***** Buon Appetito Cafe, 6314 Corporate Court, Fort Myers, Florida 33919, (239) 433-0117.

Last week Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats were visting some friends in Fort Myers-and they took us to dinner at Buon Apetito Cafe…a small, mom & pop, red sauce Italian joint. AND we are really glad that they did. First of all, my buddy picked-up the check and secondly all four of us had a terrific meal.

When you check Buon Appetito Cafe’s website www.buonappetitocafe.com you will find menu/prices/tons of photos and a video.

Buon Appetito is a “rarity” in that it does Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner…When was the last time you saw an Italian joint do-breakfast? Buon Appetito is open Monday-Saturday 9am-9pm, closed on Sunday.

Let’s talk food…large plain pizza ( 16″ -$12)–veal parmigiana ($15)–grouper piccata ($16)–sausage & peppers ($13), penne ala vodka ($13), chocolate cannolli ($2.50). First things first, Buon’s menu isn’t exactly huge, but no question in my mind, everybody in your party is gonna find something real good to eat. The pizza was absolutely delicious. It “looked” like it was coal fired but it wasn’t. It was made on a pizza stone, was well done/thin crusted/crisp/sweet sauce—one of the best pizzas I’ve had in a very long time. The veal parm was real good and only a fork was needed to cut it. The grouper piccata and the sausage & peppers were good but not in the veal or pizza’s league. The penne ala vodka was delicious up there with best of breed. The entrees came with a house salad, a pasta marinara or choice of vegetable… The salad was good and the spaghetti marinara side was really-good. The joint serves a delicious home-made ciabatta and it was perfect for sopping up the penne ala vodka sauce. As for the chocolate cannolli, Jeff Eats never met a chocolate cannolli that he didn’t like…suffice it so say, I loved this home-made one.

If I have my facts straight here, the joint has two owners…Alex Cervasio and Gabe Ermmarino. From what Jeff Eats could tell, they greet every customer coming through the front door and make it their business to stop by every table during the meal. Just so we are on the same page here, this isn’t a gourmet fancy schmantzy joint. It’s small and your tee shirt/shorts/flip flops ensemble will do well here. Nothing for nothing, but when Jeff Eats was there, it seemed like the owners “knew” everybody in the joint. Now, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats “knew” that we had never been there before—the friendliness and easy-goingness of the owners and staff makes for a real-pleasant time.

Like I said before, Jeff Eats did “dinner.” A review of the breakfast menu finds breakfast sandwiches and omelets—interesting no bagels! The lunch menu is loaded with pizzas, subs, wraps and salads.

If I got one bitch with Buon Appetito Cafe it’s that it isn’t by- my house…kinda a big schlepp to Fort Myers from Boca.

To -all of you folks who live or work in Buon Appetito Cafe’s neighborhood…this joint is a winner…and I’m jealous!

***** Salt Life Food Shack, 2660 North University Drive, Coral Springs, Florida 33065, (954) 340-7258.

Got a really-good casual “American Style” joint for you, Salt Life Food Shack in Coral Springs. Just so you know, the original Salt Life Food Shack is located in Jacksonville and according to the company’s website a third-outpost will soon open in Stuart, Florida.

Last night Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats ate dinner at Salt Life…the Coral Springs joint has been around for something like 4 months…like I said a few seconds ago- a real casual looking restaurant that plays up the “nautical” theme…big fish decorations, outdoor patio/indoor seating. The joint has a full bar and a menu loaded with reasonably priced appetizers, sushi, salads, wings, sandwiches, burgers, meat/chicken/seafood entrees. The menu is “heavy” on seafood stuff, but the selection is so broad—that everybody in your party will find something really good to eat. Check www.saltlifefoodshack.com for menu/prices/tons of photos.

If I got my facts right, Salt Life in Coral Springs is about 6,000sq feet—it use to be a Longhorn Steakhouse. Not sure on the number, but the owners went for some heavy duty cash “building” this joint…check the websites’ photos, it’s a really cool looking joint. Like I said before, real casual, so your tee shirt/shorts/flip flops ensemble will do well here.

