23 minute read
IN THE KITCHEN
IN THE SHADOWS OF THE EMBERS
STORY: LEIGH NEELY PHOTO: FRED LOPEZ
Most of Leesburg is still asleep as Victor Donahey III enters Morrison United Methodist Church. Home to Vic’s Catering, the church’s big kitchen is soon a bustling hive as Victor and his crew prepare food for their various catering jobs.
“We’ve had a longtime contract with LifeStream Behavioral Center. We provide three meals a day, seven days a week, year-round,” Victor says. “Morrison has been nice enough to open its doors to let us continue that contract after the fi re.”
“The fi re” destroyed Vic’s Embers Supper Club, a favorite restaurant among area residents, in December 2013. “We opened the Embers in 1988, and lots of people still miss it. I get emails, texts, and phone calls every week about it,” Victor says.
Dismayed by the loss, Victor and his dad, Vic Donahey Jr., made the tough decision not to rebuild the restaurant at that time. The town rallied around the two men; many local restaurants agreed to take on employees temporarily and a fi sh fry was organized to provide fi nancial aid for employees.
Squires III was the fi rst restaurant that Vic opened with two other men in 1981, and Victor began working with his dad when he was 8 years old. Now he enjoys the creativity of creating new dishes and preparing unique menus for a variety of clients.
As Victor moves about the kitchen, his calm demeanor is refl ected throughout the room as large trays of vegetables, pasta salad, and other delicious dishes are prepared and loaded into the catering van. The rest of the staff moves comfortably through the familiar routine of fi xing meals needed for the day.
“We do everything from breakfast in bed for two—with a bottle of champagne and long-stemmed roses—to barbecues for 2,500 people. We have wine-pairing dinners, wedding receptions, class reunions, and offi ce parties,” Victor says. “We do fi sh fries and banquets. The biggest part of catering is ordering and preparing the food. The day of the event, we come in and pull our dishes, china, silver, glassware, and load them.”
They also prepare a weekly meal for the church. The Wednesday night homecooked meal costs only $7.50 and is open to the public. All that’s needed is a call to the church offi ce to make a reservation.
Another element of Vic’s Embers Supper Club that continues involves their famous steaks. “We still cut all our own steaks by hand, so we order whole prime ribs and whole beef tenderloins … ribeyes are still available to purchase.”
Victor also takes pride in keeping the promise to clients that every person attending an event gets hot food on their plate. “So many people think they won’t get hot food when they go to large gatherings. When we serve them, they’re just so surprised, and I always guarantee whether it’s four people or 400, everybody gets a hot plate.”
The chef always has signature dishes, and Victor admits he loves to prepare food with fl avored vodkas. “I also enjoy wine pairings and creating new dishes or menus. It won’t be your everyday menu like you fi nd when you go out to a restaurant,” Victor says. “We offer a full bar with liquor, wine, and beer.” To add a touch of elegance to events, Vic’s Catering has chocolate fountains and ice sculptures.
A favorite recipe Victor is often asked about is stewed tomatoes, which was a popular side dish served daily at Embers. “We peel the tomatoes and crush them by hand before we stew them for a long time and add a few ingredients.”
When asked about those “other” ingredients, Victor just smiles and shakes his head. “It was my grandfather’s recipe, and my father used it at the restaurants he’s had. They’re a little sweet, but the recipe is a family secret.”
The next generation has already stepped up to be a part of the family business. Sheelin, Victor’s 17-year-old daughter, worked at Vic’s Embers so she could buy her car, and her sister, Shannon, who is 15, is right behind her. Victor married in September. His wife, Lisa, is a mobile notary and closing agent, but she also helps with catering events along with her children, Kimberly, 18, and Trevor, 16.
Victor says the silver lining he found in the cloud of the restaurant fi re was having more time with his children. “They’re involved in softball, and both are making honor roll and taking AP classes. I defi nitely needed some time with them. As soon as the youngest gets out of school, or maybe in the next year or two, I’m going back into the business. I’ll open an Embers, maybe on a little bit smaller scale.”
