessert Shooters at $2 are also avaialable. Full bar and specialty drinks on the mini table menu. 2 for 1 on house drinks all day. One of a large nationwide chain based in Overland Park, KS but now owned by IHOP Corp. Rich Lucy, manager.

Review: (from Dennis C. 2/07) Stopped in for a quick bite on a Saturday night. The line was out the door, down the block and around the parking lot (almost). A spot at the bar got me seated promptly with a menu and a drink. I tried their Three Cheese Chicken Penne Combo for $11.99 including appetizer and dessert. It was like Penne Alfredo with some chicken chunks thrown in. Nothing to rave about. Friendly young bar maid served me. This is run of the mill food with a few interesting dishes here and there. The crowds love it here. Came to $18.50 for one with two house wines during happy hour. Pretty good deal.
Q=4 S=4 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Ellen H. 10/08) There's always business here. Sometimes there's a long line. No wait tonight (Sunday). We had 2 for 1 house wine, French Onion Soup, Small Chicken Caesar Salad and a Medium Rare 9 oz. Sirloin for him. Soup and salad were great. Sirloin was flavorful and the Baked Potato was good too. All in all a good meal. Matt B. was our server and he was friendly. We'll be back when it's not crowded. Dinner for two, $31 with the double wine.
Q=4 S=4 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Rich C. 2/09) The hi-tops are not the most comfortable tables to be at but the booths and tables were all taken. Their menus are falling apart here; time for new ones. She ordered the Shrimp Parmesan Steak and it was a fair size sirloin with mashed. I had the Sirloin Steak Portobello and it came with 3 small pieces of sliced potato and lots of broccoli. The steak was miniscule. I didn't notice the menu said a 4 oz. portion. There was more mushrooms than steak. Oh well, it was the Weight Watcher® Special and the calories in my two wines made up for it. Had to ask for my second one on the 2 for 1 house wines. Clayton was not that attentive. Perhaps his station was too big. Erika, the manager, did stop by twice as if to check off that she stopped at each table all night long. The total was $33 before t&t. The whole experience was "mediocre".
Q=3 S=3 V=3 Total=9 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Howard H. 7/09) There was a wait when we arrived, so we opted to sit at a high top. This was OK for us. It is Happy Hour all day here. We both opted for Long Island Iced Teas. They were very well made. For dinner I ordered the Riblet Platter ($12) and she ordered the A1 Burger ($8.49). Subbed Onion Rings for the French Fries ($1). The Burger was excellent, but I felt that the Ribs were very overcooked and soft. Hannah K. our waitress was very attentive. She was training a new waitress who did fairly well, but really lacked the personality. I almost said something, but opted not to. We got the bill and noticed that the drinks were $8 each. At 2 for 1 - the net was $4 each. I felt that the $8 price was over-inflated to make up for the 2 for 1. Total bill was $40 including tip and tax.
Q=3 S=4 V=2 Total=9 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Ay! Jalisco, (pronounced "Hi-lees-ko"), 1152 Main St., The Villages, FL. L/D. 259-6582. Open daily from 11 AM to 10 PM. Opened for business November 7, 2009. Formerly occupied by Nature's Table and The Main Street Bistro, this new Mexican cantina offers south of the border fare in cutely painted wood booths as well as outside seating. Menu items will include Steak, Seafood, Pork and Chicken. Also Fajitas, Burritos, Carne Adoba, Tacos, Enchiladas, Burritos, Chile Verde, Chile Relenos and Chimichangas are some of the other offerings. Named after one of the 31 Mexican states on the Pacific central coast near Guadalajara which is the center of the Mexican Tequila industry and also a 1941 movie, "¡Ay Jalisco, no te rajes!". Full bar featuring Margaritas. Six other locations include Clermont, Sabastian and Vero Beach, FL. Gloria Huitron and Pedro Nevarez, owners.

Review: (from Fred H. 11/09) Finally, a good Mexican restaurant in The Villages! Ay! Jalisco meets all the criteria. Food is plentiful, inexpensive and good - as is the service. My wife had an Avocado Salad ($7.25) and a Taco ($2.50). She said the salad was excellent and the taco "one of the best" she's ever eaten. I had a combination meal of Enchilada, Burrito, Refried Beans and Rice ($9.25.) It was on par with other good Mexican restaurants. It was crowded when we went on a Monday night (and this was before the grand opening). The restaurant has a full bar but does not offer wine by the bottle or carafe, only by the glass ($3.50 for the house wine). Our total bill, with two glasses of wine each, was $37 before tip. Good value for the dollar.
Q=4 S=4 V=3 Total=11 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Laurie M. 11/09) Glad to see this one open now, will probably become a favorite, as we love Mexican. Maria was our server and very friendly. The decor was very colorful, I think this place will get a lot of business as all tables inside and out were full. All food was tasty with good size portions. The only drawback I see is they have no waiting area for guests coming in, they end up standing in front of your tables, kind of takes away from the ambiance!
Q=5 S=4 V=5 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Beef O'Brady's Family Sports Pub (Mulberry Grove Plaza), 8720 SE 165th Mulberry Ln., The Villages, FL. 259-1536. L/D. Open until 10 PM. Wings, burgers, fried shrimp and wraps in a sports bar atmosphere. Chicken Fingers Basket, Black & Bleu Burger and Chicken Caesar Salad are typical of the menu. Sells their own Wings Sauce too. TVs for coverage of sporting events. Full bar. One of a large nationwide franchise chain concentrated in the southeast, based in Tampa. Bob & Debbie Farrell, owners.

Review: (from Howard H. 12/08) Thought we would give this restaurant another try after several bad experiences. Once again we were disappointed. My wife and I both ordered Hamburgers and Fries. We specifically asked the waitress if the oil had been strained as we had gotten terrible fries twice before. She said "It had been changed over the weekend." Again the fries came out having been burned in old grease. After this third bad visit, I called the Headquarters of Beef O'Bradys and never received a return call. Obviously they are unconcerned! Check, with 2 beers, was $16 + tip (reluctantly).
Q=1 S=2 V=1 Total=4 out of 15. Return=No.

Beef O'Brady's Family Sports Pub (Southern Trace Plaza), 3539 Wedgewood Ln., The Villages, FL. 751-7169. L/D. Open until 10 PM. Half-pound burgers, baskets, soups, wraps and salads are just some of the wide selections from the menu. Buffalo style Chicken Wings with Honey BBQ, Garlic or Teriyaki sauce for dipping. Made from mild to "nuclear". Fish 'N Chips and Shrimp Baskets also popular. Full bar. One of over 250 franchise locations concentrated in the southeast based in Tampa. Dennis Coughlin, Randy Holaway & Richard Parrish, owners.

Review: (from Marlene C. 4/08) The food never disappoints me. Big Catch Sandwiches, Cubans, Chef Salads, Club Wraps, always good and always consistent. Quick and friendly service. The Chili has too many beans for me. Good prices. The place is often very cold. Be sure to bring a sweater (although sometimes a blanket would feel even better).
Q=4 S=4 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Dennis C. 10/09) It was just past 2 PM on Tuesday and my other favorite eateries nearby had already closed. No hostess on duty here so I sat myself by the front window. It took a while for a waitress to come over. I ordered a light beer and a Classic Burger with Potato Salad. The beer was nice and cold. My hamburger was fine and cooked correctly. The thin red head gal was my server. Didn't catch her name. Total came to about $9.95 plus tax. When she presented the bill I gave her a 10 and a 5 so I could leave her a tip. Time went by and I had to flag her down again and ask for my change. She replied "I thought you said 'Keep the change'...". I never said anything to her. She returned with my change but I wonder if she does that to all her customers. She got a tip, but it was far from the $5 she wanted. Sorry, I won't be back if you play games like that.
Q=3 S=1 V=2 Total=6 out of 15. Return=No.

Beijing Garden Restaurant, (formerly the New China Buffet and the Empress Pavillion), 1104 Bichara Blvd., The Villages, FL. 753-6166. L/D. Specializing in Szechwan and Mandarin cuisine. Buffet and menu available. Large selection of hot and cold items including dessert. Beer & wine available. Long Xing Zheng, owner.

Bob Evans Restaurant, 2199 Parr Dr. (Facing CR 466), The Villages, FL. 259-1224. B/L/D. Breakfast served all day. Large selection of omelets like Farmer's Market Omelet. Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad, Country Fried Steak, Pot Roast Sandwiches to Meat Loaf make for a wide selection of dining styles. Noted for their Breakfast Sausage. Seniors menu. One of a large regional chain of almost 600 locations in 18 states based in Columbus, Ohio. Buck Smith, manager here.

Review: (from Dan K. 1/08) We always like to give an establishment a second chance. But we found the same results as our first visit. Service was good; food was not. Ordered a Roast Chicken Salad with Cranberry and Pecans. Chicken was boiled and not roasted. Very disappointing again.
Q=2 S=4 V=3 Total=9 out of 15. Return=No.

Review: (from Mary H. 3/09) My husband and I usually eat at this restaurant about once a month. The breakfast selections are very good and the food plentiful. I find that making a substitution (instead of toast ask for one pancake or instead of sausage ask for turkey sausage) is not a problem. We generally order coffee in the morning and this restaurant is known for providing a to-go cup if you still need that AM fix. We have also gone for lunch and my husband usually goes for the more high calorie Noodles and Chicken which he finds absolutely delicious and I usually opt for one their salads which I have found to be very good.
Q=5 S=4 V=4 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Bonefish Grill (The Villages), 3580 Wedgewood Ln. in the Buffalo Ridge Shopping Center next to CVS Pharmacy, The Villages, FL. 674-9292. D. Opens at 3 PM. Now accepting reservations from 4 PM. Extensive fresh seafood offerings with daily specials. Some popular starter items are: Bang Bang Shrimp ($8), Crispy Calamari ($7), Corn Chowder with Lump Crab ($6) and Bacon Wrapped Sea Scallops ($10). Popular entrées are Pistachio Parmesan Crusted Rainbow Trout ($18), Grouper Piccata ($19), Maryland Crab Cakes ($16), Ahi Tuna ($20), Atlantic Salmon ($14), Longfin Tilapia ($14) and Chilean Sea Bass with Warm Mango Salsa or other sauces ($19-22). Also available is a Filet Mignon ($19-21), 10 oz. Sirloin Steak ($14), Pork Tenderloin Portabella ($14) and a few Chicken dishes ($13). Try Crème Brûlée ($5) for dessert. Entrées range from $13 for Diablo Shrimp Fettucine to $29 for the Twin Lobster Tails. Casual dress at linen covered tables. Full bar with signature martinis ($7-8) and a good wine list ranging mostly from $21 to $47 per bottle, many of which are available by the glass also. 18% gratuity added for parties of 8 or more. Closed Christmas and New Years Day; open Easter Sunday at noon. One of a growing popular chain of 140 locations owned by Outback. Another location is open in Ocala (see page 2). 2008 Foodie Reader's Choice runner-up for "Best Seafood Restaurant" in the Orlando area by The Orlando Sentinal. This one managed by Mike Fink; assisted by Seth Williams and Frances Opel. Chris Weech, head toque.

Review: (from David G. 4/08) Never got to a table. I was told it would be a 45 minute wait. OK. After 40 minutes I went to check and the hostess said only 20-25 more minutes. Finally after waiting for a total of 85 minutes, she said that we were close, only another 20 minutes. We will not return here.
S=1 Return=No.

Review: (from Howard H. 4/08) It is unfortunate that anyone would go to a new restaurant in The Villages, especially one like the Bonefish, without a reservation. We went on a Sunday night at 8 PM (with call ahead seating) and waited approximately 5 minutes before we were seated. Our waitress was one that we knew from the Legacy Restaurant. Like the location in Ocala, we thoroughly enjoyed our dining experience. We shared the Bang Bang Shrimp and it was great! I had the Sea Bass, my usual favorite and she had the Pistachio Parmesan Crusted Trout. We both had Garlic-Smashed Potatoes and al dente Green Beans. The temperature and the presentation were certainly up to the standards of the Bonefish. For dessert, if you dare, order the Macadamia Nut Brownie. It is huge, so be prepared to share. Decadent to be sure. As we had cocktails before-hand, we opted for iced tea with dinner. Total bill for two without bar drinks was $57.50.
Q=5 S=5 V=4 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Gloria K. 6/08) Wonderful service, like being pampered on a cruise ship. There were 25 servers working on Friday night. Excellent food. My meal of Tilapia with Pan Asian sauce was very tasty. Husband ordered steak, which was thick and juicy. Prices not cheap but our meal for two with no drink, appetizer or dessert was $36 (tip included). Great homemade bread with pesto dip.
Q=5 S=5 V=4 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Wendell S. 6/08) We have been to several BoneFish Grill Restaurants and have always been very pleased, so we were looking forward to seeing how the one in The Villages would stand up. We both had seafood which is Bonefish's specialty, however the quality was not as good as we had experienced before. The service was not great. The waiter asked us several times what we had ordered. We asked him to write it down so he could remember it. My wife received her salad OK but after waiting 15 minutes, I had to go after the waiter to bring me my soup. We enjoyed ourselves and felt that part of the reason we had problems was the restaurant was very new so we hope things get straightened out. We will try it again in a few months and hope things improve.
Q=3 S=2 V=4 Total=9 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Ellen H. 7/08) There were 8 Gourmet Club friends tonight. Great service by Amy on our side; the other half of the long table had Lori. I had the "Dynamic Duo Special" of Islandic Arctic Charr and Wolf Fish stuffed with Lump Crabmeat and Shrimp Almondine with Potatoes Au Gratin and a Side Salad with Blue Cheese. He had the Petite Sea Bass with Pan Asian Sauce and a Caesar Salad. I loved mine but his Sea Bass was a little blackened. A Red Sangria, an Italian Pinot Grigio and my Blueberry Martini were great drinks between us. Others in our party enjoyed there's except one steak went back for a re-cook. It came back perfect. Not busy on a Monday night and it was a very pleasant evening. Total with 3 drinks before t&t was $62 for two.
Q=4 S=5 V=4 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Rich C. 7/08) We can eat here often without a wait in the off season. Call ahead works great even when they are not full. She ordered the Swordfish Special at $19 and I splurged for the Beef Filet with Crab Cake at $23. My Caesar Salad ($3 extra) was crisp and not over-drenched with dressing. She enjoyed her Swordfish and my Beef was great but my Crab Cake was a bit spicy. Nothing on the menu indicates that the filler is spiced up. I'm sure many diners would tolerate it fine. I did manage to eat most of it. Two wines ($7 ea) and her Lemon Drop Martini ($7) ran our total up to $66 before t&t. Our young server, Lori, was very pleasant and friendly. They are all so well trained here, makes it a pleasure to come often.
Q=4 S=5 V=4 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Richard B. 8/08) Our Gourmet Club group selected this and we all were very pleased and would return. I had the Swordfish Special (done perfectly and tasty); others had the regular menu Parmesan/Pistachio Trout, Crabcakes, Salmon and Grouper Special. One also had a Chocolate Martini and said they make the best one around. Service and value were excellent.
Q=5 S=5 V=4 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Ellen H. 9/08) We all had another wonderful dinner with their perfectly trained staff. I am never dissapointed when we choose to visit this restaurant. We started with Coconut Shrimp and the Corn and Crab Soup. Both were good and there were plenty of shrimp for sharing with the other couple in our party. We both had the House Salad with their delicious citrus vinaigrette dressing although I had blue cheese crumbles with mine. They were crisp and fresh and not a hint of "white lettuce". I ordered the Imperial Longfin for my entrée since it was a new item on the menu. It was a large piece of Tilapia topped with a stuffing blended with whole shrimp, bay scallops and crabmeat. It was very flavorful and cooked to perfection. He had the Filet Mignon with Crab Cake and they were also wonderful and done exactly right. Our server was Mike and he did a terrific job. The bill was $60 with 2 wines before t&t. An excellent value.
Q=5 S=4 V=5 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Rosemary G. 11/08) We had a reservation and our table wasn't ready so again we went to the bar and we just finished ordering and our table was ready. Decor and service were excellent. I ordered the Bang Bang Shrimp and they could have been a meal by itself, very delicious. Then I had the Parmesan Trout which was also delicious. I had to take food home. He had the Mussels with Marinara Sauce and the Grouper and he loved both. With a glass of wine and a coffee for each the total was $67 plus t&t.
Q=5 S=4 V=3 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Howard H. 2/09) When we called for a 7 PM call-ahead seating, we were informed that the wait would be about 90 minutes! We expected a packed crowd for Valentine's Day. When we got there we opted to sit in the bar at one of the hightops which became available after about twenty minutes. Not being overly hungry, we decided to have our "favorites". I had the Bang-Bang Shrimp and she had the Mussels Josephine. Both always a crowd pleaser. We were once again not dissapointed. Along with a couple of special $5 drinks each, our check came to $43 + tip.
Q=5 S=5 V=5 Total=15 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Rich C. 3/09) It's been a while since we were here but snow bird friends wanted to try it. The "call ahead" system didn't work that well for us but the manager found us a high-top in the bar area that fit us fine. A house Chardonnay at $2.45 on Happy Hour is a bargain. She ordered the small Lily's Salmon with a house salad. I had the Filet and Shrimp with a cup of Crab Chowder. We finished by sharing a Shortcake. Our friends loved it too. All excellent meals, as usual. Shawn was professional and prompt. All the staff here are well trained and they even have a cocktail waitress taking orders for drinks since the bar was 3 deep. Very crowded during the season but it's all worth the wait. Our total was $51 before t&t. This is one of The Villages best restaurants, hands down.
Q=5 S=5 V=5 Total=15 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Ellen H. 5/09) Melissa M. was our capable and friendly server. We had a Club Soda and two Red Sangrias for beverages. We both opted for the Bonefish House Salad. They are great. Love the hearts of palm on top. He had the Jumbo Shrimp and Sirloin Combination with Potatoes au Gratin. I had the Scallops and Shrimp Skewer with Lemon Butter Sauce and Steamed Asparagus. My dinner was excellent and he enjoyed his meal except for the gristle in the steak. But it is sirloin and that's not unusual. A dirty plate doesn't stay long on the table before some employee passing by gets it out of you way. Meals and drinks are brought out by a "team" of runners. Great system! Our total was $53 before t&t. Our server brought chocolate dipped strawberries and the manager stopped by for our friend's anniversary that we were celebrating. Love it here. We've been fans of Bonefish even before they were bought out by Outback.
Q=4 S=5 V=5 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Dennis C. 7/09) Took our friends out to celebrate. Lisa was our server. We had 3 house wines, 2 Amstel Lites and a Mojito to start the 4 of us. Two Tokyo Tuna Salads, a Cedar Combo, a Shrimp & Scallops Rockefeller. OK service, good food and a bill for $112 before t&t for four.
Q=5 S=4 V=4 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Bravo Pizza, 1080 Lake Sumter Landing., The Villages, FL. 612-6961. L/D. Table waited service with a large selection of New York style and Neopolitan Pizzas plus Italian dishes like Fettuccini Carbonnara, Chicken Salerritancio and Grouper Zetina. Bread Knots with dipping sauce provided for every table. Beer & wine. Jorge & Gaston, managers. Dominic Sullivan, owner.

Review: (from Steve L. 4/07) We have been here many times since they opened. The Pizza can be made regular or thin crust, with many topping choices and it's quite like the taste of a true New York Pizza. The Garlic Knots with sauce, served before the pie, are delicious. Strombolis are wonderful and their Eggplant (not as good as my wife's) is excellent also. Salads are a little on the small side for the price. They offer a good choice of regular cakes and cheese cakes for dessert. Pizza dinner, salad and soda average $25.
Q=4 S=4 V=3 Total=11 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Francis M. 3/08) We had heard good things about Bravo and decided to try it. Well, I guess things change because this was not a good experience for us. The service was pretty messed up with food not arriving at the same time, missing items, no waiter to waiter coordination, etc. Soup du Jour was cold. My Meat Stuffed Pizza was overdone resulting in a very hard crust. The iced tea was more like water and when seconds were requested, the waiter took the glass and never brought it back. Total bill for two slices of pizza, two teas and one soup was $20 without tip. Overall, not a pleasant experience.
Q=2 S=2 V=1 Total=5 out of 15. Return=No.

Review: (from Robert S. 10/09) Went here last season and it was OK. We stopped in again this season for some Meatball Sandwiches. They were the worst Meatball Sandwiches we have ever had. Absolutely no flavor at all; salted it, peppered it, to no avail. All in all, a less than satisfactory experience.
Q=2 S=3 V=1 Total=6 out of 15. Return=No.

Cane Garden Country Club, 1726 Bailey Tr., The Villages, FL. 750-0627. L/D. Open 11 AM to 9 PM. Closed Thanksgiving Day. Relaxing and inviting atmosphere with warm, tropical décor. Mostly lighter fare plus a few major entrées like Shrimp & Chicken Picatta ($13), Butter Crumb Haddock ($13), Meatloaf Sicilian ($11), Chicken Marsala Sorentino ($12) and Delmonico Steak ($20). A variety of Appetizers ($4-7), Salads ($5-11), Sandwiches ($5-10) and other items are offered too. Wood Fired Pizza ($6-8) is a favorite also. Full bar. Tropical drinks offered. Breezeway dining available. Golf course views. Single person seating at the bar only. Louis Santiago, executive chef; Laurie Lape, general manager. Developer owned.

Review: (from Francis M. 1/07) This place is not gourmet - but they serve very good food at good prices with excellent service. Tonight we went there for a late night dinner/snack. We had their thin Pizzas - a Traditional ($6.50) with sun dried tomatoes and a Meat Lovers ($6.95). We happen to like thin crust Pizzas and we really love these. The people are really friendly with great service - almost to a personal level. We can also recommend their famous Meatloaf dinner as well as their Herbed Whitefish (outstanding). For sandwiches, you can not beat their Fried Whitefish or their Chipotle Chicken Wrap. For a great appetizer try their Broiled Chicken Wings.
Q=5 S=5 V=5 Total=15 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Ellen H. 2/07) Always crowded. 30 minute wait isn't too bad. I had the Lobster & Scallop Bravado Salad. It was very nice and crisp. The seafood in it was warm. He had the Delmonico Steak medium. It was much closer to well done - black on the outside, fully cooked on the inside. It was tender but with a fair amount of gristle. Greens were al dente. We both had delicious Lobster Bisque. Curly haired Cindy was efficient, friendly and prompt. We remember when she worked at Glenview. Total for two without drinks or dessert was $37.
Q=3 S=5 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Pat M. 2/07) Once again we found excellent food with great personal service - truly the friendliest good food restaurant in The Villages. One of the best features of Cane Garden is the people - they just continue to give and give to make you feel welcome and to make you feel good - you just want to come back over and over. Although not gourmet, the restaurant deserves to be rated outstanding due to service and food quality plus great value.
Q=5 S=5 V=5 Total=15 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from James D. 3/07) I had the best Pot Roast Sandwich I have ever had. The bread was soft and tasty with just the right texture. The beef was moist, seasoned perfectly, sliced just right with an onion & spice sauce that wasn't overwhelming. Add the always superb bar service and it was a culinary delight.
Q=5 S=4 V=5 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Joanne S. 4/07) I met three of my friends for lunch and ordered their Tuna Salad Plate and a glass of Merlot. The tuna was fresh tuna, not canned and just about the best salad I have had. The price including wine was $13.43 for one. The wait staff is just great.
Q=5 S=4 V=5 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Rich C. 5/07) We don't come here often enough. (Usually it's too crowded.) Tonight we had Lobster and Scallop Bravado Salad ($9) and Strip Steak Gorgonzola ($17). Steak was perfectly done and flavorful, the salad greens were crisp and green with warm seafood pieces on it. The Split Pea Soup was good too. Service was very prompt. We enjoy Cindy very much, she really hustles. A very enjoyable meal as always.
Q=4 S=5 V=4 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Joanne S. 5/07) I had a wonderful Ahi Grilled Tuna Salad before and we went and tried to order it again and found that the "Soon To Be Famous Tuna Salad" at $8.49 was not what I got before. It was good and was made of fresh tuna but didn't compare to the Special Of The Day that I got before. Talked to Chief Louie and he told me it had been a special even though I ordered it off the menu. He will fix the Grilled Ahi Tuna on a bed of lettuce if you order it that way. Tonight's order was the "Soon To Be Famous Tuna and Grilled Black and Blue Salad" at $8.49. We had 2 for 1 wine; total bill was $25.19.
Q=4 S=4 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Francis M. 1/08) Once again a great restaurant made even better. The chef, Louis, has added some new outstanding items to their menu. After searching to get a good supplier for fresh salmon, he has added a Bourbon Salmon that is absolutely the best one can get. Also new to the menu is a Jambalaya with Sausage, Shrimp and Chicken - a great spicy dish. Many other new items have been added with each being equally great. Stop by and try them.
Q=5 S=5 V=5 Total=15 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Dan K. 2/08) A wonderful experience, as usual. We sat outside and enjoyed the weather and surroundings for lunch. Food is always flavorful, an excellent value and service by Amanda was terrific. If you have to wait, it is worth it. I had the Italian Loafer Sandwich with Mashed Potatoes instead of French Fries and she enjoyed the "Famous" Tuna Salad (actual tuna fillet that is sliced and chunked). Many new items are on the menu. We always bring our guests here. Total bill was $17 before t&t.
Q=5 S=5 V=5 Total=15 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Rich C. 3/09) It's 5:15 PM on a Sunday in March and already the wait list is 30 minutes long. "First available" sat us outside in the strong breeze. Nicole greeted us and took our order promptly, since we were on our way to a club meeting. I had the Chicken Pot Pie ($10) and she had the Ham & Turkey Monte Cristo ($8). Both were very nice and the pot pie reminded me of Mrs. Budd's Original Recipe White Meat Chicken Pie. Don't get me wrong, I love Mrs. Budd! She enjoyed her "Full Monte" too. One house wine added to the bill and the total was just $22 before t&t. Nicole was friendly and prompt. We made our meeting in plenty of time and the place was packed as we left. There's a good formula here.
Q=4 S=4 V=5 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Frank M. 9/09) Arrived about 4 PM when dinner menu opens. We started with Onion Rings ($6), enough for 2 and shared a bottle of Yellow Tail Shiraz ($13.50). My wife chose "Rustic Baked Pasta" ($10), I ordered Chicken Marsala. Both tasty but Marsala flavor a bit weak. Well served by Terry. Total with tax was $44.
Q=4 S=4 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Dan K. 9/09) Fantastic service and food as always. Well prepared and presented Monte Christo. The "Soon To Be Famous" Tuna Salad is fresh tuna that is cut and prepared here. My Italian Loafer Sandwich was generous and I get the Mashed Potatoes instead of Fries. The fourth member of our party had the French Dip and enjoyed it as well. Heather was a joy as our server. Total bill including 1 glass of wine and 2 iced teas was $41 before t&t. Never a disappointment.
Q=5 S=5 V=5 Total=15 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Frank M. 11/09) Fellow villagers raved over the Meat Loaf, so my wife and I checked it out on a Thursday at 4:45 PM. We were seated at once and well served by Courtney. The "Sicilian Meat Loaf" was about five inches square, almost an inch thick, served on plain Mashed Potatoes, topped with somewhat scanty gravy, and with a relatively unseasonedd Zucchini side. But all was tasty, earning its high reputation. With a full carafe of Merlot ($8.50 happy hour half price) and a shared Caramel Cashew Brittle Sundae ($6), our bill was $38.50 with tax, before tip.
Q=4 S=4 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Carrabba's Italian Grill (The Villages), 650 US 27/441, The Villages, FL. 430-1304. D. Now open at 3 PM daily and from 12 noon on Sunday. In The Rolling Acres Plaza. Authentic Italian food provided by a popular large chain of almost 250 locations owned by Tampa's Outback Steakhouse. Calamari Ricardo and Crab Cakes are popular appetizers with Pollo Rosa Maria, Chicken Brian and Pasta Weesie some of the popular entrées. Entrées range from $10 for Tagliarini Pasta to $22 for the 8 oz. Beef Tenderloin. Dishes such as Spiedino di Mare, Lobster Ravioli and Lasagne are popular. PEI Steamed Mussels are a meal in themselves. Sogno di Cioccolata ends the meal. $10 Early Bird meals before 5 PM weekdays. 18% gratuity added for parties of 8 or more. Full bar. Happy hour "twofers" end at 7 PM. $10 off a bottle of wine offered on Wednesdays. Call ahead seating. Closed Christmas and New Years Day. Richard Seney, proprietor; John Pendleton, manager.

