***** Bagel Emporium & Grille, 1238 South Dixie Highway, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, (305) 666-9519.

If you are over the age of 1 1/2—you know exactly what this Monday-Sunday 7am-3pm bagel joint looks like and what’s on its menu.

For those 17 months or younger— booth and table seating, deli display cases, bagels & bialys in wired baskets…all kinds of bagels, breakfast stuff, deli meats, soups, salads, sandwiches, knishes, fish platters.

To confirm what you know, think you know, or don’t know…check www.thebagelemporium.com for menu/prices.

I’m gonna guess here…I’m figuring the joint has been around -at least 25 years and looks “today” just as it did when it first opened.

Let’s talk food…

Recently did breakfast with Mrs. Jeff Eats. I did a western omelette and she had a corned beef omelette. Real good stuff.

Also did a takeout order…Took home a mixed bagel-dozen—plain, everything, pumpernickel, onion, poppy. The guy(s) who own this joint makes dynamite bagels. Looks to me like they’re boiled and then baked. Jeff Eats has eaten his fair share of South Florida bagels, Bagel Emporium’s are right up there with best of breed. That takeout order also included, 1/2 lb tuna salad, 1/2 lb chicken salad, 1/2 whitefish salad, 1/2 egg salad. Like the omelettes-real good stuff.

Based on breakfast and that takeout order…I’m gonna bet, that the “rest” of Bagel Emporium’s stuff is also real good. I got a “good” feel for this one.

One final note, this morning at 10:45 am I called Bagel Emporium. The phone was “answered” by an automated system, that eventually put me through to a live young-lady…I told her that I was writing a FAVORABLE article about Bagel Emporium and wanted to know—1. How long the store had been in business? 2. How many did it seat? 3. Were the bagels first boiled and then baked?—As you can see, these were real-tough questions. She said she didn’t know, but said she would “get” someone who did know, she then disconnected me. I immediately called back, got the same young-lady and told her she had disconnected me and she said and I quote, “He said he’s too busy to talk to you. Call back later or tomorrow.” I said, “I’m writing a FAVAORABLE ARTICLE right now, are you sure he can’t take two seconds to talk to me?”—and she hung up.

Anyway, you now about Bagel Emporium & Grille.

***** Platforms Dance Club, 99 Southeast 1st Avenue, Boca Raton, Florida 33432, (561) 392-6885.

Platforms is a 70s-80s-90s disco dance club in Boca Raton. The joint is about 4500 square feet, has 2- full bars and is decorated retro-look 70s-80s-90s…no food is served, but the staff “on request” will pickup up bar-style stuff from the next door sports bar. There is no admission or cover charge…the joint is open Friday and Saturday nights from 8pm-2am. Fridays feature some of South Florida’s best cover and tribute bands—Saturdays feature a dj spinning the best music of the 70s, 80s and 90s. You can check www.platformsnightclub.com for Patforms’ entertainment schedule/photos.

Platforms has been around since June 2011. To be perfectly honest with you, when Jeff Eats first heard about Platforms–the whole concept sounded kinda hokey to me…the name Platforms did absolutely nothing for me–and had me conjuring up in my mind, Vinnie Barbarino running around in a big old white polyester suit.

Anyway…I gotta tell you that I totally “missed” on this one… I and Mrs. Jeff Eats recently stopped in and-found Platforms to be a real fun joint that does a great job in bringing the sounds of the 70s-80s-90s back to life. The night we were there, Platforms was packed—I’m gonna guess–that at least 250 people ages 30-60 were partying away…and not one person was decked out in a white polyester suit. The night we were there, Anthology one of South Florida’s best Beatles tribute bands was headlining…and yes, I know, that The Beatles were a 60s group-you can take that “one” up with the joint’s owner!

Anyway…it was an absolute blast dancing to some really great covers.

If 70s-80s-90s music is your bag, I highly recommend that you give Platforms a try. Like I said a few seconds ago, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats had an absolute blast…something different to “do” on a Friday or Saturday night.

***** Shuckers On The Beach, 9800 South Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, Florida 34957, (772) 229-3006.

Shuckers On The Beach…for our purposes let’s call it a real casual “American” restaurant located at the Island Beach Resort in Jensen Beach.

