Save Room For Dessert at FMK Country Clubs
Make sure you save room for dessert when you dine at any of the four FMK Restaurant Group Country Clubs this month. There’s still time to enjoy a fabulous dessert and help donate to St. Jude Children’s Hospital at the same time.
Each year during the month of September, all of the FMK Country Clubs feature a dessert special which benefits St. Jude’s. This year at Belle Glade and Evans Prairie Country Clubs they are featuring a White Chocolate Bread Pudding with Vanilla Crème Anglaise for $6.90. At Bonifay and Orange Blossom Hills Country Clubs they are featuring the Apple Cobbler Ala Mode for $7.95. YUM!
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and St. Jude is a key figure in bringing awareness and helping to increase the survival rate. According to their website, 43 children are diagnosed with cancer each day. “Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80% since it opened in 1962.” You can learn more about St. Jude and Childhood Cancer Awareness Month facts here.
Where Are They Located?
You can find the FMK Country Clubs at the following locations:
- Belle Glade CC: 446 Moyer Loop, The Villages, FL
- Bonifay CC: 1033 Pinellas Pl, The Villages, FL
- Evans Prairie CC: 1825 Evans Prairie Trail, The Villages, FL
- Orange Blossom Hills CC: 1542 Water Tower Circle, The Villages, FL
As always, make sure to check out their daily specials all in one place here on Villager Eats.
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Promote Your Business
Looking to promote your business without breaking your budget? Advertising on Villager Eats is a great way to get in front of more friendly folks! Ad packages are very affordable, especially compared to print ads that get tossed away. Your ad will appear throughout our website which is visible on-the-go via computer, tablet, or smart phone.
Right now you can get your first month FREE when you commit to a 6-month package. When you sign up for 3 months, you will get your first month half-off. Or enjoy a monthly rate and pay as you go.
We are one of the hottest websites in The Villages® Community. We have seen a 234% increase in website views over the past year. Our social media pages have grown by 153% in that same timeframe. Villagers love dining out and enjoying happy hour with friends. Where do they locate information to make sure they find the best deals? VillagerEats.com! Why not let them see other great businesses that our community has to offer while they’re here?
Folks are always posting on Facebook looking for businesses such as home repair, lawn services, accountants, etc. Advertise with us and we will share your information with our social media friends and followers (both on Facebook and Instagram).
Contact Debi TODAY for more info before these special rates disappear! Call (352) 561-8138 or email info@villagereats.com
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Pop-Up at City Fire-Lake Sumter
Hey Diners! Join me for a Pop-Up at City Fire-Lake Sumter TOMORROW, Wednesday, 9/7 from 4-6pm and pick up your Villager Eats VIP Dining Card (or two or three) in person. Then stay awhile and enjoy 10% off your meal while you’re there!
The VIP cards are going fast! For just $10 each they’re a great value and are valid until next year (6/30/23). They make great gifts too! Do you have a rental? Why not leave a card for your guests to enjoy some of our favorite restaurants here in The Villages®? Or are you looking for a thank you or closing gift for your clients and customers? Buy as many as you like!
Check out the event over on Facebook and let us know if you’re able to stop by: Villager Eats Events Pop-Up at City Fire-Lake Sumter. We will be set-up outside on the side patio with some goodies – and look for my yellow shirt. This will be a casual meet & greet so stop by any time between 4pm and 6pm.
If you can’t make it in-person, you can still order online at: https://villagereats.com/vip-dining-card-2/ OR watch out for other pop-up events coming soon!
CHEERS my friends!
Labor Day
Labor Day is this Monday, September 5th. This day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers. It was created by the labor movement in the late 1800s in the height of the Industrial Revolution. Labor Day weekend also symbolizes the end of Summer, and is generally celebrated with parades, parties, and lots of food.
While most of us celebrate Labor Day as a day off work, there’s more to the story. I found this article in Country Living interesting to Find Out Why We Celebrate Labor Day. As a big history buff, it’s cool to read about our country’s beginnings and to see how far we’ve come. I for one am incredibly grateful for the progress we’ve made and am always looking for a reason to celebrate (every day).
One of the most popular traditions that have evolved is to cookout and kick back. Are you firing up the outdoor grill this weekend? If you’re tired of the same ol’ burgers and dogs, check out these suggestions from Food Network – 50 Cookout Classics Every Labor Day Party Needs. If you’re not the cooking type, then keep logging on to VillagerEats.com to view Labor Day specials at our favorite restaurants.
