I Just Want To Eat! 5/17/23 I Just Want To Eat! 5/17/23

Two Hands in Tribeca

We discovered Two Hands several weeks ago and were so enthusiastic about their menu that we decided to go back to this Australian restaurant. Why? Because their menu is truly exciting. Do they have burrata? yes, but served with kasundi, a mustard sauce made with fermented mustard seeds, dukkah, an Egyptian blend of nuts, seeds, and warm spices, and roti, an Indian bread.

Burrata and roti at Two Hands in Tribeca

Looking at their menu, that changed between visits (they regularly change it), the only classic and a bit disappointing was their burger. Don’t get me wrong: made with double smash patty, lots of cheese, sweet onion, pickles and a kewpie sauce that is a Japanese mayonnaise was really good, juicy and nicely charred, but I was expecting something maybe a bit different, like their pork belly and cheddar croquettes that were delightfully smokey, rich and creamy, or the smoked beef back ribs that were smothered with tamarind sauce, literally falling off the bone. For vegetarians, they have few options like the miso mushroom bowl, composed of warm roasted mushrooms, quinoa, kimchi, a six-minute egg, crunchy veggies, puffed rice, sesame and a lemongrass ginger dressing, or the charred broccolini with tofu. Beautiful presentation and quite tasty.

Beef baby back ribs at Two Hands in Tribeca

Charred broccolini at Two Hands in Tribeca

Miso mushroom bowl at Two Hands in Tribeca

Pork belly and cheddar croquettes at Two Hands in Tribeca

They also have interesting cocktails like the Leap of Faith that has espresso in it or the bergamot toddy that is made with Starboard whiskey, an Australian whiskey that I discovered few years ago.

Leap of faith cocktail at Two Hands in Tribeca

For dessert, we only tried their chocolate pot de creme as the second time we went, there was nothing really that made us want to order dessert, going beyond our stretched belly capacity. This dessert was superb from both its presentation and taste, being rich and silky.

Chocolate pot de creme at Two Hands in Tribeca

As a side story, I asked what cut of meat was their steak frites and the answer I got was “I don’t know! Beef?”. They probably should explain more the menu to the staff! Nevertheless, these were great meals and I would definitely go back!

Enjoy (I did!)!

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Two Hands - 251 Church St, New York, NY 10013

I Just Want To Eat! 5/15/23 I Just Want To Eat! 5/15/23

Caffe Buon Gusto in Hoboken, NJ

When Caffe Buon Gusto opened in February in Hoboken, I was not sure what to expect, thinking that this would be another Italian restaurant competing with some great ones like Sorellina or Otto Strada, but was glad to see a new restaurant opening on the upper part of town that truly needs some more places to dine.

So, several weeks ago, we decided to give it a try. The place was…

So, several weeks ago, we decided to give it a try. The place was small, packed, too much in fact, as if we were dining with other people. I did not realize it was BYOB, so we ended up just drinking water. They had some specials and so we decided to start with their burrata salad that was a nice way to start the diner and, for her main, Jodi continued to have salad, opting for another special made with avocado, tomato and mozzarella. This was ok, small, with a presentation that could have been better for sure.

Burrata salad at Caffe Buon Gusto in Hoboken, NJ

Avocado and mozzarella salad at Caffe Buon Gusto in Hoboken, NJ

On my side, I went for the linguine alle vongole that was very good, although I would have expected a bit more clams for $29.95. Still, the pasta was perfectly cooked and I dipped some of the focaccia they gave us in the delicious sauce.

Linguine alle vongole at Caffe Buon Gusto in Hoboken, NJ

Dessert was fantastic: we got their tiramisu that the couple next to us was raving about and we did not regret it. It was creamy and light, simply delicious.

Tiramisu at Caffe Buon Gusto in Hoboken, NJ

I should mention that we felt a bit rushed as the bill came right after the tiramisu was put on our table. We paid using the QR code on my phone, but got chased for supposedly dining and dashing. The manager of the restaurant was really embarrassed when I showed him the receipt, and I was thinking that maybe they should not use this mode of payment if they are unable to check if someone paid or not. This, the tight space and the rush kind of left me not wanting to go back…The food was good though, so I may give it another chance in few weeks…

Enjoy (I still did)!

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Caffe Buon Gusto - 918 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 5/3/23 I Just Want To Eat! 5/3/23

The Mutton Chop at Keens Steakhouse in NYC, NY

It’s been 10 years since I dined at Keens Steakhouse, one of the oldest steakhouses in the city that some consider the best. I went back for the mutton chop that is their specialty, a dish they served when they opened back in 1885 that never gets old. This 26oz piece of meat priced at $68 is huge and would satisfy anyone who loves lamb. Perfectly cooked, tender and juicy, with some nice fat on the side, this is a perfect meal.

Having the mutton chop at Keens Steakhouse is a must do, but this is not the only thing there: the place is covered with churchwarden pipes, some of them belonging to JP Morgan, Babe Ruth or Buffalo Bill. So, if after that you are not convinced to go, I am not sure what would…

Enjoy (I did)!

