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Old depot whets travelers' appetite

By GEORGE SANCHEZ
Published March 19, 2007

INVERNESS - Sink your teeth into a slice of pizza at Poppy's Parkside Restaurant, and you're not only getting a tasty slice of pie, but you're biting into local history.

Poppy's occupies one of the county's landmarks: the old railroad depot on N Apoka. It's next to the Withlacoochee Trail.

"I'm told this building is one of the oldest - if not the oldest - commercial structures in daily operation in Citrus," said Angela Bjarnason, who operates the new restaurant with her husband, Bill.

Poppy's Parkside opened late last month and is already catching on with local diners.

"They've come by boat, by airplane, by car and by bicycle," said Bill Bjarnason.

By airplane?

"A guy landed a small airplane out on the lake, got out on shore and came over here to eat," he said.

Many boaters on Lake Henderson take advantage of the landing at nearby Liberty Park to pick up an order from Poppy's.

The restaurant commands a great view of Liberty Park and Lake Henderson.

The Withlacoochee State Trail runs within a few feet of Poppy's front door, which also makes it popular with the bicycling crowd.

Poppy's accommodates nature lovers with an outdoors dining pavilion that seats about two dozen.

Inside, 42 diners can sit and enjoy a variety of Italian dishes while basking in the ambience of local history.

The old depot retains as much of its original character as is possible, and it's a lot. The outside still looks like a depot.

Inside, there are wood floors, and railroad memorabilia dots the walls.

The food is above-average Italian fare, including baked ziti, lasagna, manicotti, spaghetti and pizza. All the recipes are Angela Bjarnason's.

Her husband, Bill, who has a lifetime of restaurant experience, had the task of converting the recipes from family servings to restaurant portions.

The service is smooth, with a well-trained and knowledgeable wait staff, a rarity for a newly opened restaurant.

Jorge Sanchez covers arts and entertainment in Citrus. Contact him at sanchez@sptimes.com or 352860-7313 or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505 ext. 7313.

If you go

Poppy's Parkside Restaurant, 300 N Apopka Ave., Inverness, next to Liberty Park. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Noon to 7 p.m. Sunday. Call 344-4559.

[Last modified March 18, 2007, 20:08:18]