To our loyal guests, friends, families, team members, and the entire Lakeland community,

After much thought and consideration, we have made the difficult decision to close Ovation Bistro & Bar in Lakeland.

We won't bore you with the circumstances that led us here. Instead, we want to focus on what matters most—our heartfelt and joyful gratitude for every person who has supported us throughout this incredible journey.

Over the years, Ovation Lakeland became much more than a restaurant. It became a place where families gathered, friendships were formed, milestones were celebrated, and memories were made. We have been honored to be a small part of so many special moments in your lives.

To every guest who walked through our doors, thank you. Whether you joined us once, made us your weekly tradition, celebrated life's biggest occasions with us, or simply stopped by for a meal and a smile, you helped create something truly special. Your support, loyalty, and kindness have meant more to us than words can ever fully express.

To our incredible team members, both past and present, thank you for your passion, dedication, and hard work. You are the heart of Ovation Lakeland, and the relationships built within these walls will always be cherished.

From Joel & Fernando:

"As combat-disabled veterans, service has always been at the center of who we are. While our uniforms changed, our commitment to serving others never did. Ovation Bistro & Bar gave us the opportunity to continue serving—this time through hospitality, community, and friendship. As we close this chapter, we do so with grateful hearts. We are incredibly proud of what was built here, but even more grateful for the people who made it possible. The friendships, conversations, celebrations, and memories we've shared with this community are gifts we will carry with us forever. Thank you for welcoming us into your lives, supporting our team, and allowing us the privilege of serving you. Lakeland will always hold a special place in our hearts."

While this location's story is coming to an end, the memories created here will live on. We leave with no regrets—only appreciation, pride, and gratitude for the amazing community that embraced us from the very beginning.

A special thank you to Jim, Mark, and the entire Claussen family for their incredible support, encouragement, and friendship throughout our journey. They are truly among Lakeland's finest people, and their generosity and kindness have meant more to us than words can express.

If you've ever wondered why their furniture stores carry the the word Fine in its name, now you know—it stands for integrity, trust, and a genuine commitment to the community, https://www.claussensfurniture.com.

We would not have made it this far without their support and belief in us. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you, Jim, Mark, and the entire Claussen family for being such an important part of our story.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being part of our story.

With sincere gratitude,

Joel & Fernando Rodriguez
Ovation Bistro & Bar questions or concerns please contact us at [email protected]