I Just Want To Eat! 8/31/22 I Just Want To Eat! 8/31/22

Brunch at Who's Jac W.?

We were looking for a restaurant for brunch on the Upper East Side when we found Who’s Jac W.?, wondering what the somewhat cryptic name was all about. Is it Jack? is W for Wife? My curiosity stopped when we looked at the menu and decided to give it a try. It is a spacious restaurant, with a cozy feel, but going at the beginning of service might not be the best idea as they were still setting up things…

I started off with a grapefruit juice that is a drink I rarely order in restaurant, preferring usually an orange juice, but only when freshly squeezed. This one was not.

Grapefruit juice at Who's Jac W.? in NYC, NY

One of the dishes I could not resist trying was their Nashville hot frog’s legs where the chicken was replaced by four decent sized frog legs that were fried after being dipped in a deliciously hot sauce. Interesting take on wings considering what we often say that frog legs taste like chicken that is in fact a bit of a stretch. I totally ignored the potato bread that came with it, but enjoyed the pickles that were right under the frog legs.

Nashville hot frogs legs at Who's Jac W.? in NYC, NY

Jodi and I then shared two dishes. The first one was their avocado toast that we asked to have without jalapeños and just topped with radish, toasted pumpkin seeds and tomato. It was the first time I had an avocado toast with goat cheese and this was awesome, the two marrying perfectly. I truly appreciated also that the bread was not hard to cut as it is often the case with avocado toast, causing usually toppings to fly around.

Avocado toast at Who's Jac W.? in NYC, NY

The second dish was their banana foster French toast. This was pretty good, with a fair amount of pecans and banana, I just wished that they soaked the bread longer and that they gave us more maple syrup (our waiter was hard to get…).

Banana foster French toast at Who's Jac W.? in NYC, NY

So overall, we had a delicious brunch at WHO’s Jac W? It made me curious to try their dinner: I will have to check it out and would for sure 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!

Who’s Jac W? - 1626 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10028

I Just Want To Eat! 8/29/22 I Just Want To Eat! 8/29/22

Great Jones Distillery Co in NYC

We passed many times in front of Great Jones Distillery Co and it was time to check out the only active whisky distillery in Manhattan, opened 100 years after prohibition. We went for dinner and so did not get a chance to visit the distillery or even the lounge, but, as we entered, we could not miss the large copper pot that dominates the shop where you can buy some of their whisky as well as various merchandise like glasses, books, hats, etc.

Dining room at Great Jones Distillery Co in NYC

For dinner, you can even have a tasting of their whisky as I did, trying the 4 kinds their propose: straight (my favorite), 4 grain, rye and Black Dirt Apple Jack. Or you can try the many cocktails they have, crafted or classics like an Old Fashioned or Manhattan.

Whisky tasting at Great Jones Distillery Co in NYC

For appetizers, Jodi ordered the Gem Lettuce Salad that was chunks of feta and a green goddess dressing (no idea what was in it but it tasted good), while I went for the gazpacho, a chilled tomato soup that was served with a delicious pan con tomate. The gazpacho was very good, not too acidic, topped with cucumber for a little crunch and added freshness.

Gem lettuce salad at Great Jones Distillery Co in NYC

Gazpacho and pan con tomate at Great Jones Distillery Co in NYC

Then, I got the lamb porterhouse: the roasted lamb shoulder was sitting on top of giant beans (gigante beans that I solely saw in Greek restaurants before) that were bathed in an aged balsamic jus that was amazing. Served in a skillet, giving a rustic feel to the dish, the smell that emanated from the dish made me want to dive in right away. If you love lamb, you cannot miss this: the meat was perfectly cooked, not at all overpowered by the jus, very tender.

Lamb porterhouse at Great Jones Distillery Co in NYC

Jodi got their roasted cauliflower that was served with tahini glaze, chili de Arbol and yogurt, the only vegetarian dish. It looked amazing and was good, but quite spicy, the yogurt not being enough to counteract the spiciness from the chili.

Roasted cauliflower at Great Jones Distillery Co in NYC

We finished the meal with a baked Alaska, a dessert that I rarely see on a menu. Interestingly, it was not made with ice cream but with lemon and coconut sorbet. I found it good, refreshing, not too sweet, although the meringue on top was definitely sweet, but it is as if the sorbet cut through it. It was made with a Great Jones rye and pineapple sauce. So, it was a fruity version of this dessert.

Baked Alaska at Great Jones Distillery Co in NYC

Our dinner at Great Jones Distillery Co was quite good, and of course, we stopped by the shop before leaving. I like their menu that has interesting dishes and would certainly go back there at some point.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Great Jones Distillery Co - 686 Broadway, New York, NY 10012

I Just Want To Eat! 8/26/22 I Just Want To Eat! 8/26/22

Beneci's in Weehawken, NJ

Jack Austin’s in Weehawken closed its doors several months ago and has been replaced by Beneci’s, an Italian restaurant that we decided to check out. Most of the decor from the previous restaurant was gone, except these funny dog lamps that I guess they could not resist keeping. But I admit that the restaurant feels like a hotel restaurant and it is not just because of the fact that it is adjacent to the Sheraton.

Dinner is better for me than brunch and I just wish they posted their menu online. They serve brick oven pizza, but I thought that their Margherita pizza was just off, the tomato sauce tasting like something dumped on the crust straight from the can. But two must have are:

the arancini, that were made with a mushroom risotto. They were creamy, with lots of cheese, simply delicious, served with a marinara sauce.
the lobster pappardelle, with a good portion of lobster, and a sauce to die for made with butter, cream and white wine. Not the lighter dish on the menu, but so good!

Lobster pappardelle at Beneci's in Weehawken, NJ

I enjoyed the meal with a Spritz, and we could not resist trying their tiramisu that was a bit dense, but good.

