***** Tavolino Della Nonna, 10181 West Sample Road, Coral Springs, Florida 33065, (954) 509-0046.

Recent e-mail from reader Melissa G.

Jeff Eats,

My father and mother who live in Coral Springs are celebrating their 55th wedding anniversary on February 23, 2015.

My husband and I live in Miami and we are planning on taking them out for a great dinner.

We want to stay close to their home and any type of cuisine will work.

If this makes sense to you, we are looking for not too fancy, not too expensive but something really nice.

Your thoughts.

Thanks in advance,

Melissa G
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Melissa G:

Got the perfect place for you guys…Tavolino Della Nonna.

Reprinted down below is Jeff Eats’ “take” on the joint.

March 6, 2013
***** Tavolino Della Nonna, 10181 West Sample Road, Coral Springs, Florida 33065, (954) 509-0046.

Back on July 18, 2009 I told you guys about a terrific “semi-upscale” Italian joint Tavolino Della Nonna in Coral Springs. The original writeup is reprinted below.

Since that “story” appeared some- 4 years ago–Jeff Eats has eaten in Tavolino something like 4-5 times. In all honesty, until last Friday night, the last visit was probably well over a year ago.

Anyway- to make a long story short, last Friday night Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and another couple ate at Tavolino. The food was as good as the “first” outing and the owners and staff just as engaging and competent. The “update” here is–that Tavolino’s owners recently spent some-big bucks expanding the joint having added an entire “wing” dedicated to entertainment. The night Jeff Eats was there, a jazz group was entertaining a huge crowd.

Let me end this thing by saying, I highly recommend that you guys try this joint. It really has everything going for it…delicious food, terrific service, very reasonable prices–and now, a “night-club” atmosphere for those of you looking for something that you normally don’t find in an Italian joint in the heart of Coral Springs.

Posted on July 18th, 2009 · Coral Springs Italian
***** Tavolino Della Nonna, 10181 West Sample Road, Coral Springs, Florida 33065, (954) 509-0046.

Last night I ate in Tavolino Della Nonna…a terrific white tablecloth Italian joint located in Coral Springs. Just so you know…A couple of you guys wrote to me and told me that I had to try this joint…so, old Jeff gave Tavolino a shot.

Anyway…Tavolino has been in business for something like 2-years. For you GPS types out there, it is located on Sample Road, within short walking distance of both Pizza Time and DeSalvo’s the well known “red sauce” joints. Tavolino is-not a pizza joint…it’s a semi-upscale restaurant with both indoor and outdoor patio seating…but don’t worry your tee shirt-shorts ensemble will work. At this juncture take a look at Tavolina’s website www.tavolinorestaurant.com for menu/prices/photos.

Like I said before, semi-upscale, but the guys running this joint make you feel like an old friend…when you eat there, you’ll see what I am talking about. The owners–shall we say, are very visible and make sure that everything is running just right. Last night, I watched as they made the rounds to each and every table, kibbitizing (in an Italian restaurant?) and making people “try” this and “that”…

Before I talk food, let me tell you about a cute “idea” that the joint has decor-wise…one little side room, is decorated Ralph & Alice Kramden, 328 Chauncey Street…there is a formica table circa 1955 that seats 6-maybe-8…so if this type of thing floats your boat, call ahead and reserve that “table.”

Onto the food…last night I “tried”– meatball appetizer ($11), tortellini appetizer ($13), veal parmigiana ($23), chicken scarpariello (on bone) ($21), snapper almondine ($23), grilled chicken/pasta ($17)…the food is absolutely delicious.

Just so you know…Tavolino isn’t a $13.95-$16.95 soup or salad-entree-pasta side-garlic rolls joint…there is no pizza, subs, calzones or stromboli. Figure on spending–something like 40-50 bucks a head for a great meal. Trust me on this one, the food runs absolute circles around most of the Italian joints down here. I know that the ala carte menu may “scare” some of you guys…the house salad is big enough to feed two as are the side pasta dishes, so if you order the “right way” you won’t have to get a second-job to pay the tab. Our waitress was super-helpful on “picks” etc…last night, they had a “strolling” magician who worked all the tables…how he changed those $1 bills into $100 bills is beyond me.

