This article first appeared on November 27, 2013. It made sense in 2013 and it makes sense in 2018.

Posted November 27, 2013

* What Not To bring To The Thanksgiving Table.

Jeff Eats “caught” this one this morning in the Huffington Post…
*****

What Not To Bring To The Thanksgiving Table

Thanksgiving is one of those loaded-for-bear holidays. We overeat, we over-drink, we overwatch football, and speaking anecdotally, we overbook appointments with our therapists for the Monday after. Families, they just do that to you sometimes, you know?

To help get you through the holiday, we have these suggestions of what not to bring to the Thanksgiving table:

1) Your eating habits.
Sure you can skip all the meat dishes, as well as anything with gluten, sugar or nuts, but how about just doing it quietly? Most Thanksgiving tables are laden with enough food to feed a small army, so pick your spots. Just don’t make a big deal about it, OK?

Both you and your mom will feel better if you skip the eye roll when she offers you the turkey drumstick even though you have been a vegetarian since college. Did she just forget, or is she taking a happy walk down Memory Lane when you were a little kid and used to make her promise the drumstick was yours, all yours?

As for everyone else, your hosts have spent a lot of time, energy and money on this feast. In the spirit of the holiday and in recognition of their effort, how about just buttoning up the lecture on why you feel so much better now that you are gluten-free and let the rest of us enjoy the stuffing in peace?

2) A dish without asking.
I like to claim credit for inventing the pot luck, but I suppose sharing the burdens of meal preparation was something the cavewomen came up with. But before you just bring something, please check what your hostess needs. That or she will wind up with four green bean casseroles, as I once did. And damn my kids for liking the one our Alabama guest made better than mine. She opened cans of green beans, cream of mushroom soup and fried onions and just kind of tossed it all together. I’ve never been able to serve my kids the fresh organic bean dish since.

3) A bottle of wine.
Don’t bring a bottle of wine; bring two. One is your contribution to the meal and the other is for your hosts to enjoy later. Bringing a hostess gift is a long-lost tradition that should be revived. Especially if I’m the hostess. Pinot Noir, please.

4) Your sense of entitlement.
Thanksgiving is when we remember what we are grateful for. Make sure that people are grateful for you and grateful you are there. You do that by genuinely being interested in what Uncle Bob has to say, showing real happiness that your cousin just got into a better college than the one you went to, and that your divorced sister just got engaged to a really great guy while the seat to your left remains empty. Adopt an attitude of gratitude for what you have and put all other feelings aside.

5) Your rotten childhood or any other baggage.
Most of our problems don’t start at the Thanksgiving table. And we shouldn’t bring them along. Thanksgiving isn’t the time to ask for money, nor is it the time to point fingers of blame on things in your life that aren’t going so swell. Seriously, save that for Christmas. And remember, you already have the therapist booked for Monday.

* HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

This contest started on 11/17/18. This contest has a winner.

* Win A $10 McDonald’s Gift Card.

Real simple story, Jeff Eats got a $10 McDonald’s Gift Card to give to one of you guys!

The game- the first 20 “reader-comments” received – will be entered in a “blind hat pick”! You can submit as many comments as you’d like but- Please, only 1- reader comment – per day…play fair!

The $10 Gift Card is good at any McDonald’s location (mcdonalds.com for locations, menu, info).

* Brava Oven.

Jeff Eats recently “saw” a new counter-top kitchen product- the $995 Brava Oven in action!

Now, I’m no Alexander Graham Bell or Thomas Edison- but I’m telling you guys that the Brava Oven and its “pure light” cooking technology is going to revolutionize the kitchen-oven industry!

Like I just said, I’m no Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison or for that matter even Betty Crocker- I’m just telling you guys if you want a look into the future- checkout brava.com.

* Free Tickets To See Comedian Tony Rock.

