Dining at Lilli’s Victorian is like jumping into another dimension, but not just any, the one from Harry Potter. The entire decor reflects the magical world of the famous wizard: from the Hogwarts train station, to Dobby, to the giant Hagrid in the back who overlooks the dining room, as if he wanted to make sure all diners would behave. Lilli’s Victorian has an interesting menu, but what we wanted to try is their afternoon tea. For $50, you get assorted mini sweets (tier 1), scones with jam and pastries (tier 2) and sandwiches (tier 3). Two things happened when we ordered. First they told us that we need to choose two out of four sandwiches, a choice that is not indicated on their menu. That was fine, Jodi choosing …
When one of the descendants of writer Victor Hugo (« Les Misérables ») joins forces with the Serafina group, you get one of my favorite French restaurants in the city: Brasserie Cognac. It is in 2008 that Chef Florian Hugo started this adventure that continues years later with the same quality and superb French flare. Brunch or dinner are equally delicious, with dishes like the soufflé that are perfect any time of the day. Their cheese soufflé ($34) is definitely recommended: fluffy and cheesy, with a delicious golden crust. It is a rare dish to see on a menu, besides of course, the classic chocolate soufflé, and they execute it perfectly, reminding me a bit my childhood in France when my mom was making it for dinner, being less successful when it comes to the way the soufflé rises. For a smaller size appetizer, the…
The 2nd Avenue Deli is one of these iconic Jewish delicatessen that do not age. The food is simply comforting, large portions being the main characteristic of such place. However, I love the fact that they offer a half sandwich and soup, even if for $28.95, it is a bit pricey. For soups, I prefer the matzo ball over the borscht, the latter not being the best I ever had (Veselka it is). The matzo ball is light, bathed in a delicious chicken broth with pasta and carrots. A…
We passed in front of Shoo Loong Kan in Jersey City so many times, with sometimes people waiting outside for a table, that we decided to give it a try on a windy and somewhat cold Saturday. We showed up at 12pm and got a table right away. Good, considering that 30 minutes later, the place was full. Meaning “Little Dragon Ridge”, It is named after a location in the Shapingba district of Chongqing, known for its mountainous terrain that looks like a dragon. Originating from the…
We recently discovered Lolita in Midtown Manhattan. This place, that serves Mexican food has quite an amazing decor, vibrant and bohemian chic that make it a hot spot for a happy hour. Well, talking about happy hour, it extends until 7pm on Fridays, which were the days we visited them, so we took advantage of it for their margarita ($12) and empanada de platano ($7 for two). They do have other cocktails, like The Jerk, that, just because of the name, I had to order. It had so many components: with vodka, banana, lime, strawberry, ginger, allspice, jerk bitters, scotch bonnet and is carbonated (hopefully, I did not forget anything). It is as they describe it like a clarified and refreshing highball with notes of Caribbean fruits and spices. And for sure, they are generous with the vodka! Anyway, being …
We discovered Court Street many years ago but never went back until recently, for restaurant week, where I thought that they did an excellent job serving dishes that make you want to go back, capturing the spirit of the event. And we did go back. Serving hungry diners for more than 40 years, its bar is always full of people having drinks or eating on the high top tables, but I prefer their dining room, located in the back, that is quieter. The food there is very good, with a long list of daily specials. I mean long. Issue is: everything sounds good and you are a bit overwhelmed by all these choices, knowing that you …
The biscuit Babe in Hoboken is a recent addition to the food scene in the mile square city, opening March 2025 and shy of two months in operation when I visited them. Replacing D’s Soul Food Cafe, the space is quite nice, bright and beautifully decorated, with inspiring quotes on the wall that you can read as your mind wanders. Biscuits is their specialty and, of course, I had to try their BBL Drizzly fried chicken with honey butter, even if it was only 8am…The sandwich looked amazing, the reddish, shiny fried chicken pieces dripping in honey butter, being squeezed between a nicely made biscuit. It was …
Hani’s Bakery is one of these spots that get a crazy amount of attention on social media, whether it is Tik Tok or Instagram, with people raving about one of two things that are absolutely to try. So, on a day I was off, we decided to see for ourselves. As it was a weekday, there was no line and the place was not that busy, although we saw many people stopping by to get some goods there. We ordered at the counter after a lengthy discussion about what to get, as everything looked good. We then …
One of the most memorable trips abroad was when we went to Japan few years ago, visiting Tokyo and Kyoto. I loved the food and the culture. An opportunity we got later on was getting a subscription to Tokyo Treat, where you receive a box on a monthly basis for a subscription, allowing you to discover, every time, new sweets or snacks. So, when ICHIGO.inc, the company of www.tokyotreat.com and Sakura.co contacted me to try their …
I had Oxomoco in Greenpoint on my radar for a while, so, when I heard that they got awarded a Michelin Star, I had to definitely go and see for myself. Let me start with that strange name that refers in Aztec mythology to a deity associated with night, astrology and the calendar, and is said to be the first woman, akin to Eve. Isn’t food a good way to discover other cultures?
