Eats Good 33 (Venezuelan)

When you walk away with a fistful of menus and information about catering, I think it's a good indication you might be back....again....with friends.....and a work account. :)  Well, that's exactly what happened from my experience at Eats Good 33; I came straight back to work and handed 'money bags' the menu.  First thing she told me was "I just ate there yesterday!  It's good, eh?"  Ah yeah.

I had heard about this place from a couple of people, and good thing, as I would have never found it otherwise.  The only advertising you see from a semi-main road is a little sign stuck in the ground with an arrow indicating a next turn.  Who knew this little gem would be found in an industrial strip?  Well apparently, several knew, as it was packed when I strolled in... (You ever feel like the world is holding out on you? Note, it ain't holdin' out on me no mo!!)

My first thought when looking at the menu was, "I never knew you could have so many different kinds of arepas!"  What are arepas, you ask?  They are these flat, round, unleavened patties made of cornmeal or flour that are grilled, baked, or fried, common to both Venezuela and Colombia.  I've always had them with cheese, but Eats Good 33 cured me of the blandness!  Seeing as there were over ten ways in which to order arepas, my (thank you, Lord, for adventurous) colleague and I decided to get two different kinds along with a main dish.  Our arepas of choice were (1) "La Pelua" / slow-cooked, pulled beef and gouda cheese and (2) "La Sifrina" /shredded chicken with avocado and gouda cheese.  Who knew chicken salad type concoction could go on an arepa??  But, man, they were both tasty. Which one would you get?

For our shared main dish, we ordered slow cooked, pulled pork with rice, beans, and plantains.  Extremely delicious.  This dish came out first, so we were enjoying every bite, but the taste buds went into over-drive when the arepas came out.  After our lunch, we ordered a cafe con leche and a frozen cappuccino -- and they do the frozen cappuccinos the right way (literal espresso blended with a little bit of milk and ice).

Did I mention that everything is made-to-order?  All their breads are made fresh daily.  What this means for you is, don't bother bringing a large group unless you intend to spend half the day there.  They do, however, cater and deliver.  For large orders, you must call ahead at least 24 hours, so that they can be sure to have enough bread for the day.

Those thinking "I'm going THERE this weekend," think again.  Eats Good 33 is open only Monday through Friday from 8am-4pm.  Did I mention they serve breakfast?  Didn't try it, but I will (have heard those Venezuelans know how to do breakfast)!!!

Familiarize yourself with this logo, so you don't drive by and miss a little piece of Heaven.

Delectable....

Check it out:  http://www.eatsgood33.com/
6882 NW 20th Ave  -> that would be very close to Powerline & McNabb
Ft. Lauderdale, FL  33309
Tel. (954) 956-4480

Polish Deli Pyza (Polish)

Polish food has a special place in my heart....one of the best food experiences of my life was in this little second-story building that my colleague and I stumbled across on the outskirts of Warsaw.  It was a cold, wet night and we were starved for some authentic Polish food.  We started down the road and asked a couple of fellow pedestrians where the locals in the neighborhood went to eat. In broken English, they directed us down the street.  As soon as we walked in, it felt right.....low lights, the fireplace burning, the clink of glasses toasting, a rumble of laughter, and the fragrant complimentary smells emanating from the tables.  We found a cozy booth and started off by asking the waiter for her suggestion on Polish 'beverages,' which she got spot on. Trusting her judgment from there on out, we ordered appetizers and a dinner that was fit for royalty.

While I know that my every sense was engaged that misty night, I can't help but now recall Polish food as having a magical and nostalgic place in my heart.  Who doesn't find comfort in meats, vegetables, noodles, and sauces? So, you can imagine how thrilled I was when I found the Polish Deli Pyza, a local eatery that not only imports Polish goods, but also serves up Polish staples: golabkis (stuffed cabbage), pierogis (dumplings), bigos (hunter's stew), nalesniki (blintzes), kielbasa, etc.

To authenticate the eating experience, I took my Warsaw-food-adventure colleague with me.  He and I split golabkis (stuffed cabbages) and meat pierogis (dumplings).  While not quite the same uber-sensory experience as in Warsaw, the tastes were definitely a throw-back to happy times in Poland.  The question for me is always would I return?  And the answer is, YES. There's nothing in south Florida that can replicate the  down-home goodness of Polish cuisine.....that is unless you have a Polish grandma (and if that's the case, hook me up!!).

Check it out:
2663 E. Atlantic Blvd.
Pompano Beach, FL  33062
Tel.  (954) 601-2399

Café La Buca (Italian)

“Oh my gosh, this is better than …” says a friend, and that, dear reader, pretty much sums up our experience at Café La Buca in Pompano Beach!  If you haven’t been there, it’s worth the drive (one of my friends hails it as the best Italian in south Florida).  Café La Buca is owned and operated by a Napoli family, who obviously have done well in the local food business since they shut down for the summers to head back to Italy.  Must be nice!

