I Just Want To Eat! 2/23/26 I Just Want To Eat! 2/23/26

The Shakespeare in The William Hotel, NYC

Located at the bottom of the luxurious William Hotel, few steps from Grand Central, The Shakespeare is an unpretentious English tavern that serves classic pub food. With a dining room separated from the bar, this dark but homey place only suffers from a shortage of staff that requires patrons to be patient and enjoy drinks as they wait for their food. With the cold weather, I was glad that they offered hot drinks ($16) like mulled wine, Bailey’s coffee, although I would pass on this one, surprisingly lacking any flavor, even of coffee, unless you like a very light one, and the mysterious buttered rum that they ran out each time I went. Off the menu, you can get a hot toddy or, like I did, an Irish whisky that I enjoyed. Of course, they also have beer and my choice was a Guinness ($10).

Bailey’s coffee at The Shakespeare in The William Hotel, NYC

Irish whisky at The Shakespeare in The William Hotel, NYC

Guiness beer at The Shakespeare in The William Hotel, NYC

Know that they have a happy hour, and we got their house made ricotta ($10), that was good and creamy. But my favorite appetizer is a classic English dish: scotch egg ($16) that is a boiled egg wrapped around a sausage and bread crumbs, that is then deep fried. Served with a tartar sauce, I loved the crunch of the outside that uncovered the meaty coat, before dipping into the soft egg and runny yolk that gives a gooey texture. Another classic I loved was their bangers and mash ($27) that are sausages served with mashed potatoes. Theirs is served with an onion gravy that elevated a bit what could have been a boring dish, giving a nice sweetness to it. The best part was the bangers sausages that were nicely charred, giving a bit of a crunch at each bite. A must have. Another classic? The fish and chips ($29) that is battered cod deep fried just enough to get a perfectly cooked and flaky fish, covered with a deliciously crispy layer and served with fries that, although not crispy, were pretty good.

Ricotta at The Shakespeare in The William Hotel, NYC

Scotch egg at The Shakespeare in The William Hotel, NYC

Fish and Chips at The Shakespeare in The William Hotel, NYC

Bangers and mash at The Shakespeare in The William Hotel, NYC

If you are vegetarian, they do have options like the veggie burger ($22), with a pretty good house made patty, or the British grilled cheese ($14), made with English cheddar, stilton, dijon mustard on a country sourdough toast. The grilled cheese was good, but needed more cheese!

Veggie burger at The Shakespeare in The William Hotel, NYC

British grilled cheese at The Shakespeare in The William Hotel, NYC

Of course, we had to try their desserts, especially the Sticky Toffee pudding ($12) and the chocolate pudding ($12), that are not house made, but still a great way to end a meal.

Chocolate pudding at The Shakespeare in The William Hotel, NYC

Sticky toffee pudding at The Shakespeare in The William Hotel, NYC

Overall, we had nice meals there, in a relaxed atmosphere. This gastropub has a nice menu, with some dishes that are definitely a must try (scotch egg, fish and chips and bangers & mash for sure).

Enjoy (I did)!

The Shakespeare - 24 E 39th St, New York, NY 10016

I Just Want To Eat! 2/22/26 I Just Want To Eat! 2/22/26

Product Review: Wonder Juice Clean Green and Veg8+Cayenne

Crafting 100% cold-pressed organic juices, made with Fair-Trade certified and non-GMO ingredients, with no added water or sugar, Wonder Juice is releasing two new vegetable juices: Clean Green and Veg8+Cayenne. Whether you are health conscious or need a snack, these juices are a perfect way to get a dose of vegetables.

Although this product was sent complimentary, the opinion expressed in this post is 100% my own.

Wonder Juice Clean Green and Veg8+Cayenne

The first one is called Clean Green and gets its color from kale and spinach, that are mixed with green apple, cucumber, lemon and ginger. If you know me, you would know that kale and spinach are not my favorite veggies, but I admit that I really liked the taste: crisp and refreshing, with a perfect acididy. This blend has lots of health benefits:

Support immune function
Aid digestion
Help reduce inflammation
Improve hydration
Provide antioxidants
Support natural detox pathways (mainly liver support through nutrients)

The second one is Veg8+Cayenne and gets its beautiful red color from tomato, red pepper and beets, that are mixed with lemon, celery, carrot, cucumber and some cayenne pepper for a subtle heat. Bold, slightly sweet, with a mild acidity, the health benefits of this blend are:

Support heart health & circulation (beet, tomato, cayenne)
Improve blood pressure regulation (beet, celery)
Boost immunity (red pepper, carrot, lemon)
Improve hydration (cucumber, celery)
Reduce inflammation (tomato, cayenne, beet)
Support natural detox systems (beet, lemon)

I like both and truly appreciate that they do not add sugar (you only get the sugar from the vegetables) and they are low sodium. They are also quite good, so, give it a try! They are available in all major supermarkets.

