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 The
Greenhouse Restaurant, located on Old Route 441 in Mt. Dora, has a
history as a restaurant in the area for almost 60 years. According to
Lisa Lau, daughter of owners Betty and Carl Lau, the restaurant was
known as Turner's Greenhouse around 1945. At one time, it became a fine
dining establishment, featuring jazz and blues music, as well as a bar
area. It was closed down for a few years until the Lau's purchased the
restaurant 17 years ago, and it has been a thriving business to this
day.
Lisa explained that the Laus, who owned a couple of restaurants in
Melbourne, Florida, were on their way out of town when Mrs. Lau saw the
building and decided to purchase it. They began serving breakfast and
lunch for about one year and then realized the need to add dinner to
their menu.
Aside from a basic menu, several daily specials are featured, and vary
between lunch and dinner. On the day we lunched there, we both selected
corned beef and cabbage. It came with boiled redskin potatoes and
carrots. Rolls and cornbread were also served on the side.
 Most
entrees come with a choice of two sides, and there were about 16 side
dishes from which to select. Broiled chicken or broiled catfish were
$5.45 on the luncheon menu. On that day, an 8 oz. strip steak was $9.95,
crab cakes were $10.95, and stuffed peppers were $6.45 on the dinner
menu. These choices also came with a selection of two side dishes. Salad
plates, soup and sandwiches, as well as hamburgers are always available.
The Greenhouse Restaurant has three or four large aquariums with dozens
of tropical fish swimming about, a pleasant diversion while enjoying
one's food. Service was very efficient and there is ample parking around
the building. It was seat yourselfÓ when we visited and there were
tables as well as booths scattered around several areas. Of course, many
diners like to occupy a table close to one of the large aquariums, since
there are so many different kinds of fish to watch.
The restaurant offers take-out food and can accommodate groups, as well.
They are open from 6:00 AM until 8:30 PM. On Mondays, they close after
lunch at 2:30 PM, and are closed altogether on Sundays. [end]
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