* Wanna Read Something Really Stupid?

Reuters, Just put out a story as to the people Americans most admired in 2013…

Take a look at the some of the names on the list. I don’t know about you, but most of those listed, wouldn’t be on Jeff Eats’ list!

*****
(Reuters) – Americans named President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as the world’s most admired living man and woman in 2013, according to a Gallup poll released on Monday.
Obama topped the annual list for the sixth consecutive year, a typical ranking for a sitting U.S. president, the polling organization said.
But the percentage of those surveyed who choose him as the most admired man fell to 16 percent this year, down from 30 percent in 2012.
The president’s job approval rating has dropped during a year marked by a botched healthcare rollout and stalled legislative initiatives at the start of his second term.
Clinton earned the top spot among most admired women for the 12th consecutive year and 18th time overall, more than any other woman in the poll’s history.
Fifteen percent of Americans surveyed gave the former first lady and U.S. senator the highest ranking, down from 21 percent who named her as the most admired woman last year, the poll showed.
Gallup said its data came from a poll of 1,031 adults between December 5 and 8, and had a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.
Other men named to the list included former U.S. presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter; Pope Francis and the Reverend Billy Graham; actor and director Clint Eastwood; Microsoft Corp co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates; U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and former Republican presidential candidates Mitt Romney and Ron Paul.
The women who finished behind Hillary Clinton included talk show host Oprah Winfrey, first lady Michelle Obama, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and actress Angelina Jolie.
Also on the list were Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani teenager shot in the head by the Taliban for demanding education for girls; German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and Britain’s Queen Elizabeth and Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton.
(Reporting by Colleen Jenkins; Editing by Ian Simpson and Vicki Allen

* The Pop Culture Vault, 9169 Atlantic Avenue (Delray Marketplace), Delray Beach, Florida 33446, (561) 498-1762.

Well!- The Delray Marketplace (see review-2/26/13) pulled it off again, somehow it talked another “retailer” into taking a shot—this time it’s The Pop Culture Vault.

Personally, Jeff Eats loves walking around The Pop Culture Vaults of the world looking at all of the fabulously framed Rock n’ Roll memorabilia, fabulously framed Rock n’ Roll photographs and fabulously framed pop culture artwork that cover and fill these joints’ walls and easels. Do you know what chazerai (non Yiddish speakers-Google it) is?–well, most of the stuff for sale (but not all of it–fair is fair!) is usually chazerai that’s fabulously framed.

Now nothing for nothing, but Jeff Eats appreciates why a joint like The Pop Culture Vault might take a shot on a center like the Delray Marketplace…loads of new homes being built in the area-therefore lots of future bare walls to cover. Only problem I see with that type of thinking is that most of those “new” homes are going to be bought by the 55+ crowd and-Jeff Eats just doesn’t see them going for this type of stuff. Could be wrong, but don’t think so! Come to think of it, I seriously doubt that some 37 year old couple with 3 kids- ages 2-4-5 is really going to give a rat’s ass either-about some fabulously framed black & white Beatles’ photos circa 1964 (taken some 13 years before the couple was even born). But, I could be wrong–after all Graceland has been printing money for years as Lisa Marie can well attest to (Do you remember when she “married” Michael Jackson? But that’s a story for another day).

To the owners of The Pop Culture Vault…visited your new store and it looks great. I also loved your old store, that use to be on Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach across from Tramonti. Really do hope you got a sweetheart rent deal because you moved from the fire into the FIRE! By the way, what do you think a signed black & white photo of Paul, John, George, Pete and Stu would fetch?

In all seriousness, Jeff Eats wishes the folks at The Pop Culture Vault the best of luck–but like the Olive Oil guy/the Photo guy/and numerous others…can’t figure for the life of me, how retail can make it at the Delray Marketplace.

Checkout www.popculturevault.com for store hours/products.

* Stufz (www.buystufz.com).

Nothing for nothing…

Jeff Eats ain’t no Ron Popeil–but my friend Norman W. recently bought me a Stufz—which is a plastic hamburger “stuffer machine” and I gotta tell you, this thing is great. So far I’ve used it twice and the thing hasn’t broken yet! Just so you know, I did a burger stuffed with raw onion/bacon/American cheese, a burger stuffed with mac & cheese/bacon and a burger stuffed with sweet sausage/mozzarella cheese/grilled onions– they all looked and tasted great.

