Nola's Pizza. Almost Boston in Greenacres...

Written by David DiCrescenzo on . Posted in Dining Out

Just under three years ago, I lived and used to take daily long walks around Greenacres, Florida.  On many of those walks I used to pass by a certain pizza joint called Nola’s that doesn’t look like much given its location in front of a local Walmart in a small strip mall.  In fact, I’m not gonna lie, the overall area is sort of sketchy, to say the least.  

That said, as anyone who knows me will tell you, I like a lot of different cuisines, but pizza is on the top of my food pyramid, followed closely by bacon, pasta, and any sort of “parm” so I’m surprised I never stopped in.

Anyway, until very recently, when a friend of mine took the time to rave about this place several times, I never gave it a thought, but I did put it in the back of my mind to visit whenever I might be in the area.  I tried to do just that three weeks ago on my way home from a trip to Ft. Lauderdale; but alas, I found out just as I was getting off the Turnpike that they are not open on Mondays.

As it turns out, I had to be in the area today to have some maintenance done on my car and decided this was the day to give this place a whirl.

I am so glad I did, because I’m a good cook in my own right, and being transplanted from Boston and used to the great food up there, I am something of a food snob.  Therefore, I’ve tried a lot of different pizza joints down here, and while some are decent, most are marginal at best.  

I ordered a simple cheese pizza with mushrooms, (fresh of course) on half of it, and while I waited for it I chatted with James the manager, who tells me they’ve been in the same spot since 1980 and have seen a lot of changes over the years.

My friend who did the raving was spot on.  I liked everything about this pizza.  The cheese blend was very satisfying, the sauce had just the right hint of sweetness, there was a perfect pinch of oregano, and the crust was so good I would gladly eat it by itself and just dip it in some oil and garlic.  

I didn’t see any, but the sign in the window says they have slices, which is fine but one slice or even two of this outrageously delish pizza, would not suffice after the first bite.  I also grabbed one of the homemade brownies, which was more fudge than brownie that was screaming at me from the counter.  It also screams for a scoop of French Vanilla Ice Cream on top, but I digress.

As I said above, I used to pass by this place several times per week.  I’ll never simply pass by it again, because I now have them on speed dial and whenever I’m in the area, I’m stopping to get a pie and I suggest that all my pizza loving friends do the same.

You’ll find Nola’s at 6272 Forest Hill Blvd., (next door/in front of Walmart).  Their phone number is 561-964-3518, and you’ll find their website and menu by clicking here.

 

The Patriots Press gives Nola’s Five Slices

Mangiare a di Ruffino's

Written by David DiCrescenzo on . Posted in Dining Out

So, I was house-sitting for a friend in a town called Port St. Lucie, FL.  A close friend and her husband who live there decided to catch up and grab some dinner.  She asked for a preference, which is kind of silly given that anything north of Micky D’s works for me.

So we decided on going for Italian.  My friend Loretta, (her real name BTW) being a bit more investigative than me when it comes to making such “earth shattering” decisions about where to eat suggested a little place called “Ruffino’s” on PSL Blvd. in Port St. Lucie.

Mind you, this is a little mom and pop place, (the best kind) located in a strip mall where families go on special nights; the kind that you might pass by a thousand times without noticing, and you’d be missing out.

Anyway, I walked in around 7:00 PM expecting a mediocre sampling of the bland yuck I’ve come to expect of Italian Food in So. Florida, so I was surprised to see the place packed so late into the dinner hour. 

I immediately recognized the familiar aroma of roasted garlic in the air; and the gals who worked there looked like the ladies I used to see in the North End of Boston where I’ve hung my hat more than a few times.

So, I decided that this place deserved a serious look.

On the way over, I developed a craving for some Chicken Piccata, a simple dish that some places just knock out of the park, where others have obviously not bothered to “swing at the ball.”

I looked at the menu just because, but I did in fact order the Chicken Piccata.  Mind you, by then there was already a basket of to die for fresh bread, heavily drizzled with EVOO and nicely diced Garlic with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated cheese.  The only problem with it was the basket was too small and we had to order another.  Back in the day, that kind of bread and a glass of wine would have kept me grinning in and of itself.

