MOUNT DORA COUPLE ENVISION WATERFRONT DINING

The back of the restaurant will have a decks, on off each floor. (Photo by Trish Morgan)

No doubt, Mount Dora offers some of the best sunsets in Florida.   Fortunately, the void of lakefront dining to enjoy them will soon be filled.

A new waterfront restaurant, Boathouse on Lake Dora, is now in the design process.  The targeted opening is currently the end of the fourth quarter of 2017 or first quarter of 2018.  The downtown building sits at the entrance to historic Boat House Row next to Mount Dora Yacht Club.

The interior will have an airy South Beach decor and the restaurant will offer a casual, affordable menu featuring fresh seafood, gourmet burgers, steaks and salads with Caribbean-inspired flavors, according to the owners, Edna and Luis Gonzalez.  

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Owners Edna & Luis Gonzalez at the future site of Boathouse on Lake Dora. (Photo by Trish Morgan)

The couple became acquainted with downtown’s dining scene after they opened Las Palmas Cuban Restaurant over a year ago.   Inspiration to build another restaurant came after receiving frequent comments from customers about the lack of waterfront dining in the city.

The two-story building is already zoned for commercial use and will provide lake-view seating for 150 customers inside.  Additional seating will be on two decks, as well as a tiki bar.    
The approximately 3000 square-foot, family-friendly restaurant will also offer seating around two waterfront fire pits.

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The view from the Boathouse on Lake Dora property. (Photo by Trish Morgan)

The couple purchased the property last week and plan at least $300,000 in improvements.  Upgrades will be made with their neighbors’ input to provide minimal impact, according to the couple.

Boathouse on Lake Dora will provide limited dock space for customers, as well as free valet parking.  The restaurant will seek a variance for off-site valet parking and already has secured a Highland Street lot with approximately 200 spaces that are estimated to be turned over twice a day.  That is expected to yield parking for 400 cars daily.  The valet stand is planned at 4th Avenue and McDonald pedestrian area, so the public can also use the service.   Other downtown restaurants may opt to validate parking to make it convenient and affordable for their patrons.

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