I Just Want To Eat! 9/11/25 I Just Want To Eat! 9/11/25

Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ

I hate restaurants like Aarzu! Once you eat there, not only do you regret they are not in your neighborhood and but it will also ruin any future experience you will have in an Indian restaurant. Well, when you know that Aarzu means “desire” in Hindi, you know a curse is upon you. A culinary curse. I admit that I did not expect such an incredible meal.

The menu is for the most part original, with several classics like the butter chicken ($26) or the lamb roganjosh ($30) that were really good, but quite usual. The appetizers were really what stoked me the most. Take the Dahi Vada ($9), a lentil fritter drenched in a sweet yogurt sauce with cumin. It was topped with a crunchy flower that gave the dish an immediate elegance, like a piece of art you will have to destroy with your fork. Same for the avocado mango bhel ($15), where the puffed rice not only shaped the dish, but gave it a delightful texture. But the two next dishes were even more surprising. The duck taco ($16) was a meeting between Indian (with the spices), Chinese with the Peking duck concept and hoisin sauce (it was mixed with tamarind) and Mexican for the name as it was not a tortilla, but 4 small paratha, a flaky, unleavened flat bread that has a little crunch. Packed in flavors, this is a dish not to miss. The second dish was the eggplant chaat ($16), where small eggplant chips where mixed with pomegranate, date chutney and candied ginger, giving it a sweet and savory taste without overpowering the eggplant that remained the star of the dish. They also have a nice selection of tandoor dishes, like chicken seekh ($26 - minced chicken kebab), but their lamb chops ($32) are definitely a must have: perfectly cooked, nicely charred and deliciously fatty. Like every Indian restaurant, they have a large selection of vegetarian dishes, some I did not really see anywhere else and some vegan, like the vegetable moilee ($24) that is a vegetable medley cooked in a coconut sauce or the Batthi ka paneer ($25) that is cottage cheese in a smoked tomato sauce (this one is not vegan). Both were delicious with some butter naan ($5) or rice.

Dahi vada at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ

Avocado mago bhel at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ

Eggplant chaat at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ

Duck taco at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ

Chicken seekh at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ

Lamb chops at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ

Butter chicken at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ

Lamb roganjosh at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ

Vegetable medley at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ

Batthi ka paneer at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ

Dal tadka at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ

Butter naan at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ

Of course, I had to have a mango lassi ($8) that was decent, and Jodi got a masala chai ($5) with dessert: their Angoori gulab jamun ($10). The fried milk balls were delicious, but, instead of the classic sweet syrup, they sat in a saffron rabri that was a sauce with the texture of a crème anglaise. Different, it cut a bit on the sweetness of the fried balls.

Mango lassi at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ

Chai at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ

Gulab jamun at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ

Overall, this was a fantastic meal: the food was outstanding, with maybe the lentils fritters being my least favorite, the lamb chops and eggplant chaat, among over things, being a must have. I should point out the service was on point, making you feel welcome. I highly recommend this place!

Enjoy (I did)!

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Aarzu - 30 E Main St, Freehold, NJ 07728

I Just Want To Eat! 9/8/25 I Just Want To Eat! 9/8/25

Balaboosta, Israeli restaurant in NYC, NY

Meaning « perfect housewife » in Yiddish, balaboosta celebrates wife and mothers who are « the fearless emotional center of her family, who makes sure her table is not only full of gorgeous food, but also full of friends, love, laughter». A celebration that chef Einat Admoni, a James Beard Award finalist, showcases with incredible food inspired from Israel, but also her Persian and Yemeni roots.

So, don’t be surprised to see Yemenite soup dumplings ($19) on their menu, a creative dish from the Chef to merge Yemeni and Chinese culture, but, instead of being filled with pork or crab, they are filled with beef and a soup made with Hawajj, a Yemeni spice blend composed of cumin, cardamon, coriander, turmeric and black pepper. Then, instead of vinegar, it is accompanied with hibleh, a condiment made with fenugreek. These dumplings are simply magnificent: I just ate a whole at once and it was an explosion of flavors in my mouth, getting as well a bit of fattiness that make soup dumplings delicious. Original is also their calamari ($29) that is served with lamb belly: a sort of surf and turf where the perfectly cooked calamari paired perfectly with the meat, that gave a bolder taste to the dish, while crispy shallots added some texture. All of this was sitting on an amba aioli for a bit of acidity, that I discovered is an Iraqi-Jewish sauce made from pickled greens mangoes, vinegar, and a blend of aromatic spices like turmeric and fenugreek. Superb!

Yemenite soup dumplings at Balaboosta in NYC, NY

They also have a bunch of vegetarian dishes, like the cauliflower ($19), that now every restaurant needs to have on its menu, but this one was a bit different: slightly cooked, so still crispy, it was marinated in chermoula, a flavorful and aromatic North African marinade that originated in Morocco, and is popular in Tunisia, Algeria, and Libya. Their hummus ($17) is also a must have: there is not question that hummus is best homemade. Topped with chickpeas, green s’chug (a green hot pepper sauce) and tahini, it was delightfully creamy, served with a homemade pita that was pillowy. After all this, we could not leave without trying one of their desserts and decided to go for the tahini creme brulee ($14) that was topped with shredded halva.

Tahini creme brûlée at Balaboosta in NYC, NY

The creme brulee was delicious, creamy, with the top being perfectly torched, giving some added sweetness. But, I admit that one of the element I was really looking forward to is the shredded halva. It had the texture of a thicker cotton candy and was not too sweet, adding some texture to the creme brulee. In fact, for brunch, they serve this amazing Kataïf French Toast ($19) that is also topped with shredded halva. Made with challah bread and accompanied with macerated berries and whipped cream. This is one the best French toasts I had an I surely recommend it. They also have an Eggplant Shakshuka ($23) that is not to be ignored. Made also with eggs, peppers, tomatoes, feta, sour dough toast, it is a very comforting dish.