The next step for the business is bottling and selling its signature salad dressings from Vic’s Embers. “This includes our specialty Italian, chunky bleu cheese, buttermilk ranch, and Caesar, just like we made in the wooden bowls tableside at the restaurant,” Victor says.
Chef Marvin Cannon has worked with Victor for 17 years. “I’m grateful for him. He’s a dedicated chef who worked with me at a couple of restaurants and has been able to stay on board and help here,” Victor says. “I also appreciate Chef Mike Peterson, who prepares all the food for the LifeStream programs.”
It may seem like Victor always has a full plate, but he defi nitely enjoys working in the kitchen and creating the foods people enjoy.
THE R TROPICAL ISLE
OF TIKI WEST
For the freshest taste of Florida, pull up a chair and enjoy a plate of raw oysters at Tiki West Raw Oyster Bar & Grill. Chris and Katie Clark invite you to try a dozen—or two or three—today!
Shucking oysters is an art, and Tiki West Raw Bar & Grill makes eating them another art form. “Our raw oysters are shucked by Chris and his brother Brian, and between them, they have almost 30 years of experience,” Katie says.
For a new twist on this Florida favorite, Chris and Katie make chargrilled oysters, which is one of the most popular items on their menu. Oysters are served raw or steamed and their premium oysters are from around the world.
“We took baked oysters off the menu and we have three specialty grilled oysters: the chargrilled, beer cheese, and the oyster scampi. The chargrilled oysters are done in a bourbon butter sauce with fresh garlic, a special blend of spices, and a smoky hot sauce,” Katie explains. “We’ve probably sold about 750 dozen since Nov. 1 and more than hundred dozen during our anniversary week. The beer cheese oysters are topped with Colonel’s Snappy beer cheese and Parmesan cheese. The oyster scampi is grilled with white wine butter cream sauce, fresh garlic, lemon juice, along with Asiago and Parmesan cheeses.”
If that doesn’t have your mouth watering, how about All You Can Eat Seafood, all day, every day! Get snow crab legs, peel and eat or fried shrimp, broiled crawfi sh, fried Mahi Mahi, fried clam strips or tilapia! All You Can Eat Seafood comes with Tiki slaw and fries or rice, and beans. Whatever seafood delight you order, if you’d like to try something of the same or lesser value on the All You Can Eat menu, just ask for it!
When Chris and Katie were organizing their menu, they went to Ben Yancey to curate it, and he still tends bar at the restaurant. They’re proud of using well-known products like Poca’s Hottest sauces. These all-natural sauces are made in Orlando and names are inspired by area artists and musicians, with names like Hell’s Fire Sauce and Serenade Marinade.
The staff prides itself on doing everything slightly different from everyone else. That’s why menu items change frequently. The new ultimate seafood platters include lump crab cake, fried mahi-mahi, clam strips, and oysters.
Make it your own special burger with ham, wilted kale, Swiss, cheddar, or provolone cheese, fried jalapeno, onion straws, bleu cheese crumbles, or mushrooms. The sunrise pork belly cheddar burger is one of the most requested and is topped with pork belly, cheddar cheese, and a fried egg.
Like cocktails? Their bloody mary has the glass rimmed with bacon salt from Poca’s Hottest, and their signature cocktail is the Florida Island, similar to a Long Island iced tea but more tropical. Finish off your meal with Chef Dee’s homemade key lime pie.
Enjoy a good time in the tropics at Tiki West Raw Oyster Bar & Grill!
