* HELP DAVE OUT!

Got this e-mail from reader Dave…maybe you guys can help him out.

From: Dave
Subject: Happy Hour
Message Body:
How about asking the question “Who has the best happy hour prices and food
deals?”
I don’t consider Duffy’s a deal by any stretch with their drinks always being
“two for one” because of how much they charge for the first one

***** Grimaldi’s Coal Brick-Oven Pizzeria, 1 North Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401, (561) 833-8787.

Back on September 19, 2011–Jeff Eats did a writeup on Grimaldi’s Coal Brick-Oven Pizzeria located in Palm Beach Gardens. For your convenience, that original review is printed below.

Let me make this “one” real short and simple…

Grimaldi’s Coal Brick-Oven Pizzera makes absolutely awesome salads, pizzas, calzones and desserts. Since that 2011 review, Jeff Eats has been to the Palm Beach Gardens’ location something like 5 times and each and every outing was terrific.

Now, if you’re still with me…since that 2011 review appeared, Grimaldi’s opened a second location in West Palm Beach—Jeff Eats hasn’t been to that location, but I’m kinda thinking that it’s probably playing at the same level as the Palm Beach Gardens’ location is—anyway, last week out of the blue- Jeff Eats was contacted by West Palm Beach’s marketing coordinator who invited Jeff Eats to give the restaurant a shot and also “sent” Jeff Eats a $25 GIFT CARD so that one of you guys could try Grimaldi’s out, as well. Jeff Eats will eventually “get” to Grimaldi’s for the taste test—

Now, if you want the $25 gift card…send Jeff Eats an e-mail/comment—I’m not going to publish your e-mails/comments, but the 14th one that comes in, is the winner—I’ll contact the winner by e-mail and snail-mail the gift card. One other thing, one e-mail per reader—don’t forget Jeff Eats “sees” all the IP addresses, so you Bill Gates out there–play this game straight.

Just in case, I don’t get 14 e-mails/comments by October 8th at 9am, number 13-12-11-10 etc, will be the winner. If I don’t get even one e-mail/comment, Jeff Eats is the winner!

If you don’t understand the rules of the game, tough noogies!

Here’s the “original” review Jeff Eats wrote back in 2011…

***** Grimaldi’s Coal-Brick Oven Pizzeria, 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Avenue, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410, (561) 625-4669.

Grimaldi’s Coal-Brick Oven Pizzeria is a “coal oven” pizza chain…there are currently locations in Arizona, Florida, Nevada, New Jersey, New York and Texas. For our purposes, there is currently 1-location in South Florida (Palm Beach Gardens) with announced plans to open a second spot at 1 North Clematis Street, West Palm Beach.

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

Over the years, I’m gonna guess- that I have eaten in the Brooklyn location 10 times and the Tucson joint 8…Last night, I had dinner at Palm Beach Garden’s restaurant…same menu, same delicious pizza. The only problem I have with Grimaldi’s is that its menu is extremely limited…like try- pizza, a handful of salads, handful of calzones, handful of desserts…end of story. So–if pizza and salad ain’t your bag, you’re in for a serious problem while the rest of your party stuff their faces.

The Palm Beach Gardens’ joint is located in DOWNTOWN AT THE GARDENS…a gorgeous white elephant outdoor mall, which has more empty stores than there are Chins in a Chinese phonebook.

Grimaldi’s pizza is outstanding…it’s right up there with the best of breed. The joint’s caesar and caprese salad are also delicious. The Palm Beach Garden’s joint has a full bar, indoor and outdoor patio seating.

So what we got here…one of the best coal fired pizza/salad joints in South Florida albeit with a very limited menu…great looking indoor wood decor/outdoor patio seating…full bar—in a huge ghost town complex.

Grimaldi’s is open Sunday-Thursday 11am-10pm and Friday-Saturday 11am-midnight.

* Taste of CityPlace (West Palm Beach)

Got what should be an absolutely terrific “charity-event” for you guys…

Taste of CityPlace–benefits the American Cancer Society and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.
The event is on Thursday Night– October 10, 2013 at CityPlace in West Palm Beach
You can buy tickets online for 20 bucks (www.cityplace.com)…$25 at the gate.

