Guess Who Jeff Eats Thought Should Have Won?

* TV’s Last Comic Standing Tour 2014.

Jeff Eats has been very impressed with NBC’s Season 8- “Last Comic Standing” tv show. The talent has been awesome and the 5-finalists are all dynamite “comics.” Next week we’ll know who the Last Comic Standing is…

With the above in mind, if you are a fan of the show and would like to see finalists- Rocky LaPorte, Lachlan Patterson, Nicki Carr, Rod Man and Joe Machi live in concert-checkout the “tour list” printed below…

For you not such good readers….

6-scheduled “stops” in Florida.

Last Comic Standing Tour Schedule

SEPTEMBER

16: Tucson, Ariz. Fox Tucson Theatre,

17: Mesa, Ariz. Mesa Arts Center,

18: San Diego, Calif. Balboa Theatre,

19: Riverside, Calif. Fox Performing Arts Center,

20: Reno, Nev. Silver Legacy Resort Casino,

21: Lemoore, Calif. Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino,

24: Baltimore. The Lyric,

25: Mashantucket, Conn. Foxwoods Resort Casino,

26: Boston. The Wilbur Theatre,

27: Worcester, Mass. The Hanover Theatre,

28: Westbury, N.Y. NYCB Theatre at Westbury,

30: Williamsport, Penn. Community Arts Center,

OCTOBER

1: Shippensburg, Penn. Luhrs Performing Arts Center,

2: Bethlehem, Penn. Sands Bethlehem Event Center,

3: Glenside, Penn. Keswick Theatre,

4: Atlantic City, N.J. Golden Nugget Casino,

5: Montclair, N.J. The Wellmont Theater,

7: New Brunswick, N.J. State Theatre,

9: Wilmington, Del. Grand Opera House,

10: Charlottesville, Va. The Paramount,

11: Norfolk, Va. Harrison Opera House,

12: Charlotte, N.C. Knight Theater,

17: Airway Heights, Wash. Northern Quest Resort & Casino,

18: Rochester, Wash. Lucky Eagle Casino

19: Salem, Ore. Elsinore Theatre

21: Colorado Springs. Pikes Peak Center,

22: Denver. Paramount Theatre,

24: Kansas City. Ameristar Casino Hotel,

25: St. Louis. River City Casino,

26: Knoxville. Tennessee Theatre,

28: Clearwater, Fla. Capitol Theatre,

29: Orlando. Plaza Live Theatre,

30: Lakeland, Fla. Youkey Theatre,

31: Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Ponte Vedra Concert Hall,

NOVEMBER

1: Coral Springs, Fla. Coral Springs Center for the Arts,

2: West Palm Beach. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts,

6: Indianapolis. Egyptian Room,

7: Royal Oak, Mich. Royal Oak Music Theatre,

8: Kalamazoo, Mich. Miller Auditorium,

9: Merrillville, Ind. Star Plaza Theatre,

11: Saginaw, Mich. The Dow Event Center,

12: Cleveland. Ohio Theater,

13: Effingham, Ill. Effingham Performance Center,

14: Milwaukee. The Pabst Theater,

15: Prior Lake, Minn. Mystic Lake Casino,

18: New Orleans. Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts,

19: Houston. Bayou Music Center,

20: Dallas. Winspear Opera House,

21: San Antonio. Tobin Center for the Performing Arts,

22: Beverly Hills. Saban Theatre,

***** DISH OF THE WEEK (Sunday-8/10/14).

One of Jeff Eats’ favorite menu items…

Shrimp Scampi comes with soup or salad, pasta side, garlic knots…
$19.99

Barone’s La Pizzeria
5632 West Sample Road
Margate
(954) 968-4396
lapizzeriamargate.com
Last Reviewed: 2/15/14

Terrific entree. By the way the joint’s minestrone soup is dynamite as are its garlic knots, pizzas and just about everything else that it makes!

* Another One Bites The Dust!

Long story short…

Back on December 13, 2013 Jeff Eats did a story on a restaurant name Bistro Gastronomie. You can read the story-below.

In a nutshell, at that time I told the owners that the restaurant they were building was going to fail–citing the reasons. I know it was a callous prediction, but as you guys know-Jeff Eats does his best to always keep things “real” around here. My just talking about what and where I ate-gets kinda boring. Anyway, the restaurant opened and closed a couple of months later.