We went back for brunch, but I though it was a bit disappointing. We shared few dishes and were really looking forward to getting their Belgian Waffle that was in the “From the griddle” section, thinking that they would make it, but we ended up with the kind that you can buy at Whole Foods! Good, but then do not give the impression that you are making it! Dense, it has pearl sugar and they topped it with a bunch of berries. I liked it but was a bit disappointed. I also got the eggs Benedict San Gennaro, that were served on Tuscan bread with sweet Italian sausage, pancetta, mushroom and a Hollandaise sauce. The eggs were perfectly poached but this was again disappointing: there was barely any sausage and just a couple of bits of pancetta and mushrooms. They could have also toasted the bread to give a bit of structure to the dish, but no, the bread did not taste that fresh, and put more Hollandaise sauce…Jodi on her side got lucky with her eggs that were fine.

Belgian Waffle at Beneci's in Weehawken, NJ

Eggs Benedict at Beneci's in Weehawken, NJ

So, overall, the dinner and brunch at Beneci’s were hit or miss. I loved some of it (that lobster dish is amazing), but the majority of it was just ok. I’ll give them few months before trying again. For Italian food or brunch, there are much better options for a short walk to Hoboken, like Anthony David’s that has great pasta.

Enjoy (some of it)

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

Beneci’s - 500 Harbor Blvd, Weehawken, NJ 07086

I Just Want To Eat! 8/24/22 I Just Want To Eat! 8/24/22

Ice cream at Sedutto on the Upper East Side

Last Saturday, we were walking on the Upper East Side, after spending few hours at Museum of the City of New York in Harlem for a retrospective of New York music from 1980 to 1986, featuring Madonna, Blondie, Run-DMC, Talking Heads, Sonic Youth, John Zorn, Liquid Liquid, etc. So, as it was hot outside, we were looking for a new ice cream shop to try and found Sedutto, a small ice cream parlor with so many flavors that it will keep your head spinning. Imagine: they have regular ice cream (I counted 43 different kinds), sorbets (3 flavors), soft and hard yogurt, as well as spiked ice creams from…

We decided to have more classic flavors: coconut with chocolate sprinkles on a cone for Jodi, Butter pecan and banana fudge in a cup for me (I did not try these baseball helmets bowls but was close to, as it seems it is reminiscent from the past). The ice cream was good, creamy, with lots of pecan in mine, and I admit that I loved the combination of banana and fudge. Jodi was a bit less enthusiastic, saying that her ice cream did not have a strong coconut flavor.

Coconut ice cream at Sedutto on the Upper East Side

Butter Pecan and Banana Fudge ice cream at Sedutto on the Upper East Side

Still, I liked it and would stop by if I were in Yorkville for a food outing.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Sedutto - 1498 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10075

I Just Want To Eat! 8/22/22 I Just Want To Eat! 8/22/22

Brunch at Le Gamin in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

We were in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, looking for a place for brunch when we stumbled upon Le Gamin (the kid in French), a French restaurant that just celebrated 30 years (they opened on Bastille Day 1992). I was excited to try this place because there were several classic dishes that I wanted to try. So, I started with escargots, snails bathed in a delicious garlic and herb butter sauce, that is what makes this dish awesome. So, yes, I could not resist dipping the fresh baguette they put on the table, forgetting what this was doing to my arteries!

Escargots at Le Gamin in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

I was set to have duck confit, a typical brasserie dish, but, unfortunately, they only serve this for dinner. So I went for the merguez and French fries that were served with some greens. Merguez are lamb sausages that can be spicy, and for sure these were. But so delicious.

Merguez frites at Le Gamin in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Jodi ordered their crepe or galette (when made with sarrazin or buckwheat, you get the real deal for a savory crepe that is then called a galette). Also coming with greens, she had up to 3 choices of filling, and she chose goat cheese, Swiss and caramelized onions. Made to order, this was very good and they were quite generous with the amount of cheese in it. I love the fact that you can pick the filling, from cheese to ham or salmon: it allows for so many different combinations, some probably better than others.

Crepe at Le Gamin in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

With our meal, we got tea and an iced coffee that was perfect on a hot day.

Iced coffee at Le Gamin in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

But we could not leave with trying their desserts and went for their homemade tarte tatin that was superb: with large chunks of apple, it was not too sweet and delightfully buttery. This is a must have!

Tarte tatin at Le Gamin in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Overall, the brunch at Le Gamin was great and we will definitely try to go back for dinner there!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Le Gamin – 108 Franklin St, Brooklyn, NY 11222

I Just Want To Eat! 8/19/22 I Just Want To Eat! 8/19/22

Deep Dish Pizza at Uno Pizzeria and Grill in NYC

We were looking for a place to eat on a Saturday on the Upper East or West side of the city, when I suggested to Jodi to go to Uno Pizzeria and Grill to get some deep dish pizza. I did not even finish my sentence before she said yes, pizza being one of her favorite dishes…Uno is quite known when it comes to Chicago style deep dish pizza as it is said that it is there, in 1943, that Ike Sewell and Ric Riccardo, descendant of Neapolitan immigrants, decided to create an Italian-American version of Pizza.

Deep dish pizza is cooked in a pan, and is so thick that it takes a bit of time to cook (Jodi ordered a side house salad while we were waiting). So, the classic one would have the cheese in the bottom, so the cheese would not burn. But we decided to try something different and asked for a four cheese without pesto. Served with diced tomatoes that added some freshness to it, the cheeses were feta, cheddar, pecorino Romano and mozzarella. And there was lots of it! The test with deep dish pizza is to lift the slice up in the air and see the strings of cheese separating from side slices, showcasing the amount of cheese they put there! The crust was quite delicious, crispy and a bit crumbly, not dry probably because of the amount of oil they put in the dough. It is filling for sure but do not go for the 7 inch individual pizza as we did that one time in Chicago and were a bit disappointed as it was a bit dry.