Just between you and me- this is what Jeff Eats calls a win-win deal…for something like 20 bucks–you get to try the food/drink of 24 CityPlace joints, the charities get a nice donation and CityPlace’s-shops get exposure to a huge audience—so everybody wins!

Printed below is a PR piece with all of the pertinent info-
*****
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (September 26, 2013) — Food lovers are invited to sample some of the tastiest menus in South Florida during the “Taste of CityPlace,” the most flavorful event of the season. The self-guided culinary tour on Thursday, October 10, 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., will serve guests a selection of cocktails and a sampling of specialties from 24 of CityPlace’s top restaurants, entertainment destinations and food-focused shops.
Specialties being served up that evening include the finest Clams Casino from Deck’s Fish Market; mini chicken burritos from Moe’s Southwest Grill; sweetened custards from BurgerFi; and Bavarian pretzels from Revolutions Bowling • Bar • Grille. Visitors can also sample CityPlace favorites including the chilled beef tenderloin from Blue Martini; fresh sushi from Thai Jo; and the Arancina rice balls from Il Bellagio, which is still undergoing its major renovation but will participate nonetheless. Other “tastes” include the pasta a la vodka from BRIO Tuscan Grille; mini pulled pork empanadas from Mojito Latin Cuisine & Bar; prickly pear margaritas from Tequila Cowboy Bar & Grill; and draft beers from The Brass Tap. An assortment of entrées, robust wines, beers, specialty cocktails and desserts will also be available from Mellow Mushroom; Sugar Chef Cupcakes; Pampas Grille; City Cellar Wine Bar & Grill; Sweet Ginger Asian Bistro; City Pizza; Ruth’s Chris Steak House; Panera Bread; Rita’s Italian Ice; ITALY Fast Quality Food; The Olive Tap; Starbucks; and Muvico IMAX Theater.
A portion of the proceeds from The Taste of CityPlace will benefit the American Cancer Society and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Participants are encouraged to show support for breast cancer awareness by wearing pink to the event. Advance tickets for $20 are available at CityPlace Guest Services or online at CityPlace.com. On-site passes will be available for $25 at the ticket booth on the plaza the day of the event
“Taste” sponsors include Midtown Imaging and The Comprehensive Breast Center of Good Samaritan Medical Center.
For more information about CityPlace, please visit CityPlace.com or call CityPlace Guest Services at (561) 366-1000.

* Dead On Arrival–Butcher & the Burger

Back on April 19, 2013 Jeff Eats “ran” a story on a new fast food joint—Butcher & The Burger which had just opened in Boca Raton’s Town Center’s food-court…suffice it to say—the rather blunt call was- that the concept would fail. To you-guys’ credit, tons of comments came in, with most of you agreeing–that the owner had created/designed a disaster. Before I chat further about Butcher & The Burger you guys do know, that Jeff Eats would match its readers’ “smarts” and “taste” against any food-blog/review site currently out there. No bs here—some of you guys are absolutely brilliant in the way you see business/food etc…

Anyway…

Last week, Butcher & The Burger closed.

Look!

Since Jeff Eats has no “skin” in the game…I could care-less if a restaurant makes it or doesn’t make it. On a personal level, I only wish new restaurant ventures the best of luck… That said, I do know as a general rule- two things about restaurants…You want to eat in them not own them–but that’s just me.

The point of this “story”—in the case of Butcher & the Burger, a guy from Chicago with a very-very successful restaurant–opened a fast food outlet in Boca Raton without doing his “homework” and as a result lost a ton of cash…when, all he had to do before spending even one thin dime—was ask you local guys-what you thought.

* Best CHEAP Seafood Joints in South Florida

Can we get a list of the Best CHEAP Seafood Joints in South Florida?

Now “CHEAP Seafood” may-be an oxymoron here, but do your best.

Thanks,

* Cluck Miami (September 27, 2013–Miami)

Got an interesting CHARITY EVENT for you guys…

Cluck Miami—-which will be held at Studio 255, 255 NW 25th Street, Wynwood Arts District, Miami, Florida 33127 on Friday Night, September 27, 2013 from 7pm-11pm.

For what it’s worth, I’ll bet you guys a buck that the FRIED CHICKEN that’s gonna be cooked-up, is better than Publix’s fried chicken which some-how (last Friday) was rated by the Sun Sentinel as “best” in South Florida.

