The real New York way!

By Becki Coffy

If you are looking for a unique breakfast and lunch restaurant in Deerfield Beach, look no further than The Cove Bagel and Deli.

This special eatery offers a full breakfast selection and an authentic deli with all the delicious meats and salads you enjoyed back home and have been searching for here in town.

With 40 years in the business, Steve and Karen Kay opened their restaurant in Deerfield Beach 10 years ago. The help of their children, Stacy and Adam, truly makes this a family affair. From babies to Baby Boomers, there is something to meet everyone’s satisfaction.

The menu is quite extensive, and it really was difficult for my husband and me to select just one dish to sample. My husband decided to enjoy something from the breakfast menu, so I chose something from the lunch side.

Had I realized they offered Eggs Benedict, my decision would have been made for me! Breakfast is served all day and only farm fresh eggs and the freshest ingredients are used. The three-egg omelets are enormous and filled with cheeses, meats, fresh vegetables, Nova or you may create your own. Muffins, English muffins, toast and, of course, bagels are available with your meal.

My dining partner chose The Cove Slam, which includes French toast or pancakes, eggs, bacon and sausage. The pancakes were light, fluffy and definitely some of the best we’ve had in Florida. The bacon and sausage had great flavor and were cooked just the way we like it. A unique dish that I intend to try in the future is the crunchy French toast — French toast smothered with frosted flakes and grilled to a crisp finish.

For my selection, I chose the classic Reuben sandwich stacked high with mounds of National Deli corned beef, Swiss cheese and sauerkraut on grilled rye and served with French fries and two huge half sour pickles that were fabulous.

Steve, the owner, also brought us a piece of marble chiffon cake, complimentary to all his customers on the weekends, while the supply lasts. He often offers complimentary items so his customers can sample something they may not usually order.

The lunch menu offers homemade matzo ball and chicken noodle soup, plus the soup of the day and 10 types of burgers, including a turkey burger and a turkey patty melt. All burgers are served with fries, lettuce, tomato, onion, coleslaw and pickle – no skimping here! Fish and chips, chicken tenders and shrimp in a basket are all available for $7.99. Triple Decker club, chopped liver, tongue, tuna, chicken, egg, shrimp and whitefish salad sandwiches help round out the menu. Be sure to try any of their “hot opens” – turkey, brisket or roast beef with gravy and French fries.

For those looking for lighter fare, there are grilled chicken sandwiches and seven salad choices from which to choose. Cove specialties include cheese blintzes and potato pancakes. Don’t forget to try one of their famous super deli sandwiches – corned beef, pastrami and brisket to name a few.

Our wonderful waitress, Connie, says she has a pastrami sandwich every day. The ingredients used in the restaurant are never frozen, and the salads are made in small batches throughout the day so that everything is amazingly fresh. It doesn’t get much better than this!

Although seating is available inside and out, we sat inside and enjoyed looking at all the memorabilia collected over the past 45 years. Whether hanging on the wall, sitting on the shelf or hiding in the corner, there was something to bring back great memories from a simpler time.

Outside seating is petfriendly and they will even bring a bowl of water out for your furry companion!

The Cove Bagel and Deli is located in The Cove Shopping Center on Hillsboro Boulevard at the Intracoastal in Deerfield Beach. Breakfast and lunch are served all day. They are open six days a week from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (closed on Mondays). A children’s menu for both breakfast and lunch is offered. Catering services and free delivery to local businesses and residences is available. 954- 481-8600.

Steve and his wife, Karen, make a point of learning their customer’s names and making everyone feel welcome and at home. The prices are affordable, the portions are large and the food is delicious. The Kays really live up to their motto, “The old-fashioned way is still the best way.”

Be sure to stop by and enjoy all that The Cove Bagel and Deli has to offer. Steve and Karen have made this more than a restaurant, they’ve made it part of the neighborhood. Until we eat again.

By Becki Coffy

Hungry for a great burger? Have a hankering for a hot dog? Then be sure to stop by Gimme A Burger restaurant at 1200 E. Hillsboro Blvd. in Deerfield Beach. The easy access and ample parking make it a breeze to enjoy this restaurant. The first thing you notice when you enter is the bright white and orange (a nod to Syracuse) decor and how sparkling clean and neat everything is. Owners Yasmin and Serhad Oktay chose the color scheme, designed the interior and the menu and their daughter suggested the hungry wolf logo.

This family business offers more than just burgers. There is something for everyone. Of course the most popular item is the Hungry Wolf Burger, made with your choice of 12 free toppings or, for a small fee, you may select other toppings, such as caramelized onions, bacon, wasabi mayo, Tahini sauce and fried egg, to mention a few.

