Compiled by Anna Olcese and Dave Warm
The following restaurants represent a variety of the options we have in town. They vary in price, atmosphere and location. What they have in common is great food, impeccable service, and good ambiance for a business dinner — whether a casual get-together or a power dinner to seal a deal. These restaurants also help draw people to our area, showing them that we have a variety of world-class cuisine inside a friendly, fun and welcoming city.
Price Range Key
$ = most entrees under $15
$$ = most entrees under $20
$$$ = most entrees over $20
Dragonfly $
Dragonfly is lively and loud. For many, it is the place to see and be seen on most nights. If you want to impress out-oftowners with delicious, big-city food in a downtown location, then this is the place to go. Although casual attire is acceptable, you will find that women in particular, tend to dress to impress. Keep this in mind if you have females in your party who may dress more conservatively for business.
• Cuisine: Sushi with a contemporary twist
• Drink: Sake
• Atmosphere: Young vibe, modern décor, big-city feel; private dining area and outdoor seating
• Fun Fact: Dragonfly is original to Gainesville, and has an awardwinning sister location in Orlando.
• Reservations: Sunday through Thursday
• Location: Downtown
Embers $$$
This is where you want to go to impress out-of-town guests with unique, outstanding food impeccably served in a well-appointed venue. The décor is modern, but comfortable. Its location, about two miles from the Hilton, is ideal for guests who are not staying downtown and prefer a more quiet area. With an inhouse bar that is separate from the main restaurant, you can meet your party for pre-dinner drinks in a relaxed setting.
• Cuisine: Steak and seafood with a Southern touch
• Drink: Wine; owner Ryan Todd is a member of the Court of Masters Sommeliers
• Atmosphere: Upscale, with outdoor dining, bar area, fine-dining room, private dining room
• Fun Fact: Chef Briton Dumas won the Taste of Gainesville Iron Chef competition in 2011 and 2012.
• Reservations: Yes
• Location: South 34th Street
KC Crave $
KC Crave is new to Gainesville; it opened to the public on Memorial Day weekend. This latest addition to the area brings with it big-city sophistication. It is part lounge, part club, and all high-end. The lights subtly change color throughout the venue, and the upstairs bar is exquisite. Semi-private tables sit along the walls and are ideal if your goal is to impress your guests. With its lounge-like feel, sharing plates, and a higher noise level—especially on nights when there’s live music playing – this wouldn’t be the best place to talk business, but it certainly would earn you points with clients who want a night on the town without the hassle of downtown.
• Cuisine: Small plates, sharing plates; soups and salads; local and fresh
• Drink: Henway Martini or Moscow Mule
• Atmosphere: Polished casual
• Fun Fact: Owner Chris Jones (affectionately known as the “Mad Scientist”) worked at the original Outback Steakhouse and was the first to open an Outback in Hawaii.
• Reservations: Yes
• Location: SW 34th and W. Newberry, in the former CJ’s
Manuel’s Vintage Room $$
Quiet and quaint, Manuel’s is a good place to take a small group of business associates, unless you want to reserve the whole restaurant, which accommodates about 40. The service is impeccable, with Manuel supervising his staff nearly every day of the week. The atmosphere may be considered romantic, so you might want to shy away from it when entertaining one-on-one.
• Cuisine: High-end, homemade Italian
• Drink: International wine selection
• Atmosphere: Dark, intimate, upscale
• Fun Fact: Manuel himself is usually there, and will even give you his table if necessary
• Reservations: Yes
• Area of town: Downtown
Mark’s Prime $$$
This traditional steakhouse is relatively new, but has an old-world feel; ideal for a “power dinner” where you want to seal a deal. The atmosphere is similar to that of a private dinner club, but because it’s in the heart of downtown you can go from a surf-and-turf dinner to celebratory cocktails at a nearby bar, or after-dinner port or champagne at Half Cork’d.
• Cuisine: American steakhouse
• Drink: Pineapple-infused martini
• Atmosphere: Traditional steakhouse; oak; old-world décor; upscale; bar; private dining area
• Fun Fact: All steaks are served on 460-degree sizzling hot plates.
• Reservations: Yes
• Location: Downtown
Mildred’s Big City Food $$$
Mildred’s is known among locals as a great place to find consistently good food. Everything is made fresh daily, and the menu changes seasonally. Dishes are prepared with ingredients found locally, including meat and fish. If you’re looking for a quiet place to relax after a long business meeting and want a slow, quiet, delicious dining experience enhanced by great service, then this is where you’ll want to go.
• Cuisine: Contemporary Southern with an emphasis on fresh and local
• Drink: “They’re all signature drinks.”
• Atmosphere: Casual for lunch; more formal for dinner; neutral décor
• Fun Fact: Come early before the extraordinary, homemade desserts run out.
• Reservations: Yes
• Location: University Avenue and 34th Street.
Piesano’s $
If you need a quick, hearty meal in a family-friendly venue, then this is for you. Large parties can be accommodated, so it’s a good choice for groups larger than five. This is good ole’ Italian food prepared with the best ingredients available, using recipes carried down through generations. The décor is nice and neutral, which makes it different than the “typical” Italian restaurant. It is packed with hungry businessmen and women at lunchtime, and is a good place to go for a reasonably priced, delicious meal that will leave you with leftovers for dinner.
• Cuisine: Casual Italian; stone-fired pizza
• Drink: Piesano mojito
• Atmosphere: Neighborhood Italian with a clean, contemporary edge
• Fun Fact: Pizzas are cooked on granite in a revolving oven.
• Reservations: For six or more, but no Friday nights
• Location: Archer and Tower Road; Millhopper Road and 43rd St
Saboré $$
You’ll find this a fun place to visit with out-of-town guests. Enjoy a lively dinner, drinks and casual conversation amidst the vibrant décor. Caution: the somewhat loud atmosphere makes this a better venue for entertaining, rather than talking business. Bonus: World of Beer is a few steps away in the same town center.
• Cuisine: Latin with an international flair
• Drink: Bartender Billy Bob’s custom mojito
• Atmosphere: Semi-casual, funky, fresh, colorful with outdoor seating
• Fun Fact: One of the newest desserts on the menu is a bacon brownie.
• Reservations: Yes
• Location: Town of Tioga, west of Oaks Mall.