P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, 1400 Glades Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, (561) 393-3722.

P.F. Chang’s China Bistro… national, semi-upscale Chinese chain.

Just got home from eating at P.F. Chang’s China Bistro in Boca Raton. I know-I know-I know, “everyone” loves this Chinese joint. To be perfectly honest with you, my family raves about P.F. Chang’s food….same goes for tons of my friends.

Call me the exception to the rule, but personally, I wouldn’t give you 5 cents for P.F. Chang’s food.

This evening I “sampled” egg drop soup, wonton soup, hot & sour soup, spare ribs, egg rolls, pan fried dumplings, mongolian beef, honey chicken, chicken with cashews, shrimp with lobster sauce—now, no fooling here, I thought that each and every dish was lousy. If you took this stuff–out of its fancy surroundings and served it at a “mom & pop” joint…the bet here, is that the mom & pop wouldn’t last very long. By the way, the mom & pop would probably charge 50% less for the same dishes.

Like I said before, this chain’s got a tremendous reputation… and tonight’s 30 minute 8pm wait tells me that tons of people love “it.”

I maybe crazy…but like I said before, I wouldn’t give you 5 cents for the food.

The way I see it, P.F. Chang’s is “chain food”…I checked the Boca location and the staff does have 2 Chinese employees…one works the kitchen, the other as a server. Now I’m not saying that you have to be Chinese to make good Chinese food…what I am saying is that P.F. Chang’s is “formula” food…anybody can make its food. The wontons were in a chicken broth and were as flimsy as a Kleenex. The spare ribs were covered in a sauce that was so–“something” that half-of them went “un”eaten. The cashew chicken wasn’t even as good as the Mall stuff you get for $4.99. Trust me, your favorite Chinese restaurant does every dish listed above better…and I say this, even though I probably haven’t been to your favorite.

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

P.F. Chang’s is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.

***** Dowtown Pizza, 608 Lake Avenue, Lake Worth, Florida 33460, (561) 586-6448.

Dowtown Pizza…”mom & pop” red sauce Italian joint located in Lake Worth.

Now, you and I know that joints like Downtown Pizza are a dime a dozen down here in South Florida. Actually, they are a dime a dozen in every town in America—with that in mind, I gave Downtown Pizza a “dinner” shot last week. Before you check menu/prices at www.downtown-pizza.com…picture in your mind-what you think this joint’s menu is all-about—correcto-mento…the usual appetizers, pizzas, subs, calzones, pastas, chicken/meat/seafood dishes—

Trust me on this one, delicious New York Style pizza…thin crust, a real-nice sweet sauce. Also tried- chicken parmigiana sub, meat lasagna, veal marsala…ok, but nothing to get nuts over.

So…If you live or work in Downtown’s neighborhood, you now know where you can get a real-good slice and decent enough-other stuff.

Downtown Pizza is open Monday-Thursday 11am-11pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-2am, Sunday 11am-10pm.

***** Nicks Pizzeria & Bar, 2240 Northwest 19th Street, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, (561) 368-2900.

As I’ve done numerous times in the past…let me tell you about a terrific joint that “basically” nobody else in South Florida knows about. Say hello to Nicks Pizzeria & Bar, which opened 2-days ago in Boca Raton. This restaurant is soooo-new, that a few days ago, its owners were still tinkering with its name…finally deciding on Nicks Pizzeria & Bar instead of the “original” handle—Nick’s New Haven-Style Pizzeria & Bar.

Here’s the story…Last night I had dinner at this “coal fired” pizza joint–and I gotta tell you, it absolutely blew me away. First of all, for a joint opened only 2- days, the service was right on. The decor is dynamite, with a dark wood 1940s-1950s theme. There are inside booths/tables–outdoor tables. The joint has a full bar area/handful of flat screen tvs and a completly open kitchen. The piped in music, features doo wop, 1950’s-1960’s oldies…though I did hear a couple of Green Eyed Peas’ numbers in the mix.

Let’s talk food…all kinds of- appetizers, salads, wraps, subs (they call them grinders), pizza flats, pastas, desserts. You can do a GOOGLE on what “New Haven Style” pizza is all about…basically, crust-tomato sauce-romano cheese-oregano. NOTICE! there is no mozzarella cheese in the mix. Just so you know, in addition to “this” New Haven stuff, Nicks has “regular” coal oven pizzas, so you (us) New Yooorkers and other purists can get pizza that doesn’t “confuse.”

Last night I had dinner at Nicks. I “sampled” pan-fried mozzarella, steak & cheese grinder, New Haven Style plain pizza, margarita pizza (let’s call this one- New York Style), white clam-bacon-garlic pizza, parmesean fries, rigatoni bolognese…everything and I do mean everything was delicious. For dessert, I “tried” 4 of the 8 gelatos on the menu (I know- someone’s gotta do it!) milk chocolate, pistachio, lemon and coconut—this stuff alone, was worth the price of admission.

