Who does not like to eat out? I know I do, even though I am a very good cook and enjoy cooking. However, when I go out, I want it to be good and different from what I cook at home. My first choice is to eat at Black Diamond's Restaurant (private and for member’s guests) "Horizons,” but for diversion we do go elsewhere. And although I occasionally eat at the franchise restaurants (Applebee's, Olive Garden, Ruby Tuesday, Beef O'Brady's, Chili's, Outback, etc.), the majority of the restaurants in Citrus County are what we call Mom and Pop restaurants and the ones I have chosen to review.
That said, I do want to mention that you can never go wrong with the Outback (Hwy 44-Inverness) a part of a system of chain restaurants as far as I am concerned are the best--food and service consistently good. Ipanema (Pine St) and Bonefish Grill (Hwy 200) in Ocala are worth the drive there. But back to our local restaurants; what we have found in some restaurants is that the food and/or service is inconsistent. If you experience bad service or food at one restaurant and keep hearing good about it from someone else...find out what they ordered and maybe give the place a second chance.
I don't usually order more than seafood when I am out...I do not like cooking fish at home, so I order it out, but I do pay attention to others who order meat dishes...so my opinions include their enjoyment of their meals also. (And my friends will tell you I am kind of a health nut when it comes to meats. I want to know where the meat came from, I don't want to consume meats from animals injected with hormones and antibiotics--thus I order seafood most often.)
One of my favorite restaurants was/is Cafe on the Avenue inCrystalRiver. The atmosphere is classy and can be a quiet-romantic setting with the right company. The food is always delicious. Call for reservations and to find out their hours of operation. It's always a nice place to eat lunch and visit the small shops in the area-especially with girlfriends. The grouper dishes are delicious. The desserts are large enough to share-especially the hummingbird cake.
Vintage on 5th (5th Ave-Crystal River) is a favorite restaurant: atmosphere, service and food exceptional plus the prices are good including the wine choices and ahi tuna. Congrats to the Vintage for being chosen as one of Wine Spectator Magazine's choice restaurants! My newest favorite restaurant is The McLeod House Bistro (Inverness)-cozy rooms and a chef with artistic and gourmet skills! A delightful place to eat in downtown Inverness -across from the old courthouse--is the Deco Cafe. A cozy, small restaurant, it has delicious, nicely priced and portioned dinners served on Friday and Saturday (in season). They are a coffee house for breakfast and lunch.
Mango's Grill (new location, Hwy 486-Hernando) the menu at this restaurant has not changed in this new location-- large portions and the food is good. The mango salad dressing is delish!
Newly re-opened Izaak Walton Lodge (called Ike’s) in Yankeetown (1/2 hour drive from Black Diamond) and now owned by Neon Leon’s has a great river setting. Nine of us for dinner were pleased with the food and the service (grouper,Florida lobster, seafood pasta).
Love to take out-of-town guests out to eat on the water: Crackers (Hwy 19) in Crystal River has a menu that leans more toward bar food although they do offer other choices you wouldn't find in your local pub. If it's a nice day or night, eat on the water--outside! Marguerita Grill (burned down –temp. set up in The Crystal River Mall). Crystal River Ale House (near a dive resort off Hwy 19) has a typical bar type menu; eat outside if weather permits. Plantation Inn (Fort Island Trail off Hwy 19) used to have a great 2 for $22 early bird special that goes to 6:00 pm. If ordering the grouper, ask if it is fresh. Nice atmosphere. Stumpknockers on the River (200 on the way to Ocala from 491) has a lot of fried foods including catfish and hush puppies. The downtown Inverness branch (off 44-41) of the restaurant has a nicer atmosphere. The Riverside Crab House-formerly Charlie Brown's (Halls River Road-Homosassa) in addition to regular restaurant hours has a cruise and dinner package. For a resort area eatery, the food is okay and it is fun to be on the water and to also see "Monkey Island." Yes...real monkeys! Charlie's Fish House in Crystal River offers a dining experience on the water but the real "catch" is the retail fish store. It is a great place to buy fish and lump crab meat! Peck's Old Port (Homosassa): If you are looking for stone crab, Peck's is your place; it is a little out of the way so be prepared to drive a little while to get there. Down the street from Riverside Crab is a warehouse atmosphere restaurant called The Freezer. A favorite of locals, prices are good ($2 for a beer or wine and $.75 for a soda)--Menu is limited: cole slaw, chips and salsa, hotdogs... but great peel and eat shrimp and Alaskan King Crab legs, Blue and Stone Crabs in season or catch the steak night on Wednesday. Don't dress up to dine here; this is a warehouse on a water pier with boaters coming to enjoy the fun-a local's favorite!
Cattledogs Coffee House (shopping center Hwy 486 near Terra Vista and a new location in Crystal River near Burke’s Tavern) has a nice selection for lunch and light breakfast and great coffee.
