* Fork & Knife, 99 Southeast Mizner Boulevard, Boca Raton, Florida 33432, (561) 405-6542.

Let’s play a-little game… “How smart is Jeff Eats?”

This morning, a new American-Style joint Fork & Knife- opened in Boca Raton…

Jeff Eats is very familar with the 6,000 square-foot spot which Fork & Knife now occupies…as it has housed- God Only Knows how many failed restaurants.

Now for the game…Jeff Eats is willing to bet you a buck (I know, real big bet!) that Fork & Knife becomes a huge success. If you want to play, mail a buck or as many bucks that you want -to Post Office Box: I Got You, Boca Raton, Florida 33496…and yes I know that Soupy Sales first thought up this idea way back in the 1960s.

Anyway…

This afternoon, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats paid Fork & Knife a visit. We didn’t eat. What we did, was tour the restaurant with one of the owners- Lee Tushman–review its menu and “discuss” his background, plans and goals for this endeavor. Now I maybe going out on a limb here, because I know that you guys are gonna be sending a ton of one-dollar bills…but based on my outing, I really think that Tushman and his partner Scott Niskar- know exactly how to create and run a successful restaurant.

Now let me tell you what Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats saw…Fork & Knife is a retro- throwback to the diners of the 1950s. The joint which has both indoor/outdoor patio seating (with a separate full-bar area) is an absolutely great looking restaurant. If Jeff Eats was even slightly computer literate, I’d have some photos for you to checkout, but I’m not, so you don’t. Trust me, this is one of the handsomest-coolest looking restaurants that I’ve seen in quite sometime. Just so you know, it isn’t faux black and white tiles with red leather stools and booths—think Houston’s, Cheesecake Factory, Morton’s but with a cool 50s vibe.

Now. let me tell you what Jeff Eats heard/read…the reasonably priced breakfast/lunch/dinner menu is jammed with stuff like burgers, hot dogs, mac & cheese, fried chicken & waffles–I do believe that many people call this “comfort food”…if Jeff Eats is wrong on that definition–so be it, but this type of food is sure comforting to me. Tushman and Niskar are planning on running a real family oriented/casual joint–so get your shorts/tee shirt ensemble ready to go.

Like I said at the top of this rant…the joint opened today for business. Its website www.forlandkniferestaurant.com is still under construction, but according to the owners should be fully operational tomorrow…so you can check menu/prices/photos, I guess- tomorrow.

Call it more than a gut feeling…but Jeff Eats’ bet is that 99 Southeast Mizner Boulevard has finally got itself a keeper.

Jeff Eats plans on trying Fork & Knife sometime in the 30 days or so. If you get there before I do, give me the skinny on your meal.

Finally, Fork & Knife recently put out a PR piece on its business. It’s printed below…it will give you a drop more color on the restaurant.

By the way to show you Jeff Eats’ “doubters” how smart Jeff Eats is…I’ll also go on record that Fork & Knife’s currently planned 7-days a week breakfast..will be quickly scrapped for a Saturday & Sunday only schedule. Real simple, the area’s population mix isn’t right for a 7 day operation.

