***** Luigi’s Coal Oven Pizza, 1415 East Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301, (954) 990-8647.

Luigi’s Coal Oven Pizza…coal oven pizza, coal oven chicken wings, salads, a handful of appetizers/calzones/sandwiches/desserts—based on the menu, Luigi’s which opened a couple of weeks ago, obviously- isn’t trying to cure cancer or re-invent the wheel.

Let’s talk food—A recent dinner had me “testing”- house salad ($9.95-enough for 3), chicken wings (10 wings $8.95), 16″ tomato pizza pie ($13.95), sausage/peppers/onions panini ($8.95)…Trust me here, everything old Jeff Eats had-was right up there with the best stuff served up-by South Florida’s “other” coal oven pizza joints.

Luigi’s is so new, that it doesn’t-yet have a website. So, sorry…can’t send you anywhere for menu/prices/pictures. Just so you know, it looks “just” like all the rest and its price points, just like all the rest.

Luigi’s is open Monday-Thursday 11am-11pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-3am, Sunday 11am-10pm.

***** Kelly’s Landing, 1305 Southeast 17th Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316, (954) 760-7009.

Got an absolutely terrific casual-seafood joint for you…Kelly’s Landing in Fort Lauderdale.

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

Kelly’s Landing has been around for something like 25 years. Best way to describe its decor–almost looks like a neighborhood Irish pub. Your tee shirt/shorts ensemble will definitely work here. Kelly’s is located in a nondescript strip shopping center- so don’t plan on watching boats while you eat on its outdoor patio.

Just so we are straight, this is a seafood restaurant…but the landlubber or allergic crowd will find enough chicken/meat dishes so nobody’s gonna go home hungry.

I really enjoyed Kelly’s. A recent dinner had me “trying”—crab cake (appetizer-$7), new england clam chowder (bowl $6), lobster roll ($16), fried shrimp ($16), sea scallop scampi ($19), cheeseburger ($8.50). Trust me on this one, the food is outrageously good.

Every so often old Jeff Eats comes across a HOMERUN…this was one of those times.

Kelly’ Landing is open Monday-Thursday 11:30am-10pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-11pm, Sunday 11am-10pm.

La Fontana Pizzeria Restaurant, 2890 North University Drive Coral Springs, Florida 33065, (954) 575-5502.

Just off the top of your head: How many days of rain do you think Coral Springs gets on average in any given year? My “Google” says 65!

This afternoon I had lunch at La Fontana Pizzeria–wood oven pizza, appetizers, salads, panini, calzones, pastas, meat/chicken/seafood entrees, desserts. You can check menu/prices at www.LaFontanaPizzeria.com.

La Fontana has NO indoor seating. It does have 60 outdoor seats under various umbrellas and canopies– if it rains, this joint is up “sh@t’s” creek. In addition, if it’s really cold or really hot, this joint is up “sh@t’s” creek. Don’t exactly get the business model here, but one of the owners did tell me that if the Quizno’s next-door to La Fontana goes out of business, La Fontana Pizzeria will rent the space for inside seating.

Okay—let’s talk food.

Based on the fact that La Fontana is a pizzeria and highlights “wood oven pizza” on its menu—I decided to try a 12″ margherita pizza ($8.50). Let me be kind, it was edible, but that was about it. The pizza had a thin crust that was soggy and had virtually no taste. I also had meat tortellini alla boscaiola ($16.95)—it was good but nothing to get hysterical about. I also found the pasta dish at almost 17 bucks on the skimpy side.

Now, I know that my “taste test” was sort of on the limited side—but based on this brief outing—I won’t be back.

Not that it really matters, but on May 12, 2011 the Sun Sentinel gave this joint 3 1/2 stars (food only- 4 stars). Based on my 2-out-of 2 dishes…”Dining Correspondent” Judith Stocks must have eaten in a different joint than I just got home from.

I will tell you that brothers/owners Spartico and Tony Tare were as pleasant and helpful as could be. Hopefully for their sake, it doesn’t rain too much this coming Summer– or for that matter this coming Fall, Winter and Spring. One other quick thought, hopefully the 3- flies that were annoying the crap out of me while I was trying to eat, aren’t permanent restaurant fixtures.

La Fontana is open 7 days a week 11am-11pm.

***** 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.