I Just Want To Eat! 12/30/16 I Just Want To Eat! 12/30/16

Sake Bar Hagi 46 in Hell's Kitchen

I was looking for a sake bar when I stumbled upon Sake Bar Hagi 46, the outpost of Sake Bar Hagi near Times Square. We got seated in the back of the restaurant where a large party was enjoying some food and probably too much drinking, making the noise level close to unbearable...So, needless to say that, although we enjoyed our meal there, we did not take our time to appreciate it fully and, as soon as we payed the bill, guess what? The large party left!!! I had only one fear: that they followed us!

Dining room at Sake Bar Hagi 46 in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

Anyway, the food there was pretty good and I loved the fact that they served small plates so we could order a bunch of them. Here is what we had:

Frog legs karaage or deep fried frog legs. I am not sure where they found these frog legs but they were huge! The frogs were probably the size of a kitten! Otherwise, it was delicious: crispy on the outside, meaty (tastes like chicken but more bland), it was moist.

Frog legs karaage at Sake Bar Hagi 46 in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

Karaage ponzu or deep fried chicken with ponzu sauce and grated daikon. Similar to the frog legs, it was crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, the chicken being well cooked. I liked the slight taste of the ponzu sauce that was not overpowering, but admit that I did not care about the daikon.

Karaage ponzu or fried chicken at Sake Bar Hagi 46 in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

Fried pork gyoza: good, tasty, but not the best I had.

Fried pork gyoza at Sake Bar Hagi 46 in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

Age tofu: my least favorite dish. Not sure how they prepare this, but it was weird, a bit gelatinous. I definitely did not like the texture.

Age tofu at Sake Bar Hagi 46 in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

Vegetable tempura: very good, crispy and delightfully greasy (slightly though).

Vegetable tempura at Sake Bar Hagi 46 in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

For dessert, we went for the green tea mille crêpe with vanilla ice cream. I admit that the presentation was a bit sad, but it was pretty good. The green tea especially was perfect, not bitter at all. We chose vanilla ice cream to go with it: it was good, creamy, but we did not even see that it was an add-on and I thought that for $11.95, it was a bit pricey. Lady M has a better Mille crepes cake for less.

Green tea mille crepes at Sake Bar Hagi 46 in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

Now you are probably wondering if I had sake. And the answer is yes. In fact, I went for their sampler and picked three of them (from left to right):

Azure, sweet and dry.
Denshin, fruity.
Ginban, super dry.

Sake flight at Sake Bar Hagi 46 in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

Sake at Sake Bar Hagi 46 in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

I like to try different sake, from the sweetest to the super dry to taste the difference and was glad that they offered a sampler.

Despite the noise, we enjoyed our meal at Sake Bar Hagi 46 and will definitely go back. Probably for other dishes as Jodi made me realize after that we only ordered fried dishes...

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Sake Bar Hagi 46

I Just Want To Eat! 12/28/16 I Just Want To Eat! 12/28/16

Surf and Turf Burger at Sagaponack in NYC, New York

Taking its name from a village in the Town of Southampton in Suffolk County, New York, Sagaponack is a restaurant located few steps from the Flatiron. I ended up there one day after finding that they serve a surf and turf burger, a dish I never heard of before. So I went one day for lunch.

Dining room at Sagaponack in NYC, New York

I did not go around the restaurant, but definitely, the decor sets the tone: sea and food, or I should say seafood.

Boat replica at Sagaponack in NYC, New York

I was not sure what to drink with my burger and then noticed their nice selection of cider. So, I went for a Wolffer No 139 dry white cider, that is made with 17 different varieties of apples and a small quantity of asian pear.

Wolffer No 139 dry white cider at Sagaponack in NYC, New York

Then came the burger that looked fantastic: the bun was topped with a grass-fed beef patty perfectly cooked medium, bacon and some chopped lobster. It was quite big and you need to press on it to be able to take a bite, the lobster releasing some juice that I thought would make the burger soggy. But it was fine and the first bite was sublime, the lobster and the meat patty pairing well together. This is for sure a decadent dish that would satisfy the burgers and lobster lovers.

With the burger was a salad as well as some very good fries that were crispy on the outside and well cooked inside.

I admit that this was a great dish and I would definitely go back to Sagaponack to try some other dishes. If you love lobster, I recommend this dish 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!

