Review: (from Rich C. 3/07) We've been here several times, at this location and others too. Thier cuisine is authentic Cajun fare. She had Chicken Jolie Blonde ($15) and I had the Pork Tenderloin ($16). Both were mildly spicy. Large portions made the price right. Happy hour drink prices were also in effect. Good service and it wasn't crowded on a Tuesday (it's usually packed on Friday & Saturday nights). A $10 coupon brought the meal down to $30.46 with 3 wines and an iced tea plus tip. Be sure you sign up for their birthday and anniversary club with the hostess. You'll get lots of offers during the year and it brings us back often for their good food and fun drinks at bargain prices.
Q=4 S=4 V=5 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Martin G. 4/07) Went to Harry's with our Gourmet Club Dine Out Group this past Sunday. We all had a very pleasant experience. We were seated promptly, no wait at all. Chaz, our waiter was a pleasant young man and took good care of us. The food is good and reasonably priced. I had the "Catch of the Day", Ahi Tuna, just seared with a tasty dipping sauce. It was accompanied with an ample serving of garlic mashed potatoes and a medley of steamed fresh vegetables. The only disappointment was the salad, mainly iceberg lettuce and not even crisp. My wife had the Blackened Shrimp and Red Beans and Rice as her side dish. With drinks and coffee it came to $53 before tax and tip.
Q=4 S=4 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Howard H. 3/08) Harry's has a New Orlean's atmosphere and menu. We went with our Gourmet Group. Once again our visit was most enjoyable. Although we were especially looking forward to the Mussels St.Charles, they were not available. Instead, I had the Louisiana Gumbo. Just spiced right, but not too hot. With plenty of seafood and sausage. She had the Special Gumbo, Chicken and Sausage. Our main courses were Shrimp and Scallops Orleans for me with a side order of Red Beans and Rice and the Shrimp and Scallops Evangeline for her. Both hot, well presented and loaded with plenty of seafood. My dinner came with a Fried Grit Cake which I had never had before. I would certainly order it again. She took some of her dish home for lunch. As we got there at 5:45 PM, we were able to take advantage of the Early Bird Menu which was considerably less than the regular price. It was also Happy Hour and the drinks were 2 for 1. Bill with drinks was $49 + tip. If not for a mix-up with the check, this trip would have been a solid 15.
Q=5 S=4 V=5 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Dan K. 7/08) Second visit in the last month. Business lunch, great atmosphere and service added to the dining experience. Everyone enjoyed their meal. I had a Chicken Sandwich which was quite good. Two had salads and one a full meal. We all had Iced Tea and 1 dessert between us. Total bill was $56 for 4 before tax and tip.
Q=5 S=5 V=5 Total=15 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Write a review for Harry's Seafood Bar & Grille (Ocala).

2505 SW College Rd., Ocala, FL. All Florida-based Hops restaurants closed in September, 2008. It appears Cody's Original Roadhouse has purchased this location. See listing above.

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Horse and Hounds Restaurant, 6998 NW US 27 (at NW 70th Ave.), Ocala, FL. 352-620-2500. L/D. Open daily. Located 3 miles west of I-75 (exit 354). Popular with local clientele. Warm equestrian-themed pub offers British fare from Shepard's Pie ($10) and Chicken Croquant ($17) to Angus New York Strip Steak ($19), Seafood Gratenee ($17), Grilled Quail ($15) and Pecan Encrusted Grouper ($19). Other seafood items, like Cider Salmon ($19) and Maryland Crab Cakes ($17), also available. Noted for their Angus Beef like Ribeye ($25), 8 oz. Filet Mignon ($27) and Prime Rib ($26-30). Spinach Salad with Emerald Poppy Seed dressing is a favorite. Entrées start at $8. Reservations accepted. Early Bird Specials offered until 6 PM. Full bar. Change of location to East Silver Springs Blvd. in the offing, so call ahead. Kerrie Landry general manager; Francis Landry, owner.

