Johnny T.

* Miller, D’Amore, Johnny T., The Dubs.

This past Saturday night Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats saw an absolutely terrific 50’s-60’s concert at the Kings Point Theater in Delray Beach.

Just off the top of my head, I’m gonna figure that close to 1,000 people were in the audience.

The concert featured vocalists- Mike Miller, Michael D’Amore, Johnny T. and The Dubs.

For the record, both Mike Miller and Johnny T. are former members of The Mystics who back in the 60’s had the mega hit “Hushabye.” D’Amore in-Jeff Eats’-humble-opinion is one of America’s top lounge vocalists. The Dubs fronted by original first tenor -Cleveland Still had the 50’s-60’s mega hits “Could This Be Magic”–“”Don’t Ask Me To Be Lonely”–“Chapel Of Dreams.”

As I mentioned 14 seconds ago, this was a terrific concert. Handling the “music” was a talented group of musicians lead by South Floridian- guitarist/vocalist Bobby Nathan who over the decades has worked with such artists as Kiss, Stevie Nicks, Steve Winwood, Prince and David Bowie.

Tickets for this show were $15 for Kings Point residents, non residents $18.

From Jeff Eats’ e-mails, I know that loads of you guys…love OLDIES music. With that in mind, keep an eye on–the following sites, for future South Florida- “shows” that might be right up your alley.

Mike Miller…. www.harmonystreet.biz.
Michael D’Amore… www.michaeldamore.com,
Johnny T…. www.johnnytunes.com.
Bobby Nathan… www.bobbynathan.com

* The Beatles’ 50th Anniversary!

It’s hard to believe, but February 7, 2014 will mark the 50th Anniversary of The Beatles’ landing at New York’s- JFK International Airport aboard Pan Am Flight 101 from London…for those of you too young to remember The Beatles—GOOGLE AWAY!!!

All over America- from the “2014 Grammy Awards Show” to the “The David Letterman Show”…the month of February- will be loaded with concerts-events-parties honoring the “band” that “revolutionized” the world…for those of you too young to remember The Beatles—GOGGLE AWAY!!!

One- of coolest scheduled events—is going to be held on February 16th and 17th at the Deauville Beach Resort in Miami Beach.

Printed Below is a recent Press Release that describes the event/ticket prices/info.

Jeff Eats is planning on attending the February 16th concert.

*****

“Fifty years ago, The Beatles took America by storm performing at Carnegie Hall and on the Ed Sullivan Show three times. The second performance was recorded at the historic Deauville Beach Resort where The Beatles spent nearly a week in residence. Join us in celebrating this historic event with what Rolling Stone Magazine has called “The Best Beatles Tribute on Earth” – “1964” The Tribute….

Saturday February 15th AND Sunday February 16th at 7PM.

“1964” …The Tribute takes their audiences on a musical journey to an era in rock history that will live in all of our hearts forever. They are hailed by critics and fans alike as the most authentic and endearing Beatles tribute in the world. Choosing songs from the pre-Sgt-Pepper era, “1964” recreates an early 60’s live Beatles concert, with period instruments, clothing, hairstyles, and onstage banter.

They have been featured on such nationally televised programs as The CBS Early Show, Entertainment Tonight, PM Magazine, CNN, The USA Network, and TNN. “1964” has toured around the world performing at major concert venues such as Red Rocks in Denver, Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, Texas, Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City, Shea Stadium, and The Philharmonic in Liverpool, England as well as festivals, colleges, corporate events, and conventions.

Notably, “1964”performed at Carnegie Hall for an unprecedented 12th time on January 12, 2013. They will return to Carnegie for the 50th Anniversary celebration of The Beatles performances there.

“1964”…The Tribute is the only Beatles tribute band with a United States Federal Court order defining a written agreement with Apple Corps. Ltd. permitting them to perform their show anywhere in the world. Years of researching the Fab Four have made “1964” masters of their craft. Beatle boots, vintage costumes and equipment, onstage mannerisms and speaking voices, and the unmistakable harmonies of the lads from Liverpool make “1964” the most accurate and fun Beatles tribute to date.

“1964” is: Mark Benson as John Lennon, Mac Ruffing as Paul McCartney, Tom Work as George Harrison, and Bobby Potter as Ringo Starr.

“1964” will be performing in the Napoleon Ballroom (where The Beatles recorded the Ed Sullivan show). Immediately following the Saturday concert there will be a full banquet dinner in the Richelieu Ballroom.