Anyway, we decided to go to Oxomoco for brunch, that is served also weekdays. The trip to Brooklyn was not …
There is a new coffee shop in Hoboken, that seems to be the kind of businesses who wants to open in the mile square city considering how many have opened in the past few months or are scheduled to open. Question is: how many coffee shops do we need? I do not know and anyway decided to try anyway! So, Forum Coffee is new, replacing Cafe Amor, Hoboken being…
It’s been a while since I visited one of the locations of Luke’s Lobster, that I once considered, with The Lobster Place in Chelsea Market, one of my favorite locations for a lobster roll. There are plenty of places proposing this divine dish, but I often end up with a roll that has too much celery, overpowering the entire thing, or the lobster is overcooked. So, after going to Angelo Seafood Market in Hoboken, I decided to pay the one in the garment district a visit. But, instead of …
With a location in the east village, Tipsy Shanghai is a true find. Serving Chinese food in a beautiful decor, the dining room being decorated with tons of ornaments to remind you where you are eating, this place has an extensive menu. But there are few things that are a must have. The Wuxi pork ribs ($18) is definitely one, with a recipe that was passed from generation to generation since 1905. These ribs literally fell off the bone. Then there is the crab xialong dumplings ($7.95 for 4), pork and …
Opened in May last year, Diner 24 is trying to differentiate itself from an unfortunately dying breed of diners in the city. How? By serving big portions and crazy milkshakes. So I had to check it out and left perplexed: not that I was surprised that the huevos rancheros would just be ok in a diner (yes, they were and interestingly, our neighboring table ordered the same and the presentation was a bit different, with avocado on top; probably forgotten by the kitchen on our side), but I found that the 12oz double smashed burger they were offering, although it looked dry at first, was really good. The meat was juicy and nicely caramelized, with crispy bits on the outside. However, the onion…
Located in the posh Bryant Park Hotel, Koi serves an elevated Asian menu that is definitely worth a visit, even if a bit pricey. I should mention that they have a vegan menu that is not brought systematically to the table and you would need to ask for it. Of course, you can get a miso soup or some edamame, but I suggest the crispy rice that is in essence a sushi made with crispy rice that they propose with spicy tuna, yellow fin tartare or truffle avocado that is what we ordered. It is at this place that we tried crispy rice for the first time, many years ago, and we are never disappointed: you get the …
I finally made it to Angelo Seafood Market! Jodi having a lunch plan, I was thinking it would be the best time to go there as they probably have nothing vegetarian to offer if we wanted to go together. Nice place, with a store in the front, proposing various products, from pasta filled with lobster to canned fish and fresh seafood in the back. But it is in the basement that you can get their lobster roll, with mayonnaise or butter. I went for the latter, wondering if they would put some celery, too much of it in fact, in it. As I waited, a delicious smell of butter came from the adjacent kitchen and maybe…
I never had Taiwanese food before, so I was excited to try Wenwen in Greenpoint, and learned that it a blend of Chinese cuisine and local cuisine with influence from Japanese cuisine as well. We arrived a little before 12pm on a Saturday and were the first to go in. Well, 15 minutes later, that place was packed, from the dining room to the bar. Their brunch menu is quite appetizing with a few vegetarian dishes like the fried tofu with garlic soy paste or the pea shoots with tofu skin. The former was my favorite: crispy on the outside, soft inside with a delicious sauce made with sichuan peppercorn. I also …
Amzchef sent me a double induction cooktop for a product review. I really discovered induction after trying one of their products (post here) and love it because it allows you to control the temperature, similar to what you would experience with a gas stove. This double induction cooktop is portable, with dual burners that are paired with a cast iron griddle that can be used as an indoor grill, perfect to cook vegetables, meats, eggs or pancakes. Small (9.1"D x 18"W x 4.3"H), it is perfect for a small kitchen or a trailer, or anywhere on the go. Easy to use, you just need to get used to the display, that …
Each time we passed in front of Miriam, an Israeli restaurant located on the Upper West Side, we noticed the crowd and so, thought that we had to try this place. We never tried the dinner, only going for brunch. Reservation required unless you are lucky enough to have a sit at the bar. For drinks, we had their mint tea that was nice and sweet, or their homemade mint lemonade that was well made, not too tart or too sweet. However, I thought that their Turkish coffee was not great, being a bit watery. Food wise, I am still thinking about their lamb shawarma that was served with a fluffy pita, delicious Persian rice that was buttery and a harissa and yogurt sauce that …
When Pariwaar Delights opened a couple of months ago in Hoboken, replacing Mikie Squared, I was really excited as I love Indian cuisine, that I discovered during so many trips to India in the past. Calling itself the King of Biryani, I was looking forward to try their specialty, a rice dish that I only had thanks to one of my colleagues who was bringing that chicken and rice dish from time to time at the office, as he knew I loved that cuisine. Although it was spicy, I simply loved it. Our first visit was quite interesting as we witnessed a little heated discussion between staff in the middle of the dining room, thinking …