Review: (from Rich C. 8/07) Our Dine Out Gourmet Group traveled to north Ocala for this interesting establishment. The lounge reminded us of a British pub (popular with the race fans watching satellite broadcasts of horse races) and the dining room was decorated with equestrian equipment. The restaurant was not crowded on a Saturday night at 6 PM. We started with delicious soups, hers was Seafood Chowder and I chose Tomato Bacon Dill (the house specialty). They were both served hot and were included with our entrées. She had the Grouper and Shrimp Florentine ($20) and I had the 12 oz. Angus Ribeye ($25) with Garlic Mashed Potatoes (skins included the way I like it). Both were very good. She also had the House Salad which was just OK and I opted for the Spinich Salad which I loved. If only the dressing was put in the microwave to warm it up, I would have had two of them. Nice fresh spinach leaves and lots of bacon, almond slivers and other toppings. The house white wine was excellent ($5). With 2 wines, an iced tea, 2 soups and 2 entrées, it came to $61 plus a generous tip for great, accurate service from Nancy. Our dining mates seemed to enjoy their meals also.
Q=4 S=5 V=4 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Write a review for Horse and Hounds Restaurant.

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Ipanema Brazilian Steak House, 2023 S. Pine Ave. (US 27/441 just south of SW 17 St.), Ocala, FL. 352-622-1741. L/D. Open for lunch weekdays before noon then again at 4 PM for dinner; Sunday dinner from noon through closing. This new South American steak house is a churrascaria (Portugese Bar-b-que). Eleven authentic cuts of meat are seasoned with rock salt and roasted, rotisserie-style, over mineral coals imported from Brazil. They are basted continuously in their own natural juices. The cuts include Picanha (Sirloin), Filet Mignon (Tenderloin), Costela de Gado (Beef Ribs), Frango (Chicken), Lombinho (Marinated Pork Loin), Linguica (Brazilian Pork Sausage) and others. These meats are served by traditional roving gauchos and complemented by a salad and vegetable bar. Prix fixe Rodizio Dinner with Salad Bar is $34.95 per person ($31.95 for seniors). Salad Bar only is $18.95 per person. Desserts like Mousse de Maracuya (Passion Fruit Mousse) ($8) are also available. Extensive wine list includes selections from Brazil and Argentina. Prices range from $26 to $350 per bottle. By the glass the offering are $7 to $9 each. Full bar makes tropical concoctions. Reservations recommended on weekends. Watch for coupons in The Villages Magazine for a free dessert. Owned by the Dine Design Group of Ocala, headed by Coda Roberson (also SKY Asian Fusion Restaurant, see below).

Review: (from Martin G. 3/07) If you're looking for a different dining experience and enjoy your meat, you should try Ipanema. The décor is pleasing to the eye and the food was excellent. There is an ample self-serve buffet table with a wide range of tasty treats, fresh salads, vegetables, shrimp, cheeses, smoked salmon, olives, pickled eggplant and more (too numerous to mention). Two hot chaffing dishes contained rice, beans, mashed potatoes and a shitake mushroom gravy. Servers periodically visit your table with large skewers laden with different cuts of meat and slice portions for your pleasure. There was Marinated Pork Loin, Baby Lamb Chops, Filet Mignon, Sirloin, Barbecued Ribs, Grilled Sausage, Prime Rib and Flank Steak to name some of the offerings. An interesting contrast to meat were slices of Roasted Pineapple. They have an extensive wine list and dessert menu which are extras. The dinner is "prix fixe" at $29.71 plus tax per person for seniors. The only downside is that their drinks are a little pricey, otherwise the dining experience is well worth the cost.
Q=5 S=5 V=4 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Rich C. 6/07) Fantastic! I'm one for the more exotic, non-traditional restaurants and this certainly fits the bill. From the moment you walk into the establishemnt and notice the handsome dark male furnishings and dragonfly décor, you feel that you're in Washington D.C. not "Slo-cala", Florida. As for quality, the Salad Bar is beyond compare with towers of hearts of palm, plates of peel-and-eat shrimp, baby corn, bowls of homemade salads and dozens of imported oils and dressings above the bar that few people noticed. The meats (we tried 8 out of the 11 before we were stuffed) were all warm and cooked just right. The Lamb Chops and Filet of Beef were our favorites, while the Parmesan Pork Tenderloin was not a flavor combination I would have assembled (how about rum-raisin glaze instead?). Still, I ate it. Our service was exemplary. Nicole took great care of us, explaining the way everything works and how to use your red and green coaster button. Beverage refills were frequent. Many times, 3 gauchos were at our table slicing meat simultaneously. They don't hold back on it at all. Don't miss the grilled pineapple too - a perfect complement. We never did got to the vegetable bar! As for value - when you consider the nice surroundings, the vast, unusual Salad Bar and the delicious top quality meats, our dinner cost of $97.85 for 2 (with three $7 Miolo Selacao wines and a delightful $8 Mango Mousse dessert we split) seemed pretty reasonable. I always say you get what you pay for and this was worth it. We enjoyed the surroundings and service so much we stopped at the bar to have a couple of Caipirinhas before we left. The meat didn't taste too salty at the time but the next morning my flesh was like a salt lick. We'll be back when my diuretic gets me back to normal.
Q=5 S=5 V=5 Total=15 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Richard B. 6/07) Very unusual and very good. Great variety Salad Bar with many varieties of meat brought to your table and sliced/served for you. $34.95 under 60, $29.71 over 60, or $18.95 for the Salad Bar alone. All food excellent and service superb. One waitress saw me finish my water from across the room and immediately was at my side to refill it. The ambiance was perfect. Even the drinks were unique - all loved it and would return.
Q=5 S=5 V=4 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Frank M. 2/08) After reading all the great reviews, we had to give it a try. We did agree that it was a unique dining experience. Service throughout the meal (prime server was Sabrina) was excellent. Very attentive and little or no wait for any service. The salad bar was outstanding with only one exception, the Peel-Your-Own Shrimp. It was as if the shell was glued to the shrimp, almost impossible to peel but still very tasty. The fixed price meal provided the multitude of meats which we all found to be of very low quality. Filet Mignon with gristle, Prime Rib that was greasy, Ribs that were very dry and impossible to eat, Sirloin that was almost raw, meats wrapped in raw bacon etc. The best item of all in that part of the meal was the Grilled Pineapple. The meats were a major disappointment. The overall dining experience was nice with good service and good atmosphere. However, none of us think we will go back. $77 for 2 with one full meal, one salad bar and one drink each. Our quality rating is based on bad meat but outstanding salad bar, therefore a 3 rating.
Q=3 S=4 V=1 Total=8 out of 15. Return=No.

