This article first appeared on October 8, 2016.

* Win 2-Tickets To: The Pompano Beach Amphitheater Presents Billy Ocean with Special Guest Taylor Dayne.

Real simple game, the first 35 “comments” posted-will be entered in a “blind-pick” with the winner receiving 2-Tickets To: The Pompano Beach Amphitheater Presents Billy Ocean with Special Guest Taylor Dayne (Pompano Beach Amphitheater- Pompano Beach) on Friday, 3/17/17. One “comment” per day- per IP Address!

For you guys who must see this show no matter what, you can catch tickets at pompanobeacharts.org and ticketmaster.com.

The Pompano Beach Amphitheater Presents Billy Ocean with Special Guest Taylor Dayne.
Concert Date: Fri 3/17/17 8pm
Tickets: $35-$95
Billy Ocean
w/ Special Guest
Taylor Dayne

More info www.theamppompano.org or CALL 954-519-5500

The Pompano Beach Amp is proud two present two platinum selling artists in one phenomenal show. Billy Ocean and special guest, Taylor Dayne, will be singing all their classic hits at The Amp on Friday, March 17th.

Billy Ocean has collected a pile of Gold and Platinum records across the world and hit the number one spot worldwide on pop charts including the USA, Australia, Germany, Holland, and the UK.

Born in Trinidad, Billy settled in London’s East End when just seven years old. The calypso crazy kid soon got turned on to soul singers like Otis Redding and Sam Cooke, as well as pop groups like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, leading him to spend much of his study time in the music room.

Billy got his first break when he signed to GTO records, for whom his second single was the Motown-ish “Love Really Hurts Without You,” which reached No. 2 in the UK charts and No. 12 in the US.

Two top twenty singles followed; “Love on Delivery” and “Stop Me,” then “Red Light Spells Danger” became a smash in both the UK and the US.

Billy changed record labels and his move to Jive Records provided instant success, with the million selling American number one single “Caribbean Queen” (for which Billy won a Grammy for best R&B Vocal), followed by “Loverboy” and “Suddenly,” which became the first of Billy’s killer ballads. More hits followed including “When the Going Gets Tough,” “They’ll be Sad Songs,” and “Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car.”

After a break to raise his family, Billy went back out on tour and this year releases his double CD, Here You Are, The Best of Billy Ocean, featuring new tracks along with his classic hits.

Taylor Dayne also racked up an impressive list of hits and will be singing all of her top songs including her number one singles “Tell It to My Heart,” “Love Will Lead You Back” and “Prove Your Love to Me.” In addition to her famous ballads, Taylor will be shaking things up with her classic dance songs including her Billboard Hot Dance hits including “Floor on Fire” and “Beautiful.”

This article first appeared on October 27, 2016.

* Win A $50 The Original Pancake House Gift Card.

Real simple story, Jeff Eats got a $50 The Original Pancake 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 $50 Gift Card is good at any The Original Pancake House (originalpancakehouse.com for locations, menu, info.

Posted on November 23rd, 2009

***** The Original Pancake House, 7146 Beracasa Way, Boca Raton, Florida 33483 (561) 395-2303.
The Original Pancake House is a “pancake house”…think Denny’s, Perkins, IHOP and you got the picture. There are currently, 9 locations in South Florida.

Now…for the report. The Original Pancake House (I tried the Boca Raton location) runs absolute circles around Denny’s, Perkin’s and IHOP. Just so we are straight, anything and everybody runs circles around Denny’s, which “in my humble opinion” is one of the worst run–disgusting chains in all-of-America. On the other hand, Perkin’s and IHOP are decent-enough and serve reasonably priced breakfast and other stuff…

As mentioned previously…The Original Pancake House is the best of breed. Real good eggs, pancakes, waffles, soups, salads, sandwiches. If you are looking for top-notch bagels, bialys, appetizing, this chain ain’t for you. Think rural-America and you’ll do just fine here.

If you need a break (everyone does) from the bagel-deli arena…give The Original Pancake House a shot. The company’s website www.ophsf.fdn.com has menu/prices/locations.

Depending on location..all do breakfast & lunch, some do dinner.

This article first appeared on October 25, 2016.

* Win A $50 Olive Garden Gift Card.

Really not-that important as to how Jeff Eats got a $50 Olive Garden Gift Card 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 $50 Gift Card is good at any Olive Garden location (check olivegarden.com for locations, menu, info).

Posted on January 19th, 2007

***** Olive Garden Restaurant, 22161 Powerline Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33433, (561) 750-0786.

I am going to assume that everyone “here” knows what an Olive Garden Restaurant is. For those who don’t, Olive Garden Restaurant is an enormous ITALIAN RESTAURANT CHAIN which has “tons” of locations in South Florida, not to mention the United States.