Today, I am hearing from several good sources-that the “former” French restaurant has new owners, that a small remodel is under-way and a new “French” restaurant with a new name will open sometime in September, 2014.

Jeff Eats wishes the new owners the best of luck.

Here’s an offer that will cost the owners absolutely nothing…

Contact Jeff Eats and I will “tell” you everything I know about the pros-cons of your new project.

Don’t contact me, contact me–no sweat off my brow!

Right now some of you guys maybe saying…Hey Jeff Eats you sure are sounding cocky. To you guys I say…For what it’s worth, for the past 19 years I’ve lived 3-minutes away from the restaurant’s center and kinda think I know the real estate/business environment of the surrounding area. When I “warned” Bistro’s owners- I wasn’t pulling my prediction out of a hat. Nothing for nothing, I also think that Jeff Eats’ 8-years of “reporting” on literally 100’s of South Florida restaurants-just may give me a pretty good perspective on what works and what doesn’t work.

In any event, once again I wish the new owners the best of luck in their new endeavor.

*****
* Bistro Gastronomie (Boca Raton)
Posted on December 13th, 2013 · Boca Raton French · [edit]

* Bistro Gastronomie (Boca Raton).

Let Jeff Eats do a “mitzvah” here…

To the owner of Bistro Gastronomie which is currently under construction at the intersection of Long Lake Boulevard and Yamato Road in Boca Raton…unless you are planning on washing money or something like that in the upscale French restaurant that you have been spending money like crazy on during the past 8 months or-so…stop everything right now and cut your losses.

Now this is just an opinion, but the demographics for the area tells-Jeff Eats that there is no way in hell that an upscale French restaurant in “your” location has any chance whatsoever of making it. The spot that you are building in ~originally housed a Moe’s Bagel joint and Back Street a moderately priced “American-Style” joint-that had 1-2-3-4 owners before finally calling it a day. Now! If “they” couldn’t move enough bagels/coffee or 4-sliders with French fries for $8.95 to pay the rent, then logic tells me -that your braised rabbit ain’t exactly gonna be flying off the shelf-either.

Sorry I didn’t get to you sooner, but I’ve been busy “studying” why the bay two doors down from yours has had something like six different businesses during the past 3-4 years.

Anyway…good luck!
*****
UPDATE: January 13, 2014

This evening Jeff Eats received an e-mail from Bistro Gastronomie’s owner, William Walden. In addition the Jeff Eats’ site received a number of “Comments” from the same William Walden.

Suffice it to say, Mr. Walden believes that his new restaurant- scheduled to open in February is going to be an extremely successful endeavor.

Since Jeff Eats has no skin in-the Bistro Gastronomie game…how the restaurant fares is of no real concern to me.

Jeff Eats really does wish Bistro Gastronomie and Mr. Walden all the best…that said, Jeff Eats stands by his opinions expressed in my 12/13/2013 story.

Mr. Walden’s e-mail is printed below.
From: William Walden
Subject: Bistro Gastronomie
Message Body:
Hello Jeff and Happy New Year! Bistro Gastronomie is slated to open this coming
February. Hopefully you received one of our flyers in the mail this past week. I
just discovered your Blog from a colleague that emailed me the link. WOW. I hope
to get a chance to meet you in the coming weeks and I certainly hope that you
will try my restaurant. Noteworthy is that it has taken an extremely long time
to build out due to the extensive renovations. We plan on being here for years.
Until shortly, Thank you! Executive Chef/Owner William Walden–
This mail is sent via contact form on Jeff Eats http://jeffeats.com

***** Hunan Wok, 407 East Sheridan Street, Dania Beach, Florida 33004, (954) 929-2220.

Got a real-good “mom & pop” eat in/takeout Chinese joint for you…Hunan Wok in Dania Beach.

Using the worn- but extremely accurate “Jeff Eats’ Brooklyn Jewish Chinese circa 1950s Taste Test”-I gotta tell you that I found Hunan Wok’s wonton soup, egg rolls, fried dumplings, boneless pork spareribs, roast pork fried rice, sweet & sour pork, pepper steak, shrimp in lobster sauce all right on the money. Before the “snickering” gets too loud, Jeff Eats shared this recent eat in dinner “feast” with Mrs. Jeff Eats and our friends Nancy and Norman–just wanted you guys to know that I’m not some over-eating slob gorging himself on food-I share!

Now you know and I know that what I like, you may hate and vice versa…with that caveat-I gotta tell you everything was really good.