When I “think” Shuckers- I’m thinking that this is an absolutely great joint to bring your out of town New York friends/relatives for either lunch or dinner (the joint also does breakfast on Sunday). As you guys eat on the outside patio–right on the OCEAN, they will be mumbling to themselves, how come I’m still living in a two-bedroom-two bath apartment on Queens Boulevard. Just so you know how to play Shuckers although it has an inside dining room, “feed” your guests outside–for full Florida impact.

At this stage of the game you can check www.islandbeachresort.net for menu/prices and loads of pictures.

Now nothing for nothing, we aren’t talking gourmet food here. What we are talking- decent enough stuff in a great “setting.” As a matter of fact, almost every day starting at 2pm Shuckers has live bands and other entertainment—so if you are-wanting to really rub it in, check the entertainment schedule so you’ll know as to exactly when to eat lunch or dinner at Shuckers. As if I didn’t have to tell you, if you aren’t in a bathing suit, shorts ensemble or something really-casual, you will feel really out of place.

Jeff Eats recently did lunch at Shuckers…”did” conch fritters appetizer, crab cake appetizer, chicken ranch wrap, blackened mahi-mahi sandwich, cheeseburger, french fries, onion rings. The food is good-“sports” bar quality. For those of you haven’t yet checked Shuckers’ menu, its got the fullboat of expected appetizers, sandwiches, salads, burgers, meat/chicken/seafood entrees…there is a bit of emphasis on seafood items. On the price front, keep in mind that this joint “is” located in a resort, so as Jeff Eats often finds- the prices are a few bucks more, but nothing that’s gonna kill you.

I really enjoyed Shuckers.

One final thought–in checking Shuckers’ entertainment schedule, it appears that 2-Fridays a month starting at 8pm it has The Critters on its stage. For those of you who aren’t familar with this band–in the 1960’s this group had Billboard chart hits with “Mr. Dyingly Sad”–“Younger Girl” and “Don’t Let The Rain Fall Down On Me”– Trust Jeff Eats (see 1/30/11 review) on this one, The Critters are one of the best oldies/party bands currently working the South Florida country club/bar-restaurant circuit.

Shuckers is open for breakfast on Sunday 8am-11am, Monday-Sunday for lunch/dinner 11am-9pm, its Tiki bar is open Monday-Sunday 11am-close.

***** THE ULTIMATE THRILLER ‘THE’ MICHAEL JACKSON TRIBUTE *****

Got a good one for you guys, that’s if you like Michael Jacskon…

Tomorrow morning (July 26, 2012) starting at 10am- Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com) has an internet pre-sale for The Ultimate Thriller ‘The’ Michael Jackson Tribute—which is scheduled for Saturday Night, September 1, 2012 at 8pm at Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. You must use the Code: THRILLER to get these tickets.

This touring show stars E. Casanova–one of the best Michael Jackson tribute artists in the world.

If this is your type of “game”–do a quick internet search on E. Casanova and the show itself. I think-actually I know, that you will find absolutely amazing video showing this guy in action as “Michael Jackson”…Also check www.theultimatethriller.com for video/audio/photos/tour information.

Trust me on this one, this “will” be one fantastic-show.

For the record, I know two of the “shows” creators. Back in late 2010 having completed a successful European tour, they told me about their plans to schedule a huge US tour. Well! It’s finally- arrived and you got a shot to get great tickets.

Just between you and me, I’ve seen videos and—I’ll bet you a buck that on September 1, 2012 a sold-out Hard Rock Live crowd is gonna swear that they are actually watching Michael Jackson on that arena’s stage.

One final thought… you and I both know, that “tribute” bands and shows are literally a dime a dozen down here in South Florida. Trust old Jeff Eats on this one, THE ULTIMATE THRILLER ‘THE’ MICHAEL JACKSON TRIBUTE isn’t your standard run-of-the-mill show. This is a HUGE 2 1/2 hour THEATRICAL production that plays on a whole nother level.

***** Brooklyn Oven, 26152 South Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs, Florida 34134, (239) 405-8957.

Well! I guess it isn’t the water…’cause I found absolutely dynamite NY STYLE PIZZA at “mom & pop” Brooklyn Oven in Bonita Springs.

