I Just Want To Eat! 1/7/22 I Just Want To Eat! 1/7/22

Brunch at High Street On The Hudson

We have a sort of tradition with our friends Gary and Jen: first a Museum, then brunch. So this time, we went to The Whitney Museum for the Jasper Johns exhibit and then ended up at High Street on The Hudson, a place that seemed quite popular, so I was glad that we had a reservation.

From the get go the waiter told us that they only serve regular coffee: no espresso in sight.

From the get go the waiter told us that they only serve regular coffee: no espresso in sight. That is fine except that two minutes later, he came back telling us that they do not have anymore coffee and are trying to figure it out. Interesting as you would think that a place like this would always have coffee but in this day and age, you never know: the delivery might not have happened. Fortunately, they did figure it out and I got my favorite beverage to sip, with a refill s’il vous plait.

For her main Jodi got the mushroom omelet that was made with Gruyère, spinach and mushrooms. Quite good with lots of mushrooms and cheese. The best part of the dish was these potatoes that were crispy, cooked all the way through, with just enough salt to enhance their taste.

On my side, I hesitated between the burger and the spicy fried chicken sandwich. I picked the latter that was superb: good size chicken that was deliciously crispy, not dry, and certainly spicy. But not the spicy that burns your mouth to the point that you cannot eat anymore. No, the kind that is making you go back at it. It was served with sweet potato fries.

Fried chicken sandwich at High Street On The Hudson

Sweet potato fries at High Street On The Hudson

Overall good brunch, but I thought the service was a bit sassy, even refusing to close the door as we were all cold (and we could see that we were not the only ones) because, supposedly, some diners did not want to smell like food. Well, in that case they should have sat them outside so people inside could be warm! I don’t think it was true though. We did not get discouraged and decided to go back for dinner, where the service was much better, but I thought that the food was ok, some dishes hitting the spot like the guacamole that seems to be an appetizer that any restaurant must have, even if not serving Mexican food, or the octopus that they surely know how to cook well (I love the combination with the tapenade, but did not like the potatoes that were not well cooked).

Others were a miss. For instance, the P.E.I mussels were tiny and overcooked (the white wine sauce was very good, though and I dipped some French fries in it…). Jodi got their veggie burger that was their only vegetarian entree and it was mushy.

Veggie burger at High Street On The Hudson

At least desert was good: the lemon cake was superb: crispy on the outside, soft inside, I could have eaten a second one easily.

I should also mention the drinks: Jodi went for a pineapple and club soda drink, while I went for one made with whisky called Fright Night. Interesting name, no? In fact, they have a list that has horror movie names like The Shining, The Exorcist or the Bride of Chucky. I guess someone is a fan…My cocktail was made with peach infused Michter’s rye, spiced maple and bitters. Good, although I was expecting more peach taste.

Fright Night cocktail at High Street On The Hudson

Pineapple and club soda at High Street On The Hudson

So, overall the experience at High Street On The Hudson was just ok. Not sure that this is a place I would go back to.

Enjoy (I still did)!

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

High Street On The Hudson-637 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014

I Just Want To Eat! 1/5/22 I Just Want To Eat! 1/5/22

Dino & Harry's Steakhouse in Hoboken, NJ

There are two places that I love for steak in Hoboken: Antique Bar and Bakery with their amazing dirty ribeye, and Dino & Harry’s, a steakhouse named after Dino Panopoulos and his father, Harry, who have owned it since 1991. This place was also used in the movie The Trial of the Chicago 7, representing the Haymarket Tavern where protesters clashed with the National Guard. So we were a bit overdue, and I did not regret it! The food there was amazing. Here is what we had:

I had a Manhattan as a cocktail. For the first time I was asked if I wanted it it on the rocks, so I went for it.

Manhattan at Dino & Harry's Steakhouse in Hoboken, NJ

As an appetizer, I opted for the Blue Point oysters, hesitating a bit between this and the slab of bacon or grilled octopus, thinking that it might not be a good idea considering what was coming.

Oysters at Dino & Harry's Steakhouse in Hoboken, NJ

Jodi, being vegetarian, started with their sliced tomato and onions, and then had a some of the sides I will mention later, a baked potato and some grilled asparagus.

Sliced tomato and onion at Dino & Harry's Steakhouse in Hoboken, NJ

Grilled asparagus at Dino & Harry's Steakhouse in Hoboken, NJ

For my main, I was not sure if I should get the ribeye or the porterhouse for one. I decided to go for the latter because it is rare to see it for one person, usually being a cut to share. The meat was perfectly cooked and I really enjoyed both the NY strip part and the tenderloin. I accompanied it with Bearnaise sauce, my all time favorite.

Porterhouse at Dino & Harry's Steakhouse in Hoboken, NJ

For sides, we shared their Mac and cheese that was really creamy, as well as their corn creme brûlée that was superb, even if a bit too sweet.

Corn creme brûlée at Dino & Harry's Steakhouse in Hoboken, NJ

MAc and cheese at Dino & Harry's Steakhouse in Hoboken, NJ

We finished our meal with their key lime pie that looked more like a deconstructed version of a classic steakhouse dessert. Delicious!

Key lime pie at Dino & Harry's Steakhouse in Hoboken, NJ

Overall, we had a great meal at Dino & Harry’s: I have always been a fan of this place and they continue to serve amazing steaks in Hoboken.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Dino & Harry’s - 163 14th St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 12/31/21 I Just Want To Eat! 12/31/21

Brunch at Sonnyboy on the Lower East Side

I found Sonnyboy, an Australian Café, while looking for a brunch place on the Lower East Side. I was not sure what to expect to be honest, but was quite glad I found it. Not that big with tables spaced enough in these times of Covid, it has a cool atmosphere and a great service.

Menu wise, I am not sure what an Australian brunch would be so I would say that it is international. To share, you can opt for their banana bread that is quite good with salted…

Menu wise, I am not sure what an Australian brunch would be so I would say that it is international. To share, you can opt for their banana bread that is quite good with salted butter or the basque cheesecake smothered with a berry compote (quite good, dense like I like it, not really airy like it should be though).

Basque cheesecake at Sonnyboy in NYC, NY

For entrees, they offer a breakfast burrito that seems to be an up and coming item in brunch menus. I personally prefer the burrata toast that is topped with figs. First, the bread is not too thick so cutting the crust will make you end up with most of the toppings on the plate if not on the table. Then, the burrata and fig pair really well together. This is a change to a ricotta toast, burrata having this delicious creaminess. The falafel bowl is also quite good: their falafel are superb, flavorful and not dry, they are served with a quinoa tabouli.

