* 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.

***** Yummy House, 2202 West Waters Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33604, (813) 915-2828.

Go figure!

Some of the best Cantonese Chinese food that Jeff Eats has ever eaten- is being served up by Yummy House–a “typical” mom & pop-decor Chinese joint in Tampa.

Trust Jeff Eats on this one, I’d match Yummy’s–eggrolls, wonton soup, fried dumplings, bbq ribs, kung po shrimp, hong kong roast duck, sesame chicken, orange pork chops, roast pork fried rice -up-against the best joints that I’ve eaten in/taken out-anywhere in Florida-not to mention New York City and San Francisco’s Chinatowns.

I ain’t playing here…amazing delicious food, huge portions at real reasonable prices.

Just as a point of reference, Jeff Eats knows that there are a boat-load of you guys who swear by Silver Pond in Tamarac—Yummy House’s food v. Silver Pond’s food, would be like having matched Joe Louis in his prime against your 87 year old Uncle Joey (by marriage to you Aunt Marlene) who has glaucoma in both eyes…I know, overly dramatic, but definitely not even close.

Look I know that a ton of Jeff Eats’ audience is in Dade-Broward-Palm Beach—but what is, is! I am telling you, this Yummy House joint is really in a league-of its own. Unfortunately for us (you guys and Jeff Eats), it isn’t in our backyard. But like I just said, what is, is! By the way, that “what is, is” is about 235 miles away/figure 4 hours–unless you’re flying (in a plane, that is).

So! If you live or work in Yummy’s neighborhood, you now know about a great Chinese joint.

You can check menu/prices at www.yummyhousetampa.com.

Yummy House is open 7 days a week…11am-3pm, 5pm-10pm.

One final bit of housekeeping…there are 3 Yummy restaurants in Tampa and 1 -in Sarasota. They are owned by the same folks, but each has a slightly different name. For example Yummy House Bistro, Yummy Noodle House…This review is for the Waters-Tampa location. Jeff Eats has not yet tried the others-so no verdict on their respective food etc.

* I’ll Spend The Extra Money!

Just read this “piece” on Daily Finance (www.dailyfinance.com).

Don’t know about you guys-but I think that Jeff Eats would rather just “go for the extra cash” and eat-out/pick-up than follow this advise.
*****

“Buying lunch during the workweek can quickly add up. Find out how to make convenient meals at home and truly savor the savings.
Lunch for Less

If you’re burned out on soups, sandwiches and salads, steamer lunches are a great alternative. Not only are they budget-friendly, but they’re healthy, delicious and super easy to make, too. All you need are two 10-pack boxes of Ziploc Zip’n Steam bags ($6); three to four small bags of your favorite frozen vegetables ($5); two to three packs of pre-cooked, microwave-ready meat or meat substitute ($10 to $15); and one bottle of a preferred sauce ($5). To make your meals more filling, buy a box of instant rice, as well.

To make your lunches, take one bag and add two hands of vegetables, one handful of meat, a little sauce and a half cup of rice. Repeat until you’ve used all of your ingredients, and then pop the bags into the freezer. They’ll be ready to microwave and eat the next day. If you want to switch things up, buy a mix of different vegetables and/or different sauces. You can even invite your friends to make their own bags and swap a portion of them to give your daily lunch some variety.

Making these rice bowls will cost you just $23 to $30 for two weeks of food. If you’re spending an average $10 per day for your takeout lunches, you’ll save 70-80 percent off the cost of eating out. So, before you overspend during the workweek, try making these steamer lunches for a cheap and delicious option.”

* Terry Johnsons’ Flamingos.

If you are a 50s-60s Oldies-fan…Jeff Eats got something really terrific for you…

On Saturday Night-February 1, 2014–Terry Johnson’s Flamingos will be in concert at the Kings Point Theater in Delray Beach. The Flamingos’ appearance is part of the “Voices Of Legends Concert Series” that Kings Point has on its entertainment calendar. The beautiful thing about Kings Point is that residents pay $15 for tickets and outsiders only pay $18…no Ticketmaster charges or other such shenanigans.

The Flamingos’ show will also feature appearances by Mike Miller and Johnny T.–both are former members of The Mystics of “Hushabye” fame…Johnny T. is also rated by Billboard Magazine as one of America’s TOP 10–tribute artists.

To help refresh your recollections…The Flamingos had such hits as—“Lovers Never Say Goodbye”-“I Only Have Eyes For You”-“Mio Amore”…

Trust Jeff Eats on this one…I recently saw Terry Johnson’s Flamingos and they put on a dynamite show…I’ve also seen Mike Miller and Johnny T. and they are terrific entertainers.

As a point of reference, a couple weeks ago–Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats attended a “Voices” concert that starred The Dubs, Johnny T, Mike Miller and Michael D’Amore and I gotta tell you, we had an absolute blast. The Kings Point Theater probably seats something like 1,000–with every seat being just fine…the theater has real good sound/lighting systems. The way this one “worked”–in addition to performing the hits of folks like Sinatra, Martin, Anka–Johnny T. served as the master of ceremonies and really got the audience engaged in the various performances. At The Dubs’ show, the entire audience “participated” in a closing “Shout” number performed by The Dubs, Miller, Johnny T., Michael D’Amore and special guests- William Cintron of The N.Y.S.E. Guys and Ken Brady-the lead singer of The Casinos who had the 1967 mega-hit “Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye.” I’m telling you–the Theater was rocking n rolling just like you see on those T.J. Lubinsky Public TV Oldie- Shows.