Jeff Eats is hearing some awesome “things” about this event which will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities…in addition to top-notch food and drink, I understand that the guest list is a who’s who of local culinary, sports, tv celebrities.

Now nothing for nothing, I appreciate that an online ticket price of 85 bucks, $100 at the door—is definitely up there…but every so often, you do know, you gotta live!

Printed below is a PR piece which Jeff Eats literally just received.

If this sounds like something you might like to attend…you can check details/buy tickets at www.cluckmiami.com
*****
“Combining the worlds of luxury and casual comfort, The Cluck will showcase some of the nations top chefs as they battle it out preparing their version of the classic Fried Chicken. Toast the night away during our Veuve Clicquot Champagne Reception as well as our premium open cocktail bars while you taste the culinary masterpieces and cast your vote to help decide who is the reigning winner of The Cluck. Featuring more than a dozen of South Florida’s top chefs showcasing their take on this classic dish paired with their signature sides, this night is sure to be a thrill featuring live entertainment and celebrity guest hosts. This delicious night will take place in Miami’s hottest new venue, Studio 255, located in the heart of Miami’s Wynwood Arts District.

Proceeds from this event will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities, an organization that finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well being of children.”

* Like We Didn’t Already Know!!

Just read this story in “Business Insider”…

*****

Yelp-Reviews

Flickr / Robyn Lee

Yelp might have to reconsider its classic slogan, “Real People. Real Reviews.”

Sure, the people might be real, but apparently one-fifth of all the reviews are big, fat phonies.

The number of fake reviews on Yelp rose to 20% in 2013 from only 5% in 2006, according to a new report out of Harvard Business School.

The study, which we found on Market Watch, comes hot on the heels of The New York Attorney General’s bust of 19 companies that specialize in publishing fraudulent online reviews, a process called “astroturfing.”

These companies hire freelancers from places like the Philippines, Bangladesh, and Eastern Europe to write fake reviews for $1 to $10 each, and The Attorney General’s Office slammed them with combined fines of more than $350,000.

But this big reveal just scratched the surface.

“The problem is definitely more widespread than the Attorney General’s investigation,” the new report’s author, Michael Luca, warned Market Watch.

The rush for rave reviews may be growing as more businesses realize the power of Yelp’s 108 million monthly visitors. Boosting a restaurant’s rating on Yelp by even one star can increase its revenues by as much as 9 percent, according to a different study that Luca published in 2011.

So, what’s an honest Yelp user to do?

Pay close attention to the language and source of both one and five-star reviews, as those extremes are more likely to be fake. Also, Yelp tries to weed out professional reviewers by encouraging people to post with their real names, so if you spot an extremely sunny or negative review from a nicknamed user, proceed with caution.

***** Zorba’s Taverna, 4801 Linton Boulevard, Delray Beach, Florida 33445, (561) 381-7411.

I know-I know-I know–real original name…

That said, if you want some real good Greek-stuff, then you gotta try Zorba’s Taverna in Delray Beach.

Nothing fancy going on here…maybe 20 tables inside, maybe another 6 outside—and two doors down in the shopping center you got a nice sized Big Lots’ store. On the décor front, white/powder blue walls and a massive (and I do mean massive) painted wall mural of either Tony Bennett, Telly Savales, Fred Astaire, Ernie Anastos (not from NYC? Google him!) or my late Uncle Murray (he was married to my father’s sister- Irene)…if you eat at Zorba’s, please drop me a line as to who you think is portrayed in the mural, ’cause I’m not really sure!…that said, I’m leaning towards Uncle Murray.

Earlier this evening, Jeff Eats gave Zorba’s a shot…gyro, souvlaki, roast chicken, Greek salad, tzatziki, hummus, Greek fries, French fries, pita, pistachio baklava—for the record, Mrs. Jeff Eats shared the meal…didn’t want you guys to think that I was a certifiable pig. The verdict, this 6-month old joint makes real-good food. Pleasant-competent service, huge portions and super reasonable prices.

Just so we are straight with each other–after all this is a food blog…the pork souvlaki was a bit on the tough side–but once wrapped in pita bread with a shot of tzatziki/Greek salad–it went down quite nicely. Hopefully this “criticism” satisfies those of you who recently e-mailed asking for more “detail” on the foods consumed.

