The holidays are in full swing and I am sure every night on your calendar from now until the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve is booked. But if you’re still looking for something to do that’s festive and full of Central Florida charm, then consider this for a perfect Christmas date night…
Whether you’re going on a date, going out with family and friends, or just treating yourself to something nice, visit the Lake Mary City Hall and 4th Street village. This destination makes for a delightful town center. It has evolved over the years and now stands as an example other suburbs should follow.
During the holidays city hall becomes a forest of festive trees. Each trunk is wrapped in strings of lights. Strolling through here is like walking through a candy land forest.
Little vignettes and displays give revelers reason to take pause. Picture perfect moments are everywhere. I visited on a Friday night; countless numbers of families, couples, friends, and solo visitors all appeared to be enjoying all the sights, all around us. There are plenty of places to sit and gather as well.
After a nice stroll, admiring the lights, we headed to Lonnie’s. This is one of the many delightful dining options at the 4th street village. Lonnie’s is intimate with a long bar on one side and a row of banquettes on the other. It felt warm and neighborly. The menu is focused with at least one dish highlighting a main protein, chicken, steak, and pork, but the real stars are seafood based entrees.
Chef Lonnie goes to great lengths to acquire the freshest Florida seafood possible. I choose the island style shrimp. After enjoying a small Caesar salad, the entree was placed before me. The generous helping of shrimp impressed me. The sauce was a little salty but the butter was rich with a hint of smokiness from a few bits of bacon. It was hard not to lick the plate when I was done.
The service was nice and each member of my party thoroughly enjoyed their meal. I look forward to returning to Lonnie’s and perhaps sit at the bar and enjoy some of the great craft beers on draft. Lonnie’s is popular and small so I recommend making reservations. There is also a nice seating around outside if you wish to dine al fresco.
After our meal we walked through the back side of the city hall park. It was a little quieter than the front, but still just as festive. I definitely recommend making some time on your Christmas calendar to take a stroll through the Lake Mary city hall and enjoy the many shops and restaurants in the 4th street village. Happy Holidays!
Lonnie’s Fusion Cuisine
124 N. Fourth St.,
Lake Mary, FL. 32746
407-878-5804
thisfloridalife.com 