Mount Dora Business and Real Estate

Top 3 local U-pick blueberry farms

4/1/2022

Locally, it’s become a favorite season of the year and this year’s blueberry season in Lake County kicked off in late March and is expected to continue through May.

The top three local U-pick farms currently have prices that range from $4.95 to $5.00 per pound for the sweet and nutritious treat. Eager blueberry lovers should pick to their heart’s content since blueberries are widely considered a “super food” that’s low in calories and high in nutrients and antioxidants.

Here's the list of local U-Pick blueberry farms and their current price per pound and u-pick hours:

atwood family farm

25079 SE Hwy 450, Umatilla, 352-630-0145
This farm's blueberry season opens April 2.
U-pick days and Hours: Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting.
Prices: U-pick blueberries will be $4.95 per pound and pre-picked berries are $13.00 per two-pound container.

The farm has a new market at its entrance that will be open 7 days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for those wanting to buy pre-picked berries, sunflowers, homemade fudge, roasted nuts, and more. There will also be farm activities and special events on select weekends during blueberry season.

Blue bayou farms (organic)

8222 CR 48, Yalaha, 352-267-5277
U-pick days and hours: Tuesday and Thursday, as well as every weekend from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Prices: $5.00 per pound for U-pick and $7.00 per pound for pre-picked berries.
Customers are asked to please wear close-toed shoes for picking.
Blueberry season ends around the end of May but the farm’s crop varies every year.
The farm will also have blackberries ready for picking in May.

far reach ranch

1255 South Dora Blvd., Tavares, 352-343-7389
U-Pick days and hours: Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Prices: U-pick $5.00 per pound for U-pick. $6.50 per pound for pre-picked berries.
The farm also sells jams, honey and blueberry wines, and on select weekends it features food vendors, music, a kids zone and a full bar.

Due to weather and field and berry conditions, U-pick hours and pricing can change, so it's recommended that pickers call the farm prior to visiting.

For more local business news and events, follow Mount Dora Buzz on Facebook. Free subscriptions to the monthly issue of Mount Dora Buzz are available here. For more news in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, download the area's free mobile app.

Mystic Ice Cream introduces spiked ice cream to Eustis

4/1/2022

0 Comments

Ice cream is an old-school treat enjoyed by young and old, but a new Eustis shop has taken it to another level. Mystic Ice Cream not only features traditional ice cream, but also dishes out adult-only flavors with different liquors incorporated into the recipes.

Mystic Ice Cream, with its vibrant hippie vibe, recently opened its third Lake County location in the heart of downtown Eustis. The cozy shop typically offers 32 flavors daily, half of which are traditional family-friendly flavors. The other half include one ounce of alcohol per serving.

On a recent visit, Mount Dora Buzz sampled many unique flavors and it was tough to pick a favorite, but Mystic Slide (similar to a Mud Slide shot) and the Oreo Cookie Dough flavors were right up there. Their best-selling flavors of traditional ice cream are the Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl, Black Jack Cherry and Butter Pecan, according to owners Darrell and Lisa Day. For adults wanting something stronger, the best-selling spiked flavors are Mystic Slide, Chocolate with Kahlua and Amaretto, as well as the Butterscotch Crunch, which is vanilla ice cream with Heath Bar crunch and butterscotch schnapps. All of the ice cream is made by hand at the company’s nearby Fruitland Park location.

Lisa is in charge of ice cream operations and has perfected two new flavors of her own. One is the seasonal Hog Heaven, a creamy take on the popular maple and bacon profile. Her other new flavor is the spiked Crown Apple Betty, which is a vanilla ice cream with Crown Royal and apples. While she’s busy with the ice cream, Darrell, a trained composer and pianist, handles the stores, as well as the popular game nights at the larger Fruitland Park location.

In addition to cups of ice cream, Mystic Ice Cream also serves sundaes, shakes, malts and floats, plus larger containers of ice cream, but it does not offer cones.

The couple has expanded the company quickly after purchasing the 10-year-old Fruitland Park location at the end of 2019. Prior to the new Eustis location, the Days also opened a location in downtown Leesburg and added a tie-dyed ice cream truck as a mobile shop. The brightly colored truck features 16 flavors and can be scheduled for special events. As a result of its expansion, the independent chain now sells 400 gallons of ice cream monthly, up from 180 monthly at the time the Days purchased the single location. Darrell credits his dedicated employees as being an important part of the company's growth and success.