Other local favorite places to eat include several bars. Cody's Original Roadhouse (Hwy 19-Crystal River) is a local favorite-call ahead seating usually a must. It has early bird specials, a large item menu and a nice salad and happy hour. Daily specials include the popular Wednesday 2 for 1 Fajita. Cody's has good ribs, steak & salmon. Like wings or "Big Ass" burgers? Try The Cove in Inverness (off Hwy 44 on the way to I-75) no need to dress up and lots of local color to view. Dan's Clam Stand (Hwy 19-Crystal River and Grover Cleveland, Homosassa) grouper fingers basket (when available) and shrimp & lobster specials are a real value. The Rusty Duck (Hwy 44 Lecanto) is suspicious looking from the curb but the inside is better. You must call ahead for one of the two seating times. It has an extensive menu, food usually good and you do need to bring your own wine or spirits. Steak is their specialty -prepare for a long dining experience. Jimmy T's New York Deli (Hwy 486-Hernando) is a great place for breakfast and lunch (I like their wraps). They do serve a several course dinner once a week on Tuesdays (reservations only) and you can bring your wine and spirits. A nice place for coffee or lunch is Rob's Cafe (491-Lecanto) in the Brashear's Pharmacy (not much atmosphere) which has a nice lunch menu including my favorite Chicken "Poulet" chicken fontina panini. Have not been to Bentley's (Hwy 41 going to Citrus Springs-Dunnellon) in years, found the food and service inconsistent. Olive Tree in Crystal River (Hwy 19 near the airport) has Greek and American dishes. They won an award for the Taste of Citrus for casual dining. Oysters (Hwy 19 Crystal River) seafood buffet was okay. Colorful New Orleans decor restaurant is Neon Leon's Zydeco Steakhouse (Hwy 490-on the way to Homosassa). The menu had a nice selection and the food and service were very good-worth another trip there. Live music on the weekends! Fat Cat Grill (Citrus Ave, Crystal River)...former Plantation Inn chef now has his own restaurant. The She Crab soup: wonderful! We had the swordfish with shrimp skewer special --a lot of food. The Beans, Bones and Greens were very tasty! Emily's Diner (Homosassa on 19-Cardinal) is a flashback to the 50's in decor and food. Good diner food for lunch...dinner???
Every area seems to have a large number of Italian restaurants. I am not a real fan of the cuisine because it usually includes pastas-which I eat only once in a while (forever watching my weight!) But I like Rocco's (Hwy 44) Crystal River. Great antipasto salad and thin crust pizza. Little Italy down from the courthouse in Inverness is quite the dining experience. Call for reservations. La Casa Di Norma (Hwy 19 in shopping plaza-Crystal River) is called Italian with a Spanish influence. It is a favorite of our friends and you do need to make reservations because it is a cozy size. These places are okay and some people's favorites: Enrico’s (Hwy 41-Inverness) and new: Little Joe's (its 3rd location) Hwy 491-41 in Holder makes a wonderful thin crust pizza and antipasto salad--what we tried. Fairly new restaurant: Ohana's Dining and Cocktails (Homosassa in the old Yanni's spot--Hwy 19- has a large” Hawaiian” menu and good service. Taverna Manos on Hwy 44 Lecanto (formerly Cozy Country Kitchen) has a Greek influence with gyros, pita bread, etc. We had a nice dinner and I want to go back to try the stuffed chicken.
I occasionally crave Mexican, Oriental and Cuban sandwiches. So we go to Mr. King’s (off Hwy 19) in Crystal River for a nice oriental menu and great fried rice & wontons and good wonton soup. Fuji Asian Bistro (Hwy 19 Homosassa) is also nice). El Ranchito has two locations, Crystal River (19) and Inverness, (44 in Beall’s shopping Center) great chips and salsa-nice selection and good service. Havana House (491-Lecanto and a second location on Hwy 44, Crystal River) and Cravings on the Water (Hwy 19-Crystal River) have the best Cubans. We have had a couple of nice dinners at Thai Phoon (Hwy 19) in Crystal River and the Bangkok Thai Restaurant in Beverly Hills (491-Dollar Tree Plaza). BBQ? Skeets inBeverly Hills on 491 is open for breakfast and lunch-some dinner hours. Nice breakfast. They have a nice menu, good food and reasonable prices.
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Last, but not least are some restaurants that have been in business quite a while and I have tried them for breakfast or lunch...these are no frills restaurants, (i.e. fried eggs, bacon, ham, etc. for breakfast, omelets are plain or standard). They include: Fat Boy's Barbeque (19-Crystal River), Beverly Hills Hotel Restaurant (491) and New England Cafe (491-Beverly Hills). The Boathouse has moved to Hwy 19 in Crystal River: a local favorite for many years (breakfast, lunch, dinner) food is good and priced reasonably. Do you love LARGE portions? Try Red's on Hwy 200 going toOcala. Open for breakfast and lunch only. Expect a wait at peak times. Good food! Many say theMain Street is good inBeverly Hills (Hwy 491).
Going to the big city? My favorites include Columbia (Tampa-St. Pete, Sarasota) best 1905 salad and Cuban! Special occasion? Cafe Europa-St. Armand’s Circle (Sarasota) Also a fun place is Marina Jack’s in Sarasota. Salt Rock Grill (St. Pete)--a real winner with its menu and good food! Orlando? We loved Seasons 52 (Sand Lake Rd) and also in Tampa: Capital Grille (International Plaza); Mitchells' Seafood (West shore) and Pane Rustica (MacDill). Pane has a great and different menu, delicious food and wonderful bake shop and desserts. My new favorite for location and food is Oyster Catchers (Hyatt Hotel). Fleming's Steakhouse of Tampa was a gourmet delight but restaurant is noisy and expensive! The Hula Bay Club is on the harbor with a bar atmosphere-if you want to feel like a tourist...It was fun. Schooners in Tequesta FL, good food. We shopped (disappointingly) and ate at "The Villages" in Lady Lake-- the Legacy Restaurant was good for a golf course facility.
If you have an opportunity to attend the "Taste of Citrus"--fundraiser for the local community college CFC it is worth the presale ticket price of $25 each (held in the fall of the year).
I periodically update this. 2-09--2012
Bon Appetite!
Linda Thomas
Black Diamond Ranch-Where to Live if You Live for Golf and Dining Out!
Lecanto Florida-Premiere Gated Community in Citrus County