I Just Want To Eat! 2/16/26 I Just Want To Eat! 2/16/26

Planet Hollywood in Times Squares

I remember when Planet Hollywood started 35 years ago, being promoted by Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwartzenegger and Bruce Willis: it was a real phenomenon, with all the memorabilia from Titanic, Terminator and Alien being displayed in their restaurants. I only went once to a Planet Hollywood, in Hong Kong in 1998 and still have a small shot glass that I bought as a souvenir with my drink. Then, moving to New York, I never thought about going back there, preferring the Hard Rock Cafe when it comes to theme restaurants. Planet Hollywood closed because of Covid-19 and then came back last year, in Times Square, more discretely for sure than it used to and with less memorabilia than before, replaced by large screens, for apparently a more sensorial experience. I don’t know about you, but I would have preferred to see the real things!

We went there on a Friday evening and it was not that busy. We decided to start our meal with their guacamole ($18) that was mixed with roasted corn, Serrano peppers and topped with cotija cheese and pickled onions. Good, although a bit too creamy as I like chunks of avocado in my guacamole. Served with blue corn tortilla chips, I enjoyed it with an espresso martini.

Guacamole with Roasted corn at Planet Hollywood in Times Squares

Espresso martini at Planet Hollywood in Times Squares

For her main, Jodi got their burrata caprese sandwich ($19), that was one of the few vegetarian options, composed of burrata, tomato and basil pesto, on toasted ciabatta bread. On my side, I got the Philly cheesesteak burger ($26), that was composed of an 8oz beef patty, topped with sliced prime rib, caramelized onions, peppers, Provolone, on a toasted brioche bun. This burger was fantastic! Juicy, tasty, the prime rib was tender, topped with caramelized onions that added a nice sweetness to it. A must have!

Burrata caprese sandwich at Planet Hollywood in Times Squares

Philly cheesesteak sandwich at Planet Hollywood in Times Squares

Another must have is their Candy Bar Sundae ($26) that is definitely to share with more than two people! With several scoops of chocolate and vanilla ice cream topped with chocolate sauce, whipped cream, sprinkles, and maraschino cherries, the bottom showcases a variety of chocolates and candy, like Kit Kat, Twix, M&M’s and delicious pieces of brownie, that they also feature in their Brownie Sundae Martini ($19). This Candy Bar Sundae will definitely give you a sugar rush!

Candy Bar Sundae at Planet Hollywood in Times Squares

Overall, the meal at Planet Hollywood was good, but I still wish they had the memorabilia that you would be looking at after your meal. The burger I got was superb, and the dessert was like a heart attack at the tip of my spoon. Would I go back? I would.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Planet Hollywood - 136 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036

I Just Want To Eat! 2/11/26 I Just Want To Eat! 2/11/26

Smash Burger at Gotham Burger Social Club

Located on the Lower East Side, Gotham Burger Social Club has made the headlines for years now, with many considering that they serve the best smash burger in the City. So, as we were looking for a place to eat, we decided to give it a try. Cool vibe, reminiscent of old school joints, I was glad to see that they at least had a vegetarian patty ($10), made with Impossible meat, on their menu for Jodi. Obviously, if it was not for the little green flag on top of the burger, you could not tell with one was which as they both looked the same, being made with the same toppings: grilled onions, melted american cheese, housemade pickles, jalapenos, ketchup, mustard and club sauce. Both patties were extra flat, crispy and nicely caramelized on the outside, the veggie one reminded me a bit of a parmesan crisp in the way it looked as it was really smashed thin. They are small and so, I was glad I decided to go for the Gotham Smash Double ($12.50), that has two patties, but admit that I could have probably gone for the Beastie Boy that has three. We also got some tater tots ($5) that were quite good. In fact, I should mention that they have a good selection of sides ( fries, onion rings, fried pickles and tots), that is always my frustration when I get a burger and they only propose fries. I wished they had milkshakes since that is my favorite with burgers, but, instead, got a delicious chocolate egg cream ($5).

Chocolate egg cream at Gotham Burger Social Club in NYC, NY

Tater tots at Gotham Burger Social Club in NYC, NY

Gotham smash double at Gotham Burger Social Club in NYC, NY

Veggie burger at Gotham Burger Social Club in NYC, NY

So, I loved my smash burger at Gotham Burger Social Club: this is definitely a good one and I understand why there is so much hype about this place.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Gotham Burger Social Club - 131 Essex St, New York, NY 10002

I Just Want To Eat! 2/9/26 I Just Want To Eat! 2/9/26

Product Review: Tommy Popcorn

Please know that this product was complimentary, but the opinions expressed on this post are 100% mine.

When you think about a snack to get while watching a movie, at home or at the movie theater, you immediately think about popcorn. At least, I do! And so, I was excited when the PR from Tommy Popcorn reached out to see if I wanted to try few samples. Doing some research, I realized that Tommy Popcorn is an homage to the 1950s movies, Inspired by a fictional filmmaker Tommaso “Tommy” Marino, who supposedly once ran a cinema in Brooklyn: Tommy Popcorn carries his legacy of storytelling, proposing classic but also creative popcorn that the founders, Tom Leigh, Michael Norr and Jason Martinez Moreno took time to reasearch, trying to find what people were looking for online. They came up with flavors like the cereal and marshmallow one that was my favorite, with delicious bits of marshmallows and the nice crunch of a caramel popcorn. The golden Irish, infused with whiskey will not give you a hangover, but one cannot be mistaken: it surely has whiskey in it; or, more surprisingly, an homage to the NY pizza with the Empire State popcorn, made with caramel popcorn and NY style pizza seasoning, will make you wonder why you cannot stop eating it, although you know this is not a slice!