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Keens Steakhouse - 72 W 36th St., New York, NY 10018

I Just Want To Eat! 5/1/23 I Just Want To Eat! 5/1/23

Toastique in Hoboken, NJ

When Toastique opened in Hoboken, I was part of the skeptics: who would want to go eat toast on a regular basis? Alright, I admit that toast might not be my favorite when going for lunch or brunch, unless they have something unique. I changed my mind. Serving gourmet toast, Toastique has a great selection that will satisfy vegetarian and non-vegetarian, with the possibility to add items such as crab, poached egg or salmon to your toast. My favorite is the avocado smash, especially with crab on top. Just looking at the photos, you can see that they are pretty generous in amount of ingredients and they truly taste fresh. Now, I heard some people saying that $16 for a toast is a lot, but, considering the quality and quantity of ingredients, and the fact that in restaurants, you would get the same price, I am fine with it (with the crab, the avocado smash was $20).

Avocado smash: Avocado with watermelon radish, marinated tomatoes, chili oil, microgreens on multigrain toast

Avocado smash with crab: Avocado with watermelon radish, marinated tomatoes, chili oil, crab, microgreens on multigrain toast

Tuscan Tuna: Tuna dressed with sundried tomatoes, capers, scallions, herb vinaigrette, balsamic glaze, kalamata olives, tomato, bibb lettuce, lemon wedge on rustico toast

Smoked Salmon Toast: Smoked pastrami salmon, herbed cream cheese spread, arugula, cucumber, pickled onion, capers, toasty seasoning, microgreens, lemon wedge on sourdough toast

3 Cheese Italian Toast: Prosciutto, melted swiss and fontina with roasted garlic onion jam, topped with a poached egg and dressed arugula on jalapeno cheddar toast

Tomato burrata toast: Herbed ricotta, pesto, tomatoes, burrata, basil, olive oil, balsamic glaze on rustico toast

They also serve coffee, tea, smoothies and cold pressed juices. I love the Radiance juice, a sparkling drink made with orange, blood orange, grapefruit, pineapple and basil, or Defender that has carrot, orange, apple, turmeric and lemon.

Defender juice at Toastique in Hoboken, NJ

Radiance juice at Toastique in Hoboken, NJ

I really like Toastique: their toasts are really good. Know that if you are not in toasts, you can get some healthy bowls and, if you go, make sure you ask for real knives and forks as, although the bread is not that thick and hard to cut, I usually break 3 or 4 plastic forks...

Enjoy (I did)!

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Toastique - 1450 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 4/26/23 I Just Want To Eat! 4/26/23

Bikanervala in Jersey City

I discovered Bikanervala in Jersey City few years ago, after one of my co-workers brought some jelibis from there. This place, that specialized in vegetarian dishes and sweets is a true gem with a large menu and so many desserts that you get a bit overwhelmed when ordering at the counter. What I love about this place, besides the sweets, is their thali, that is a selection of few dishes served in a small quantity in a platter, that not only includes savory dishes, naan and rice, but also a dessert that, although small, is a nice way to end a meal. Of course they have the classics: samosa, dahi puri (these little pockets filled with potatoes, chili and topped with yogurt that are a one bite, dal makhni or paneer butter masala. I also like their tandoori platter that provides a nice array of vegetables cooked in their tandoor, as well as their masala dosa that is delightfully crispy.

Sweet lassi at Bikanervala in Jersey City

Mango lassi at Bikanervala in Jersey City

Paneer butter masala at Bikanervala in Jersey City

Masala dosa at Bikanervala in Jersey City

Tandoori platter at Bikanervala in Jersey City

My mentioned before the jelebis that I love and that could can buy in bulk, but they also have great gulab jamun, rasmalai and coconut burfi to just name a few.

Gulab jamun at Bikanervala in Jersey City

Coconut burfi at Bikanervala in Jersey City

Overall, Bikanervala is a great place for Indian food in Jersey City, in a street with many options. Going there, there is no way you cannot end up with some sweets and you can even just stop by to buy some to go, their selection being quite impressive.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Bikanervala - 815 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306

I Just Want To Eat! 4/24/23 I Just Want To Eat! 4/24/23

Chip City in Hoboken

It took a while for Chip City to open in Hoboken, to the point that there was some doubt they would actually come to the mile square city. They finally opened at the very end of February, few blocks from Insomnia Cookies. To understand the concept, you have to know the story of Chip City that started back in 2017 in Astoria, where two childhood friends Phillips and Theodore Gailas challenged each other as to who would make the best cookie and several storefronts later, they continue to offer interesting flavors, beyond the classic chocolate chips, red velvet or confetti, such as Hot Honey Cornbread that is one of my favorites, S’mores (a bit too sweet) or carrot cake or banana cream pie.

