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)!

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

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)!

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

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)!

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

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)!

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

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)!

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

Apollo Bagel - 324 Washington Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 1/4/26 I Just Want To Eat! 1/4/26

Product Review: Amzchef Milk Frother and Steamer

Amzchef sent me another milk frother to try and so, I used it quite a bit to make cold foam, chai and hot chocolate. What is great with this 8-in-1 appliance is that it is not just making cold foam, but also thick warm foam, thin warm foam, heated milk, hot chocolate, as well as plant-based options like cashew, oat, and soy milk foam. It also uses a heating technique that prevents burnt milk with a precision system that heats evenly at the perfect temperature (60-70°C), preserving sweetness and preventing protein breakdown. Easy to operate with its smart LED touchscreen, the detachable stainless steel jug is dishwasher safe. You can find it on Amazon or Amzchef website.

Enjoy (I did)!

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I Just Want To Eat! 1/2/26 I Just Want To Eat! 1/2/26

Veerays, NYC first Speakeasy from Chef Hemant Matur

I am a huge fan of Chef Hemant Matur who is known for being the first Indian Chef in the US to obtain a coveted Michelin star across two New York City restaurants: Devi and Tulsi. I followed him across the years in his culinary exploration, with Saar Bistro being his latest venture years ago before opening Veerays last year. I love the concept that is well represented there: this is the first Indian speakeasy in the Big Apple and you get that feel from the beginning, with its small entrance that brings you to a comfy, lounge like…

I love their cocktail menu that definitely embraces the theme, with cocktails names after gangsters like Al Capone, Bugsy Siegel, or Lucky Luciano ($20) that I got the first time we went. Made with rye, orange juice, lemon juice and grenadine, its vibrant red color reminded me of the bloody prohibition period. At our next visit, I got their Charles “king” Solomon ($20), in memoriam of a Boston mob boss. This cocktail, also known as sidecar, was made with Hennessey cognac, orange liqueur and lemon juice. They also have mocktails, but none of them were interesting for Jodi, so, the first time we went, she asked if they could make something else for her and she ended up with a Shirley Temple ($6). In our next visit, interestingly, the waiter told her that they could not make anything other than what is on the menu.

Lucky Luciano cocktail at Veerays in NYC, NY

King Solomon cocktail at Veerays in NYC, NY

The menu is interesting, the Chef menu offering an exotic meat tasting ($88), for the whole table with a one week booking in advance, that is comprised of interesting meats like Ostrich, Kangaroo, Yak, alligator or Camel. So far, I could not find anyone courageous enough to come with me to try it, but, at least, I was able to try their camel seekh kebab ($28), that was served with a date chutney and an olive garlic naan. Packed with spices and with a bit of heat, I admit that they would have served me some other meat, I might not have noticed. But at least, I can say that I tried camel. I also got their Achari quail ($17), that is marinated in spices before being grilled and served with a fig chutney. Quail is difficult to cook as it can quickly be overcooked, but at Veerays, it was perfect and I did not mind the spiciness of the dish at all, the yogurt and tamarind of the samosa chaat ($12) helping with the fire in my mouth.

Another appetizer we tried was Avni’s Prohibition Bhaji ($14), mashed mixed vegetables cooked in a tomato gravy that was accompanied with soft pav, that were two buttery breads, taming a bit the slightly spiciness of the dish. The way you eat is by simply making a sandwich. But the dish Jodi loved the most is their portobello mushroom ($22) that is a paneer stuffed mushroom served with black wild rice. This is a nice dish, the portobello mushroom having a meaty texture and the rice was delicious, quite tasty.

Avni’s Prohibition Bhaji at Veerays in NYC, NY

Portobello mushroom at Veerays in NYC, NY

One entree I was definitely looking forward to trying was The Don’s lamb chops ($48), as it is the signature of Chef Matur: lamb chops served with marble potatoes and a pear chutney. I love lamb and was definitely not disappointed, the spices, although clearly present, not overpowering the gamey taste of the meat.

