Jean-Philippe Gerbi 12/30/19 Jean-Philippe Gerbi 12/30/19

Deep Indian Kitchen

I do not know if you have noticed that Indikitch, the Indian fast casual chain changed its name few months ago to Deep, a less meaningful name that simply associates the restaurant with its new owner, Deep Food Inc. Surfing on the fast casual craze, this place serves a bunch of classic Indian dishes: biryanis, chicken tikka Masala, lamb vindaloo...with the possibility to mix and match protein (Chicken, lamb, paneer -they also have grilled mushrooms for vegetarians) and sauces (tikka Masala, vindaloo, korma, saag, kadai). But when we saw they have Kati rolls, these Indian wraps made with paratha bread, we could not resist. Each order comes with two Kati rolls but they are a bit rigid with the order as they refuse to accommodate a different filling for each roll and you end up with two of the same. Well, I should mention that they were not nice at all in the Times Square location we went to and would probably need a training on customer service! Anyway, I got the lamb kofta Kati roll (these are Roasted lamb meatballs) and Jodi ordered the paneer Kati roll. They prepared it a la minute and in few minutes, they gave us our order with the graciousness of a tree. The rolls were good, tasty and flavorful, not spicy (we chose mild, although it was spicy for Jodi and the mango lassi we drank with the meal helped), but I admit that I prefer The Kati Roll Company near Bryant Park: from the paratha to the filling, The Kati Roll Company is much better and much cheaper. The only problem is that it is crowded that does not seem to be the case with Deep. So, no, Deep is not a place I would go back to if I crave a Kati roll, even if I had a good meal there. Other dishes? Maybe.

Lamb kofta kati roll at Deep Indian Kitchen

Enjoy (...)!

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Deep Indian Kitchen- 940 8th Ave, New York, NY 10019

I Just Want To Eat! 12/28/19 I Just Want To Eat! 12/28/19

Dinner at Wallse

I had Wallsé, the Michelin Star restaurant of Chef Kurt Gutenbrunner on my radar for a while and we finally decided to go on a Saturday, early evening. Taking its name from Wallsee, a small village on the Danube river where the Chef grew up, Wallsé is the third project of Chef Gutenbrunner, after Cafe Sabarsky in the Neue Gallery and Upholstery Store: Food & Wine. Considering the latter, art seems to be a passion for him, Wallsé having Impressive pieces, especially the portrait of the Chef by Julian Schnabel that dominates the dining room.

Food wise, this place serves modern European cuisine with an accent on Austrian specialties like schnitzel or goulash. Know that dinner is a prix fix where you can chose to get two, three or four courses; we did three and were surely there for a treat. Here is what we had:

As a drink, Jodi got their apricot soda, House made with apricot juice, cinnamon and soda water while I opted for the whisky & cola that has nothing to do with a whisky and Coca Cola mix and was made with Reseitbauer 7 year malt whiskey, all spice dram, apple shrub and bitters. Like an apple old fashioned in a way. Quite good.

They then served us some mini baguettes that were superb, with or without butter.

For her appetizer, Jodi went for the chanterelle goulash that was one of the many vegetarian dishes. Original and comforting, especially with its semolina dumpling that gave some consistency to the dish, it was delicious, the kind of perfect dish for people who love mushrooms.

Chanterelle goulash at Wallse in NYC, NY

On my side, I wanted to try their chestnut soup as it was the first time I saw that on a menu and never had it before. I was surprised that it was not thicker and liked the subtle but present taste of the chestnut. It was for sure an upscale version of soup, perfect for this weather.

Then, for her entree, Jodi asked if it was possible to get the cheese plate that was proposed for dessert: they graciously accepted and mentioned that if she wanted more cheese, they would bring more. I thought that was fair as that there was probably a price difference between whichever entree she would have picked and the cheese plate, considering that she also ordered a dessert. The cheeses were: camembert, Bleu D’Auvergne, Austrian Gruyere, Adirondack Cheddar.

For me, there was no hesitation: I chose the roasted lamb that was served with figs and glazed carrots. The meat was amazing, perfectly cooked medium-rare and tender. There was also a nice portion of it, which is surprising, since dining in this type of restaurant usually you get small portions.

Dessert was also quite delicious: Jodi had the apple strudel while I got the Wallse Torte that is composed of pumpkin, banana, chocolate and a superb caramel ice cream (the strudel had a brandy ice cream).

For sure Wallse is elegant without being stuffy. The service there is on point and the food sublime. Definitely recommended if you are looking for a nice place to go where also the noise level is moderate, despite the 1980s music…

Enjoy (I did)!

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Wallse - 344 West 11th Street, West Village 10014

I Just Want To Eat! 12/26/19 I Just Want To Eat! 12/26/19

Chango’s Kitchen in Hoboken, NJ

We were walking around downtown Hoboken for some errands when we decided to get some food. As the weather was not that great (cold and rainy), we thought about going to Zafra’s for their hot chocolate that was once on the top 10 best in America. Unfortunately, as we arrived in front of the restaurant, we realized that it was a different place: yes, we missed the news end of November that Zafra’s was closing and a new venture opened a week later under the name of Chango’s Kitchen, still serving Latin-Cuban cuisine, with a menu quite similar if not identical to its predecessor. I am not going to complain about that as Zafra’s had a great menu. Here is what we had:
Batido de Mamey, a Cuban milkshake made with mamey sapote, a fruit that can be found in Cuba, the Caribbean, Central America and part of Mexico. I love this milkshake and always order it when going to a Cuban restaurant (La Isla has it but I prefer the one at Chango’s Kitchen because it is thicker and creamier).

