* Groupon-5th Annual Celebration Boca Raton Wine & Food Festival A Culinary Affair!

Jeff Eats just this minute got these Groupon “deals”…

•$55 for admission for one to the Vineyard Party, A Vine to Glass Affair! on Friday, November 14, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. ($110 value)
•$87 for admission for one to the Grand Tasting, A Culinary Affair! on Saturday, November 15, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. ($175 value)
•$37 for admission for one to the Craft Brew Battle, A Hoppy Affair! on Sunday, November 16, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. ($75 value)

Over the years, Jeff Eats has been to a number of Boca Raton Wine & Food Festival events and they were all winners.

Groupon (groupon.com) has some nice discounts running- for this one… which will save- 50 cents on the dollar!

*****
2014 Festival Tickets
Dates: November 14th, 15th, &
16th, 2014
Where: Florida Atlantic University (FAU)
777 Glades Road
Boca Raton, FL 33431
Tickets: – Dinner Under The Stars
– Vineyard Party
– Grand Tasting
– Craft Brew Battle
PRE-SALE TICKETS NOW ON SALE! PURCHASE FESTIVAL WINES ONLINE AT WINEEVENTS.COM
Purchase Tickets Online

5th Annual Celebration
Boca Raton Wine & Food Festival
A Culinary Affair!
November 14th, 15th, & 16th, 2014
Please your palate, step into your stride and enjoy the largest outdoor Culinary Affair in South Florida during the 5th Annual Boca Raton Wine & Food Festival on Friday, November 14th, Saturday, November 15th, and Sunday, November 16th, 2014. The special 5th Annual Celebration takes place at the Florida Atlantic University (FAU) campus in Boca Raton. This year promises to be a party no one will ever forget with four very special events over three days. Friday night kicks off the festivities with two unique events, the exclusive VIP Dinner Under The Stars, A Four-Course Food & Wine Affair; 7 PM to 10 PM, and the Vineyard Party, A Vine to Glass Affair; 7 PM to 10 PM. Then on Saturday evening, over 75 chefs from the tri-county area converge upon the festival grounds for the Best Florida Food Festival event the Grand Tasting, A Culinary Affair; 6 PM to 10 PM. And, for you Craft Brew lovers we have added a very special event just for you! Join us for the inaugural Craft Brew Battle, A Hoppy Affair!; Sunday afternoon from 1 PM to 4 PM.

The Annual Boca Raton Wine & Food Festival brings you face-to-face with those who have made their lives — their craft. This is the time for you to dine, drink fine wine and experience A Culinary Affair! like no other in South Florida!

Grand Tasting, A Culinary Affair! Saturday, November 15th – 6 PM to 10 PM

As you stroll through the festival on Saturday feeling the balmy breeze while the sun sets you will be embraced in sensory delight as your journey takes you through Nineteen Regions; a Welcome Reception, France, Italy, America, South America, Spain, Asia Pacific, Sweet Endings Village, Organic Village, Farmers Market, Sensory Garden, The Vineyard, IKEA Kitchen Alley, Live Entertainment Stage and IKEA Lounge, Spirits and Craft Beer Villages, BBQ Village, Retail and Business Shopping Bazaar and our new Wine Store sponsored by WineEvents.com. Now you can buy your favorite wines at the Festival and go home with them! The 200,000 square feet will be transformed into a lavish walkway of elaborately decorated countries and regions that come alive through a gastronomic journey of tastes, sounds and visions! Meet and mingle among 70 Chefs from the tri-county area as they prepare their most beloved dishes from 6 World Regions and a Sweet Endings Village. Premier vintners will offer tastings of some of the world’s finest varietals of wine. Cultural music and décor will take you to places afar. Live cooking demonstrations in IKEA Kitchen Alley and enjoy boutique experiences with the festival sommeliers in the Sensory Garden. Visit the Farmers Market, sponsored by Cabot Cheese, in partnership with NuTurf of Pompano Beach and check out Pero Family Farms in the BBQ Village, stroll and shop in the Retail and Business Shopping Bazaar. This year you can learn the art of cooking with rum in the Spirits Village and enjoy a varietal of seasonal craft beers in the Beer Village. Enjoy Live Entertainment and dancing at the Main Entertainment Stage & IKEA Lounge with local songstress Kendra Fulmer opening up for Groove Line. The Grand Tasting on Saturday will be A Culinary AffairVIP Dinner Under The Stars, A Four-Course Food & Wine Affair!

