La Luce, Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, 14100 Bonnet Creek Resort Lane, Orlando, Florida, 32821, (407) 597-3601.

Last night Jeff Eats (party of 6) ate at La Luce -an Italian restaurant located in the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Hotel.

Just so you know, La Luce was “selected” in that Jeff Eats had a $300 Hilton -food/beverage credit that had to be used.

Real simple-

La Luce is your “typical” hotel- Italian restaurant- overpriced with mediocre food. If this joint wasn’t tied to/housed in -a hotel and had to fend for itself-my money says it wouldn’t last very long. Trust Jeff Eats on this one…hotel location, expense accounts, hotel “deal” promotions are what keeps La Luce in business.

Last night’s dinner- plain pizza, lasagna, ribeye steak, meatballs, chicken fra diavolo, lamb shank…just passable.

Printed below is La Luce’s “hype” on Hilton’s website www3.hilton.com.

All Jeff Eats can say- Hilton has some great copywriters..,
*****
LA LUCE®

La Luce®, created by renowned Napa Valley chef and restaurateur Donna Scala, is the signature restaurant of Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. Italian traditions meet Californian innovation in the cuisine at La Luce®, to create a perfectly balanced menu of thin crust pizzas, family-style pastas and meat and seafood specialties. The menu changes seasonally, showcasing the finest local ingredients in the classic Italian way – hearty yet with a simple elegance.

The cuisine, inspired by the types of dishes that have been handed down by Italian families for generations, is recreated with a modern twist and presented with style, to create an unforgettable dining experience. Select from the extensive Trattoria-style wine list or choose a Mediterranean-influenced cocktail as the perfect accompaniment to your meal.

Whether it’s a romantic dinner for two, a family celebration, or dining with friends, sit back and savor your meal overlooking the sparkling lazy river pool. Every month, this Italian restaurant in Orlando displays the work of local artists, creating a unique, inspiring atmosphere to enjoy fine family-inspired Italian cuisine.

La Luce® also offers a private dining room – perfect for intimate get-togethers, family reunions and special occasions. Please call 407-597-3600 to make a reservation.

Book a table

ORIGINAL ART

The perfect complement to a sumptuous feast is inspiring art. Each month, La Luce® displays the work of several local artists in celebration of the sensory, treating guests to art that is as fresh and contemporary as the cuisine. If we eat with our eyes first, consider the original art your first course. Dine with us often to see what’s new.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Recognized for excellence in cuisine and wine, this Orlando, Florida Restaurant has achieved awards and recognition. Recent accolades include:

Wine Spectator – Award of Excellence – 2012
Orlando Sentinel FOODIE Awards – Critics’ Choice – Best Hotel Restaurant – 2011

***** Walt DisneyWorld-Magic Kingdom.

Spent the day-at Disney’s Magic Kingdom.

Jeff Eats’ first visit was in February 1974. Until today, the last was in 1998.

Give or take a tweak here and there-same rides and shows as it had back in 1974. Jeff Eats is still scared crap-less of that Space Mountain ride.

Financially, Magic Kingdom is killing it!

No question that Walt Disney World “hits” visitors real hard with admission charges.

Just wanted to tell you guys, that I absolutely loved today’s visit. The reason, literally no one- was using a cellphone, iPad, iPhone, computer…people were actually talking to one another… Just like it use to be- before all of this cell phone/internet “business” got- people texting-emailing instead of TALKING.

Jeff Eats loved the rides and shows. Other than a “here and there” no interactivity required to watch or ride. All you had to do was show up. Moms and dads- grandparents- friends all having a great time being with each other. What I saw today, is what I think Walt Disney envisioned years ago- that being, people enjoying people.

One other shout -out to the Disney folks…

Like I said before, you caught “them” but- good coming in, but your food prices were very reasonable once inside- and I will tell you that your burgers, french fries, chicken nuggets, soft serve ice cream, roasted candy nuts, turkey legs were all delicious.

Sea Dog Brewing Co., 8496 Palm Parkway, Orlando, Florida 32836, (321) 329-5306.

Sea Dog is a small “sports bar” chain that has 2-Florida and 3- Maine locations.

