Paradise Shave Ice.

Jeff Eats recently caught-up with this food truck which “covers” Dade, Broward, Palm Beach- Martin Counties.

Paradise Shave Ice makes the most amazing “shave ice” that I have ever eaten. Forget about all the dumpy hold up-ridden 7-Elevens and crappy carnivals that you’ve had the pleasure to find yourself at. The stuff that Paradise Shave makes -rivals the best gelato/soft serve ice cream/yogurt/custard/hard ice cream/Italian ice that you’ve eaten.

Let’s wrap this up, Paradise Shave Ice blew me away.

You can follow this truck at www.paradisecups.com.

* Replay America.

Got something terrific for you 80’s Rock N Roll fans out there.

The reprinted PR piece has all the details that you need.

Just checked, there are a ton of good seats still available.

* Please see Jeff Eats’ June 4, 2013–Hard Rock Live -Tickets For Less Than Face…

*****

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (May 6, 2014) – This summer, the “Replay America” tour will celebrate the biggest stars and hits from the ‘80s at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Sunday, July 6, 2014 at 4 p.m. Tickets go on sale Friday, May 9 at 10 a.m. Fans will have access to presale tickets beginning Thursday, May 8 at 10 a.m. through Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood’s Facebook, Twitter and Google+ pages.

This is the first time in the U.S. that these revered artists will share a stage and perform the biggest hits of the iconic era. Heading the tour is much loved 1980s all-girl pop pioneers The Go-Go’s. Other artists include Patty Smyth of Scandal, Martha Davis and The Motels, Cutting Crew and Naked Eyes. The performers will play numerous hits including: Vacation, We Got The Beat, Our Lips Are Sealed, Head Over Heels, The Warrior, Goodbye To You, Only The Lonely, I Just Died In Your Arms, Always Something There To Remind Me, and many more.

Originally formed in 1978, The Go-Go’s are an all-female American rock band that made history as the first all-female band that wrote their own songs and played their own instruments to top the Billboard album charts.

The band is best known for such hits as We Got The Beat, Our Lips Are Sealed, Head Over Heels and Vacation.

The group’s debut album “Beauty and the Beat” topped the album charts for six weeks in 1982 and went double platinum in the U.S. The album is largely considered to be one of the cornerstones of American new wave music, and the popular album opener Our Lips Are Sealed has been named one of the “Top 100 Pop Singles of All Time” by Rolling Stone magazine.

Today, Beauty and the Beat remains one of the most successful debut albums, with an estimated three million copies sold. It was also included in Rolling Stone magazine’s “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” list.

The Hollywood Walk of Famers continue to be one of pop-rock and new wave’s top musical performers. They have sold more than seven million albums and will be inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame in June.

Patty Smyth of Scandal burst onto the scene in 1982 with a self-titled debut that turned out to be the best-selling EP in Columbia Records history, featuring the hit single, Goodbye to You. Her 1992 solo album turned out to be a career peak. Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough, a song Patty wrote and featuring a performance by Don Henley, became Smyth’s biggest hit ever. The song reached #2 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and stayed there for six consecutive weeks, and was named BMI song of the Year.

Martha Davis and The Motels self-titled debut was greeted with positive critical reviews in 1979 and exploded in Australia on the strength of the #2 Pop single, Total Control. In 1981 their sophomore effort, “Careful,” went Top 50. In 1982, the Motels released “All Four One” featuring smash single Only The Lonely which rocketed into the Top 10, and immediately propelled the album to gold status. 1983’s “Little Robbers” featured top singles Suddenly Last Summerand Remember The Nights. In 1985, “Shock” produced the Top 20 hit, Shame. In 1987 Davis released her first solo effort, “Policy”.

Cutting Crew released their debut album “Broadcast” which spawned their biggest hit (I Just) Died in Your Arms in 1986. The band follow up single I’ve Been In Love Before spent three weeks on the chart, leading to the group’s Grammy Nomination for Best New Artist in 1987.

Naked Eyes rose to prominence in the early 1980s. Originally a duo, the band is known largely for its four top 40 singles including chart topper, (There’s) Always Something There to Remind Me. Subsequent hits include Promises, Promise, When the Lights Go Out, and (What) In the Name of Love. In 2007, Naked Eyes released “Fumbling with the Covers”, an acoustic album which consisted of covers of Bob Dylan, The Beatles and Elvis Costello, along with Naked Eyes hits.

