I Just Want To Eat! 12/8/25 I Just Want To Eat! 12/8/25

Little Bar in Hoboken

With just 500 sqf, Little Bar is one of the smallest restaurants in New Jersey. But it might be small, its experience is bigger: delicious craft cocktails and interesting small plates, without forgetting desserts, make this place worth knowing. Perfect for a date or a casual drink in a relaxed atmosphere. Surely, their cocktails, besides having interesting names, are creative (they have a full bar and can probably make any cocktail you cannot find on the menu). For instance, I got their La Vie en Rocks ($20, a reference to La vie en rose from Edith Piaf), that is a smoked cocktail made with maker’s mark‘kingfisher vol. 2’ private barrel select bourbon and Peruvian palo santo, chocolate liqueur; or the Does the Hostess Still Make Snowballs? ($20), that is made with angel's envy bourbon, apricot and coconut.

Does the Hostess still make snowballs cocktail at Little Bar in Hoboken

With your cocktail, you can get some food, to share, and so, the cost can add up quickly. I would pass on the chips ($8) that were stale, and more go with, for vegetarian dishes, the whipped ricotta with truffle honey ($14), the eggplant caponata ($10) or the cheese plate ($25) that is composed of Robiola, Beecher’s cheddar and Pt. Reyes Blue. The cheese plate is pricey, but at least, they serve some good cheese!

Whipped ricotta at Little Bar in Hoboken

Eggplant caponata at Little Bar in Hoboken

For non-vegetarian, the duck liver pate ($11) is not to miss, as are the conserves that are artisan made (I love the mussels in escabeche, $18). All these dishes are served with lavash crackers that can be challenging as quite thin depending on what you are eating (cheese if fine, but they break easily when trying to put some pate on it).

Duck liver pate at Little Bar in Hoboken

Mussels in escabeche at Little Bar in Hoboken

Now, the most surprising part is the fact that they have desserts! The Lemon Blueberry Truffle ($10) is pretty good, but I preferred the chocolate pot de creme ($11) that was closer to a very dense chocolate mousse, than to a pot de creme. Still, I loved it.

Chocolate pot de creme at Little Bar in Hoboken

LEmon blueberry triffle at Little Bar in Hoboken

So, overall, Little Bar is a nice spot to have a drink and share some small plates on a date or with friends, even if it is a bit pricy and things can add up quickly.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Little Bar - 1401 Hudson Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 12/1/25 I Just Want To Eat! 12/1/25

El Vez in NYC, NY

I was wondering why El Vez, a Mexican restaurant on Vesey St, near battery Park had a portrait of Elvis and found out that, it is the name of a Mexican impersonator of the King. With locations in Philadelphia and Fort Lauterdale, the New York restaurant is huge: 300 seats…

Elvis Presley portrait at El Vez in NYC, NY

We went there twice for brunch, once before going to a movie theater that is close by. Here is what we tried:

Their guacamole ($18) is decent, definitely not the best out there despite some chunks of avocado in it. I for sure preferred their Nacho Mama ($19), that are tortilla chips smothered with melted cheese, black beans, salsa ranchera, sour cream, pickled red onion and jalapeño.

As a vegetarian option, Jodi went for their vegan Kale Caesar Salad ($17), made with oak leaf lettuce, vegan caesar dressing, grape tomatoes, crispy shiitake mushrooms and cashew “parmesan”, in which she added an avocado. She also tried their mixed green salad ($17), composed at the time of grilled corn, fried quinoa and radish (they since changed the ingredients. On my side, I went straight to their Crispy Mahi Mahi Tacos ($18) as I love crispy fish tacos. These were made with red cabbage, avocado and chipotle pepper remoulade in a flour tortilla. The fish was perfectly cooked, crispy on the outside, cooked all the way through and still moist. However, it was a bit dry and I wish they put more remoulade. I also got their Chicken Quesadillas ($17), composed of achiote marinated chicken, chihuahua cheese, avocado-tomatillo salsa and pickled jalapeño in a corn tortilla. I thought it wad good and tasty, definitely a dish I would order again.

Crispy Mahi Mahi tacos at El Vez in NYC, NY

Of course, we could not leave without dessert and tried their tres leches that they changed now to a mocha tres leches ($12) unfortunately, as this tres leches was worth a visit, as well as their churros ($12) that were decent, served with a chocolate sauce.

So, overall, I have mixed feelings about El Vez: the food is a bit hit or miss. I would probably give it a try for dinner.

Enjoy (I still did)!

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El Vez - 259 Vesey St., New York, NY 10282

I Just Want To Eat! 11/24/25 I Just Want To Eat! 11/24/25

KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot in Jersey City, NJ

When you love Korean BBQ and hot pot, and you do not know which one to pick, you might want to try Kpot Korean BBQ and Hot Pot in Jersey City (they have locations all across the US, in Alabama, Michigan, Missouri, etc.). They serve both. And by both, I mean you can have either one of them for $31.99 per person or, for an additional $5, you can get hot pot and BBQ in a single meal, with a seating limited to 1h30! Of course, the entire table has to choose the same to avoid someone sharing and not paying.

Sauce station at KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot in Jersey City, NJ

Hot pot burner at KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot in Jersey City, NJ

Grill at KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot in Jersey City, NJ

Menu at KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot in Jersey City, NJ

Cooking directions at KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot in Jersey City, NJ

This is really a great deal considering the amount of food you can get. The way it works is that, for each, you have a choice of meat, seafood, vegetables and soy products. Each table is equipped with individual burners for the hot pot, and, in the center, a gas grill.Let’s start with the hot pot: you first have to choose your broth: each time we went, Jodi got the mushroom broth, while I tried the healthy herbs and the original that is a pork broth. All were quite good, but for sure, you need to be careful when you eat because it is going to be very hot (I still remember that noodle that bounced on my chin…). Cooking in the broth is a bit of a science, but, fortunately, you have a guide on the table to help you. For toppings, we had mushrooms (they have a nice selection), broccoli, noodles, tofu for Jodi and for me, shrimp dumplings, shrimp, lamb, Kobe beef (probably not from Kobe) and beef belly. I dipped the meat in various sauces from their sauce station in the back, my favorite sauce being the spicy chili oil.