Last night Jeff Eats ate in the Orlando joint…items ordered included burgers, chicken wings, steamed lobster, meatballs, french fries, fried pickles, buffalo chicken dip-and I gotta tell you, everything was mediocre at best. Based on the food-there is no way that I would consider another outing at Sea Dog.

Just so you know, our waiter was terrific, staying on top of everything for our party of-6. In addition, the live band playing 60’s-current covers was very entertaining.

Sea Dog has a full bar and loads of tvs. Not to beat a dead dog, but the food is very weak.

You can check menu/prices/locations at www.seadogbrewing.com.

End of story!

* Another Broken Egg Café, 508 Via de Palmas, Boca Raton, Florida 33432.

Real quick story…

Jeff Eats has a good buddy who lives in Winter Park, Florida.

The other day, he told me about- a breakfast-lunch chain-Another Broken Egg Café that had recently opened in Winter Park. To say that he raved about his breakfasts/lunches- would be an understatement.

To be perfectly honest with you, before my buddy’s “heads-up” Jeff Eats had never heard of Another Broken Egg Café.

Anyway,

Jeff Eats’ “research” turned-up that Another Broken Egg Café currently has 9 Florida locations (34 total) with huge Florida and national expansion plans in the works. For our “immediate”-purposes, sometime in the next 2-weeks- Another Broken Egg Café is set to open in Boca Raton. Check www.anotherbrokeneggcafe.com for menu/prices-locations.

Like I said before, Jeff Eats hasn’t been to Another Broken Egg Café…that said, I got plans to check-out the Boca Raton joint–when it’s up and running. For what it’s worth, Another Broken Egg Cafe’s website/Facebook page have some absolutely dynamite “food” pictures- if the actual food tastes just-half-as good as those photos, this chain may really have something cooking (pun intended).

Just thought that you guys would like to know about a new joint–headed for Boca Raton.

One other piece of business, the Boca location plans to be open 7 days a week from 7am-2pm.

***** Banh Mi Nha Trang, 1216 East Colonial Drive, Orlando, Florida 32803, (407) 346-4549.

Me neither…can’t pronounce the joint’s name for love nor money.

Before we “discuss” this takeout-only “hole in the wall” “mom & pop” Vietnamese “sub” joint that gets $3.50 cash-only per sub–Jeff Eats thought you might appreciate a “tutorial” on what BANH MI is-so courtesy of Wise Greek www.wisegreek.com take a look at the following “definition.” I’ll catch you guys at the end of the page…

“Bánh mi is a Vietnamese sandwich which is famous for being extremely hearty and relatively inexpensive. In its native Vietnam, bánh mi is a common offering at many restaurants and street stalls, and in regions of the world with a large Vietnamese community, the sandwich is also extremely common. In both cases, there are a number of configurations to choose from, with ingredients which range from shredded barbecued pork to tofu, and seasoning which can be mild to intensely spicy.
The development of the bánh mi did not begin until the French colonized Vietnam, introducing people to the baguette, a type of long, thin, crusty French bread. The French colonists developed a sort of salad sandwich, taking advantage of locally available Vietnamese ingredients like fresh greens, pickled vegetables, and spicy chiles, and the early form of bánh mi was born. While the French have left Vietnam, the taste for bánh mi has stayed on.
This sandwich is analogous to the submarine sandwich in the United States, which is also known as a hoagie, po’ boy, hero, grinder, wedge, or Italian, among many other alternate names. However, bánh mi has a few distinctive traits which set it aside from this well known American sandwich. The first is the inclusion of classically Asian ingredients like daikon radish, coriander, pickled carrots, sriracha chili sauce, tofu, and spring onions. The second is the seasoning used on the meats, when meat is included; the meat typically has a distinctively Vietnamese feel.
Pork, beef, and chicken are all used in bánh mi, sometimes even together. The sandwich can also include ingredients like eggs for a breakfast sandwich, and ingredients like seitan, tempeh, and textured vegetable protein are not unknown in vegetarian versions. In all cases, bánh mi typically has a healthy balance of fresh greens and vegetables blended with meats.
Some people call the bánh mi a sort of kitchen sink sandwich, meaning that cooks throw in whatever they have lying around the house. Whether bánh mi is assembled from leftovers or from ingredients which are specifically purposed, it tends to be very filling, with the ingredients typically attempting to explode from the baguette. Most people are accustomed to very inexpensive bánh mi, making it a popular street food and quick meal.”

