***** Nino’s Pizzeria & Restaurant, 7120 Beracasa Way, Boca Raton, Florida 33433, (561) 392-9075.

Way back on March 20, 2008 Jeff Eats told you guys about Nino’s Pizzeria & Restaurant in Boca Raton.

Time for a little update on what is definitely one of the best “mom & pop” red sauce Italian joints in South Florida.

For your convenience the “original” story is printed below…gonna save you the trouble of scrolling around.

Anyway,

Just for background, Nino’s opened for business in Boca Raton in 1983-you mathematicians can do the math–for the rest of you-that’s 31 years ago. In something like 2005, it opened a second location in Delray Beach. Partners fall-out, one gets Boca Raton, the other gets Delray Beach. So now you know, the business angle here.

Now-just so we are straight, we are talking about Boca Raton- here. Absolutely-positively nothing wrong with the Delray Beach location–Jeff Eats (1) lives closer to the Boca joint and (2) Jeff Eats thinks that the food, service, ambiance are better in Boca Raton- but trust me Delray Beach ain’t exactly chopped liver either.

Anyway,

Jeff Eats has never “officially” counted the number of times-I’ve eaten in/taken out from Nino’s–but I’m guessing 70 maybe 80, let’s just say it’s a lot. I want to tell you, that not- even- one- time was the food not right on the money–same for the service. Real simple… its soups, salads, pizzas, calzones, subs, pastas, entrees are all delicious. Off the top of my head, I would match Nino’s veal chop parmigiana ($22 soup/salad, pasta side, garlic rolls), its chicken cacciatore on the bone ($17.95 soup/salad, pasta side, garlic rolls), its chicken scarpariello on the bone ($17.95 soup/salad, pasta side, garlic rolls) and its shrimp scampi ($22.50 soup/salad, pasta side, garlic rolls) up against South Florida’s best “mom & pop” and “upscale” players. While I’m on the subject of food, Nino’s plain pizza is always on the money and the joint makes what it calls an “upside down Sicilian” pie that is a work of beauty–if you go, get it!

You maybe wondering why the sudden “gushing” about Nino’s?

Last night, Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and some dear friends- ate dinner at Nino’s and we got to discussing “various” Italian joints–and like a bolt of lightening–it hit me as to how really good Nino’s stuff is! Just that simple! Real fast-right off the top of you head, other than Nino’s–name a “mom & pop” red sauce Italian joint that does chicken cacciatore and chicken scarpariello on the bone…you do know, that’s the only RIGHT WAY to make those dishes–but that’s just my take-on the-thing!

You can check menu/prices at www.ninosofboca.com.

Nino’s Pizzeria & Restaurant is open 7 days a week 11am-10pm.
*****
March 20, 2008
***** Nino’s Pizzeria & Restaurant, 7120 Beracasa Way, Boca Raton, Florida 33433, (561) 392-9075—&—13900 South Jog Road, Delray Beach, Florida 33445, (561) 499-3988

Nino’s is one of my favorite “mom and pop” Southern Italian joints in South Florida. I could be going out on a limb here, but I think that after you have tried this joint, you will also become a big fan.

Just so you know, the Boca Raton location has been around for something like 25 years…the Delray Beach location has been in business for about 3 years. Over the years, I have eaten in the Boca location something like 30 times and the Delray location twice…although the menus are almost identical, I like the food, ambiance and service in the Boca restaurant better…call me a creature of habit, but I really feel at home when I enter the Boca joint…from the way I am greeted at the front door, to Nino the owner waving and talking from behind the pizza counter to the customers…the food and service in Delray Beach is just fine, but there is something “special” about the Boca location.

Although Nino’s seemingly “follows” the standard pattern…Soup or salad, garlic rolls, entree with a pasta side…this joint makes some of the most delicious dishes and pizza that you have ever eaten. I would personally match its veal chop parmigiana—bone in chicken cacciatore— bone in chicken scapriello—shrimp scampi entrees against any Italian restaurant down here in South Florida.