Breakfast burrito at Sonnyboy in NYC, NY

Drinks are nice too, from coffee (I got a macchiato), to chai or matcha.

So, overall, Sonnyboy is a great brunch spot. I will have to try their dinner as I am curious to see if it is as good as the 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!

Sonnyboy- 65 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002

I Just Want To Eat! 12/29/21 I Just Want To Eat! 12/29/21

Dullboy in Jersey City

We were walking from Jersey City to Hoboken when we noticed a small place on Grove street with what appeared to be mismatched china tableware on the table. We were wondering if it was a tea parlor or something of that sort and a quick search gave us the answer: Dullboy is a cocktail bar. Taking its name from a line in The Shining, the terrific book from Stephen King, forever associated with Jack Nicholson’s performance, it comes from the line: « all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy », meaning that if you do not have time off work, you are both bored and boring. Well, Dullboy is…

It’s a cocktail bar, so I could not not try one of their specialty cocktails, The Charlotte, made with barrel seagrass rye, blade and bow bourbon, apricot liqueur, bigallet china-china (a liqueur made with macerated orange peels in beet neutral alcohol, that has a sweet and bitter taste), lagavulin scotch and lemon oil. They have classic cocktails, wine and beer, but no mocktails, so Jodi stayed with water.

The Charlotte cocktail at Dullboy in Jersey City

It is a cocktail bar, but their food is not to be missed. The crispy artichoke for instance are quite interesting: it is not that often that you see that on a menu and this was delicious, dipped in a white sauce most likely made with yogurt.

Crispy artichoke at Dullboy in Jersey City

Their lobster dumplings, made with fermented ancho-chili sauce, cilantro aioli and picked red hot chili peppers were superb and a must have.

Lobster dumplings at Dullboy in Jersey City

But the best was their ribeye that was pan roasted with butter and thyme and topped with drunken Chimichurri. The steak was perfectly cooked, tender, with a nice crust. I am just drooling thinking about it. The dish was served with amazing pork fat fried smashed red skin potatoes that were crispy and cooked all the way through. Probably some of the best I ever had.

Jodi got the burrata, served with a cranberry chutney and a brown butter and sage pesto. This was pretty good, not your classic burrata and salad dish for sure.

So, over all, Dullboy was a great find. The atmosphere and the creative and original menu made me think in a way about Antique Bar & Bakery in Hoboken and I wish they were in our neighborhood! The only negative was the fact that they do not have dessert. That will not stop me from going back!

Enjoy (I really did)!

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

Dullboy -364 Grove St, Jersey City, NJ 07302

I Just Want To Eat! 12/27/21 I Just Want To Eat! 12/27/21

Dinner at Casa Mono

I had Casa Mono on my radar for some time now and we finally made it for brunch. This Michelin star restaurant serves dishes inspired from the Costa Brava where the Chef, Andy Nusser, grew up. In fact he grew up in the fishing village of Cadaques that I visited when I was a kid during a memorable trip with my Dad and my brother. This place is where Salvator Dali lived for more than 40 years and there is a museum with his art that I can still picture.

The place is not that big, with around 15 tables, the most noticeable part of the dining room being the bar where you have a direct view of the grill. Menu wise, they serve small plates, so two to three per person is the average but, interestingly, you will not find classics like the tortilla española that is quite common in this type of restaurant. Here is what we had:

They have an impressive wine list where they specify the type of grape used (and we were sitting next to their wine rack, in a quiet corner by the way). So, I decided to try the Albamar Fusca 2019 made with Mencia grape, from the Ribeira Sacra in Galicia. Pricey but you get more than a glass of this red wine that has a bold flavor.

Albamar Fusca 2019 at Casa Mono in NYC, NY

They have few vegetarian dishes, so Jodi ordered the ensalada mono (the salad), made with manchego and Marcona almonds (gave a nice crunch and nuttiness), as well as the burrata with butternut squash that was amazing, the burrata being creamy and the squash adding a nice sweetness to the dish.

On my side, I had the duck breast a la plancha that was served with a sunchoke purée that was deliciously creamy and a gastric made with elderberry. The duck was perfectly cooked, the skin being nicely crispy. Definitely a dish I recommend.

Duck breast a la plancha at Casa Mono in NYC, NY

The other dish was the stuffed lamb belly served with hazelnut mole, onion escabeche and crème fraîche. This was superb: the lamb belly was so good that I could probably have had another piece of it. The whole dish was well balanced, with the mole standing out despite the strong taste of the meat.

Stuffed lamb belly at Casa Mono in NYC, NY

Last was dessert. We decided to try the chocolate con galleta de Avellana or chocolate ganache with crème fraîche ice cream and tahini hazelnut cookie. This was amazing! It was like a deconstructed chocolate hazelnut tart with a fantastic ganache that was rich and very chocolatey.

chocolate con galleta de Avellana at Casa Mono in NYC, NY

This was a great meal: no wonder why Casa Mono kept its Michelin Star; the food and service are on point. Definitely a place I recommend.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Casa Mono -52 Irving Pl, New York, NY 10003

I Just Want To Eat! 12/24/21 I Just Want To Eat! 12/24/21

The Cheesecake Factory in Jersey City

For years, each time I was raving about the cheesecake at Junior’s, people were talking about The Cheesecake Factory. So, when I discovered that there was one at the Newport Mall in Jersey City, I could not wait to check it out.

We went on a weekday that I was off and surely our…

We went on a weekday that I was off and surely our reservation was useless as it was not that crowded. Good: that way, the noise level was perfect for me! They sat us at a booth, close to the kitchen where they were apparently celebrating something considering the clamors and applause we could hear during our meal.

Dining room at The Cheesecake Factory in Jersey City

Kitchen at The Cheesecake Factory in Jersey City

They have a large menu with quite a wide range of dishes, vegetarian and non vegetarian. Jodi simply went for an omelet stuffed with cheese and mushrooms, with tomatoes and toast (well done omelet, not overcooked and dry), while I decided to go for the meatloaf. There were few reasons for this: first I tried meatloaf in the past and admit that I love this dish that represents Americana very comforting. Second, it always reminds me Will Ferrel in The Wedding Crashers when he asks his mom to bring some meatloaf. Silly but true. The waitress asked me if I wanted the lunch or dinner portion. I chose the former and was glad because the portion for lunch was already big. It was served with mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy, buttered corn and topped with grilled onions. The meatloaf itself was very good, with a nice crust on the outside, not dry at all. I loved it with either the gravy or just the grilled onions that have a little sweetness to it. The corn was very slightly buttery and I guess I could have asked for different sides because they asked me if they were ok as I ordered the dish.

