I Just Want To Eat! 9/7/26 I Just Want To Eat! 9/7/26

Why I did not like the Afternoon Tea at The Mandarin Oriental in NYC

I was really looking forward to our afternoon tea at The Mandarin Oriental. We arrived a bit early there as, because of the heavy rain, we took the subway, and we had to wait 10 minutes for a table. I am not sure why as the place was really not that crowded. Anyway, they sat us at a table close to the window and we could admire the incredible view of Columbus Circle and Central Park…

View at The Mandarin Oriental in NYC — The Mandarin Oriental in NYC

The view on the park and Columbus Circle at The Mandarin Oriental in NYC — The Mandarin Oriental in NYC

At The Mandarin Oriental, the afternoon tea is $135, whether you are vegetarian or non-vegetarian (I admit that I am always surprised about that, especially when you’ll see what was on the non-vegetarian menu that could explain a price difference). They started off by asking us what tea we wanted. I chose peppermint, while Jodi went for the Vanilla Rooibos. They brought us the tea probably 10 minutes before the food that came in these three tier holders so typical of afternoon teas. Everything looked beautiful, colorful and appetizing, with, in the bottom, the sandwiches that were the only difference between the vegetarian and non-vegetarian version, scones in the center (butter and ginger), and small pastries on top.

Peppermint tea at The Mandarin Oriental in NYC

The non-vegetarian sandwiches were:

Non vegetarian sandwiches at The Mandarin Oriental in NYC — Non-vegetarian sandwiches at The Mandarin Oriental in NYC

Coronation Chicken: a classic British sandwich made of boneless chicken, mixed with curry-spiced mayonnaise, raisins and pickled onion with a curry gel on top.
Wild mushrooms and truffle: roasted wild mushrooms with a vegan coconut cream with truffles.
Lobster roll: poached Maine lobster with gochujang mayonnaise, apple and pickled cucumber, topped with caviar. I was really looking forward to this, but it did not deliver: the mayonnaise was overpowering, not letting the lobster shine and the bread tasted stale.
Roast beef and caramelized fennel: medium-well roasted beef with Gruyère, and pickled caramelized fennel. This was my favorite from all the sandwiches, the meat melting in my mouth.

For the vegetarian tea, they served the following:

Vegetarian sandwiches at The Mandarin Oriental in NYC

Wild mushrooms and truffle: roasted wild mushrooms with a vegan coconut cream with truffles.
Kale with golden beets.
Smoky eggplant.
Cucumber and cream cheese.

The sweets for both were:

Macaron and chou at The Mandarin Oriental in NYC

Hibiscus mousse cake at The Mandarin Oriental in NYC

Elderflower huckleberry tart at The Mandarin Oriental in NYC — Elderflower Huckleberry tart at The Mandarin Oriental in NYC

Lavender chocolate savoring at The Mandarin Oriental in NYC — Lavender Chocolate Savarin at The Mandarin Oriental in NYC

Elderflower and huckleberry tart: an elderflower-infused buttermilk custard nestled in a pastry shell, topped with a huckleberry jam.
Hibiscus mousse cake: a hibiscus mousse cake layered with hibiscus gel.
Rose, lychee and raspberry macaron: fresh raspberries layered with a lychee cream and a hint of rose.
Chamomile chou: a small cream puff filled with chamomile cream.
Lavender chocolate savarin: a 70% chocolate mousse savarin infused with lavender cream.

The desserts were good and looked beautiful, but I admit that they were a bit out there, far from classics. Still, I admired the creativity of the chef and really liked the last three.

The food looked amazing overall, but we unfortunately did not feel well after leaving, having a headache and feeling nauseous, probably from food poisoning. Even without that, I am not sure I would put this place on top of my list for afternoon tea, preferring Fauchon or Lady Mendl, that I realized I never posted about. For a similar price, The Plaza remains my all time favorite.

Enjoy (…)!

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The Mandarin Oriental - 80 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023

I Just Want To Eat! 9/3/26 I Just Want To Eat! 9/3/26

Ramerino Italian Prime in NYC, NY

I discovered Ramerino Italian Prime several years ago, and, each time I dined there, the food, crafted by Chef Wilfrid Hodai, who used to work for a Michelin Star restaurant and is inspired by his Tuscan roots, was exquisite. Dinner is definitely busier than lunch and in fact, when I went for dinner, they started off by bringing a bread basket, and a plate with 36‑month-aged Parmigiano Reggiano, and sopressata sausage. I admit that, before eating at Osteria Franscescana and seeing Chef’s Table on Netflix with Chef Massimo Bottura, I always ate that cheese with pasta, never alone, like I would a comté. I was wrong, and I discovered the richness, nuttiness and deep flavor of that cheese that I now really enjoy. So imagine when it is 36 months aged! Even better. I had it with their Ramerino Spritz ($17) that was their signature cocktail, composed of a limoncello fusion with rosemary, prosecco and club soda. Refreshing for sure. For appetizer, I loved their grilled baby calamari ($28), that changed from the classic fried calamari, and inhaled the eggplant rollatini ($22), where the eggplant hid ricotta and was smothered with a robust tomato and basil sauce. A must have. A unique dish if you love artichokes is their Caciofi e Avocado ($20), a sort of artichoke and avocado terrine topped with 36-months aged parmiggiano reggiano. Rich, creamy, with more artichoke taste than avocado.