Chocolate chips and red velvet cookie at Chip City in Hoboken

Hot Honey Cornbread at Chip City in Hoboken

The cookies are big, chewy and gooey, and sold warm. They are good but a bit too sweet for me, but I would certainly go back to try their various flavors, their creativity being intriguing.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Chip City - 113 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 4/17/23 I Just Want To Eat! 4/17/23

Blu On The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

It’s been a while since I have been so excited with a restaurant menu, so, when Blu On The Hudson opened in Weehawken, NJ, I could not resist trying that place and was so enthusiastic about their cocktails and food that we went back four times! Let’s start first with the cocktails: They have a full bar so you can get some classics, but, if you go, you better check for their signature cocktails that are superb and create a bit of a show when you see some of them being served in the dining room, the smoke from the dry ice adding a note to their creativity. I have tried:…

The Bluvardier: Ojo de Tigre Mezcal, Borgetti Espresso Liquor, Fernet Branca, Campari and salt.
The Dual: Henry McKenna Bourbon, Branson Phantom, Laphroaig Scotch, Tobacco Smoked Maple Syrup and Peychaud Bitter. This one is a nod to the duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr that took place just few steps from the restaurant, and in fact, the ice cubes are replaced by two bullets.
Beachless City: Bombay Gin, Shiso, Beet, Lychee, Lime Juice.
Not A Guiness: black sesame-infused smoke lab vodka, borghetti coffee liqueur, stout, coffee.

If you prefer a cocktail, they have a few like the Get Low that is made with orange spritz, elderflower and soda water.

Not a Guiness at Blu On The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

Get Low at Blu On The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

Food wise, they have seafood, steaks, pasta, sushi (did not try these yet) and few vegetarian options like the Kale and Charred Brussels Sprouts Caesar, made with crispy ficelle, Parmigiano-Reggiano, caesar dressing, or the Burrata di Bufala with tomato jam, that you can ask without almond-prosciutto crumble. They also have few sides to consider like the crispy cauliflower with spicy avocado aioli that is very good or the charred broccoli that we did not really like, the broccoli being a bit tough.

Kale and charred broccoli salad at Blu On The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

Brurrata di Bufala at Blu On The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

Charred broccoli at Blu On The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

Crispy cauliflower at Blu On The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

For seafood, the hamachi crudo is a great appetizer, light and refreshing, with a beautiful presentation in a plate representing a clam shell, but I would not miss the jumbo shrimp cocktail, the shrimp being well cooked and definitely on the large size. I also tried their head-on shrimp and diver scallops that were delicious, both perfectly cooked, served with chermoula, or the branzino that was superb, moist with a crispy skin, served with artichokes, mussels and tomatoes and bathed in a lemon sauce.

Hamachi crudo at Blu On The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

Jumbo shrimp cocktail at Blu On The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

Head-on shrimp and diver scallops at Blu On The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

Branzino at Blu On The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

Then, for meat, I loved their prime Delmonico that was perfectly cooked and nicely charred, as well as their veal parmigiana that was nicely crispy, smothered in their Blu old fashioned tomato sauce and topped with mozzarella.

Prime Delmonico at Blu On The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

Veal parmigiana at Blu On The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

Dessert is not to be missed and my favorite is their tiramisu that is probably one of the best I had! The banana cream tart, S’mores and apple gala pie profiteroles are also good, but I would just go back for that tiramisu!

Tiramisu at Blu On The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

S’mores at Blu On The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

Banana cream tart at Blu On The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

Apple gala pie profiteroles at Blu On The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

So, yes, this place is awesome and I hope that they will soon serve brunch as I am sure that they will propose dishes out of this world. Blu On The Hudson is a great place, not just for food as you saw and I definitely recommend it!

Enjoy (I surely did)!

Blu On The Hudson - 1200 Harbor Blvd, Weehawken, NJ 07086

I Just Want To Eat! 4/12/23 I Just Want To Eat! 4/12/23

Jerrell's Betr Brgr in Hoboken, NJ

When Touch The Heart closed, I was wondering what would replace it and then learned that a vegan burger place, Jerrell’s Betr Brgr was coming. Opening a vegan burger joint just next to Mighty Quinn’s BBQ and few blocks from Shake Shack is a pretty bold move to say the least. So we had to try it. As we entered, we could not not notice the bright and fun decor of the place.

The menu is small and consist of a variation on an Impossible burger: the Lil’Betr Brgr with a single patty, the O.G. Betr Brgr with a double patty and the Super Betr Brgr with two patties, "bacon", vegan chili and all the toppings they put in the burger: vegan cheese, lettuce & tomato, grilled onions, pickles & Jerrell’s special sauce. The Super is definitely decadent with all these toppings and quite filling.

Lil’Betr at Jerrell's Betr Brgr in Hoboken, NJ

Super Betr at Jerrell's Betr Brgr in Hoboken, NJ

With it, I got a cookies and cream milkshake that was made with oat milk, as well as waffle fries that were served skin on, and were deliciously crispy.