Now- you guys and Jeff Eats both know that if the Palm Beach Improv could get $20-$35 a ticket plus a 2 drink minimum it would- for Rock’s Thanksgiving Day Weekend- shows, but obviously it can’t, so it will settle for just the 2 drink minimum…

In any event, Tony Rock is a real funny guy and puts on a great show…

The Skinny:

Comedian Tony Rock

Palm Beach Improv
550 Rosemary Avenue
West Palm Beach, Florida 33410

Friday, 11/23/18- 7:30pm
Saturday, 11/24/18- 7pm & 9:30pm
Sunday, 11/25/18- 7pm

Box Office/Info: (561) 833-1812
Free Tickets Online: palmbeachimprov.com (use code: TGIVING)

from palmbeachimprov.com

Tony Rock:
Born in the same Brooklyn, NY hospital where most of his seven brothers and one sister found their way into the world, Tony Rock was born laughing. He grew up in one of the toughest neighborhoods in New York and developed a natural knack for entertaining.

“On a daily basis I’d see a dozen characters (and I emphasize the word characters). One moment, I’d be fighting for my life. The next minute I’d be laughing hysterically. There’s a lot of drama in the city and I took it all in.”

Tony has been performing for years and he has gained a reputation as a young star in the making. The Hollywood Reporter recently picked him as one of the hot young talents to come out of New York.

Tony just finished shooting the film “Three Can Play That Game” with Vivica Fox in Atlanta and recently wrapped his fourth season of “All of Us” on the CW, playing the role of Dirk Black. He starred in the films “Life Support” with Queen Latifah, and “Homie Spumoni” with Whoopi Goldberg and Joey Fatone. He is currently featured on the TV screen as the host of TV One’s “The Funny Spot”.

Tony’s stand-up comedy talents were showcased in the recent revival of “Def Comedy Jam” on HBO. He was previously the host of “Can You Tell?” on Oxygen, and a feature reporter on “Battlebots”. He’s also been featured on Howard Stern, Extra, and Craig Kilborn. Tony can be seen headlining comedy clubs across the country, including Caroline’s, the Apollo, the Laugh Factory, and the Comedy Store.

This contest started on 11/13/18. This contest has a winner.

* Win A $15 Cecilie’s Gourmet Italian Ices Gift Card.

Jeff Eats got a $15 Cecilie’s Gourmet Italian Uces Gift Card to give to one of you guys…

The game- the first 20 “reader-comments” received – will be entered in a “blind hat pick”! You can submit as many comments as you’d like but- Please, only 1- reader comment – per day…play fair!

The $15 Gift Card is good at Cecilie’s Gourmet Italian Ices- 1799 Northwest 2nd Avenue, Boca Raton, Florida 33432, (561) 571-1281 and 19726 Wiles Road, Coral Springs, Florida 33076, (954) 753-2727.

***** Pete’s Pizza, 1441 South Nova Road, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114, (386) 253-3707.

Got a real good pizza joint for you guys to checkout- Pete’s Pizza in Daytona Beach.

Real simple tale to tell…

Yesterday, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats were up in Daytona Beach and around 2:25pm- we were craving- some pizza and some guy named Alphonse or maybe it was Mohammed (sorry, I don’t really recall) working behind the counter in a Chevron Gas Station Mini-Mart recommended that we try Pete’s Pizza, a hole in the wall “mom & pop” red sauce Italian joint where you order at the counter/pickup at the counter, handful of tables, pizzas/ calzones/salads/ wings/ pastas/ hot & cold subs/ entrees menu, open Monday-Saturday 11am-11pm/Sunday 1pm-10pm, menu/prices at petespizzadaytona.com.

Let Jeff Eats wrap Pete’s Pizza up for you guys by saying, Alphonse’s call (or maybe it was Mohammed’s call) was right on the money- with the New York Style Pizza (thin/crisp/sweet sauce/nice oil drip) and the Philly cheesesteak we threw in for good measure both being off the chart delicious!