Omelet at The Cheesecake Factory in Jersey City

Meatloaf at The Cheesecake Factory in Jersey City

With my meal, I also got a vanilla milkshake that took a bit of time to arrive because apparently it was « frozen »! It was good but at that point I regretted not having ordered the Oreo cookie one…

Vanilla milkshake at The Cheesecake Factory in Jersey City

Then came the plain cheesecake that had sour cream layer on top. After the first bite, I was a bit disappointed and comforted in my opinion that Junior’s is the best: I did not like the Graham Cracker crust that was missing something, nor did I like the sour cream on top. The cheesecake was too cold and lacking flavor.

Cheesecake at The Cheesecake Factory in Jersey City

I think I should have ordered a specialty cheesecake instead of the plain, the purpose there being to do a fair comparison with Junior’s and their plain one that is my go to dessert. Similar to the milkshake, the Oreo cookie cheesecake looks amazing. So, yes, I would probably go back another time to The Cheesecake Factory for a redo.

Enjoy (I still did)!

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

The Cheesecake Factory -30 Mall Dr W, Jersey City, NJ 07310

I Just Want To Eat! 12/22/21 I Just Want To Eat! 12/22/21

Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster Barbeque in Hoboken, NJ

When I learn that Myron Mixon was opening a BBQ place where Soul Curry, my favorite Indian restaurant in Hoboken was, I was really looking forward to it. I met Myron Mixon aka the “winningest man in barbecue” and four times world BBQ champion in 2017, at an event organized by McCormick. We talked a little bit and when I told him that what we call barbecue in France is grilling, he told me: "when you go back to France, tell them that there is an old guy in America that is telling them that grilling is barbecue". I still…

Myron Mixon 2017 - Grilling University with McCormick

So we went few days after his Grand Opening, in his place simply called Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster Barbeque. Jodi was a good sport as, this is definitely a place for meat eaters and the vegetarian options are limited. The boss green salad could have been an option, but there were not that many vegetables in it and was probably better with the meat add on. On top of that, the corn was still frozen…

Salad at Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster Barbeque in Hoboken, NJ

Talking about corn, the corn bread that is the only vegetarian « snack » was quite good, with pieces of corn in it, accompanied by a surprising orange butter.

Corn bread at Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster Barbeque in Hoboken, NJ

As I went for the three meat platter where I could choose a side, we decided to get the Mac and cheese, as she loves it and we were not disappointed: very cheesy, this was very good.

Mac and cheese at Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster Barbeque in Hoboken, NJ

Now let’s talk about the meat: they offer what you would expect in this type of restaurant. From smoked chicken, to brisket and ribs, without forgetting pork belly. So I went for the baby back ribs, brisket and sausage. The brisket was the best of the three, although not the best I had (Fette Sau in Brooklyn is literally melting in your mouth). The sausage was quite good, the casing giving a nice bite to it. The ribs were a bit disappointing: I was expecting the meat to fall of the bone but it was not the case at all. It was a bit dry and I was glad to have several sauces to go with it (my favorite sauce was the hickory sauce followed by the tangy sweet sauce).

Meat tray at Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster Barbeque in Hoboken, NJ

Sauces at Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster Barbeque in Hoboken, NJ

Ribs at Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster Barbeque in Hoboken, NJ

Brisket at Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster Barbeque in Hoboken, NJ

Sausage at Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster Barbeque in Hoboken, NJ

So I was a little bit disappointed as my expectations were high, but I understand that they just opened and need to train a bit the staff longer. So I’ll give it a try in a few months and will see how it measures up with House of Que, the other BBQ place in Hoboken.

Enjoy (…)!

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

Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster Barbeque - 618 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 12/20/21 I Just Want To Eat! 12/20/21

Wayan, Indonesian with French influences by Chef Cedric Vongerichten

With a last name like Vongerichten, I am sure people always compare you to the most known in the family or at least always make a reference as I am going to do it in this post. But you cannot not mention that Jean-Georges’ son, Cédric is, with his wife Ochi, the owner of Wayans, a restaurant located in Nolita that serves Indonesian cuisine with French influence. Opened in 2019, this place is a true gem: beautiful decor with, besides an outdoor setting installed during Covid, a front dining room that is more casual than the back dining room, and, in between, a small open kitchen where you can see dishes being made (there is another kitchen downstairs).

The food there is incredible and you need probably two dishes per person if you want dessert, their characterization of being a family style restaurant referring more to sharing than portions (no, this is not Carmine’s!).

A must have is their lobster noodles that has been on their menu since inception. Know that they can make it vegetarian and I am sure it works. This is a stunning dish that I was glad, selfishly, to have all for myself: flavorful, with herbs like Thai basil and cilantro, the noodles were, as was the lobster, perfectly cooked, smothered by a sauce made with many ingredients like butter, soy, green chili, lime, etc. but still well balanced. After the first bite you cannot stop! It is a must have.

An interesting dish is the escargots Rendang. This classic french appetizer was made with garlic herb butter and calamansi. It was quite good, the flavors totally different from the traditional escargots, but I was a bit disappointed that I could not dip the toasted brioche in some sauce. Still, the taste was quite unique.

For Jodi, being vegetarian, she had a good choice of dishes that did not seem to be a second thought. The first one was the chickpea satay: what a great idea! Looking like mini churros, they were crispy on the outside and not dry at all, the sauce not being necessary at all. The filling did not just have chickpeas in fact: it also had shiitake mushroom.

The other dish was their avocado toast Gado Gado, made with cucumber, boiled egg on top and peanut relish (she asked to have it on the side). The dish looked beautiful with all the colors. It was good, the radish and sunflower seeds adding an additional texture; the only negative was the brioche that was a bit too thick.

Avocado toast gado dado at Wayan in NYC, NY

Avocado toast gado gado at Wayan in NYC, NY

Before I talk about dessert, I should mention the drinks. For lunch, I usually go sans alcohol, so I was glad to see that they offered mocktails. I chose the turmeric tonic, made with turmeric, citrus, honey and tonic, while Jodi got their smokey lemonade, made with smoked salt and cinnamon. Both were quite original, my favorite being the smokey lemonade as I love smokey flavors.

Dessert was a way to end the meal on a high note. Because our order took a little bit of time to come, they offered us a pandan custard. Pandan is a green leaf that is often described has having a grassy vanilla taste with hints of coconut. I was not sure what to expect, but found it delicious! Creamy and not too sweet, they added passion fruit seeds for additional texture.

The dessert we ordered was their banana sundae served with ube (purple yam) ice cream. The colors of this dessert were amazing, with the purple from the ube ice cream to the orange of the deliciously caramelized bananas, my favorite element that I would eat everyday!