Sagaponack Bar & Grill

I Just Want To Eat! 12/26/16 I Just Want To Eat! 12/26/16

Soul Food at Zora's Cafe in Hell's Kitchen, NYC - Closed

We were really excited to have dinner at Zora's Cafe, a restaurant in Hell's Kitchen that serves soul food. We passed so many times in front of this 20 seat tiny place that I got curious. It started well, with a homemade lemonade that was delicious: not too sweet and with a perfect tartness.

Homemade lemonade at Zora's Cafe in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

And some very good homemade corn bread that was served with butter and drizzled with honey.

Homemade corn bread at Zora's Cafe in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

But then it started downhill: the kitchen, quite small, was so slow, it took forever for our food to come and it was not even hot! We got:

Hush puppies: just ok, a bit dry.

Hush puppies at Zora's Cafe in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

Fried green tomatoes: just ok, some slices being hard.

Fried green tomatoes at Zora's Cafe in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

Linda's Mac and Cheese: promising when digging into it with a spoon, it was cold and so the cheese was not gooey.

Linda's Mac and Cheese at Zora's Cafe in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

Fortunately, the fried chicken was delicious, crispy and slightly moist.

Fried chicken at Zora's Cafe in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

We skipped dessert because of the slow service and left a bit disappointed for what could have been an amazing experience. Too bad...

Enjoy (...)!

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

Zora's Cafe

I Just Want To Eat! 12/21/16 I Just Want To Eat! 12/21/16

Numero 28 Pizzeria in The East Village

I was recently invited at Numero 28 Pizzeria in the East Village. I already know this pizza place as I went to their original location on 28 Carmine St, location that gave its name to the place. Little did I know that they had that many locations, including Miami and London! We were there for lunch and the place was quiet until later, prompting me to think that we were really early...I liked the atmosphere that is rustic and warm, with the staff speaking Italian to add to the ambiance.

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

Facade at Numero 28 Pizzeria, NYC, New York

Dining room at Numero 28 Pizzeria, NYC, New York

In the back is their wood fire oven that would make an amazing pizza later on. While waiting for our food, I decided to try one of their sodas: a San Pellegrino Chinotto a quite bitter drink made with Sicilian Chinotto oranges.

San Pellegrino Chinotto oranges at Numero 28 Pizzeria, NYC, New York

We started off our meal with some classic Italian dishes: meatballs

Meatballs at Numero 28 Pizzeria, NYC, New York

as well as eggplant or Parmigiana di melanzane:

Parmigiana di Melanzane at Numero 28 Pizzeria, NYC, New York

Both were sublime: the meatballs were not dry and tasty, smothered in an incredible tomato sauce that I also ate with their homemade focaccia. The eggplant were also very good, sliced thin, so fully cooked and soft, melting in my mouth.

Focaccia at Numero 28 Pizzeria, NYC, New York

But then I got to see them make our pizza in their wood fire oven. What I like at Numero 28 Pizzeria is the fact that they offer different sizes, from the round personal one to the long medium or large, with half and half possible for the medium or three different choices for the large one.

Cooking the pizza in a wood fire oven at Numero 28 Pizzeria, NYC, New York

Pizza in the making at Numero 28 Pizzeria, NYC, New York

We decided to go with two of their best sellers on a medium pie (half-half). The first one was the DOC, made with a San Marzano tomato sauce, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil and mozzarella. The second one was the Numero 28, made with speck, mozzarella, mushrooms and truffle cream. The size of the pizza was spectacular and it was only the medium: I cannot imagine how the large one is. I looked beautiful and our noses were filled with the smell of truffle. Both were delicious, the Numero 28 having lots of speck on it with the truffle cream not being overpowering. The DOC, simpler was also fantastic, from the tomato sauce that was phenomenal to the large amount of cheese. I should add that the crust was thin in the center, puffed up on the outside and deliciously crispy.

Medium pizza at Numero 28 Pizzeria, NYC, New York

DOC pizza at Numero 28 Pizzeria, NYC, New York

Numero 28 pizza at Numero 28 Pizzeria, NYC, New York

Last was dessert. We went with their homemade tiramisu that was sublime: creamy, light and not too sweet, with the lady fingers properly soaked in coffee.

Tiramisu at Numero 28 Pizzeria, NYC, New York

It was perfect with an espresso...

