* Jay Traynor.

On January 2, 2014 Jay Traynor aged 70-passed away.

For the record, Jay was the original lead singer of Jay & The Americans—his hauntingly melodic voice resulted in the song “She Cried” in 1962 reaching #5 on the Billboard Hot 100. Following the hit, Jay Traynor left the group for a solo career and was replaced in 1963 by David Blatt who took the stage name Jay Black. In recent years, Jay Traynor was a member of Jay Siegel’s Tokens -famous for the song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” For you Rock n’ Roll buffs, before joining the Americans, Jay Traynor was a member of The Mystics of “Hushabye” fame and after leaving Jay & The Americans was involved in a number of solo projects as well as management/ production of groups such as Mountain and Yes. A little known fact, the group’s producers originally wanted to name the group Binky Jones & The Americans but at Jay Traynor’s urging settled for Jay & The Americans.

Jeff Eats’ “connection” to Jay Traynor dates back to November 3, 1974, that’s right some 40 years. It all started when as a young associate I joined the law firm of D’Amato, Costello & Shea, at 116 John Street, in New York City. It seems like it was only yesterday, that senior partner Joe Costello- in showing me around the office -introduced his secretary saying… “Jeff, this is my personal secretary- Marian Traynor, by the way her son “is” Jay of Jay & The Americans.” Just so you know, by 1974, Jay & The Americans was an iconic east-coast Rock n Roll band–with numerous charted singles.

Over the ensuing years, I must have seen Jay Traynor, Jay & The Americans, The Tokens, Jay Black, Jay Siegel-performances at least 30-times…and each and every time my mind’s eye…”Jeff, this is my personal secretary-Marian Traynor, by the way her son “is” Jay of Jay & The Americans.”

Let me close by saying…

For whatever reason, that-long ago Joe Costello “introduction”- piqued my interest in Rock n Roll music-and lead to an entertainment business career.

Jay, Joe, Marian…rest in peace!

* Sensa Doesn’t Work!

Today is January 8, 2014…so just maybe, some of you guys are still holding-fast to your New Year’s resolution to lose weight.

Anyway…

If you are, don’t count on Sensa to help you in your quest to trim down.

For the uninformed, Sensa is the “product” that you saw last year -advertised all over tv, internet and print media–that claims when its product is sprinkled on food, it helps you to lose your appetite.

The other day the FTC fined the Company $26.5 million for misleading advertising.

In its findings the FTC said…”The chances of being successful just by sprinkling something on your food…are slim to none.”

Just so you know, a ton (pun intended) of folks bought into Sensa’s claims…Sensa’s sales from 2008-2012 were $364 million.

Look for retooled ads…bet you a buck, that the “Shake shake shake, shake shake shake, shake your booty” tv ads are long gone!

GRANGER’S

* 24 Terrific Joints For You 2014 SnowBirds!

Hello 2014 Snowbirds!…

Here are 24 Terrific Joints that you would probably never find on your own.

Enjoy them! You can thank Jeff Eats at the end-of-season!

By the way- tee shirt/shorts/flip flops-sandals (without black socks, please!)- sneakers are the dress of the day.

In No Particular Order:

1. Granger’s Bar & Grill (Delray Beach, Rev. 2/9/2008).
2. Original Frankie’s Famous Pizza (Miami, Rev. 4/7/2008).
3. Dixie Grill & Bar (West Palm Beach, Rev. 8/6/2011).
4. Burgers & Suds (Fort Lauderdale, Rev. 7/13/13).
5. Bay Bays Chicken & Waffles (West Palm Beach, Rev. 5/5/2013).
6. The Dandee Donut Factory (Pompano Beach/Hollywood, Rev. 11/19/2011).
7. Valentino’s Italian Cuisine, (Pompano Beach, Rev. 8/28/2013).
8. Pomperdale New York Style Deli (Fort Lauderdale, Rev. 6/18/2008).
9. Jupiter Donut Factory, (Jupiter, Rev. 8/30/2013).
10. Eagle Grill & Oyster Bar (Greenacres, Rev. 6/30/2013).
11. Fish Shack, (Pompano Beach, Rev. 12/28/2012).
12. Villa Rose Pizza, (Hollywood, Rev. 1/5/2014.
13. Uncle Lui’s (Sunrise, Rev. 1/1/2007).
14. Mrs. Smokeys Real Pit Bar-B-Q (Lake Park, Rev. 6/17/2013).
15. Cecilie’s Gourmet Italian Ices (Coral Springs, Rev. 3/17/2013).
16. Howley’s Restaurant (West Palm Beach, Rev. 6/17/2008).
17. Chris’ Taverna (Lake Worth, Rev. 8/21/2010).
18. Zinger’s Delicatessen (Boca Raton, Rev. 8/18/2011).
19. Tom Sawyer’s Restaurant (Boca Raton, Rev. 4/23/2008).
20. Laspada’s Original Hoagies (Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Boca Raton, Coral Springs, Davie, Rev.7/18/2008).
21. Uncle Joe’s Chinese Restaurant (Palm Beach Gardens, Rev. 8/1/2008).
22. Scruby’s BBQ (Davie, Pembroke Pines, Tamarac (Rev. 11/18/2010).
23. Rock n Roll Ribs (Coral Springs, 2/2/2010).
24. Barone’s La Pizzeria (Margate, Rev. 6/28/2010).