Like I said before, Nino’s has been around for something like 25 years. The Boca Raton joint is jammed for dinner 7-days a week and has a takeout business that seems to be never ending. The Delray Beach spot has also developed quite a following…but my heart belongs to the Boca joint. Both joints are open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.

Great food. Great service. Pizza joint prices…

By the way, Nino and his wife Josephine own Josephine’s Italian Restaurant which is located on Federal Highway in Boca Raton. That’s a story for another day…but Josephine’s is a very good “white table cloth” joint.

***** Don’s Italian Restaurant, 419 East Sheridan Street, Dania Beach, Florida 33004, (954) 923-6555.

Not exactly sure about the “ownership-machinations” of this red sauce Italian joint…

I think–it was first called Don & Sal’s Italian Restaurant, then it was Don & Vinny’s Italian Restaurant, now it’s just Don’s Italian Restaurant…Whatever!

Anyway…

Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and another couple recently-did Don’s Italian Restaurant for dinner…large plain pizza ($12), chicken parmigiana (soup or salad, pasta side, garlic rolls- $13), veal marsala (soup or salad, pasta side, garlic rolls- $16), shrimp scampi (soup or salad, pasta side, garlic rolls- $15) and I have to tell you that Don’s was just what the doctor ordered…good solid food, pleasant service, big portions, very reasonable prices.

Now, you know and I know, that this food reviewing-thing is one gigantic subjective game–what I might like, you might hate and vice versa. With that in mind, a joint like- Don’s Italian Restaurant is exactly what Jeff Eats looks for when- I’m thinking- loads of garlic rolls, mucho glasses of Coca Cola, red sauce galore, tons of food, real casual-easy going outing. If what I just said makes sense to you, great…if not, not!

Jeff Eats really enjoyed Don’s Italian Restaurant which is open Monday-Thursday noon-10pm, Friday- Saturday noon-11pm, Sunday 4pm-10pm.

You can check menu/prices at www.donspizzapasta.com.

* Ribs By Jeff Eats.

And you thought that Jeff Eats was just a pretty face.

Ribs from Publix.
Bbq sauce by Sweet Baby Ray’s.
Mustard by French’s.
Gas grill from Lee’s Barbeque Center-Boca Raton.

***** The Backyard Of Boynton Beach, 511 Northeast 4th Street, Boynton Beach, Florida 33435, (561) 740-0399.

Got an absolutely terrific joint for you…The Backyard Of Boynton Beach.

Now if you can, imagine a gigantic OUTDOOR TIKI BAR that has 2 -full service bars, loads of tables/booths, loads of craft beers, a raw bar, appetizers, salads, burgers, tacos, fajitas, sandwiches, desserts, wings, tvs and a stage area that has blues/country/rock/folk bands-performers working almost all of the time–you got The Backyard Of Boynton Beach. Oh! One other thing, the joint’s kitchen is a converted Airstream trailer.

Jeff Eats has been hearing about The Backyard Of Boynton Beach for a couple of years…Mrs. Jeff Eats and I finally got there today for lunch. Very eclectic crowd–bikers, young families, handful of 60ish formerly from Brooklyn Jewish lawyers, 2 plumbers, some guys who looked like they played football for Notre Dame Football in 1991, 10 former US Navy Seals circa 1987, handful of 50ish women who looked like they were Dollywood Dancers circa 1994 …to the man-woman, everyone was in shorts/tee shirt/sneakers-flip flops (except the bikers who were wearing boots/closed toed shoes) and everyone was having an absolute blast–drinking, eating and enjoying a pretty decent folk singer.

Jeff Eats did a cheeseburger/French fries, and Mrs. Jeff Eats did a chicken fajitas–we split an order of honey garlic wings-Caesar salad-slice of key lime pie. Now trust me here, top-notch sports bar stuff at sports bar prices. Real cool pierced and tattooed waitresses.

At this stage of the game if you want, you can check www.TheBackyardBoyntonBeach.com for menu/prices/music schedule/other info.

