* Nothing Lasts Forever!
Betcha a buck that you know these names…
Clay Aiken
Kellie Pickler
Sanjaya Malakar
Chris Daughtry
Katharine McPhee
Adam Lambert
Jennifer Hudson
Now-real fast, tell Jeff Eats the names of the 4 current finalists on American Idol’s Season 13 airing on FOX. I’ll make it even easier for you, name just one!
Only goes to show you that nothing lasts forever.
***** Glazed Donuts, 420 Eaton Street, Key West, Florida 33040, (305) 294-9142.
Look! Jeff Eats isn’t trying to be some kind of Town Crier-or something like that!
With that in mind…
I just want you guys to appreciate that chains like Dunkin’ Donuts are sort of like Fredo Corleone, you know-on face, the real deal–but in actuality, n o t h I n g! Now, Michael-he was the real goods.
Anyway…
The other day I found a donut-joint named Glazed Donuts in Key West…trust Jeff Eats on this one, the real deal. Handful of tables–and some of the most delicious donuts that I have ever eaten.
Unlike the “donut chains”–everything at Glazed Donuts is made in house.
Jeff Eats did a “mixed dozen” and I gotta tell you that Glazed Donuts’ signature- glazed donut was delicious. In all seriousness, after eating one of these suckers–Krispy Kreme’s glazed donuts should be ashamed of themselves. The joint also does an apple fritter, key lime pie, chocolate glazed and a maple bourbon bacon glazed that are amazing. Being a mom & pop joint, Glazed Donuts is constantly changing its daily lineup–but the 6-donuts that I just mentioned are “always” available.
For you coffee drinkers, Glazed Donuts brews its own coffee. Mrs. Jeff Eats thought the coffee was as good as her Starbucks’ favorites–just so you know, Jeff Eats has “coffee sticker shock” so- is the wrong person to ask -about coffee…I still remember 5 cent-cups and to this very day- all black coffee tastes the same to me.
Glazed Donuts is a grand slam.
You can check menu/prices at www.glazeddonutskw.com.
Glazed Donuts is open 7 days a week 7am-3pm.
* M.E.A.T. Eatery & Tap Room.
In recent months, a number of people “raved” to Jeff Eats about M.E.A.T. Eatery & Tap Room in Islamorada, Florida. The raves–great burgers, fries, beer, bbq.
Just so we are straight, Jeff Eats has never been to– nor eaten in M.E.A.T.–but I will tell you, it’s an absolute pain in the ass to type M.E.A.T.
Anyway,
This afternoon, Jeff Eats learned from his buddies at BurgerBeast www.burgerbeast.com that- in a couple of weeks, M.E.A.T. is opening a second location in Boca Raton at 980 North Federal Highway. After getting the “scoop” Jeff Eats visited the Boca site-which is on the ground floor of an office building/booths & tables are actually in the lobby…real cool configuration-but I’m not so sure this “setup” is gonna work in Boca Raton-time will tell! One other thing- nothing for nothing, based on what Jeff Eats saw- there is no way that this “construction site” will be ready in two weeks… But then again, Jeff Eats thought that McGovern was going to trounce Nixon. We’ll see!
You now know as much as I do about M.E.A.T.
You can check www.meateatery.com for menu/prices/other stuff.
***** Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar, 1800 Sawgrass Mills Circle, Sunrise, Florida 33323
Just so we are straight with each other, Jeff Eats isn’t a shill for Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar…just a HUGE fan of this upscale-burger chain.
If you do some checking, Jeff Eats has already run 2- Zinburger stories (1/22/13 & 3/18/14)–the gist of both, Jeff Eats knew Zinburger from its Tucson location and discussed its plans to open in Boca Raton. End of stories!
To make a long story short,
This morning, Jeff Eats received a PR-piece from Zinburger announcing the opening of a Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar in The Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass Mills on Tuesday, May 20, 2014.
Crazy! Jeff Eats was so “busy” watching Boca Raton (which by the way is still under construction) that I didn’t see Zinburger-Sunrise coming. Well you live and you learn.
Anyway,
Assuming- that the Sunrise joint is like the Tucson joint, you gotta try Zinburger.
The chain which currently has a handful of -locations in Arizona, Florida, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Georgia, Virginia describes itself as- “… offers a mouthwatering gourmet burgers, salads and sides, decadent shakes and desserts and a carefully crafted selection of wine.”