Batido de Mamey at Chango’s Kitchen in Hoboken, NJ

Of course, we also got their Venezuelan hot chocolate that is thickened with toasted barley flour. Sweet, thick and comforting, it is a must have.

Venezuelan hot chocolate at Chango’s Kitchen in Hoboken, NJ

As an appetizer, we had plantain chips (mariquitas) that were served with a delicious dipping sauce that seemed to have garlic and cilantro in it.

Plantain chips at Chango’s Kitchen in Hoboken, NJ

For her main, Jodi ordered the tortilla de espinaca con manchego that is a spinach omelet with manchego cheese. Quite nice, the omelet was well made, not overcooked and dry, and I loved the melted layer of manchego on top. It was served with some pressed Cuban toast.

Spinach omelet at Chango’s Kitchen in Hoboken, NJ

Spanish omelet at Chango’s Kitchen in Hoboken, NJ

On my side, I went for the traditional Venezuelan breakfast (Pabellon criollos) that was composed of stewed shredded beef, black beans, cheese and rice. On the side were two small arepas that had a bit of anise in it and were superb. I liked it: filling, comforting, with the shredded beef being very flavorful.

Venezuelan breakfast at Chango’s Kitchen in Hoboken, NJ

Well, I still had a bit of space for dessert and we opted for the tres leches that was fantastic.

Tres leches at Chango’s Kitchen in Hoboken, NJ

So, although it is always sad to see a business close, I was quite happy to see that the legacy of Zafra’s did not die when the restaurant closed and I am looking forward to go back to Chango’s Kitchen for more delicious food!
Enjoy (I did)!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
Chango’s Kitchen- 301 Willow Ave, Hoboken, NJ 07030

Jean-Philippe Gerbi 12/23/19 Jean-Philippe Gerbi 12/23/19

Sushi by Bou, timed omakase speakeasy

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

Last Tuesday, I was invited at Sushi by Bou in Jersey City, a hidden gem tucked in the back of Ani Ramen House on Newark Avenue, a less than a 10 minute walk from the Grove St Path train stop. Sushi by Bou (Bou comes from the name of the Chef and owner David Bouhadana), defines itself as a omakase speakeasy that is the right way to define it: a speakeasy for its location as even being inside Ani Ramen House, I would have not find it if not directed (they are working on signage but it reminded me Burger Joint when it was a sort of secret place only few people knew about, hidden inside the Parker Méridien, the secrecy adding to the excitement) and omakase, because they only serve omakase, in a limited seat setting (8 seats). If you never had omakase, it is a prix-fixe menu where the Chef will prepare sushi of their choice (omakase means “I’ll leave it to you” in Japanese). So, if you are vegetarian, this is not for you as they only serve fish and in some instances meat in surf and turf combinations, where meat can be replaced if you are pescatarian. Also, they would mesure the amount of wasabi and soy necessary: asking for more or some so you can dip your sushi would be seen as an insult to the Chef. It is like in restaurants: the fact that they do not have salt and pepper on the table is not because they forgot but rather because they consider to leave it to the Chef to season the dishes, trusting in his abilities.
Before I speak about the sushi I tried at Sushi by Bou, I should mention that their concept is a timed omakase: 30 or 60 minutes seating. Well I am sure they are not going to bring a bouncer to kick you out at the end of the time you picked, but anyway, the Chef is defining the cadence and sushi is a bouchée, so you do not feel time pressure and at least you know from the beginning.

Speakeasy means also booze and they have a nice drink list made of crafted cocktails, sake and beers. I admit that I was not sure what to get and finally settled for the Yuzu Honey Bee, a cocktail made with Maker’s Mark Bourbon, honey syrup, yuzu, simple syrup and topped with pink peppercorn.

Yuzu Honey Bee at Sushi by Bou in Jersey City

The omakase itself is amazing: from the experience of seeing the Chefs make sushi that is an art in itself to the freshness of the fish that will make you think about the next time you eat at your usual Japanese restaurant. Here is what they serve:

Hamachi - yellow tail:

Chu-Toro - Fatty tuna:

Ikura / Salmon roe:

Uni / sea urchin at Sushi by Bou in Jersey City

O Toro / Fatty tuna:

Unagi / BBQ eel:

Akami - lean tuna:

Botan Ebi/ Spotted prawn:

Spotted pawn at Sushi by Bou in Jersey City

Hotate / Scallop:

Sake / Salmon:

Wagyuni / surf and turf:

Wagyuni / surf & turf at Sushi by Bou in Jersey City

Akami - lean tuna roll:

Definitely, this meal at Sushi by Bou was amazing. It’s not the just the food that is great but also the experience, the only negative being that if the person you are dining with is vegetarian, this place is not for you as they only serve omakase. However, think about it: if you have to have dinner with somebody and are not too motivated about it, the timed concept is great and you can just say that you could only get a 30 minutes reservation...

Enjoy (I did)!

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Sushi by Bou - 218 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07302

I Just Want To Eat! 12/21/19 I Just Want To Eat! 12/21/19

Taim in the West Village

It’s been a while since we went to Taim, an Israeli vegetarian restaurant with few locations in the city. So, as we were going to a cooking class downtown in the Summer that started at 12pm, we decided to stop there for a quick bite. Good that we went early as they only have few seats! We decided to order two things: the babaganouj that is a spread made with eggplant with a nice smokiness, and, instead of falafel that Taim is known for, we ordered their sabich, a sandwich made with fried eggplant, egg, hummus, tahini, parsley, Israeli salad, pickled cabbage and amba, a tanguy mango pickle condiment popular apparently in the Middle East. I love this sandwich that has so many layers of flavors but know that it can be a bit challenging to eat because the pita pocket is so filled that it can break apart.