Olive Garden has something for everyone. It has soups, salads, appetizers, pastas, pizzas, fish/meat entrees etc. This joint is a “budget shop,” where you get lots-of-food at very reasonable prices. This joint is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.

I recently had dinner at the Olive Garden Restaurant located on Powerline Road in Boca Raton, Florida and I “must” tell you, that the food was “pretty damn good.” Gourmet stuff? Now let’s not get “stupid” here. That said, the lasagna, meatballs, fettucine Alfredo, chicken parmigiana and shrimp primavera that I “sampled,” were not bad…not bad at all.

I usually don’t recommend chain-joints, but I am going to make an exception for Olive Garden. The next time you feel like having a nice, casual Italian lunch/dinner, without “going for your lungs, keep Olive Garden in mind.

***** Ruggero’s Ristorante, 2701 East Oakland Park Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33306, (954) 396-0930.

Real simple tale to tell you guys, last night Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats attended a “Media Dinner” at Ruggero’s Ristorante which opened 3 weeks ago!

Something like- 25 maybe 30 “media types” eating on the arm and I gotta tell you, the served- brusquettea alla burratina, insalata fruition di mare, melanzane napoletana, pappardelle, rigatoni alla bologense, pollo scarpariello, veal scallopini, tiramisu we’re all -right on the money (pun intended). Just between you guys and Jeff Eats the melanzane (eggplant stack), rigatoni alla bologense and the veal scallopini were off-the-chart delicious, as was the in-house freshly baked Italian bread- Jeff Eats used to sop-up the various sauces with!

For the record, Ruggero’s isn’t a $15.95 soup or salad/entree/pasta side/garlic knots- mom & pop red sauce Italian joint. Separate full bar area, white table cloths, real-pro wait staff. By the way, Jeff Eats is thinking that you won’t need a second job to pay the bill and that your tee shirt/shorts/flip flop ensemble works- if that’s the way you want to play it!

Like I said, “on the arm”- that said, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats were so impressed with the food and service, that we both agreed, comp or no comp- we would definitely recommend Ruggero’s to friends and make plans to eat there again!

You can check menu/prices/info at ruggerosfortlauderdale.com.

Ruggero’s Ristorante is open Monday-Saturday 5pm-11pm. Closed Sunday.

* Win A $50 Outback Steakhouse Gift Card.

Real simple story, Jeff Eats got a $50 Outback Steakhouse 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 $50 Gift Card is good at any Outback Steakhouse (outback.com for locations, menus, info).

Posted on January 19th, 2007

***** Outback Steakhouse, 6030 Southwest 18th Street, Boca Raton, Florida 33433, (561) 338-6283.

Earlier today, I did a “writeup” on Olive Garden which is an Italian-chain with locations all over the United States. If you read my thoughts on Olive Garden, you know that I rated it “pretty good.” Anyway, I “got to thinking” about other chains that dot our South Florida area and decided to tell you about Outback Steak. If you don’t know about this chain (in a nutshell), it is a mid-price steakhouse which has the full “gamut” of other stuff like seafood and pastas. I am sure that sometime during the past 10 years-or-so, you have heard or seen an Outback commercial which has annoying actors with “heavy duty” Australian accents chatting-up the food. Nothing for nothing, but everytime I hear an Outback commercial I think of that (now late) crocodile guy who was always annoying the crap out of some animal on tv.

Anyway, over the years I have eaten in at Outback Steak more than 10 times. If you check, I am sure that you will find an Outback “somewhere” close to your home. Just so you know, those 10 “dinners” were split between the Outbacks in Boca Raton, Coral Springs and Delray Beach.

Outback’s food is not bad. Actually, for the price the steaks, seafood, appetizers, salads etc., are a very good value. The only problem that I have with this joint and IT IS A VERY BIG PROBLEM, is that literally every item on the menu is over-seasoned with SALT. When I eat at this joint, I make it my business, to tell the wait-staff to MAKE SURE THAT MY FOOD IS NOT OVER-SALTED.

If you like SALT…Outback is for you. If you don’t like SALT and are not inclined to tell the wait-staff your “preference”…Outback is not for you.

Outback Steak is open 7 days a week for dinner.

* Rocky LaPorte & Bobby Collins.

This article first appeared on June 7, 2016…Jeff Eats just checked the Boca Black Box- box office and there are only a handful of tickets left for both LaPorte (Friday 11/4-8pm) and Collins’ (Friday 11/18-8pm & 10pm) upcoming shows. The bet here is that when the smoke clears, SRO is in the cards- so if you wanna go- do what you gotta do!