Tickets for the concert are $64. Tickets for the banquet are $68 which includes a full dinner and two glasses of wine. Cash bar will be available. Special room rates have been arranged, so come and make a weekend out of it! Tickets for both concerts are available by calling 877-733-3130 or by clicking here:

https://tickets.completeticketsolutions.com/1964/Online/default.asp

Tickets for the Saturday banquet are available by calling Mark Johnson @ 970-948-6151

Special room rates are available at The Deauville. Please click here:

http://www.secure-res.com/res/vn4/checka.aspx?hotelid=1591

Enter strutpro in the Group Code Box, or call 800-327-6656 and mention Strut Productions for the rate.

Saturday will also feature special a special presentation by Andy Babiuk, author of the critically acclaimed book Beatles Gear presents a stunning multimedia presentation and lecture featuring over 100 rare photos and massive amounts of Beatle studio out take audio clips. His first hand anecdotes from practically everyone involved in the Beatles’ inner circle, are collected from over 400 interviews and eight years of research. With his amazing audio/ video presentation, Andy’s engaging and insightful lecture covers the history of band and their legendary instruments. If you’re a Beatles fan, this is one not to be missed! Tickets: $15

Please contact Mark Johnson @ 970-948-6151 or skyisle@sopris.net for additional information”

***** Jack & Mary’s Breakfast-Lunch, 2323 South Goldenrod Road, Orlando, Florida 32822, (407) 281-1113.

Jack & Mary’s…”neighborhood” mom & pop diner–counter seating, booths/tables. The joint is open Monday-Sunday 7am-2pm.

Cute name, but personally Jeff Eats would have gone with Jack & Jill…but then again, the owners are probably named Jack and Mary, and I guess Mary didn’t want to go through life known as Jill. Then again how cool would it have been to have named the joint Shlomo & Mary’s Breakfast-Lunch?

Anyway, now that I’ve killed some time…

Jack & Mary’s menu is loaded with breakfast stuff, sandwiches/burgers, soups/salads, hot lunch “specials.”.

Jeff Eats recently did “lunch”…rye patty melt with french fries ($6.65), chicken salad club sandwich with french fries ($6.25), bowl of chili/onions/cheese ($3.55)…

Good solid diner-food, reasonable prices, very pleasant service.

***** Leo’s Diner, 333 North Orange Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32801, (407) 423-5367.

Now, let me ask you something…

Do you seriously think that Jeff Eats would pass on trying a “mom & pop” diner–named Leo’s Diner on a recent Orlando sojourn? If you answered yes, YOU ARE WRONG!

Let me start by saying, that although Leo’s has only been around since April 10, 2010…8 counter seats/16 tables/black & white checkerboard tile floor décor–gives off a nice 1950s-1960s vibe.

Leo’s Diner is open Monday-Friday 7am-3pm, Sunday 8am-1pm, closed on Saturday. Now, nothing for nothing- closed on Saturday? Maybe a Sunday, maybe a Monday, but Saturday! AH! The mysteries of the restaurant business!

Anyway…

You can check menu/prices at www.leosdiner.net.

Jeff Eats recently did lunch at Leo’s–and as you would expect, its menu is packed with breakfast stuff, burgers, salads, soups, sandwiches/subs, desserts.

“Items tested”– meatball parmesan sub ($7.95 came with French fries)…chicken salad on a Kaiser roll ($7.95 came with baked potato)…1/2-lb bacon cheeseburger ($7.95 came with French fries)…5 cheese grilled cheese sandwich ($6.95 American, cheddar, provolone, Swiss, parmesan–came with French fries). No fooling here, everything Jeff Eats had was delicious–with the grilled cheese sandwich and meatball sub getting special shout-outs.

So there is no confusion, Leo’s does breakfast Monday-Friday from 7am-11am and Sunday 8am-1pm…and no breakfast or for that matter lunch on Saturday.

Let me wrap this up for you,

Jeff Eats has eaten his fair share of diner-lunches–and I gotta rate Leo’s food right up with the best of breed.

This joint is a big time winner!

* Let The Games Begin–Nutella v. Hershey!

Caught this story on AP this afternoon…

Gonna be a major slugfest here…sort of like Ali v. Frazier…

Jeff Eats’ bet…Hershey ends up with the lion’s share…
*****

NEW YORK (AP) — Americans apparently like smearing their foods with chocolatey spreads.

The Hershey Co. on Wednesday said it was introducing a line of chocolate spreads, including a hazelnut variety reminiscent of Nutella, a spread made by the Italian company Ferrero.

The move points to the strong growth in the category; over the past five years, sales of Nutella in the U.S. have more than tripled to $240.4 million, according to market researcher Euromonitor International.