Newark avenue in Jersey City has many Indian restaurants and so, we like sometimes to try new ones, although I admit that I have my favorite: Rasoi. So, this time, we decided to go to Curry On as someone at work recommended it. As you enter, you feel like you are in a different place with the decor and lighting that makes you wonder if they throw parties at night. Menu wise, they have the classics, with nothing really standing out. We started with samosa chaat that is made with samosa, potato and crispy puffs, smothered in yogurt and tamarind sauce. Packed with flavor, crispy bits from the samosa, I love the sweet and savory taste of that dish. For our main, Jodi went for the…
I finally made it to Le Pavillon, the restaurant from Chef Daniel Boulud that is located across from Grand Central. Well, finding the entrance the first time was a bit challenging, like keeping a secret, but once you know and you try it, you just want to go back. This beautiful space with its wall of plants seems more modern and certainly less stuffy than the chef’s eponymous restaurant that, the last time I went, had jacket required, a requirement from the past. At Le Pavillion, jeans and tshirts sit next to suits and gowns. The food there is remarkable: modern French with surprising combinations, like the onion tart with époisses that is …
We were walking on the Upper East Side and decided to have a quick bite when we stumbled upon Vive La Crepe on Lexington Avenue. I love crepes, so I was thinking, why not? They had an interesting menu, so we decided to try their ham and cheese crepe that I thought was decent, the crepe itself not being at the level of a good savory crepe to be honest (savory crepes are called galettes and are made with buckwheat, while sweet ones are made with flour). Jodi got their Amelie, made with …
When we heard that Julietta, a popular gelato spot located in the West Village was opening in Hoboken, we were a bit surprised as Il Laboratorio Del Gelato is close by, although less classic, and there are plenty of ice cream shops in the mile square city. But we decided to give it a try. For both gelato and Italian sandwiches in fact. Let’s start with the first one: gelato. Jodi got their coconut one that was good. On my side, I was excited because they had hazelnut and got a sample of it. I did …
Fusion food is always interesting and chefs Aaron Israel and Sawako Okochi succeeded in proposing a creative menu inspired by Jewish and Japanese cuisine at Shalom Japan. The epitome of this is their matzo ball ramen that is when a matzo ball soup meets Japanese ramen (by the way, they even offer a kit to make it yourself). Made with chicken broth and bits of chicken, scallion, wood ear mushrooms and nori, it has mandels, that are crunchy croutons that you can …
Proposing modern American cuisine, L’Adresse is definitely a restaurant to keep in mind. This post is about several visits over time so know that the menu changes often and you may not find some of the dishes we had when we went, but at least you can get a feel of the place. The only two dishes that are always on the menu are their truffle burger ($42) and their “burger with cheese” ($29) or cheeseburger. Both are good, but I definitely prefer the cheeseburger that is anyway their signature burger; I thought at the beginning that they called it “burger with cheese” to make it sound fancier, but it …
I recently received an email from Sarah Tachon, the proud owner of La Maison Tachon, an online pastry shop that has a pop up in Greenpoint, at Oak and Iron on Franklin street, every Saturday, from 10am until sold out. So, we decided to check it out and spend some time in Brooklyn, our first stop being a tasting of freshly made goods. Classicaly trained as a pastry chef, Sarah Tachon worked for Dominique Ansel and at Maman, two references that are not to ignore. She started her own business last April, with a couple of coffee shops in Brooklyn serving her products that are made daily in a communal kitchen with …
When I received an email from Sarah Silverman asking me to try what she believes is the best chocolate chip cookie in the city, I was curious because I heard about Funny Face Bakery, the business she started in April 2016, famous for its cookies that display famous faces that are hand made, admiring for sure the craft that is quite impressive as you can easily recognize who is portrayed. But I never heard about their cookies and I admit that since City Bakery disappeared few years ago, I feel like a…
Located few blocks from the Exchange Place Path Station, City Diner is a modern version of an American diner: vibrant vibe, cocktails and elevated diner menu make this place stand out. It’s not a cocktail I wanted to try there, but their milkshake, especially their Nutella one ($9), being a huge fan of the famous hazelnut spread. Unfortunately, it was a bit light on it if it was not for the blob that they put on the whipped cream. We both got a sandwich. Me, the…
Opened in May last year, Diner 24 is trying to differentiate itself from an unfortunately dying breed of diners in the city. How? By serving big portions and crazy milkshakes. So I had to check it out and left perplexed: not that I was surprised that the huevos rancheros would just be ok in a diner (yes, they were and interestingly, our neighboring table ordered the same and the presentation was a bit different, with avocado on top; probably forgotten by the kitchen on our side), but I found that the 12oz double smashed burger they were offering, although it looked dry at first, was really good. The meat was juicy and nicely caramelized, with crispy bits on the outside. However, the onion…
If you have never been to The Tin Building, you are truly missing an incredible experience. This food market from Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten is superb, with my favorite spot being their bakery that proposes delicious items, similar to what you would get in France. My favorite is their brioche au sucre that is better eaten there, as the sugar will fall in the bag on the way home, and their...