Review: (from Robert F. 4/08) The senior rate has been increased to $31.95. Our experience was fantastic. Ambiance, service, food quality and the amount of food far exceeded our capacity. All in all, a very enjoyable evening.
Q=5 S=5 V=5 Total=15 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Ellen H. 10/08) What a nice time we had again. Our fall Gourmet Group picked this place because it was new to a few couples. I opted for the Salad Bar only and a Caipirinha drink. He had the full "Meat and Potatoes" version with a Red Sangria. As usual he raved about the beef, lamb and pork as well as the roasted pineapple. I finished with a Caramel Coffee drink also. Luis was our attendant. He was polite and attentive. We love the furnishings here and the restaurant was crowded all night. 18% gratuity was added to each bill bringing our total with tax and tip to $97. Not something we do every week! But very enjoyable.
Q=5 S=5 V=4 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Denny G. 10/08) Great evening with new dining friends from our Gourmet Dining Club. Fantastic selection of perfectly prepared meats served at our table. We helped ourselves to salads and vegetables from a buffet. Service was great. I enjoyed a very unique lemonade beverage. This was our first experience with a Brazilian Steakhouse. The bill for my wife and me was under $100 with tip. We don't usually tip 20% at buffets but this was very unique and the service was the best. We look forward to taking friends to this restaurant when they visit from the north.
Q=5 S=5 V=4 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Write a review for Ipanema Brazilian Steak House.