Like I said earlier-or maybe I didn’t-although there is some “cover”-The Backyard Of Boynton Beach is basically an outdoor joint…so if it rains, your up SC or SOOL!

If you are some fancy dancy–this joint ain’t for you.

Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats LOVED–The Backyard Of Boynton Beach…I think you will too! By the way, the joint is extremely dog friendly.

The Backyard Of Boynton Beach is open Sunday-Tuesday 11:30am-midnight, Wednesday 11:30am-2am.

* Palm Beach Outlets. 1751 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard, West a Palm Beach, Florida 33401, (561) 515-4400.

Jeff Eats is gonna assume that you know what Palm Beach Outlets is- for those of you who don’t, where the hell have you been? In a nutshell, a humongous-gigantic outlet mall which opened a few weeks ago in West a Palm Beach.

Anyway,

Yesterday afternoon, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats took a ride up-to Palm Beach Outlets getting there around 2pm. Like I said before, humongous-gigantic with a ton of construction still going on. You can check the mall’s website www.palmbeachoutlets.com for the tenant roster-but trust me, it’s all of the usual suspects like GAP, NIKE, Auntie Anne’s-so on and so forth.

Now -because the mall is still under construction, Jeff Eats is gonna cut Palm Beach Outlet’s food court a break…maybe there are plans to enlarge it (it didn’t look that way to me) but a Subway, a Sbarro. A Chickenow and a Tobu’ Oriental Eatery don’t exactly spell STRONG to Jeff Eats. Like I said, let’s see if the 4-horseman get more shall we stablemates!

Finally,

Yesterday was Saturday. The weather was gorgeous. At 2pm the Palm Beach Outlets was literally a ghost town. Just maybe this outlet mall is in the wrong place or maybe people are all “outleted out” or the weather was too nice, or the Snowbirds were gone–we’ll just have to let this story play out a bit longer.

One other thing, the mall in Jeff Eats’ personal opinion is BORING! If you get there, the outdoor color scheme and signage looks like something right out of an old 1942 prison yard movie. No fooling around, I was expecting to see Edward G. Robinson and Peter Lorre to come walking out of the Nike store at any moment. For crying out loud, this is freaking South Florida- bright colors, Art Deco furniture, cool looking sculptures-not stuff like you find in those dark- finster New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire outlets.

Oh, by the way the chicken tenders “samples” that Chickenow served up were dynamite. Check out www.chicken-now.com. AND Mrs. Jeff Eats saved 51 bucks in the GAP outlet, thank God!

* Old Jews Telling Jokes -Broward Stage Door Theater, 8036 West Sample Road, Coral Springs, Florida 33065, (954) 344-7765.

Here’s a heads-up for you guys…

Last year Jeff Eats caught “Old Jews Telling Jokes” during its Off- Broadway run. No fooling here, one of the funniest shows that I have ever seen. By the way, the New York show as SRO.

Anyway,

Old Jews Telling Jokes is coming to Coral Springs- The “show” is- set for a 11/1/2014-1/4/2015 run at the Broward Stage Door Theater.

Jeff Eats is telling you, DON’T MISS IT! No question in Jeff Eats’ mind that the production will be a sell-out!

Checkout the theater’s website www.stagedoortheatre.com for details.

Tickets can be purchased by phone or at the box office.

Once again, I’m telling you…GO!

Printed below is the theater’s description of the show.
*****
Old Jews Telling Jokes: November 1st, 2014 – January 4th, 2014.
Theater 1
Get ready for an outrageous evening of one-liners, double-entendres and hysterical routines sure to triple you over with laughter! OLD JEWS TELLING JOKES showcases five actors in a comedy that pays tribute to and reinvents classic jokes of the past and present. The show also features comic songs—brand-new and satisfyingly old—as well as tributes to some of the giants of the comedy world and to the Old Jews Telling Jokes website, which inspired the show. Like rye bread, kosher pickles and bagels, this show is for everyone! You’ll laugh ’til you plotz.