Cookies and cream milkshake at Jerrell's Betr Brgr in Hoboken, NJ

Waffle fries at Jerrell's Betr Brgr in Hoboken, NJ

Overall, I thought the food was good, The impossible burger is definitely much better than its competitor, the Beyond Burger., but for me, it is not as good as a beef burger. I think however that it is a good alternative for anyone who wants to stop eating meat and craves a burger. So it is worth trying.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Jerrell’s Betr Brgr - 324 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 4/10/23 I Just Want To Eat! 4/10/23

Hawksmoor in NYC, NY

Located in the stunning United Charity Building, Hawksmoor is the 10th restaurant of a British steakhouse that two childhood friends decided to open in London in 2006. Coming to a city with so many steakhouses and even to a country where meat is king is a very bold move for sure. The place is incredible: This National landmark was built in 1893 by John S. Kennedy for the Charity Organization Society. Hawksmoor sits in the Assembly Hall, with its high arch ceiling that give the impression you stepped in a selective club, far from imagining that this place used to be designed for a charity organization.

They wraparound brass topped bar has an extensive menu besides of course classic cocktail. I tried their Corn, Corn and Oil… that was quite good, balanced and sweet, made with Abasolo Corn Whisky, Maker’s Mark, Nixta Corn Liqueur, olive oil and salted honey. With its little charred corn on top, the presentation was beautiful, but I admit that I was expecting to taste…corn.

Corn, corn and oil…cocktail at Hawksmoor in NYC, NY

Like many steakhouses, they have a bunch of seafood on the menu and the oysters, naked or with Scotch Bonnet mignonette are a good way to start a meal. Know that Scotch Bonnet has nothing to do with alcohol, but is a chili pepper that has some heat.

Scotch bonnet mignonette oysters at Hawksmoor in NYC, NY

Then, they have an interesting steak menu where they propose few cuts by the ounces, recommending how much you should order, based on the number of people, but without going overboard, to the contrary. The meat is dry aged and then grilled on charcoal. The porterhouse looked great, was perfectly cooked and had a nice char, but was unfortunately a bit tough, the filet part being more tender than the loin, and lacking a bit of flavor, the béarnaise and pepper sauce helping a bit.

To accompany the steak, they propose add-ons like roasted bone marrow topped with slow cooked onions that is always nice to have, as well as sides like fries, Mac and cheese (fantastic and my favorite side with steak), and Brussels sprouts with chestnuts and bacon (I wish the Brussels sprouts were charred and better mixed with the rest to make this dish a bit more decadent and tasty).

Brussels sprouts at Hawksmoor in NYC, NY

Their dessert menu is mouth watering and I only tried the Lemon meringue bomb, made with Lemon verbena granita and lemon ripple ice cream. Great presentation, light, a bit tart as expected, this was a good palate cleanser.

Lemon meringue bomb at Hawksmoor in NYC, NY

Despite the fact that the porterhouse was not that great, I would give another chance to Hawksmoor, their menu being quite exciting.

Enjoy (I still did)!

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Hawksmoor - 109 E 22nd St, New York, NY 10010

I Just Want To Eat! 4/5/23 I Just Want To Eat! 4/5/23

Revel and Rye at the Marriot Times Square

We were looking for a place to eat before going to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway when we decided to try Revel and Rye in the Marriot Hotel in Times Square. I only went to their lounge for a drink few weeks before and thought that it would be a good idea to try the restaurant, Revel and Rye.

From the beginning, we sensed that we would have to limit our dinner in order not to be late for the show. And we were right: we only ordered a drink, an espresso martini that was quite good, well balanced, and then two entrees that took a very long time to come.

Espresso martini at Revel and Rye at the Marriot Times Square

Jodi had their pan seared tofu that was served with farro, quinoa, wheat berries, wild rice, tomato, garlic confit, spinach, red pepper and tahini. This was a decent vegetarian dish, quite tasty.

Pan seared tofu at Revel and Rye at the Marriot Times Square

On my side, I opted for the steak frites where the NY strip, tender and juicy was unfortunately medium rather and medium rare as I ordered it. Still, this was pretty good, the red wine sauce not being necessary as they put a good amount of tarragon butter on it.

Steak frites at Revel and Rye at the Marriot Times Square

As we had to leave, we skipped dessert that was a bit disappointing as I always like to finish a meal with something sweet. I guess that next time, we will stick to Junior’s before going to a show…

Enjoy (…)!

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Revel and Rye - 1535 Broadway, New York, NY 10036

I Just Want To Eat! 4/3/23 I Just Want To Eat! 4/3/23

Fine and Rare in NYC

I passed in front of Fine and Rare so many times that I really wanted to try this place. Little I knew that it is the sister restaurant of The Flatiron Room, my favorite destination for whisky, this place having more than a 1000 bottles. Both have a feel of old New York, with live jazz and bear the same initials and, although it does not have the same extensive whisky list as its sister restaurant, Fine and Rare has quite a large selection and allows some cocktails, like the espresso martini to be made with Old Grand-Dad Bourbon with bourbon aged coffee.

Espresso martini at Fine and Rare in NYC

I found the crab cake there to be ok, having much better one and not really seeing jumbo lump in it, but the seared scallops with charred sweet corn, lemon butter sauce, tobiko (I asked without) and toast points were amazing.