Cheap and delicious, Taim remains one of my favorite fast casual vegetarian restaurant in the city and it one again did not disappoint!

Enjoy (I did)!

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Taim- 222 Waverly Place, New York 10014

Jean-Philippe Gerbi 12/19/19 Jean-Philippe Gerbi 12/19/19

M Wells Steakhouse never disappoints

We were in Long Island City for their artists open studios where Jodi participated and so I could not miss the occasion to go back to M Wells Steakhouse, few steps from the Court Street subway station.

Open kitchen at M Wells Steakhouse in Long Island City

i love this place that is not your classic steakhouse: the decor is like being in somebody’s backyard and I could not stop peeking at the open kitchen where the staff creates the magic. The menu is also not classic: this time, they had for instance a dish made with goat liver that I was close to get but finally chose the NY strip that was made with a maple bulgogi rub and a XO sauce. The steak, more medium than medium rare, was really good, tender, juicy, with the outside being nicely charred and even slightly caramelized.

NY Strip at M Wells Steakhouse in Long Island City

But this is not how we started our meal. No, we first ordered some cocktails: jodi had a non-alcoholic one called “pretty in pink” that was indeed pink and made with a citrus spritz and rose water.
On my side, I was looking for a drink with whiskey and picked the “Hudson to Haiti”, thinking that the combination between the Hudson Manhattan rye and the Boukman rum Agricole was an interesting combination. But it was strong for sure and I was glad they brought some bread so I would not dip it on an empty stomach!

Hudson to Haiti cocktail at M Wells Steakhouse in Long Island City

Pretty in pink cocktail at M Wells Steakhouse in Long Island City

We then shared an appetizer: the gnocchi Roquefort accompanied by a braised nut ragu and crispy black trumpet. These gnocchi were divine: very light and melting in your mouth, you got immediately the taste of Roquefort cheese and I thought that the whole dish was quite superb, the ragu adding some nuttiness and the mushrooms some texture on top of the delicious flavor.

Gnocchi roquefort at M Wells Steakhouse in Long Island City

Gnocci roquefort at M Wells Steakhouse in Long Island City

Then, as I enjoyed my steak, Jodi got a cheese plate made with three kinds of cheese:
- Lait Bloomer, a soft pasteurized cow cheese.
- Bay blue, a semi-form cheese made from pasteurized cow milk.
- Aged goat Gouda, a firm cheese made from pasteurized cow milk. Interestingly, with the description of the cheese, they mentioned it was a special for “goatober”, that was I guess their way to celebrate goat and explaining the goat liver.

Cheese plate at M Wells Steakhouse in Long Island City

Lait bloomer at M Wells Steakhouse in Long Island City

Bay blue cheese at M Wells Steakhouse in Long Island City

Goat cheese gouda at M Wells Steakhouse in Long Island City

She also ordered the Brussels Sprouts with cherry but without Bacon, a side they propose that they gracefully agreed to make vegetarian.

Brussels sprouts at M Wells Steakhouse in Long Island City

And I should mention the pommes aligot I wanted with the steak: it is like mashed potatoes with tons of cheese, close to what my mom use to make when I was a kid. After trying this, you will never see mashed potatoes in the same way.

Pommes aligot at M Wells Steakhouse in Long Island City

Last was dessert and we hesitated as the waitress described each and every one of them with such a mouth watering way. Finally we went for the maple pie that was made with a maple custard. It was so good: soft and not too sweet.

Maple pie at M Wells Steakhouse in Long Island City

So yes, M Wells does not disappoint, and I should mention that this time our wait staff was much better: courteous, checking on us to make sure we did not need anything and that we liked the food, but also not making Jodi feel bad that she is a vegetarian in a steak place...On top of that, you may think that this is far away, but it is only few stops with the E train (there are other lines) to Court Street, so it could take as much time to go there than going to other areas of Manhattan, depending where you start from, and the trip is worth it. Trust me on this one!

Enjoy (I did)!

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M Wells - 4315 Crescent St, Long Island City 11101

I Just Want To Eat! 12/18/19 I Just Want To Eat! 12/18/19

Florence, Italy: Caffè Concerto Paszkowski

Caffè Concerto Paszkowski is like Rivoire, one of these institutions that are all over Florence. Going there is a must do to enjoy a nice afternoon at Piazza della Repubblica. Founded in 1846, it had the name Caffè Centrale until 1930 when it took on the name Paszkowski after being acquired by the Società Carlo Paszkowski & C., an Italian beer company, that made it a beer hall and cafe. Interestingly, it was designated as a National Monument in 1991.

Caffè Concerto Paszkowski in Florence, Italy

We decided to go there on a sunny afternoon, to get some coffee, tea and pastries. The Paszkowski Coffee Bar is apparently renowned for its espresso, which is per their website, "made according to the finest Italian tradition". It was good, but pricey...

Espresso at Caffè Concerto Paszkowski in Florence, Italy

We then got the Torta Paszkowski, their specialty tart made with sponge cake, banana and whipped cream (lots of it): this is a must have, especially if you like banana. It was light and not too sweet.

Torta Paszkowski at Caffè Concerto Paszkowski in Florence, Italy

We also shared some assorted pastries that were mainly chou (3) with one cookie. All were good, but I wish they offered more variety.

Pastries at Caffè Concerto Paszkowski in Florence, Italy

Overall, Caffè Concerto Paszkowski was good but pricey and I found the service not so good. I definitely prefer Rivoire, but still, it is worth the visit considering the history of the place.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Caffè Concerto Paszkowski - Piazza della Repubblica, 6, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy

Jean-Philippe Gerbi 12/17/19 Jean-Philippe Gerbi 12/17/19

Florence, Italy: Rivoire

As the weather in Florence during our trip turned a bit cold and rainy, we decided to find a place for hot cocoa and ended up at Rivoire, a popular and fancy cafe located on the side of Piazza della Signoria. This place is an institution: opened in 1872 by Enrico Rivoire, a chocolatier of the Savoy royal family, this place, run by the Bardelli brothers, has a fantastic view on the Piazza that is perfect for people watching, in an elegant setting.