KAtaif French toast at Balaboosta in NYC, NY

Eggplant shakshuka at Balaboosta in NYC, NY

I should mention the drinks they serve there: the limonana ($10), made with lemon, lime and mint syrup is an interesting take on lemonade, while the Yarok ($10) is quite refreshing, as made with cucumber, fresh ginger and lemon. I also tried their Mensh cocktail ($20), that is a take on an old fashioned, but with black Arak as well, adding a nice anise flavor to the drink.

Brunch and dinner at Balaboosta were equally delicious: the food there is surprising, showcasing the creativity of Chef Admoni, bridging culinary cultures with brio.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Balaboosta - 611 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014

I Just Want To Eat! 9/4/25 I Just Want To Eat! 9/4/25

Calle Dao Bryant Park

Serving Cuban Chinese fusion in homage to the Chinese community that was once thriving in the Cuban capital, Havana, Calle Dao is not unknown to me. Cuban Chinese is not that common and people are always surprised when I mention such restaurant, forgetting that the long closed La Caridad was quite popular in New York at some point, being even mentioned in shows like Seinfeld. But Calle Dao is a bit different than La Caridad, a level above when it comes to dishes…and prices. Their black rice paella ($37) has been on the menu for years and is surely not to be missed with its clams, shrimp, calamari, mojo rojo and crema, in which you can add a grilled miso butter lobster (+$15) to make it even more decadent. If like me, you love lobster, you can get their lobster noodles ($39) that lobster is in miso butter with crispy shallots, shiitake mushroom, pepper, onions, Chinese broccoli and sautéed lo mein Noodles. What I would surely not miss is their fantastic Cuban fried rice ($30), that is one of my favorites, made with shrimp, pulled pork, Spam, maduros, onion, bell pepper, egg, and cilantro crema. Every bite is packed with different flavors from this surf and turf version of a classic Chinese dish. Each time we went, Jodi got their mushroom noodles ($29), that are shiitake mushrooms served with Chinese broccoli and Lo Mein noodles, dressed in garlic hoisin sauce. This is a great vegetarian dish, comforting and flavorful. For appetizers, I love their crispy shiitake wonton ($14), another vegetarian dish, and their tostones ($10), served with house mojo sauce, that you can find in the sides section. For desserts, we just tried their tres leches ($13) that is really good, perfectly soaked in this delightful three milk melange. I should mention their cocktails that change from time to time. My favorite was the Clave ($10) that was made with rum and coffee, but is unfortunately not anymore on the menu. But the Opium ($19), made with bourbon, tamarind, Ruby Red grapefruit, lemon and poppy seeds is worth a try.

Mushroom noodles at Calle Dao Bryant Park

Lobster noodles at Calle Dao Bryant Park

Cuban fried rice at Calle Dao Bryant Park

Overall, a meal at Calle Dao is always a good experience: the food and drinks are good and original. I recommend you get a reservation though as it can be crowded, especially on Friday night. If not, it is worth the wait…

Enjoy (I did)!

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Calle Dao Bryant Park - 38 W 39th St, New York, NY 10018

I Just Want To Eat! 9/1/25 I Just Want To Eat! 9/1/25

Gotan in Hoboken, NJ

Serving Mediterranean cuisine, Gotan is not unknown to me as I discovered this place few years ago in New York, where the owner, Rami Rosen, had several locations, before closing a few when COVID hit. Another place I knew of him is Yuki’s Coffee and Bakery in Hoboken, located few steps from the largest space the restaurant has ever occupied, with 5,000 square feet and two floors. The food there is fantastic, with two favorites of mine: the Gotan breakfast ($16.50), composed of an egg over easy, a Mediterranean salad, labneh, potatoes and a fluffy pita that is also served with my second favorite: the shakshuka ($18). This dish is a bit different from my family recipe that is a stew made with roasted peppers, tomatoes and garlic, mainly eaten cold. At Gotan, the tomato stew is topped with tahini, chimichurri and pine nuts, served with two eggs poached in this heavenly delicious stew. If you prefer a sandwich, the falafel one, although classic is really good, but, a more original is the halloumi & grilled pepper, made with roasted halloumi cheese, grilled red pepper, onion, watercress, tahini, parsley pesto and olive tapenade. They also have more classic Mediterranean dishes like their hummus and peppers ($16.50) where their hummus is nice and creamy, and of course, they have an avocado toast ($14.50) that seems to be what any restaurant needs to have on their brunch menu in the past few years, this one being topped with feta cheese and mint to give a Mediterranean flair. They also serve coffee and tea, but, each time we went, we got their spearmint lemonade ($5) that was perfectly made, not too tart, not too sweet.

Hummus and peppers platter at Gotan in Hoboken, NJ

Halloumi sandwich t Gotan in Hoboken, NJ

Falafel sandwich at Gotan in Hoboken, NJ

So, definitely, Gotan is a nice addition to the Hoboken restaurant scene and, even if a bit off the beaten path, it is worth a visit.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Gotan - 770 Jackson St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 8/28/25 I Just Want To Eat! 8/28/25

Istanbul Doner Kebab in Hoboken, NJ

front of Istanbul Doner Kebab restaurant in Hoboken, NJ — Istanbul Doner Kebab in Hoboken, NJ