* Swerve (www.swervesweetner.com).

Recently tried some “baked goods” and “beverages” sweetened with Swerve a no-calorie sugar substitute.

Now…Jeff Eats ain’t no scientist, but I gotta tell you-I couldn’t tell the difference between the “dietetic” cakes/cookies and sweetened lemonade from the “ones” made with the real stuff.

Like me, you know all the names…

Saccharin
Splenda
Equal
Sweet-n-Low
Xylitol
Maltitol
Sorbitol

and I’m telling you, this Swerve didn’t laxative-me…or aftertaste-me.

To be honest with you, until 3-days ago, Jeff Eats had never heard of Swerve…but I’m thinking that if Whole Foods is carrying it-it maybe pretty legit.

If Swerve sounds interesting to you…check www.swervesweetner.com for details/online orders…there is also a $2 coupon there for the taking.

Just a final thought in your opinion, what percentage of South Floridians “help themselves” (take) to the Splenda, Equal and Sweet-n-Low packages that are on restaurants’ tables?

* What Does Home Court Advantage Mean?

Here’s a contest for you guys…

Give Jeff Eats your best Definition/Example as to what Home Court Advantage means–and the best answer (I’m the sole judge) wins 2 tickets to…

DISCO MANIA

Sunday Evening, March 16, 2014
Coral Springs Center for The Arts
Starring:
Frances Joli (Come To Me)
Tavares (Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel)
The Trammpps (Disco Inferno)
Monti Rock III
Mystique (Push Push In The Bush)
Joe Dale & The Gigolos

Now there is only going to be one winner…so check www.coralspringscenterforthearts.com for tickets.

Just so you know, Jeff Eats will announce the winner “here” on January 30, 2014 at 7pm sharp…so you got to 6:59pm on that date to get your “brilliance” in.

Only one entry per IP Address.

UPDATE: January 30, 2014-
Jeff Eats is going with ZED.
To the rest of you guys, better luck next time.

* Yard House, The Capital Grille, Darden Restaurants- Terrible Customer Service!