Look, over the past 8 years Jeff Eats has eaten in a ton of South Florida Chinese restaurants- it would be absolutely absurd to try and assign Hunan Wok a Chinese restaurant ranking number.

Let’s close this one out with this…

If Hunan Wok was by-my-house…I would definitely be a steady eat in/take out customer.

You can check menu/prices at hunanwokdania.com.

The joint is open Monday-Saturday 11am-11pm, Sunday 11am-10pm (I’m thinking- that the early closing is because they don’t want to miss “Homeland” but I’m just guessing on that).

* Eddie Brill.

If you want to catch a very funny-clever “clean” comic- you gotta go see Eddie Brill. Jeff Eats has caught Eddie twice and he is real-good!

Eddie Brill is scheduled to appear at the Mardi Gras Casino’s -Jokers Wild Comedy Club on September 4th & 5th at 8pm. Tickets are 15 bucks at mardigrasfl.com.

Printed below is Mardi Gras’ info-on Eddie Brill.
*****
Comedian Eddie Brill, Presented by Jokers Wild Comedy Club and Bar
Thursday, September 4 | 8pm
Friday, September 5 | 8pm

Eddie Brill is a well respected and very funny stand up here in the USA and abroad. For seventeen years, he worked on The Late Show with David Letterman. He was the audience warm-up and for eleven of those years he was the Stand Up Comedy Talent Coordinator.

Eddie has taped more than 100 TV shows in six different countries…including ten appearances on The Late Show…and the FX hit series, “Louie.” He has been seen in many films including, “30 Years To Life” with Tracy Morgan. A 3-time MAC award winner for Outstanding Male Comic in NYC, Eddie is also the creative director of The Great American Comedy Festival which honors Johnny Carson in his hometown of Norfolk, NE…and is one of the talent coordinators of this year’s premiere Woodstock Comedy Festival as well.

* The Doo Wop Project.

There is a really cool-act coming into South Florida in early February, 2015. I don’t have all the dates, but if you can (that’s assuming you like Doo Wop-style music)- you gotta catch The Doo Wop Project.

The group describes itself as:
“The Doo Wop Project begins at the beginning, tracing the evolution of Doo Wop from the classic sound of five guys singing tight harmonies on a street corner to the biggest hits on the radio today. Throughout the show DWP takes audiences on a journey from foundational tunes of groups like the Crests, Belmonts and Flamingos through their influences on the sounds of Smokey Robinson, the Temptations, and the Four Seasons all the way to Michael Jackson, Jason Mraz and Amy Winehouse. Featuring current and former stars of Broadway’s smash hits Jersey Boys, Beautiful, and Motown: The Musical, the Doo Wop Project brings unparalleled authenticity of sound and vocal excellence to recreate—and in some cases entirely reimagine—some of the greatest music in American pop and rock history>”

Like I said a few seconds ago, I don’t have all the dates, but I do know that The Doo Wop Project will play the Century Villages (2/3, 2/5, 2/8) and the Duncan Theatre (at Palm Beach State College on 2/6/15). I also understand that the Lyric Theatre in Stuart just booked the group. but I don’t have the date.

If you want to see The Doo Wop Project-you are going to have to do a drop of homework here…keep an eye on the group’s website rjprod.com for exact dates/times/locations.

Just so you know, The Doo Wop Project has 5 lead singers who are backed by a 4 piece band. The 5-are either current or former stars of Broadway’s- Jersey Boys, Motown and Beautiful.

I am telling you, The Doo Wop Project puts a whole new-fresh spin on “Doo Wop.” Checkout The Doo Wop Project on You Tube–and you’ll see what Jeff Eats is talking about.

* Viva Classic Rock & Roll Band.

Free is good! Am I right or what?

Tonight, from 6pm-8pm Viva Classic Rock & Roll Band will be playing a FREE SHOW at the Delray Marketplace Amphitheater in Delray Beach. If you go, I would suggest bringing a beach chair or something else to sit on.

If you like 1950s-1970s Rock N Roll-then you will definitely want to catch Viva.

No bs-ing here…

Jeff Eats has seen his fair share of cover bands and I gotta tell you guys -that Viva ranks right up there with the best bands in the United States. That’s right, I said United States!

Don’t miss this band…

* Where’s The Guy’s Shoes?

Airbnb is a huge national company that “finds” people homes/apartments to rent while traveling.

