Piola, 1703 East Hallandale Beach Boulevard, Hallandale Beach, Florida 33009 (954) 457-9394.

Piola is a “wood burning brick oven” pizza joint—check www.piola.it for menu/prices/locations. All kinds of thin crusted pizzas, handful of appetizers. Just so you know, this is a chain operation with various locations in the United States and abroad. This review is about the Hallandale Beach joint.

Let me make this one as simple as possible. Got there about 5:45 pm this evening. Decided to eat outside…there were maybe 10 tables outside….in addition to my party of 2 there was a 4 and another 2 and that was it. Took me close to 15 minures to get a waiter to take our order…getting a “second” can of soda was like pulling teeth and not once-not even once- did the waiter stop by the table to see how the meal was going. Piola doesn’t use placemats and “our” table was sticky and dirty. I find it amazing that joints like this “don’t have the common sense” to freaking wipe-down outdoor tables after each party leaves… Our order of a plain pizza with sausage and a house salad was PASSABLE but nothing more—the sauce was borderline bland….trust me on this one— I am willing to bet that your local pizza joint has much better stuff

Piola won’t see me again.

Piola is open Sunday-Thursday noon-11am and Friday-Saturday noon-midnight.

***** Casa Macaluso, 1825 Sample Road, Pompano Beach, Florida 33064 (954) 788-0255.

First things first…it was Judith Stocks’ March 12, 2010- 3 1/2 stars Sun Sentinel review that turned me onto this “white table cloth-semi upscale-52 seat” Italian joint.

Casa Macaluso is owned by two brothers…Carlo “the chef” and Antonio “the host-manager-frontman”…they make an absolutely great team—just so you know, the veal chop parmigiana and osso buco that I “sampled” were probably the best that I’ve had since moving down here to South Florida in 1991…trust me, I’ve had tons of chops-buco, so Antonio and Carlo performed a major feat.

Casa Macaluso is a very small restaurant—it’s got 52 seats. Last Saturday night my 8pm reservation (for 4) was honored and I will tell you, that by 8:30pm every seat was taken. I will also tell you, that we were there for over 2 hours and not one single table was “turned.”

When you arrive at Casa Macaluso you are greeted by Antonio at the front door. No kidding, he treats you like a long lost cousin “all night”…and really seems to enjoy visiting every table and explaining the menu in detail. Carlo also comes out of the kitchen to visit every table. Casa Macaluso also has a staff of REAL ITALIAN WAITERS that are as competent and professional as can be. I thought that it was really cool…that each waiter was wearing a “cap” just like the one that Al Pacino-Michael and his body guards wore in the “Godfather” in the scenes leading up to his first wife getting blown up by a car bomb.

Casa Macaluso is an upscale restaurant…it isn’t a “red sauce mom & pop” joint…so there are no pizzas, meatball subs, calzones—but trust me on this…the joint’s menu has plenty of stuff like clams oreganato, cannolis, pastas…so– you’ll be just fine and will have plenty of dishes that you won’t have to ask Antonio to explain. Something interesting…although this joint is clearly steps above a local pizza joint—I think that if you showed up in a tee shirt/shorts ensemble, Antonio would have a seat for you.

Like I said before, Casa Macaluso only has 52 seats. Just so you know, it took me 2-weeks to get a dinner reservation. So, please don’t show up thinking you are going to just waltz in and catch-a-table.

Casa Macaluso is a “great outing”…this isn’t a joint for a fast bite before or after a movie. On the price front…not exactly neighborhood pizza joint prices, but nothing too crazy. That veal chop ran me $33 and came with a gnocchi side.

I really enjoyed Casa Macaluso.

The joint is open for dinner Monday-Saturday for dinner.

***** Hurricane Grill & Wings, 22191 Powerline Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33433 (561) 395-3306.

Before I get started, do me a favor and–check my June 6, 2008– Hurricane Grill & Wings (Deerfield Beach) writeup. Go ahead, I’ll wait!

Okay…the Deerfield Beach location closed awhile ago—and this past Monday (today is Wednesday), a brand new Hurricane Grill & Wings opened on Powerline Road in the spot which formerly housed The Draft House.

Now that we are-all current…this evening I “did” dinner at the new Hurricane Grill & Wings. Let me make this real simple…this new location is absolutely terrific. The joint, which can probably handle 250 people- has indoor and outdoor patio seating, 2-full bars (one in and one out), flat screen tvs galore, a great faux-Key West look, delicious food, attentive waitstaff, super reasonable prices.

This joint is a HOMERUN.

This evening I “sampled”… hurricane chicken salad ($9.99–mixed greens, grilled chicken, diced tomatoes, red onions, cheddar cheese, chopped bacon, other stuff)-it was big enough for 2 to share—1/2 lb bacon cheeseburger & french fries ($8.99)—non-breaded chicken wings (15 wings + sweet potato fries + cole slaw- $12.99)—breaded boneless wings (10 wings + kettle chips + onion rings-$8.99)…like I said before, the food was delicious. Just so we are straight, I didn’t eat “all” of this stuff by my lonesome-and- honey mustard, garlic & parmesan, teriyaki, raspberry were the toppings of choice.

