* Meatball Room (Boca Raton)

Jeff Eats isn’t sure on this…but I think- you guys know that I “reside” in Boca Raton…with that in mind, at least once or twice a week I’m in The Regency Court (3011 Yamato Road, Boca Raton) shopping center which is like 97 seconds from my home.

Anyway…over the past 10 years or so, four different restaurants have occupied a particular 6,000 square foot- space in the center. If you do the math—that means that on average, a joint lasted about 30 months in the spot—not exactly sure, but I think the last guy maybe was there 9 months and the guy before him 6 months, but who’s counting! The point of this “rambling”—the word longevity doesn’t come to Jeff Eats’ mind when he thinks of this particular spot and its past tenants. By the way, the first tenant and second tenant were “American Style” restaurants and the last two were Italian. To rough this out a drop more, the American Style joints had decent enough food/service and the Italian ones-had horrendous food/service. Jeff Eats can surmise why the Italian guys closed- but the “American Style” failures are open to conjecture—the best guess here, is that the rents were obscenely high, but that’s just an educated guess based on heresay.

Anyway…the other day Jeff Eats received an e-mail press release from an Italian restaurant named Meatball Room…who for right now- we’re gonna call “Guy #5” with a Grand Opening tentatively scheduled for the first week of November…that pr- piece is printed below for your review.

To make what has now turned into an absurd- long story shorter…this evening Jeff Eats just happened (wink wink!) to walk by the Meatball Room which is in the final stages of construction and watched from the “outside” the training of its new staff…Two of Meatball’s owners, John and Louie seeing Jeff Eats’ nose pressed against the window, invited me in…and I gotta tell you, that after a 32 minute conversation with them, I really-think that Meatball Room has a shot of being a huge success. The reason I “say” this…both John and Louie have “tons” of experience both in the front/back of the house–The menu they showed me, had a great selection of reasonably priced Italian stuff and the decor–which resembles an upscale sports-bar with loads of flat screen tvs (do they still make fat screen tvs?) and an out-door dining patio is perfect for the neighborhood-family crowd that populates the immediate area. Finally…Louie insisted that I try the wood fired margherita pizza that he was “testing” on the new-staff…not wanting to be insulting, Jeff Eats had two slices and I gotta tell you, that the wood fired pizza- thin/crisp/sweet sauce was absolutely dynamite. Can’t speak for anyone else, but I think that my buddies over at blog- Worst Pizza www.worstpizza.com are gonna love this pizza, but I’m getting ahead of myself.

Now nothing for nothing…Jeff Eats knows that 2 slices of test pizza don’t make or for that matter-break a restaurant—who knows, the rest of the food could be garbage and the service stinks—or maybe the rent is a killer…What I do know, is that Jeff Eats has been around a ton of restaurants and the gut-call is that Louie and John (not sure if there are other partners or not) are gonna pull this one off.

As they say in Uganda—Only time will tell!

By the way, you can check menu/prices at www.meatballroom.com.

Take a look at the pr piece…and Jeff Eats will update you guys after eating a “real” meal there.