Review: (from Ellen H. 8/06) One of our favorite restaurants and yes we know it's a chain! The Mussels in Gaaaarliiic are to die for! Best I've ever had. Wish all restaurants had staff this well trained. Sure beats Olive Garden, hands down. Try the wonderful Red Sangria. Tip: Call ahead seating gets you in ahead of the others in line.
Q=5 S=5 V=4 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Gordon M. 1/07) Always good. Best of the best of chain reastaurants. Could make a meal on the wonderful hot bread and Italian olive oil dip. Food is consistently good, as is the service. Wait staff is very friendly.
Q=5 S=4 V=4 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Rich C. 3/07) Coming here is like entering a "well-oiled clock". Where do they find their great employees? Even Jared (behind the bar) wasn't this friendly when he worked at Katie Belles! Best happy hour in The Villages. Every course comes out on time and it's always hot. Your server checks back with you in just a few minutes. Never got the wrong meal. If you say "hold the onions", they hold the onions! Every dish on the menu is tasty and plentiful. (Notice all the doggie bags leaving this place.) Specials every day add to their variety. How wonderful is that? That's why we find ourselves here 3-4 times per month or more. We just run to the sit-up tables in the bar and make friends with new people - the heck with waiting in that long line outside!
Q=5 S=5 V=4 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Dennis C. 4/07) Six of us had a very nice meal tonight. Being Good Friday they had two fish dishes for specials. One was Trout and the other was called Mahi Wolfe (at $18). Well this is one of THE BEST fish dishes I've ever had. The fish was cooked just right with a breaded batter of sorts and seasoned with great citrus flavors and pieces of sun dried tomato. It was sautéed not fried. The usual Caesar salad and a side of mashed potatoes completed the dinner. All I remember about her meal was the huge dessert of chocolate cake painted with Kahlua! Took all 3 ladies to finish it. Something that decadent I think is a mortal sin on Good Friday! $56 for two with 4 delicious Sangrias. Smiling Anthony got a nice tip.
Q=5 S=5 V=4 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Martin G. 6/07) We had a less than satisfying dining experience at Carrabba's. The evening started out poorly when our table was given to another party and we had to wait an additional 20 minutes to be seated. After a longer than desirable wait our drinks and bread basket (excellent fresh bread) finally arrived. We ordered the Calamari and Bruchetta for appetizers. Both were tasty. Salads and soup were then served and were ample portions and enjoyable. Then we waited for the longest time for our main course to arrive. I had ordered the Chicken Bryan with a Pasta side. My chicken was overcooked and heavily laced with salt. The pasta and sauce were okay. My wife ordered the Chicken Gratella from the Grill and couldn't eat it. By that time it was so late she decided not to make a fuss to return it. I tasted her dish and it was greasy, too salty and had an odd smoky taste that I also found unpleasant. Too say the least, we will be thinking twice before we visit again.
Q=2 S=3 V=1 Total=6 out of 15. Return=No.

Review: (from Francis M. 8/07) We had not been fans of Carrabba's until this one opened up. Each visit has resulted in excellent service and good food. Our wait was no more than 5 minutes. My Chicken Bryan was recommended by the waitress and it turned out to be excellent. However, $16 for a chicken dinner is a little on the high side.
Q=4 S=4 V=3 Total=11 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Rich C. 12/08) Any time we crave Italian, we come to Carrabba's. A new menu and new faces on the wait staff were noticeable. She started with 2 for 1 Pomegranate Martinis that she adored; I had the Red Sangria which I enjoy. We both had Caesar Salads that are just the right mix of greens, croutons and dressing. She had the Veal Marsala with Broccoli and I had a Combo Marsala Special with both Beef and Chicken and a side of pasta at my request. Hard to imagine on a Saturday night at 6:30 PM the restaurant had only a 5 minute wait. Robert, our server was helpful and efficient but his voice was annoying (not his fault). The bill came to $53 before t&t. We enjoyed the meal, as we usually do here.
Q=5 S=4 V=4 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Fred H. 7/09) We went to Carrabba's for dinner and it was, to say the least, a bad experience. The food was below average; the wine was overpriced; and the service was atrocious. We arrived a little before 7 PM on a Thursday. The restaurant was crowded but we were seated immediately. Our waitress, Jacqueline, had zero personality and was robotic, apparently reciting in a mono tone what she had learned by rote. We each ordered the three course fixed price meal. My appetizer was Calamari, which was pretty good and sadly the only highlight of the evening. Her "salad" consists of iceberg lettuce, a couple of slices of carrot and one lonely sliver of celery. My entrée was Chicken Rosa Maria and it was not great, but okay. Her entrée, Chicken Marsala, bordered on awful. We each had a side of Spaghetti but there was no spoon for pouring the sauce or twirling the spaghetti. We asked another waiter for a spoon and he practically threw it at the table. For dessert, you supposedly had a choice of five mini-desserts. A tray with all five was brought to the table by the waitress. I chose what was described as a Banana Brûlée. My wife wanted the same thing but there was no offer by Jacqueline to get another. Instead my wife chose something else. We're still not sure what it was. With a bottle of wine ($29), the total bill, without tip, was $66. I left a modest tip, one that reflected the level of service. Needless to say, we won't be back.
Q=2 S=1 V=3 Total=6 out of 15. Return=No.

Cattle Baron Club, 996 Delmar Dr., The Villages, FL. (upstairs - residents & their guests only) 750-5981. D. Fine dining in inviting oak Victorian atmosphere. Early bird specials are popular. Fresh fish and beef such as Grilled Salmon and Prime Rib. Large Sunday Breakfast Buffet (8 AM to 2 PM) featuring Omelettes. Entertainment on the stage below. Full bar. Chicago Lounge featuring martinis recently added. Reservations accepted. Open Thanksgiving and Christmas. Residents and their guests only. David Rees, general manager. Developer owned.

Review: (from Rosemary G. 1/07) Our food and service were top notch. We all had the Prime Rib and asked for it rare and it came out rare, which is a rare occurance. We were 4 people and all were very happy with the service and food. Saturday is the Cattle Baron's Prime Rib special 2 for $19.99 and well worth it.
Q=5 S=5 V=5 Total=15 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Gordon M. 2/07) Our first time at the Baron's. She had Veal Marsala, I had Prime Rib. Both were excellent. Prime Rib was done just right. Although they were full to capacity, we were served by an excellent and very friendly young man. Dinner minus wine came to $32.75 for two. Although one of the nicest restaurants in the area, be prepared for loud music (from Katie Belle's downstairs). We asked for and got seating at the back of the restaurant. It was quiet enough so you could at least talk.
Q=4 S=4 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Richard D. 11/09) This was our first visit to The Cattle Baron Club. The server was young, male, and friendly. He told us of the specials and took drink orders. I had a draft beer and my wife had iced tea. The beer was advertised as 12 oz but I am positive the glasses were 10 oz. I had the 8 oz Sirloin Oscar (steak topped with crab meat) at $12 and my wife had the 6 oz Sirloin Steak with a 5 oz Lobster Tail at $16. Meals came with a mediocre Salad Bar and Soup (Seafood Gumbo). The soup was too spicy to enjoy. Our steaks arrived more done than the Medium Rare we ordered but we did not say anything. The crabmeat on the Steak Oscar amounted to no more than a mere ounce of crab and the Steak had a lot of gristle. The flavor was good, though. My wife enjoyed the Lobster Tail and her Steak was tasty, too. Since we had arrived before 6 PM, we also got a free dessert (a small square of vanilla cake with frosting). The tab for dinner and 2 beers was $32 including tax. I was very disappointed with the atmosphere and quality of the food and will not be returning - especially when there are so many other choices in and around The Villages. On the way out, I asked the manager, Garrett, if he read the reviews of The Villages Gourmet In and Out Club. He shrugged and said he had never heard of the club and walked away. Definitely, poor customer service and poor food.
Q=2 S=3 V=1 Total=6 out of 15. Return=No.

Cheng's Chinese and Sushi Restaurant, 4050 Wedgewood Ln., The Villages, FL. 391-9678. L/D. Opens daily at 11 AM. Small Asian restaurant with table service and a take-out menu serving a wide variety of Chinese cuisine such as Orange Chicken ($10), Imperial Beef ($12), General Tao's Chicken ($10), White Snow Prawns ($15) and Lotus Fish ($15). Peking Duck (Half $13 - Whole $24) is a specialty. A wide variety of Chicken, Pork, Beef and Seafood Cantonese dishes ranging from $6 to $15 are also available. Nigiri and Sashimi such as Sea Urchin, Snapper, Eel and Octopus ($3 each) are offered with Sushi items mostly ranging from $7 to $10 each are also available. The Chef's Sashimi Boat is featured at $19. Lunchean Combo Platters are about $6 each. Licensed for beer and wine. Kwok Man, owner.

Review: (from Jane R. 11/08) We've waited a long time for good Chinese food in The Villages, food that can be compared to what you might find on the east or west coast or in Chicago. And here it is at last. By local standards, it's outstanding. We had the 1/2 Peking Duck ($13), nice and not greasy and the Seafood Delight ($15), delicious.
Q=4 S=4 V=5 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Chili's Grill & Bar (Spanish Springs), 1206 Avenida Central, The Villages, FL. 751-6555. L/D. Tex-Mex influence with Margaritas a mainstay. Lots of spicy food items. Cajun Ribeye, Chicken Crispers, Citrus Fire Chicken & Shrimp, Quesadilla Explosion and Classic Nachos are this company's favorite menu items. Steaks run $13-17 each. Fajitas and Quesadilas run $9-14 while Burgers are $6-8 each. Full bar. One of a very large nationwide popular chain of over 1200 locations owned by Brinker International of Dallas, TX. Patreeka Carter, manager; Troy McClellan, managing partner.

Review: (from Howard H. 1/08) This was our first experience at this particular Chili's. We were immediately seated. Our waiter, Joey, was very pleasant and professional. We had one of the specialty drinks, an Orange Rum Punch. Happy hour is all day here. She had the Brown Sugar Ribs and I had the Grilled and Rubbed Ribs. They both were cooked perfectly and spiced just right. The French Fries were fresh and the Baked Apples were piping hot. The total price with drinks was $40.
Q=5 S=5 V=5 Total=15 out of 15. Return=Yes.

CiCi's Pizza Buffet, 243 Colony Blvd., The Villages, FL. 259-5508. L/D. Open 11 AM to 10 PM. $5.49 per person. Pizza, Pasta, Salad and Dessert Buffet located at the east end of Colony Plaza. A variety of pizza and pasta dishes made throughout the day. Soup and Chicken Wings are also available. One of 600 franchises in 29 states mostly in the east, midwest and southeast. No bar. This one operated by Tom Fox and Gary Ryden, owners.

Review: (from Dennis C. 9/08) Stopped by for a quick lunch. $7.27 got me a Caesar Salad, all the Pizza I could eat and a soft drink. A very nice variety of Pizza styles. I especially liked the Chicken Pizza, thin crust New York style with lots of topping. They need signs describing what each kind is. Salad, Soup, Pasta with a choice of sauces as well as Desserts are also on the bar. Very friendly staff. They all greet each patron with a loud "Welcome to CiCi's" - makes you think you're at a Waffle House!
Q=4 S=3 V=4 Total=11 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Rich C. 7/09) I had a nice Caesar Salad before trying some of the pizzas they had. Must have been 10 kinds on display. More than I remember last year. They are all thin crust. Even saw Garlic Rolls and hot Pasta with different sauces. I ate 3 slices, all good, and had a Cherry Coke for just over $7. The table was bussed frequently. Good value here and friendly employees.
Q=4 S=4 V=5 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Cody's Original Roadhouse (The Villages), 1041 Lake Shore Dr., The Villages, FL. 259-8500. L/D. Opens at 11 AM soon. This "Peanut Palace" replaces Up The Creek Fish Camp & Grill after 2 months of renovations. Opened October 26, 2009. "Just Plain Good Food"® is their slogan. Decorated in gas pumps, hubcaps, an old orange truck and galvanized steel guard rails plus big murals and other "road trip" memorabilia. Peanut shells on the floor, change daily! A wide variety of steaks from Chopped Steak, NY Strip, Top Sirloin, Rib Eye, T-Bone Porterhouse, even Filet Mignon run $10 to $22 per portion. 12-24 oz Prime Ribs are offered at $15 to $20. Baby Back Ribs are popular at $13-18 for half or full racks. Grilled Salmon, Bacon Wrapped or Coconut Shrimp and Fresh Grouper are also on the menu at $13-19. Chicken, Beef or Combo Fajitas are $11 each. Chicken dishes like Half Rotisserie, Southwest or Fried Chicken and Chicken Tenders range $11-13. Burgers and Chicken or Grouper Sandwiches range from $7 to $13. A Florida Key Lime Pie is popular for dessert at $4. Early Bird Menu (except Sundays/Holidays) runs 3:30 to 6 PM for this location. Kids eat free on Monday and Tuesday. Pet and smoker friendly patio seating. Full bar. 2 for 1 Happy Hour runs 3:30 to 7 PM. One of 15 locations, mostly in Florida, based in Clearwater, FL. Another location is already open in Ocala (see page 2). Alan Musikantow and John Demetriadis managing partners here. Travis McHenry, general manager.

Review: (from Fred H. 10/09) There has been some minor remodeling and the décor changed dramatically but the basic layout of the restaurant is the same as it was before. We went shortly after 2 PM for a late lunch. There was only a small crowd, which will certainly change once there is a formal opening. The wait staff is extremely attentive - attentive to a fault. All the waiters, not just our own, were continually checking to see if everything was okay. This is fine to a point but the staff goes overboard with the hovering bit. This will probably change once the crowds pick up. The food portions were obscenely large but, unfortunately, only average in quality. My wife had the Salmon ($13). I had the Chicken Fried Chicken Sandwich ($8). Both were mediocre. The huge salad that came with her meal was excellent, as was the bread. With a 2 for 1 house wine and a Coke, the bill was $30 before tip.
Q=3 S=3 V=3 Total=9 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Daniel G. 10/09) Got in very easy at 4:45 PM for dinner. When we came out at 6 PM, there were people lined up outside. Service was excellent; our waiter, Mark, was very attentive and took our orders promptly. I had an early bird special for $11 of a salad prepared at our table for all, 8 oz. Choice Sirloin, with a Sweet Potato, rolls and 2 for 1 draft beer. My wife had the Herb Encrusted Salmon ($9), a Baked Potato, rolls, salad and an Iced Tea. I asked for my steak medium-well and it came medium. I saw Mark's order form and he wrote down medium. My steak was reheated and within 10 minutes it returned properly prepared with enough juices to make it respectable. Total came to $27 with tax. Very large menu, somewhat loud but bearable. Typical roadhouse decor with peanuts at the table to throw shells on the floor. The other couple had the Salmon and Ribs, also well liked.
Q=4 S=4 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Richard D. 10/09) This was the opening week of Cody's Roadhouse in The Villages and was off to a great beginning. They do not take reservations and there was a wait of about 1 hour at 5:30 PM. We went over to the square and listened to music for awhile. Just about an hour later, we were seated at Cody's. Drinks were 2 for 1 and my Rum and Coke was mixed just right. My Mrs. had Iced Tea. I had the Baby Back Ribs (half slab at $14) and she had the 7 oz. Grouper Filet at $16. The ribs were falling off the bone tender but still juicy and the sauce was downright great. These were some of the best "pigsicles" I have ever eaten. The grouper was grilled with garlic-lemon butter sauce and was also great. Both came with a "bottomless" salad bowl, crisp and tasty! Service was friendly and moderately paced. It was not a rushed atmosphere. We enjoyed sitting on the outdoor deck, eating our dinners while watching the beautiful sunset over Lake Sumter. This is a good addition to The Villages and hopefully will be around for a long time.
Q=5 S=4 V=5 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Crispers, 3551 Wedgewood Ln., The Villages, FL. 751-6502. L/D. "Fresh salads and such". Toasted sandwiches, stuffed crispy flatbreads, soup, chowder and gumbo. Citrus Chicken Wrap, Downtown Roast Beef & Turkey Sandwich, Hot Russian Toasted Sandwich and French Dip are typical offerings. All vegitarian choices can be found. Most items range from $6 to $7 each. No bar. Small Florida chain of 50 locations owned by Publix. Mills Kilbourne, general manager.

Review: (from Dennis C. 7/09) This is not my first time in here although it's been a while. They had a special that the cashier pointed out for $4.99 with a Salad and Half A Sandwich. Perfect! I had the Caesar and Half Tuna Salad on Pumpernickel with a bottle of Apple Juice. It was brought out in just a few minutes. Very nice and fresh. Always clean and friendly in here but the regular menu seems high in price. Doesn't $8 for a French Dip or Asiago Beef Sandwich sound high? I got out for $7 total. However at 11:30 AM, I counted 3 customers and 7 employees. Maybe I was too early.
Q=4 S=5 V=3 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Denny's Restaurant, 1571 Bella Cruz Dr., The Villages, FL. 750-2556. B/L/D. Open 24 hours. On 27/441 in front of Spanish Plaines Shopping Center. Casual dining. Noted for their "Grand Slam Breakfasts". Signature favorites like the Lumberjack Slam, Grand Slam Slugger, French Toast Slam, All-American Slam and many Omelettes are featured. Pancakes, sausage and bacon are always on their menu. T-Bone Steaks, Fried Shrimp and Country Fried Steak are available for dinner. Typical American fare. Free Wi-Fi. Beer and wine available. The country's largest chain of 1600 locations, started in the 50's, based in Spartanburg, SC.

El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant (The Villages), 1 LaGrande Blvd., The Villages, FL. 750-3335. L/D. Hours: 11 AM - 9 PM (10 PM on Friday & Saturday). By The Villages Post Office. Formerly called Teo's Café and Saloon. Full Mexican menu. Enchiladas, Super Burritos, Beef Tacos and Chicken Fajitas offered. Fried Ice Cream, Apple Burrito and Mexican Flan offered for dessert. Occasional live entertainment. Full bar with foreign and domestic beers, wine, daiquiris and margaritas. Another El Ranchito is in Leesburg (see page 2). Martin and Antonio (also owner of Copacabana Cuban Café in Mt. Dora) Reyes, owners.

Review: (from Gordon M. 1/07) Our first time at this restaurant. We were seated almost immediately and the waiter got to us in reasonable time. Margaritas were not bad but some of the chips were soggy. For any of you who are true California or Southwest Mexican food fans, you will be disappointed. Food was so-so, not very well seasoned. We each had one of the Combination Plates which came with the usual items. We will probably return but not as often as we would like to, as we both love good Tex-Mex. Dinner for two, minus the margaritas and tip, came to about $26.
Q=3 S=2 V=2 Total=7 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Marlene C. 4/08) We have eaten at El Ranchito many times. The Salsa served with the chips is spicy enough to feel it on your tongue but not overwhelming. I am disappointed by many restaurants who seem to be afraid to make their dishes a little spicy, but not this one. The Enchiladas Verdes are very good, with a tangy sauce and the plate and food are always served hot. Their Chili Relenos are the best. Fast service; great prices.
Q=4 S=5 V=5 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Frank M. 11/09) Arrived at noon and was seated immediately. We were served the usual Salsa and Taco Chips which were tasty. We both had the $5.25 #9 Chile Relleno Lunch Special, one with Rice, the other with Refrito Beans (you don't get both) and included small salad with guacamole. We chose water, no drinks. Fair to good but not exceptional. Total with tax before tip for two was $11.
Q=3 S=3 V=3 Total=9 out of 15. Return=No.

El Santiago Club, 2375 Enrique Dr., The Villages, FL. 750-4002. B/L/D. Open 8 AM to 8 PM daily; Sunday from 8:30 AM. Dinner menu available from 3 PM on. Happy hour from 3 to 6 PM daily. Caribbean flair with a wide variety of island influenced dishes especially Jamaican. Festive Key West atmosphere. Coconut Shrimp, Jerk Chicken and Seafood Chowder are mainstays. Snacks, sandwiches and full meals available. Always specials on the blackboard. Off-season specially priced dinners offered. Even Euro-based meals (like German or Italian Night) available in season. Menu changes frequently. Dine inside, on the porch or on the patio. Full bar. Happy hour. Frequent entertainment. Friendly chef Brian Webster presiding. Cara Hollander manages the dining area. Billy and Mel Waister of Rochester, England are the visible owners.

Review: (from Rich C. 8/06) Always a casual dining favorite with us. Coconut Chicken, Bee Sting Mahi, Grouper Fingers and "The Wedge Salad" are our favorites. We eat here too often to describe each meal which are seldom disappointing. Watch for Brian's specials each day. Avoid first Wednesdays when the place is packed to the gills. Sundays are much better.
Q=4 S=4 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Francis M. 8/07) This was our first visit to El Santiago Club and, unfortunately, it will be a long time before we go back. I had the White Fish with a seafood stuffing which, overall, was just so-so and I had a hard time finding the stuffing. My wife had a Chicken and Brie Salad that was overloaded with fruit (to some this may be good). The fruit was fresh but it was more like having a fruit salad than a meal salad with chicken and brie. The waitress will remain unnamed - the service was unbelievably slow and poor. The place was not crowded but the noise was unbearable. Based on so-so food, poor and slow service and very noisy environment, it just did not hit us too good. Maybe in another year?
Q=2 S=2 V=3 Total=7 out of 15. Return=No.

Review: (from Ellen H. 5/08) We had a pleasant meal again tonight. Barb is always friendly seating us. Happy hour drink specials allowed a cocktail or two before we ordered. Andrea waited on us and was very friendly. We took advantage of the new "Two for $24" menu at Brian's suggestion. Two salads, two entrées, two sides and two desserts for just $24. He had the Coconut Chicken and I enjoyed the Stuffed White Fish. They arrived promptly and were nice and hot. The sauces are a flavorful part of these meals. Andrea checked back on us frequently. Total was just about $30 with two strong drinks. This is a favorite place for us where the menu changes often.
Q=4 S=5 V=5 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Rich C. 11/08) What a nice meal we had. It's German-Hungarian month at Santiago! Two glasses of wine for only $4 and a soft drink for her to get us started. She ordered the Hungarian Paprika Chicken with Spatzles and I had the Pork Wiener Schnitzel, German Potato Salad and Cuckes. Both were wonderful. It just goes to show the talent of Brian, the chef. Donna did a great job of serving us. This restaurant has consistent good food and friendly service. $32 total before t&t.
Q=5 S=4 V=5 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Michael S. 2/09) We went for a dinner with our birthday club and were very pleased. Fifteen people are hard to please but Barb, our waitress, did a great job. I had the Thursday All You Can Eat Fish Fry which was perfect. Cole slaw and fries, although not gourmet, were very good. My wife is still raving about her Salmon with Chili Peanut Sauce. She said it was the best piece of salmon she has had in years. The sauce was so good, she was putting it on everything on her plate, even veggies and bread. The bill was $ 38 with a coupon for two glasses of wine and an appetizer. The appetizer was Quesadilla and we shared it with others at our table and all liked it. I would highly recommend this restaurant.
Q=5 S=4 V=4 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Fratelli Pizzuti Pizza, 1558 Bella Cruz Dr., The Villages, FL. 430-1969. L/D. Open daily 11 AM to 9 PM. Closed Sunday and holidays. Located in the Spanish Plaines Shopping Plaza 2 doors from Argo Hair Co. Specializing in Neapolitan pizzas. This restaurant boasts a wood-fired, 750 degree oven for cooking. A traditional 12 inch Napolitan Cheese and Sauce Pizza is $6. Added toppings are $1 each. Italian Margherita Pizzas as well as Vegetable, Pepperoni and Sausage Stombolis ($8.50) are also on the menu, as are Calzones. No pizza by the slice served. House, Caesar, Greek and Caprese Salads can also be had at $7-9. Beer and wine avaialable. Armando Pizzuti, owner.