Another beautiful thing about Nicks is that it is located right next door– and I do mean right next door to a Weight Watcher Center. Just thought you point-counters would like that info.

Let me wrap this one up by simple saying…I loved Nicks. By the way, you can check menu/prices at www.nickspizzeriabar.com.

Nicks is open 7 days a week 11am-to late.

***** Gyroville, 2240 Northwest 19th Street, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, (561) 353-9265.

Gyroville…fast food Greek joint. Order/pickup at counter.

The other day, I had “dinner” at the Gyroville outpost in Boca Raton. Unless you’re Telly Savalas, you’re probably gonna need a GPS to find this joint as it’s located in the elbow-of a shopping center that’s in a horrendous location. The Boca store opened about 6-weeks ago…there are currently 2 other locations, one in Pembroke Pines and another in Fort Lauderdale. According to its menu, another- Fort Lauderdale location is set to open later this month. I guess, business is good—You can check menu/prices at www.gyroville.com.

To make this one short…I really enjoyed the food. A “sampling” of pork souvlaki, chicken souvlaki, grilled chicken, skirt steak—all, right on the money. I also thought that that the joint’s hummus and tzatziki were delicious. For those “totally” not on a diet, the baklava was worth the calories.

Like I said before, this is strictly a fast-food joint. Nothing fancy–just solid, really good, reasonably priced stuff.

Gyroville is open Monday-Saturday 11am-10pm and Sunday 11am-9pm.

***** Nick’s New Haven-Style Pizzeria & Bar, 2240 Northwest 19th Street, Boca Raton Florida 33431, (561) 368-2900.

Here’s a heads-up for you guys…Tomorrow, Monday–August 1, 2011 at 11am, Nick’s New Haven-Style Pizzeria & Bar is going to open-for-business in Boca Raton. Now, I may-be sticking my neck out here—but I am predicting, that this coal-fired pizza joint is going to be an absolute homerun. Pray tell, Jeff…what makes you go out on such a limb? Well- The guys who own Nicks, had a mini-version of the Boca joint- Nick’s New Haven Style Apizza in Lake Worth (for 2-years)…and the pizza, sandwiches, pastas were absolutely amazing-delicious. The bet here, is that this new-semi-upscale 170 seater, repeats and even “betters” the owners’ first outing.

At this juncture, some of you guys might be asking yourselves, what the hell is “New Haven” pizza? Really don’t got- time to go into tremendous detail…but, “plain” pizza usually consists of crust, tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese…New Haven pizza consists of crust, tomato sauce and oregano and maybe some romano cheese—notice there ain’t-no mozzarella on the pie. For the ambitious out there, do a GOOGLE and you’ll get the full story.

I’m gonna check Nick’s out and I’ll let you know, if my “call” was right on the money or
was wishful thinking.

If you get “there” before I do, let me know what you think.

***** Wong’s of Lantana, 6338-56 Lantana Road, Lake Worth, Florida 33463, (561) 967-4199.

Wong’s of Lantana…”takeout only” Chinese joint in Lake Worth. Wong’s has been around since 1993. Tried egg rolls, fried dumplings, wonton soup, roast pork fried rice, bbq ribs, sweet & sour pork, beef with broccoli, shrimp with black bean sauce, chicken chow mein. Real-simple “observation”—the food was OK. Nothing blew my socks off, but Wong’s definitely got the job done. One problem, the egg rolls were lousy and I do mean lousy

To sum this one up…if I lived in Wong’s neighborhood, I would have its menu in my kitchen’s menu draw…you do have a menu draw, don’t you? And… don’t forget, DON’T GET THE EGG ROLLS!!!

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

Wong’s is open Monday 4pm-9:30pm, Tuesday-Thursday 11:30am-9:30pm, Friday-Saturday 11:30am-10pm, Sunday 3pm-9:30pm.

***** Roberts Restaurant, 1320 Stirling Road, Dania, Florida 33004, (954) 925-9004.

If you are into “neighborhood store-front diners”…like I am, you are gonna love Roberts Restaurant in Dania.

Absolutely-positively nothing fancy going on here. Table-counter seating.

Roberts…think big hearty breakfasts, grilled burgers with french fries smothered in ketchup, tuna on rye toast, meatloaf with mashed potatoes, blts, apple pie & coffee.

Really, just that simple!

Roberts is open Monday-Saturday 6am-3pm and Sunday 6am-2pm.

Luca Bella, 19088 Northeast 29th Avenue, Aventura, Florida 33180.

Got a heads up for you guys…sometime in late August–early September, 2011 a new Southern Italian “family-style” joint is going to open in Aventura in the 4,000 sq.ft. which was the “home” of the famous Chef Allen’s.

Luca Bella is the “brain child” of Mickey Maltese–who in another life- owned Matteo’s Italian Restaurant in Hallandale…which by the way, was/is- one of my favorite Italian restaurants, of all time.

The bet here…if Mickey is involved, Luca Bella is a “home-run” in the making.