Just so you know, I just checked www.kingspointdelray.com and there are only a handful of seats left for this show. So! If “this” is of interest to you, you gotta move fast.

* 2014 Burgies.

Our friends, over at food blog–Burger Beast www.burgerbeast.com (in conjunction with JM Lexus) are hosting what should be a really cool-food truck event…details are printed below.

Jeff Eats is planning on “doing” this event…

For you guys who don’t follow Burger Beast…it’s definitely one of South Florida’s best food blogs. For what it’s worth, Jeff Eats checks it every day—and I gotta tell you, the Beast knows “his” stuff…Over the years- Burger Beast has turned me on–to a number of great joints-that I might have missed on my own.

Anyway…

*****
When:
Saturday, February 1, 2014– 5:30 pm -10:30pm
Where:
Esplanade Park
401 SW 2nd St
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
What/Why: The 5th Annual Burger Beast Burgie Awards brought to you by JM Lexus.

In 2009 South Florida Food Blogger Burger Beast wanted to honor the unsung heroes of the South Florida Food Scene with Awards. His “Burgie Awards”, the first of their kind were a sensation. SFL Restaurants & Food Trucks have now taken to proudly displaying their “Burgie Awards” year round. Voting for the 2014 Awards ended on Friday January 10th, 2014. The winners will be announced live at this event.

JM Lexus is bringing the 2014 Burgies to Esplanade Park in Ft. Lauderdale on Saturday February 1st. It will be the 2nd time the event takes place in Broward County. The 25 Best Food Trucks in South Florida will be on hand selling to the public a variety of great eats. Funky Buddha Brewery will have an array of Craft Beers to choose from.

There will be DJ Sets by Afrobeta & Pinchadiscos 305 as well as live music by Los Bastardos Magnificos and the Osceola Brothers Band. Live Art by Attack the Planet & many others.

South Florida Food Trucks include former Burgie Award Winners Ms. Cheezious (Best Dade County Food Truck 2013), The Rolling Stove (Best Broward County Food Truck 2013), HipPOPs Handcrafted Gelato Bars (Best Dessert Truck 2013), Jefe’s Original Fish Taco & Burgers (Best Taco 2013), Daddy’s Grill (Best Pinchos 2011) plus 20 more. To see the full line-up please visit http://burgerbeast.com/b…

Admission is FREE

***** Chow Thai, 23034 Sandalfoot Plaza Drive, Boca Raton, Florida 33428, (561) 487-8414.

Looking for a real-good Thai joint?–checkout Chow Thai in Boca Raton.

The other night 6 of us gave Chow Thai a shot and I gotta tell you-that the food this joint served up was delicious.

Our meal-
appetizers…
vegetable spring rolls, steam chicken dumplings, moo ping, fried chicken wings.
soups…
miso, wonton.
salads…
green salad with peanut dressing, bean sprout salad.
entrees…
soft shell crab, cashew chicken, thai shrimp pancake, siamese duck, tiger prawn, grilled chicken, shrimp/beef/chicken fried rice, pad thai.
desserts…
fried banana with vanilla ice cream, thai donuts.

At this stage of the proceedings you guys can check www.chowthai.info for menu/prices.

Just so we are straight with each other, Thai food isn’t exactly what Jeff Eats would be ordering for a last meal at the Attica Correctional Facility. That said, I really enjoyed everything that was served…with special shout-outs to the fried chicken wings, siamese duck, fried rice and the thai donuts.

Chow Thai is open for lunch Tuesday-Friday 11am-3pm, dinner Tuesday-Saturday 4:30pm-10pm and Sunday 4:30pm-9pm, closed on Monday.

One final thought, I got a real good friend Charlie B. who every 2-3 years makes a trip to Thailand. Always attributed nefarious reasons for the trips, but just maybe his claims of fabulous food and culture–are legit.

Anyway…

Give Chow Thai a shot. The food was real good, the service was pleasant, ample portions/reasonable prices.

* “Sounds Of The Seasons”

And-no, I’m not talking about Summer, Autumn, Winter or Fall…I’m talking–Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons.

Long before there was a Jersey Boys’ show, Jeff Eats was a huge fan of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons…sheesh, I grew up on this group’s music!

Anyway…

On Friday-April 4, 2014 at 8pm–“Sounds Of The Seasons” a tribute to Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons will be at the Kings Point Theater in Delray Beach. This 90-minute show, covers both The Seasons/and Valli’s solo hits. Just so you know, Jeff Eats has seen the show and it is terrific. The production features a 5-piece band -fronted by Floridian-William Cintron who does a fabulous job in recreating the Valli-sound. Cintron is well known (in our-area) for being a member of such Florida groups as The N.Y.S.E. Guys, The Goldtones and The Kings & Queen Of Doo Wop. He also “plays” Dean Martin in the Florida “Rat Pack” tribute show.

Not to give away my age or nothing, but over the years…Jeff Eats has seen Cintron something like 10 times…and trust me on this one–this guy can really sing.

If you are a Valli-Four Seasons’ fan…If you liked the Jersey Boys—you will love “Sounds Of The Seasons”…Cintron and his group are fabulous entertainers–and will have you singing, clapping and maybe even dancing in the aisles…

Tickets:

Kings Point residents…$15.
Non Residents…$18.

You can check www.williecmusic.com and www.kingspointdelray.com for info/tickets. By the way, on www.williecmusic.com there are a bunch of videos which should give you a pretty good idea as to what “Sounds Of The Seasons” is all about.