Review: (from Rich C. 8/09) Thought I'd try this new establishment. About 10 patrons in the place. Certainly feels like Naples, Italy. Boisterous Italian speak, friendly people, warm oven, plus nice aromas greet the customers. They specialize in pizza but they seem too large for one person, so I opted for the Lasagna with a Caesar Salad, Garlic Bread and a Chardonnay. The $3 wine was generous, cold and of good quality. The Lasagna and Salad were served on the same plate (not what I would do). The salad was tasty and fresh. The small piece of Lasagna was about 3/4 inch high and the sauce was OK but watery. I'm in favor of thick red sauce. The Garlic Bread, although toasted on the outside, seemed undercooked on the inside. Service was friendly. I'd come back to try their pizza with my better half some time. $14 with tax. Nothing outstanding but nothing objectionable either.
Q=3 S=3 V=2 Total=8 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Gloria K. 9/09) We found it an odd menu, which we had to have explained to us, listing the Pizza choices, then the meats - Italian Sausage with peppers in sauce and Meatballs - both served as a main course, but not with pasta. The waitress was a loud, fast talker with a heavy Italian accent and appeared annoyed and impatient with our questions. She answered that they served no pasta, even though there was a dried macaroni display and "pasta" was written on the wall decorations. She informed us that they were out of many of the items on the menu, which we found odd since it was only 5 p.m. The Lasagna that night was served only meatless. You could not add a meatball to the entrée without ordering the entire Meatball course, which cost $10.50. My friend and I decided to order one of each and share the Lasagna and Meatball entrées. We had a "buy one get one free" coupon, so it seemed reasonable. The first impressions were poor when they brought out the drinks in flimsy paper cups. It started to fall apart in my hand and I had to request a straw. The pizza came out first, at least 5 minutes before the rest of the orders which didn't make sense since all the other entrées were precooked. Our friend's order of a Greek Salad was a disappointment - very small for the price ($10.50 - with no meat). The Lasagna was tasteless and small. But the worst part of the meal were the Meatballs, which were very large (the size of small meatloaves) but undercooked - pink, mushy and lukewarm. The waitress never returned to ask if we had any problems, so I just gave up on the Meatballs and decided that they would be more suitable for my dog. The Pizza was edible but had a soggy crust. It had to be eaten with a fork as it couldn't be held without flopping over. No bill was ever offered - you had to come to the register and the waitress would just tell you your total due, with no details. I then expressed my dissatisfaction with the raw Meatballs and she joked that she hoped my dog would like them! I am afraid she was the owner, so there was no other manager to talk to. This would be our last visit to this place, even with the 1/2 price coupon being repeated. There are many better places for Italian food within the Villages.
Q=2 S=2 V=1 Total=5 out of 15. Return=No.

Review: (from Laurie M. 9/09) Very disappointing. I was hoping for a good pizza place close to home. The menu is very different from pizza places I am used to. The food was so-so but service was not good. The server was hard to understand and we never did get her name. We thought the prices were high for what we got. With so many good places to go, I would not come here again. Good thing we had a coupon. The place was empty which should have been a sign.
Q=3 S=3 V=1 Total=7 out of 15. Return=No.

Gator's Dockside (The Villages) 1004 Main St., The Villages, FL. 430-1377. Not to be confused with Gator Joe's Beach Bar & Grill, Gator Tales, Gator Bay Bar & Grill, The Crazy Gator or R. J. Gator's Florida Sea Grill & Bar, this Florida chain opened here on September 16th, 2009 at the location that was once occupied by Emmett's Steakhouse, The Copper Pot and Amigos Original Tex-Mex Restaurant and Cantina. Open daily 11 AM to midnight, they offer more unusual pub food than the other chains. Smothered Pulled Pork, Turkey Muffalatta and Gyros can be found on the Sandwich Menu. Cajun Chicken Alfredo, Baby Back Ribs, Quesadillas, Fried Shrimp, Chicken Wings and Cobb Salad are just some of the main dishes that will be offered for dinner. Noted for their Chili, as well as their Boneless Wings. Kid's menu available. Patio seating offered. Sports bar atmosphere with lots of large screen TVs. Full bar. 2-for-1 Happy Hour 3-7 PM. 18% gratuity added on parties of 8 or more. 2008 winner for "Best Wings Restaurant" in Orlando by the Orlando Sentinel. One of 21 locations headquartered in Heathrow, FL. Another new, Gator's Dockside is also open in Ocala (see page 2). Wes Gonzalez, manager here; Paul Cipparone, owner.

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Review: (from Shelly F. 9/09) This was our second trip to Gators Dockside, the first being on opening day - but at the bar only. This time we had the Turkey Muffalatta, Salad and two Prime Rib and Cheese Sandwiches for dipping and pretty good Fries. Three of the four were excellent, the Salad being good but not nearly as good as Toojays. Topped by 2 for 1 Yuengling drafts, each being less than a pint; we would definitely return; lots of menu choices. The waitress, Jennifer, was well rehearsed in the menu items but was not as friendly as the bar crew on our first visit. The bartenders are really pros at making y'all comfortable. The manager came by to say hello and was seen throughout the restaurant for the period of time that we visited. The tab for four came to a bit less than $50 without the tax but with 6 glasses of beer and one soda. The sound level in the dining areas are most acceptable considering the crowd. Make sure that y'all say 'good day' to the Gator just inside the entrance on the left. As a side note, I do wish that they served Chips & Salsa or equivalent for the bar crowd.
Q=5 S=3 V=5 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Howard H. 9/09) This was our first trip to Gator's Dockside. We arrived around 5:30 PM and the restaurant was bustling. We were given a choice of inside or patio seating. We chose inside and were immediately seated. Our server, Sharon, promptly offered us drinks. We opted for beers as happy hour is 2 for 1 ($1.85 for a pint). I chose Rolling Rock as I used to drink that beer in my younger days. The atmosphere is very bright with large screen TV's all around the room. Each airing something different. They offer an extensive menu. Something for everyone. We started off with the Gator Chips. Home-made, thinly-sliced Potato Chips ($3). Came out fresh and tasty. Sharon told us that on Mondays after 6 PM, the special is All-You-Can-Eat Wings ($11 with dipping sauce $1.85 extra). Since we were in the mood, that is what we both ordered. I guess our eyes were bigger than our stomach! There are three styles of Wings and about a dozen sauces. I tried the original Wings first (10 in mild bbq sauce), then I ordered the deep-fried ones (10 more with original sauce). She ordered the same. You could tell that the oil was fresh and strained. The Wings were golden-brown, lightly breaded and spiced just right. I made it to 19 Wings, she 15, and we gave out. We were able to take home what we didn't finish. With the chips (2 orders) and two double beers, we had enough. The manager, Joe and our waitress, Sharon, came over to make sure that each and every course was to our satisfaction. It was! If Sharon was busy, another staffer saw to our every need. With two double beers each and all the trimmings, our bill was $41 + tip.
Q=5 S=5 V=5 Total=15 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Rich C. 9/09) A couple of good reviews already - guess it's safe to try a new place! On a Thursday at 12:30 PM, it was 3/4 full and we were seated in a minute. Sharon turned out to be our server. She told us the soup of the day and the special. She was back in a minute with our drinks. A little noisy but luckily the sound on the TVs were turned off. My better half had the Monte Cristo with Coleslaw and I had the Turkey Muffalatta (aka Muffaletta, aka Muffuletta, aka Muffoletta) with Coleslaw. To my surprise it was made on two pita breads instead of New Orleans style (where it originated). She enjoyed her Monte Cristo but being deep fried in heavy batter (instead of grilled) was not exactly what you expect from this named sandwich. The jarred jam was a nice touch. The slaw was good and a healthy change from fries. Sharon stopped back 3 times to check on us. Very friendly too. There are lots of staff working here now and her station must have been just a few tables. It was nice that passing staff picked up our dirty dishes without us asking. That's a real plus. Probably not the healthiest place to eat from what you see on the menu but that signature Wedge Salad kept calling to me. So we behaved - no beer or wine - and the total was $23 before t&t. Pretty fair. We'll be back.
Q=4 S=5 V=5 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Bob M. 9/09) Thought I'd give it a try. I sat at the bar and was almost immediately greeted by Tina, who was my server. I ordered my standard bar food staple, Buffalo Chicken Wrap and Iced Tea. Total cost was $11 with tax. Service was very good and Tina stopped by several times to make sure everything was OK. My wrap appeared to be smaller than I have had elsewhere and the tortilla was not real fresh or it appeared that way since it flaked a lot. When I saw the chips that came with the plate I thought that they were nice and big. That was quickly dispelled when I took the top few off. Underneath, it appeared to be the bottom of an empty bag of chips (crushed and little pieces). I'll probably go back but I won't have the Buffalo Chicken Wrap and Fries again.
Q=2 S=4 V=2 Total=8 out of 15. Return=Yes.

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Giovanni's Ristorante & Pizzeria, 3439 Wedgewood Ln., The Villages, FL. 751-6674. L/D. Open 11 AM to 3 PM for lunch and 3 PM to 9 PM for dinner (4-8 PM on Sundays). Authentic Southern Italian cuisine direct from Naples. Pizza and pasta are favorites. Create your own Pizza range $12-16 depending on size. Pasta dinners like Fettuccine Bolognese or Homemade Gnocchi range from $7-14. Seafood dinners like Shrimp Scampi range from $12-14. Chicken and Veal dishes like Veal Romano range from $14-15. Salads like Caprese Salad and sandwiches like Eggplant Parm. Hero range from $5-8. Lunch entrées range from $5-7. Popular during winter, arrive early for shorter waiting. Beer & wine. Family operated. Giovanni Manco, owner.

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Review: (from Ellen H. 8/06) A great family run operation. Tasty food and good friendly service. Lots of regulars come here. We love the Barbarone wine too.
Q=4 S=4 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Dennis C. 2/07) We like the food here. Always friendly service and nice Italian meals. The homemade bread is wonderful. I had the Veal Marsala and she had the Fetuccini with White Clam Sauce. My veal was very tender and came with both veggies AND pasta. Her dish was loaded with chopped clams. Always a popular spot; by 5:30 PM you have to wait a little - it's worth it. Dinner for two with one red wine was $33 plus tip.
Q=4 S=4 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Rich C. 9/07) Hard to beat this place for tasty homemade Italian meals. Always a big decision as to what to order. She had Veal Romano with Pasta ($14.50) and I had Veal Cutlet Parmesan with Spaghetti ($12). The so-so (white lettuce) salads are offset by the great hot garlic rolls. With 1 Barbarone and 1 iced tea, the total was $32. Service today was just OK.
Q=4 S=3 V=4 Total=11 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Howard H. 1/09) This was our Gourmet Club Dine-out Group. First time we had been here. Plain décor. Waited for a table about 30 mins. No reservations accepted. Doesn't seem to be set up for large parties of 6 or more. Wife and I both had Veal Piccata ($14). She had hers with Angel Hair Pasta, mine with Penne Pasta. Veal was slightly overcooked. Pasta could have been more seasoned for my taste. But nicely presented. I opted out of the vegetable medley and took extra pasta. Nice rolls. Just enough garlic to make them interesting. We each had a glass of the house Pinot ($4.50), which was not bad. Check for two was $37 + tip.
Q=3 S=4 V=3 Total=10 out of 15. Return=Yes.

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Glenview Champions Country Club, 3194 Glenview Rd., The Villages, FL. 753-0077. B/L/D. Open daily 11 AM to 8:30 PM. Dining with a view of the golf course. Sunday Brunch offered 9 AM to 2 PM. Specializing in seafood and hand cut Angus Steaks ($15-20). Specials include Twin Lobster Tails ($25), Filet Mignon with Lobster Tail ($24), Rack of Lamb ($22) and Prime Rib. Other dishes such as Stuffed Meatloaf, Seven Layer Lasagna and Chicken Cacciatore are also available. Broiled Tilapia, Shrimp Scampi, Cedar Plank Salmon, 12 oz. Pork Chop and London Broil are also popular. Sister establishment to Mallory Hill Country Club (see below). Full bar with happy hour 3-6 PM. Richard & Karen Perkins, owners (also owns 110th Street Grille (see page 2) in Belleview).

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Review: (from Rosemary G. 3/07) The ambiance and dining experience were quite nice. My husband had the Veal Marsala - tasty and the serving was ample but the cut of meat could have been a bit more tender. I opted for the Shrimp Alfredo which was very good with enough to take home and have for dinner the next day. We both had side Ceaser Salads which were fine. With a wine and champagne the bill was $56.70 with tax and tip.
Q=4 S=5 V=4 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Francis M. 8/07) Glenview has never impressed us during the half dozen times we have tried it. On a Friday evening, there was no wait for a table. Our server, Erica did an excellent job. The ambience is very good with the exception of the noise level - extremely loud to the point of annoying (same experience as before). We were in a booth and it was difficult for us to hear each other! I had the Twin Lobster Tail Special at $24. My wife had a House Salad and Onion Soup. All the food was warm but not hot (including the soup). The twin lobsters were small cold water lobsters and therefore not much meat. The salad looked like it had been sitting for a while - lettuce was dry and unappetizing. We will return again some time in the distant future to see if there is any improvement.
Q=3 S=3 V=3 Total=9 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Ellen H. 11/07) It's been about 2 years since we've been here because of a poor previous experience. We made the Happy Hour 2-4-1 and enjoyed a large house Merlot and Chardonnay at $4.75 ea. We both had the Caesar Salads ($1.99) that were cold and crisp. No brown lettuce and light on the dressing - perfect! I had the Chicken Rosalita ($14.95), "double vegetables, please" and he held his breath and ordered the Smothered Sirloin Steak ($14.95), "medium-rare, please". Both were cooked correctly and were very flavorful. He was surprised that steak was so good. However, with both chicken and steak at the same price, I'm not sure if the chicken was expensive or the steak was cheap! We enjoyed our meal but not the noisy environment. Our service from Tracey was good, except that I got the customary pasta instead of the "double vegetables" I requested. Total without coffee or dessert was $46. We'll be back again sooner than 2 years.
Q=4 S=3 V=4 Total=11 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Richard B. 7/08) I had a regular menu item, Braised Lamb Shanks ($14) and she had a special, Salmon with a Basil and Strawberry Cream Sauce ($17). Both were excellent as was the service. Veggies were also good, very colorful, not over cooked. My Red Potatoes and her Rice also fine. This is our third visit and we have been pleased every time and always kick ourselves for not dining there more often.
Q=5 S=4 V=4 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Howard H. 1/09) Went in for lunch after golf. Ordered the Ribeye Sandwich ($9) and after a little conversation, it came out exactly as ordered. The slice of steak was very ample and almost made it difficult to eat as a sandwich. I was rather disappointed in the Kettle Chips. They were extrememly hard and cold. Overall I would order that again, although I would opt for the French Fries ($1) next time. With two draft beers at $2.42 each, the bill came to $15 + tip.
Q=4 S=4 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Frank M. 7/09) My wife and I went for the advertised "$5 Signature Soup and Sandwich Combo" which ended up at $19 plus tip. We were aware beverage is extra, therefore $1.89 for Iced Tea, but not that soups offered were also $2 more and told "it's printed on the menu" when bill was questioned and never mentioned by server Gary when ordering. I had French Dip and wife had Carolina Crab Cake ($5 each), both very good. Service was good, noise level high, as are prices and we don't like, what to us is, deceptive advertising.
Q=4 S=3 V=2 Total=9 out of 15. Return=No.

Review: (from Dan K. 9/09) Seven in our party, all received separate checks as requested. Kelly was our server, quick, friendly and excellent. My wife and I each had the Friday Night Surf 'N Turf Special, Maine Lobster, good flavor and texture and a wonderful Filet prepared perfectly. A Baked Potato and Green Beans Almondine were included. I was able to get the vegetable without the almonds. $20 each was a fantastic value. We will return. Everyone in our party was happy and enjoyed the evening.
Q=5 S=5 V=5 Total=15 out of 15. Return=Yes.

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Golden Corral Buffet & Grill, 3950 Wedgewood Ln., The Villages, FL. L/D. Now open in the Buffalo Ridge Shopping Plaza at CR 103. Popular steak buffet chain. Items on the buffet include Asian Pork Roast, Bourbon Street Chicken, Cajun Whitefish, Clam Chowder, Country Fried Steak, Smoked Ham, Grilled Pork Chops, Salmon Steaks, Beef Tomales and Turkey Breast. Sirlion Steak is a favorite. Large selection of vegetables too. One of a growing franchise chain of about 500 locations based in Raleigh, NC. No bar. Bruce Garner, general manager; Bob Prickett and David & Cathy Jedziniak of Tiger Foods in Eustis, franchisees.

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Review: (from Dan G. 6/07) Arrived at 12:15 for lunch; there were many open spaces for parking and it's golf cart accessible. Due to the recent grand opening, there seemed to be many service people available. There are buffet style areas depending on your taste of food: Italian, Asian, American and a prominent dessert bar. The food was hot and replaced frequently. Go there now, after about three weeks the corporate staff leaves and that will be the test to see how the local staff handles the crowds. Lunch was $7.49 and $1.79 for cold drinks.
Q=4 S=4 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Rich C. 6/07) We were pleasantly surprised by this large buffet restaurant. We typically shy away from "all-you-can-devour" establishments but friends suggested we give it a visit. Crowded, even though it was raining, we were seated promptly however. The vast array of food is mind boggling. And yes, they have huge Sirloin Steaks grilling that they slice off a hunk for you. I asked for medium-rare and that's exactly what I got. It was as good as we cook at home. Each day features a different nationality but there's always something for everyone. Large salad bar (with crisp greens) and other counters offering "soup to nuts". Many helpful personnel around. Senior price was $10.49 pp for dinner plus drink and tax. I'm sure they can't make money on those that come in for just 4 steaks and 4 desserts but everyone seemed happy with their meals, including us. Welcomed in this retired community where quantity and price always seem paramount. Good for large families but not for your waiste-line. It's on our list of "we'll be back" restaurants if they can keep it spotless and bright.
Q=4 S=4 V=5 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Francis M. 8/07) Reluctantly, we went to this buffet to give it a try since we had heard some good things about it. I do not expect to return! The variety of food was excellent but the quality was so-so. Some warm, some hot and some not so good. We both tried the ribs and my wife tried the steak. The ribs were dry and tough while the steak was just OK. We are not buffet people and that may be why we are not high on this place. A good selection of desserts that were OK. There was a big problem with shrimp in the salad area - it was placed such that it could easily contaminate surrounding items - a very serious problem for people with allergies! I guess for $11 each it was a decent buffet but not a place I can go and enjoy a nice meal with nice service. We do not plan to go back.
Q=2 S=3 V=3 Total=8 out of 15. Return=No.

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Hacienda Hills Bar & Grill, 1200 Morse Blvd., The Villages, FL. B/L/D. 753-0100. Formerly The Royal Palm Restaurant, then Coconutz in the Hacienda Hills Country Club. The recent new menu includes Chopped Sirloin, Veal Liver & Onions, 9 oz. New York Strip and 12 oz Delmonico Steak ranging from $11-20. Also available is Chicken Marsala, Chicken Parm. and Chicken Broccoli from $14 to $15 each. Also a few Italian staples like Baked Lasagna, Eggplant Parm. and Penne with Meatballs ($11-13). Some seafood offerings like Tilapia, Friend Shrimp, Baked Cod and Fish 'N Chips ranging from $9-16 are included. Added to the menu are Pork Chops, Meatloaf and Beef Brisket from $10 to $16. Desserts from the front case too. 18% gratuity added on parties of 6 or more. Full bar. Vinnie Coyne, owner.

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Review: (from Martin G. 3/07) Don't go to Hacienda Hills if you're looking for a fine dining experience. In fact if you're just looking for a decent dinner you might be disappointed. We went last week and I doubt we'll be returning except perhaps for a lunch. I ordered Grilled Salmon cooked rare. My wife and another member of our party ordered the Meatloaf and the fourth ordered the Quesadilla appetizer. I had to return my Salmon. It was overcooked. Forget presentation. When my dinner finally arrived everyone else was done with theirs. They got the rare part right the second time however the chef seems to have left off the seasoning. It was virtually tasteless. The Meatloaf was okay but nothing to write home about. Three of us had Roasted Red Potatoes as one of our side dishes. Again no seasoning. Just a few small red potatoes sitting on our plate. The mixed vegetables of the day was "canned" corn, peas and carrots - tasteless. Less drinks and tip our part of the bill came to $25 for 2. Not worth the cost.
Q=1 S=3 V=1 Total=5 out of 15. Return=No.

Review: (from Francis M. 7/07) We tried the $7.99 Sunday Morning Breakfast Buffet. For the price we did not expect much and that was what we got. Most of the buffet food was cold and it was apparent that nobody took the time to "stir the pot". The worst was Eggs Benedict. They were never hot and some were overcooked and the English Muffins were not toasted. Second worst was the canned fruit. There was no fresh fruit. The best was Cooked-To-Order Omelets. Coffee and juice were extra charge. One of the cooks used his hands to place food on the buffet. That turned us off. There was a table set aside for the wait staff.  While sitting there, they were discussing contagious viruses and other sicknesses ­ overheard by the customers!  Dinner menu suggested it was more of a lunch menu. Don't think we will be going back for some time.
Q=2 S=1 V=2 Total=5 out of 15. Return=No.

Review: (from Jerry D. 7/07) Wow have things changed at this place. Based upon the previous two reviews I thought we had made a mistake but we did receive a good recommendation from a trusted critic that Italian Nite was good. We were not disappointed. The four of us ordered a different item from a somewhat limited menu: Egg Plant Parmesan with a side of Italian Sausage, Lasagna, Baked Stuffed Shells and Ravioli. The meals were served with a small garden salad and bread. All of the meals were well prepared and presented very nicely. The taste of each meal was incredible. All of us agreed that we would return. Italian night was Tuesday but is being changed to Wednesday. While we were dining there were just 5 other people in the restaurant and bar. If our meals reflect the changes they have made this is a jewel. Our waiter, Brian, was very attentive filling water glasses when needed and paying attention to all of the details (close but not overbearing).The décor was light and airy with palm ceiling fans circulating with a large sunlit atrium area. When the meal was over, we met Sandy the manager who came to the table and told us the future plans of having an Irish entertainment night. Dinner for two without drinks and tip was $24.
Q=5 S=4 V=5 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Ellen H. 1/08) Where can you go at 6 PM when the "snowflakes" are in town and you want to eat without waiting an hour? Well, Hacienda came to mind and we were right, only half the tables were in use. Cassie, our server was quick to greet us and got our order right. I had the Baked Cod with a salad. He had Chicken Marsala on Linguini with salad. Unfortunately it was "bag salad and Kraft dressing". My cod was originally frozen then rolled in Ritz Crackers. His chicken was a little more promising; many pieces of thin chicken with mushrooms. The good part was no wait; the bad part was pretty noisy even at half capacity. The wait staff had no dress code; we saw shorts, jeans, jackets, even sweats on the servers. Total with 1 wine and 1 soft drink was $36 before tax and tip. Nothing notable here. We'll try lunch; but not dinner again.
Q=2 S=2 V=2 Total=6 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Frank M. 7/09) Had the new $3.99 breakfast (2 eggs, bacon, hash browns, choice of bread) and $1.79 coffee, served well by Josie. Chef broke an egg and gave me an extra! $12.50 w/tax, for two + tip. Excellent!
Q=4 S=5 V=5 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

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Havana Country Club, 2484 O'Dell Circle, The Villages, FL. 430-3200. B/L/D. Open 7 AM to 9 PM daily; until 10 PM Fridays and Saturdays. Opened November 28, 2008. Also referred to as the Havana Club and the Havana Clubhouse, per the new sign on the building. This "Country Club" has an interesting dining room and bar with both indoor and outdoor seating similar to Cane Garden. Décor is 1930s Cuban club-like with vaulted beamed acoustic friendly ceilings, dark woods, mixed with an elaborate display of tile and colorful fabrics. Booths plus curved banquettes for seating. Large circular bar and open kitchen make this location very different from Cane Garden. Now open 9 AM for Saturday breakfast too, plus a Sunday Brunch 9 AM to 2 PM. Main menu items include such main dishes as Baked Stuffed Mini Meatloaf, Chicken Amaretto, Grilled Mahi Mahi with Key Lime Glaze, Coconut Tempura Fried Shrimp, Grilled Pork Chops, Havana Shrimp Scampi, Marinated Skirt Steak, Sofrito Marinated Ribeye Steak, Pollo Romesco, as well as traditional Paella Havana. These range from $11 to $18. Sandwiches such as Quesadilla de Pollo, Havana Cubano, Arroz con Pollo Wrap, Black Angus Burger, Gulf Grouper Sandwich, Open Face Ropa Vieja and Pan con Lechon range from $7 to $9 each. Pizzas such as Margueritta, Carne Carnival and Hawaiian Delight style range $6-8 each. Flatbreads are also available at $7-8 each. Large salads such as the Caesar Salad, Pollo Pineapple, Cuban Cobb and Mojo Pork Tenderloin with Peaches range $5-9. Specials such as Mussels & Chorizo, Garlic Mojo Beef Skewers, Ahi Tuna Mojito and Pecan Encrusted Salmon might also be offered. Black Bean and Soup du Jour always available. Brick Oven Pizzas like Margherita, Hawaiian, Havana and others run $10-12 each. Desserts are not abandoned with Cuban Coconut Flan, Gratin of Fresh Berries of the Season, Banana Tres Leche Cake, Ricotta Cheesecake at $5-8 generally. Menu changes often and some of the above items may have been replaced already. 18% gratuity added for parties of 8 or more. Open Thanksgiving Day. Full bar. Limited wine list including a house sangria plus tropical drinks. Happy hour, 2:30 - 5:30 PM, 1/2 price well drinks, drafts and house wines or $2 off all other cocktails and calls. After dinner drinks on the mini menu card. Occasional entertainment and dancing. Eric Reed, executive chef; David Hoefer, bar manager; Donald Slage, general manager; Kris and Diana Brown of Hospitality Guru Inc, owners.