First was DoneRight Döner Kebab, and now we have Istanbul Doner Kebab, with a location that is more off the beaten path as it is on 8th, between Madison and Jefferson. Both restaurants serve Turkish doner, but the comparison might stop there as Istanbul Doner Kebab is not a fast casual place as DoneRight is. From the outside, I thought it was small, but in fact they have a decent size dining room, dominated by beautiful Turkish lamps. Their menu has a few vegetarian options, like the dips (hummus, babaganouj, cacik - that is cucumber and yogurt-, labneh) or Ezme -a tomato and peppers salad. I just wished they had a sampler to try some of them. What I loved is their cigara borek ($11), these Turkish cheese rolls that were delightfully crispy and not greasy, perfect to start a meal. Continuing with vegetarian options, they have falafel that you can get in pita or lavash ($12) or as a side (4 for $8). These homemade falafels that do not have the usual spherical shape were slightly crispy on the outside and moist inside. The sandwich was good but was missing a bit of sauce (by the way, with your sandwich, you can choose your sauce from cacik, tahini, garlic or acili that is a spicy sauce). You can also opt for a shepherd salad, made with tomato, pepper, cucumber, red onions and parsley (the small one, $9, is a nice portion). A dish I really wanted to try was Iskender, a classic Turkish dish that is layered with pita in the bottom, sliced lamb, topped with tomato sauce and accompanied with yogurt. Interesting dish to try, but I admit that it was just ok for me: the pita was a bit soggy and the lamb was overpowered by the tomato sauce that did not really taste homemade. The lamb doner sandwich ($15) though was quite good, but there was not enough tahini sauce, no pickles (mentioned in the menu) and barely any salad and onion. Their lamb though was superb!

Pita served with meal in a Turkish restaurant in Hoboken, NJ — Pita at Istanbul Doner Kebab in Hoboken, NJ

Falafel at Istanbul Doner Kebab in Hoboken, NJ

Shepherd salad at Istanbul Doner Kebab in Hoboken, NJ

Borek at Istanbul Doner Kebab in Hoboken, NJ

Falafel sandwich at Istanbul Doner Kebab in Hoboken, NJ

Lamb done sandwich at Istanbul Doner Kebab in Hoboken, NJ

Iskender at Istanbul Doner Kebab in Hoboken, NJ

With our meals, we tried their Turkish orange soda, and Ayran, a yogurt drink I always get when having Turkish food.

Orange soda at Istanbul Doner Kebab in Hoboken, NJ

Ayran at Istanbul Doner Kebab in Hoboken, NJ

Of course we could not leave without trying their desserts. The baklava was delicious, perfect with a medium sweet Turkish coffee, but I was really curious to try Annes Helva, a Turkish dessert I do not recall seeing on a menu. This dessert made with semolina and tahini, topped with chocolate ice cream was good, but not something I would reorder. I would more go for the baklava.

Baklava at Istanbul Doner Kebab in Hoboken, NJ

Annes helva at Istanbul Doner Kebab in Hoboken, NJ

Turkish coffee at Istanbul Doner Kebab in Hoboken, NJ

Overall, the food was good, with definitely some major differences with DoneRight where I would probably go for the doner, but Istanbul Doner Kebab has more dishes and would be a better spot for a sit down dinner.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Istanbul Doner Kebab - 505 8th St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 8/25/25 I Just Want To Eat! 8/25/25

The Greek Spot in Manalapan, NJ

If you are around Manalapan in New Jersey, you may want to stop by The Greek Spot: this unassuming restaurant serves delicious food. We were there on a Saturday for lunch and had a great meal from their extensive menu. We started off with their zucchini fritters ($11) that were a lunch special. I did not expect seeing a small fried patty. Served with tzatziki, it was very slightly crispy on the outside, hiding a filling made with course zucchini, but also parsley, onion, dill, covered in breadcrumbs. They do have other vegetarian dishes (the fritters were vegan, not the tzatziki), like the Greek pita bowl ($17) that was composed of rice, house salad, hummus, pita and falafel (you can choose chicken or lamb instead). Their lemon chicken ($18) is pretty good, but my favorite was the lamb youvetsi ($25) that is a lamb shank braised in tomato sauce with cumin and cinnamon, over orzo. The lamb was falling off the bone, and the sauce was comforting, with a bold flavor enhanced by the spices. A must have. The only thing I did not like was their baklava ($6) that was a bit dry, and with too much walnuts. I had it with a Greek tea that was medium sweet. This was definitely a great find and this is definitely a restaurant I would go to if I was in that area or in Red Bank or Ocean Township, where they also have locations.

Zucchini fritters at The Greek Spot in Manalapan, NJ

Greek Pita bowl at The Greek Spot in Manalapan, NJ

Lemon chicken at The Greek Spot in Manalapan, NJ

Lamb youvetsi at The Greek Spot in Manalapan, NJ

Baklava at The Greek Spot in Manalapan, NJ

Turkish coffee at The Greek Spot in Manalapan, NJ

Enjoy (I did)!

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The Greek Spot - 130 NJ-33 #6, Manalapan Township, NJ 07726

I Just Want To Eat! 8/24/25 I Just Want To Eat! 8/24/25

Product Review: Portable Desktop Kitchen Range Hood with 4-speed from Amzchef

Amzchef sent me their new Portable Desktop Kitchen Range Hood to try and I admit that it is even better than the previous one (review here), that I use regularly, as I think that it does a better job than the one I have on top of my stove. This one has 4 speeds, from low to high, ensuring adequate suction based on the type of food you are cooking. It is also perfect if you have a small kitchen or in an RV. The video below will show you how to use it and, at the end, you will see it in action!

Please note that, although this product was sent to me complimentary, I was not obliged to post and the opinions expressed in my blog are 100% my own!

If you are interested in buying it, go to:

Amazon

Amzchef website

Enjoy (I did)!

If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!

