$$$$ • Soul food • Lakeland
My wife and I visit several times a year. It’s a bit of a drive, but well worth it. Lakeland has many small shops and high quality dining spots. The Terrace Grille is perfect if you like good food and a very well appointed, historic, venue to stay or dine. Stepping into the Terrace Grille feels like stumbling into a beautifully preserved time capsule. This downtown landmark channels pure Jazz Age energy with a gorgeous 1920s Art Deco redesign that feels high-end but completely welcoming. The eye-catching layout relies on striking black-and-white patterned floors and original, soaring floor-to-ceiling arched windows that flood the room with light. But the real architecture showstopper is overhead: the dramatic, intricately patterned pecky cypress wood ceilings. The overall vibe strikes a balance between vintage "Great Gatsby" glamour and a relaxed, sun-drenched Florida escape, making it a perfect spot to grab a cocktail and soak in a slice of local history. Ask your servers about the history. Our server, Bailey, was gracious and engaging. She sensed our pace and made food recommendations and wine pairings. I had a cocktail to start. She and the bartender delivered a fine Boulevardier.