Mushroom broth at KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot in Jersey City, NJ

Original broth at KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot in Jersey City, NJ

Healthy herbs broth at KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot in Jersey City, NJ

Beef belly at KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot in Jersey City, NJ

Sliced lamb and Kobe beef at KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot in Jersey City, NJ

Various toppings at KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot in Jersey City, NJ

Spinach at KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot in Jersey City, NJ

Noodles at KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot in Jersey City, NJ

Shrimp at KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot in Jersey City, NJ

For Korean BBQ, the selection is a bit different: we got zucchini, eggplant, mushrooms and pineapple (too tart), and I got a ribeye (you get a large portion) and some beef bulgogi that I really liked. Know that at Kpot, you are the one cooking that is different from your classic Korean restaurant where they will cook on the grill for you and would have cut the ribeye with scissors rather than you doing it.

Ribeye at KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot in Jersey City, NJ

Beef bulgogi at KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot in Jersey City, NJ

For drinks, we had their homemade lemonades ($4.49), lychee and mango, that were a bit too sweet, and, contrary to a lot of hot pot places, there was no sweets for desserts.

Mango lemonade at KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot in Jersey City, NJ

Lychee lemondade at KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot in Jersey City, NJ

Overall, the food was great and this a a very good deal: for less than $38, you get lots of food! Kpot is definitely a place I would recommend if you like hot pot or Korean BBQ and have a big appetite!

Enjoy (I did)!

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KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot - 414 Grand St Suite 21, Jersey City, NJ 07302

I Just Want To Eat! 11/17/25 I Just Want To Eat! 11/17/25

ZhangLiang Malatang Hot Pot in Jersey City

I really like the concept of hot pot and was really looking forward to try ZhangLiang Malatang in Jersey City. What I did not know is that Malatang is a popular Sichuan street food, where you choose a variety of ingredients like meat, vegetables and noodles, that are then cooked in their kitchen in either a broth or a dry spices mix, that can be quite spicy. Quite interesting as you do not know what you will end up with.

Sauce station at ZhangLiang Malatang in Jersey City

So, first, you grab a bowl and some tongs, and then choose from the various raw ingredients their propose: noodles, vegetables, eggs, meats (I had lamb and beef), etc. You then proceed to the counter where they will weigh the bowl (you pay $15.99 per lb) before you tell them how you want you food to be cooked. It can be in a broth (I tried their classic beef bone broth, while Jodi tried their mushroom one) or with the spicy dry mix that is really spicy and that I liked less, because the mix itself was a bit overpowering. They then give you a number and will disappear in the kitchen for several minutes before coming back with your dish. Et voila!

Beef bone broth soup at ZhangLiang Malatang in Jersey City

Mushroom broth at ZhangLiang Malatang in Jersey City

Spicy dry mix at ZhangLiang Malatang in Jersey City

Vegetarian spicy dry mix at ZhangLiang Malatang in Jersey City

I like the concept that is very similar to Mongolian BBQ: you have no idea what your dish will look like when cooked, adding a bit to the excitement of dining at this sort of places. For sure, it can get a bit out of control when picking the ingredients…As I mentioned before, I prefer the broth as the spicy dry mix, that was really spicy, overpowered the whole dish. Still, this is a fun experience!

Enjoy (I did)!

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ZhangLiang Malatang - 185 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07302

I Just Want To Eat! 11/10/25 I Just Want To Eat! 11/10/25

Brunch at Jack and Charlie 118 in the West Village

Please note that this meal was complimentary. However, I was not obliged to post and the opinion expressed in my blog are 100% my own!

When going to Jack and Charlie 118 for brunch, there are definitely a few things that one must try. First is their Bloody Mary cart ($20) that they will wheel to your table so you can customize your own, picking first vodka or gin (I chose Ketel One vodka), hot sauce (I chose Cholula), the amount of horseradish you would like (or none if you do not like it) and a bunch of toppings like olives (marinated, stuffed with blue cheese…), bacon and others. Then proceed with their old fashioned cinnamon donuts (2 for $9), accompanied with a coffee anglaise sauce. These doughnuts are really good, dense and moist, perfect on their own or with the coffee anglaise that added some richness to it.

Bloody Mary cart at Jack and Charlie 118 in the West Village

Bloody Mary at Jack and Charlie 118 in the West Village

Cinnamon sugar donut at Jack and Charlie 118 in the West Village

Cinnamon sugar donuts at Jack and Charlie 118 in the West Village

While there, I saw lots of fluffy pancakes being served, but it is the babka French toast ($24) that I wanted to try, and I was not disappointed. The thick slices of babka were perfectly soaked, the outside being slightly crunchy and the inside eggy and oozing chocolate. To counteract the sugar we just had, Jodi got their baked omelet ($25), that was made with manchego cheese, baby spinach and artichokes. Not sure how they make it, but it was rich and moist, quite comforting. On my side, I had to try their prime rib panini ($32), that seem also to be a popular dish. Served « French dip » style, the thin slices of prime rib were smothered with four different cheeses and topped with caramelized onions. Decadent, extremely rich, it was superb. I should mention the Parmesan fries that were thin and crispy, the way I like them.