Friday, November 14th – 7 PM to 10 PM

On Friday night we are hosting an exclusive VIP Dinner Under The Stars. It’s about Atmosphere. It’s about Food. It’s about Wine. And now, six south Florida chefs are bringing their culinary talents to your table. Friday evening includes a four-course dinner prepared live to please your palate as you are introduced to perfectly paired wines by our six Sommeliers. An intimate number of guests will choose the region of their choice to dine for the evening; American, Italian, and Mediterranean. After your culinary experience, you’ll make your way through the Retail and Business Shopping Bazaar. Then, you’ll head to the Main Entertainment Stage & IKEA Lounge for Dancing. VIP Guests will have FREE access to the Vineyard Party. The Dinner Under The Stars has Limited Seating Available to ensure an intimate experience. Be sure to purchase tickets early as they will sell out!

The VIP Dinner Under The Stars is hosted by Honorary Chair Robert Stanfield.

Vineyard Party, A Vine to Glass Affair!

Friday, November 14th – 7 PM to 10 PM

If you want to take advantage of the more intimate experience that we have created join us on Friday night for the Vineyard Party. While walking through the vineyard, the sights, sounds and aromas transport guests to Oregon, Sonoma and Napa Valley. Enjoy the journey through these Regions; a Welcome Reception, Bites! Tasting Village, Sweet Endings Village, Organic Village, Farmers Market, Sensory Garden, The Vineyard, IKEA Kitchen Alley, Live Entertainment Stage and IKEA Lounge, Spirits and Craft Beer Villages, BBQ Village, Retail and Business Shopping Bazaar and our new Wine Store sponsored by WineEvents.com. Now you can buy your favorite wines at the Festival and go home with them! The name of the event may say ‘Vineyard Party’ but that doesn’t mean you won’t find a lavish selection of cuisines prepared by our chefs in the Bites! Tasting Village and BBQ Village along with plenty of wine varietals to enjoy while watching the live cooking demonstrations in IKEA Kitchen Alley. Guests can hang out in the Wine Sensory Garden with the festival sommeliers for a sensory wine tasting experience. There is something for everyone’s palate…enjoy varietals of craft beers and cordials in the Craft Beer and Spirits Villages. Stroll into the Farmer’s Market for fresh herbs and organic produce and be sure to try Progresso’s new organic soup line in the Organic Village. The Retail and Business Shopping Bazaar is open all evening. At the Main Entertainment Stage & IKEA Lounge enjoy the vibe of Treebo Band. This will be a fun-filled Vine to Glass Affair for a limited number of guests.

Friday will definitely be amazing, we created an evening with two different price points, but with equally exciting appeal for everyone to enjoy!

Craft Brew Battle, A Hoppy Affair!

Sunday, November 16th – 1 PM to 4 PM

The Craft Brew Battle is celebrating its inaugural A Hoppy Affair! during the 5th Annual Boca Raton Wine & Food Festival Sunday, November 16th at the Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton Campus. This is NOT your average beer pong party! This is catered towards enthusiasts who appreciate the chemistry of craft brew making and the skills of a Brew master. Get ready to experience an awesome variety of brews from around the world – A Hoppy Affair! is the quintessential celebration of craft brew! On a sun soaked November afternoon, there’s no better place to sip suds amongst friends. Whether you prefer Belgians or Blondes, Pales or Pilsners, Saisons or Wits – come and see for yourself why we will be one of the best loved Craft Brew Festivals in South Florida. Rich Educational Seminars with knowledgeable Brew masters, Cheese Makers (or fromagere, the French term for cheese maker) and learn about harvesting from south Florida Farmers themselves in IKEA Kitchen Alley. You have to be wondering by now where the ‘BATTLE’ comes into play, right? We invite men and women to participate in the Consumer Challenge for the ‘Craft Brew Master’ award. Blindfolded guests will taste one ounce pours of different craft brews with the goal of identifying the hops and naming of the brew. The consumer who gets the most correct receives the “Craft Brew Master” trophy and of course bragging rights! Now for you food lovers, the Brew master experts say the best way to pair craft beer and a prepared dish is to have them both battle it out with equal strength so that one does not over power the other. The featured chefs are up for the challenge and are pairing their dish with what ‘they’ think is the best craft beer and you get to vote for the “Best Craft Beer Pairing”. Say CHEESE!, you will be smiling ear to ear after you get to play with the artisanal cheeses in the Craft Brew & Cheese Village joined by the experts. And, if that’s not enough…wait until you try the variety of Specialty Food Items! We’re looking forward to seeing you at A Hoppy Affair!