Rather than me going into detail on how this “thing” helps you to put stuff in the middle of a hamburger, check www.buystufz.com for details/video/orders.

Just so you know, Stufz costs $9.99 plus $4.99 shipping/handling, but Stufz’s website gives you a second machine for nothing and all you gotta do is pay another $4.99 shipping/handling fee (that figures).

A very interesting-device.

Finally, if we do the math…Norman W. went for 20 bucks for two machines, so we now know exactly where Jeff Eats rates on the old friendship totem pole!

***** Bella Nonna Gourmet Pizza, 7400 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, Florida 33487, (561) 989-8870.

This evening Jeff Eats “found” an absolutely terrific “hole in the wall”-Italian red sauce -mom and pop-joint…Bella Nonna Gourmet Pizza in Boca Raton.

Let me make this story short and sweet…the pizza, veal parmigiana, chicken parmigiana, chicken fra diavolo, penne marinara, Caesar salad, house salad, garlic rolls, cheezy garlic bread that I “took-out” was some of the best stuff I’ve eaten in South Florida. Every item was delicious and trust me on this, I ain’t playing you here.

Bella Nonna has been around for something like 1-year and until late this afternoon Jeff Eats had never heard of it. If the truth-be told, I read about Bella Nonna on Yelp and TripAdvisor and the reviews were so “good” that I decided to check the joint out for myself. Just so you know, Bella Nonna has maybe 25 seats inside and 8 outside. It would be fair to say, that Bella Nonna has virtually no decor, unless you consider a handful of wooden-tables and wooden chairs-decor. No tablecloths, no settings, no nothing. To be honest with you, the dining room reminded me of an old-bus station circa 1940. God only knows how many potential customers “passed on” eating there after-seeing the physical layout. Normally, Jeff Eats doesn’t harp on decor-issues, but I don’t want you guys being chased-away because you found the joint “sketchy.” Dumpy or not dumpy, Bella Nonna’s food is amazingly delicious, the portions are enormous and the prices just right.

Just so you know from where I’m coming…when Jeff Eats arrived at Bella Nonna (7:30pm)-there wasn’t a single person in the joint and this was a Saturday night, in Season-Christmas Week. During the 30 minutes or so that I waited for my order, there was 1 party of 5 that “sat down” to eat and 4 counter orders to-go.

To Bella Nonna’s owners– spend a few bucks on some red & white checked tablecloths, set the tables and put some real colorful Italian food posters on the wall-and based on your food- you’ll be good to go. Do what you’d like with Jeff Eats’s “suggestions”–what I do know, is that you make tremendous stuff that deserves to be enjoyed by more than just a takeout crowd.

You can check www.bellanonnapizzeria.com for menu/prices.

Bella Nonna Gourmet Pizza is open Monday-Saturday 11am-10pm, Sunday 4pm-9pm.

***** The Salad Spot, 690 Yamato Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, (561) 997-0039.

Right off the bat, let me start by saying that it wasn’t Jeff Eats’ idea to try The Salad Spot in Boca Raton. To be more precise, it was Mrs. Jeff Eats and Daughter Jeff Eats’ idea. Now with “that” out of the way…last week the three of us caught lunch at The Salad Spot. To sum the joint up, a huge help yourself salad bar that features-I’m guessing at least 70 different items that you “build” your own salad from -at $7.49 lb…throw in a handful of soups, wraps and prepared salads and you got the picture. Fast-food type seating inside and outside.

Now nothing for nothing, but you guys do know that Jeff Eats’ food of choice- is Carnival Food…burgers, French fries, pizza, onion rings, bbq ribs, sausage & onions sub, carmel corn, cotton candy, candied apples, fried anything!

Now back to The Salad Spot…

Jeff Eats thought that The Salad Spot had a terrific selection of “rabbit” stuff…that the joint was spotless…and that the Italian meatball soup/grilled chicken salad-green peppers-red onions- honey wheat wrap were quite tasty.