You can check www.zinburgereast.com for men/prices/locations/other stuff.
No fooling here…Zinburger is exactly-what an upscale-wait service burger joint is suppose to be.
***** Hilltop BBQ of Ocala, 5848 South Pine Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34480, (352) 620-0684.
Got a real good “takeout” bbq joint for you…Hilltop BBQ of Ocala in Ocala. No inside seating- The joint does have a handful of outside picnic tables so you can eat there like Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats did.
Real simple…delicious smoked pulled pork- brisket- baby back ribs. Just so you know, Jeff Eats isn’t a huge fan of “smoked” stuff- that said, Hilltop’s SMOKED is sort of like The 3 Bears- you know the deal- just right! Hilltop also makes 3-bbq sauces mild/medium/hot- and I gotta tell you the “mild” was right on the money-with just the exact amount of sweetness for this Brooklyn boy’s trained palate.
You can check menu/prices at www,hilltopbbq.com.
Hilltop BBQ is open Tuesday-Saturday 11am-7pm, closed Sunday-Monday.
Jeff Eats recently received the following email…
Jeff:
I know that you know your Rock N Roll business.
Our community just announced that The Diamonds www.thediamonds.com will be appearing in mid-2015 in our theater.
Please take a look at the provided website. The group members sure don’t look or for that matter sound like the group I danced the stroll to as a kid.
Your thoughts.
Thanks,
MS
———-
MS:
The Diamonds are a legendary 1950’s-60’s group with mega hits such as The Stroll and Little Darlin’.
Let’s leave it at this…
The current members didn’t sing on any of the hit recordings. The current members never appeared on American Bandstand. The current members aren’t members of the Doo Wop Hall of Fame. The current members aren’t members of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. The current members aren’t on the American Graffiti soundtrack. That said, based on videos that I’ve seen, the current members put on an extremely entertaining show-but so does Jeff Eats’ dog-Jiggy Eats, but Jiggy doesn’t claim to be Lassie and I don’t claim to be Jeff Miller or for that matter Timmy Martin.
One final point, you should know that copyrights, trademarks and other legal mumbo jumbo- make today’s -The Diamonds -perfectly legitimate.
Hope the above helps you out…
***** Greek Islands Taverna, 3300 North Ocean Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33308. (561) 565-5505.
Not exactly sure as to exactly how long Greek Islands Taverna has been around, but Jeff Eats first ate there…some 22 years ago. By the way, back then I wasn’t -Jeff Eats (Mister, does this make sense?- courtesy Jackie Mason 1985). If I recall correctly, I thought that the food was just-ok but definitely nothing special going on at the joint.
In the ensuing 22 years, I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews about this Greek joint.
Nothing for nothing, until last night–that first dinner was the only meal that Jeff Eats had done at Greek Islands Taverna.
Anyway,
Last Sunday night I bumped into an old friend Steve S.–who raved and raved and raved- about Greek Islands Taverna. It was Steve’s raving-that got Jeff Eats to Greek Islands Taverna last night for dinner #2.
Décor-wise…think- a large Brooklyn Greek Diner and you’ll be good.
You can check www.greekislandstaverna.com for menu/prices.
Now- for the “second dinner”…
Greek salad, char-broiled lamb chops, gyros, moussaka- now-nothing for nothing Jeff Eats just doesn’t get it–that’s the rave reviews. The Greek salad/gyros/moussaka were good, but nothing that I can’t get elsewhere–as for the lamb chops, they were so lemony, I had to send them back to the kitchen and get an order sans the lemon.
The call here…Greek Islands Taverna was ok-but for people to be “carrying-on” about how great it is…NO WAY JOSE!- or should I say -NO WAY NICKALAUS!
Greek Islands Taverna is open Monday-Saturday 11am-10:30pm, Sunday noon-10pm.
***** Bruno’s Italian Restaurant, 8556 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee, Florida 34747, (407)397-7577.
Do you remember as a kid, spelling Mississippi with just one eye? For some reason Kissimmee-got Jeff Eats thinking about that.
Anyway…
Got a -good “mom & pop” red sauce Italian joint for you guys…Bruno’s Italian Restaurant in Kissimmee.
Now- just so we are straight with each other, nothing revolutionary going on here.