I Just Want To Eat! 8/21/25 I Just Want To Eat! 8/21/25

Dagg, Thai Restaurant in NYC

Meaning “to eat with warmth and joy”, Dagg is not your classic Thai restaurant: with its full bar, cocktails could be a reason, besides good food though, that people go there. After dining there a few times,I discovered that it opened in 2018 and I could not believe that it did not get more attention like Thai Diner and Thai Villa among others did. Let’s start with cocktails ($18): creative, I loved their banana in pajamas that is made with whisky infused with sun-dried bananas, but my favorite was the It’s cornnn! That is a mix of coconut rum, condensed milk, corn, nixta corn liquor and corn flakes. Nicely sweet, smooth, I loved the …

Banana in pyjamas at Dagg, Thai Restaurant in NYC

It’s cornnn! cocktail at Dagg, Thai Restaurant in NYC

Kiwi breeze at Dagg, Thai Restaurant in NYC

Thai tea at Dagg, Thai Restaurant in NYC

Their food, is not to be ignored as well and if you go for lunch, check their lunch special that has classic dishes like the massaman or Penang curry, where you can add chicken, shrimp, pork, beef, tofu, vegetables or duck, with a price that varies from $17 to $32 depending on the choice of protein. For that price, you also get an appetizer, small size than the real dish for sure. So, for instance, I got the duck Penang curry for $32 and chose the chive dumplings that we once had for dinner, over a salad or vegetable roll (I tried those for dinner and they were nicely made: crispy on the outside, with a shell that was not too thick, and delightfully greasy, with a nice filling made of glass noodles, carrots, taro and cabbage - $13). The dumplings, filled with chive and corn are not to be missed: tasty, the shell is nicely sticky. The duck Penang was delicious: the duck was perfectly cooked, and the curry was a bit spicy, but not too spicy, knowing that I asked them not to make it too spicy anyway. Proposing duck as a protein is kind of elevating the dish and I was glad I tried it. But it was not the first duck dish I tried there. Their Chu Chee Duck ($34) is another good dish showcasing duck. It is served with broccolini and beet, bathed in a coconut curry sauce made with chu chee sauce that is a type of red curry. Another duck well cooked, bathed in a sauce that had a nice kick. The chicken massaman ($20), that I often get in Thai restaurants was also quite delicious, a good dish if you like more classic ones, proposed with the same protein I mentioned before, or pad see ew ($17 with tofu) and a superb fried rice ($17 with tofu).

Chive dumplings at Dagg, Thai Restaurant in NYC

Chu chee duck at Dagg, Thai Restaurant in NYC

Massaman curry at Dagg, Thai Restaurant in NYC

Duck penang curry at Dagg, Thai Restaurant in NYC

Tofu fried rice at Dagg, Thai Restaurant in NYC

Tofu pad see ew at Dagg, Thai Restaurant in NYC

Dessert is not to be missed, my favorite being the mango sticky rice ($16). They also have a taro puff ($17) that is a roti in a shape of an empanada, filled with mashed taro and accompanied with a coconut ice cream. It was good, but I thought that it was a bit pricey and they could have thrown a second roti as it was quite small.

Mango sticky rice at Dagg, Thai Restaurant in NYC

Taro puff at Dagg, Thai Restaurant in NYC

Nevertheless, the food a Dagg is really good and I highly recommend it.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Dagg - 10 E 39th St, New York, NY 10016

I Just Want To Eat! 8/18/25 I Just Want To Eat! 8/18/25

Omar's Mediterranean Cuisine in NYC

I love Turkish cuisine and so, I was very excited to try Omar’s Mediterranean Cuisine in Midtown Manhattan. This is a casual place where you can either order at the counter and go, or sit in their large dining room. They do not have a very extensive menu, but, you get classics like their lamb Adana in a pita ($20.95) that was really good. The price is a bit high, but you get lots of lamb in it at least and their fluffy pita is something we enjoyed in every single meal we had there, whether with hummus, babaganouj or their eggplant Turkish salad. Now, one of the things I always look forward to in such restaurant is their combo. For non-vegetarian, there is the Omar’s signature ($27.95), that is composed of chicken shawarma, chicken kebab, lamb kaufta, rice and eggplant salad. I loved every piece of meat on the plate, each being perfectly cooked and flavorful, with the perfect amount of spices to not overpower anything. They also have a vegetarian combo ($23.95) that is composed of falafel, tabouli, hummus and babaganouj. Their falafels were quite good, crispy on the outside and moist inside, perfectly paired with a delicious hummus that you can tell is homemade and a babaganouj was was delightfully smokey. This is a good option, better than the Greek salad ($13.95) that was just ok, missing a bit of feta. With my meal, I got some Ayran, a Turkish yogurt drink. Prices are a bit high, but at least it is good and you leave satisfied, a must have being their lamb Adana sandwich. Know that, with your meal, you will also get some baklava that was flakey, crunchy, and buttery. A delight!

Enjoy (I did)!

Pita at Omar's Mediterranean Cuisine in NYC

Hummus at Omar's Mediterranean Cuisine in NYC

Falafel plate at Omar's Mediterranean Cuisine in NYC

Greek salad at Omar's Mediterranean Cuisine in NYC

Signature combo at Omar's Mediterranean Cuisine in NYC

Lamb adana sandwich at Omar's Mediterranean Cuisine in NYC

Baklava at Omar's Mediterranean Cuisine in NYC

Ayran at Omar's Mediterranean Cuisine in NYC

If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!