Just for the record, if I counted (from the menu) correctly there are 32 different chicken wing flavor sauces. Hurricane Grill also “allows” you to create your own flavor, if playing Tom Terrific is your game.

Hurricane Grill & Wings is-not and I repeat is-not… just a wings joint. Its menu also has plenty of appetizers, salads, burgers, sandwiches, entrees.

If you have been paying attention, you know that I have been talking about the Hurricane Grill which just opened on Powerline Road in Boca Raton. For the record, Hurricane currently has 31 locations…if you check www.hurricanewings.com you might find a “location” closer to your home or office and menu details.

Hurricane Grill is open Sunday-Thursday 11am-11pm and Friday-Saturday 11am-2am.

***** Erica’s Breakfast & Lunch, 4953 Chalet Boulevard, Boynton Beach, Florida 33426 (561) 364-7044.

Erica’s is a “breakfast & lunch” diner located in Boynton Beach. This bare-bones decorwise- 55 seater is open 7 days a week 6:30am-2:30pm.

This morning I did breakfast at Erica’s, sampling…western omelette (6.39), sausage & cheese omelette ($6.39), blueberry pancakes ($3.39), hash browns, oatmeal–good diner food. I also had an everything bagel and a pumpernickel bagel–Just so you know, Erica’s also sells bagels “by the dozen” for $7.99…that said, Erica’s doesn’t make its own bagels—and the everything & pumpernickel bagels that I had were just passable.

Erica’s menu has the usual breakfast suspects—eggs, pancakes, french toast… 8 cold sandwiches… 9 hot sandwiches…6 salads…3 blue plate specials. The most expensive item on the menu is its BLT sandwich which goes for $7.89.

Like I said before, absolutely nothing fancy here.

I love the Erica’s of this world. Good food. Good prices. Super pleasant owner (Chuck) and waitstaff. If this joint had better bagels it would be a homerun.

A very nice joint for a good inexpensive breakfast or lunch.

***** Slainte Irish Pub, 1500 Gateway Boulevard, Boynton Beach, Florida 33426 (561) 742-4190.

Slainte Irish Pub is an “Irish pub” (that figures) located in Boynton Beach. I’m gonna figure that you know what joints like this look like, so I won’t bore you with the fine-details. You can check menu/prices at www.slaintepubs.com.

I recently did a Saturday night dinner at Slainte…and I got to tell you, the food is real good. Just so you know, I sampled hamburger sliders ($6.95), grilled chicken sliders ($6.95), roast beef sliders ($7.95), shepherd’s pie ($13.95), fish & chips ($14.95)—everything was just fine.

When you check Slainte’s website, check its entertainment schedule…every night there is live music—featuring some of the best up-and-coming South Florida bands…the waitstaff at this joint is as pleasant as can be—and seemingly isn’t pressured to turn tables, so enjoy the music during and after the meal.

Slainte is a homerun—good food & good music The joint is open 7 days a week from 11:30am-2am.

***** Eco Yogurt Lounge, 1200 Yamato Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33431.

I guess when it rains it pours…on April 12, 2010– I told you guys about a “self serve” yogurt joint, Orange Leaf which had recently opened in Boca Raton. Real simple concept, get an empty cup, you-fill it with yogurt and toppings…cup gets weighed and you pay by the ounce. Well, low and behold, another “one” of these self-serve type joints, Eco Yogurt Lounge opened last week on Yamato Road in Boca Raton. Exact same concept, something like 12 flavors, toppings, cups, scale. According to its website www.ecoyogurtlounge.com this joint is owned and operated by 2-medical doctors.

Anyway…I really-only wish these two MDs well, but they really should stick to practicing medicine. Unlike Orange Leaf, Eco isn’t a franchise…and apparently these two folks designed this store all on their own…All I can say, WHAT A MESS. The joint is “all white” with white leather couches for seating–the yogurt machines are- stuck all the way in the back of the store…let’s put it this way, when you walk in the joint, it looks like an upscale martini bar that you would find in South Beach, not a yogurt-ice cream store.

I tried the vanilla-yogurt. Nothing special one way or the other.

Eco Yogurt is open 7 days a week 11am-11pm. Like I said before, I wish the owners well, but the store’s decor “to me” is an absolute turnoff-from the get-go.

***** Piccola Italia, 1692 Coral Way, Coral Gables, Florida 33145 (305) 856-7744.

Piccola Italia is a “brick oven” takeout only—pizza joint in Coral Gables. This joint has an amazing long–very reasonably priced menu packed with pizzas, pastas, salads, sandwiches. You can check www.piccolaitaliapizza.com for menu/prices.

Like I just said, this is a takeout joint…so don’t plan on sitting down for a leisurely lunch or dinner.