Review: (from Ellen H. 4/07) The host allowed us to pick a very nice table. The décor was quite attractive and it had a comfortable feel. We waited a few minutes for our server who asked for our drink order. Since they offered a Special Sangria we chose that. The waiter returned and told us they had no Sangria this evening. My better half ordered house wine (1/2 price) and I chose to order iced tea. No water was offered or brought to the table. The menu was limited with some meat entrees and pasta dishes, all without salad included. The salads were from $4 to $6.50 each. After we ordered, it was a few minutes before bread was delivered to our table and the top pieces were stale but the dipping sauce was very good. It was at least 10 minutes before our salads came and my better half's Caesar was full of "rusty white romaine". Although they were out of the advertised Ranch dressing for my Chopped Salad, the Caesar dressing was very good and my salad was fresh and tasty. After finishing our salad we waited another 10-15 minutes before our entrees arrived. I ordered the Cheese Ravioli ($9) and they were somewhat overdone but the sauce was excellent. My better half had Rigatoni Beef Ragu ($9) and he liked it very much. Our server was just adequate, although he was pleasant. The total without tip with 2 wines was $39. Nothing special here.
Q=3 S=2 V=1 Total=6 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Dan K. 2/08) We have never been disappointed here. It's Mediterranean cuisine, not Italian. They use fresh herbs, spices, pasta and meat available. She enjoyed the Chicken Marsala dinner at $16 and I had the Sausage Peppers and Rigatoni at $9. We had plenty of food, served hot. The hummus and fresh bread is exceptional. Again, this is not just Spaghetti and Pizza but a very nice Mediterranean style restaurant. Nikki provided wonderful service and Ralph will accommodate special requests.
Q=5 S=5 V=4 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from MaryLou G. 2/08) We dined around 5 pm and did not have to wait for a table. We selected from the "Early Bird" specials, both choosing the Chicken Parmigiana at $7.99 each. This was served with a small salad and bread. The portion size was just right for us. Everything was delicious and we definitely will go back again. Since we only had 1 coffee and water, the total bill, before tip, was under $19 for the both of us. Quite a bargain!
Q=4 S=4 V=5 Total=13 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Write a review for Isabella's Restaurante.

2463 SW 27th Ave., Ocala, FL. 352-237-3900. L/D. Open Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 AM to 2 PM for lunch. Open 7 days from 4:30 PM for dinner. Located at SW 27th Ave and SW College Rd. (SR 200) in the Shady Oaks Plaza next to Best Buy. In business since 1986. Entertaining teppanyaki presentation is avaialable. Items such as Beef, Chicken, Scallops, Lobster Tail and Filet Mignon can be prepared before your eyes. Tempura and Teriyaki dishes are available too. Also popular for fresh Sushi dishes. Full bar. Ishii Misuzu and Ishii Mitsuru, owners.

Write a review for Kotobuki Japanese Steak House.

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Las Palmas Restaurant, 506 S. Pine Ave., Ocala, FL. 352-732-2100. L/D. Open daily. Predominently Columbian food with Cuban dishes also. Bi-lingual menu. Bandeja Paisa, Spanish Paella and Yellow Rice with Chicken are some of the dishes offered. For dessert, Cuban Flan, Tres Leches and traditional Rice Pudding are available. Columbian coffee served. Conrado & Yolanda Pulgarin, owners.

Write a review for Las Palmas Restaurant.

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Little Joey's Italian Restaurant and Pizza, 16840 US 27/441, Summerfield, FL. 347-1800. L/D. In the Baylee Palza. Closed Sundays. Cozy Italian trattoria. Veal and Chicken dishes are favorites here. Nika & Julie Dedaj, owners.

Review: (from Howard H. 3/08) This is our second trip to this restaurant. Both times were very enjoyable. A Monday night this time, there was immediate seating. Both times we found the experience to be very pleasant. Nothing fancy, just good Italian Food. I had Veal Joey and she had Veal Scallopini. The food came out hot and well-presented. The garlic knots which are an add-on were big enough to take some home. I had the Sausage Soup and she had the Lentil. Both very tasty. With an iced tea for me and a glass of house wine for her, the bill came to $39 + tax and tip.
Q=4 S=4 V=4 Total=12 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Write a review for Little Joey's Italian Restaurant and Pizza.

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Logan's Roadhouse (Ocala), 2621 SW 19th Ave. Rd., off SW 27th Ave., behind the Paddock Mall, Ocala, FL. 352-291-9450. L/D. Open 11 AM to 10 PM daily. Peanut shells on the floor are commonplace here. As you'd expect, steaks are always sizzlin' on the grill. 6 & 8 oz. Sirloins, 12 oz. New York Strips, 6 & 9 oz. Filet Mignon, 12 & 16 oz. Rib Eyes, 16 oz. T-Bones and a 20 oz. Porterhouse Steaks plus 12 & 16 oz. Prime Ribs are the selection of hand cut Midwestern Corn-Fed Beef on the menu. Baby Back Ribs are also available. Shrimp, Salmon, Tilapia and Catfish are also offered for non-meat eaters. Chicken, Meatloaf and Pork Chops can also be found here. Finish it off with New York Style Cheesecake. Full Bar. $5 coupon occasionally available on their website. A chain of about 170 locations in 20 states based in Nashville, TN.

