Monday, September 14, 2009

Mount Dora Antiques,Hotels and Restaurants

Me outside the entrance to The Frosty Mug on the corner of Fourth Ave. and Donnely in Mount Dora.

Mount Dora is one of Florida's most charming towns. It abounds with great restaurants, antique and art shops and lovely streetscapes. It's historic Lakeside Inn has been listed in the famous book "1,000 Places To See Before You Die." And its hilly location along the shores of Lake Dora just twenty five miles northwest of Orlando make it an easy getaway for locals and tourists alike. On Mt. Dora's East side are the Renniger's Twin Markets which house the best antique and collectible finds anywhere in the state.

As you view The Frosty Mug from the street you can't help but be drawn to this very cool Scandinavian restaurant. The front room seen here open to the street is the restaurant portion which boasts great drinks and food which you can check out on their menu displayed up on the huge wooden shutters. The Viking Lounge upstairs let's you relax and enjoy a drink, a cigar from their humidor, and live musical performances.
The Lake Side Inn, the oldest operating inn in Florida, has been open for 125 years. It includes the Beauclaire Room for gourmet dining, The Tremain Lounge for cocktails, an impressive lake view and boating.

One of the outbuildings and central green of the lodge complex heading down to the lake.


The Sunset building which now includes a spa.
The pool at the Lakeside Inn
View from the dock of the pool area and main building.
View of the lake from inn's dock.
The remains of an old dock beyond the cattails.
The John P. Donnelly house is a Queen Anne style landmark built by the towns first mayor in 1893. It is now owned by the Mount Dora Lodge.

An example of the exterior stylings common throughout Mount Dora.

The Mount Dora Sushi Co. voted best sushi by Lake Magazine and third best in central Florida on Channel 2's A-List in 2008 includes a beer garden where live musical performances go on every friday and saturday. It feautures Tokyo sushi chef Takashi Kobayashi, claims no prepackaged food and has a great menu.

Cool brick alley way in Mount Dora.