* Dark Star Orchestra.

Real simple story…Dark Star Orchestra- one of America’s premier Grateful Dead “tribute bands” is coming to the Pompano Amphitheater on Friday Night- February 12, 2016.

Tickets go on sale this Friday, 10/23/16 at 10am at pompanobeacharts.org.

from pompanobeacharts.org

Dark Star Orchestra – Tickets on Sale Friday 10/23 at 10am!
Buy Tickets: pompanobeacharts.org

“The Dark Star Orchestra re-creates Grateful Dead shows with a flashback-inducing meticulousness.” – The New Yorker

Performing to critical acclaim worldwide for nearly 15 years and over 2000 shows, Dark Star Orchestra continues the Grateful Dead concert experience. Their shows are built off the Dead’s extensive catalog and the talent of these 7 fine musicians. On any given night the band will perform a show based on a set list from the Grateful Dead’s 30 years of extensive touring or use their catalog to program a unique set list for the show. This allows fans both young and old to share in the experience. By recreating set lists from the past, and by developing their own sets of Dead songs, Dark Star Orchestra offers a continually evolving artistic outlet within this musical canon. Honoring both the band and the fans, Dark Star Orchestra’s members seek out the unique style and sound of each era while simultaneously offering their own informed improvisations.

Dark Star Orchestra offers much more than the sound of the Grateful Dead, they truly encapsulate the energy and the experience. It’s about a sense of familiarity. It’s about a feeling that grabs listeners and takes over. It’s about that contagious energy… in short, it’s about the complete experience and consistent quality show that the fan receives when attending a Dark Star Orchestra show.

Dark Star Orchestra has performed throughout the United States and Europe. They continue to grow their fan base by playing at larger venues for two and even three night stands as well as performing at major music festivals including Bonnaroo, All Good Festival, Gathering of the Vibes, Mountain Jam, Summer Camp, Wakarusa and 10,000 Lakes. In addition, Dark Star Orchestra hosts its own annual gathering, Dark Star Jubilee, where they headline three nights and are joined by a mix of established and up and coming national touring acts.

Fans and critics haven’t been the only people caught up in the spirit of a Dark Star show. The band has featured guest performances from five original Grateful Dead members Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzmann, Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay, Vince Welnick, Tom Constanten and even toured with longtime Dead soundman, Dan Healy. Other notable guests have included Mike Gordon and Jon Fishman of Phish, Keller Williams, Warren Haynes, Steve Kimock, Peter Rowan, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot and many more. Visit their website- darkstarorchestra.net.

Parking directions:
From I-95:
Take I-95 and get off on Atlantic Blvd. and head east. Turn north onto N. Dixie Hwy / 811. Take a right onto NE 10th St. Follow concert signs.
From US-1:
Take US-1/N. Federal Hwy to NE 10th St. and head west. Follow concert signs

* FALL FEST 2015,

This one looks real-good!

Just between you guys and Jeff Eats… “stuff” like this, is why some of you no longer live in freezing-cold, Marlboro. New Jersey (if you like, you can fill in your own town/city/state)?

The Skinny:
Royal Palm Beach Commons Park
11600 Poinciana Drive,
Royal Palm Beach, Florida 33411
(561) 790-5140
Free Event:
Friday, October 30th (5pm-10pm)
Saturday, October 31st (1pm-10pm)

from royalpalmbeach.com
Fall Fest 2015

Friday, October 30 & Saturday October 31st!!

Join us on Friday, October 30th & Saturday, October 31st at Commons Park. Evoke that nostalgic feeling of a community festival as we kick off the fall season with great family fun.

Activities consist of a Saturday morning “Right to Fright” 5k costume run, and live entertainment by the “Blues Brothers Soul Band”, a Blues Brothers Tribute performing on Friday night.