Review: (from Rich C. 1/08) Lots of peanut shells on the floor and they give your mouth something to chew on (the nuts themselves) while you're waiting for your meal. I ordered the 8 oz. Teriyaki Club Steak with a Caesar Salad and a side of warm Cinnamon Apples. The Caesar dressing was a little too strong for my taste. The beef was not too bad and had a "tendon" running through it. The apples were the best part. Debi D. was friendly and fast, checked back often too. This was OK for lunch and their prices seemed a little high. Maybe that's why they advertise two meals for $15 on Mondays and Tuesdays. The manager made the rounds and handed out $5 coupons on your next bill of $20 or more. Alas, it expired in just 4 days. My bill came to $13 with a refilled soft drink. I guess it's about the same as many of the large "roadhouse" type steakhouses around.
Q=3 S=4 V=3 Total=10 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Write a review for Logan's Roadhouse (Ocala).

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Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon (Ocala), 3410 SW College Rd., Ocala, FL. 352-873-1133. This location is now closed.

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LongHorn Steakhouse (Lady Lake), In the Village Crossroads Plaza, opposite Home Depot at 590 North H'way 27/441, Lady Lake, FL. 391-5505. L/D. Opened March 10th. This plaza is not golf cart accessible from The Villages. Noted for their steaks and seafood. Flo's Filet, Ribeye, Bacon Wrapped Filet, Sirlion, T-Bone, New York Strip, Prime Rib and the 20 oz. LongHorn Porterhouse fill out the meat side of the menu. Salmon and Shrimp dishes do the same for the seafood side of the menu. Chicken, Chops and Spare Ribs are also available. Texas Chili and Buffalo Wings salute the Lone Star and Empire states. Full bar. Tony Hearn, general manager. One of a growing popular chain of nearly 300 locations now owned by Darden Restaurants of Orlando. Another LongHorn location is in Ocala (see below).

