*****  Whitestone Band  *****

I recently caught Whitestone Band …a classic Rock N’ Roll Band which has been playing South Florida since 1995, in action.

If 1950’s-70’s rock/disco is your bag, you will absolutely love this 5-member group which performs dead-on covers of  recording acts such as The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Four Seasons, Jay & The Americans, The Tokens, Dion & The Belmonts, The Hollies, The Bee Gees and The Village People. Checkout the band’s website at www.whitestoneband.com for dates/video/playlist.

What makes this band exciting, is that all 5-members can “really sing”…and no tracks or tapes are used to enhance the performance. When these guys perform, you’d swear that it was Jay Black holding that “note” on Cara Mia…or Frankie Valli crooning  Sherrrry. Of note, one of the frontmen, is Nick Mancuso who also performs as a member of  The Legends Of Doo Wop who have performed on PBS-tv and major concerts in the United States and Europe.

If you check the band’s schedule, you will find that it works South Florida clubs-bars, private parties and public venues…so you should be able to catch them in action.

Like I said before, if 1950s-70’s rock n’ roll/disco is your cup-of-tea…you will love Whitestone Band.

I had an absolute blast watching this band in action.

*****  Kentucky Fried Chicken, 1601 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, Florida 33432  (561 ) 395-4660.

The other day (April 27th), I told you guys about my  Sawgrass Mills’ Burger King outing and how much I enjoyed Burger King’s new “burger shots.” Well…yesterday, I “visited” the Kentucky Fried Chicken location in Boca Raton, to try the new “Kentucky Grilled Chicken” that it started selling in mid-April.

Now, unless you have been living on Mars for the past 30 years…I am going to assume, that you know what a Kentucky Fried Chicken joint is all about…I am also going to assume, that like me, you probably haven’t been in one of these joints in let’s say 29 years…Just so you know, I “do” my take-out fried chicken at either Fran’s (Boca Raton 6/20/08) or Maryland (Pompano Beach 12/1/08), so when I get the urge, Kentucky Fried Chicken doesn’t even enter my mind.

Anyway…like I said at the top of this review, I went to KFC to try its new “Kentucky Grilled Chicken”…so this is not a discourse on the joint’s fried products.

At this juncture, check-out KFC’s website at www.kfc.com for menu/prices/locations…one thing I do know, is that no matter where you live or work, one of these joints is close-by.

Now let’s talk– grilled chicken… there are legs, breasts, thighs and wings. The joint has a $4 meal that gets you 2-pieces, 2 sides and a biscuit. The chicken is topped with “secret ingredients” and is made in an oven…now for the review, DELICIOUS. The chicken (I tried 4 pieces)  had char-marks, was moist, had a slight bbq flavor taste…and like I said,  it was really good.

So…you now know about Kentucky Fried Chicken’s Kentucky Grilled Chicken.

*****  Trattoria V, 10130 Northlake Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Florida 33412 (561) 630-2042.

Trattoria V is a “mom & pop” Italian joint… very good food, good service, good prices. Trattoria V is open Monday 11:30am-9pm, Tuesday-Friday 11:30am-10pm, Saturday 1pm-10pm and Sunday 1pm-9pm.

Trattoria V’s  dinner menu is  loaded with appetizers, salads, soups, pastas and meat/seafood/chicken entrees…pizzas/calzones/sandwiches are available on its lunch menu. The joint is a “drop fancier” than your standard run-of-the-mill-pizzeria-joint…but, your tee shirt/shorts’ ensemble could work here at dinner- time…operative word being “could”…but I think men’s pants is a better call.

A recent “dinner outing” had me trying veal parmigiana ($18.95), eggplant parmigiana ($13.95), penne a la vodka ($15.50), zuppa de pesce ($25.95) and shrimp scampi ($19.95)…like I said before, pizza/calzones/sandwiches aren’t on the dinner menu. The food is very good…probably as good if not a drop better than your favorite neighborhood hangout.

You now know about a very good “mom & pop” Italian joint.

One final thought…www.southfloridadines.com has “discount money” for this joint…so if you want to give Trattoria V a shot, you have a way to save some cash on your meal.

*****  The Cheesecake Factory, 600 East Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301 (954) 463-1999.

I’ m gonna go out on a limb here…and guess that you guys know what The Cheesecake Factory “is”…for those that don’t, a “Casual American-Style” joint.

The Cheesecake Factory has been around for something like 30 years and has restaurants all over the United States…for the record, there are 14 in Florida. Just off the top of my head, I know that within the past 2-years I have eaten in Cheesecakes in Aventura, Boca Raton, Coconut Grove, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Palm Beach Gardens and Miami. My latest “outing” was last night at the Las Olas location.