Gimme A Burger has delicious hand-cut french fries, sweet potato waffle fries and onion rings. I hate to admit it, but we tried all three and they were wonderful. The onion rings were light and crispy with real onion inside. French fries were served with the skin on – my favorite.

The menu offers burgers, hot dogs, chili dogs, chicken, soups, salads, fish and falafel. We decided to break from tradition and started with their soups. My husband chose the chili that was made with just a hint of heat as the spoonful of thick, hearty soup slipped to the back of your throat. I chose their signature cheese burger soup, which was rich and creamy, filled with meat and topped with shredded lettuce and chopped tomatoes. It was not what I was expecting and a wonderful surprise. Both soups are made fresh in-house. We moved to course No.2 and my husband chose the most popular item on the menu: the Hungry Wolf Burger. So much for breaking from tradition! The burger was big, very juicy and full of flavor. All burgers are made from 100 percent certified prime black angus beef.

To shake things up a bit, they offer four other burger types. The Buffalo Burger is made from ground bison meat, the Wow Burger is primeblack angus beef mixed with spicy dried Turkish sausage, the Gobbler is a fresh ground turkey patty served with cranberry mayo and the Mediterranean Burger is fresh ground beef infused with onions, garlic parsley, herbs and spices.

I decided to take Yasmin’s recommendation and ordered her favorite, the ‘Wazzup Grilled Fish Sandwich.’ It was marinated in a blend of special herbs and spices to punch up the flavor of this flakey white fish, topped with lettuce and tomato and finished with a wasabi mayo to add just a little kick to the sandwich.

Also on the menu are hot dogs and chili dogs served on a grilled bun. There are crispy chicken tenders, a ground beef quesadilla, a grilled chicken sandwich and for the vegetarian they offer a ‘red, red vegan’ stuffed pita sandwich and falafel in a pita with tahini sauce.

Their signature salad comes with mixed greens, tomato, cucumber, dried cranberries, walnuts, chick peas and greek olives. Garden salads are also available. Chicken, a burger patty, falafel or grilled fish may be added.

For dessert, try the cinnamon sugar puffs. Add a scoop of ice cream if you wish or order one of their homemade milk shakes.

Gimme a Burger also serves breakfast from 7 to 11a.m. The ‘Cluck and Moo’ sandwich is an egg and cheese muffin served panini style. The ‘Howling Gobbler’ is made with an egg, cheese and turkey sausage. The Timber- Wolf, a sandwich made with a burger, American cheese, hash browns and a fried egg, will keep you full until dinner.

As for me, I’ll be trying the Snow Wolf Bizkitz on my next trip. These fried biscuits are served warm with powdered sugar and a side of cream cheese or mixed berry jam. Could that sound any more delicious?

Indoor and outdoor seating is offered and online ordering will be available soon. Menu available at www.gimmeaburger.com or call 954-708-2553 to place order in advance. Easy access, plenty of parking, great menu choices and friendly service make Gimme A Burger the new place to try. Stop by the next time you are out. Until we eat again..

By Becki Coffy

If you are looking for authentic, wonderful Italian food, then look no further than Antonio’s Ristoranté in The Cove Shopping Center.

Owners Alex Poulous and Paul Ferorelli have created a little piece of Italy right here in Deerfield Beach.

As soon as my husband and I walked through the door, we were greeted with the tantalizing scents of tomato, basil, garlic and fresh bread. White tablecloths and soft colors invite you to sit and relax. Fried calamari,mussels and Calamari Antonio, Scungilli salad, mozzarella sticks and homemade soups are available to start your meal.

We chose to skip the appetizers and head straight for the entree. Before we ordered, we were served a big basket of fresh garlic rolls. The rolls can be ordered with or without garlic, but when in Rome … The rolls were soft, warm, tender and covered with fresh garlic and olive oil.

For his entrée, my husband tried the Chicken Dijon. This chicken dish is sautéed with mushrooms and artichoke hearts and served in a white wine and Dijon mustard sauce with cream. There are many other chicken dishes to choose from, including Chicken Marsala, Francese, Parmagiana and Cacciatore, to mention a few. His meal included either soup or salad and a side of pasta with red sauce.

He chose to start with the Pasta Fagioli soup that was thick with beans, pasta and a hearty broth. I began my meal with the garden salad. Creamy Garlic, an Italian vinaigrette and Creamy Romano dressings are available. I tried the Creamy Romano, and it was delicious.

Since Antonio’s is wellknown for its fresh fish, I decided to try one of the daily specials and ordered the Snapper Francese. The fish was tender, moist and lightly breaded and cooked in a fresh lemon, broth and cream sauce. To go with my snapper, I chose the broccoli sautéed with toasted fresh garlic and olive oil and could not have been happier. The garlic was crisp and complemented the vegetable perfectly. My partner selected the pasta with red sauce as his side. The homemade sauce was thick and rich and full of spices and tomatoes. It was a wonderful delicate sauce for his pasta.

