* Little Anthony & The Imperials.

One of the greatest doo-wop groups of all-time…January 31, 2015-FAU-Boca Raton.
Tickets go on sale at 10am.
You can catch tickets at–poprockdoowopp.com or by calling (561) 859-0846.

* Joseph’s Classic Market.

Take a look at this e-mail that Jeff Eats received the other day.
*****
Jeff Eats,

My family (me, my husband and 2 teenagers) just moved into our new home in the Broken Sound Country Club in Boca 2 weeks ago. My husband and I were born and bred 5-Towners.

I like shopping at Publix but find Whole Foods and Fresh Market overpriced and borderline disgusting. I also like shopping in The Boys Market in Delray but their parking lot and narrow aisles are a scary proposition. I am also not a fan of Doris Italian Market in Boca. Its good for baked goodies but the rest of its stuff is not too good.

I was turned onto jeffeats.com by a neighbor who swears by you. She said that you have great restaurant picks and you really have an ear to the ground as to what’s doing here in south Florida.

Can you recommend a really good specialty supermarket to me? Hopefully it will be close to where I live as I’m not that good on driving I-95 or the Turnpike.

By the way, your Nino’s Italian Restaurant and Chris’ Taverna picks were terrific.

Thanks again.

MO (Broken Sound CC)
*****
MO:

Welcome to South Florida.

Reprinted below is a Jeff Eats’ “story” date June 22, 2009 on Joseph’s Classic Market. Joseph’s currently has 1-location in Boca Raton and 1-location in Palm Beach Gardens.

Trust Jeff Eats on this one, Joseph’s Classic Market won’t disappoint you. By the way, the Boca Raton joint is about 5-minutes away from your home.
——-
June 22, 2009.
***** Joseph’s Classic Market, 5250 Town Center Circle, Boca Raton, Florida 33486 (561) 347-2314.

Unitl yesterday, I had never heard of Joseph’s Classic Market…anyway, this “upscale” food-market has three locations…Boca Raton, Palm Beach Gardens and Royal Palm Beach.

Today, I gave the Boca Raton location a “shot”…the joint has 9,200 square feet and opened on June 11, 2009.

I gotta tell you, that this Joseph’s joint is terrific…fruits/vegetables, baked goods, prepared foods, meat-seafood counters, pizza/sub counter, fresh juices, wines, salad bar…it even has outdoor seating for those who want to eat right-then-and-there.

At this point of the discussion, I would suggest that you check Joseph’s website at www.josephsclassicmarket.com for locations/menu. The store is neat and clean… the food is beautifully presented…the staff is sharp…and amazingly, the prices are neighborhood supermarket prices…a pound of chicken salad runs $7.99…a whole roast chicken goes for $5.99…a quart of fresh squeezed grapefruit juice $2.50.

Take it from this born and bred Bohack and Waldbaums’ boy…you will be impressed with Joseph’s Classic Market. The food in this joint “looks” absolutely incredible…a sampling of roast chicken, pizza, chicken salad, tuna salad, bbq ribs… all delicious. The breads,pastries and cakes are made-in-house…and the “prepared food” (heavy on the Italian stuff) will have you drooling on the display cases.

The joint is open Monday-Saturday 8am-8pm and Sunday 8am-6pm.

***** Wei’s Long Gong Chinese, 11920 Southwest 8th Street, Miami, Florida 33184, (305) 553-4644.

Look!

Jeff Eats is a simple (left myself open there, didn’t I?) guy-who was born in Brooklyn in 1949. I was raised on “American” Chinese food…you know- wonton soup, bbq ribs, steamed dumplings, roast pork fried rice, egg rolls, sweet & sour pork, General Tso’s chicken, pepper steak, chicken chow mein, shrimp in lobster sauce with a drop of black bean sauce mixed in, pineapple chunks, vanilla/strawberry/chocolate/pistachio ice cream, fortune cookies. Like I said, I’m a simple guy!

Long story short,

I got friends-my age- who were born in Brooklyn, who for some reason think that- the “American” Chinese food we all grew up on-is now beneath them…when they eat Chinese, they have to have- REAL CHINESE stuff like…pepper salted quail, lambchoy minced with green bean, spicy fish with tofu, yam in sour sauce.

Being a pretty easy going guy, Jeff Eats is willing to try almost any restaurant “recommended” by friends to “accommodate” friends.

With the above in mind, Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and three “former” Brooklyn couples recently- did Wei’s Long Gong Chinese. Real simple- the wonton soup, egg rolls, steamed dumplings, General Tso’s chicken, roast pork fried rice, shrimp in lobster sauce with a drop of black bean sauce mixed in- were all delicious. I have absolutely no idea how the pepper salted quail, lambchoy minced with green bean, spicy fish with tofu, yam in sour sauce- tasted…but Jeff Eats’ Brooklyn friends said to tell you, these dishes were terrific. By the way, the pineapple chunks and the fortune cookies-were, pineapple chunks and fortune cookies!