*****
MEATBALL ROOM, HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED AUTHENTIC TUSCAN ITALIAN RESTAURANT, TO OPEN IN BOCA RATON MID-OCTOBER, Located in The Regency Court, adjacent to Woodfield Country Club, the restaurant features authentic fare, artisan cocktails, designer desserts and mu
By Simply the Best PR
BOCA RATON, Fla., Oct. 7, 2013 — /PRNewswire/ — Meatball Room (www.meatballroom.com), the highly-anticipated, newly designed Tuscan Italian restaurant, announced today they have retained Simply the Best PR (www.simplythebestpublicrelations.com) as its Public Relations firm of record.
Meatball Room’s extensive menu is highlighted by 12 different meatballs made fresh daily, ranging from classic Italian, to brisket, salmon, Reuben, eggplant, turkey, chicken, vegetarian and much more.
Executive Chef Louie, who recently moved back to Florida from Las Vegas after serving as Executive Chef at The Sugar Factory American Brasserie, the highly-acclaimed 30,000 square foot restaurant at The Paris Hotel, is in charge of all aspects of the kitchen at Meatball Room. His authentic Tuscan-inspired signature dishes include homemade pastas and unique sauces, wood burning pizza oven, Pollo, Veal, Pesce, Melanzane, Ravioli and much more.
Meatball Room features:
•Lunch and dinner daily
•Sunday brunch
•Wood burning pizza oven and open kitchen
•Indoor and outdoor patio seating
•Indoor/outdoor bar
•Cocktail lounge
•Champagne ladies night
•Private parties
•Catering
•And more
With the debut of Meatball Room, Boca Raton has a new choice for genuine Italian cuisine that is Tuscan at heart, but reflects modern tastes and lightness. A full bar with a carefully selected wine list, hand-made cocktails and a daily happy hour featuring bar bites and drink specials will be featured.
The Dessert Menu is extensive and is unlike any dessert menu seen in South Florida. Mouth-watering highlights include a wide array of homemade ice cream sundaes, cheesecakes, tiramisu, numerous milkshakes, innovative ice cream sandwiches, delicious cakes, a Whoopie Pie Tower, and so many other choices.
The restaurant is 5,500 square feet, seats 260 both inside and on the outside covered patio, features a wood burning pizza oven, open kitchen, LED lighting throughout, plasma televisions at the bars and private party room.
“Our publicity will include a series of grand opening events to introduce the restaurant as a place to enjoy genuinely delicious Italian dishes and exciting drinks in a comfortable, relaxed yet beautiful atmosphere,” states Kim Morgan, President of Simply the Best PR. “We are particularly excited to promote Executive Chef Louie to the media to showcase his extensive and impressive experience in Tuscan fare and exciting desserts.”
Meatball Room The Regency Court 3011 Yamato Road Boca Raton, FL 33434 www.meatballroom.com 561-409-4111
Contact: Kim Morgan Simply the Best Public Relations (954) 261-2149 kmorgan@goodpresspublishing.com
Read more here: http://www.heraldonline.com/2013/10/07/5280284/meatball-room-selects-simply-the.html#storylink=cpy

* Two Wrongs Don’t Make A Right–Sweet Monkey Frozen Yogurt & Cupcakes

Printed below is an e-mail that Jeff Eats received today from a self serve frozen yogurt/cupcake franchise named Sweet Monkey Frozen Yogurt & Cupcakes…it made me laugh and I thought I’d share it with you guys.

So…if Jeff Eats got it right, Sweet Monkey is trying to peddle franchises that combine frozen yogurt and cupcakes under one-roof!

Like I said at the start of this thing, two wrongs don’t make a right.

To the guys peddling this “thing”…because you got a cute circus decor– more flavors/toppings than the competition with a cupcake kicker-to boot—-doesn’t mean that you got a franchisable concept. Nothing for nothing, and since Jeff Eats has no skin in this game—I really do wish you a load of success, but personally, you guys are so late to the “party” that it isn’t even funny. If you haven’t noticed, self serve yogurt stores and cupcake stores-are literally on every American corner and most recently a number of them have “Closed For Good” signs on their front doors.

