JB’s on the beach, Deerfield Beach, FL
Posted: December 23, 2013 Filed under: Beachside dining, Neighborhood Bars, Seafood, Steak Leave a commentJB‘s on the beach: 300 NE 21st Avenue, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441 Telephone: 954-571-5220 Website: http://www.jbsonthebeach.com/
JB’s has been a popular beachside
venue in Deerfield Beach, just north of the Pier, for years. They have recently undergone an impressive renovation, gussied up their live music entertainment schedule, and added an attractive weekend “breakfast at lunch” menu. We had visited them frequently in the past, but when the valet parking fee went up to $5 (plus tip) on the weekends, we stopped going. There is a pay-for-park public garage across the street, and street parking is non-existent, so there isn’t much choice. This Saturday night, after a two-year hiatus, special coupon in hand, we decided to give them another try.
We pulled up to their distinctive front entrance at 5:30 on a Saturday night. We had not made reservations – it was a spur-of-the-moment-decision – so we were not surprised to learn that beachside
tables were unavailable, but we were immediately seated at a nice booth inside, near the open kitchen. It was probably just as well, though, that we were inside – the outdoor deck was extremely boisterous and loud, plus a wedding party was just arriving, adding to the raucousness.
Our spirited and effervescent server arrived almost instantly, took our beverage order, and lit our table candle for some extra ambiance, while she carefully explained the specials. We opted to try one of them: the Rib Eye steak, which sounded yummy – slathered in a fig & balsamic vinegar sauce, and topped with gorgonzola cheese ($34), while I stuck with the traditional, but always tasty, full rack of baby back ribs, “smoked, then char grilled, brushed with our coffee-bourbon BBQ sauce served with coleslaw & sweet potato fries ($25).
The verdict? Not good, it seems. The Rib Eye came out cold and almost raw inside (the cheese hadn’t melted either), and the rib 
platter was disappointing, with soggy, cold sweet potato fries, and egregiously overcooked ribs! This was surprising, because we had always, in the past, had excellent dining experiences. Indeed, a popular travel site we also reviewed at http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g34176-d2000154-Reviews-JB_s_On_The_Beach-Deerfield_Beach_Florida.html had favorable comments from recent diners, so we chalked this experience up to an “anomaly.”
Overall, despite the unfortunate “anomalies,” we rate JB’s an above average dining experience, in an often boisterous, but fun, beachside setting in northern Broward. If you are visiting the beach and still in your swimming gear, this is a perfect place to try, especially for lunch and Happy Hour (every weekday from 4-7 PM).
Overall He&SheFood Rating: CynMor ( for Cindy and Mort) score: 7 out of 10
The Yard House, Mizner Park, Boca Raton
Posted: August 7, 2012 Filed under: Draft beers, Neighborhood Bars, Popular Chains Leave a commentThe Yard House: 201 Plaza Real Boca Raton, FL 33432, Telephone: 561-417-6124
Website: http://www.yardhouse.com/FL/boca-raton-restaurant/
Sometimes a culinary venue just gets it right. Call it genius; call it divine inspiration; call it luck – whatever it is, the Yard House at Mizner in Boca gets it much more than right. A multi-location chain, spanning the US from Hawaii to Florida, the Yard House sports an enormous selection of draft beers from around the world, and a huge menu of more than 130 selections. And its all good!
We had just emerged from a matinee at the theater, had dodged a sudden Florida monsoon, and headed for the Yard House, located in the south east corner of Mizner, across from the Ipic theater. We parked in the Mizner “B” garage, but many leave their cars at the Post office lot on 2nd and walk across.
The Boca venue is only a few months old, and invests you with instant ambiance and that “I can like it here” fun atmosphere. We were seated at a booth, with a glorious view of the whole restaurant, ingeniously decked out in mirrors to give the impression of even more space, a wonderful, hopping bar, and all the TVs on the wall you would ever want to see, which, on this particular Sunday, were glued to the Olympics. Our particular table was right under the AC vents, so we were a bit cold, but one sip of our libations cured that.
We were seated immediately by a most pleasant hostess, and our smiling server was at our table almost instantly. I opted for a Czech pilsner shorty (3 oz), while she went for a pint of Belgian style blond ale. 
