***** Big Apple Pizza & Pasta, 240 West Indiantown Road, Jupiter, Florida 33458, (561) 746-2212.

Got a terrific “red sauce” Italian joint for you…Big Apple Pizza & Pasta.

Just so you know, Big Apple has 10-Florida locations–this write-up is about the one in Jupiter.

Before we get going here, you can check www.bigapplepizza.com for menu/prices/locations/coupons.

Without naming names, you know and I know that Florida is loaded with “red sauce” Italian joints…we know there are “mom & pop” joints–also thrown into the mix, are a number of small “red sauce” chains…and to be perfectly honest with you, Jeff Eats (present company excluded) can’t name even-one small-chain that is anything more-than mediocre.

Now…assuming that the other 9 Big Apple Pizza & Pasta joints are playing on the same level as the Jupiter outpost—I gotta tell you, that I would match Big Apple’s stuff up against Florida’s best red sauce joints.

Jeff Eats absolutely loved Big Apple Pizza & Pasta.

A week or so ago I did “dinner” at Big Apple and it served-up a thin crust pan pizza that was absolutely-positively off the chart…one of the most delicious pizzas I’ve had down here in Florida. I also “tried” the joint’s antipasto salad, garlic knots meat lasagna, veal parmigiana, sausage & peppers sub–and I’m telling you everything was right on the money.

Like I said 24 seconds ago, this story is only about-the Jupiter location. IF–the other 9-locations are as strong, Big Apple Pizza & Pasta should be the master “blue-print”–on how to own/operate a small “red sauce” Italian chain.

Big Apple Pizza & Pasta is open Monday-Sunday 11am-10pm.

***** Jam & Jelly House, Festival Flea Market -2900 West Sample Road, Pompano Beach, Florida 33073, (617) 319-2877.

Any of you guys watching the tv series “Banshee” on Cinemax? Jeff Eats absolutely loves this show which takes place in a small fictional town-Banshee, Pennsylvania. Talk about gratuitous sex, fights, shootings, stabbings, gratuitous sex (I think I already mentioned this one!) and a huge Amish population–and you got the makings of a great hour of R-rated tv.

Which brings us to Jam & Jelly House–Booth #1235 in the Festival Flea Market, which sells 200 Amish (100% natural ingredients)-jams and jellies, loads of Amish made salad dressings, butters, honeys, pickle products and peanut butters.

Jam & Jelly House is a relative newcomer to the Festival Flea Market–it opened September 1, 2013. You know and I know that flea-markets are like the movie “Ground Hog Day”– 92 watch guys, 54 perfume guys, 29 saw it on tv products guys—let’s just say that Jam & Jelly House is a rare-bird, a one of a kind!

Jeff Eats recently tried…Jam & Jelly Houses’ strawberry jam-apple butter and orange marmalade and I gotta tell you—each one was absolutely delicious. I don’t know about you, but I love my morning toasted Thomas’ English Muffin with loads of butter and jam or jelly–and now I’m good to go with the 3 -19oz. jars I picked-up the other day. Just so you know, I’m not a huge fan of peanut butter, but Mrs. Jeff Eats is…so when she opens up that jar of peanut butter she bought I’ll give you guys a holler and update.

Jam & Jelly House is working on a website…so for right now-there is nothing online for you to checkout. Figure $3.99-$6.99 for the jellies, jams, butters–and I will tell you, I thought that the strawberry jam was tastier than my old Smucker’s standby. For what it’s worth…the Amish products come from North Carolina and Virginia-then again they couldn’t come from Banshee because it’s a fictional town-but you knew hat already.

Jam & Jelly House is open Monday-Friday 9:30am-5pm, Saturday-Sunday 9:30pm-6pm.

* The Unexpected Boys.

Got something really good for you- Four Seasons, Beach Boys, Rock N’ Roll fans out there…The Unexpected Boys!

A few years ago, Jeff Eats caught- The Unexpected Boys in action…to say that the group is one of the best Four Seasons’ tribute acts in the world-would be an understatement. Absolutely amazing vocals and showmanship. The group’s non-stop 90 minute performance also features Beach Boys-other legendary Rock N’ Roll numbers and Broadway tunes thrown-in for good measure.

Yesterday, in reviewing various South Florida venues’ entertainment schedules- I noticed that The Unexpected Boys has a load of upcoming dates in the area.

February 28, 2014—————–Palm Isles, Boynton Beach.
March 1, 2014———————-Palm Chase Lakes, Boynton Beach.
March 2, 2014———————-Poinciana Mens Club, Lake Worth (7pm).
March 2, 2014———————-Valencia Lakes, Boynton Beach (9pm).
March 5, 2014———————-Kings Point, Delray Beach.
March 8, 2014———————-Century Village, West Palm Beach (7pm).
March 8, 2014———————-Cascades, Boynton Beach (8pm).
March 9, 2014———————-Cascades West, Port Saint Lucie.
March 11, 2014———————Century Village, Boca Raton.
March 13, 2014———————Glen Eagles Country Club, Delray Beach.
March 14, 2014———————Boca Woods Country Club, Boca Raton.
March 15, 2014———————Century Village, Hollywood.
March 16, 2014———————Tuscany Bay, Boynton Beach (7pm).
March 16, 2014———————Century Village, Deerfield Beach (8pm).
March 21, 2014———————Lakeridge Falls, Boynton Beach.
March 22, 2014———————Lakes of Delray, Delray Beach.
March 23, 2014———————Cascades Lakes, Boynton Beach.
March 28, 2014———————Emerald Point, Delray Beach.
March 29, 2014———————Riverbridge, Lake Worth.

