I Just Want To Eat! 2/1/24 I Just Want To Eat! 2/1/24

Antique at 112 in Hoboken, NJ

There is no question that Antique Bar & Bakery is one of my favorite restaurants in Hoboken: their food is simply fantastic, their dirty ribeye being phenomenal and their bread pudding one of the best I ever had among other things that makes this popular restaurant a visit worth a trip to the mile square city. So, when they opened Antique on 112, few steps from their restaurant, we had to try it. The first time was during the Holidays, a perfect time as many people were traveling. The second was recently: the experience was totally different as the place was packed and the cuisine seemed overwhelmed with not just the orders from their hungry diners, but also the deliveries….

There is no question that Antique Bar & Bakery is one of my favorite restaurants in Hoboken: their food is simply fantastic, their dirty ribeye being phenomenal and their bread pudding one of the best I ever had among other things that makes this popular restaurant a visit worth a trip to the mile square city. So, when they opened Antique at 112, few steps from their restaurant, we had to try it. The first time was during the Holidays, a perfect time as many people were traveling. The second was recently: the experience was totally different as the place was packed and the cuisine seemed overwhelmed with not just the orders from their hungry diners, but also the deliveries. I admit that it spoiled a bit the experience and I missed a bit the atmosphere of our first visit. Antique on 112 definitely captures the spirit of the original restaurant, looking like an old diner that survived the decades passing.

As you arrive, you pick a menu and a pencil, make your selection and then order at the counter. Once you pay, they give you an order number made with game cards, and you can sit wherever you can. When your food is ready, they will bring your food.

Order number at Antique on 112 in Hoboken, NJ

The menu is brunch all day (they extended the hours to dinner with the same items) with few specials. Of course, I had to try their chicken and waffle sandwich that was composed of waffles instead of buns, two fried eggs and a deliciously crispy fried chicken that was perfectly cooked and moist. For sure, this is messy to eat as the maple syrup will make your hands sticky, prompting you to switch to eating with your knife and fork, like a regular chicken and waffle, less the fried eggs (and yes, the runny yolk will add to the messiness). If you prefer a burger, their “Big J Burger” is quite good, but I admit that their ribeye burger is better, or, if I was really craving a burger, I would go to Dipped’n Smashed few blocks away. The Big J Burger was composed of two 2.5 oz. smashed burger patties, their “fancy Sauce”, lettuce, cheddar, pickles and onions on a sesame seed bun. Like a Big Mac, the patties are separated by a bottom part of a bun. It was good and tasty, but I missed the char you typically get with smashed burgers and the additional layer of bread was unnecessary. It was served with their homemade potato chips that are a good addition, or, if you prefer, you can order fries, or even better, hash brown that are delightfully crispy.

Chicken and waffle sandwich at Antique on 112 in Hoboken, NJ

Hash brown at Antique on 112 in Hoboken, NJ

The Big J Burger at Antique on 112 in Hoboken, NJ

If you prefer healthier options, you can opt for the Chef's Overnight Oatmeal, composed of almonds, chia seeds, berries and bananas, that is served cold, or the Antique Grain Avocado Toast + Egg Whites that has a fairly descriptive name. I should mention that they have several plant based options as well.

Avocado toast + egg white at Antique on 112 in Hoboken, NJ

Chef’s overnight oatmeal at Antique on 112 in Hoboken, NJ

The menu at Antique at 112 is exciting and what we had was good, but they are definitely victim of their success. There are many dishes that I would like to try, but I guess I will have to wait for the next Holidays, so I can avoid the crowd…

Enjoy (I did)!

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Antique at 112 - 112 Willow Ave, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 1/29/24 I Just Want To Eat! 1/29/24

Martha's in Hoboken, NJ

When La Isla Uptown closed, I was a bit sad, the place serving delicious Cuban food in a more spacious space than the downtown location. Martha’s came a few months later, who, leveraging on the decor of its predecessor, serves new American cuisine. We went there a couple of times, and tried some of their dishes. Here is what we had:…

They have a nice selection of cocktails. Of course, I had to try their espresso martini that was well balanced, and also got their Mellow Yellow that is made with Bulleit Rye whiskey, amaro montenegro, citrus syrup and lime cordial.

Espresso martini at Martha's in Hoboken, NJ

Mellow Yellow cocktail at Martha's in Hoboken, NJ

A must have in their appetizers is their crispy cauliflower nuggets that is smothered with spicy mayo and togarashi, and topped with black sesame seeds. They are not that spicy and deliciously crispy: I love that dish. Their Spanish octopus a la plancha served with gigantic beans (they have now replaced them with potatoes) is also a great way to start a meal: the octopus is perfectly cooked, nicely charred. I love the fact that they serve it with chorizo, giving to the dish a surf and turf take, the red pepper aioli adding another layer to the whole thing.

Crispy cauliflower nuggets at Martha's in Hoboken, NJ

Octopus a la plancha at Martha's in Hoboken, NJ

If you are vegetarian, they married cauliflower with pasta, two ingredients often used when proposing vegetarian entrees on a menu. This time, it was cauliflower truffle fusilli Calabresi, made with truffle cream, wild mushrooms, parmesan and breadcrumbs. This was a good dish, the pasta being well cooked and the truffle cream not overpowering the entire dish. This pasta dish was better than my Crab Pasta where the spaghetti alla chitarra were unfortunately slightly overcooked. Too bad, because their was a nice amount of crab and the light sauce made with lemon and Calabrian chili was quite nice.

Cauliflower truffle fusilli Calabresi at Martha's in Hoboken, NJ

Their chopped salad could also be an option if you are vegetarian, not boring at all as composed of charred corn, feta, Persian cucumbers, hearts of palm, Kalamata olives, radishes, avocado, red onion and oregano vinaigrette.

Chopped salad at Martha's in Hoboken, NJ

But my favorite main at Martha’s is their steak frites! Their skirt steak was perfectly cooked medium-rare and was juicy, with no need to dip it in their chimichuri sauce, although I admit that I did not ignore their Maitre D' butter…It was served with some salad and fries. This is a must have as well.

They offer two desserts: the chocolate budino that is my favorite, topped with pistachio crumble, berries, and mascarpone cream, and their tiramisu that has cognac in it. The tiramisu was good but a bit too dense for my taste.

Chocolate budino at Martha's in Hoboken, NJ

Overall, we liked our meal at Martha’s. My ideal meal would be the cauliflower nuggets, the steak frites and the chocolate budino. What would be yours?

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Martha’s - 25 12th St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 1/25/24 I Just Want To Eat! 1/25/24

Bjork Cafe in the Scandinavia House in NYC

I passed in front of the Scandinavia house so many times and never noticed that there is a restaurant tucked inside: Bjork Cafe proposes Nordic cuisine in a minimalist decor. We found it on Opentable.com, as we were looking for a place to go on a Friday evening few weeks ago.

We started off our meal with ordering some drinks. I admit that I was a bit disappointed that they did not have any aquavit, and so, I settled with elderflower margarita that was quite fruity, while Jodi ordered their elderflower spritzer.