Babka French toast at Jack and Charlie 118 in the West Village

Baked omelet at Jack and Charlie 118 in the West Village

Prime rib panini at Jack and Charlie 118 in the West Village

This was a great brunch and I am for sure adding Jack and Charlie 118 on my list: the food is delicious, with still plenty I would love to try. I definitely recommend this place.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Jack and Charlie 118 - 118 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10011

I Just Want To Eat! 10/30/25 I Just Want To Eat! 10/30/25

Katz’s Delicatessen in NYC, NY

Opened since 1888, there is no question that Katz’s Delicatessen is an institution in New York. So, I was looking forward to go there with our friend Alison and her son Connor as they were visiting. As we arrived, there was a line in front of the restaurant, but, fortunately, the wait did not last too long and, as we entered the place, they gave us each a ticket, not to be lost as otherwise you would have to pay a fee. They then told us that, if we did not want to wait, we could walk straight to the back for table service; this is what we did and after few minutes got seated. What we did not expect was to be served by the rudest waiter I ever had, John. It started with Alison asking for a hard salami sandwich: “you should not order that: that is my least favorite on the menu” John said. I then ordered my meal and asked for a chocolate egg cream ($6.95), a New York iconic drink that in fact does not contain any egg, but more milk, carbonated water and chocolate syrup. John said that this should not be drank during a meal but at the end and that is why we could not order drink at the same time as our meal. So rude! Anyway, I still ordered it, while Jodi got a Dr Brown’s cherry soda($3.95). She just got a potato knish ($7.95) that was dry, while I got a half sandwich and soup ($24.95). I chose a pastrami sandwich as this is their specialty (John approved, thank God!), and a matzo ball soup. I admit that I did not like the matzo ball soup that was grainy and did not like their broth. However, the pastrami was pretty good, nicely fatty, literally melting in my mouth.

New York chocolate egg cream at Katz’s Delicatessen in NYC, NY

Dr Brown’s cherry soda at Katz’s Delicatessen in NYC, NY

Pickles at Katz’s Delicatessen in NYC, NY

Potato knish at Katz’s Delicatessen in NYC, NY

Matzo ball soup at Katz’s Delicatessen in NYC, NY

Pastrami sandwich at Katz’s Delicatessen in NYC, NY

Although the meal was not as good as what I expected, Katz’s remains an institution not to be missed. But, and I know it is not going to be a popular view, I admit that I prefer Junior’s for both he pastrami sandwich and the soup, or the 2nd Avenue Deli for the matzo ball soup. And I get a nicer service there!

Enjoy (I did)!

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Katz’s Delicatessen - 205 East Houston Street, New York, NY 10002

I Just Want To Eat! 10/27/25 I Just Want To Eat! 10/27/25

Soup Dumplings at Joe’s Ginger in Chinatown, NYC

Located in the heart of Chinatown, Joe’s Ginger is an address to know for authentic Shanghai cuisine, and for soup dumplings. It is not the first time we went to this cash only place, and, each time, we had a delicious meal. So, continuing our culinary day with our friend Alison and her son Connor, we ended there for dinner. The place was quite busy, but we got a table fairly quickly and, after few minutes of our order being placed, the food started to come, the crab and pork soup dumplings ($14.95 for 8) being first. I love soup dumplings: comforting, tasty and fatty, I typically put the dumpling on its side, bit in it to make a little hole and then pour vinegar in it, then slurp the soup and finish with eating the dumpling. The ones at Joe’s Ginger are the same as Joe’s Shanghai as it is the same owner by the way.

Then came the crispy and slightly greasy scallion pancakes ($4.25), that we always order when having chinese food, and the vegetable steamed dumplings ($6.95), that Jodi ordered (not my favorites as I find the shell too thick). But what I was really looking forward to were the dishes that came next: the first one was the vegetables pan fried noodles ($12.95) that were deliciously crispy, and the second one was the Peking duck (half for $34.95). It comes with crepes, onions and cucumber as well as hoisin sauce. To eat it, you spread some sauce on the crepe, put some duck (skin and meat), covered with a bit of onion and cucumber, and fold it like a burrito. When biting into it, the crispy skin releases some fat, and you get a rich, sweet and savory flavor. I simply love it!

Scallion pancakes at Joe’s Ginger in Chinatown, NYC

Steamed veggie dumplings at Joe’s Ginger in Chinatown, NYC

Vegetables pan fried noodles at Joe’s Ginger in Chinatown, NYC

Peking duck at Joe’s Ginger in Chinatown, NYC

Joe’s Ginger remains one of my favorite spots in Chinatown and this cash only place is surely not to be ignored if you want some soup dumplings or delicious Shanghai food.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

I Just Want To Eat! 10/23/25 I Just Want To Eat! 10/23/25

Banh Mi at Banh Pho in Hoboken, NJ

I was looking forward to try Pho Banh in Hoboken, simply because I love Banh Mi, this Vietnamese sandwich made with soft French bread. I was not disappointed: their “special” ($10), made with a generous portion of paté, charsiu and pork patty was flavorful, cucumber and pickled carrots adding some texture, and the cilantro, some freshness. They also have a vegan version, made with sauteed tofu and mushroom, vegan mayo, cilantro, pickled carrot and daikon for also $10, that is a good deal. Only negative with this one is that the tofu is cut in cubes, instead of being long, making it a bit messy to eat. We also had their tofu spring rolls ($7) that were crispy and slightly greasy as expected, that we wrapped in lettuce and mint before bitting into them. Definitely to try! And of course, I could not resist ordering a Vietnamese coffee ($5): think about cafe au lait made with condensed milk for creaminess and sweetness.

Vietnamese coffee at Banh Pho in Hoboken, NJ

Tofu Spring rolls at Banh Pho in Hoboken, NJ

Vegan Banh Mi at Banh Pho in Hoboken, NJ

Special Banh Mi at Banh Pho in Hoboken, NJ

Overall, this was really good: the food was cheap, considering the portion, tasty, and I am definitely looking forward to going back to try some other dishes there.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Banh Pho - 234 Bloomfield St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 10/20/25 I Just Want To Eat! 10/20/25

Arthur and Sons in the West Village, NYC

With three generations of chefs within the same family running a restaurant whose motto is « Now we can eat », Arthur and Sons is the kind of places that screams authenticity. With several locations in the city, it is the West Village one that we decided to try on a Friday evening. Reservation needed. Nice vibe, like your neighborhood restaurant where regular customers are coming for a family style meal. They do have an extensive menu, with plenty of possibilities, when it comes to pasta, to compose your dish: for instance, I chose the spaghetti tomato and basil ($29.95), and added meatballs ($12.95 for 2). I also wanted Parmesan cheese, as they did not propose any, and they came with a nice little plate. I knew at that point that we would pay for it and…I was right! $4.95 was a bit pricey though…At least the dish was delicious: the pasta was perfectly cooked, the sauce had a robust taste, with a very slight acidity, and the meatballs were superb. The eggplant parm ($29.95) is also a must have, very cheesy, and is probably one of the best I had. We even had their eggplant stack alla Arthuro's ($29.95), that is made with eggplant, mozzarella, tomato, peppers and basil, topped with balsamic vinegar. Normally, it has prosciutto, but we asked without.