They have steak, but it is not the main component of their menu. The 32 oz porterhouse was a bit disappointing, being a bit tough and not juicy, the chimichurri sauce coming with it being welcome. However, I loved the fact that they have bone marrow as an add-on (it is also proposed as an appetizer), and settled for truffle French fries as a side, missing having Mac and cheese which is my favorite with steak.

Dessert was divine: I tried their Hazelnut Grove cake that is made with hazelnut sponge cake, hazelnut chocolate mousse and toasted pistachios. Just reading the ingredients and seeing the shape of the cake, you understand that it is for hazelnut lovers. Not too sweet, it was delicious, the mousse being quite light and airy.

Although the steak was disappointing, I thought that the rest of the dishes were good. For me, Fine and Rare is not as good as the Flatiron Room, but their menu is exciting. I’ll have to give it another chance.

Enjoy (I still did)!

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Fine and Rare - 9 E 37th St, New York, NY 10016

I Just Want To Eat! 3/29/23 I Just Want To Eat! 3/29/23

Pineapple Club in The East Village, NYC

Located in the East Village, the Pineapple Club is a speakeasy that is a perfect spot for brunch (I would think that dinner is great but the noise level is probably not for me). Great service, great atmosphere and great food and cocktails are what is probably characterizing this place that is quite spacious.

For cocktails, being for brunch, it was good to marry an espresso and some vodka for an espresso martini that was…

For cocktails, being for brunch, it was good to marry an espresso and some vodka for an espresso martini that was well balanced.

Espresso Martini at Pineapple Club in The East Village, NYC

And for food, while Jodi just had their mesclun salad, I decided to get their fried chicken sandwich that has a corn flake crust, was topped with Cole slaw, a secret sauce and some mayo, served with fries. The chicken was really well made, being crispy and moist. It was so good that I was disappointed it was not bigger.

Mesclun salad at Pineapple Club in The East Village, NYC

Fried chicken sandwich at Pineapple Club in The East Village, NYC

We had other plans, so we did not eat much at The Pineapple Club, but this certainly made us want to go back there.

Enjoy (I did)!

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The Pineapple Club - 509 E 6th St, New York, NY 10009

I Just Want To Eat! 3/27/23 I Just Want To Eat! 3/27/23

Madame in Jersey City

Madame Claude is gone, long live Madame! Not a bad change of name in a way, considering that Madame Claude was the name of a famous Madame who, when arrested threatened to reveal who her influential clients were. So, we were curious to check out this French restaurant that, although a bit off the beaten path, is quite popular in Jersey City. Located in a basement, this is like a hidden gem, with a more modern decor than before, but with still some charm to it. The bar, called Panache (meaning done with flair) has…

Espresso nougat martini at Madame in Jersey City

Food wise, the menu has also changed to classic French with a twist where, for instance, escargots will be served with a fennel tuile or the cassoulet will be prepared au gratin. Here is what we tried:

For appetizer, we shared the crispy polenta that was served with romesco and a mint labne. They mentioned mascarpone on the menu and I guess it was used to bind the polenta that was, as advertised, crispy, and not dry or grainy, working well with the two sauces that were on the plate.

For her main, Jodi got the burrata that came with an olive tapenade, figs and focaccia crisps. This was very good, the tapenade pairing very well with the creamy burrata, adding a salty note, while the fig gave some sweetness to the dish.

On my side, I decided to try their ribeye that came with two sauces that I asked for on the side: a bordelaise sauce and a garlic, parsley and butter sauce. I preferred the former. The perfectly cooked ribeye, that was tender and juicy, was topped with trumpet mushrooms and I also ordered some truffle fries that were as I like them: thin, crispy and cooked all the way through, the kind of fries you cannot stop eating.

For dessert, we got their crepe suzette cake that was made with mascarpone, blood orange and served with a rum caramel that was flambee. Decadent, the sweetness was complimented with a creme fraiche ice cream. This was an excellent take on a classic French dessert.

Crepe suzette cake at Madame in Jersey City

Overall, this was a great meal and, although this place is a bit far, I would definitely go back to Madame: I love the atmosphere where, even with music in the background you can have a conversation, and I find their menu exciting.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Madame - 390 4th St, Jersey City, NJ 07302

I Just Want To Eat! 3/10/23 I Just Want To Eat! 3/10/23

Carbone in NYC, NY

It has been a while since I wanted to try Carbone, the Italian restaurant of Mario Carbone, Rich Torrisi and Jeff Zalaznick. This popular place, that lost its Michelin star in 2022, is like stepping in an episode of The Godfather, from the decor in the back room to the Italian music playing in the background.

Serving family style dishes, seeing plates passing by makes your mouth water and you may observe the staff preparing the Caesar salad on a cart, like you would look at someone making guacamole table side in a Mexican restaurant. After ordering, they brought to the table some bread, with some salami and mozzarella (so good and creamy) that is always a nice touch.

I started the meal with their Carpaccio Piemontese where the thin slices of raw beef are topped with a truffle emulsion, toasted walnuts, shallots, chives, mushrooms, arugula and olive oil. Definitely a portion to share, it was good, with a nice crunch from the walnuts and mushroom, but the toppings overpowered a bit the meat.

