***** Taverna Opa, 270 East Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach, Florida 33444, (561) 303-3602.

Got a real good Greek joint for you guys…Taverna Opa in Delray Beach.

Just so you know, there are 4 Taverna Opas (all owned by the same guy)- 1 in Delray Beach, 1 in Hollywood, 1 in Miami, 1 in Orlando…for our purposes- the one Jeff Eats is talking about is the Delray Beach spot.

Anyway, last night…

Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats were “there” to celebrate Niece Jeff Eats’ 16th birthday…Brother Jeff Eats and Sister-in-Law Jeff Eats threw an absolutely great party with something like 18 15-16 year olds and 20 adults- and yes Brother Jeff Eats picked-up the check! The party ran from 7:30pm-11pm, was a non-stop eating, drinking and dancing affair- and “no” the 15-16 year olds didn’t DRINK!

Taverna Opa has indoor and out-door patio seating, the dining room has a full service bar area…on Friday & Saturday nights, there is dj music, dancing on the bar top/tables and a pro-“belly dancer” in attendance…”they” don’t throw plates, but the joint’s paper napkin bill must be off the chart. On the music front- Greek stuff, disco music, EDM. Putting Friday & Saturday nights aside, Taverna Opa is open 7 days a week (no music) from 11am-11pm.

For the party…food was served family style. By the way, the below list maybe missing some “dishes”- Jeff Eats does do a “mean” Sirtaki- so while I was up- stuff might have slipped past my tastebuds!

Greek salad,
tzatziki
pita bread
melitzanosalata
meatballs
baby-back ribs
fried calamari
broiled lamb chops
broiled lobster
beef kebob
chicken kebob
shrimp kebob
roast chicken
spanakopita
mousaka
assorted cupcakes by Jodi’s Cupcakes & More (see 2/24/13 “review’)

On the food front, give or take a “dish” here and there the stuff was right on the money! If there was an obvious weak link, it was the pita bread-nothing terrible, but Jeff Eats has had better! I also thought that the baby-back ribs were kinda light in the meat department and bland. For you guys who like “pecking orders”- the lamb chops, lobster and meatballs were home-runs! On the service front, Taverna Opa is extremely well run. The waiters and bus-folks did a great job in keeping the food and drink flowing to our two huge tables. Like I said a few seconds ago, the music was non-stop as was the dancing- and I gotta tell you, I didn’t see one person in the joint- not having a good time!

Didn’t see the “bill”- but when you check tavernaopa.com you’ll find Taverna Opa’s menu/prices in-line with- most of the Greek joints in the area.

***** DISH OF THE WEEK (Sunday- 3/8/15)

One of Jeff Eats’ favorite menu items…

SWEET & SOUR PORK
$14.50

China Dumpling Restaurant
1899 North Congress Avenue
Boynton Beach
(561) 737-2782
chinadumplings.com
Latest Review: 6/23/08

Jeff Eats is a huge China Dumpling fan.

I singled out the joint’s sweet & sour pork-to get the conversation going…all I can tell you, is that Jeff Eats has eaten there numerous times and the joint has never-ever disappointed me!

I rate China Dumpling as one of the best American-Brooklyn-Jewish-Chinese Restaurants circa 1957 down here is sunny South Florida.

Seriously, if you haven’t eaten there- it’s a must try!

***** Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar, 6000 Glades Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, (561) 393-3252.

Literally, Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar, has been in the “making” for over a year at The Town Center at Boca Raton.

You guys- if you like, can read Jeff Eats’ past “stories” about this growing upscale gourmet burger chain (it currently has 10 units)…if not, not! Just so you know, it’s a full service joint, inside/outside patio seating, full bar area and plenty of flat screen tvs…

Here’s the tip…Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar in Boca Raton- is finally gonna open on Tuesday, March 10, 2015…and I am telling you, that its burgers, salads, sides, shakes. desserts are off-the chart delicious…the joint is an absolute must try.

Check zinburgereast.com for menu/info.

* Rocky LaPorte.

The comedian-that Jeff Eats’ “knows” should have won NBC’s 2014- Last Comic Standing has a rare handful of Florida appearances in the hopper…

You wanna see a hilarious “clean” comedian- you go see Rocky LaPorte!
______
Event Details
This event is running from 9 April 2015 until 12 April 2015. It is next occurring on 9 April 2015.
•Upcoming Dates: • 9 April 2015
• 10 April 2015
• 11 April 2015
• 12 April 2015
SIDE SPLITTERS COMEDY CLUB
12938 N Dale Mabry Hwy,
Tampa, FL 33618
(813) 960-1197

Home

* Delray Marketplace.