Check www.eatzorbas.com for menu/prices.

Let me wrap this one up…

Jeff Eats really enjoyed Zorba’s Taverna which is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.

***** Cool Beans Indoor Playground, 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Avenue (Downtown At The Gardens), Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410, (561) 627-1782.

Got something really cool for parents/grandparents of young kids—ages 6 months-6 years…an indoor-playground named- Cool Beans Indoor Playground- located in Palm Beach Gardens.

If you read Jeff Eats’ “About Me” section, you’ll note that at one time Jeff Eats was the CEO of a Florida based Discovery Zone franchise…for those unfamiliar with Discovery Zone, think Chuck E. Cheese sans the animatronics and you’ll be on the right page…the point—Jeff Eats is extremely familiar (at least I think I am)- with all aspects of kids’ entertainment centers/indoor playgrounds from site selection- design/construction/décor/equipment/staffing/operations.

Now let me get back to Cool Beans…

Cool Beans is one of the coolest entertainment/indoor playgrounds that I’ve seen. Best way to describe it…Indoor playground meets Starbucks/Panera Bread.

At this stage of the game (pun intended) go check www.coolbeansplaycafe.com for pictures/details—the site will give you some idea as to how cool this joint looks, the play-stuff it offers and the food/beverages available. For you lazy guys…just imagine a kid’s indoor playground inside a Starbucks with Panera Bread type food offerings—there- I did the work for you, so you can stay on this page!

Long story on how I found this joint, but I will tell you…first class all the way! CLEAN–top-shelf play equipment, great looking café décor, quality/reasonably priced food/beverage offerings. Now nothing for nothing in that I didn’t interview the entire staff—but my money says-that whoever owns this joint, has a top-notch GM and “counselor” staff watching after the kids…

Now for a little secret…the trick to a successful kids’ entertainment/indoor playground is that- THE PARENTS (ADULTS) DON’T MIND BEING THERE! Let me repeat that for you slow learners…if the parents (adults) don’t mind being there, they’ll take the kids there.

Let me wrap this up for you…

Yesterday afternoon, Jeff Eats “watched” Cool Beans Indoor Playground for a good 40 minutes…no question in my mind, every kid had a blast–and every adult was as relaxed as could be.

Like I said 19 seconds ago, Cool Beans Indoor Playground is a first-class operation….if you have kids and live in Cool Beans’ neighborhood —give it a shot. If you live in the neighborhood, don’t have kids and still give Cool Beans a shot–Abogado Jeff Eats is well versed in Florida Criminal Law and can be reached/retained at www.jeffeats.com!

For those of you with devious minds, kidless Jeff Eats introduced himself to two employees before he “checked” the joint out…so there!

Cool Beans is open Monday-Thursday 9am-8pm, Friday-Saturday 9am-9pm, Sunday 10am-6pm.

* The Sun Sentinel Must Have Been Smoking Something!

This morning, the Sun Sentinel “issued” its 2013 “BEST OF SOUTH FLORIDA”…

Included Categories:

Food & Drinks
Casual Restaurants
Ethnic Restaurants
Service & Setting
Special Occasions
Bars & Clubs
Events
Music
Arts & Entertainment
Staff Picks

According to the Sun Sentinel, no joking here…

Publix fried chicken is the best.
P.F. Chang’s is the best Chinese restaurant.
Capital Grille is the best steakhouse.

You can check www.sun-sentinel.com for complete lists.

What’s really scary here…is that the “best this” and the “best that” were determined by 2585 people who voted in Sun Sentinel polls…other “best picks” were made by the Sun Sentinel’s staff. Just think, there are something like 500 billion people living in south Florida and the Sun Sentinel relied on 2585 GOD KNOWS WHO to basically guide the masses…sounds nuts to Jeff Eats—when all those billions got to do is read Jeff Eats and your reader comments to get the skinny on what’s really going on down here.

Not to influence you or nothing…but Jeff Eats kinda thinks that the Sun Sentinel must have been “smoking” something when it concocted its lists…and as far as the “staff picks”–just maybe, it had its eye on “future” advertising dollars—but that would be way too devious, don’t you think?

But, that’s just one man’s opinion on this 2013 best list thing!