Each bag has a story that stays true to its theme. For instance, the Empire State says: "Tomato tang, sharp parmesan, herbs that talk pack-and yep, that buttery caramel twist you didn't see comin’. It's New York in a bag: neon lights, yellow taxis, late-night slices. So take it easy, homestice! Tommy's got you. And if you think popcorn can't taste like pizza? Fuggedaboutit".

Or the Golden Irish: "Tommy's got a taste for the finer things. Warm vanilla, a whisper of oak, a finish that lingers like jazz on the record player. Velvet booths, tailored suits, city lights, old money. Refined, but never boring -just like Tommy".

Tommy Popcorn is not just popcorn, but an introspection into the past, by simply taking a bite, closing your eyes and let the magic happen. And if you wonder where to find it, it is available on their website.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

I Just Want To Eat! 2/2/26 I Just Want To Eat! 2/2/26

Brunch at Lafayette Lafayette Grand Cafe and Bakery in NYC, NY

Lafayette Grand Cafe and Bakery is one of these institutions in New York, where you have no doubt you will get a nice brunch there, so, when our friend Jeannine visited during the holidays, we proposed to go there on a Sunday. The highlight would of course be the meal, but also the bakery, this place being known for its Supreme chocolate croissant, that they started back in April 2022. If you never had one, it is a laminated croissant dough in a circular shape, that is filled with cream and topped with a glaze. I got their classic one ($10.50) and admit that it was pretty good: buttery, crunchy on the outside and flakey, with a delicious chocolate cream inside and a robust chocolate glaze on top. Jodi was more tempted by their cinnamon-cruffin ($6.50), a fusion of cinnamon croissant and muffin.

Supreme chocolate croissants at Lafayette in NYC, NY

For brunch, you can get the lemon ricotta pancakes with fresh berries ($25) that are light and fluffy as well as eggs, with their ham and brie omelet ($26) being one of my favorites, the eggs being perfectly cooked (I hate the taste of overcooked eggs), filled with a generous amount of ham and cheese, with a touch of herbs. However, it only comes with a little bit of salad, surprising for the cost, and so, we got some deliciously crispy fries ($14). The shakshuka ($28) was a bit of a let down, being used to more cooked down vegetables that melt in your mouth, and with eggs that could have been runnier.

With the meal, we got some juices, like the Hyper C ($12), made with blood orange, yuzu and grapefruit, or the French rose ($12), with carrot, beets and orange. Of course, you can get a tea for a more classic choice; this one was a mint tea ($6).

French rose juice at Lafayette in NYC, NY

The brunch was overall good, although a bit pricey and a visit to their bakery is definitely recommended, for the supreme chocolate croissant, but other offerings that look very appetizing as well. Lafayette is for sure a good spot for brunch, but reservation required!

Lafayette Grand Cafe and Bakery- 380 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10003

I Just Want To Eat! 1/26/26 I Just Want To Eat! 1/26/26

Product Review: AMZCHEF Cold Press Juicer

I love to make fresh juices, but, what I do not like is having to squeeze or chop fruits and vegetables. That is why I love the AMZCHEF Cold Press Juicer: with its 4.6’’ chute, you can simply put whole vegetables and fruits in it and it will do its magic at the push of a button. Quite easy. Another easy thing? Cleaning! With four detachable parts, it all goes…

Let’s see it in operation:

And below are few ideas for recipes using the following:

Turmeric: anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial
Ginger: anti-inflammatory and good for digestion
Beets: antioxidant
Fennel: digestion and bloating
Apple: heart, digestion
Cucumber: digestion and bloating
Pineapple: heart health

Beets, Fennel (half) and apple (one with the skin):

Pineapple (a cup), fennel (half), mandarin (One) and cucumber (1/4):

Cucumber (1/4), apple (one), fennel (half), a mandarin and a sprinkle of ginger and turmeric:

Cucumber, mandarin, fennel and apple juice

You can find this cold press juicer on the Amzchef website (use the coupon code IJUSTWANTTOEAT for 30% discount) or on Amazon.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

I Just Want To Eat! 1/26/26 I Just Want To Eat! 1/26/26

Oyamel in NYC, NY

Taking its name from a tree in the Mexican mountains, Oyamel is one of the many restaurants from Chef Jose Andres, that serves Mexican cuisine at the bottom of Hudson Yards. The place is big, colorful, with lots of light from its floor to ceiling windows and a nice vibe…

Cocktails are interesting, with their boozy Oaxacan hot chocolate ($18) standing out, made with Rosaluna Mezcal (lots of it!) and topped with whipped cream. A must have! I also enjoyed their Amor Caffeinado ($18), that is like an espresso martini, but made with Rosaluna Mezcal, espresso, Cynar and Oaxacan spiced chocolate. Smooth and nicely smokey. For non-alcoholic beverages, they have classic sodas, as well as Jarritos soda ($5 - Jodi got guava).