Elderflower margarita at Bjork Cafe in the Scandinavia House in NYC

Elderflower spritzer at Bjork Cafe in the Scandinavia House in NYC

The menu is definitely interesting with classics such as herring or gravlax, open face sandwiches aka Smörrebröd, potato wrap, soups or salads. I had to try their fish and shellfish bisque that was quite good, hearty, with lots of fish and shellfish in it. The bisque was not as thick as I expected, but it was pretty good.

Fish and shellfish bisque at Bjork Cafe in the Scandinavia House in NYC

I then tried their Smörgåsbord Plate that is a sampler of various dishes they serve there: it was composed of gravlax, mustard sauce, pickled herring, herb herring, Jansson's Temptation, red beet salad, three meatballs, lingonberries, pickled cucumber and boiled potatoes. I thought it was ok, the gravlax being a bit disappointing as very sweet, smothered by a sauce that was too sweet. And I admit that the meatballs were not as good as…Ikea!

Smorgasbord plate at Bjork Cafe in the Scandinavia House in NYC

They have a few vegetarian dishes and Jodi ordered their roasted cauliflower that was served with wild mushrooms, pickled onion, roasted sweet pepper coulis and Coleman mustard sauce. The presentation was exciting with all these colors, and the taste was quite nice, better than my dish for sure…

Roasted cauliflower at Bjork Cafe in the Scandinavia House in NYC

For dessert, we tried the crispy Swedish waffle that, although small, was really good: thin, slightly crispy, it did not even need the jam or whipped cream. This is a must have. The second dessert was the Marängsviss, a traditional Swedish dessert made with made with meringue, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, ice cream, bananas and blackberries. This was also a nice dessert, a bit decadent, with a beautiful presentation. The meringue was the highlight of the dish, the sweetness being tamed by the whipped cream and vanilla ice cream. The fruits are a good justification to indulge such dessert.

Crispy Swedish waffle at Bjork Cafe in the Scandinavia House in NYC

Marangsviss at Bjork Cafe in the Scandinavia House in NYC

Overall, this was interesting to try, but I admit that this is not the kind of place I would die to go back to.

Enjoy (I still did)!

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

Bjork Cafe - 58 Park Ave, New York, NY 10016

I Just Want To Eat! 1/22/24 I Just Want To Eat! 1/22/24

Afternoon Tea at The Palm Court in The Plaza Hotel

This is not the first time we went for afternoon tea at The Plaza Hotel. We wanted to go during the Holidays, but it was impossible to get a reservation. So we went 2 weeks ago, on a Saturday at 11am. As we arrived, they asked if we had any dietary restrictions and gave Jodi a vegetarian menu that was not on their website. On my side, the only choice I had was the Holiday Signature Tea that they probably continue to serve in January. If you never had Afternoon Tea, it is composed of scones, small sandwiches and pastries, accompanied by some tea (I am sure that if you do not like tea, they can accommodate coffee). They bring everything at the same time, on a beautiful and classy stand, so you can decide what to eat first: if you want to start with dessert, you can! Here is what we had:

Vegetarian Afternoon Tea:

The Vegetarian Afternoon Tea was composed of the following:

Sandwiches:

Avocado sandwich with pico de Gallo and tomato bread,
English cucumber sandwich with mint labneh, lemon zest, tarragon, pickled mustard seeds on a white bread,
Tomato Sesame basket with basil ricotta and sun-dried tomatoes,
Stuffed mini bell peppers with mixed roasted vegetables,
Hummus pita toast with chickpeas and red pepper sauce.

Holiday Signature Afternoon Tea:

The Holiday Signature Afternoon Tea was composed of:

Sandwiches:

Applewood smoked pearl salmon with dill creme fraiche, pickled shallot, trout caviar on a brioche.
English cucumber sandwich with mint labneh, lemon zest, tarragon, pickled mustard seeds on a white bread,
Fire roasted BBQ chicken with scallion cream cheese and spinach on a tomato bread,
Roast beef sandwich with wasabi dijonnaise, crispy shallot on white bread,
Foie gras macaronwith truffle kewpie mayo and caviar.

Scones:

We both got the same scones: one sweet (cranberry spiced scone) and one savory (truffle scone) that were served with Devonshire cream, Kalamansi curd and house made cranberry and orange preserves. I should mention that if you want more scones, they would bring some more to you.

Pastries:

Similar to the scones, we got the same selection of pastries that were:

Dual sesame choux with black sesame diplomate cream and sesame praline,
Oolong Tea cheesecake with a oolong graham cracker,
Mont Blanc cassis with a Swiss vanilla meringue, blackcurrant confit and chestnut cream,
Pecan pie with almond streusel and vanilla creme fraiche,
Mango coconut tart with mango confit, coconut streusel, mascarpone coconut Chantilly, passion fruit gel and lime zest.

Tea:

They have a nice selection of teas. I went for the Sencha Superior, a green tea “made from the predominant Yabukita cultivar of Shizuoka, Japan and offers the classic, bitter sweet and balanced umami flavor that represents the original Japanese Sencha taste profile” as they describe it, while Jodi got the Big Ben, an English Breakfast blend of black tea from Yunnan, China and Assam, India.

Sencha Superior tea at The Palm Court in The Plaza Hotel

This was great experience, even if I did not like everything. The desserts were a bit too out there for me, especially the black sesame choux and pecan pie that were a bit disappointing, but I loved the rest, even some of the few bites from the vegetarian menu that I tried. It does not seem a lot of food, but, as you drink tea at the same time, you get full ultimately. Again, this is about the experience, from the place itself that is definitely meant for it, the service that is on point, to the ambiance that is not stuffy at all, with many tables celebrating birthdays (the only difference is that the staff will not sing there, but you would get a little birthday crown). It is a bit pricey ($155 for the Holiday Signature and $110 for the vegetarian menu), but it is worth 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!

The Palm Court at The Plaza Hotel - 768 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019

I Just Want To Eat! 1/18/24 I Just Want To Eat! 1/18/24

Toast x Bowl in Hoboken, NJ

Since it opened in August last year, Toast x Bowl has been one of our favorite places for lunch on the weekend. This casual place offers an interesting menu composed of sandwiches and rice dishes with an asian flair. I admit that I am not sure which one I prefer, both being quite tasty.

The sandwiches are a take on classic egg sandwich. Made with a deliciously buttery toasted brioche, they top the moist scrambled eggs with whatever you will order. My favorite is the…

The sandwiches are a take on classic egg sandwich. Made with a deliciously buttery toasted brioche, they top the moist scrambled eggs with whatever you will order. My favorite is the bulgogi bliss that is made of toasted brioche, lettuce, red cabbage, grilled onion, mozzarella, scrambled egg, garlic mayo and thinly sliced of marinated beef. But I admit that the sweet and spicy chicken, with its Thai chili mayo and jalapeño, that top the grilled chicken is quite good too, the scrambled eggs bringing down a bit the heat.