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2014 FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Friday, November 14th

– Dinner Under The Stars, A Four-Course Food & Wine Affair! – 7 PM to 10 PM

– Vineyard Party, A Vine to Glass Affair! – 7 PM to 10 PM

Saturday, November 15th

– Grand Tasting, A Culinary Affair! – 6 PM to 10 PM

Sunday, November 16th

– Craft Brew Battle, A Hoppy Affair! – 1 PM to 4 PM

Call 561.338.7594 for Group Ticket Sale

2014 Musical Entertainment Lineup

Vineyard Party Opening Entertainment Act

Kendra Erika is a 21-year old singer/songwriter from South Florida. Kendra was classically trained at a young age and is versatile at performing opera, broadway and jazz but her passion lies in the pop music genre. She has a burning desire to perform and to become a role model and inspiration to others. Kendra performs at venues all over South Florida and was featured as the opening act for Australian pop star, Cody Simpson, at Revolution Live in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Kendra is a former winner of the annual Boca Raton Future Stars Performing Arts Competition and was recently named “Boca’s most Fascinating Singer” by a major South Florida publication. Kendra Erika’s original music is available on I-Tunes and new music recorded by Fred Cannon and Creative Music & Dreams Network is about to be released. Kendra Erika is ready to share her music with the world; stay tuned for what’s to come.

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Vineyard Party Entertainment Act

Jamilia Anderson CEO/Manager/Female Singer began her performing career 15 yrs previous, at The Edwin Holland School of Dance in Miami, Fl before relocating to NYC to receive the intense training needed to take her dreams to the next level. Attending Long Island University, Jamilia graduated Salutatorian of her 2004 class, receiving her B.F.A. in dance studies.

During her career, Jamilia has appeared in videos of artists Joan Jett and Elephant Man and has danced behind freestyle recording artist Safire, Miredys, Shaggy and Bruck Up for “Good Day New York” and for Shakira at the 2009 AMA’s, South Florida’s 2009 Jingle Ball and ‘’So you Think You Can Dance.” She was also spotted dancing on MTV’s The College Humor Show’s “Awkward” rap video, a Def Jam “Rapstar” commercial, Shakira’s “Give It Up To Me” video and True Life.

After years of performing as a dancer and dance choreographer, Jamilia pursued her other passion for singing. She sailed with Carnival Cruise Lines as a female production singer for over a year, Sang with one of the most prestigious wedding Bands in NYC, and most recently recorded her own music project. Jamilia used all of her experiences in the entertainment business to bring together a young, diverse group of musicians to create a unique and memorable event for every client.

Additional members of The Jam Band include Jacquez Huell- Male vocalist, Ande Alvarez- Female Vocalist, Diego Jinkus- Male vocalist, Jorge Garcia-Guitar, Colin James- Keyboard, Joel Brown- Bass, Justin Howard- Drums, & Andrew “Fresh”Archibald- DJ

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Grand Tasting Main Entertainment Act

Classic Rock Therapy (CRT) started out in 2006 as five good friends getting together to jam and have turned into South Florida’s favorite party band. Fronted by energetic and personable frontman Mitch Lautman and playing classic / current rock and plenty of great dance music it’s always a party with CRT. From Aerosmith to ZZ Top, CRT plays mostly popular recognizable songs with some seldom heard eclectic gems thrown in. You will be saying to yourself “Wow, I love that song and haven’t heard it in years.” Mitch frequently comes out into the audience and lets people “sing along with Mitch”. These guys are all good friends and it shows and it’s obvious they know how to have fun up on stage. Other members include John Prout on guitar and vocals, Terry Cantrell on guitar and vocals, Duncan Fernandez on bass and vocals and Richard Seidelman on drums. Check out the band at Classic Rock Therapy. For booking, please contact Mitch at 954.536.2401. Come to a show and get some THERAPY…!