Looking forward to receiving your dollars…no checks please!
*****

BOCA RATON, Fla., Nov. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Launching in Boca Raton this November, Fork & Knife restaurant has appointed award-winning brand communications firm The Gab Group as agency of record. Founded by Lee Tushman and Scott Niskar, Fork & Knife will serve modern comfort food in an upscale-casual atmosphere with friendly, sincere and professional service. Through public relations, marketing, design and social media, The Gab Group will promote Fork & Knife as the area’s go-to spot for creative comfort food for breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. The agency will also position Fork & Knife’s Happy Hour as the best in East Boca.
“Fork & Knife is the future of old school,” says Michelle Soudry, Founder of The Gab Group. “This concept is so unique, affordable and fun, we know guests will want to dine here again and again.”
The Fork & Knife menu draws inspiration from American grilles, coffee shops and New York City diners; the owners’ roots in Michigan; and classic comfort foods. With Executive Chef Herbert Mlcak, Fork & Knife puts a modern twist on these classics, with fresh ingredients and creative presentations. Signature dishes include Detroit Coney Dogs, Turkey Meatloaf Cupcakes, The F&K Burger and Chicken & Waffles. Guests may customize their meals with side dishes and other options.
Under the direction of Bar Manager and Head Bartender Scott Heimke, the beverage program comprises refreshing cocktails and full beer and wine lists. Guests will enjoy booth or table seating in the dining room, a community table, alfresco tables and couches, and the indoor/outdoor bar. Valet, garage parking and take-out will be available.
Fork & Knife is located at 99 S.E. Mizner Blvd., #110, Boca Raton, south of the Bank of America building, near Royal Palm Place. For more information, call 561.405.6542 or visit www.forkandkniferestaurant.com.
About The Gab Group
Founded in 2004 by PR Visionary Michelle Soudry, The Gab Group is recognized for award-winning brand communications specializing in local and national hospitality, celebrity and luxury lifestyle accounts. Consistently ranked in the Top 25 PR Agencies in South Florida by the South Florida Business Journal, the agency’s broad scope of services includes brand-focused PR, strategic marketing, hospitality consulting services, and exceptional special events. For more information, visit www.thegabgroup.com or www.facebook.com/thegabgroup.
SOURCE The Gab Group
*****

* Restaurant Impossible

Have you guys every seen this tv-show Restaurant Impossible which is on the Food Network
(www.foodnetwork.com)? Real believable show…this guy shows up each week at some rundown/almost bust restaurant and has 48 hours and $10,000 to spend on construction/decor with the goal of turning the restaurant around. At the end of the show-(48 hours after he gets there) there is a Grand Re-Opening..

Now nothing for nothing, not once have I ever seen this guy or his crew get a “permit” from a City, Town, or State…between you and me, I’ve dealt with all kinds of contractors and there is absolutely positively no way that what this guy claims to do–could actually be done in real life. Anyway…according to the Food Network this show has a huge viewership.

Now unless Jeff Eats has missed something here- like the show is actually on the Sci Fi Network…I think that the show’s producer should have a disclaimer across the screen that this is a tv show and is make believe? What do you think?

While Jeff Eats is on the subject of disclaimers, I kinda think that when President Obama talks about Obama Care the same sort of disclaimer should be aired. Yesterday, to make a long story short–I got a notice from my health care insurance company that advised that the $625 monthly policy President Obama said I could keep-if I wanted to, will be discontinued on December 31, 2015 and that an enhanced policy would be substituted at the cost of $1,255.67 per month.

Restaurant Impossible is I think fiction–unfortunately this Obama Care is for real.

To wrap things up here, every so often one of these “reality tv” shows is actually real…for example, the Food Network also has a show called Carnival Food, Cooking Live—with the premise where three judges go to carnivals and four contestants cook-up their best selling fried foods and the judges pick the best of the litter. Now–this show has definitely got to be real…because each and every time Jeff Eats has watched an episode, my face has broken out during the show–requiring the use of Clearasil to get things back to normal.

Thanks for reading,

* Farmer’s Table, 1901 North Military Trail, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, (561) 417-5836.

Got something that you guys might-want to checkout…

Farmer’s Table-a spanking-brand new breakfast-lunch-dinner “healthy” restaurant that is set to open in Boca Raton on November 27, 2013.

Now nothing for nothing, the term “healthy” is a very subjective word–so I’m gonna let you read a PR piece which Jeff Eats recently received on the restaurant…hopefully, you’ll get some idea as to what Farmer’s concept is all about. You can also check www.farmerstableboca.com for menu/prices to further enlighten you on what Farmer’s Table plans on cooking (pun intended) up for its patrons.

Just so you know, Jeff Eats plans on trying this joint sometime in the next 30 days, so if you get there before I do, write me and give me the skinny. By the way, Jeff Eats’ plan for “testing” Farmer’s Table includes having Mrs. Jeff Eats and Daughter Jeff Eats on premises–as they are huge fans of “healthy” cooking/foods (whatever that constitutes)–and will guide me in- writing a fair and accurate review for you, my beloved readers.