Capaccio Piemontese at Carbone in NYC, NY

Carpaccio Piemontese at Carbone in NYC, NY

Jodi ordered their eggplant and zucchini scapece, a dish made with roasted eggplant and zucchini, topped with ricotta and parmesan, with few mint leaves. Refreshing, this is a delicious dish that I wish I would find in more restaurants, better in my opinion than eggplant rollatini.

Eggplant and zucchini scapece at Carbone in NYC, NY

Of course, I could not not order their spicy vodka rigatoni that contributed to their fame! And I admit that it is well deserved: that dish is simply divine. It is spicy for sure and quite comforting at the same time, the generous amount of sauce bathing pasta as well as onions. This is a must try if you go there.

Spicy vodka rigatoni at Carbone in NYC, NY

We were too full to have dessert after such a feast and it is too bad, because I am sure that their tiramisu is worth the trip. After dining there, I understand why Carbone, besides being the go to place for celebrities, has gained its fame. I would definitely go back and this time try their Linguine alle Vongole that is one of my favorites, although the rigatoni, lighting my mouth on fire were pretty darn good!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Carbone - 181 Thompson St, New York, NY 10012

I Just Want To Eat! 3/8/23 I Just Want To Eat! 3/8/23

The Pour House in RedBank, NJ

After going to the Monmouth Museum to see one of Jodi’s paintings that made it into an exhibition there, we ended up for a family dinner at The Pour House in Red Bank, NJ. A big restaurant, really crowded, with a mix of diners and patrons sitting at the bar, this place seemed to be like a neighborhood favorite where you hang out on a Saturday evening. Luckily, as we were a big table, we ended up in a “private” room, that only had one long table, more spacious and less noisy for sure.

The menu there was a bit overwhelming, with so many choices that I was not sure what to eat! They have what you would expect in this type of establishment. For instance, for appetizers, they serve a giant pretzel (with cheddar cheese sauce and spicy brown mustard), mozzarella sticks and wings, but also pierogis and a French onion soup that was delicious, topped with crunchy frizzled onions.

Giant Pretzel at The Pour House in RedBank, NJ

Mozzarella sticks at The Pour House in RedBank, NJ

French onion soup at The Pour House in RedBank, NJ

For the entrees, on top of steak, pasta or fish, they have classic burgers, chicken sandwiches, a French dip that is quite good, and a veggie burger with a homemade patty called the Thin Vinnie, that is not so thin. I would say that adding “thin” to any dish is sarcastic as the portions of the entrees are big. And I did not mention the desserts that were huge, all served “a la mode” that is with vanilla ice cream. Although the Toll House pie seems impressive, the apple crisp is the star of the show: comforting and decadent.

Thin Vinnie at The Pour House in RedBank, NJ

Chicken sandwich at The Pour House in RedBank, NJ

French Dip at The Pour House in RedBank, NJ

Apple crisp at The Pour House in RedBank, NJ

Toll House pie at The Pour House in RedBank, NJ

So, yes, The Pour House is a good find if you are in the area: the food is good and the portions big, so, if you go, you better come with an appetite!

Enjoy (I did)!

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The Pour House - 640 Shrewsbury Ave, Tinton Falls, NJ 07701

I Just Want To Eat! 3/6/23 I Just Want To Eat! 3/6/23

Chocopain at Le Leo in Jersey City

If you follow me on Instagram, you probably know that I am a huge fan of Chocopain, a French Bakery that has few locations in Hoboken and Jersey City. So, when I heard that they were opening a new place in Jersey City, I had to check it out. So, I walked approximately 10 minutes from the Journal Square Path station, and found Chocopain on the ground floor of a Luxury Building, Le Leo, recently erected.

The place is of a good size, bright with floor to ceiling windows, with a perfect setup to not just have breakfast, but also work, the communal table being equipped with power outlets and USB chargers. In terms of offering, they have the same as all their other locations: tea and coffee for beverages, croissants, chocolate croissants, chocolate babka and chouquettes, among other things.

Chocolate croissant at Chocopain at Le Leo in Jersey City

I am always happy to see a business thrive; and when it is one that I love like Chocopain, I cannot be happier and wish Clemence Danko, the owner, and the Chocopain Team, all the success in this location and many more to open!
Enjoy (I did)!

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Chocopain at Le Leo -

I Just Want To Eat! 2/27/23 I Just Want To Eat! 2/27/23

Strip House Steakhouse in NYC

On a Friday evening, we decided to have dinner at Strip House Midtown, few steps from Grand Central. We had a reservation and were bit early; we had to wait until our table was ready, but observed several couples coming without any reservation being seated before us. The person at the desk explained that she was waiting for a good table for us: ok, I would give her that, our table being quite comfortable, on one of the corners upstairs, overlooking the restaurant.

I started off my meal with an espresso martini that is their signature cocktail, made with Grey Goose vodka.

Espresso martini at Strip House Steakhouse in NYC

As an appetizer, I got a crab cake that was served with a chipotle mayo, and pickled carrot and celery root. The crab cake was quite good, the crab not being overpowered by tons of fillers.