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Review: (from Colene M. 11/08) We were the second party in the door on their first day open. We found the décor to be delightful and the service very attentive. We had Michael for a waiter and he was very good. He had worked at Outback and Bonefish and you could tell he was experienced. We were told that Happy Hour was until 5:30 PM and it was 4:15 but later was told Happy Hour wasn't for the first three days. We did have two glasses of wine each ($4.25 each) that was a good house wine. We had 4 Conch Fritters ($8) for an appetizer and they were wonderful. The best we've ever tasted. We were told they make them in house. My husband ordered the Grilled Mojo Pollo ($14) and I ordered the Tilapia Romesco ($13). Before any food came, my husband noticed the silverware was not as clean as it could be and told the waiter. When the meal came, my husband's wasn't warm and he had to send it back. We attributed that to opening day problems. When he got it back, it was great. My tilapia was wonderful as well. Both were served with rice and vegetables. My husband's chicken also came with black beans. The total came to $52 before tax and tip. We would recommend this restaurant to anyone. It was very good and we'll be back.
Q=4 S=5 V=4 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Ellen H. 11/08) Opening day jitters didn't phase us a bit. We had to try this new dining adventure on "day one". Someone knows how to run a restaurant here! More than enough help being busy taking care of patrons. We started with house Sangrias. They were a little different with sliced grapes and apples in them. Very nice. We split the Crab Cake appetizer. Three small ones were served on a bed of yellow rice and were tasty but one was a little over cooked and burned on one side. I opted for the Swordfish Kebob Special because you don't often see swordfish on the menu. With Cuban Rice and Vegetable Medley served in a very unique boat plate, it was one of the best dishes I've had in a long time. It's not easy cooking fish and vegetables on grill at the same time and this was cooked to perfection. The veggies were nice and crisp too. He had the London Broil. It was 3 nice slices of very tender beef along with the Cuban Rice and Veggies. It was excellent also. Can't leave without trying George's "Stella Style". This cheesecake was creamy yet light and delicious. Not like the heavy New York style you may be familiar with. We especially liked the presentation; nice fresh colorful fruit alongside the "cake". Crystal was our competent server who seemed well trained and checked back on us often. Terrific experience and it adds up fast. $62 before t&t with 2 drinks, 1 appetizer, 2 entrées and 2 cheesecakes. We'll be back soon; we saw lots of interesting things on the menu we want to try out.
Q=4 S=5 V=4 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Rosemary G. 11/08) When we arrived we were told about a 30 to 45 minute wait, so we went to the bar and looked around. The decor is very nice and before we had paid for our drinks our table was ready. The service was very nice. I ordered the Shrimp Scampi and it was ample and very tasty. My sister-in-law ordered the Amaretto Chicken with a house salad on the side and she was less than thrilled. He ordered Grilled Alaskan Salmon with a house salad and was very happy with his choice because they cooked it the way he likes it, almost raw. $57 for the 3 of us with one glass of wine with the meal.
Q=4 S=4 V=3 Total=11 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Dennis C. 12/08) We arrived at 5 PM and were told there would only be a 10 minute wait. The wait turned out to be 20 minutes and we noticed quite a few unoccupied tables. They seemed to be set up ready for patrons but sat idle for a long time. With 4 hostesses at the desk, seems that could improve. Paula greeted us promptly and took our drink orders. We had soft drinks only. It took a while for our server to get back to us for our food order, however. My better half ordered the Havana Atlantica Salad that had crab, shrimp and scallops with white asparagus ($12). She loved it. Nice fresh greens and dressing on the side. I tried the Havana Cuban Sandwich ($9). It came with French Fries, which was disappointing because I found out later I could have had a side salad instead and our waitress never offered the choices to me. In addition, every table around us got rolls but we were not brought or offered any. The Cuban was fine and typical of others I have tried. We split the Strawberry Shortcake "Martini" dessert ($7). That's pricey. Our total was $32 without t&t or any alcohol. This server needs re-training and we noticed that other staff were slow to clean tables and get waiting people seated. We'll wait a few weeks before we come back.
Q=5 S=2 V=4 Total=11 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Daniel G. 12/08) Staff said wait time was 30 minutes; waited only 15 minutes. We were served promptly, by Rachel. Decor is acceptable but restaurant was very noisy. High ceilings seemed to emphasize the noise. Credit cards were switched for two couples at the end. Rachel needs some more training. We had a cup of Soup, Salad, Burger, Steak Sandwich and a beverage. The food was the best part of our experience. With food and tip it came to approximately $27.
Q=4 S=3 V=3 Total=10 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from John C. 12/08) Our party arrived at 4 PM and was seated immediately. The service was very good and our waitress was attentive. Entrée orders of our group included Atlantica Salad, Mini Meat Loaves, Tilapia and different Chicken dishes. All members enjoyed their meal; none complained about the food. We all agreed that we would return to Havana restaurant. Total meal cost for 2 was approx $32 to $35, including a glass of wine, plus gratuity.
Q=4 S=4 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Howard H. 1/09) I had previously visited the Havana Country Club on opening night. My experience was not very pleasant and I felt it would be unfair to review this restaurant at that time. I returned for lunch after golf and was most pleasantly satisfied. I had a cup of Seafood Newburgh Soup which was laced with a good amount of sherry and nicely filled with shrimp, grouper and blue crab.($5.50). For my main course I chose the Salad Havana Atlantica. Very well presented in an oversized scallop-shaped dish with an ample amount of mixed greens with shrimp, scallops and avacado topped with blue crabmeat and Louis XIV dressing ($12). With a beer to drink, my check came to $22 + tip. Server was "Sunny". Can't wait to try the appetizers!
Q=5 S=5 V=4 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Rich C. 1/09) Stopped by for lunch with the new chef. A considerably slimmed-down menu may help the kitchen get the tickets done. Chris waited on me at the bar. A friendly greeting was appreciated. I had a house Chardonnay and the Angus Burger with a side of Yellow Rice. Very nice burger and the total came to $11.50 before t&t. Noticeable changes made here recently. The kitchen may now be more efficient.
Q=4 S=5 V=4 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Ellen H. 1/09) Our friends from up north were visiting, so why not take them to the newest restaurant on campus? We chose to eat on the back porch because it was warm and comfortable. The hostess stand seemed somewhat confused (with 3 staffing it) as to what server should get the next party. We were told one person would be our server but were seated in a different server's section, evidently. Well, OK! We had Gypsy for our server instead. She had a warm welcome and was very pleasant. My better half ordered the Beef Ropa Vieja Cubano. I ordered a cup of Mushroom Soup, that was the "soup-du-jour" that day, and the Black Angus Burger (rare). Our friends had the Havana Cuban Sandwich and also the Ropa Vieja. My burger was delivered but my soup didn't show up right away. We notified the runner before he left. After finishing half my burger I got to ask Gypsy "what happened to my soup". She wasn't sure. Since I was now almost finished with my meal, I told her I would pass on the soup and didn't want to eat it after my meal. She agreed. We all had soft drinks. The food was good and came out promptly (except for my soup, of course). Our friends really liked their meals. When we were given the bill, we were still being charged for the soup! Gypsy ran back to take it off but we think she should have checked the bill for accuracy before presenting it. Lunch for 4 came to $35 before t&t. Staff still needs training here.
Q=5 S=2 V=4 Total=11 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Robert F. 2/09) Conch Fritters were out of sight. Every bit as good as in Key West, probably better. I asked for a RARE hamburger with grilled onions. It was served exactly as requested. The Pizza was excellent. My wife stated that it surpassed the other country clubs here.
Q=5 S=4 V=5 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Rich C. 3/09) There were 6 of us that arrived about 6 PM. To our surprise, the restaurant was not even half full during the height of the winter season. We chose to be seated on the outside terrance. Although the hostess handed us menus, the "set-ups" were just piled in the middle of the table. Ben was our server and chose to start with the gentleman in "position 1" rather than the ladies. My better half ordered a cup of Black Bean Soup and the Cuban Cobb Salad with Chicken but requested the chicken be grilled instead of blackened. Ben assured that was possible and noted the request. I had difficulty deciding, so I ordered two appetizers for my meal. The first was Maryland Crab Cakes, the second was Grouper Fingers. A house wine and a coffee were our beverages. It turned out the soup was fine and so were the greens in her Cobb but the (cold) chicken had been cooked previously and the blackened coating was just scraped off somewhat. Still, a little too spicy for her taste. My Crab was OK with 3 small cakes with salsa and yellow rice but the Grouper Fingers were a real disappointment. They were more dark brown breading that was over-fried, than fish. Way too crispy and tasteless and not appetizing when presented. They would do well to remove this item from the menu. We felt rushed by our server even though by 7:30 PM there were even fewer people here on this gorgeous night. Guess he wanted to "turn the table", so we went to the Waterfront Inn for an after dinner drink. The bill was $34 before t&t. What has happened to this place?
Q=3 S=2 V=3 Total=8 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Bob E. 7/09) On a previous lunchtime visit, I had a sandwich and was very pleased with the food and service. On a previous dinnertime visit, I was dissatisfied with both the fish I ordered and the extremely slow service. On this lunchtime visit there were few customers and the service was fine, if a bit slow. There was a new menu and I ordered the Caribbean Jerk Pork with Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Sautéed Spinach at $14.95 and a draft beer at $1.38 . The two good-sized pieces of pork were very well prepared but there was so little Jerk seasoning that the entrée was misnamed. The sides were quite good. Others ordered sandwiches and salads and were all very pleased. The Arnold Palmer drinks (ice tea and lemonade) were frequently refilled.
Q=4 S=4 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Ellen H. 7/09) The restaurant was not busy and we were seated outside quickly although our server, George, did not arrive immediately. I asked if they still had the Peanut Butter Cup Martini and he assured me they did. When my drink arrived it was a Chocolate Martini and when I questioned that, I was eventually told they did not have the right ingredients for the martini I ordered, so they sent this one. I wondered why they didn't tell me and let me decide what I wanted instead. They did give me the martini at no charge however. We ordered dinner and one of our friends asked for a salad before her meal and it was never delivered even though she asked several times. We waited over 30 minutes for our meals although there was only one other table occupied outside. The food was very good. I had Pollo Havana and it was delicious and my better half had Chicken Amaretto and he enjoyed that also. In all my visits to this restaurant I have found that it is always the same - the food is good but the service is not. The total with tax was $37 with 2 wines.
Q=4 S=1 V=1 Total=6 out of 15. Return=No.

Review: (from Frank M. 7/09) Arrived at 5:50 PM and were seated immediately. We were served well by Bill, who was very personable. Pleasant Havana-like ambience. I got the Paella ($18); she ordered the Tilapia ($11). We both had the Caesar Salads ($3), Chardonnay wines ($2.25) preceded by Martinis ($2.50). One "American coffee" ($1.49) and a shared Tuxedo Bomb chocolate dessert ($6). Timely service, all items of uniformly high quality. Total with tax was $55 plus tip.
Q=5 S=5 V=5 Total=15 out of 15. Return=Yes.

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IHOP Restaurant (The Villages), 3480 Wedgewood Ln., The Villages, FL. B/L/D. Open 6 AM to 11 PM daily. This well known pancake chain, once known as The International House of Pancakes, opened Nov. 24, 2008 in the building formerly occupied by Bono's Pit Bar-B-Que facing CR 466. Such items as Blueberry, Strawberry, Banana and Chocolate Chip Pancakes are favorites here. Colorado and 3 Cheese Omlettes are also featured. French Toast, Waffles and Crêpes as well as Burgers and Sandwiches can also be found here. Senior Specials are also offered. Free pancakes are offered for a charitable donation on Pancake Day (a.k.a. Shrove Tuesday and Mardi Gras) every year (Feb. 16, 2010; March 8, 2011 and Feb. 21, 2012 etc.). Another location is already open on SR 44 near I-75 in Wildwood, as well as on US 441 in Leesburg. The 50 year old company, headquartered in Glendale, CA., operates 1,350 IHOP Restaurants, as well as almost 2,000 Applebee's locations. Sunshine Restaurant Partners of Miami is the franchisee. Rich Jerzak, general manager.

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Review: (from Dan K. 8/09) Fast service, food prepared as we requested. We went after golf and needed a place to cool off and have a light meal. We each had the breakfast which included pancakes that were above average. Total bill including coffee was about $16 before t&t. Friends have also gone and told me they enjoy the food and service. I will go back again.
Q=4 S=4 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

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Johnny Rockets, 976 Old Mill Run., The Villages, FL. 751-5553. L/D. Hamburger heaven. Noted for fountain service items like Old Fashioned Milk Shakes and Malts. Besides the popular Hamburgers, Egg Salad Sandwich, Grilled Cheese, BLT, Tuna Melt, Chili Dog and Apple Pie A-La-Mode are also featured. 50's diner atmosphere for families with waitstaff doing song and dance routines occasionally. No bar. One of a nationwide chain of 170 locations, headquartered in Lake Forest, CA. Reverted to a corporate location. Juan Duque, manager.

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Review: (from Mary H. 3/09) We went for lunch around 12:30 PM. I ordered the Grilled Chicken Sandwich and a Salad and my husband had the Hamburger & Fries. He was a bit envious because the chicken was delicious and the side salad was plentiful but his meal was good also. We actually chose this restaurant because all the others in the area were really busy at noon and found this restaurant to be a pleasant surprise. We went again about 2 weeks later and found the food to be very good. The price is right and the servers are very nice but just a little slow. It's also fun to sit outside on a nice day.
Q=4 S=3 V=4 Total=11 out of 15. Return=Yes.

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Katie Belle's Dining & Music Hall, 996 Del Mar Dr., The Villages, FL. (downstairs - residents and their guests only) 750-9411. B/L/D. Open daily from 8 AM to 11 PM. Sunday Brunch served 8 AM to 1 PM. Open Christmas Day from 11 AM to 7 PM. Weekend Breakfast Buffets are popular. Lunches generally $5-8. Finger Foods generally $7-9. Pizza generally $6-7. Salads offered range from $6 to $10. For dinner, Chicken Parmagana ($13), Chicken Piccata ($13), Roast Beef ($13), Tenderloin Beef Tips ($14), Grilled Salmon ($15), Tipalia Stuffed with Crab ($13.50), 10oz. Sirloin ($16), 8 oz. Prime Rib ($17), Shrimp Scallop Scampi ($18), 5 oz. and 9 oz. Filet Mignons ($18-$25) and Twin Lobster Tails ($44) are now offered. Full bar. Large dance floor with music for lunch (2:30 to 5 PM) and dinner every night (6:30 to 9:30 PM). Note that a minimum charge per person ($5 to $20) for "show nights" with tables occupying the dance floor may be required. Some nights are by reservation only. A 20% gratuity now placed on the bill. Call ahead for information. Residents and their guests only. David Rees, manager. Developer owned.

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Review: (from Rich C. 6/07) Stopped in for a quick bite since the line at Too Jays was so long. We were seated immediately. I ordered the French Dip with a side of Cole Slaw and she ordered the Cobb Salad. Both were served promptly. The salad was fresh and the roast beef was not fatty. With soft drinks, our bill came to $21. Their menu has improved over the last year offering more selections. One major complaint: I never got my Cole Slaw and our waitress never checked back to see how we were doing until we were done with our meal. (Minus one point!)
Q=3 S=2 V=3 Total=8 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Ellen H. 10/08) Since it was Halloween, I did not have great expectations of this evening's meal but I was plesantly surprised. Although the service was very slow, our server was pleasant and very accommodating. I had the special which was a Scallop dish served over Risotto with a Cream Sauce. It was delicious. My dinner partners had the Prime Rib which was fine but not exceptional and a Steak which was cooked perfectly and very well seasoned. All of us had vegetables that were cooked a little too much but had a good flavor. The two other people in my party both had dessert and loved them both. They had a piece of Cheesecake with Strawberry Topping and a Chocolate Cake that was more like fudge than cake. I had club soda with my dinner and she refilled it 3 times and remembered the lime each time which is not always the case. My meal came to $16 before t&t.
Q=4 S=3 V=3 Total=10 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Rich C. 1/09) Our friends wanted to treat us to breakfast on a Sunday morning. We suggested Katie Belle's Sunday Brunch Buffet. There was no wait at 9:30 AM. Three buffet lines with eggs, bacon, biscuits with sausage gravy, home fries, bread pudding and corned beef hash (yippee!), on one side; pancakes, french toast, fruit, danish and nut bread, on the other. We never got to the center omelet and beef carving section. Too much food! Ashley was very gracious, friendly and checked on us often. Other servers helped buss; that's what we like to see. Everything was very good. Next time we'll start at the roast beef and end at the hash! Buffet for 4 with coffees and tax was $39. Very nice choice. 20 minute wait by 11 AM.
Q=4 S=5 V=5 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

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Legacy Restaurant, 8455 SE 172 Legacy Ln., The Villages, FL. 753-1475. L/D. Lunch from 11 AM; dinner from 4 PM daily. At the Nancy Lopez Country Club. Savor steaks from their oakwood grill. Specialty salads, seafood and pasta dishes are served. Rainbow Trout and Warm Lobster Salad are favorites. Entrées range from $7 to $30 each. Main dishes include Herb Crusted Chicken Breast ($16), Grilled Veal & Wild Mushroom Meatloaf ($16), Pork Chop ($17), Black Angus Ribeye ($30), Roast Duck ($19), Grilled Salmon ($18), Rack of Lamb ($24), Filet Blanco y Negro ($25), Swordfish ($19), Veal Cutlet ($22) and Bison Striploin ($25). Now specializing in "Harris Ranch" beef from California. A variety of Pasta dishes range from $15 to $19. Escargot and Lobster Bisque are popular here. End the meal with Profiterole au Chocolat ($6), Bananas Foster ($8) or Nancy's Pecan Pie ($6). Voted best restaurant in The Villages for a number of years. Frequent Diner Program available. The south dining area is less noisy. Very popular in winter. Occasional weekly specials in the off season. Small private room for parties. Full bar. Entertainment in the lounge. Toby Williams, chef; Miguel Reyna, manager; John McDonough, owner here as well as the Oasis Bar & Grill (see below).

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Review: (from Martin G. 4/07) Celebrated my wife's birthday with some close friends at The Legacy Country Club. Without question it's probably the best restaurant within the confines of The Villages. It can get a little noisy with the band playing and a lot of folks out for a night of partying but the dining experience is worth it. I had one of the specials, "Mexican Grouper", a nice sized piece of fish with a tasty pecan crust and mild white cream sauce accompanied with snow peas and garlic mashed potatoes. My wife had the Shrimp Jardinera over pasta with a tasty garlic cream sauce. We shared an appetizer, Lavosh (a flat bread), with melted Havarti cheese served with a garnish of guacamole and a tomato salsa. The servings were ample and the presentation was more than acceptable. Our server, George (from Jamaica), took care of us quite professionally. We arrived in time for happy hour ('till 7 PM) and our tab with drinks less tax & tip came to $67.
Q=4 S=4 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Steve L. 4/07) A great dining experience in the Villages. We started with a Berry Fusion Martini for the wife and an "Arnold Palmer" for me. Appetizers were a pair of Crab Cakes that were delicious and pan seared just perfectly. We had a dinner salad and a half Ceasar salad followed by Roast Duck cooked crispy to my wife's request. I had the Blackened Swordfish with sautéed spinach and baked potato. The fish was blackened the way I like it and the $19 price for the fish was well worth it. The duck was also $19. With the Crab Cakes at $8, the total cost of the meal with coffee was $68 for two. Dining at the Legacy is a good value. For those interested, for $20 per person, you may join their dining plan which gives you $20 back on your birthday. It also totals what you spend on an ongoing basis and rewards you with items as you attain higher levels. This is a great idea and our dining partners actually ate for free tonight. Our waitress was Niki and she was very professional as was the manager who changed our table when asked, without any hesitation.
Q=5 S=4 V=5 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Rosemary G. 5/07) Probably our favorite dining venue in the Villages. We took my sister-in-law for dinner during her visit and were not disappointed. He had the Grouper as his entrée. We ladies ordered the Pasta Jardinera and the Legacy Chop. As we have come to expect, the service, the presentation, the taste and size of the portions were all excellent. When we arrived we mentioned to our server that we had tickets for a show at the Savannah Center. At times, service can be a little slow on a Saturday evening, however our dinner arrived promptly and we were done in ample time to take in our show.
Q=5 S=5 V=4 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Rich C. 7/07) Well, her birthday deserves the best, so we headed over to the Legacy. A "45 minute wait, sir" turned out to be only 15 minutes! Thomas was our server and we remember his laid back, homey and friendly approach. Turns out it was Lobster Tail Monday and although not printed on the menu, Thomas reminded us why it was crowded tonight. She started with Escargot ($7) that were good, I started with the Crab Cake ($8) which was very enjoyable. We both were in the mood for Lobster Tail, so she had the Twins and I had the Filet Combo ($21 either). Both dinners were excellent. With one glass of house wine, two coffees and a complimentary birthday cake (banana something), it really was a nice evening. I watched as the host or wait staff politely chatted with customers who had questions. This establishment knows how to run a restaurant. No wonder it's so popular. Dinner for two was $70. What a treat!
Q=5 S=5 V=4 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Dan K. 1/08) I took clients here to lunch today. As always a wonderful experience, from William, our server, to the chef. Quality presentation, taste and service. The Mushroom Brie Soup was wonderful, as was the Lobster Bisque. We have never been disappointed here and have purchased their Frequent Diner Card. This gives exceptional rewards. Total bill for 4 was $39 before t&t. We think this restaurant provides exceptional value here in The Villages.
Q=5 S=5 V=5 Total=15 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Ellen H. 10/08) Not crowded on a Tuesday night in October. It was Harris Ranch Prime Rib night ($21.95 for 3 courses). We started with a Pomegranate Martini and a Highball. He chose the Mushroom Brie Soup and I had the Caesar Salad. Both were excellent. I love the Veal Meatloaf here and he had the Prime Rib Special, Medium Rare. Both were enjoyable. His came with a huge dessert we both attacked. Mercedes was our waitress. Nice quiet room with good food and service. Total was $53 before t&t.
Q=5 S=4 V=5 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Howard H. 2/09) Boy, do I love their new "Endless Soup and Salad"! For just $7 we were able to have a Bread Boulle full of anyone of a number of their delicious soups and unlimited House Salad. We ate at the bar as there was a private function, which closed some of the dining rooms. We opted for the Mushroom-Brie and the Lobster Bisque, which is an extra dollar. The first round they provide the boulle and the other rounds come in a bowl. I had four refills and she had three! With a beer apiece the check came to $25 + tip. (Beers are fairly pricey outside of happy hour). Hopefully this special will continue for a while.
Q=5 S=5 V=5 Total=15 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Colene M. 2/09) My husband took me to the Legacy Restaurant for Valentine's Day. We knew they opened at 4 PM and since we had a volunteer engagement at 7 PM, we decided to go a little before 4 to get in early. Even though we were there before they opened for dinner, we still had about a 40 minute wait to get a table. They sat us in the back area of the dining room and our waiter's name was Michael. He also had a table of ten that was already seated when we arrived. He had another table for three to serve, also. It did take him about 15 minutes to even get to us for drinks and our order. He brought the drinks and said there would be a wait for the bread as it wasn't ready. We both ordered salads plus the Chicken Oscar for our diner. They had a special menu for Valentine's Day and the Chicken was the least expensive on the menu ($25) each. The salads were extra ($7 and $8) and I had one glass of wine and he had two. The Chicken was very good but I'm not sure it was worth the price. Our total bill before t&t was $75. It was a nice experience and we had a good time.
Q=4 S=4 V=2 Total=10 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Howard H. 2/09) We arrived around 5:45 pm and were told that there was about a 20 minute wait. So we opted to go to the bar. We each had a Manhattan and since it was "Happy Hour" we got both of them for $5.25. We were seated about 15-20 minutes later and our waiter, Eamonn greeted us very promptly and seeing that we had a drink, brought us water and breadsticks and gave us a few minutes with the menu. Thursday, is "Beef Night" with special pricing. I opted for the 14 oz. Prime Rib at $22. She had the Mahi Mahi dinner at $18. Both came with mashed potatoes and asparagus. Both were very hot and nicely presented. I received an end cut, which some people like but I happen to be one that doesn't particularly care for it. It was prepared to my liking however so I kept it. I think next time I would specify the choice! Well-spiced and very delicious. We have always been happy with our visits to Lopez. Eamonn came by several times to check on us. I had one more drink (not happy-hour) $5.25. Total was $48 + tip.
Q=5 S=5 V=5 Total=15 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Robert F. 3/09) Last night we had our first truly unpleasant experience at the Legacy. We arrived at 6:10 PM and were told that the wait was 40 minutes but would probably be much shorter. We got seated in the lounge and proceded to have a drink. Many people arrived after we were seated. Don't you know that they kept being called while we continued to sit and sit and sit. I went to the desk and was told we were next. Didn't happen. Other groups kept being called while we continued to sit. Finally, my wife went to the desk and let them know how we felt. A miracle, the next call was for us. Really poor front desk performace. If you do not wish to seat parties of two then state that policy. In addition to this our waiter was a zombie. A bad evening in an otherwise good restaurant.
Q=4 S=2 V=4 Total=10 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Frank M. 7/09) Our party of 6 arrived at 6:30 PM and we were seated immediately and well served by Mercedes. I had a Bloody Mary and the Harris Ranch Filet-Lobster Tail Surf/Turf Special at $22 with $2 added for the Caesar Salad. The Misses had a Martini and the Seafood Newburg. Total with the mandatory 18% tip added "for advance reservation" was $65. Gourmet quality meal with good service.
Q=5 S=5 V=5 Total=15 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Howard H. 7/09) This is our favorite Thursday Night meal, "The Harris Ranch Steak" night. Having had a few before dinner cocktails at home, I opted not to have anything with dinner. I had the 14 oz Prime Rib Special, which is a huge piece of meat perfectly done. She had the Steak Diane, cooked to perfection. I am not a fan of Vegetable Medley so they gave me the option of substituting that for the Spinach. I also was looking forward to the Potato Pancake, so I had that in place of the Baked Potato or Fries. Our waiter was Dan who catered to our every whim. The bill without drinks came to $59 including tip. Well worth the price.
Q=5 S=5 V=5 Total=15 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Richard D. 10/09) We decided on the spur of the moment to go to the Legacy Restaurant at about 6:30 PM. We were seated right away. Our server, Calin, came over promptly. We both only had ice water. I ordered the Baby Back Ribs and she had the Legacy Salad. The salad was a work of edible art. It had grilled jumbo shrimp, grilled sea scallops, artichoke hearts, roasted peppers, and an assortment of greens. My ribs were also excellent. No room for dessert! Excellent service, great ambiance, wonderful food. Total cost: $30. Highly recommend this restaurant!
Q=5 S=5 V=5 Total=15 out of 15. Return=Yes.