The verdict…As Mikey’s brother once said, “Mikey likes it!”

So…to all you vegans (I do- believe that’s what some of you vegetarians are calling yourselves these days),”healthy” eaters and gluten free guys, don’t say that Jeff Eats’ never did anything for you!

Jeff Eats can’t quite let this one go just yet…you vegans, “healthy” eaters and gluten free guys really have no idea as what you are missing–not devouring a fried Twinkie topped with chocolate ice cream, a mound of whipped cream and bacon bits.

You can check www.thesaladspotboca.com for menu/other stuff.

The Salad Spot is open Monday-Thursday 10am-5pm, Friday 10am-3:30pm, closed Saturday and Sunday.

* TWITTER IS A BUBBLE STOCK!

Look!

Jeff Eats is no expert on social-media stuff…but what I do know is that TWITTER which is currently trading at- NYSE: TWTR: $74.25 is a bubble stock.

Twitter went public on November 7, 2013 at $25 a share.

Right now, the “MARKET” is giving Twitter the same market capitalization (roughly-$42 billion) as companies like Target, FedEx who both gross and net a fortune of money. Twitter on the other hand-has to date, never netted-one single red cent.

Buying Twitter at $74.25 is an absolute sucker’s bet.

It doesn’t take some 64 year-old “food blogger” who is basically computer illiterate to know that—Twitter’s stock is a bubble just waiting to be popped.

Let’s see!

***** Italio, 1658 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, Florida 33432, (561) 392-7778.

Italio is a fast-food Italian joint…there are currently 3-locations, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Winter Park—according to its website, Italio in 2014 plans to open stores in Coconut Creek, Florida/Orlando, Florida/Tampa, Florida/Oakland Park, Illinois.

Real simple concept…order/pickup at the counter…
3 choices–pasta bowl, salad bowl, wrap.
pick one of 7 entrées.
pick one of 11 sauces/pestos/dressings.
pick from 21 toppings.

Not gonna bother you with a list entrees, sauces/pestos/dessings, toppings… You can check www.italiokitchen.com for menu/prices/other stuff.

The food…

Jeff Eats recently gave the Boca Raton joint a shot…tried the grilled shrimp/Italian sausage/meatball entrées—also tried the basil pomodoro/alfredo sauces.

Let me wrap Italio up for you guys…Italio is what Jeff Eats calls a variation on a theme. You’re smart guys–you’ve seen this “build your own” concept with yogurt, Mexican, pizza, burgers, teddy bears-Italio is doing it with Italian stuff.

Personally, I really enjoyed Italio. Every entrée I had was delicious. Same for the sauces. Same for the toppings that I didn’t list because Jeff Eats got lazy. By the way, figure on spending $7.50-$9.50 depending on which entree you go with.

Italio is open Monday-Sunday 10:45am-10pm

***** Cabo Flats, 14851 Lyons Road (Delray Marketplace), Delray Beach, Florida 33446, (561) 499-0378.

Last night Jeff Eats gave Mexican joint–Cabo Flats a shot. Just so you know, Cabo has 2-south Florida locations 1-in Palm Beach Gardens, 1-in Delray Beach. The one I’m talking about- is the Delray Beach outpost which opened about a month ago in the Delray Marketplace.

Let me start by saying that Cabo Flats is an absolutely great looking restaurant. Trust me on this, Cabo ain’t a “mom & pop” joint…the Delray Beach location is probably 10,000 square feet- seating maybe 250 and there is an outdoor patio that probably seats close to 150. Jeff Eats is gonna guess here, but I’m thinking that the owners probably went for some heavy duty cash building this joint out—I’m figuring something like $1.5 million. When you check www.caboflats.com for menu/prices you’ll also find décor photos. Cabo has an indoor bar/window outdoor bar—and some real high ceilings.

As I mentioned above, Cabo Flats is located in the Delray Marketplace. Don’t really have the time to go into Jeff Eats’ opinion on this center, but if you do some checking- you’ll find a writeup on why I think that this relatively new center is a “disaster” in the making.