Crab cake at Strip House Steakhouse in NYC

For her main, Jodi went for the Bibb lettuce salad with goat cheese and pear, sharing some sides with me. The salad had a nice presentation, but there was not much cheese in it.

Bibb lettuce at Strip House Steakhouse in NYC

For the sides, we shared the Mac and cheese that were really good, creamy and cheesy, the drunken cremini mushrooms and the the 1000 layer goose fat potatoes that looked very appetizing but were not as good and tasty as I expected, the outside being crispy, but, unfortunately, the center was slightly undercooked.

1000 layer goose fat potato at Strip House Steakhouse in NYC

Drunken cremini mushrooms at Strip House Steakhouse in NYC

Mac and cheese at Strip House Steakhouse in NYC

My ribeye did not come at the same time as the sides that I started to eat while waiting. It had a nice pepper crust was more medium than medium rare. With a nice char, it was tender and juicy: this was worth the wait.

Everything took a while to come, so we decided to skip dessert, although we already had our sight on their chocolate cake. This was a bit disappointing considering that overall, the meal was pretty good. I’ll have to go back another time and hopefully, we will make it to dessert.

Enjoy (I still did)!

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Strip House Steakhouse - 15 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036

I Just Want To Eat! 2/24/23 I Just Want To Eat! 2/24/23

Olivia's in Hoboken, NJ

We finally made it to Olivia’s in Hoboken. We wanted to go before, but reviews were not that great, people complaining about the cleanliness of the place. But we decided to give it a chance. We went on a Saturday evening, the place being packed, dark and with loud music that is definitely not something I like…

They have a nice cocktail list and my favorite is the fact that they have a Negroni and friends bar, where, besides Vermouth and Campari, you can decide to put gin (Negroni), whiskey (Boulevardier), Mezcal (Oaxacan), etc. So I went for the Boulevardier that was quite good, well balanced.

That have a bunch of dishes that are perfect to share like the truffle arancini that are smothered with Manchego cheese fondue, or the crispy baby artichokes that you dip in saffron aioli.

Crispy artichokes at Olivia's in Hoboken, NJ

For her main, Jodi had the Athena’s salad that was composed of Kalamata olives, red onions, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, Feta cheese, and mix greens, dressed with a red wine vinaigrette. It usually comes with anchovies but she asked without. On my side, I got the hanger steak with haricot verts and truffle fries. The presentation looked beautiful and appetizing, a bit rustic. Unfortunately, the steak was more medium than medium-rare that could have been fine if it was not very chewy. I was for sure disappointed. At least the truffle fries were delicious, thin and crispy like I love them.

Athena’s salad at Olivia's in Hoboken, NJ

Truffle fries at Olivia's in Hoboken, NJ

For dessert, we tried their brioche bread pudding. The top was nice, crunchy and delightfully caramelized, but it was overall dry.

Brioche bread pudding at Olivia's in Hoboken, NJ

I admit that I was a bit disappointed by Olivia’s and was expecting more. I’ll probably give another try in few months…

Enjoy (I did)!

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Olivia’s - 1038 Garden St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 2/22/23 I Just Want To Eat! 2/22/23

The Parisian Tea Room in NYC

We discovered The Parisian Tea Room last year, as we were driving through New York to go to JFK Airport. I was really surprised to see this place in an area a bit off the beaten path, with not too much foot traffic, but surrounded by hotels and near Times Square. I am more a coffee drinker, but I do appreciate a good tea sometimes, herbal mainly with mint being my favorite, and we have tried quite a few places in New York; so, why not try this place? We went on an off day as I was off, picking a 11:15am spot rather than after 1pm.

The place is small and beautiful, the decor giving the feel that you stepped into a Parisian tea room in the 1920s, celebrating fashion week with the decor (beautiful wedding dress at the entrance), but also, as we will see in a moment, with their menu. There is a good explanation to it: the owner, Karen Elizabeth Lozner (who made the dress by the way), is a fashion designer! It might also explain why everything there is about details, including the dishes and utensils that add to the charm of the place.

What is great is that you can either go for one of the prix-fixe teas or pick a dish from the menu. We went for the former, with Jodi ordering the French Afternoon Tea ($62pp) and me the Haute-Couture High Tea ($82pp). The difference between the two? Mine had a cheese plate with imported cheese and prosciutto as well as a soup of the day, and for dessert, Jodi was supposed to have assorted mini-pastries with macarons, while I was supposed to have homemade French pastries. So, we started by ordering our tea: the menu was quite limited and I admit that I was a bit disappointed not to see any mint tea. So I went for the Chai Imperial with whole milk, while Jodi had an English Breakfast tea. The Chai was good, but a bit light for my taste (I tried authentic Chai in the past, so this was no comparison to it).

They then started to bring the food, with both of us having a mixed green salad. My cheese plate arrived, made of brie, Gruyere and another cheese that they were not able to name. When the plate came, I was shocked: it was very small! And so was the soup (potato and carrot if I correctly remember) that was more like a cup…

Then our tray came: the savory element was a croissant with hummus and cucumber for Jodi, egg salad for me. The croissant was undercooked and my egg salad was runny.