Tiki West Raw Bar and Grill 118 W Ruby Street, Tavares TikiWestTavares.com 352.508.5783
Destinations of good taste
dining IN YOUR CITY $: $5 – $14 $$: $15 – $24 $$$: $25 – $40 $$$$: $40+ Kid’s Menu Beer, Wine or Cocktails
Astatula
Race Car Diner 25641 Monroe St. 352.253.6940 $
Astor
Sparky’s Place 24646 State Road 40 352.759.3551 $$ Sterling Restaurant & Lounge 23525 State Road 40 352.759.3833 $$
Bushnell
Angelotti’s Pizza 920 N Main St. 352.569.0446 $ Beef O’Bradys 2586 W. CR 48 352.568.7000 $ Charley’s Grilled Subs 421 N West St. 352.568.1186 $ Chuck’s Odd Cuples Café 117 W Belt Ave 352.568.0408 $ Coyote Rojo 2082 W. CR 48 352.569.0302 $$ Critic’s Choice 8032 CR 476B, 352.568.0008 $ Hong Kong Restaurants 2229 W CR 48 (352) 568-888 $$ Howie’s Family Restaurant 840 N. Main St. 352.793.8582 $ Market Street Gardens 311 N. Market St. 352.568.0100 $$ Mia Plaza Pizzeria 6092 CR 609 352.793.4418 $ Sonny’s Bar-B-Q 2684 W. CR 48 352.569.0200 $ TJ’s Family Restaurant 412 W. Belt Ave 352.793.8877 $$ Waffl e House 2571 W CR 48 352.793.5656 $ Waller’s Restaurant 138 Bushnell Plaza 352.793.2592 $ Whistle Stop Café 311 N. Market St. 352.568.7667 $$
Clermont
Akina Sushi Bar & Asian Fusion Bistro 4300 S. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.243.8988 $$$ Calabria Ristorante 13900 County Road 455 407.656.5144 $$ Cheeser’s Palace 707 W. Montrose St. 352.404.9431 $ Flippers Pizzeria 2523 S. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.242.2214 $$ G’s NY Pizza 12346 Roper Blvd. 352.243.8900 $$$ Green Garden 1790 E. Hwy. 50 352.243.2077 $$ Legends Grille & Tavern 1700 Legendary Blvd. 352.242.1910 $$$ Lyn’s Ice Cream & Sandwich Shoppe 824 W. Montrose St. 352.536.9935 $ Napolis Pizzeria 556 S. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.243.7500 $$ Robata Japanese Steak House and Sushi Bar 1500 Oakley Seaver Dr. 352.404.9688 $$ Rusty Fox 649 12th St. 352.394.3333 $$ Sanctuary Ridge Golf Club Restaurant 2601 Diamond Club Dr. 352.243.0411 $$ Spiro’s Pizza 1203 W. Hwy. 50 352.394.5538 $$ Sugar Mama’s Bake Shoppe 648 Eighth St. 352.241.9738 $$ Troy’s Cuban & Deli 1200 Oakley Seaver Dr. 352.241.4295 $$
Eustis
1884 Restaurant & Bar 12 East Magnolia Ave. 1.800.856.1884 $$ Barnwood BBQ 50 W. Orange Ave. 352.630.4903 $$ Cafe Gianni 119 N. Bay St. 352.589.1402 $$ Dam Smoker Barbeque 36721 County Road 19A 352.357.6555 $$ Double Take Pizza 403 N. Grove St. 352.343.0990 $$ El Korita Mexican Restaurant 256 W. Ardice Ave. 352.483.0355 $ Jeannie’s Place 209 E. Gottsche Ave. 352.357.0027 $ Kiku Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar 15211 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.483.8288 $$$ King’s Taste Bar-B-Que 503 Palmetto St. 352.589.0404 $$ La Mandarina Mexican Restaurant 1401 Orange Ave. 352.357.2487 $$ Olivia’s Coffee House & Bistro 113 N. Bay St. 352.357.1887 $ Rhythms Bar & Restaurant 12 S. Bay St. 720.318.5492 $ Stavro’s & Sons of Eustis 2100 W. County Road 44 352.589.9100 $$ Taki’s Pizza House 2824 S. Bay St. 352.357.0022 $$ Thai Sushi America 925 N. Bay St. 352.357.1949 $$ The Crazy Gator 402 N. Bay St. 352.589.5885 $$ The Great Pizza Company 23 E. Magnolia Ave. 352.357.7377 $$ The Oyster Troff 936 N. Bay St. 352.357.9939 $$$ Tony’s Pizza & Subs 2760 E. Orange Ave. 352.589.9001 $$
Fruitland Park
Fruitland Park Café 3180 US Hwy. 441/27 352.435.4575 $ Legends Cafe 2468 U.S. Hwy. 441/27 Fruitland Park 352.728.0006 $$