Since I am on the Hollywood Cookie Diet, I passed on dessert. I will tell you, that the dessert tray looked absolutely incredible and that everything including the joint’s bread are made in house.

You guys know that I eat in Italian joints all the time…I am telling you, that Tavolino is one of the better restaurants in South Florida. You definitely want to try this one.

Tavolino is open Tuesday-Thursday 11am-10pm, Friday 11am-11pm, Saturday 4pm-11pm and Sunday 4pm-10pm, the joint is closed on Monday.

***** DISH OF THE WEEK (Sunday- 1/25/15).

One of Jeff Eats’ favorite menu items…

GYRO ON A PITA
$9.25 (comes with Greek salad or French fries)

Jimmy The Greek Taverna
8221 Glades Road
Boca Raton
(561) 477-3272
jimmythegreekrestaurant.com
Latest Review: 12/31/10

Real simple, Jeff Eats has been eating at Jimmy The Greek Taverna for years. The joint definitely has- one of the best gyros in South Florida. Actually, everything that this joint makes is delicious. Jimmy The Greek Taverna does lunch and dinner and has a real-loyal following-so don’t be surprised if you gotta wait to get a table!. The restaurant is in a miniscule strip center, so set your GPS-this way you won’t get lost or nothing!

***** Williams Candy.

See this joint…it’s right next door to Nathan’s Famous- in Coney Island.

Williams Candy has been in business for over 75 years.

Jeff Eats has been a customer for 61 of those 75 years. Now for sure, my 22 year South Florida residency has hindered my consumption…that said, at least once a year for the past 22 years- I’ve either been to the store, or had stuff “delivered” to me down here in South Florida…so I know, that Williams’ candy apples are amazing, same for its caramel corn, same for its marshmallow balls and sticks.

You want great stuff…just call the number on Williams’ sign- place your order-and Williams will ship-to-you! By the way, the sign and awning aren’t “originals”- 61 years ago Williams didn’t “do” ice cream and the-“thought” of an ATM was something right out of a Buck Roger’s comic book!

You can check Williams’ stuff out at candytreats.com

Trust Jeff Eats when I tell you…off the chart-good! Just watch those front teeth- when you bite into those apples.

Now let me get to this package that I just got!

* Eddie Capone.

Real simple and short story for you guys…

Last night, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats and 381 of our closest friends saw a terrific comedy show at the Woodfield Country Club in Boca Raton- headlined by Grammy nominated Comedian- Bobby Collins…Comedian- Eddie Capone opened.

Collins and Capone worked “clean” and killed for close to 2-hours! Their respective acts-perfectly complemented one another.

I just wanted to mention- that Capone, himself a Boca Raton resident, regularly appears at South Florida clubs/casinos/events- is a performer- that you definitely should make it your business to go-see. Trust Jeff Eats on this one, Capone’s’ opening 35 minutes was headliner- quality…the guy really knows how to work a room!

You can check-out Eddie Capone’s schedule/video/info at eddiecapone.com.

* 7TH ANNUAL STMC PIG OUT.

Jeff Eats’ buddies over at Burger Beast (burgerbeast.com) assure me that the 7th Annual STMC Pig Out- is gonna be an awesome event.

Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats are “game”- we’ll be there-tomorrow…pigging out (pun intended)!

Printed down below is Burger Beasts’ “pearls of wisdom” about Pig Out!
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If you love Pig, Pork, Swine or any other synonym then I really think you’ll be missing out if you don’t hit up the 7th Annual STMC Pig Out Pig Roasting Competition.

Teams will compete to find Miami’s Best Pig Roaster and you’ll be able to sample them!

The General Admission ($10) will get you all you can shovel into your mouth samples from the roasters, DJs, some more entertainment plus Bounce Houses and Face Painting for the kids. And all 12 and under are FREE.

VIP ($25) includes everything from the GA plus admittance to the Big Game Liquors VIP Tent with Cocktails by FINKA Table & Tap, Beers from Wynwood Brewing Company, Tight Ashes Cigars and much more. It seems to me like this is the deal to get the full experience.