Espresso at Numero 28 Pizzeria, NYC, New York

This was great meal. Numero 28 Pizzeria offers great food and their pizzas are delicious. I would certainly go back and probably try, this time, their pasta that is homemade.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Numero 28 Pizzeria Napoletana

I Just Want To Eat! 12/19/16 I Just Want To Eat! 12/19/16

Cafe Istanbul in Astoria, Queens

I was recently invited for a dinner at Cafe Istanbul, a restaurant on Steinway in Astoria that serves Mediterranean, Egyptian and Turkish cuisine. Opened over two months ago, this place is the dream come true of Mumbai native, Sonny, who spent 18 months creating this place, making it comfortable and very open.

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

Dining room at Cafe Istanbul in Astoria, Queens

Cafe Istanbul is a hookah lounge, so if you like a hookah during or after your meal, or just with a bite, this might be your spot. As I do not smoke, I did not try it, but saw many people there, enjoying it. Well, they may even have enjoyed their hookah desserts, that have exotic flavors like mango, orange of pomegranate. I never thought flavored hookah even existed.

Hookah at Cafe Istanbul in Astoria, Queens

In term of beverages, know that this is a halal restaurant, so they do not serve any alcohol. However, they offer great tea made with mint leaves. There is Moroccan (made with green tea), Egyptian (made with black tea) and Turkish. You can really taste the difference between each of them, not only by the color, but also the taste that goes from lighter (Moroccan) to stronger (Turkish).

Moroccan tea at Cafe Istanbul in Astoria, Queens

Egyptian tea at Cafe Istanbul in Astoria, Queens

Turkish tea at Cafe Istanbul in Astoria, Queens

Mint leaves in Egyptian tea at Cafe Istanbul in Astoria, Queens

Foodwise, we were there for a treat, prepared by Chef Fathi who is from Egypt. We started off with some hummus and babaganouj that we ate with some pita. These were delicious: the babaganouj had a delicious smokey flavor and the hummus a texture that definitely showed it was homemade. I loved the nice drop of olive oil in the middle that I mixed with these spreads while dipping my piece of pita.

Hummus at Cafe Istanbul in Astoria, Queens

Babaganouj at Cafe Istanbul in Astoria, Queens

Then, we got the cigars, called sigora boregi. They were made of feta cheese, parsley, dill, herb wrapped up in homemade Turkish phyllo. Some were just filled with cheese, and others with lamb as I told Sonny that I love lamb. It was very good, served with a homemade tahini sauce. The shell was hot and crispy, not too thick, and the filling melted. However, I could not really taste the lamb, whose flavor was too subtle, overpowered by the cheese that was predominant.

Lamb and cheese cigars at Cafe Istanbul in Astoria, Queens

Next were two salads: the Turkish shepherd salad, made with feta cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers and onions topped with parsley. And the fattoush salad, made with mixed greens.

Turkish shepherd and fattoush salads at Cafe Istanbul in Astoria, Queens

Fattoush salad at Cafe Istanbul in Astoria, Queens

Turkish feta salad at Cafe Istanbul in Astoria, Queens

But then came an appetizer I was really looking forward to try: the lamb liver. Cooked in a pan with just some oil, it reminded me the way my mom use to cook liver. Simple, but tasty. If you like liver, this is a dish I recommend.

Lamb liver at Cafe Istanbul in Astoria, Queens

But the lamb extravaganza did not stop there! I also got the lamb chops that were superb: these six pieces were well cooked, medium, and had a nice char. It was served with a delicious basmati rice that was prepared with saffron. The rice was moist and there was no need for any sauce on it.

Lamb chops at Cafe Istanbul in Astoria, Queens

For Jodi, Sonny prepared a vegetarian dish that was grilled vegetables.

Grilled vegetables at Cafe Istanbul in Astoria, Queens

Last was dessert. We got to try their version of creme brûlée that was topped with berries:

Berries creme brûlée at Cafe Istanbul in Astoria, Queens

As well as the almond pudding that had a slightly denser consistency of a panna cotta.

Almond pudding at Cafe Istanbul in Astoria, Queens

We had a great time at Cafe Istanbul: the food was good and there was a nice ambiance there. Even if you are not into hookah or even smoking, it is a good spot to have dinner and, if you are a bit put off by the smoke, you can go for an early dinner: 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!

Cafe Istanbul

I Just Want To Eat! 12/17/16 I Just Want To Eat! 12/17/16

Lunch at LobsterCraft in NYC, NY - Closed

We were walking on 33rd, behind Penn Station, when Jodi pointed out Lobster Craft a restaurant that specializes in ...lobster...and follows the success of a food truck operated by Captain Mike, a coast guard captain and licensed lobster fisherman.

