Pasta Fever, 4251 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, (561) 338-0012.

My mother use to say…”If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything.”–With that in mind, this Jeff Eats’ “review” should end right about now…

Imagine the 3 Stooges running a “hole in the wall” Italian joint (with a handful of French dishes)—and you “got” the picture…wrong entrees delivered to the table, 3 out of 4 entrees over-salted, veal parmigiana so bad that it was inedible, cramped table setup, amateurish service…a colossal waste of time and money. This evening’s dinner was such a mess that Jeff Eats couldn’t wait for the meal to end so I could get the hell-out of Pasta Fever. Roughly 140 bucks (4 people) down the drain…and the owners and waiter seemed oblivious as to how poorly they had performed.

Look! I could go on and on about this “debacle” but I won’t…all I know is that some clown-waiter tried to convince me that the chicken parmigiana he delivered was veal parmigiana–give me a freaking break!…and by the way-waiter…Moe-Larry-Curly-Shemp-Curly Joe whatever your name is, water glasses are designed to be occasionally refilled…also tell your fellow “Stooge” in the kitchen, that a croc of French onion soup doesn’t require SALT and I do mean SALT! One other thing, the owners of this joint should know that when you are “in a rush” to replace inedible veal parmigiana with 4-cheese ravioli in an Alfredo cream sauce…it’s not such a “hot move” (pun intended) to deliver the dish with hot sauce on top of ice-cold pasta—trust me-I know, it don’t taste too good! Capice! Then again, I understand that the owner-chef is a born and bred Frenchman–so just maybe he doesn’t capice.

In all fairness, the bread which came with olive oil was decent.

Be smart…

Don’t even think about eating in this joint…www.pasta-fever.com.

* Progressive Pool Services, 1278 South Military Trail, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442, (855) 954-7665.

Hey!…Progressive Pool Services–for crying out loud, those black & white “fake–cop cars” that you guys ride around in…not cool!

Two days ago, Mrs. Jeff Eats pulled into “our” neighborhood—to be greeted by one of your “fake cop-cars” parked in front of our next door neighbor’s house—and immediately assumed that some type of emergency was underway…she later learned it was the pool-man.

This evening…while Jeff Eats was zooming down MilitaryTrail clocking in around 60 in a 40 zone—in the review mirror, I noticed a “black & white” on my tail—took me a few seconds to figure-out that it was one of your “fake–cop cars”…driven by the pool-man

I get the advertising idea—trust me I do!

It really isn’t cool having a “fake–cop car” riding around- UNLESS it contains 2 pool-men in black suits, white shirts, black ties, black fedora hats, black shoes, white socks and Wayfarer sun glasses…who can sing and dance (between you and me, that singing and dancing “thing” might be pushing matters just a bit!)…

I’ll leave it to you guys, to go from “not cool” to “cool.”

Jeff Eats readers check www.progressivepoolsservices.com for pictures of the fake cop car.

For those of you who may-be wondering as to how a pool company “fits” with Jeff Eats—here’s the thinking…Cop cars got cops, cops eat donuts, donuts are food…there you go!

* DoubleTakeDeals.com

Got something for you guys—DoubleTakeDeals.com…

First things first…the site is owned/operated by Clipper Magazine— the magazine (with all kinds of coupons) that mysteriously shows up in your kitchen–month in and month out–and you got absolutely no freaking idea as-how it got through your front door-in the first place.

Anyway…

Go to www.doubletakedeals.com—enter the city/venue of choice- and you’ll find a load of–50% off coupons that you can buy with a credit card…you’ll also find, tons of “free” coupons that give you all types of deals. Pick what you want and print away.

Just so you know, DoubleTakeDeals.com isn’t limited to just restaurants…it has all kinds of retail businesses and services listed.

Trust Jeff Eats on this one, the site is totally legit and for a few seconds-work…you’ll save some hard-earned cash.

One last Jeff Eats’ thought…some of you guys maybe wondering as to how Jeff Eats “knows” that the site is legit?—The bet here is that, since Clipper Magazine is owned by publishing/communications giant Gannett—I kinda think those 50%-off coupons will actually-work without any-hitches…I seriously doubt that Gannett is gonna try and beat you out of 20 bucks or whatever the number is…but then again, years ago I thought that the Edsel was going to be-a homerun…

* What Do You Guys Think Of Sites Like Yelp and TripAdvisor?

Just curious…what do you guys think of “review” sites like Yelp and TripAdvisor?

* ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT

There is an old saying…”You don’t know shit from Shinola.”

I’ll leave you guys to do some GOOGLE HOMEWORK and learn the “history” of this line. For you short-cutters out there—Shinola was an American brand of wax shoe polish manufactured by the 2-in-1 Shinola-Bixby Corporation from 1907-1960. During World War II the line “You don’t know shit from Shinola” became extremely popular–with the reference being to Shinola’s black polish. A long story short, the manufacturer went out of business in the early 1960s and the brand was dormant until very recently.