My BBQ Bacon Cheddar Burger and her Seared Ahi Steak Sandwich arrived in a reasonably fast period of time, given the party of 15 at the next table, accompanied by the Yard House’s signature French Fries, served in a most attractive bowl, eliciting the following from her: “These are the best fries I’ve had in a long time; remind me of real Belgian French fries.” My burger was cooked to perfection and I can honestly say was absolutely scrumptious!
After another round of beer – graduating to the pint size this time – we ended our perfect meal with the most decadent dessert ever – the Kona Coffee Ice Cream Sundae, made with java chip ice cream topped with oreo cookie crumbles, macadamia nuts, and chocolate sauce served with a macadamia nut cookie.
We may have just found our favorite neighborhood eatery.
Overall He&SheFood Rating: CynMor ( for Cindy and Mort) score: 8 out of 10
Max’s Grille Boca Raton, FL
Posted: June 28, 2012 Filed under: Neighborhood Bars, Popular Chains, Steak | Tags: Food, mizner park boca raton, restaurants Leave a commentWebsite: http://www.maxsgrille.com/home.htm
Max’s Grille
404 Plaza Real
Mizner Park, Boca Raton 33432
(561)368-0080
According to their website, ” Max’s has long been heralded for a contemporary menu with Asian and Latin influences paired with a splendid array of wine. Max’s commitment is that you will love the food, beverage, great service & atmosphere.”
We tend to agree; we have been to Max’s on numerous occasions, and it never fails to please.
Max’s Grille at Mizner
Perhaps its the upscale and trendy Mizner Park that sets the mood.Or, maybe it’s the pulsating energy that pulls you towards their prime location at the center of the Mizner experience. Whatever it is, from the moment you drop off your car with the valet attendant and walk through their glass doors and are instantly greeted by the friendly hostess staff, you know your day is about to change for the better.
We love to sit outdoors on cool fall afternoons, or in early spring, but in the heat of the summer, we enjoy indoor dining. Of course, the outdoor bar (pictured) is always bustling with activity year round, and a mister keeps you cool in the heat, but on this occasion ( a birthday), we opted for a small room with a great people-watching view of the promenade, and a most affable server, although we have to take off a few points for the excessive delay until she made an appearance.
Max’s has a great special, if you arrive before 6:00 PM – for the price of an entree, you get an appetizer and dessert, plus a bottle of house wine for the table. A great deal!
- The flat bread and hummus
And, oh, what entrees – whether you opt for the DOUBLE CUT HERITAGE PORK CHOP, served with whiskey-apple glaze, autumn squash, braised cabbage, cranberry mustard; or your mouth waters for the CREEKSTONE FARMS FREE RANGE 8OZ FILET MIGNON, accompanied by parmesan steak fries, thin green beans with shallots & mushrooms, herb butter, and a delightful cabernet reduction; or you just can’t do without the ROASTED FREE-RANGE HALF CHICKEN, with parmesan steak fries, escarole, grape tomatoes, and herb chicken jus – they are all mouth watering, perfectly cooked to your taste, and served hot. Don’t forget to add a salad or a bowl of soup for $5 more. The “classic caeser salad,” with crisp romaine, garlic croutons, and grana padano cheese is a wonderful accompaniment to the meal, for example, but you have to be careful to eat the magnificent flat bread and hummus in moderation, or you wont have room for the entree or yummy dessert, such as the CRISP APPLE TART topped with cinnamon ice cream & caramel sauce!
Max’s tends to be noisy, once the action starts in the late afternoon or early evening. The outdoor and indoor bars, dining areas, inside and out, and the surrounding Mizner promenade, become transformed into a high energy social venue, with the amped-up decibels to prove it! So, if you covet a quiet, romantic, hand-holding candlelit dinner with that someone special, this is not for you. If, on the other hand, you want to truly enjoy and memorable lunch, brunch, or dinner, Max’s Grille is your place.
Overall He&SheFood Rating: CynMor ( for Cindy and Mort) score: 9 out of 10.