Eggplant stack alla Arthuro at Arthur and Sons in the West Village, NYC

Spaghetti with meatballs at Arthur and Sons in the West Village, NYC

Eggplant parmesan at Arthur and Sons in the West Village, NYC

With our meal, Jodi had their Italian lemonade with mint ($14), while I had their hazelnut old fashioned ($20) that was really good, with, as advertised, hints of hazelnut.

Italian lemonade with mint at Arthur and Sons in the West Village, NYC

Hazelnut old fashioned at Arthur and Sons in the West Village, NYC

Of course we could not leave without dessert and got their half-mini cannoli plate ($9.95) that had three cannolis that were phenomenal! The shell was crispy and the ricotta filling delicious.

Cannoli at Arthur and Sons in the West Village, NYC

Overall, this was a great meal, a bit pricey, but remember that it is family style. I highly recommend it!

Enjoy (I did)!

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Arthur and Sons - 38 8th avenue New York, New York 10014

I Just Want To Eat! 10/16/25 I Just Want To Eat! 10/16/25

Blue Anchor in Jersey City

When Blue Anchor opened, few steps from the Hoboken Path Terminal, I was really curious to see what they would have to offer. So we went a few times for brunch and dinner to discover their menu that is mainly about seafood, but with other options, limited for vegetarians. With our meals, I had their OG old fashioned ($16) and the Captain’s colada ($18). For brunch, I wanted a frozé cocktail, but, by the time we finished our meal, it was not ready…

OG Old Fashioned at Blue Anchor in Jersey City

Captain’s Colada at Blue Anchor in Jersey City

So, seafood is the main offering there and I really liked their lobster roll ($30) that was served on a delicious brioche, the lime-coconut aioli being subtle enough that you could taste the lobster that came in big chunks. Their New England clam chowder ($10) was pretty good as well, being creamy, with few bits of clam in the bottom. Their crab cake ($20) is good, but a bit pricey, but there is one appetizer I highly recommend: the infamous fish tacos ($15). The battered cod is perfectly cooked, deliciously crispy, accompanied with coleslaw, grilled corn and topped with pimento aioli. Superb! Their pan seared salmon ($26) with orange beurre blanc is also quite good, served with mashed potatoes and sautéed spinach, the fish was perfectly cooked. For vegetarians, they have pizza, that are more like a flatbread and Jodi loves their vegetarian one ($16), that is made with zucchini, mushroom, onion and ricotta, with a fig glaze.

New England Clam Chowder at Blue Anchor in Jersey City

Lobster roll at Blue Anchor in Jersey City

Fish tacos at Blue Anchor in Jersey City

Zucchini flatbread at Blue Anchor in Jersey City

Dessert is however not something that makes this place stand out, but, they are doing a decent job trying to propose something, even if it looks a bit amateurish. Their key lime pie ($10) was ok, and I preferred their chocolate mousse cake ($10) that had an Oreo crust.

Key lime pie at Blue Anchor in Jersey City

Chocolate mousse cake at Blue Anchor in Jersey City

Overall, the food at Blue Anchor is pretty good, with the tacos and lobster roll being my favorites. This is definitely a nice place to know if you like seafood or want to have a nice dinner with an amazing view of the New York Skyline.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Blue Anchor - 166 River Dr, Jersey City, NJ 07310

I Just Want To Eat! 10/16/25 I Just Want To Eat! 10/16/25

Cafe Cluny in NYC, NY

With few dishes that are a nod to French cuisine, I would more think that Cafe Cluny serves international food, from burgers to lobster rolls, pasta or these chicken dumplings buffalo style ($19) that are a cross between American and Chinese cuisine. Good idea, but I thought it did not deliver on its promise: the shell was thick as was the filling, giving to the dish a doughy-like texture. Or the burger ($28) where you can add chèvre (goat), gruyère or Roquefort for a French touch: I did add gruyère and Roquefort, each for an additional $2, but the patty was unfortunately a bit overcooked and dry, to the point that I did not finish my dish, that is really rare with me. However, their vegetarian burger ($27) was pretty good, being tasty and not mushy as you sometimes get.

Buffalo chicken dumpling at Cafe Cluny in NYC, NY

With our meal, we got a glass of Rosé ($19) and Jodi a Shirley Temple ($8). I should mention the dessert that was probably the only thing I liked there: we got their cinnamon sugar doughnuts ($16) that were served with a raspberry jam and maple syrup. These doughnuts were deliciously addictive and I did not even need the dipping sauces as they stood on their own.

So, overall, I was disappointed: I did not really like our dishes besides the doughnuts and found it overpriced. I'll pass.

Enjoy (the doughnuts)!

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

Cafe Cluny - 284 W 12th St, New York, NY 10014

I Just Want To Eat! 10/9/25 I Just Want To Eat! 10/9/25

La Ripaille in NYC, NY

Meaning “to feast” in French, La Ripaille is one of these iconic French restaurants that have been feeding hungry crowd for decades. Opened in 1980 by Alain Laurent, it fed celebrities coming to the West Village to try not only classic dishes, but also the own creations of the chef, like the Cassolette d’escargots a note facon ($22), where the traditional butter, garlic and parsley sauce is replaced with a tomatoes and cream sauce. Mon Dieu may some people say. Bravo, I say: this was a good twist to a dish you would expect in any French restaurant. The sauce was creamy and comforting, prompting me to ask for some bread. I should pause there and mention the bread. You would for sure expect bread in a French restaurant and I asked for some more so I could enjoy that sauce. Well, I did not notice that I would be charged $6.50 for it. I wish I took a photo to show how overpriced this is: there was probably 1/4 of a baguette. I would not have mind paying if that bread was special, but it was not and was just ok. Disappointing. Anyway, as I ate my snails, Jodi got their Feuillete de champignons sausages à la crème de cognac ($22) that is puff pastry with wild mushroom flambéed in cognac in a cream sauce. I am not sure what they put in it, but the chef made it vegetarian. This was delicious: at the first bite, you get the butteriness and crispness of the puff pastry, followed by the earthiness of the mushrooms and the creaminess of the sauce. Rich, but superb. This is another signature dish of this place. With it, Jodi got their salade du jardin aux pommes acidullee et lamelles d’amandes ($18.50). The salad was ok, a bit overpriced for what it was. On my side, I went for the Noisette d’Agneau Braisée dans son Jus et Bouquetière ($42) or Loin of lamb in own juice, herbs of Provence, organic vegetables

