***** Scorch Grill House/Wine Bar, 13750 Biscyane Boulevard, North Miami Beach, Florida 33181, (305) 949-5588.

Scorch Grill House/Wine Bar…”American Style” pub-joint located in North Miami Beach. You can check menu/prices/photos at www.scorchgrillhouse.com.

Now you figure this one out…Scorch Grill House/Wine Bar is Houston’s minus the steroids. I absolutely loved this joint’s indoor/outdoor patio seating hip-retro diner look. The joint does both lunch and dinner…its menu—appetizers, salads, burgers, meat/chicken/seafood has enough stuff so no-body in your party is gonna go home hungry.

I recently did dinner at Scorch. The “test” chopped steak ($16.95), roast chicken (1/2- $13.95), St. Louis Ribs (full rack-$18.95), grilled salmon ($17.45), beef kebob ($14.95), cheeseburger ($10.95)…every dish was right on the money. Of the group–my favorites were the St. Loius Ribs and the cheeseburger, both- really delicious.

Scorch is owned/operated by two guys originally from Colombia (for you wise-guys out there, no, not Columbia, North Carolina!) so don’t be surprised to see words like tostones, ceviche, chimichurri on the menu–like I said before, the menu has everybody covered.

Scorch is open Monday-Thursday 11:30am-10:30pm, Friday 11:30am-11:30pm, Saturday noon-11:30pm, Sunday noon-10pm, Sunday brunch noon-3pm.

***** Gables Pizza & Salad, 1558 South Dixie Highway, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, (305) 666-5990.

Got a really good “fast food” pizza joint for you…Gables Pizza & Salad in Coral Gables. You can check menu/prices at www.gablespizzaandsalad.com.

If you can live without a waiter or waitress bringing you-your food…I think you will enjoy this joint. The menu has pizzas (whole pies and slices), salads, pastas, sandwiches, wraps. wings. A recent outing had me trying a slice of pizza ($2.49), greek salad ($7.99), beef lasagna ($7.99), meatball sub ($6.99). The food was right on the money.

Although it looks like your typical “mom & pop” Italian pizza joint, Gables Pizza & Salad, isn’t. Now, no disrepect intended to the moms & pops out there…but, the guys running this show know- that not everyone, is like old Jeff Eats and is “satisfied” with just a slice and a large Coke—that’s why they got terrific salads and a “Create Your Own Salad” situation. Throw in wraps, wings, and stuff like tomato-spinach-or honey wheat tortillas and these boys can “handle” the food demands of all-comers.

This is a real good one.

Gables Pizza & Salad is open Monday-Thursday 11am-midnight, Friday-Saturday 11am-1am, Sunday noon-11pm.

***** White Lion Cafe, 146 Northwest 7th Street, Hometsead, Florida 33033, (305) 248-1076.

White Lion Cafe: house becomes antique shop—antique shop then adds restaurant. You can check www.whitelioncafe.com for menu/prices/loads of photos.

Absolutely loved this “American” style lunch-dinner joint.

A recent dinner outing had me “doing”—crab cakes ($12.95), meatloaf ($10.95), skirt steak ($16.95), prime rib (queen $18.95). Trust me on this, the food is absolutely delicious. The service is as pleasant as can be. The decor—antique store meets family run cafe—tons of stuff to look at before-during-after eating.

White Lion Cafe is a real-nice change from the “standard” chain look…from the moment you walk in—you know that this is a one of a kind.

White Lion is open for lunch Monday-Saturday 11am-3pm and for dinner Tuesday-Saturday 5pm- til the fat lady sings.

***** Diamond Strike Lanes, 2200 North Federal Highway, Pompano Beach, Florida 33062, (954) 941-0968.

Diamond Strike Lanes is a “bowling alley” located in Pompano Beach. It first opened for business in 1958. The last time I bowled—I’m gonna figure 14 years ago and maybe I clocked in with a 117 game. To be perfectly honest with you, I haven’t paid any real attention to the “bowling game” since Dick Weber and Ray Bluth were tearing up the lanes. For you youngsters out there…that was a long-long time ago.

Q: So Jeff, if bowling isn’t your game, what were you doing at Diamond Strike on Saturday night May 14th at 8:45 pm.
A: I went to Diamond Strike to checkout The Beatlemaniax a local Beatles- tribute band…who were playing in Diamond’s “Sports Bar & Grill”—it’s located inside of the bowling alley. On weekends, various local bands work the room. There is no table service—order food at the bar and it’s delivered to your table. On a crowded night (like last night) this was —borderline chaos and confusion.