In 2012, J.M. Smucker Co. also got into the game with its Jif hazelnut spreads.

Anna Lingeris, a Hershey spokeswoman, noted that the most common uses for chocolate spreads are pairings with fruit. But she says Hershey will feature the “endless possibilities” for its spreads in national TV ads set to start airing on Monday.

“People are seeing the permission to try it on carrots and try it on celery,” Lingeris said, noting that chocolate is “one of America’s favorite snacks.”

A Hershey statement also suggested pairings with pineapples and pickles.

As for Nutella, fans use it in a variety of ways, with some even saying they just eat it straight out of the jar. On its website, the spread is shown in a wholesome light on what appears to be a slice of whole wheat bread, alongside a fruit and glasses of orange juice and milk. Hershey’s site meanwhile features a jar of its spread amid apples, strawberries, pretzels and celery.

Lingeris said Hershey’s spreads have been available since early December, although national marketing is just now starting.

The spreads have chocolate flavor, but aren’t primarily chocolate. Nutella’s ingredients, for example, include sugar, palm oil, hazelnuts, cocoa and skim milk. A call to the Ferrero’s U.S. headquarters wasn’t immediately returned.

Adding chocolate spreads clearly make fruits and vegetables more indulgent snacks, with two tablespoons containing about 200 calories, 12 grams of fat and 20 grams of sugar for both the Nutella and Hershey varieties.

Meanwhile, Hershey recently touted its efforts to reduce the calories in its products. The Hershey, Pa.-based company is part of the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, a collation of 16 major food makers that has said it will work to reduce obesity. For its part, Hershey says it has reduced the calories in its products by offering portion-controlled packaging, changing recipes and developing new products, such as offerings with reduced sugar and fat.

____

***** Argentinian Deli, 501 Northeast 20th Street, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, (561) 672-9003.

Go figure!-and Jeff Eats thought that…Argentina was only-known for hiding World War II Nazi war criminals and a Broadway show about some dictator and his wife.

Well, you live and you learn-

The other day, Jeff Eats had an absolutely terrific-lunch at an Argentinian “fast food” joint- Argentinian Deli in Boca Raton. Just so you know, Argentinian Deli is part grocery store/part deli/ part fast food restaurant with a handful of tables.

Right off the bat, I gotta tell you that Argentinian Deli makes some of the best empanadas that Jeff Eats has ever eaten…The joint has 9 different “fillings”-with a $6 special that gives you 3 plus a can of soda. Jeff Eats had- ham & cheese, beef, chicken with vegetables—and like I said, I can’t recall eating better ones down here in South Florida.

Argentinian’s menu also has all kinds of breakfast stuff, appetizers, salads, sandwiches/subs, entrees, desserts.

Being the reporter that he is, in addition to those empanadas- Jeff Eats also “tried”- 6″ chicken milanesa sub ($6.99 inludes one side plus soft drink) and 10oz. vacio steak plate ($11.90 includes one side plus soft drink) and I’m telling you, like those empanadas- the food was amazingly good.

You can check www.argentiniandeli.com for menu/prices/photos.

Let me sum Argentinian Deli up for you…

Part grocery store/part deli/part fast food restaurant.

The food is dynamite and dirt-cheap.

The joint is a HOMERUN!

Argentinian Deli is open Monday-Saturday 9am-7pm, Sunday 8am-2pm.

Finally, if Argentinian’s food is indicative as to what food in Argentina is/was all-about—Jeff Eats can appreciate why those Nazis ran there!

* St Coleman’s 31st Annual Italian Festival, 1200 South Federal Highway, Pompano Beach, Florida 33062, (954) 942-3533.

Jeff Eats- LOVES the annual St Coleman’s Italian Festival…been to 9 of them and had a blast each and every year!

You know the deal…rides, games, arts & crafts, entertainment and f o o d.

This year, 2014’s- will be held (Friday-Saturday-Sunday) February 21st–1pm-11pm, February 22nd–noon-11pm, February 23–noon-8pm.

Admission is FREE. You buy tickets for rides and food. Entertainment is FREE.

Not going to bother telling you about the food offerings. Suffice it to say, in the past- Jeff Eats was like a pig in sh#t, eating more fried stuff than any rational human being should be allowed to.

You can check www.italianfest.com for info/tickets/other stuff.

Finally, 4 of my favorite South Florida cover/tribute bands are booked…you should definitely catch them in action!

2/21/14…5:00pm The Fabulons– www.fabulons.com (50s-60s Rock N Roll- Rev. 7/2/10).