Shalom Japan in Williamsburg is an interesting find: there, married chefs and owners Aaron Israel and Sawako Okochi created a menu that merges their two cultures, Jewish and Japanese, giving a nice twist to both cultures, the most representative dish being their matzoh ball soup ramen that is made of chicken broth, wood ear mushrooms, scallions, nori, soy marinated egg (it is an add on), Mandel for some crunch and matzoh ball (I asked for a second one). This is a ...
Few weeks ago, Amzchef Appliances sent me this slow juicer and asked me to review it,. So, I played a bit with it, making orange juice, pineapple and apple juice, pomegranate and apple juice,...
It is a tall juicer for sure, and, when I unboxed it, my first action was to make sure that it fits under my kitchen cabinets, that was not a problem at all. The size is because...
Years ago, I have tried the lobster pasta at Avra Estiatorio, a fancy Greek restaurant with several locations in New York and since then, I have been drooling just thinking about it. The last time I went there, they were offering the dish for market price at $75 a pound, plus $20 for the pasta that I thought was a bit pushing the envelop as they could have thrown the pasta for free for anyone ordering lobster! Anyway, we went there on a weekend for lunch and I saw it on the menu for $64. So, I decided...
Smashed burgers are becoming a trend. It’s true that because of the way they are cooked, the taste will be a bit more pronounced, especially when the edges are slightly crispy and caramelized. So, after 7th Street Burger (my least favorite) and Dipped’n Smashed (my top burger joint) opened, I thought that would be it. This was until Mashed Burgers opened a couple of weeks ago, replacing Bareburger that suddenly closed. So we had to try it. The decor at Mashed is colorful and you cannot...
Don’t be mistaken by its name: Byrd is not specialized in cooking volatiles many ways, but is a nod to the American polar explorer, Richard Byrd, with their logo being the Arctic Tern. Yes, it is Byrd with a “y”. Located off the beaten path, it is one of those fancy restaurants in Hoboken that are worth a little walk. There, Chefs and owners Ehren and Nadine Ryan serve an array of interesting dishes to share or not, starting with snacks like their bbq'd Matake mushroom skewers smothered in soy caramel glaze...
I don’t know if you have noticed but there are more and more Japanese restaurant that are based on the principle of make your own box rather than just taking some pre-made items. Sushi and Co is one of them, with already three located in the city. The one I visited opened several weeks ago in the heart of Time Square in New York City.
Paris Baguette opened few weeks ago in Hoboken. This South Korean bakery that opened in first location in 1988 proposes a French inspired offering. But I admit that I would probably not go there for a croissant or chocolate croissant that are good but would be better with more butter, preferring more their pain aux raisins or their chocolate twist that is slightly crunchy and buttery, their sugar twist, their Pastéis de Nata that is a Portuguese egg tart, or, more French, the palmier that is one of the best I had, being buttery and nicely caramelized. They also have their own interpretation of the…
A knife is to the Chef what a scalpel is to the surgeon. So, when a representative from Sakuto proposed to send me a Damascus steel knife complimentary for a review, I was quite excited. I admit that I never heard of Sakuto before, probably because I was not looking specifically at kitchen knives before, but learned that it is one of the most famous Japanese brands that originated in Seki, a city well known for its…
Adjacent to The Moma, The Modern is probably the most underrated two Michelin stars restaurant in the City. I do not know why. Anyway, we were looking for a place to celebrate our anniversary when we saw that they offer a unique experience that any food enthusiast would appreciate: a table in the kitchen that gives you an inside look to what happens in the kitchen. I have been to Michelin star kitchens before, from Noma in Denmark to Maison Pic in France, without forgetting Eleven Madison Park, and have…
Replacing City of Saints, Koocheh Coffee, opened few weeks ago in Hoboken. In Persian architecture, a Kucheh or Koocheh is a narrow alley that suits well this small place for sure. At Koocheh coffee, you get classic offerings of a coffee place, but there are few additional choices that are worth trying: chai that you can see more and more on menus, that, even if made from a syrup, is quite good, and their turmeric latte that Koocheh’s owner, Babak Moghaddam, told me…
Italian family style restaurants always remind me when I brought my family who came from France for our wedding to Tony Di Napoli for a welcome dinner. We not only had fun with my family singing what I would just call classic French celebratory songs (I will not give more details but you can guess that there was some good ambiance in the restaurant), but the food was delicious (if you go, get the meatballs). So, I was looking forward to going to Carmine in Times Square. We were 7 people and had to wait just a bit for a table, the big…
We passed in front of Uncle Momo many times and decided to try that place for brunch on a Saturday. The result? We went back several times for lunch and dinner, the food being very good. We mostly tried their Lebanese dishes, some being served with their house made pita that is superb and is a must have (you can order it for $1), perfect with hummus or babaganouj. If you are vegetarian, they do have a falafel platter (these falafel are light and crispy), but my favorite is the Momo’s breakfast that…
With its scallion pancake sandwiches, Win Son Bakery in Brooklyn, has been all over social media, people raving about the Taiwanese American sandwich fusion. So, I decided to try it. We went early right before Memorial Day, thinking that many people would be away. Wrong: the place was packed, we got lucky and found a seat inside. We ordered at the counter and it took a bit of time to get our food, the staff bringing it to you after identifying your order with the number they give you at the cashier that you place on your table. I got the mortadella egg sandwich, mortadella being one of…
Have you ever eaten in a disco, the music being so loud you can’t even hear what other people are saying? That is what I felt when I had dinner at Pink Taco in Times Square. They describe themselves as a “trendy eatery/bar with a rock 'n' roll vibe, serving Mexican fare, including tacos & margaritas”, that is for the most part correct, but the rock n’ roll part is more than a vibe. Good music, but so loud, that you just want to eat quickly and leave (at least that is how I felt). The thing is, the food took forever to come, and…
We were going to the Museum of the Moving Image in Long Island City, when we stumbled upon Sala Astoria a restaurant with a large tapas menu. Great place I have to say, with so many choices for vegetarians and non vegetarians. Of course the tortilla espanola is a must when having tapas and theirs is superb: moist with the egg very slightly runny, smothering the perfectly cooked potatoes and onions.