Proceeds to benefit Feeding South Florida (formerly Daily Bread Food Bank) and Local Catholic Charities that feed the homeless and hungry of our community.

This is very local and Miami only event. It’s a must attend for you Miami homers out there. #localsrule

The Details:

7th Annual STMC Pig Out
When: Saturday January 24, 2015
Where: 5400 SW 102nd Ave (St. Timothy Catholic Church)
Time: 12-6PM

* Festival Flea Market Mall Coupon.

Mrs. Jeff Eats needs to buy some cologne-or something!

I printed this coupon out for her and here’s one for you guys.

Such a deal!!! But you can’t use-Festivalue Dollars in the food court…

Finally, did you ever wonder why they call these joints- flea markets?
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funtrivia.com
The first theory, and the one most popular on the Internet, proposes that the term is a direct translation of the French Marché aux Puces, a large, outdoor bazaar in Paris. This original market earned its name from the critter-infested goods it was rumored to sell.

The second theory alleges that the term was coined at a time when the slums and alleys of Paris were demolished and replaced by new construction. The dealers in second-hand goods who lived and worked in these old neighborhoods were forced to flee. The merchants’ new gathering place was referred to as the “flee market,” which later became “flea market.”

The final theory associates the term with New York City’s 18th century Fly Market. Apparently, the Dutch name for the market was vlie, which means valley but is pronounced “flea.”

* Songs Of The 60’s Cruise.

Got something real good for you guys looking for a 60’s Rock N Roll Themed Cruise that’s…”just a few days long”- “priced almost dirt cheap”- “on a great ship”- “that has dynamite music”…

Songs Of The 60’s Cruise. Miami-Cozumel, Mexico…4/22/15 to 4/26/15.

Headlining, Mellow Yellow- one of America’s best 60’s tribute bands.

Cruise details/Mellow Yellow info…mellowyellowband.com, or moodiescruise.com.

On a personal note, I’ve seen Mellow Yellow perform and good-would be an understatement…an absolutely amazing act-recreating the sounds of the 60’s!

Songs of the 60’s Cruise
April 22 – 26, 2015 aboard the MSC Divina

The Songs of the 60’s Cruise is all about the groovy 60s and 70s, celebrating the greatest era in rock music history! Now you can join in on the fun aboard the beautiful MSC Divina, cruising the emerald waters of the Caribbean next April 22-26, 2015.
Enjoy activities, events and music during four glorious, fun-filled days, including a relaxing day at the beach in Cozumel, Mexico. This is a great spring break sojourn…the Songs of the 60’s Cruise has something for everyone!
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WHAT’S INCLUDED

Mellow Yellow…At the center of the fun is Mellow Yellow, one of the most popular bands during last year’s Moody Blues Cruise. Paying tribute to the 60’s and 70’s, Mellow Yellow creates truly authentic renditions of some of the genre’s greatest songs. While other tribute bands just play the music, Mellow Yellow goes the extra mile to capture all the hey-man-peace-and-love-grooviness of the songs that helped define the Baby Boomer generations.

For the first time, Mellow Yellow will bring their full production show, the Mellow Yellow Experience, to the Pantheon Theatre aboard the MSC Divina. This unique performance is an immersive musical theater show that transports audience members back to the time when the Baby Boomers came of age. mellow yellowThe social and political upheaval of the late sixties had a major influence on popular music that still resonates today. In the Mellow Yellow Experience, five accomplished and versatile musicians perform authentic renditions of the era’s greatest songs while a stunning multi-media presentation brings each of the songs to life. Give them a listen at www.MellowYellowBand.com.
•Mellow Yellow Deck Concert & Deck Party
•Mellow Yellow Experience – Pantheon Theater
•Hippie & Flower Children Costume Party
•Summer of Love Prom Formal
•Saturday Night Fever Disco & Costume Party
• 60s/70s Dance Club
•60s/70s Trivia
•60s/70s Karaoke

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PRICING

Double Triple Quad Single
Interior Stateroom $319 $283 $264 $511
Oceanview Stateroom $469 $383 $339 $781
Balcony Stateroom $589 $463 $399 $997
Suite CALL FOR PRICNG
All prices listed are per person based on the occupany
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* The Temptations & The Four Tops.

