Christine Lee’s–Gulfstream Park, 901 South Federal Highway, Hallandale Beach, Florida 33009…(954) 457-6255

Christine Lee’s is an “upscale” Chinese-Steak Restaurant that is located on the 3rd floor of the Gulfstream “racino” complex. This joint use to be located in North Miami and for years was one of the finest Chinese-Steak restaurants in all of South Florida. Back then, it was the “home” to all kinds of celebrities and was absolutely terrific.

Christine’s latest venture is  a DISASTER. The Chinese food is absolutely horrible. Trust me on this,  your local neighborhood takeout joint makes better stuff for a quarter of the price. The Steaks and Seafood are borderline horrendous and overpriced beyond belief. As for the service, not too good.

How Christine Lee’s went from great to horrible, is anyone’s guess, but what is, is.  

Take it from this Brooklyn born guy, you absolutely want to stay away from this joint, unless you enjoy lousy food and ridiculously high prices.

*****  Brick Oven Pizzeria–5869 West Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach, Florida…(561) 5300

This weekend I found a terrific RED SAUCE ITALIAN JOINT in Delray Beach. Brick Oven has only been open a few months, but the word of mouth is really spreading and making this joint a very popular lunch and dinner place. It is family operated and the service is as terrific as the food is.

Brick Oven is a moderately priced joint that makes some really delicious pizza, calzones, stromboli, salads, subs and  meat-chicken-seafood main dishes. You know the deal, soup or salad/garlic rolls/main dish/ side of pasta. Main dishes run between $9.99-$13.99 a head.

Like I said before, this joint is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.

       Basil Garden–5837 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, Florida–(561) 994-2554

Over the years, I have eaten in this moderately priced Boca Raton Landmark–Southern Italian Joint  something like 15 times. Never had a bad meal.

Well…sorry to report, that the last 3 outings all within the past 6 months were extremely disappointing. The food was fair at best as was the service.

Now, this all means that you want to S K I P this joint, until I give you the greenlight. I’ll recheck it in coming months.

       No More BUCKY’S BBQ!!

You “old-timers” know that awhile back, I raved about a BBQ joint named Bucky’s. The joint had two locations, one in Boca Raton and the other in Fort Lauderdale. I have to tell you, these joints made some of the best ribs, chicken, burgers and  corn-bread that I have ever eaten.

Now follow me…About 7 months ago, I heard that Bucky’s had signed a deal with a group of “money” guys and Dwanye Wade of the Miami Heat to open a “nationwide” chain of Wade-Flash sports bars. From what I was told, the first location was going to be in Chicago.

Last week, I drove by both Bucky’s locations and low and behold, both were closed and had window banners indicating that WADE SPORTS BARS were coming.

Now… Let me say, that WE have lost two great BBQ joints…but what is, is.  Hopefully, the new CONCEPT will be terrific. Only time will tell.

*****  Yard House–11701 Lake Victoria Gardens, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410–(561) 691-6901

I think that you will enjoy this national-chain upscale sports-bar. Usual array of decent  appetizers, burgers etc. The kicker here is that the joint has  something like 8,000,000 different types of beers. Moderate prices. Energetic and competent staff. Great looking decor. Very professionaly run. AND of course you can wear tee shirts/shorts. Lunch-dinner 7 days a week.

*****  Saratoga Ristorante Italiano–1917 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, Florida 33020–(954) 923-0100

Let me start by saying, that Saratoga is one of the best Southern Italian restaurants in South Florida. This joint has only been in business for about four months, so guaranteed you are one of but a handful that even knows that it exists.

Before the “debacle” which erased over 300 writeups, I had one which rated Matteo’s with locations in both Boca Raton and Hallandale Beach as one of my favorite Southern Italian joints for family style dining. To make this review simple, the owner of Saratoga is a fellow by the name of Julio, who at one time or another general managed both Matteo’s locations. He also owned a joint in Lighthouse Point named Julio Caesar’s. Suffice it to say, that Saratoga is a “combination” of the best of Matteo’s–some original Julio dishes–at price-points about 10-15% lower than Matteo’s.

The food is absolutely great.  Humongus individual and family style portions. Beautiful surroundings (but  you can still wear your shorts/tee shirts). Terrific service.  

You now know about one of the best joints in South Florida before almost anyone else does.

Saratoga is open 7 days a week for dinner and for lunch Monday-Saturday.

Chops Lobster Bar, 101 Plaza Real South, Boca Raton, Florida 33432, (561) 395-2675

This joint opened about a year ago in Boca Raton. It is an “upscale” steakhouse, which is “full of itself.” The food is fair at best…the service is barely passable…and the prices are for the business-account crowd.

Don’t even think about spending your hard earned money at this joint.

Unlike Al Gore, I didn’t invent the internet. Actually, I have absolutely no idea how the damn thing works. Do you? I didn’t think so. That said,  after many conversations, e-mails and letters, the “guys” who virtually erased an entire site, now have it “back up.” Just so you know, on the day JeffEats went down, there were over 300 restaurant reviews posted. The geniuses who built-run t

***** Steve’s Wood Fired Pizza
9180 Glades Road
Boca Raton, Florida 33434
(561) 483-5665

Steve’s Wood Fired Pizza is a “pizza joint” that you have to try…no, make that, you must try. This “hole in the wall” joint, located in the back of a large Boca Raton strip-shopping center, makes some of the most delicious thin crisp (10″) pizzas that you have ever tasted. Steve’s pizza-selection is so huge, that I suggest that you visit its website at www.steveswoodfiredpizza.com and take a look at its menu. This joint also makes some top-notch appetizers, salads, soups, sandwiches, wraps, pastas and desserts.

Like I said before, Steve’s is an absolute hole in the wall, with maybe a half-dozen tables. This is strictly a tee shirt/shorts kind of a joint and you can see the kitchen from any seat in the house.

Steve’s is open Monday 4pm-9pm, Tuesday-Saturday 11:30am-9:30pm and Sunday 3pm-9pm.

***** Lotus Chinese Kitchen
1434 Northeast 26th Street
Wilton Manors, Florida 33305
(954) 566-5565

Before we “discuss” the Lotus Chinese Kitchen, do me a favor and read my writeup on a joint named Dragon Gate. Go ahead, I have a few minutes.

Now that you know the difference between a DESTINATION CHINESE JOINT and a NEIGHBORHOOD CHINESE JOINT (if you didn’t read the Dragon Gate writeup, you probably have no idea what the hell I am talking about), let’s just say, that the Lotus Chinese Kitchen is one of Wilton Manors’ better Neighborhood Chinese Joints.

Lotus Chinese Kitchen is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner. This joint serves good Chinese food.