When Morelia Gourmet Paletas opened in Hoboken, I was really excited! I love ice cream, so combined with whatever topping you can put on top, this is heaven. The ice cream at Morelia is simply delicious, made fresh everyday, and creamy. When you go there, you first pick your paleta from their large selection, that you can then dip and cover with the topping of your choice: dark chocolate, white chocolate, crunchy…
If you are looking for a place for breakfast or brunch that proposes insane dishes and milkshakes, Brownstone Pancake Factory in Freehold is the right place for you. As you enter, you get the sense that this will be a bit crazy, the decor, with its fully functional carousel and sign in the back, setting the tone. Sure, you can get plain pancakes, waffles or French toast, but, looking at the menu, you will be intrigued and probably want to order something decadent. To start, check out their milkshakes: you can get a classic vanilla or chocolate one, but their “ultimate insane milkshakes” are…
The Burger Temple in Weehawken is an interesting place: located in an old bank (you can see the vault in the back) and with a cool decor, it is not just serving burgers, but also Colombian dishes like arepas or empanadas.
Created last year by the founders of Unregular Pizza, Unregular Bakery is quite original: do not go there if you are looking for classics. The vessels for their sweet or savory offering are laminated croissants or bombolone, these Italian donuts and you kind of get overwhelmed with all these mouth watering items on their menu, with lots of vegan choices. I did not really liked the filling of the BurraCroissant, that is…
It’s been a while we wanted to try 10th Street Pasta & Pizza and we finally made it. Why did we want to try it? Many people say that it is the best pizza ever. So, on a Saturday evening, we decided to show up there, early because this place is always packed. It was crowded for sure, but we were able to be seated outside, even if the weather was still hot. This was not our best choice considering that the pizza itself was piping hot! Anyway, we decided to try their square classic….
It is always sad to see a restaurant closing, but also exciting when another is opening. So, yes, I was excited to visit Lemongrass, a Vietnamese restaurant that replaced City Lobster who was removed from these premises because of unpaid rent. At Lemongrass, you order at the counter and have a choice between summer rolls, rice plates, vermicelli plates, banh mi and Pho. I tried the first four, ditching the Pho for a cooler season!
Left Bank Burger Bar is, as its name indicates, a burger joint in Jersey City, few steps from the Grove Street path station that serves some incredible burgers. We were there few times and have never been disappointed, the burgers being delicious and creative. The only negative would be the fact that they do not serve milk shakes, that I love with a good burger, but that’s…
We were walking in Hell’s Kitchen, looking for a place for brunch, when we stumbled upon this small restaurant, tucked between two busy places. The menu being enticing, we decided to try it. This is how we discovered 9th Avenue Blue Seafood Bar and Eatery. Opened at the end of 2016, this place serves a wide array of Mediterranean dishes: pizza, pasta, seafood, etc. With the option to order from their brunch menu that had classics like waffles or eggs Benedict elevated with lobster, or regular menu.
It’s been a while since we went to Khe-Yo, the restaurant of Chef Marc Forgione located in Tribeca. The first and last time we went there, we had great food, but the music was so loud that we just wanted to eat quickly and leave. So, we decided to go back for lunch, as I was off during a weekday and sat outside, enjoying the nice weather…and the quiet.
Dim Sum Palace is not unknown to me, having dined at this place multiple times, trying some of their small fried or steamed dishes. It is always exciting to go there, marking with a pen on their menu your selection, sometimes probably going overboard as you want to try plenty of things, similar to what would happen in a tapas restaurant.
Have you ever been to a restaurant and, after seeing their menu, wish that you could order all of it? Or if one single ingredient could be changed, you would order that dish? It happened to me multiple times. But that problem is resolved at Il Gradino, “the step” in English, an Italian restaurant located on the Upper East Side that opened in May 2022. There, owner Diego Argudo, a veteran of the restaurant industry, decided to implement the concept of piacere (pleasure, enjoyment in Italian) that is interpreted that as “preparing the dishes your way”. Diego explained to me that…
Short for l’appartment, L’Appart is a hidden restaurant located in The District, a French marketplace located few steps from the World Trade Center. We discovered this place few years ago and could not wait to go back for our anniversary. With 28 seats and an open kitchen overlooking the spacious dining room, this place proposes a unique experience where the term hospitality meets its true meaning: from the moment you enter to the moment you dine, you not only feel welcome, you also feel special.
