Ocala, Gainesville & Inland
Ocala
A subterranean limestone acquifer is responsible for some of the fleetest racehorses in the world, feeding on calcium rich grasses in Ocala’s beautifully white fenced horse farm region. Ocala, named after the Ocale Indian tribe, is home to over 400 horse farms, five of which produced Kentucky Derby Winners. Many of these beautiful breeding farms are open to the public. Expect to see real equine royalty here, frolicking on that rich grass.
Ocala National Forest, between Ocala and St. John’s River, provides hiking trails on boardwalks and loop trails, and maybe a siting of the Florida black bear. It is also the world’s largest sand pine forest, with 366,000 acres. Swim here in an old fashion swimmin’ hole of pure artesian waters, fish for bass, or take the justly famous 7 mile canoe run in a rented canoe, from Juniper Creek.
Gainesville
Once called Hogtown, Gainesville was a sleepy little rural community that sprang to life as the University of Florida moved in, 1906. Now the cultural center of north central Florida, Gainesville is also the proud home of the Gators football team. The downtown has restored brick buildings from the 1880′s to 1920′s; find a restaurant here. There are several museums on campus, notably the Florida Museum of Natural History which houses unique butterfly and shell collections, and over ten million fossils. One of the largest university art museums in the country, the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art includes African ceremonial objects, Japanese woodcuts, Asian ceramica. There are lots of accomodations in varying price ranges; just be sure that if there’s a home game, you book early. Football is serious biz here.
Ocala:
Breakfast:
Town & Country Diner: Great big breakfasts and lunches with a western theme and low prices.
3821 NW Blitchton Rd, (352) 620-2333
Tommy’s Country Market & Bar-B-Q: More BIG breakfasts with great country ham, plus the lunch and dinner barbecue meals are good too.
2065 NW 4th Ave, (352) 732-7759
Chelsea Coffee Company: Good coffeehouse with a real nice staff and good breakfast and lunch sandwiches.
3217 E Silver Springs Blvd, (352) 351-5282
Bakery:
Primary Oven Handmade Bakery: Apple or guava strudel and coffee for breakfast and the best lunches in town.
306 SW Broadway, Ocala, (352) 390-6881
General Goodness:
Amrit Palace Indian Restaurant: Yup, that’s right. Unbelievably great Indian food, which is even more unbelievable because it’s right here in little old Ocala. Don’t miss it if you like Indian food.
2635 SW College Rd, (352) 873-8500
Lorito’s Italian Kitchen: An Ocala institution with good pizza and Italian dishes.
1801 E Silver Springs Blvd, (352) 629-1383
Fiore’s Cafe: Tiny Italian place. Good food. Best for take out because the dining room is real small.
207 South Pine Ave, (352) 789-6982
Latinos Y Mas Spanish Cuisine: $$ Real good Spanish dishes from basic Mexican fare to grouper salads and camarones de ajo.
2030 S Pine Ave, (352) 622-4777
Ipanema Brazilian Steak House: $$$ If you’re looking for a good steak around here, this is the place.
2023 S Pine Ave, (352) 622-1741
Mimi’s Cafe Ocala: $$ Cajun/Creole breakfast through dinner. There’s more variety on the menu than there is in the whole town, and the portions are generous.
4414 SW College Rd, (352) 291-8668
Gainesville
Breakfast:
Peach Valley Cafe: Good, and very popular!, breakfast diner with an outside patio. Good apple fritters.
3275 SW 34th St, (352) 376-1834
Bageland Thornebrook: Good, inexpensive coffee and good bagels with a bit extra like herbed home fries and fruit.
2441 NW 43rd St, (352) 371-3354
43rd Street Deli & Breakfast House: Big time southern breakfasts with a huge menu of good stuff. No ambiance, but they’ll feed ya well.
4401 NW 25th Pl, (352) 373-2927
Jeff’s New York Deli: Standard greasy spoon with good basic fare for breakfast and lunch. Open ’til 2pm.
2226 NW 6th St, (352) 378-4428
Mexican:
Mexico Lindo Mexican Restaurant and Cantina: Good food in a very nice, comfortable setting.
7070 SW Archer Rd, Ste 3102, (352) 377-7866
La Tienda Latina: Authentic mexican food with no frills.
2204 SW 13th St, (352) 367-0022
La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant: Good solid Tex-Mex with a very loyal clientele.
7038 NW 10th Pl, (352) 332-0878
Barbecue:
Terrell’s Bar-B Que: Real good BBQ out of a trailer. Perfect ribs.
1130 NE 16th Ave, (352) 367-1400
Chunky T’s BBQ: Great BBQ in a dive of a place. As it should be. The smoker carries the day!
918 NE 16th Ave, (352) 284-4862
Italian:
Fresco: Real fine Italian dishes in a nice setting with friendly staff. Plenty of food on your plate.
3117 SW 34th St, (352) 377-3484
Pizza:
Satchel’s Pizza: $$ Good gourmet pies in a very cool, eclectic atmosphere that’s worth it all in itself. You can eat in a dead VW bus! Cash only, but there’s an ATM right outside.
1800 NE 23rd Ave, (352) 335-7272
Piesanos: $$ Only stone oven pizza in town and it makes a difference. Nice place with a friendly staff. Less than $10 lunches.
5200 NW 43 St, (352) 371-7437
Ice Cream:
Sweet Dreams of Gainesville: Best ice cream in town with friendly folks. Get something gooey and sit at a booth.
3437 W University Ave, (352) 378-0532
General Goodness:
East End Eatery: $ Wholesome and healthy lunch and Sunday brunch and probably the best of both in town. Meatloaf Mondays are hot, roast beef sandwich with homemade horseradish, veggie lasagna, and great salads.
1202 NE 8th Ave, (352) 378-9870
Dragonfly Sushi & Sake Company: This place is VERY popular, and VERY crowded on weekends, but if you finally get to sit down you will love it. Great sushi and the Dragonfly Short Ribs are something else!
201 SE 2nd Ave, (352) 371-3359
Paramount Grill: $$$ For a special occasion and a nice brunch, this is a good choice with a nice cozy dining room, interesting and reliable good entrees, and attentive staff.
12 SW 1st Ave, (352) 378-3398
Liquid Ginger: $$ Nice setting with 3 course Asian Fusion meals that will definitely fill you up with good stuff. Lunch is a better deal and about the same size.
101 SE 2nd Pl, Ste 118, (352) 371-2323
Kickin’ Devil Cafe: If you’re up for New Orleans fare, give this a run, but beware, Saturday nights the band will blow you out of your seats and the place gets a little out of control. Good food and the price is right.
2017 NE 27th Ave, (352) 505-6660
Markets:
Union Street Downtown Farmer’s Market: Good farmer’s market with all the goodness of our Florida farms.
Downtown Community Plaza, 111 E University Ave
Ward’s Super Market: The best market in town for fruit, veggies and all sorts of organic and gourmet goodness.
515 NW 23rd Avenue, (352) 372-1741
Watercolor by Peter Bailey