Each group “only” has one original recording member in it…and that member wasn’t even close to being the group’s lead singer.

Time for The Temps and The Tops to call it a day!

If you disagree, you can catch tickets at ticketmaster.com.

The Temptations & The Four Tops
Kravis Center
Sat, 04/04/15

Velvet Creme Doughnuts.

My buddies at Burger Beast (burgerbeast.com) are telling Jeff Eats that Velvet Creme Doughnuts which had a great 1947-2000 Miami run- is readying a major south Florida “comeback” featuring food trucks, kiosks and full retail shops.

Time will tell- if all this comes to be!

What I do know- if Velvet Creme Doughnuts “builds” trucks, kiosks and most importantly stores that capitalize on the original “look” below-it will have won at least- half of its comeback battle from the get-go!

Jeff Eats absolutely loves the “retro” feel- of the original Velvet Creme Doughnuts’ store…

You can follow Velvet Creme’s story at velvetcremedoughnuts.com.

***** Dune Deck’s Mimosa Café.

Recent e-mail from reader Marilyn G…

Jeff,

Need a really good breakfast joint to take my ‘new’ NJ in-laws to. Nothing too fancy, but really need solid food.

Something in Boynton would work perfectly.

Thanks,
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Marilyn G,

Got a real good one for you.

Read the “below” review.
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Dune Deck’s Mimosa Cafe (Boynton Beach)
Posted on June 27th, 2013 · American Boynton Beach Breakfast

***** Dune Deck’s Mimosa Café, 10833 South Jog Road, Boynton Beach, Florida 33437, (561) 742-8005.

Real fast…back on February 15, 2008 Jeff Eats “did” a story on the Dune Deck–a breakfast/lunch joint located on the public beach in Lantana. That 2008 “review” is reprinted below…

Just so you know, the Dune Deck in Lantana is one of Jeff Eats’ favorite breakfast joints…I would bet that over the past 5 years, I’ve eaten something like 40 breakfasts there. Can’t remember each and every meal, but I can’t recall even-one bad outing at this joint. Its menu is packed with all kinds of breakfast stuff, salads, burgers and sandwiches. For you guys not-familiar with the Dune Deck in Lantana…it is basically a covered-outdoor patio joint right on the Lantana beach….the Dune Deck draws “tons” of people every day and in “season” the tourists make it a nightmare-wait for “us” regulars.

Anyway…

About two months ago, the folks that own the Dune Deck opened “another” breakfast-lunch joint—Dune Deck Mimosa Café in Boynton Beach. From what I can tell, they took over a bagel-joint that was there…soooo Dune Deck Mimosa Café looks “just” like a bagel-joint (and I know that “you” guys know what a South Florida bagel joint looks like).

Anyway…

The other morning, Jeff Eats and some of his buddies- had breakfast in the Dune Deck Mimosa Café and I gotta tell you that this joint has the “same” great food and service as the one in Lantana…the only difference, the Boynton joint (which is in a strip center)–doesn’t have the terrific Atlantic Ocean patio views that the Lantana outpost does. Now- nothing for nothing… we will soon find out if the “ocean views” are a necessary factor in the Dune Deck success equation. Personally, Jeff Eats thinks that the food/service alone will make the Boynton joint a huge winner…time will tell on that!

You can check Dune Deck’s Mimosa Cafe’s menu/prices at www.ddmimosacafe.com.

Dune Deck Mimosa Café is open 7 days a week 7:30am-4pm.

Here’s the February 15, 2008 “story.”

***** Dune Deck Cafe, 100 North Ocean Boulevard, Lantana Florida–(561) 582-0472

Over the years, I have eaten breakfast in this breakfast-lunch joint at least 20 times. Located directly on the beach, this tee shirt/shorts joint has great food, great service and beach atmosphere which is why we all live down here in South Florida. Don’t miss this one.