Overall it was a great experience: great food, good service in a relaxed atmosphere. Wayan is definitely a place to go to and now when people ask me if I know who Vongerichten is, I’ll respond: which one?

Enjoy (I really did)!

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

Wayan -20 Spring St, New York, NY 10012

I Just Want To Eat! 12/17/21 I Just Want To Eat! 12/17/21

Lunch at 2nd Avenue Deli in NYC

I always loved delicatessen: there is something homey and nostalgic about these places, the only annoyance being the tourists invading obnoxiously places like Katz’s Delicatessen. Kosher or not, they have quite a classic menu, more geared towards the non-vegetarian than the vegetarian, cold cuts and all sorts of meats being the star. So yes, I was excited to go to the 2nd Avenue Deli. This time, we decided to go to their location on the Upper East Side on…first avenue. That is where I saw an automat for the first time, when entering the place: interesting to see but of course, it was inoperable and just for the decor, but 20 cents for a .pastrami sandwich is definitely of another time, far far away!

Quieter for sure compared to the deli I mentioned above. It is kosher so do not expect to see things like a pastrami Reuben on their menu. But they sure have matzo ball soup and salami. The soup is spectacular: the chicken broth is well made, accompanied with carrots and pasta, not salty, and the matzo is one of the best I had! It was dense in the center, like discovering the heart of deliciousness.

Matzo ball soup at 2nd Avenue Deli in NYC

The salami sandwich, soft salami in this case, was quite big, even if I ordered their half sandwich and soup for my meal. The amount of salami is quite generous and I cannot imagine eating a full sandwich. For $23, matzo ball soup and this is a decent deal.

Salami sandwich at 2nd Avenue Deli in NYC

You may wonder what Jodi had as she is vegetarian: she settled for a huge knish that was slightly crispy on the outside. Definitely a heavy dish.

With this we got some sodas (root beer for me, black cherry for Jodi), and, like many delis, they brought us pickles and coleslaw.

Root beer and Black cherry soda at 2nd Avenue Deli in NYC

This was a great meal and 2nd Avenue Deli is the perfect place for a meal like this, as well as a good option to avoid the crowd in more popular ones.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

2nd Avenue Deli - 1442 1st Ave, New York, NY 10021

I Just Want To Eat! 12/15/21 I Just Want To Eat! 12/15/21

Miznon at Hudson Yard in NYC

We were walking around the mall at Hudson Yard, looking for a place to eat when we stumbled upon Miznon, an Israeli restaurant that replaced Bel Campo who had to close their doors because of a scandal. The place is big and they kept the same decor at Bel Campo besides few changes to make it their own. Interestingly, lunch was sit down but not dinner: we ordered, pick up and found ourselves a comfortable booth.

Food wise, Miznon serves Mediterranean street food, with plates meant for sharing. Here is what we had:

They have a full bar, so you can get probably any cocktail there, but what I tried is their arak mojito that is a great take on mojito, using arak, an anise flavored alcohol popular in the Middle East, very similar to ouzo or anisette.

Arak mojito at Miznon at Hudson Yard in NYC

A must have is their roasted baby cauliflower. Delicious and well cooked, this is the type of dish where I wonder why I did not really like cauliflower when I was a kid! It is cooked in the leaves and then they drizzle some olive oil and a pinch of salt (by the way, if you want to make it at home, they display the recipe at the entrance, next to the front desk).

Baby Cauliflower at Miznon at Hudson Yard in NYC

We shared the latkes and asked for the « Jewish caviar » to be on the side as Jodi is vegetarian. These latkes were terrific: dense, crunchy, cooked all the way through, I liked them with or without the caviar that added a nice texture, popping in my mouth at every single bite.

Jewish caviar at Miznon at Hudson Yard in NYC

Next was the eggplant and tahini (eggplant rails lined on tahini). Smoky, so smooth that it was melting in my mouth, this was a superb dish.

Eggplant at Miznon at Hudson Yard in NYC

I could not of course not order the octopus shishlik, a shish kebab style octopus that was perfectly cooked, with a nice char on the outside, squeezed between various vegetables (onion, tomato,…) and laying on a sauce that I did not care about much, this kebab being succulent on its own.

Octopus shishlik at Miznon at Hudson Yard in NYC

The avocado bruschetta was also very good, with a brioche toast and chunks of avocado on top.

Avocado bruschetta at Miznon at Hudson Yard in NYC

We also tried two pita sandwiches:

The ribeye minute steak, with tahini, tomato salsa, pickles (for a little crunch) and spicy green peppers (for a little heat). The steak was tender and juicy, and I loved the spiciness of this sandwich.

Ribeye minute steak sandwich at Miznon at Hudson Yard in NYC

Jodi got the egg and avocado sandwich that was a good vegetarian option.

Egg and avocado sandwich at Miznon at Hudson Yard in NYC

The last dish we tried was their ratatouille that came with a poached egg and a pita. This has nothing really to do with a classic ratatouille, being made mainly with eggplant and being a bit spicy, the yolk of the perfectly poached egg reducing slightly the heat. Definitely to get if you like eggplant…and spicy!

Ratatouille at Miznon at Hudson Yard in NYC

I should stop there and talk about the pita: I would think it is homemade and admit that it is one of the best I had: it was soft and fluffy. Delicious !

So, The few times we went to Miznon, we had great food, very flavorful with a perfect use of kosher salt that gives that added bite and makes flavors pop. They have a location at Chelsea Market but it is way more busy that the one at Hudson Yard. So I will continue to go there until this changes…

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Miznon -20 Hudson Yards, 401B Mailbox 100 RU, New York, NY 10001

I Just Want To Eat! 12/13/21 I Just Want To Eat! 12/13/21

Dominique Ansel Workshop in NYC, NY

Dominique Ansel Workshop is like the laboratory of a mad scientist who is trying to find a secret formula. Items change on a regular basis with sometimes some of them being available only through the weekend. I wonder if it is not to test them and see if people would buy them before proposing them in his bakery.

Surely, it is creative and I love the twist given to classic items or the fusion between French and whatever the Chef has in mind, like the olive oil croissant that is made with a hint of rosemary and garlic. Good but probably more for a sandwich at lunch than for breakfast. Below are the things we tried, but remember : they might only be available for a short period of time.

Olive oil croissant at Dominique Ansel Workshop in NYC, NY

Brioche bressane: this is for two people for sure as big and dense, with a generous amount of pearl sugar on top and a creme fraîche in the center.

Brioche Bressane at Dominique Ansel Workshop in NYC, NY

S’mores danish: a hazelnut frangipane, chocolate ganache and a flakey speculoos cookie topped with a toasted honey marshmallow. This is one of my favorites: first of all, I love hazelnut so it was not a hard sale, but I love the different layers and the flakey cookie that was also buttery.