When the dish came, I was a bit surprised, not just because of the portion that was a bit small, but also because the menu mentioned vegetables with a plural and there were only haricot verts. Well, at least, it came with a delicious potato au gratin. The lamb was good, but unfortunately a bit overcooked as I asked for medium-rare. I should mention that I had a Ricard as a drink, a classic French anise spirit (pastis) that turns yellowish when you add water, with an effect similar to anisette or arak.

Mushroom feuillette at La Ripaille in NYC, NY

Dessert was a nice surprise: we got their chocolate mousse facon Le Notre ($15) that was exquisite. It was light, airy, and not too sweet. A must have.

Chocolate mousse at La Ripaille in NYC, NY

Overall, the meal was ok. It is a bit overpriced and I admit that I did not add it to my list of French restaurant recommendations where you would find Benoit, La Sirene or Cognac. But if you are in the neighborhood and absolutely want to eat French food, you can give it a try...

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!

La Ripaille - 605 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014

I Just Want To Eat! 10/6/25 I Just Want To Eat! 10/6/25

Brunch at San Babila in the UES

Please note that this meal was complimentary. However, I was not obliged to post and the opinion expressed in my blog are 100% my own!

Taking its name from a Roman Catholic church in Milan, San Babila is an Italian coffee shop and restaurant on the Upper East Side that opened in the summer, where Chef Francisco Lamanna crafted a modern Italian menu. I admit that, as we entered, I saw that cozy coffee shop with mouth watering pastries facing the window, and thought that was it, until they pulled back a heavy curtain that was hiding a nice and warm dining room. I got the opportunity to try their brunch, that they started to serve a couple of weeks ago and was surprised by a couple of dishes that are worth a visit…or two…or three! We started off with drinks: Jodi got a chai latte ($5.75), while I settled for a Cimbali martini ($19) that is an espresso martini,La Cimbali being the name of their espresso machine, coming straight from Milan.

Cimbali martini at San Babila in the UES

Jodi got their artichoke salad ($22) that was composed of arugula, avocado, mint and a generous amount of pecorino cheese on top, next to deliciously crispy artichokes. Superb. On my side, I did not hesitate and went for the octopus burger ($30), an original creation of the chef. The perfectly grilled octopus was sandwiched between broccoli rabe and stracciatella cheese, and topped with tartare sauce. This is a must have if like me you love octopus and are looking for something unusual. We also shared the challah French toast ($20) that was one of the best I had in a long time: it was slightly crispy and caramelized on the outside, and very eggy on the inside, with candied orange and blood orange giving that Italian twist to a must have dish. I was already full, but, I could not resist their offer to try a Nutella bombolone that was sublime, the doughnut being light and airy, filled with a generous amount of Nutella, perfect with an espresso.

Artichoke salad at San Babila in the UES

Challah French toast at San Babila in the UES

Nutella bombolone at San Babila in the UES

I was glad we walked after such a meal! The brunch at San Babila is not to miss, and I am sure that their dinner is equally delicious.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

San Babila - 1355 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10021

I Just Want To Eat! 10/2/25 I Just Want To Eat! 10/2/25

Mama Mezze in NYC, NY

Result of the collaboration between the team behind La Pecora Bianca (that is few steps from there) and Chef Einat Admony, from Balaboosta and Taim, Mama Mezze serves Mediterranean cuisine. The space is quite large and bright, with a fake orange tree in the middle of the dining room that makes you forget you are in New York. The menu is also exciting with so many mouth watering dishes you just want to…

Result of the collaboration between the team behind La Pecora Bianca (that is few steps from there) and Chef Einat Admony, from Balaboosta and Taim, Mama Mezze serves Mediterranean cuisine. The space is quite large and bright, with a fake orange tree in the middle of the dining room that makes you forget you are in New York. The menu is also exciting with so many mouth watering dishes you just want to order everything and showcases the Chef’s culinary skills, inspired by her Israeli, Persian and Yemeni roots. The hummus ($14) for instance, that is, like at Balaboosta, creamy, is served with za’atar laffa, an Iraqi-jewish bread thicker and chewer than pita that was delicious. The Jerusalem bagel, served with labneh ($8) is another bread that is good to try, recognizable with its ring shape and sesame layer that give it a nutty taste. These two can be shared, as is the crispy latke ($12). This dish is a good twist on potato latke. The latke itself was deliciously crispy, slightly greasy as expected, sitting on a sauce made with apple and sour cream. I’ll pass on the Greek salad ($19) that, although probably good, has nothing to stand out, preferring the mediterranean chopped salad ($18), made with tomato, cucumber, red pepper, red onion and toasted freaked, , a cereal food made from durum wheat, that was topped with mint and tahini: quite good. But let’s focus now on the sandwiches: the falafel sandwich ($19) is really good, that is not surprising considering Chef Admony also owns Taim that is known for having some of the best falafel in the city. But the chicken shawarma sandwich ($23) is not to be missed. From the pillowy pita to the delicious chicken that was marinated in amba, a pickled unripened mango sauce, it was superb. Both sandwiches were accompanied by za'atar fries that were quite good, being slightly crunchy. They also have large plates like the Savta's chicken schnitzel ($28) or "grandmother" schnitzel that was phenomenal. Served with mashed potatoes and a red cabbage slaw, it was crispy on the outside, while the pounded chicken remained moist. A must have. Another thing to try is their skewers. Cooked in their wood fire grill, they are accompanied by roasted vegetables, tahini, zhug (Yemenite cilantro and parsley sauce) and mama's rice that is rice mixed with lentils, crispy shallots and caramelized onions. You get two skewers and can choose between lemon-oregano chicken ($28), Persian-lime glazed salmon ($32), adobo-rubbed skirt steak ($36) and honey-harissa jumbo shrimp ($34). I went for the latter and did not regret it: the shrimp, perfectly cooked were a bit spicy, so I used the tahini to counterbalance a bit the heat. But it was so good, you could not stop eating. And that rice! This was a delicious rice, packed with flavors, that you can also get as a side.