House salad at Uno Pizzeria and Grill in NYC

Four cheese deep dish pizza at Uno Pizzeria and Grill in NYC

Overall, I liked it but if I had to pick a place for deep dish pizza, I would go to Emmet’s downtown NYC: their pizza if far better for me!

Enjoy (I still did)!

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

Uno Pizzeria and Grill - 432 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10024

I Just Want To Eat! 8/17/22 I Just Want To Eat! 8/17/22

Deep Dish Pizza at Emmett's in NYC

My favorite spot for deep dish pizza in New York City is Emmett’s a small joint located Downtown Manhattan that we discovered many years ago while watching a food show on TV. There is something about this place that I love: some sort of nostalgia from the decor (love the bar with its bills from all over the world) and run down tables, with a warmth not just from the place but also from its staff that makes you want to go back. Their deep dish pizza is a must have and our favorite is the Cheese Louise that is oozing of cheese and has this incredible caramelized crust that is deliciously crispy and adds some decadence to a pizza that is spectacular. The crispy crust is not dry at all and is topped with a delicious tomato sauce and tons of cheese that will fill you up quickly (it is good for 3 people for sure).

Emmett’s is my favorite spot for deep dish pizza in New York. So, if you are craving Chicago style pizza or never tried it, it is worth a trip downtown!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Emmett’s - 50 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012

I Just Want To Eat! 8/15/22 I Just Want To Eat! 8/15/22

Peter Pan Donut and Pastry Shop in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Have you ever wonder how donut should be spelled? Is it donut or doughnut? According to grammar.com, “More exactly, "donut" is the US spelling and "doughnut" is the spelling used more frequently in the UK”. Whatever it is, I love doughnuts, cake or yeast, classic or with a twist. So, as we were in Greenpoint, we decided to try Peter Pan Donut and Pastry Shop, a popular place that has fed hungry patrons since the 1950s and was even featured in Spiderman: No Way Home,…

Boston Cream donut at Peter Pan Donut and Pastry Shop in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

French Cruller at Peter Pan Donut and Pastry Shop in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Toasted Coconut donut at Peter Pan Donut and Pastry Shop in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Sugar raised donut at Peter Pan Donut and Pastry Shop in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Jodi usually goes with a coconut one and she liked the toasted coconut one, although then second time we went there, the coating fell a bit apart. On my side, I usually go for a French cruller not because of the fact that it has “French” in the name, but because I love the slightly crispy airy texture and egg like taste it has. Other favorites are sugar donuts and the Boston Cream. The latter was really good, the vanilla custard it was filled in being very good.

These yeast donuts are superb: airy and chewy, and they only cost $1.50! So if you are in the area, stop by!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Peter Pan Donut and Pastry Shop - 727 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222

I Just Want To Eat! 8/12/22 I Just Want To Eat! 8/12/22

The Franklin Fountain Ice Cream Parlor in Philadelphia, PA

Going to The Franklin Fountain in Philadelphia is like stepping in the past to indulge some old time ice cream, with some people thinking that this place has been opened for decades if not centuries, being maybe the oldest ice cream parlor in America where possibly, Benjamin Franklin used to go. It’s true that the owners have done a good job creating a place that truly looks ancient: from the decor to the way staff is dressed (by the way, they call them Jerks with an old meaning that does not mean how we would interpret it today!), and even some old time flavors. But, in fact, The Franklin Fountain opened…

The Franklin Fountain in Philadelphia, PA

The place was packed and we were unlucky to end up right behind a group of 20 people who took forever to order their ice cream! Considering how hot the weather was (close to 100 degrees F), we decided to get a Chinese food take out box rather than a cone, the ice cream melting quite fast and thinking that I would then avoid having some on my shoes, as I usually do when eating a cone…I thought the Chinese takeout box was a fun way to present it rather then the classic cup. Jodi got coconut Ice cream with chocolate sprinkles, while I had butter pecan and a scoop of Hydrox cookie that is the original Oreo. The ice cream was quite good, creamy, my favorite being the butter pecan that had pieces of pecan and some caramel in it. I simply loved it. The Hyrax cookie was good, but I admit that I prefer having it in a milk shake rather than a scoop. The coconut ice cream was not bad, with flakes of coconut, but not the best Jodi ever had, as they could have been heavier on the coconut.

Butter pecan ice cream at The Franklin Fountain in Philadelphia, PA

Coconut ice cream at The Franklin Fountain in Philadelphia, PA

So this time we really enjoyed our ice cream and I have changed my mind about The Franklin Fountain: the ice cream there is quite good and perfect for a hot day. The scoops are big so two is for me the max I could eat, especially as it is rich ice cream. So, yes, I would go back!

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 Franklin Fountain - 116 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106

I Just Want To Eat! 8/10/22 I Just Want To Eat! 8/10/22

Cheesesteak at Molly Malloy's in the Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia

Going to Philadelphia, there were few things we wanted to do, one of them was to have a cheesesteak and, our plan was to go to Geno’s, but the 100 degree weather made us want to go indoors. So, I looked up on the internet if there were more choices at the Reading Terminal Market to try something new as last year we went to Carmen’s Famous Hoagie. That is how I found Molly Malloy’s, a pub that sits right in the middle of the market. So, going there had few advantages:

Their cheesesteak, that comes with homemade potato chips (nice touch and well made, deliciously crispy), was made with sliced ribeye, Cooper sharp cheese, and I added onions and mushrooms. If it was not for the seeded roll, I would have loved it: the steak was well cooked, very juicy, mixed with lots of melted cheese, onions for sweetness and mushrooms for a bit of texture and earthiness.