Last night Jeff Eats “sampled”…fried chicken wings in a sweet & sour sauce (5 for $4.99), crunch roll (tempura battered tuna-$7.49), 8oz cheeseburger & french fries (Sunday Special $4.99 for the burger and $1.99 for the fries), 1/2 roast chicken with corn on the cob (Sunday Special $9.99), soft shell crab blt ($8.99). No fooling around here…every item was delicious. Really not going to waste my time or yours putiing the “stuff” in some type of pecking order…everything was right on the money. Speaking of money, the prices were very reasonable– especially if you take advantage of the “daily specials” like Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats did last night.

I really enjoyed Salt Life Food Shack… the food is very good, it’s a great looking place, prices are right and the “help” is as pleasant as can be…and for you sports folks—its got a ton of flat screen tvs for you to watch. Just a quick thought, I’m not too thrilled with this year’s Olympics. When I was a kid, we use to root against the Russians, East Germans—but without a Cold War our enemies just aren’t the same—now let’s be serious here, what’s Iran gonna win anyway?

One final thought, when Jeff Eats eats—he watches all kinds of things. Like are the bathrooms clean…just between you and me and the wall, I kinda like to hold things in, if I can- until I’m seated on my own throne…maybe I’m sharing too much information with you—anyway, I noticed that Ian the joint’s GM seemed to vist with every table checking on how things were going. Finally our waitress Erin who-to date has completed 1-year of Nova Law School–made sure that our order came out perfect and that my Coke glass was filled 4-times.

Salt Life Food Shack is open Sunday-Thursday 11;30am-11pm and Friday-Saturday 11:30am-midnight.

***** Silver Pond, 4285 North State Road 7, Lauderdale Lakes, Florida 33319, (954) 486-8885.

Back on December 13, 2006 Jeff Eats did a “story” on Silver Pond a Lauderdale Lakes Chinese joint…suffice it to say, I absolutely hated the food. Well! Almost 6-years have come and gone since that initial-review and during that time Jeff Eats-received numerous positive written and verbal comments about Silver Pond. Many who corresponded, insinuated that Jeff Eats was crazy and that Silver Pond was one of the best, if not THEE BEST Chinese restaurant in South Florida…I will tell you included in THEE BEST group was Brother Jeff Eats and Brother Jeff Eats’ wife, Sister-In-Law Jeff Eats. Now nothing for nothing, Jeff Eats is one tough-cookie…despite that “toughness” last night I finally gave-in and gave Silver Pond another try.

Applying my Brooklyn-Jewish-Chinese taste-test circa 1959…I “sampled” wonton soup, roast pork fried rice, bbq ribs, pan fried dumplings, sweet & sour chicken, sweet & sour pork chops, general tso’s chicken, lobster in garlic sauce, roast duck…

Here’s my “current” take on Silver Pond…the wonton-soup was good, but not great—the roast pork fried rice was good, but I’ve had better—the bbq ribs were delicious, right up there with best of breed—the pan fried dumplings were delicious—the sweet & sour chicken was very good—the sweet & sour pork chops were delicious—the general tso’s chicken wasn’t too good—the lobster in garlic sauce was delicious—the roast duck was delicious.

Would I go back? Absolutely! Can’t really give you an answer as to why my 2006 and 2012 “opinions” are so diametrically opposed. What I do know, is that when I ate there in 2006 the food stunk…I also know, that last night’s meal was very-very good. Go figure!

I think, actually I know that if you do a simple Silver Pond “search”—you will find numerous “comments”—that the joint has 2- menus, one in English and one in Chinese—that this is a “real” Hong Kong Style Chinese Restaurant—that this is an “authentic” Chinese restaurant not some Cantonese fast food joint—that the joint is always jammed with Chinese people eating there…for what it’s worth, Jeff Eats learned a long-long time ago that South Florida is loaded with balmalochas (for those who don’t know, balmalochas is the sarcastic yiddish term for “experts”)! For what it’s worth, most people (Jeff Eats included) don’t have a clue as to what good Hong Kong Chinese food is all about. Hell! I can’t even figure out how to use a pair of chopsticks. What I do know, is that my Brooklyn sensibilities tell-me, that I enjoyed almost every dish I had, the prices were “mom & pop” Chinese restaurant reasonable, there was a ton of food, the service was just fine, that I enjoyed eating with my family and that Brother Jeff Eats picked up the check!

In closing, Jeff Eats is really glad that he was “talked” into trying Silver Pond again.

