* How many 4 cents stamps are there in a dozen?

Answer: 12.

Now…read this story from Huff Post/AP and “figure out” why the guy only has to pay $200,000 in restitution although he stole $460,000.
*****

RIDGEWOOD, N.J. (AP) — The former public works inspector for a northern New Jersey town has admitted stealing $460,000 in quarters.

The Record (http://bit.ly/1dqaq0f ) reports Thomas Rica pleaded guilty Wednesday to four counts of theft. In return, prosecutors will recommend that he receive five years’ probation and pay about $200,000 in restitution to Ridgewood.

The 43-year-old Hawthorne resident lost his job with Ridgewood in January 2013, following his arrest for taking $500 in coins from its parking meter collection room. But investigators later determined that he stole $460,000 overall.

Authorities said the thefts occurred over the course of 25 months. They say Rica was not authorized to be in the room but would enter it and fill his pockets with money. They say he deposited the money more than 1.8 million quarters — in his bank account.

* THE BSTREET BAND.

Not to be too repetitious or nothing…but THE BSTREET BAND has a number of South Florida dates–coming up.

Jeff Eats is a huge “fan” of this Bruce Springsteen tribute-band and tries to catch this South Jersey based group-when it plays South Florida.

If you check, I’ve mentioned THE BSTREET BAND in several previous “stories”–suffice it to say, if you like/love Springsteen you’re gonna really enjoy this band-they are really good!

For what it’s worth-Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and another couple are planning on seeing the band at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood on Thursday night, March 27th.

Printed below are South Florida dates listed from an e-mail which I just received from the band.
*****
Sun March 23 The Sandy Parrot, Fort Myers, Fla
(7:30 Start) Tamiami Trail fort Myers, Fla www.Sandyparrot.com For info Call 239-454-8454 First Appearance

Tue March 25 Tampa Bay Rays/ Boston Red Sox MLB Baseball Game Port Charlotte, Fla (11 Am and after Game) Charlotte Sports Park, Fla Concert Free w/ticket purchase: Visit our buddy Manager Joe Maddon and the Tampa Crew!

Wed March 26 Carsons Tavern Stuart Fla: Fundraiser for Volunteers in Medicine (Tickets $50 and limited) Proceeds benefit nonprofit medical clinic for indigent Martin county residents since 1995 located at Carson’s Tavern SE Ocean Blvd, Stuart, FL For more info check this site: www.vimclinic.net/vim-events-2/rockin-with-the-b-street-band

Thu March 27 Seminole Hollywood Hard Rock Hotel/Casino Hollywood Fla (7 Pm Start: Free Adm: All Ages) Paradise Live Outside: Hollywood, Fla

Fri March 28 Seminole Hollywood Hard Rock Hotel/Casino Hollywood, Fla (7 Pm Start: Free Adm: All Ages) Paradise Live Outside: Hollywood, Fla

Sat March 29 Seminole Hollywood Hard Rock Hotel/Casino Hollywood, Fla (7 Pm Start: Free Adm: All Ages) Paradise Live Outside: Hollywood, Fla

BURGER AND BEER JOINT

* Katz’s Deli–Grand Central Diner–Burger And Beer Joint.

Maybe?-you guys can help Jeff Eats out…

In recent days, several emails came-in, recommending that I try Katz’s Deli in Deerfield Beach– Grand Central Diner in Sunrise–Burger And Beer Joint which has outposts in Miami, Miami Beach and Pembroke Pines…

For what it’s worth–I put all 3-joints on my “to try” list…but I was thinking that until-Jeff Eats gets to them…just maybe you guys who have eaten in 1-2-3 of them could share your thoughts with “us” before I do official-visits.

Thanks in advance…

* Dancing With the Stars.

Mrs. Jeff Eats absolutely loves tv’s “Dancing With The Stars.” To be honest with you, Jeff Eats although not a rabid-fan, enjoys the “occasional” watch now-and-then.

