Awesome Bowl, Thank You Island Fin Poke

Diced raw fish, time to talk poke!

Poke bowls have been a favorite of ours since discovering them in Hawaii. When Island Fin Poke opened in The Villages, we were there. 

A rock n roll band entertained Brownwood Paddock Square as we walked to dinner. The song, Under The Boardwalk, made me hungrier. My kind of song!

Colorful, inviting, popular - words that came to mind upon seeing it. Looks like Hawaii… looks comforting… a large dinner crowd suggests they see it as I do. 

Building a bowl is fun. Tell the server your idea of delicious, then watch them make it your reality. Why doesn’t it work that way when I ask my boss for a raise?

Making choices can be daunting. Here, it is literally impossible to choose wrong. Rest easy, let us make our choices:

A base of rice, spring greens, or both. Me, I’m watching carbs, spring mix, please. 

Tuna, salmon, chicken, spam and other proteins from land or sea will entice you. One or more, as you desire. Me, spicy tuna and lots of it, please. 

Crunchy, spicy, or sweet veggie mix-ins will give your creation texture and pop. Me, let’s start with jalapeños, please. 

Marinating sauce, do not skip this offering. Go for Shoyu, Ponzu or other sauces easier to pronounce. Me, island fin fire sauce, please. 

More toppings can’t be wrong so point to many more. Me, chili oil, crispy onions, pickled ginger, wasabi peas and toasted coconut for starters, please. 

OMG we aren’t done! Finishing sauce time. The togarashi will entice your need for sesame and honey. Me, something new, Jamaican cream, please. 

Time to eat! I’ll be back after I devour this carefully architected bowl, I promise. Excuse me. 

A bowl of awesome, that’s my review. 

Until the next time I visit and create a whole new bowl of awesome. 

A bit more about Island Fin Poke. Locations can be found in 14 of our United States. Their website has a nutritional calculator if you care to enter all your choices and see just how healthy of a poke bowl artist you are. Their Instagram has almost 2,000 mouth watering posts of why you should try this place. 

Enjoy the poke, enjoy the awesome, at Island Fin Poke! 

#islandfinpoke #thevillages #restaurantreview #pokebowl #awesome 

Awesome Apple Fritter, Thank You Donut King

Jerry & Linda of The Villages Florida Newcomers recently shared their favorite Donut King finds. Linda held her hands out wide demonstrating their apple fritter. 

Oh Really, Linda? Ok. I shall judge for myself. 

Driving south on 14th Street in Leesburg Florida the bright tri-color awning catches your eye. The smell strokes your curiosity. The sign, Donut King, dares you to stop.

To be declared awesome, what must an apple fritter be? 

Light, it must seem weightless in the hand. Upon lifting if your dense-dough alarm is triggered, look for a muffin. 

Sight, a vast amount of diced apples must be in plain sight. If you see glaze and haze, consider a jelly filled. 

Texture, smooth and uniform is not to be accepted. Great technique equals crispy elegance. If undignified roundness is your score, just get a small coffee. 

Aroma, the scent of apple pie spice erases all doubt you are in America. Forget about that fritter heritage Wikipedia would have you believe, just inhale and place your order already. 

A frisbee, a Donut King apple fritter is the size of a frisbee. Size can be impressive. Size can also be incapable. Awesomeness cannot yet be awarded. 

Aroma, yes, I feel America wash over me. Is that Lee Greenwood I hear? 

Sight, yes, I see apples left, right, and center. Can I take a bite now? 

Light, yes oh so light. No need to look at the other treats for sale. Wait, did someone just order gumbo?

Texture, yes, won’t be slipping from my grip. An artist created this. Has respect been earned?

To Linda, and the world, I declare the Donut King apple fritter to be AWESOME! 

A bit more about Donut King. They make their donuts by hand daily. A wide variety of popular favorites and unique creations live at their three locations. It is said that if you do not see what you seek, Donut King will make it for you. I’ll put that offer to the test, someday. 

More than just donuts are on the menu. Their own castle burger and New Orleans fare awaits those curious enough to take the dare. 

I dare you to find awesome at Donut King. 

#thevillagesfloridanewcomers #donutking #leesburgflorida #applefritter #donuts #restaurantreview #awesome #leegreenwood #america #applepie #castleburger #gumbo #neworleans