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Lighthouse Point Bar & Grill, 925 Lake Shore Dr., The Villages, FL. 753-7800. L/D. Formerly called the Lewis Lighthouse. Mussels, Clams, King Crab, Snow Crab and Sandwiches are now featured like the Cuban and Gyro. The Clam Chowder is popular here. Plenty of seafood is offered. Generally items are in the $7-$15 range. Occasional entertainment. Lake views. Outside seating available. Occasional entertainment on the deck. Full bar. Attractive drink specials. Closed Sundays in summer. Maureen or Freeda manages. Developer owned.

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Review: (from Rosemary G. 2/07) Stopped in for an early dinner before a show. I had the Mackinac Island Salad Plate and it was quite nice. My husband had the Barge Tuna and it came out the way he wanted it, very rare. We have been very pleased with the food, service and ambiance every time we've eaten here.
Q=4 S=4 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Marlene C. 3/07) Have lunched here several times within the last few months. The soup is always served hot. Best Greek Salad anywhere because they use quality greens, not just iceberg, with right amount of feta, ham, and a flavorful dressing with a sprinkling of herbs for presentation. Homemade chips are a treat. Good burgers too.
Q=5 S=4 V=4 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Ellen H. 6/07) Haven't been here in ages. A lot more comfortable now that it's air conditioned. Staff seems friendlier too with the visible manager checking on things. I had a nice Cobb Salad (no chicken) at $7.49 and he had their medium-rare Burger on a pretzel shaped bun at $6.99 which came out a little over-cooked. 2-4-1 drink specials are a good deal. $21.50 total for the two of us.
Q=4 S=3 V=3 Total=10 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Francis M. 1/08) This was only our 2nd visit and each time for lunch. The food was fairly good with a decent choice of lunch meals. Each person in our party was pleasantly happy with their meal. The most outstanding feature was the service; Britt was our server on both visits and she was fantastic - great service, great personality and a definite plus for the restaurant. Ask for her when you go. Wish she worked at our most favorite restaurant in The Villages.
Q=3 S=5 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Pat M. 1/08) After previous pleasant experiences at The Lighthouse, we tried it again to see how things were going. We were very pleased with the reception upon entering. Our server, Britt, continued the pleasant experience by providing us with outstanding service. Her bubbly personality made for a really good evening. The meal was simple but very tasty and enjoyable. The drinks were very reasonably priced. The special soup, Roasted Red Pepper with Smoked Gouda, recommended by her, was extremely good. The meal, with drinks, was $30 and we consider that acceptable. We had a very nice chat with the Manager and informed her of our positive experiences with the restaurant.
Q=4 S=5 V=4 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Rich C. 5/08) At 5:30 PM we had no problem getting a table for 4. Christian was polite, prompt and helpful. Our drinks and pre-entrée salads came out right away and I was surprised to see our entrées come out fast too. My Toasted Cuban Sandwich was great, my friend's Philly Cheese Steak was hot and delicious, he said and the ladies reported that their Cobb Salads were fine. All in all an very nice, quick meal. With two cocktails, an Iced Tea and two meals, the total was under $30 for two. We come back often because they have a wide selection of meals and the service has improved.
Q=4 S=5 V=4 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Ellen H. 7/08) We're really getting to like this place. The food is good and the servers are well trained and polite. I ordered an Iced Tea and a Cape Codder Cobb Salad. It was a large and enjoyable salad. He had a Gybe Gyro and said it was just as good as the ones we get in Tarpon Springs (Greek community). Lisa was pleasant and our food came out promptly. It was cool enough to sit on the deck for a change. $18 for the 2 meals with my tea is not bad.
Q=4 S=5 V=5 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Frank M. 6/09) Wife and I enjoyed the $6 Lunch Special of Fish and Chips with Slaw. We each had the $2 Yuengling draft beer. Total bill $17. Generous helping of not at all greasy fried fish, equally dry fries and slaw with a bit of orange slices (nice touch). Attentive server. Nice view of the lake.
Q=4 S=4 V=5 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

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Li'l Bits Café, Suite 403, 11962 CR 101, The Villages, FL. 391-9149. B/L. A breakfast & lunch café located in the Palm Ridge Plaza across from Crispers. Breakfast served all day. Such items as Eggs Benedict, Breakfast Wrap and various Omelets ranging from $5 to $7 each are available any hour. Fried Chicken, Taco, Greek and Chef's Salads range from $7 to $8 each. Various Burgers and Wraps are $7 to $9. Sandwiches include Philly Cheese Steak, Tuna Melt, Reuben, Turkey Melt, BLT and good-old Fried Bologna to name a few, range $5 to $8. No bar. Hours 6 AM to 2 PM daily. Winona Beattie owner.

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Review: (from Colene M. 6/07) We went there after our neighborhood golf this morning for breakfast. The food was good, the price was OK but the service is VERY SLOW. We were there for 45 minutes before getting our food. Others were served before us that came in after us. Maybe it was because we had such a large party but I don't think so as my husband and I had been there before and it was slow then.
Q=4 S=1 V=3 Total=8 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Francis M. 9/07) First time visit for us. We were seated promptly and the waitress, throughout the meal, was prompt and very courteous. My wife had some very good soup and a decent salad. I had the Mexican Omelet which was quite good. Meal came to $16 incl tax. Reviewed the menu and found it to be pretty good for breakfast and lunch. Overall, we were very pleased with food, price and service.
Q=4 S=4 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Rich C. 3/09) Quick lunch before my haircut. I notice the prices have jumped since my last visit. Tuna Melt was $6.49 and the Root Beer was $1.99. Yes, it was "refilled" (a second one brought) before I even took two sips from the first and I think that's a waste of food. I can't drink two large sodas. Service was fine. Sandwich was OK. Save the pop and lower the price, please.
Q=3 S=4 V=2 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

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LongHorn Steakhouse, Village Crossroads Plaza, at 590 North H'way 27/441, Lady Lake, FL. L/D. Opened March 10th. Since this plaza is not golf cart accessible, this restaurant listing is located on page 2.

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Main Street Bistro, 1152 Main St., The Villages, FL. Restaurant has gone out of business. A new tenant will open Ay! Jalisco, Tex-Mex restaurant (see above).

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Mallory Hill Country Club, 1675 O'Dell Cir., The Villages, FL. 430-2359. L/D. Open daily 11 AM to 9 PM. Reopened after being rebuilt. Hearth Baked Pizza a specialty. Angus steaks and fresh seafood also on the menu. Friday Specials include Perch, Fried Shrimp, Broiled or Fried Haddock at $12-15 each. Fajitas are popular too. Same basic layout as Cane Garden but it's the sister establishment to Glenview Champions Country Club (see above). Breezeway dining available. Frequent entertainment or karaoke. Open Thanksgiving Day with reservations. Full bar. Happy hour 3-5 PM. Raymond Frederick, Richard & Karen Perkins, owners (also owns 110th Street Grille (see page 2) in Belleview).

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Review: (from Mary Laurie M. 10/09) This is my first review since joining the Gourmet Club. What a great idea for sharing new resturant finds! We have enjoyed Mallory in the past and stopped in for lunch this day. Decided to sit on the patio. What a delightful day. The fans were on so not too hot and watched the golfers - so relaxing. He ordered a Chef Salad (he was so good) and I ordered a speciality Pizza. Colleen, our server, made a suggestion when I told her what I wanted. Portobello, swiss with chicken breast. She was very helpful. It was just like I used to get in Michigan. Total w/tax was $21 which included pop.
Q=5 S=4 V=4 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

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Margarita Republic (formerly Café Olé), 1102 Main St., The Villages, FL. 753-4660. L/D. Caribbean Grill. Cuban influenced meals specializing in fried shrimp, clams, scollops and burgers. Key West Conch Fritters, Barbados Fish Dip, Blackened Grouper, Taco Salad, Margarita Chicken Sandi, Coconut Shrimp, Shrimp & Scallops, Pulled Pork Sandwich, Kitchen Sink Salad and Islamorada Mahi Mahi are just some of the items offered. Most items $7 to $17 each. Weekly entertainment and karaoke too. Interesting backbar. Patio seating available. Full bar featuring a large selection of custom Margaritas. Ron and Sandy Averbeck, owners.

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Review: (from Dennis C. 12/06) Horrible experience! Our friends, new in town, met us at this restaurant (their choice). They ordered and waited and waited for their food. It was late and the restaurant was NOT crowded. After 45 minutes we had to ask for the manager. Sandy Averbeck came by and we complained about the long wait for the meals. Turns out, the orders never got into the kitchen and the waitress never bothered to check even after we complained. Eventually the food showed up and Sandy appologized for the "new help". Dinner (not very good) was free (as it should be!) but our friends AND us will never come back.
Q=1 S=1 V=1 Total=3 out of 15. Return=No.

Review: (from Wendell S. 10/07) Under the former ownership, my wife and I went there many times for lunch and I particularly liked a salad called "The Kitcken Sink". However, our most recent experience was terrible and it will be a long time before we go back. The service was poor, the quality was marginal at best and it was very noisy. When the food was brought to the table, it came a little at a time. The waitress never checked to see if everything was satisfactory and we had to ask for our check several times.
Q=2 S=1 V=1 Total=4 out of 15. Return=No.

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McCall's Tavern, 999 Alverez Ave., The Villages, FL. 750-9441. L/D. This restaurant, originally developer owned, is modeled after the Western-themed restaurant complex of Brownwood on Torch Lake in Michigan. Recently reopened after kitchen refurbishment. Ribs and Texas style food are the mainstay. Meatloaf Platter a specialty. Noted for Wings and Beer. Full bar. New owners, Darrell & Larry Ducat.

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Review: (from Dolores M. 8/08) Our dinner was the worst dinner we have had in The Villages. I ordered Liver & Onions and it was burnt and like a piece of shoe leather. The bacon was hard and you couldn't even cut it. The gravy on the mashed potatoes tasted like it was from a can and very salty. The okra was a frozen variety that was not even warm. Pot roast was very mushy. Friends with similar meals said everything was very salty. Would never even go back again.
Q=1 S=3 V=1 Total=5 out of 15. Return=No.

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M. J.'s Bagel Buzz, 297 Colony Blvd., The Villages, FL. This new eatery has closed its doors in mid-March 2009.

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Moe's Southwest Grill, 670 US 27/441, The Villages, FL. 430-3610. L/D. In The Rolling Acres Plaza. Mexican fare made to order. Noted for their Burritos. One of a growing nationwide chain of 800 locations based in Atlanta, GA. Kerensa Dio, manager.

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Oasis Bar & Grill, 8419 SE 172 Legacy Ln., The Villages, FL. B/L/D. At the Nancy Lopez Country Club Pool. A dozen style of Burgers and other pub fare such as Chicken or Fish run $7-10 each. Very popular for this type of food and breakfast too. Full bar. Occasional entertainment like Norman Lee. John McDonough of Legacy Restaurant (see above), owner.

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Olive Garden Italian Restaurant (The Villages), 3680 Wedgewood Lane, The Villages, FL. 259-0304. L/D. Open 11 AM to 10 PM daily. Opened April 6th, 2009 and now open for both lunch and dinner. This popular chain serves up "Cucina Classica" recipes such as Five Cheese Ziti al Forno, Linguine alla Marinara, Fettuccine Alfredo, Capellini Pomodora as well as the popular Spaghetti 'n Meatballs. Tortelloni, Manicotti and Ravioli filled-pasta styles are also on the menu. Also offered are Pork Filettino, Chianti Braised Short Ribs and a Mixed Grill as well as Venitian Apricot Chicken and Parmesan Crusted Tilapia. Entrées range from $10 to $20 each. Their Bread Sticks are very popular. Italian and traditional desserts are on the menu also. Nice selection of wine, beer and cocktails are available. Another Olive Garden location is in Leesburg (see page 2). Originally developed by General Mills in 1982, over 600 locations operate as a division of Darden Restaurants of Orlando. Chris-Ann Rose, general manager here.

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Review: (from Mary Lou G. 6/09) We have been wanting to try the new Olive Garden but when they first opened, the wait was quite long. In June, with the snowbirds gone, we were seated immediately at 5 PM. The service was a little slow and we had to wait a while before our order was taken. I had the Chicken Marsala which was tender and flavorful. It was served with Tuscan potatoes. He ordered the Apricot Citrus Chicken. This was served with a grilled vegetable medley. Both dishes also came with salad and bread sticks. He had to send one of the chicken breasts back, as it was very tough. They recooked the order and it was done properly the second time. We only had ice water and no dessert. The bill was $30 before the tip.
Q=3 S=3 V=4 Total=10 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Bob E. 9/09) Two of my co-diners and I ordered the soup, salad and breadsticks lunch that features unlimited refills. The salad was very fresh and not drenched in oil as at other Olive Garden restaurants I have patronized and the breadsticks were fresh and hot. The Chicken and Gnocchi Soup was easily the standout of the meal but the Minestrone, while enjoyable, was no match. Our companion rated the Fettuccini Alfredo as ordinary. A sample of a sweet wine was offered to each diner, as was freshly grated cheese for the soup, salad and fettuccini. The service was friendly and attentive, even though there was a waiting line when we left around 4 PM.
Q=4 S=4 V=5 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Orange Blossom Hills Country Club, 1542 Watertower Cir., The Villages, FL. 753-5100. L/D. Sunday Breakfast Buffet 9 AM to 1:30 PM; otherwise open from 11 AM to 8:30 PM, daily. Early Bird Specials offered from 3 to 5 PM daily. One of the oldest restaurants in The Villages. German, Italian and British dishes occasionally. Fish 'N Chips, All-You-Can-Eat Spare Ribs and a large Sunday Breakfast Buffet are popular offerings. Faithful following. Soon to be renovated. Full bar. Open Thanksgiving and Christmas. Charles ("Chip") Rice, owner.

Review: (from Martin G. 12/06) Our experience was terrible. We ordered the special which was all you can eat Ribs. The meat had no flavor, was chewy and loaded with fat. We did not eat it and we left. They asked if we would want anything else and we declined. The waitress was new and didn't know about their offer of wine in a carafe. It was altogether a not so nice experience.
Q=1 S=2 V=1 Total=4 out of 15. Return=No.

Review: (from Dolores M. 4/08) Two in our party had the Ribs and two had the Shrimp. The Ribs were dry and tasteless and our friend's Shrimp were mostly bread coating and also had no flavor. The soup of the day was some type of Seafood Chowder which also was very bland and flavorless.
Q=1 S=3 V=1 Total=5 out of 15. Return=No.

Review: (from Mary H. 3/09) My husband & I decided to try Orange Blossom Hills on a Saturday evening. He ordered the special which was the Prime Rib which was done to perfection and just delicious. I tried the Pork Chops which were very tasty but very thin & small in size. We each had a salad and the ranch dressing was delicious. I had a house wine which was very tasty and inexpensive. We were pleasantly surprised with the service, the food and the price. About a week later we took friends there for lunch and we all had a great meal.
Q=4 S=4 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Outback Steakhouse (The Villages), 710 US 27/441, The Villages, FL. 430-2590. D. In The Rolling Acres Plaza. Aussie style steakhouse provided by a large international franchise chain owned by privately held OSI Partners and based in Tampa, FL. Victoria's Crowned Filet topped with Bleu Cheese ($20-25) and New Zealand Rack of Lamb ($19) are favorites. Strips Steaks ($21), Prime Minister's Prime Rib ($16-21) and a 20 oz. Porterhouse ($25) are also available. Shrimp Pasta ($14) and Alice Springs Chicken ($14) are offered for non-beef eaters. Finish the meal with Sydney's Sinful Sundae. The Bloomin' Onion made them famous. "No Rules - Just Right". Most entrées range from $11 to $25 each. Full bar. Attractive Happy Hour until 7 PM. Call ahead take-out available. Opens at 4 PM. Call ahead seating. Pam Murphy, proprietor; Philip Leboeuf, manager.

Review: (from Rich C. 6/09) It's been a while since we were here last. A Monday night in June and the restaurant was almost full. We sat in the bar area at a large table. 2 for 1 wine allowed me to have two Chardonnays for $5. She had a club soda. She ordered the Alice Springs Chicken with all veggies and I had the Pork Tenderloin with Garlic Mashed and Green Beans. I had the side Caesar Salad and she had the side Wedge Salad. Both were good. The entrées came out on very hot plates (which is good) but my meat was only luke warm. She enjoyed her chicken a lot and my sweet sauce had the flavor of chili pepper in it which I don't fancy. Still it was a good meal. Jaclyn was our server and she did a nice job for us, checking on us often. The décor is Aussie-style and comfortable. Love that huge boomerang over the bar. No dessert this time. Total before t&t was $37. Not a bad meal.
Q=4 S=5 V=4 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Frank M. 11/09) Arrived about 5 PM on a Monday, seated promptly, and well served by Tara G. My wife and I shared the best Bloomin' Onion of the many Outbacks we've visited elsewhere. We each had a frozen Gold Coast 'Rita ($3.50). I had a cup of soup ($3) and the 6 oz. Sirloin Special with Caesar Salad and Garlic Mashed Potato ($10). She had the 6 oz. Sirloin with Shrimp Special ($10), both cooked as ordered and tasty. Total with tax and before tip was $39. Overall, quality food comparably priced to The Villages Country Club restaurants.
Q=5 S=5 V=5 Total=15 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Palmer Legends Country Club, 1635 Palmer Way., The Villages, FL. 750-4499. L/D. Specializes in hand cut steaks, prime rib and fresh seafood. Filet Oscar, Cedar Plank Salmon and Seared Halibut can usually be found on the menu as well as a Surf and Turf combination. Fine dining atmosphere. Breezway dining available. Full bar. Chad Strausbaugh, general manager. Developer owned.

Review: (from Rosemary G. 1/07) My husband and I ordered the Chateaubriand for 2 at $70 and we have never been so disappointed in a meal. We both have had it elsewhere and had something to compare it to and it didn't come close. The meat was as requested, medium-rare, but all the accompaniments were cold and around the table everyone (8 of us) said the same thing. The vegetables and potatoes were cool or cold. We told the waitress and they were very nice and brought out new veggies and potatoes but by then it was too little, too late. They should have been right the first time. This is not an inexpensive restaurant and we did not get the value we paid for.
Q=2 S=5 V=1 Total=8 out of 15. Return=No.

Review: (from Arline B. 1/07) I had Petite Filet and Shrimp. The filet was indeed petite. The food was good but cold. Everyone in our party of eight had cold side dishes. The waitstaff was very responsive but that should never have been served that way in a restaurant of that stature.
Q=2 S=4 V=2 Total=8 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Francis M. 7/07) Not our favorite but we decided to give it another try. My Duck was fairly good and tasty, but should have been better. My wife's Rack of Lamb was very good. Our appetizers were Artichokes Francese (outstanding) and Caesar Salad (good). Dessert was the mile high chocolate cake and it was great! The bill was $65 without drinks and tip. Since it was an improvement, we will try it again but not often.
Q=4 S=4 V=3 Total=11 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Paula M. 7/09) We were seated immediately in the side room at 7:30 PM. Went for the Prix Fixe dinner for hubby's birthday. One appetizer, two salads, two entrées, one dessert and a bottle of wine. We chose the Calamari, which was enough for 4 people and the accompanying sauce had a great tangy flavor. We had the huge House Salads with Stilton Bleu and Tomato Vinaigrette. Would have liked bread served with the salad but for the price we could understand why it wasn't. I ordered the Mahi-Mahi; he ordered the Bourbon Salmon. Both were large portions, accompanied by Green Beans and Garlic Mashed Potatoes. Both entrées were slightly overdone but still quite tasty. Tuxedo Bomb for dessert, a rich blend of chocolate mousse with a chocolate shell. The wine was Snap Dragon, nothing to write home about. The price listed on the bill was $13, so we knew that it was definitely not wine that they generally serve. While the food was very good, the service waned as the evening progressed. Trisha was our server. I had to ask for water twice and when she came to bring it, she didn't pour or even offer water to the rest of the table. While she was in the room often, she never came over to the table to check one us; she only appeared when asked. Not the kind of service we expect from Palmer's. Dinner is a very good value at $50 per couple (plus t&t).
Q=4 S=2 V=5 Total=11 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Panera Bread Bakery & Cafe, 1181 Main St., The Villages, FL. 750-3909 B/L/D. Serving sandwiches, salads and soups as well as bakery items. Salads include Grilled Chicken Caesar, Fuji Apple Chicken, Asian Sesame Chicken and others. Hot Paninis like Turkey-Artichoke and Frontaga Chicken are also offered. Crispanis are a new pizza-like item. Soups include Broccoli Cheddar, French Onion and Baked Potato. No table service; no bar. Recent 1500 sf expansion now open. Free Wi-Fi. One of a growing number of about 1000 outlets in 37 states based in Richmond Heights, MO. Nancy Zinkofsky, general manager; Mark Mulbarger, director; Covelli Family, franchisees.

Review: (from Gordon M. 1/07) Like all Paneras, this one has outstanding baked goods, sandwiches, soups and salads. Great place for a quick breakfast, but get there early. They usually are open by 6:30 am. Unusual sandwiches and combos. Priced right.
Q=4 S=4 V=3 Total=11 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Rosemary G. 3/07) We have yet to be disappointed for breadfast, brunch or lunch. We've been here several times and have always enjoyed the food. We wish they would build one in Sumter Landing.
Q=4 S=4 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Wendell S. 11/07) My wife and I have been here several times. We have always enjoyed their food at all of our visits, whether here or up north. However, we have asked for their flat bread (as in the picture) and we have yet to find it available at the Villages' Panera. We like their soups, particularly their Tomato Bisque but that is only available at certain times of the year. Their breads are excellent.
Q=5 S=4 V=4 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Rich C. 1/08) Hard to beat this place for lunch. But it's always crowded. Sandwiches and soups are always enjoyable. Today I had their Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken. Nice fresh greens and a tasty dressing. Oh what crusty baguettes! $10 doesn't go far here however. Their Pick-Two is popular. To their credit, Mark is always sweeping up the floor here in this "crummy business".
Q=4 S=4 V=3 Total=11 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Dennis C. 12/08) U Pick 2 is a favorite of mine. I picked a cup of Chicken and Wild Rice Soup with a half of Chicken Salad Sandwich on rye. It came with one of those famous crusty baguettes. Soup was good and the sandwich was loaded. Comes to $8 with an Orange Juice. Popular spot all morning long and into the afternoon.
Q=4 S=4 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Perkins Restaurant & Bakery (La Plaza Grande), 905 Bichara Blvd., The Villages, FL. 751-0197. B/L/D. Breakfast served all day. Noted for pancakes and egg dishes. Bakery items also available. Large American menu. Beer and wine available. One of a well known nationwide chain of 500 locations based in Memphis, TN. This one, corporate owned.