I call The Cheesecake Factory the “go to place.”…like when you need a real good meal–real good prices–real good portions–real good service. Take a look at this joint’s website www.thecheesecakefactory.com for menu/prices/photos/locations. The menu is something like 12-million pages long and trust me on this, you will absolutely positively find something to eat…appetizers, salads, sandwiches,  pastas, pizzas, meat/seafood/chicken entrees, desserts. Your 5 year old, your teenager, your 97 year old grandma…will all enjoy eating in this joint.

Unless I am getting senile here…the decor in all locations is identical (Mayan Indian meets Inca Indian meets Horoscope)…same goes for the menu. How they do it is beyond me, but the waiters/waitresses are the most competent and pleasant group going. Let’s put it this way, The Cheesecake Factory is one of the “top” players in the casual-dining sector.

Over the years, I have eaten sliders, chicken pot stickers, meat loaf, grilled chicken, fried cheese,  cobb salad, eggs…and of course cheesecake. This is just a partial-list…and let’s just say, I have never had a bad meal.

If you have eaten in The Cheesecake Factory…you know that I “speak the truth” when I tell you, that this a terrific restaurant. Big meal-small meal, dessert…this joint has you covered.

Like I said before, my last Cheesecake outing was last night at 6pm at the Olas location…had tickets for  the 8pm performance of  The Jersey Boys at the Broward Center. Great sliders and pot stickers with a Fresca. By the way, you don’t want to miss that-show.

The Cheesecake Factory is open Monday-Thursday 11:30am-11:30pm, Friday-Saturday 11:30am-12:30am and Sunday 10am-11am.

*****  TooJay’s Gourmet Deli, 3013 Yamato Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33496 (561) 997-9911.

TooJay’s is a “New York Style” deli…which has 27 locations in Florida. If you check its website www.toojays.com in addition to menu/prices you will find a listing of locations.

Just so we are straight…TooJay’s is not a top-notch deli in the same vein as joints like Pastrami Queen, Ben’s Kosher Deli or Pomperdale Deli. Simply put, TooJay’s serves decent enough food at very reasonable prices. Nothing great, but nothing terrible.

Over the past 16 years, I must have eaten in/taken-out from  a TooJay’s something like 25-30 times…let’s just say, that convenience more than anything else was the “reason why”…as there are 3- locations all within 5 minutes of my home.

Let’s sum this one up…NY style deli, loads of appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, meat/chicken/fish entrees and desserts…decent food…reasonable prices. When I “think” TooJay’s I think white bread…not rye bread.

TooJay’s is open 7 days a week for breakfast-lunch-dinner.

*****  Burger King, 1280 West Sunrise Boulevard (Sawgrass Mills), Sunrise, Florida 33323 (954) 846-9023.

Now, I don’t want to get all nostalgic with you…but as a kid and teenager growing up in Brooklyn I was literally raised on Nathan’s hot dogs and french fries…and White Castle’s sliders. Before I go any further, nobody and I mean nobody makes french fries as good as Nathan’s…

Now, Let’s talk about Burger King.

Yesterday, I was “shopping” in Sawgrass Mills…actually, my wife was shopping and I was trying to kill 2 1/2 hours between the food court and sleeping/reading at Books A Million. To make a long story short…I gave Burger King a shot, trying its new product “BURGER SHOTS” which are sliders that come 2-to a package for $1.39 and $1.64 with cheese. Not bad, not bad at all. I ordered 4  cheese-burgers covered in ketchup/mustard and topped with a pickle slice and like I just said, they were pretty decent.

Just so you know, until yesterday I couldn’t even hazard a guess as to the last time I’d eaten in a Burger King or for that matter a McDonald’s or Wendy’s…I will tell you, that for years I had “wondered” why these 3 chains never added sliders to their menus…the same goes for hot dogs.

One other quick thought…the reason why White Castle’s sliders are square and have little holes in them…to save grill space and the holes allow the slider to cook-through without turning it over.

The next time you want a good-cheap slider…think Burger King.

The Burger King in Sawgrass Mills is open Monday-Saturday 10am-9:30pm and Sunday 11pm-6pm.

*****  Mona Lisa Coal Oven Pizza, 2009 Northeast 2nd Street, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33441 (954) 420-5644.

Let me start by saying that…Mona Lisa Coal Oven Pizza is a  “must try.”

Last night, four of us ate dinner at this casual Deerfield Beach coal oven joint…and I got to tell you, that the food is absoluetly off the charts. For menu/prices check www.menuking.com.

Mona Lisa has both indoor (70) and outdoor patio (60) seating. Inside, the walls are lined with old 1930’s-40’s  gangster photos and mug shots…this joint has a real-Mulberry Street feel to it. When you see the outdoor lighting, you’ll know what I am talking about.

Mona Lisa’s menu is loaded with appetizers, salads. pizzas, sandwiches and desserts. Just so you know, this joint is an “off shoot” of the world famous Mona Lisa Pastry Shop which has been feeding Brooklyn faces for something like 80 years. This is grandson Steve’s baby…and last night, I noticed how he and his wife, Theresa visited every-table. This is strictly a “family affair”…and the personal touch shows in the top ingredients used and the relaxed-friendly atmosphere.

