We have been to The Copper Pot several times since we moved to Ocala. What brings us back is that it has a unique dining experience that fits these criteria: intimate, quiet, interesting drinks and gourmet snacks with the whole package being budget-friendly!
Again, this is a case of don’t judge a book by its cover. We have found that with the exception of dining establishments in the downtown area, all the best places to go are in strip malls. If you want a free standing restaurant, you will generally have to eat at a chain restaurant. However, when you walk into The Copper Pot, you know that you have found a unique spot. The ambience is definitely there, every room has a low light and all the furnishings are done in dark wood colors with jewel toned fabrics. There are beautiful flower arrangements everywhere. If you decide to spend your evening in the lounge area you will sit in nice plush booths with the focal point of the room being the beautiful copper bar. Everything is sleek, shiny and stylish.
If you are looking to have a drink, The Copper Pot is known for its huge martini list. I would have to say, with the exception of the unique, inventive martinis at The Ocala Wine Experience, the martinis at The Copper Pot are the best we’ve had in Ocala. The first time we were there we sampled the White Blizzard, a creamy white martini made with vanilla vodka, white crème de cacao and garnished with toasted coconut. It was a perfect dessert martini that washed down our small plates of pork with caramelized onions and tortellini perfectly! The next time we went, I sampled the Copper Martini made from gin, orange liqueur and campari. It was refreshing and suited its name well – not only was it copper in color but it was served in a copper stemmed martini glass and garnished with an orange slice (see the picture above - it is not the best picture, but it was taken with our camera phone). It was the perfect accompaniment to the Caribbean Shrimp in a curry macadamia nut sauce – divine! Roberto was in the mood for a beer and he loves Guinness and lucky for him The Copper Pot has a nice stout on tap that is very reminiscent of Guinness with a smokier flavor. But it satisfied Roberto’s craving!
So, the next time you are looking for a quiet, intimate evening spent with your honey, try The Copper Pot. Tuesday night is a good time to go if you want to avoid crowds, by about 10 PM the lounge does start to fill up, but the crowd is quiet so you are still able to carry on a conversation at your table. However, if you are looking for some entertainment to go along with your martini and snacks, try going on a Friday night – there is always some kind of live music!
Whether you are looking for an intimate spot for dinner, martinis or a gourmet snack, The Copper Pot is a sure bet!
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