Silver Pond is open Monday, Wednesday-Friday 11:30am-midnight, Saturday-Sunday noon-midnight, closed on Tuesday.

***** 1st Street Deli, 5550 Northwest 40th Street, Coconut Creek, Florida 33073, (954) 977-6700.

The 1st Street Deli is located inside the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek in Coconut Creek. Great looking joint, with table/booth/counter seating…looks like a NYC “kosher style” deli circa 1960…in addition, part of the “store” has an- The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Company outlet (check Jeff Eats 8/11/09 review for Delray Beach location).

Just so you know, Jeff Eats always treats casino “restaurants” with a jaundiced eye…is the food any good? are the prices outrageous? is this just a tourist trap?

Got some good news for you on 1st Street Deli…

Tried 1st Street Deli the other night for dinner…matzo ball soup (bowl-$4.95), potato pancake appetizer (3 pancakes $5.95), pastrami on rye (with french fries $12.95), salad trio (1-scoop each of chicken salad, egg salad, tuna salad-$10.95), 8oz cheeseburger with french fries $11.95)—everything was A-OK! As a point of reference, I know a lot of you guys eat in Too Jay’s Gourmet Deli…the food at 1st Street Deli is better than Too Jay’s stuff (see Jeff Eats’ Too Jay’s review 3/28/09)…as a matter of fact, 1st Street Deli’s food is as good as the stuff served at most of the better bagel joints and New York Kosher Style Delis down here in sunny South Florida. For the record, although very good, 1st Street Deli’s food isn’t quite in the same league (although not by much) as TOP delis like the Pomperdale, Zinger’s or Ben’s (if you like, you can check Jeff Eats’ reviews for these 3 joints, if not, not!) On the pricing front, maybe a “drop” higher here and there-than your favorite bagel joint, but nothing that’s glaring…besides, if you spend the money on food, you won’t have to waste time “losing” it playing the slots—in any event, the Indians are gonna get the cash no matter how you slice it.

Check www.seminolecoconutcreekcasino.com for menu/prices.

One final thought, if you checked my review on The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Company you’d know that it makes some real-good bagels. That said, I think that a bakers dozen at the Casino’s location fetches something like 14 bucks—now that’s a rip-off. One other thing on The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Company, the casino’s website says that the “bagel” store is open from 6am-11pm–but when I was there at 9:30pm it “appeared” to be closed and its bagel display bins were totally empty…not good!

1st Street Deli is open 7 days a week 11am-11pm.
The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Company is open 7 days a week 6am-11pm.

***** Bagel Emporium & Grille, 1238 South Dixie Highway, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, (305) 666-9519.

If you are over the age of 1 1/2—you know exactly what this Monday-Sunday 7am-3pm bagel joint looks like and what’s on its menu.

For those 17 months or younger— booth and table seating, deli display cases, bagels & bialys in wired baskets…all kinds of bagels, breakfast stuff, deli meats, soups, salads, sandwiches, knishes, fish platters.

To confirm what you know, think you know, or don’t know…check www.thebagelemporium.com for menu/prices.

I’m gonna guess here…I’m figuring the joint has been around -at least 25 years and looks “today” just as it did when it first opened.

Let’s talk food…

Recently did breakfast with Mrs. Jeff Eats. I did a western omelette and she had a corned beef omelette. Real good stuff.

Also did a takeout order…Took home a mixed bagel-dozen—plain, everything, pumpernickel, onion, poppy. The guy(s) who own this joint makes dynamite bagels. Looks to me like they’re boiled and then baked. Jeff Eats has eaten his fair share of South Florida bagels, Bagel Emporium’s are right up there with best of breed. That takeout order also included, 1/2 lb tuna salad, 1/2 lb chicken salad, 1/2 whitefish salad, 1/2 egg salad. Like the omelettes-real good stuff.

Based on breakfast and that takeout order…I’m gonna bet, that the “rest” of Bagel Emporium’s stuff is also real good. I got a “good” feel for this one.