The suggestion here is…if you are a resident/member of one of the above communities, that you make it your business to go and see- The Unexpected Boys (of course, that’s assuming that you like this type of music!). While on the subject of tickets, “some” of the listed venues (such as Kings Point) allow non-residents to buy tickets–so you non- residents/members may have a way to see certain performances.

Trust Jeff Eats on this one. The Unexpected Boys put on a fabulous show. No fooling around here, their harmonies are amazing.

Checkout www.unexpectedboys.com for venues/tickets/videos/other info.

***** Straight From New York Bagels, 4550 Executive Drive, Naples, Florida 34119, (239) 596-9933.

Got a real good- order at/pickup at the counter bagel joint for you…Straight From New York Bagels in Naples.

Real simple menu…bagels, pastries, breakfast stuff, salads, sandwiches.

Since the joint is “called” Straight From New York Bagels–let’s chat first about the mixed dozen I got…everything/asiago/pumpernickle/onion/garlic—Straight From New York Bagels’ dozen =15 bagels for 15 bucks. The bagels were kettle boiled and then baked. Straight From New York Bagels were good, actually real good—so as for the bagel-front, the joint was strong. Now, as for Straight From New York Bagels’ pastrami-corned beef-chicken salad and tuna salad–I am pleased to report, that everything was delicious–actually, I’d rate each listed item right-up there with the best that I’ve had in Florida’s bagel bakeries/restaurants.

You can check menu/prices at straightfromny.com.

Straight From New York Bagels is open 7 days a week 7am-2pm.

***** Yakko-San Restaurant, 3881 Northeast 163rd Street, North Miami Beach, Florida 33160, (305) 947-0064.

Jeff Eats knows, that a ton of you guys love top-shelf Japanese food…so I went out and found Yakko-San in North Miami Beach for you. I also know that a load of you guys aren’t (just yet!) in the geriatric category—so you’ll- really enjoy that Yakko-San has separate bar-sushi bar-restaurant areas and is open Monday-Sunday- noon-3am. At this stage of the story, you can check www.yakko-san.com for menu/prices/loads of photos. By the way, for you younger folks out there–just so you know, Jeff Eats’ older “crowd” is also usually up at 1am, 2am, 3am…just not out at joints like Yakko-San. If you aren’t following me here–ask your older friends where I was/am going with this.

The joint is great looking with a semi-upscale vibe. Its got a menu packed with all kinds of soups, appetizers, sushi, sashimi, nigiri, tempura, grilled meats/fish, noodles—that your little hearts desire.

Personally, I know that Jeff Eats is well qualified to “judge” Yakko-San’s food in that I have seen-“What’s Up Tiger Lily?” (1966- saw it twice) and “The Bridge on the River Kiwi” (1957- saw this sucker at least 7 times)—so, I gotta tell you, Yakko-San served up some pretty impressive stuff. A recent dinner (6 people) had us doing…shrimp tempura roll, king crab roll, sashimi (2-tuna, 2-salmon, 2-hamachi), cucumber wrap, grilled Chilean sea bass, ginger chicken, shrimp tempura, beef fried rice, fried cheesecake roll—and not one thing came even close to missing. While we’re on the topic of food critic credentials, Jeff Eats was/is a huge fan of “Hogan’s Heroes” so-figure on seeing a German joint write-up and a discussion of Bob Crane’s death sometime in the near future.

Takko-San is a really good Japanese restaurant.

Definitely one of the best that Jeff Eats has been to- down here in South Florida.

* Speeding To Your Favorite Restaurant.

Just read this on AOL Autos…thought you guys might like to know that–

“A federal judge in St. Louis ruled Monday that a driver flashing their lights to warn other drivers of an impending speed trap is protected free speech.

On November 22, 2012 Michael Elli received a ticket for flashing his lights to warn fellow drivers of a speed trap, according to Fox 2. The American Civil Liberties Union helped Elli fight the $1,000 ticket all the way to federal court.

Judge Henry Autrey of St. Louis ruled a driver has the right to flash their lights under the First Amendment. Autrey issued an injunction to stop Ellisville Police from enforcing the policy.

“If you’re at the gas station on the corner and someone says ‘Hey be careful over there, there’s a speed trap,’ that’s protected speech. You can’t be ticketed for that. This is no different,” Tony Rothert, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union, told Fox 2.

A lawyer for the police in Ellisville said the department isn’t affected by the ruling, as this kind of ticket has only been issued five or so times in the last decade. Across the country, however, the ruling will be considered the benchmark for such cases.”

Filed under: Driving Laws

* All That Jazz Café & Grill, 3491 Hiatus Road, Sunrise, Florida 33351, (954) 572-9399.