I’m thinking that only REAL FANS will know what this means…but here goes!

“MOVE Live On Tour–Starring, Julliane Hough and Derek Hough” is coming to the Hard Rock Live/Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood on Friday Night, June 13. 2014.

There is an Internet-Pre Sale on March 20th from 10am-10pm, you have to enter Password: LIVE…to buy tickets.

Tickets can be bought at www.ticketmaster.com.

***** Batch Gastropub, 30 Southwest 12th Street, Miami, Florida 33130, (305) 808-5555.

For our purposes, let’s call Batch Gastropub an “American-Style–Sports Bar.” When you check menu/prices at www.batchmiami.com you’ll also find a load of pictures–the joint is really great looking, with dark-wood booths and of-course loads of flat screen tvs (Do they still make “fat” screen tvs?)

You know and Jeff Eats knows that “sports bars” are literally a dime a dozen down here in South Florida…for sure, “we’ve all been in tons of them…and I gotta tell you, I was very impressed with Batch Gastropub.

For you drinkers out there…Batch has something like 15 (give or take) beers on tap, and maybe another 20 by the bottle.

Now let’s talk about FOOD–Jeff Eats’ real-game…

Just so you know, Batch’s menu isn’t exactly huge…that said, there are enough appetizers, burgers, salads, pizzas, entrees–so I’m thinking- no-body in your party is gonna have to stop at Wendy’s on the way home.

A recent dinner had Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and two other couples “doing”…margherita pizza, cheeseburger, hanger steak skewers, mushroom crusted mahi mahi, meatloaf, gnocchi mac & cheese/carmalized onions, truffle salt & shaved truffle cheese fries…and I gotta tell you, no one-bicthed about anything. If Jeff Eats had to give out awards, I thought that the gnocchi, fries, cheeseburger were the stars of the game. Between you and me–the gnocchi was amazing–the joint uses gnocchi with gruyere cheese and for an up-charge has 10 items that can be added to the basic dish–such as chicken, steak, bacon, carmalized onions (check the menu for the full list).

Like I said at the top, I was very impressed with Batch Gastropub…food was solid, service was good, prices exactly what you’d expect in an upscale-sports bar (you can fill in what you think these numbers should be)–one little draw back, the background music was a drop too loud for Jeff Eats’ crowd.

Gastropub is open Sunday-Thursday 11:30am-3am, Friday-Saturday 11:30am-5am.

* Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar.

Back on Januray 22, 2013 I told you guys about Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar’s (an Arizona based gourmet hamburger chain) plan to open in Boca Raton…that “story” is reprinted below

Anyway…

It took longer than I figured–but Zinburger is about ready to open…in Boca Town Center right next door to The Container Store.
*****
Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar *****

Got one for you…Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar.

Just so you know, Zinburger hasn’t opened yet–it’s coming to Boca Town Center in Boca Raton…it’s going to be a few “doors down” from the Stir Crazy Fresh Asian Grill. Since Jeff Eats isn’t in the construction business, my best guess based on what I saw at its site—is that it will probably open sometime in the next 4-5 months. You do know that the City of Boca Raton isn’t the easiest “group” to deal with when opening a new restaurant, don’t you?

Zinburger is a very small-full service gourmet hamburger chain…it’s got a few locations in Arizona and a few in New Jersey.

You can check menu/prices/locations/photos at www.foxrc.com.

Jeff Eats is very familiar with Zinburger. I’ve eaten in its Tucson joint something like 5 times and I gotta tell you that it turns-out some of the most delicious burgers, fries, salads, shakes that I’ve eaten.

Now nothing for nothing…if the Boca Zinburger is anything- even close to what the Tucson outpost is—this joint will be an absolute homerun.

You guys now know about a new joint—before most of your friends do!

Boston Market.

I’m gonna assume that you guys know what Boston Market is.