Boozy Oaxacan hot chocolate at Oyamel in NYC, NY

Jarritos guava soda at Oyamel in NYC, NY

Guacamole and salsa ($18) is made fresh at a stand in the back of the dining room and definitely a favorite, well balanced and mild as ordered. We also tried their Chilaquiles con salsa verde y queso ($18) was good but I prefered the guacamole, the top part with the cheese being great, but then, once you eat the top, it is not as good and a bit watery. This was made with an Oaxacan cheese blend, tomatillo salsa, onion and crema.

Chilaquiles con salsa y queso at Oyamel in NYC, NY

One of the things I really appreciated is the fact that you can order each taco as one, so you can mix and match what you want, allowing you to try a few. I really liked the Hongos en Molito ($7), that was made with Mushrooms, onion and poblano peppers sautéed with mole and served with crema, salsa verde tatemada and cilantro: it was deliciously smokey. But my favorite was their Pescado Baja California taco ($8), that was composed of a tempura-battered seasonal fish with shredded cabbage, chile arbol mayo, crema and salsa Mexicana. The fish was delightfully crispy and perfectly cooked, and the shredded cabage added even more crunch. A must have! Mushroom seems to be the main option for vegetarian dishes, so we tried their empanada de hongos ($14), composed of heirloom corn dough with Oaxacan cheese blend, smoked mushrooms, roasted onion, chile morita served with avocado salsa verde and cilantro. It was good, but I just wished we could either order one or have the possibility to mix with other empanadas. The quesadilla de hongos ($15), made with Oaxacan cheese blend, roasted mushrooms, onion, chile poblano and cilantro was good, earthy, but, after the empanadas, it would be kind of the same and a bit boring. The enchiladas de pollo en salsa verde ($19) was a chicken enchiladas in a tomatillo green sauce with crema, onion, Mexican crema and cotija cheese. Quite good, but not the best chicken enchiladas I had.

Mushroom and fish tacos at Oyamel in NYC, NY

Quesadilla de hongos at Oyamel in NYC, NY

Enchiladas de pollo en salsa verde at Oyamel in NYC, NY

For dessert, we decided to share the churros con chocolate ($15), that were served with oaxacan chocolate that I did not really care for. The churros were ok for me, I had better.
So, overall, the food at Oyamel was ok: this is a bit pricey and I had better Mexican food in the City.

Enjoy (I still did)!

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

Oyamel - 505 W 30th St, New York, NY 10001

I Just Want To Eat! 1/23/26 I Just Want To Eat! 1/23/26

My Trip to Savannah: Sunday Sunday

For our last meal in Savannah, we had an early dinner since we booked a 7pm ghost tour, and decided to try Sunday Sunday, as we passed by earlier and it seemed to be a popular place. We arrived as they opened the restaurant at 5:30pm and it was perfect being empty, quiet, but started to fill up fairly quickly after 6pm. We started by ordering some beverages: earl grey latte ($5) for Jodi and Cafe de Vietnam ($6) for me. For the latter, it was mentioned that it was table service, so I thought it would with a classic Vietnamese coffee dripper, but they just bought a coffee to me that was good but did not have much of condensed milk in it.

Vietnamese coffee at Sunday Sunday, Savannah

Earl Grey latte at Sunday Sunday, Savannah

The appetizer was zucchini frites ($13), that were served with an aioli sauce: good, nicely crispy, I could have eaten two plates of it if I did not order some fried chicken ($24) that was served with a trio of sauces (creamy parmesan, garlic and chives, and hot honey). The chicken came in a small basket that was an invitation to eat each piece with my hands. It was deliciously crispy the outside and moist inside, and I could not care less about the sauces, although I admit that if I had to pick, I would have chosen the hot honey as my favorite. Jodi on her side got the avocado fresh rolls ($12) that were made with avocado, lettuce, carrot in a rice paper roll. It is normally served with a seafood vinaigrette, that is odd for a vegetarian dish, but they replaced it with some soy sauce. With it she also got some wild mushrooms ($8). Both were good, quite basic. For dessert, we got their tiramisu ($15), homemade apparently, that was pretty good, creamy, witht he right amount of coffee and not too much chocolate on top to make me choke!

Zucchini frites at Sunday Sunday, Savannah

Wild mushrooms at Sunday Sunday, Savannah

Fried chicken at Sunday Sunday, Savannah

Avocado fresh rolls at Sunday Sunday, Savannah

This was a nice meal, although not in the same category as the other places we went to during our trip.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Sunday Sunday - 116 Whitaker St. Savannah, GA 31401

I Just Want To Eat! 1/22/26 I Just Want To Eat! 1/22/26

My trip to Savannah: Lulu’s Chocolate Bar

We noticed Lulu’s Chocolate Bar as we were walking towards a pick up point to a Savannah City Tour. Just the name simply made us want to try this place. I mean, a chocolate bar? Well, it is not just a chocolate bar and they consider themselves a dessert restaurant that is all we needed to know. Entering the place, your nose gets filled with various aromas: chocolate, vanilla, butter, etc. We decided to get a slice of their Strawberry Suspension cake ($12), made of layers of chocolate sandwiching a mascarpone cream and strawberries, and topped with a chocolate glaze. Decadent, not overly sweet, the fluffy chocolate cake paired perfectly with the mascarpone cream and of course the strawberries, chocolate and strawberries being a perfect couple. We also could not resist getting two of their Sipping Chocolates ($4.50), a tiny saucer filled with melted Belgian chocolate and topped with whipped cream. You definitely need the whipped cream to counteract the richness of the chocolate. A must have if you love chocolate.