For tickets check bocablackbox.com and goldstar.com (discount tickets).

Posted on June 7th, 2016
* Rocky LaPorte & Bobby Collins.

There is an old Vietnamese saying- “The Early Bird Catches The First Worm”…

With the above in mind, two of America’s funniest “clean” national headlining comedians Rocky LaPorte and Bobby Collins were just booked to appear at the Boca Black Box! LaPorte- Friday, 11/4 (8pm), Collins- Friday, 11/18 (8pm)!

Trust me, I “know” that today is June 7th and LaPorte and Collins aren’t coming until November (some 5 months away)-that said, both comedians are absolute must sees and guaranteed both shows will be SRO situations!

Call it a “heads-up” or whatever you’d like, but you guys should make it your business to get tickets…

The Skinny:

Boca Black Box
8221 Glades Road #10, Boca Raton, FL 33434
Box Office: 561.483.9036
Tickets: bocablackbox.com goldstar.com (check for discount tickets)

from bocablackbox

Rocky traveled with Drew Carey to Iraq to entertain the troops and was seen on the Showtime special Patriot Act: A Jeffrey Ross Home Movie. Rocky has filmed his own Comedy Central Presents special and was voted the network’s second most popular comedian in a nationwide poll. He has performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and appeared on A&E‘s Evening At The Improv and VH1‘s Stand-Up Spotlight, along with sitcom appearances on Cheers and his own NBC pilot called the Rocky LaPorte Show.
Rocky has opened for the likes of Garry Shandling, Drew Carey, Tim Allen, Louie Anderson, Hootie and the Blowfish and the Righteous Brothers, just to name a few. His clean, blue-collar style of comedy continues to increase in popularity as he travels the country.

from bocablackbox.com

Comedian Bobby Collins has an ability to truthfully translate the human condition. Audiences across the country relate to his comedic characterizations as he exposes the humor of day-to-day situations as well as serving up resplendent rants on world events.

Through precise physical timing and impeccable audience insight, he has honed his talents while performing from hole in the wall clubs to sold out theaters. Bobby Collins’ rise to top headlining, comedic master was inevitable. His true dedication to his craft is what keeps his vibrant shows consistently sold out.

A native New Yorker, Collins possesses a confidence and genuine everyman likeability that can only be earned. He knows what it’s like to work a day job, in order to pursue a dream. He’s flipped his share of burgers, as well as signing on as a substitute high school history teacher, to pay the bills – all the while performing in comedy clubs at night.

After heeding a conversation with his father, with some trepidation, he ventured into sales. Settling into the high fashion industry. A detour that proved so successful, that in the 1980’s he had risen to Vice President at Calvin Klein. It was there that he found himself faced with a life changing decision; remain here or chuck the security (and more than substantial steady income) for the uncertain challenge of heading out on the road – to pursue his dream of becoming a professional, full time stand-up comedian.

It was a decision he’s never regretted.

Realizing his dream has given Bobby the opportunity to tour with titans of entertainment like Frank Sinatra, Cher, Julio Iglesias and Dolly Parton. As a professional stand-up comedian, he’s worked alongside friends, Chris Rock, Ray Romano and Drew Carey, as well as many others. Rosie O’Donnell specifically requested that Bobby take over as host for Stand-Up Spotlight. Collins is widely regarded as a “comic’s comic.”

Through his personal appearances at Comedy Clubs, Theaters, Corporate and Charity events, coupled with innumerable television appearances on legendary shows like Letterman, The Tonight Show with both Jimmy Fallon and Jay Leno, Collins continues to add new fans of all ages to his loyal base of diehard followers.

It is his relationship with his audiences that results in sold out shows everywhere he makes an appearance. What you see is what you get – Collins is the same man on and off the stage. Bobby Collins has a genuine love for what he does. With such skillful dissection of everyday life, he weaves his uproarious storytelling with effortless flair and charisma as he successfully dismantles any and all socioeconomic, race and age divides. As evidenced by his birthday performance for Chelsea Clinton at the White House, to appearances in US embassies and USO shows abroad. Night after night, Bobby Collins masterfully reflects the hilarious truth – we’re all in this together!

Bobby currently has 5 CD’s, 3 DVD’s and a new special slated for early next year.

With the critically acclaimed publication of his first book, “On The Inside – Witisms and Wisdomisms by Comedian Bobby Collins” we learn, through his personal and professional tragedies and triumphs, what has shaped his beliefs. With humorous recall, Bobby recounts his search for balance between career and family. The Boca Black Box is thrilled to welcome their friend, Bobby Collins, back to the stage this November!