Tickets cost $64, $54 & $44;* all seats are reserved and available at all Ticketmaster outlets online at www.myhrl.com, www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone: 1-800-745-3000. Doors open one-hour prior to show start time. *Additional fees may apply.

***** Lola’s on Harrison, 2032 Harrison Street, Hollywood, Florida 33020, (954) 927-9851.

For our purposes Jeff Eats is gonna call Lola’s a “semi-upscale” American Style joint…full liquor bar/indoor-outdoor patio seating.

Right off the bat you should know that- Jeff Eats really enjoyed Lola’s.

That said-I will tell you, that I found the menu a drop on the limited side… but there are enough appetizers, salads, entrees-so no body in your party is gonna starve or nothing.

You can check www.lolasonharrison.com for menu/prices/other stuff.

Just so you know, Lola’s is strictly a dinner-deal, so don’t plan on eating a leisurely Sunday lunch there.

A recent outing had Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats “trying” Caesar Salad ($10), Coca-Cola BBQ Beef Ribs ($29-with onions rings and herb creamed corn), Jumbo Lump Crab Cake ($14) and Pan Seared Branzino ($24-fire roasted ratatouille and garlic aioli)–the food was excellent. I will tell you, those beef ribs were worth the price of admission alone. Service was extremely competent. On the price front, not exactly one of Jeff Eats’ cheaper-dates, but I did mention at the top of this story, that this was a “semi-upscale” joint, didn’t I?

Lola’s is open Sunday 5pm-9pm, Tuesday-Thursday 5pm-10pm, Friday-Saturday 5pm-11pm, closed on Monday.

***** Rainbow Palace, 2787 Oakland Park Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33306, (954) 565-5652.

House of Chan, if you like, you can go and “look” it up.

Suffice it to say, in the 1950s-1960s-1970s, the House of Chan located at 52nd Street and 7th Avenue, NYC- was one of America’s most famous upscale Chinese restaurants.

Old history (isn’t all history old?), Jeff Eats’ father had a “business” house account, so Jeff Eats, his brother, father and mother–enjoyed a number of meals at the House of Chan.

The House of Chan had fabulous food. The House of Chan had superb service. The House of Chan had a fabulous management team. The House of Chan had “style.”

No question in my mind, those House of Chan outings-shaped Jeff Eats’ thoughts on what upscale-dining is “suppose” to be.

Long story short,

The Rainbow Palace has fabulous food. The Rainbow Palace has superb service. The Rainbow Palace has a top shelf management team. The Rainbow Palace has “style.”

If you want TOP NOTCH CHINESE FOOD, TOP NOTCH UPSCALE SERVICE, A RESTAURANT WITH STYLE then get yourself over to the Rainbow Palace in Fort Lauderdale.

For those of you wondering as to what Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats “had”-house wonton soup, crispy steak, sesame chicken, chef’s fried rice.

For what it’s worth,

Both Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats found the food off the chart-but please keep in mind that you and us-Eats may-be polar opposites- on what constitutes good-great-lousy etc. That’s why Jeff Eats and you should never bet the farm on what some “critic” has to say about any particular restaurant or dish.

Anyway,

Jeff Eats thought the food was terrific…

By the way, Rainbow’s prices aren’t exactly cheap. Just a word to the wise, the joint’s portions are large- so figure on sharing stuff- and don’t over order,

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

Rainbow Palace is open Sunday-Wednesday 5pm-10pm, Thursday noon-3pm & 5pm-10pm, Friday noon-3pm & 5pm-11pm, Saturday 5pm-11pm.

One final thought on this “food reviewing” thing…

How many times have you asked a total stranger who was leaving a movie theatre “What he or she thought about a picture?” See where Jeff Eats is going with this? As my Uncle Sam Ting (by marriage to my father’s sister) use to say…

* Third Annual Hot Dog Fest.

Literally, just got the below e-mail PR piece from the Mardi Gras Casino.