Sipping chocolate at Lulu’s Chocolate Bar, Savannah

Strawberry Suspension Cake at Lulu’s Chocolate Bar, Savannah

This was just a quick visit and I admit that I wished we could go back to try some more of their desserts, but also get that melted chocolate…

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Lulu’s Chocolate Bar - 42 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Savannah, GA 31401

I Just Want To Eat! 1/21/26 I Just Want To Eat! 1/21/26

My trip to Savannah: The Emporium Kitchen & Wine Market

The Emporium Kitchen & Wine Market, Savannah

We passed The Emporium Kitchen & Wine Market as we were strolling around Savannah and decided to give it a try for lunch one of the days we were in the area. We did not have a reservation (none available) but decided to try anyway, and got a chance to get seated on one of the high top tables located close to the pass. We first ordered a chai latte ($6.75) for Jodi and a shaken espresso ($6.25) for me. If you never had a shaken espresso before, know that it is an espresso mixed with a sweetener (this was brown sugar), ice and a bit of milk, that is vigorously shaken, perfect on a hot day (it was hot that day and I could have forgotten it was December). With it, we shared a biscuit ($5) that was the best we had in Savannah! Crumbly, buttery, slightly crunchy on the outside and delicious with butter and a bit of preserves.

Iced shaken espresso at The Emporium Kitchen & Wine Market, Savannah

Chai latte at The Emporium Kitchen & Wine Market, Savannah

Biscuit at The Emporium Kitchen & Wine Market, Savannah

For her main, Jodi went for the Cobb salad ($16) without bacon, while I got their mushrooms and caramelized onions omelet ($19) that was superb: the three eggs were perfectly cooked, a bit on the soft side, and there was lots of gruyere cheese and mushrooms, as well as caramelized onions that gave a bit of sweetness. I opted for the grits rather than potatoes and did not regret it at all: these grits were also the best I had in a long time, being so creamy and rich.

Cobb salad at The Emporium Kitchen & Wine Market, Savannah

Mushrooms and caramelized onions omelet at The Emporium Kitchen & Wine Market, Savannah

This was a nice lunch, everything being really good and explaining why this place seems to be so popular, besides the fact that it is in the Perry Lane Hotel and so, they probably get lots of traffic from there. For sure, this is a very good spot for lunch or brunch.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

The Emporium & Wine Market - 256 E Perry St, Savannah, GA 31401

I Just Want To Eat! 1/20/26 I Just Want To Eat! 1/20/26

My trip to Savannah: Rhett at the Alida Hotel

Finding a restaurant on Christmas can be a challenge and, as we were staying at The Alida Hotel, we got a reservation at Rhett. I am glad we did as this place was really packed, and decided to eat outside since the weather was pretty good. I started the meal with sipping on a cocktail called Second Glance ($16), made with Four Roses Bourbon, Amontillado Sherry, apricot and sea Buckthorn, a plant with many benefits for the skin, heart or blood sugar among other things. With it, we shared some hush puppies ($15), that came with a chipotle-honey butter, and I got some roasted oysters (6 for $24). Both were pretty good, even if the hush puppies were a bit dry, the butter helping, and I loved the oysters that were bathed in butter. For her main, Jodi ordered the Georgia Lettuce salad ($16) with an avocado (+$5) and fries ($9), while I decided to try their swordfish ($40) that came with Ol’fuskie crab rice, a traditional Gullah Geechee Lowcountry dish featuring seasoned, pre-cooked rice mixed with fresh lump crab meat, sautéed vegetables (onion, celery, bell pepper), bacon, and garlic. I very rarely go with swordfish but, I wanted seafood that day and was curious about the rice: I did not regret it! The fish was perfectly cooked, and the rice was creamy, rich and savory, very comforting. For dessert, we did not hesitate and opted for the cardamon and cinnamon beignets ($12), that were served with a lemon curd and a strawberry jam. These beignets were really good and addictive, slightly crispy on the outside and pillowy, with definitely no need for some dipping. This is a must have!