The last time Jeff Eats was in a Boston Market was in late-2008, If you check, you’ll find a Boston Market review dated 12/31/08…suffice it to say it wasn’t good!

To make a long story short, tonight Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats decided to give Boston Market another shot…picking up food at the 9949 Glades Road, Boca Raton location.

I should have known when we got there and “seeing the sign and I quote– “Monday-Friday 11am-10pm, Saturday-Sunday 11am-10pm” that things weren’t gonna be pretty…but I figured that the “$5 off a $20 purchase” coupon that Mrs. Jeff Eats had clipped-was worth a roll of the dice.

To make a long story short–it took close to 20 minutes to takeout 2 chickens and a handful of sides–that being with 3 people ahead of us–and 4 workers behind the counter.

Do you remember “Calling Dr. Howard, Dr. Howard, Dr. Fine”?–well, that was staged mayhem–Boston Market’s chaos with 4 people running around like chickens without heads wasn’t-it was the real deal!

On the food, the parmesan chicken was inedible…unless, you’re a fire-eater with a bucket of ice water-standing by…the mac & cheese and corn nibblets tasteless, as were the cornbread and string beans.

Imagine…we waited 5 years for “another go round”–and the chain is still serving up inept service and lousy food.

Trust Jeff Eats…there won’t be a third time.

***** Tio Colo Bocaditos de Helado, 6268 Southwest 8th Street, Miami, Florida 33144, (786) 536-9007.

Jeff Eats loved, Tio Colu Bocaditos de Helado…a hole in the wall ice cream store that has a handful of tables inside/outside.

Real simple concept…the joint makes “Cuban” ice cream sandwiches.

All of the ice cream is made in-house, figure something like a dozen different flavors—the ice cream which is hard-is then sandwiched between two slices of soft pound cake that are dusted in sugar. You pick your sandwich-out of a large freezer.

To make a long story short…Jeff Eats “sampled” (well someone has to do it!) chocolate, coconut, almond, dulce de leche-and I gotta tell you–this stuff is addictive…delicious ice cream/delicious pound cake.

As I mentioned a few seconds ago, I loved this joint…and if you like ice cream, you’ll be on the same page as Jeff Eats.

Tio Colo Bocaditos de Helado is open Tuesday-Friday 11am-8pm, Saturday noon-9pm, closed Sunday-Monday.

* Tom Cotter.

Last night Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats and something like 225 of our closest friends caught comedian-Tom Cotter in action. For those of you who are unfamilar with Cotter-he’s the comedian who a couple years-back came in second to a “dog act” on tv’s America’s Got Talent.

Anyway…

Just wanted you guys to know that Cotter is a very-very funny guy. For over an hour, he literally had the audience crying from laughter.

The reason I’m mentioning Tom Cotter–is 1: I just saw him-duh! and 2: In reviewing his website www.tomcotter.com -I see that the guy although based out of NYC–works quite a bit down here in South Florida. As a matter of fact, he is due for a run in Marco Island in April, 2014 and Fort Lauderdale in May, 2014.

Anyway…

If you are looking for a fun night out-with a clean comic…Tom Cotter fits the bill.

One final thought, I know that over the past year-or so, Cotter has appeared at a number of South Florida condos/country clubs/venues–this guy would be a real good recommendation for communities that have yet to book him.

* Critic’s Stars!

The Sun Sentinel uses a Star System for rating restaurants…

****=EXCELLENT
***= GOOD
**= FAIR
*= POOR

Today–one of the Sun Sentinel’s “food critics”–rated a restaurant * 1/2…

So…I guess the “nameless” restaurant was POOR but 1/2 way to being FAIR.

Now, I maybe nitpicking here…but I find the 1/2 star-business kinda silly…

Maybe the Sun Sentinel should eliminate the “fractions” and just add a TERRIBLE or maybe a HORRENDOUS or maybe an ARE YOU KIDDING ME “category” to its rating system.

Personally, I think that readers shouldn’t have to be mathematicians–to read a food review!