Solid enough- veal parmigiana, chicken parmigiana, pizza, baked ziti, shrimp scamp, garlic rolls… entrées (salad/pasta side/garlic rolls) run $9-$16–large 16″ pizza fetches 13 bucks.
To paraphrase the famous Cuban philosopher-Ricky Ricardo…”the best way to ‘splain'” Bruno’s–a real good place to know about- having already ridden Dumbo-and going for your lungs for 4-1 Day Magic Kingdom Tickets.
In all seriousness, if Bruno’s was in my neighborhood–Jeff Eats would definitely be a pretty steady eat-in/take-out customer.
You can check menu/prices/photos at www.brunos192.com.
Bruno’s Italian Restaurant is open 7 days a week 11:30am-11pm.
* YACHT ROCK Revue.
Recently received this email from SDA…
Jeff,
In 2015 my husband and I will be celebrating our 40th anniversary. Both of us are 64
We are planning a party in Miami for close to 250.
We were wondering if you could recommend a party band that would blow the crowd away?
We are very familiar with a number of wedding/party bands in the Miami area and are tired of the same old same old.
On the price front, we know that good bands can command $15000+.
Your suggestions will be appreciated.
——-
SDA:
Keeping in mind, that I don’t know you or your husband- it’s kind of difficult to recommend bands.
That said, if Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats were throwing a 40th Anniversary Party we would use Yacht Club Revue out of the Atlanta area. Check the band out at www.pleaserock.com.
***** TAP Global Beer Collection, Delray Marketplace–14813 Lyons Road, Delray Beach, Florida 33446, (561) 270-3839.
Yesterday (Sunday) afternoon, Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats took a ride to the Delray Marketplace to “see” how things were going…
For you guys who don’t know what the Delray Marketplace is…just check my write-up dated–February 26, 2013.
Anyway, we got there about 4pm. Not sure on the temperature–but it wasn’t cold out there. No rain. Actually, a beautiful day!
Anyway, you guys ever see those old westerns where tumbleweed blows through the street? Other than Cabo Flats (see Review 12/23/13) which was doing some-real nice business, this center was as dead as Kelsey’s nuts. No fooling, it was like a freaking ghost town. The retail stores and streets were literally empty–as for the- parking, all the spots that your car could want.
Anyway, took a look at TAP Global Beer Collection which recently opened… here’s how the company describes itself:
“72 taps and over 400 bottle brands, Tapas and appetizers, Beautiful Wood bar with live edge and curved wood bar front plus fabulous 12 foot community tables weighing over 1,000 lbs and made from 350 year old pecky cypress – plus so much more!”
At 4pm- this is what Jeff Eats saw…Inside and outside TAP had maybe- 10 people and I’m being kind, here!
Look! This TAP concept may work where there are loads of 21-35 year olds…but no matter what the real estate developers tell me and for that matter you, Lyons Road/Atlantic Avenue isn’t the place for this beer concept. The surrounding area is jammed with 55+ communities. For sure there are some younger developments, but nowhere- enough to sustain a joint like TAP. I could be wrong, but I don’t see a bunch of 73 year olds running to drink beer. Do you? I see them running to Too Jay’s, 3 G’s, Flakowitz, their podiatrists …not to some beer joint, where you sit around watching tv while drinking beer from “Outer Mongolia.” Some may see this as being “politically incorrect” (whatever that means)–but a ton of the folks who live within 5 miles North-South-East-West of the Delray Marketplace are fressers (some of you may need Google here) not drinkers. Capice!
If you check TAP’s website www.tapgbc.com you’ll find that in addition to serving beer- it offers a handful of “small plates”–TAP also allows customers to consume food purchased from outside vendors. Nothing for nothing… movie theatres don’t allow that, sporting arenas don’t allow that, concert venues don’t allow that. This concept of outside food stinks! Just think of all of the revenue TAP is giving away. Personally, Jeff Eats thinks that allowing a mish-mosh of other food into TAP makes the joint really schlocky!
Let’s wrap this one,
Jeff Eats thinks that TAP Global Beer Collection is going to regret opening in this center. Wrong concept, wrong population, wrong location!
Finally, for you guys who like beer/small plates/bringing your own food/watching tv…
TAP is open Monday-Wednesday 4pm-midnight, Thursday 2pm-midnight, Friday 2pm-2am, Saturday noon-2am, Sunday noon-11pm.