Groveland
Red Wing Restaurant 12500 S. State Road 33 352.429.2997 $$$
Howey-inthe-Hills
JB Boondocks Bar & Grill 704 S. Lakeshore Blvd. 352.324.3600 $$ Mission Inn Resort & Club’s El Conquistador 10400 County Rd. 48 352.324.3101 $$$$ Mission Inn Resort & Club’s Nickers 10400 County Rd. 48 352.324.3101 $$$$
Lady Lake
Harbor Hills Country Club 6538 Lake Griffi n Rd. 352.753.7000 $$$ Mom & Dad’s Italian Restaurant 504 S. U.S. Hwy. 441/27 352.753.2722 $$ Texas Stockyard BBQ 360 S. U.S. Hwy. 441 352.750.5229 $$
Leesburg
Bloom’s Baking House and Restaurant 610 W. Main St. 352.787.1004 $$ Cousin Vinnie’s Family Sports Restaurant 10700 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.253.2442 $ Cedar River Seafood 8609 S. U.S. Hwy. 441 352.728.3377 $$ Gator Bay Bar & Grill 10320 County Road 44 352.365.2177 $$ Habaneros 3 Mexican Restaurant 10601 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.315.1777 $$ HP Grill 1403 S. 14th St. 352.314.0006 $ Kountry Kitchen 1008 W. Dixie Ave. 352.323.0852 $ Lilly’s Super Subs 2339 County Road 473 352.343.4663 $ Magnolia’s Oyster Bar 201 W. Magnolia St. 352.323.0093 $$ Naples Italian Restaurant 1107 W. North Blvd. 352.323.1616 $$ Osaka 1401 Citrus Blvd. 352.728.0788 $$ San Juan Mexican Restaurant 1341 S. 14th St. 352.787.7575 $$ Stavros Pizza 755 N. 14th St. 352.326.4202 $$ Takis Pizza Restaurant 1324 W. North Blvd. 352.787.2344 $$ The Florida Porch Café 706 W. Main St. 352.365.1717 $$ The Latin Cafe 400 N. 14th St. 352.365.0089 $$ Two Old Hags Wine Shoppe 410 W Main St 352.435.9107 $$ Vic’s Catering 352.728.8989 $$$$
Mascotte
Rainbow Restaurant 704 E. Myers Blvd. 352.429.2093 $$
Minneola
Jack’s Barbecue 100 S. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.394.2673 $ Lil Anthony’s Pizza 205 N. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.394.1516 $$ Tiki Bar & Grill 508 S. Main Ave. 352.394.2232 $$
Mount Dora
Anthony’s Pizza 17195 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.357.6668 $
Destinations of good taste
1884 RESTAURANT AND BAR
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK: 11A.M.–12A.M. // LUNCH, DINNER, LIVE ENTERTAINMENT 12 EAST MAGNOLIA AVENUE, EUSTIS // 1.800.856.1884 // WWW.1884RESTAURANTANDBAR.COM
Located in the historic Ferran’s building in downtown Eustis, 1884 Restaurant and Bar is a must for all to discover. The restaurant, which is open from 11am to Midnight 7 days a week, has everything from Boar’s Head wraps and pressed sandwiches at lunch to hand-cut fi lets and the signature double-bone, two-inch thick pork chop at dinner. Sushi Bar 7 days a week, lunch and dinner! With more than 10,000 square feet, 1884 can accommodate an intimate dinner for two to a private event in one of the 3 semi private rooms. Diners can also enjoy the full-service bar while ordering custom craft cocktails and eight rotating beers on tap. “Wine Down Wednesday” features $4 house wines. By using the most local and fresh ingredients, the chefs and bartenders will amaze you with their talent. Dinner and daily specials begining at 5 pm with happy hour from 4:30 - 6:30. No doubt, there’s something for everyone at 1884. This restaurant has won in 4 categories for the 2015 Lake and Sumter Style’s Hot list: Best server - Shelly Jaggers, Best bartender - Chelsea Harkness, Best Cocktail, and Best Girls Night Out. They were also named as Open Table’s Restaurant of the Month.