Now more than ever, give thanks to all the hard-working people who make our life here in The Villages® the friendly place it is.
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LITTLE FIN SEAFOOD KITCHEN
Let’s talk about another new restaurant opening in the Market at Sawgrass Grove. Little Fin Seafood Kitchen opened for business about two weeks ago, but yesterday was my first visit…and I’ll be back for sure. It’s the little sister to Big Fin Seafood Kitchen in Orlando, a full-service dining establishment.
Service With A Smile
Meka’ela greeted me at the counter and helped me to decide on the Fish Tacos. YUM! She also suggested the Alligator Bites but I’ll save that adventure for next time (I haven’t tried them…yet). Although, I witnessed Chef Jeff go above and beyond to help an out-of-town visitor sample the gator bites and she was thrilled. Everything was made fresh to order and Kara was at the grill with a smile putting it all together. The service was top-notch for sure.
What To Eat
I chose to sit at the side counter, but most diners were enjoying their meals in the main dining area. Think of the food court at your favorite mall…but WAY better. The food at the Market is definitely not your typical mall food. My Fish Tacos were amazingly fresh and delicious, and the Fish & Chips going out looked equally amazing. …and those Alligator Bites… Some of the other specialties that Little Fin is serving up are Jumbo Coconut Shrimp, Crispy Chili Calamari, Real Maine Lobster Roll, Grilled Catch of the Day, and Crispy Seasoned Fries. They also offer a Caesar Salad or Chopped Salad.
If you choose to sit out in the main dining area, you can also enjoy an adult beverage from the Sawgrass Bar. Then head over to Darlin’s Sweet Shop for dessert, their salted caramel cheesecake is to die for (trust me on this one)! On your way out, make sure to stop in The Villages® Grown and bring home some fresh produce, kombucha, or other goodies.
By the way, did you know that there is outdoor seating at the Market? There is a quiet little patio just outside to enjoy your meal. I have a feeling this little secret spot won’t be so secret once business starts to pick up.
Where Are They?
Little Fin Seafood Kitchen is located inside the Market at Sawgrass Grove 766 Marilee Place, Wildwood, just off Meggison Rd. and right across from the Ezell Recreation Center. Their hours are 11am – 9pm 7 days a week. Look out for their social media pages and website coming soon – I will link them on the Restaurants tab.
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FARMSHED AMERICAN DINER
As you may or may not have heard, Farmshed American Diner has closed their doors in Spanish Springs this past weekend. Whether you were a fan or not, it’s never good to see a business close up shop, especially after only 14 months. While it’s sad to see Farmshed go, there is a bright side already looming on the horizon here.
The FMK Restaurant Group has acquired the establishment and will continue bringing great food to our community at the square. Maybe you already know that FMK Restaurants are scattered throughout The Villages® with excellent dining options. They include:
- Bluefin Grill & Bar,
- Chop House at Lake Sumter
- Harvest Restaurant & Bar
- Scooples Ice Cream Parlor and Restaurant
- and the country clubs at Belle Glade, Bonifay, Evans Prairie, and Orange Blossom Hills.
With their excellent reputation, it will be exciting to see what FMK has up their sleeve. I’m told it will be a brand-new concept for their team. Look for the new restaurant later this year, and more details coming soon.
With Farmshed American Diner now closed, check out daily specials from your other favorite restaurants right here.
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World of Beer – Woofs & Waffles Brunch
Bring your pups and join World of Beer in Spanish Springs for their Woofs & Waffles Brunch event. This Saturday, August 20 beginning at 11am, you and your four-legged friends can enjoy some yummy food for you both. The first 50 fidos in the door will receive a fun bandana!
Bone Appétit
World of Beer will be featuring special brunch items such as “Human Treats” Bacon Flight – 6 slices of thick cut applewood smoked bacon, served 3 ways: Dry Rubbed, Candied and Maple & Black Pepper, or Fido’s Flatbread – ground chorizo, scrambled eggs, pepper jack cheese, red bell pepper & bacon finished with scallions & hollandaise drizzle. Man’s Best Friend Features will include Doggie Brunch Bowl – Jasmine rice, ground beef, scrambled eggs, diced apples & carrots; Doggie Pancakes – Egg, apple & banana whole wheat pancakes finished with sliced bananas and whipped cream; and Doggie Ice Cream – Yogurt, peanut butter & banana.
