***** Mark Anthony, Rus Anderson, Mark Anthony Band

The other night, I attended a private party—that featured tribute performances to- Billy Joel and Elton John. An absolutely incredible show, starring Mark Anthony as Billy Joel and Rus Anderson as Elton John. Both performers looked-and-sounded just like the “real” guys. Backed by the Matk Anthony Band (4 musicians), Anthony and Anderson had a crowd of 360 dancing-singing for hours.

Over the past years, I have seen a “number” of tribute performers…The Beatles, Neil Diamond, The Rolling Stones, The Blues Brothers—just to name a few. I am telling you, these two guys are right up there with the best acts going. In addition, the Mark Anthony Band is a full party-band–covering 1950s-to today’s tunes.

Let me send you to Anthony’s site www.markanthonyband.com and Anderson’s site www.rusandersonmusic.com —checkout their videos and I think you will be amazed at how good these guys are. It is freaking uncanny how they “become” Joel & John.

From what I understand, both Anthony and Anderson are based-out of Tampa, where they are in constant demand on the party/club circuit.

If you can, check these guys out “live”…they really are that good.

***** Davito’s Italian Restaurant, 19635 State Road 7, Boca Raton, Florida 333498, (561) 482-2323.

Got a good “pop & pop” red sauce Italian joint for you…Davito’s Italian Restaurant which opened 2-weeks ago in Boca Raton. The “pops” that own this joint are Vito Raneri and Dave Acker. Of note, Raneri is the former owner of Dominic’s II (see Dominc’s II review 3/12/08)—suffice it to say, this guy knows how to run a restaurant, consistently serving reasonably priced (the most expensive item on the menu is zuppa di pesce at $22.95)–good food.

Let’s make a long story short.

About a month ago Raneri & Acker “acquired” Anna’s Kitchen (see Anna’s Kitchen review 10/10/09). From what I can tell, other than a sign here and there…the decor is exactly the same—same goes for the plates, silverware, etc. Why Anna’s which opened in October. 2009 didn’t make it, is up for grabs?

One thing that Anna’s “had” decor-wise that I didn’t care for—large oversized wooden tables. Now I’m no decorator, but these tables, make what is basically a small dining space, look/feel even tighter than it really is. Hey! Vito and Dave, this table thing is something you should definitely “think about.”

Last night, Jeff Eats gave Davito’s a shot…arriving at 7:30pm, we were greeted by a packed-house and a 30 minute wait. From a quick “survey”…every person there, was a Vito Raneri “follower.” Like I said before (and in the original Dominic’s II writeup)…Mr. Raneri knows how to run a restaurant and treat customers, just right. Of note, last night, partner Dave Acker was the “master of ceremonies”-making sure, that everything in the “front of the house” was right on target.

Now let’s talk food…garlic rolls, minestrone soup, veal parmigiana, ziti with marinara sauce, chicken sorrentino—A-OK!! I’m gonna bet, Davito’s food is almost, if not, as good as the stuff that your favorite “mom & pop” serves. One final note, friends Jessica and Joe, who just happen to be Italian—thought that the chicken scarpariello and mussels marinara were outrageously delicious…with Joe soaking up every drop of the scarpariello sauce with garlic rolls. Then again, Joe thought that the Yankees were going to be in the 2010 World Series—and we all know how that turned out, don’t we?

In a nutshell, the menu is loaded with tons of appetizers, salads, pastas, veal/chicken/seafood, pizzas. For you hungry folks…the requisite garlic rolls/soup or salad/entree/pasta side—are abundant.

If you are so inclined—a cursory look of Jeff Eats’ index will reveal-that over the past 5 years-243 different South Florida Italian restaurants have been “sampled.” Really don’t have time to put them in numerical-favorite order, but let’s just say, that if you try Davito’s, you won’t be disappointed.

Davito’s is open, Monday-Thursday 11am-10pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-11pm and Sunday noon-10pm.

***** Mr. Gyros Famous Greek Sandwiches, 6341 North Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309, (954) 634-9767.

Got an absolutely terrific GREEK fast-food joint for you…Mr. Gyros Famous Greek Sandwiches in Fort Lauderdale—order at/pickup at counter. You can check menu/prices at www.mrgyrosfamous.com.