One final note, this morning at 10:45 am I called Bagel Emporium. The phone was “answered” by an automated system, that eventually put me through to a live young-lady…I told her that I was writing a FAVORABLE article about Bagel Emporium and wanted to know—1. How long the store had been in business? 2. How many did it seat? 3. Were the bagels first boiled and then baked?—As you can see, these were real-tough questions. She said she didn’t know, but said she would “get” someone who did know, she then disconnected me. I immediately called back, got the same young-lady and told her she had disconnected me and she said and I quote, “He said he’s too busy to talk to you. Call back later or tomorrow.” I said, “I’m writing a FAVAORABLE ARTICLE right now, are you sure he can’t take two seconds to talk to me?”—and she hung up.

Anyway, you now about Bagel Emporium & Grille.

***** Platforms Dance Club, 99 Southeast 1st Avenue, Boca Raton, Florida 33432, (561) 392-6885.

Platforms is a 70s-80s-90s disco dance club in Boca Raton. The joint is about 4500 square feet, has 2- full bars and is decorated retro-look 70s-80s-90s…no food is served, but the staff “on request” will pickup up bar-style stuff from the next door sports bar. There is no admission or cover charge…the joint is open Friday and Saturday nights from 8pm-2am. Fridays feature some of South Florida’s best cover and tribute bands—Saturdays feature a dj spinning the best music of the 70s, 80s and 90s. You can check www.platformsnightclub.com for Patforms’ entertainment schedule/photos.

Platforms has been around since June 2011. To be perfectly honest with you, when Jeff Eats first heard about Platforms–the whole concept sounded kinda hokey to me…the name Platforms did absolutely nothing for me–and had me conjuring up in my mind, Vinnie Barbarino running around in a big old white polyester suit.

Anyway…I gotta tell you that I totally “missed” on this one… I and Mrs. Jeff Eats recently stopped in and-found Platforms to be a real fun joint that does a great job in bringing the sounds of the 70s-80s-90s back to life. The night we were there, Platforms was packed—I’m gonna guess–that at least 250 people ages 30-60 were partying away…and not one person was decked out in a white polyester suit. The night we were there, Anthology one of South Florida’s best Beatles tribute bands was headlining…and yes, I know, that The Beatles were a 60s group-you can take that “one” up with the joint’s owner!

Anyway…it was an absolute blast dancing to some really great covers.

If 70s-80s-90s music is your bag, I highly recommend that you give Platforms a try. Like I said a few seconds ago, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats had an absolute blast…something different to “do” on a Friday or Saturday night.

***** Shuckers On The Beach, 9800 South Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, Florida 34957, (772) 229-3006.

Shuckers On The Beach…for our purposes let’s call it a real casual “American” restaurant located at the Island Beach Resort in Jensen Beach.

When I “think” Shuckers- I’m thinking that this is an absolutely great joint to bring your out of town New York friends/relatives for either lunch or dinner (the joint also does breakfast on Sunday). As you guys eat on the outside patio–right on the OCEAN, they will be mumbling to themselves, how come I’m still living in a two-bedroom-two bath apartment on Queens Boulevard. Just so you know how to play Shuckers although it has an inside dining room, “feed” your guests outside–for full Florida impact.

At this stage of the game you can check www.islandbeachresort.net for menu/prices and loads of pictures.

Now nothing for nothing, we aren’t talking gourmet food here. What we are talking- decent enough stuff in a great “setting.” As a matter of fact, almost every day starting at 2pm Shuckers has live bands and other entertainment—so if you are-wanting to really rub it in, check the entertainment schedule so you’ll know as to exactly when to eat lunch or dinner at Shuckers. As if I didn’t have to tell you, if you aren’t in a bathing suit, shorts ensemble or something really-casual, you will feel really out of place.

Jeff Eats recently did lunch at Shuckers…”did” conch fritters appetizer, crab cake appetizer, chicken ranch wrap, blackened mahi-mahi sandwich, cheeseburger, french fries, onion rings. The food is good-“sports” bar quality. For those of you haven’t yet checked Shuckers’ menu, its got the fullboat of expected appetizers, sandwiches, salads, burgers, meat/chicken/seafood entrees…there is a bit of emphasis on seafood items. On the price front, keep in mind that this joint “is” located in a resort, so as Jeff Eats often finds- the prices are a few bucks more, but nothing that’s gonna kill you.

I really enjoyed Shuckers.