If you are in the mood for some good (more like excellent), authentic Italian food and consider yourself open to letting the experience guide you, head on over to Café La Buca.  There are no menus (or posted prices) when you visit, you are served what the owner and his mama have concocted for the day (and usually it centers around whatever foods are in season or are freshly available).  And basically, they size you up and bring you out the amount of food that would be necessary for the people at the table (you probably want to tell them your cash limit, so you aren't shocked when you get your bill). When we visited, their main dishes were a bow-tie pasta with fresh salmon and pasta with pesto sauce. 

These were preceded by three rounds of appetizers: grilled and stuffed zucchini, ricotta stuffed breaded eggplant, and roasted peppers and olives bruschetta.  They were each amazing, and don’t get me started on the bottomless fresh bread, straight-out-of-the-wood-fired oven. 

  

For dessert, we had some type of Italian sponge cake with a Grand Marnier cream sauce topped with strawberries and cream.  Not only was it good, but I think we all felt a little giddy afterwards. :)

I hear their pizza is amazing, so that’s what’s on my table next visit.

If you need wine or beer with your meal, this place doesn’t serve it, but encourages you to bring your own (with no corkage fee).  Also, its best to show up for lunch unless you intend to wait a while for dinner, as reservations are required and the next available opening is usually weeks (and sometimes months) away.  With limited tables (5-6), they have limited space, so get there early!

Word of warning, if you are a control freak or a picky eater, don’t bother going – you might just get kicked out.  No joke.

Check it out:

451 S. Cypress Rd
Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Tel.  (954) 786-0673

El Agave Azul (Mexican)

First of all, shout outs to the friends who told me I needed to take myself down to Davie to try El Agave Azul.  It is the epitome and very definition of 'hole in the wall,' wedged in between a puppy shop and some other joint. But, don't let it's location fool you, it's no joke.  They know good food :)  And, apparently the word on good food gets around because people were rolling through (okay, they were rolling in and out as there was room enough for 4 adults in the entry way) the entire time we were waiting on our food.

Now, while this place is take-out only (though they do have 2 little tables on the outside of the building)...for now, they run a clean and friendly operation.  They were also extremely helpful with explaining their menu.  They may be new to the location (around for 9 months), they are not new to food as they have been catering for some time.  Yes, that's right, they cater and do "fillings by the lb or 1/2 lb" for takeout!

For my first go, I had one of their specials:  tacos de trompo (5 corn tortillas with "trompo," the north Mexican version of "al pastor").  It was tasty and good to the last crumb.

So, next time you are driving down 595 or making a trip to IKEA, stop by El Agave Azul...it's literally across the street from IKEA, so put it on your list of things to 'pick up' before heading home.  Tell you what, I'll even give you the menu ahead of time so you can call ahead :)

You won't be disappointed.

Check it out:  http://www.elagaveazul.com/ www.twitter.com/elagavezul and on Facebook!
13040 West State Road 84
Davie, FL  33325
Tel.  (954) 530-4321

Saigon Cuisine (Vietnamese)

Mmmm, mmmm good.  Wait, "good" doesn't even come close to describing my last food experience at Saigon Cuisine.  It was down-right sensational.  Don’t let its exterior dissuade you from walking through its doors – you will be pleasantly surprised once inside this Vietnamese gem.  An elegant and tastefully decorated place, Saigon Cuisine is definitely a place you could take a business meeting or a night out (in fact, they have live music from 6-10pm every Saturday).

Regardless of what you might be thinking you want to order, take my word for it; when you walk in, sit down, and the server comes over to take your drinks, order a (actually, make that two) #17(s) which is marinated grilled pork and mint wrapped in rice noodles served with peanut dipping sauce - probably one of the best things I've ever eaten (there's literally a party in your mouth).  You can also order Vietnamese spring rolls; though they are similar to other types of spring rolls, these ones are particularly thick and crunchy (usually served mint and other herbs which you wrap around the rolls and dip in their special serving sauce). Iced Vietnamese coffee is also a nice treat, especially if you are dining mid-day!

a half-eaten #17 (sorry about the blur; this just does not give it justice)

I’m particularly fond of “bun,” vermicelli rice noodle dishes that you dress with various sauces according to your own palate.  Saigon’s menu has an expanse of bun options, along with traditional Vietnamese “pho” (soup with your choice of meats and herbs) and rice dishes.  My advice is to take several friends, order separate dishes, and eat family style (all dishes in the center of the table and shared).  I followed my own advice and took a couple of people with me for lunch; after the appetizer, we shared #79 (bun with egg rolls, grilled shrimp, and pork), #95 (rice with stir fried beef and sate), and #124 (egg or rice noodles served with stir fried vegetables and seafood).  The portion sizes were a bit intimidating when they came out, but somehow, we managed to triumph!  Or did we (there was total silence with the occasional groan stemming from sheer delight)?