Before you get to that PR piece, Farmer’s Table is owned/operated by Boca Raton resident–Michael Robbins who if you do some “googling”- “binging” – “yahooing” has quite a diversified business background in real estate development, motion picture production, hotel ownership/operations. Just call it a hunch, but Mr. Robbins’ (who is also heavy-into philanthropic endeavors) latest business venture may-be more about “YOU” eating, good-fresh-healthy “prepared” food than- his making a boatload of money.

Anyway…here’s that PR piece-
*****

Farmer’s Table, Boca Raton’s Largest Health-Focused Restaurant, Taps The Gab Group As Agency Of Record

BOCA RATON, Fla., Nov. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Wyndham Boca Raton Hotel Owner Mitchell Robbins and Chef Joey Giannuzzi, co-founders of Farmer’s Table restaurant, have appointed award-winning brand communications firm The Gab Group as agency of record. Through public relations, marketing, branding, social media and web design, The Gab Group will promote Farmer’s Table as the healthy and affordable dining destination that the local market has long awaited.

Opening November, Farmer’s Table will serve nutritious and flavorful cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with natural cocktails. Dishes center on fresh, whole, seasonal ingredients, devoid of excess salt, fat, processing, toxins and all the other extras you don’t want. The restaurant doesn’t have a deep fat fryer or microwave. The menu accommodates diets like gluten free, Paleo and vegetarian. Wilson Wieggel serves as executive chef.

Featuring a warm, earthy ambiance, Farmer’s Table offers 200 seats, including alfresco and private dining. Robbins and Giannuzzi will host events and educational activities to establish the restaurant as a wellness hub in the community.

“Finally, Boca will have a place to go for healthy food that’s delicious and approachable for the whole family,” Robbins says. “Combined with the new wellness offerings at the Wyndham, like yoga classes and TrendTea lounge, Farmer’s Table is poised to be a true community gathering place.”

Farmer’s Table Cafe will offer quick, healthy meals to go. Customers can avail themselves of ample parking and opt for daily premade or made-to-order health-centered dishes.

Farmer’s Table is now accepting reservations for Wednesday, Nov. 27 and beyond. Farmer’s Table is located at 1901 N. Military Trail, Boca Raton, adjacent to the Wyndham Hotel. Hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. Farmer’s Table Cafe is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. For reservations or more information, please call 561.417.5836 or visit www.farmerstableboca.com.

About The Gab Group
Founded in 2004 by PR Visionary Michelle Soudry, The Gab Group is an award-winning brand communications agency specializing in local and national restaurant, hospitality, celebrity and luxury lifestyle accounts. Proudly ranked “Top 18 PR/Marketing Agencies in South Florida by the South Florida Business Journal. For more information, visit www.thegabgroup.com.

***** Meatball Room, 3011 Yamato Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33434, (561) 409-4111.

Last night…

Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats attended a “media dinner” at- Meatball Room, an Italian restaurant which opened six days ago in Boca Raton…based on last night’s food/service/décor/vibe, the joint has a real shot of developing an absolutely huge following.

Just so we are straight, the Eats’ meals/beverages and those of 30 others were comped…

For background…

As far as Jeff Eats could tell, the dinner was populated with some of South Florida’s best known- food bloggers and magazine/newspaper food critics/writers. Nothing for nothing, I’ll bet you a buck, that on Thursday, November 28th the Sun Sentinel runs a story on Meatball Room. Talk about thorough!–its reporter had more paper notes than Eisenhower had for the entire D-Day Invasion.

Anyway…let me tell you what “we-all” (this is the South, after-all!) got to try—baked clams, anaheim pepper, kale salad, beets salad, chopped salad, classic (veal/pork/beef) meatballs, turkey meatballs, taco (beef/pork/ground tortilla chips) meatballs, rigatoni bolognese, calamari fra diavolo, cheese pizza, harvest (apples/carmalized onions/mozzarella/goat cheese) pizza, chicken castronovo (breaded chicken breast/asparagus/fontina cheese/mushroom demi sauce), veal parmigiana—and let me tell you, every-thing was delicious. Now for sure, some items were stronger than others, but not one single dish was shall we say-even close to being lousy. For those of you who need a pecking order…as George H. W. Bush would say, “Can’t do it! Not gonna do it! (or was it Dana Carvey?)–trust me it was all good-(ok, you win-the cheese pizza, taco meatballs and chicken castronovo were off-the-chart).