Review: (from Rich C. 3/08) A very warm welcome dominated everyone's attitude. I stopped for lunch and was waited on by Jan from the original Oakwood Smokehouse. Wonderful old time western decor, just a bit underlit. I ordered a Pinot Grigio and a Mushroom and Swiss Burger. It came with a slice of bread and at my request, a nice side of warm apples instead of the usual fries. I can't tell you how the Mushroom Burger was. More than half way though, I realized that I got a plain burger instead. It was cooked right and was tasty but not what I ordered. I was not upset and at bill time I asked if there was a price difference between them. Jan was surprised and one of the ten (opening team) "managers" running around, quickly made the adjustment to my bill and apologized. I've eaten in Longhorns before and this one will succeed if the kitchen can get it right every time. This chain is a bit more upscale than Lone Star and Logan's Roadhouse. Since the cook made the error, I have to knock down the Service Rating from 5 to 4 for this meal, no fault of my good server. She got my normal 20% tip. Total for lunch was $12 before t&t. Whiskey Creek - you have met your match!
Q=4 S=4 V=3 Total=11 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Frank M. 3/08) We waited a while to check this place out. Well, they are not yet ready! Our experience there was very poor this evening. Arrived about 8 pm and had a 70-80 min (overstated) wait. So, with gracious help from the hostess, we were seated at the bar for our meal. That was the end to any decent service. There were 2 bartenders. Martinis and Manhattans were on the small side. Most everything we ordered came back incorrect, from dressings on the side (poured into salad) to sweet potato with cinnamon (none provided). Had to ask twice before we could get iced tea and the second tea took 3 customers asking before we could get any. It was almost impossible to get the bartenders attention and when you did, they still had to be reminded several times. People on both sides of us had the same complaints. As to the food, the Mixed Salads were pretty good. The main dishes were OK. Steak was good but a little tough. Chicken dish with Shrimp was very tasty and good but one side of chicken was very overdone and tough. In general, even though a chain, the food might become acceptable in time but the service still needs a lot of help. Meal, without tip, about $40 with one drink each. Will wait a few months before trying again.
Q=3 S=2 V=3 Total=8 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Ellen H. 4/08) Wow. Call ahead seating really works. We had a 10 minute wait but bypassed 80% of the people waiting. I ordered the 9 oz. Big Sky Bleu Filet with a Mozzarella Salad. The steak was nice and thick and juicy with no taste of MSG tenderizer like some steakhouses use. He had the 7 oz. Flo's Filet with the Crab Bake on the side. Wonderful flavor and extremely tender filets both medium rare. These steaks are never frozen and are wonderful cuts of beef. The salads were great too. His side of Crab Bake was unusual and tasty. My steamed veggies were a little too raw. The Cinnamon Apples side was our dessert. Amanda and a trainee were good, friendly servers. With 2 Pinot Grigios and my $2 extra for the premium salad it ran the bill up to $57 before t&t. We really enjoyed the food, service and atmosphere.
Q=5 S=4 V=5 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Jim B. 5/08) We had a large party, so I drove over early and got a pager at 6:00 PM. Our group arrived at 6:45 PM. By 7:15 PM no tables yet. 7:45 PM, still no tables available. We were finally seated about 8:25 PM (that's a 2 1/2 hour wait!). Slow filling our orders, the steaks were fine but the chicken was burnt. Some entrées arrived cold too. We had to complain. The manager offered free desserts to compensate. We had Matthew as one of our servers who did fine by us but the rest of the waiting experience was poor. We left about 9:30 PM. 3 1/2 hours in a restaurant is far too long. This location doesn't know how to accommodate more than 6 in a party. We'll try again when they are better trained, but this time, only 2 at a time.
Q=3 S=1 V=4 Total=8 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from David G. 5/08) This is one of my best experiences in and around The Villages. Matt was my waiter and was perfect! I ordered the Lobster Shrimp Chowder (served hot and promptly) followed by the Ribeye Steak, prepared a perfect medium, with a side order of Loaded Baked Potato. The bread they served was a freshly baked multigrain. Total bill was $24 incl tip.
Q=5 S=5 V=5 Total=15 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Rich C. 5/08) For an early dinner, I was craving steak. Don't care for the spiced up cuts at Outback, so I chose to come here and beat the crowd at 4:30 PM. Donna G. was my server and although polite was just a little too "recorded message", reciting the same script to every customer. I had the Flo's 7 oz. Filet with the Crab Bake ($24). Meat was just a little underdone but at least they ask you to cut into it before they leave. Good practice. Rare was fine with me and their Flo's steaks are pretty hard to beat. The Crab Bake was unusual and a bit salty. My Caesar Salad and Baked Potato were good too. Really no major complaints. Wine was $1 off at Happy Hour, so I had two! Total was $31 before t&t. Noticed the waiting line by 5:15 PM, and that was a Monday.
Q=4 S=4 V=3 Total=11 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Write a review for LongHorn Steakhouse (Lady Lake).

LongHorn Steakhouse (Ocala), 307 SE 17th Street (SR 464), Ocala, FL. 352-368-9600. L/D. Open daily. Located 2 blocks east of US 27/301/441 on SR 464. Flo's Filet is a 7 or 9 oz. filet, wrapped in hickory-smoked, peppered bacon and is their signature dish. Big Sky Bleu Filet is also a favorite with melted bleu cheese on a bed of red wine glazed portabella mushrooms. One pound Ribeyes and 14 oz. New York Strips are also popular. LongHorn Choice Porterhouse weighs in at 20 oz. and is flame broiled. Many Salmon and Shrimp dishes balance out the seafood side of the menu. Lobster Tails and Spare Ribs are also available. Full bar. This large chain recently purchased by Darden Restaurants. Another location is in Lady Lake (see above).

Write a review for LongHorn Steakhouse (Ocala).

Mark's Prime Steakhouse (Ocala), 30 S. Magnolia Ave., Ocala, FL. 352-402-0097. D. Closed Sundays. This very upscale steakhouse is located on the square in downtown Ocala at the location vacated by Reno's Grille at the corner of Broadway. "Steaks with passion" is their motto. This restaurant offers the finest prime beef and freshest seafood. Filet, NY Strip, Delmonico, Ribeye, Sirloin, Veal and Lamb Chops as well as Surf 'n Turf are typical meat offerings. Some seafood specialties include Crab Bisque, Wood Grilled Salmon, Grouper Santa Fe, Pistachio Encrusted Tuna, Crab Cakes and Chilean Sea Bass. Lobster Tails are also a specialty. All items, including salad, potatoes and vegetables are priced a-la-carte with most entrées ranging from $27 to $35. Crème Brûlée and Chocolate Paradise are two of their desserts. Extensive fine wine list and full bar specializing in exotic martinis. Reservations accepted and highly recommended on weekends. Be advised, restaurant's policy is for no separate checks. Willaim Scheel, Louis Saig and George McCoy, new proprietors; Cindi Tremblay, managing partner. Another Mark's Prime location is located in Gainesville (see page 3).