On her side, Jodi got the Spring Vegetable salad that had arugula, spinach, quinoa, crispy onions (lots of it), pineapple, grilled asparagus, scallion with a charred onion balsamic vinaigrette.

Spring veg salad at Molly Malloy's in the Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia

So, overall, it was good, and a good spot for the reasons I mentioned above. It is worth trying, even if I think that it is not the best compared to the more popular Geno’s, Tony Luke’s or Carmen.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Molly Malloy’s - Reading Terminal Market, 1136 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

I Just Want To Eat! 8/8/22 I Just Want To Eat! 8/8/22

Del Frisco’s Grille in Philadelphia

We were looking for a restaurant in Philly’s city center that would be opened after 10pm on a Saturday evening, after an opening at MK Apothecary where Jodi had several paintings. In New York, this task would be easy, with so many choices that your selection would be based on your food craving. Not in Philly. Many restaurants were either already closed or would close at 10pm. I was not really into room service, so we decided to eat at Del Frisco’s Grille that was right next to our hotel. I am not going to lie: there could be worst choices and at first, I was eying their steak section. But, as it was pretty late, I decided to go lighter (dessert included as I admit that I have my own perception of what a light meal is). I chose two appetizers: the jumbo shrimp cocktail with a chipotle cocktail sauce (the chipotle part was very subtle) and a lemon dill aioli (not really a classic aioli), and then the jumbo lump crab cake with a Cajun lobster sauce. I was quite happy with my choice: the jumbo part of both the shrimp and the crab cake was respected, especially in the latter where often, you only have very small pieces of crab that you can barely taste. There, there were nice large pieces of crab meat that were mixed with some sort of mayo and some celery, but not to the point where it overpowered the crab.

Crab cake at Del Frisco’s Grille in Philadelphia

Jumbo Shrimp cocktail at Del Frisco’s Grille in Philadelphia

On her side, Jodi got a burrata and wild mushroom salad that was good.

Burrata salad at Del Frisco’s Grille in Philadelphia

I accompanied my meal with a cocktail: a caramelized fig Manhattan. It was made with Sagamore rye, Liber & Co caramelized fig syrup, Carpano Antica Vermouth and bitters. I loved this version of the Manhattan, the caramelized fig taste really coming through and adding a nice sweetness to the drink. Lucky for me, the bartender made a mistake and prepared two of them: instead of discarding the second, they comped it!

Caramelized fig Manhattan at Del Frisco’s Grille in Philadelphia

Of course we could not leave without dessert and ordered the caramel pot de creme. It was made with salted caramel, butterscotch and whipped cream. Good and not too sweet, but I was looking for a more pronounced salted caramel taste.

Caramel pot de creme at Del Frisco’s Grille in Philadelphia

So, although it would not have been my first choice, Del Frisco’s Grille was pretty good. This is a good place to know for a late dinner in the city center.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Del Frisco’s Grille - 225 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

I Just Want To Eat! 8/1/22 I Just Want To Eat! 8/1/22

Amazing Dinner at Vetri Cucina in Philadelphia

Each time we go to Philadelphia, we treat ourselves at Vetri cucina, the amazing restaurant of Chef Marc Vetri who is one of Philly’s top chefs. Going to Vetri is such an experience: located in a townhouse, it is as if you were invited to someone’s house. The decor is warm and the perfect setting for an intimate dinner where you will be able to hear your conversation, even if there is music in the background (well, Jodi noticed the music, I did not!).

They offer a four course tasting menu staring with an antipasto, pasta, secondi and dolci (dessert), each section proposing several choices, some vegetarian and some not.

To greet us, they brought us a house cocktail made with Spritz and Prosecco. Light and refreshing on a very hot day. And as it was hot, I decided to accompany my meal with a glass of Rosé, La Spineta Toscana Rosato 2021 “Il rose di Casanova” (from Tuscany).

House cocktail at Vetri Cucina in Philadelphia

Rosé, La Spineta Toscana Rosato 2021 “Il rose di Casanova” at Vetri Cucina in Philadelphia

Before the antipasti, they brought us an amuse-bouche and I admit that the description being so precise, I do not remember what it was! Vegetarian for Jodi: it was a heirloom tomato tart with a roasted pepper that was not hot at all..

Heirloom tomato tart with pepper at Vetri Cucina in Philadelphia

And for me an oyster from Cape May with a mignonette on top that I do not remember how it was made…And there was a little something made with the same kind of pepper Jodi had next to it.

Cape May Oyster at Vetri Cucina in Philadelphia

For her antipasti, Jodi chose the sweet onion crepe, the only appetizer that they kept on the menu for years and that she has each time we dine at Vetri. This is a succulent take on a French onion soup where the onions are cooked for more than 10 hours, giving them that scrumptious sweetness. It is made with truffle and topped with a parmesan fonduta.

Sweet onion crepe at Vetri Cucina in Philadelphia

On my side, I got the grilled octopus that was served with melon, buttermilk, a sumac chili crisp and an 18 year old balsamic vinegar. The octopus was perfectly cooked, nicely charred on the outside and not chewy. I loved the contrast of the buttermilk that counterbalanced the acidity and sweetness of the vinegar, the melon giving a summer touch to the dish.