Trust me on this one, some of the best gryo, chicken souvlaki, pork souvlaki, grilled chicken breast, tzatziki…that you will ever eat. Special shout-out, to Mr. Gyros’ hand-cut french fries, amazingly delicious.

Mr. Gyros is open Monday-Thursday 11am-9pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-10pm. The joint is closed on Sunday.

***** Dragon Gourmet Buffet, 1091 South University Drive, Plantation, Florida 33324, (954) 423-8088.

The “name” may throw you off…the words “Chinese”–“Japanese”–“Asian”–“Fusion” are nowhere to be found. So there is no confusion, Dragon Gourmet is a Chinese-Japanese-Asian-Fusion buffet-joint in Plantation.

This one is a KEEPER. Clean…good food…huge and I do mean HUGE selection of stuff (didn’t count– its website says that there are 200 different items)…very reasonable prices, figure max 16 bucks a head (it all depends when you get there). You can check menu/prices/photos at www.dragongourmetbuffet.com.

Over the past few months, I’ve done 1-dinner and 2-lunches…the food was consistently good. On all of the “outings”…Dragon was busy and the food was constantly turned-over, which is IMPORTANT when you are talking buffet. Just think of what freshly made fried chicken tastes like after its sat in a heated steamed “chafing” dish for 45 minutes or so (but that”s a Golden Corral story for a whole-nother day).

To be perfectly honest with you, Jeff Eats is a big-fan of buffets. Can’t remember, the last one that I didn’t enjoy. May need a psychiatrist to figure this one out, but just looking at mounds and mounds of food just-sitting-there-for-the-taking, gets me going.

If you are a fan of Chinese-Japanese buffets, I think that you will really like this one. Special shout-out to the General Tso’s chicken, pan fried dumplings, egg rolls, sweet and sour chicken.

Dragon is open Monday-Thursday 11am-10pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-11pm, Sunday 11am-9:30pm.

***** Cheesesteak Experience, 2900 West Sample Road, Pompano Beach, Florida 33079, (954) 580-1488.

Got an absolutely terrific “PHILLY CHEESESTEAK” joint for you…Cheesesteak Experience- located in the Festival Flea Market Mall’s fast-food court.

At this stage of the discussion, check www.philly-cheesesteaks.com for menu/prices. For those of you too lazy to “type”—this fast food joint’s menu is loaded with steak/chicken cheesesteak subs, wraps, sandwiches, burgers, subs, salads.

Trust me on this…Cheesesteak Experience makes a chopped- sirloin steak/grilled onions/Whiz/ Amoroso’ sub, that is right up there with the best that I have ever eaten. For the non- experts out there, WHIZ is sprayed cheedar cheese and Amoroso’s is a world famous bakery located in Philadelphia- which many think, makes the best sub-hoagie-grinder bread known to mankind. Going off topic for a moment, Cheesesteak Experience also makes an outrageously delicious tuna salad sub.

IN SEASON–The Festival Flea Market Mall’s food court on a Saturday or Sunday is literally a zoo. I was there today at 2:30pm and you’d swear from the lines, that the food concessions were giving stuff away. For right now, the food court has 3 delis, 1 chinese joint, 1 pizza place, 1 philly cheesesteak/sub/salad/burger joint. The point, this food court has enough of a selection to please everyone. Soooo…don’t worry, that someone in your party is gonna go home hungry.

I am telling you, if you are a fan of philly cheesesteaks—Cheesesteak Experience is an absolute must try.

The Festival Flea Market Mall’s food court is open 7 days a week.

***** Olympia Flame Diner, 80 South Federal Highway, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33441, (954) 480-8402.

For you guys out there who like “free standing” diners, I got Olympia Flame Diner in Deerfield Beach for you. Check www.olympiaflamediner.com for menu/prices. This mom & pop joint has the full gamut of breakfast stuff, appetizers, salads, sandwiches, meat/seafood/chicken entrees, desserts…it also has tons of Greek dishes, which I guess- “officially” makes it a Greek Diner.

Over the years, I must have eaten breakfast in this joint 10 times, lunch/dinner 5 times. Good solid, reasonably priced D I N E R–F O O D. If you squint your eyes real tight, you’ll actually think you are on Route 4 in New Jersey. Since we are in sunny South Florida, you already know that Olympia Diner is open 7 days a week 5:30am-10pm…God forbid (other than Lester’s Diner in Fort Lauderdale) something should stay open 24 hours.