Piazza della Signora at Rivoire in Florence, Italy

Piazza della Signoria at Rivoire in Florence, Italy

Outdoor patio at Rivoire in Florence, Italy

The fact that the founder was a master chocolatier and that they continue producing chocolate shows with their hot cocoa that is like melted chocolate: thick and rich, the whipped cream taming down the sweetness of it.

Hot chocolate at Rivoire in Florence, Italy

Of course, we had to try some of their pastries and went for the assortment where they bring you four random pastries. There were: baba, a tart, a chocolate and vanilla chou. Made daily, they were all delicious with the baba being my favorite.

Rivoire is a good place to know in Florence; great pastries and awesome hot chocolate with people watching: what a great combination!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Rivoire - Piazza della Signoria, 5/R, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

I Just Want To Eat! 12/16/19 I Just Want To Eat! 12/16/19

Florence, Italy: Trattoria Dall'Oste

While walking in the streets of Florence, we saw Trattoria Dall’Oste and decided to go there for dinner, after seeing their dry aged room from the outside of one of their restaurants. So here we were, having to wait outside for some time, although the restaurant was not that crowded as you can see on the photo below.

Dining room at Trattoria Dall'Oste in Florence, Italy

Main dining room at Trattoria Dall'Oste in Florence, Italy

Their menu is a bit overwhelming with so many prix-fixe options that often included large pieces of meat (like 35 oz! and more). Considering all the food we had that day, I decided to go with a smaller piece, a ribeye of approx. 16 oz that came on a wooden board, giving a rustic presentation to the dish. I admit that I am not sure what the origin of the meat was as the menu was not that precise, despite that fact that it was not a Chianina breed. The meat was very good, cooked rare to medium-rare, juicy and tasty, with a nice char.

Ribeye at Trattoria Dall'Oste in Florence, Italy

Jodi on her side got the Tagliolini al fungi that are thick noodles with mushrooms. I thought it was good, but she was not that thrilled about it.

Tagliolini al fungi at Trattoria Dall'Oste in Florence, Italy

Of course, I should not forget to mention the spritz I had as a cocktail (yes, I probably had a spritz at each and every meal).

Spritz at Trattoria Dall'Oste in Florence, Italy

So, overall it was good and prices were reasonable. I would go back to Trattoria Dall’Oste next time I visit Florence and then I will try their Chianina meat.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Trattoria Dall’Oste - Via dei Cerchi, 40/R, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

Jean-Philippe Gerbi 12/15/19 Jean-Philippe Gerbi 12/15/19

Florence, Italy: Lo Scudo

We found Lo Scudo while walking behind the Duomo in Florence, attracted by the meat displayed at the window. We loved it so much that we went there twice during our trip: once for lunch and once for dinner, trying various dishes and of course the steak. This place is less than two years old but the owners, Alessandro and Federico succeeded in creating a nice atmosphere, very welcoming, where tourists and locals mingle. This is the kind of restaurant that truly knows what hospitality means and their food was superb.

Dining room at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Here is what we had:

Of course, you should not be surprised that I had a spritz, one of the most popular cocktails…with tourists!

Insalata mista, a salad composed of organic mixed greens with tomato, carrots and olives.

Insalata mista at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Caprese di burrata e basilico, an appetizer made with burrata cheese, cuori di bue tomatoes and basil. That burrata was perfectly creamy.

Burrata with tomato at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Carciofi indivia parmigiano a scaglie olio e limone or Artichokes endive with parmigiano and lemon and olive oil dressing. I loved it: artichokes are unfortunately not often proposed on menu and, when I was a kid, we used to eat them with a vinaigrette, dipping the leaves and the core in it, after ditching the fuzzy center.

Artichokes at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Pappa al pomodoro, a thick Tuscan soup made with stale bread. This was amazing: tasty and comforting.

Pappa al pomodoro at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Linguine al nero di seppia, vongole veraci e bottarga di muggine or Black squid linguini with veraci clams and bottarga: this was an amazing dish: the homemade squid ink pasta was superb, perfectly cooked al dente, smothered in a delicious sauce that I finished with pieces of bread...

Squid ink linguine at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Then was the Bistecca alla Fiorentina or T-bone steak that you can find all over in Florence, but with various quality of meat. At Lo Scudo, they serve Chianina beef that is one of the oldest breed of cattle in the world and if you look at photos on the internet, you will be amazed by its size. To prove me that this was Chianina meat, they showed me the certificate that authenticates it. Butchering it was a bit difficult for them as you can see on the video and then, they put it on the grill for some time, until reaching a perfect rare to medium-rare temperature as this is recommended. The meat, aged for 28 days, was tender, juicy and very flavorful. I definitely recommend going to Lo Scudo for it!

Bistecca alla Fiorentina at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Last was dessert: we had their tiramisu that was a great way to end these meals: it was so creamy, with the necessary hint of coffee, but without being overwhelming.

I am a big fan of Lo Scudo: it is a great place that I definitely recommend and will surely go there on my next trip to Florence.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Lo Scudo - Via dell' Oriuolo, 53, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy.