Call 1.800.856.1884 to reserve your table or book your party now. Join the email list at www.1884restaurantandbar.com to be the fi rst to know of all specials, entertainers and events.
BARNWOOD BBQ AND COUNTRY KITCHEN
Mouth-watering barbecue. A family-like atmosphere. Old-fashioned service. Those are three qualities that patrons of Barnwood BBQ and Country Kitchen in Eustis experience upon each visit. Owners Dan and Elaine Backhaus have discovered that the recipe behind delicious barbecue is cooking meats low and slow over smoldering wood. That method has served them well, both for their restaurant and food truck business. Diners can also purchase Barnwood’s delicious, award-winning barbecue sauces and special seasonings. Popular breakfast items include a ham-and-cheese omelet, smoked sausage omelet, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, and a variety of breakfast combinations, which are served all day. The restaurant’s equally delicious lunch items include a three-rib sandwich, pulled pork sandwich, beef brisket platter, smoked country sausage platter, mushroom Swiss burger, and grilled Reuben sandwich. Burgers, soups, and salads are also available. Be sure to top off your meal with one of Barnwood’s popular desserts, which include fruit cobbler and dark-chocolate brownies. Judges Choice Best Entree for our pulled pork 2014 and 2015 at the Taste of Triangle Food Event.
HOURS OF OPERATION: MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FROM 7A.M. TO 3P.M. LOCATION: 50 W. ORANGE AVE. IN EUSTIS. CONTACT: 352.630.4903 OR VISIT WWW.BARNWOODBBQ.COM.
COUSIN VINNIE’S SPORTS & BURGER BAR
OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK: 11A.M.–LATE // FOOD, LIQUOR, MUSIC, SPORTS! 10401 U.S. HWY. 441, LEESBURG // 352.314.3600 // WWW.LEESBURGSPORTSBAR.COM
The New Cousin Vinnie’s is located inside “Via Entertainment” at ViaPort Florida, formally Lake Square Mall. Owner “Cousin” Vinnie Vittoria has created another great bar and restaurant—this time sporting a full liquor bar! This new 150-seat establishment is surrounded by 22 BOWLING LANES, billiard tables, dart boards, Golden Tee Golf ,and a HUGE ARCADE. Vinnie spent 90 days working side by side with three executive chefs creating this fl avor-rich new menu! The menu offers: 23 gourmet burgers, several gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, 8 amazing signature appetizers, seared tuna, fi sh, and shrimp tacos, fresh salads, jumbo wings, and 8- and 16-inch pizzas. The deep fried chicken and fi sh simply melt in your mouth! Where else in Lake County can you go and let your children bowl or play in the arcade while you sip on a refreshing adult beverage? This new venue also has: free Wi-Fi, 25 bigscreen televisions, and a $50,000 lighting and sound system. The next time you venture out to eat, treat yourself to much more than dinner! You can check out everything on Facebook at WWW.FACEBOOK.com/CousinVinniesBurgerBar or call 352.314.3600 today.