Anyway,

Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats were recently “up” in Orlando…

To make a long story short, I was telling a guy in the Hard Rock Hotel’s lobby about Jeff Eats’ blog-and he recommended that we give Banh Mi Nha Trang a try. Just that simple!

Take a look at Banh Mi Nha Trang’s website www.nhatrangsubs.com. Real simple menu-18 subs/$3.50 a piece.

First- let me tell you, that the joint bakes its own sub rolls–crispy outside/soft inside. No ifs ands or buts about it, right up there with the best sub rolls that Jeff Eats has eaten

The Eats’ outing “netted” us a #6 (grilled pork)- a #9 (fried pork roll)- a #15 (meatballs simmered in tomato sauce)- and I gotta tell you these subs are amazing-delicious.

Like I said before- takeout only, cash only–

Jeff Eats loved Banh Mi Nha Trang.

This joint is an absolute must try.

Banh Mi Nha Trang is open Monday-Wednesday, Friday 10am-7pm, closed Thursday, Saturday-Sunday 10am-8pm.

* Jo Koy.

Literally, 15 minutes ago- Jeff Eats learned that I gotta be in Orlando for business tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday.

With that in mind, you’ll appreciate why -in the coming weeks you guys will probably be bombarded with a bunch of Orlando-joint reviews.

Finally, call it the luck of the Irish–Jeff Eats being in Orlando gives me the chance to catch Jo Koy in action at the Orlando Improv. For those of you not-familiar with Jo- only one of the funniest-hippest-comics currently working the comedy club circuit.

Look, I gotta go pack my 3-sets of underwear…so, check www.joykoy.com for schedule/video/and other stuff.

You can buy tickets at www.theimprovorlando.com

If you live anywhere near the Orlando Improv-you owe it to yourself to see Jo Koy “live”-this weekend.

Finally, Jeff Eats is “going” this coming Saturday. For you guys down “South”–Jo will be at the Fort Lauderdale Improv on August 29th and August 30th, 2014…you can catch tickets at www.ftl.improv.com.

* FREE NFL ALUMNI AUTOGRAPH SIGNING–5/31/14-FESTIVAL FLEA MARKET.

Just this second- got the following email from the Festival Flea Market.

The email is self-explanatory.

The way Jeff Eats sees it, not a bad way to kill-a couple of hours.

By the way, just off the top of my head–the pizza guy, the knish guy, the bagel guy in the food court, are all real-strong!

Finally, if you are going to do this “thing”- don’t forget that the Festival Flea Market always has some kind of promotion going on at its service desks–check the “deal” as you may save some bucks-on purchases that you might make.

Finally, finally–not that the “players” coming are chopped liver or something… But with all the money that the Festival’s owners pull down, you mean to tell me they couldn’t have sprung for Marino or at least Kosar!
*****
F R E E ! ! !
NFL ALUMNI
AUTOGRAPH SIGNING
University of Miami Greats
• Bennie Blades, #36
– Defensive Back
– NFL Draft: 1988 / Round 1 / Pick 3
– Detroit Lions (1988-1996)
– Seattle Seahawks (1997)
– Pro Bowl (1991)
– Consensus All-American (1986,1987)
– Jim Thorpe Award (1987)
– College Football Hall of Fame (2006)
• Brian Blades, #89
– Wide Receiver
– NFL Draft: 1988 / Round 2 / Pick 49
– Seattle Seahawks (1988-1998)
– Pro Bowl Selection (1989)
– All Pro Selection (1989)
– Seattle Seahawks 35th Anniversary Team
Miami Dolphins Greats
• Lorenzo Hampton, #27
– College: University of Florida
– Running Back
– NFL Draft: 1985 / Round 1 / Pick 27
– Miami Dolphins (1985-1989)
• Mark Higgs, #21
– College: University of Kentucky
– Running Back
– NFL Draft: 1988 / Round 8 / Pick 205
– Dallas Cowboys (1988)
– Philadelphia Eagles (1989)
– Miami Dolphins (1990-1994)
– Arizona Cardinals (1994-1995)
• Jim Jensen, #11
– College: Boston University
– Wide Receiver, Running Back, Quarterback
– NFL Draft: 1981 / Round 11 / Pick 291
– Miami Dolphins (1981-1992)
– 1988 Special Team’s Player of the Year
– 2006 Miami Dolphins “Unsung Hero” Award
Saturday, May 31st
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Next to Food Court
2900 West Sample Road ♦ Pompano Beach, FL 33073 ♦ 1-800-FLEAMARKET