Omar's Mediterranean Cuisine - 20 E 39th St, New York, NY 10016

I Just Want To Eat! 8/14/25 I Just Want To Eat! 8/14/25

Fluffy Fluffy Go in the Newport Mall, Jersey City

We recently discovered Fluffy, Fluffy, Go! In the Newport mall. Located in the third floor food court, this place is a little gem. Of course, the main thing to try there is their fluffy pancakes, a Japanese version where egg whites are beaten to give this thick and airy consistency to an all American dish. So, I went for their combo ($27.50) that came with their signature pancake, a sandwich (I chose the tamago ham sando), and a drink ( had a Thai iced tea). The pancake was very good, light and fluffy, covered in cream and fruits. It did not even need any maple syrup. The sando was a nice take on the classic egg and ham sandwich, although I wished there was a bit more mayo as it was a bit dry. We also tried their crispy tofu rice bowl ($9.50): the tofu was really good, nicely crispy as advertised, but the bowl itself could have had more veggies in it.
Overall, it was good, the star of the show, as expected, being the pancake. I would definitely go back to try others as they have many kinds, like an Oreo cookie one for instance, that I am sure is delicious. So, yes, this is worth a trip to the mall…

Enjoy (I did)!

Crispy tofu rice bowl at Fluffy Fluffy Go in the Newport Mall, Jersey City

Tamago and ham sand oat Fluffy Fluffy Go in the Newport Mall, Jersey City

Signature pancake at Fluffy Fluffy Go in the Newport Mall, Jersey City

If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment! Merci!

Fluffy Fluffy Go - 30 Mall Dr W VC12B -3rd floor, Jersey City, NJ 07310

I Just Want To Eat! 8/11/25 I Just Want To Eat! 8/11/25

Park Avenue Kitchen by David Burke in NYC

I have always been a fan of Chef David Burke: his food is creative and exciting, sometimes whimsical, so every meal is something to remember. So, when I walked passed Park Avenue Kitchen by David Burke, I made a point to try it. We went for brunch twice, the second time being at the time of restaurant week, where, for $30, you get an appetizer and an entree. The menu had plenty I wanted to try, but I settled for the lobster dumplings that were sitting on a delicious tomato-miso dressing. Elegant, the shell was perfectly made, covering the deliciously cooked lobster. Then, although I was originally going for the cheeseburger, I noticed their pastrami sandwich that was recently ranked number one among five of New York City most famous pastrami sandwiches in a blind tasting. The competition was not that easy as it included Sarge’s, Katz’s, 2nd Avenue Deli and Carnegie Deli. The house pastrami is smoked overnight and served with a toasted seedless rye bread, and spicy brown mustard. When it came to the table, I could not not notice the fattiness of the meat and the burnt sides, the fat dripping a bit as I took the sandwich in my hand. The first bite was divine: the crispiness of the toasted bread comes first, followed by the rich, savory and smokey flavor of the pastrami. The fact that the bread was toasted not only gave some texture, but it helped keeping all of this together. A must have if you can go before the end of restaurant week on August 17 2025. And I should mention their fries that were nicely crispy, some of the best I had. There are also delicious dishes besides that, like the tomato soup au gratin ($15) that is a take on grilled cheese and tomato soup, onion soup style or the Asian fried chicken and waffle ($25) that is composed of a perfectly made waffle topped with an Asian glazed fried chicken that is crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. For a lighter meal, you can get the simple green salad ($16) with spring greens, cucumber, tomato and chickpeas, or the burrata and tomato salad ($22) that also comes we prosciutto that we ditched as it was for Jodi (they could have charged a bit less considering this). We also tried their Asian glazed Brussels sprouts ($8), that were a good side to complement our meal. I should mention their mocktails that are as creative as their food: I liked their phony Negroni ($12) that was deliciously bitter, and their Java mockhattan ($13) that is a perfect drink if you love coffee. I cannot talk about dessert because, unfortunately or maybe fortunately, the portions being what they are and the richness of some of the dishes made me stop there, but I am sure I will go back just to try some of what they are proposing there as it looks really good! So, as you can guess, I highly recommend this place.

Java Mokhattan at Park Avenue Kitchen by David Burke in NYC

Simple green salad at Park Avenue Kitchen by David Burke in NYC

Burrata salad at Park Avenue Kitchen by David Burke in NYC

Lobster dumplings at Park Avenue Kitchen by David Burke in NYC

Brussels sprouts at Park Avenue Kitchen by David Burke in NYC

Tomato soup au gratin at Park Avenue Kitchen by David Burke in NYC

Asian fried chicken and waffle at Park Avenue Kitchen by David Burke in NYC

Pastrami sandwioch at Park Avenue Kitchen by David Burke in NYC

Enjoy (I did)!

If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!

Park Avenue Kitchen by David Burke - 514 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10017

I Just Want To Eat! 8/10/25 I Just Want To Eat! 8/10/25

Recipe: Baked Brie

President Cheese sent me a Brie to come up with a recipe and of course baked Brie is what comes immediately to mind. I mean Brie with a good bread is fine, but I often get Brie bites or baked Brie in restaurants, so, why not make my own? It is an easy recipe that will make for a great appetizer and takes less than 30 minutes to make.

Preheat the oven at 400 F
Put the Brie in a skillet and make some incisions with a knife on the top crust. so it is easier to dip a piece of bread ion it.
Pour a bit of olive oil on top.
Add small tomatoes on the side and top them with slices of bread (I used a baguette).
Pour olive oil over the Brie, bread and tomatoes. With a brush, spread the olive oil evenly.
Bake for 18 to 20 minutes. The Brie should be soft and creamy at that point.
To reheat, bake for 10 minutes at 325 F

Et voila!

Enjoy (I did)!