Here’s a story for you guys…

As witnessed by Jeff Eats’ write ups dated 1/28/08 and 1/14/11–I’d been a huge fan of the “sports bar” Yard House chain since 2008…suffice it to say, Jeff Eats is no longer a fan. Printed below is a copy of an e-mail which I sent on January 1, 2014 to the General Manager of Yard House’s Boca Raton location in Mizner Park. To date, Jeff Eats has not received the courtesy of a reply from either the GM or from Yard House’s corporate office.
*****
Subject: Poor Service/Food
Brandon:
As you may recall, last night I and five others were in Yard House around 10:15pm. The reason why you may remember is that you and I exchanged business cards when you came over to our table. Just in case you don’t, Jeffrey Richman of Jeff Eats www.jeffeats.com.
Suffice it to say as the editor of one of South Florida’s leading food blogs, I’ve literally been to and reviewed hundreds of restaurants. If you check Jeff Eats’ site you will find a past- extremely favorable Yard House review. I just wanted to tell you, that last night’s outing was lousy and that your actions as GM on the same level.
The facts are real simple.
We arrived around 10:15pm to a half empty restaurant. We were seated and waited quite awhile for a waiter to appear. He took the beverage order which was real simple- hot tea, two hot coffees, three iced coffees. Once again extremely slow in filling the order, which when delivered found the three iced coffees with no ice and watered down and the two hot coffees barely warm, the tea was okay. The waiter left the table failing to supply straws for the beverages or spoons. When he returned to take the food order, he was told that the hot coffees were unacceptable and after requesting same he supplied straws and spoons. The food order was taken which was basically six cake items topped with ice cream. Sometime thereafter the waiter returned with hot coffees. Before the desserts were delivered, you stopped by the table and saw what was going on. Now unless the six of us are hard of hearing, you said that you would do something to compensate us for this really unacceptable outing. The desserts were delivered, a couple too sweet and one with ice cream that had already started to melt. Suffice it to say, we finished and I had to physically get up and search for the waiter to get a check. As you know, I never found him and I got you to run the check which totaled $60 with no discount or anything else. We left $75 in cash on the table and left the restaurant. I will tell you, that on the way to our cars, we discussed what a crappy operation Yard House was and what a piss poor choice we had made.
Now, I and my wife have eaten in Yard House many times and have always enjoyed the food and service. As for the two other couples this was their first visit to a Yard House and I’d bet they will never set foot in one again. They were amazed at how poorly it was run.
What I am really pissed off about is your behavior. I’ve been around along time and for you to have failed to “correct” this matter, is as if you played me.
If you would like to “correct” things, let me know and I’ll arrange for the other couples to be engaged. I’ll put my latest-planned Yard House review -as well as the email that I have written for Yard House’s Home Office on hold until January 5, 2014.
Thanks,
Jeff Richman
561 *******
www.jeffeats.com
_______________

Here is an observation…

Way-back on 10/30/09 Jeff Eats did a review of The Capital Grille in Miami. If you check, you’ll find that it was not a favorable story. To update that review, to date The Capital Grille neither on the local or corporate level ever took any action to “address” Jeff Eats’ concerns about a terrible dining experience. To go even one step further, The Capital Grille never communicated with Jeff Eats after an initial promise to make contact.

For the record, The Capital Grille chain was/is owned by publicly traded Darden Restaurants (NYSE: DRI) who coincidentally also owns the Yard House chain having acquired it in July 2012. Just may-be there is a pattern here…that being, that Darden couldn’t give a rat’s ass about customer complaints. I will tell you, Jeff Eats has eaten a ton of meals and has done business with a ton of mom & pops and chains–and Darden’s behavior 2x in not responding to a customer’s complaint is very strange in an industry that literally lives or dies on being customer-friendly.

Now nothing for nothing, but Jeff Eats has been reading and hearing that 2 of Darden’s other chains aren’t doing too-well, namely Olive Garden and Red Lobster. Just maybe, Yard House and The Capital Grille’s failure (as evidenced by Jeff Eats) to address customer issues are systemic to the entire Darden operation!

Suffice it to say, Jeff Eats won’t be doing business with Darden Restaurants anymore. No reason to support a business who couldn’t give a damn about me!

***** Villa Rose Pizza, 1114 State Road 7, Hollywood, Florida 33021, (954) 983-7660.

Can’t Explain it!

For years, Jeff Eats has been hearing some terrific things about Villa Rose Pizza (its been around since 1957) and the fabulous pizza that it makes—yet in all those years, I never got over there to try its pizza or food. Like I just said, can’t explain this!

Anyway, last night Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats were doing a “takeout” from Spadini’s Pizzeria in Boca Raton and while waiting for our order, we-got to talking with a lovely couple with two young children…blah blah blah and business cards were exchanged. Later that evening, Jeff Eats received the “below” e-mail from Chris Florea who we had spoken with earlier that evening. As you’ll read, he is a HUGE fan of Villa Rose Pizza.

Chris has now got Jeff Eats’ juices pumping…and I plan to get down to Villa Rose sometime in the next 30-days.

If you have been to Villa Rose, drop me a note on the joint…if you haven’t, Jeff Eats’ “gut call” says Villa Rose is a must-try.

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

Villa Rose Pizza is open Sunday-Thursday 11:30am-10pm, Friday-Saturday 11:30am-11pm.

*****
Update, January 7, 2014…

Last night, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats “finally” made it down to Villa Rose Pizza and suffice it to say–the pizza was spectacular…thin crust, dynamite cheese with a sweet sauce. In addition to the pizza we also ordered Greek salad, -veal parmigiana sub, penne ala vodka–and I gotta tell you like the pizza, delicious–not “spectacular” delicious but neighborhood “mom & pop” red sauce-delicious.