Got something for you guys that may-be really cool and terrific…but then again, it may-be just the opposite (not really cool and not so terrific).

Hear Jeff Eats out…

The other day -I was talking to Greg Steiner -the bass player of Across The Universe (one of South Florida’s premier Beatles’ tribute bands) about the group’s plans for “celebrating” The Beatles’50th Anniversary (American debut- February 1964). Greg told me that on Sunday, February 16th-Across The Universe is scheduled to perform 2-dinner shows (4:15pm & 7pm) at All That Jazz Café & Grill in Sunrise. Greg also told me-that during the day, All That Jazz is a music academy and on Friday & Saturday 5:30pm-11:30pm and Sunday 10:30am-2:30pm–the joint transforms itself into a 100 seat restaurant (beer/wine) with live music performed by the academy’s students and various guest artists.

Now stay with me…

Jeff Eats checked out- All That Jazz Café & Grill’s menu and it definitely had the right mix of Italian, Mexican, American appetizers/salads/ sandwiches/entrees–to warrant further investigation.

Just so we are straight…Jeff Eats has never been to or eaten in All That Jazz. I will tell you that Greg swears that the joint’s garlic bread and meatballs are off-the chart—now, keep in mind, this “review” comes from some guy who plays Paul McCartney for a living and not from some hot shot Brooklyn born entertainment attorney—so buyer be-ware!!

Anyway…

Jeff Eats “gut” says that All That Jazz Café & Grill is definitely worth a shot down the road.

Finally…

Based on how good–Across The Universe is (Jeff Eats has seen the group a number of times) …the bet here is- that the February 16th- $28 dinner/show will be an absolutely fabulous event…with a good time being had by all!

You can check-out All That Jazz Café & Grill’s menu/prices/Beatles Dinner-Show at- www.allthatjazzcafe.com.

You can check-out Across The Universe at www.acrosstheuniverseband.com.

***** DelVecchio’s Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant, 2060 South University Drive, Davie, Florida 33324, (954) 476-2211.

DelVecchio’s…a small South Florida “red sauce” chain—with 1-joint in Coral Springs, 1-joint in Weston, 1-joint in Sunrise, 1-joint in Pembroke Pines, 2-joints in Davie.

Jeff Eats recently did “dinner” at the DelVecchio’s on South University Drive in Davie—so can’t comment on what’s what about the other 5 locations.

DelVecchio’s as expected- had a menu packed with appetizers, salads, pizzas, pastas, subs, entrees. You know the game, entrees come with soup/or salad, garlic knots, side pasta.

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

Food ordered…large pizza, veal parmigiana, eggplant rollatini, shrimp scampi, penne ala vodka–with everything being A-OK.

Just so there is no misunderstanding, no one item actually blew Jeff Eats-away…but all-in-all, a decent enough outing.

DelVecchio’s is open Sunday-Thursday 11am-10pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-11pm.

***** China Casa, 3300 West 84th Street, Hialeah, Florida 33018, (305) 698-3881.

Got a real good Chinese “take-out” joint for you…China Casa in Hialeah.

You know and I know that Chinese take-out joints are a dime a dozen down here in South Florida…you also know that give or take a handful, most Chinese take-outs are OK, but that’s about it…you also know that the next morning’s microwaved leftovers always taste great. Now that we are done with Jeff Eats’ South Florida Chinese tutorial–let me tell you about China Casa.

The other day I and Mrs. Jeff Eats were looking “for” some marble for a renovated kitchen that “she” is envisioning…you do know that Hialeah is like the “marble capital” of the world? sure you do!–any way-one of the store-owners hearing that I was Jeff Eats, told me that we had to try China Casa…blah blah blah. Before I tell you about the food… I was just hit with a flashback—when I was a kid, my father would always say to me…”Who’s she? You mean, your mother!”–when I would refer to my mother as- she…

Anyway…

Let me tell you, this little joint makes some absolutely dynamite wonton soup, bbq ribs, roast pork fried rice, sesame chicken, pepper steak with onions. To be perfectly honest with you, and I’ve eaten a ton of Chinese take-out food in my day, China Casa’s is right up there with some of the best outings that I’ve had here in South Florida.

So, if you live or work or are looking for marble in China Casa’s neighborhood- you now know where to get some really good Chinese stuff…

China Casa is open Monday-Thursday 11am-9:30pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-10pm, Sunday noon-9pm.

***** Carrollwood Cafe & Deli, 11606 North Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, Florida 33618, (813) 964-9008.

Real easy…soups, salads, sandwiches.
Table service.
Open Monday-Saturday 11am-3:30pm, closed on Sunday.
You can check www.carrollwooddeli.com for menu/prices/photos/video of the joint.

The corned beef on rye, the pastrami on rye, tuna/chicken salad platter, chicken noodle soup—all big time winners.

Absolutely loved Carrollwood Cafe & Deli.

Only problem Jeff Eats-got with this joint…it’s 235 miles from my Boca Raton home-base.

If you live or work anywhere near Carrollwood’s neighborhood—you’d have to be stupid or something-not to go there for lunch.