*****
Greetings!
Can you believe it’s October already? I guess it’s true, time fly’s when you are having fun! At Sweet Monkey Frozen Yogurt & Cupcakes, we have fun everyday and would enjoy nothing more than to share it with our friends. Before you know it, the holiday season will be in full bloom!
Holiday Specials for Sweet Monkey Franchisees!!
Well my friend, the holiday season is in full bloom at Sweet Monkey Frozen Yogurt and Cupcakes. If you are looking for a fun and unique frozen dessert franchise, then look no further than Sweet Monkey Frozen Yogurt & Cupcakes. Sweet Monkey is proud to announce a once in a life-time special you will be sure to appreciate.
If you sign a Sweet Monkey Frozen Yogurt & Cupcakes franchise on or before January 30, 2014. Sweet Monkey will give you a 50% discount! That’s right! Your original franchise fee of $30,000 will be cut in half!
But Wait!! There’s More!
If you open your Sweet Monkey Frozen Yogurt & Cupcake unit on or before March 31, 2014, Sweet Monkey will give you a 2% reduction in your Royalties for the rest of 2014!
So tell your partners or franchise buddies, this offer is good until November 1, 2013!
CALL ME NOW!!,
James Miller 770-530-2518 or jm@sweetmonkey.com
Vice President of Franchise DevelopmentSweet Monkey Frozen Yogurt & Cupcakes
Mobile Unit
For our Mobile unit franchise candidates, we will offer 50% off original $20,000 franchise fee and 1% reduction of Franchise Royalties for 2014 if you sign a Mobile Unit franchise on or before January 30, 2014.

* I Care I Cure 1st Annual Chef Event (Miami)

From: Kim Lieberman
Subject: I Care I Cure 1st Annual Chef Event

Message Body:
Hi Jeff,
Can you mention the I Care I Cure 1st Annual Chef event Sunday, November 3 at
5:30pm at Marlins Park. Tickets can be purchased online at icareicure.org. It is
going to be a great event featuring celebrity chefs cooking delicious dishes and
serving them up with the Marlins Park as a backdrop. The monies raised go to
help researchers find gentler cures to childhood cancer.
Thanks for your support.
Kim Lieberman

Kim: Jeff Eats can and did…good luck with the event!

* Madisons New York Grill & Bar (Boca Raton)

There is an old saying…”5 Times The Charm”—or something like that!

Anyway, yesterday Jeff Eats did some checking–on a new “American Style” joint that is being “built” in Boca Raton—Madisons New York Grill & Bar. Thought that you guys might like to “share” the e-mail I received from Madisons’ PR firm (it’s printed below)…

Just so you know, the “Boca” location that Madisons is going into-has previously been the home to a Pizza Restaurant, New York Style Deli, BBQ Ribs-Chicken Restaurant and a French Restaurant…just maybe, 5X is the charm!

Jeff Eats is going to “follow” Madisons and as soon as it opens (plans call for December, 2013) I’ll give you the skinny on food/decor. Just so you know, I did some checking on Madisons with a couple of Canadian acquaintances and they swear by this “Canadian” chain—they compare it to being in the same league as Houston’s but with “lower” price-points…they said that it is very-family friendly with loads of flat screen tvs and a real casual atmosphere.

Anyway…Jeff Eats is putting Madisons on “our” calendar and will report back to you guys after it opens.

You can check www.madisonsnewyork.com for menu/prices and other pertinent info.

*****
Good afternoon,
Nice speaking with you. Per our conversation, attached you will find information thus far regarding Madisons New York Grill, a Canadian-based restaurant group set to debut TWO new locations in South Florida in the next few months. Since 2004, Madisons has experienced incredible success with their 14 locations throughout Quebec and is now announcing its grand arrival to South Florida and the U.S., bringing a warm atmosphere, spectacular cuisine and extraordinary service to Boca Raton in December 2013 and Pompano Beach in 2014.
At Madisons, South Florida guests immediately identify with the outstanding New York-inspired menu and heightened dining experience featuring a welcoming bar area ideal for enjoying quality time with friends, family and colleagues. All amidst a magnificent setting, Madisons offers unique ambiance designed to complement the homemade cuisine and top-notch service.
I will certainly keep you in mind once we open and create tasting events.
Thanks!

* Best Kosher Restaurants

Care to share your favorite South Florida Kosher Restaurants?

***** Chef Eddie’s, 3214 Orange Center Boulevard, Orlando, Florida 32805, (407) 505-6802.

Let’s call Chef Eddie’s a “soul food” diner…the joint does breakfast/lunch/dinner Tuesday-Sunday 8am-8:30pm and absolutely blew Jeff Eats away with some of the most delicious fried chicken & waffles, fried shrimp, crab cakes, bbq ribs, mac & cheese, hush puppies—that this East-Flatbush Boy has ever eaten.