Let’s talk food…my “taste test” had me devouring… antipasto platter, caprese salad, roasted wings, roasted peppers, broccoli rabe & sausage, margarita pizza, bianco pizza…I’ll “discuss” the desserts later. Like I said before, the food is terrific…I am telling you, this joint’s food is top-notch and the pizza and chicken wings were some of the best that I have eaten anywhere. Not being a total-pig, I did not “sample” one of the ten-listed ciabatta bread sandwiches, but did “spot” a customer downing a grilled chicken-mozzarella-roasted red peppers-broccoli rabe…the sandwiche’s look-alone, was worth the price of admission.

I am usually not a “big” dessert eater…however, based on the fact that this joint makes its own breads, pastries and cakes in-house… I went for the whole ball of wax…absolutely delicious, tiramisu, cannolis, chocolate cheesecake…Mona Lisa also makes a flaky-crisp “lobster” shapped pastry that is-not-to-be-missed. This thing is filled with either French or cannoli creme…incredible.

Let’s talk service…pleasant, easy going.  Let’s talk price…no more expensive than your favorite pizza-joint hangout.

Mona Lisa is 1-block from Deerfield Beach. Parking is usually a “horror”…just between me and you, Mona Lisa has its own customer parking lot right behind the out-door patio.

Mona Lisa is open Sunday-Thursday 11am-11pm and Friday-Saturday 11am-midnight.

This joint is a winner.

*****  City Bar B Que Place, 1901 Northeast 163rd Street, Miami, Florida 33162 (305) 354-4747.

Got a terrific “fast food” bbq joint for you…City Bar B Que Place in Miami. Order at/Pickup at…the counter. Checkout its website www.citybbqplace.com for menu/prices.

This joint has two things going for it…(1) real good food…(2) dirt cheap prices.

A recent “taste-test” of 1/2 roast chicken ( garlic bread & 2 sides $7.95), 1/2 rack of ribs ( garlic bread  & 2 sides $8.95), pulled pork sandwich ( french fries & coleslaw $5.95) was right on the money. Just so you know, the sides sampled were fries, corn bread, collard greens and coleslaw.

Nothing fancy here. This is a fast food joint. The ribs and chicken are as good, if not better than, the stuff served by most of the full-service bbq joints down here in South Florida.

City Bar B Que Place is open Sunday-Thursday 11am-11pm and Friday-Saturday 11am-midnight.

*****  Cactus Jack & The Cadillacs  *****

This past weekend, Cactus Jack & The Cadillacs one of America’s top-rated Frat Rock–Rock N’ Roll bands played 2-shows at the Woodfield Country Club in Boca Raton. If 1960’s rock n’ roll is your “bag”…this band was made for you, covering  artists like Elvis, Bruce Chanel, The Swingin’ Medallions, The Stones, The Shadows of Knight, The Beach Boys, The Beatles and  BTO. This 6 man band which has been around for something like 25 years,  features  Randy Lobeck the renowned sax player who was a member of Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band from 1964-1973. These guys are “regulars” at  Disney World, Universal Studios and Orlando’s Hard Rock Live…not to mention, that they  are one of the hottest acts on the FSU-UF fraternity circuit.

I caught them in action at the Woodfield Country Club. Checkout the band’s website at www.bopper.com  for performance schedule.

*****  Cugini Steakhouse & Martini Bar, 270 East Atlantic Avenue, Boca Raton, Florida 33444 (561) 274-6244.

In previous reviews, I told you guys that Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach is not my “scene”…too many overpriced-crappy restaurants ripping off tourists and us natives.

Anyway…although Cugini Steakhouse is located on the aforesaid Atlantic Avenue, it is not one of the aforesaid overpriced-crappy-ripoff joints. In fact, this “American-style” semi-upscale restaurant serves some really delicious-reasonably priced stuff.  A recent outing had me downing 20 oz. bone-in ribeye steak ($38) and blackened mahi mahi ($22)…each entree came with 2-sides. In the service department…competent and extremely pleasant.

Like I said before, let’s call this joint “semi-upscale”…but your tee shirt/shorts’ ensemble is gonna work here. The joint has both inside and outside seating…so if people watching or car watching or whatever-watching is your game, Cugini has you covered. 

Take a look at Cugini’s website www.cuginigrilledelray.com for menu/prices/and tons of photos.  Just so you know, the menu isn’t gigantic, but you’ll find something to eat. One other thing, for 20 bucks the joint has an “early dinner” which gets you salad-entree-dessert.

You now know about an “exception to the rule”…that being a really good-moderately priced-no “bs” Atlantic Avenue restaurant. Cugini is open Sunday-Thursday 4pm-10:30pm and Friday-Saturday 4pm-midnight.