The Diner 1060 Gateway Blvd Boynton Beach, Fl 33426

I heard about the diner through another restaurant in the neighborhood but hadn't had a chance to drop in. Last Saturday I made my first visit to The Diner and I returned on Sunday for an encore brunch.

One of my out-of-town real estate clients suggested that we meet for brunch at this "fabulous diner" that he found on Gateway near I-95. I pulled in the parking lot exactly on time to be greeted by an almost full lot and my friend motioning to me.

There was a small, full, waiting area and we were advised that there would be a short wait and after about ten minutes we were seated. During that time, I learned that my friend had eaten there the day before and was amazed at the quality of the food, the size of the portions, and the reasonable prices.

I opted for the "Meat Lovers" frittata with cheese and  home fries. Free coffee (for seniors} and marble rye toast completed my order. My guest ordered a gyro pita with soup. Lentil. (He must have loved the soup, because he ordered another - to go!)
The frittata was delicious, evenly cooked, packed with flavor, and enormous! The prices were reasonable, the food well cooked, and the service was delightful, baby!


Grilled Chicken Platter

I packed half of my meal to take home and thought to myself, "I'll be baaack!"The next day was not soon enough. I returned with Michelle and tried the Omelette Ole' with home fries, marble rye, and coffee. Michelle had the grilled chicken platter and we both thoroughly enjoyed our meals and the left overs we took home. The service was great, thanks to our server JJ, and we had an opportunity to meet Mike, the "hands-on" owner.

 

Omelete Ole

This is another place that I highly recommend and I think you will have a wonderful dining experience here!

The Diner

1060 Gateway Blvd
Boynton Beach, FL 33426
Phone : 561-509-0163
www.dinerongateway.com



Shishka Lebanese Grill Pompano Beach

Every once in awhile I have to take a walk on the "wild" side and this last Tuesday evening brought me to Shishka Lebanese Grill in the New Pompano Citi Centre located at 1955 N Federal Highway. This cute Mediterranean food spot fills the air with with tantalizing aromas as you start getting closer to the door. They have outside as well as inside seating and you can eat in or get your order to go.

Matteo's Family Style Ristorante Italiano in Hallandale

 

"Welcome to Matteo's," the man holding the door open spoke as we walked through the doorway into a bustling dining room; every table full with people laughing and eating.

"Party of nine," we replied, "we have a reservation." Our table was ready and waiting for us and we were seated immediately.

We checked out the menu, ordered a bottle of San Pellegrino sparkling water, and a full size Italian antipasto. Everyone selected their entree of choice. Matteo's offerings are listed on the menu as "full" orders and "half" orders. Don't be surprised at the amount of food you receive. A half order is more than enough for one and a full can be shared by two or three.

Chopped Salad

Tacolu Baja Mexicana Jacksonville Beach, Fl

www.tacolu.com
Awesome tacos! I had the Royale and it was superb. Also tried the Rojas echiladas and they were off the chain! Added a side of Cilantro-spinach rice, muey bueno. Washed it down with a Sangria Rita. Michelle had the $10.00 Taco: Filet mignon and only $4.99. Best tacos I've ever had and can't wait to go back.

Luca Bella Family Style Italian in Aventura

When you are ready for a Family Style Italian dinner think about going to Mickey Maltese's Luca Bella at 19088 NE 29th Ave in Aventura. Mickey, formerly with Matteo's on Hallandale Beach Blvd, has taken this family style restaurant to the next level.

Large portions, big enough for two or more are complimented with excellent service and great tasting food. Mickey makes the rounds stopping to talk with each patron asking whether their choices were up to their expectations and inviting them back. It just makes you want to come back again and again.

Kings County Pizza is a Contender for Best Pizza in South Florida

I have been reading some great reviews about Kings County Pizza located on W. Dixie Highway a few blocks south of Miami Gardens Drive in North Miami Beach. Several food blogs have spotlighted this small place as possibly having the best pizza in South Florida. I finally had a chance to drop in and pick up a slice and talked with Rob, the owner for a few minutes.

I ordered my slice of cheese pizza to go as I had an appointment several miles away and took my first bite as I headed towards I95. I was totally surprised with the first bite. The crust held up well and had a perfect crunch as a bite snapped off in my mouth. The robust tomato taste was immediately followed with the feel and taste of melted mozzerella cheese.

You Will Get Charmed at Charm City Burger Company in Deerfield Beach

You will get charmed at Charm City Burger Company in Deerfield Beach.
Charm City Burger Company's name has been popping up on almost every food blog in South Florida so I thought I really should check them out. I drove right by the place on Hillsboro Blvd in East Deerfield, hit the brakes and swung into the parking lot. I was lucky enough to find a spot around back and walked past the garbage dumpster through the advertised rear door and fell right into the "order here" line.

The place is small, maybe seats twenty or so, and has that "beachy" super laid back atmosphere that you would expect from a walk in place not too far from the surf.
I already knew that I was only interested in getting a hamburger and the same for Michelle. She ordered the "Good Ole" combo. Just a burger with American cheese, lettuce, and tomato; well done (their term is hammered), with fries and a drink for $8.25.

Cowboy Style with thick cut bacon, cheddar, sauteed mushrooms and grilled onions

Gilbert's 17th Street Grill

Gilbert's is a little hard to find. It's tucked away in the Harbor Shops of Ft. Lauderdale which is not on 17th street at all. The address is actually 1821 Cordova Road.

I've been there a few times for some family events and was pretty satisfied with the food. But my son sent me a picture of a burger that he enjoyed there and suggested that I stop by and sample one.