In a nutshell–on Sunday July 13th from noon-4pm the Mardi Gras is hosting a hot dog eating contest. In addition to the “contest”- there will be numerous food trucks serving up food to the crowd. The email indicates that Burger Beast www.burgerbeast.com is “running” the event. All I know- if Jeff Eats’ pals over at- Burger Beast are involved, then some of South Florida’s best food trucks are gonna be there. I’ve been to a number of Burger Beasts’ food truck events and they were terrific.

Just so you know, Jeff Eats -plans on being there…no, not as a contestant, but as a watcher-eater!

Looking forward to seeing you guys out there.
*****
MEDIA CONTACT
Lisa Mizrachi
lmizrachi@mardigrascasinofl.com
954-924-3160
CALENDAR LISTING
WHAT: Third Annual Hot Dog Fest hosted by Mardi Gras Casino, presented by Burger Beast

Food Truck Invasion hot dog vendors, along with other specialty food vendors will be onsite.
PLUS
Mardi Gras Casino 3rd Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest
Participants will compete for the “Top Dog” prize of $500 and the winner’s belt for consuming the most hot dogs!
WHO: Steve Harmon, Big105.9’s on-air talent and Paul & Young Ron Morning Show Executive producer will be onsite to MC the Hot Dog Contest
DATES: Sunday, July 13, 2014
TIME: 12pm-4pm
FEE: $10 contest participation fee. To enter, please visit now through July 10th at Mardi Gras Casino Players’ Club.
WHERE: The Veranda at Mardi Gras Casino
831 North Federal Highway
Hallandale Beach, FL 33009
877-55-SLOTS
For more information visit www.mardigrascasinofl.com or www.thehotdogfest.com

* Washington Redskins’ Trademark To be Canceled.

Just read this “news” on the AP-wire…

Since Jeff Eats is a Miami Dolphins, New York Jets and New York Giants fan—this Redskins’ “thing” is of no real concern to me–on a “basic” level…

That said, my money says that some Federal Court is gonna say that the US Patent Office can’t do this…

I was just thinking -based on the public “out cry”-the State of OKLAHOMA may have to change its name, the folks over in England may have to stop calling cigarettes FAGS, the Kansas City Chiefs may have some problems and atheists may not be too thrilled with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels. Come to think of it, if somebody was real clever-they could even find fault with the Green Bay PACKERS name.

You- know what a Pandora’s Box is?
*****
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Patent Office ruled Wednesday that the Washington Redskins nickname is “disparaging of Native Americans” and that the team’s federal trademarks for the name must be canceled.

The 2-1 ruling comes after a campaign to change the name gained momentum over the past year. The team doesn’t immediately lose trademark protection and is allowed to retain it during an appeal, which is likely.

Redskins owner Dan Snyder has refused to change the team’s name, citing tradition, but there has been growing pressure including statements in recent months from President Barack Obama, lawmakers of both parties and civil rights groups.

The decision means that the team can continue to use the Redskins name, but it would lose a significant portion of its ability to protect the financial interests connected to its use. If others printed the name on sweatshirts, apparel, or other team material, it becomes more difficult to go after groups who use it without permission.

The case involves six registered trademarks that involve the use of the word Redskins, but it does not apply to the team’s logo.

The decision by the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board is similar to one it issued in 1999. That ruling was overturned in 2003 in large part on a technicality after the courts decided that the plaintiffs should have filed their complaint soon after the Redskins registered their nickname in 1967.

The new case was launched in 2006 by a younger group of Native Americans, and was heard by the board in March of last year.

The group argued that the Redskins should lose their federal trademark protection based on a law that prohibits registered names that are disparaging, scandalous, contemptuous or disreputable.

Suzan Shown Harjo, one of the plaintiffs who testified at last year’s hearing, said she was “thrilled and delighted” with the decision. Snyder declined to speak to reporters as he walked off the practice field, but the team said it planned to release a statement later in the day.

In Washington, lawmakers who have pushed for a name change applauded the decision. In May, half of the Senate wrote letters to the NFL urging the team to change its name.

“Daniel Snyder may be the last person in the world to realize this, but it’s just a matter of time until he is forced to do the right thing and change the name,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who has said previously he will not attend home games until the team changes its name.

***** Burgers & Shakes, 7401 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida 33141, (305) 866-1145.

Hole in the wall fast food hamburger- joint. Very limited indoor/outdoor seating. Order/pickup at counter. Handful of wines, 11 beers on tap/30 or so bottled.