I have to admit, I don’t generally read the menus much past the name of the dish, so when our waitress, Daniella, asked me my choice of pasta and if I wanted a salad or a cuppa Pasta Fagioli, that was easy since it is one of my favorite comfort foods.  BTW, if I had known the Pasta Fagioli was going to taste that good, I would have just ordered a bucket of it.  Oh my goodness, even without the customary “sausich," this soup was just so delish…!

By the time it arrived, I realized that I ate too much bread and too much of the soup to leave room for the main course; however, there was no way it had a chance after the first bite.

The sauce was heavy on the lemon and capers which I really like; the only things I was surprised not to see was artichoke hearts and flour coating on the chicken.  It didn’t matter as the savory Piccata Sauce more than made up for it. 

I cannot wait to try their pizza and the “galamad” that was served at the next table and looked and smelled so good it is a MUST for my next visit.

For a relaxed dinner just about any time you don’t feel like heating up the kitchen and really want a tasty dinner served in a great atmosphere, this little slice of Italy in Port St. Lucie is well worth going a little out of your way for.

You’ll find them at the Rivergate Plaza located at 1145 SE Port St. Lucie Blvd. in Port St. Lucie, FL  34952.  Their phone number is 772-335-2988, and you can check out their menu by clicking here.

Blazing New Pizza Trails

Written by David DiCrescenzo on . Posted in Dining Out

In case you missed it, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017 was National Pizza Day and I was invited to celebrate this momentous occasion with several friends at the Blaze Pizza location up in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.  Being that pizza has always been one of my favorite foods, I didn’t even hesitate to go. 

Mind you, I had never heard of Blaze Pizza before this event, and I was really just looking forward to hanging out and relaxing for a few minutes.  While we were socializing I took a few glances at the menu and watched how they build the pizzas “smorgasbord” style.  What that means to you is simple really.  It is set up very similar to Chipotle Restaurants where you start by ordering one of several basic, good sized personal pizzas and choose between red or white sauce, and from there, you proceed along the toppings area picking and choosing whichever of the fresh cut toppings you want to add or swap out on yours.  And there are lots of them to choose from.  I have to say, I was impressed that a chain restaurant uses all fresh veggies, including the mushrooms and sauces.  If there was a can on premises, I didn’t see it.

Moving along from the “pizza building area,” one proceeds to the check-out area where the order is finalized and then the pizza is placed in, so I was told, a 750 degree oven so that it bakes very fast, which is a key for this company.  Key because from the moment you walk in to the moment your fresh, custom made pizza is in front of you is less than fifteen minutes.

They called my name when my order was ready.  It looked fabulous, and the savory aroma hit my taste buds and senses before I even got a chance to take a bite.  I have to say, this was the biggest culinary surprise I’ve had in a long time.  It wasn’t just good, it was over the top fantastic; and I mean this is a really stop the presses, call all of your family and friends to get some of this delicious pizza before you wake up from this dream and find out that it wasn’t real after all.

Now I don’t suggest you stop patronizing your favorite local mom and pop spot, however I am suggesting that when you’re not on your home turf, you visit the website and check for a location near you.  I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.  In a market place that sees some chains stepping up their game all the time, Blaze Pizza has raised the bar and the rest have some ‘splaining to do.

For service, quality, and over-all experience, not to mention great value, The Patriots Press wishes we had more than five “slices” to give them, but they get them all hands down.

You’ll find the location I visited in Palm Beach Gardens at 4665 PGA Blvd.; Phone 561-619-2782 and you can find a local spot by visiting the website.

 

 

 

Great Steak "Down Undah" in Royal Palm Beach

Written by David DiCrescenzo on . Posted in Dining Out

What a great "sammie" I had for lunch on Wednesday of last week.  Thinly sliced Ribeye steak on a Ciabatta roll with just a little “schmear” of mayo; if I had been thinking, I would have taken home some of the insanely tasty dipping sauce they serve with the "Bloomin’ Onions" at Outback Steakhouses.  I was fortunate to enjoy such a lunch due to the story and review below.