On Halloween night enjoy a memorable “Tribute to Michael Jackson” a live singing and dancing show that will embrace both a musical and vocal style, making the performance of the King of Pop a Saturday night ‘Thriller”. The park will be filled with a variety of food vendors, a line-up of Beer vendors, and Fall Crafts. Kids of all ages can enjoy interactive Carnival Rides, a Pumpkin Patch, and a Petting Zoo. Trick or treat each night at the park. Come aboard Blackbeard’s Pirate Ship for a memorable photo opportunity. Halloween costume contests for all ages, with a special category for your favorite pet on Saturday.

For more information, please call the Cultural Center at 790-5149

* Sam & Jack A Concert Celebration of American and British Classic Rock.

Simple real easy tale to tell…

Breeze- a four piece Rock n Roll band – that arguably is one of America’s best 60s-70s cover/tribute bands is gonna play for close to 2-hours!

Trust Jeff Eats on this one, this band is absolutely amazing-good!

The Skinny:

Saturday Night- October 24, 2015 at 8pm
Boca Black Box
8221 Glades Raod
Boca Raton, Florida 33434
(561) 483-9036
Tickets: bocablackbox.com (check goldstar.com for discount tickets).

from bocablackbox.com

A classic rock show that pulls from both sides of the pond, Sam and Jack stars tribute band BREEZE, a Florida foursome who channel legendary acts from both America and Britain. With uncannily spot-on vocals and pinpoint musicianship, their set brings tracks by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jethro Tull, Neil Young, Cat Stevens and many more to Boca Black Box. Travel back in time at a concert celebration of some of the greatest music ever recorded, where “Sam” refers to America’s Uncle Sam, and “Jack” refers to Union Jack AKA the flag of the United Kingdom

* Andrea Bocelli.

God only know what these tickets are gonna go for!

A recent e-mail received from reader Susan about Shanghai City Chinese Restaurant in Boca Raton.

Susan says…
C’mon ,,, give the place another shot. Sure, subbing tofu for anything is wrong, but lots of dishes were ALMOST New York quality. And they do have chairs, lol, so you can dine-in.

_________

Susan:

Jeff Eats’ “review” dated February 21, 2011 on Shanghai City Chinese Restaurant is re-printed down below.

To answer your question…Only a fool would give a restaurant that tried to cheat him a second chance…and Jeff Eats is nobody’s fool!

Thanks for reading.

Posted February 21, 2011
Shanghai City Chinese Restaurant, 7860 Glades Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33434, (561) 482-1321.

At the suggestion of a few of you guys…Jeff Eats gave this Chinese joint a shot.

Mediocre Chinese food at best.

What really pissed me off…one of the dishes ordered- “Seafood Hot Pot” ($19.95) was to “contain” shrimp, scallops and lobster meat. When the dish arrived, the kitchen had substitued cubes of TOFU for the lobster. When questioned, the waitress after checking with the kitchen said– “The kitchen was out of lobster, so they put tofu in instead.”

This joint won’t ever see Jeff Eats again.

***** Giant Pizza, 7019 Taft Street, Hollywood, Florida 33024, (954)-963-2273.

Got a real good pizza joint for you guys…Giant Pizza in Hollywood.

Real simple tale to tell,

Yesterday, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats’ friends Richie and Lynn- had something like 30 people over to their Hollywood-house to watch- some Sunday football!- the food served came from Giant Pizza in Hollywood! Just so you know, Giant Pizza is basically a “takeout” but does have a couple of tables inside/and a couple outside if you insist on eating there.

The food ordered included…philly cheesesteak/ meatball parmigiana/ chicken parmigiana/ sausage & peppers parmigiana/ tuna salad subs- chef/antipasto salads- NY Style cheese/Sicilian pizzas- garlic rolls, boneless breaded buffalo wings, zeppoles, cannolis and I gotta tell you, I really enjoyed Giant Pizza’s food! I’m also thinking, that everyone else- also liked the food because they were like Mahatma Gandhi- breaking a fast! Now for sure, free is always good- but Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats did contribute a cheap bottle of red wine and a large Publix fruit-platter to the mix- so it wasn’t exactly a free-outing! To their credit, everybody – brought something- cakes, wine, booze, beer, pastries…and a real-real good time was had by all! Like I said, I enjoyed Giant Pizza’s stuff- with its 30″ New York Style cheese pepperoni pizza being -a really cool “sight”…the freaking thing was huge and delicious!