Trust Jeff Eats with this one, Wei’s Long Gong Chinese’s “American” Chinese food is very-very good…if this joint was in my neighborhood, I’d be a real steady customer. Just a gut call, but I’m thinking that you guys who like REAL CHINESE FOOD will also- really enjoy Wei’s Long Gong Chinese.

You can check menu/prices at weislonggong.com.

Wei’s is open Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 11:30am-9:30pm, Friday 11:30am-10pm, Saturday 11:30am-11pm, closed on Tuesday.

* Spanky & Dino.

A recent e-mail from reader Linda E.

Jeff,

Maybe you can help me and my husband out.
We are planning my husband’s 65th birthday and are looking for a musical duo that could play at the party.
We have already reserved our Boca Raton country club’s ballroom for February 2015.
We are planning on having give or take 150 people.
Most of our guests will be in the 60-75 range but there will be a number in their 30s-50s.
Can you recommend a duo or even a trio that can play 50s-90s?
We are thinking that $_________ is within our budget for 4 hours.
We would greatly appreciate your input here.
Thank you very much,
Linda E
*****
Linda E:

Got the perfect duo for you, Spanky & Dino (spankyanddino.com).

Two guys -both sing…one is on keyboard the other is on drums-that do terrific covers of 40s-90s hits.

Spanky & Dino have been around for years and seemingly- on any given day/night can be found-working at a South Florida- country club/restaurant/festival/party/casino. Not to give away my age or nothing, but Jeff Eats first caught the “duo” at Dinopetes (which was a night club located right across the road)- 5 years before the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood opened for business. Spanky & Dino killed it back then and today-are still right on the money!

No question in my mind, Spanky & Dino will do you proud at the 65th birthday party…

My best wishes to your husband and tell him that I recommend buying Supplement “F” when Medicare rolls around in a few months.

* Odyssey Road.

Jeff Eats has been kicking-around the music business for over 45 years. Trust me when I tell you, I’ve literally seen thousands of cover-tribute bands.

Now to the point,

South Florida based- Odyssey Road-has to be one of the best Journey-tribute bands that I have ever seen. These guys aren’t just good, they are outstandingly good. In the cover/tribute band business it is quite a feat for an act to draw 100s of people to its shows…amazingly, Odyssey Road consistently draws 1000s. A month or so ago, the band played Boca Raton’s- Mizner Park Amphitheater and you would have sworn that The Beatles were there (well, that may-be a drop over-dramatic) but I will tell you, that parking was so hard to find, that lawn-spots right outside of Mizner were fetching 10 bucks a piece. Just between you and me, something like 5,500 (a Mizner Park Amphitheater attendance record) showed up to watch Odyssey Road -so Jeff Eats is thinking, that just maybe I’m not so crazy about how good this band really is!

Just an observation, Journey’s music (70s-80s) seems to transcend age. Jeff Eats has been to all kinds of events-and amazingly 10 year olds, 20 year olds. 30 year old, so-forth and so on…all know the words to Journey’s hits. The band’s fan base is gigantic.

Jeff Eats has previously mentioned and highlighted Odyssey Road’s-appearances…

Just a suggestion:
*****
ODYSSEY ROAD
November 14, 2014
Delray Beach Center For The Arts-At Old School Square

Free Friday Concert, 7:30 p.m.; Outdoor Pavilion. The ultimate Journey tribute band, Odyssey Road was formed with only one intention: To perform the greatest hit songs ever recorded by the legendary rock group Journey, as a tribute to the amazing music they created.

There is no intention of trying to pass off as a look-a-like to the original artist. Odyssey Road possesses the passion to perform Journey material with the feel and energy that would have even the most loyal purist begging for an encore. As fans of Journey, this five-piece powerhouse vocal quintet captures the influence of the music and style of the legendary group “Journey.”

Rain or shine; bring your blankets and chairs, and bring the family… but PLEASE, no pets or outside food or beverages. Food trucks and cash bar available.

* The Concert For Valor.

Live Concert At The Mall, Washington, D.C.
November 11, 2014
On HBO-7pm.

Starring:
Bruce Springsteen
Rihanna
Eminem
Metallica
Jessie
The Black Keys
Dave Grohl
Zac Brown Band
Jennifer Hudson
Carrie Underwood

Should be an absolutely amazing “concert”…sure have come along way from those Bob Hope-Jerry Colonna shows!

To every- Veteran out there, thank you!

***** Salvatore Pizza, Pasta & Subs, 1550 West 84th Street, Hialeah, Florida 33027, (305) 821-7016.

Got a real good one for you…Salvatore Pizza in Hialeah.