Anyway…

Cabo Flats is a real good looking joint–I will tell you, that no question in Jeff Eats’ mind, it’s way too big for the area’s demographics…also, its high ceilings and open doors/open bar window are going to result in “ac” electric bills that will probably shock its owners’ collective conscience. But hey, I’m sure they thought all this out before they started construction.

Let’s talk food.

Last night Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats ate “outside”…service was real good- we ordered guacamole el cabo ($9) which came with a nice sized portion of corn tortilla chips, cabo wings ($10), gringo burger with French fries ($9), chicken fajita ($14), shrimp quesadilla ($13). First let me say, Cabo has its pricing right on the mark–very reasonable and there is no skimping on portion size. Absolutely loved the cabo wings–which were in a mild-bbq sauce. As for the rest of the “dishes” decent enough…but nothing that you guys won’t find in chains like Friday’s-Chili’s. Now-please don’t get me wrong, Mrs. Jeff Eats and I thoroughly enjoyed the meal, but Cabo is basically serving what I call chain food.

So what do we got here?

Great looking joint, with decent enough tasting/priced food, in a humongous space-with a high ceiling/open doors/open bar window, in a center that “imho” will suck wind.

To wrap this one up, give Cabo Flats a try. It definitely got the job done for Jeff Eats…but please check your “dynamite” food expectations at the front door. On the business side of the equation- Not so sure as- to how happy its owners are going to be with this “project”– only time will tell on that.

Cabo Flats is open Monday-Wednesday 11:30am-1am, 11:30am-3am, Saturday 11am-3am, Sunday 11am-1am.

* Christmas Day–Chinese Food & A Movie.

During her June 29, 2010 confirmation hearing, future Supreme Court Justice-Elena Kagan was asked by Senator Lindsey Graham (with reference to the Christmas Day Bomber)-“Where were you on Christmas Day.”–Kagan replied, “You know, like all Jews, I was probably in a Chinese restaurant.”

As Sinatra use to croon, “Love and marriage, love and marriage, go together like a horse and carriage…”

With the “above” in mind, Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and another couple will be dining -Christmas Day at China Dumpling, 1899/5 North Congress Avenue, Boynton Beach (see review-6/23/08)…the meal to be followed by the 6:40pm showing of “The Wolf of Wall Street” at the Cinemark Palace 20 in Boca Raton.

For those who don’t get Christmas Day–Chinese Food & A Movie…where you been?

A happy and safe holiday to all of you guys…

* Chipolte Now Does Pizza!!

Just got the below-printed press release..

Chipolte the Mexican-fast food giant is now in the pizza business.

Based on Chipolte’s “Mexican” success in the United States— Jeff Eats wouldn’t bet against Chipolte becoming huge in the fast food pizza business.
*****
Press Release
Concept brings Chipotle’s service style and commitment to high-quality ingredients to Neapolitan-style pizza

DENVER–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Dec. 18, 2013– Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) has partnered with restaurateurs Bobby Stuckey and Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson to launch a fast causal pizza concept called Pizzeria Locale. The first restaurant is located in Denver and is based on a full-service pizzeria by the same name located in Boulder, Colo. Pizzeria Locale opened its first fast casual location in partnership with Chipotle in May and is exploring options for second and third locations in Denver.

Pizzeria Locale offers a menu that includes 10 classic pizzas, four American classics, or customer-created combinations from a selection of high-quality ingredients presented in an interactive service line. Pizzas are then fired in a high-temperature pizza oven that bakes the pizzas in less than two minutes. The restaurant also serves salads and sides including prosciutto and meatballs. Red or white Italian wine is available on tap.

The original Pizzeria Locale in Boulder opened in 2011 and was created by Frasca Food and Wine founders Stuckey, a master sommelier, and executive chef Mackinnon-Patterson. The full-service restaurant is a contemporary pizzeria inspired by the traditional pizzerias of Naples, Italy. The new Denver restaurant draws from the same inspiration. It also draws from a commitment to premium ingredients and an interactive service format similar to Chipotle.

“Bobby and Lachlan are extraordinary restaurateurs who truly understand what it takes to provide an exceptional dining experience,” said Steve Ells, founder, chairman and co-CEO of Chipotle. “I have known them for years and I thought their pizzeria in Boulder presented the perfect opportunity to collaborate. Opening Pizzeria Locale using a model similar to Chipotle allows us to make extraordinary pizza, made with high-quality ingredients accessible to everyone.”