Personally, I love diners…If a not too thick greasy cheeseburger, Coke and french-fries covered in ketchup rings your bell—you’ll love the Olympia Flame Diner.

***** Chef Sammy’s Doral Italian Restaurant, 9533 Northwest 41st Street, Doral, Florida 33178, (866) 874-0238.

Chef Sammy’s Doral Italian Restaurant–I’m gonna guess here, that this 80 seat Italian restaurant in Doral is owned by a guy named Sammy.

Loved this joint! The veal parmigiana, meat lasagna, fettuccine carbonara, chicken marsala, seared tuna were all delicious. Not your typical “mom & pop” red sauce-bang it out–joint. Prices, no more than what your favorite pizzeria gets. Check www.chefsammysdoral.com.

Chef Sammy’s decor is a drop-more upscale than your “normal” Italian joint…but dont-you-a-worry, your tee shirt/shorts ensemble will do-a just fine here.

Like I said before, loved it!. The food, service, portions, prices–right on the nose.

Chef Sammy’s is open for lunch Monday-Friday 11:30am-3pm…and for dinner, Monday-Thursday 5:30pm-10pm, Friday-Saturday 5:30pm-11pm—the joint is closed on Sunday.

***** California Burgers & Shakes, 5441 North Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33308, (954) 533-4679.

California Burgers & Shakes—fast food hamburgers/fries/hot dogs/shakes/handful of other stuff (so the non-meat eating members of the family won’t be pissed.)

The double charbroiled cheeseburger ($4.49)– handcut fries ($1.99)–banana shake ($2.99)–chocolate shake ($2.99) were all delicious. Mom & Pop decor, that makes Five Guys’ interior look like the Taj Mahal. I liked the whole “neighborhood” vibe. Nice change from the sterile-cookie cutter models floating around South Florida…not even one peanut in sight.

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

The joint is open Sunday-Thursday 11am-9pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-10pm.

***** Joanna’s Marketplace, 8247 South Dixie Highway, Miami, Florida 33143, (305) 661-5777.

There are actually some people in this world who think that Papa John’s–Domino’s–Little Caesar’s make “real pizza”…same goes for Publix in the baked goods-prepared meals-appetizing arenas—ditto on Subway in the sub/hero/sandwich department.

I’m gonna make this one real simple…Joanna’s Marketplace is a terrific joint for appetizing, sandwiches, baked goods, prepared foods. Their fresh roasted turkey breast, tuna salad, sliced flank steak sandwiches are off the chart…same goes for the chocolate croissants, rye breads…the orange glazed chicken, outstanding.

If you live or work anywhere near Joanna’s Marketplace, this is an absolutely great place to know about. You can check menu/prices at www.joannasmarketplace.com.

Joannas’ is open Monday-Saturday 7:30am-7pm and Sunday 7:30am-6pm.

***** The Crittters *****

Regular Jeff Eats’ readers know, or should know by now, that I love 1950s-1960s Rock N’ Roll music. I am also a huge fan of 1970s Disco music. Whenever I come across a terrific “cover band” down here in South Florida, I like to give you a heads-up about them and where you can see them in action.

Last night, the Woodfield Country Club in Boca Raton had a terrific event in its Clubhouse O’Bar…from 6:30pm-9:30pm a crowd of about 250 was treated to the sounds of The Critters. Simply put, this was one of the best 1950s-2011 cover bands that I have ever seen. Of note, The Critters in the 1960s had three Billboard charters “Mr. Dieingly Sad”–“Younger Girl”–“Don’t Let The Rain Fall Down On Me.” Not only did this 4 peice band do dead on “versions” of their own hit records, but absolutely killed-it with Motown-Disco–and stuff right up to 2011. Another thing that impressed me, was that the band took one 10 minute break during the entire 3 hour performance.

As I mentioned, I saw The Critters at a private event—only members and their invited guests. Now for the good news, The Critters who are based out of Port St. Lucie have a very active “public” schedule. If you check their website www.thecrittersband.com you can catch some video/history/performance dates-locations. A fast-look at their February public schedule has them in Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Port Salerno, Jensen Beach, Fort Pierce.

Do yourself a favor—Plan on spending an evening with The Critters…they really are that good.