Grilled octopus at Vetri Cucina in Philadelphia

Next was the pasta course. Jodi ordered the classic split that is composed of two different pasta: a spinach gnocchi with ricotta salata and brown butter, and an almond tortellini with truffle and parmesan. On my side, I got the sheep milk ricotta mezzaluna with chanterelles, cherries and pistachio. They also brought us, compliment of the chef, the pappardelle aglio e olio with zucchini. As the dishes made it to the table, we got the fantastic aroma of the brown butter that just made us want to dig right away. Everything was succulent, the pasta being perfectly made and cooked, even the spinach gnocchi blew me away although I am not a huge fan of spinach. The ricotta mezzaluna was simply delicious, the ricotta not being the most tasteful cheese, but, with the cherries that added some sweetness, the earthiness of the mushrooms and the nuttiness of the pistachio and brown butter, it all balanced quite well. Another favorite was the almond tortellini: I could have had another full dish of it. I loved the little crunch from the small pieces of almond in the filling and there was, again, that use of the brown butter that elevated the dish. Now, when it comes to the pappardelle with zucchini, I admit that I was really surprised at how good it was, admitting that I would have probably never ordered that dish, thinking that there would be big pieces of zucchini mixed with pasta. I was totally wrong: this was amazing, quite comforting in fact.

Split pasta at Vetri Cucina in Philadelphia

Pappardelle aglio e olio with zucchini at Vetri Cucina in Philadelphia

Ricotta mezzaluna with chanterelles, cherries and pistachio at Vetri Cucina in Philadelphia

At that point I started to get full and was glad that I did not indulge too much on their semolina focaccia and sesame sourdough…

For her secondi, Jodi picked the eggplant terrine served with summer squash and castelrosso fonduta (castelrosso is a whole cow’s milk from Piedmont). This was a beautiful dish, colorful. Cooking eggplant, especially the skin is always a challenge as if not done properly, it can taste bitter. So, they blanche the skin so they can use it as a wrapper for the terrine. It was overall good, well made, but what I remember the most is that pickled eggplant that was superb!

Eggplant terrine at Vetri Cucina in Philadelphia

On my side, I got the smoked baby goat with polenta. I was curious to see how that goat would be as, in the past, whenever I had goat, it was tough. At Vetri, depending on the size of the animal, they will smoke it between 2 to 4 hours before braising it. Although I did not really care about the house-milled soft polenta, the goat was amazing: tender, with a crispy skin, not dry at all. This is a must have!

Smoked baby goat at Vetri Cucina in Philadelphia

Before dessert, they brought a palate cleanser. It was a blackberry fool, made with blackberry compote folded with whipped cream and topped with an Arnold Palmer granita made with black tea and lemon.

Blackberry Fool with Arnold Palmer Granita at Vetri Cucina in Philadelphia

I could not wait for my dessert as it was their molten pistachio cake that I had last year. Very soft in the center, it is deliciously buttery and, even Jodi who does not like pistachio loved it. Served with a cherry gelato, it is one of the best desserts I ever had!

Molten pistachio cake at Vetri Cucina in Philadelphia

Jodi got a strawberry polenta short cake that was like a deconstructed version of a short cake. This was superb, but I admit that the surprising component was definitely the olive oil gelato that is a must try if you come across a place that proposes it. It is not that you get a mouthful of olive oil. No, it gives a creamy and rich taste to the gelato.

Strawberry polenta short cake at Vetri Cucina in Philadelphia

We got espresso and tea with our desserts, and, as if we were not already completely full, they brought a small plate with apricot macaron with lavender buttercream, blueberry rye and fudge with walnut.

I just needed a walk after that! Vetri Cucina never disappoints for sure. Not only the food is amazing there, but the service is exceptional, the staff describing each dish in a way that would make you want to try everything. I should point out that the vegetarian dishes are not an afterthought, being as crafted and elegant as the non-vegetarian ones. This is fine dining at its best, where you realize what hospitality means.

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!

Vetri Cucina - 1312 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

I Just Want To Eat! 7/29/22 I Just Want To Eat! 7/29/22

Empyrean Indian Kitchen & Bar in Hoboken, NJ

Indian food is one of these cuisines that we often crave and with the closure of Soul Curry in Hoboken, we did not have much in the city, Karma Cafe not being a favorite. So, when Empyrean Indian Kitchen and Bar opened, we immediately ordered food for delivery and were impressed by the food there. So, it was time for us, many months later, to dine in there and, similar to our deliveries, we did it more than once…The dishes at Empyrean Indian Kitchen and Bar are a festival of flavors whether you want it spicy or mild, vegetarian or non-vegetarian. Every meal starts with the papadum, these crackers served with mint chutney and tamarind sauce. They are great as an aperitif with one of their cocktails. They have a full bar so you can get either a house cocktail like the Gujju Misunderstood Smash that is made with Misunderstood Whisky, cucumber, lime, mint and ginger, or a classic like a whisky sour. Of course, I tried their mango lassi that is usually my go to drink, using it to counteract any spiciness (also because I like it).

Papadam at Empyrean Indian Kitchen & Bar in Hoboken, NJ

Gujju Misunderstood Smash at Empyrean Indian Kitchen & Bar in Hoboken, NJ

Whisky sour at Empyrean Indian Kitchen & Bar in Hoboken, NJ

MAngo lassi at Empyrean Indian Kitchen & Bar in Hoboken, NJ

Our go to appetizer there has always been the samosa that have a nice kick.

Samosa at Empyrean Indian Kitchen & Bar in Hoboken, NJ

For curry, I love their butter chicken and chicken tikka masala (the paneer tikka masala is superb): it is creamy and comforting, the sauce itself being kind of addictive and I could not stop dipping the lachha paratha or butter naan we ordered. But one of my favorites is the lamb korma, that is phenomenal: that cashew sauce is so good! You can decide to have goat instead of lamb, but I admit that in the past, when I tried goat (not there), I found it tough.

Butter chicken at Empyrean Indian Kitchen & Bar in Hoboken, NJ

Paneer tikka masala at Empyrean Indian Kitchen & Bar in Hoboken, NJ

Lamb korma at Empyrean Indian Kitchen & Bar in Hoboken, NJ

Rice at Empyrean Indian Kitchen & Bar in Hoboken, NJ

Lachha paratha at Empyrean Indian Kitchen & Bar in Hoboken, NJ

Butter naan at Empyrean Indian Kitchen & Bar in Hoboken, NJ

We also often ordered their dal makhni that was delightfully creamy. This is a dish I re-discovered while traveling to India few years ago and always order, but more as a side.