Who woulda ever thunk–Bonita Springs, of all places!

In addition to a delicious thin-crisp-crust/sweet sauce pizza, Jeff Eats forced himself to “try”–antipasto salad, fried calamari, veal parmigiana, zuppa di pesci, spaghetti with marinara sauce. Trust me here, everything was right on the money and the garlic knots that came with the stuff were worth the price of admission alone. For you wise-guys out there–there were three of us–so there, Jeff Eats ain’t the pig that you were envisioning. You can check www.brooklynpizzapasta.com for menu/prices.

Brooklyn Oven’s menu has the full boat of appetizers, pastas, pizzas, calzones, strombolis, meat/chicken/seafood entrees, desserts. This is a real casual joint…with the most expensive menu item being the “aforementioned” zuppa di pesci which went for 25 bucks–it easily fed two. The veal-parm entree ran us $18. For you sticklers out there, the meat/chicken/seafood entrees come with a salad and a pasta or vegetable side.

Yesterday, Jeff Eats was soliciting your picks for “BEST MOM & POP RED SAUCE ITALIAN JOINT” in Dade-Broward-Palm Beach counties…now, you guys do know that Bonita Springs is in Lee County-don’tcha?…so all things being equal- “we” shouldn’t be seeing Brooklyn Oven on that list, should we? That said, I could easily see someone mistakenly listing it—because the food really is that good.

The bottomline…I really enjoyed Brooklyn Oven.

You guys now know about a really good “mom & pop” red sauce joint in Bonita Springs.

Brooklyn Oven is open, Sunday & Thursday 4pm-9pm, Friday & Saturday 4pm-10pm, closed Monday-Wednesday.

***** BEST “MOM & POP” ITALIAN RED SAUCE JOINT POLL *****

Just curious…what are your favorite “mom & pop” Italian red sauce joints in Dade-Broward-Palm Beach counites?

***** Chick-fil-A, 10300 West Forest Hill Boulevard, Wellington, Florida 33414, (561) 333-4242.

To make this one “easy” I copied the following from national fast-food chicken chain Chick-Fil-A’s website—www.chik-fil-a.com:

“It all started in 1946, when Truett Cathy opened his first restaurant, The Dwarf Grill, in Hapeville, Georgia. Credited with inventing Chick-fil-A’s boneless breast of chicken sandwich, Mr. Cathy founded Chick-fil-A, Inc. in the early 1960s and pioneered the establishment of restaurants in shopping malls with the opening of the first Chick-fil-A Restaurant at a mall in suburban Atlanta in 1967. Since then, Chick-fil-A has steadily grown to become the second largest quick-service chicken restaurant chain in the United States, with over 1,615 locations in 39 states and Washington, D.C. In 2011, annual sales were over $4.1 billion. Chick-fil-A is still privately held and family owned.”
*****

I’m gonna assume that everyone here is familar with Chick-fil-A…for our purposes, according to the Company’s website it currently has 155 locations in Florida…these “joints’ are all over the place with free-standing units as well as mall food court locations.

For those of you who don’t “know” about Chick-fil-A…the primary item sold is a lightly breaded/pressured cooked chicken breast…this item comes on a bun, in a salad, in a wrap or in nugget form–Chick-fil-A also has a chargrilled chicken and chicken salad…the joint does waffle fries and a handful of desserts. To liven up the discussion, we could “talk” about the religious/moral reasons why Chick-fil-A’s locations are closed on Sunday, but we won’t. We could also talk about its franchising business, which is just a “glorified” extremely well paying job for its franchisees, but we won’t. We could also talk about the Company’s long running “battle” with America’s gay-community over what the definition of “marriage” is, but we won’t. For those of you who like to “dig deeper”—do some online searching—the Chick-fil-A “story” is a real interesting read…Anyway, no matter how you slice it, Chick-fil-A is an amazing business success story…just imagine what its “numbers” would be if those 1,615 locations were open on Sunday!