This center’s location- STINKS!

Other than- the movie theatre and a handful of restaurants- the bet here, is that Delray Marketplace’s retail-tenants are sucking wind, big time!

Anyway,

Orange Sunshine, Big City Dogs and Viva Classic Rock- are all kick-ass bands…they can play!

***** Casa Do Pao Brazilian Bakery, 22829 North State Road 7, Boca Raton, Florida 33428, (561) 852-8390.

For years, Jeff Eats has been hearing terrific things- about Casa Do Pao…I must have driven past the joint something like 2,003,452 times…yesterday I stopped in to see what this Brazilian Bakery was all-about…

First things first, printed right-below is Casa Do Pao’s “biography” which I lifted- off its website- casadopaoboca.com- it should give you some idea as to what this joint thinks it’s all about.

“In June of 2005, we opened the doors of Casa do Pão Brazilian Bakery, where we specialize in all kinds of bread, cakes, pastries and more. We make home-style food with love and care, providing our customers with a variety of delicious baked or fried Brazilian empanadas, fresh made sandwiches, salads, desserts and countless other tasty treats. You’ll find that our extremely skilled professional staff uses only the highest quality fresh ingredients, preparing traditional Brazilian dishes as they would in their own homes for their families.
When you walk inside Casa do Pão (which means House of Bread, in Portuguese) you instantly feel like you’re in Brazil. The flavors found in our authentic comfort foods will transport you to a country kitchen in our beautiful homeland.
Casa do Pão offers a variety of mouth-watering options for any occasion; whether it’s breakfast pastries and coffee, a light lunch, quick snack, or even catering for your parties and events. Come in and try one of our award-winning fresh fruit cakes or the irresistible “coxinhas” (chicken croquets) and experience the traditional flavors of Brazil right here in Boca Raton.
Casa do Pão is a family owned and operated Brazilian bakery in Boca Raton, top quality traditional Brazilian food and rock bottom prices!”
(561) 852-8390
22829 N. State Rd. 7,
Boca Raton, FL 33428
Sunday: 7:00 – 6:00
Monday: 6:00 – 9:00
Tuesday: 6:00 – 9:00
Wednesday: 6:00 – 9:00
Thursday: 6:00 – 9:00
Friday: 6:00 – 9:00
Saturday: 6:00 – 9:00

Now, as for Jeff Eats’ “visit”…

In addition to breads, pastries, cakes and desserts- Casa Do Pao’s menu has all kinds of reasonably priced stuff like sandwiches, salads, empanadas, quiches, juices…real simple concept here- order at the counter and either head home or wherever with your bag(s)-or sit at one of a handful of tables that the joint has…for what it’s worth, Jeff Eats “tried” (some stuff was eaten there, other stuff was taken-out for home “consumption”)-cheeseburger, chicken empanada, shrimp empanada, four cheese empanada, beef empanada, spinach quiche, cappuccino cake, cheese bread, mozzarella cheese croquet, chocolate cake, chicken potato bread- and I enjoyed most of the items-ordered. Just so we are straight with each other, some “items” were much stronger than others- for example, I thought that the shrimp and four cheese empanadas killed- while the chicken empanada and mozzarella cheese croquet were just fair. Now, you know and Jeff Eats knows that my “calls” are purely subjective and for all we know, you may have hated that shrimp empanada and your lactose intolerance made that four cheese empanada a no-no for you!…that’s why you guys gotta try Jeff Eats’ joints out for yourselves…and post comments if so inclined!

Long story short,

A bit of a mixed bag here for Jeff Eats- but I wouldn’t hesitate giving it another shot…by the way, you don’t need to speak Portuguese to go there (but trust me, it wouldn’t hurt to know the language).

* Mario Cantone Live!

Jeff Eats has been a huge Mario Cantone fan- since 1987 when the comedian/actor hosted the syndicated children’s tv program Steampipe Alley.

Cantone makes a rare South Florida appearance…Saturday, June 13, 2015 at 8pm, at the Parker Playhouse, Fort Lauderdale.

Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats will be there…just picked-up 2 tickets at ticketmaster.com.

Meet Mario Chalmers