Destinations of good taste
dining IN YOUR CITY $: $5 – $14 $$: $15 – $24 $$$: $25 – $40 $$$$: $40+ Kid’s Menu Beer, Wine or Cocktails
Beauclaire Restaurant at Lakeside Inn 100 N. Alexander St. 352.383.4101 $$$ Blackbear Smokehouse 18750 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.383.2327 $$ Bocce Pizzeria 925 E. First Ave. 352.385.0067 $ Cecile’s French Corner 237 W. Fourth Ave. 352.383.7100 $$ Cody’s on 4th Cafe 111 E. 4th Ave. 352.735.8426 $ Copacabana Cuban Cafe 320 Dora Drawdy Way 352.385.9000 $$ Cupcake Delights 122 E. 4th Ave. 352.383.2200 $ Highland Street Café 185 S. Highland St. 352.383.1446 $ Incredible Edible Cakes 4295 W. Old Hwy. 441, Suite 2 352.223.3581 $ Ivory’s Take Out 1325 N. Grandview St. 352.735.6797 $ Jeremiah’s 500 N. Highland St. 352.383.7444 $ Lisa’s Kitchen 3201 N. Hwy. 19A 352.383.9338 $$ Mount Dora Pizza & Subs 2718 W. Old U.S. Hwy. 441 352.383.5303 $ One Flight Up - Coffee, Dessert & Wine Bar 440 N. Donnelly St., Suite 100 352.758.9818 $ Operation Deep Freeze Custard 140A West 5 Avenue 352.735.8269 $ Palm Tree Grille 351 N. Donnelly St. 352.735.1936 $$ Pisces Rising 239 W. Fourth Ave. 352.385.2669 $$$ PizzAmore’ 722 E. 5th Ave. 352.383.0092 $ Saucy Spoon Catering & Bistro 427 S. Highland St. 352.383.1050 $$$ Sidelines Sport Eatery 315 N. Highland St. 352.735.7433 $ Sugarboo’s Bar-B-Que 1305 N. Grandview St. 352.735.7675 $ The Frog and Monkey Pub 411 N. Donnelly St. 352.383.1936 $$ The Garden Gate Tea Room 142 E. Fourth Ave. 352.735.2158 $$ The Goblin Market 331-B Donnely St. 352.735.0059 $$$ The Health Basket of Mount Dora 18834 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.735.1166 $$ The Windsor Rose English Tea Room 142 W. Fourth Ave. 352.735.2551 $$ Village Coffee Pot 425 Donnelly St. 352.383.3334 $ Wasabi Buffet 16700 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.383.7016 $$ Whales Tale Fish House 2720 W. Old. U.S. Hwy. 441 352.385.1500 $$ Zellie’s Pub 4025 N. U.S. Hwy. 19A 352.483.3855 $$
Sorrento
Del Franco Pizza Place 31436 County Rd. 437 352.383.8882 $ Gi Gi’s 25444 State Road 46 352.735.4000 $$ Lisa’s Country Cafe 23911 State Road 46 352.735.3380 $
Summerfi eld
Francesco’s Italian Ristorante and Stone Fire Pizza 16770 South U.S. Hwy. 441 352.693.2008 $$
Tavares
Angelo’s Italian Restaurant 2270 Vindale Rd. 352.343.2757 $$ Buzzard Beach Grill 12423 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.253.5267 $$ Casa Mia Cafe 505 W Main St 352.742.9940 $ Hurricane Dockside Grill 3351 W. Burleigh Blvd. 352.508.5137 $$ Lake Dora Sushi & Sake 227 E. Main St. 352.343.6313 $$ Mary’s Kountry Kitchen 15945 County Road 448 352.343.6823 $ O’Keefe’s Irish Pub and Restaurant 115 S Rockingham Ave. 352.343.2157 $$ Ruby Street Grille 221 E. Ruby St. 352.742.7829 $$ Sinbad’s of Lake County 1050 W. Burleigh Blvd. 352.343.6669 $$ Sunrise Grill 462 E. Burleigh Blvd. 352.343.7744 $ The Hideaway 11912 Lane Park Rd. 352.343.3585 $$ Zac’s Pressed for Time Cafe 110 S. New Hampshire Ave. 352.253.4663 $
Umatilla
Old Crow Real Pit Bar-B-Q 41100 State Road 19 352.669.3922 $ The Mason Jar 37534 State Rd. 19 352.589.2535 $$
The Villages