Review: (from Dennis G. 11/08) After resolving a problem with the manager on their requirement for "one check" for our group of 8, the evening was great. I had Crab Bisque and the large 12 oz Filet Mignon; my wife had the Petite Filet. We shared Lyonnaise Potatoes (great choice) and grilled Fresh Asparagus. My wife chose the Asparagus, as it is not a favorite of mine, but I loved it! Our meat was prepared perfectly and served on 500 degree plates, or so they told us. They were hot! We shared the Banana Walnut Bread Pudding for dessert. We drank only water and our bill was $98 before 20% tip (well earned by our waiter, Matthew).
Q=5 S=5 V=4 Total=14 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Review: (from Ellen H. 11/08) While ordering, we were informed by our waiter that the restaurant does not do separate checks. Our group of 4 couples were ready to leave since we were not informed of this policy when the reservations were made. After asking for the manager to intervene, they reluctantly agreed to 4 checks for our table. We have visited Mark's Prime in Gainesville before and hoped this was as nice. I started with a Pomegranate Martini and my better half had a glass of wine. I enjoyed a fresh Green Leaf Salad and he had the wonderful Crab Bisque. We split a nice side of Garlic Sautéed Spinach with our meal. For entrées, I ordered the Blue Cheese Encrusted Sirloin and he, the large "baseball" Filet Mignon. They arrived on very hot plates but looked pretty lonely without a piece of garnish alongside. The meat was cooked correctly and was delicious. Just what we expected. We splurged for dessert. The Bread Pudding was very nice. Our total was $130 before tip. Can't say we will come back with friends if they will only do one check per table. That's a poor policy.
Q=5 S=5 V=3 Total=13 out of 15. Return=No.

Write a review for Mark's Prime Steakhouse (Ocala).

10 S. Magnolia Ave., Ocala, FL. 352-622-9968. D. Opens about 5 PM daily. Reservations suggested weekends. Located on the city square in the northwest corner. A Fondue restaurant. "Dip into something different!" Very relaxing but involved meal production. Typically, a two hour dining experience. Great for small groups. Two prix fixe 4 course dinners are available including Cheese Fondue, Salad and Chocolate Fondue Dessert. One includes Lobster Tail Pieces, Teriyaki Marinated Sirlion, Chicken Breast, Fish Filet and Black Tiger Shrimp ($79 per couple). The other substitutes Pork Tenderloin, Pot Stickers and Ravioli Florentine for the Lobster Tail portion ($64 per couple). 3 course dinners start at $49 per couple. Many other options and a-la-carte selections available. You cook your own meal in Canola Oil, Boullion or other boiling combinations. "Girl's Big Night Out" (4 courses & 2 glasses of wine) with entertainment offered 2nd Monday of the month at $50 per lady. Also popular for just dessert. Full bar with a nice wine list. One of a nationwide chain of about 100 locations. This one owned by Parag and Ulupi Amin; managed by "Landy" Hulse. See another Melting Pot location on page 3.

Review: (from Rich C. 2/08) Valentine's Day is not the best time to dine out, so we now celebrate the day before AND the day after to avoid the crowds. When making the reservation for 2/15/08, I was informed that their "specials" were not available during Valentine Week and that their regular menu "starting around $70 per couple" would be offered. That was fine with me since we've been here before and know that it is not a place for "discount dining". Our server was Johnnie and he did a fine job of describing the full procedure. Without handing us menus, he described the 4 course "Big Night Out" Valentine Meal. When questioned, he explained it was the only offering they had that night. Just to be sure, I asked the price of all this luscious sounding ensemble and he thought for a second, then said "about $75, I think". OK, fine! We enjoyed the Swiss Cheese Fondue with bread cubes, apples and veggies, followed by a "chopped" salad that hid most of the white lettuce. The main entrée featured a small lobster tail, filet mignon pieces, shrimp, marinated pork, cubed beef, sliced chicken, pasta strips and mushroom raviolis all cooked by you one at a time in a boiling pot of chicken broth. Fun and quite different. The last course was various marshmallows, strawberries, cheese cake, sponge cake and Rice Krispie squares that you swirl in deep dark chocolate fondue. That's usually the ladies' favorite part. Men complain about having to pay for the meal AND cook it too; but for some, it's like camping out with an electric campfire and going fishing (for lost items) all at the same time. The bill turned out to be $80 for two, plus $21 for two wines for me and a nice martini for her. The lady enjoyed every part. I, as the bill payer, enjoyed every part too, except for the "creeping price" from $70 to $75 to $80. Shame on them for this tactic. This is not a place you come to weekly or even monthly but for a special occasion, for a special lady, it's a unique but expensive evening.
Q=4 S=5 V=2 Total=11 out of 15. Return=Yes.