For some reason, today- everybody plays Albert Einstein when it comes to hamburgers. This was too fatty, this was too pink, this was too soft. Enough with the TOOs…trust Jeff Eats on this one, there is way too much analyzing going on. To tell you the truth, I can’t recall the last time I had a burger that was so bad, that Jeff Eats didn’t finish it. For sure, some burgers are better than other burgers-but like 6 degrees of separation they are all kinda related.

Absolutely loved Burgers & Shakes’ flat top grilled cheeseburger, french fries, hot dog, onion rings and chocolate shake.

Not much more to tell you other than the joint is open 11am-4am 7days a week, plays classic rock and its website is www.burgers-and-shakes.com.

***** Best French Fries.

Best French Fries (aka- BFF) is a food truck that covers Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Real simple,

BFF makes fresh hand-cut white potato fries, yucca fries and sweet potato fries.

Look!

Jeff Eats is no expert on-frying fries, but I do know when something tastes amazing–and I gotta tell you, BFF’s fries were off the chart.

For what it’s worth, I’ve “bumped” (pun intended) into BFF 3-times and have tried its white, yucca and sweet potatoes…topped with- cheese sauce, honey mustard, garlic butter parmesan, brown gravy, sweet & sour and it’s definitely a toss-up as to which topping was the best. Trust me, they were all delicious–but I definitely could become a garlic butter parmesan addict.

If I counted right, BFF has 23 “home made” sauces to choose from. You’ll find the list at www.bestfrenchfries.com.

Now for the kicker,

In addition to fries, BFF also does chicken fingers, Nathan’s hot dogs- and a Navajo fry bread- topped with powdered sugar/honey that was- simply beyond delicious (on this Navajo “thing”-think a flattened zeppole and you’ll be on the right page).

Like I said about 12 seconds ago, Best French Fries is a food truck…so you’ll have to check www.bestfrenchfries.com for the truck’s Dade/Broward/Palm Beach schedule.

Jeff Eats’ 3-BFF outings-2 food truck events and 1-private catered event and there is no doubt in my mind that –the folks running- or is it driving- or is it parking BFF- absolutely killed it -as a food truck/caterer.

Based on how strong BFF was…here’s a “plug” for its catering business- that I copied from its website.

Before the “plug”- now Jeff Eats ain’t no Bill Gates or nothing, but wouldn’t you think that a domain name-BestFrenchFries.com would be worth a whole lot of dough to some big french fry player? Just thinking out loud!
*****
“Best French Fries is your one-stop-shop for company events, weddings, bar mitzvah, bat mitzvah, birthday parties and quinceañeras.

Wow your guests with catering from Best French Fries. We offer fun and affordable gourmet food for any occasion.

Based in South Florida, BFF is a food truck serving all-natural, fresh hand-cut fries in a cone, served with a choice of 20+ original dipping sauces. Named the top 10 french fries in South Florida by Palm Beach-Broward New Times, Best French Fries also offers chicken tenders, Nathan’s all-beef hot dogs, Navajo fry bread and other menu items available on request such as chicken wings, fried guacamole balls, fried corn on the cob, chips’n salsa and more.

If you’re looking for a unique, trendy idea to add excitement to your event, hop on the gourmet food truck craze. Delight your guests with delicious food served from the best food trucks in the area for a memorable event.

Note, we have a network of reliable local food trucks available if needed for large events.”

* Get On Up.

Jeff Eats has seen 9-mesmerizing singers live-in his day. In no particular order, Jackie Wilson, Etta James, Karen Carpenter, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Roy Orbison, Freddie Mercury, Smokey Robinson and James Brown. For sure I’ve seen other greats, but these 9-standout in my memory and yes-you read right, Karen Carpenter.

Buddies of mine at Universal Pictures recently told me, that preview audiences are raving about- Get On Up, the film bio-of legendary funk singer James Brown that opens August 1st in theaters nationwide.

Just a heads up,

Get On Up could be this Summer’s sleeper hit!

* Nick’s New Haven Style Pizzeria & Bar, 2444 North University Drive, Coral Springs, Florida 33065, (954) 800-7603.

Real simple, tomorrow-June 16th, Nick’s New Haven Style Pizzeria & Bar is opening in Coral Springs.