First things first,

You guys know and Jeff Eats knows, that “mom & pop”-red sauce Italian joints are a dime a dozen down here in South Florida. No ifs ands or buts, almost every dumpy-strip center has one of them. For the record, we also know-that these strip center pizza joints aren’t solely- indigenous (I did go to college)- to South Florida, all 50 states got them…

Anyway,

Jeff Eats and a couple of buddies recently had lunch at Salvatore Pizza and I gotta tell you, I loved the joint.

When you check Salvatore Pizza’s menu at salvatoreinhialeah.com, you’re gonna find the expected full-boat of appetizers/pizzas/pastas/subs/salads/calzones-stromboli/entrees/desserts.

Jeff Eats and Buddies Jeff Eats ordered…veal parm sub (8″-$9), meatball sub (8″-$7), large plain pizza (16″-$11), garlic knots (6-$2.50), calzone ($13) and I-must tell you, Salvatore Pizza killed it! No fooling here, everything was delicious.

Now, you guys know that Jeff Eats really isn’t into lists or rankings, but the- calzone stuffed with ricotta/mozzarella/romano cheeses definitely deserved a special shout-out! So- HELLO CALZONE!!

Nothing fancy going on at Salvatore Pizza. Solid and I do mean SOLID pizza joint stuff.

Like I said 4 seconds ago, Jeff Eats loved Salvatore Pizza.

The perfect Jeff Eats’ lunch…red sauce galore, loads of Coca Cola, good friends, plenty of napkins and no Mrs. Jeff Eats’-drama… bitching about- how I was stuffing my face, hadn’t taken a “lactose” pill and how I would be up all night gagging from indigestion.

Salvatore Pizza, Pasta & Subs is open Monday-Thursday 10am-10pm, Friday-Saturday 10am-11pm, Sunday noon-10pm.

***** DISH OF THE WEEK (Sunday- 11/9/14)

One of Jeff Eats’ favorite menu items…

SOFT PRETZEL
$1.39 (1/2 dozen $7.00, dozen (14) I know! $12.00)

Philly Pretzel Heaven
5021 South State Road 7
Davie
(954) 584-5168
phillypretzelheaven.com
Last Reviewed: 3/6/12

I don’t know about you, but ever since I was a kid I’ve loved soft pretzels. Now you know and I know, that the soft pretzels sold at stadiums, fairs, festivals- are frozen suckers-that are heated up…between you and me, most aren’t very good! Anyway, to make a long story short, Philly Pretzel Heaven makes/bakes all kinds of soft pretzels. Philly Pretzel Heaven taking a page out of the bagel-store-business-playbook, has “flavors” such as -plain, salted, poppy, garlic, sesame, everything. Trust Jeff Eats on this one, if you like soft pretzels you’ll love Philly Heaven.

* Help Wanted!

Jeff Eats knows that a number of you guys definitely qualify (wink, wink, wink)…

Take a look at this 11/4/14 e-mail.
*****
From: Gabrielle Goldstein
Subject: Now Casting Food Network Star in Miami!

Message Body:
Hello Jeff,

My name is Gabrielle Goldstein and I am a Casting Assistant for Food Network Star, Food Network’s hugely successful culinary reality series. We are currently casting for season 11 and would like to inform you and your readers that we are holding an open casting call in Miami on Saturday, November 15th! Please feel free to post our information on to your website, send it out to any list serve you may have or forward it on to anyone you think might be right for the show. Any help in spreading the word about our search is greatly appreciated!

Essentially, we are looking for those with a captivating personality who believe they’re at the top of the culinary game and want to inspire a Food Network audience through their passion for food and cooking! Please help us reach out to any chef or culinary professional who might be interested in becoming the host of his or her own cooking show!

Please find the details of our event below:

Miami Open Casting Call
Date: Saturday, November 15th, 2014
Time: 10am – 1pm
Location: Epic Hotel
270 Biscayne Blvd Way
Miami, FL 33131

Please visit us at www.JSCasting.com to apply online and for more information on our casting events!

If you have any questions or require further information, please feel free to contact me. Thank you for your time and assistance!

Kind Regards,

Gabrielle Goldstein
Casting Assistant, JS Casting
www.JSCasting.com
212-359-9530

* Bucket List Alert- Bette Midler.

Jeff Eats doesn’t care how old or how young you are…you owe it to yourself to see Bette Midler -live in concert -at least once in your lifetime!

For the record, I consider Bette Midler to be one of the greatest entertainers of all time.

Midler, who- was born in 1945 (she’s 69) and who- hasn’t toured in over 10 years…just announced a 2015- American tour that kicks off-with 3 Florida dates – 5/8 and 5/9 at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood and 5/11 at Amalie Arena in Tampa.

Tickets for what will definitely be SRO shows- go on sale November 17, 2015 at ticketmaster.com.

Finally, just on the outside chance that you don’t know who Bette Midler is…you can check Bette out at bettemidler.com.