Let’s talk food…I absolutely loved the 16″ thin crusted-sweet sauce pizza that I had for $12.99. I also thought that the meat lasagna ($9.95), 14″ chicken parmigiana sub ($8), tortellini alfredo ($9.50) that I had was delicious. This takeout’s food is probably as good as the stuff served by your favorite neighborhood red-sauce joint. Just so you know, I picked up–and reheated my stuff when I got home to Boca.

Got one problem with this joint…that being it’s not in my neighborhood.

If you live or work near Piccola Italia, you now got a great takeout joint to get stuff from. Piccola is open Tuesday-Friday 11am-11pm, Saturday noon-11pm and Sunday 1pm-11pm…the joint is closed on Monday.

***** Blue Stone Circle *****

Last night I attended a private party at the Woodfield Country Club in Boca Raton. The Club sponsored event “Summer Kick-Off” was held in the main ballroom and was attended by 315 guests.

The evening’s entertainment was provided by BLUE STONE CIRCLE a 6-member band based in Orlando, Florida. This was one of the best party-bands that I have seen in South Florida. Just so you know, Blue Stone Circle is the “house band” at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaretiville at Citywalk-Universal Studios. Blue Stone Circle has played there, Tuesday-Saturday nights for the past 7 years. Prior to its current gig, the band worked Disney’s Pleasure Island for 5 years.

Blue Stone Circle is a terrific cover band…great versions of Shout-Good Loving-Sweet Caroline-Brick House. The band’s playlist is loaded with hits from the 1950s-2010. Check the band’s website www.bluestonecircle.com for video.

The next time you are in Universal’s neigborhood, check Blue Stone Circle (5 guys and 1 gal) out…they really are that good!!

One final thought, if you need a great party band…this band should be on your short list. I am telling you, they really are something very special.

***** Bruegger’s, 2146 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, Florida 33431 (561) 391-7993.

Bruegger’s is a “self serve” franchise bagel joint…according to its website www.brueggers.com there are currently 290 locations in 24 states.

For a point of reference…think Einstein Bros. Bagels or Offerdahl’s Cafe Grill—and you pretty much got the menu–price points–decor-of Bruegger’s. The above website has full menu details…to shortcut it for you, all types of bagels & cream cheeses, breakfast/and other sandwiches, soups, salads.

A recent outing had me “sampling”…asiago parmesan bagel, everything bagel, pumpernickel bagel—very very good, soft on the inside and just crispy enough on the outside. I also did, a western omelette on a toasted onion bagel and a 4-cheese broccoli soup—each was quite good.

To be perfectly honest with you, I like the “action” of the NY style- bagel-deli joints–you know— formica tables, sassy waitresses, loud countermen…that said, Bruegger’s ” mid America white bread” approach to the bagel business was a real nice outing.

Bruegger’s does breakfast and lunch 7 days a week.

***** Orange Leaf Self Serve Frozen Yogurt, 16950 Jog Road, Delray Beach, Florida 33446.

This is an easy one…Orange Leaf Self Serve Frozen Yogurt—is a “self serve frozen yogurt” joint. If you check www.orangeleafyogurt.com you will find that this a franchise operation which currently has joints in Arizona, California, Hawaii and a whole bunch of other states …and that the Delray Beach store, which opened about 3 weeks ago, is the chain’s first spot in Florida. Just so you know, there are plans to open a second location in Mizner Park in Boca Raton. The website will also give you flavors and toppings.

The concept is simple…something like 13-14 different flavors. Tons of toppings. You get a cup and fill it all by yourself with all of the yogurt and toppings that you want. Then the cup is weighed at the front register and you pay by the ounce…figure something like 33 cents an ounce.

I was in there the other day and I really like the concept. I have seen other “versions” of the-help yourself concept- in Tucson and Los Angeles, namely “By The Ounce” and “Yogurtland”… That said, if you “got a heavy hand” those 33 cents really pile on, so out of nowhere a cup of yogurt could cost you 4-5 bucks a pop….soooo— go easy filling those cups.

Now you regular readers know that old Jeff Eats isn’t the biggest fan when it comes to yogurt…I’m more a Dairy Queen, Carvel, kinda guy and I love Italian ices. Anyway…Mrs. Jeff Eats and Daughter Jeff Eats loved the stuff and my “personal” sampling wasn’t all-that unpleasant. Between the three of us we “had” pistachio, oreo cookie, snickers, strawberry banana. Like I said, figure with toppings you are gonna spend $4+.

Now something for the franchisee of this joint. Personally, I think that your Jog location stinks. From what I can tell, you spent a nice penny on your build-out, but the strip center that you are in has absolutely no foot traffic whatsoever. Take it from me, you need a ton of people at 4 bucks a pop to make a go of a yogurt/ice cream store down here in South Florida. After the novelty wears off, I think that you will find it really rough sledding based on the location. As for your second spot in Mizner Park…I think before you sink your hard earned cash into that location, that you think it over again real hard. Mizner EXCEPT for weekend nights is DEADSVILLE. Feel free to drop me a line anytime and I’ll be more than happy to give you a list of what I think are far superior locations.

Orange Leaf is open 7 days a week.