Printed below are a couple of Jeff Eats’ “stories” about Nick’s original Boca Raton location and plans for a second joint in Coral Springs.

All I can tell you- if Coral Springs is anything like (and Jeff Eats sees no reason why it shouldn’t be) the Boca Raton joint-the folks of Coral Springs are in for a real treat.

No fooling…

Boca Raton’s dynamite pizza/salads/subs/entrees/desserts-top shelf waitstaff-and owners Nick and Anthony who make it all happen “right” tells Jeff Eats that the Coral Springs’ location will be another homerun for Nick’s New Haven Style Pizzeria & Bar.

The call here-Coral Springs is a must try.

Nick’s is open Monday-Thursday 11:30am-10:30am, Friday-Saturday 11:30am-midnight, Sunday noon-10pm.

For more info www.nickspizzeriabar.com.
*****
* Nicks Pizzeria & Bar (Coral Springs)
Here’s a heads-up for you guys…

Nicks Pizzeria & Bar in Boca Raton is one of Jeff Eats’ favorite pizza joints…now for the skinny–a few months ago, Nicks signed a lease to open a second joint, this time in Coral Springs. Don’t have too many details, but from what I’ve heard…5,200 sq. ft. on Univeristy Drive, plans have been filed with the City, with permits being set to be issued this week… all things being equal–owners Nick and Anthony are looking to open mid-November 2013.

Like I said 12 seconds ago, Nicks Pizzeria & Bar is right-up there with my favorite South Florida pizza joints. Based on its Boca operation, you Coral Spings guys are in for a real treat. As I get details on the project, I’ll update this column.

Printed below, is Jeff Eats’ August 4, 2011 “review” of Nicks Pizzeria & Bar in Boca Raton which at that time had just opened its front door for business.
*****
Nicks Pizzeria & Bar (Boca Raton)
Posted on August 4th, 2011 · Boca Raton Italian Pizza
***** Nicks Pizzeria & Bar, 2240 Northwest 19th Street, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, (561) 368-2900.
As I’ve done numerous times in the past…let me tell you about a terrific joint that “basically” nobody else in South Florida knows about. Say hello to Nicks Pizzeria & Bar, which opened 2-days ago in Boca Raton. This restaurant is soooo-new, that a few days ago, its owners were still tinkering with its name…finally deciding on Nicks Pizzeria & Bar instead of the “original” handle—Nick’s New Haven-Style Pizzeria & Bar.
Here’s the story…Last night I had dinner at this “coal fired” pizza joint–and I gotta tell you, it absolutely blew me away. First of all, for a joint opened only 2- days, the service was right on. The decor is dynamite, with a dark wood 1940s-1950s theme. There are inside booths/tables–outdoor tables. The joint has a full bar area/handful of flat screen tvs and a completly open kitchen. The piped in music, features doo wop, 1950′s-1960′s oldies…though I did hear a couple of Green Eyed Peas’ numbers in the mix.
Let’s talk food…all kinds of- appetizers, salads, wraps, subs (they call them grinders), pizza flats, pastas, desserts. You can do a GOOGLE on what “New Haven Style” pizza is all about…basically, crust-tomato sauce-romano cheese-oregano. NOTICE! there is no mozzarella cheese in the mix. Just so you know, in addition to “this” New Haven stuff, Nicks has “regular” coal oven pizzas, so you (us) New Yooorkers and other purists can get pizza that doesn’t “confuse.”
Last night I had dinner at Nicks. I “sampled” pan-fried mozzarella, steak & cheese grinder, New Haven Style plain pizza, margarita pizza (let’s call this one- New York Style), white clam-bacon-garlic pizza, parmesean fries, rigatoni bolognese…everything and I do mean everything was delicious. For dessert, I “tried” 4 of the 8 gelatos on the menu (I know- someone’s gotta do it!) milk chocolate, pistachio, lemon and coconut—this stuff alone, was worth the price of admission.
Another beautiful thing about Nicks is that it is located right next door– and I do mean right next door to a Weight Watcher Center. Just thought you point-counters would like that info.
Let me wrap this one up by simple saying…I loved Nicks. By the way, you can check menu/prices at www.nickspizzeriabar.com.
Nicks is open 7 days a week 11am-to late.