I’ll keep you updated on this one…

Here’s a copy of the “official” Luca Bella press release…

AVENTURA, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Concorde Plaza will soon be the new home of Luca Bella, a family-style Italian restaurant formerly occupied by Chef Allen. The new restaurant, situated just off of US 1 or Biscayne Boulevard, will feature primarily Southern Italian dishes, fresh seafood, Northern traditional dishes, as well as a full bar and extensive wine list.

Concorde Plaza, located on the north side of Loehmann’s Fashion Island, houses a number of family-oriented businesses and medical offices, including several retail stores. It is just the right place for new owner Mickey Maltese to call home.

“I am excited to open up a restaurant where my concept of family can truly be encompassed,” Maltese said. “The vitality and family nature of the plaza enables me to feel right at home, and I’m sure the clientele will agree.”

Maltese, previous owner of Matteo’s Italian Restaurant in Hallandale, has industry experience spanning over fifteen years. With family originally from Naples, Maltese was born in Brooklyn and raised in Cedarhurst, Long Island, New York. Living in South Florida for the past six years with his wife Gabriela and two children, Marcelo Luca and Isabella, he has established a great rapport with customers and looks forward to continually serving them and others in the area.

“My dedicated loyal staff and I like to create what we call Italian comfort food, family style portions of the more popular Italian-American and some traditional Southern Italian dishes as well,” Maltese said. “Some of my favorites will be the little neck baked clams or clams casino, pan fried veal chops layered with prosciutto and mozzarella and topped with a marsala mushroom sauce, prime New York strip steaks and double cut pork chops smothered with sautéed cherry peppers and onions cooked on our wood fired grill. We will also be serving a variety of fresh seafood, including whole lobsters, scallops, snapper, salmon, sea bass and mussels, as well as a variety of pasta dishes like gnocci, tortellini and ravioli.”

With the opening of Luca Bella, Maltese plans to showcase what he likes to call a “modern twist to an authentic, Italian eatery.”

“I’m excited to take on this new venture,” Maltese said. “I’ve always wanted to expand my horizons, yet still maintain a charming and relaxing family atmosphere.”

Luca Bella has begun transforming the space and is scheduled to open in September 2011. The 4,000 square foot facility will offer accommodations of up to 200 persons, boasts an outside patio for dining, a private party room, a 20 person bar and several large flat screen televisions. The average dish will run anywhere from $11.95-42.95.

Luca Bella, Aventura
David Mittler, 305-450 8655
or
Michael Maltese, 516-567-3904

***** Pink Buddha Chinese Restaurant, 5949 South University Drive, Davie, Florida 33328, (954) 680-3388.

Pink Buddha Chinese Restaurant…”mom & pop” joint loacted in Davie, Florida.

Brooklyn-Jewish Taste Test circa 1959—wonton soup, egg rolls, roast pork fried rice, bbq ribs, fried dumplings, sweet & sour pork, mu shu pork, general tso’s chicken—let me make this one short and simple, everything was delicious. Especially enjoyed the ribs and general tso’s chicken.

Pink Buddha has been around for something like 15 years and as “expected” is located in a bombed-out strip shopping center.

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

Pink Buddha is right up there with the best “mom & pop” Chinese joints that I’ve tried down here in sunny South Florida.

Pink Buddha is open Monday-Thursday 11am-10pm, Friday-Sunday 11am-10:30pm.

***** 2 Chef’s Souparee, 6338 Lantana Road, Lake Worth, Florida 33463, (561) 432-2477.

I know that it’s something like 103-out there…but you absolutely-positively gotta try 2 Chef’s Souparee that makes some of the most amazingly delicious- soups, salads, sandwiches, dinner entrees and desserts that you have ever tasted. 2 Chef’s is basically a takeout, but it does have indoor seating for about 16…order at/pickup at counter.

2 Chef’s menu has 17 soups, 4 dinner salads, 8 sandwiches, 6 dinner entrees, 6 desserts. From what I can tell, only the breads and rolls are not home-made.

I recently tried mushroom barley soup (bowl-$4.90), french onion soup (bowl-$4.90), chicken pot pie soup (bowl-$5.90), new England clam chowder (bowl-$5.90). Let me state unequivocally that all of the soups—were outstanding. On the sandwich front, chicken salad and tuna salad ($6.90) were dynamite…same for the sirlon patty melt ($6.90). Dinner entrees “sampled” ($11.90–come with bread. soup or salad, potato or pasta) “sampled”… meatloaf–chicken parmigiana–1/2 roast chicken…All were delicious.
On the dessert front- the chocolate cake and peanut-butter chocolate cake—were definitely worth the calories

Every so often old Jeff Eats “stumbles” upon a homerun. 2 Chef’s Souparee is a grand-slam!

2 Chef’s is open Monday-Saturday 10am-9pm. The joint is closed on Sunday.

One final piece of business, if “discount coupons” are your game…www.southfloridadines.com has a $7.50 gets you $15.00 deal going.