The results– The Beatlemaniax are a terrific tribute act. Great- Beatles’ covers. As for the Sports Bar… limited menu of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, wings. You can check www.diamondstrikelanes.com for menu/prices/hours. As for the “sampled” cheeseburger, french fries, turkey club, onion rings—decent enough sports bar stuff-but nothing earth-shattering!

Q: Jeff, would you go back to this Sports Bar?
A: There is no charge to watch bands. So yes I would go back to watch “certain” bands. Since this is a business, food and beverages should be purchased. As a stand alone restaurant without “entertainment”—let’s just say, I’ve eaten better stuff. Just so you know, when Jeff Eats does an “outing” like The Beatlemaniax at Diamond Strike Lanes- I go in knowing what to expect. You guys got to understand, that bands/bar food–it’s all good! Just looking for a fun time–not trying to cure cancer.

All in all…The Beatlemaniax at Diamond Strike Lanes- was a fun evening.

***** Marola’s Restaurant, 929 North University Drive, Coral Springs, Florida 33071, (954) 796-0544.

If you want to know about an absolutely terrific Italian joint…Marola’s Restaurant in Coral Springs–you gotta do me a favor and first- read Jeff Eats’ review of Fra Diavolo (Januray 9, 2007). Go ahead, I willl wait!

Now this may-be a bit convoluted…but I’ll get there.

Marola’s and Fra Diavolo are “some-how” owned and operated by the same folks. The ownership story is a bit confusing—so I’ll let you figure out who (or is it whom?) is related to who (or is it whom?). You can “read” Marola’s story and check menu/prices www.marolascoralsprings.com.

Over the years, I must have eaten at Fra Diavolo at least 15 times. The food has always been delicious…service has always been terrific…super-reasonable prices.

The other night…dinner at Marola’s “netted” me fried calamari,mozzarella fritta, penne alla vodka, veal parmigiana, zuppa di pesce, veal marsala. Now for the skinny—the food was delicious, the service was terrific and the prices were super-reasonable. For you Early Birders out there, like Fra Diavolo, Marola’s has a deal— EVERY entree on the menu comes with soup or caesar salad, dessert and coffee.

As I mentioned before, I’ve eaten in Fra Diavolo quite a few times—based on memory and my very sensitive tastebuds, I’d “say” that Marola’s food tastes just like Fra Diavolo’s stuff. A cursory review of both menus, tells me that Fra Diavolo has a bigger menu but Marola’s prices are a few bucks cheaper…for example Marola’s veal marsala goes for $16.95 and Fra Diavollo fetches $19.95. For the inquisitive, you can check Fra Diavolo’s menu/prices at www.fradiavolorestaurant.com.

Enough nitpicking…I really enjoyed Marola’s.

You now know about Marola’s and have been re-introduced to Fra Diavolo.

Marola’s is open for dinner- Sunday, Tuesday-Thursady 4:30pm-10pm, Friday-Saturday 4:30pm-11pm, for lunch Tuesday -Friday 11:30am-3pm. The joint is closed on Monday.

***** Isabella’s Pizza & Pasta, 1571 South Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316, (954) 767-2060.

Absolutely- loved Isabella’s Pizza & Pasta in Fort Lauderdale. Good “mom & pop” red sauce food, hole in the wall decor, cheap prices, big portions, casual, pleasant staff, delicious garlic knots.

Talk about casual…when you check www.isabellapizzapasta.com for menu/prices–take a gander at the “dining room” photo.

Isabella’s is open 7 days a week 11am-11pm.

A recent dinner had me “netting” veal parmigiana ($10.95 inlcudes pasta side), meat lasagna ($8.95), shrimp fra diavolo ($11.45 includes pasta side), eggplant rolatinni ($8.95 includes pasta side), large 16″ pizza ($10.95), penne ala vodka ($8.95)—everything was right on the money—with the thin crust pizza/sweet sauce getting a special shout-out…same goes for the garlic knots.

Isabella’s is about as “simple” as mom & pop Italian joints get. Everything I tried was “solid”…to be perfectly honest with you, I couldn’t find one item to bitch about.

Like I said before, I loved Isabella’s—this joint is definitely not for the haute-taute players.

***** China Gourmet, 1098 Hillsboro Boulevard, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33441 (954) 428-8888.

China Gourmet…very good Chinese joint in Deerfield Beach, operative words here, VERY GOOD

Not sure if this is a trend—but I am finding that more and more South Florida Chinese joints—now. also have Japanese menus. So I guess, that China Gourmet is a “trendsetter” because it offers both Chinese and Japanese food. You can check both menus/prices at www.chinagourmet.info.