S’mores danish at Dominique Ansel Workshop in NYC, NY

Raspberry and riz au lait cube: encased in a laminated brioche is a raspberry jam and rice pudding. This was another favorite: you wonder how he was able to keep the rice pudding (that was delicious by the way) within the brioche without making it soggy. It was not too sweet and the jam and pudding complemented perfectly each other.

Raspberry and riz au lait cube at Dominique Ansel Workshop in NYC, NY

Pistachio roll: laminated brioche, pistachio praline, pistachio frangipane and toasted pistachios. If you love pistachios, this is for you! Flaky with a crispy outside, it is pistachio heaven without being too sweet.

Pistachio roll at Dominique Ansel Workshop in NYC, NY

Salted caramel pecan pull-apart bun: the heart was made with salted caramel and topped with toasted pecan and sea salt, surrounded by 5 bite sized petals that I think were made with laminated brioche. Interesting concept: I pulled apart (hence the name) a petal and dipped it in the caramel. Quite good, I just wished there was more caramel, but loved the sweet and savory taste as well as the playfulness of this.

Salted caramel pecan pull apart bun at Dominique Ansel Workshop in NYC, NY

Brown sugar kouign aman: the DKA or Dominique Kouign Aman is one of the best sellers of the bakery. It is like a croissant with even more butter and a bottom part nicely caramelized. This one was made with dark brown sugar: I admit that I prefer the original, the buttery taste not being overpowered by the taste of the brown sugar.

Brown sugar Kouign Aman at Dominique Ansel Workshop in NYC, NY

Pandan coconut chiffon cake: pandan is a tropical plant used in cooking in Asia. Its taste is described as grassy vanilla with a hint of coconut. The fluffy cake was topped with coconut cream and shredded coconut. So for sure, Jodi wanted to try it. It was ok for her and not my cup of tea, but I admit that I rarely like cakes with coconut.

Pandan coconut chiffon cake at Dominique Ansel Workshop in NYC, NY

We also tried the chocolate chip cookie but I admit that I was a bit disappointed, expecting something more decadent and with much more chocolate.

Chocolate chip cookie bat Dominique Ansel Workshop in NYC, NY

So overall, it was interesting to try this unique concept that is quite smart because you just want to go back to try new items that Chef Dominique Ansel creates. For sure I will have to go back to see what new pastries will come out of his mind!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Dominique Ansel Workshop - 17 E 27th St, New York, NY 10016

I Just Want To Eat! 12/10/21 I Just Want To Eat! 12/10/21

Porter in Port Imperial, NJ

Porter is an Gastropub in Port Imperial, Weehawken, that I had on my list for a while, thanks to one of my colleagues who raved about this place that opened in the Winter of 2020. There, Chefs Christopher Lim and Tara Glick crafted a modern American menu that caters to a wide range of diners, vegetarian and non vegetarian, made in the open kitchen. Accessible from the NY Waterway Port Imperial Ferry Terminal and the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, this is both a restaurant and a bakery and cafe called…

Open kitchen at Porter in Port Imperial, NJ

Pizza oven at Porter in Port Imperial, NJ

I have to mention the bakery that is on the right side, because their cinnamon roll is simply stunning: I was never a huge fan of it, but after trying theirs for brunch, I changed my mind, although it is now setting the bar pretty high. Freshly made, with the right amount of cinnamon not to totally overpower the whole thing, it is topped with a delicious icing that is not too sweet and oozing from top to bottom.

Cinnamon roll at Porter in Port Imperial, NJ

Other baked goods include their biscuit that is great with butter, or their focaccia bread that we dipped in olive oil.

Interestingly, they have pizza on their menu, made in a wood fire oven acquired in Naples, that you can see on the photo above. Who would have thought that we would get a great pizza there? Not me. I thought that it would just be an addition to the menu to have a broader offering. I was wrong! Made with a dough resting for three days, it is the perfect Neapolitan pizza: floppy in the center, puffed up on the outside with a nice char and topped with a nice tomato sauce, the Margherita pizza with mushrooms (an topping we added) can easily compete with many places.

For brunch, they have a fried chicken sandwich that is just ok, the balance between the brioche and the chicken being off, in favor of the bun. too bad, because the chicken was pretty good, crispy and moist. I was surprised that it did not come with anything and so we ordered some fries that were also ok, not as crispy as I like them. I wish they had their Roman potatoes for brunch: these potatoes are amazing! Skin on, crispy, they are drizzled with pecorino cheese.

Chicken sandwich at Porter in Port Imperial, NJ

French fries at Porter in Port Imperial, NJ

Roman potatoes at Porter in Port Imperial, NJ

Vegetarian options are a bit limited, if not for the pizza and sides. So, Jodi ended up with their shaved vegetable salad.

Shaved vegetable salad at Porter in Port Imperial, NJ

On my side, I recommend the grilled Spanish octopus that was tender and had a nice char, as well as their duck, served with black lentils, baby turnips, and carrot-ginger. That duck is amazing: perfectly cooked, its skin is deliciously crispy.

Before talking about desserts, I should mention their drinks. First, I was quite glad to see that they were proposing mocktails right off the bat and their San Bitter Spritz (made with blood orange) was a refreshing idea. Even more refreshing and surprising is their frozen Negroni: who would have thought about making it frozen, like a margarita? And they also have a good wine list otherwise. So I tried their Pinot Noir “XL” 2019 from Maison Noir, Oregon, the bold flavor pairing perfectly with the strong taste of the duck.

San Bitter Spritz at Porter in Port Imperial, NJ

Frozen Negroni at Porter in Port Imperial, NJ

“XL” Pinot Noir at Porter in Port Imperial, NJ

Lat was dessert. We tried the “Banana, Pudding, Cake”, in three words. Well, it was like a deconstructed banana pudding cake with the three layers from the name: a banana pudding, a vanilla cake mousse encased in a crunchy layer made with nuts (the cake). This dessert was sublime: balanced, not too sweet and delicious, served with a butterscotch sauce.

So, overall, the food at Porter was delicious, although a bit pricey. The menu there is exciting and if it was not for the cinnamon roll, I would prefer the dinner over the brunch. Too bad that they do not serve that cinnamon roll in the evening!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Porter - 1100 Ave at Port Imperial, Weehawken, NJ 07086

I Just Want To Eat! 12/8/21 I Just Want To Eat! 12/8/21

Muteki Ramen in Hoboken

I discovered Muteki Ramen last year, as, loving ramen, I could not wait to try some of these noodle soups that they offer, the ramen scene in the Mile Square city being limited to Japanese restaurants having few offers on their menu and Vivi Bubble Tea and South Street Fish and Ramen downtown. Muteki opened in September 2020, during Covid and I admit that I mainly knew them from delivery and just decided to go check their restaurant after they messaged me on Instagram, offering a complimentary lunch to thank me for the shoutout I did previously on social media for this place.