The Don’s lamb chops at Veerays in NYC, NY

With our meal, we also tried few sides and breads: the Amul cheese naan ($6) was good, but I was expecting more cheese in it. However, their coconut naan ($6) was incredible! Fluffly, nicely charred, it definitely has a soft coconut taste that gave another dimension to it. Their Dal Makhani ($14) was also delicious and is a must have, being creamy and comforting, and their Gobhi Taka Tin ($12), that is cauliflower sautéed with peppers, was also earty and packed with flavors.

Dessert, that they also call the “Curtain Call”, was a nice way to end an incredible meal. Of course we had to try their gulab jamun or Masquerade balls ($10), that were served in a velevety cream, that cut a bit the sweetness of one of my favorite desserts. We also tried their ice cream, called Handcuff ($10), that is a cardamon ice cream that sits on a cardamon cream. This was superb: dense, it was quite creamy. Another must have, even in cold days!

I am not sure why it took me so long to try Veerays: the food there is fantastic and exciting. This is definitely a place to know if you want to have modern Indian cuisine.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Veerays - 213 E 45th Street, New York, NY 10017

I Just Want To Eat! 12/23/25 I Just Want To Eat! 12/23/25

Brunch at Leonetta in New York City

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!

I was recently invited to try Leonetta’s brunch and, as I was checking out the menu and information about the place, I realized that the Chef and owner is also the Executive Chef and partner at Jack & Charlie’s no.118, and is not unknown: it is Ed Cotton, who was at some point the sous-Chef of Chef Cat Cora on Iron Chef America and participated in Top Chef season 7 among other TV appearances. So, I was really looking forward to going there. The place is big, bright, with a beautiful bar dominating the dining room where a tree stands alone, highlighting further the wooden decor around it, that gives a peaceful and comforting feel to the place.

For brunch they have a prix fixe that, for $50 per person, includes 2 spritzes (they have a creative selection), black garlic hummus and one entree, marked by a “PF” on the menu. In that spritzes section was the Cavaillon Melon Kir ($20), made with Maison Artonic Melon Liqueur, Contratto Bianco and White Wine, that I found quite refreshing and unique. Of course, if you prefer tea ($4) or coffee, they have a good selection as well.

Cavaillon melon kit at Leonetta in New York City

Now, I mentioned the black garlic hummus ($16): this is a must have! Some may think that the garlic would be overpowering, protecting one for days if stuck in a vampire convention, but it was not the case: it was creamy, flavorful, the black garlic adding some sweetness. Served with a deliciously fluffy pita, I had to stop eating it as more food was coming. In fact, with it, we got to try their baba Ghanoush ($15) that was also superb, the smokiness of the charred eggplant pairing perfectly with the pickled onions and sun-dried tomatoes that added some texture to the dish.

Black garlic hummus at Leonetta in New York City

Baba ghanoush at Leonetta in New York City

I also wanted to try some seafood as I noticed a seafood display in the back, full of crab, shrimp and scallops, and settled for their Jumbo Lump Crab Ceviche ($24), composed of a perfectly cooked crab, avocado, cilantro, radish and a Sofrito Vinaigrette that gave a nice acidity to the dish.

Jumbo lump crab ceviche at Leonetta in New York City

For entrees, we could not not have their babka French toast ($22 and part of the prix-fixe), that was amazing and is another must have. It was topped with berries and whipped cheesecake, and accompanied with an orange blossom syrup (I just wished there was more syrup). This is a very decadent dish that will certainly make you fall into a sugar coma later on. With it, Jodi got their Wild Mushroom Scramble ($25 and in the prix-fixe), that was very good, the eggs being perfectly cooked, moist, a large amount of mushroom and some black truffle that filled my nose, wanting me to dive in right away. This luscious mix topped a nice sesame crostino that added some texture. On my side, I decided to try their version of steak and eggs with their Steak & Eggs Kebab ($31) that was composed of black garlic marinated filet, potatoes, baby spinach, curry butter and two sunny eggs. Beautiful presentation with the color contrast between the eggs and the kebab, it was superb: the runny eggs added richness and velvetiness to the meat that was perfectly cooked medium and nicely charred on the outside. I did not care much about the spinach, but these potatoes were amazing! Crispy on the outside, fully cooked inside, like I love them.