* A Night Of Music And Memories starring The Duprees.

Got a good one for you “oldies” fans out there…

Tickets for the show just went on sale- as Jeff Eats types- first row seats are available.

Jeff Eats has seen all of the listed acts-and they all put on a great show. My money says that The Demensions’ “Over The Rainbow” will bring the house down.

You can order tickets online at www.parkerplayhouse.com.

Look! Jeff Eats appreciates that- the show is set for October 25, 2014–and that today is May 17, 2014…you do know- that the early bird catches the first worm, sure you do!

Show Details are listed below:

Music and Memories with Golden Oldies Performers

LAR Enterprises Presents
A Night of Music and Memories starring The Duprees
Saturday, October 25, 2014 • 7:00 p.m.
LAR Enterprises presents A Night of Music and Memories featuring The Duprees, known the world over for their romantic interpretations of some of the most beautiful love songs such as “You Belong to Me” from 1962. Their unmistakable sound was born, and the hits kept rolling in, including “Have You Heard,” “My Own True Love,” and “Goodnight My Love.” Still touring and recording after 50 years, The Duprees have never slowed down. They will be joined by other golden oldies performers, including Barbara Lewis (“Hello Stranger”), Jimmy Charles (“A Million To One”), Norman Fox & The Rob Roys (“Tell Me Why”) and Lenny Dell & Demensions (“Over The Rainbow”).
BUY TICKETS
All artists, dates, times and prices are subject to change without notice.
All special offers cannot be combined with other discounts or previous purchases and certain restrictions apply.

Tickets are also available at the Parker Playhouse Box Office
707 NE 8th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
954.462.0222 | Toll-free 877.311.7469

The Parker Playhouse is managed by the Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Volunteer at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts or the Parker Playhouse.

* THE WAKE-N-BACON.

Jeff Eats recently became a huge fan of PornBurger.me

Every week PornBurger.me features an interesting burger that you can prepare at home.

Printed below is PornBurger.me’s commentary on this week’s burger- THE WAKE-N-BACON.

Just a word to the wise, be careful going to the PornBurger.me website- a typo here and there and you’ll have some Lucy type ‘splaining to do to your significant other. Don’t say that Jeff Eats didn’t warn you.
*****
“If you’re anything like me, you start your weekends extremely high (…on life) and extremely hungry. Well, this morning glory combines all of my breakfast binging necessities – something sweet, something savory, caffeine… and a WHOLE lot of bacon. Sandwiched between two warm and freshly glazed apple fritters, sits a maple bacon-wrapped beef patty, draped with melty cheddar cheese, and drizzled with a caffeinated maple, espresso syrup. Munchie devils begone!”

***** Nasto’s Ice Cream Co., 236-40 Jefferson Street, Newark, New Jersey 07105, (973) 589-3333.

A few weeks ago Jeff Eats found himself in Newark, New Jersey. Don’t ask!–but, it had nothing to do with Cory Booker.

Anyway,

My good friend Leo took me to Nasto’s an ice cream/bakery that’s been around since 1939.

Now, I know- Newark is a long way from Sunny South Florida–but this joint’s got stuff like nobody’s business, so you should know about it. By the way, Nasto’s “ships.”

If for some reason -you find yourself in Newark, make sure you get over to Nasto’s. No fooling around here, I can’t recall ever having- a better tartufo, tortoni or vanilla ice cream. The joint is takeout only and is open Monday-Saturday 8am-8pm, Sunday 11:30am-7pm.

From what I understand, Nasto’s has 1-retail location, but does have a Newark manufacturing plant that services over 750 New Jersey restaurants/outlets. By the way, I know it’s Newark- but trust Jeff Eats -nobody is gonna mug or do nothing bad to you, capice!

Printed below is a “brief” biography from Nasto’s Ice Cream’s website www.nastosicecream.com.

