Gainesville Recommendations [split from LA board]

[maxzook]

It so happens that my brother lives in Gainesville, and I can give you a handful of tips on some very-much-less-than-terrible restaurants.

The Blue Highway pizzeria in Micanopy, about five miles south of downtown Gainesville, may not be up to Mozza or even Caioti, but it's well worth the trip. Satchel's is a close second. I think Leonardo's pizza is overrated, but Leonardo's Bistro 1245 is a good wine-bistro lunch spot near UF. Nearby is Mildred's Big City Food, great wine selection, informal lunch and good upscale dinner spot, and the New Deal Cafe next door may be Gainesville's best burger.

The Yearling in Cross Creek is pretty authentic cracker cuisine -- venison, gator, fried frog's legs, hush puppies and turnip greens. Dragonfly downtown has passable sushi, Mr. Han's is okay for Chinese takeout.

Allessandro's in Millhopper Plaza may be the best Italian I've had there, although the service has always been spotty. And right behind it is dinner., where last New Year's Eve I had the best restaurant meal I've ever had in Gainesville.

I won't even pretend that the best Gainesville has to offer is going to come anywhere near what you're used to as the best of L.A. But in all fairness, the ratio of crappy chain restaurants to not-so-bad places is about the same as it is here -- it's just that their best-ofs are many notches below our best-ofs.

[Piglet]

Thanks so much--I'll definitely be checking these out!

[PDeveaux]

Have you ever been to any restaurants in High Springs? We'll be staying at a B&B there on Labor Day Weekend and so far have seen the SpringHouse Tavern and the Great Outdoors Restaurant mentioned. Also, read about Ristorante Deneno in Alachua. Any suggestions or info about these?

[maxzook]

I've been to both towns but never to eat. They're close enough to G'ville that even if the local restaurants don't pan out, you've got hope.

[kayakado]

Satchels Pizza and Floyds Diner in High Springs

[Podie1956]

I've been to both several times. The Great Outdoors is expensive at dinner but good. It is run by the person who owns Ristorante Deneno (always excellent) in Alachua, who ALSO owns a piece of Floyd's Diner in High Springs. My pick would definitely be Deneno, but the brand new Great Outdoors is more beautiful inside.