Second glance cocktail at Rhett at the Alida Hotel, Savannah

Hush puppies at Rhett at the Alida Hotel, Savannah

Roasted oysters at Rhett at the Alida Hotel, Savannah

Georgia salad at Rhett at the Alida Hotel, Savannah

Shoestring fries at Rhett at the Alida Hotel, Savannah

Swordfish with Ol’fuskie crab rice at Rhett at the Alida Hotel, Savannah

Cinnamon and cardamon beignets at Rhett at the Alida Hotel, Savannah

Overall, we had a nice time at Rhett: the food was unpretentious, yet delicious. This is a good place to know for sure.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Rhett at The Alida Hotel - 412 Williamson St, Savannah, GA 31401

I Just Want To Eat! 1/19/26 I Just Want To Eat! 1/19/26

My Trip to Savannah: Shuk Mediterranean

I was looking for a vegetarian restaurant for Jodi and could not really find a pure vegetarian place in Savannah, rather restaurants serving vegetarian or vegan dishes. But, I stumbled upon Shuk, a restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine. I knew she would love it as much as I did and so, we walked past Forsyth Park to find this place, a bit off the beaten path. It was early as we were going to have an early dinner since we booked a 7pm ghost tour and the place was not that busy at that time. I started off my meal with a mocktail: the Virgin Winter Escape ($8), that was made with non-alcoholic mint, almond and creamy (something dairy, might have been milk). Interesting taste, good and refreshing. We then shared the sabich sandwich ($15), one of our favorites, made with fried eggplant, mango Amba, tahini egg salad and Israeli salad. I loved it: the versions I had in the past had a boiled egg, and I thought that the tahini egg salad gave some creaminess to the sandwich that was very comforting, squeezed in a delicious pita that was pillowy. The second dish we shared was their falafel bowl ($15), composed of perfectly made falafel, that were slightly crispy on the outside and not dry, tahini, pearl couscous, Israeli salad, pickled onion and hummus. I really loved the dish that was packed in flavor, the couscous being cooked with spices that made the dish very tasty.

This was a nice meal and, we would not have any other plan, I would have had another dish, like their baklava waffle that sounds promising. I definitely recommend his place!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Shuk - 1313 Habersham Street, Savannah, GA

I Just Want To Eat! 1/16/26 I Just Want To Eat! 1/16/26

My trip to Savannah: Cha Bella, a Farm to Table Restaurant

One of the best meals we had in Savannah was at Cha Bella, a farm to table restaurant where we were able to get a reservation on Christmas Eve. There, they make everything, buying produce on a daily basis at the Forsyth Park market (the names of the farmers are even mentioned on the menu). We started our meal with some hot house made pear cider for Jodi called the Sweater Weather ($12) and another one with Dussé cognac called the Pear & Proper ($18), accompanied with some homemade focaccia, Bella Focaccia ($9) that was served with whipped ricotta and an olive tapenade. The bread was delicious and I love the combination of ricotta and tapenade, the latter adding a nice saltiness to the dish. We also went, as an appetizer, for their roasted eggplant salad ($15), that was composed of smoked cherry tomatoes, greens, and of course roasted eggplant slices, and topped with fried goat cheese. superb.

Roasted eggplant salad at Cha Bella, Savannah

For her main, Jodi ordered their mezzo platter ($18) composed of hummus, baba ganouj, olives and roasted vegetables, while I got their ribeye ($62) that was topped with a delicious rosemary bone marrow butter, and accompanied by arugula and parmesan. This 20oz steak was fantastic: perfectly cooked medium-rare, juicy, nicely charred and tender. I was in heaven! To go with it, I could not resist ordering the roasted smashed potatoes ($8) that were topped with roasted garlic aioli and parmesan. I simply loved these potatoes that were slightly crispy on the outside and perfectly cooked inside.

Roasted smashed potatoes at Cha Bella, Savannah

To finish our meal, we got their house made key lime pie ($14) that was perfect: not too tart, creamy, with a chewy oat crust.

Cha Bella is definitely a place to go to if in Savannah: the food was great and the staff was very hospitable, making us feel welcome.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Cha Bella - 2800 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA 31405

I Just Want To Eat! 1/15/26 I Just Want To Eat! 1/15/26

My Trip to Savannah: Erica Davis Lowcountry

One of the days we were in Savannah, we took an organized tour to the Bonaventure Cemetery and the Wormsloe State Historic Site, and the lunch stop was at Erica Davis Lowcountry. I was not sure what to expect, thinking that the tour is probably getting a kick back from the restaurant and it might not be good. I was wrong! This place, that serves Southern cuisine, was simply fantastic, from the delicious food to the friendly service. We started off with drinks: sweet tea ($2.95) for me and pink lemonade ($2.95) for Jodi, preferring the former between the two, the lemonade being sweeter than the tea.

Pink lemonade at Erica Davis Lowcountry, Savannah

Sweet tea at Erica Davis Lowcountry, Savannah

For appetizers, I got a cup of crab stew ($7) that is like a New England clam chowder, but with crab. Creamy, I loved it. We then shared the fried green tomatoes ($15) that were served with greens and topped with feta and a balsamic reduction that added a nice sweetness to the dish.

Crab stew at Erica Davis Lowcountry, Savannah

Fried green tomatoes at Erica Davis Lowcountry, Savannah

For her main, Jodi ordered a garden salad ($12) as well as a side of Mac and cheese ($5). I liked the Mac and cheese, that was rich and comforting, covered with delicious cheese (definitely not Velveeta!). On my side, I got the brisket platter ($17): I chose the point of the brisket as it is fattier, buttery and juicier than the flat. This is one of the best briskets I ever had: definitely fattier, not dry and with a nice bark. A must have! I could pick two sides and chose the Cole slaw that I often pick with BBQ and red rice, a classic southern specialty made by baking long‑grain white rice in a tomato‑based sauce with aromatics and smoky meats like bacon or sausage (this one had sausage). In fact, the red rice was a recommendation from our tour guide and I was not disappointed: it was comforting as well and I could have eaten a whole plate of it.