Now- Jeff Eats appreciates that my “eating” was done buffet style- with a load of friends-a load of noise-but trust me, the food was real solid…no ifs, ands or buts- I would definitely “patronize” Giant Pizza if the joint was in my-neighborhood!

For menu/prices/info- giantpizzaflorida.com.

Giant Pizza is open:
Mon, Tues, Thurs 11:30am-9:30pm
Fri, Sat 11:30am-10:30pm
Sun 12:00pm-9:00pm
Wed Closed

* 13th Annual Feast of Little Italy.

Jeff Eats has been going to this “feast” at the Abacoa Town Center in Jupiter, for years…terrific food, rides, crafts, entertainment.

This year the Feast takes place on:

Friday- November 6, 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Saturday- November 7, 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
Subday- November 8, 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Admission $7.00
​Discounted Multiple Day Passes Available
Children 12 & Under Free
Free Parking

For information check feastoflittleitaly.com.

I do have one question for the Feast’s-organizers…

How in the world- other than for the fact that he’s Italian and looks like his brother Sylvester Stallone- did you end up with Frank Stallone as your headline act? In a million years, I can’t picture anyone on your entertainment committee-waking in the middle of the night saying, “We gotta book that Frank Stallone right away, people will go nuts when they hear he’s coming.”

* Stephan.

Real short story,

Last night Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats went to a terrific Bar Mitzvah Party at the Woodfield Country Club in Boca Raton…

During the cocktail hour- one of the best slight of hand/closeup magicians that I have ever seen- kept the crowd of 200 absolutely amazed!

The magician’s name- Stephan.

From what I understand, the guy works restaurants/clubs/casinos/festivals/amusement parks/private events all over Florida.

Trust Jeff Eats, this Stephan- guy is off the chart good!

Just between you guys and Jeff Eats, later to day I’m gonna call Stefan and see if he can make one of my pain in the ass neighbors disappear! If he can’t or won’t -I got some old friends in Brooklyn who are also sort’a in the “disappearing” business-that I can call!

You can check Stefan out at… mybagoftricks.com.

***** DISH OF THE WEEK (Sunday- 10/18/15).

One of Jeff Eats’ favorite menu items…

LARGE CHEESE PIZZA (16″)
$13.95

Thick & Thin Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria
23062 Sandalfoot Plaza Drive
Boca Raton
(561) 482-7020
thickandthinpizza.com
Latest Review: 8/17/14

Real easy story to tell you guys, Thick & Thin makes an outrageously delicious New York Style Pizza- thin crisp/sweet sauce.

The joint is an absolute hole-in-the-wall with a handful of tables/booths.

Thick & Thin has been around since 1979- so Jeff Eats is thinking that “people”-must really like its pizzas, pastas, subs, calzones, meat/chicken/seafood entrees!

When you eat there, don’t let the “takeout” traffic bother you- it’s sorta- like the Lincoln Tunnel going to Jersey- on a Friday night around 5:45pm!

Try Thick & Thin- it’s real good!

__________

Thick & Thin Restaurant & Pizzeria (Boca Raton)
Posted on August 17th, 2014 · Boca Raton Italian Pizza

***** Thick & Thin Restaurant & Pizzeria, 23062 Sandalfoot Plaza Drive, Boca Raton, Florida, (561) 482-7020.

Just got back from eating dinner at Thick & Thin.

The last time Jeff Eats ate there was 5/10/2008…talk-about out of sight, out of mind!