Bulgogi bliss sandwich at Toast x Bowl in Hoboken, NJ

Sweet and spicy chicken sandwich at Toast x Bowl in Hoboken, NJ

Their bowls are also superb: tasty and colorful, they are very appetizing. The combinations are similar to the sandwiches, with bulgogi, chicken, shrimp or tofu sitting on white rice and accompanied by fresh vegetables. The bulgogi one is, again, my favorite, followed by chicken and then shrimp. But I admit that the tofu is really good, not bland and slightly crispy. If you prefer a salad, once again, you can get the same choices, like the avocado salad that was quite nice.

Shrimp rice bowl at Toast x Bowl in Hoboken, NJ

Sweet and spicy chicken rice bowl at Toast x Bowl in Hoboken, NJ

Tofu rice bowl at Toast x Bowl in Hoboken, NJ

Bulgogi bowl at Toast x Bowl in Hoboken, NJ

Avocado salad at Toast x Bowl in Hoboken, NJ

For sides, their crunchy shrimp are deliciously crispy and not greasy, served with a chili yuzu dip, and so are the sweet potato fries that are quite classic.

Shrimpy crunch at Toast x Bowl in Hoboken, NJ

To accompany your meal, you can get they homemade drinks, their best seller being the Caribbean fizz that is made with mango juice, apple juice, blue curaçao, lemon, mint and seltzer. Or the strawberry fizz that is also quite refreshing.

Caribbean fizz at Toast x Bowl in Hoboken, NJ

Strawberry fizz at Toast x Bowl in Hoboken, NJ

Toast x Bowl is a great spot: the food is very good and tasty, with a menu that just makes you want to go back. They also propose desserts, but we did not yet try them. Maybe the next time!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Toast x Bowl - 328 Washington Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 1/16/24 I Just Want To Eat! 1/16/24

Le Relais de Venise L'entrecôte in NYC

When Le Relais de Venise closed during Covid and remained closed until recently, I thought that was it. But then, I started to see people posting about this place. It did not take me long to go there, excited, knowing that the reopening triggered long lines, probably thanks to social media, a phenomenon that happened few years ago with Skirt Steak, a copycat from Chef Laurent Tourondel.

We went when I was off from work and, as they were supposed to open…

We went when I was off from work and, as they were supposed to open at 12pm, we showed up at 11:40am: there was already a line and I noticed that they already started to seat people before the official opening. I should mention that this is a new location, close to the old one and with the same feel. Although French, it refers to Venice. The reason stems from its story: it all started in 1959, when a winemaker named Paul Gineste de Saurs decided to buy an Italian restaurant in Paris with the sole intention to use it to showcase the wine produced by his family, Château de Saurs, a wine still proposed at the restaurant. As he had no experience in the restaurant business, he decided to keep the Venetian decor, add L'entrecote (strip steak) to the name and propose a single item menu: steak frites. Instead of serving the steak with the traditional butter with parsley, he served it with what is still today a secret sauce but that some say have liver and butter in it. Sixty five years later, the concept is still very popular, with few copycats that did not surpass the original idea.

The menu is simple: for $34.95, you get an overdressed salad with walnut and two servings of steak and fries, smothered by that secret sauce. For the meat, the temperature can only be rare, medium or well done. I usually go for medium-rare, and rare is too rare, medium is fine for me. The thin slices of sirloin were tender and juicy, and the fries, some of the best I had, the sauce not being a stranger to my excitement.

Salad with walnuts at Le Relais de Venise L'entrecôte in NYC

Steak frites at Le Relais de Venise L'entrecôte in NYC

If you are vegetarian, they propose a cheese plate and, like previous times I went there, they were unable to tell me what cheeses were served…Nevertheless, the cheeses were of quality and not like some cheap ones that you sometimes get at restaurants. It came with fries and we asked that they do not put the sauce on it as it is not vegetarian.

Cheese plate at Le Relais de Venise L'entrecôte in NYC

To make it fair as it is also $34.95, the vegetarian meal is coming with dessert and you can pick anything on their menu. So we went with their best seller: Le Vacherin du Relais that is a succession of meringue and ice cream (vanilla and praline), topped with whipped cream and smothered with a dark chocolate sauce. This is a must have, especially if you like meringue. Not overly sweet, the ice cream balances well the sweetness of the perfectly made meringue and chocolate sauce that I would not be surprised is homemade.

Vacherin at Le Relais de Venise L'entrecôte in NYC

The place was madness, totally packed, and you could see that the kitchen was a bit challenged. As we left, there was still a long line in front of the restaurant, with hungry diners ready to eat what I consider one of the best steak frites in the city.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Le Relais de Venise - 155 E 54th St, New York, NY 10022

I Just Want To Eat! 1/11/24 I Just Want To Eat! 1/11/24

Benihana in NYC, NY

Have you ever been to Benihana? Or any Hibachi place? I love these places: they are fun and when the food is also good, this is even better. This was our first time at Benihana: we talked about going there for years but never did until the Holidays where we thought that it would be a good dining experience after seeing a show on Broadway. As we arrived, we checked in for our reservation, but they told us that we had to wait a little. The reason was that they needed all the people sitting at the counter surrounding the hot grill to be present. Yes, unless you are a party of 8 people, you will have to share a table. It could be awkward depending on who you are sitting with, but you do not have to talk to them!

The fun part there is the little show that the Chef is performing and that you can see on the video below. The part with the onion and the volcano is always a crowd pleaser.

Food wise, you find classic Japanese items: tempura, gyoza, sashimi or rolls, in case you are not down for Hibachi, but I guess that someone in your party will have to get it otherwise they will probably sit you at a standard table so other people can benefit from the cooking by the Chef. So we both got the hibachi: tofu for Jodi (it was the only vegetarian option available and I should mention that they cook it on the same griddle) and the Hibachi Supreme for me: an 8.5 oz Chateaubriand (center piece of tenderloin) served with a grilled lobster. Whatever you will get with your oder will come gradually, as the Chef cooks it and not at all at once. For instance, on my side, after eating a soup that was not vegetarian (and they had no vegetarian soup for Jodi), I got the grilled vegetables, then the chicken fried rice, then shrimp, then lobster and finally the meat.

Everything was delicious and perfectly cooked, the meat literally melting in my mouth. But the one thing that impressed me the most was their fried rice that was superb! This is not your classic fried rice and it might be because of the amount of butter in it…I am drooling just thinking about it. The best was that I tried some of it that had extra egg in it, a request from a family sitting at our table.

Dessert was not an option as I was full after such a feast, but I am not sure there was anything special that I absolutely needed to try.

For a fun evening, Benihana is a great option. But if you go, get that fried rice with extra egg in it: you will not regret 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!

Benihana - 47 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019

I Just Want To Eat! 1/8/24 I Just Want To Eat! 1/8/24

Dipped N'Smashed in Hoboken, NJ

When Dipped N’Smashed announced it would take over the space of Curry Up Now, few doors from Carlo’s Bakery, I was a bit skeptical: Shake Shack, 7th Avenue Burger and 30 Burgers (that I did not like) are just few blocks away. What would this place offer that would be different? Well, that is when the Dipped part of the name comes into play: they make fresh donuts that you can then customize. So we decided to give it a try, starting with a first visit just to try the donuts.