***** Hurricane Bingo, 6695 West Boynton Beach Boulevard, Boynton Beach, Florida 33437, (561) 364-7744.

Years ago, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats took our kids on a 7-day cruise–onboard, they played so much bingo that when we got hope they wanted to become Catholics.

Anyway,

A few days ago, a very dear friend of the Eats’ family-aged 91 passed away—at her funeral many “stories” were told about her-lifetime love affair with the game of BINGO.

That funeral and to a far lesser degree the Eats’ cruise got me thinking–Where do folks in my Boca Raton neighborhood go-to-play BINGO?

A quick consultation with my 76 year old neighbor Rita (who use to be a huge “adult slot arcade” player) and I got the heads-up to checkout Hurricane Bingo which opened in Boynton Beach in late January, 2014.

To make a long story short,

Yesterday morning, I took a ride “up” to Boynton Beach and checked-out Hurricane Bingo. Look! I really don’t know anything about BINGO, but I do know that whoever owns/runs this joint–must be doing something right as every seat in the house was taken. Hurricane Bingo was clean, brightly lit and the players’ chairs looked awfully comfortable to me. I didn’t play -I didn’t eat–but several customers told me that- all players get free breakfast-lunch-dinner and unlimited soft drinks.

So, if BINGO is your game (pun intended) you now know where “a” game is being played!

One final thought,

Although- I haven’t been closely following the on-going saga concerning- Florida’s recent passage of a law that literally bans- 100’s of slot-like game arcades…Jeff Eats’ take on the matter-tells me that these arcades were predominantly populated by the elderly-retired. These arcades weren’t hurting anyone. These arcades provided entertainment/meeting places for people…and to have passed a law banning them- seems like a pretty dumb move to me!

Hurricane Bingo is open 7 days a week 9:30am-late.

* Internet-Pre-Sale.

May 29th- 10am-10pm.
Use password: JUKEBOX.
Hard Rock Live (Hollywood)
Saturday Night- September, 27, 2014 at 8pm.
For Tickets: www.ticketmaster.com.

***** T & W Subs & BBQ, 18683 South Dixie Highway, Cutler Bay, Florida 33157, (305) 235-8708.

First things first…Jeff Eats loved T & W Subs & BBQ in Cutler Bay.

T & W has 2-rooms…1- is a fast food “sub” joint…1- is a beer-bar with tvs.

Real easy concept…order/pickup at the counter. There is booth and table seating.

Now, nothing for nothing–Jeff Eats’ college days (Ithaca College, 1966-1970) are long past…that said, I am telling you, YOU put a T & W Subs & BBQ in any college town in the USA and YOU got a homerun.

Seriously, I can’t conceive of- a college kid not loving the food/bar setup that T & W’s got! For that matter, unless you’re some Fancy Dan–I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t enjoy this no frills beer bar/sub-bbq joint.

You can check T & W Subs’ menu/prices at www.twbbq.com. To save you some time–grilled/fried chicken wings, bbq brisket/pulled pork/chicken/ribs, hot/cold subs, burgers, salads, sides, desserts.

A recent outing had Jeff Eats “doing”–garlic parmesan grilled wings (7-$6.99), 1/3 rack of baby back ribs/French fries/ mac & cheese /corn bread ($7.99), pulled pork sub (small-$6.79)–now, no fooling here the food is amazing-good. Just between you, me and the lamppost, I definitely could handle T & W at least 3-4 times a week.

Just so we are straight, absolutely- positively nothing fancy going on at T & W Subs & BBQ…that’s why it’s a natural for guys like us and every college kid in America.

T & W Subs & BBQ is open Monday-Saturday 8:30am-9pm, Sunday noon-7pm.