More of a casual place, you order at the counter and your order will be ready in just few minutes. I decided to go for The Coastal, their classic lobster roll served on a toasted split-top roll baked daily. They use a whole lobster from Maine, from the claws to the tail, and for sure there is a lot of it. The lobster is topped with hot butter and a pinch of their secret seasoning. I thought that it was an ok roll, the lobster being slightly overcooked and needing a bit more butter. It came with some potato chips that were...good for potato chips.

Potato chips with lobster roll at LobsterCraft in NYC, NY

With the lobster roll, instead of a beer, I decided to go with a glass of Chardonnay, served on tap.

Glass of Chardonnay on tap at LobsterCraft in NYC, NY

I admit that I was a bit disappointed by LobsterCraft, expecting an outstanding roll, as good as Luke's Lobster or The Red Hook Lobster Pound. But it was not as good, just an ok roll.

Enjoy (...)!

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

LobsterCraft NYC

I Just Want To Eat! 12/15/16 I Just Want To Eat! 12/15/16

Fantastic Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich at OPPA in the Gansevoort Market

Being part of the food bloggers community is a great thing as you meet great people who enjoy good food, whether in a fancy restaurant or in a casual place. It is thanks to a blogger friend if mine, Malini, The Restaurant Fairy, that I discovered Oppa, a great Korean place in the new Gansevoort Market.

Counter at OPPA in the Gansevoort Market, NYC

Opta means "old brother" in Korean (yes, this is not the Greek one): it is an endearing name that girls in Korea use with their male friends. When going to Oppa, you need to know few things. First, it is own by the same people who own Bar Suzette in Chelsea Market where I went for dessert after this (I love their butter and sugar crepe). Second, it might only have five seats at the counter, you can just grab your food and go in the back of the Gansevoort Market, where there are large tables...and a piano. Lastly, if you order the chicken sandwich, they will mention to you that it takes 12 minutes. It is simply because they are using an incredible machine to cook it. So do not expect to see them fry the chicken!

So, the fried chicken sandwich is called the Busan Chicken Sandwich. It is composed, besides chicken, of a brioche (really good), pickles, daikon, lettuce and sesame leaf. And when you see them applying their sauce on the chicken, you start drooling.

Making Busan Chicken Sandwich at OPPA in the Gansevoort Market, NYC

And then, when it comes in front of you, it is hard to wait before having that first bite. And that bite is spectacular: that chicken is definitely the star there. It is crispy, moist and comes very hot. I love the sauce that is sweet and spicy (you can ask for less spicy). The brioche bread is perfect with it as not dense. I loved it so much that I went back two days later to eat more by the way...

Busan chicken sandwich at OPPA in the Gansevoort Market, NYC

If you prefer a lighter version and still want to eat that fantastic crispy chicken, you can get the Bulging Wings that are made with a Bulgogi Gochujanj Chili sauce. They not only look appetizing, they also taste delicious.

Buljang wings at OPPA in the Gansevoort Market, NYC

As Jodi does not like chicken, so she decided to go with a salad: Yache Dubu, made with vegetables, kimchi and sesame marinated tofu.

Yacht Dubu salad at OPPA in the Gansevoort Market, NYC

Yacht Dubu at OPPA in the Gansevoort Market, NYC

I still dream about this sandwich and wish there was an OPPA restaurant close to where I live. The Busan Chicken Sandwich is one of the best Korean fried chicken and even the wings are amazing. I definitely recommend it.

Enjoy (I surely did)!

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

OPPA

I Just Want To Eat! 12/13/16 I Just Want To Eat! 12/13/16

Fast-casual dinner at Tres Carnes near the Flatiron - Closed

I recently received a coupon to try Tres Carnes, a fast casual tex-mex restaurant with few locations in the city. We went to the Flatiron one and I admit that I was surprised as to how good it was, definitely better than the other restaurants in the same segment. It is not only due to the freshness of the ingredients, but also because of the slow cooked BBQ meat they serve. It is not a big place for sure, but we had no problem finding seats at the large table in the center of the dining room.