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East Camino Real Boca Raton FL

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South Florida Events Dinner Under The Stars France Region Dinner Under The Stars Italian Cuisine

Dinner Under The Stars Wine And Food Festival Boca Raton Wine And Food Festival Guests Dinner Under The Stars

Dinner Under The Stars American Cuisine Dinner Under The Stars Guests Dinner Under The Stars Dessert

American Region of the Festival Le Cordon Bleu Student Chefs Pero Family Farms America

Antigal Malbec 2009 Six Sigma Winery Estimulo Malbec 2008

Wine And Food Festival Spanish Region Handley Cellars Pinor Noir 2009 Farmer Jay

Robert Standfield, Jaime Aronson, Russell Spadaccini Palilalia Dish Melissa Michel and Maria

Acrobat Wine Hayden Michel Man Smiling

Women Waving! Tamarind Sushi Deerfield Beach Girls Drinking Wine

Baby Looking at Cupcakes Food Dishes Amber Leigh

PouringWine.com Market Bazaar Martini Shaker

Trattoria Bella Cibo Event Urban Gypsy Band Social Cupcake

Couple Enjoying the Festival Wine Barrels Shant Epremian

Sitting Sipping Wine I Heart Olive Oil Event Wine and Food Festival group shot

Robert Stanfield Chef Jacket BocaRaton.com Wine & Food Festival Gift Bags Food and Wine Festival crowd shot

© 2013 Boca Raton Wine & Food Festival™ – powered by BocaRaton.com & The Bites! Network

* Headline Entertainment-Johnny Lampert.

Recent email received from reader MRD…

Dear Jeff,

Our men’s club at Temple___________ in ___________, Florida wants to do a fundraiser. Can you recommend a reputable talent agent that we could use to book a great comedy show?
Your help would be appreciated.
*****
MRD:

Here’s a pr-piece from Headline Entertainment -which is owned/operated by comedian Johnny Lampert.

I know Johnny and he’s the man for you…he will put together a reasonably priced show that will have your crowd on the floor in laughter.

Just a suggestion, consider Johnny-as your opener/or headliner–he has a killer act.

Good luck,
*****

Looking for Fresh Entertainment to Present at the Club? Our Comedy Night is The Answer!

We book Comedy Nights at Country Clubs, Golf Clubs, Yacht Clubs and the like featuring
Affordable, Headline Comedians from Comedy Central, The Late Show with David Letterman
and Atlantic City’s best stages working as clean as you like. These shows are Easy To Produce
and have been Tremendously Successful both artistically and financially with most Attracting
Big Crowds!

The following is a letter we received from Lake of Isles Country Club in North Stonington, CT
(where we are on annual Comedy Night # 7):

“I wanted to thank you for always sending great headliners our way. They are always professional,
curteous and most of all funny! I appreciate knowing when I book with Headline EntertainmentI always know
you will send me comedians that will knock it out of the park!'”

Another letter, this one from Lakewood Country Club in Rockville, MD (where we are
now planning annual Comedy Night # 5):

“On behalf of our membership and the management team, I would like to thank you for your performance
last Friday night. Buddy, Tina and you really put on a great show. We appreciate the extra time you spent
on your portion of the performance and realizing that the crowd was very much still with you and enjoying
the shtick. We are in the process of putting our 2012 calendar together and I will reaching out to secure
your talents.”

To learn more, please check out our website (click below) which is complete with pictures, bios
and streaming video clips. If comedy is not the right fit for you, we also book all the best
music and variety acts as well. For booking info, please call Toll Free at 888-552-6737 and
someone will follow up right away. Mention this email and we will knock $500 OFF one of
our packages!

We are now booking our fall, winter and beyond schedules and would love to include you.
Dates are going fast, BOOK NOW!

*If you are not the right contact at your club, please forward to the correct
person? Thanks in advance.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Best,

Johnny Lampert
Headline Entertainment, LLC
www.headlineentertainment.us
jl@headlineent.net
888.552.6737

* Yo Yo.

Computer, internet, iPhone, iPad, Twitter, Instagram-betcha a buck -that when you were 7-you had more fun than today’s 7 year olds have!