This past Saturday afternoon, Jeff Eats found himself sitting in the food-court at The Mall At Wellington Green in Wellington—waiting patiently for 1-hour as Mrs. Jeff Eats shopped for God Only Knows For What! To be perfectly honest with you, Saturday isn’t usually a “mall-day” for Jeff Eats…Sunday, maybe—but Saturday is a rarity. I’ll betcha you a nickel, that most of you guys right about now “see” where I’m going with this tale…Anyway, low and behold right in front of me is this Chick-fil-A outlet pumping out a ton of stuff—and believe it or not, Jeff Eats in all his years has never-ever “had” anything from Chick-fil-A. So, I ordered the breaded chicken breast which came on a toasted buttered bun with pickle chips, a chicken salad sandwich on wheat bread, waffle fries. Let me make this real simple, the food was absolutely dynamite. Absolutely one of the best “fried” chicken items I’ve ever eaten—same for the chicken salad—the fries which were lightly salted were also delicious.

Let me wrap Chick-fil-A up this way…

Prior to eating this joint’s food, I really didn’t “appreciate”- why it had so many outlets, legendary loyal customers and the ability to be “closed” on Sunday. I do now…this is one Hell (oops!) of a fast-food chain.

***** Cafe Vincenzo, 5801 Margate Boulevard, Margate, Florida 33063, (954) 973-3400.

Got a good- Italian restaurant for you…Cafe Vincenzo- located in a “bombed-out” Margate shopping center.

Cafe Vincenzo- seats maybe 165 inside and another 150 on an outside patio. The joint looks like something right out of New York City’s Little Italy…loads of string-lights and the right amount of tackiness to make it really–cool. A full bar and a humongous flat screen television add to the decor.

Last night–I, Mrs. Jeff Eats and another couple gave Cafe Vincenzo a shot. “Sampled” stuff included–meatball appetizer ($9.95), small 14″ pizza ($10.95), house salad, spaghetti marinara, zuchini cream soup, veal parmigiana ($18.95), chicken scarpaiello ($17.95), baked lasagna ($13.95), shrimp scampi ($16.95)…most entrees come with soup/or salad and a pasta side…you can check menu/prices/information at www.cafe-vincenzo.com.

Let me give you some brief-history here…Cafe Vincenzo is located in the exact- same spot where Trattoria Bella Cibo (reviewed 11/14/10) was…I have no idea why Trattoria Bella Cibo closed, but it appears that a fellow named Vincent Chase purchased the “location” in late December 2011 keeping the exact same decor but bringing in a whole new staff, chef and menu. For those of you who may-be curious, no- this Vincent Chase isn’t the “fictional” Vincent Chase of HBO’s Entourage series. I will tell you, that this Vincent Chase is as personable as can be and during the 3 hours we were there, he made the rounds checking every table. Not to be accused of being a sexist– his wife Lynn, who serves as the primary hostess is also as personable as can be-also making the rounds to make sure everything was A-OK.

Last night we arrived at 8pm. Just so you know, this is a real casual joint, so basically any type of “dress” goes. When we arrived, the restaurant’s patio had a private party going on…from the look of things, the folks were having a blast. Inside, about half-of the joint’s tables were taken and the full service bar area had about 75 or so. For what it’s worth, Cafe Vincezo was very ‘busy” for a Saturday night in July down here in South Florida.

When you check Cafe Vincenzo’s website, you will find that it has live entertainment Wednesday-Saturday nights. Last night a really good 3-man singing group “Now & Then” dished-up doo-wop, disco and standard covers…these guys were very entertaining and had many in the bar area up and dancing.

Now let me get back to the food…is this the best red sauce Italian stuff that I’ve eaten? Nope! I will tell you, that I really enjoyed the pizza (thin crisp crust, sweet sauce)…I thought, that- the on the bone chicken scarpaiello was absolutely delicious–the rest of the food was okay- but nothing to get nuts over. Trust me, I’ve eaten better and then again, I’ve eaten worse. Based on food alone, would I go back? Sure, but like most joints that Jeff Eats has been to, Cafe Vincenzo does some dishes better than others. Hey Vinnie if you are reading this, lose the dipping bread in olive oil gig and get some real garlic bread or garlic knots on the table—throw another cutlet into the veal parmigiana dish-the portion is a bit on the skimpy side. One other thing, I love sweet marinara sauce-actually I could drink-a quart of it for breakfast every day-the one you got is a drop too sweet even for a guy like me. These few things are no biggies, easily handled.