Dal Makhni at Empyrean Indian Kitchen & Bar in Hoboken, NJ

For dessert, our go to is always the gulab jamun that are these deep fried milk balls dipped in a sugar syrup.

Gulab jamun at Empyrean Indian Kitchen & Bar in Hoboken, NJ

So, yes, Empyrean Indian Kitchen and Bar is my favorite Indian restaurant in Hoboken, not that there are many, but still: the food there is delicious, comforting and flavorful, with generous portions, so we always have some dishes packed for another meal…

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Empyrean Indian Kitchen & Bar - 20 Hudson Place, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 7/27/22 I Just Want To Eat! 7/27/22

Le Fanfare in Green Point, Brooklyn

We were in Green Point, Brooklyn on a Sunday, looking for a place for brunch when we stumbled upon Le Fanfare, an Italian restaurant with a neighborhood feel. It was not that crowded when we arrived early, if not for a party in the patio. I immediately loved the decor, designed by Milan artist and architect Giuseppe Amato, that sets this place apart: on the left were wooden booths were we sat; on the right were marble tables for two with the shape of school tables sticked together, dominated by a study lamp. And then in the middle, two communal tables (I was hoping no one had a reservation and would sit next to us…)

Their brunch menu was interesting, with classics like French toast, pancakes or burgers. But not only. For instance, in got their Pane Frattau, a Sardinian flat bread “pizza” as they described it, topped with a marinara sauce, some pecorino and two sunny side up eggs that were perfectly done, the yolk being runny. The “crust”, that was paper thin, had a soft texture, as if undercooked, but in a good way, and I did not need a knife to cut it. Flavor wise, it was very good and comforting.

Pane Frattau at Le Fanfare in Green Point, Brooklyn

Jodi got their avocado toast that was on a multigrain bread a bit too thick to be cut easily with the knife (the usual issue with toast). There were two pieces of bread and they could have gone with just one, doubling the amount of avocado on it. Otherwise, it was good.

Avocado toast at Le Fanfare in Green Point, Brooklyn

For drinks, Jodi got a tea while I sipped an iced coffee. Perfect with the small pieces of coffee cake they brought us while we waited for our dishes.

Iced coffee at Le Fanfare in Green Point, Brooklyn

Coffee cake at Le Fanfare in Green Point, Brooklyn

Overall, it was good and I liked the atmosphere of the place. I will have to go back to try their 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!

Le Fanfare - 1103 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222

I Just Want To Eat! 7/25/22 I Just Want To Eat! 7/25/22

Sparks Steakhouse in NYC

Sparks Steakhouse is one of these places that are part of the history of New York, like Keens, Peter Luger or the Old Homestead. Not that it is that old, but it is a major player in the New York food scene, to the point that when it announced in 2017 that it would close its doors because it could not reach an agreement with its landlord, everyone was stunned. Fortunately, they were able to renew their lease and continue operating. Besides for its steaks, Sparks is also known because of the infamous murder in 1985, right in front of the restaurant, of Paul Castellano, the head of the Gambino family that was ordered by John Gotti.

So, I was excited to finally go there, Sparks Steakhouse being on my list forever. Arriving there, you get transported a bit to the past, noticing the tuxedo of the Maître D’ or the heavy decor that old steakhouses used to have: thick carpet, dark setting, masculine feel and tons of paintings along the walls.

Food wise, they are proud to say that, at least for steaks, they did not change their menu for the past 60 years they have been in operation. I admit that I was a bit lost with their menu that just said for instance “steak fromage” or “sliced steak with…”. So they explained that their most popular and recommended cut is their sirloin and then the filet mignon. You can they choose to have it with cheese (the “au fromage” I mentioned before) or with sautéed onions and peppers. They do not have any ribeye or porterhouse and asking feels like you are insulting them (but with an humorous way). They also have an impressive veal chop and lamb. The lamb was pretty good, drenched, nicely fatty, and perfectly cooked medium. The sirloin was good too, but more medium than medium-rare. It was tender and juicy, with a nice crust on the outside.

Lamb and petite sirloin at Sparks Steakhouse in NYC

As far as sides, they have classics, and their hash browns are a must have: crunchy with a delicious burnt crust. Another good option is the sautéed mushrooms.

Sautéed mushrooms at Sparks Steakhouse in NYC

Appetizers seem also to be of the past and pricey for what it is. For example, you get 4 baked clams and 2 shrimp scampi for $27.95! It would be a large shrimp gambas, and a giant clam, I would understand, but no, this was small and not worth the price. The crab meat and scallops was also a let down but better as there was lots of jumbo crab meat, but the Bay scallops were simply bland. Disappointing.

Clams and shrimp scampi at Sparks Steakhouse in NYC

Crab and scallops at Sparks Steakhouse in NYC

I should mention their extensive wine list that is quite impressive. However, I only had a cocktail, a Paper Plane, that was made with bourbon, aperol and amaro.

Paper plane cocktail at Sparks Steakhouse in NYC

Last is desserts. The fact that they have classic is in a way what you would want in a steakhouse and their pecan pie a la mode is superb. However, they are not making it there. They apparently only make the whipped cream. So, why not putting much more on the plate! There was just a little bit there, gone after less than two bites.

Pecan pie a la mode at Sparks Steakhouse in NYC

So, overall, I was not so impressed by Sparks Steakhouse. The meat was good but not at the level of a Peter Luger or Gallagher's, or even Porterhouse that has become my favorite. I guess going there would be more because it is an institution in the city than for its menu.

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!