“Steve has been a friend for 10 years, and for many of those years we have talked about collaborating on something. With Pizzeria Locale, we found a project we were all passionate about and we couldn’t be happier than to have a partner in Chipotle that shares our vision of making our pizza accessible to more people,” said Patterson. “We have always admired Chipotle’s pursuit of the best ingredients, its commitment preparing food using classic cooking techniques, and their understanding of what it takes to create a great restaurant experience. Through this partnership, we can continue to run Pizzeria Locale with the same energy and passion we’ve always had, but can also look to Chipotle to help with some of the challenges that can become distracting for a restaurateur.”

Pizzeria Locale’s contemporary design features dark woods, white tiled floors and walls, marble accents on tables and the pizza-making station, a special dough room that holds dough at a consistent 72-degrees and a humidity level that mimics Naples on a spring day, and a custom-developed pizza oven that cooks pizzas perfectly in under two minutes.

Pizzeria Locale joins ShopHouse as an additional concept that provides future growth opportunities for Chipotle. Chipotle currently operates six ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen restaurants in Washington, DC and Los Angeles with additional restaurants opening in the coming months.

“While both Pizzeria Locale and ShopHouse are exciting concepts, it’s important to remember that our growth will continue to be driven for the foreseeable future by expanding the Chipotle brand within the U.S.,” said Steve Ells.

Plans for growing Pizzeria Locale call for slow, measured expansion that allows the restaurant to perfect the concept and service model, and to develop from within the people it will need to staff additional restaurants. Stuckey and Mackinnon-Patterson’s other ventures, Frasca Food and Wine and the original Pizzeria Locale in Boulder, Colo., are not part of this partnership and are not affiliated in any way with Chipotle.

For additional information, contact: Chris Arnold, Chipotle Mexican Grill, 303.222.5912, carnold@chipotle.com or Sarah Abell, Baltz and Company, 917.584.8567, sabell@baltzco.com.

ABOUT CHIPOTLE

Steve Ells, founder, chairman and co-CEO, started Chipotle with the idea that food served fast did not have to be a typical fast food experience. Today, Chipotle continues to offer a focused menu of burritos, tacos, burrito bowls (a burrito without the tortilla) and salads made from fresh, high-quality raw ingredients, prepared using classic cooking methods and served in a distinctive atmosphere. Through our vision of Food With Integrity, Chipotle is seeking better food from using ingredients that are not only fresh, but that — where possible — are sustainably grown and Responsibly Raised® with respect for the animals, the land, and the farmers who produce the food. In order to achieve this vision, we focus on building a special people culture that is centered on creating teams of top performers empowered to achieve high standards. This people culture not only leads to a better dining experience for our customers, it also allows us to develop future leaders from within. Chipotle opened with a single restaurant in 1993 and currently operates more than 1,550 restaurants. For more information, visit Chipotle.com.

ABOUT PIZZERIA LOCALE

Pizzeria Locale is a contemporary pizzeria inspired by the traditional pizzerias of Naples, Italy and was created as a result of founders Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson and Bobby Stuckey’s culinary travels throughout Italy and years of fine dining experience. Under the direction of chef Mackinnon-Patterson and master sommelier Stuckey, Pizzeria Locale serves the highest quality ingredients in a contemporary, interactive atmosphere. Pizzeria Locale Boulder opened at 1730 Pearl Street as a full-service restaurant in January 2011, adjacent to sister restaurant Frasca Food and Wine, which are both owned solely by Mackinnon-Patterson and Stuckey. In May 2013, and in partnership with Chipotle Mexican Grill, Pizzeria Locale Denver opened at 550 Broadway as the first fast-casual location, with a simplified menu and a revolutionary custom-designed oven, cooking pizzas in under two minutes. For more information, visit www.pizzerialocale.com

Source: Chipotle Mexican Grill

Chipotle Mexican Grill
Chris Arnold, 303-222-5912
carnold@chipotle.com
or
Baltz and Company
Sarah Abell, 917-584-8567