Review: (from Ellen H. 11/07) Some nights you just want to have breakfast! We were seated immediately as the restaurant was only half full. I ordered the Gingerbread Pancakes and he ordered the Teriyaki Salmon with Mashed. Mine were excellent. He enjoyed his fish too but neither of us wanted to taste the others. Can't imagine why. At the end they brought 3 complimentary samples of their pies (coconut custard, pumpkin and pecan). They were good but we were full. Jennifer was pleasant and efficient. $22 total with beverages before tip. Very reasonable. Now I want steak for breakfast tomorrow!
Q=3 S=4 V=5 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Red Lobster (The Villages), 3830 Wedgewood Lane, The Villages, FL. 751-1482. L/D. Open daily from 11 AM to 10 PM. Opened January 26, 2009. The popular chain offers fresh seafood such as Salmon, Haddock, Mahi, Trout and Grouper, to name a few "fresh catches". Snow Crab Legs, Lobster & Seafood Mixed Grill, Crab Linguini Alfredo and of course, Live Maine Lobster too, usually about $25 for a "chicken" (1 1/4 pounders). Many fried meals are available like Shrimp and Clam Strips. Broiled fish such as Farm-Raised Catfish, Seafood-Stuffed Flounder and a Platter of Bay Scallops, Garlic Shrimp and Fish Filet are also on the menu. Steak and Chicken main dishes available for land lovers. New items like Caribbean Rock Lobster and Shrimp at $23, Hawaiian Isles Shrimp and Salmon at $17.50 and Island Citrus Rum Shrimp and Scallops also at $17.50 have been added to the menu. Many meals are combination plates and the menu is vast. Wood fired grills are new here. "Light House Selections" focus on low fat, low calorie and low carb offerings. Clam Chowder, Seafood Gumbo and Potato Bacon are the usual soups available. Key Lime Pie, Chocolate Wave and New York Style Cheesecake are popular for dessert. Entrées range from $11 to $29 or more. Full bar. Ask about drink special pricing. Bar Harbor fishing village theme. Another Red Lobster location is in Leesburg (see page 2). Originally developed by Bill Darden in Lakeland in 1968, over 650 locations nationwide, still operate as a division of Darden Restaurants of Orlando. Mike Moody, supervisor; Keith Morrison, general manager here.

Review: (from Roberta M. 1/09) The dining room is pleasant with booths allowing for privacy. Our server was well trained. The food was a disappointment. I had Clam Chowder, which was tasty but lacking in clams. I then had a Mixed Appetizer with clams, stuffed mushrooms and calamari. The clams were heavily coated and you could only taste the breading. The calamari wasn't overcooked, but heavily coated too. My husband had a Mixed Broiled Platter with scallops and stuffed flounder. He noted that everything tasted the same. If you want seafood, I suggest you go to Bonefish or Seafood Galley.
Q=2 S=4 V=2 Total=8 out of 15. Return=No.

Review: (from Rich C. 2/09) Our first experience with the NEW Red Lobster. It's been 8 years since we set foot in one. The décor has sure changed a lot. Our Gourmet Group chose this place for a different seafood experience. On a Wednesday at 5:30 PM, the wait was 50 minutes. We were all happy to get the "Board Room" (table 20), private dining for the 6 of us. Tanya was our server and if you look in the dictionary under the word "perky", you'll see her picture! We did enjoy her youthful friendliness and naiveté. My better half started with a Caramel Appletini and I enjoyed a house (Fetzer) Sauvignon Blanc. All three couples ordered an appetizer, ours was the Lobster Stuffed Mushrooms. We all passed them around. I ordered the Erik Mack special Parmesan Crusted Tilapia. She ordered the Lobster Shrimp & Scallops. We both had Caesar Salads too, which we both thought were only mediocre. We've had much better Caesars in other restaurants. My Tilapia was very good, tasty and arrived on a hot dinner plate (hurray!). Her lobster was a little over cooked and she would rate her meal only fair. We substituted Asparagus (+$2 ea.) which was more enjoyable over Broccoli. No room for dessert (as usual). Michael Moody, the shift manager, stopped by for a few minutes and he was very friendly and interested in our comments. All restaurants should do this! The food arrival was very prompt, the staff is well trained and the food is much better than the OLD Red Lobster. Still, our favorite "Fish Monger" is the Bonefish Grill. Our biggest complaint is - No Happy Hour here! Every restaurant in The Villages has a Happy Hour. "Get with the program!" By 7:30 PM, it was a "walk in" without waiting. Total before t&t was $66 for two. Tanya deserved her 22% tip. We'll be back because it appears this restaurant cares about it's patrons.
Q=4 S=5 V=4 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Richard B. 2/09) Six of us had an early dinner and were pleased. One had a dozen Raw Oysters he said were excellent and among the best he's ever had and he always orders them. Three of us had the Wood Grilled Rainbow Trout and thought it very tasty. One had Garlic Grilled Shrimp and enjoyed it, while the last two had Rock Island Tilapia and also liked theirs too. Our salads were fine but not outstanding, although we got our dressings on the side if we chose and as much as we asked for. Veggies fine but not distinguished. Dinner biscuits superb and some couldn't stop eating them. No desserts (maybe there's a connection here). Service was excellent. Our waitress was polished and professional and handled the scrambled bills for four of us as well as could be expected. Our bill for 2 (without drinks) was $33 w/o tip. Others had wine and beer and all thought their bills appropriate.
Q=5 S=4 V=4 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Colene M. 2/09) We went with our Gourment Group of six and my husband and I got there a little early as they do not take reservations and I knew it would be difficult to get a table for six right away. We had about a 50 minute wait but it was worth it. We got the table for six/eight at the back of the restaurant that was private and away from everyone. We could talk and enjoy the evening. My husband ordered the Coconut Shrimp as an appetizer as the other couples ordered various ones and we all shared. It was great. He ordered the Peach-Bourbon BBQ Shrimp and Scallops ($16) and I ordered the Caribbean Lobster and Shrimp ($23). Both were great! We both had a salad and a glass of wine too. The total bill before t&t was $62. Our waitress' name was Tanya and she was delightful. The manager came over to see how we were doing and we told him we were told there was no Happy Hour. He asked if we were told for an extra $1.50 we could have our drinks doubled. We were not told that. We loved our experience and will go back again.
Q=5 S=5 V=4 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Bill S. 5/09) Had dinner here with another couple. My wife had the Ultimate Feast ($24) and a glass of wine and I had the Mediterranean Grilled Lobster and Shrimp ($24). My wife said her dish was very good but the lobster on my dish was VERY small, like a baby lobster, I was not pleased, not for that price. The service was good and there was no wait. I will go again but will have something without lobster. Total price before t&t was $55.
Q=3 S=3 V=4 Total=10 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from James D. 7/09) Our third visit. Had the Wood-Fired Grilled Haddock. Previously had Wood-Fired Grilled Halibut. Outstanding food. Excellent service. Absolutely one of the finest seafood meals we have had and I'm from New England. Approximate cost of meals for two with wine was $55.
Q=5 S=4 V=5 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Howard H. 7/09) We were just looking forward to going out to dinner and we were not disappointed! Second time we went to The Villages Red Lobster and both times we were very satisfied. We had their Long Island Iced Tea ($6.75). I had the Ultimate Feast ($24). She had the Seaside Shrimp Trio ($17.50). Both were perfectly served. Everything was hot and well presented. With plenty of hot Cheese Rolls and a Caesar Salad we were more than stuffed. Shari S. kept checking back to see if everything was okay. Very personable young lady. Dinner with tax and drinks came to $59 plus tip.
Q=5 S=5 V=5 Total=15 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Max B. 9/09) We started going to the Red Lobster in Greenville, SC. in 1973 and have enjoyed these restaurants up and down the east coast ever since. The Red Lobster on CR 466 was a disappointment. The fits and finishes created a pleasant, attractive room which, like all restaurants in The Villages, is loud. The server was pleasant and attentive but the menu lacked the choices we were used to. There was, as an example, no Scallops entrée. My wife's Tilapia was pedestrian at best and my Rainbow Trout was perhaps an eighth of and inch thick and tasteless. The Broccoli was undercook, over seasoned and cold.
Q=2 S=4 V=1 Total=7 out of 15. Return=No.

redsauce, 1000 Canal St., The Villages, FL. 750-2930. L/D. Open 11 AM to 2 PM for lunch and 4 to 9 PM for dinner. Formerly Dominic's Ristorante, this location reopened as another Italian restaurant. Basic New York style Italian dishes from tried and true recipes are offered for lunch and dinner. Veal, Chicken, Eggplant and Pasta dishes are on the menu. Sandwiches include Paninis and Focaccias. Pasta dishes starting with Spaghetti & Meatballs, Ziti with Vodka Sauce, Raviolis and Lasagna range $10 to $18. Entrées such as Eggplant Parm, Chicken Parm and a few Veal dishes range $11 to $20. Pizzas also available. Pleasant semi-casual atmosphere; full bar with Happy Hour. Wine list raging from $8-80 per bottle and $4.50 to $9 per glass. Reservations accepted. Open Thanksgiving Day. The Deli and Bakery next door (called The Market) opens at 7 AM and an outdoor corner bar is now open also. Albany transplants, Rick Dadeo and Dannny Petrosino, owners.

Review: (from Andrea G. 1/09) Three of us ordered Veal Marsala and one ordered Grouper. We paid on two separate tabs, so the review is based on only ours. Our server was attentive but slightly rough around the edges. (This is probably her normal personality.) We ordered without wine, beer or dessert. Ours included entrée plus vegetable, pasta, salad and a soft drink. The two meals cost $58. We did wait a while for the food to arrive but it was opening night and I'd cut them some slack for that. The Veal Marsala tasted bland. The pasta was dry with the amount of red sauce on it. Our waitress asked for feedback and we gave her the comment about the bland Veal. I suggested garlic or more Marsala wine in the recipe. She then gave our comments to the chef and reported back that the recipe did not call for garlic. Mine does! The table next to us commented that it looked bland too, although they did not taste it.
Q=2 S=3 V=2 Total=7 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Mary Lou G. 1/09) We had an early dinner after a movie. They open for dinner at 4 PM and we were there right at opening time. The restaurant filled up quickly. I don't know if that was because it was the first week in business or because it was a Saturday - maybe a little of each. We all ordered different dishes. I had the Veal Marsala which was good; it was accompanied with a side order of pasta and vegetables. My husband had the Lobster Ravioli which he thought was rather bland. Our friend had the Ziti with Vodka Sauce which she thought was very good and her husband had the Linguini with Clams, which he also enjoyed. We did not order drinks or dessert. They serve two types of bread with butter but no oil for dipping. For the Veal Marsala and the Lobster Ravioli, the bill came to $31 before t&t. I thought that was reasonable. The service was very attentive. We would definitely come back here again. The server also told us that in mid-February they will be open for lunch. Also, around that same time, they will be opening up a Deli/Bakery right next door.
Q=4 S=4 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Robert F. 2/09) Ridiculous waiting time. Put in our name and with the drinks from home we wandered the square at Sumter Landing. Went back after 45 minutes, half the anticipated wait time and scored a table outside. It was quite chilly but the service and food was worth all of this. I had Veal Parm. and my wife, the Lasagna. The service was pleasant and we will request the same server in the future. A nice addition to Villages dining options.
Q=4 S=4 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Daniel G. 2/09) We got there at 4:30 PM and told we had approximately 40 minute wait. We saw a large group of 24 taken and a table for approximately 12 empty. Several people came in and left as they didn't want to wait. Did not know they now take reservations. We were seated after only 30 minutes however. Our server, Jessica, was very attentive and well mannered. I had a glass of wine, Veal Marsala and the Wedding Soup. The soup was hot and stocked with vegetables, the veal was a little tangy but fine. My wife had Ziti and Meatballs and an Iced Tea. The ziti came in a very large soup bowl. The total came to $38 for 2. Very good addition to the restaurant mix in the square.
Q=4 S=4 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Howard H. 2/09) This is our first trip to this new restaurant and we were very pleased. Mark, our waiter, was very knowledgeable and accommodating. The menu is very comprehensive and the prices are pretty much in line. I saw the Meatballs and Spaghetti, but I wanted sausage. They substituted at no addition charge. Very tasty. She had the Spaghetti and Meatballs ($10). We also ordered a side salad ($3). I had one beer ($4) and she had a glass of Riesling ($5) The total bill with tax was $37 + tip. Had a very nice conversation with Rick Dadeo, the owner.
Q=5 S=5 V=4 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Gloria K. 3/09) Now that the crowds have died down a little, we decided to give them a try. It was only a 30 minute wait and while we waited, the hostess asked us if we'd like a drink at happy hour prices - $1 for drafts, $3 for wine. We all loved the breads before dinner. One was a rosemary foccacia bread, although dipping oil would have been nice too. Our waitress, a very pleasant young lady named Amanda, recommended the Chicken Française ($15) with a side of pasta. It was a lemon flavored sautéed chicken breast. I thanked her for the great entrée suggestion. My friends loved their meals of Eggplant Parmigiano ($11), served layered like a lasagna, and Rigatoni Bolognese ($12), with a sauce of pork, beef and veal. The sauce was thick and tasty. Can't wait to return to try some of the other delicious looking entrées.
Q=5 S=4 V=4 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Dan K. 5/09) Wait was less than 30 minutes. Extremely pleasant hostess and our server, Paula, was prompt, informative and attentive. She had the Lasagna with fresh vegetables and I had the Spaghetti with Sausage. Sausage was tasty and not greasy. We shared a small Caesar Salad and didn't have to ask for the anchovies. Price was less than $26 for both of us. Bread with olive oil served before the meal is available. Entrées were flavorful and large. Nice value and a feel good experience.
Q=5 S=5 V=5 Total=15 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Rich C. 6/09) A Tuesday at 6:30 PM and the restaurant is half full. We were seated near the window and Chad greeted us promptly. My better half ordered a Club Soda and I had a house wine blend that was quite nice. Chad read off the specials and my better half heard the word "swordfish" ($18) and that was enough for her. I opted for the Chicken Parmigiano ($15). She had the Lettuce Wedge ($8) to start and I had the Caesar Salad ($3). Her wedge was very nice with a big hunk of gorgonzola and caramelized onions. My Caesar was very cold and large for the price. She really enjoyed her fish and my chicken was excellent. The mixed vegetables were good too. The Ziti however was over cooked. Chad did a nice job but was a little over-zealous. His favorite phrase is "not a problem". Total came to $53 before t&t with two house wines. We were not charged for the club soda. Oversight? Very nice decor in here. Linen napkins but no tablecloths. The tables did however have candles and fresh flowers. Nice touch. We'll be back, more for the swordfish than the pasta.
Q=4 S=5 V=4 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Dennis C. 8/09) Arrived before the crowd and Frank was my server. I had two house Pinot Grigios ($1 off during happy hour), a side Caesar Salad and a plate of Ziti in Vodka Sauce ($12). The salad was large, 3 anchovies topped the lettuce but was overpowered by dressing. My Ziti arrived promptly and was piping hot. It took a while to cool down. The bread and butter were good. Finally I was able to eat the pasta but by then it was quite "mushy". Seems it had been over-cooked to begin with and after being in the oven or microwave for a while you couldn't pick up a tube of pasta without it falling off the fork. It was tasty but way overcooked. Next time I will order my pasta al-dente. Total before t&t was $21. Not a big bargain but very large portions. Be careful not to over-order.
Q=2 S=3 V=3 Total=8 out of 15. Return=Yes.

R. J. Gator's Florida Sea Grill & Bar, 1015 Lake Shore Dr., The Villages, FL. 751-6935. B/L/D. Log cabin atmosphere but Florida style cuisine with tropical drinks. Noted for Coconut Shrimp, Gator Tail and Gator Tail Ice Cream Pie. Family friendly. Lakeside dining available. Karaoke Party 9 PM Wednesday and Saturday in the winter months. Now open for breakfast too. Full bar. Once part of a small Florida chain. The local Graham family, owners.

Review: (from Jim C. 9/07) We recently went to R. J. Gators with six couples to watch the Rutgers game on TV. My wife and I hesitated about going to R. J.'s, since we had two bad experiences there in 2006 and have not been back. However, the place has changed, new management, staff and menu. The manager, Kevin set us up with three high top tables on the side with full view of two TVs. Rachel our server was excellent. All the food, appetizers, entrées, sandwiches were all delivered hot and delicious. R. J. Gator's is now back on our list to visit.
Q=4 S=5 V=4 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Mike M. 4/08) We were seated quickly and the waiter took our order fairly fast. We then waited for an hour to get our food. My wife and I each had a Chicken Salad and the chicken was so tough you could hardly chew it. Our guess was the chicken had set in the fryer basket for hours. Even the dressing seemed to be watered down and had hardly any taste at all. The almonds for the salad were not toasted, they were raw. We have had this salad before and enjoyed it. I think the bill was about $24 and no we did not talk to the manager. We will just not go back.
Q=1 S=3 V=1 Total=5 out of 15. Return=No.

Review: (from Dennis C. 9/08) Sat at the bar to have lunch. Haven't been in here in a while. Felt like a highball and got two "shorties" on happy hour. The bar maid had an attitude. People from the porch were coming in asking for servers too. I ordered a Caesar and "Sliders". They did arrive promptly. When I opened the burgers to apply catsup, it appeared that my burgers were a regular size one just broken in two. Not an entirely pleasant meal. $13 for two shorties, salad and sliders including tax.
Q=2 S=2 V=2 Total=6 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Gloria K. 11/08) Finally, another choice for breakfast in Lake Sumpter Landing besides TooJays, The Veranda and Amelia's. We were amazed at the extensive, reasonable menu (34 entrées). Everyone's meals around us looked great and it was hard to decide. I chose the Spinach Asiago Omelet ($6), loaded with fresh spinach, with asiago and feta cheese, tomato and onion. Very tasty, and accompanied with fresh baked biscuits and a side of oatmeal. Everything was delicious, as was the rich coffee. Our waiter brought us our own carafe since I like my coffee hot. Gator's offered 5 omelets, ranging from $5 to $7 with 2 sides and egg-beaters for an additonal 99c. The pancake selection was extensive. Plain, strawberry, sweet nut, and blueberry - all about $5 an order. The same choices are offered in Waffles. Finally, the French Toast, made with thick Texas toast, was delicious. The service was attentive and quick. I would recommend R.J. Gator's for breakfast over their dinner menu any day.
Q=4 S=4 V=5 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Rich C. 2/09) Just something about the non-attentive attitude in this place that rubs me the wrong way. Sat at the bar and it took a while for the bar maid to recognize me. Ordered a light beer and a Cheeseburger. The food was just OK, the fries being a little greasy. Then it took a while to take my money. Don't they want to make their customers feel welcome? Just OK, nothing special. Came to $12 with tax.
Q=3 S=2 V=3 Total=8 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Frank M. 7/09) Arrived at 9:30 AM for the $3.99 Breakfast Special and was seated right away. We each had two Eggs, Grits or Hash Browns, Toast, Biscuit or English Muffin. Coffee was $1.85 extra . Served well by Pat (male) but the kitchen was a bit slow, even though the restaurant was not that crowded. Tab w/tax was $13.
Q=4 S=4 V=5 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Ruby Tuesday Restaurant, 1168 Main St., The Villages, FL. 751-1801. L/D. Noted for their gourmet Prime Burgers, Lump Crab Cakes, Baby Back Ribs and popular and extensive fresh salad bar. Recently remodeled interior with comfortable chairs. Full bar with happy hour all day. One of a large international chain of 900 locations based in Maryville, TN., formerly known as Morrison Restaurants. Ray Manning, proprietor; Joseph Valencia, manager.

Review: (from Rich C. 1/07) We find ourselves eating here a lot. Probably because we like Spanish Springs' town square best. Ruby's now specializes in burgers and their Prime Burgers, although good, can get a little pricey. Today I had the 12 oz. Rib Eye and the better half had their great Salad Bar. Our friends had Mini Burgers and the Petite Sirloin. Everyone liked their meal. Jason, our waiter, was super. He kept checking on us frequently. I love that! Total for 4 dinners with two $5-off coupons was $39 plus a big tip. Two for one cocktails is a big draw here. [Hint: When the line is long, walk down to the bar and be comfortable in a nice booth which isn't controlled by the hostess.]
Q=4 S=4 V=3 Total=11 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Ellen H. 6/07) Tonight he had the Jumbo Crab Cake Sandwich with Fries ($10.99), which he really enjoyed and I had my usual (Salad Bar $7.99). With an Iced Tea and a generous 2-for-1 Chardonnay, the bill was $29 plus tip. Easy walk from the town square, so we go here often. Candice was a new server and we enjoyed her friendliness and promptness in taking care of us.
Q=4 S=4 V=3 Total=11 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from David G. 4/08) The Triple Prime Burgers are about as good as can be gotten. Cooked properly, juicy and very tasty. Our fries were ordered no seasoning and were served that way. Our waiter, Dale, was wonderful.
Q=5 S=4 V=4 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Rich C. 11/08) I had to post this and note what great service we had here tonight. She had a "Ruby Tea" and I had two Red Sangrias. She had the Garden Bar while I ordered the Lemon Salmon with mushrooms. Our friends ordered similar meals. The Salmon arrived with mashed potatoes instead of Rice Pilaf. Oh well! The Salmon tasted fine but was a little dried out reminding me of previously frozen fish even though the menu said "fresh". Total was $35 for two before a big tip. The best part of the meal was a new server, named Grant. He was knowledgeable, friendly and really did a great job of waiting on us and a few other tables nearby. He has a great attitude. We'll ask for him the next time too.
Q=4 S=5 V=4 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Sakura Japanese Restaurant, 265 Colony Blvd., The Villages, FL. L/D. Will be open daily . A Japanese Sushi and Grill will occupy this double store-front out parcel in Colony Plaza. Opening date not yet available. Zhen Guo, owner.

The Seafood Galley, 1004 Bichara Blvd., The Villages, FL. 751-6113. L/D. Closed Sundays. Open Monday thru Saturday from 11:30 AM to 2 PM for lunch; then from 3:30 PM to 8:00 PM for dinner. This is a new local seafood restaurant occupying the former Dutz's and Reagan's Sports Bars in La Plaza Grande. Starters include New England Clam Chowder ($4), Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail ($9) and Steamed Little Neck Clams ($9). Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing is also featured ($7). Entrées include Stuffed Filet of Sole ($15), Herb Encrusted Atlantic Salmon ($14), Maryland Style Crab Cakes ($16), Coconut Shrimp ($16), Atlantic Grouper ($16), Fried Oysters ($15), Fish & Chips ($11), Sea Scallops ($17), Alaskan Snow Crab ($19) and Jumbo Fried Shrimp ($16). Also on the menu is a Captain's Platter ($19). For beef lovers, a 8 oz. Filet Mignon ($22), 12 oz. Rib Eye ($17) and 12 oz. Prime Rib ($17) are offered. Surf & Turf special ($25) on Saturday night. Whole Belly Clam dinner ($15) is popular here. Other meals include Chicken, Pork and Pastas ranging from $13 to $17. Recently added are Lobster Rolls, Yellow Fin Tuna and North Atlantic Codfish dinners. Early Bird Specials (3:30 to 4:30 PM) are priced below $9. Full bar, short wine list. Bill Schrader, Sr., owner.

Review: (from Rich C. 6/08) With a coupon for 2 FREE wines, how can you pass that up? On a Wednesday evening at 7 PM there were very few in the restaurant. A nice comfortable booth let us have good private conversation about next years vacation plans. The decor was large slate squares over white bathroom tile (who picked that?). She had the Citrus-Balsamic Mahi Filet with 4 Coconut Shrimp ($14) while I had the (7) Coconut Shrimp Dinner ($16). They come with two sides but not a house salad. She had the Stir-Fry Veggies and Sliced Tomatoes with Italian Dressing. I ordered Twice Baked Potato and the same Tomatoes. Nothing special about the sides. We also opted for one Tangerine Key Lime Pie Slice ($4) to be shared. The service by "Beau" was very friendly and the food came out in a FLASH. Her Mahi was (surprisingly) a little spicy but acceptable. My shrimp were a bit bland but the sauce made up for it. The orange colored pie was interesting. The coupon saved us $8. We enjoyed Beau's enthusiasm and he checked on us often. They had a Surf and Turf Special at $36 for the big spenders. Our total was $34 for two before t&t. We'll try it again mainly because it was quiet and the service was above average for The Villages, if you know what I mean!
Q=4 S=4 V=3 Total=11 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Bill S. 11/08) Went there on a Friday and had to wait about 10 minutes, a lot of people were waiting. Our waiter, Bob, was very good. My wife had Fish and Chips ($11). The coating was very light and excellent. The fish was very good also; it was a white fish. I had Stuffed Filet Of Sole with rice and marinated tomatoes ($15). Excellent! They bring out bread which is home made. They have early bird specials from 3:30 to 5:00 PM, but you must be seated by 5 PM to get them. My wife and I were both pleased with the restaurant.
Q=4 S=4 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Dottie K. 11/08) This restaurant was a sports bar before and the new owners must have tried to use as much of the old decor as possible to update and make the place look more formal. I think if they got glass for the table tops and white linen table cloths with napkins, it might help to soften the look and perhaps some window decor would make it look less like a store front. The reason I say that is the food was wonderfully presented in a more upscale way and it did not fit the rest of the place. We went there on a Thursday with two friends and Iris, our server, was very attentive and excellent. All of the fish and seafood is fresh and prepared to order. I had the Mahi with the Coconut Shrimp ($14) and ordered a House Salad to start and he ordered their special for the night of Crab Cakes, 4 Grilled Shrimp and Fried Oysters ($14). He also had Clam Chowder ($4) which was tasty. We ordered Crème Brûlée ($4.25) for dessert and it was wonderful also. My Mahi was perfect and I thought the tomatoes and veggie sides were very good. The middle of the week is a good time to go as it is not as busy as on the weekend nights. Not including wine we got out of there for less than $39. We would certainly go back again because of the food. Both of us love seafood and we enjoyed our evening with our swimming buddies here. We had a great time.
Q=5 S=5 V=4 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Rich C. 1/09) Kelly took my request for a Pinot Grigio and came back soon for my order. Pan Seared Mahi with Coconut Shrimp sounded really good. A small basket of crusty bread and a cup of New England Clam Chowder, I ordered, preceded my entrée. The soup was unusual; just as much green, as white. It was made with basil and still had the stalks in the soup among the clams. Homemade for sure and I seem to prefer the traditional thick white soup with clams and potatoes. My Mahi was a surprise, as I have never seen a filet of Mahi cut so thin. About an 1/8 of an inch. The 3 Coconut Shrimp seemed to fall apart and were fairly bland. The fish was tasty and the potatoes and mixed vegetables were good. The meal did arrive hot. After my dinner, I heard about the "specials" for the night, eavesdropping on the conversation at the next table. Too late now I thought. Why does this always happen to me? No happy hour here, but I still had a second wine. My total was $28 before t&t. Kelly was good to check back often but not announcing the specials or offering dessert or coffee, prevents me from giving her perfect marks. Just a mediocre meal; no match for Bonefish.
Q=3 S=4 V=3 Total=10 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Ellen H. 5/09) I had the Herb Encrusted Salmon with Broccoli and Marinated Tomatoes. He had the Mahi and Coconut Shrimp with Potatoes and Tomatoes. Homemade bread is a nice touch. Service was pretty good and the food was very tasty. With one soft drink and two beers, the total came to $37 with tax. Our only complaint is that they crammed the 6 of us onto a square table for 4. Other tables stayed empty for the 90 minutes we were there. Won't let them do that again. We would have been more comfortable at a double table.
Q=4 S=4 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Rosalind G. 8/09) Six of us from the Gourmet Club went on a rainy Wednesday evening. Twenty minute wait for a table big enough to seat us. Erin was very friendly and knowledgeable. We all had the daily special, an $8.95 Haddock Dinner. Three had it broiled, three had it stuffed with Crabmeat Newberg. Very tasty. The homemade Mashed Potatoes came out lukewarm but were quickly replaced with a hot serving. Okay Carrot Coins was the vegetable of the day. Several tried the Cole Slaw and said it was very good. A nice Salad for $2.99 was tried by several of us.
Q=4 S=4 V=5 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Paula M. 10/09) Four of us went for dinner on a Friday night at 5:30 and were seated right away. Our server, Erin, was very attentive and helpful. We each ordered the special, Fresh Flounder Florentine (Say that 10 times fast!), a large piece of fish topped with sautéed fresh spinach, grape tomatoes and mushrooms ($15), and it was cooked well and tasted great. Our two sides were Broccoli (very good, not mushy!) and Scalloped Potatoes (quite tasty). Our friends, who hail from New Hampshire, are clam belly gurus. They wanted to order them but were hesitant, as they had tried them when the restaurant had first opened and they were expensive, tasted poorly and were a small portion. Erin assured them that this would not be the case at all this time. She was right. Their plates were filled with large and tender bellies, along with slaw and fries (the necessary accompaniments) and they were extremely satisfied, especially at $16 each. We spoke with the owner on our way out and felt that he is dedicated to pleasing his customers and making the restaurant a successful venture. With a glass of wine and a beer, the bill came to $36, plus t&t.
Q=4 S=5 V=4 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Shanghai China Buffet, 3435 Wedgewood Ln. (Southern Trace), The Villages, FL. 751-6866. L/D. Large Chinese/Japanese buffet as well as menu items such as General Tso's Chicken and Happy Family. Large selection of meat, poultry and seafood. Both Cantonese, Mandarin and Szechwan items included. Soups, desserts and a variety of Ice Cream round out the selections. Beer & wine. Wang & Xiu Hua Zheng, owners.