I got together with a sizable group of friends on Tuesday at the Outback Steakhouse in Royal Palm Beach.  Normally this group of guys meets at my church; however we decided to do something a little different.

Anyway, we made arrangements to meet at the Outback and they had a big chunk of the restaurant ready for us.

I haven’t been to an Outback Restaurant in a long time, and with few exceptions I’m not usually one for chain restaurants to start with; however I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised.  We had a special abbreviated menu from which to choose; either a Porterhouse or a bone-in Ribeye.  At the urging of one of the guys at my table, I opted for the Ribeye and I must say it was a great cut of beef; seasoned perfectly with just the right amount of marbling which made for a very juicy and tasty steak.  I gotta tell ya, I have probably had better steaks, but as I’m sitting here writing this, I really can’t remember when.  And of course it was huge and there was more than enough left over for the sandwich I described above.

I also had the house salad with the house dressing; crisp, fresh, and delish.  The side of real mashed potatoes was equally good.  Make no mistake, I’ve looked up the recipe for the dipping sauce as well, because that stuff would pair with just about anything worthy of dipping, be it fried or not.

As far as the service was concerned, both Cassandra and Chelsea were over the top; and one could tell that this was the normal level of service they provide, which is probably why the house assigned them to us.  Simply put, they know their stuff and were great.  Every one of us was pleased, our glasses were always kept filled, and no request for extra anything went unanswered.  To be honest, both of these young ladies would do very well at any high end restaurant if they ever choose to up their game.

I don’t know about the rest of their locations; however I would definitely recommend this one for a nice casual dinner with family and friends or even for that quick local business meeting.

For over-all good food and service, and comfortable atmosphere, the Outback Steakhouse earned all five of The Patriots Press stars.

You will find them at 11101 Southern Blvd. in Royal Palm Beach, FL.  They are open Sunday to Thursday from 11:00 am – 10:00 pm and until 11:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.  You can call ahead for seating or takeout at (561) 795-6663. 

Texas Roadhouse

Written by David DiCrescenzo on . Posted in Dining Out

I haven’t had a steak outside the house in a while, and I owed a friend dinner in payment of a favor; and so, since I’d been wanting to try the relatively new “Texas Roadhouse” on Southern Blvd., that is where we dined.

The first thing that hit me upon entering was the peanut shells all over the floor.  I haven’t seen that since a place from up north called “The Ground Round;” it got my OCD going in overdrive then, and it did again tonight.  I just don’t get that.

Putting that aside, the staff were all more than pleasant and helpful, and my stated wait time of 15-20 minutes was less than five minutes, which was a surprise given how busy they were.  

It didn’t take long for us to decide what to have, and our server Tom was on his game.  Assured that the Prime Rib was medium to rare, (which is how I like it) we both ordered that.  For side dishes, I ordered the Caesar Salad and Mashed Potatoes.  The salad was crisp and cool, however the dressing was flavorless and I can only refer to it as “white stuff.”  The spuds were acceptable.

Anyway, on to the “meat” of the story.  When my PR arrived, it was way too well done for my taste and as much as I hate to, I had to send it back.  Naturally, Tom apologized profusely, and a manager stopped by to fix the situation.  Since all of the PR was cooked this way, I was offered a comped Rib Eye which I accepted.  The RE was seasoned well and cooked to my liking, and my friend liked his PR.  I might add, the rolls are very tasty.

Would I return…?  Maybe.  Would I bring a date there…?  Not a chance. 

Overall, while this is certainly not a fine dining establishment; with the combination of relatively low prices and the occasional random “floor show” of servers breaking into a restaurant wide line dance, I understand why this place is popular with families, and I give them 3.5 of my five stars.

You will find them at 8865 Southern Blvd. in West Palm Beach, FL 33411.  To call ahead for seating, the number is (561) 651-0400, and you can visit their website by clicking here.