Chef David Burke is not unknown to me as I ate in many of his restaurants in the city and saw him few times on TV in shows like Top Chef. So, when I was invited to try David Burke Tavern, I was really excited because I knew this would full of surprises. As we arrived, we went to the upstairs dining room and sat next to a penguin, not a real one of course: a stuffed animal. You might have heard that, during Covid, to ensure that patrons would respect social distancing, Chef Burke bought…
This post is a bit overdue and describes our experience as we were walking around New York and noticed Le Fournil, a French bakery that I could not resist trying. The experience started well, with a wonderful and appetizing smell filling our nose as we entered the place. We decided to get three of their baked goods: a chocolate croissant (pain au chocolat), a raisin…
It’s been a while since I have been to Lokal in Jersey City. Not that the food is not good, but there is so much to explore in Hoboken, Jersey City and New York that time passed before going back there. So, when I got an invite to try their new menu, I was thinking that it would be a good opportunity for a revisit. I did not regret it: the food at Lokal is not just exciting, it is overall good in a relaxed atmosphere, not too noisy (well, it will also depend on the neighboring tables of course), with a breathtaking view of the city.
We ended up at Auntie Guan’s Kitchen as we were looking for a place close to the Path train, and passed in front of this place that makes dumplings, quite a few times. Classic menu with spring rolls that were good, crispy, although the ratio shell to filling was in favor of the former, and the Dan Dan noodles not as good as what I had at Hao Noodle or…
A few months ago, Charritos decided to redefined themselves as a Taqueria, changing totally their menu, keeping only their guacamole that used to be one of the best. Used to because the one they serve today, with a generous amount of salsa and tortilla chips is not as good, a bit soupy, as if their used a blender to make it, with not enough chunks of avocado in it.
I discovered Rubirosa many years ago but never posted about it. I cannot remember why. I also do not know why it took us that long to go back, this place being fantastic. Most of the people go for their pizza that is superb, with its crispy thin crust. What is great is that, if you hesitate a bit, you can pick two different pizza flavors, each going in half a pie. The classic, that is simply made with tomato and mozzarella is good, but the best for me is the Tie Dye that is made with vodka sauce, tomato, pesto and mozzarella.
We wanted to try Whipped Urban Dessert Lab, a vegan ice cream shop located on the Lower East Side and did not expect to see a long line in front of it. We waited a bit and then weere able to enter the shop that was not that big, making our way to the front where we could order on a screen, a system I always prefer when not sure what to get…
For few years now, for my birthday, we have been going to Porterhouse in Columbus Circle for dinner. I have never been disappointed by this place, always going for the same steak: the chili rubbed boneless ribeye. Always perfectly cooked medium rare, very tender, juicy, the chili rub enhancing the flavor of my favorite cut.
Located where Talde the eponymous restaurant of the Top Chef alum used to be, Hudson Hound opened in 2021 near the Grove street stop of the Path train. This outpost of this NYC Irish-American restaurant serves delicious comfort food with classics like the fish and chips or the full Irish breakfast that is composed of two eggs (you make them your way, so I chose sunny side up), Irish bacon (rashers), Irish sausage (bangers), roasted half tomato with herbed breadcrumbs, sautéed mushrooms, black & white pudding, boxty potato cake, baked beans, and a slice of house made…
It seems that mochi donuts are a thing, with plenty of spots opening, serving this delicious combination between an American doughnut and Japanese mochi that originated in Hawaii in 1992. The Chicken Factory that serves fantastic Korean fried chicken is now serving mochi donuts. Shaped with eight balls, these deep fried donuts have a slightly crispy outside and are chewy on the inside. Like classic doughnuts, they can be proposed in many ways: the classic with confectioner’s sugar on top, churros, coffee, cookies and cream, chocolate with coconut, etc.
We passed in front of Lexington Candy Shop few times, noticing their windows full of Coca Cola bottles from all over the world. So, it was time to try this close to a century old luncheonette located on the Upper East Side. Small, packed, with still this nostalgic feel, and the rudeness of the service that seems to be a signature, unless you are a regular…
I was really looking forward to trying the new location on broadway of Wolfgang Steakhouse, but, our dinner did not go as expected. It started well though. Entering the place, I saw some bottles of whisky against the wall, not knowing at that point that they have a very large selection of this delicious liquor, my choice that day being a glass of Kentucky Owl Confiscated.
Mischa, the new venture of Chef Alex Stupak from Empellon, is difficult to fairly describe. First, the place is hidden in an office building on Park avenue and if you pass by, you would probably not notice it. That could be on purpose, so only diners specifically looking for it would go there. Then, the menu is a mix of various cuisines, served with a twist, like the deviled egg floating island that combines two different dishes (the deviled egg that originated in Ancient Rome and the floating island that is a French dessert) in an elevated way. Light but also creamy, it is served with trout roe that…
There is no question that Antique Bar & Bakery is one of my favorite restaurants in Hoboken: their food is simply fantastic, their dirty ribeye being phenomenal and their bread pudding one of the best I ever had among other things that makes this popular restaurant a visit worth a trip to the mile square city. So, when they opened Antique on 112, few steps from their restaurant, we had to try it. The first time was during the Holidays, a perfect time as many people were traveling. The second was recently: the experience was totally different as the place was packed and the cuisine seemed overwhelmed with not just the orders from their hungry diners, but also the deliveries….