Paws-itively Delicious Cocktails
What’s brunch in The Villages without delicious cocktails? You can enjoy some specially named drinks such as Mutts About You (Tito’s St. Germain Elderflower, Lemon Juice, White Peach Syrup, Club Soda); Vanity Fur (RumHaven Coconut Rum, Fresh Orange Juice, Cream of Coconut, Sparkling Wine); or Central Bark Shot (Jameson Cold Brew & RumChata).
Bring Your VIP Dining Card
Do you have your Villager Eats VIP Dining Card? Make sure to bring your card to receive 10% off food purchases and check in here on the site for daily specials. (Note that the restaurant may limit specials from discounts.) Don’t have your VIP Dining Card yet? Order yours today so you don’t miss out on future discounts.
Where Are They?
World of Beer – Spanish Springs is located at 994 Alverez Ave. right on the square in Lady Lake. Hours are 11am-12am.
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Glenview Country Club Remodel
Glenview Country Club is celebrating their newly remodeled dining room this week. I had a chance to have lunch with my mother today at Glenview and really loved the new décor while having a great visit. I mean, check out the view from the sunroom.
Time To Celebrate
Time to celebrate! Now through Saturday (8/6) they are offering BOGO 50% Off ALL Entrées ALL Day. However, today we enjoyed the Wednesday special, which is buy one burger, get one free. Mom had the Smokehouse Burger, and I had the Black & Bleu Burger – both with fries. And can I tell you…the fries were perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Mom said it was the best burger she’s had in awhile – I have to agree. And kudos to our server, Stevie, she did a fantastic job! Oh, and I can’t forget to thank Richard for giving us the tour before he seated us at the perfect table.
They are also offering coupons to celebrate. You can find them in the newspaper or on their social media pages. Find their daily specials here on Villager Eats, including their fabulous Weekend Brunch Buffet with bottomless mimosas every Saturday and Sunday from 9am-2pm.
Live Entertainment
Enjoy live entertainment each evening from 5pm-8pm this week. Tonight, you can dance to the sounds of Suzie Casta, Thursday is Clark Barrios, Friday will be Scooter the DJ, and Saturday is Conrad Be Chill & Know. Music will be in the main dining room, but you can hear it throughout the restaurant.
Where Are They?
Glenview Champions Country Club is located at 3194 Glenview Rd. (just off Buena Vista Blvd) in The Villages. Call (352) 753-0077 for reservations, or walk-ins are also welcome.
The Market at Sawgrass Grove
The Market at Sawgrass Grove is NOW OPEN! YAY! Are you as excited as I am about this? We have been waiting awhile for the new market to be complete, and I can tell you it was well worth the wait. I was able to stop by on opening day for the soft opening, maybe you caught my video over on the Facebook and/or Instagram page (keep reading for the link to view it).
The atmosphere inside has such a cool vibe and reminds me of a micro version of the North Market back in Columbus, Ohio. And in true Villages fashion, even the construction tunnel is very inviting with signs along the way that read “Have a Zest for Something New? Come this Way!”, “It’s a Little Slice of Paradise!” and “Step Inside & Enjoy!” …make sure you look up when you’re walking in.
I will be back with a more in-depth review of each restaurant soon, but for now I’ll give you a sneak peek at what to expect when you visit The Market at Sawgrass Grove.
Frenchy’s Wood-Fired
The first restaurant I came upon was Frenchy’s Wood-Fired. The smell of the fresh pizzas being made in the wood-fired pizza oven was totally inviting. Free samples were going faster than they were coming. Frenchy’s currently has five different pies: Carne, Italian Sausage, Marghertia, Funghi Bianco, and Roni. They have other stuff too: Garlic Sticks, Beef and ricotta Meatball, Frenchy’s Chopped Salad, Caesar Salad w/Traditional Dressing, and Jumbo Wings. Prices range from $9 to $23.
Willy’s Original
Willy’s Original Smashburgers is across the way and wasn’t quite up and running when I first got there. However, by time I was leaving they had a line waiting to order up some juicy burgers and such. On their menu are 5 different burgers, 3 sandwiches, 2 salads, 3 options “beyond the bun” (Chicken Bites, Crispy Shoestring Fries, and Crispy Cheese Curds). They haven’t forgotten about the kiddos either with their Little Willy’s items.
Darlin’s Sweet Shop
I could not wait to get to Darlin’s Sweet Shop! The smell of fresh baked cookies was pulling me to the back of the market and the cheesecakes illuminated the case calling my name. If you know me, you know I’m a sucker for sweets. Let’s just say that the piece of Salted Caramel Cheesecake I had boxed to-go never made it past the doors. OOPS. If you’ve been waiting for a fresh made on-site sweet shop, then wait no more. Darlin’s has cookies, brownies, cakes, cheesecakes and ice cream to go alongside your baked goodies.