No fooling around…Chef Eddie’s food is dynamite.

You can check Chef Eddie’s menu/dirt cheap prices at www.chfeddies.com—there are also a whole bunch of photos/videos for your consideration.

Let Jeff Eats close by saying–every so often I come across a joint that is an aboslute home-run…well, this one is a grand slam!

* Bobby Collins (Mardi Gras Casino, Lake Worth Playhouse).

Just a heads-up…

Bobby Collins-one of America’s funniest “clean” national comics—has three 2013 South Florida appearances scheduled.

Wednesday-November 7th at the Mardi Gras Casino in Hallandale Beach (www.mardigrascasinofl.com).
Thursday-November 8th at the Mardi Gras Casino in Hallandale Beach (www.mardigrascasinofl.com).
Friday-November 9th at the Lake Worth Playhouse in Lake Worth (www.lakeworthplayhouse.org).

Nothing for nothing, over the years- Jeff Eats has seen Bobby Collins something like 4 times—and I am telling you, FUNNY!

Do yourselves a big solid and go see the guy…

You can buy tickets at the above cited websites.

* GROUPON

Jeff Eats can’t begin to tell you how many e-mails he receives on a daily basis—so! I won’t.

Just wanted to mention, that every morning—GROUPON sends an e-mail with its latest discount-deals. Jeff Eats is gonna assume that you guys aren’t from Mars and know what GROUPON is…for you Martians, you buy a coupon from GROUPON for let’s say 20 bucks and it gets you 40 bucks worth of merchandise from a “chosen” vendor.

Anyway…

Jeff Eats in recent months has been noticing that a number of really good South Florida restaurants and events have been using-GROUPON to promote themselves. So-Check www.groupon.com…

* There’s a Sucker Born Every Minute!

I just finished reading a “Bloomberg” article as to how self-serve frozen yogurt company-Orange Leaf is looking for acquisition candidates (other food areas)—as the company readies an Initial Public Offering (IPO) of its common stock for sometime in either 2014 or 2015.

Jeff Eats will say no more…

***** Chef Chen Chinese Restaurant, 11557 North Kendall Drive, Miami, Florida 33176, (305) 274-6799.

Who in a million years would’a figured…Kendall has one of the best Chinese restaurants in all of South Florida!

Now nothing for nothing…Jeff Eats is talking “1950’s Brooklyn-Jewish stuff” and not the “authentic” Chinese (whatever the hell that is?) that many of you food experts fancy…no seasoned squid or spiced jelly fish for this 1966 Erasmus Hall High School alumnus.

Jeff Eats is talking…wonton soup, egg rolls, pan fried dumplings, spare ribs, roast pork fried rice, pepper steak, sweet & sour pork, shrimp with black bean sauce, chicken chow mein, honey garlic chicken, vanilla/chocolate/strawberry ice cream, pineapple chunks dessert.

The other night, Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and another couple gave Chef Chen a shot for dinner…Like I said 19 seconds ago, some of the best Chinese food that Jeff Eats has eaten in South Florida.

Just so you know, everything we had was delicious…That said, knowing my crowd- I know that some of you need a pecking-order…let’s just say, that if-when– you eat at at Chef Chen’s. make sure you get the ribs and shrimp with black been sauce…hope that helps you out!

Neighborhood Chinese restaurant prices and service…Your shorts/tee shirt/sneaker ensemble will work well there.

Just a quick comment, many YELPERS out there have to learn, that limited knowledge of a foreign language (in this case English) doesn’t necessarily mean that the Chinese “help” is indifferent, rude, nasty—it just means, that the “person” can’t be as engaging or witty or endearing as your 25 year old minds think they should be!

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

Chef Chen Chinese Restaurant is open Sunday-Thursday 11:30am-10pm, Friday-Saturday 11:30am-10:30pm.