One final thought–in checking Shuckers’ entertainment schedule, it appears that 2-Fridays a month starting at 8pm it has The Critters on its stage. For those of you who aren’t familar with this band–in the 1960’s this group had Billboard chart hits with “Mr. Dyingly Sad”–“Younger Girl” and “Don’t Let The Rain Fall Down On Me”– Trust Jeff Eats (see 1/30/11 review) on this one, The Critters are one of the best oldies/party bands currently working the South Florida country club/bar-restaurant circuit.

Shuckers is open for breakfast on Sunday 8am-11am, Monday-Sunday for lunch/dinner 11am-9pm, its Tiki bar is open Monday-Sunday 11am-close.

***** THE ULTIMATE THRILLER ‘THE’ MICHAEL JACKSON TRIBUTE *****

Got a good one for you guys, that’s if you like Michael Jacskon…

Tomorrow morning (July 26, 2012) starting at 10am- Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com) has an internet pre-sale for The Ultimate Thriller ‘The’ Michael Jackson Tribute—which is scheduled for Saturday Night, September 1, 2012 at 8pm at Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. You must use the Code: THRILLER to get these tickets.

This touring show stars E. Casanova–one of the best Michael Jackson tribute artists in the world.

If this is your type of “game”–do a quick internet search on E. Casanova and the show itself. I think-actually I know, that you will find absolutely amazing video showing this guy in action as “Michael Jackson”…Also check www.theultimatethriller.com for video/audio/photos/tour information.

Trust me on this one, this “will” be one fantastic-show.

For the record, I know two of the “shows” creators. Back in late 2010 having completed a successful European tour, they told me about their plans to schedule a huge US tour. Well! It’s finally- arrived and you got a shot to get great tickets.

Just between you and me, I’ve seen videos and—I’ll bet you a buck that on September 1, 2012 a sold-out Hard Rock Live crowd is gonna swear that they are actually watching Michael Jackson on that arena’s stage.

One final thought… you and I both know, that “tribute” bands and shows are literally a dime a dozen down here in South Florida. Trust old Jeff Eats on this one, THE ULTIMATE THRILLER ‘THE’ MICHAEL JACKSON TRIBUTE isn’t your standard run-of-the-mill show. This is a HUGE 2 1/2 hour THEATRICAL production that plays on a whole nother level.

***** Brooklyn Oven, 26152 South Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs, Florida 34134, (239) 405-8957.

Well! I guess it isn’t the water…’cause I found absolutely dynamite NY STYLE PIZZA at “mom & pop” Brooklyn Oven in Bonita Springs.

Who woulda ever thunk–Bonita Springs, of all places!

In addition to a delicious thin-crisp-crust/sweet sauce pizza, Jeff Eats forced himself to “try”–antipasto salad, fried calamari, veal parmigiana, zuppa di pesci, spaghetti with marinara sauce. Trust me here, everything was right on the money and the garlic knots that came with the stuff were worth the price of admission alone. For you wise-guys out there–there were three of us–so there, Jeff Eats ain’t the pig that you were envisioning. You can check www.brooklynpizzapasta.com for menu/prices.

Brooklyn Oven’s menu has the full boat of appetizers, pastas, pizzas, calzones, strombolis, meat/chicken/seafood entrees, desserts. This is a real casual joint…with the most expensive menu item being the “aforementioned” zuppa di pesci which went for 25 bucks–it easily fed two. The veal-parm entree ran us $18. For you sticklers out there, the meat/chicken/seafood entrees come with a salad and a pasta or vegetable side.

Yesterday, Jeff Eats was soliciting your picks for “BEST MOM & POP RED SAUCE ITALIAN JOINT” in Dade-Broward-Palm Beach counties…now, you guys do know that Bonita Springs is in Lee County-don’tcha?…so all things being equal- “we” shouldn’t be seeing Brooklyn Oven on that list, should we? That said, I could easily see someone mistakenly listing it—because the food really is that good.

The bottomline…I really enjoyed Brooklyn Oven.

You guys now know about a really good “mom & pop” red sauce joint in Bonita Springs.

Brooklyn Oven is open, Sunday & Thursday 4pm-9pm, Friday & Saturday 4pm-10pm, closed Monday-Wednesday.

***** BEST “MOM & POP” ITALIAN RED SAUCE JOINT POLL *****

Just curious…what are your favorite “mom & pop” Italian red sauce joints in Dade-Broward-Palm Beach counites?