Now for the outrageous kicker…

Meatball Room has a huge dessert menu that includes– ice cream sundaes, milkshakes, ice cream sandwiches/cones, cakes, zeppoles. cannolis, pastries. Us media folks got to try sundaes, cannolis, chocolate layer cake, carrot cake, New York Style cheesecake–Talk about a diabetic’s worst nightmare! I’m telling you, the attendees flipped out when those sundaes were served in gigantic glass goblets. Real cool-all baked goods are made in-house!

You guys know, that it’s not Jeff Eats’ style- to go on and on and on…about how stuff is made and the fine details of a meal—all I’m telling you, is comped or no comped, Meatball Room is making some really terrific stuff.

Let me close by saying, that back on October 23, 2013 Jeff Eats’ did a story on “pre-opened” Meatball Room and the shopping center it’s in. That story is reprinted below -for you guys who enjoy reading 30-day old Jeff Eats’ articles.

You can check menu/prices/photos/other stuff at www.meatballroom.com.

Meatball Room is open 7 days a week from 11am-midnight.

*****
Meatball Room (Boca Raton)
Posted on October 23rd, 2013 · Boca Raton Desserts Italian Pizza ·
* 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

Boca Raton

***** Flashback Diner, 220 South Federal Highway, Hallandale Beach, Florida 33009, (954) 454-8300.

Nothing for nothing…

Every day, something like 22 times Jeff Eats gets asked–“How come Florida doesn’t have 24 hour diners like there are in New York and New Jsersey?”…and something like 22 times a day, I reply–“Well, we sure got plenty of Greeks living down here in South Florida, so maybe its-got something to do with–maybe the local population isn’t big enough to support 24-hour diners, but that’s just a guess, I’m not really sure.”

Anyway…you guys do know what-an exception to the rule is? Sure you do!

Let me start by saying that on March 3, 2008 I told you guys about Lester’s Diner in Fort Lauderdale–so there’s “one” exception for you.

Now, let me tell you about -Flashback Diner which currently has outposts in Hallandale Beach and Davie which are also exceptions to the rule. Just so you know, a third Flashback Diner is set to open in Boca Raton in mid-December 2013,

At this stage of the game, you can check menu/prices/locations/photos/other stuff at www.flashbackdiner.com.

Now just so we are straight, Jeff Eats has a review (1/23/2009) for a Flashback Diner in Jupiter…different owner and story than the Boca Raton/Davie/Hallandale Beach gigs.

Now if you are still following me…

Jeff Eats has eaten exactly three times in the Flashback in Hallandale Beach–I have not eaten in the Davie restaurant. For those of you into “fine details” I did a breakfast, lunch and dinner and on my honor-can attest that the Flashback Diner will have you believing that you are in the El Greco Diner in Brooklyn, or the Blue Bay Diner in Bayside, or the Plaza Diner in Fort Lee, or the “You Fill In The Name” Diner in “You Fill In The Town”—–that said, for the record, it doesn’t hurt to squint your eyes just a drop when eating at the Flashback Diner to make your “outing” a drop more New York/New Jersey realistic.

Let me wrap this one up…

SOLID REAL GOOD DINER FOOD—and you can get it 24 hours a day–7 days a week…

One final thought, as mentioned about 32 seconds ago–Jeff Eats has only eaten in the Hallandale Beach joint…how the Davie/future Boca joints are-is to be determined down the road.

Update: December 16, 2013

Last night Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and another couple decided to “try” the new Boca Raton joint which had opened 5 days earlier. When we arrived at the restaurant around 6:30pm it was absolutely “slammed” with people and there was a 30-minute wait to get a table. To make a long story short, many entrees and sides were “sold out”…suffice it to say, this meal was a total mess, and that’s being kind…things that should have been hot were delivered ice-cold, wrong dishes were delivered, the waiters weren’t sure which tables they were covering, one mashed potato side tasted as if had come out of an Elmer’s Glue Jar, it took 40 minutes from the moment we sat down to get our entrees—look I could go on and on, trust me, the restaurant was packed with people who were NOT HAPPY CAMPERS…throw in a manager who when “advised” of the mess could only answer “I’m sorry.”—no offer of a complimentary dessert/item or discount on the check. Look! Jeff Eats appreciates that the joint is brand-new, but my money is my money–and Flashback’s growing pains shouldn’t be mine. Hopefully Flashback gets its act together real-fast… if it doesn’t, I guarantee you that as Freddy Mercury once sang (hey I know it was Queen) “Another one bites the dust.”

