Friday Night Fabulous

STYLE&TRENDS

SHRIMP & GRITS - Organic Anson Mills Stone-Milled grits with a creamy white wine sauce, Gulf Shrimp, Andouille, Peppers, Onions & Spinach - Classic Southern staple with infl uences from the Gulf Coast up through South Carolina.

Friday Night Fabulous

Pisces Rising—Gay friendly dining in Lake County

STORY BY

GARY TANNER

PHOTOS BY

DALTON R HOBBS

hen you think of Lake County, you may not equate it to gay friendly. Surprisingly, it has several areas where many gay people work, live, and play. In fact, one of the most enjoyable happy hours on a Friday evening is at a restaurant in Mount Dora, Florida. Mount Dora is a quaint, charming town in Lake County that is home to unique shops and incredible dining. And, also home to arts and craft festivals a couple of times a year that brings in thousands of tourists.

On a Friday evening in Mount Dora, make your way to a lovely restaurant called Pisces Rising. Not only is it a fabulous restaurant with an awesome menu, it is home to one of the most vibrant happy hours in the entire area. On Friday, around 5pm, you’ll fi nd an entire crowd of gay people, mixed with other locals enjoying drinks on an expansive deck, waiting on the sun to kiss the horizon over Lake Dora. And if this wasn’t enough, you always have live music in the background as you are meeting new people and visiting with familiar faces.

Pisces Rising is a celebration of Florida cuisine. The chef creates colorful creations with the bounW

ty of the nearby Gulf and the farms that are in the Central Florida region. Considered Farm to Table, Pisces Rising buys local when possible. They have working relationships with several farms in the area and are able to work with the farmers to provide input of products needed based on customer preference. You can always fi nd a selection on the menu for everyone, including steaks, chicken, pork, seafood, and specialty items like their famous shrimp and grits!

Not only is the food fresh and fabulous, they have some of the best choices for beer, wine, and craft cocktails. They have an extensive wine list and tend to use local breweries for their draft beer selections. There are two bars for your enjoyment, one inside for quieter conversation, and the outside bar where everyone is enjoying the music and dancing the evening away.

Pisces Rising serves lunch and dinner with options for inside or outside dining. They also have a fantastic Sunday Brunch, complete with an option for unlimited mimosas and sangria. Who doesn’t love unlimited mimosas on a Sunday Funday?

Pisces Rising is located at 239 W Fourth Ave, Mount Dora, Florida and online at www.piscesrisingdining.com

clockwise from top left: spacious, well-lit inside seating

Lakeside outdoor patio deck

Romantic dining area by the fi replace

1/2 CHICKEN - Free range chickens sourced from Lake Meadows Farms in Ocoee (Central Florida) - Sous Vide & fi nished with a Tabasco Gastrique & Bacon Whipped Potatoes - Local Grown Heirloom Rainbow Baby Carrots

NEW YORK STRIP - Certifi ed Angus Florida Raised Beef Blackened with Creamy Chimmi Churri Polenta topped with Red Chimmi-Hierloom Blistered Tomatoes & Local Arugula

GARY TANNER has a strong background in information technology and property and casualty insurance. He lives in Mount Dora, Fla., with his partner of more than 30 years and is an active member of the community. Tanner owns a successful insurance agency, and he writes technology and lifestyle articles related to the insurance industry, and local food scene.

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