For you Fancy Dans out there, Villa Rose is definitely not for you…this is the consummate “hole in the wall” with a handful of tables, small eat at bar-counter and a decor that has to date back to when the joint first opened in 1957…

Villa Rose Pizza is a homerun…can’t believe I didn’t get to it sooner!

*****
From: Chris Florea
Subject: Best Ultra Thin Crust Pizza
Message Body:
Hey Jeff , met you tonight at Spadinis pizza in Boca Raton. You were taking out
and I was with my girlfriend and kids. Have to tell you about Villa Rose and the
incredible little gem of a pizza joint it is. Its right up your alley, trust me
on this one. The place is located in Hollywood Florida on 441 ( SR7) just north
of Hollywood Blvd. They have been in the same hole in the wall location for over
50 years and I have been enjoying that pie for at least a third of that time
whenever I am down that way! I have gone there for one thing and one thing
only!! Their signature ultra thin crust pizza, which in my opinion is the best
around! I havent found anything close to the quality of that pie! Especially
for a conventional oven baked pizza. The pizzas come to the table round and cut
in squares. The pie has a tangy/sweet delicious sauce and topped with quality
mozzarella. I prefer cheese with green pepper, onion, and pepperoni ( never
never and never soggy or wilting). The pie is
just incredible, especially when partnered with an icy cold pepsi or coke. The
plain pie is also delicious. I am not able to fill you in on the rest of the
menu because the pizza is all I ever eat there. You HAVE to try this pie!!!
Every single person I sent packing down to Hollywood to try this out has raved
about it afterward. I hope you give a whirl and I look forward to reading your
posts about it!! Happy Eating, Chris

***** Madisons New York Grill & Bar, 2066 Northwest Executive Center Circle, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, (561) 994-0808.

Last night, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats and a couple of friends gave “American-Style” Madisons New York Grill & Bar in Boca Raton a shot–and I gotta tell you, the joint literally blew our socks-off. No fooling around here…Madisons food and service were terrific!

Real quick, Madisons is a Canadian based restaurant chain that currently owns/operates 14 restaurants in Quebec, 1 in Boca Raton and has 1- under construction in Pompano Beach. If you think–Houston’s, J. Mark’s and J. Alexander’s you’ll be on the right décor page. The Boca Raton joint opened about 1-week ago, in a completely renovated building that at one time or another housed California Pizza Kitchen, Wolfie Cohen’s Rascal House, Copper Canyon Grill and Stephane’s Steak & Seafood. The restaurant has both indoor/outdoor patio seating and a separate full-bar area with something like 9 flat screen tvs.

As I mentioned 16 seconds ago, Madisons’ food and service were terrific…no ifs or buts, but the guys who own Madisons-know how to run a restaurant. Every dish that hit our table was exactly as ordered, glasses were continuously refreshed by Dave “The” Waiter-and during the evening we were “visited” by GM-Charles, Front Of The House Manager-Juan and Owner-Steve. Just so you know, Jeff Eats’ eagle eye caught- that every table in our section got the exact-same management treatment.

Let’s talk food…

Real simple menu–8 appetizers ($8-17), 6 meal salads ($15-$20), 5 sandwiches/burgers ($14-$18), 12 entrees ($16-$37), handful of salads/sides ($4-$8), handful of desserts ($5-$8).

Our table “had”–Three Cheese Garlic Bread, House Salad, Mykonos Style Greek Salad, Quinoa Caprese Salad, Cheeseburger With French Fries, Crab Cake Sandwich, Baby Back Ribs, Key Lime Pie, Brownie With Vanilla Ice Cream…everything was delicious. Just so you know, the garlic bread appetizer easily fed 4-people, the salads and desserts large enough for 2-people to share.

For you-guys who like more “review detail”…the French fries weren’t as delicious as everything else–but Owner-Steve told me, that fresh-handcut fries would soon be replacing the frozen product being used. I must tell you-that the garlic bread appetizer topped with melted Monterey Jack/cheddar/parmesan cheese was off-the-chart. To be perfectly honest, 2-orders of that garlic bread with a 2-liter bottle of ice-cold Coke and Jeff Eats could do some serious damage to himself…a definite must order.

Look! I could go on and on–as to how the ribs were basted with a delicious sweet bbq sauce, or how the crab cakes were loaded with crab (what else?) with virtually no filler, or how the cheeseburger which came on a lightly toasted bun-was topped with shredded lettuce/tomato slice/pickles spears and a mustard/ketchup/mayo dressing, but I won’t.