* Dealflicks.com.

You guys ever hear of Dealflicks.com?

Interesting site,

Real simple concept. Discount movie tickets/concession items.

The way it works, you enter city/state/zip code and Dealflicks.com brings up a list of movie theaters in your area. The site shows you films that are playing (dates/times) and offers you discount ticket prices and soda and popcorn packages. You enter your credit card and by email you immediately get a voucher to use. Just so you know, the “savings” are literally all over the place–10%, 69%, 26%- like Jeff Eats just said, all over the place. Just so you know, I’ve used the service three-times with no hitches whatsoever. One other thing, before you “order” tickets-read the FINE PRINT CAREFULLY, certain blackout dates/times apply.

***** DISH OF THE WEEK (Sunday- 9/21/14).

One of Jeff Eats’ favorite menu items…

GYRO WRAP (Greek salad or French fries)
$9.95
Chris’ Taverna
6338 Lantana Road
Lake Worth
(561) 964-4233
christaverna.com
Latest Review: 6/29/14

Trust Jeff Eats when I tell you that Chris’ gyro wrap is off the chart-it is absolutely delicious. Just so you know, the original Chris’ review (5/21/10) has a different address listed-when Jeff Eats first “tried” Chris’ it was a small hole in the wall, the new location is in the same shopping center and seats a ton of people inside and on an outdoor patio. Without any hesitation, Jeff Eats will tell you, Chris’ Taverna is one of the best Greek restaurants in South Florida.

* ebay Restaurant Coupons.

Got a good one for you guys…

ebay Restaurant Coupons.

Real simple concept, go to ebay.com…type in Restaurant Coupons.

You won’t believe the number of “offers” to sell you discount coupons/gift cards for-restaurants all over the United States.

Like I said 1- second ago, real simple concept!

* Common Sense Tells Me.

Common sense tells Jeff Eats that if “this” was my daughter- I’d take my chances with the authorities, but I’d have a cocked .38 revolver pressed against this dreadlocks-guy’s forehead ready to pull the trigger unless by the count of 10 he told me where my daughter was.

I don’t know about you but-the way to fight fire is with fire.
*****

Missing University of Virginia student Hannah Graham apparently entered a restaurant with a man she encountered on Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall, then left with him in a car 15 minutes later, police said Friday.

Police Chief Timothy Longo told a late afternoon press conference that video showed Graham, 18, who vanished early last Saturday, with a man he described as a 32-year-old black male, 6 feet two inches, 270 pounds, with dreadlocks.

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He did not identify the man or label him a suspect but said “we’re interested in him.”

The man was one of three people present at a home police entered earlier in the day with a warrant after examining a car. Longo said there was no probable cause to arrest the individual and “not a sufficient legal basis” to detain him.

Det. Sgt. Jim Mooney said the pair entered the restaurant, where the man purchased alcohol, and “within 15 minutes they were gone. His car was seen leaving the area” and, Mooney said, “we have every reason to believe” Graham was inside.

Police, including Charlottesville’s forensic officers and police from Albemarle County began searching four units in an apartment complex late Friday morning, the Charlottesville Daily Progress reported. Longo said the wider search came after evidence was found in a vehicle parked in the Hessian Hills neighborhood.

“Last night, we developed some additional information that brought us to this location to execute a search warrant on the vehicle,” Longo said earlier Friday. “That vehicle has since been removed from this location so that that warrant could be executed.

“During the time period in which we were seizing that vehicle on this property here in Albemarle County, we developed sufficient probable cause to obtain a search warrant for the residences located behind me,” he added.

Virginia’s Department of Emergency Management asked community members to register for a mass search for Graham, scheduled for Saturday. It was not clear where the search would focus.

Graham was reported missing on Sunday when friends and family realized that they had not seen or heard from her since the night of September 12-13.

Surveillance video released by authorities late Wednesday shows Graham walking past an Italian restaurant and and a jewelry store at a mall in Charlottesville, Va. The video is timestamped just after 1 a.m. on the morning of September 13. A man is seen walking in front of Graham, but the man later stops and is then seen walking behind her. Authorities say the man on the video has come forward and spoken with police. He said that he was following Graham to see if she needed help. The man also told police he saw a second man put his arm around Graham.