For you guys who like a drop more “flesh”- on your Jeff Eats’ tales, sorry- no can do, just dynamite- pepperoni cheese pizza and Philly cheesesteak- before the drive home to Boca!

This article first appeared on 9/18/18. Just checked the Boca Block Box box office (bocablackbox.com) and goldstar.com (discount tickets) and there are a handful of tickets available for Greg Hahn’s 11/21/18 (8pm) Boca Black Box show. No bs- this guy Hahn is off the chart funny. Don’t miss him!

Posted on September 18th, 2018

* Comedian Greg Hahn.

If you wanna see one of the most brilliantly- funny comedians currently working America’s comedy club/casino/resort/event circuit- then you gotta go see Greg Hahn!

Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats recently saw Hahn’s stand-up act at the Boca Black Box- and I am telling you guys, the man is a phenomenally funny comedian!

Don’t miss him!

Just announced…

Comedian Greg Hahn

Wednesday, November 21st, 2018 (8pm)
Boca Black Box
8221 Glades Road Suite #10,
Boca Raton, Florida 33434
Box Office: 483.9036
Tickets: bocablackbox.com check goldstar.com for discount tickets

from bocablackbox.com

A favorite on the nationally syndicated Bob and Tom Radio Show. He has appeared on Late Night with Conan Obrien, Comedy Central, CBS, ABC, FOX, MTV and CMT. Greg Hahn has parlayed his absurdly energetic, all out style of physical humor, one liners and crowd work into a performance of immediate pandemonium and continuous laughs. His unique stylings have led to numerous television, corporate and theater appearances throughout the US and Canada. Greg was raised in South Florida where in high school he amused the Catholic nuns by poking holes in his pockets enabling pencils to shoot out of his pant leg. As a college basketball player, his enjoyment of half court shots earned him a sweet spot on the bench.As a Captain in the Marines Corps, Greg kept his men highly motivated and could not overemphasize that camouflage is continuous. While a buyer for Lockheed Corporation, he thought why make $200 a day, when I can be a comedian and make that in a week .After several serious jobs where he refused to be serious, Greg turned pro as a stand up comedian and landed a job as emcee for a theme park lumberjack show. This supplied him with four audiences a day, intoxicated ax swinging lumberjacks, and a log rolling dog. Soon afterwards, he worked as stuntman in the Wild Wild Wild West Stunt Show at Universal Studios. For $20 an hour, I would run out and get hit in the head with a stick, perfect! He continually honed his style of comedy then headed to New York City. While in New York, Greg developed into a touring headliner and costarred in the independent film Tomorrow Night which premiered at theSundance Film Festival. Then, after successful shows at the Montreal and Chicago Comedy Festivals, Greg enjoyed television appearances on Late Night with Conan OBrien (NBC), Premium Blend (Comedy Central), Make Me Laugh (5 episodes, Comedy Central), Louis CKs Pulp Comics (Comedy Central), 30 Seconds to Fame (Fox), Cedric the Entertainer Presents (Fox) and Star Search (CBS). When appearing on Star Search, Greg was spotted by Tom Griswold of the nationally syndicated Bob & Tom Radio Show. Greg has since established himself as a favorite guest on the show and starred on the Bob @ Tom Comedy Central Special. He also headlines the Friends of The Bob @ Tom Theater Tour, which included a stop at the Las Vegas Comedy Festival. A return appearance to the Montreal Comedy Festival along with the Halifax Comedy Festival and wild appearances on Country Music Televisions Comedy Stage, Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen and running for president on TOSH.O (Comedy Central) have added to Gregs popularity. Greg now lives in Los Angeles where he continues to infiltrate the TV and movie biz with the intention of buying a llama farm and a kitchen fish tank.