Now, for the ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT part of the story…a couple of years ago, Tom Kartsotis, co-founder of the Fossil retail chain acquired the Shinola trademark and in early 2013 via Shinola/Detroit LLC -opened a factory in Detroit to manufacture upscale watches, leather goods and bicycles. As of today’s date, Shinola products can be purchased at the Company’s website (www.shinola.com), specialty retailers (like Barney’s) and most recently at two Shinola retail stores-1 in New York City and 1 in Detroit.

From what I’ve heard, the “plan” is to develop Shinola into an upscale luxury brand–think Michael Kors, Coach…

Now…only time will tell if Mr. Kartsotis can “pull this off”…that said, Jeff Eats’ bet is–that Kartsotis will hit a home-run based on Fossil’s success and the “rarity”- to find a “start-up” retail business that has instant name recognition -literally with millions of people. I also think, that although the “upscale” accessory arena is a crowded one–there is always room for a new player who has a different “take” on things. The “picking” of the Shinola name–tells me, that just maybe Mr. Kartsotis has some fresh-ideas up his sleeve to woo consumers to the brand.

Let’s watch this “one”…

In closing, I know that you guys appreciate how hard it is to start a business from scratch…Let’s see if Tom Kartsotis knows or doesn’t know “shit from Shinola.”

* Does Stuff Like This Ever Happen To You? Me Neither!

Just read this in Huff-Post:

“Every once in a while, we are reminded of the value in paying it forward.
That’s quite true here. An unidentified man walked into a Tim Hortons location in Edmonton, Canada, just after 4 p.m. on Monday and ordered — wait for it! — 500 cups of coffee, according to CBC News.
His order totaled $895.28, and if you don’t believe us, here is the receipt:
dd receipt
When store manager Joanne Averion asked the man why he was purchasing so many coffees, he reportedly did not give any explanation. He also refused to reveal his name.
For the rest of the day, any customer who came in received their drink order free of charge until all of the money had been used. The money lasted until about 8:30 a.m. the next morning, according to Metro News.
Employees and customers of the Tim Hortons still don’t really have an explanation for the man’s actions, other than it being a random act of kindness.
“That’s pretty awesome just to know people are out there willing to just go ‘Hey, let’s do something nice for somebody else,'” one customer told CBC News.
And don’t worry America, we still have some very kind people here too: There recently has been a guy going around the country handing out $500 tips in his brother’s memory.)”

***** Caketory, 7160 Beracasa Way, Boca Raton, Florida 33433, (561) 672-7606.

The other day, purely be accident- after eating a lunch of sweet & sour pork and pork fried rice at a Pei Wei Asian Diner– Jeff Eats discovered Caketory, a kosher bakery (located 2 doors-down) that makes breads, cookies, cakes, cupcakes, pastries.

Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats absolutely loved the challah and mixed cookie lb that I brought home.

You do know-that I couldn’t resist “working”- pork and kosher into the run-on sentence that started things off-here…don’tcha?

Anyway…assuming that you aren’t looking for maple walnut bacon topped donuts–

Check Caketory’s website www.caketory.biz for menu/prices.

Caketory hours:
Monday……closed
Tuesday…..7am-4pm
Wednesday…7am-5pm
Thursday….7am-6pm
Friday……7am-2pm
Saturday….closed
Sunday……7am-4pm

* Men With Mics

It never ceases to amaze Jeff Eats as to the number of musically- “talented” people who live in South Florida…with that in mind, let me introduce you to– Men With Mics.

Recently caught this 3-man group at Bobby Rubino’s in Pompano Beach and I gotta tell you, if you are a fan of doo wop, 60’s Rock n’ Roll and 1970’s disco music—these guys will definitely blow you away. Nothing fancy going on here…three guys singing to background tracks—but man-can they sing!

If this is your “bag”- you can catch Men With Mics at restaurants/country clubs all over South Florida.

For info on the group’s schedule/bookings…
www.menwithmics.com.
www.facebook.com/MenWithMics.

***** English Tap & Beer Garden, 5050 Town Center Circle, Boca Raton, Florida 33486, (561) 544-8000.

Silly me!

Something like 2 years ago, a restaurant named English Tap & Beer Garden opened in Boca Raton…until last Friday night, Jeff Eats “thought” that the joint was a British pub where fish & chips were the primary dish served and people who looked liked Winston Churchill- sat around eating, drinking and waiting for Prince William and Kate Middleton’s baby to be born. But oh contraire, it’s really an “American Style” joint that seats something like 250 inside/outdoor patio and serves all kinds of appetizers, salads, burgers, sandwiches, flat breads, wings, meat/chicken/seafood entrees and desserts…it has 2 full bars, 1 inside/1 oustide—tons of beers on tap and loads of flat screen tvs.