Mystic Ice Cream’s new location is at 38 East Magnolia Street in downtown Eustis and is open seven days a week from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.

If you know of an area eatery that you think Mount Dora Buzz should visit, please let us know by contacting us here.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here. Discover the area's online entertainment calendar here. Also download the area's free mobile app.

0 Comments

New Mexican restaurant brings unique dishes to Eustis

4/1/2022

When it comes to local Mexican cuisine, there were few options other than the ubiquitous TexMex. A new Mexican restaurant in Eustis has changed that by creating authentic dishes that are unique in the area.

La Perla Tapatia, which opened in April, has quickly distinguished itself from other local Latin eateries by cooking up flavorful house specialities as well as customary Mexican dishes. Traditional favorites include enchiladas, street tacos, grilled fish tacos, chicken en mole, and el costeno (Mexican shrimp cocktail). El Playero (grilled salmon with mushroom, carrots and broccoli), Ceviche Aguachile, and Estilo Jalisco (braised and seasoned brisket) are some of the less common Mexican dishes that are featured.

On a recent visit, we tried the flaming Fogon Tapatia with seasoned grilled steak, pork, chorizo, chicken and naples (cactus) served with rice, refried pinto beans and fresh guacamole. The dish easily served two people and all of the proteins were seasoned and cooked perfectly. The naples were a nice surprise, since this traditional dish is often missing from more Americanized menus. We also tried the El Manotas (grilled octopus) which can be a tricky dish to cook properly. The chef at La Perla didn’t disappoint, delivering a tender, well-seasoned and perfectly charred dish that was served with a special poblano rice and delicious cabbage salad. The Birria tacos (seasoned braised brisket) are quite possibly the best beef tacos around.

La Perla Tapatia, the nickname of the city of Guadalajara, also creates some of that region's signature dishes including La Valentina (diced ribeye in green tomatillo sauce) and Torta Ahogada (a sandwich with pork, beans and onions). There are also ample vegetarian options available like Tostadas Rancheras, veggie tacos, enchiladas, fajitas and salads.

Presently, the bar offers housemade sangria and a selection of beers. However, sometime in April the restaurant is expecting to have its full liquor license and feature traditional and contemporary Mexican cocktails.

Last, but certainly not least, are La Perla’s rich desserts. Our favorites were the traditional cinnamon churros and the sweet Mexican cornbread. Both are served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

The friendly owners of La Perla, Luis de la Torre and his wife Selene Rodriquez, and their partner Ed Meza, have decades of experience in the restaurant industry. Their goal was to bring a different type of Mexican cuisine to Lake County. From its diverse menu, friendly service and the passionate owners, it’s clear La Perla will keep its guests coming back.

The restaurant is located at 2060 S. Bay Street in Eustis and is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. If you know of an area eatery you would like Mount Dora Buzz to try, please let us know by contacting us here.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here. Discover the area's online entertainment calendar here. Also download the area's free mobile app.

Creativity to bloom at Mount Dora's Vintage Garden Show

4/1/2022

0 Comments

Spring has sprung and the warmer weather means more time in the garden.

This season’s inspiration for all types of gardens will be sprawled under the oaks in Mount Dora at the annual Vintage Garden Show held on April 2 & 3. The annual, two-day event will host local and out-of-state vendors selling everything from up-cycled outdoor decor, fresh herbs and plants, architectural wrought iron, vintage patio furniture, as well as a mix of curiosities just waiting to be repurposed.

The Vintage Garden Show runs both days from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Renningers Antique Center located at 20651 US 441 in Mount Dora. Admission and parking are free and food is available for purchase.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here. Discover the area's online entertainment calendar here. Also download the area's free mobile app.

0 Comments

Business Buzz

Top 3 local U-pick blueberry farms

atwood family farm

Blue bayou farms (organic)

far reach ranch

Mystic Ice Cream introduces spiked ice cream to Eustis

New Mexican restaurant brings unique dishes to Eustis

Creativity to bloom at Mount Dora's Vintage Garden Show

BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE

Archives

Categories