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

Food wise, I was surprised to see that, similar to ice cream or frozen yogurt places, they offer you to try some of the meat they serve and so, I tried the smoked brisket that was good, although not outstanding. But anyway, I decided to get a burrito called Carlito's Way, that not only contains brisket, but also smoked chicken, blackeyed-black beans, pico, radishes, cotija cheese and creme. Normally, there is rice, but I always prefer burritos without. It was quite a tasty burrito and I literally inhaled it, the two meats being a nice combination.

Carlito's Way burrito at Tres Carnes in NYC, NY

Jodi went for a vegetarian taco that had squash in it. It was made with a soft white tortilla.

Vegetarian taco at Tres Carnes in NYC, NY

As she did not have that many ingredients in her taco, they gave her a portion of rice and another of beans, a nice gesture I thought.

We also shared some guacamole and chips. I thought these were ok...

Tortilla chips at Tres Carnes in NYC, NY

Overall, it was a good meal: tasty with food at a reasonable price. I would definitely go back to Tres Carnes and try maybe another burrito, or build my own trying not to go overboard...

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Tres Carnes

I Just Want To Eat! 12/11/16 I Just Want To Eat! 12/11/16

Gazala's Place in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

I was really looking forward for our dinner at Gazala's Place in Hell's Kitchen, sometimes craving Middle Eastern cuisine. We found it walking one afternoon on 9th Avenue, seeing the owner, Gazala Halabi making some pita at the window.

Gazala's is quite a small place so don't be surprised to have your back on your neighbor's chair. For the time we arrived to the time we left, the flow of patrons continue to arrive and go, probably having the same cravings as we did.

They have a large menu, with quite classic items for this type of cuisine and so, we decided to go with their vegetarian sampler where we could pick five different items. Our picks were: hummus, babaganouj, tahini, falafel. Overall, it was ok and I thought even disappointing. The hummus and falafel were good, but the babaganouj and tahini had a weird taste...

Tzatziki at Gazala's in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

Babaganouj at Gazala's in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

Hummus at Gazala's in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

Falafel at Gazala's in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

We ate them with their paper thin pita I mentioned before, a pita that was delicious and slightly chewy.

We also got the potato cigars that are rolled pita stuffed with mashed potatoes, curry and other spices. I loved it: it was deliciously crispy on the outside and it reminded me the ones my family cooks but more in a triangle than a cigar shape (we call them "bestel").

Potato cigars at Gazala's in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

Then, we ordered a sort of Middle Easter pizza: the cheese pie. It was a made with pita dough, topped with homemade goat cheese and spices. This was pretty good and a perfect dish if you love goat cheese.

Cheese pie at Gazala's in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

But really, what we were looking forward to eat was the dessert: kenefeh. It is a shredded dough, topped with homemade sweet cheese, pistachios and (lots) of honey. This was huge, but not enough to justify a $14 dessert. I liked it as it was crunchy and gooey at the same time, and delightfully sweet.

Kenefeh at Gazala's in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

Although we liked some of the dishes at Gazala's, I admit that I was a bit disappointed by this place. For Middle Eastern cuisine, I really prefer Byblos that has some outstanding food, including a much better kenefeh!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Gazala's Place

I Just Want To Eat! 12/9/16 I Just Want To Eat! 12/9/16

Lunch at Pershing Square in NYC, NY

As were were close to Grand Central Terminal and were not that thrilled about the choices in the food court there, we decided to go to Pershing Square, a restaurant that reminded me of a brasserie because of its decor. It was definitely beautiful, with lots of light thanks to the large windows.

Dining room at Pershing Square in NYC, NY

Food wise, they are apparently known for their breakfast, but what I wanted to try was their lobster roll that looked spectacular. Unfortunately, it felt short in delivering, mainly because the roll made it heavy, so heavy. There was a lot of lobster, but also lots of mayo...

Lobster roll at Pershing Square in NYC, NY

It was served with delicious homemade potato chips, cole slaw and avocado, as well as pickles.

Homemade potato chips at Pershing Square in NYC, NY

Cole slaw and avocado at Pershing Square in NYC, NY

Jodi got the seared tuna Nicoise salad that was superb. First of all, the presentation was beautiful, looking like a deconstructed Nicoise in a way, although the french beans, kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes were housed in the salad shaped like a nest. Then, the tuna was delicious, perfectly seared. I definitely recommend this dish.

Seared tuna Nicoise salad at Pershing Square in NYC, NY

Even if I did not like the lobster roll at Pershing Square, I would not mind going back there and trying some other dishes like the braised short ribs melt or their filet mignon au poivre.

Enjoy (...)!