The place is bright and fun for sure with lots neon and murals. As you enter, you need to proceed to the back of the dining room where there are point of sales kiosks that allow you to explore the menu and take your time to decide what you want, not being pressed by the presence of people behind you. When your order is ready, they will call your name.

For donuts, they use a fryer similar to what you sometimes see in places like The Doughnuttery, with the batter being dropped in a circular shape in boiling oil on one side, and slowly moving to the other side, being flipped in the middle so both sides of the dough are evenly cooked, to then end up in a large plate. They then will dip it in your choice of glaze, vanilla or chocolate glaze, sugar, followed by coconut, Oreo cookie, sprinkles, etc., before being topped with a drizzle of marshmallow or Nutella (there are more toppings, but I admit that I cannot remember all of them). So, we tried a few:

Glazed
Vanilla glazed
Vanilla glazed with coconut and marshmallow drizzle
glazed with Oreo cookie and Nutella drizzle

Donuts at Dipped N'Smashed in Hoboken, NJ

Coconut donut at Dipped N'Smashed in Hoboken, NJ

Oreo cookie donut at Dipped N'Smashed in Hoboken, NJ

Vanilla glazed donuts at Dipped N'Smashed in Hoboken, NJ

Glazed donut at Dipped N'Smashed in Hoboken, NJ

The donuts were pretty good: hot, very slightly crispy and not doughy, I preferred the ones with lots of toppings on top rather than the simply glazed ones. As you can see, they are quite generous with the toppings and they have so much variety that you can alternate combinations at each visit.

As I love Oreo cookies, I could also not resist trying their Oreo cookie milkshake that was very good, thick, with the perfect amount of cookies in it.

Oreo cookies milkshake at Dipped N'Smashed in Hoboken, NJ

Of course, I had to try their smashed burger and went for the triple smashed cheeseburger. The patty being quite thin (smashed, duh!), a single would not have been enough. A double might have done it, especially considering the fries (they were just ok for me), the milkshake and the two donuts I had that day…But for sure this is a great burger: the meat is well cooked, nicely charred, each layer being topped with American cheese, and then the whole thing is topped with big slices of pickle and smothered in a delicious house sauce. I simply loved it. Jodi got their Impossible burger, that was also quite good and was made similarly to mine.

Triple cheeseburger at Dipped N'Smashed in Hoboken, NJ

Impossible cheeseburger at Dipped N'Smashed in Hoboken, NJ

Overall, Dipped N'Smashed in Hoboken is a great addition to the city’s dining scene: the donuts are good, but I would go with a bunch of toppings on top for sure, and their burgers sublime. In fact, if I wanted a burger, this is probably where I would go, Shake Shack being my go to place before. Not anymore!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Dipped N'Smashed - 91 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 12/26/23 I Just Want To Eat! 12/26/23

Cantiere Hambirreria in NYC

Meaning “Hamburger construction site”, Cantiere Hambirreria is a truly unique place. Opened mid-December on the Lower East Side, this is an outpost of an Italian restaurant that opened on Lecce, Italy back in 2017. Beams, bikes and various signs give to this place a certain charm that makes you feel right away that you are in a special place.

The menu, that is like a newspaper, is definitely mouth watering, with a bunch of Italian dishes that will make you avoid seeing a doctor right after so you would not be yelled at. Yes, besides the salads that are huge and to share, this is a place to indulge. Burgers are the main dishes of the menu and you can opt for the Italian burgers or their take on American burgers that seem still decadent. The Italian burgers are made with schiacciatina that is their meat blend infused with mediterranean flavors and made with breadcrumbs for an added texture. The most surprising are the ones with burrata, a cheese I have never seen before on a burger. So, I went for the Tirolese that was also made with smoked speck, fig sauce, lettuce and olive oil (I ditched the walnuts as I was not so sure I would like them in it). The burger was huge and I had no idea how I would bite into it. Pressing on the burger, the burrata oozed immediately and that first bite was divine: you first get the butterness of their homemade bun, then, the creaminess of the burrata that pairs perfectly with the saltiness of the speck and the sweetness of the fig sauce. Contrary to classic burgers, the meat was taking a backseat. Messy to eat, this was an explosion of flavors in my mouth. I should mention that it was served with their homemade fried potatoes that were nicely crispy.

Tirolese burger at Cantiere Hambirreria in NYC

The burger was filling and the mistake might have been to have an appetizer, especially considering that we wanted to try their desserts…They gave a sample of their fried dough, the pittule. Fried dough is always great and this one was no different: crispy on the outside, pillowy, some had olives in it. We decided to get the one with cacio e pepe fondue but without porcetta. This was superb: comforting, the cacio e Pepe had the right amount of pepper, so you do not choke on it at every bite.

Pittule cacio e pepe at Cantiere Hambirreria in NYC

Jodi got a salad: she chose the Pugliese, that had burrata, lettuce, “scattarisciati” tomatoes (pan-fried tomatoes), carrots, black sesame seeds and croutons. As I mentioned before, this was a huge salad (there was another burrata buried under) and there was no way I could help her with it!

Pugliese salad at Cantiere Hambirreria in NYC

Of course we could not leave without trying their desserts that are as decadent as their burgers! Their tiramisu looked amazing, but I love Kinder Bueno and Nutella, so we went for the Mocona Kinder Bueno, that was made with white hazelnut mousse mixed with crumbled wafers with milk chocolate, whipped cream, white chocolate chips and topped with Nutella and Kinder Bueno. They served it in a stove top coffee maker that added to the originality of their menu. That dessert was sublime: the mousse, that was light, counterbalanced well the sweetness of the Nutella, Kinder Bueno and wafers. I could not stop eating this, but admit that after what I had before, it was a bit challenging…

Mocona Kinder Bueno at Cantiere Hambirreria in NYC

We left this place full and really needed a walk after such a decadent meal! Cantiere Hambirreria is truly unique and has definitely its place in the NY dining scene. The service was super nice and engaging, and the food stands out from the classic burger joints. I would not eat there everyday, but will definitely go back there to try another Italian burger or their Betoniera cacio e Pepe, a loaf of bread stuffed with cacio e Pepe fondue, served with potatoes, crispy porcetta and chopped sweet sausage: another heart attack on a plate!

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!

Cantiere Hambirreria - 41 Kenmare St, New York, NY 10012

I Just Want To Eat! 12/21/23 I Just Want To Eat! 12/21/23

Metropolis by Marcus Samuelsson in NYC

Finding Metropolis, the new venture of Chef Marcus Samuelsson that opened few weeks ago, is a bit challenging if you do not know that it is inside the Perelman Performing Arts Center. There isn’t a sign outside indicating that you have to go inside the art center and immediately see a busy place with a sleek dining room.