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I Just Want To Eat! 8/7/25 I Just Want To Eat! 8/7/25

Spring Cafe Aspen in NYC, NY

We wanted to have a light lunch on a weekend and ended up at Spring Cafe Aspen, located few blocks from Washington Square Park. Their menu, that they describe as « healthy conscious » is vegetarian, with lots of vegan options, all prepared using organic produce and no refined sugars or processed food. Considering the dinners I had that week, I thought it would be a good idea…

To start, Jodi got a lemonade (homemade « lemon-aid » for $5), while I opted for an iced coffee ($6), a good way to cool off on a hot day. We then both got their fruit bowl ($6), and Jodi just ordered some avocado ($5 for half) and some tofu ($6). On my side, I went for the yogurt parfait with granola and blueberries ($12), with almond butter ($1.50). All was fine, there was nothing extravagant in what we ate, their menu for brunch being different from the regular lunch. Going back would not make sense for this, but maybe their lunch would be worth trying.

Lemonade at Spring Cafe Aspen in NYC, NY

Iced coffee at Spring Cafe Aspen in NYC, NY

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Spring Cafe Aspen - 14 West 4th St, New York, NY 10012

I Just Want To Eat! 8/4/25 I Just Want To Eat! 8/4/25

Chalong, Thai restaurant in NYC, NY

There used to be a time where, if you wanted to eat a cheap meal, you would go to a Thai restaurant. And then, the past few years have seen the emergence of fancier Thai places, not only serving different dishes than the traditional curries or noodles, but also proposing interesting cocktails. Chalong in Hell’s Kitchen is one of them. Meaning “celebration” in English, Chalong is also a southern district of Phuket in Thailand. The restaurant, that opened in 2023, serves Southern Thai food. There, Chef Nate Limwong crafted a menu that is quite unique, centered on seafood and with limited vegetarian options. The waitress warned us that the food marked with one pepper is mild, but, with two peppers, it would be very spicy, the kitchen not accepting any alteration as they want the diner to experience the true flavor of their dish. I admit that I was a bit disappointed because they had a crab dish I really wanted to try, but I learned in the past that when someone tells you it is very spicy, it is very spicy. So, I decided to try their massaman duck confit ($32), thinking that it is an interesting fusion of Thai and French classics. Served with rice, this was delicious and an elevated version of one of my favorite dishes: the small boiled potatoes were skin on, there were picked shallots and fried onions that accompanied a perfectly made duck confit. A must have. Jodi got the Mushroom J ($22), a dish composed of sautéed mushrooms in a vegan garlic sauce, also served with rice. This was really good: there was a good variety of mushroom and the entire dish had that delicious smokey taste. I should mention that we shared an appetizer: at first, we ordered the potato puff sticks, but, as they ran out, we went for the only other vegetarian choice, the Phuket Pak Mor ($15), that are dumplings filled with peanuts, sweet radish and black pepper. They were superb, very peanuty, with a sticky shell.

Phuket pak mor dumplings at Chalong, Thai restaurant in NYC, NY

Mushroom J at Chalong, Thai restaurant in NYC, NY

Duck confit massaman at Chalong, Thai restaurant in NYC, NY

They have interesting cocktails, but I was more feeling like having a Thai iced tea ($9), while Jodi opted for their chai-lychee ($13) that is Thai tea with lychee purée. It was good, but I thought the two flavors competed a bit against each other.

Thai iced tea at Chalong, Thai restaurant in NYC, NY

Chai lychee at Chalong, Thai restaurant in NYC, NY

For dessert, we had their mango sticky rice ($16), that is my favorite Thai dessert. And it was good: the mango was perfectly ripe and the sticky rice well soaked in coconut milk. A must have.
This was a nice meal and a nice find. I like Chalong, but admit that their rule that is to not accommodate level of spiciness is a bit much and limits what people who cannot eat too spicy can order. I understand that they want people to experience the real flavor, but I am sure that making these dishes mild is not going to kill their flavor.

Mango sticky rice at Chalong, Thai restaurant in NYC, NY

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Chalong - 749 9th Ave, New York, NY 10019

I Just Want To Eat! 7/31/25 I Just Want To Eat! 7/31/25

Royal 35 Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Located few steps from the Empire State Building, Royal 35 Steakhouse is one of these little gems that no one is talking about (think Peter Luger and Gallagher’s for instance). Well, this is probably a mistake. This place that has been around for some time is worth knowing. I recently went with a friend and we shared an amazing porterhouse ($75 per person). I love the porterhouse experience: even if you do not order it, you cannot resist looking up as you hear the sizzling sound passing by. But, when it comes to your table, it is even better! The meat was perfectly cooked medium rare, with a nice char. It was tender and juicy, making every bite divine. I loved it with or without a perfectly made béarnaise sauce (my favorite sauce with steak) or a pepper sauce. For sides, I tried their Mac and cheese ($19) that were good, but could have been creamier, and their creamed spinach ($19) that I liked despite the fact that I am not the biggest fan of spinach…
But of course, you cannot go to a steakhouse without try their sizzling Canadian bacon ($10 per slice) and their crab cake ($29) that were both pretty good.

Crab cake at Royal 35 Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Sizzling Canadian bacon at Royal 35 Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Creamed spinach at Royal 35 Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Mac and cheese at Royal 35 Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Porterhouse at Royal 35 Steakhouse in NYC, NY

I should mention that I had a whisky, a Glenfiddich 15 years ($26). This was not my first choice, but my third! Each time I was selecting one, they did not have it! And I should mention that they offered a sweet wine at the end.

Glenfiddich 15 years at Royal 35 Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Sweet wine at Royal 35 Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Dessert was a good way to end this already delicious meal and the key lime pie is often what I order in steakhouses. Theirs was pretty good, not too sweet and not too tart.

Key lime pie at Royal 35 Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Overall, I had a very good meal at Royal 35 Steakhouse: this underrated place is worth the visit.