When La Isla Uptown closed, I was a bit sad, the place serving delicious Cuban food in a more spacious space than the downtown location. Martha’s came a few months later, who, leveraging on the decor of its predecessor, serves new American cuisine. We went there a couple of times, and tried some of their dishes. Here is what we had:…
I passed in front of the Scandinavia house so many times and never noticed that there is a restaurant tucked inside: Bjork Cafe proposes Nordic cuisine in a minimalist decor. We found it on Opentable.com, as we were looking for a place to go on a Friday evening few weeks ago.
This is not the first time we went for afternoon tea at The Plaza Hotel. We wanted to go during the Holidays, but it was impossible to get a reservation. So we went 2 weeks ago, on a Saturday at 11am. As we arrived, they asked if we had any dietary restrictions and gave Jodi a vegetarian menu that was not on their website. On my side, the only choice I had was the Holiday Signature Tea that they probably continue to serve in January. If you never had Afternoon Tea, it is composed of…
Since it opened in August last year, Toast x Bowl has been one of our favorite places for lunch on the weekend. This casual place offers an interesting menu composed of sandwiches and rice dishes with an asian flair. I admit that I am not sure which one I prefer, both being quite tasty.
The sandwiches are a take on classic egg sandwich. Made with a deliciously buttery toasted brioche, they top the moist scrambled eggs with whatever you will order. My favorite is the…
When Le Relais de Venise closed during Covid and remained closed until recently, I thought that was it. But then, I started to see people posting about this place. It did not take me long to go there, excited, knowing that the reopening triggered long lines, probably thanks to social media, a phenomenon that happened few years ago with Skirt Steak, a copycat from Chef Laurent Tourondel.
We went when I was off from work and, as they were supposed to open…
Have you ever been to Benihana? Or any Hibachi place? I love these places: they are fun and when the food is also good, this is even better. This was our first time at Benihana: we talked about going there for years but never did until the Holidays where we thought that it would be a good dining experience after seeing a show on Broadway. As we arrived, we checked in for our reservation, but they told us that we had to wait a little. The reason was that they needed all the people sitting…
When Dipped N’Smashed announced it would take over the space of Curry Up Now, few doors from Carlo’s Bakery, I was a bit skeptical: Shake Shack, 7th Avenue Burger and 30 Burgers (that I did not like) are just few blocks away. What would this place offer that would be different? Well, that is when the Dipped part of the name comes into play: they make fresh donuts that you can then customize. So we decided to give it a try, starting with a first visit just to try the donuts.
Meaning “Hamburger construction site”, Cantiere Hambirreria is a truly unique place. Opened mid-December on the Lower East Side, this is an outpost of an Italian restaurant that opened on Lecce, Italy back in 2017. Beams, bikes and various signs give to this place a certain charm that makes you feel right away that you are in a special place.
Finding Metropolis, the new venture of Chef Marcus Samuelsson that opened few weeks ago, is a bit challenging if you do not know that it is inside the Perelman Performing Arts Center. There isn’t a sign outside indicating that you have to go inside the art center and immediately see a busy place with a sleek dining room.
It’s funny how first impressions are not always the right one and you sometimes need to give a second chance to restaurants. This is what happened with Saka. When this place opened in Hoboken, replacing Myron Mixon's Pitmaster Barbeque, I was a bit skeptical: there are plenty of Japanese restaurants already in Hoboken, so, what would this one bring to the mile square dining scene? Two things caught my attention…
Few years ago, gluten-free options were very limited, with mainly bread and pizza, people often commenting on the latter tasting like cardboard. But now, there are many more options, tasty options. I could mention for instance the donuts at Alfalfa in Hoboken that you would probably not guess are gluten-free if I did not tell you. Eating gluten-free used to be necessary for people with celiac disease or other ailments, but, many people started to adopt such diet and reported less bloating, better digestion and energy level. So, I was…
It’s been years we have been talking about trying The Grey Dog in Chelsea, but it only took a visit from our friends Gary and Jen to make us venture to this popular place. Too popular maybe as quite noisy, a bit disorganized and slow (they forgot to bring Jodi’s dish), but quick to bring you the check and get the bill paid so you can leave, when you are still trying to enjoy your dish….