Golden Hills Coffee Roasters
Once you get your bakery, stop at Golden Hills Coffee Roasters for a fresh-brewed cup of Joe. While I’m not a coffee drinker, I absolutely love the smell. Golden Hills Coffee has several Espresso Based varieties; Fresh Brewed Drip Coffee, Iced Coffee, French Press, and Pour Over. There are also Special Drinks like Chai Tea Latte (hot or iced), Specialty Teas, Cold Brew Cocktail, Hot Chocolate and Smoothies. The baristas were busy serving up hot cups of coffee for sure.
Sawgrass Bar
Not a coffee drinker? Then right in the middle of the Market is the Sawgrass Bar. Pull up a seat at the bar and enjoy the Drink of the Day (on the day I went it was an Orange Grove Margarita). Craft beers are offered in drafts and cans, wine is available and so is seltzer and cider. You can also catch the latest games or news on the overhead TVs. What a great spot to just sit and unwind.
The Villages Grown
The major tenant is by far The Villages Grown (in my opinion). The new space is triple the size of the store at Brownwood Paddock Square. Looking for local produce and unique staples? This place has it! Everything from vegetables, a variety of lettuces, microgreens, dry goods, frozen and refrigerated doughs and breads, kombucha, pre-made salads and meals, cheeses and so much more. I’m sure you’ve seen their produce in many places throughout The Villages, from grocery stores to restaurants. This new market spot has so much more to offer and items you won’t find anywhere else.
Coming Soon
Wait! There’s more coming soon! The teaching kitchen is beautiful and will be host to several guest chef’s demonstrating various techniques and dishes. Next to that will be more from The Villages Grown and the new The Local Butcher & Market and Little Fin Seafood Kitchen. Again, I will be featuring these more in the future once they are open. The open stores have been listed on the Restaurants tab here on Villager Eats, but check back often to find the remaining places once they’re up and running.
Take A Walk With Me
Come and take a walk with me and get a quick 5-minute peek from my first visit. The video can be found over on the Facebook page or find the reel on Instagram. This will definitely be a regular spot for me, even though I’m more on the northwest part of The Villages. Stay tuned for more updates and reviews!
Where Is It Located?
The Market at Sawgrass Grove is located at 766 Marilee Place along Meggison Rd next to the Ezell Recreation Center, and across from McGrady’s Pub. The navigation in my car doesn’t have the new southernmost development and streets yet, so I recommend using Google Maps or Waze to find it.
Happy 4th of July
Happy 4th of July Villagers! As we reflect on our country’s foundations and celebrate our independence, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the day today.
Brownwood Brews & Cruise
In true Villages style, Brownwood Paddock Square® will be home of the “All-American 4th of July Brews & Cruise” festival. Today, July 4th from 4pm-9pm you will enjoy American Cars presented by The Heart of Florida Model A Restorers Club, The Tin Lizzies of North Central Florida, and The Villages Classic Automobile Club. Craft Beer will be flowing and sponsored by World of Beer, The Sunny Pint, and Tri-Eagle Sales. Live music from Ronnie Dee & The Superstars will be on stage to get you dancing and moving. Our very own resident performers will be: Aloha O’ Ka Hula, The Villages Cheerleaders, The Villages Twirlers & Drum Corp, Prime Time Twirlers, Patriotic Projection Light Show, Stilt Walkers and more!
Plenty of market vendors will also be wishing you a Happy 4th of July with their wares. And don’t forget the food vendors! Lee’s Famous Cheesesteaks, Curbside Cuisine, Sikes Southern BBQ, Kettle Corn Cabin, Squeezy, and Kona Ice will all be there.
The best part of our wonderful festivals is the price of admission – FREE! Take your family and friends out to Brownwood for a fun-filled afternoon celebration. Check out The Villages® Entertainment website for all the details and schedule.
Looking For Fireworks?
Are you looking for fireworks? There are a few options outside of our hometown. We will be heading to Leesburg at Venetian Gardens for their fireworks display over the lake. They also have an all-day festival beginning at noon today with a kids’ zone, giant inflatables, plenty of games, delicious food, vendors, live music at 6pm by Hayfire and a ski show. Fireworks begin at 9pm.
Let Someone Else Do The Grilling
Stay safe and have a Happy 4th of July! If you’re not feeling like cooking out, check out your daily dining and happy hour specials here. Let someone else do all the grilling and enjoy the festivities!
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