Garden salad at Erica Davis Lowcountry, Savannah

Mac and cheese at Erica Davis Lowcountry, Savannah

Brisket platter at Erica Davis Lowcountry, Savannah

Brisket at Erica Davis Lowcountry, Savannah

Cole slaw at Erica Davis Lowcountry, Savannah

Red rice at Erica Davis Lowcountry, Savannah

We did not get a chance to get dessert, but I bet that the banana pudding is outstanding. Although a bit far from the center of Savannah, Erica Davis Lowcountry is a great address to know and I highly recommend it!

Enjoy (I did)!

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Erica Davis Lowcountry - 3209 E Victory Dr, Savannah, GA 31404

I Just Want To Eat! 1/14/26 I Just Want To Eat! 1/14/26

My trip to Savannah: Alligator Soul

I was really looking forward to our meal at Alligator Soul, one of the most coveted restaurants in Savannah. Located in the basement of a former grain warehouse, it is elegant without being pretentious, and serves some quite unique and modern Southern food, with of course, alligator on the menu. They started off by bringing us some house made sourdough bread that, being French, is always nice to see on a table. While we were waiting for our dishes, I also went for their bourbon trail ($25), a flight composed of Redemption Bourbon from Indiana (88 proof), Bib & Tucker 6 year small batch from Tennessee (92 proof) and Savannah Founder’s Reserve from Georgia (108 proof, my favorite by the way).

House made bread at Alligator Soul, Savannah

Bourbon trail flight at Alligator Soul, Savannah

I then had oysters a la Soul for an appetizer (3 for $16). It was roasted oysters, topped with crawfish a la soul (that I guess is like an etouffee), bacon, breadcrumbs, served with a side of creole belle habanero hot sauce. This was quite good, the crawfish elevating the dish so it was not simply roasted oysters, and the bacon adding a bite and some smokiness to a dish and it did not need the hot sauce.

Oysters a la soul at Alligator Soul, Savannah

For her main, Jodi had a mushroom salad ($22), that she liked a lot because of the generous portion of mushrooms (it also had baby greens, crispy brussel sprouts, carrots chips, drizzled with a sherry vinaigrette, and truffle oil), while I settled for the deviled crab ($58), that was blue crab lump meat stuffed into a crab shell, louisiana alligator, red beans and carolina gold rice with andouille sausage, creole sauce and crawfish. Not only it looked beautiful, but it was also superb, rich and comforting, packed in flavors and with a nice amount of crab. A must have.

Mushroom salad at Alligator Soul, Savannah

Deviled crab at Alligator Soul, Savannah

Another must have is their banana cheesecake parfait ($15) that was composed of bruleed banana, banana compote, banana pudding, rum caramel, crushed candied pecans, nilla wafer crumble, whipped cream and coconut flakes. Not too sweet, it was a nice twist on the classic banana pudding.

Banana cheesecake parfait at Alligator Soul, Savannah

This was a phenomenal meal, comforting and quite creative. I should mention the wait staff that was courteous and knowledgeable, making us feel welcome. This is definitely a place I recommend.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Alligator Soul - 114 Barnard St, Savannah, GA 31401

I Just Want To Eat! 1/13/26 I Just Want To Eat! 1/13/26

My trip to Savannah: Toast! All Day

Looking for places to eat in Savannah, I kept seeing recommendations for Toast! all Day, a restaurant serving Southern style breakfast, and had to check it out. In fact we went twice: lunch and breakfast as I really wanted to try something there. The place is fairly big, bright, with a nice mural in the back and a view of the kitchen pass that can be quite busy.
For beverages, both times I got their Redeye ($5.50), a shot of espresso in drip coffee, that was good and perfect for me as I like strong coffee, while Jodi had a tea.

Redeye coffee at Toast! All Day, Savannah

We first tried their Big Biscuit ($5), house made and regular size, served with a berry coulis and butter. I admit that I thought it was a bit disappointing, missing the slight crunch on the outside and tasting too much of the baking powder. But lots of butter and coulis did the trick. We then proceeded with an avocado toast ($14) for Jodi that was good, and their Eggs meeting street ($19), that I really liked. It was composed of a crab cake sandwiched between two fried tomatoes and topped with a rémoulade and a poached egg. I chose a biscuit instead of toast and with grits that I thought were lumpy and bland. Although the poached egg had its yolk all over, probably broken when put on the plate, I really enjoyed it: the fried green tomatoes were good and gave a slight crunch and the crab cake was delicious. Quite a nice twist to a crab Benedict and a comforting dish. Another egg dish we tried is their classic breakfast ($18), consisting of two eggs any style (we ask for scrambled) and a choice of meat (we chose sausage), that they served with potatoes and an all wheat toast. Classic, a bit pricey for what it was. I’ll pass on the bowl of fruits ($6) and will go straight to what I was looking for to try: their New Orleans beignets ($12), that they told us was recognized at some point as the best beignets outside New Orleans. These fried beignets were covered by a thick blanket of powdered sugar and served with preserves that I did not really care for, focusing more on these pillowy and chewy treasures. I admit that it was hard to stop…and agree that it is a must have.

