***Don’t Believe Everything That You Read***

In today’s Sun Sentinel on page 33 of Showtime insert…”ANTHONY’S IS THE BIG CHEESE”…

A full page, describing- how Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza with 23 Florida locations makes the best pizza in Florida.

If you check, on May 22, 2009 Jeff Eats ran “The 9 Best Coal Oven Pizza Joints In South Florida and on June 29, 2009 “The 17 Best ‘Regular’ Pizza Joints in South Florida—and Anthony’s didn’t make either list.

Trust me on this, Anthony’s doesn’t have the best coal oven or best regular pizza in South Florida.

Now- just an opinion…but I’ll bet you a buck, that in a blind taste test—you would pick Carolina’s Coal Fired Pizza & Pasta’s (see writeup May 27, 2008) -coal oven pizza over Anthony’s every time. Personally, I think that Carolina’s coal oven pizza is for-right-now, best of breed down here in South Florida. I also think, that most, if not all of the 26 pizza joints that I listed are better than Anthony’s.

I could go on and on…but like I said before, not a chance in the world that Anthony’s by any stretch of the imagination has the best “anything” pizza.

Just wanted to get that off my chest.

***** Shawn & Nick’s Courtyard Cafe, 2211 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, Florida 33305, (954) 563-2499.

Let’s call this one a “diner.” There is both inside and outside patio seating.

Check www.wiltonmanorscourtyardcafe.com for menu/prices.

This joint has some heavy duty extensive hours. Sunday-Wednesday 7am-3am, Thursday-Saturday 12am-12am (that’s 24 hours).

Let’s talk…huge menu- loads of breakfast stuff, appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, salads, meat-seafood-chicken entrees, desserts. Very reasonable prices. Plenty of “specials.”

Is Shawn & Nick’s the best diner that I’ve ever been in? Nope!…that said, the bacon cheese burger/sweet potato fries ($7.75) was pretty decent…same for chicken salad wrap/french fries ($7.75), raisin French toast ($3.75). I thought that the “The Mess” (2 scrambled eggs mixed with bacon, sausage, ham, American cheese) was outstanding ($5.95).

So…you now know about a diner, that has reasonable prices, decent enough stuff and is open when most other joints are long dark.

***** Boca Raton Fire Rescue-Station #5, 2333 West Glades Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, (911).

This past Tuesday, August 24, 2010 I worked as a “poll worker” at Boca Raton Fire Rescue-Station #5 in Boca Raton. Not really going to get into it, but I seriously doubt that you could find a more pleasant and helpful group of firefighters/ems folks than those assigned to this location anywhere in the United States. These “guys” went out of their way to make sure that us-poll workers were as comfortable and equipped as needed.

On August 24th, I was in the “station” from 5:45am-7:50pm—simply amazing how many calls the fire and ems trucks made during those hours. Whatever these folks get paid, Mrs. Mayor, not enough.

Anyway…I’m sure that you guys have “heard” about what great cooks firefighters supposedly are—well, I sampled a garden salad-chicken parmigiana-penne marinara-garlic bread dinner prepared by firefighter Adam Elliot, that was as good- if not better, than the stuff made by most of Italian “mom & pop-red sauce” joints that dot the Boca Raton landscape. By the way, the firefighters buy/pay for all of their food from their own pockets—this dinner cost each diner-12 bucks.

You now know about a “joint” that you can’t eat in.

Once again, thanks to Station 5 “D” Shift- Captain Aaron Fix, Lieutenant Ryan Cihowiak, Driver/Engineer Todd Withrow, and Firefights Ryan Kelly, Manny Nuno & Adam Elliot for making 6-very “warm” poll workers feel right at home.

One final thought, I heard that “they” got a guy who makes steaks better than those served at New York Prime and another guy who makes bbq to die-for. I say—we need more elections!

***** Pompano Pizza Italian Eatery, 1606 South Cypress Creek Road, Pompano Beach, Florida 33060 (954) 782-5800.

Pompano Pizza is a “mom & pop–red sauce” Italian joint. Check www.pompanopizza.com for the full lineup of pizzas/pastas/calzones/strombolis/hot-cold subs/meat-seafood-chicken entrees.

Is this one of the great “mom & pops”…no sirree Bob. That said, decent enough…plain large pizza ($10.95), veal parmigiana ($13.95), veal marsala ($14.95), calamari marinara ($12.95).

You know how this all works, entrees come with choice of soup/or salad, pasta side, garlic rolls.

Let’s call this one—a good-neighborhood joint that gets the job done.

Pompano Pizza is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.

***** S & I–Gourmet Bagel Exchange, Festival Marketplace, 2900 West Sample Road, Pompano Beach, Florida 33073. S & I (954) 984-4785, Gourmet Bagel Exchange (954) 973-1622.

Got something really terrific for you…a wholesale/retail bakery & a wholesale/retail bagel-deli store. Same owners, right next to each other. This is strictly a takeout operation.