If you check Webster’s Dictionary under Terrific-Mom & Pop-Hole In The Wall-South Florida-Red Sauce-Italian-Joints…you will find Thick & Thin’s picture listed!

Looking for delicious pizza, veal parmigiana, meat lasagna, garlic knots, meatballs and spaghetti?- then make it your business to eat at Thick & Thin!

With the above in mind, printed below is Jeff Eats’ review from 5/11/2008.

*****

Thick & Thin Restaurant & Pizzeria (Boca Raton)
Posted on May 11th, 2008 · Boca Raton Italian Pizza

***** Thick & Thin Restaurant & Pizzeria, 23062 Sandalfoot Plaza Drive, Boca Raton, Florida, (561) 482-7020.

Thick & Thin has been around since 1979.

There is an old saying, “Out of sight, out of mind.” When I first moved down to South Florida 16 years ago, Thick & Thin was one of the regular “mom & pop” red-sauce joints that got my business at least once or twice a month. Over the years, for one reason or another, Thick & Thin became an “out of sight, out of mind joint.” Now don’t hold me to this, but until last night, I think the last time I was in Thick & Thin was something like 7-8 years ago. Why I forgot about this joint?…I don’t know.

Anyway…last night I ate dinner in this hole-in-the-wall and I have to tell you, that the food is as good as when I was a regular customer. Great pizza…veal parmigiana…veal francese…veal marsala…You know the drill, soup or salad, entree, side of pasta and garlic rolls…

Thick & Thin is located in a shopping center on 441 in Boca Raton. The CVS is out of business…The Winn Dixie is out of business…Many other vacancies, yet this little joint which seats about 50 was jammed and the take-out business was booming.

This is a real casual joint, so tee shirts/shorts are the dress of the day. Like I said before, Thick & Thin has been around for something like 29 years, so obviously even without my patronage it has been doing just fine.

This joint is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner and by the way, in the center there is a great car wash Express Car Wash that for 8 bucks gives you one of the best exterior washes going.

Great NY Style Pizza and a Great Car Wash…courtesy of Jeffeats.com

***** DaVinci’s of Boca, 6000 Glades Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, (561) 362-8466.

First things first…

DaVinci’s of Boca is located in Town Center of Boca Raton- which is a regional mall. Just between you guys and Jeff Eats, this Italian joint couldn’t be in a worse location- no visibility from any road, no foot traffic to speak of…whatever real estate agent/mall representative “convinced”- or – “allowed” Davinci’s owners to open in this spot, should be ashamed of his/or herself and seriously consider taking a business ethics course at FAU!

Anyway,

Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats recently “did” dinner-and I gotta tell you that DaVinci’s which opened about a-year ago is a great looking “semi”- upscale Italian restaurant with both indoor/outdoor patio seating. In addition, the joint has a full bar area, private party room! On the food front- the calamari fritti, lasagna bolognese, chicken parmigiana, zuppa di pesce which we ordered, were real good!- The wait service was as professional/pleasant as could be. Just so there is no misunderstanding, DaVinci’s of Boca isn’t a “mom & pop” red sauce joint (soup or salad, garlic rolls, entrée with pasta side $14.99)- its prices aren’t bargain basement, but trust Jeff Eats- I’m thinking that-you won’t need a second job to pay the bill!…Oh! by the way, though DaVinci’s of Boca is semi-upscale, your tee shirt/shorts/flip flops ensemble works!

Let me wrap this up for you guys, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats-really enjoyed the food/service. The real story here- as crazy as it may seem…it pisses me off no end-when I see restaurant owners who obviously went for some heavy cash-to build a joint- who do a real nice job in serving up solid food/service- get “hoodwinked” into locations that stink!

Give DaVinci’s of Boca a shot…

The joint is open Monday-Thursday 11am-10pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-11pm, Sunday noon-10pm.

You can check menu/prices at davinciofboca.com.