2/21/14…9:30pm Anthology Beatles Party Band–www.anthologytheband.com (Beatles- Rev.10/1/08).

2/22/14…9:30pm The Long Run–www.thelongrun.info (Eagles Tribute- Rev. 12/1/08 as The Shindigs).

2/23/14…4:30pm Orange Sunshine– www.orangesunshine.bz (60s Rock- Rev. 5/18/12).

Jeff Eats’ plan…gonna be there on Friday night–2/21/14.

Got my fingers crossed for great weather that weekend!

As a side-bar…I thought you guys might like to know a-bit about the saying “crossed fingers.” Here’s what Wikipedia has to say on the matter:
*****
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Crossed fingers
A hand gesture in which the middle finger of either hand is crossed over the top of the index finger of the same hand. Also, a written or spoken phrase associated with the gesture. There is some evidence to suggest that the origins of the gesture are founded in early Christianity, both as a plea for divine protection and as a covert signifier of Christian belief. Modern usage however is almost exclusively secular and considerably more diverse in meaning,[1][2][3] including:
A hand gesture denoting a hope for good luck.
A verbal wish for luck, as in: “I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you”.
A means of nullifying the binding nature of a promise or oath, as in: “You promised!”, “I had my fingers crossed so the promise didn’t count!”. This is predominantly a childish usage.
A means of allowing or lessening the negative connotations of a lie, as in: “You said your name was Steve, you lied, your name is Paul!”, “It doesn’t count, I had my fingers crossed!”. This is predominantly a childish usage.
To cross one’s fingers was a hand gesture commonly used to implore God for protection, as well as to wish for good luck.[4] The gesture is referred to by the common expression “keeping one’s fingers crossed” or just “fingers crossed” and has also been historically used in order to allow believers to recognize one another during times of persecution.[5]
In the time of the early Church, Christians would cross their fingers in order to invoke the power associated with the Christian cross for protection, when faced with evil.[4] Moreover, Christians, when persecuted by the Romans, used the symbol of crossed fingers, along with the Ichthys, in order to recognize one another and assemble for worship services.[6] In 16th century England, people continued to cross fingers or make the sign of the cross in order to ward off evil, as well as when people coughed or sneezed.[7]
Modern use[edit]
Modern use of the fingers crossed gesture has little bearing on its religious origins.[1][2][3]
A hand gesture denoting a hope for good luck
A physical gesture to indicate a wish for good luck.
A verbal wish for luck
As in: “I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you” to signify that the speaker is wishing good luck for the recipient. Sometimes hyperbololised, for instance: “I have crossed all of my fingers and all of my toes” to lend emphasis or to communicate additional sincerity.
A means of nullifying the binding nature of a promise or oath
A belief that crossing one’s fingers invalidates a promise being made.[8][9]
A means of allowing or lessening the negative connotations of a lie
Some people, mostly children, also use the gesture to excuse their telling of a white lie. This may have its roots in the belief that the power of the Christian cross might save one from being sent to hell for telling a lie.[10]

Michael D’Amore

* Voices Of The Legends–January 18th–Tickets Still Available!

Back on December 12, 2013 Jeff Eats told you guys about a terrific “50s-70s” concert scheduled for Saturday, January 18, 2014 (8pm) at the Kings Point Theater in Delray Beach.

Just checked with the box-office and there are a handful of tickets still left for the show.

In a nutshell, the show is headlined by The Dubs who had the huge hit–“Could This Be Magic.” There are also three other acts on the bill…Johnny T., Mike Miller and Michael D’Amore. Just so you know, both Johnny and Mike are former members of The Mystics of “Hushabye” fame. T., Miller and D’Amore are well known tribute artists who perform all over the United States covering such great singers/acts as The Righteous Brothers, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, The Skyliners, Paul Anka, Frank Sinatra and Dion & The Belmonts. Jeff Eats has seen all of the scheduled artists and I am telling you–this is going to be an absolutely dynamite show.

If you are a resident of Kings Point…tickets are 15 bucks…non residents, 18 bucks.

For tickets, call the box-office (561) 499-3335 ext. 225.

Check www.jeffeats.com for the original 12/12/13 article about the show.

***** Junior’s Diner, 2920 Corrine Drive, Orlando, Florida 32803, (407) 894-8871.

Junior’s Diner is a “neighborhood” diner…long/narrow setup—maybe 10 counter seats, maybe ten booths. Its been around since 1997.