Mediterranean chopped salad at Mama Mezze in NYC, NY

Hummus and laffa at Mama Mezze in NYC, NY

Falafel sandwich in a pita and fries at Mama Mezze in NYC, NY

Chicken shawarma sandwich and fries at Mama Mezze in NYC, NY

Savta’s shnitzel at Mama Mezze in NYC, NY

Harissa shrimp skewer at Mama Mezze in NYC, NY

With our meal, we got some drinks: a must have is their espresso martini ($19) made with tahini, simply called Espresso Tahini, and I also loved the Rocking Kasbah ($18), made with rum, ginger, za'atar and a ginger foam, two cocktails among others that definitely embrace the theme of the restaurant. I also liked the levantine Spritz ($18), that is made with Tequila, Aperol, orange, grapefruit and champagne rosé. For non-alcoholic beverages, they do have a lemonade ($5) that is quite good, not too tart and not too sweet.

Espresso tahini cocktail at Mama Mezze in NYC, NY

Levantine spritz at Mama Mezze in NYC, NY

Rocking Kasbah cocktail at Mama Mezze in NYC, NY

Dessert is not to be missed. For dinner, their sesame chocolate tart ($14) is rich and nutty, topped with some shredded halva that I love (totally different from store bought). Then, for brunch, they have a Nutella babka ($8) that is quite big, with lots of Nutella in it, especially in the center, that is the best part to get to.

Sesame chocolate tart at Mama Mezze in NYC, NY

Overall, Mama Mezze is a great addition to the New York food scene, showcasing the culinary mastery of Chef Admony and bridging many cuisines in an incredible menu. I simply love 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!

Mama Mezze - 1123 Broadway, New York, NY 10010

I Just Want To Eat! 9/29/25 I Just Want To Eat! 9/29/25

Liberty Prime Steakhouse in Jersey City, NJ

Jersey City has quite a lot of nice restaurants worth a trip across the Hudson River and Liberty Prime Steakhouse is surely one of them. Opened since 2013, it definitely has the feel of a classic steakhouse: dimmed lights, dark leather (I love the small booth for couples) and a wait staff that you may wonder if you saw them in another steakhouse before…At least, to prevent patrons to complain about the light, they provide a convenient backlit menu that is classic, going from raw seafood, steakhouse expected appetizers like bacon or, as a special, crab cakes, to soups and salad, meat, finishing with a plethora of sides. There are few vegetarian options, but Jodi decided to focus on sides: grilled asparagus ($9), sautéed mushrooms ($9), white truffle cheddar Mac and cheese ($9) and potato au gratin ($9). The first two were fine, but the last two were disappointing: the Mac and cheese was just ok, with no truffle hints and not as creamy as expected and the potato au gratin not a real gratin for me, lacking cheese mainly, although bathed in a generous amount of cream. Knowing that I was raised in the area where gratin dauphinois is made, my expectation for such dish is high. However, their dry-aged bone-in ribeye ($60) was phenomenal! Cooked with garlic, shallot, rosemary and other various herbs, it was perfectly cooked medium-rare, juicy, with a nice char, and so tender that it melted in my mouth. I should mention that before that, I had a lobster bisque ($16) that had a touch of Hennessy in it. That lobster bisque was a good way to start the meal, warm, creamy, with chunks of lobster and a slight heat in the back of my throat. Pairing well with my meal was a glass of Pinot noir (J Vineyard- California 2017 for $14).

Lobster bisque at Liberty Prime Steakhouse in Jersey City, NJ

Ribeye at Liberty Prime Steakhouse in Jersey City, NJ

Potato au gratin at Liberty Prime Steakhouse in Jersey City, NJ

Mushrooms at Liberty Prime Steakhouse in Jersey City, NJ

Mac and cheese at Liberty Prime Steakhouse in Jersey City, NJ

Asparagus at Liberty Prime Steakhouse in Jersey City, NJ

Of course we could not leave without trying desserts and their coconut crème brûlée was the perfect way to end the meal: creamy, well set, with a nice crust on top that I enjoyed cracking with my spoon.

Coconut creme brulee at Liberty Prime Steakhouse in Jersey City, NJ

So, even if I was disappointed with some of the sides we had, I really enjoyed my meal at Liberty Prime Steakhouse: that steak alone was worth it and they had lots of other sides to try anyway. I definitely recommend it!

Enjoy (I did)!

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Liberty Prime Steakhouse - 111 Montgomery St, Jersey City, NJ 07302

I Just Want To Eat! 9/25/25 I Just Want To Eat! 9/25/25

Heritage Grand Bakery in NYC, NY

“You are what you eat” is how the mission statement of Heritage Grand Bakery, “Quality, health and tradition” was inspired from. Using ancient grains for its bread (the ancient grain bread is my favorite, but the focaccia they serve at the restaurant is also delicious with butter and olive oil), it is not just a bakery: next door is a restaurant that serves some delicious mediterranean cuisine showcased in an overwhelmingly mouth watering menu. We went there over a period of time, so, know that the menu changes from time to time and some of the items below might not be proposed anymore for few months, until they come back. Like the linguine alle vongole ($28), that is always a dish I am looking forward to try. The perfectly cooked pasta is deliciously bathed in a garlic and white wine sauce, with breadcrumbs giving an additional texture to it. It would be an incomplete description if I did not mention the little neck clams that were also well cooked, clean (I hate when you get sand in it) and properly portioned. The mushroom spaghetti ($25), made with ancient grain, and accompanied with roasted mushrooms and Parmesan is also not to be missed: comforting and earthy, it is a nice vegetarian option. Talking about vegetarian, they have indeed plenty of options, like the crispy Brussels sprouts ($16), covered with tahini, or the zucchini carpaccio, that, although interesting was my least favorite, missing a bit of seasoning. Like many restaurants, they also offer a charred cauliflower ($18), serve with baby arugula, capers and tahini. Quite good, and we were glad they did not make it spicy like many restaurants do. Continuing on the Italian theme, their Milanese chicken ($27) is worth a meal: the pounded breast is covered with ancient grains breadcrumbs before being fried, and served with arugula, pickled red onion, grape tomatoes, sweet drop pepper, basil, capers and shaved parmigiano. Crispy, perfectly cooked, it was simply delicious. Now, let's talk about pizza. I remember that the first time we went there, back in 2023, I did not like their pizza crust. However, now, I love it: puffed on the side and nicely charred in their wood fire oven, covered in a delicious tomato sauce, the look and the taste makes all the difference. The stracciatella ($25), topped with creamy mozzarella rags and Parmesan is fantastic, giving that refreshing and unctuous feel when you bite in it, and they used to have an eggplant one that was quite amazing as well.