John G’s Restaurant
Posted: May 27, 2012 Filed under: Beachside dining, Neighborhood Bars, Popular Chains | Tags: Coleslaw, Cooking, Fish, Fish & Chips, Food, Home, Restaurant, United States Leave a commentJohn G’s Restaurant, 264 S Ocean Blvd. Manalapan, FL 33460. http://johngsdotcom.wordpress.com. (561) 585-9860
Over the years, your dedicated He&SheFood team has come to recognize that there are two types of restaurants out there: those that treat you right, whether you are a first time customer or a daily visitor, and those, like John G’s, that don’t. Forget the fact that in this day and age John G’s demands cash only – no credit cards; forget the fact that they won’t take your name and give you a pager like every other popular restaurant in the world; and forget the fact that it’s always a 30-45 wait – the sad fact is that their food is, well, average. And barely, if that.
On this holiday weekend, our group endured the obligatory 30-45 minute wait, and then were seated efficiently at a small table – the same they used in their old Lake Worth Pier location – but now in their new digs in a mall across from the Ritz Carlton in Manalapan – with much more room than before. Our miss-no-personality server took little time in taking our drink order, followed quickly by our food order – we opted for a grilled fish sandwich and the signature dish – the Fish and Chips.
The food arrived quickly and the picture below is an accurate depiction of the enormous platter of Fish and Chips, for $13.95, replete with a huge mountain of tasteless. soggy fries, and three pieces of unevenly cooked, breaded fried fish, which was adequate but certainly not spectacular. Slathered in tartar sauce and lemon juice, it was passable. I liked the thick cut cole slaw – in fact it was the highlight of my meal, along with the soggy hush puppy. She didn’t care at all for the cole slaw and left it virtually uneaten on the edge of the table. The grilled fish sandwich ended up half eaten.
After a hurried cup of coffee, we left with one piece of fish in a box. It is not likely we will be back any time soon.
Overall He&SheFood Rating: CynMor ( for Cindy and Mort) score: 5 out of 10.
The Fish and Chips
Duffy’s Sports Grill: Deerfield Beach
Posted: February 11, 2012 Filed under: Neighborhood Bars, Popular Chains | Tags: Buffalo wing, chicken sandwich, deerfield beach fl, loyalty card program, perqs Leave a comment401 N Federal Hwy, Deerfield Beach, FL, 33441 Telephone: 954-429-8820
Duffy’s web site: http://www.duffysmvp.com/
Self-proclaimed as “The Official Sports Grill of Your Favorite Florida Teams,” this all-Florida icon is where Cindy and I usually go when we have one of those evenings when we’re just too dog-tired to cook. There is something welcoming and reassuring when you walk through the doors ( which are held open for you by lovely greetors in sports-themed outfits) and you first encounter the myriad of aromas emanating from the place. And then, of course, there’s the deafening noise – definitely not for the faint of heart – but if you’re not bothered by the commotion and circus-like atmosphere, this is the place to go. Between their celebrated MVP Loyalty Card program, where points and perqs add up fast, and daily specials and Happy Hour, Duffy’s is just the place when you need a break from the routine. And we go there often.
On this occasion, a Friday night at 6 PM, we were lucky to be seated at a corner booth immediately (there’s usually quite a line at “rush hour,” but Duffy’s has been known to hand out wings and other snacks to hungry customers waiting in line), but, as is sometimes the case, we waited quite a while for our server , “C.C.,” to appear.
The quality of the wait staff at Duffy’s varies from one to five stars, but tonight we hit an all-time low. No coasters, no straws for our beverages. No smile. Monotonic, robotic voice. Slow as…well, you know.
It was Happy Hour, so we ordered a Blue Moon and got two drafts for $5.50,, which our server brought out relatively quickly – if you judge that sort of thing in eons, but we did save some time by ordering our meals when she brought the drinks. I opted for my favorite – the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich and cole slaw, and Cindy, the Tuscan Grilled Chicken on Ciabatta , with fries. Both sandwiches were priced at $8.99. It seems Duffy’s has been experimenting with their fries since our last visit, as these were crispy, less greasy, and browned to perfection. My Buffalo Chicken seemed to have a lot of heat, even though I ordered mild sauce , but delicious as always. Cindy’s Tuscan Grilled Chicken was good, not memorable.
Duffy’s doesn’t skimp on the meal portions. We left with a “doggie bag” of half of Cindy’s sandwich, full stomachs and a very reasonable bill of less than $30.
Overall He&SheFood Rating: CynMor ( for Cindy and Mort) score: 7 out of 10
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