“Nasto’s “Old World Desserts”, A manufacturer of premium ice cream and frozen dessert specialties began from humble beginnings. Founded in 1939 by the late Frank Sr. and Angelina, Nasto’s Ice Cream Co. began as a neighborhood mom and pop. In a corner storefront that was once a brewery, Nasto’s installed an ice cream batch machine in the front window case and began making homemade ice cream and Italian style ices. People could watch outside while their ice cream was being made. With 9 children to help out, staff was never a problem. Soon with Al and Frank Jr., Frank Sr. 2 oldest sons at the helm, the business blossomed into both a retail and wholesale operation. Making such Italian specialties, as Spumoni and Bisque Tortoni they used the original authentic recipes handed down from Frank Sr.’s native Nocera Italy. Over the years several desserts were added to complete a whole dessert line, such as the original Tartufo, Reginetta, Tiramisu, a full line of Ice Cream, Gelato, Sorbet, and Italian Ices.
Now under the 3rd generation of family ownership, using modern equipment and state of the art production techniques we still follow 1 simple principle. Always use the highest quality ingredients to produce the finest product possible. Nasto’s strives to be an innovator in the dessert industry always looking for new flavors and products to develop. Serving the finest restaurants, hotels, and caterers in the tri-state area with our landmark retail store still in the original location in the historic Ironbound Section of Newark, NJ we invite you to visit us and let our products speak for themselves.”
Sincerely,
Frank Nasto III
President/CEO

* 3rd Annual Pairings Food & Wine Event (West Palm Beach) Thursday, May 29, 2014, 5:30pm-9pm.

Reprinted below is an email which Jeff Eats literally received 2-minures ago from the West Palm Beach Downtown Authority.

Just so you know, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats are planning on attending.

The way we see it–for 50 bucks we get a great night out, part of the proceeds go to charity and Jeff Eats gets to “try” a load of joints “all” in one shot.

A quick look at the vendor’s list- tells me that some GOOD STUFF is gonna be served. How is Jeff Eats so sure?- just check my Hamburger Heaven (April 8, 2014) and Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar (January 10, 2010) reviews–not too shabby! In addition, conceited Jeff Eats is thinking-just knowing I’m gonna be there eating- will have “everyone” upping their game…Oh-the power of the pen!

Hope to see you guys at the 3rd Annual Pairings Food & Wine Event. It should be real fun.

You can catch tickets at: www.wpbgo.com. By the way, 25 bucks now, 30 bucks day of the event.
*****
“Downtown West Palm Beach residents and visitors will have the chance to experience the finest flavors of the Clematis District’s international menu during its third annual “Pairings” event. This progressive dinner tour will take place on Thursday, May 29 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. featuring a wide variety of delicious samplings from some of downtown West Palm Beaches most desirable restaurants and other exciting activities. Guests can enjoy a wide selection of light appetizers, entrées and desserts paired with specialty cocktails, wines and coffee. The event is offered by the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA), and a portion of the proceeds will benefit Families First Palm Beach County, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping create a safe, healthy and sustainable environment for children and their families in Palm Beach County through innovative approaches.
The WPB Downtown Development Authority presents the 3rd Annual Pairings Food & Wine Event in Downtown West Palm Beach on Thurs., May 29th from 5:30pm-9pm. For only $25, diners receive samples of popular menu items at each participating restaurant with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Families First of Palm Beach County. More details to be announced soon.
The free downtown trolley can take you to your next bite!”
PARTICIPATING VENDORS:
Hamburger Heaven
E.R. Bradley’s Saloon
Tin Fish
Bee Organics
Bar Louie
Palm Beach Dramaworks
Oli’s Fashion Cuisine
Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar
Duffy’s Sports Bar & Grill
Off the Hookah
The Wine Dive
Dunkin Donuts
Cafe Sweets Bakery
SubCulture Coffee
Hullabaloo
Longboards
Te Mana Kava Bar
Clematis Pizza
Best Darn Kettlecorn
O’Shea’s Irish Pub
Cabana Nuevo Latino
Leila Restaurant
The Backyard Bar
TICKETS:
$25 In Advance / $30 Day Of Event
www.wpbgo.com