Focaccia at Heritage Grand Bakery in NYC, NY

Crispy brussels sprouts at Heritage Grand Bakery in NYC, NY

Zucchini carpaccio at Heritage Grand Bakery in NYC, NY

Mushroom spaghetti at Heritage Grand Bakery in NYC, NY

Linguine alle vongole at Heritage Grand Bakery in NYC, NY

Stracciatella pizza at Heritage Grand Bakery in NYC, NY

Eggplant pizza at Heritage Grand Bakery in NYC, NY

Lamb flatbread at Heritage Grand Bakery in NYC, NY

I should mention their drinks that are creative, like the chai old fashioned ($18) that is good, but I admit that I was looking for more chai flavor, or my favorite, being a coffee drinker: the Eveil eye espresso martini ($18). More refreshing is the Hemingway Daiquiri ($18) that is made with rum and grapefruit. They also have mocktails, and I only tried the Floradora ($12), made with raspberry, pineapple, lemon, soda.

Chai old fashioned at Heritage Grand Bakery in NYC, NY

Hemingway daiquiri at Heritage Grand Bakery in NYC, NY

Evil eye espresso martini at Heritage Grand Bakery in NYC, NY

Floradora mocktail at Heritage Grand Bakery in NYC, NY

For desserts, I am a bit on the fence: I used to like the way they did it at the beginning, where you could choose your dessert at the bakery, giving you more choices, even if at the end of the day you could only pick what was left. They do have an olive oil cake ($12), that is good, but I find it a little dense, and their cheesecake ($12) is decent, but, once you tried the one at Junior's, it is tough to match. The warm apple tart ($12) though is pretty good, not too sweet, with a nicely flakey crust.

Olive oil cake at Heritage Grand Bakery in NYC, NY

Cheesecake at Heritage Grand Bakery in NYC, NY

Apple tart at Heritage Grand Bakery in NYC, NY

Overall, the food at Heritage Grand Bakery is quite good, with their pizza and pasta being the stars. The bakery itself has not only great breads, but also good cakes. I am not ecstatic about their croissant and chocolate croissant, but their cinnamon rolls, kouign aman (croissant dough with even more butter) and pain suisse are a must have. I definitely recommend it!

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

Heritage Grand Bakery - 8 W 40th St, New York, NY 10018

I Just Want To Eat! 9/22/25 I Just Want To Eat! 9/22/25

Antoya Korean BBQ in NYC, NY

When I got an invite to go for dinner at Antoya a Korean BBQ located in Korea Town, I was quite excited as I love Korean BBQ, that I discovered many years ago when going to Seoul for work. Meaning “My dear Antonio”, Antoya is the construct between “Anto” part of the name “Antonio”, the son’s owner and “Ya”, a common Korean suffix added to the end of a child's name when you call them. Opened in 2018, it was on Michelin’s Bib Gourmand list in both 2021 and 2022, proposing an extensive menu of Korean dishes, from stews to BBQ, and an array of cocktails showcasing…

Please note that this meal was complimentary. However, I was not obliged to post and the opinion expressed in my blog are 100% my own!

Pear Gimlet at Antoya Korean BBQ in NYC, NY

The meal started with Banchan, these small dishes that are traditionally served in Korean restaurants at the beginning of a meal. It is always interesting to see what they will serve as every restaurant is different, besides serving kimchi, that is always a favorite of mine. Then, for appetizers, we tried the egg souffle ($6.99) that was light and pillowy, as well as the scallion pancakes ($17.99) that were delightfully crispy (know that you can add seafood to them for an additional $4). The stir-fried glass noodles with mushroom ($17.99) are also a nice way to start, the dish being served cold.

Scallion pancakes at Antoya Korean BBQ in NYC, NY

Stir-fried glass noodles at Antoya Korean BBQ in NYC, NY

Egg souffle at Antoya Korean BBQ in NYC, NY

But what I was really looking forward to try was the BBQ. I tried the marinated short-rib ($54.99) and the lamb chops ($51.99). The marinated short rib is one of their signature BBQ and I understood why at first bite: the meat was tender and juicy, simply amazing. The lamb chops were delicious as well, and I admit that I never noticed lamb chops on Korean BBQ menu. They were good, but I have to say that, if I had to choose, I would definitely pick the short-ribs, that I highly recommend.

Lamb chops at Antoya Korean BBQ in NYC, NY

Marinated short ribs at Antoya Korean BBQ in NYC, NY

Overall, it was a great meal: the food was delicious and it is always a nice and exciting when you watch them cook the meat for you on the grill. Antoya is definitely a place to know and if you go, I highly recommend the short ribs!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Antoya Korean BBQ - 37 W 32nd St, New York, NY 10001

I Just Want To Eat! 9/18/25 I Just Want To Eat! 9/18/25

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream in Hoboken, NJ

I remember the time there was this place selling ice cream downtown New York that everyone was talking about that we decided to try. At the time, I thought that it was worth going back there, even if I did not like everything. This was in 2014. Since then, I have been a big fan of this place, their ice cream being delicious. If you follow me on Instagram, you probably saw few times my stories, holding my favorite: the praline butter cake. What started with a yellow food truck has grown quite fast, with shops in not just New York, but California, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, etc. Of course, New Jersey was not forgotten, with their last venture in Hoboken. I could not be happier.