I Just Want To Eat! 12/14/19 I Just Want To Eat! 12/14/19

Florence, Italy: Trattoria Zaza

Similar to Borgo Antico, we went back to Trattoria Zàzà, a restaurant located in the busy area of the Mercato Centrale di San Lorenzo (The San Lorenzo Central Market that exists since 1874), where hordes of tourists gather to buy bags, belts and other goods made with Italian leather, where bargaining is mandatory, like a game in which everyone will win. The market itself offers a bunch of local products, from vegetables, to meat or seafood, with creepy sightings like the skinned rabbits ready to be cooked.

San Lorenzo Central Market in Florence, Italy

Difficult to miss Trattoria Zàzà outside with the naked Cupid showing the way to the entrance. The food there is pretty good, with reasonable prices. We started by ordering some beverages: a sparkling mandarine soda for Jodi and a spritz for me:

Mandarinata soda at Trattoria Zaza in Florence, Italy

Spritz at Trattoria Zaza in Florence, Italy

Then, as an appetizer, I ordered the prosciutto di Parma and cantaloupe, a fairly classic Italian appetizer mixing sweet and savory flavors.

Prosciutto di parma and cantaloupe at Trattoria Zaza in Florence, Italy

Proscittu di parma and cantaloupe at Trattoria Zaza in Florence, Italy

Next was the Spaghetti with clams alla Zàzà, a dish similar to spaghetti alle Vongole, that was succulent: the pasta were well cooked, al dente, bathed in a delicious white wine sauce and complemented with lots of clams.

Spaghetti with clams alla Zaza at Trattoria Zaza in Florence, Italy

Jodi simply went with tomato and mozzarella, a simple but good dish.

Tomato and mozzarella at Trattoria Zaza in Florence, Italy

So overall, we were not disappointed by Trattoria Zaza: the food there is quite good and prices are reasonable.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Trattoria Zaza - Piazza del Mercato Centrale, 26r, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy

I Just Want To Eat! 12/13/19 I Just Want To Eat! 12/13/19

China Blue in Tribeca

We were looking for a place to eat near Canal street when we stumbled upon China Blue, the sister restaurant of Cafe China, a place I visited last year while going through some Michelin Star restaurants. I was not sure what to expect but, as we entered, we felt immediately that we would probably have a memorable lunch. Yes, the decor is beautiful with all its Chinese ornaments and the dining room spacious enough to allow for some privacy, at least at lunch time (we went on a Saturday at noon).

And the food was amazing: they offer a wide variety of dishes, vegetarian and non-vegetarian. Here is what we tried:

Thousand year eggs in pickled chili sauce that is in fact a cured duck egg where the white becomes brownish and the yolk dark and transparent with a gelatinous texture. Taste wise, it does not really have the same taste as a boiled egg. In fact I am not sure how to describe the taste to be honest and think that when you get past the look, you can really enjoy this dish that is a bit spicy.

Thousand years eggs at China Blue in Tribeca

Savory bean curd wrap with marinated shiitake mushroom: this was delicious and tasty, surprisingly cold.

Scallion pancakes: our go to dish when eating in a Chinese restaurant. Perfectly made and delightfully greasy.

Scallion pancakes at China Blue in Tribeca

Pork soup dumplings: another dish I love to get in a Chinese restaurant. Well made, the shell was thin but did not break out and the soup was deliciously fatty, as expected.

Vegetable potstickers: made with bok choy, shiitake mushrooms, carrot and cellophane noodles. I admit that I am not always a big fan of veggie dumplings but these were very good and quite tasty.

Vegetable potstickers at China Blue in Tribeca

Vegetabe potstickers at China Blue in Tribeca

The last dish was the crispy eels Wuxi style that is like baby eels fried and smothered by a sweet sauce. Very good, crunchy but a bit too sweet.

Crispy eel Wixu style at China Blue in Tribeca

Overall we had a great meal at China Blue: the food was delicious and items on the menu are great options to share. I should mention the service that was impeccable. Definitely a place I am looking forward to go back to.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

China Blue -135 Watts Street, New York, NY 10013

Jean-Philippe Gerbi 12/11/19 Jean-Philippe Gerbi 12/11/19

Ramen at Ippudo

Time for ramen! That is what Jodi and I thought when planning a day to the city and we decided to go to Ippudo West Side for lunch. Early enough to get a seat before it started to get packed. As we were showed our seats at the counter, the hostess shouted in Japanese something like “there are two guests sitting at the counter”, followed by a “welcome” from the staff.

Time for ramen! That is what Jodi and I thought when planning a day to the city and we decided to go to Ippudo West Side for lunch. Early enough to get a seat before it started to get packed.
As we were showed our seats at the counter, the hostess shouted in Japanese something like “there are two guests sitting at the counter”, followed by a “welcome” from the staff.

The menu there is great, offering vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes all mouth watering. We immediately saw the Ippudo buns where you could pick various fillings: chicken, pork, shrimp or vegetarian. We went for the latter so Jodi could share with me. It was made of eggplant and eringi mushroom with spicy sauce, mayo and lettuce. And there was lots of sauce so I was glad they gave us a wet towel...The first bite was succulent: the buns were soft and fluffy and the filling delightfully crunchy and hearty, with a slight kick that was compensated by the mayo. I was pleased to see a vegetarian version of the buns on the menu that well executed as usually, they are proposed with pork belly and rarely with veggies.

For her main dish, Jodi the Nirvana Akamaru ramen, made with a silky nirvana broth (no relation to a famous band and no, I have no idea what it was made with besides vegetables), braised tofu, sesame kikurage mushrooms, scallion, cabbage, garlic oil, tamago (egg, ordered as an addition) and their secret “umami dama“ paste.

Nirvana Akamaru ramen at Ippudo West Side

On my side, I got a special ramen: the Miso Akamaru ramen, made with tonkotsu pork broth mixed with three kinds of miso, pork shashu (braised pork) and ground pork, scallion, shiraganegi (sliced leeks), akamiso paste and garlic oil.