Junior’s Diner does breakfast/lunch…Tuesday-Saturday 6:30am-2pm, Sunday 7:30am-2pm, closed on Monday.

Jeff Eats loves the Junior’s Diners of this world…call me a wild and crazy guy (I know- Steve Martin) but I love mom & pop joints- like this one. No matter what you say, I’d rather eat in a- Junior’s Diner than an IHOP, Denny’s, First Watch, Perkins, “You Name The Chain.”

Now, unless you’re a recent transplant from Venus, you know exactly what this- Junior’s Diner is all about. Decent enough food, reasonable prices and pleasant-sassy- charming waitresses. You also know, that Junior’s “grill man” ain’t winning no prize money on that cooking-show Chopped.

Junior’s menu is loaded with breakfast stuff, sandwiches, salads, burgers, and entrees.

A recent outing had Jeff Eats doing…western omelet ($7.09), French toast with sausage ($5.59), biscuits with sausage gravy (2-biscuits, $3.69)…and I gotta tell you, that everything was diner-good. Are we talking “curing cancer” good, come-on, don’t be silly…

Let me wrap this up for you…

Unless you are a real-strange dude or dudette–you “got” your own–Junior’s Diner. For sure, yours maybe called Leo’s, or Tommy’s, or Jimbo’s, or Nick’s…but you got one! You know, the joint- where you go for breakfast and the coffee is-coffee and not some pumpkin spice latte concoction.

Finally, just in case we go on the “Newly Wed Game”–Jeff Eats’ all-time favorite Junior’s Diner was “The Federal” which was located on Cortelyou Road in Brooklyn…I can’t begin to tell you how many times my Father, Mother, Brother and I were in that joint from 1949-1957-but it was -a lot…and if memory serves me right, The Federal had an almost identical layout as Junior’s Diner has…the one big difference, Junior’s is into mahagony colors while The Federal had a red & white decor.

Posted September 25, 2011
***** Junior’s Diner, 2920 Corrine Drive, Orlando, Florida 32803, (407) 894-8871.

Junior’s Diner…”mom & pop”–cash only–booth/counter seating diner in Orlando.

I love neighborhood-diner joints, like Juniors. Nothing fancy, just good solid breakfasts, burgers, fries, sandwiches—what makes these joints special is–that they have personality. Unlike chains like IHOP and Perkin’s, the Junior’s of the world have a down-home style and personal touch that only local-owners can generate.

Now, we all know that Orlando is a tourist “mecca”—I seriously doubt, that there are any national restaurant chains without at least one Orlando outpost. If you want to eat where the “locals” eat…you gotta try Junior’s Diner. The joint is open Monday-Saturday 6:30am-2pm and is closed on Sunday.

* The Good Pie Company, 5665 South Uiversity Drive, Davie, Florida 33328, (954) 562-4760.

Let me start by saying that–Jeff Eats is flying blind here…

Yesterday, I heard about a “start-up” retail/wholesale business-The Good Pie Company that “apparently” bakes amazing sweet and savory pies. So you “know”–sweet would be like- apple, pumpkin etc., savory would be chicken pot pie, zucchini etc. (so now you guys can be bakers).

Following-up on a friend’s call-about incredible apple, boston cream and chicken pot pies—Jeff Eats did some GOOGLING, BINGING, YAHOOING–and came-up with an interesting “picture” about a 50ish married couple who started The Good Pie Company after driving round trip–Florida to California studying/tasting all kinds of pies along the way. If I got this right, this Good Pie deal- is their first pro-outing in the bakery business. The joint which opened on November 5, 2013 is basically a “working-kitchen” located in a Davie strip center. When you walk in, there are no retail counters/displays–you are in a kitchen. From what I gather, the space formerly housed a pizza joint-and has enough room to allow a retail outlet to be built-out.

At this stage of this story–check Good Pie’s website www.thegoodpiecompany.net for products/and other stuff.

As I mentioned 23 seconds ago-most of the info-I have on The Good Pie Company came from the “internets” (you do know that Jeff Eats is a computer illiterate)… there are a number of stories on the company and a really cool YouTube Video about the Florida-California sojourn.

Now, nothing for nothing, Jeff Eats has no personal knowledge of what “these” pies taste like or what the bakery/store really looks like. What I got, is a gut feeling that owners Marti and Frank Reich–in addition to making delicious pies, may have a business that if “backed” by the right folks-could be HUGE.

By the way, on January 25, 2014 The Good Pie Company is going to have its official “Grand Opening.”

Jeff Eats is definitely going to- personally check this joint out…

We’ll talk about this one-again, real soon!