Cuisine Queen

New Restaurants Are Booming

By Paula

Restaurants are still struggling to maintain competent service to patrons despite the decline in finding permanent staffing, yet the sector is booming with new eateries.

Starting with Downtown Ocala, Symmetry Coffee and Crepes, 525-0495, is going to partner with Soleil Confections, (850) 585-5794, in a new location right off of Southeast 1st Avenue near Ivy on the Square. The owners of both also sell baked goods at the growing Ocala Downtown Market. The new location is now a retail store and renovations for food service will hopefully be completed in September. Beer and wine is in its future and more about that as the date approaches.

Mellow Mushroom, mellowmushroom.com, a popular national pizza franchise, is making steady progress where Brother’s Keeper used to be. Bryce Peek, of Boyd Real Estate, is leading the project for Ocala Development. During a telephone interview, he shared there will be other restaurant concepts in the building with a staircase and elevator leading to a rooftop bar.

Mutiny hopes to open its doors soon with a pirate theme, next to Tipsy Skipper, 282-0377, ahidden gem with tropical ambiance. The wall between the two will be removed since they are owned by the same group.

District Bar & Kitchen, hoping to replace Pi on Broadway, will be an elevated sports bar. The drawings found online are highly impressive. It will truly be one of the most beautiful attractions for dining on the square. According to the drawing, it will not feature a wide-open rooftop bar, but instead an open second floor with the feel of a rooftop but with cover for inclement weather.

Another huge project that is going to change Downtown Ocala forever is Cantina Tex-Mex and Tequila Bar. Across from Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grill sits a now-closed, two-story bank. Cantina will renovate the building, keeping the two floors and offer private parking, entertainment, and more. Follow their video and comments on their Facebook page.

Big City Grill, 421-5198, opened on Southwest19th Avenue Road (a.k.a. Easy Street). This seems like the type of restaurant that would satisfy some Northerners looking for authentic assembly of a Philly and stacked burger. Their menu is impressive. Enjoy a 100% Black Angus burger, fries, and a drink for $8.99. Google their YouTube video and if that doesn’t convince you to stop in, nothing else will! See pictures and their menu on bigcitygrillocala.com and Facebook.

Good-bye Ruby Tuesdays, hello Storming Crab, stormingcrabs.com. Having locations in Tennessee, Indiana, Kentucky, New York, and Ohio, Ocala was the first choice for their Florida debut. Crab legs and claws, shrimp, oysters, and other seafood is on the menu with Cajun-style options. Follow their website and Facebook page for opening dates.

Brester’s Coney Island, 421-5693, is located in the Pine Plaza near the Ocala Police Department. They are open 8am-3pm, serving breakfast and lunch and a little later on Saturdays, closed Sundays. Enjoy breakfasts that start at only $3.69 for egg, meat, and toast. Almost every sandwich or sub imaginable is offered at lunch. Patrons rave about the generous servings. Check out their website at brestersconeyisland.com.

Just a note, please understand that if you are told it’ll be a longer wait for a table, but you see several tables available, it’s because the restaurant has limited the seating because of limited staff.

Got A Hot Tip For The Cuisine Queen? E-mail me at paula@ocalasgoodlife.com