Guaranteed-absolutely-positively, that if I didn’t tell you about this joint, the chances are that you would never-ever find it. Crazy-crazy location…the joint is located in the “back” of the Hillsboro Antique Mall which is “housed” in the Festival Marketplace on Sample Road. There are 2- long retail counters (one for each business) and a huge bakery–kitchen operation where the stuff is made.

S & I and Gourmet make outrageously delicious—bagels, bialys, cakes, cookies, breads, salads, knishes, deli meats. The stuff is so good, that it is wholesaled to numerous restaurants, markets, bakeries, country clubs from Homestead–Jupiter, Florida.

Today, I brought home a mixed dozen bagels/bialys and I gotta tell you that the—everything, onion, plain were right up there with the best that I’ve had down here in South Florida. As for the bialys, as good as it gets…I kinda think that The Boys Farmers Market in Delray Beach (see reviews–6/1/10–May 6, 2009) which has great bialys– gets those bialys and many of its other terrific baked goods from S & I. Now-to continue my story, I also picked-up, potato-kasha-sweet potato knishes, which were absolutely delicious. My takeout order also had me doing, marble chiffon cake, chocolate rugalah, almond horn, apple turnover…excellent. I also did a pound of brisket, pound of corned beef, pound of pastrami—Now you guys know that I am very particular about my deli meats…that said, today’s “find” now has me “knowing” another joint (and there aren’t too many down here in South Florida) where I can get a really good NYC style deli sandwich.

For anyone not familar with the Festival Marketplace…it’s something like 400,000 square feet and has more watch stands–perfume stands–jewelry stands–shoe stands–cosmetic stands–sunglass stands–than any one person should be forced to walk by on a Sunday afternoon. From what I understand, S & I–Goumet Bagel have been in this flea market for over 10 years and were part of the “famers’ market” section which recently closed. It is now part of an antique mall surrounded by a ton of antique stands–which makes no sense whatsoever. Think of it logically, when was the last time that you went out to buy a dozen bagels and a 1952 Howdy Doody poster at the same “location”?

Anyway…you now know about a really good bakery-bagel-deli operation.

S & I Bakery and Gourmet Bakery Exchange are open 9:30am-5pm 7 days a week.

***** Chris’ Taverna, 6346 Lantana Road, Lake Worth, Florida 33463, (561) 964-4233.

Chris’ Taverna is a GREEK RESTAURANT…maybe 20 formica tables inside, 20 outside. You can order at/pickup at the counter…or you can be fancy and have a waitress/waiter take care of you. Menu/prices/loads of photos at www.christaverna.com. This is strictly a shorts/tee shirt ensemble kinda-joint.

Now…and I really mean this, outrageously delicious food. I have to rank the Greek salad ($8.95), gyro entree ($11.95-2 sides), souvlaki entree ($11.95-2 sides), grilled baby lamb chops entree ($20.95, 5 chops-2 sides) right up there with the best that I’ve had in a Greek joint.

Really, that simple.

Chris’ Taverna is open Monday-Thursday 11am-9pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-10pm, Sunday 5pm-9pm.

***** Allegria Frozen Yogurt & Cupcakes, 4431 Lyons Road, Pompano Beach, Florida 33073, (954) 977-8077.

The joint’s name says it all…Allegria Frozen Yogurt & Cupcakes. Order at the counter/pickup at the counter…3 cupcake flavors—chocolate-vanilla-red velvet (chocolate cake with cream cheese icing)…5 yogurt flavors—chocolate-green tea-vanilla-pomegrante-“daily” special…17 yogurt toppings. Check www.allegriafroyo.com for menu/prices.

As you guys know, I’m not a huge yogurt fan. I do enjoy a good cupcake or 2 or 3 now and then.

I recently tried Allegria’s chocolate yogurt, green tea yogurt and red velvet cupcake. Not bad, not bad at all. If you are a yogurt “fan”…this joint’s stuff was right up there with the best that I have eaten. That said, I’d prefer a cup of DQ’s vanilla or chocolate or a small Blizzard—As for the cupcake, it was delcious.

Allegria is open Sunday-Thursday 10:30am-9:30pm and Friday-Saturday 10:30am-10:30pm.

*****Classic Gold Music Awards*****

***** August 29, 2010—THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED *****

Back on July 7, 2010 I did a story about the Classic Gold Music Awards. If you love 1960s-1980s Rock n Roll–Disco–Gospel–Country Western music do youself a very big favor and check that writeup.

In a nutshell, on Monday night, August 30th-2010 the Seminole Hard Rock Casino & Hotel in Hollywood, Florida is hosting the Classic Gold Music Awards–which looks to be an absolutely amazing music awards show-concert. The Hard Rock event, is the first of what is planned to be an annual awards-concert paying tribute to greats of the music business.