Michelle and I popped over the same night that the Miami Heat was playing and there were tons of people standing in line at Duffy's across the parking lot. Gilbert's was very busy also but we were still able to get in and order pretty quickly.

Police Hate Them.
Drivers Love Them.
New Invention Uses GPS to
Locate Police Speed Traps.
100% legal.

Between The Bun

I finally got a chance to pop into David Korn's Between the Bun in Boynton Beach. It's just east of I95 in the opposite end of the Publix shopping center on Gateway Blvd. Even though it was almost closing time, Dave and his Dad invited us in. They both go way back in NY deli history having owned a few delis in lower Manhattan.

A Pair of Hotdogs from a Later Visit

The Next Big Wave: Tsunami Subs in Boynton

When I hear Tsunami  I used to think of that enormous wave that topples buildings as it batters the coastline. Now I think of the enormous sub sandwich available on Woolbright in east Boynton. Tsunami Subs and Wraps has moved onto my list of favorite sub spots in South Florida. The sandwich is kind of a "big brother" to what I have had at Lenny's or Jersey Mike's. Same kind of taste, just more of it.

For my maiden voyage I decided to try the Tsunami Italian #10. All meats and cheeses are freshly cut when the sub is ordered and piled on the house baked subroll which is one of the longest I've seen. Then goes on the lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and whatever else you're into. Wrapped up and presented with a smile.

I'm going back soon to try some of the other subs they offer and especially the philly cheesesteak. Check it out and let me know what you thing of this big wave sub shop.

Villa Rose Pizza - 50 Years and Going Strong

This long time Hollywood pizza joint has withstood the coming and going of thousands of other pizza places in the Hollywood area. Why? Because they still make the best pizza in town.

You Will Get Touched by the "Touch Tone" at Direct From Philly

You Will Get Touched by the "Touch Tone" at Direct From Philly. I dropped in to my favorite Philly Cheese steak place, Direct From Philly, located inside a Chevron gas station on Military Trail in Deerfield Beach, to pickup a sandwich the other day. The owner, Steve, was there and he informed me that they were now open until 10 pm and he has added an addition grill maestro, Antonio. He also introduced me to Antonio's newest cheese steak creation called the "Touch Tone."

The "Touch Tone" only available at Direct From Philly

Ben's Delicatessen

Ben's Delicatessen in Boca is a kosher utopia. If you are ever craving that great old New York style real kosher delicatessen food - put Ben's on your list. I've been there enough times to have tapped into my Ben's Friends Card. On my last visit I was accompanied by Sue and Dave, new Boca residents who just moved here from Davie.

It was a summer Friday night, before sunset, maybe 7pm when I arrived at Ben's. The line was already about 25 deep OUTSIDE the door. I couldn't see how many were waiting inside, but almost every new person who showed up assumed the line was for everyone but them because each one methodically skipped the line and headed directly through the door only to be instructed by the restaurant host to get in the back of the line. The "entitled ones" grumbled noncomprehensible expletives as they hung their heads on the way past "we the waiting."

Grande Pizza Co. Boca Raton

I never would have found this gem if it wasn't for Groupon. They ran a special through Groupon several months ago and since the location wasn't too far off my flight path I thought I'd take a chance. Since my first visit I have been back four additional times. Each time I tried something different.

This is not your typical pizza joint. You walk in past a tall counter behind which sits the pizza ovens and then the place opens up into a large room with a big U shaped bar and several tables. Then when I tasted the food and I KNEW it was different!

Ristorante Da Ciccio Amalfi, Italy

   Authentic Italian  

cielo, mare, terra



There is nothing more authentic than dining in an Italian retaurant in Italy. While Michelle and I were touring the Amalfi Coast, our driver, Salvatore, suggested we try out this adorable restaurant. We invited him to join us but he declined and said he would stay with the car.

 

Cucina Mio

This was not my first trip to Cucina Mio nor will it be my last. They have the best hook of any restaurant. And the hook is that their food is just unbelievably good! There is usually a pretty long wait during the dining hour but on this Saturday night, when we arrived at 8:45 pm, we were instantly seated.


Michelle tries the Pasta Fagioli at every Italian restaurant we go to



J. Alexanders

If you're ready for some great tasting food with great service, take a trip over to the J. Alexanders Restaurant near you. But, be prepared, it is more expensive than Longhorn Steakhouse.

I've been eating here since they opened on West Broward Boulevard in Plantation and have since enjoyed their food in Ft. Lauderdale and Boca Raton. The service is great and the food is a real value for the money.

Lindburgers Gourmet Burgers

When you read the history about Lindburgers you will see that they have been serving great burgers in Delray Beach since 1983. I was lucky enough to have tasted their burgers in late 1985 for my first visit and little did I know that I would be moving to Delray seventeen years later. Now I can go whenever I want!

Corelino's Coal Oven Pizza & Cucina

Michelle and I were ready to try out a new place late on a recent Monday night. It was about 9pm when I rolled into the shopping center where Chris' Taverna is located in Lantana. On our previous visits to Chris' I had eyed a small Italian place on the corner, in the same shopping center, named Corelino's Coal Oven Pizza & Cucina.

I parked the car and we walked up to the windows and we could see that they were already cleaning up to close. There was a gentleman sitting at one of the outside tables underneath the overhang eating his meal. "I think they're still open," he said, "push on the door."

Best of South Florida: Cheesesteak Subs Direct From Philly

Best of South Florida: Cheesesteak Subs Direct From Philly. One of my bloggers was kind enough to tip me off about this place, Direct From Philly. He wrote "...a place in Deerfield Beach that is actually inside a gas station called Direct From Philly." That was enough for me to want to try this place out!