Sparks Steakhouse- 210 E 46th St, New York, NY 10017

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

Dim Sum Palace in Midtown West

We were craving Chinese food and had to be midtown, so I thought that Dim Sun Palace would be a good spot for us. But not the location on the Theater District that can be really busy, we went to the one on 56th street. The place was packed, but, fortunately, they have a second floor that was quieter.

Dim Sum Palace offers an extensive menu with not just dim sum, also classics, and I admit that it is a bit overwhelming with so many choices, vegetarian and non-vegetarian. If you want dim sum, you will mark your choice on the printed menu, below the photo of the item (photos are always a good thing in case you are not sure what a dish is).

Of course, a Tsing Tao beer is perfect for dim sum. Light and refreshing.

Sting tao beer at Dim Sum Palace in Midtown West

For dim sum, they have the classics like the crystal shrimp dumplings that were perfect. Their mixed mushroom dumplings were also delicious, the filling being very good, letting the mushrooms be the star of these small pockets without putting things like celery or spinach that would overpower it. Another great dumpling was their shredded roast duck, but I admit that I would have loved some hoisin sauce with it, the sweetness going perfectly with the duck. My least favorite was the soy bean dumpling: I simply did not like the texture.

Shredded duck at Dim Sum Palace in Midtown West

Crystal shrimp dumplings at Dim Sum Palace in Midtown West

Mushroom dumplings at Dim Sum Palace in Midtown West

Soy bean dumplings at Dim Sum Palace in Midtown West

On the crispy side, they offer classics like the scallion pancakes that were nicely crispy and slightly greasy as they should. Or the vegetable spring rolls that always burn your mouth…I also tried their crispy garlic spare ribs that were also very hot, definitely crispy, with a delicious saltiness that enhance the taste of the meat without being too salty, or garlicky.

Crispy garlic spare ribs at Dim Sum Palace in Midtown West

Scallion pancakes at Dim Sum Palace in Midtown West

Vegetable spring rolls at Dim Sum Palace in Midtown West

We finished our meal with their sweet egg yolk steamy buns. I love this dessert: the egg yolk is delightfully sweet, the bun balancing perfectly the sweetness of the filling. This is a must have.

Sweet egg yolk steamy buns at Dim Sum Palace in Midtown West

We did not regret our choice for lunch for sure: Dim Sun Palace is a fantastic spot outside of Chinatown for dim sum. They had a wide variety, for vegetarian and not vegetarian, some dumplings being more sticky than others but still very good. I highly recommend it.

Enjoy (I did)!

Dim Sum Palace - 28 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019

I Just Want To Eat! 7/20/22 I Just Want To Eat! 7/20/22

Cafe China in NYC, NY

I discovered Cafe China several years ago, as I was going through the restaurants in New York with one Michelin Star. At the time, I was not that impressed by the food, but admitted at the time that it might have been because of the choice of dishes we made. So I was curious to see how this would be this time, and admit that this was very good, with a very speedy and courteous service! Here is what we had:…

As a cocktail, I got the Fallen Angels, made with Four Roses bourbon, freshly squeezed lemon juice, homemade grenadine and bitters. This was nicely sweet and not too strong, quite refreshing.

Fallen Angels cocktail at Cafe China in NYC, NY

Vegetable pot stickers with mixed vegetables, shiitake mushrooms and tofu skin: that was really good, with a nice charred crust, and a filling quite tasty.

Vegetable pot stickers at Cafe China in NYC, NY

Crystal shrimp dumplings: prepared with lard, they were pan fried that is the first time I had them like that. I loved it, with a large piece of shrimp inside and the shell crispy.

Crystal shrimp dumplings at Cafe China in NYC, NY

Dan Dan noodles: I love this dish and I know that every family has its own recipe. It was good, but not spicy and I have to say that Hao Noodles set the bar high for me, so I was expecting much more…

Dan Dan noodles at Cafe China in NYC, NY

Eggplant and string beans: this vegetarian dish had a nice kick.

Eggplant and string beans at Cafe China in NYC, NY

Tea smoked duck: this is one of their specialties. The deboned duck was served skin on for crispness, and with some steamed buns. They do not serve them with hoisin sauce (or any sauce) as it would overpower the smokiness of the tea. I thought that it would be dry, but it was not and the duck was delicious, the skin being fatty and sweet.

Tea smoked duck at Cafe China in NYC, NY

We finish the meal with the eight jewel rice pudding, a dessert made with sticky rice, dates, red bean, walnut and lotus seed. This was fantastic! The sticky rice gave a nice texture and was bathed in a delicious sugar syrup.

Eight jewel rice pudding at Cafe China in NYC, NY

So, finally, I tried the two dishes I mentioned in my last visit: the Dan Dan noodles and the tea smoked duck. Both were quite good and, overall, we had a great meal. So, I changed my mind about this place, and I would 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!

Cafe China - 59 W 37th St, New York, NY 10018

I Just Want To Eat! 7/18/22 I Just Want To Eat! 7/18/22

Joe's Ginger in Chinatown, NYC

We were craving Chinese food and decided to stop by Chinatown for lunch on a Saturday. Our original target was full with a long wait, so we finally ended up at Joe’s Ginger on Pell Street. The restaurant was a bit busy so I thought that, probably, that little known secret about this place was out: this is the sister restaurant of Joe’s Shanghai, a popular place in tourist guides, made famous by its "Xiao Long Bao", these soup dumplings served either with pork, or with pork and crab meat. So, while people line up at Joe’s Shanghai, you have a better chance to find a spot at Joe’s Ginger. I admit that I hesitated a bit about ordering these soup dumplings, but, Jodi being vegetarian, it would have been all for myself and, although I do not mind that, I wanted to try other things. So we started with classic dumplings like the steamed shrimp Har Gow or crystal shrimp dumplings that I always get when ordering dim sum, the mix mushroom dumplings, and the vegetable dumplings. Perfectly made, these dumplings were quite good, except the mix mushroom one that had a weird taste.

