Next on my “new list”…

The Upper Crust

Now, I have been a diner at The Grille at Stonegate, the restaurant here in Solivita. I enjoy the varied menu, which includes healthy alternatives  (the Younger Next Year items).  I have dined at Mosaics, another eatery for special events, dinner buffets, and of course the Sunday breakfast buffet.  The Sunday breakfast buffet is a crowd pleaser at $8.95 for the buffet, coffee/tea, gratuity and tax included!  Mosaics has become a hot spot for the “after service/mass” crowd.  Last, but not least, The Upper Crust is great for a quick bite, a cup of coffee, or a cool down spot after a game of pickleball, tennis, cards, dominoes, whatever!  The Sunday “Endless Pizza Buffet” is another treat and easy on the wallet!  For $5.95 you have “all you can eat” pizza, soft drink, and dessert!  Every Sunday, there is a steady stream of people in and out of the joint!  My personal favorite is …pepperoni!  But, they ALL are good.  However, sometimes you want to wander outside of the “compound” (yes, as in Hyannis Port, the Kennedy compound!  LOL!)  So, last Thursday some friends from The African Heritage Cultural Club, Thanh Thuy (TT) and Bill,  invited Joe and I to join them for dinner at The Hotel Tea Room in Davenport. This was definitely my latest “new” to experience – remember, I told you that there’s ALWAYS something new!  I have passed this white and green house on my way to the Heart of Florida Hospital or to go visit my aunt who lives in Davenport, but I didn’t know that it was opened for dining.  TT asked us what would we like to have for dinner.  The choices were New York strip, rib eye, a chicken dish, and mahi mahi.  Joe chose the rib eye and I selected the New York strip steak.  Our reservation was for 6:30, but we agreed to meet at 6:00.  We walked up the steps to the porch and entered a quaint little dining area to the left of the doorway.  There were about four or five tables filled with Solivita residents! The dinner began with salad, and garlic bread.  The salad bowl and basket of bread was refilled upon request. We chose raspberry iced tea for our beverage.  As the delightful waitress took our orders, the chef came out of the kitchen to show us a sample of one of the dessert choices for the evening, chocolate lava cake with a caramel drizzle and a sprinkling of pecans along the side.  YUMMO!  The other choices were bananas foster, and banana creme pie.  The chef needed to have our selections then because the chocolate lava cake had to be prepared individually of course.  Joe decided on the chocolate lava cake and I chose the bananas foster.  Dinner was fantastic.  The steak was cooked to perfection and my baked potato was a great compliment.  Next time, I think I will try their baked sweet potato.  As we were chatting during our meal, it was mentioned that this place was opened for breakfast and lunch as well.  Say no more!  Lois, another friend at the table asked if we wanted to come for breakfast on Saturday.  Joe said, “I’m in for breakfast!”

We were pulling up to The Hotel Tea Room at 9:30 this morning!  Lois and her husband Donald, Jacqueline, and Mary were already there and enjoying muffins, and oh so sweet, pineapples!  Breakfast included homemade biscuits, homemade raspberry preserves (grown locally),a breakfast casserole (scrambled eggs, peppers, grits, cheese, and tomato slices on top) very similar to a frittata, home fries, grits, bacon, and coffee.  Everything was served family style, and all refilled upon request.  Once again, the food was great!  When we finished breakfast, took a look around the place.  In the dining room there was a little bit of everything… teapots, birdhouses, little doll houses, carved items, stationary, etc…all types of little items for sale.  There were also the salad dressings that were on the table Thursday night for our dinner salad. On the other side of the dining room, there was another little room with all different kinds of dolls,  decorative wreaths, and lots of Red Hatter paraphernalia!  The owner told us that she is waiting for her permits for a sewer system, so that the renovations for a bed & breakfast can continue.  This was a great way to start a Saturday!  This is a definite, “must do again” place!  Another plus to The Hotel Tea Room, it’s only about 11 miles from the West Gate of Solivita!

Unfortunately, I remembered my camera AFTER we finished our meal. Sorry, no pics of the FOOD!

Restoration in Progress

Well, until next time,

Hugs,

Gabby