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BEHIND THE SCENES AT 'BAR RESCUE' IN MOUNT DORA

5/18/2017

Owner Rich Marinacci (far right), along with his sons, brother and bartenders are blindfolded prior to reveal. (Photo by Mount Dora Buzz)

Over three dozen crew members descended into the quaint, historic town of Mount Dora. Typically, film crews visit the town to film the well-known landmarks of the favorite tourist destination, but this shoot was different. Much different.

The Spike TV crew was documenting the transformation of Sidelines, a fledgling Mount Dora bar and restaurant, for an episode of a reality show.

The owners of the restaurant had applied to Bar Rescue, a show that provides expertise and renovations to bars on the brink of closing. The straight forward host, Jon Taffer, often dishes out harsh criticism to establishments on the brink of closing.

Taffer combines his keen observations with market research to develop changes to help make the restaurant profitable. The show’s various crews work feverishly for 36 hours to implement the plan, re-train (and stress out) the staff, change the menu, re-brand the business, and complete renovations. During those hours the back of the restaurant was littered with trailers and tents of makeshift workshops.

Then it was time for the big reveal.

The event lured well over a hundred residents and Bar Rescue fans to stand on the sidewalk for hours last night in front of the family-owned restaurant, as the production crew worked diligently to get the angles and footage required.

Bar Rescue's production designer Laura Rhoades inside Lake House.

Eventually, a large van rolled into the parking lot, with owner Rich Marinacci, family members, and employees inside, all blindfolded. Once their backs were to the restaurant they removed the blindfolds. Taffer peppered them with questions about their personal experience with the stressful process and alluded to their difficulties. All agreed it was a wake-up call.

(See all the photos from Mount Dora's "Bar Rescue")

Finally, it was time for the owners and employees to get a glimpse of Sidelines’ new exterior. The cheesy, bold colors were painted over with warmer, more sophisticated colors to match the restaurant’s new name and brand: Lake House.

The redesigned interior features warm, wood tones reflective of the residential feel Taffer sought, according to Laura Rhoades, the show’s production designer. The bar is wrapped in shiny corrugated metal and topped with a warm wood counter. Above the bar hang three large televisions. Sports team merchandise has been replaced with fishing decor and photos.

Before entering the restaurant, patrons were instructed to be very mindful of the many sizeable cameras and booms roaming the interior. Should a head come up against a camera, the head would surely lose. Customers were also told not to look straight into the camera lens or risk looking like a dork on national TV. Time will tell who didn’t heed the warning.

Once inside and seated, patrons watched as Taffer joked and mingled with guests while Marinacci worked the front of the house and the film crew buzzed around from one side of the restaurant to another throughout the night.

(See all the photos from Mount Dora's "Bar Rescue")

The revamped menu features basic seafood, burgers, sandwiches, wings and salads at reasonable price points geared to the local market. The most intriguing items are the burger with butter-poached crabmeat and caramelized onions ($10.95), the hand-rolled soft pretzels ($5.95) and the spicy clam pizza ($13.95). The show’s mixologist also developed new cocktail recipes which were also reasonably priced.

Fans and patrons line the sidewalk waiting to be seated inside.

The dramatic transformation was met with unanimous awe and approval, and patrons were still enjoying the new vibe at 11 pm.

The next stop for the show’s crew is a Sanford bar in need of rescue.

According to Spike TV, the episode’s air date has not been determined yet, but is expected for late summer or early fall. Mount Dora Buzz will let readers know as soon as it’s announced.

You can visit Lake House at 315 N. Highland Street in uptown Mount Dora.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here. Find out what's happening locally with just a tap on your phone by downloading the area's free mobile app. Monthly issues of Mount Dora Buzz are available here.

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MOUNT DORA HOSTS BLUES FEST MAY 20

5/8/2017

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Central Florida blues fans have a stellar weekend ahead when the Mount Dora Blues N Groove Festival kicks off in downtown Mount Dora on May 20th.

Entering its ninth year, Mount Dora Blues & Groove continues the annual tradition of bringing fabulous blues music to the Mount Dora waterfront. The event experienced tremendous growth in the previous five years by featuring renowned artists Leon Russell, Chris Simmons, Thomas Wynn & the Believers, The Devon Allman Band, John Mayall and Ana Popovic, among others.

The festival brings together a diverse line-up of artists representing different styles of the blues genre. Headlining the event is West Coast blues veteran John Clifton. A Florida favorite, The Nouveaux Honkies’ music has been described as “bubbling Americana gumbo of country roots and Texas swing.” Long time blues circuit favorite, JP Soars and the Red Hots, keeps the blues alive with his high energy guitar style. The industrial blues of the north is represented by Detroit native Doug Deming and The Jewel Tones, a modern swing band with a heavy blues edge.

The Blues N Groove is 12 p.m to 6 p.m. at Evans Park on the downtown lakefront. Specialty foods, craft beers and full service liquor will be available. Tickets are available at http://bluesandgroove.com

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here. Find out what's happening locally with just a tap on your phone by downloading the area's free mobile app. Monthly issues of Mount Dora Buzz are available here.

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TOP LOCAL CINCO DE MAYO FIESTAS

5/4/2017

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So just how does one celebrate the 1862 Mexican defeat of the French? Margaritas specials are just the tip of the sombrero.

Here's some local Mexican restaurants ready to welcome you to their fiestas:

EDUARDO'S LOKOS TACOS
$5 top-shelf tequila shots, $3.95 house margaritas, well drinks and sangria all day in the bar, $5 new top-shelf specialty drinks, 5 pork or chicken flautas, plus a DJ and bounce house for the kids.
226 W Alfred St, .Tavares

FIESTA GRANDE
All day 2-4-1 house margaritas, well drinks, draft beer and wines.
421 N. Baker Street, downtown Mount Dora

SOL DE MEXICO
Free tequila shots, 2-4-1 Margaritas, cerveza grande $3.50
125 N. Bay Street, downtown Eustis

At time of publication, these were the only restaurants responding with specials, but there are likely more Please have fun, but don't drink and drive.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here. Find out what's happening locally with just a tap on your phone by downloading the area's free mobile app. Monthly issues of Mount Dora Buzz are available here.

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MOUNT DORA SELECT NEW CITY FLAG

5/1/2017

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It’s a first for historic Mount Dora, the central Florida town that has long been identified by its quaint charm and New England vibe. Now the city has its own flag that captures its uniqueness.

The city’s recent flag contest garnered 58 creative entries. The winner was chosen by Mount Dora City Council members on April 20. Laura Varich, a local resident and a pediatric radiologist, submitted the winning design. Read more

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Arts & Entertainment

BEHIND THE SCENES AT 'BAR RESCUE' IN MOUNT DORA

MOUNT DORA HOSTS BLUES FEST MAY 20

TOP LOCAL CINCO DE MAYO FIESTAS

MOUNT DORA SELECT NEW CITY FLAG

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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