Please note that part of this meal was complimentary. However, I was not obliged to post and the opinions expressed in my blog are 100% my own!

We love their ramen that are made with broths that are cooked for a long time (their chicken and pork broth cooks on low heat for 18 hours!) and not just broths made quickly with MSG to enhance the taste (and unfortunately giving me a headache that only goes away after I drink a glass of water with 1 teaspoon of cream of tartar - true: this is a good tip I found on the internet that works every time). Jodi loves their vegetarian ramen that is composed of wavy noodle in a vegetable broth, zucchini, broccoli, spring mix, spinach, scallions, grilled tomato, kikurage mushrooms, garlic chips, fried tofu, truffle oil and nori. It is very creamy and fortunately the truffle oil is not overpowering. On my side, I have two favorites:

The Muteki ramen that is composed of thin noodles in the chicken and pork broth, pork and chicken chashu, spinach, beans sprouts, bamboo shoots, butter corn, scallion, kikurage mushrooms, egg, fish cake and nori, that I always get with a perfectly cooked egg.

And the seafood ramen that is made with wavy noodles in the seafood pork broth, soft shell shrimp, clam, scallop, spinach, scallions, bamboo shoots, grilled tomato, egg, fish cake, black pepper, nori and scallion. I do not think I ever had any seafood ramen before and I was pleasantly surprised: the broth was creamy and tasty and they put lots of seafood in it.

Seafood ramen at Muteki Ramen in Hoboken

They also have the classic buns that are always a good appetizer. The ones I tried are the shrimp tempura, karaage (fried chicken) and pork, in reverse order of preference. The buns themselves are fluffy and slightly sticky and they are not shy with sauce or mayo, and I love the fact that they mark them with the name of the restaurant.

Shrimp tempura bun at Muteki Ramen in Hoboken

I also tried their homemade grape drink - fizzy and not too sweet.

As well as their Mango cheesecake (they do not make their own dessert, but it is nice to have something other than ice cream as many only offer for dessert)- did you notice the nice touch with their name written in green tea powder?

So, I remain a fan of Muteki Ramen and I guess the empty soup bowl says it all: this is the best in the mile square city. If you do not like ramen, you can try their rice donburi that I did not have…yet! By the way, Muteki means bravo in Japanese, so they really chose the perfect name! Muteki!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Muteki ramen -533 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 12/6/21 I Just Want To Eat! 12/6/21

Afternoon tea at The Plaza Hotel in NYC

It’s been a while since we wanted to try the afternoon tea at The Plaza Hotel in New York City: this is a must do, although pricey. We went on a Monday I was off and it was perfect: not too many people, quiet, the way I like! It was our first time at The Plaza and the doorman made sure we had a good reason to get in: you are either a patron or a guest to enter in this iconic place that is stunning, especially in this time of the year, dressed with Holiday decorations…

The high tea is served at The Clam Court, the dining room right across from the entrance. We got a great spot on one side of the dining room that allowed us to sit next to each other. An afternoon tea is typically composed of tea (of course), sandwiches, sweets and scones. Everything comes on a three tier tray, allowing you to chose the order you want to eat. We decided to go for their Signature Holiday Tea.

It was composed of:

Sandwiches:

Pickled English Cucumber, Green Goddess Cremé, Rye Bread.

Red Leicester Cheese, Shallots, House-Made Mayo, Multigrain Bread.

Pastrami Cured Salmon, Horseradish Créme, Pumpernickel Bread.

Lobster Medallion, Truffle Aioli, Caviar, Toasted Brioche.

Foie Yule Log, Mission Figs, Foie Gras Jelly, Toasted Brioche.

Pastrami cured salmon sandwich at The Plaza Hotel in NYC

Lobster medallion at The Plaza Hotel in NYC

Foie gras sandwich at The Plaza Hotel in NYC

Scones:

Freshly Baked Warm Seasonal Scones.

Devonshire Cream, Grapefruit Rosemary Curd, House-Made Preserve.

Pastries and sweets:

Fresh Seasonal Fruit Tart (Raspberry in this case).

Lady Apple, Granny Smith & Marscapone Ganache, Caramelized Apple Cider Crumble Center.

Mont Blanc Tarte Sable, Chestnut Puree, Huckleberry Compote, Vanilla Cream.

Christmas Tree, Cranberry & Orange Compote, Marzipan Pain De Gene Cake.

Champagne Macaron, Rose Champagne Ganache.

Raspberry tart at The Plaza Hotel in NYC

Christmas tree at The Plaza Hotel in NYC

I chose an Icy Mint tea, while Jodi got an English Breakfast tea called “Big Ben”.

Overall, we had a wonderful time: the service was very courteous, as you would expect in such place, and the food not only being beautifully presented, but also being delicious and delicate. Looking at the portion, you may think it is not enough, but it is. I should mentioned that it was not stuffy, clearly a different experience compared to when we had afternoon tea at Bergdorf Goodman across the street before COVID.

For $125 per person, having an afternoon tea at The Plaza is definitely an unforgettable experience!

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 Plaza Hotel - 5th Avenue at, Central Park S, New York, NY 10022

I Just Want To Eat! 12/3/21 I Just Want To Eat! 12/3/21

The Elysian in Hoboken

I am not sure how I feel about the Elysian Cafe in Hoboken. This place has been open since 1895 and that is quite a while, continuing to serve an hungry crowd, lines always forming outside. The Elysian calls itself a French bistro, but, putting French names on their menu and a very limited number of dishes like the steak frites or French onion soup, I would qualify it more as an American bistro. Decent, not the best dinner or brunch in Hoboken, Anthony David’s or Bin 14 being on top of my list, but decent with reasonable prices. Here is what we had there:

For cocktails, their whisky smash made with Four Roses Bourbon, dry curaçao, fresh lemon juice and mint. Strong but refreshing thanks to the mint. For brunch, they serve an Irish coffee that is pretty good also.

The steak frites, made with NY strip and topped with thyme butter is a good deal. At $33, you get a good piece of meat, tender and juicy with French fries.

They also propose a cheese and charcuterie platter. Jodi being vegetarian asked for just the cheese that they accommodated gracefully but I was surprised to pay the same price as I doubt they put more cheese on the board, and their selection of cheese is quite limited as they served only 2 kinds.