Both ramen were delicious. The one Jodi had had thin noodles while mine had thick noodles. The veggie ramen was quite good and tasty, not boring at all, with lots of flavors. But I admit that mine was even better: rich and comforting, it was packed in flavors. For sure, when it comes to ramen, Ippudo is a reference: I highly recommend it!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Ippudo West Side - 321 West 51st Street, New York, NY 10019

I Just Want To Eat! 12/9/19 I Just Want To Eat! 12/9/19

Hong Kong Station in Times Square

As we were walking on 47th street to go to The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens for dinner, we passed in front of Hong Kong station, a Chinese restaurant with an interesting menu that would satisfy vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Located on the ground floor of the Night Hotel, in the heart of Times Square and I did not imagine how big this place is, with the decor at the entrance, especially the red lanterns standing out.

Red lanterns at Hong Kong Station in Times Square

Back dining room at Hong Kong Station in Times Square

After a cup of hot tea that they automatically brought to the table (I am always annoyed when they charge for tea…There, they do not), we decided to order a bunch of dishes. Here is what we had:

Tea at Hong Kong Station in Times Square

Shrimp dumplings: these are my favorite steamed dumplings and at Hong Kong station, I found them superb, especially the shell that was well made, not too thick and slightly sticking to the chopsticks.

Shrimp dumplings at Hong Kong Station in Times Square

Crab and pork soup dumplings (Aka crabmeat juicy pork buns): they were just ok and should have probably been cooked a bit more as a bit doughy and breaking as soon as I grab them. The soup itself was also missing the fattiness that I love in these dumplings.

Crab and pork soup dumplings at Hong Kong Station in Times Square

Vegetable spring rolls: quite good, the shell not being too thick and delightfully greasy.

Vegetable spring rolls at Hong Kong Station in Times Square

Scallion pancakes: crispy and greasy as expected.

Scallion pancakes at Hong Kong Station in Times Square

Peking duck buns: I loved them. I love Peking duck as well as the sweet and savory tastes of this dish and this was perfect. The duck was really good, the skin being slightly crunchy and deliciously fatty.

Peking duck bun at Hong Kong Station in Times Square

Tofu in brown sauce: lots of sauce for sure, tasty and flavorful.

Tofu in Town sauce at Hong Kong Station in Times Square

For dessert, we tried their sweet egg yolk creamy bun that was good but not the best I had.

Sweet egg yolk creamy bun at Hong Kong Station in Times Square

Overall it was good and this is a nice addition to Times Square, even if it is not the best Chinese restaurant you can find I the city. So yes, if you are in that area and are craving Chinese cuisine, this is a good address to know.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Hong Kong Station -157 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036

Jean-Philippe Gerbi 12/6/19 Jean-Philippe Gerbi 12/6/19

Junior's in Brooklyn, NY

The first time I went to Junior’s was more than a decade ago, one of my friends talking about the cheesecake all the time and since then, I consider this deli to have the best in New York. There was just one location I never went to: the original one in Brooklyn that opened in 1950 under a different name, being a diner first. For sure, this was less crowded than in its sister restaurants in New York and I felt that it had an authentic feel to it, some sort of nostalgia.

While Jodi only went for a bagel with cream cheese accompanied by a hot chocolate, I decided to go for an all delicatessen meal: egg cream, pastrami reuben and cheese cake. Egg cream is an interesting drink: this cold beverage does not contain egg or cream but rather milk, carbonated water and a syrup, in my case chocolate. Some say that the name comes from the German “echt” that means “real” or “genuine” who initially gave a meaning of “good cream” to it. And if you look closer to the photo, you will see that the glass has the measurement of each component on it.

Hot chocolate at Junior's in Brooklyn, NY

Bagel and cream cheese at Junior's in Brooklyn, NY

The delicious cheesecake that was quite dense was although a bit much after that big pastrami reuben I had for my main: with its toasted rye bread, Swiss and sauerkraut, it contained a large amount of a delightfully greasy pastrami. This is indeed my go to sandwich when eating in a deli.

Pastrami reuben at Junior's in Brooklyn, NY

So definitely Junior’s is and will always be an institution like Katz’s or the 2nd avenue deli: packed with history, a certain nostalgia, good food, and also often many tourists (especially Katz’s), but these are places irreplaceable. And if you are looking for the best cheesecake in New York, Junior’s it is.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Junior’s-386 Flatbush Avenue, Downtown Brooklyn, NY 11238

Jean-Philippe Gerbi 12/4/19 Jean-Philippe Gerbi 12/4/19

Alfalfa in Hoboken, NJ

When Schnackenberg’s closed in Hoboken, I was so disappointed. I liked that place that was like an old school luncheonette serving classic American dishes at a reasonable price. And so, replacing it by a salad joint was kind of an insult to the history of the previous place. Setting foot at The Garden Street Farmers Market, Alfalfa was even a pop-up in Schnackenberg’s. So, after several months, thinking about eating a salad (it happens), we decided to try this place. As we entered, I noticed that it was completely gut renovated, with only few tables left and a side with books and pillows that give a relaxed feel to the joint.

Well, I’m fact this is not the first thing I noticed. I admit that my eyes went first for the cookies and cupcakes that were on display on the counter and, as soon as I saw they had Nutella bites, I was a bit more looking forward to have a meal there.

Looking at the menu, I was surprised to see that they propose a cup of bone broth that is pretty unusual although lots of people drink it for its health benefits: rich in vitamins and nutrients, including calcium, magnesium, and phosphorous, reduce inflammation and heals the gut, may protect the joints and help fight osteoporosis, etc.