#79

#124

#95

One final word, tame your Vietnamese cravings for any day but Thursday because Saigon Cuisine is closed that day. How do I know this?  Just trust me... 

Check it out:
1394 N. State Rd 7
Margate, FL  33063
Tel. (954) 975-2426

Shalamar’s Roti Shop (Trini)

Walking into Shalamar’s, the enticing aroma of exotic spices fills your senses.  Known by the local islanders as “the place to go for roti and doubles,” Shalamar’s doesn’t let you down.  In fact, a friend of mine was telling me over lunch that one of her Trini friends took her and a bunch of her colleagues to celebrate Trini-Carnival at this really good roti shop, and she dug out the receipt just to tell me where it was…...and it was Shalamar’s, the very place that my Trini friends go to for a taste of home. The word on good food gets around!  But once again, unless you are looking for it, you most likely won't see it tucked in the corner of the strip mall.  But it's the real deal...

I ended up taking my own caravan of coworkers to Shalamar’s for lunch.  And in good fashion, we all ordered separate things and then nibbled on each other’s food:  veggie roti, goat roti, and boneless chicken roti (all tasty).  Roti is essentially an unleavened/flat/thin bread that encases your choice of filling.  And to give them the full experience, doubles for all (for those who haven't stayed up with my blog, doubles are a common street food in Trinidad consisting of a curried chickpea mixture ("channa") sandwiched between fried bread)!!  Of course, ‘peppa sauce’ for those who dared the heat (Shalamars' pepper sauce is deliciously home-made).  Tasters be warned, even without the pepper sauce, it's spicy (but so worth it).  I think it's safe to say, it was a hit.

By the way, I'm told that doubles do wonders for hangovers and know a few who order a few more on Friday in anticipation of Saturday hardships. I have heard it does the trick :)  Perhaps it's for this very reason that if you buy five, you get the sixth free.

boneless chicken roti

doubles coming up...

This little hole in the wall is a bit bigger than you’d expect, so bring a few with you when you try it.  And, for those of you eating Halal, it’s a safe bet for good eatin’ (there's some things for you vegans too :)).  While you are there, go ahead and order a Trini beer ("Carib") or soda to top off the experience.

Check it out:
1432 St. Rd. 7
Margate, FL  33063
Tel. (954) 977-6753

Old San Juan Take-Out Plus (Cuban/Puerto Rican American)

Every town needs a local sandwich joint, and I'm not talking about the deli in the local supermarket or where you go to eat fresh.  I mean a little place just off the train tracks where you walk up to counter straight off the street; a place where you know you won't be the only person waiting in the sweltering heat for some grub. If you don't know where your sandwhich shop is, don't worry, I've found it for you....and in good old south Florida style, it's Cuban/Puerto Rican.

Old San Juan Take-Out Plus.  Literally, less than a block from the train tracks and right off the street. I had seen it when my colleagues and I were headed for lunch and had to be re-routed an extra block due to a traffic accident.  I've never driven down the little road we used as our detour, but seeing a hefty crowd standing around this joint was not easy to overlook!  I made a mental note to return, and return I did!

Walking up to the order window, you can't help but notice all the flavors of shakes offered. Combine that with listening in on what the patrons are ordering and you have a sudden desire for a mango shake.  I asked one of the patrons if it was really that tasty, and she said it was the best she had.  No need to hear more, I ordered one, and yes, it was tasty!  I can't say it's the best mango shake ever because I can't say I've ever had mango milk shakes, but it is defnitely a do-again experience.

I asked the same lady what she liked off the menu; she said the Cuban sandwich and their shrimp and crab empanadas.  What?!?!  I've never heard of such, but apparently all of Pompano has, as they were completely sold out by noon. So, when I come back for my mango shake (at 10:30am!), I will order me some shrimp and crab empanadas.

Since I saw "Cuban Sandwiches" on the window the first time I drove by, I associated Old San Juan with a Cuban sandwhich experience.  So that, along with the lady's suggestion, sealed my lunch decision.

Apparently, other eateries had been holding out on me because I haven't had a sandwich quite like this in my years of south Florida living....I had never had them with roasted pork!  For those of you unfamiliar with Cubans (the sandwich, not the cigars), they are made with ham, ROASTED PORK, (sometimes salami), Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard on Cuban bread (a white, baguettle-like bread) that is then toasted in a heated press (called "la plancha"). A little tidbit of information: Cuban sandwiches were made popular here in Florida in the early 1900s (though they'd been enjoyed in the motherland since the 1500s) by cafes catering to Cuban workers and in the Cuban immigrant communities of Tampa (it was only much later that they were brought to Miami--for some reason, I thought it would be the other way around!). 

ANYWAYS, enough history :)  Old San Juan Take-Out Plus, remarkably clean and very tasty.

Check it out:
103 N.E. 3rd Street
Pompano Beach, FL  33060
Tel. (954) 941-0410