Authorities say the mall was more than a mile and a half away from a party that Graham attended Friday night.

A final text from Graham’s cell phone was sent at approximately 1:20 a.m. Saturday.

Earlier this week, Longo said police “don’t have any substantial evidence” supporting fears of foul play, despite the release of another video showing Graham running. She slowed to a walk toward the end of that video, which Longo said indicates she was not being pursued.

However, Hannah’s parents, John and Susan, released a statement saying, “It is totally out of character for us not to have heard from her, and we fear foul play.”

The new videos and an eyewitness’ tip prompted police to canvass downtown businesses. A team of detectives went door-to-door at bookstores, bars and restaurants in the hope of recovering more surveillance videos, police Capt. Gary Pleasants said.

Longo said Graham met friends for dinner at a restaurant Friday night, dropped by parties at two off-campus housing units and left the second one alone. She sent several texts, including the one indicating she was lost, but Longo said he “didn’t get the sense there was fear” in any of the messages.

He also said Graham had been drinking that night. He said police released that information to emphasize that she may have been unusually vulnerable and her judgment may have been impaired.

Mooney, the lead investigator, said police have interviewed about 50 people so far in the case.

The search for the student, who was born in England but has lived in Virginia since she was 5, has involved local police, the Virginia State Police, University of Virginia police and the FBI, which is processing leads, Pleasants said. The search has also included canine teams and helicopters.

* Rocky & The Rollers.

Yesterday Jeff Eats got an email from “reader” MM in Boca Raton…

Jeff,

I am the Chairwoman of ______________. Our charity would like to invite you and your wife to be Co-Chairs” of an event that we are planning for March, 2015. Attached is a file about our charity and our even plans.

As of today’s date our event is just in the planning stage.

What we would like to do is have a SOCK HOP Starring A Well Known Performer for a crowd of about 300 people. We have underwriters for the event, so every dollar collected goes directly to the charity to be used on various projects. In the past we have had events with a ticket price of $100-$150 per person.

I know that you are not a party planner. We have a well known south Florida catering facility on our radar for location and we have a decorator for party decor.

What are your thoughts on the talent end?

Thank you very much,

GGH
*****

GGH:

Please feel free to call me at (561)_____________ to discuss this matter further.

In the meantime…take a look at- Florida based-oldies band Rocky & The Rollers (rockyandtherollers.com). Off the top of Jeff Eats’ head, I would hire Rocky & The Rollers to be the “house band” and as the “backup band” for a headline act like…Charlie Thomas’ Drifters, Jay Siegel’s Tokens, Lou Christie, Leslie Gore, The Duprees, Shirley Austin Reeves of The Shirelles.

Just so you know, Rocky & The Rollers is one of America’s top 50s-70s Rock N Roll cover bands. Rocky and a NAMED ACT would be a killer night–and wouldn’t break the bank to “produce.”

Once again, please feel free to call me to discuss further.

Jeff Eats

* redplum.com.

Now that Jeff Eats has become his mother (she started-saving S&H Green Stamps in 1951) you gotta check out redplum.com. The site has tons of printable coupons for groceries, household goods, and other stuff. As Mother Jeff Eats use to say…”Better the money should be in your pocket-than theirs.”

The older I get, the more I realize how smart-the lady was!

* Sticky’s Finger Joint.

Recently received the following email from reader Mal K.
*****
Hey Jeff,
Got a question for you.
It seems that the fast food business is loaded with burger, pizza, Mexican, ice cream, grilled cheese and yogurt restaurants.
Have you seen any great fast food ‘ideas’ that haven’t already been exploited? I’m thinking of going into business and don’t want to be a Johnny Come Lately.
Thanks,
Mal K
*****
Mal K:

No question about it-the fast food landscape is loaded with all kinds of concepts.

Jeff Eats recently tried Sticky’s Finger Joint a fast food “chicken-finger” concept that was absolutely dynamite. For right now, there are only two locations-both in Manhattan. Real easy concept-all kinds of chicken fingers/sauces.
You will need to do some homework here…you can start at- stickysfingerjoint.com. Jeff Eats thought that the food was delicious and-the concept definitely has-legs.

Check Sticky’s out. Check the concept out.