***** A&G Burger Joint, 646 Southwest 109th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33174, (305) 223-0100.

Let Jeff Eats start by saying…I absolutely loved A&G Burger Joint in Miami/Sweetwater…

Just so we are straight, although A&G has wings, hot dogs and a couple of sandwiches—the game here is angus beef burgers, french fries and a real nice list of beers.

I’m gonna make this one real simple for you guys…A&G is right up there with South Florida’s best burger joints. A recent outing had Jeff Eats “doing”–cheeseburger/french fries/sweet potato fries/onion rings and I’m telling you that the char-grilled burger was amazingly delicious-same for the sides.

You are all big boys and girls here, so I’m gonna let you check all by yourselves -www.agburgerjoint.com where you will find menu/prices/photos (surprise, surprise, surprise!)…for you lazy rascals (you do know that this is a family friendly website!) A&G has all types of toppings, combos, buns for its burgers and for you non-beef eaters a turkey burger, so you-too will also have what to eat.

Just to make sure you know…A&G isn’t a fast-food/order/pickup at the counter joint…its got a waitstaff and bartender on the payroll.

A&G is a dynamite burger joint.

One final piece of business–FIU students, police officers and firefighters get 15% off the bill…so you Cornell students, lawyers, medical doctors, school teachers, plumbers and veterans-are plum out of luck. Se la vie!

A&G Burger Joint is open Tuesday-Thursday noon-10pm, Friday-Saturday noon-midnight, Sunday noon-8pm, closed on Monday.

* Now Coffee Is No Good For You–Make Up Your Minds Already!!

On May 6, 2013 Jeff Eats did a column “Who Knew!” The jist of the article, why drinking coffee was good for you. You can read that story when you get a chance, if you want to!

Now Jeff Eats reads in HealthDay the following…
***
“Friday, November 15, 2013 (HealthDay News) — Bad news for caffeine addicts: That midday coffee pick-me-up might increase your odds for a sleepless night, new research shows.
The small study, which was done with caffeine pills equivalent to two or three cups of coffee, found that taking in caffeine even as long as six hours before bedtime significantly harmed sleep.
“Drinking a big cup of coffee on the way home from work can lead to negative effects on sleep just as if someone were to consume caffeine closer to bedtime,” lead author Christopher Drake said in a news release from the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, which published the study Nov. 15.
“People tend to be less likely to detect the disruptive effects of caffeine on sleep when taken in the afternoon,” said Drake, an investigator at the Henry Ford Sleep Disorders and Research Center in Detroit.
The new study involved 12 healthy people who were normal sleepers and who were all told to continue their normal sleep schedules. Each participant, however, was given three pills per day for four days. Pills were taken at three intervals during the day: six hours before bedtime, three hours before bedtime and immediately before bedtime.
One of the three pills contained 400 milligrams of caffeine (equivalent to two or three cups of coffee) while the other two were caffeine-free placebos. On one of the four days, all three pills were a placebo.
The researchers said the participants’ sleep was disrupted no matter when they took the caffeine pill. Even when they took the caffeine pill six hours before bedtime, they lost more than one hour of sleep during the night.
Drake’s team said this is the first study to track the effects of a specific dose of caffeine taken at different times before bed. They said people should try to avoid caffeine after 5 p.m. if they want to get a good night’s sleep.
Two experts said they weren’t surprised by the findings.
“Most people have had the experience of insomnia after drinking coffee in the evening,” said Dr. Len Horovitz, an internist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. “This study shows that caffeine ingestion even late in the afternoon and in the evening definitely has a negative impact on sleep quality and quantity.”
And Dr. Steven Feinsilver, director of the Center for Sleep Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, said “many of us are unaware of the amount [of caffeine] we consume routinely. Caffeine has an effect on both getting to sleep and staying asleep, and the effects may last up to 12 hours.”
“One of the first things any poor sleeper should do is limit caffeine, particularly after noon or least eight hours before bedtime,” Feinsilver said.
What about that morning brew to clear out the cobwebs? Horovitz said that’s probably still fine. “Morning coffee drinking does not appear to affect sleep, and should probably be the limit on caffeine intake,” he said.”

