Are You Ready For Some Kickball

by J Fine | Jan 13, 2011 | Local Business

by J Fine

I want to help all our readers work towards accomplishing their New Years resolution to destroy the FTLC 365 Things To Do In Fort Lauderdale list. #243: Invade a weekly kickball party at Dicey Riley’s. The Fl Ocean – Winter 2011 Division (kickball) is currently open for registration. To find out what’s so special about Ocean Division I contacted Captain Sparkles AKA Jayne.

Me: Okay Sparkles, what is different about the Ocean division?
C.S.: We play hard, but we party harder. Ocean is on Saturday at 3pm and 4pm. No one has to work in the morning. Its fun and a great way to unwind.
Me: Dicey Riley’s is the sponsor bar?
C.S.: Yup, after the games they will have drink specials and free food.
Me: Cool, who joins? Usually the same people or new people?
C.S.: Both. New players and returning. I wouldn’t know people in Florida if I hadn’t joined WAKA. There have been kickball weddings, babies. I have made friendships that will last a lifetime.
Me: It will be my first season. What skill is required?
C.S.: Ocean is beginner level, non-competitive kickball. Like third grade kickball with drinking.
Me: Fair enough. I can do that.
C.S.: Flip-Cup skills do help.
Me: I should practice. How does the evening typically go following kickball?
C.S.: We start at the sponsor bar, Dicey’s and have ended up on an impromptu pub-crawl. Really fun times with good people.
Me: Thank you for your time Sparkles and I will see you on the field.
C.S.: No problem, see ya FTLC

For more information about Ocean Division you can reach Captain Sparkles at:  jayne@kickball.com or visit their WAKA’s website. I hope that some of you will join me while I meet new people, master the fine art of Flip-Cup and cross #243 off my list… while learning how to play kickball of course.

Registration costs $74/per player.
“The fee you pay varies by division due to individual city & park costs. Your fee covers such things as game equipment, WAKA team t-shirt for each player, field rental & general security. WAKA also provides a division tournament, a chance to play in the Regional and World Tournaments, membership in the social organization, personal WAKA player cards, funds towards the division’s parties and awards, help in developing the chosen charity, specials/discounts at the sponsor restaurant/bar, and other general operational costs & insurance”

Tasty Tease: Chocolate Bread Pudding

by Strawberry Jam | Jan 9, 2011 | Local Business

Find out where you can get this delicious dessert after the jump.

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This is what ALDI hype was about?

by Strawberry Jam | Dec 22, 2010 | Local Business

by Strawberry Jam

With the arrival of ALDI in November, came much anticipation for the discountgrocery chain which would be the first in South Florida of their thousand plus stores across the country. With their “honest to goodness savings” motto and German roots, could this perhaps be the IKEA of food?  Or, dare I say, the answer to our Trader Joe’s prayers? We did the investigating and are here to report this is sadly not the case.

With most non-perishables around just a few bucks, there’s no denying the store is significantly cheaper than your average supermarket.  However, my dreams of neat little European aisles stocked of quality products pretty much dissipated upon taking a closer look.  More than anything, ALDI is probably most comparable to a deluxe Dollar Store of food, with the addition of produce and meat.

The store itself is smaller than expected and largely full of processed and packaged goods.  Naturally, most products are off brands, with the exception of a handful of items like Ghirardelli brownie mix and Kit-Kats.  Maybe some spending-inducing music (there was none at all) would help minimize the Twilight Zone feeling.

The store will undoubtedly be a saving grace for those on a tight budget or even those willing to make separate trips to collect their weekly goods.  Grape tomatoes at 99¢ a container is hard to beat. But for the health-conscious and those still hoping for a Trader Joe’s  or its equivalent, we’ll have to keep holding our breath.  If you are still curious enough to venture out, BYOB (bring your own bags).

ALDI Deerfield Beach is located at 3825 W Hillsboro Blvd.

The Whole Enchilada vs Zona Fresca

by Miguel Bravo | Dec 13, 2010 | Local Business

By Mig

It’s unavoidable to compare Zona Fresca and The Whole Enchilada. They are both locally owned businesses that serve quality tex mex fare at affordable prices. They both cater to people who want their food quick and fresh, without having to tip a waiter. Both are located on US1, separated by only 3.2 miles of concrete. Most importantly, both are incredibly delicious.

Here’s my breakdown of the two eateries, conveniently organized by categories:

Tacos

Edge: Zona Fresca. Although I admired Enchilada’s boldness in adding their own flair to the seafood taco (grilled mahi with chipotle sauce and avocados in a flour tortilla), I still prefer the the authentic corn tortilla with fried, beer battered fish and that white sauce.

Burrito

Edge: The Whole Enchilada by a long shot. The Bob chicken burrito at TWE surpassed all expectations. The chicken chunks were tasty and plentiful, but the rice inside the burrito really stood out among all the other ingredients. Sad thing is, I didn’t even order the burrito enchilada style. Next time…next time.

Chips & Salsa

Edge: Zona Fresca by a long shot. Again, TWE’s tries their hand at some irregular flavors, but the fact is, their salsas were neither hot or satisfying to the taste buds. In fact, their mango and brown colored salsa were foul tasting.

The actual chips at Zona taste slightly better, but the difference is negligible.

Atmosphere

Edge: The Whole Enchilada. It reminded me of a burrito place in a college town like Gainesville or Chapel Hill. The walls were lined with old Mexican crosses and stapled money. The speakers lightly blared songs off Weezer’s Blue Album and Clap Your Hands And Say Yeah’s self titled album. The trash can had a picture of a little person body builder, warning us not to throw our basket away. Even the cashier looked hip with her red Chucks, skinny jeans, and knit cap. Overall, it had an edgy vibe, something that Zona Fresca lacks.

Prices

Edge: Zona Fresca. The burritos were similarly priced, but the tacos were over a dollar more expensive at TWE.

Conclusion: If I was held at gunpoint and HAD to choose one, I’ll stick with my longtime favorite Zona Fresca, mainly because of my continued obsession for their fish tacos. Again though, you can’t go wrong with either place. It just depends on what you favor in a fast food Mexican joint.

Huge Farmer’s Market Gets the Green Light to Open

by Strawberry Jam | Oct 1, 2010 | Local Business

by Strawberry Jam

Yellowgreen Farmer’s Market in Hollywood is set to open this Sunday, October 3rd, nearly a year after it’s initial grand opening was planned.  Last November, after investing five million dollars, plans were set back due to “major” safety, electrical, and structural issues, unexpectedly leaving hundreds of vendors at a loss just prior to opening and an empty building until now.  After talks of even moving the market to Hallandale, the market is due to finally open Sunday at 7am.  The 100,000 square-foot facility will house 300 booths offering food, produce, flowers, baked goods, art, and other items such as crystals.

Yellowgreen Farmer’s Market is located at 1940 North 30th Road, Hollywood, FL. It will be open 3 days a week, Thursday 7pm-11pm and Saturday and Sunday 7am – 4pm.

UPDATE: Yellowgreen’s hours as of April 2011 are now Saturday and Sunday from 8am-4pm.