High tea at The Parisian Tea Room in NYC

Croissants with egg salad at The Parisian Tea Room in NYC

Croissants with cucumber and hummus at The Parisian Tea Room in NYC

The sweet element was for both of us madeleines, pumpkin muffins, mini-cheesecakes and a chocolate and a raspberry macarons.

Desserts at The Parisian Tea Room in NYC

I admit that I left fairly disappointed: the food was just off, with small quantity for the price you pay. Angelina Paris is much better food and price wise for sure, so is Lady Mendl. I would pass on this place…

Enjoy (…)!

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The Parisian Tea Room - 347 W 36th St., New York, NY 10018

I Just Want To Eat! 2/20/23 I Just Want To Eat! 2/20/23

The Lola Cocktail Lab and Eatery in Hoboken, NJ

When The Lola cocktail Lab and Eatery opened in Hoboken, I was curious to try it, wondering if the notion of cocktail lab would take precedent over the eatery concept. The place is big, with two main areas: the main dining room that surrounds the large bar, and a second dining room, more cozy and slightly quieter.

They have lots of cocktails (loved the espresso martini that was not my first choice: I wanted the egg nog that was on their Winter cocktail list, but they could not make it), but it is the food that made me want to go back there, less than a week later, for Valentine’s Day, where, we had a wonderful meal for just $45 that I thought was a great deal, restaurant lowering often the quality of their dishes for days like this or even restaurant week.

Espresso martini at The Lola Cocktail Lab and Eatery in Hoboken, NJ

For our first meal there, we started with the crispy bites that was composed of fried zucchini, fried cauliflower and sweet potato tater tots. Good, not greasy and delightfully crunchy, it was a bit one dimensional though and could have been better if one of the elements were replaced by mozzarella sticks for instance.

Crispy bites at The Lola Cocktail Lab and Eatery in Hoboken, NJ

For her main, Jodi got the “Farm Lover”, a charred cauliflower, served with eggplant, sautéed mushrooms, red and green bell peppers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes in a sweet cherry wine reduction. Great dish, very hearty, it was quite tasty.

Farm lover at The Lola Cocktail Lab and Eatery in Hoboken, NJ

On my side, I went for the baby back ribs that were served with pickled onions, coleslaw and truffle and rosemary fries. I loved the rustic presentation on a butcher block and the half stack of ribs was big! Smothered with a whisky BBQ sauce, the meat was literally falling off the bone: I loved it! The fries, although a bit too salty, were deliciously crispy. For $24, I though this was a really good deal.

Baby back ribs at The Lola Cocktail Lab and Eatery in Hoboken, NJ

Dessert was a bit disappointing: we chose the Oreo cheesecake: the cheesecake itself was good, but they drizzled some caramel on top of it and put some chocolate icing that made it too sweet. Fortunately, the vanilla ice cream helped cut the sweetness.

Oreo cheesecake at The Lola Cocktail Lab and Eatery in Hoboken, NJ

So, then, as I mentioned before, we went back for Valentine’s Day. They had a menu for $45 that had appetizer, entree and dessert. Cocktails were additional and I went for one of their creation for the occasion: the chocolate strawberry martini that was pretty good and well balanced, strawberry and chocolate working well together.

Chocolate and strawberry martini at The Lola Cocktail Lab and Eatery in Hoboken, NJ

For appetizers, Jodi got the mozzarella sticks and I got the fried calamari. When the dishes came, I was surprised by the portions that were bigger than expected for a prix-fixe menu. Both were a good start: not greasy, the mozzarella sticks were gooey and the calamari perfectly cooked, not chewy at all.

Mozzarella sticks at The Lola Cocktail Lab and Eatery in Hoboken, NJ

Fried calamari at The Lola Cocktail Lab and Eatery in Hoboken, NJ

For her main, Jodi got the penne a la vodka that was also a large portion, very good, while I opted for the ribeye that was served with rosemary mashed potatoes and sautéed broccoli. Topped with some herbed butter, the meat was perfectly cooked, tender and juicy. This was amazing!

Penne a la vodka at The Lola Cocktail Lab and Eatery in Hoboken, NJ

Ribeye at The Lola Cocktail Lab and Eatery in Hoboken, NJ

For dessert, we decided to try their chocolate lava cake and the plain cheesecake. Both were good, but the lava cake was superb, the melted chocolate oozing from the center.

Cheesecake at The Lola Cocktail Lab and Eatery in Hoboken, NJ

Chocolate lava cake at The Lola Cocktail Lab and Eatery in Hoboken, NJ

Both dinners were great! The Lola Cocktail Lab and Eatery is an exciting addition to the Hoboken restaurant scene. I am curious to try their ribeye outside of the pre-fixe to see if the quality was identical. So, yes, I’ll be 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 Lola Cocktail Lab and Eatery - 102 Sinatra Dr, Hoboken, NJ 07030