They also propose salads and burritos: we went for the former that had lots of choices including a build your own that Jodi opted for, where you pick two bases and 5 toppings. On my side, I ordered The Italian, composed of Alfalfa mix, prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, Italian sundried peppers, red onion, sliced almonds with a balsamic vinaigrette︎. When the salads came, I was really surprised about the quantity of food: they were big, with lots of toppings, filling and delicious.

Build Your Own salad at Alfalfa in Hoboken, NJ

My salad might not have been the healthiest on the menu but it is still salad right? Anyway, Alfalfa is not a bad addition to the restaurant scene of Hoboken, but I admit that I still would have preferred a place similar to Schnackenberg’s.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Alfalfa - 1110 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 12/3/19 I Just Want To Eat! 12/3/19

Product Review: The Bro Basket

When I received an email from The Bro Basket proposing to review one of their products, I was really excited, especially as what they offered was to review one of their whisky gift sets. I did not hesitate and received it few weeks after The Ultimate Whiskey Sampler, a basket that contains:…

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

Ultimate Whisky Sampler from The Bro Basket

2 Popcornopolis Gourmet Flavored Popcorn
1 Marich Chocolate covered goody
1 BroBasket 11oz tumbler
1 BroBasket Reusable Tin
1 Bottle of Macallan Double Cask 12 year (50ml)
1 Bottle of Johnnie Walker Red label (50ml)
1 Bottle of Johnnie Walker Black label (50ml)
1 Bottle of Glenlivet 12 year (50ml)
1 Bottle of Glenfiddich 12 year (50ml)
1 Bottle of Jameson Irish Whiskey (50ml)
1 Bottle of Makers Mark Bourbon (50ml)
1 Bottle of Woodford Reserve (50ml)
1 Bottle of Bulleit Bourbon (50ml)
1 Bottle of Knobb Creek (50ml)

It is a nice selection of whisky that would make any whisky lover happy. And this is just a basic basket as they also have others with some nice selections like The Ultimate Jameson Gift Set that contains a bottle of Jameson, Jameson Caskmates and Jameson Black Barrel or A World of Whisky that includes a bottle of Laphroaig Scotch (750ml), a bottle of Suntori Toki Japanese Whisky (750ml) and a bottle of Jameson Black Barrel Irish Whisky (750ml).

The idea of The Bro Basket came in 2013 as one of the founder explains on their website:

"My fiance (now husband) sent me a bouquet of flowers and I leapt with glee! That evening as I thanked him for the gesture I asked “Well why don’t I send you some flowers at work to repay the favor?”. He laughed and respectfully declined but retorted with, “I don’t want flowers, but you can send me a bucket of beer instead!” After searching the internet and quickly realizing I couldn’t send him a bucket of beer, I realized what a cool concept that would be!"

Know that they have more than just whisky and you can pick tequila, rum, vodka and gin, with even an option to create your own basket, with prices going from $69.95 to more than $400 depending on the content you pick.

I like the concept that changes from the classic gift basket with cookies and processed cheese! So if you are looking for a gift, check out The Bro Basket!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Jean-Philippe Gerbi 12/2/19 Jean-Philippe Gerbi 12/2/19

Great dinner at Black Barn

Going to Black Barn is like stepping in a farm in the heart of New York. Located North of Madison Square Park, this place is a true find: this farm to table restaurant’s kitchen is headed by Chef John Doherty who spent 25 years in the kitchen of the Waldorf Astoria. For sure the decor is amazing and I wished I could have visited their second level: thanks to their high ceilings, they built the structure of a barn and the main dining room overlooks the open kitchen and a wine cellar that is quite impressive.

But it is a cocktail I wanted and settled for the Farmhouse, a drink made with High West American Prairie Bourbon, Allapice dram, lemon and honey. Citrusy and slightly sweet, it was a good way to start.

Farmhouse cocktail at Black Barn in NYC, NY

It was followed by a nice bread basket accompanied by a butter with roasted garlic, as well as, complimentary of the Chef, a lemon arancini that was gooey.

Butter and garlic atBlack Barn in NYC, NY

Jodi did not want any appetizer but on my side, I could not resist the bone marrow that was served with Manila clams, a delicious take on surf and turf. I was just disappointed it was not bigger!

Bone marrow with clams at Black Barn in NYC, NY

Then, for her entree, Jodi went for the wild mushroom toast that was made with three kinds of cheese: robiola, tallegio and Parmesan. Very good, with lots of cheese, the mushrooms adding a earthy tone to it. She also had a side of Brussels sprouts that they graciously made with bacon.

Wild mushroom toast at Black Barn in NYC, NY

Roasted brussels sprouts at Black Barn in NYC, NY

On my side, I chose the duck breast pastrami and sausage. I love duck and was not disappointed: the meat was perfectly cooked, the breast having a nice smokiness and being my favorite over the sausage. The addition of the kumquat preserves gave a succulent sweetness to it. However, I did not like the Spanish torta that had nothing to do with a tortilla unfortunately.

For dessert, we could not resist ordering the apple cider donuts that came with a caramel sauce: they were superb, soft and pillowy.

Apple cider donuts at Black Barn in NYC, NY

So overall we had a great meal at Black Barn. This is definitely a place that stands out and I cannot wait to go back there for brunch.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Black Barn- 19 East 26th Street, NY 10010

I Just Want To Eat! 11/29/19 I Just Want To Eat! 11/29/19

The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens in Times Square

I know what you are going to think: what I am doing, dining in Times Square where lots of restaurants are more concerned about food traffic than returning customer, proposing just ok meals when not subpar with some exceptions. The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens located on the 9th floor of The Edition hotel is surely one. Opened last February by John Fraser (Nix, the regretted Dovetail or Narcissa) is a take on French brasseries and American chophouses where Chef Fraser worked early on in his career.