Write a review for The Melting Pot (Ocala).

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Mi Tierra Caliente, 2150 SW CR484, Ocala, FL. 352-245-7096. L/D daily from 11 am to 11 pm. Located just west of I-75 exit 341, near Marion Oaks. New Mexican restaurant opening on CR484 off I-75 at the Belleview exit, formerly located at 2330 S. Pine Ave. Maximino Hernandez and Harvey Del Valle, owners.

Write a review for Mi Tierra Caliente.

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Midtown Grille, 114 South 5th St., Leesburg, FL. 365-1081. L/D. Open 11 AM to 3 PM for lunch daily and 4:30 to 9:00 PM for dinner daily except until midnight Thursday thru Saturday. Located in the building that the 5th Street Charhouse occupied for many years, just south of the town square. Total renovations expanded this restaurant, now with live music being offered on weekends. Poultry offerings include Mexican Chicken, Chicken & Shrimp, Grilled Chicken Breast and Chicken Tenders ranging from $7-10. Seafood selections include Salmon ($16), Crab Cakes (1/$20; 2/$27), Grilled Shrimp ($15) and Fried Shrimp ($15). Steak offerings include 8 oz. Top Sirloin ($17), 10 oz. Delmonico Steak ($22), 10 oz. Bleu Cheese Delmonico Melt ($24), 12 oz. NY Strip Steak ($26), 10 oz. Portabello Peppercorn Strip ($25) and a 5 oz. ($22) or 8 oz. ($28) Filet Mignon. Also on the menu is 8 oz. ($18) or 12 oz. ($25) Prime Rib and Half ($10) or Full ($15) Rack of Baby Back Ribs. Inviting "decorator" furnishings. Limited wine list. Full bar. Suzanne Holmes, new owner.

Review: (from Rich C. 9/08) Your first impression is "Wow - Nice job. Where am I?". Contemporary, executive décor is very smart and appealing. Comfortable booths, large windows, tile floor and black marble tables really sets this place apart from sleepy downtown Leesburg. The fantasy stops there however. Tyesha, our server, greeted us promptly. I could tell she was new at this. We had to ask about any specials and although she read off about the Swordfish, Clams and Mussels entrée specials, she never mentioned the appetizer specials I overheard at the next table. My better half spotted the 8 oz. Prime Rib and asked for a Caesar Salad and Steamed Vegetables to go with it instead of a potato. To be different, I opted for the 10 oz. Delmonico Steak with Caesar and Baked Potato. Before we made a dent in our salads (just romaine greens with Caesar dressing), our entées showed up. Better early than late, I suppose! Low and behold - were we just transported to a diner? The steaks showed up on PLASTIC dishes! I can not imagine a fine restaurant serving their $28 Filet Mignon on $1 Melmac! Well that changed the mood in a hurry. My Delmonico was fine but not great; a little over seasoned but cooked right. Her Prime Rib however was not up to par. Just not tender and of little flavor. A line of gristle made it tough to cut. She did love the Steamed Vegetables however. My "baker" was OK too. The bread showed up last, however. After we wiped our mouths with the 1 cent PAPER napkins, we were done. Salads, tonic water, two wines (asked for Sauvignon Blanc but got Pinot Grigio) and the two entrées came to $56. Maybe their china and linens are on backorder? Let's hope so. We'll try again in a while if they smarten up about the tableware. I'm being generous with these grades here.
Q=3 S=3 V=3 Total=9 out of 15. Return=Yes.