Quick Bites

TAVARES

Lunch in a hurry

Modern Mosaic tables and a dome brick oven greet hungry diners at the new Lago Dora Restaurant in the heart of downtown Tavares. The food, prepared by chef and owner Deshaun Scott, is even more impressive.

The lunch menu is extensive, offering fresh meals such as spaghetti and mouth-watering meatballs, Chicken Alfredo, and specials like Penne Chicken Florentine Pasta, and Baked Rigatoni Bolognaise.

The restaurant aims to get diners served and on their way in 45 minutes, for courthouse employees and others who need to get back to work. It’s at 134 E. Ruby Street in Tavares.

A Toast to the Mighty

Grapefruit

(Makes 1 serving)

January is a great month for Florida grapefruit. If you’d like to celebrate with a delightful drink, try the Floridian Grapefruit Greyhound Drink. It’s a refreshing burst of citrus with a nice little kick!

CLERMONT

New fl avors and foods

Guru Restaurant, located in the Clermont Hillside Terrace, offers Indian fare known for its chefs’ creative combinations of spices and sauces and delectable clay oven-baked breads. Six varied breads are baked daily, from Naan—a light bread made from refi ned fl our—to Naan stuffed with either raisins and almonds, called Peshawari Naan, or Kheema Naan, which is the Naan stuffed with minced lamb.

Guru Restaurant located at 2400 S US 27, Suite 101, is open Monday through Saturday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

INGREDIENTS:

¾ ounce

Florida pink grapefruit juice

1½ ounce

orange-flavored vodka

½ ounce

Cointreau (or other triple sec)

½ ounce

cranberry juice

¼ ounce

Simple syrup Garnish Florida orange peel twist Fresh cranberries Mint sprig

Playoff s calls for snacks

Weekends in January calls for chips, nachos, wings, pizza, and other snack foods and drinks to watch the NFL Football playoffs, which all begin with the wild card games Jan. 7-8, divisional rounds, Jan. 14-15, and the NFC and AFC Championship games on Jan. 22. Of course more of your food favorites are on call for the biggest game of all—Super Bowl at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 5! Most everyone loves the easy Ro*Tel® Famous Queso Dip that is just one 10-ounce can of Ro*Tel® Original Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies, undrained and one 16-ounce package of Velveeta® cut into ½-inch cubes. Combine ingredients in a medium saucepan and heat for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Serve warm with tortilla chips, crackers, or fresh veggies.

LAKE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

In the market for fresh food

More than 1,000 people fl ock to the Farmer’s Market at Lake County Fairgrounds, 2101 County Road 452, Eustis, on Thursdays where 200-plus vendors showcase their produce, foods, and crafts from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The farmer’s market has been a popular Thursday attraction since 1979, and the only times it is closed is during the Lake County Fair in April and Thanksgiving Day.

COCOA BEACH

Chart a course for a great pie

If you’re looking for a fun day trip that includes something delicious, try the fi fth annual Florida Key Lime Pie Festival. You can eat it in a cup, in a coconut, by the slice, and enjoy the entire pie. There’s lots of fun to fi ll your day including the Miss Florida Key Lime Pie contest, a pie-eating contest, trying the key lime pie fl avored martini and participating in the margarita challenge. There will also be vendors on hand along with live music as well as entertainment at the marketplace and promenade. Check Groupon for great deals on admissions. All this happens at Alan Shepard Park in Cocoa Beach. Check the Florida Key Lime Pie Festival Facebook page for details.

MOUNT DORA

Mad about Maggie’s

Wine tasting with more than 20 different wines will be featured 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 7 and 21, while a craft beer tasting event is slated during the same hours on Jan. 14 at Maggie’s Attic, 237 West 4th Ave., Mount Dora. Guests of the wine tasting also enjoy light appetizers and live entertainment that’s often performed by area musicians.

UMATILLA

Chomp, chomp

TheGator Grill is a great restaurant in Umatilla and is a favorite among the locals. Owned by Dave Luke and Randy Connor, the Gator Grill went through some signifi cant renovations and upgrades to the building. But one thing didn’t change—it’s a great place to meet friends and enjoy a good meal together. Start with Cajun Gator, battered and fried and served with honey mustard dip. Ever had Wild Hog Wings? You can get ‘em here! And the dessert of the week is always a great surprise! Go by 9 N. Central Avenue in Umatilla.