Bob Evans 2199 Parr Dr. 352.259.1224 $ Bonefi sh Grill 3580 Wedgewood Ln. 352.674.9292 $$ Bonifay Country Club 1033 Pinellas Place 352.205.7455 $$ Cane Garden Country Club 1726 Bailey Trail 352.750.0627 $$ Carrabba’s 650 U.S. Hwy. 441 N 352.430.1304 $$ Chengs Chinese and Sushi Restaurant 4050 Wedgewood Ln. 352.391.9678 $$ China Gourmet III 343 Colony Blvd 352.750.4965 $ City Fire Brownwood Paddock Square 352.561.2078 $$ Olive Garden 3680 Wedgewood Ln. 352.259.0304 $$ Evans Prairie Country Club 1825 Evans Prairie Trail 352.750.2225 $$ Fiesta Grande Mexican Grill 297 Colony Blvd 352.751.0400 $$ Glenview Champions Country Club 3194 Glenview Rd 352.753.0077 $$ Hemingway’s at Havana 2484 Odell Circle 352.753.1475 $$$ Las Tapas Brownwood Paddock Square 352.399.5516 $$ The Legacy Restaurant at the Nancy Lopez Country Club 17135 Buena Vista Blvd. 352.753.1475 $$$ The Lighthouse Point Bar and Grille 925 Lakeshore Dr. 352.753.7800 $$ Mezza Luna Italian Restaurant and Bar 320 Colony Blvd. 352.753.3824 $$ NYPD Pizzeria 4046 Wedgwood Ln 352.750.1994 $$ Outback Steakhouse 710 N. Hwy 441 352.430.2590 $$ Palmer Legends Country Club 1635 Palmer Way 352.391.9939 $$ RedSauce 1000 Canal St. 352.750.2930 $$ Ricciardi’s Italian Table 3660 Kiessel Rd. 352.391.9938 $$ Sakura 265 Colony Blvd 352.205.7393 $$ Scooples 2718 Brownwood Blvd 352.750.6263 $ Square One Burgers & Bar 2542 Burnsed Blvd. 352.689.2191 $$ Takis Greek and Italian Restaurant 13761 U.S. Hwy. 441 N. 352.430.3630 $$ TooJay’s 1129 Canal St. 352.430.0410 $ Toscani’s Deli and Pizzeria 8760 SE Mulberry Ln. 352.693.2237 $$ VKI Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar 1004 Old Mill Run 352.259.9887 $$
Wildwood
Aztec’s Mexican Restaurant 348 Shopping Center Dr. 352.748.2250 $ Beef O’ Bradys 840 S. Main St. 352.689.0048 $ Buddy’s BBQ 1210 N. Main St. 352.330.0338 $$ China Jade 420 W. CR 44 352.330.5913 $ Cotillion Southern Café 101 N. Main St. 352.748.1223 $$ Dickey’s Barbeque Pit 1220 S. Main St. 352.748.4288 $$ Mel’s Island Café 901 Industrial Dr. 352.748.4105 $$ O’Shucks! Oyster Bar and Grill 1016 S Main St. 352.399.2200 $$ Polly’s Pantry 819 S. Main St. 352.330.4002 $$ Rita’s Oyster Bar 346 Shopping Center Dr. 352.399.2987 $$ T Weston’s Smokehouse 1210 N. Main St. 352.748.9378 $$ Traditions Café 3107 Hwy. 44 352.748.1077 $$ Woody’s Bar-B-Q 1220 S. Main St. 352.748.1109 $$
Yalaha
Yalaha Bakery 8210 County Road 48 352.324.3366 $$
THE GOBLIN MARKET RESTAURANT & LOUNGE
331-B DONNELLY STREET (REAR ALLEY), MOUNT DORA 352.735.0059 // WWW.GOBLINMARKETRESTAURANT.COM
Nestled on a back alley in downtown Mount Dora, the Goblin Market Restaurant has been charming locals and tourists alike since 1996. The restaurant, housed in a renovated warehouse, features three intimate, book-lined dining rooms and a full-service lounge furnished in soothing, muted tones with tasteful modern art. The private, tree-shaded courtyard and garden patio are open year-round for al fresco dining. Low lighting and “new age” music add the fi nishing touches to the restaurant’s casual elegance. Owners Vince and Janis Guzinski embrace a simple philosophy of offering the highest-quality products, served in a unique and romantic atmosphere by a personable and attentive staff. The Goblin Market’s wine list and menu represent a refreshing mix of ideas from its culinary team. The diversifi ed origins and background of each member ensure exciting menu offerings and nightly selections.