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Royal 35 Steakhouse - 1 E 35th St, New York, NY 10016

I Just Want To Eat! 7/28/25 I Just Want To Eat! 7/28/25

Mary O's Irish Soda Bread Shop in NYC, NY

I finally made it to Mary O’s Irish Soda Bread shop in the East Village, where Mary O’Halloran serves only soda bread in two shapes: loaf or as a unit with butter and a homemade blackberry jam. This place has been on my instagram feed for some time, but I admit that I was waiting a bit before going because of the wait (they open at 7am until sold out that is their everyday life considering how popular this place is). So, we decided to go the weekend of the 4th of July, thinking that people will be away. Good move! They do not have that many tables and we got lucky to be able to sit on their bench outside. We just went for their soda bread with jam and butter ($6). They surely put lots of butter and a nice amount of jam that complemented perfectly the delicious soda bread that was warm and slightly crispy on the outside. After the first bite, I understood why people love this place: it was so good, and we realized that it is better to eat it right away as the bottom of the bread starts to get soggy after several minutes. In fact, we even heard someone saying that she bought them to go one time and they were not that good because of that same reason. So, is it worth the wait? Yes, definitely. That soda bread is amazing and I highly recommend it. Know that they also have e tea and coffee but it can be overpriced (the double espresso was $10!).

Enjoy (I did)!

If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!Mary O's Irish Soda Bread Shop - 93 1/2 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009

I Just Want To Eat! 7/24/25 I Just Want To Eat! 7/24/25

Mile Square Cafe in Hoboken,. NJ

Opened beginning of July where Park Avenue Cafe used to be, the Mile Square Cafe caught a lot of attention as it is the new venture of the Chefs behind O’Bagel, a Hoboken favorite who won the United States of Bagel competition. So I was curious to try Mile Square Cafe. It is a nice large space, bright and spacious, with a counter to place orders in the back and a bit of the view of the busy kitchen that does not seem to slow down. Coffee and tea are fairly standard, but what makes all the difference is their food that definitely stands out. They make focaccia in various ways: sweet with their surprising Cin-caccia ($8.95), a successful take on cinnamon roll, and savory with their za’atar focaccia sandwich ($10.95) that is refreshing on a summer day with its labneh, cucumber and mint. Health conscious dinners can also go with their grain bowl ($16.95) made with quinoa, mixed greens, herbed red cabbage slaw, tomato-cucumber salad and pistachios (we asked without), where you can add some avocado falafel that were deliciously crispy on the outside and moist inside, thanks to the avocado that added a nice fattiness to it. For something heavier, the birria grilled cheese is superb: made with braised beef and Oaxaca mozzarella blend, it comes with a spiced consommé that is so good you cannot stop dipping in it. I just wished the bread was thinner. Still, a must have.

Cin-caccia at Mile Square Cafe in Hoboken,. NJ

Za’atar focaccia at Mile Square Cafe in Hoboken,. NJ

Grain bowl with avocado falafel at Mile Square Cafe in Hoboken,. NJ

Talking about must have, you cannot go there and not get their zeppole ($4.95 for 3) that are made to order and come in a paper bag, quite hot, but so good that you do not care that you are burning your fingers while picking them up.

Zeppole at Mile Square Cafe in Hoboken,. NJ

The food at Mile Square Cafe is quite good with definitely few items I would go back for (zeppole first of course, then the grilled cheese and anything focaccia), even if I thought this was on the pricey side.

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Mile Square Cafe - 746 Park Ave, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 7/21/25 I Just Want To Eat! 7/21/25

Mustard Indian Eatery in Harlem, NYC

At Mustard Indian Eatery, he partnered with chefs Sharmeen Rahman and Lisha Khondokar who both have their own culinary expertise: Chef Sharmeen for chutneys, relishes, and curries, like Mughlai Gosht, a classic lamb dish with cashew, bay leaf, and cardamom that I tried. Creamy, comforting, the lamb was perfectly cooked. Chef Lisha who crafts vegan and vegetarian dishes like the Baigan Bharta in the vegan section, that is made with smoked eggplant, garlic, tomato and coriander, reminding me a bit of a spiced version of eggplant shakshuka. Both dishes were delicious with their …

Please note that the meal was complimentary. However, the opinions expressed in my blog are 100% my own!

When I got invited to try Mustard Indian Eatery in Harlem, I was quite excited for few reasons: a trip to Harlem, that has an exciting food scene, my appreciation for Indian food that I discovered in my many trips to India and the fact that I knew a bit about the owner Ruhel Amin from my visit to Mumbai Masala Indian Grill, also in Harlem, few years ago.

Ruhel Amin at Mustard Indian Eatery in Harlem, NYC

Muglai gosht at Mustard Indian Eatery in Harlem, NYC

Butter naan at Mustard Indian Eatery in Harlem, NYC

Baigan Bartha at Mustard Indian Eatery in Harlem, NYC

Luchi at Mustard Indian Eatery in Harlem, NYC

Appetizers are not to ignored and I loved their samosa chaat, that are crushed samosa covered with yogurt and chutneys, having this crunchy, savory and sweet combination that makes this dish a must have, and, most surprisingly, the potato egg chop, that is a street food I have never seen on a menu, a sort of vegetarian scotch egg, where spiced mashed potatoes cover an egg, before being dipped in breadcrumbs and fried. Superb!

Samosa chaat at Mustard Indian Eatery in Harlem, NYC

Potato egg chop at Mustard Indian Eatery in Harlem, NYC

This place is BYOB, so we got a Lychee juice, as well as a mango lassi to accompany our meal. Of course, we could not leave without trying their desserts. The Gulab Jamun are always a crowd pleaser, and theirs was delicious, but I was curious to try the sandesh, a famous sweet from Calcutta, made with milk and sugar. I loved it!