Real fast, the ENGLISH in the “title”—the joint’s creator was Todd English the celebrity chef/entrepreneur…like Jeff Eats said 4 seconds ago, silly me. Before I get to the “meal”…what’s with this American fascination with this Prince William and Kate Middleton’s baby thing? If memory serves me correctly, didn’t we kick their (that’s the British) asses back in 1776 or 1783 or whenever it was? So what’s the big deal with this baby or for that matter anything even remotely connected to the Royal Family? Let’s get serious here, do you really think that Prince William or his brother Prince Harry or for that matter their father Prince Charles could competently run a Sunoco station (you do remember Sunoco Gas don’t you?) on his/their own without a brigade of Buckingham Palace guards instructing them the whole way? Well I don’t—talk about being members of the “Lucky Sperm Club.”

Anyway…

Last Friday night, Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and another couple gave the English Tap & Beer Garden a “try”…and I gotta tell you, the joint is terrific.

As I mentioned above, there is both inside and outdoor patio seating…in fact, though I didn’t do a head count, Jeff Eats’ money says that more than half-the seating is outside under huge umbrellas. The ordered items included… mac & cheese with bacon, meatball flat-bread, bacon cheeseburger, crab cakes, bbq babyback ribs, bbq pulled pork sliders—and I gotta tell you, that everything we ordered was delicious.

At this stage of the game, check www.theenglishtap.com for menu/prices.

English Tap & Beer Garden is a real casual joint…your tee shirt/shorts ensemble will work perfectly there. Just so you know, the joint has all kinds of daily food “specials”-you can easily stuff your face for $9.99 and $14.99–it also has loads of drink/food happy-hour specials.

Let me wrap this one up…Good food, real reasonable prices. terrific energetic young staff, cool inside/outside seating setup.

Jeff Eats really enjoyed this one…

English Tap & Beer Garden is open Monday-Thursday 11:30am-midnight, Friday-Saturday 11:30am-2am, Sunday noon-10pm.

One final thought on this English thing…in retrospect, the English-did give us Gerry & The Pacemakers—for which Jeff Eats will always and forever be deeply indebted.

* Atlanta Rhythm Section (Mardi Gras Casino)

Jeff Eats just received the “below” email from the Mardi Gras Casino in Hallandale Beach…

The “skinny”…for you-guys who follow “Classic Rock N Roll” is that the Atlanta Rhythm Section is scheduled to appear in concert on Tuesday Night–August 13, 2013 in the Grandstand section of the casino.

Based on the last 2-concerts that Jeff Eats attended at the Mardi Gras…The Lovin’ Spoonful and The Grass Roots—I can tell you, if the weather is good, the Mardi Gras Casino is a great out-door venue for a Rock N Roll show.

Keep it to yourself, but every seat in the house is terrific…so those 10 buck tickets-will work perfectly.

*****

Time: 8pm-9:15pm (Will-call opens at 6:30pm / Doors open at 7pm)
Location: Grandstand
Cost: General Admission – $10 / Premium Seating – $20 / VIP – $60
Day of Concert, add $10
For Ticket Information, visit www.mardigrascasinofl.com

On Tuesday, August 13th at 8pm, Mardi Gras Casino takes music lovers back to the classic rock days with the rockin’ sounds of Atlanta Rhythm Section performing live in the Grandstand followed by a spectacular fireworks display! With 15 albums of outstanding songwriting and performances, The Atlanta Rhythm Section represents all the good things the phrase “classic rock” implies.

All ticket holders receive a special buffet price of $10.95 at the French Quarter Restaurant & Bar located on the third floor of the casino from 5pm-10pm.

After the concert, make your way to the slot floor and play one of your favorite machines for a chance to win $250 bonus play until 10:30pm! Must be 21 years of age and a Players’ Club member.

For more than 30 years, members of The Atlanta Rhythm Section have entertained audiences all over the world with their hits. The members of Atlanta Rhythm Section originally came together as a session band at Studio One, an Atlanta area studio recording artists like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Al Kooper, Dickey Betts and .38 Special. The band put out 15 albums and was paired with contemporaries Lynyrd Skynyrd as the successors to the Allman Brothers – carrying the mantle of “Southern Rock” in the late 70s. But performing songs that were more musically diverse and having hits that had a softer, pop flavor, they had a sound all their own. Influenced by music coming out of England and sharing the musical styling’s of groups likes The Eagles and Fleetwood Mac, the members of ARS were accomplished musicians who constantly tried to evolve – think Steely Dan or Little Feat.

With multiple gold and platinum albums to their credit, the band had 2 top 10 singles, “So Into You” and “Imaginary Lover”, as well as Top 40 hits including “Doraville”, “I’m Not Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight”, “Do It Or Die” and “Spooky”.

Mardi Gras Casino is located at 831 North Federal Highway on the corner of US-1 and Pembroke Road. The casino offers over 70,000 square feet of casino excitement featuring 1,100 Las Vegas-style slot machines, including new-linked Progressive slots, video roulette and blackjack, and Vegas-Star Roulette; 30 action-packed poker tables; simulcast and greyhound racing; and various dining options. For more information, call 954-924-3200 or visit www.mardigrascasinofl.com. Become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/mardigrascasino or follow us on twitter at http://www/twitter.com/MardiGrasFl.