Above is an advertisement that Airbnb is literally “running” all over the internet.

Being a food blog, Jeff Eats just happened to notice that the folks in the advertisement are eating/drinking next to an outdoor fountain.

Now, unless I’m not seeing right- the guy in the front-unlike his comrades is barefoot.

I don’t know about you, but to Jeff Eats this guy’s feet ruin the “shot” for me…sort of looks disgusting, if you ask me!

Finally-Where are his shoes? I don’t see them anywhere in the photo-do you?

The moral of the story- sometimes you can eat and drink barefooted and other times you can’t or at least shouldn’t!

* PGA Pig Out Gourmet Food Truck Expo & Custom Car Show.

Jeff Eats just received the following press release from PGA National Resort And Spa.

Just wanted you guys to know that Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats-as my Great Aunt Alva use to say – “God be willing”…plan to be at the Pig Out.

Not to sound like a shill or nothing, but PGA really knows how to run events like this.

The bet here… Gonna be a great Sunday Afternoon!
*****

PGA National to Host Labor Day Weekend ‘Gourmet Food Truck Expo’
Event Benefits Wounded Warriors of South Florida, Features Top Area Gourmet Food Trucks, Custom Car Show, Live Music
(PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla.) — PGA National Resort & Spa announces its “Gourmet Pig Out” featuring the finest culinary fare from select area food trucks on Sunday, August 31, 2014 (noon – 4 p.m.).

The family-friendly afternoon additionally features an exotic car display, vendor village, gourmet offerings from Whole Foods Market, and live music from The Replay. General admission tickets ($40 in advance, $50 at the door) include a hearty menu item from each of a collection of the most popular local gourmet food trucks in the area. V.I.P. tickets ($60 in advance or $70 at the door) include all tastings as well as access to unlimited tastings at the Adult Beverage tent and 30 minute early access. The Heineken Tasting Pavilion for VIP ticketholders will offer unlimited tastings of bourbons, whiskeys and beers. Kids’ tickets allowing them a children’s option at each truck are $20 for children 10 and over plus a fun kids zone will be a new addition to the event.

For more information and tickets visit: www.pgapigout.eventbrite.com.

A portion of the proceeds benefits Wounded Warriors of South Florida and its noble cause of empowering injured service veterans. August 31st in appreciation of our Military, Active and Retired Military personnel can enjoy a room rate starting at $89 per night including one ticket (resort fees, and taxes additional). Two free tickets to the “Gourmet Pig Out” are included with a two-night stay. Call 888.974.3885 for reservations.

Guests will have the chance to experience PGA National’s own gourmet iTRUCK offering tasty finger foods including Short Rib Mac and Cheese, Blazing Buffalo Bites, and its signature Parmesan White Truffle Fries.

iTRUCK periodically serves as the “92nd Hole” for the resort’s five outstanding golf courses, caters local affairs and occasionally joins major festivals throughout Broward and Palm Beach counties.

For those seeking accommodations, PGA National is offering a special “Stay the Night” rate of $169 including two tickets. Call 855.661.1050 for reservations.

“The Gourmet Pig Out is the perfect way to enjoy the awesome food trucks of our area and as well the exciting debut of iTRUCK,” says Donald Young, PGA National’s Executive Chef. “Come have a great Sunday afternoon and help support the Wounded Warriors and its wonderful work with our South Florida veterans.”

The “Gourmet Pig Out” sponsors include Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, Palm Beach Children’s Hospital, Gourmet Truck Expo, Whole Foods Market, Heineken, Yelp, and Localdines.com

For more PGA National Resort & Spa information: www.pgaresort.com or call 561.627.2000.

* Marty’s Hamburger Stand.

Got this email this morning from AlFromLa…

“Recent transplant from LA, now living in Miami. Would match Marty’s burgers, dogs and fries against anyone’s. Marty’s has been feeding me for over 48 years. Once you eat Marty’s you’ll have a different perspective on what great fast food is all about. Started reading Jeffeats.com about 2 weeks ago and you have a nice site going there. Can definitely see the NYC sensibilities and leanings at work. How about letting readers list their favorite old time fast food burger/hot dog/fries restaurants outside of south Florida after it’s a big country?”

*****

AlFromLa:

Great idea.

Guys if you are so inclined, list your favorite old time fast burger/hot dog/fries joints “not” located in Florida.

Jeff Eats will post photos of some of your picks.

Motz’s Hamburgers