Review: (from Dennis C. 12/08) Not impressed with the quality of the food and some of it was cold but the large variety makes up for shortcomings. You can find Ribs, Fried Shrimp, Peel and Eat Shrimp and even Crab Legs here. Can't tell you how much because I was treated. Service was OK.
Q=2 S=3 V=4 Total=9 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Siam Orchid, 1561 Bella Cruz Dr., Spanish Plains Shopping Center, The Villages, FL. 391-5272. L/D. New Thai cuisine restaurant now open, facing Rt. 27/441. Soups, salads, noodles and rice can accompany a variety of seafood, chicken, pork and beef entrées from the country of Thailand. Specialties like Ginger Fish, Sea of Siam, Siamese Duck and Spicy Fried Fish run $12-17 each. Other Orchid Entrées run about $9 for dinner and $7 for lunch. From spicy to medium, to mild, each dish can easily be adjusted to your personal taste. Full bar and a few special cocktails plus wine. Dawjai Rangsiyawaranon, owner. Husband, 'Boon', manager.

Review: (from Colene M. 7/07) My husband and I stopped in for dinner. I had the Ladna Noodles with Pork and my husband had the Yellow Curry Chicken. Both meals came with rice (as much as you wanted). We both were served a small salad even before ordering which was very good. The restaurant used to be a Dairy Queen and the tables were in the same place as before, the kitchen was in the same place and they just put table cloths on the tables so the atmosphere wasn't all that great but the food was very good, our service was good although we noticed some other people having problems getting all their meals at the same time. The price was very good too. All in all, we were pleased. We only had water to drink and our bill was only $20 for both of us! Plenty of food, good flavor and good service, not so good atmosphere.
Q=5 S=4 V=4 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Robert A. 10/07) A Thai restaurant with a drive thru? How good could it be? Turns out to be very pleasant and reasonable also. Seems they were voted the best Thai restaurant in Orlando before moving here. Open only 4 months now, with nice decor, soft music, good service and a wide variety of dishes in mild, medium, spicy and don't even ask temperature ranges. Lots of entrées from $7-10. We had a beef salad and pork with cashews, snow peas and other veggies. Lots of rice too. Your water glass is never empty. With no beer, wine or dessert, you can expect a bill of about $20, before tip.
Q=4 S=4 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Howard H.. 2/08) We chose this restaurant as one of our monthly Gourmet Club trips. We were very satisfied with the choice. They offered a wide selection of seafood and meat dishes. The salad came immediately. I asked if there was a choice of dressing. They substituted a very light Italian for me. I had the Seafood Soup ($3.45) and it came out steaming hot and quite delicious. My wife had the Tofu Vegetable Soup ($2.95) and Spring Rolls ($2.95). Again quite tasty. She selected the Yellow Thai Curry Chicken ($9.35) and was very satisfied with her choice. I ordered the Sea of Siam, a mixture of various seafood ($14.55). You were offered a wide varitey of sauces, from mild to spicy. The portions were more than sufficient. White rice was brought several times and our water glasses were never empty. Other than a few mix-ups in the service, the experience was quite pleasant. I feel that this was due to a new and inexperienced wait person. The manager went out of his way to make our visit most pleasant. The bill, with sake was $36 plus tip.
Q=5 S=3 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Mike S. 6/08) We love this restaurant and have dined here many times in the past. A small complementary garden salad is served almost immediately upon being seated. Most recently we had the Spring Rolls ($3) for appetizer, Chicken With Cashew ($9) and Chicken Peanut Curry ($10) for main courses, plus three beers. The portions are large and quite tasty. The degree of spiciness can be adjusted according to your taste. Total bill for two excluding tip was $33.
Q=5 S=5 V=4 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Rich C. 8/08) Everyone has been raving about this little restaurant, now we can too. A warm greeting welcomed us into the former Dairy Queen that has been transformed into a relaxing and quiet Asian eating place. We were shown to a comfortable booth behind the baby buddhas. We no sooner sat down and salads appeared. Drink selections included cocktails and wines that were all priced at $3.55 . How does that happen? To get a variety of food, we ordered Vegetable Tempura for a shared appetizer. But first, Thai Spring Rolls were brought. Like little brown cigars, they were not the usual wide stuffed Chinese style. Two of those plus the appetizer and we were full already. "Boon" took our order. She ordered her usual, Pad Thai Noodles with Chicken and Shrimp. I tried the Shrimp Pad Se-Ew since I'm not a man for real spicy food. Both were very nice. My noodles were brown slightly translucent mixed with an ingredient I could not identify. Wasn't vegetable, wasn't meat, was hard to describe. I should have paid more attention to the menu because it turned out to be scrambled egg in brown sauce. We had to take home half of what we ordered and it's now time to talk about service. We had at least 4 people wait on us. Every 4 minutes a young girl made the rounds to see if we needed anything or had an empty plate to be collected. She did not intrude on our conversation but was very efficient. All tolled, the bill was $30 before t&t with 2 Wines, 1 Thai Tea, 2 Salads, 2 Egg Rolls each, 2 Entrées and 1 Veggie Tempura. The décor is more than we expected. Very pleasant and larger than we remembered as a DQ. Very nice and quiet compared to every other restaurant in The Villages. This is a hidden gem! Don't let the outside fool you.
Q=4 S=5 V=5 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Ellen H. 2/09) We were at the hospital visiting a friend, so this was convenient. There were 3 of us. He ordered a wine, I had Thai Tea and our friend just had water. I ordered Seafood in Red Sauce, he had Chicken Chow Mein and our friend had Pad Thai Noodles. Steamed Rice came with it. My dish was OK, our friend liked the Noodles and he said the Mein was OK, just not a lot of chicken. We also had Wonton Soup and Spring Rolls. An OK meal and the service was very good with Victoria and her sister sharing the chores. Total came to $34 before t&t.
Q=3 S=4 V=5 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Que (The Villages), 1128 Canal St., The Villages, FL. L/D. 430-1461. Sonny's took over this location vacated by Whiskey Creek Wood Fire Grill in Lake Sumter Landing and opened it on May 29, 2009. Fitted with large and small booths on a carpeted floor, lighted by lots of neon beer signs, this location has a less rustic feel than other Sonny's locations. Ribs, ribs and more ribs. Rib Sampler, Pork 3 Ways, Baby Back Ribs, Sweet & Smokey Ribs, Pulled or Sliced Pork, Bar-B-Que Chicken are just some of the varieties and combinations. Other favorites include Pulled Beef Brisket, Sliced Beef, Charbroiled Steak, T-Bone Steak, 1/2 Bar-B-Que Chicken, Chicken Breasts, Chicken Tenders, Sliced Pork and Sliced Turkey. Dinners usually run $11-19. A variety of sandwiches for lunch before 4 PM include a 1/2 Pound Cheeseburger. Side dishes include various Fried and Baked Potatoes, Corn On The Cob, Mac & Cheese, Coleslaw, Bar-B-Que Beans and Homemade Cornbread. Sandwiches and Lunch Plates usually run $6-8. Four sauces ranging from hot to sweet are on every table. Fruit Cobbler for dessert finishes off your waisteline. Take-out and catering available. There is no salad bar at this location. Full bar with $3 draft mugs, $7 pitchers and $4 wine plus numerous margaritas and other cocktails. One of 150 locations in the southeast US, headquartered in Maitland, FL. but originated in Gainesville. In business 40+ years. $5 coupon available on their website. Other Sonny's locations are nearby in Belleview, Ocala and Leesburg (see page 2). Ken Kirkpatrick and Wes Dixon Jr., franchisees here.

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Review: (from Rich C. 5/09) Opening week jitters were evident here. My server, Ona, talked fast and walked fast under the watchful eyes of many owners/managers present. I spotted a Red Sangria ($3.79) on the drink menu without prices and she literally ran to put that order in. It arrived in due time and I ordered a Pulled Pork Sandwich ($6.99). She directed me to choose two sides and whether I wanted Toast or Cornbread. I selected BBQ Beans and Corn On The Cob. She repeated the order back to me, so I knew she understood. There's certainly enough staff here today. I counted 4 hostesses. When my meal arrived, it was not a sandwich but a lunch plate. Even she was puzzled. Well the toast was there, so I could assemble my own. To her credit, she did offer to correct the mistake which may have been tapping the wrong box on the order screen or a kitchen error. The beans were thick and had chunks of meat in them. The pork was fine. The Corn On The Cob had seen better days and I should know enough not to order corn that was frozen then boiled and floating in hot water for a long time. Pretty mushy! Free samples of their Baby Back Ribs made the rounds. They were good. Be interesting to see how other club members rate this against Oakwood Smokehouse and Woody's Bar-B-Q. It appears their dinners are more pricey here, running up to $19.
Q=4 S=4 V=3 Total=11 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Colene M. 6/09) We too experienced the "first week gitters" as did the above member. Our server was Coleen. She did a great job and we could tell she had been a waitress for quite some time. She joked with us and made us feel welcome. The wait however for food was a little bit long but we thought it was just getting used to a new restaurant. Our food was good. I had the Smoke Turkey Lunch, Sweet Potato and Green Beans ($6.59). My husband had the Sliced Pork Lunch Special with Cole Slaw and Baked Beans ($6.59). My husband had Iced Tea ($1.99) and I had water. The restaurant was almost full of people and there were families as well as us "old timers" which was nice to see. Total before t&t was $15.
Q=4 S=4 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Bob E. 6/09) Rather than wait, I sat at the bar and received quick and friendly service. The Sliced Beef Barbeque didn't look like barbeque, so the waitress had the kitchen add in some sauce but I still concluded that I misordered. The cornbread was way too sweet. I may go back since I have enjoyed other Sonny's when I ordered other food.
Q=2 S=4 V=3 Total=11 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Dan K. 8/09) We arrived just before 9 PM and were seated immediately. Our server was efficient and we were quite happy with the meal. I got the St. Louis Ribs with a Baked Potato and Coleslaw. The ribs were tender and flavorful. I like the idea of adding your own sauce. The ribs were smoked with a nice texture. She had the Pulled Pork and enjoyed it. I was surprised because she almost always gets Chicken. Her Baked Sweet Potato was perfectly done. Total bill was just under $20 and was a very good value for the quality and amount of food we received. Nice to get BBQ without leaving The Villages.
Q=5 S=4 V=5 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

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SonRise Café, 3469 Wedgewood Ln., The Villages, FL. 750-1719. In The Southern Trace Plaza. B/L daily; D Wed.-Sat. only. American homestyle cooking. Typical breakfast fare with eggs and omelettes headlining. No bar. Everett & Jean Ash, owners.

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Review: (from Martin G. 3/07) My wife and I had lunch at SonRise today. Nothing fancy but well worth the price. Her Tuna Melt and my Reuben were both tasty and accompanied by a more than adequate salad. The Reuben was probably the best tasting one I've had since we moved to the Villages. It's not a complicated dish to prepare but it's amazing how many of the local eateries haven't a clue how to do it.
Q=4 S=4 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Rich C. 5/09) Nothing in the house for breakfast, so we drove over here. I had Cottage Cheese Filled Crêpes with Berry Sauce, Home Fries and two Scrambled Eggs. She had an Omelette with Toast and Grits. Two coffees and a large orange juice polished off a $20 bill exactly (before tip). Service was good and friendly but I didn't catch her name.
Q=5 S=4 V=3 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

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Steak 'n Shake (The Villages), 3980 Wedgewood Ln. (at CR 103), The Villages, FL. 205-4950. B/L/D. Opened November 12th. Noted for their Steakburgers, Shakes and Malts. Other items include Chili, Frisco Melt and Chicken Fingers. Open 24 hours. One of a large chain of 430 locations mostly in the southeast, based in Normal, IL. Beth Camron, shift manager; Steve Layendecker, general manager.

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Review: (from Rich C. 3/08) We had one bad experience with a Steak 'n Shake years ago and never went back but friends seem to like this place, so... It's been open for a while but it was still crowded at lunch, so we sat at the counter. We always try what the restaurant is noted for and we were surprised that the food and the service was great here. Very friendly staff, lots to watch in the kitchen and great hamburgers and salads. Was that Jerrod, the waiter from Katie Belle's, then bartender at Carrabba's, flipping burgers here? Watch for coupons in the paper almost weekly. Can't remember our total bill for lunch but we were impressed. Watch out Johnny Rockets, these burgers are better.
Q=4 S=5 V=4 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

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Tea Plantation & Flower Boutique, 1101 Canal St., The Villages, FL. 751-6826. L/D. High tea (and Crumpets) a specialty. Full British meals available for lunch (11 am to 4 pm) and dinner (4 pm to 9 pm; except noon to 5 pm on Sundays). Dinner entrées include Roast Beef & Yorkshire Pudding, Roast Lamb, Pork Loin, Chicken & Mushroom Alfredo, Cottage Pie, Steak & Ale Pie, Bangers & Mash and Gourmet Meatloaf. The menu also has a Tilapia Filet and a Baked Salmon as well. Dinner prices are semi-a-la-carte and generally range $12-15 each. Steaks such as Strip and Sirloins were recently added. Specials may include Prime Rib, Pork Chops, Meatloaf or Homemade Crab Cakes. Lunch offerings include Quiche Loraine, Ploughman's Lunch, Welsh Rarebit and a Tuna Melt. These range $9-12 each. Soup and salads are also popular here for a lighter fare at $4-8. Many sweets are offered including Trifles, Red Cake, Tartlet, Scones, Bread Pudding, Apple Pie and Tarts. Dare to indulge in the "Tower of London" Dessert Extravaganza, with your choice of tea of course ($30 for 2). Special events such as Mystery Dinners or Talent Night are occasionally held. Live entertainment also provided at times. Large selection of tea. Beer and wine available. Happy hour daily. 18% gratuity added for parties of 7 or more. Pleasant Victorian atmosphere. Fine china service. Popular with Brits as well as Red Hatters. Marian Whitehead & Janice Summerfield, restaurant partners.

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Review: (from Rosemary G. 1/07) For a lunch with ambience and good taste, you shouldn't miss The Tea Plantation. I had the Sandwich Selection Plate ($8.50) which included finger sandwiches of tuna, chicken, egg salad and cream cheese with cucumber on a variety of breads, served on lovely English bone china plates with doilies and silverware that wasn't spotted. With my lunch I had Lady Grey Tea which was delicious. My husband had the Soup and Sandwich Special ($8) which included a cup of Ham and Navy Bean Soup with his choice of Ham and Cheese sandwich on pumpernickel bread, also served on lovely bone china. With his lunch he had pressed coffee and it was tasty. For dessert you shouldn't miss the Devon Cream Scones, still warm from the oven, served with clotted cream and strawberry jam and lemon cream. Delicious. Total bill before tax and tip was $29.
Q=5 S=3 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Richard B. 8/07) Why isn't this place packed? We've eaten here five times (each time with different couples) and all agreed every meal has been fabulous. This time we went with other Gourmet Club members and had Steak and Ale Pie ($12), Meatloaf ($9), Salmon ($12), and Chicken & Vegetable Pie ($12) and we were all very pleased at the exceptional service, food quality, ambiance, and value. This place has to be the best kept secret in The Villages!
Q=5 S=5 V=5 Total=15 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Rich C. 1/08) Not many (good) places to eat in Sumter Landing and we have not been here in a long while. I ordered the Pork Loin with potatoes, vegetables and a side of apple sauce and she ordered the Roast Lamb. Before our main dishes, I had a cup of Mint Split Pea Soup and she ordered a Garden Salad. My soup was outstanding. A nice, slightly chunky, thick soup with just a hint of mint in it. Very different. Her salad was uninspired however with mostly white lettuce but a nice assortment of other greens to make up for it. My house wine was excellent at $5.50. Our entrées came out promptly and they were warm. Two nice slices of pork for me and many thinly sliced pieces of lamb for her. Overall a quality meal even though the apple sauce was out of a jar. She enjoyed her double vegetables too. Kendra was our server and we lacked for nothing, checking back on us at appropriate times and explaining the different dishes that are offered here. I have to say she was "right on the ball" and friendly too. Only 3 tables busy today, so we must remember this place when the snowbirds fill the other restaurants. We watched two large ladies next to us devour the "Tower". I got filled up just watching them so we passed on dessert. Our total came to $35 for two before t&t. I'm coming back soon to try their Crab Cakes.
Q=4 S=5 V=5 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Richard B. 7/08) We've eaten here two more times since my earlier review, so when we had out-of-town guests, we took them here. A wise choice! I had a Chicken Pasta Primavera special ($14), the others had menu items, Tilapia coated with a yummy dill hollandaise ($13), Salmon with the same sauce ($13) and Cottage Pie ($12). All were great as was the service. He wolfed down the Salmon saying it was the best he's had, then finished her Cottage Pie and almost licked the dish! My dinner came with dessert, Billie's Red Cake, coated with sliced strawberries and two scoops of ice cream. It was so huge three of us shared it. Eight dinners here, either just the two of us or with other couples and no disappointments yet!
Q=5 S=4 V=5 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Daniel G. 1/09) Having lived here for over 2 years, this was our first dining experience at the Tea Plantation. When you pass by, you don't think it's worth a stop. Boy was I wrong. All of our diners (6) were very impressed with the food and service. I had the New Zealand Roasted Veal, others had the Cottage Pie or Pork Chops. Dinner included either a salad or cup of soup. Patrons arriving before 6PM enjoy 2 for 1 wine. With tax and tip, it came to less than $48 for two. The restaurant is based on an English style dining room. Our server was very accommodating. You must try this restaurant at least once.
Q=5 S=4 V=4 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Freda F. 2/09) I've been to this restaurant for High Tea and found it to be a delightful experience. I decided to take a house guest to the restaurant for lunch. As soon as we entered it took a while to be acknowledged and after we sat down it took a long time for the waitress to take our order. After a while, our tea order was brought to the table. 45 minutes elapsed and our lunch was nowhere in sight. We complained, and the hostess, who was rude, told us that the Lamb took over 1/2 hour to cook. After waiting a total of one hour, we left. The restaurant would not accept money for the tea. It was a total disaster!
S=1 Return=No.

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T.G.I. Fridays, 1045 Old Camp Rd., The Villages, FL. The opening of this location, next to Barnes & Noble Book Store has now been approved. Ground breaking started in mid-August, 2009. An opening date of February, 2010 is expected. Fridays, started in New York City at 1st & 63rd by Alan Stillman in 1965, is now a division of Carlson Restaurants, headquartered in Carrollton, TX. with 600 locations in the US and 300 outside the US in 60 other countries.

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Thai Ruby, 1064 Canal St., The Villages, FL. 205-8288. L/D. Open daily at 12 noon. Mixing Thai and Chinese cuisine. Many Cantonese dishes prepared with a Thai touch. Familiar Pad Thai offerings plus specialties like Steamed Basa Filet. From spicy to tranquil overtones prepared to your taste. Comfortable exquisite Asian atmosphere. Seasonal Early Bird Specials 3 to 6 PM. Be aware that suggested gratuities are added to every check. Beer & wine. Ekalak is the master chef. Keith and May McDaniel, owners.

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Review: (from Steve L. 1/07) Tasty food. All dishes ordered were served with pleasant touches. Food was hot and attention was paid to requests for spices. Service is excellent and attentive to diners. Pleasant waitresses and staff.
Q=5 S=5 V=5 Total=15 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Dennis C. 1/07) Great surroundings in this well decorated, cozy and warm restaurant. We enjoyed two appetizers: Steamed Dumplings ($6) and Crab Rangoon ($6). My better half had Pad Thai Shrimp ($11) while I enjoyed Roast Duckling ($16). Our friends had Sweet & Sour Chicken ($10) and Shrimp in Garden Vegetables ($11). All food was served hot and very promptly. You can be out of here in 1 hour when they are not too crowded. Bill for 4 with 3 wines was $97 and I fell into the trap of adding tip on a bill that already had gratuity included. For this reason I rate the restaurant low on Value. It's a mean trick to play on customers!
Q=4 S=3 V=1 Total=8 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from James D. 2/07) An outstanding experience. Excellent food. I had Crispy Duck which was done perfectly, spiced perfectly and presented perfectly. Service was appropriate, prompt, polite and without being overbearing. Cost with wine for my lunch was approximately $16.
Q=5 S=4 V=4 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

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Tierra Del Sol Club, 806 San Marino Dr., The Villages, FL. 753-8005. B/L/D. Open 6:30 AM to 8 PM daily. Open for Sunday Brunch from 9 AM to 2 PM ($11). Recently remodeled adding a dance floor and an area for entertainment. Noted for their Jumbo Lump Maryland Crabcakes (2 for $18; 1 for $10) and Crab Imperial. Entrées range from $11 to $19 each. Pot Roast, Oven Fried Chicken, Roast Turkey or Ham, Baked Haddock, Liver & Onions, Club Sandwiches and Salads are also available. Friday All You Can Eat Fish Fry is $11. Noted for their New York Style Cheesecake. Full bar. Happy hour 2-6 PM. Peter Tokas new owner.

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Review: (from Bob M. 4/09) We were seated immediately for lunch. Our server, Deanna, was prompt and very pleasant. We ordered the Meatloaf lunch, which contained meat, mashed potatoes and veggies. While we were waiting, a bottle of catsup and mustard was placed on our table. The meal arrived without the veggies and the meat and potatoes were smoothered in thick gravy. So why the catsup? We were warned that the Meatloaf would be soft in the middle but was cooked. The center was very soft and had we not been forewarned, we would have assumed that the meal was not cooked completely. Actually the flavor was very good, however I don't know if it was the spices in the meatloaf or in the gravy. I asked the server about the veggies and she went to the kitchen and came back with a soup cup with Zuchinni which had absolutely no flavor and appearred to be overcooked (the skin was burned). No amount of salt or pepper could revive this. I told the server about this and got a "I'll tell the cook". There was no effort on her part to either lower the cost or replace them with something else. The cost for the 2 meals and 1 drink came to $19 plus tip. When we left the maitre d' inquired if all was well. I repeated the poor quality veggies and got a blank look and a "I'll tell the cook". This is the second time for us there since the new owners took over and probably will be our last.
Q=2 S=2 V=1 Total=5 out of 15. Return=No.

Review: (from Dan K. 4/09) We went after the buffet just to check it out. We split a Salad and had the Clams Casino as an appetizer. Cream Puffs are delicious and have custard, as they are supposed to. This is a family owned establishment and we feel they are doing things right and gave excellent selection, quaility and value. Service was prompt and attentive. Call ahead to see if they are having Cheesecake. You will be very happy you did.
Q=5 S=5 V=5 Total=15 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Frank M. 7/09) Arrived at 9:30 AM for the Sunday Brunch Buffet. We were seated quickly and well served by Roxy. $11 includes Coffee/Tea, choice of Omelet, Ham/Beef carving station, Bacon, Sausage, Biscuits and Gravy, Waffles and plentiful Pastries.
Q=4 S=4 V=5 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

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Tony Packo's, 890 Avenida Central, The Villages, FL. 753-0043. L/D. Formerly called Crazy Gringos, it changed it's name on February 19, 2009. Behind and part of the Fiesta Bowl. Popular bar serving burgers, wings, sandwiches, onion rings, chicken fingers and other pub favorites. Noted for their Toledo style Hot Dogs, Stuffed Cabbage and Fried Pickles. Crowded on weekends 'til late. Karaoke almost every night. Full bar. Darrell & Larry Ducat, owners.