When you check Cafe Vincenzo’s website you will find that the joint is open, Sunday & Tuesday 4pm-9pm, Wednesay 4pm-9:30pm, Thursday 4pm-11pm, Friday 4pm-midnight, Saturday 4pm-1am, closed on Monday.

Let me sum Cafe Vincenzo up for you…last night Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and our friends had a terrific time. The food as described was just-fine. What made the night special was, the joint’s fun atmosphere. As I mentioned, during the 3 hours that we were there, we were entertained by “Now & Then”…while they were on, people ate and moved around the room, talking to total strangers at other tables…it was like a big house party. During the evening, entertainers from other local singing groups “guest appeared” and sang with the group…I even spotted song-writer/record producer Paul Vance eating and partying with the crowd…you do recall the hits, “Catch A Falling Star” (Perry Como)–“Gina” (Johnny Mathias)–“What Would My Mary Say?” (Johnny Mathias)–“Tracy” (The Cufflinks)–“Leader of The Laundry Mat” (The Detergents)— and “Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” (Brian Hyland)–don’tcha?

Let’s do it this way, for the same amount that it would have cost us to eat at almost any local mom & pop red sauce joint…we- instead got to “attend” a real fun party.

***** glassdoor *****

Got a really interesting website for you guys…www.glassdoor.com.

The site allows you to get what may-be an “inside” look into various companies.

The way the site works…type in a company’s name and you’ll find what are purported to be employee comments about working conditions, salaries, hiring practices, sales and other “good stuff.”

Jeff Eats found the site very interesting.

Of course, like you I read everything with a “grain of salt.”

***** Richie’s Gourmet Italian Ices, 898 East Commercial Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33334 (954) 772-1183.

Let me make this “one” real-simple…if you like “Italian Ices” (and who doesn’t?) you are gonna love Richie’s Gourmet Italian Ices in Fort Lauderale.

As a kid growing up in Brooklyn in the 1950s-1960s- I was literally raised on pizza slices and Italian Ices. Back then, slices were 15 cents and ices in a paper squeeze cup ran a nickel a scoop. For you purists out there, that 15-cent slice (in my neighborhood, anyway) jumped to 20 cents in 1966. Anyway…

Back then, my modus operandi was to have 2 slices with a large Coke in the pizza joint…and then get two scoops–1 lemon and 1-cherry to go. The whole “bill” 50 cents…for you math mavens, assuming that I’m talking 1964, how much did the large Coke cost?

For you youngsters out there, back in the 50s and 60s the pizza joints- for sure “had” cherry and lemon and just maybe chocolate and rainbow…but that’s it! Just so you know, back then and even today, it’s a toss-up between lemon and cherry as to which I like better.

Now- let’s discuss Richie’s Gourmet Italian Ices…

Richie’s is a walk-up/drive-thru stand…it’s been around for something like 20 years…all of its ices are homemade…it has 13 “standard” flavors every day and 3 “rotating” flavors every day…it also sells coffee–from what I understand, Richie’s does a big takeout coffee business, but Jeff Eats didn’t try a cup–because all coffee tastes the same to these tastebuds… You can check www.richiesgourmetitalianices.com for flavors/photos/other information.

Now you gotta trust me here…

I know my Italian Ices. I’ve been eating the “stuff” for over 60 years. I’ve eaten it all over and have dripped it on my shirt more times than I care to remember. To this very day, lemon and cherry are still my favorites, but over the years I’ve tried-sampled every conceivable flavor and combination. AND let me tell you, Richie’s lemon and cherry are right up there with best of breed. Not to sound sacreligious or nothing, but Richie’s tangerine and vanilla chip ain’t no slouches either.

Like I said before, if you like Italian ices you are going to love Richie’s Gourmet Italian Ices. Just so you know, Richie’s ices don’t go for 5 cents a scoop, but you knew that already.

Richie’s is open Monday-Friday 7am-10pm and Saturday-Sunday 11am-10pm.