Mix mushroom dumplings at Joe's Ginger in Chinatown, NYC

Vegetable dumplings at Joe's Ginger in Chinatown, NYC

Crystal shrimp dumplings at Joe's Ginger in Chinatown, NYC

Another classic we got was their scallion pancake that was smaller than what I remember. It came straight from the kitchen and was really hot, delightfully greasy and crispy. Delicious!

Scallion pancakes at Joe's Ginger in Chinatown, NYC

One of the dishes I like there is their chicken pan fried noodles, but this time, I decided to try their General Tso’s chicken as it has been a while since I had that dish and was wondering if it was good at Joe’s Ginger. I was not disappointed: this dish was very good, the chicken being slightly crispy and the sauce deliciously sweet and spicy.

General Tso’s chicken at Joe's Ginger in Chinatown, NYC

With my meal, I got a Tsing Tao beer, light and refreshing on a hot day.

Tsing Tao beer at Joe's Ginger in Chinatown, NYC

So, overall, I was quite glad we went to Joe’s Ginger, even if it was not our first choice. The food there is great and comes very quickly. This is a great spot to know in Chinatown and, if you decide to go, make sure you have cash as this is a cash only restaurant.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Joe’s Ginger - 25 Pell St, New York, NY 10013

I Just Want To Eat! 7/15/22 I Just Want To Eat! 7/15/22

Tex-Mex dinner at El Rio Grande, Midtown East

We found El Rio Grande, a Tex-mex restaurant located Midtown East, while looking for Mexican food in that area. Their menu looking pretty good, we decided to give it a try. We went on the Friday before the 4th of July, the place not being that busy, probably because people were traveling. As we entered, we could not miss the over the top decor, with the oversized cowboy boot and the bison with wings that was hanging on top of the bar…

I started the meal with one of their many margaritas and chose a frozen pear margarita, pear being a flavor I love and do not see much on menus. Refreshing for sure on a hot day.

Pear Margarita at El Rio Grande, Midtown East

We then had guacamole, an appetizer we always order if on a menu. Their guac was really good, mild, with nice pieces of avocado in it (I hate guacamole made in a blender, with that soupy texture). And I was surprised by the quantity of it that was a lot.

Guacamole at El Rio Grande, Midtown East

I then got a chicken chimichanga that was topped with adobo sauce and cheese, and served with rice and refried beans. If you never had a chimichanga, think about a deep fried burrito (in fact, it is how it was invented but the origin is still disputed between El Charro in Tucson, Az where a burrito was dropped by accident in a deep fryer and Woody Johnson, founder of Macayo's Mexican Kitchen, who claimed it was an experiment). This was delicious: the tortilla was deliciously crispy without being greasy, and the filling was not dry at all, quite tasty.

Chicken Chimichanga at El Rio Grande, Midtown East

On her side, Jodi got a spinach and mushroom quesadilla that was just ok for me, spinach not really being a favorite food of mine.

Spinach and mushroom quesadilla at El Rio Grande, Midtown East

We finished the meal with churros that were served with a chocolate Bailey’s sauce. They were quite good, crunchy, but I was missing a bit of the texture in the middle, when the center is just cooked.

Overall, El Rio Grande was a surprising find. I thought the meal was pretty good and would not mind going back there to try other dishes.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

El Rio Grande - 160 E 38th St, New York, NY 10016

I Just Want To Eat! 7/13/22 I Just Want To Eat! 7/13/22

Dock's Oyster Bar in Midtown East

Located close to Grand Central, Dock’s Oyster Bar is one of those seafood institutions that seafood lovers must visit. This restaurant that boasts an impressive dining room offers an incredible menu where the fruits de mer (seafood in French literally meaning fruits of the sea) are celebrated in various ways: raw, cooked, in sushi or in pasta are few examples. A good way to experience it is by starting with one of their seafood platters. The Royale plateau is perfect for two, but I admit that I could have eaten it on my own, everything tasting deliciously fresh. It is composed of 8 oysters (this time from the west coast (Fanny Bay and Cascadia), 3 littleneck clams, 3 cherrystone clams, 4 jumbo shrimp and 1/2 lb lobster. Double it and you get their Grand Plateau.

For the main, I am not a big fan of their crab cakes, missing the jumbo lump crab meat and lacking a bit of taste, maybe because of the meat they used or too much filler. I am not sure. However, they cook fish perfectly and their Branzino simply pan roasted was superb: not dry, with a crispy skin, it also tasted very fresh. These “simply prepared” dishes as they call them are served with brocoli rabe, roasted fingerling potatoes oven roasted tomato and beurre blanc. I simply loved the entire dish.

Crab cakes at Dock's Oyster Bar in Midtown East

With the meal, you can of course get some wine, but their cocktails are worth a try. The Mr. Boozy with Angel’s Envy Bourbon, Mr. Black cold brew liqueur, Grand Marnier and bitters is strong but refreshing. For a sweeter cocktail, they also have the Blueberry mint sparkling lemonade that is made with vodka (so, no, this is not just a lemonade!).

Mr Boozy cocktail at Dock's Oyster Bar in Midtown East

Sweet mint sparkling lemonade cocktail at Dock's Oyster Bar in Midtown East

Triple chocolate pudding at Dock's Oyster Bar in Midtown East

Then I got dessert: I tried their triple chocolate pudding that was good, but a bit grainy, and their key lime pie that was just ok for me, having better ones while dining in the City.

Key lime pie at Dock's Oyster Bar in Midtown East

Despite that, Dock’s delivered and there is no question this is a place to go if you like seafood.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Dock's Oyster Bar - 633 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10017