Cheese platter at The Elysian in Hoboken

Brunch is quite classic with the egg white omelet being surprisingly good, especially because they put lots of goat cheese in it. But the croque madame was really a let down. It is true that the description says « ham, Gruyère and fried egg sandwich » but I did not think they would literally serve that, expecting an authentic croque madame instead. It was a bit deceptive. The sandwich was just ok: I had better egg sandwiches for sure.

So, yes, I am not sure what to think about this place. It is hit or miss I guess…

Enjoy (…)!

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

The Elysian - 1001 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 12/1/21 I Just Want To Eat! 12/1/21

Orale MK in Hoboken

Serving Mexican food, Orale has quickly conquered the Hoboken crowd from day one. It is probably because of the creative menu they offer with only few standard dishes like, of course, guacamole (although they propose the classic one but also ), but most of their dishes have a twist making their menu unique. The decor, colorful and cozy, with its Mexican soda walls that are lit and always a sort of attraction for new diners who, like me, take photos as soon as they see them, and the music, loud for sure, like being in a club. Not really my thing as I like to have a conversation with people and not have to scream to the top of my lungs…To that point, brunch is better since it is quieter.

Mexican soda wall at Orale MK in Hoboken

They have classic cocktails but also very creative ones like the Unicorn Poo that is made with Heaven Hill Bourbon, St George raspberry brandy, coconut and lime. And yes, on top you get a meringue with glitter. Nice, well balanced, you could definitely taste the different flavors.

Unicorn Poo cocktail at Orale MK in Hoboken

I mentioned the guacamole that we always get there, mild: Good, with nice chunks of avocado. There are other variations, but I always prefer the classic way.

They have few vegetarian dishes like their Brussels sprouts or the veggie tacos made with seitan, that are decent, and came with rice and beans, but there is one dish I could not not reorder: their truffle ribeye burrito that is big, the kind you would find on an episode of Man vs Food, even if Adam Richman ate burritos twice as big. It is made with black angus ribeye, charred habanero guacamole, caramelized onions, blue cheese crema, arugula (the only thing I would ditch), red rice and black beans, topped with truffled queso. Flavorful, I truly appreciated the fact that the truffle taste was not overpowering and added even more decadence to this dish.

Truffle ribeye burrito at Orale MK in Hoboken

Their brunch is also original: they do serve some of the items on their dinner menu like the guacamole or tacos, as well as classic Mexican brunch dishes like the huevos rancheros, made with a white arepa that definitely stands out, fried leeks, queso and salsa ranchera, on top of two fried eggs.

But the most surprising is their take on French toast: their corn bread French toast is superb. A good interpretation of a classic with a delicious corn bread that I could have eaten on its own.

Corn bread French toast at Orale MK in Hoboken

For dessert, I never liked their tres leches, but their churros are very good and addictive.

So, overall, going to Orale MK is a treat. Their menu changes regularly so, if you go, you may not find some of the dishes I mentioned in this post. That’s ok: I am sure you will find other ones as delicious!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Orale MK - 1426 Willow Ave, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 11/29/21 I Just Want To Eat! 11/29/21

Lokal in Jersey City, NJ

Jersey City has quite few gems and Lokal is surely one of them. I discovered this place back in September 2019, for their Grand Opening and we recently went there a couple of times for dinner. The place did not change if not for the outdoor dining that is probably the only benefit diners got from Covid: the floor to ceiling windows provide an unobstructed view of the New York skyline where the only annoyance would be the sun reflecting on the skyscrapers, giving a yellowish color to the dishes when you attempt to take a photo. The dining room is beautiful with its urban feel and it’s few different sections to accommodate diners’s mood: lounge, high top for large parties or small table for an intimate dinner.

Food wise, I should mention the happy hour from 4pm to 6pm: oysters for $1 (minimum of 6) or the choice of three appetizers for $21. We went for it and got their crispy Brussels sprouts (I’ll have to come back to this one), pan con tomate and olive tapenade (typical Spanish tapas with a slice of bread that at least was not a mess to cut!), as well as the cauliflower croquettes (nice and crispy). So, these Brussels sprouts: this is an incredible dish, served with a whisky maple sauce. Maybe a bit too much sauce at time, but so good: the Brussels sprouts are crunchy and the sauce deliciously sweet, pairing well with the savory taste of the parmesan. This is the kind of dish that would change the mind of anyone who does not like Brussels sprouts! They change the menu from time to time and hopefully will keep this dish. Another appetizer we tried was the bao buns that were stuffed with veggies and tofu. Good and tasty.

The only appetizer I did not really liked was the grilled squid accompanied by a tomato aioli, that was stuffed with panko, fennel and spinach: the fennel was too overpowering and the calamari a bit rubbery.

Pan con tomato at Lokal in Jersey City, NJ

Cauliflower. croquettes at Lokal in Jersey City, NJ

Brussels sprouts at Lokal in Jersey City, NJ

Veggie bao buns at Lokal in Jersey City, NJ

Grilled squid at Lokal in Jersey City, NJ

The mains are quite interesting, like the fried chicken served with a corn and pepper succotash crema, or the tea smoked lamb chops. The fried chicken was ok though for me as overcooked with the crust, being made with rice flour burnt. I mentioned it to the waiter and they addressed it pretty well. The lamb chops however were superb: perfectly cooked, they were served with an eggplant purée and a spicy miso (it is on the side so if you do not like spicy, it is ok and I am sure you can ask without I am sure - it was not that spicy anyway).

Fried chicken at Lokal in Jersey City, NJ

Butternut squash flatbread at Lokal in Jersey City, NJ

Before I speak about the desserts, I should mention the cocktails. For few of them, you can decide what alcohol you want. For instance, soju or mezcal, or whisky or rum. Clever as you can get many combinations, knowing that anyway they have a full bar and can certainly accommodate many requests. So, I went for the Elliot Stubb, their take on pisco sour named after the creator of this drink. It was made with bourbon (my choice over tequila), yuzu, aguafaba (that is the liquid where legumes have been cooked), blueberry, honey syrup and vermouth. Nice and fruity but I admit that I preferred the James Pepper that was not done with the whisky from the distillery of the same name, but with Four Roses bourbon, mixed with cinnamon syrup (nice smell and undertone), apricot liquor and sherry. Strong and original, it came with a spherical ice cube that contained a flower in it, adding a bit to the originality of the drink. And if you do not drink alcohol, they can make a mocktail for you or you can try to get their strawberry lemonade that was amazing: you could really taste the strawberries!

