Imagine this: Your parents are in town and the sky's the limit with your dining options. No more ramen noodles and Easy Mac. Your mom thinks you eat too much sodium so they’ve agreed to take you anywhere you’d like in Gainesville for a delightful family reunion.
But where do you take them? From when they’ve been here before you’ve taken them to the classics, like Dragonfly and The Swamp, but if you’re looking to take your parents deeper into Gainesville culinary culture there are three places that truly stand out to me.
Popular among graduate students The Top, a restaurant in downtown Gainesville, has become a hip bar and restaurant known for its pretzel bun burgers and fantastic sandwich options. Though the wait may be up to two hours on a really busy night (I’d suggest going on a Sunday night to avoid this), there’s still plenty to do in downtown Gainesville while you are waiting for your table. The Top has a very indie-chic bar that you can take your parents while you wait for your table. Last time I went I spent the entire time explaining to my parents what a “hipster” was. My meal of choice at The Top, when you finally get a table, is the pesto gnocchi with sun dried tomatoes and pine nuts. The dish is fantastic and very filling. I always end up taking home extra to eat the next day. So, it’s basically a buy one get one free meal in the end.
Another restaurant favorite of mine is The Fat Tuscan. Located a little bit more north than The Top, The Fat Tuscan is built inside an adorable old house that will allow your parents to see a wonderful part of residential Gainesville and have great food while they are at it. The appetizers are pretty small so you can convince your parents to basically get every appetizer there. My favorite is the roasted garlic and spinach dip appetizers. The regular menu is filled with delicious fish and pasta dishes but some of the best meals I’ve had are the specials. All of the restaurant’s ingredients seem fresh and the feel seems very comfortable. Also, The Fat Tuscan does take reservations, so you can be sure to plan ahead.
Paramount Grill is another one of my favorites. I took my mom here when she came into town and they gave us a perfect table for people-watching near the window and were helpful on telling us the tips of getting through the unique, yet intriguing menu. Reservations are accepted by phone, which is a plus considering many restaurants in Gainesville do not take reservations. My suggestion is to order a fish dish. And though because Gainesville is so inland fish may scare you, the fish from Paramount Grill tastes just as fresh as something you’d eat right near the shoreline in a fishing village.
These three restaurants are sure to get you out of your comfort zone when your ‘rents come for a Gator game or two. And the best part of it all? Eat up. Because your parents are probably paying.