Lychee juice at Mustard Indian Eatery in Harlem, NYC

Mango lassi at Mustard Indian Eatery in Harlem, NYC

Gulab jamun at Mustard Indian Eatery in Harlem, NYC

Sandesh at Mustard Indian Eatery in Harlem, NYC

Overall, we had a great time at Mustard Indian Eatery: the food there is really good, with unique dishes. Of course, if you prefer the classic samosa, butter chicken or dal makhni, they have it, and I am sure it is as good as what we tried. This is definitely worth a visit!

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Mustard Indian Eatery - 2113 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY 10026

I Just Want To Eat! 7/17/25 I Just Want To Eat! 7/17/25

Coletta, Vegan and Kosher restaurant in NYC, NY

Vegan food comes a long way. Having to eat in a vegan restaurant used to be, for non-vegetarians and even vegetarian, a bit of a chore, where you would go only if you had to. Then, it was often rebranded as “plant based”, giving it a cool and planet friendly image. Of course, there were exceptions, like Elizabeth’s Gone Raw in DC (now simply called Elizabeth’s), Vedge in Philadelphia, or the controversial change at Eleven Madison Park in New York. Of course, exceptions were not just reserved to fine dining: places like Double-Zero proposed some quite delicious food. So, I was very open to try Coletta, a vegan and kosher restaurant located few blocks from Madison Square Park. Why? The menu looked quite creative. And I was not disappointed. To the point that we went back. If you did not know it is vegan, you would not be able to tell by simply looking at the menu or even by eating some of their dishes. Take for instance the crispy calamari ($20). When it comes to the table, you really think they are the real deal, but in fact it is king oyster mushroom rings. The texture is slightly tougher than calamari and it has a more earthy taste, but it is a good vegan rendition of a classic appetizer. More surprising is the steak. Ground meat like the impossible is easier to make than a steak, because, for the latter, you need to recreate the texture of a piece of meat, that is not that simple. At Coletta, they are serving the steak ($38) from Chunk Food, an Israeli company that recreated a vegan version of steak with cultured soy protein (defatted soy flour, soy protein isolate, wheat gluten), coconut oil, natural flavors, beet juice concentrate (for color), salt, Iron, and cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12). The texture is incredible and, if you did not know, you may think it is real meat. Maybe not the best piece of steak you had, but something pretty tasty and close to the real deal.

More classic, they have pasta, my favorite being the eggplant lasagna ($27) over the cacio e Pepe ($26) that, although good, definitely had a nutty taste, and for sure the pizza (we had the wild mushroom truffle - $26) that had a delicious crust. They all have cheese, but vegan cheese, and it was pretty well made, to the point that I would go back for the pizza and lasagna for sure.

Wild mushroom truffle pizza at Coletta in NYC, NY

With our meals, we has some cocktails: for me, Sage & Spice, made with butter sage fat washed bourbon, amaro, pomegranate, apple and lemon ($20), or the sangria Bianca, made with Pinot Grigio, elderflower, pineapple, grapefruit, lemon and angostura bitters ($18); Kiss & tell for Jodi, a mocktail made with lychee, raspberry and lemon ($12).

Kiss & tell mocktail at Coletta in NYC, NY

Sage & Spice cocktail at Coletta in NYC, NY

Dessert was even more surprising with their olive oil cake ($16) that looked like a piece of art. It was made with a citrus vanilla sponge, housemade mascarpone, rosemary whipped cream and lemon zest. A must have!

Our dinners at Coletta were great: the food there is good, with surprising dishes that make you forget that you are in a vegan restaurant. I would go back for sure, to try some other dishes, or even get the same ones as they were pretty good. I highly recommend this place, even if you are not vegan or vegetarian.

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Coletta - 365 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10016

I Just Want To Eat! 7/14/25 I Just Want To Eat! 7/14/25

New Coffee Shop in Hoboken: Blue Angel Cafe & Bakery

Replacing the regretted Hidden Grounds, Blue Angel Cafe & Bakery, a Korean coffee shop, opened a couple of weeks ago and we had to check that out. Of course, I cannot not comment about the fact that there are many coffee shops in Hoboken, but at least, this one is a bit different, competing a bit with Paris Baguette, but, fortunately located far from it, Paris Baguette being uptown and Blue Angel downtown, close to the path. The place is nice, very bright, with a large table in the middle of the room where lots of unusual products are displayed, and, next to the cashier, refrigerated items such as cakes and macaroons. So, let me start with the latter: they have a good variety of macarons, some good like the chocolate, sprinkles or birthday cake, but I found the vanilla one to have a weird taste. For $2.95 a pop, that is a bit pricey, I would expect something better. In the same refrigerated section, we tried their 3 star choco mousse (milk, dark and white) that was very good, the perfect treat if you love chocolate. We also tried their pecan stick ($5.50) that was...sticky for sure, but a nice option with a coffee or tea to balance a bit the sweetness, and their custard bun ($3.25) that was a bit on the heavy side, with a filling that was a bit too thick for my taste. With all that, we tried their chai ($4.75) that was really not good and the caramel macchiato ($5.25) that was too sweet.

Custard bun at Blue Angel in Hoboken, NJ

3 star chocolate mousse at Blue Angel in Hoboken, NJ

Sprinkles macaroni at Blue Angel in Hoboken, NJ

Raspberry macaron at Blue Angel in Hoboken, NJ

Birthday cake macaron at Blue Angel in Hoboken, NJ

So, overall, I was a bit disappointed. I'll give it some time before coming back...

Enjoy (…)!

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Blue Angel Cafe & Bakery - 79 Hudson St 1st Floor, Hoboken, NJ 07030