But you need to know it is there, otherwise you will pass in front of the hotel as we did many times without knowing such jewel was there. As you arrive on the 9th floor, you are overwhelmed by black and white photos that you can admire while waiting for a table. The dining room, separated from the bar, gives the feel that you are outside with all the plants and they do have an outdoor space that I did not get a chance to see (it was cold that day and I was not that motivated to check it out).

I noticed that they were careful to sit people apart from other patrons, leaving a table or two in between, keeping an intimate setting preserved by an acceptable noise level. Many wise, they have a wide range of dishes: vegetarian, seafood, meat, pasta, etc. So it can be hard to make a choice, so many seeming delicious and know that the portions are not so bit, with several dishes proposed in a smaller portion. I started the meal by ordering one of their cocktails: The Wiz, made with Japanese whisky, moonshine (white whisky may sound more elegant), green Apple and ginger, a quite refreshing start.

The Wiz cocktail at The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens in Times Square

We then could not resist trying their deep dish focaccia, made with smoked mozzarella and spiced tomatoes, on which they cut some pieces of fresh basil. This is a must have: this fusion between a deep dish pizza and focaccia bread is amazing. The thick and fluffy focaccia is superb, not dry, covered with lots of cheese and complemented well by the freshness of the basil. When I think that I got a deep dish pizza this size at Giordano’s in Chicago that was horrible because extremely dry, I am thinking that they should switch it for this!

Deep dish focaccia at The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens in Times Square

The second appetizer that was all for me was the grilled octopus that was served with sweet peppers and an orange ponzu sauce for a bit of acidity and citrusy flavor. The octopus was succulent: nicely charred and not rubbery. My only regret was that it was a small dish otherwise I could have eaten more.

Grilled octopus at The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens in Times Square

For her entree, Jodi went for the cauliflower Tagine that was a great vegetarian dish, not like the kind that is created quickly in case somebody ask for it. No, it looked very appetizing with its green sauce made with spinach and Tunisian spices that was put on the cauliflower at the table. And taste wise, it was delicious, from the cauliflower itself that had a little crunch to the couscous underneath.

Cauliflower at The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens in Times Square

On my side, I was set on ordering the tagliatelles with king crab and I admit that my only regret was that I took the appetizer size...Elegant, this dish had a nice amount of jumbo lump crab and the house made pasta, covered with sourdough breadcrumbs, although slightly overcooked, was delicious.

Tagliatelle with king crab at The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens in Times Square

Last was dessert: the milk chocolate almond torte was a great way to end that meal. Not that big (we could have ordered two desserts in fact), it was quite chocolatey, the almond flour giving a nice texture and the raspberries a good contrast with the chocolate. Superb!

Chocolate almond torte at The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens in Times Square

So we were thrilled that we found this place. It is a bit pricey but you get excellent food there. And the service is fabulous. In fact they understand the difference between good service and hospitality. Rare these days...

Enjoy (I did)!

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

The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens - 701 7th Ave, New York, NY 10036

Jean-Philippe Gerbi 11/27/19 Jean-Philippe Gerbi 11/27/19

Emack & Bolio's Ice Cream Store

We were walking on the Upper West Side and looking for an ice cream shop when we stumbled upon Emacks and Bolio. I admit that I thought it was some ice cream parlor with innovative creative flavors rather than an established company founded in 1975 in Boston with a concept, three years before Ben and Jerry’s. Its founder, Robert Rook was a music lawyer who worked with Aerosmith, Boston, The Cars, U2, James Brown, and Al Green, as well was an advocate for the homeless, and it is apparently two homeless men who asked him to give his shop their names. The first shop was a sort of underground place where musicians could hang out late at night as the laws in Boston at that time forced clubs to close at midnight. So Robert got the idea to rent a space in a basement, install an ice cream machine, and then ask his friends to come and hang out, listening to acoustic music. Learning this, I understand now why there is a guitar in their decor and the place on the Upper West Side kept a hippie feel.

It’s is a very small place with only few seats inside and a bench outside, but the proximity of Central Park is perfect. As you enter, you cannot not notice the cones that are dipped in various ingredients like rice crispies, sprinkles or choco puffs. The first one I tried had nutella and rice crispies, the second (not the same day!), choco puffs. It looks decadent and creates a thick wall to contain the ice cream and helps me avoid having some of it dripping on my shoes. Decadent but a bit hard unfortunately and you pray that none of your teeth will get stuck. If you prefer regular cones, they also propose them.

Cones at Emack & Bolio's Ice Cream Store in NYC, NY

Their ice cream flavors are definitely not classic besides the vanilla with vanilla specks or maybe the creamy strawberry ice cream that is probably not that usual. No, they have choices like the Cosmic Crunch that is vanilla with caramel swirl, chocolate chips and pecan crunch or Oreo (original Oreo or even more decadent, the S’moreo that is their take on S’mores).

Cosmic crunch at Emack & Bolio's Ice Cream Store in NYC, NY

Original Oreo at Emack & Bolio's Ice Cream Store in NYC, NY

If you are vegan, they also have few flavors like the vegan toasted coconut Ice cream, made with coconut oil, coconut extract and toasted coconut flakes.

Vegan toasted coconut ice cream at Emack & Bolio's Ice Cream Store in NYC, NY

The ice cream is creamy and decadent but I would not go for the cones beside the chocolate sprinkles. Emack and Bolio is good, but I admit that I prefer Ben and Jerry’s or even Coldstone where you can make your own decadent mix. Mine is vanilla ice cream, Graham cracker, caramel and pecan. What is yours?

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Emack & Bolio's Ice Cream Store - 389 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10024