***** Philadelphia Water Ice, 614 North Dixie Hghway, Lantana, Florida 33462, (561) 585-1286.

Let me start by saying…Jeff Eats loves Italian Ices–with that in mind…

This afternoon Jeff Eats “tried” Philadelphia Water Ice in Lantana. Real simple concept here–hole in the wall joint with maybe 5 seats inside and a dozen outside that MAKES ITS OWN–Italian Ices (water ices and cream ices) -figure something like 30 rotating flavors–it also has -maybe 6 hard ice cream flavors and vanilla soft-serve, which are supplied by an outside source.

Sampled water ices–lemon, cherry, pistachio, chocolate, cappuccino, vanilla chip…Do you know what a pig in sh@t is? Well, this afternoon Jeff Eats was a wild boar…and that’s BOAR not BORE-although on occasion I have been accused of being the latter…All of the ices were delicious…I especially liked the cappuccino and lemon flavors, but like I just said, they were all delicious.

To rough the ices’ prices out for you, figure a drop- less than a buck a scoop…and the counter people are more than happy to let you “try” whatever flavors you’d like.

At this stage of the game, check www.phillyiceflorida.com—flavors/prices/photos of the joint.

Philadelphia Water Ice is open Tuesady-Sunday 11:30am-9pm, closed on Monday.

* Seminole Coconut Creek Casino.

This “post” is addressed to whoever (or is it whomever) is running the Seminole Coconut Creek Casino…get your freaking act together.

Two weeks ago, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats sat in NYY Steak’s lounge (in your facility)–planning to watch 80s band Red Skies perform. Now nothing for nothing, Jeff Eats has been in more bars, clubs, restaurants, casinos, lounges than he cares to remember and this was the first time-ever, that the second hand smoke was so brutal that Jeff Eats was forced to leave the venue because my freaking lungs felt like they were on fire. I might add, that the burning sensation became unbearable during the group’s second song, that’s right second song!

Trust me, Jeff Eats saw your “no smoking” signs in various areas—but I’m telling you, something ain’t right—the smoke is all over the joint.

Get someone in there to FIX your ventilation system—because if you got one, it’s broke!

* Solid Brass

Last Sunday Jeff Eats “caught” an absolutely terrific Palm Beach based 60s-80s Rock’n Roll cover band—Solid Brass. The groups’ name, should tell you that one of its specialties is–playing the songs of such horn bands as Chicago, Blood Sweat & Tears, The Ides Of March and The Soul Survivors…and the 5 piece rhythm and 3 piece horn section came through with dead-on versions of the requisite hit records. Now for the kicker, Solid Brass isn’t just a one trick-pony…its songlist also includes covers of The Temptations, The Beatles, The Grass Roots, Sam & Dave, Santana, The B52’s, just to name a few. Now nothing for nothing, Jeff Eats has seen a ton of lead singers in his day–and I gotta tell you, Solid Brass’ frontman Fred Moore -can sing with the best of them, think Joe Cocker and you’ll be on the right page.

Of interest, although Solid Brass has only been around since 2011–it has developed a huge South Florida fan base. Recent appearances in no particular order include -CityPlace (West Palm Beach), Boston’s On The Beach (Delray Beach), Mardi Gras Casino (Hallandale Beach), Seminole Coconut Creek Casino (Coconut Creek, that figures!), Johnnie Brown’s (Delray Beach), Delray Marketplace (Delray Beach), Old Key Lime House (Lantana)…and the beautiful thing about all of “these” venues, the shows were FREE!

If you want to see a really top-notch band, go and see Solid Brass…

Check www.solidbrassband.com for schedule/videos/other stuff.