Elliot Stubb cocktail at Lokal in Jersey City, NJ

James Pepper cocktail at Lokal in Jersey City, NJ

Strawberry lemonade at Lokal in Jersey City, NJ

And dessert of course. The tiramisu is amazing, very creamy, served in a bowl like you would a custard, with the lady fingers perfectly soaked in coffee in the bottom.

We also tried their strawberry Mille feuille that was made with fresh strawberries. It was just ok: small and not as decadent as we would have thought. Maybe if the puff pastry had been buttery I would have been wowed, but not really.

Strawberry mille feuille at Lokal in Jersey City, NJ

Still, Lokal is a great spot for the view but also their food and drink menu that they change often. I definitely 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!

Lokal - 2 2nd St, Jersey City, NJ 07302

I Just Want To Eat! 11/26/21 I Just Want To Eat! 11/26/21

Los Cuernos in Jersey City

We passed by Los Cuernos in Newport few times and so, as we love Mexican cuisine, we decided to give it a try on a Friday evening. Surprisingly, this place was not packed and, as the weather was nice, we decided to eat outside and drink as well, I decided to try their house margarita that is apparently made with their house tequila. Nice and a great price as only $8 (this was not a happy hour).

We could not of course not get their guacamole that was quite good, with nice chunks of avocado and lots of cilantro.

For her main, Jodi went for their avocado tostada that was a bit bland and we realized later that it was missing some components like the beans.

However, on my side, it was great! I had some tacos. First I should mention that I love when you can pick a few rather than having three of the same. I ordered:

Cecina, made with flank steak.
Barbacoa, made with lamb.
Pescado, made with fish.

Cecina taco at Los Cuernos in Jersey City

Barbacoa taco at Los Cuernos in Jersey City

Pescado taco at Los Cuernos in Jersey City

My favorite was the lamb one that was slightly spicy, very tasty (I love the robust taste of lamb), and then the fish taco that was deliciously crispy, the fish being well cooked.

Last was dessert. We decided to try their tres leches, that is with churros, our go to dessert. The cake was good, but I should mention that we ditched the canned slice of peach that was unnecessary…

Tres leches at Los Cuernos in Jersey City

So, overall it was quite good and prices at Los Cuernos are pretty reasonable. I will definitely go back if in the area!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Los Cuernos - 499 Washington Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07310

I Just Want To Eat! 11/24/21 I Just Want To Eat! 11/24/21

Brunch at Black Barn in NYC

It’s been a while since we went to Black Barn, north of Madison Square Park and, as we passed in front of it, we decided to plan a visit for brunch, their outside setup being quite nice. So here we are, a couple of years later, ready to see how their menu evolved but also if we would have a better experience than before (dinner was great, but not brunch - this was before Covid).

It took us a while to pick a dish from their menu, many of them being mouth watering just looking at the description. We wanted to try their egg yolk raviolo but they did not have any, so we settled for the avocado toast, choosing the appetizer portion as we were planning to order their apple cider donuts for dessert. The avocado toast came with baked ricotta and had nice chunks of avocado on top. I really appreciated the fact that the bread was easy to cut as, often, it is so difficult that it becomes a bit messy.

I then could not resist trying their pepper crusted lamb ribs that came with a lemon hummus. I rarely see lamb ribs and, as I love lamb, ordering it was a no brainer. I was just wondering if the pepper crust would be overpowering, making me choke at every single bite. Well, that did not happen and my only regret was that it was an appetizer and not an entree: this dish is phenomenal! The lamb was deliciously fatty, juicy with a robust taste that I adore. The hummus was good, but, honestly, was not necessary.

Pepper crusted lamb ribs at Black Barn in NYC

Then we got the French toast or as they call it the Queen of pudding « French toast ». Served with a raspberry jam, it was more a pudding than a French toast, hence probably the quote used in the name and the toasted meringue on top looked beautiful, like a queen’s crown. It was very good but very dense also and we finally were too full to get the donuts.

Queen of pudding “French toast” at Black Barn in NYC

With our meal we had a tea for Jodi and an orange juice for me.

They also brought some honey butter corn muffins that are to die for!

So, overall, the brunch at Black Barn was superb, offering decadent food that make me drool as I write this post. I definitely recommend it and will certainly go back there for brunch or dinner.

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 E 26th St, New York, NY 10010

I Just Want To Eat! 11/22/21 I Just Want To Eat! 11/22/21

Angelina Paris in NYC: an immersion to a Parisian experience

If you like hot cocoa and French pastries, there is one place you cannot miss in Paris: Angelina, near the Louvres Museum. This spot that opened in 1903 is a little gem where the highlight of their menu is their hot chocolate that has been their recipe for success for many years. Even in the hot weather, you cannot resist it. So, when I heard that they were opening an outpost in New York, near Bryant Park, I was excited (beware that there is…

The place is big, with the to go counter at the entrance and the dining room, with its Belle Époque style in the back. It was for brunch on a Saturday, and it was packed…and noisy!

They have a great brunch menu where you can go with the prix-fixed or à la carte. We went for the former, Jodi choosing the petit-déjeuner Angelina while I picked the brunch menu. Both started with a choice of beverage and I picked the hot chocolate while Jodi went for a tea as she knew she would get some of my drink, the serving being generous considering the hot cocoa is dense and filling, like melted chocolate, where the sweetness can be adjusted by mixing some whipped cream in it. Know that you can also have it cold, as I did few weeks before, sipping it in Bryant Park.

Iced chocolate drink from Angelina Paris in NYC

The prix-fixe came also with an orange juice and some viennoiseries (croissant, chocolate croissant and pain aux raisins).

Pain au chocolat at Angelina Paris in NYC

Pain aux raisins at Angelina Paris in NYC

Next was the main course. Omelet with mushrooms and cheese for Jodi and croissant with scrambled eggs and smoked salmon for me. Both were good but I thought that the omelet was better, less dry as the scrambled eggs were a bit over cooked. Despite this, I loved the combination with the croissant for its butter taste and the smoked salmon.

Omelet cheese and mushrooms at Angelina Paris in NYC

Smoked salmon and scrambled eggs in a croissant at Angelina Paris in NYC

While Jodi’s omelet came with fruits, I had to pick a dessert from the prix-fixed and went for the crepe. It was filled with a white chocolate praline cream and accompanied by whipped cream. Good, it is not something I would reorder though.

So, overall, the experience was good. The only negative is the fact that they bring all the dishes at the same time that can be challenging on their small tables. The prix-fixed are a good deal considering the prices à la carte. This is definitely a place to try if you want a trip to Paris without the cost of the ticket. And if you go, you cannot not get the old-fashioned hot chocolate!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Angelina Paris - 1050 6th Ave, New York, NY 10018