China Gourmet has been around for something like 40 years…kinda surprised that I hadn’t heard about it until 3-weeks ago…Anyway, using my “Jewish-Brooklyn” circa 1950 taste-test of- wonton soup, pan fried dumplings, bbq ribs, egg rolls, roast pork fried rice, sweet & sour chicken, pepper steak, General Tso’s chicken, shrimp in black bean sauce, vanilla ice cream, fortune cookie—I am happy to report, that China Gourmet’s food is very good.

Let me sum China Gourmet up for you—now follow me here…I enjoyed every dish that I had. With that in mind, no-one item totally knocked my socks off, like Bamboo Wok’s (review: 5/7/10) boneless ribs or pan fried dumplings…or Wingloon’s (review: 1/18/11) garlic chicken did. “Solid” is the best way to describe this joint. By the way, don’t let the GOURMET part of China Gourmet’s name throw you off, this is a neighborhood–mom & pop–combination plate specials galore- joint.

One final note, I didn’t try the Japanese stuff, afterall—this is really a Chinese restaurant.

China Gourmet is open Monday-Thursday 11:30-10pm, Friday 11:30am-10:30pm, Saturday 1pm-10:30pm, Sunday 3pm-10pm.

***** Bagel Wit A Schmear, 4251 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, (561) 416-2900.

Can’t believe I got done-in by a 10 year old kid last night. Was talking to this kid while waiting to pickup food and I asked him…”How many 4 cent stamps are there in a dozen?—and the kid says to me, “Is that a standard dozen or is that a baker’s dozen?”

Got a really-good bagel-deli joint for you—Bagel Wit A Schmear in Boca Raton. Talk about the consummate hole in the wall—one “card table” for 4 and 8 window counter stool seats, a couple of display cases, open baking/prep area…that’s the whole megillah—under construction, an outdoor patio that seats 16.

At this stage of the proceedings check www.bagelwitaschmear.com for menu/prices.

Bagel Wit A Schmear has been around for something like 1-year. It is owned/operated by husband/wife team, Jim & Patti Higgins—she runs the counter, he runs the back of the house.

Let’s talk food.

The joint has 7,000 different types of bagels…which are “made” the correct way, that being boiled and then baked. A recent taste test had me “doing” an- everything, sesame, garlic, onion, pupernickel, cheese (asiago) and french toast. All of them were A-OK…special shout-out to the french toast bagel—toasted at home with a drop of butter and maple syrup, off the chart.

In addition to bagels, bialys, flagels…Bagels Wit A Schmear bakes its own breads and muffins. The joint’s menu is loaded with various cream cheeses, breakfast dishes, salads, sandwiches, deli meats, soups. Just so you know, I “sampled” the chicken/tuna/whitefish salads—they were absolutely delicious.

Like I told you before, Bagel Wit A Schmear is a hole in the wall. There is very limited indoor seating…so don’t plan on bringing grandma, grandpa, Aunt Rosie, Uncle Saul, your wife (or husband) and your 3 kids there tomorrow for Mother’s Day. Then again—you could order stuff and eat at home.

You now know about a really good bagel-deli joint.

Bagel Wit A Schmear is open Monday-Saturday 7am-3pm and Sunday 7am-1pm.

One final note, a baker’s dozen of bagels runs $9.50.

***** The X Factor *****

Got an interesting deal for you guys.

If you “follow” American Idol—you know that this past season, judge Simon Cowell left the show. You also know, that this coming FALL on Fox, he is introducing his new show, The X Factor-a singing competition. This show has been getting a huge buzz…Run a search on The X Factor and you will find tons of articles about this show, Cowell and everything in-between. This tv-show is already a major hit in Europe and FOX is betting that the U.S. version will be a ratings blockbuster.

Anyway…on Tuesday, June 14, 2011 at 1pm and 6pm at the BankUnited Center, 1245 Dauer Drive, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, Cowell and cast are going to tape two-episodes.

Now, if this kinda stuff is you game, you can get up to four- FREE tickets to attend each of the tapings. All you gotta do, is go to On Camera Audiences at www.on-camera-audiences.com and enter an order.

***** Mugs Sports Grill, 2671 East Oakland Park Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33306, (954) 566-7782.

Mugs Sports Grill… decent food, booze, reasonable prices, flat screen tvs galore.

You can check menu/prices/photos at www.mugsbar.com.

Mugs is open Sunday-Thursday 11am-2am, Friday-Saturday 11am-3am.