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Too Jay's Original Gourmet Deli (Lake Sumter Landing), 1129 Canal St., The Villages, FL. 430-0410. B/L/D. New York style deli with a vast menu of sandwiches and full dinners. Tongue Sandwich as well as Pastrami on Rye are favorites of New Yorkers. Shepherd's Pie and Chicken Marsala as well as Mom's Meatloaf are specialties. Beer & wine. Cakes and cold cuts for home consumption available from the counter. Open Christmas Day from 10 AM. One of a growing popular chain of 24 Florida locations headquartered in Palm Beach, FL. 2008 Foodie Reader's Choice winner for "Best Sandwiches" in the Orlando area by The Orlando Sentinal. Founded by Jay Brown and (Mark) Jay Katzenberg in 1981. Kathi Casamasima, general manager here. See the following listing.

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Review: (from Ellen H. 8/06) Much like the first location, the staff is friendly and knowedgeable. Not exactly fine dining - more like good home cooked meals. The Blintzes are yummy. I'd start with the Killer Cake if I were you!
Q=4 S=4 V=3 Total=11 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Gordon M. 1/07) My favorite place for breakfast in or around the Villages. Very good food, usually good service, always a hot cup of coffee. Great Piled High Sandwiches for lunch. Not "fine dining", but very pleasant. Good place to take guests. Prices are very reasonable.
Q=4 S=4 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Too Jay's Original Gourmet Deli (Spanish Springs), 990 Delmar Dr., The Villages, FL. 753-3510. B/L/D. New York style deli with a vast menu of sandwiches and full dinners. Blintzes and Knishes are straight from New York City. Matzo Ball Soup, Nova Salmon and Egg Creams make New Yorkers feel right at home again. Beer & wine. Cakes and cold cuts for home meal time available from the counter. Open Christmas Day from 10 AM. One of a popular growing Florida chain. 2008 Foodie Reader's Choice winner for "Best Sandwiches" in the Orlando area by The Orlando Sentinal. Tracy Milner, general manager here. See the previous listing.

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Review: (from Rich C. 8/06) We often find ourselves in this great deli. Well trained staff and a quick kitchen make for an excellent meal. London Broil is one of my favorites. Have a Brooklyn Egg Cream instead of wine. Allow 30 minutes to read the TWO menus if it's your first time here.
Q=4 S=4 V=3 Total=11 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Ellen H. 4/09) Stopped in for a quick dinner now that the crowds are gone. I had the Chicken Breast with capers, beans and potatoes and he had the full Turkey Dinner. He loves the sliced turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, green beans and cranberry sauce. My chicken was flavorful too. Took half home for lunch. Frigid salads are included. Good ol' American food, served by a friendly staff and always a large selection. It's tough juggling the 2 menus. Very reliable place to eat. $26 for two including soft drinks.
Q=5 S=4 V=4 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

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Up The Creek Fish Camp & Grill, 1041 Lake Shore Dr., The Villages, FL. After 3 years of operation it closed on August 26, 2009 so that Cody's Original Roadhouse (see above) can take over this location soon. Only 4 Fish Camp locations in the US remain open.

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Urban Flats, 1012 Canal St., The Villages, FL. 205-7169. L/D. Open daily from 11 AM until Midnight or later on weekends (except 9 PM on Sundays). Opened July 2007. Selections focus around their use of "flat breads" made much like pizza, cut into 2-bite squares. Choices range from Turkey Pear & Brie ($8), Fig & Prosciutto ($9), Fire-Roasted Chicken ($9.50), Spicy Shrimp & Chorizo ($9.50), Chicken Alfredo ($10), Chicken Caesar ($10) and Steak & Portobello ($10) "Flats". "Lite Bites" like Crab Cakes and Herb Roasted Quesadillas aren't served on flat breads. Either are Chicken Salad Wrap ($7) and Seared Tuna & Shrimp Wrap ($10). A soup and four different salads are also offered. Tuxedo Bombe temps one at the end of the meal. Other mini desserts start at $3. About 40 dishes will fill out their unique menu once established. Chic and trendy surroundings. Impressive wine choices (from California, Oregon, Washington, Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa & Spain) with over twenty 3 or 6 ounce pours ($4-13) available. Wine tasting sessions for oenophiles. Occasional entertainment. "Wine Down Wednesdays" (aka "Wind Down Wednesdays" and "Whine Down Wednesdays") during the summer: Pay $15-20 pp at the door (depending on the season) and enjoy a light buffet and unlimited wine pours from 5 to 8 pm. Unique draft beer specials as well as a full cocktail bar inside and outside featuring martinis. A $15 coupon is available at restaurant.com. Restrictions apply. One of a half dozen locations in Central Florida and Georgia headquartered in the Orlando area. Bryan Jacich, general manager here; Russell Barkett, partner; Donna Suzanne Bonham, owner and founder.

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Review: (from Rich C. 7/07) Opening week and we volunteered as guinea pigs to experience their opening day jitters. The menu is a scaled down version of their locations in Winter Park and Orlando which we've been to. They promise to expand their offerings once they get better established here. We both had a the cup of Tomato Bisque Soup ($2) which was very tomatoey and tasty. Her Classic Flatbread ($8) had basil pesto, tomatoes and mozzarella seasoned with oregano. My Turkey, Pear and Brie ($8) was just that; a nice combination of flavors. Wines by the glass can get pricey here but our 6 oz. Alamos Chardonnay ($7) and 7 Deadly Zins Red Zinfandel ($11) were above average choices. Service was prompt but our orders got mixed twice and the bill needed to be corrected. We weren't told about happy hour offerings either. We'll give her the benefit of the doubt for her first day. The restaurant was surpisingly not crowded. An interesting place for a light meal but it can get noisy when crowded. The outside wrap-around bar looks like a winner. It was packed. Two wines, two soups, two flatbreads and one mini dessert ($3) came to $44 plus tip.
Q=4 S=2 V=3 Total=9 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Martin G. 7/07) Don't usually go to a restaurant on opening day, but we took a chance and were pleasantly surprised. They offered an abbreviated version of their regular menu and had more than adequate staff to accommodate the July 4th crowd. I had their Seared Tuna & Shrimp Wrap served with a portion of fresh crisp salad greens. My wife ordered the French Dip also served with a salad. The service was prompt. The taste and presentation quite nice. Wayne the Assistant Manager took time out to visit with us and inquire about our experience. They plan to be open late and offer capuccino, espresso and dessert for late evening movie goers. Also planned will be live entertainment. Less drinks, tax and tip our tab was about $20 for an excellent light dinner.
Q=4 S=4 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Larry P. 7/07) Urban Flats was a very pleasant surprise. The Tomato Bisque Soup was outstanding and everyone shared that opinion. Our group had a variety of "Flat Breads" (Chicken Alfredo, Turkey-Pear-Brie, Chicken Ceasar, Turkey Club Wrap). They were visually appealling and flavorful. The dishes and silverware were definitely up-scale. Service was appropiately attentive and cordial. The general manager, Bob Willcox, who is also part owner, resolved a minor issue quickly, pleasantly and very much to our satisfation. If you haven't been to Urban Flats yet you need to go because it is a real treat.
Q=5 S=4 V=4 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Harriet H. 7/07) Unusual choice of food including great soups, wraps and the flat bread combos that you don't see in other restaurants, The food is well presented at moderate prices; lunch for 2 at under $20. The best part is you are satisfied but not stuffed. The waitress was well trained and very friendly and personable.
Q=5 S=4 V=5 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Francis M. 7/07) Well, this turned out to be a very pleasant experience. From the moment of arrival until departure, the people were extremely friendly, professional and very attentive. Our waitresses, sisters Kasi and Lindsey, were sunshine in the evening. We could not have asked for anything better. My wife ordered the Roasted Vegetable Flat ($8) and I had the Spicy Shrimp Chorizo Flat ($9.50). Both were very good - great taste and served right out of the oven. This is not a place for fine dining but it sure is a great place to eat - good food and great service. The outside bar is already a hit in Market Square. I think this place will become a favorite for us.
Q=4 S=4 V=5 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Jim C. 7/07) Urban Flats opened only two weeks ago. It currently has a limited menu but comments from a visiting manager, stated that a new expanded menu is coming. Their specialty is a variety of items served on flat bread, a thin oblong pizza-like bread. My wife had the Baked Cheese and Tomato Soup, followed by the Meatball and Mozzarella Flat Bread. I had the Mozzarella, Tomato, Prosciutto and Balsamic Salad, followed by the Black and Blue Flat Bread (steak, peppers, tomatoes & blue cheese). All were excellent and we will be returning. It would not be fair to judge the service since they were all still in training with managers standing around telling them what to do. As for now, I give Urban Flats, thumbs up. The food was great and they look good, with an extensive list of wines and beers. $52 with two beers and tip.
Q=4 S=3 V=4 Total=11 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Rich S. 7/07) We tried this new eclectic restaurant in Lake Summer Landing and really enjoyed it. My wife had a cup of the Tomato Bisque Soup and I had a bowl of the same. What a real treat. Not only was it hot but very delicious! Our waiter, Paul, was very attentive and explained everything to us. The wine list was complete with 12 reds and 12 whites. They have a very interesting inside bar which cools the wine to the proper temperature and refreshes the wine with an injection of nitrogen to keep the wine as fresh as it was when opened. My wife had the Steak and Portabello Flat Bread and I had the Meatball Flat Bread - both very good! The desserts, although we were too full to order them, sounded great especially the chocolate fondue with fresh fruit and pound cake and plenty of whipped cream! The total cost of soups, flat breads and 2 iced teas including tax came to $32.
Q=4 S=4 V=3 Total=11 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Colene M. 8/07) We had not been in Urban Flats but had heard it had high prices so we wanted to see for ourselves. He had the Fire Roasted Chicken Flat ($9) and I had the Chicken Ceasar Flat ($10). Both were very good and plenty to eat. He had ice tea, which I thought was very high priced ($2.25). I had water. The bill came to $23 for lunch. We had John for our waiter and he was very good. He said he sometimes is the bar keeper. He also told us about the band and happy hour later in the evening.
Q=4 S=5 V=2 Total=11 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Richard B. 8/07) Excellent! Our first try and we'll be back. She had the spicy rare Tuna/Shrimp Wrap ($8) with European(?) Cole Slaw and I had the Italian Sausage Flatbread (new offering - $10) and Lobster Bisque Soup ($2/cup) and all was very tasty, fresh, nicely presented and pleasantly and professionally served. Our waiter asked to sit and chat for a few minutes (we agreed) and he did an enthusiastic and smooth "sales pitch" about their late hours and live entertainment. We're going back Saturday to hear some Motown!
Q=5 S=4 V=5 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Ellen H. 4/08) It's been a while since we were here and it appears that their menu has expanded somewhat. We stopped for lunch since there really aren't many choices here at LSL. He had a 6 oz. glass of Riesling ($6) and I ordered an iced tea. The Corn Chowder was delicious. My Park Salad of spinach, pear slices, walnuts and caramelized onions really hit the spot. His Fire Roasted Chicken Flat was pretty good too. Joe was pleasant and the food came out as soon as it was up from the kitchen. At $27.50 before t&t ($35 with) this is not a moderately priced restaurant.
Q=4 S=4 V=2 Total=10 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Rich C. 6/08) With some good friends we had a quick meal here. At 5:30 PM on a Monday, they were not crowded. She had the Wild Mushroom and Asparagus Flat($8.50) preceded by a cup of Corn Chowder, while I went for the Crab Cakes Plate ($11). Both were very good. At happy hour my two 6 oz. pours of house Chardonnay were only $6. Keith gave us good service and apologized that they were out of Wild Mushrooms but could substitute sliced Portobellos which were acceptable. Meals came out promptly and we enjoyed our light dinner with attentive service. Total before t&t was $29 for two.
Q=4 S=4 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Dan K. 7/08) We arrived at 9:15 after the movies. Sat outside and enjoyed a Sampler Plate of dips and flatbread for $10. Service was fast, food was wonderful, beautiful presentation of something very simple. Watching the passing parade is fascinating too. Always worth the visit.
Q=5 S=4 V=5 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Ellen H. 9/08) This was another pleasurable experience at this restaurant. We were seated after ordering a drink at the bar and attended to promptly. I ordered Mushroom Brie Soup which was delicious. It was loaded with pieces of mushroom and had a distincly garlic flavor rather than cheesy. I also ordered the Spear Romaine Salad with honey balsamic vinegar. The romaine was crisp and firm and the toppings made it a treat. He ordered the Tomato Bisque Soup which was flavorable. He also ordered the Cedar Plank Salmon which was cooked perfectly and presented very nicely. He also had the house Chardonnay. The bill before t&t was $28.
Q=5 S=4 V=5 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Rich C. 1/09) About 10 oenophile friends gathered tonight for their weekly "Wine Down Wednesday". $15 gets you a nice buffet of Salad and Flatbreads and all the wine you can handle and still be "legal". There were 5 reds and 5 whites, as usual. We tried them all. Melony was our waitress and kept our table clear of dirty plates. By 7 PM it was crowded. The food was nice and warm, it included Polenta with a Chicken Broth over it. Dessert was included. Can't ask for a better deal. In February the price goes to $20 pp.
Q=4 S=5 V=5 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

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The Veranda, 1000 Lake Sumter Landing, The Villages, FL. B/L. Located in the Sales Center at Market Place, this comfortable eatery makes soup, salads and sandwiches. Open daily 8 AM to 2 PM genearlly. Developer owned.

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Village Eatery, 922 Bichara Blvd., The Villages, FL. 753-8884. B/L. Small luncheonette style cafe near the south end of La Plaza Grande. No bar. Herb & Carole Wilson, owners.

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Review: (from Marianne S. 5/07) We have enjoyed breakfast here many times, but decided to try their Friday evening meals. The Crab Cake served was the best I've had since moving to Florida. It was served hot and the Cole Slaw side was very good.
Q=4 S=4 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

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Villages SKY, 700 US 27/441, The Villages, FL. 751-5300. This location suddenly closed on 8/12/09. It was owned by Dine Design, whose officers are part of the troubled Taylor, Bean & Whitiker mortgage group in Ocala. The SKY and Ipanema restaurants (see page 2) in Ocala are still operating at this time.

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VKI Japanese Steakhouse, 1004 Old Mill Run., The Villages, FL. 259-9887. L/D. Sashimi and Sushi Bar with a master chef. Hibachi tables for 6 or more. Table side chef prepares meals juggling utensils amid firey explosions. Kitchen menu of tempura and other traditional Japanese fare also available. Full bar. Large facility suitable for private parties. Reservations accepted. Zeng Yi Liu, owner.

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Review: (from Ellen H. 1/07) We had six in our Gourmet Party at a hibachi table. I ordered Steak and Salmon Hibachi and he ordered Filet Mignon Hibachi. The young chef was very entertaining. Soup, Salad & a few Shrimp for an appetizer preceded the main dish. I skipped the Fried Rice but others reported it was tasty. The un-named Steak was very tender as was his Filet Mignon. Although salty, the food was quite good. Hibachi is nice with a party of 8. The bill ($58 for 2 with wine) came before we could order dessert. Their loss!
Q=4 S=3 V=3 Total=10 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Bob M. 1/07) I had Hibatchi Chicken and Scallops. The Salad, Rice and Shrimp were very tasty and well prepared. The Scallops were a different story, I found that the ends were done but the centers of the Scallops were mushy, either they were previously frozen or the grill was too hot and thus the Scallops looked cooked on the outside but were not so on the inside. My wife had the Hibachi Chicken and Salmon and was very pleased with her meal, especially the Salmon. The Chicken in both meals were OK but nothing special. Cost, about $45. Service was quite good but could have been a little more attentive.
Q=2 S=3 V=3 Total=8 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Martin G. 1/07) We visited VKI again for dinner and weren't disappointed. I like the various Sushi dishes and had a Volcano Roll as my main course. The presentation, as always, was great and it is one of the tastier offerings that I've tried. For an appetizer I sampled the Baby Tako (tiny octopus in a teriyaki style sauce). I found it a little chewy and somewhat bland. My wife had the Ebi Yaki Udon. Udon is a thick noodle made with wheat flour. The dish contained shrimp and slivered onions, carrots and mushrooms in a sweet teriyaki style sauce. This dish was okay, not spectacular. For drinks we had green tea. Before tax and tip the bill came to $33.
Q=4 S=4 V=3 Total=11 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Howard H. 6/08) This was our monthly Gourmet Dining Group outing. It was a very pleasant experience. Of course, we sat at a Hibachi and were entertained, as expected. The waitress and the chef were very efficient. I had the Steak and Scallops. She had the Steak and Chicken. Both were prepared and presented nicely. We had the ususal, Soup, Salad, Shrimp appetizer and main course with Fried Rice and Vegetables. Portions were quite satisfactory. I had Sake and she had two Japanese Beers. We sat around and talked for quite sometime and were not rushed by the staff. A lot of fun for a group. Total check w/tip was $78.
Q=5 S=5 V=4 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Rich C. 6/08) For a party of 10 this was ideal. We sat at the Hibachi table and enjoyed a cocktail or two before ordering. I had the Steak and Shrimp ($21) and she had the Shrimp and Scallops ($24). The soup was good, the salad unremarkable and the entertainment (young chef Andy) enjoyable. Service by Sandy was good. The "Shrimp Appetizer" turned out to be just two extra shrimp on your plate, however. She enjoyed her food and I remarked that my plain steak (not the higher priced Filet Mignon) was surprisingly tender. Tons of Fried Rice too. I always bring my own ceremonial Hong Kong Chop Sticks and saw others in the restaurant bring their own too. Everyone in our party enjoyed their meal also. With a cocktail ($4), a white wine ($5), a soda ($2) and the two meals, it came to $56 before t&t. All in all, a nice experience again.
Q=4 S=4 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

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The Waterfront Inn, 1105 Lake Shore Drive, Lake Sumter Landing, The Villages, FL. 753-7535. B/L/D. Breakfast 6:30 to 10 AM; Lunch 11 AM to 3 PM; Dinner 4 PM to 9 PM; Sunday Brunch from 11 AM to 2 PM. The restaurant is called Amelia's and the deck affords a nice view of Lake Sumter. Small, simple dining area off the lobby seating just 60 people indoors and another 20 outdoors. Start with their popular She-Crab Soup. Entrées such as Pan Fried Pork Medallions, Pepper Dusted Tenderloin, Mojo Chicken, Cajun Shrimp Fajita Skillet, Southern Crab Cakes, BBQ Glazed Shrimp, Baked or Fried Haddock (Friday) and 14 oz. Ribeye are offered at prices between $12-19. Less formal dishes such as Grilled Cheese, Carved Turkey Sandwich, Pimento Cheeseburger and various salads will range from $4-10. Desserts include Bread Pudding, Apple Dumpling and Key Lime Cheese Cake. The focus is on Southern cooking. Daily Breakfast Buffet is just $10 per person. Luncheon Soup & Salad Bar is just $7 per person. Sunday Brunch at $14 per person offered weekly including Omelet and Carving Stations. $9 Early Bird Specials starting at 4 PM recently added to the menu. Full bar and wine list. Occasional entertainment starting at 5:30 PM in the lobby area. Happy hour from 3 to 7:30 PM. 20% gratuity added for parties of 6 or more. Reservations are accepted. Open Thanksgiving and Christmas too for Holiday Buffets. Money savings coupons available at restaurant.com. Restrictions apply. Kelly Fairchild, director; Pam Foster, manager; developer owned.

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Review: (from Rich C. 11/07) Such a disappointment! Only 6 entrées to choose from, and all a-la-carte. No happy hour here; house wine was $6 per glass. For appetizers, I ordered the She Crab Soup and she ordered the BLT Salad. The salad greens were crisp but when she ran out of salad dressing, our waitress, Johni, couldn't be found. We asked the busboy but he couldn't speak English. She ordered BBQ Glazed Shrimp wrapped in bacon which was overcooked shrimp with KC Masterpiece sauce drizzled over them. The Cheese Grits were unidentifiable with grated cheese sprinkled on top. I had the 1/2 Roast Chicken with Stuffing which I found to be bloody in the center. Again the waitress didn't check on us after being served, so I cut around it. The stuffing was Stove-Top, right out of the box. With 2 wines, 1 soup, 1 salad and 2 entrées, the total came to $52 before my meager 10% tip. The room is noisy too. Sorry, but this just won't do for the refined residents here. Besides, who wants to dine watching the Nightly News on TV?
Q=2 S=1 V=2 Total=5 out of 15. Return=No.

Review: (from Mike S. 1/08) Our party of 8 arrived on time for our 5PM reservation and we were promptly seated. The dining room is small but there were empty tables available. Our server, Jessica, was very pleasant and knowledgeable regarding the menu selections. We were told that Happy Hour was in effect, meaning half price on wine by the glass and bottles of beer (no draft beer available). I had a large BLT Salad and the Pecan Chicken entrée. My wife had the Southern Crab Cakes with Fried Green Tomato and Corn Aoli. Everything was very good with the exception of the Fried Green Tomato which was tasteless. In addition, our dinner companions tried the Pork Medallions and the fish entrées. Everyone was satisfied with their Amelia's experience. Our meal for two included one salad, two entrées, four glasses of house Zinfandel and two Michelobs. The total with tax was $55.
Q=4 S=4 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Colene M. 3/09) We were going to have a nice dinner for our anniversary and then go to the Comedy Club at The Waterfront. We got to Amelia's about 5 PM. on March 4th (our anniversary) and when we saw the hostess at the desk, she asked if we had a reservation. We said we did not and noticed there were approximately 10 people in the entire restaurant. She said we would have to sit in the lobby or outside and when I said I didn't want to do that, she said she was sorry but they couldn't seat us. We told her it was our anniversary and we had tickets to the Comedy Club later that evening but she still couldn't seat us. We left and went to Palmer's for dinner. I was disappointed but came back for the Comedy Club and it was very nice. Hope we have a better response when we go back next month. We will make reservations.
Return=Yes.

Review: (from Colene M. 4/09) Our group of six had reservations for 6 PM and we were seated right away. Burnedette was our waitress and she was EXCELLENT! I ordered the Crab Stuffed Shrimp and it was great. Others in our party were not as pleased with their meal. My meal was served with rice and brocolli and they too were good. The meal was $19 before tax and tip.
Q=5 S=5 V=3 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Bob M. 4/09) Seated promptly and when we complained that the air was too cold, the staff tried to adjust it, failing that, we were moved to a more comfortable location in the resturant. Bernanette did an excellent job in providing outstanding service as well as pleasant conversation thoughout the evening. She was the highlight of the evening. My choice was the Crabcake dinner and I was very disappointed. The crabcakes were to be accompanied with Fried Green Tomatoes and a Vidalia Slaw. Both the cakes and the tomatoes were covered with some sort of breading that completely overpowered any flavor that may have been present and that had no flavor. The slaw appeared to be void of anything Vidalia, it was the same as can be purchased by the bagful at Publix. My meal cost $19 plus tax, tip and drinks. I would probably go back but definately avoid ordering the Crabcake dinner.
Q=2 S=5 V=1 Total=8 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Fred H. 7/09) Based on earlier reviews, we hadn't expected much from Amelia's at the Waterfront Inn. We were pleasantly surprised. It was Seafood Special night and both our entrées were excellent. She had the Seafood Crêpes and I had the Shrimp Tempura. Both were very good. We ate outdoors on the deck and the view of Lake Sumter was beautiful. Our waitress, Colleen was wonderful, attentive and very responsible. It was Happy Hour and we each had two wines. Total bill, with the wine but without tip, was a very reasonable $42. Special kudos go to Denise, the waitress at an adjoining table. She calmly and patiently dealt with an angry woman whose unpleasantness reached the point of boorishness.
Q=4 S=5 V=5 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Ellen H. 11/09) Our table for 9 was ready and waiting when we arrived for our "Girls Night Out". Someone promptly poured water and then we were ignored for at least 10 minutes. Finally our server arrived to ask about drinks and we requested menus which had not been provided yet. There was quite a long wait for drinks and for our server to return to take our order. Our salads were finally delivered but mostly incorrectly. We waited again for a very long time for our meals. When they arrived, he again mixed them all up until one of our members suggested he bring them over and we would sort them out ourselves. My meal was Chicken Francaise and was disappointing as it had very little flavor. It was supposed to be lemon and caper sauce but I tasted no lemon and saw no capers. Some of the other meals were acceptable but none of them were exceptional. The waiter did tell us that the tip was included in the bill which was a plus for him, but we thought it was excessive at 20%. Perhaps if his service had been even mediocre, then 20% would have been acceptable to all of us, but his service was not. We had to again wait for him to bring the bills and return our change and credit cards. My bill for me and my daughter was $47 with the tax and tip included. I was very disappointed in the whole experience.
Q=2 S=1 V=1 Total=4 out of 15. Return=No.

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DISCLAIMER: This website is not, per se, an endorsement or criticism of any dining establishment. As such, it does NOT represent the views of the webmaster or the club's leaders. Instead it gives factual information about area restaurants and posts member's individual reviews of their own experiences. Your experience and rating may differ, so we encourage you to patronize the establishment yourself and if you are a club member, write a review so others can share your observations. Photos on this page may not represent the exact food offered at the adjacent establishment and prices and details may vary. All content Copyright © 2006-2009 The Villages Gourmet Club. All rights reserved. No part may be included in another website or advertisement.