The menu, crafted by executive chef Ed Tinoco, who was culinary director at Alinea until July 2023, is meant to be shared, but understand small plates and not family style. For sure, when you see the dishes and the price tag, it is a bit expensive. Fine dining expensive and worth it if you can afford it. First are the cocktails that are quite original, like the Catskills old fashioned that I got, made with brown butter, coffee, new york state malt, and bourbon, or the lychee highball, a mocktail made with lychee, rose tea and soda water, that Jodi tried. It is always nice when restaurants offer mocktails, so if you do not want to drink alcohol, you are not just stuck with soda.

Catskills old fashioned at Metropolis by Marcus Samuelsson in NYC

Lychee highball at Metropolis by Marcus Samuelsson in NYC

For appetizer, we decided to try their fried olives and cornichons that seem like a nod to fried pickles, and was surprisingly good.

Fried olives and cornichons at Metropolis by Marcus Samuelsson in NYC

For our main, Jodi got their triangolini cacao e Pepe that was succulent, very creamy and fortunately with the right amount of pepper. On my side, I could not resist trying their lamb trio that was composed of neck, sausage (slightly spicy), tenderloin, and a kare kare inspired sauce (Kare Kare is a Filipino stew made with peanut sauce). It was served with a homemade pita that was delicious. Both dishes were superb and I certainly recommend the lamb if you love this meat, but $51 is a but pricey.

Triangolini cacio e pepe at Metropolis by Marcus Samuelsson in NYC

Lamb trio at Metropolis by Marcus Samuelsson in NYC

Desserts were a nice way to end the meal: one of their new desserts was the makrut lime tart, served with charred meringue. Nice and not too sweet, with the perfect level of tartness. But my favorite was the stout sticky toffee cake that was served with whiskey anglaise, candied walnuts and marshmallow ice cream. I loved the texture that was slightly crunchy on top and not dry. I recommend it.

Makrut lime tart at Metropolis by Marcus Samuelsson in NYC

Stout sticky toffee cake at Metropolis by Marcus Samuelsson in NYC

Overall, we had a great meal at Metropolis by Marcus Samuelsson: the service was courteous and efficient, and the dishes were delicious. This is a nice place for a fine dining experience, offering a menu that definitely stands out.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Metropolis by Marcus Samuelsson- Performing Arts Center, 251 Fulton St, New York, NY 10007

I Just Want To Eat! 12/18/23 I Just Want To Eat! 12/18/23

Saka Sushi, Hibachi and Mocktails in Hoboken, NJ

It’s funny how first impressions are not always the right one and you sometimes need to give a second chance to restaurants. This is what happened with Saka. When this place opened in Hoboken, replacing Myron Mixon's Pitmaster Barbeque, I was a bit skeptical: there are plenty of Japanese restaurants already in Hoboken, so, what would this one bring to the mile square dining scene? Two things caught my attention though: Hibachi and mocktails. The idea of mocktails is interesting because it takes a bit of craft to pass the line between a juice and a mocktail that mimics an alcoholic beverage. Their sangria is quite good and easily makes the trick; their virgin mojito also good, but my favorite is their Eye of Dragon that is made with Lychee and served in a martini glass. Less successful is their Tropic Breeze that is made with peach juice, Pina colada and strawnberry mix, a fairly sweet drink.

Then, I was looking forward to trying their Hibachi, but admit that I thought they would cook on an iron griddle in front of us, mistaking it for teppanyaki! No, they cooked it in the kitchen and brought a plate to our table: Jodi got the vegetable version, while I got the chicken with fried rice for me. The portions were quite generous, but I thought that it was lacking a bit of flavor. That’s when I was disappointed, although, when we came back recently, the table next to us had their steak hibachi that smelled fantastic and made me regret going for chicken…

The hibachi came with a clear soup that made it a complete meal.

In our subsequent visits, we decided to try more classic dishes, as well as some of their appetizers. They have a nice selection of vegetarian appetizers like their gyoza or age tofu that is soft and crispy. For non vegetarian, I thought the crispy calamari was a bit rubbery, but their crispy Thai coconut shrimp was superb!

Crispy Thai coconut shrimp at Saka, Hoboken

For sushi, Jodi tried first their tofu skin avocado roll that was good, but now, each time we go, orders their evergreen roll that is made with avocado, cucumber, asparagus, tofu skin and seaweed salad. I admit that it is the first time I have seen a vegetarian roll besides the classic avocado roll and its spin off with asparagus or cucumber. This one has all of them! Their tamago is also quite good, not too watery.

On my side, I tried their Saka roll made with lobster salad, avocado, mango and tempura crunch wrapped in rice paper. This was delicious, with an explosion of flavors in my mouth, the mango adding some sweetness and the tempura crunch some texture. Their Washington roll was also succulent. Made with lobster salad, it is composed also of shrimp tempura, avocado, and topped with spicy Kani (crab) and tobiko. I definitely recommend this one.

The last entree I tried was their chicken Katsu that is fried breaded chicken. This was once again a generous portion. The pounded chicken was covered by a crunchy coating that was not greasy at all, served with a delicious fried rice and a duck sauce that is always a favorite and a homemade sauce that I found ok.

We never went for their desserts as we always left full, except once, where we decided to try their mochi ice cream that was nice.

So, as you can guess, we have become fans of Saka: I love their food that is a bit different from others, and I am seriously thinking about trying their steak hibachi the next time I go, accompanied with the Eye of Dragon mocktail!

Enjoy (I did)!

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Saka - 618 Washington St Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 12/10/23 I Just Want To Eat! 12/10/23

Senza Gluten by Jemiko in Hell's Kitchen

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

Few years ago, gluten-free options were very limited, with mainly bread and pizza, people often commenting on the latter tasting like cardboard. But now, there are many more options, tasty options. I could mention for instance the donuts at Alfalfa in Hoboken that you would probably not guess are gluten-free if I did not tell you. Eating gluten-free used to be necessary for people with celiac disease or other ailments, but, many people started to adopt such diet and reported less bloating, better digestion and energy level. So, I was curious to try Senza Gluten by Jemiko, a gluten-free restaurant we passed by a couple of weeks ago, that opened 7 months ago in Hell’s Kitchen. There, I met with Chef Jemiko Solo who explained to me that he wanted to offer an Italian menu that would not only satisfy people who must eat gluten-free food, but also others.

For sure, the menu is quite extensive and I would not have known that I was in a gluten-free restaurant, the only indication besides the name being maybe the description of the various components composing the dishes that give you hints about the ingredients used to replace gluten. They have for instance a bread basket that is made up of a classic baguette (made with cornstarch and white and brown rice flour), a wholesome grain bread (made brown and white rice flour) with and an artisan style bread (rice flour, cornstarch, millet and potato), a new offering, that they bake in their downtown bakery and cafe. The bread was good, with or without dipping it in olive oil, and reminded me a bit the texture of bread made at home.

Gluten free bread at Senza Gluten by Jemiko in Hell's Kitchen

We ate a bit of bread with a nice espresso martini that was well balanced for me and an organic black cherry juice for Jodi.