At this stage of the game, you may want to check www.madisonsnewyork.com for menu/prices.

The truly amazing thing about Madisons was that the service was impeccable…to be honest with you, Jeff Eats went into this thing-thinking a hiccup or two, afterall it was a brand new joint…but au contraire (hey! I told you that the chain is out of Quebec!)—the food and service couldn’t have been better.

Let me wrap this all up for you,

Madisons is going to be a huge winner. Mark these words–perfect for the business lunch crowd–perfect for the happy hour crowd–perfect for both Boca Raton’s young families and its 55+ crowd.

No question in Jeff Eats’ mind, Madisons can definitely hold its own against local “American Style” players–The Cheesecake Factory, Houston’s and J. Alexander’s.

A cursory “menu-look” found Madisons’ price-points $2-$5 lower than its “next door” neighbor Houston’s…..Hey! I already told you- The guys who own this joint know how to run a restaurant.

One final thought, a little bird told Jeff Eats that Madisons owns the Boca Raton property/building–so, to paraphrase poet Ernest Henley – Madisons is the master of its fate, captain of its soul (I know, I know a bit dramatic).

Madisons is open Monday-Sunday 11am-11pm.

***** Abbe’s Donut Nook Shop, 13625 Tamiami Trail, North Port, Florida 34287, (941) 426-5758.

Got a story for you…

This morning (Friday) around 10:15-Jeff Eats’ front door house bell rang–and standing there was an old “cop” friend and his wife…know these folks since 1971–from back in the day when I was a law clerk in the Kings County District Attorney’s Office (for those who don’t know, Kings County is also known as Brooklyn, New York). No fooling, unannounced they decided to visit Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats “checking in” until Sunday. Bearing belated hanukka gifts and 2-dozen assorted donuts from Abbe’s Donut Nook Shop, they were greeted with open arms. Just in case you are wondering how a retired New York City Detective ended-up in North Port, that’s a story for another day, but try something like you do 20 in NYC and 20 in North Port and then pension-out (you retired NYC cops and firemen know what I’m yapping about).

Anyway…

As just mentioned, our “guests” brought us 24 (that’s 2 dozen) assorted donuts from Abbe’s Donut Nook Shop located in North Port…for the record (after-all this is a cop story) until this morning, Jeff Eats had never heard of Abbe’s Donut Nook Shop…but what I can tell you, this joint makes some of the most amazingly delicious apple fritters, glazed, cake donuts that I have ever eaten. Since these were a “gift” it would have been so -declasse to ask how much they cost, but Jeff Eats did learn that Abbe’s has been around for something like 35 years–is a “hole in the wall” with a handful of tables, only takes cash and opens daily at 5:00am.

You now know as much as Jeff Eats knows about Abbe’s Donut Nook Shop in North Port, Florida.

* Hotel Minibar!

Recently caught the “below” article on AOL.com.

This hotel minibar story got Jeff Eats thinking about…how dirty hotel/motel rooms must really be. Now I know that you guys got real good imaginations—carpet, bedspread, headboard, tv remote…kinda endless, don’t-you think?

Now if we take this cleanliness theme just a drop further, after-all Jeff Eats is basically a food-blog…maybe you-all (you do know that Florida is a southern state!) should start investing in drinking straw companies.

Just something to think about!
*****
“According to a recent survey by TripAdvisor.com, the hotel minibar was ranked the least important amenity for travelers in the U.S.

Only 21 percent of travelers ranked the minibar as an important amenity. What matters most to people? Free in-room wifi. Free Internet was ranked most important by 89 percent of people who were surveyed.

As KTLA hosts point out, the minibar can often be more trouble than it’s worth. ‘With four kids, what’s the first thing I say when we walk in? ‘See that? Don’t touch it! Everything costs money,’ one reported laughed.

Though the minibars seem wildly overpriced, the hotels aren’t making much off of them.

‘There is little financial reason to keep minibars,’ Hugo Martin of the LA Times writes. ‘Hotel consulting firms estimate that minibars generate no more than 0.24% of total hotel revenue, with much of that eaten up by the cost to check and restock the bars.’
Similarly, hotel staffers are tired of fighting with guests about whether or not they took anything from the bar.

Will you miss the minibar if it vanishes? Tell us in the comments below.”