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

Pershing Square

I Just Want To Eat! 12/7/16 I Just Want To Eat! 12/7/16

Bonnie's Grill in Park Slope, Brooklyn

Last Saturday, we went to Bonnie's Grill in Brooklyn, a restaurant that describes itself as a "hardcore burger and wings establishment". So I could not not go to this small place that has its charm, to try...burgers and wings.

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

Bonnie's Grill in Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY

Bar area at Bonnie's Grill in Park Slope, Brooklyn

Dining room at Bonnie's Grill in Park Slope, Brooklyn

I did not feel like trying one of their beers, bottled or draught, and went for a root beer, a soda that I discovered in this country and really like, especially with burger or pizza.

Barq's root beer can at Bonnie's Grill in Park Slope, Brooklyn

We started off with the mac and cheese, that they serve in a cup, great if you love mac and cheese but do not want to overindulge. It is made with three cheese, jalapeños (did not taste them) and bacon bites (I got a big piece of bacon in it). It was good, creamy and tasty.

Mac and cheese at Bonnie's Grill in Park Slope, Brooklyn

Next were the wings: I got a smaller portion considering that I wanted to try the burger to. I liked them: crispy on the outside, the chicken was moist, and the sauce delicious and mild, although I ordered it medium spicy.

Chicken wings at Bonnie's Grill in Park Slope, Brooklyn

Then came the burgers that were prepared on the grill behind the bar, filling the room with a nice scent.

Grill at Bonnie's Grill in Park Slope, Brooklyn

Jodi went for the spiced veggie burger with mushrooms, avocado and pickles, with fries; a fairly good veggie burger I would say.

Spiced veggie burger at Bonnie's Grill in Park Slope, Brooklyn

On my side, I went with the spiced black angus burger and just ordered some American cheese on top. The 8oz patty had a nice char and was juicy, slightly overcooked unfortunately (I asked for medium). But overall, it was a good burger and I was scared at first that the grilled bread would be dry based on how it looked, but it was not the case.

Black angus burger at Bonnie's Grill in Park Slope, Brooklyn

We had a nice lunch at Bonnie's Grill: the food was good and it had a nice atmosphere. It is definitely a place to know if you are roaming around in the neighborhood.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Bonnie's Grill

I Just Want To Eat! 12/5/16 I Just Want To Eat! 12/5/16

A dinner a Bettola, an Italian restaurant on the Upper West Side with an interesting story!

I was recently invited at Bettola, an Italian restaurant located on the Upper West Side with a fantastic background story. This place is under new management since May of this year and I would say a colorful management. It all started in a ski trip where co-owner Giga Leszay met a rockstar turned Chef Vlado Kolenic. Yes, you heard well: rockstar turned Chef. Vlado was the lead singer of Taktici, a popular band in former Czechoslovakia that defected from the iron curtain at the end of the 70s. This is an incredible story that you can find here, on this short video. When Giga saw an opportunity to take over the ownership of Bettola, she did not hesitate and reached out to Vlado, as she needed a new Chef.

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

Dining room at Bettola on the Upper West Side, NYC, NY

I like the place: warm, it definitely has this neighborhood feel that Giga and Vlado are shooting for, ensuring that people have a good time there. What I like is that they are not trying to be the best Italian in New York, but simply provide a nice experience to their patrons. But don't get me wrong, their food, although not 100% Italian, is quite good. And I am even amazed by it considering how tiny their kitchen is!

Chef Vlado Kolenic at Bettola on the Upper West Side, NYC, NY

Here is what we tried:

Crab balls, a take on Italian meatballs with simply crab...balls served with marinara sauce (small tasting portion):

Crab balls at Bettola on the Upper West Side, NYC, NY

Eggplant Napoleon, roasted eggplant, tomato and mozzarella, baked In their wood-burning oven:

Eggplant Napoleon at Bettola on the Upper West Side, NYC, NY

I should in fact mention that they have a wood fire oven that they were able to get through a grandfather clause, as the construction of new wood-burning ovens is restricted. There, they cook also the meatballs as well as pizza. And we tried one: the Bianca, made with mozzarella, parmesan, mushrooms and truffle oil. Definitely a great pizza, thin in the center, with nice charred bubbles on the outside.

Wood fire oven at Bettola on the Upper West Side, NYC, NY

Pizza bianca at Bettola on the Upper West Side, NYC, NY

Next was the Wise Guys Bolognese, homemade fettuccine with meat sauce: simply delicious and comforting.

