***** Wing Loon, 3520 North Andrews Avenue, Oakland Park, Florida 33309, (954) 561-8100.

Wing Loon is a Chinese takeout/delivery joint that you guys should know about!. A recent outing had Jeff Eats trying- wonton soup, egg rolls, pan fried dumplings, bbq ribs, roast pork fried rice, honey garlic chicken, shrimp with black bean sauce, pepper steak—and I’m telling you guys everything was right on the money good!

Wing Loon has both walkup & drive thru service- the joint also has a small covered outdoor patio with a handful of tables- for you guys who want to eat “there.”

The joint is open Tuesday-Saturday 11am-10pm and Sunday 3pm-10pm… closed on Monday.

***** ROK: BRGR, 208 Southwest 2nd Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301, (954) 525-7656.

Let me start by saying, that I loved ROK:BRGR—an upscale hamburger joint, which opened about six weeks ago in Fort Lauderdale. I suspect, that Only- seriously committed vegetarians are gonna have a problem with this joint. Check www.rockbrgr.com for menu/prices/pictures.

Just so you know, BURGERS are the primary game at this cool looking- 1920’s brick pub decor/full bar joint. That said, ROK also has a “nice” handful of comfort items like mac ‘n cheese, chili, meatloaf, blts and a few salads, so no-one in your party is gonna be pissed off.

My 10 oz. bacon cheeseburger with hand cut french fries ($10) was absolutely off the chart. Same, for the mac ‘n cheese ($8)–sweet potato fries ($5)–onion rings ($6)–meatloaf ($14) that I “sampled.”

I am telling you, the food was delicious. ROK has a real cool look, reasonable prices and the service is as pleasant as can be.

To sum it up, WINNER!!!

ROK is open Sunday-Thursday 11:30 am-2am and Friday-Saturday 11:30am-4am.

***** Yokohama Sushi, 9168 Glades Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33434, (561) 451-1707.

Yokohama Sushi is a Japanese-joint located in Boca Raton. Actually, there are two Boca locations, one at 9168 Glades Road and another at 60 North Federal Highway (561) 392-9328.
You can check menu/prices at www.yokohamasushi.net.

Tried this joint for dinner the other night. To be perfectly honest with you, Japanese food isn’t my favorite cup of tea (you now know why, there are so few reviews on the subject)…that said, sometimes to keep peace with various friends and family members, old Jeff Eats gives in. So here goes–thought that the miso soup, fried dumplings, steak stir fry, fried rice, shrimp teriyaki were delicious. Not a fan of sushi or sashimi, so when you try this joint, you can let me know how this “stuff” is. As a point of reference– My friends, Linda & Bob and my wife thought that the crunchy salmon-spicy tuna-shrimp tempura rolls were excellent. These same folks also advised me not to buy Google’s IPO at $85 in 2004. So, like I said before—I look forward to your thoughts on this joint’s sushi-sashimi offerings.

Not sure as to who exactly owns Yokohama. The bet, a “husband & wife” team…in any event, the nicest and most pleasant people run the Glades’ location.

Yokohama Sushi is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.

***** Milani Gelateria, 436 Espanola Way, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, (305) 532-8562.

Look, I’ll level with you…I really don’t know the first thing about GELATO…keep in mind, that I was raised on Good Humor, Bungaloo Bar and Dolly Madison–ice cream. My knowledge of gelato…it’s Italian ice cream.

Now, that I’ve confessed—I will tell you, I do know when something tastes absolutely delicious. With that in mind, let me recommend Milani Gelateria in Miami Beach. Phenomenal-tasting- pistachio, vanilla, chocolate, lemon gelato. Order at the counter/art deco decor/Italian owner from Italy making the stuff fresh daily—check menu at www.milanigelateria.com.

The joint is open Monday-Thursday 10am-12:30am and Friday-Sunday 10am-1am.

***** Ireland’s Steakhouse, 250 Racquet Club Road, Weston, Florida 33326, (954) 349-5656.

Go figure…one of South Florida’s best “upscale” steak-seafood restaurants—Ireland’s Steakhouse is located in the Hyatt Regency Bonaventura Conference Center & Spa. Not exactly, Macy’s in Herald Square!

Like its “brethern”…Ireland’s ain’t a cheap date. You can check menu/prices at www.bonaventure.hyatt.com.

A recent outing had me “sampling”—20 oz. bone-in-ribeye ($48), petite filet mignon ($37), seared yellow tail snapper ($37), potatoes au gratin ($9), sauteed mushrooms ($9), creamed spinach ($9). Hey! I told you, this wasn’t a cheap date–that said, everything was absolutely delicious.

Delicious food. Modern upscale decor… A really beautiful thing, the staff is as pleasant and professional as can be. Nobody and I do mean not-a-one, has a “know it all” attitude.

Ireland’s is hidden in a “resort”…I am telling you, it’s as good as the “best” that’s out there.

The joint is open Tuesday-Saturday 5:30pm-10:30pm.

***** Sugar Chef Cupcakes, 600 South Rosemary Avenue, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401, (561) 835-2045.

Now…I haven’t changed my mind on the subject—that being, that “these” cupcake stores which seemingly pop-up every day– are nothing but a gigantic fad which is going to end sooner than later. Maybe I’m nuts, but tv shows about “Cupcake Wars” seem to be slightly over the top. Then again, maybe I’m out of step, in that I can’t figure out why millions of people watch this lady Snooki on some ridiculous tv show about her and her friends who live in New Jersey.