I never know what to expect when I go to a restaurant located in a hotel: sometimes it is delicious like Fire & Oak in Jersey City, and sometimes, it is disappointing. So, going to Ramerino Italian Prime was a bit of a bet, their menu looking delicious. As we entered, the spacious dining room was empty that was not a good sign and I admit that the stale bread they served us was also not a good sign. At least, the espresso martini I started with was good, well balanced, upping a bit my hope that we would have a nice dinner. We started off with the melanzane that is baked layers of sliced eggplant,…
When the Pastrami House closed its doors, I was not that surprised. The food was good there, but the lack of space for dining left this place with no other option than being a take out joint, limiting a bit its customer base. So, very quickly after they closed in the Summer, construction began and Purple Rice opened in August, and we decided to give it a try. We ordered on their Point of Sale, where most of the dishes were presented with a photo, that I thought was a good idea as we had no idea what some of the dishes were.
Conveyor belt sushi, also known as kaiten sushi, is fun and changed the way we indulge in this beloved Japanese cuisine. As you take your seat, a sense of anticipation fills the air. The vibrant colors of the plates rotating on the conveyor belt grab your attention, casting a spell of culinary adventure. You watch with excitement as the chefs behind the counter meticulously craft each tiny masterpiece, a testament to their skill and dedication. The concept is simple yet ingenious, pushing you without even realizing it, to consume more than you would in a regular Japanese restaurant. So, when…
There are lots of Thai restaurants in New York, with few standing out: Zoob Zib is one of them. We went few times and it was always packed. What makes this place special: simply good food, from the classic pad see ew (Jodi ordered that dish every single time) to the chicken massaman curry (this is a sort of test dish for me - if they do not make a good massaman curry, this is a bad sign). But there are two things people should try there: their roasted duck and their noodles, that you…
Do you remember Carnegie Deli and its opulent dishes ? Little did I know that the owner of the regretted delicatessen owns a location in Edison, NJ named Harold’s NY Deli. Entering the place, you know that everything is big there, just by looking at the giant cakes with slices probably three times what a 24 layer cake in a steakhouse would be. Or the Lintzer tart that, with its 7oz, could feed an entire family…
We were looking for a place to eat near the Flatiron when we stumbled upon Effin Egg, a small joint serving breakfast all day. The main option on the menu is egg sandwiches and I admit that their selection is mouth watering, each of them prepared in various ways, although if you prefer a simple one, they have the Effin Boring that is simply made with scrambled eggs and cheddar, squeezed…
Barbounia has been around for years, but, each time I was planning to go, I changed plans. Not sure why, because this place, that serves Mediterranean cuisine proposes some fantastic food. It was so good that, after going for brunch, we decided to go back for dinner. Here is what we had:
Let’s start with the brunch. To start we got their fire-roasted…
7th Street Burger is a burger joint that reminds me a bit of Corner Bistro with its minimalist menu that is composed of 4 options: cheeseburger, single or double, or Impossible burger, also single or double, except that Corner Bistro has more to offer when it comes to drinks. Still, this place that started in the East Village back in 2021 and has now more than 10 locations, decided to open one in the Mile Square City, just a few blocks from Shake Shack, that is quite courageous.
We were recently in Berkeley Highs to see my niece, Rayna, perform in a school show, and so decided to grab lunch with the family. That is how we discovered Winberie’s in nearby Summit. This all American restaurant proposes a large menu that I admit made me hesitate a bit, but I finally settled for the chicken and waffles, a southern dish that I adore for its interesting combination of sweet and savory, crispy and soft. The chicken was really good: crispy, it was moist and most importantly, cooked all the way through. It sat on a waffle that was soft and chewy, with a slight crisp.
I love Blu On The Hudson and it has become my favorite brunch spot. Located on the waterfront in Weehawken, Blu On The Hudson serves an exciting menu. Let’s start with their cocktails that are very creative, I think the one that blew me away was their breakfast martini that is made with whisky: not only did it taste good, but the presentation with the focaccia and orange marmalade stuck on the side gave a certain dimension to it. I also tried:
Tony Boloney’s is not your typical pizza and sub place: their menu is probably what your cardiologist would NOT recommend. Known for its taco pizza that I did not get a chance to try, it is the right place for food decadence. Want a lobster roll? Theirs, the Lobsta Trap, is made with steamed lobster, aioli and bayou butter. Nothing too unusual you would say. Well, they lay the lobster on a bed of fresh and smoked mozzarella (lots of it)! This is not for the faint of the heart and you better get a bunch of napkins because it is very messy to eat, but so good. I thought that with all these ingredients the lobster would be overshadowed, but it was not the case. With the perfectly cooked lobster, each bite was a festival of flavor and worked well together, making it one of my favorite lobster rolls.
I have known Aba Turkish Restaurant for years and have never been disappointed with this place. The food there is tasty and comforting with a large menu offering vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, the former being as inviting as the others. After a great dinner in June, I wanted to go back there, but it was closed because of a fire in the kitchen. They will hopefully reopen quickly! At least, here is a glimpse of what we had:…
Angelina Bakery, not to confuse with Angelina Paris (the place near Bryant Park with the amazing hot cocoa), is an homage by Tony Park, who is of Korean descent but was raised by an Italian family, to his grandmother Giuliana, who taught him cooking and baking, and his daughter Angelina who gave her name to the quickly expanding franchise. The location in Times Square opened a couple of months ago and is much better than the one they have on 8th avenue: brighter, more inviting and surely a perfect spot for business. There are really two things I love there: their …