Wise Guys Bolognese at Bettola on the Upper West Side, NYC, NY

Shrimp Prosecco, that are served with a sauce that has coconut milk in it, and with Israeli couscous.

Shrimp prosecco at Bettola on the Upper West Side, NYC, NY

As we were talking about seafood with Vlado, he insisted that I try the scallops that he crusts with rice flour for some extra crunch. Of course, I could not refuse and I did not regret it!

Scallop at Bettola on the Upper West Side, NYC, NY

Last was dessert. For sure, we wanted to try the homemade tiramisu that was delicious, being creamy and light.

Tiramisu at Bettola on the Upper West Side, NYC, NY

As well as the bread pudding that is served with a sauce made with whiskey.

Bread pudding at Bettola on the Upper West Side, NYC, NY

We had a great time at Bettola and enjoyed the food. I like the feel of the place and the atmosphere. I am curious about their brunch whose theme is around The Beatles, with Beatles's songs of course, but also dishes inspired from them, such as Here Comes the Sun that refers to a sunny side up egg dish!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Bettola

I Just Want To Eat! 12/1/16 I Just Want To Eat! 12/1/16

Lunch at Danji in Midtown Manhattan

After meeting Chef Hooni Kim at a cooking class (DeGustibus event at Macy's), and a great dinner at Hanjan, his restaurant near the Flatiron, Jodi, Malini (aka The Restaurant Fairy) and I decided to go for lunch at Danji. Why lunch? Less crowded and good light. The reservation was at the time they opened so I admit that I was glad to be able to take few photos before patrons arrive.

Similar to Hanjan, this place has a zen feel, thanks to the light wood they use all over, but with still a modern lookl given by the chandeliers and the high tables, either communal or for large parties, next to the bar. As a fun fact, each table has a drawer where you can find the menu.

And what a menu! For sure, the lunch menu offers less choices than the dinner one. For instance, the spectacular crispy rice cakes are only for dinner. Bummer. Anyway, we got to try some delicious dishes that definitely make this restaurant stand out. We shared a bunch of them, so enjoy the ride:

Hand-made vegetarian dumplings with spicy soy sauce (fried):

Vegetarian dumplings at Danji in NYC, NY

Tofu with ginger and scallion dressing (fried): this is not your classic tofu dish and is different from the one at Hanjan that is terrific. Here, the tofu is like wrapped into mochi before being fried, giving an incredible texture to the whole thing, the outside being a bit chewy and the inside quite soft. I should mention that both restaurants are making their own tofu.

Tofu with ginger and scallion dressing at Danji in NYC, NY

Mandoo tacos filled with bulgogi: this is a great way to bridge Korean and Mexican cuisine. Mandoo is a Korean dumpling, but there, they opened the shell in the shape of a taco. This was delicious, crunchy, with the bulgogi delightfully coming through.

Mandoo tacos with bulgogi at Danji in NYC, NY

Spicy 'k.f.c.' korean fire chicken wings: Alright, so KFC does not refers to Kentucky Fried Chicken, but Korean Fried Chicken. This was a succulent dish, the chicken, slightly crunchy, being drenched in a spicy sauce. Spicy yes, but so good, you would go back to it anyway, the daikon helping a bit soothing the mouth...

Spicy 'k.f.c.' korean fire chicken wings at Danji in NYC, NY

Chul-sot spicy pork belly bibimbap: you will not find this exact name on the menu. Rather spicy pork belly bibim-bap, the chum-sot bib-bap being an option so the dish comes very hot, creating a crunchy layer of rice in the bottom (that crust is called a socarrat, similar to the one in paella). This was fantastic: the entire bottom of the pan was this thick rice crust that was deliciously crunchy. We mixed up all the ingredients on top of it, including the egg, and ate it in probably less time than it took to cook it as it was so good. But not spicy as I expected.

Spicy pork belly bibimbap at Danji in NYC, NY

Rice crust from the Spicy pork belly bibimbap at Danji in NYC, NY

The last dish was complimentary: gimbap of the day that was a bibimbap maki roll. I loved it but admit that at that point I was full...

This was a very good lunch, different from the classic Korean cuisine I usually find. Chef Hooni Kim really succeeds in creating a unique experience in his restaurants and, once you go, you want to come back. So yes, I will go back to Danji, for dinner this time, and not only to get these crispy rice cakes, trust me!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Danji