Anyway…for as long as the party lasts, I’m in..having devoured over the past 2-days some absolutely delicious cupcakes from Sugar Chef Cupcakes in West Plam Beach. You can checkout out the menu/prices at www.sugarchefcupcakes.com.

Keep in mind, that old Jeff Eats was raised on Twinkies and Devil Dogs…that said, Sugar Chef’s chocolate bean, chocolate blackout and vanilla bean cupcakes- gave the previously mentioned “standbys” a real run for the money.

Like I always say—if you can’t beat’em, join’em.

Sugar Chef Cupcakes is open Monday-Thursday 11am-10pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-11pm and Sunday noon-9pm.

***** Pizzeria Oceano, 201 East Ocean Avenue, Lantana, Florida 33462, (561) 429-5500.

If you are looking for a “red sauce–huge menu–soup/salad/garlic rolls/entree/pasta side” Italian joint…Pizzeria Oceano ain’t for you.

Pizzeria Oceano is a “very interesting” concept. A handfull of appetizers/salads/pizzas–the menu CHANGES every day and a ton of product comes from local farmers. In fact, the “purveyors” names are listed on the menu—sort of like when 5 Guys tells you where the daily potatoes come from. There is very little seating inside, maybe room for 12—there is also an outdoor patio for dining. You can check menu/prices at www.pizzeriaoceano.com.

Like I said, very limited menu. In fact, the menu states “TAKEOUT IS NOT ALWAYS AVAILABLE & NOT RECOMMENDED.” A husband/wife team–Dak & Martha own the joint, and seem more interested in turning out great food than filling their bank account—let’s call their business-style “novel.”

Anyway…a recent outing had me doing their basic pizza—mozzarella/tomato sauce ($13). Let’s just say, that this thin crust-sweet sauce pizza was off-the chart. Absolutely delicious.
I’ll bet you a quarter, that your favorite neighborhood pizza—doesn’t come close to this slice.

Don’t know Pizzeria Oceano’s business model…What I do know, is- that the fresh made daily mozzarella made Jeff Eats’ 25 minute drive (one way) worth while.

Pizzeria Oceano is open Monday-Saturday 5:50pm-no set closing time…the joint is closed on Sunday

***** The Lemon Ice King Of Wellington, 13860 Wellington Trace, Wellington, Florida 33414, (561) 792-2900.

If you like ICES, you will absolutely love The Lemon Ice King Of Wellington—which opened for business in August, 2010.

Let me make this story short-and-simple…For the past 60 years or so, The Lemon Ice King Of Corona has been cranking out some of the most delicious ices known to mankind. To many native-New Yorkers, The Lemon Ice King is to ices what Nathan’s in Coney Island is to hot dogs & fries.

Anyway…Back in August, 2010–The Lemon Ice King Of Wellington opened in Wellington. The Florida “outlet” imports its ices from the Corona location. Check www.thelemoniceking.net for flavors. You can also check www.thelemonicekingofcorona.com for information/history about the original location.

The Lemon Ice King Of Wellington has something like 36 different flavors. I am telling you, lemon, cherry, chocolate, pistachio ices like you never tasted before…unless, you’ve been to the original location.

The Lemon Ice King Of Wellington is open Monday-Thursday 11am-9:30pm and Friday-Saturday 11am-10:30pm and Sunday noon-8:30pm.

***** Mario Bros Gourmet Pasta Restaurant, 1193 Royal Palm Beach Boulevard, Royal Palm Beach, Florida 33411, (561) 656-1990.

You ever wonder what happend to those “video” Mario Brothers? Anyway… got a terrific
“mom & pop” or shall I saw “brothers” red sauce Italian joint for you…Mario Bros Gourmet Pasta Restaurant in Royal Palm Beach.

This joint is a real hole in the wall…maybe seats 20. The food is right on the money…big portions…reasonable prices…tee shirt/shorts- dress of the day.

A recent outing had me doing—fried calamari, chicken marsala, eggplant parmesan, baked stuff filet of sole, manicotti. You can check menu/prices at www.mbpasta.com.

This one is a HOMERUN. The bet here, Mario Bros is probably better than your “favorite” mom & poppa.”

Mario Bros does dinner 7 days a week and lunch Tuesday-Friday.

***** Bud’s Chicken & Seafood, 509 East Boynton Beach Boulevard, Boynton Beach, Florida 33435, (561) 732-3618.

Bud’s Chicken & Seafood has been around since 1957. There are currently 7 locations in South Florida.

Let’s make this one short and real simple…If you change Bud’s name to BUD’S FRIED CHICKEN & FRIED SEAFOOD, you’ll know- exactly what old Bud’s is all-about.

Amazingly- delicious fried chicken and fried seafood items. For sure, they have a handful of salads, bbq ribs and non-fried stuff…but the game here–fried chicken, fried shrimp and fried corn fritters…just what the old cardiologist ordered. Throw in super reasonable prices, shorts/tee shirt friendly decor, super pleasant staff…and you got a huge winner.

Like I said before, there are currently 7 locations. You can check menu/prices/locations at www.budschicken.com.

Bud’s is open 7 days a week 10:30am-9pm