First, I love the decor, that is colorful, with pink and yellow being the main colors, giving a bit of a nostalgia to this place that makes artisanal ice cream. Then, it is the ice cream, with their vegan ice cream as good as the others and flavors quite interesting, like the vegan banana bread pudding that Jodi had with sprinkles on top (where do you find an ice cream shop that puts so many?), that I am sure would recognize in a blind taste. The cookies and cream is also good, as a scoop or in a milkshake, but I admit that I had better. They also have sundaes: the Sicilian Pistachio is my favorite, but I also like the vanilla chocolate hazelnut, being a huge fan of anything Nutella.

Praline butter cake at Van Leeuwen Ice Cream in Hoboken, NJ

Vegan banana bread pudding at Van Leeuwen Ice Cream in Hoboken, NJ

Cookies and cream at Van Leeuwen Ice Cream in Hoboken, NJ

Cookies and cream milkshake at Van Leeuwen Ice Cream in Hoboken, NJ

Vanilla chocolate sundae at Van Leeuwen Ice Cream in Hoboken, NJ

Sicilian Pistachio sundae at Van Leeuwen Ice Cream in Hoboken, NJ

These are just a few flavors I tried at Van Leeuwen, and their creativity is endless, with many vegan flavors being as good as regular ice cream. Their motto is “A life without anything good is bad” and in this case, good would equate to another visit…

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream - 537 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 9/15/25 I Just Want To Eat! 9/15/25

Product Review: Amzchef Nut Milk Maker

Amzchef sent me a nut milk maker to review and I surely tried it extensively! As I drink soy milk and almond milk, I was curious to see how this small appliance would perform and I was not disappointed: the soy milk and almond milk I made was creamier than what I get at Trader Joe’s and the process was quite easy.

Please note that, although this product was sent to me complimentary, I was not obliged to post and the opinions expressed in my blog are 100% my own!

For the soy milk, I bought some dried soybeans that I soaked all night and rinsed before mixing them with water. And then I let the nut milk maker do its magic. I applied the same process for the almond milk, using roasted almonds and adding a bit of cinnamon and cardamon in the water. Both need to be strained with the strainer that comes with the maker. However, for the almond milk, I kept the husk that was the result of the straining process, put it back in the maker, added some water and restarted the process again, giving me even more almond milk!

Soy milk made with the Amzchef Nut Milk Maker

Almond milk made with the Amzchef Nut Milk Maker

With this appliance, you can also boil water, so I made a tea, or make juices, like the apple juice I made using two apples and some water. The result was good, but you need to add sugar for sure. There is much more you can do with it, like porridge or corn milk: just let your creativity take over!

Boiling water with the Amzchef Nut Milk Maker

Apple juice with the Amzchef Nut Milk Maker

I should mention the cleaning process that is great as it has a cleaning function: simply put some dish soap and water and let the machine do its thing; you will just need to rinse, et voila! The short video below will give you some more information about this nut milk maker that can be found on Amazon or on the Amzchef website.

I Just Want To Eat! 9/11/25 I Just Want To Eat! 9/11/25

Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ

I hate restaurants like Aarzu! Once you eat there, not only do you regret they are not in your neighborhood and but it will also ruin any future experience you will have in an Indian restaurant. Well, when you know that Aarzu means “desire” in Hindi, you know a curse is upon you. A culinary curse. I admit that I did not expect such an incredible meal.

The menu is for the most part original, with several classics like the butter chicken ($26) or the lamb roganjosh ($30) that were really good, but quite usual. The appetizers were really what stoked me the most. Take the Dahi Vada ($9), a lentil fritter drenched in a sweet yogurt sauce with cumin. It was topped with a crunchy flower that gave the dish an immediate elegance, like a piece of art you will have to destroy with your fork. Same for the avocado mango bhel ($15), where the puffed rice not only shaped the dish, but gave it a delightful texture. But the two next dishes were even more surprising. The duck taco ($16) was a meeting between Indian (with the spices), Chinese with the Peking duck concept and hoisin sauce (it was mixed with tamarind) and Mexican for the name as it was not a tortilla, but 4 small paratha, a flaky, unleavened flat bread that has a little crunch. Packed in flavors, this is a dish not to miss. The second dish was the eggplant chaat ($16), where small eggplant chips where mixed with pomegranate, date chutney and candied ginger, giving it a sweet and savory taste without overpowering the eggplant that remained the star of the dish. They also have a nice selection of tandoor dishes, like chicken seekh ($26 - minced chicken kebab), but their lamb chops ($32) are definitely a must have: perfectly cooked, nicely charred and deliciously fatty. Like every Indian restaurant, they have a large selection of vegetarian dishes, some I did not really see anywhere else and some vegan, like the vegetable moilee ($24) that is a vegetable medley cooked in a coconut sauce or the Batthi ka paneer ($25) that is cottage cheese in a smoked tomato sauce (this one is not vegan). Both were delicious with some butter naan ($5) or rice.

Dahi vada at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ

Avocado mago bhel at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ

Eggplant chaat at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ

Duck taco at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ

Chicken seekh at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ

Lamb chops at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ

Butter chicken at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ

Lamb roganjosh at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ

Vegetable medley at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ

Batthi ka paneer at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ

Dal tadka at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ

Butter naan at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ

Of course, I had to have a mango lassi ($8) that was decent, and Jodi got a masala chai ($5) with dessert: their Angoori gulab jamun ($10). The fried milk balls were delicious, but, instead of the classic sweet syrup, they sat in a saffron rabri that was a sauce with the texture of a crème anglaise. Different, it cut a bit on the sweetness of the fried balls.

Mango lassi at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ

Chai at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ

Gulab jamun at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ

Overall, this was a fantastic meal: the food was outstanding, with maybe the lentils fritters being my least favorite, the lamb chops and eggplant chaat, among over things, being a must have. I should point out the service was on point, making you feel welcome. I highly recommend 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!

Aarzu - 30 E Main St, Freehold, NJ 07728