Espresso martini at Senza Gluten by Jemiko in Hell's Kitchen

Black cherry juice at Senza Gluten by Jemiko in Hell's Kitchen

For the appetizer, we had to try their arancini con quattro formaggi or 4 cheese arancini, made with with 24-month aged Parmigiano Reggiano, buffalo mozzarella, taleggio and fontina cheese and white truffle oil. These rice balls were nicely crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside, filled with lots of cheese. This was a good start, followed by Parmigiano di cavalfiore, one of the Chef's favorite made of breaded and fried cauliflower that is baked with buffalo mozzarella and 24-month aged Parmigiano Reggiano cheese in San Marzano tomato sauce, drizzled with fresh basil and extra virgin olive oil puree. This was a sort of spin on eggplant parmigiana that I found superb, the cauliflower being slightly crispy with a nice crunch.

Arancini at Senza Gluten by Jemiko in Hell's Kitchen

Parmigiano di cavolfiore at Senza Gluten by Jemiko in Hell's Kitchen

For the entrees, I could not not try. a pasta and their flatbread that is not so flat. The pasta was fettuccine bolognese that was made with a corn based pasta in a delicious meat sauce with grated Pecorino Romano. I do not know if it is because there was a lot of sauce, but I could have never guessed that this was made with corn flour. The pasta was perfectly cooked, smothered by a robust meat sauce. Delicious. The flatbread was also superb: It is also a Chef’s favorite made with wild mushrooms, buffalo mozzarella, baby arugula and white truffle cream. Normally it has speck (smoked prosciutto), but they made it vegetarian for Jodi. Made with a bit of corn flour, the crust was thick and had a nice bite. There was lots of cheese and mushrooms, but I admit that I ditched some of the arugula as I have never been a big fan of it on pizza.

Mushroom flatbread at Senza Gluten by Jemiko in Hell's Kitchen

Flatbread pizza at Senza Gluten by Jemiko in Hell's Kitchen

Fettuccine bolognese at Senza Gluten by Jemiko in Hell's Kitchen

The last entree we tried was their French toast made with their homemade brioche. This was my least favorite dish, mainly because the brioche had too much orange blossom in it that overpowered the entire dish.

French toast at Senza Gluten by Jemiko in Hell's Kitchen

For dessert, we went for their tiramisu that is made with homemade ladyfinger (Savoiardi) cookies dipped in espresso coffee, layered with mascapone and dusted with cocoa powder. The tiramisu was delicious, very creamy and this is another dish that I would not have suspected was gluten free.

Tiramisu at Senza Gluten by Jemiko in Hell's Kitchen

Overall, this was a delicious meal and I would not mind going back to Senza Gluten by Jemiko, even if I do not have to eat gluten free: the food was very good and I had I didn’t know it was all gluten-free, I would probably not have guessed. I will definitely go back there for dinner!

Enjoy (I did)!

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Senza gluten by Jemiko - 626 10th Ave, New York, NY 10036

I Just Want To Eat! 11/2/23 I Just Want To Eat! 11/2/23

The Grey Dog in NYC, NY

It’s been years we have been talking about trying The Grey Dog in Chelsea, but it only took a visit from our friends Gary and Jen to make us venture to this popular place. Too popular maybe as quite noisy, a bit disorganized and slow (they forgot to bring Jodi’s dish), but quick to bring you the check and get the bill paid so you can leave, when you are still trying to enjoy your dish….

It’s too bad because the menu is exciting, serving breakfast all day, and if not, proposing several mouth sandwiches or bowls. Drinks were disappointing: Jodi’s chai was bland and my espresso martini not balanced at all.

Espresso martini at The Grey Dog in NYC, NY

At least, their Grey Dog breakfast was good: you pick eggs any style, pancakes or French toast, home fries, sausage or bacon or avocado. So, I chose sunny side up eggs with French toast and sausage, while Jodi got scrambled eggs with avocado and pancakes. The eggs were well cooked (I hate when they are overcooked and then dry), mine having a runny yolk as I like them. The pancakes were good and fluffy, but I admit that I preferred the French toast that was well soaked. The only think was that with the French toast, they served a raspberry syrup that was just ok. I would have preferred some maple syrup personally. They home fries (more home potatoes) were nicely crunchy, not greasy and I replaced them with a nice fruit cup that had banana, orange among other fruits.

eggs and pancakes at The Grey Dog in NYC, NY

Eggs and French toast at The Grey Dog in NYC, NY

We were still eating when they brought the bill, followed by the device to pay fairly quickly (they simply told people sitting next to us that they had to leave), ruining a bit the meal. Not that the breakfast dish was not good, but for me, going out is more than just the food: it is a whole experience. I’ll pass…

Enjoy (…)!

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The Grey Dog - 242 W 16th St, New York, NY 10011

I Just Want To Eat! 10/30/23 I Just Want To Eat! 10/30/23

Ramerino Italian Prime in NYC, NY

I never know what to expect when I go to a restaurant located in a hotel: sometimes it is delicious like Fire & Oak in Jersey City, and sometimes, it is disappointing. So, going to Ramerino Italian Prime was a bit of a bet, their menu looking delicious. As we entered, the spacious dining room was empty that was not a good sign and I admit that the stale bread they served us was also not a good sign. At least, the espresso martini I started with was good, well balanced, upping a bit my hope that we would have a nice dinner. We started off with the melanzane that is baked layers of sliced eggplant, smothered in a delicious tomato sauce , some Parmigiano- Reggiano, and lots of fresh basil. After the first bite, I was thinking that this might not be that bad, this dish being delicious and quite comforting, the eggplant being well cooked, drenched in a sauce with a robust flavor.

Espresso martini at Ramerino Italian Prime in NYC, NY

Melanzane at Ramerino Italian Prime in NYC, NY

Next, as I did not see my linguine alle Vongole that is my go to dish when eating in an Italian restaurant (it was on the menu displayed outside that was not updated), we decided to try their cacio e pepe and pappardelle. The cacio e pepe was made with tonnarelli pasta, Pecorino Romano, black pepper, grated 24- month age Parmigiano-Reggiano. It was delicious, the pasta having a nice bite and I truly appreciated that it had the right amount of pepper. I just wished it was a bit more creamy. Then, the pappardelle with wild mushrooms, truffle oil, and goat cheese, on which we added parmesan cheese, was sublime: the pasta was also perfectly cooked, drenched in a delicious demi-glace sauce, and a perfect amount of truffle oil that did not overpower the dish at all. There were lots of wild mushrooms and I thought that the goat cheese complemented well the dish.

Pappardelle at Ramerino Italian Prime in NYC, NY

Cacio e e pepe at Ramerino Italian Prime in NYC, NY

Of course we could not leave without dessert and out tiramisu came with some limoncello, on the house. I was surprised to see some chocolate sauce on the side and admit that I was not sure how to eat it (I got some spoonful of it…). The tiramisu, homemade, was quite good: the mascarpone layer was creamy and light, topping some perfectly soaked in coffee lady finger cookies.

