Manuel's Vintage Room

This month (September), we asked local chefs to pick their favorite menu item. Here's what Marco had to say at Manuel's Vintage Room. See the full story, pg. 27.

Filet with goat cheese, $35

Marco Chavez, a chef of 20 years, created the filet with goat cheese specifically for Manuel’s Vintage Room when the restaurant opened three and a half years ago. This popular dish uses a combination of ingredients—a grilled, center-cut, 8-oz filet with roasted red pepper, goat cheese and cream served on a bed of braised arugula—that mesh to make the perfect taste combination. Marco chose this dish because, like the restaurant itself, everything on the plate goes together so well that nothing could go wrong.

Looking for a deal on fine dining? Manuel's offers an excellent $10 early dinner special every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday. From 5-7pm, choose from $10 menu items, $10 bottles of wine and $3 glasses of wine. Don't forget your reservation!

6 S Main St., 352-375-7372

—Stephanie Granada, Photo: Jason Henry