Babka French toast at Leonetta in New York City

Wild mushroom scramble at Leonetta in New York City

Eggs and steak kebab at Leonetta in New York City

We left full and satisfied, happy to have tried Leonetta, that is a great place for brunch in Murray Hill, and that I would definitely try for dinner soon!

Enjoy (I did)!

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Leonetta - 181 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY

I Just Want To Eat! 12/22/25 I Just Want To Eat! 12/22/25

Trying Israeli Wines for the Holidays

Just a couple of weeks ago, the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, released an official map of wine regions, split into seven areas: Judea, Samaria, Galilee, Negev, the Coastal Plain, the Valleys and the Carmel Mountain range. It is not that wine is new as it has been produced for thousands of years, with innovation coming into play for several years now, with techniques like drip irrigation that has revolutionized agriculture, making Israel one of the fastest wine growing regions in the World. The diversity of its soil and microclimates offer endless possibilities: from bold reds to crisp whites, it is surely putting Israeli wineries on the map, with more than 40 of then joining the Israeli Wine Producers Association.

The wine was sent to me complimentary, but this post reflects 100% of my opinion.

Courtesy of Isreali Wine Producers Association

Here are a few I tried:

Barkan Reserve Gold Gewurztraminer 2024: made from grapes that grow in the Upper Galilee, at the Alma Vineyard, it is fruity and aromatique. This wine pairs well with pungent cheeses, spicy dishes, or meats like duck or pork.

Darom by Yatir Red 2023: this medium-bodied wine is a blend of Shiraz, Zinfandel, Marselan, and Grenache grapes from the Negev region. It is fresh and fruity, with aroma of plum and blackberry. This is a perfect wine with grilled meat, spicy sausages (especially merguez that is one of my favorites) or mediterranean dishes like pasta.

Psagot Sinai White 2024: this wine from Judea is a dry blend of Gewurztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Viognier grapes, giving a floral, fruity and refreshing taste that pairs well with soft cheeses, seafood, grilled vegetables or salads.

Tura Mountain Vista Heartland Blend 2023: this dry red wine from Judea and Samaria is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot that is aged 12 months in French Oak barrels. Rich and intense, it pairs well with red meat, pasta, curries and cheese.

And there are much more Israeli wines worth trying. You can find them online or can check out the large selection at Astor Wines and Spirits.

Enjoy (I did)!

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I Just Want To Eat! 12/16/25 I Just Want To Eat! 12/16/25

Coffee Project New York and its surprising Deconstructed Latte

It’s always exciting when you find an unusual place and it is how I felt when I found Coffee Project New York. We were with our friend Jeannine, looking for a coffee place since we were too early for our brunch reservation, when I noticed this place on Google Map, a comment mentioning their Deconstructed Latte ($12). I was thinking that this was probably a marketing thing where they would just give me an espresso and a some milk that I would need to mix myself, but it was not the case. When I ordered, they told me that it is dine in only, so I knew at that point that my assumption was incorrect and it took only few minutes for what was a nice experience came to our table: on a flight tray was an espresso from Guatemala and Colombia, a steamed milk from Upstate New York and then, a latte combining the first two elements. It was accompanied with sparkling water that is used as a palate cleanser between each drink and a cookie. This was to be drank in the order I described it and I admit that it was quite good, the espresso not being bitter at all, and the milk being slightly sweet.

Deconstructed latte at Coffee Project New York

Jeannine got a cappuccino ($5.75), that was made with the same blend my latte was (aka the Crowd Pleaser), and Jodi had a chai latte ($7.50), made with oat milk (+$1), both nicely decorated, with bunnies for the former and a snowman for the chai.

So, this was surprising and fun: I definitely would go back for another Deconstructed Latte, even if a bit on the pricey side for a coffee. This is worth a visit!

Enjoy (I did)!

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Coffee Project New York - 239 E 5th St, New York, NY 10003

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)!

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

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