Limoncello at Ramerino Italian Prime in NYC, NY

Tirasmisu at Ramerino Italian Prime in NYC, NY

Overall, the dinner was pretty good, with an excellent service. Ramerino Italian Prime is the perfect example of what a restaurant in a hotel should be: a delicious experience that can cater to more than just hotel guests who do not know where to eat or have no other choice than going there because of time constraints. I will definitely go back there!

Enjoy (I did)!

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Ramerino Italian Prime - 16 E 39th St, New York, NY 10016

I Just Want To Eat! 10/26/23 I Just Want To Eat! 10/26/23

Purple Rice in Hoboken, NJ

When the Pastrami House closed its doors, I was not that surprised. The food was good there, but the lack of space for dining left this place with no other option than being a take out joint, limiting a bit its customer base. So, very quickly after they closed in the Summer, construction began and Purple Rice opened in August, and we decided to give it a try. We ordered on their Point of Sale, where most of the dishes were presented with a photo, that I thought was a good idea as we had no idea what some of the dishes were.

A few minutes after ordering, I got my Thai iced tea that was quite good, not too sweet.

Thai iced tea at Purple Rice in Hoboken, NJ

But then the wait started…We kept seeing bags ready for delivery, but nothing for us. It took a while for our food to come and finally everything came at the same time, in plastic containers. We started with the scallion pancakes that were soggy and undercooked, really not good. Then, my main dish, the chicken curry that is in the Chef’s special, did not look good and was in fact not good: the sauce was gluey. I was also surprised that they did not even serve it with rice. So I took some of the rice that was in Jodi’s dish, tofu teriyaki that was at least good, the tofu being flavorful.

Scallion pancakes at Purple Rice in Hoboken, NJ

Curry chicken at Purple Rice in Hoboken, NJ

Tofu teriyaki at Purple Rice in Hoboken, NJ

Overall, this was a disappointing lunch: I did not really liked the food and was a bit annoyed that they focused on delivery rather than ensuring that people dining in get their food in a reasonable amount of time. If I had to pick, I would prefer Keming, few blocks from there, from the same owner.

Enjoy (…)!

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Purple Rice - 832 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

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

Conveyer Belt Sushi at Kaiten Zushi in NYC

Conveyor belt sushi, also known as kaiten sushi, is fun and changed the way we indulge in this beloved Japanese cuisine. As you take your seat, a sense of anticipation fills the air. The vibrant colors of the plates rotating on the conveyor belt grab your attention, casting a spell of culinary adventure. You watch with excitement as the chefs behind the counter meticulously craft each tiny masterpiece, a testament to their skill and dedication. The concept is simple yet ingenious, pushing you without even realizing it, to consume more than you would in a regular Japanese restaurant. So, when…

Opening a couple of months ago, Kaiten Zushi is fairly big, bright, but this is not what I was imagining as there is no dishes going around the dining room like a classic conveyer belt sushi has. On the other end, this is a bit of a guarantee that no one would even think about licking the plates that go around as it seems to have been a problem in Japan with the so called “Sushi Terrorism”. No, there, you will order your dishes on a touch screen and they will simply arrive on the belt. Not the same but still fun.

But I admit that the main attraction might be the robot that is bringing drinks to your table. This is my second conveyer belt sushi in the NY/NJ area, but, each time, I ended up with the waiter, not the robot, bringing my order. A bit of a bummer, each time thinking that there must be some drinks like sake that I order each time that are not eligible for it!

In term of sushi, they have the classic salmon, tuna or shrimp sushi, with the usual vegetarian options that are tamago or avocado roll, as well as vegetable gyoza or tempura (I wish sometimes we could pick the vegetables). But what I really loved there was their fried takoyaki that is a is a ball-shaped Japanese snack made of a wheat flour-based batter typically filled with diced octopus, tempura scraps, pickled ginger, and green onion, and smothered with mayonnaise and takoyaki sauce. This reminded me our trip to Japan few years ago when I stumbled upon a stand where a woman was making them, using chopsticks to turn them around in a mold to cook them evenly (and heavenly if I may say).

Shrimp avocado and mayo sushi at Kaiten Zushi in NYC

Vegetable tempura at Kaiten Zushi in NYC

Desserts were not as exciting though, with the usual mochi ice cream and some mochi donuts, but with flavors that were not to my liking. Still, this was fun and the food was delicious. This is definitely a place I recommend.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Katien Zushi - 276 5th Ave, New York, NY 10001

I Just Want To Eat! 9/14/23 I Just Want To Eat! 9/14/23

Thai cuisine at Zoob Zib in NYC, NY

There are lots of Thai restaurants in New York, with few standing out: Zoob Zib is one of them. We went few times and it was always packed. What makes this place special: simply good food, from the classic pad see ew (Jodi ordered that dish every single time) to the chicken massaman curry (this is a sort of test dish for me - if they do not make a good massaman curry, this is a bad sign). But there are two things people should try there: their roasted duck and their noodles, that you can combine in a soup but I admit that it is not something I would order in the summer! Their duck Thai cashew nut is sublime: the roasted duck is perfectly cooked, not dry, with a delightfully crispy skin, hidden under pieces of bell peppers, baby corn, onion, carrot, cashew nuts and pineapple for some added sweetness that complemented the slight heat from the chili paste. But I would not pass on the curry Cantonese noodles that I had with their « combo » that is chicken, shrimp and squid. These noodles were sauteed in a wok with egg, curry powder and chili paste, mixed with onion, carrot, baby corn, cabbage and scallion. Flavorful, with a nice bite, I literally inhaled that dish!

Chicken Massaman curry at Zoob Zib in NYC, NY

Duck Thay cashew nut at Zoob Zib in NYC, NY

Curry Cantonese noodles at Zoob Zib in NYC, NY

In term of appetizers, they have the classics like spring rolls or the chive pancake that was deliciously pillowy, as well as the tofu summer rolls that Jodi loved, but that was just ok for me.

I should mention their drinks, where of course you can get a Thai iced tea but also some cocktails. The one I tried was the Lychee martini that was well balanced and really showcase lychee.

And last is dessert. Their mango sticky rice is a must have: the mango was perfectly ripe and the sticky rice, that has a texture I love, was drench with a nice amount of coconut milk. Delicious!

Mango sticky rice at Zoob Zib in NYC, NY

Now, I guess you understand why I became a fan of Zoob Zib. The food there is simply fantastic.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Zoom Zib - 460 9th Ave, New York, NY 10018

I Just Want To Eat! 9/11/23 I Just Want To Eat! 9/11/23

Harold's NY Deli in Edison, NJ

Do you remember Carnegie Deli and its opulent dishes ? Little did I know that the owner of the regretted delicatessen owns a location in Edison, NJ named Harold’s NY Deli. Entering the place, you know that everything is big there, just by looking at the giant cakes with slices probably three times what a 24 layer cake in a steakhouse would be. Or the Lintzer tart that, with its 7oz, could feed an entire family…

Dining room at Harold's NY Deli in Edison, NJ

The dining room is quite large, overlooking the kitchen where you see giant dishes coming out, wondering who would be able to eat all of this, maybe the host of Man vs Food, or if it is to share. In the back is their pickle bar, a pretty unique fixture not to be missed where you can get many type of pickles: sour, half-sour or kosher. Interesting considering that pickles are a must have in a Jewish deli.