***** DISH OF THE WEEK (Sunday- 11/18/18- Buon Appetito Cafe).

One of Jeff Eats’ favorite menu items…

CHICKEN PESTO RAVIOLI
$15.00

Buon Appetito Cafe
6314 Corporate Court
FortMyers
(239) 433-0117
restaurantftmyers.com/
Latest Review: 8/7/12

First told you guys about Buon Appetito Cafe way-back on 8/12/12. All I can tell you, if this joint was in our Boca Raton neighborhood, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats would be real steady customers. Over the years Buon Appetito Cafe has seen our American Express Card something like 6- times and each and every outing was right on the money!

Buon Appetito Cafe is open Monday-Friday 11am-9pm/Saturday 3pm-9pm/closed Sunday.

Posted on August 7th, 2012
***** Buon Appetito Cafe, 6314 Corporate Court, Fort Myers, Florida 33919, (239) 433-0117.

Last week Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats were visting some friends in Fort Myers-and they took us to dinner at Buon Apetito Cafe…a small, mom & pop, red sauce Italian joint. AND we are really glad that they did. First of all, my buddy picked-up the check and secondly all four of us had a terrific meal.

When you check Buon Appetito Cafe’s website www.buonappetitocafe.com you will find menu/prices/tons of photos and a video.

Buon Appetito is a “rarity” in that it does Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner…When was the last time you saw an Italian joint do-breakfast? Buon Appetito is open Monday-Saturday 9am-9pm, closed on Sunday.

Let’s talk food…large plain pizza ( 16″ -$12)–veal parmigiana ($15)–grouper piccata ($16)–sausage & peppers ($13), penne ala vodka ($13), chocolate cannolli ($2.50). First things first, Buon’s menu isn’t exactly huge, but no question in my mind, everybody in your party is gonna find something real good to eat. The pizza was absolutely delicious. It “looked” like it was coal fired but it wasn’t. It was made on a pizza stone, was well done/thin crusted/crisp/sweet sauce—one of the best pizzas I’ve had in a very long time. The veal parm was real good and only a fork was needed to cut it. The grouper piccata and the sausage & peppers were good but not in the veal or pizza’s league. The penne ala vodka was delicious up there with best of breed. The entrees came with a house salad, a pasta marinara or choice of vegetable… The salad was good and the spaghetti marinara side was really-good. The joint serves a delicious home-made ciabatta and it was perfect for sopping up the penne ala vodka sauce. As for the chocolate cannolli, Jeff Eats never met a chocolate cannolli that he didn’t like…suffice it so say, I loved this home-made one.

If I have my facts straight here, the joint has two owners…Alex Cervasio and Gabe Ermmarino. From what Jeff Eats could tell, they greet every customer coming through the front door and make it their business to stop by every table during the meal. Just so we are on the same page here, this isn’t a gourmet fancy schmantzy joint. It’s small and your tee shirt/shorts/flip flops ensemble will do well here. Nothing for nothing, but when Jeff Eats was there, it seemed like the owners “knew” everybody in the joint. Now, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats “knew” that we had never been there before—the friendliness and easy-goingness of the owners and staff makes for a real-pleasant time.

Like I said before, Jeff Eats did “dinner.” A review of the breakfast menu finds breakfast sandwiches and omelets—interesting no bagels! The lunch menu is loaded with pizzas, subs, wraps and salads.

If I got one bitch with Buon Appetito Cafe it’s that it isn’t by- my house…kinda a big schlepp to Fort Myers from Boca.

To -all of you folks who live or work in Buon Appetito Cafe’s neighborhood…this joint is a winner…and I’m jealous!

This contest started on 11/12/18. This contest has a winner.

* Win A $25 Walmart Gift Card.

Jeff Eats got a $25 Walmart Gift Card to give to one of you guys…

The game- the first 40 “reader-comments” received – will be entered in a “blind hat pick”! You can submit as many comments as you’d like but- Please, only 1- reader comment – per day…play fair!

The $25 Gift Card is good at any Walmart location (walmart.com for locations, info).