Of the many fun activities people can participate in along the shores of the hundreds of lakes in East Polk County, eating is a favorite.
There are many restaurants with a view of a lake, and some of them sit upon a canal or a lake and offer hospitality to boat traffic. In addition to restaurants, many of the lakes have parks and picnic areas offering facilities to patrons who want to dine alfresco with homemade goodies.
Several of the lakes along the Chain of Lakes in Haven have boat ramps with easy access into the water. Once a boater has launched, the activities available can consume an entire day. Fortunately, there are many opportunities along the lakes for parched boaters to wet their whistles and for discerning diners to satiate their appetites.
In addition, there are many opportunities in East Polk County for those without a boat to enjoy waterfront dining.
Floridino's Italian Kitchen is a restaurant for land lovers who want dine with a lake view. The informal pizza place has a variety of Italian favorites and serves beer and wine. It also features a deck with a view of Winter Haven's Lake Spring.
"I love eating here with friends," says Shannon Johnson, a Floridino's customer. "The food is good and it is a lot of fun to hang out on the deck. The lake is really pretty and it is so peaceful out here."
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From left, friends Shannon Johnson, Rebecca Clementi, Ryan Coyne and Kendall Galomb enjoy a pizza at Floridino's restaurant in Winter Haven. Lake Spring can be seen in the background.
Paul Crate / News Chief |
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The menu includes imaginative combinations on pizzas and the largest, most extensive calzones selection, as well as typical Italian dishes, all of which may be enjoyed outside on the recently constructed deck.
"We put the deck in at the end of February," says Mike Floridino, owner of Floridino's Italian Kitchen. "We needed more seating and now we can offer people a beautiful view of the lake. There are nights when the deck is totally packed."
Another eatery that has made the most of its water proximity is Chalet Suzanne in Lake Wales. This famous, upscale resort has a quaint view of its small lake. Well-known as a historic inn and restaurant, Chalet Suzanne has the distinction of making the soups astronauts ate during several space missions.
Formal dinners at Chalet Suzanne are served from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Patrons can enjoy a five-course dinner or eat ala carte from the menu. Prior to or after dinner, patrons may be found on the back portico enjoying the evening air near the small lake.
Residents and visitors to East Polk County often spend the day on the water, some boating from lake to lake through the numerous canals that link together many of the Winter Haven lakes. There are several bars and restaurants along the lakes and canals that serve boat traffic.
Caribbean Bay is a bar and tackle shop on the canal that connects lakes May and Howard in Winter Haven.
"This is a nice place," says Richard Smith, who was recently patronizing Caribbean Bay. "It is right on the water. I love sitting here and watching the boats go by. There is always a nice breeze that blows in, and when the lakes (water levels) are up, there is a lot of activity."
One Sunday each month,NASCAR is honored at the Caribbean Bay. Regular customers bring a covered dish and watch a stock-car race on television. Because the bar only sells 10 percent in food sales, smoking is permitted within its doors.
This lak side watering hole has a drive-through for customers in boats. Those people out on the water who are not ready to dock may simply drive up to the take-out window and order refreshments.
"It has been really nice this year," says Nancy Cooley, owner of Caribbean Bay. "The water has been high enough to let the boats come through. We have done a regular business at the (drive-up) window and at the bar."
Old Man Frank's, across Lake Howard Drive from Caribbean Bay, is another lakeside bar. This one serves food as well as drinks. It specializes in a waterfront atmosphere and bar foods, such as chicken wings, sandwiches and a Mahi Mahi and fries basket.
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Boaters purchase beer from Nancy Cooley at the boat-up window at the Caribbean Bay bar in Winter Haven.
Paul Crate / News Chief |
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If good food with a lake view is desired, Winter Haven has some fine seafood restaurants along its waterways.
Harry's Old Place has a good selection of fresh seafood as well as dinner with a view of Lake Ned. The restaurant specializes in fresh catches and has anywhere from six to 12 dishes of freshly caught seafood to offer nightly. In addition, Harry's Old Place offers scallops, shrimps and oysters, as well as steak and chicken. It is open for lunch Tuesday through Friday and open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday during the summer.
"We are truly blessed that we get to do what we like right here on a beautiful lake in a nice neighborhood," says Ginny Johnston, owner of Harry's Old Place. "We have the Audubon Society right across the way, so we will never be looking at houses across the lake. It will always be a beautiful piece of natural Florida that we see."
Another restaurant that makes the most of its lakeside proximity is the Harbor Side. This landmark eatery on Lake Shipp has been serving customers for decades. A deck overlooking the lake allows patrons to rock out to live music on the weekends. It has boat slips for water traffic as well as indoor dining where seafood platters and sandwiches are served.
The choices are tremendous for lakeside dining in East Polk County. The primary problem for residents and visitors might be which venue to choose.
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