HOURS OF OPERATION: LUNCH: TUESDAY–SATURDAY 11A.M.–3:00P.M. DINNER: TUESDAY–THURSDAY 5–9P.M., FRIDAY–SATURDAY 5–10P.M., SUNDAY 11A.M.–3:30P.M.
JOIN US FOR OUR NEW “LIGHTER FARE” DINNER MENU, GOURMET SOUPS, SALADS, AND SANDWICHES. TUESDAY– THURSDAY FROM 3–9P.M. (REGULAR DINNER MENU ALSO AVAILABLE).
SUBWAY
WWW.SUBWAY.COM Custom-made, fresh sandwiches, salads, and fl atbreads made right before your eyes. The “healthy” alternative to fast food. LADY LAKE // 208 W. Guava St. // 352.750.4929 EUSTIS // 469 Plaza Dr. // 352.357.7827 MOUNT DORA // 18870 U.S. Hwy. 441 // 352.735.4376 LEESBURG // 2013 Citrus Blvd. // 352.787.6442 10135 U.S. Hwy. 441, Suite 4 // 352.326.3234 27405 U.S. Hwy. 27, Suite 4 // 352.314.8847 THE VILLAGES // 1580 Bella Cruz Drive // 352.750.9600 8796 S.E. 165th Mulberry Lane // 352.750.9991 1070 Lake Sumter Landing Drive // 352.205.8535 349 Colony Blvd. // 352.391.1657 WILDWOOD // 480 W. Gulf to Alantic Hwy. // 352.748.8800
HOURS OF OPERATION: MONDAY–SATURDAY 10A.M.–10P.M. SUNDAY 10A.M.–9P.M.
TIKI WEST RAW BAR AND GRILL
118 WEST RUBY ST. TAVARES // 352.508.5783
A fun-fi lled dining experience and delicious food await patrons at Tiki West Raw Bar and Grill. Owner Chris Clark serves up tasty Key West-inspired food such as homemade crab cakes, mahi tacos, fresh oysters, and our famous chargrilled oysters. We now offer all you can eat specials everyday on crab legs $37.99, peel and eat shrimp $24.99, fried shrimp $24.99, crawfi sh $19.99, fried mahi mahi $16.99, fried clamstrips $15.99, and fried tilapia $11.99. Choose an all you can eat and you get any of the others of equal or lesser value! Daily specials are also offered, including .60¢ wings on Monday, $2 off dozens of oysters on Tuesday, peel-and-eat shrimp for $9.99 on Wednesday, $16.99 Angus Choice Prime Rib dinner on Thursday, and discounted buckets of oysters on Sunday. Happy hour is all day, everyday. Diners can also sit at the horseshoe-shaped oyster bar and see how shucking oysters is an art form.
HOURS OF OPERATION 11 A.M. TO 10 P.M. SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY 11 A.M. TO 11 P.M. OR LATER FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
Destinations of good taste
Destinations of good taste
ZAC’S PRESSED FOR TIME CAFE
Situated in beautiful downtown Tavares across Main Street from the Lake County Courthouse, Zac’s Pressed for Time Café is a popular casual dining restaurant serving breakfast and lunch. Zac’s offers indoor and outdoor seating to accommodate every season and the widely diverse menu is fl avored to suit all tastes. Homemade biscuits with sausage gravy, breakfast skillets, burgers, Cuban sandwiches, quesadillas, turkey melts and fresh salads are a few of the customer favorites. Daily specials are available including the crowd-pleasing pot roast sandwich with mashed potatoes, black beans & rice and steak tacos! Have a group to feed? Zac’s has a private dining room, which can hold up to 20 of your closest friends or business associates.
HOURS OF OPERATION: OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK FROM 7:00 A.M. TO 3:00 P.M.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE YOUR RESTAURANT IN OUR DINING SECTION? CALL US AT 352.787.4112