Avocado toast at Toast! All Day, Savannah

Eggs and sausage at Toast! All Day, Savannah

Eggs meet street at Toast! All Day, Savannah

Bowl of fruits at Toast! All Day, Savannah

New Orleans beignets at Toast! All Day, Savannah

Overall this was good, this place is convenient as it opens early, and the staff was really welcoming. If I was to go, I would definitely finish my meal with beignets or…make it my entire meal…

Enjoy (I did)!

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Toast! All Day - 1 W. Broughton Street, Savannah, GA 31401

I Just Want To Eat! 1/12/26 I Just Want To Eat! 1/12/26

My trip to Savannah: Common

For our first dinner in Savannah, we decided to go to Common, located on the popular Broughton street. A reservation needed for sure as the place was packed for a Tuesday, with a lot of tourists who came to spend the holidays there…

I started the meal with a cocktail, the Banana Man ($14), made with Apple brandy, dark rum, banana liqueur, cachaca, brown butter, banana simple and fresh lime. I admit that I was a bit disappointed because it did not have much of a banana taste. Jodi went for her classic Shirley Temple ($8) that they nicely accommodated, this drink not being on their zero-proof list.

For appetizers, I got the smoked Oysters Rockefeller ($21), a Louisiana dish, that they recreated with a twist, adding not just bacon, but also collard greens and muenster cheese! Rich and decadent, I thought that the combination of oyster with muenster cheese worked pretty well, giving to the oyster a chance to shine. We also shared the fried green tomatoes caprese ($19) that were deliciously prepared and definitely a must have.

Fried green tomatoes at Common, Savannah

For her main, Jodi had the pasta verdura ($29), house made fettuccine with sautéed seasonal vegetables and wild mushroom, creamy oat soubise (a classic French onion sauce) and vegan Parmesan. None of us liked it: not many mushrooms and it was bland. However, on my side, the fried chicken caprese ($29) was fantastic! First of all, the portion was huge and it is probably a dish to share. The chicken was crispy, yet moist, smothered in a deliciously rich tomato gravy and topped with mozzarella with a drizzle of black garlic pesto. The whole thing was sitting on top of creamy Gouda grits: I was in heaven, but admit that I could not finish the dish as I really wanted to try their banana pudding ($16) that is made with house made banana wafers. This is a superb dessert that you cannot miss if you go to Common: creamy and comforting, not too sweet, it was perfect with their house cocoa ($5) that is topped with their house made vanilla bean marshmallow. In fact, I should mention that they have a bakery, Trombone Bakery, where they make breads and desserts among other things daily. Too bad it is not open in the morning, because I would have stopped by for breakfast!

Fried chicken Caprese at Common, Savannah

Trombone bakery hot cocoa at Common, Savannah

We left full and off to a great start in Savannah. Common is for sure a place to try, serving delicious food in a relaxed atmosphere and with a knowledgeable staff that made us feel welcome and ensured we had a great 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!

Common - 118 East Broughton St., Savannah, GA 31401

I Just Want To Eat! 1/5/26 I Just Want To Eat! 1/5/26

Apollo Bagel in Hoboken, NJ

I am not sure how many bagel places we need in Hoboken, but, when Apollo Bagel opened last October, there was a long line at the door. So, we waited a bit to try it and went during the Holidays. When we arrived, it was not that crowded and we were able to sit at one of the few tables they have inside, but, as time passed, more and more people came. Why? For sure, their bagels, made with a fermented dough that does not really taste like sourdough, are good: crispy on the outside, light and chewy. But they have a very limited menu, offering only three kinds of bagels: everything, sesame and plain, as well as specialty sandwiches:

Bagel with butter ($4)
Bagel with cream cheese ($5)
Bagel with butter and jam ($6)
Bagel with cream cheese and tomato ($7)
Bagel with smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers, red onion, dill ($15)
Bagel with whitefish salad, pickled peppers, mustard, cucumber ($15)

Cream cheese and tomato plain bagel at Apollo Bagel in Hoboken, NJ

Cream cheese and tomato at Apollo Bagel in Hoboken, NJ

Smoked salmon everything bagel at Apollo Bagel in Hoboken, NJ

We tried a plain with cream cheese and tomato, as well as the smoked salmon one: both were good, but I though it was a bit pricey for the quantity of ingredients they put on their bagel, especially the salmon one that had very little cream cheese and a small of amount of smoked salmon compared to what you can have for the same price at Bagels on the Hudson for instance. However, I appreciated the amount of dill (a side of dill is $2!) and capers. Although good, I thought the everything bagel lacked that salty, nutty and garlicky taste you usually get.

So, overall, even if I liked what I tried, I still cannot understand what the craze is all about…

Enjoy (I still did)!

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Apollo Bagel - 324 Washington Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030