According to CGMA’s website www.classicgoldmusic.com— this year’s honorees include, Connie Francis, The Original 5th Dimension and Little Anthony & The Imperials… special guests include, Mary Wilson (The Supremes), Rick Derringer (The McCoys), Florence LaRue & Lamonte McLemore (The 5th Dimension) and Davey Jones (The Monkees)…performers include, Larry Hoppen (Orleans), Felix Cavaliere (The Rascals), Mark Farner (Grand Funk Railroad), Peter Beckett (Player & The Little River Band), The Emotions, Taste Of Honey, ConFunkShun, The Bar-Kays, Surgarfoot (The Ohio Players).

Tickets for this event are priced $45-1,000. They are available at, CGMA’s website–the Hard Rock Live boxoffice and Ticketmaster.

Now for the DEAL…courtesy of Mary-Florence-Lamonte, Jeff Eats has a pair of complimentary tickets for the first 5 readers who write to me–telling me that you’d love to go to this event. It really is just that simple–just drop me a line and you get the tickets…no gimmicks, no catches, nothing to buy, no nothing—By the way, the seats were handpicked by Mary-Florence-Lamonte and aren’t in nosebleed land–trust me, you won’t need a pack mule to get to your seats…and you won’t need binoculars to catch the show.

Like I said…a pair of FREE tickets to the first 5 readers that drop me a line.

I’ll let you guys know in a few days (by email )–as to who (or is it whom?) gets the tickets. The tickets will be at the Hard Rock Live boxoffice- “will call” desk the day of the concert.

***** New York Pickle Co., Festival Marketplace, 2900 West Sample Road, Pompano Beach, Florida 33073, (954) 935-6019.

One of life’s simple pleasures…walking around the Festival Marketplace eating a sour pickle on a stick…don’t knock it till you’ve tried it…and it only costs 60 cents, 2 for a buck.

New York Pickle Co. is a “stand” located in the Festival Marketplace. The joint has been around for 18 years and has some of the most delicious sour–half sour–tomatoes–sauerkrat–peppers–olives in all of South Florida. The stuff is shipped in weekly from New York City and is sold from “old fashioned” barrels.

For you “old time” New Yooorkers…New York Pickle Co. is as close to Guss’ Pickles as you are gonna come. By the way, Guss’ which was around for close to 100 years (on the lower eastside) closed a few years ago.

Like I said before, one of life’s simple pleasures. Personally, I’d rather walk around a flea-market with a sour pickle on a stick than a cup of yogurt, any day of the week.

Trust me on this one—to paraphase Mikey’s brother…”Try it, you’ll like it.”

New York Pickle is open Monday-Friday 9:30am-5pm and Saturday-Sunday 9:30am-6pm.

***** Four Star Ravioli Deli & Bakery, 10786 Wiles Road, Coral Springs 33076, (954) 974-2444.

Got a real-good Italian Deli Bakery…Four Star Ravioli located in Coral Springs. The joint has a couple of tables—so let’s consider this joint a takeout. You can check menu/prices at www.fourstarravioli.com.

Four Star is a throwback to the Italian delis which dotted the NYC landscape circa 1950s-1960s…for those of you old enough to remember, back then—literally every “neighborhood” in the 5 boroughs had some type of mom & pop deli(s) where your mom sent you to pickup food when you were a kid. In my Brooklyn neighborhood, there was a kosher deli—there was a German deli–there was an Italian deli…all within 7 blocks of each other. In that same radius–the supermarkets were A & P, Waldbaum’s and Bohacks. There were also 5 bakeries and 9 candy stores. There was also 6 “grocery stores”—I can still picture Mr. Goodman sitting behind the register. Not to mention a Chinese hand laundry—and 4 pizza joints and 2 “full” Italian restaurants. Also–let’s not forget those darkly lit bars…my neighborhood had 4 of those guys…and I almost forget butcher shops, there were 3–and fruit stores there were 2 in my neighborhood.

Anyway…Four Star has the full boat of hot-cold subs, pizzas, soups, salads, pastas, meat/seafood/chicken dishes, cheeses, breads, baked goods.

I recently had some folks over to the house—and picked up the following… 2-17″ sicilian pizzas, 2-16″ plain round pizzas, 3-10″ chicken parmesan sub, 3-10″ sausage/peppers/onion, 3-philly cheese steak subs, 3-10″ prosciutto & mozzeralla subs, caesar-antipasto-mozzarella caprice salads, minestrone and Italian wedding soups. The food was delicious and very reasonably priced.

To be honest with you, Four Star is not exactly in my neighborhood…that said, every so often, I think you gotta change it up from the neighborhood momma & pop red sauce pizza joints…after awhile, at least to me, all of the food that these joints make– begins to taste all the same. Four Star is not a restaurant and is more “caterer like”—if that makes any sense to you folks!

Four Star is open Sunday-Monday 9am-3pm, Tuesday-Friday 9am-6pm and Saturday 9am-5pm.