Shrimp Scampi, Fra Diavolo and Armando (shrimp sautéed with scallions, sun dried tomatoes, mushrooms, artichoke hearts in a rose sauce) and Linguini with white or red clam sauce are just a few of the seafood dishes available. Of course, the traditional Lasagna, Ravioli and Ziti are always popular selections.

Antonio’s menu offers veal choices such as Veal Milanese, Marsala, Francese and Parmagiana.

Pasta dishes include pasta with garlic and oil, meatballs or sausage, or marinara sauce, Fettuccine Alfredo, Penne alla Vodka, Angel Hair Carbonara and more.

For a more casual dinner, you may order a Calzone or Stromboli or try one of their homemade or specialty pizzas.

There are daily specials that should not be missed. The night we dined at Antonio’s, we could choose from Snapper, Tilapia and Salmon. All fish may be ordered Francese or broiled.

Paul Ferorelli feels the secret to their wonderful cuisine is the consistency. If you have a sweet tooth, be sure to try their cheesecake or any of their traditional Italian desserts such as Cannoli, Tiramisu and Spumoni ice cream.

Be sure to give this restaurant a try the first chance you get. You will not be disappointed. Antonio’s has been part of the Deerfield Beach community for over 40 years. They also have FREE delivery.

Antonio’s is located at 1636 SE 3 Ct. in The Cove Shopping Center. For reservations, call 954-427-4871 or 954-427-9002.

For more information, including menu, visit www.antoniosdeerfieldbeach.com.

By Becki Coffy

Tired of turkey?  Can’t look another ham in the face?  Then treat yourself to something different and stop by the China Gourmet restaurant in Deerfield Beach.  They feature an almost limitless menu that includes all the traditional items and other dishes with a slightly different twist.

Since I dine there often, I decided to break out of my shell and order something new.

The restaurant now features “Kevin’s Sushi bar.” My guest, Tim, really enjoys sushi.  I, on the other hand, am a little less adventurous. We asked Kevin to surprise us and select something for us to sample. Beautifully prepared and plated, he brought us the California roll (for me, I’m sure) which was avocado and crab and was wonderful. Tim was served ‘Valerie’s roll,’ which consisted of spicy tuna, avocado topped with spicy crab and scallions with crunchy tempura flakes and red caviar roe sprinkled on top. It was served with wasabi and ginger and was fresh and delicate. I believe Kevin may have made a sushi lover out of me after all!

Next, my dinner guest and I ordered the New York style pork. A large plateful of boneless pork cooked in a light, slightly sweet sauce that came to the table tender and fork ready. The portion was large enough to share and we ate every bite.  Forgoing the traditional honey garlic chicken or chow mein, I tried the Singapore noodles, a dish of thin noodles in a mild curry sauce smothered with shrimp, scallions, pork and red pepper. The noodles were perfectly cooked and the mild curry sauce did not overpower the flavors of the shrimp and vegetables.

Our lovely waitress, Scar-lett, suggested we try the General Tao chicken. The velvety brown sauce that covered the crispy fried chicken was just a little sweet with a hint of heat. This was served with a generous portion of steamed broccoli – a great accompaniment to the chicken.  This menu item is usually prepared with whole dried chili peppers and served hot in both temperature and flavor, but China Gourmet will adjust the seasonings to your specific taste.

The restaurant offers 18 appetizer choices. The egg roll is my personal favorite but the Crab Rangoon is a close second.  Lo Mein with beef, pork, chicken and shrimp; Cantonese specialties such as lemon chicken, seafood gourmet, moo shu pork and cashew shrimp are all available.

With 11 soups from which to choose I can never make up my mind. Sweet and sour dishes, chow mein, chop suey and egg foo young help to round out the menu.

For those who like it hot, order from the Szechuan specialties.  Kung Pao chicken, Hunan beef or scallops and sizzling beef are just a few of the choices.  Their combination platters are one of the best deals in town.  Ranging from $7.75 to $9.25, there are 24 selections that also include egg roll and pork fried rice.

My family generally orders the honey garlic chicken and the green pepper steak … Both are highly recommended.  If you want lighter fare, there are many tofu and vegetable dishes, including sautéed string beans (great!) and steamed vegetables.

China Gourmet, a family run business, has been serving Deerfield Beach for the past 29 years.  Kevin’s sushi bar has been open for the past year and is a wonderful addition to the menu. They are located at 1098 E. Hillsboro Blvd. Delivery is available. Until we eat again…