Pickle bar at Harold's NY Deli in Edison, NJ

Pickles at Harold's NY Deli in Edison, NJ

Looking at the menu can be overwhelming, with sometimes the only indication of the portion being the price. Root beer floats, milkshakes and sundaes are to share, same as the giant ice cream soda (32oz) that I got all for myself. I ordered it with Coca Cola and vanilla ice cream, a combination I prefer to the root beer float as I find the two flavors work better together.

Ice cream soda at Harold's NY Deli in Edison, NJ

For deli sandwiches, they offer three sizes: junior (1 person), large (2 to 3 persons - can be fine for 4) and X-Large (5 to 8 persons). I got the soft salami in the junior size that was quite filling, especially after that ice cream soda…I smeared some mustard on the rye bread and ate it with a very good cole slaw that came with it. My in-laws shared the large corned beef that was quite impressive and my niece, Rayna, got the hot dog from the kid’s menu that was probably a foot long putting the two pieces together.

Salami at Harold's NY Deli in Edison, NJ

Corned beef at Harold's NY Deli in Edison, NJ

Hot dog at Harold's NY Deli in Edison, NJ

Jodi got herself a grilled cheese with Munster that did not look so big but had lots of cheese in it, as if the bread was just there to hold it together! We also shared some fries that were ok for me as I am not a big fan of steak fries, and some delicious onion rings that were nicely crispy.

Grilled cheese at Harold's NY Deli in Edison, NJ

Onion rings at Harold's NY Deli in Edison, NJ

French fries at Harold's NY Deli in Edison, NJ

After such a meal, forget about dessert and have a walk to digest! I love the food there, but I am always a bit bothered by the large quantities that call for a bit of waste, unless you take the food home of course.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Harold’s NY Deli - 1173 King Georges Post Rd, Edison, NJ 08837

I Just Want To Eat! 9/7/23 I Just Want To Eat! 9/7/23

Effin Egg in NYC, NY

We were looking for a place to eat near the Flatiron when we stumbled upon Effin Egg, a small joint serving breakfast all day. The main option on the menu is egg sandwiches and I admit that their selection is mouth watering, each of them prepared in various ways, although if you prefer a simple one, they have the Effin Boring that is simply made with scrambled eggs and cheddar, squeezed in a brioche bun. We decided to try their CEO, that is composed of scrambled eggs, chives, cheddar cheese, caramelized onions and their signature chipotle Effy Sauce in a warm brioche bun. Good, messy with all that sauce dripping all over the bun, slightly spicy, I found it pretty good! Know that when you order a sandwich, you get a free iced coffee that they roast in small batches.

CEO Egg sandwich at Effin Egg in NYC, NY

We also wanted to try their biscuit that is freshly baked and came with their house made cinnamon honey butter, that not only was frozen, but they did not even have a knife to spread it. When I asked for a knife, they could have at least lent us a small one from the kitchen. Anyway, the biscuit was not great, missing the crunchy outside and having too much baking soda in it.

The Lil b*tch waffle was no better: topped with powdered sugar and whipped butter, it was flappy, lacking the chewiness of a good waffle and simply not just meh.

We also wanted to try their Effin tots, which are tater tots topped with melted cheese and avocado crema, that we asked without bacon. Unfortunately, there was too much cheese sauce on it (I never thought I would ever say that!) and everything was soggy.

So, overall, the meal was disappointing. If I were to go back to Effin Egg, it would be for the sandwiches, nothing else.

Enjoy (…)!

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

Effin Egg - 38 E 23rd St, New York, NY 10010

I Just Want To Eat! 9/5/23 I Just Want To Eat! 9/5/23

Barbounia in NYC, NY

Barbounia has been around for years, but, each time I was planning to go, I changed plans. Not sure why, because this place, that serves Mediterranean cuisine proposes some fantastic food. It was so good that, after going for brunch, we decided to go back for dinner. Here is what we had:

Let’s start with the brunch. To start we got their fire-roasted…

Let’s start with the brunch. To start we got their fire-roasted eggplant that was sitting on green tahini, and topped with marinated Japanese eggplant and zchug, a cilantro sauce that is a common Middle-Eastern condiment. It came with their flatbread that was phenomenal, so good, that I could not stop eating it, keeping a bit for the main I ordered that was shashouka merguez. Every family has its own version of shashouka, some with just tomatoes like at Barbounia, my family with tomatoes and peppers, and sometimes, it can also be spicy (it was the case there). I appreciated the fact that there were 3 baked eggs on it, but wish they put one more homemade lamb sausage (merguez). Still, this was a delicious dish. Jodi on her side got their Greek salad and added some falafel that were very good, not dry and deliciously crispy. I should mention that it was a bit pricey as the salad was $22 and the falafel added $10, so, $32 for a salad is a bit much…

Fire roasted eggplant at Barbounia in NYC, NY

Bread and fire-roasted eggplant at Barbounia in NYC, NY

Shashouka merguez at Barbounia in NYC, NY

Greek salad with falafel at Barbounia in NYC, NY

We finished our meal with some coffee, tea and a dessert called a Lebanese Osmalieh that was made with semolina custard, covered with a crispy kataifi, orange blossom syrup and served pistachio ice cream. Simply superb.

Lebanese osmalieh at Barbounia in NYC, NY

So, after such lunch, we decided to go back for dinner. I started off with a cocktail, the Portokali that was made with scotch, orange marmalade, lemon and rose water. quite refreshing on a sunny evening. We then shared the Crispy Moroccan spinach cigar. I admit that I was not sure what we would get as I am not always a fan of spinach in a dish, but this was delicious, very tasty with hints of mint in it.

Crispy Moroccan Spinach cigar at Barbounia in NYC, NY

For her entree, Jodi chose their Wild mushroom flatbread that was made with lots of cheese, namely Taleggio and fresh Mozzarella, as well as basil, and a perfect amount of black truffle-labneh sauce. On my side, it was hard to pick as they had so many mouth watering dishes. I finally decided to try their Lamb Kofta Kebab "Terracotta" that was ground lamb full of flavor as blended with spices, cooked in a flatbread dome with tomato confit, charred red onions, tahini and pine nuts. The presentation was outstanding and the first bite divine! I could simply not stop eating it, using the charred flatbread as a vehicle to grab both the meat and the sauce. This is a must have.

Lamb Kofta Terracota at Barbounia in NYC, NY

Of course we could not leave without dessert! We chose the warm ricotta beignets that were sublime, soft, airy and crispy on the outside, served with berries and milk chocolate sauce. I admit that I did not care much about the sauces as these beignets stood on their own.

Warm ricotta beignets at Barbounia in NYC, NY

Overall, our meals at Barbounia were amazing and I just cannot wait to go back there! If you love Mediterranean cuisine, this is definitely a place to try.

Enjoy (I really did)!

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Barbounia - 250 Park Ave S, New York, NY 10003