Signature spritz at Ramerino Italian Prime in NYC, NY — Signature Spritz at Ramerino Italian Prime in NYC, NY

Bread basket at Ramerino Italian Prime in NYC, NY

36 month aged parmigiano reggiano and sopressata at Ramerino Italian Prime in NYC, NY — 36 month aged parmigiana reggiano and sopressata at Ramerino Italian Prime in NYC, NY

Carciofi e avocado at Ramerino Italian Prime in NYC, NY — Caciofi e avocado at Ramerino Italian Prime in NYC, NY

Eggplant rollatini at Ramerino Italian Prime in NYC, NY

Grilled calamari at Ramerino Italian Prime in NYC, NY

Moving on to the pasta, they are all homemade and when trying the linguine con gambieri e calamari ($45), I was in heaven: perfect for sharing, the calamari and shrimp accompanied perfectly cooked pasta and we smothered by a delicious white wine sauce, made with lemon, garlic, parsley and Calabrian chili. Another must have, their cheese ravioli al tartufo ($34) is one of those vegetarian dishes that make you forget you love seafood. These ricotta filled ravioli are covered with a parmigiano reggiano cream sauce with sprinkles of black truffle. Rich and decadent, you can smell the truffle as they bring the dish to the table, and I truly appreciated that it was not overpowering, letting the ravioli and cheese shine. But the dish I really want to try was their fagottini ($32), that look like purses filled with goat cheese and pear and smothered with a parmigiano reggiano, butter and sage sauce. Delicate, yet decadent, I thought it was good and elegant, even if I would have liked the pasta to be either thinner or slightly more cooked. Still, it was fantastic.

Cheese ravioli e tartufo at Ramerino Italian Prime in NYC, NY

Fagottini at Ramerino Italian Prime in NYC, NY

Linguine con gambieri e calamari at Ramerino Italian Prime in NYC, NY

Chicken parmesan at at Ramerino Italian Prime in NYC, NY

Dessert did not disappoint. The cannoli Siciliani ($14) was a single large cannoli, with a crispy shell (don't you hate when it is not crispy), filled with a deliciously sweet ricotta filling mixed with candied fruits. But my favorite is their tiramisu ($15) that was heavenly creamy, the lady fingers being perfectly soaked in espresso, layered in a delicious mascarpone cream and topped with powdered chocolate that did not make me choke this time!

Cannoli at at Ramerino Italian Prime in NYC, NY

Tiramisu at at Ramerino Italian Prime in NYC, NY

Overall, the food at Ramerino Italian Prime did not disappoint. I would put this place in the category of elegant Italian cuisine, each dish being crafted with the attention that a Michelin star restaurant would give. I definitely recommend it.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Ramerino Italian Prime - 16 East39thStreet , New York, NY 10016

I Just Want To Eat! 8/31/26 I Just Want To Eat! 8/31/26

The Cabin Restaurant in Freehold, NJ

Looking for a place to have lunch on a Saturday with my mother in law, we ended up at The Cabin Restaurant in Freehold, NJ, a roadside restaurant that hosts various car shows on its large parking lot. Operating since 1982, but under different management, this log cabin has a rustic fishing and hunting feel with its mounted deer and moose heads, or fish hanging on the walls…

Bar at The Cabin Restaurant in Freehold, NJ — The Cabin Restaurant in Freehold, NJ

Dining room at The Cabin Restaurant in Freehold, NJ — The Cabin Restaurant in Freehold, NJ

Train and moose head at The Cabin Restaurant in Freehold, NJ — The Cabin Restaurant in Freehold, NJ

Fishes and animals hanging on the wall at The Cabin Restaurant in Freehold, NJ — The Cabin Restaurant in Freehold, NJ

Known for its pizza, BBQ and wings, I had to try each of them, with one of my favorite sodas: a root beer ($3). We started off with the fried pickle chips ($11.99), that were delightfully crunchy, accompanied by a horseradish dipping sauce that was unfortunately too salty. Still, this was pretty good. But not as good as the BBQ burnt ends ($14.99), that were phenomenal:the brisket was soft, nicely charred, fatty, with a sticky and sweet BBQ sauce, and came in an elegant presentation that was unexpected. The Cabin wings ($13.99) were pretty good. I chose the traditional rather than boneless, and picked the buffalo sauce over hot sauce, barbecue or Thai chili. The plain pizza ($15.99) was a bit disappointing, not because of the thin crust that was good and slightly crispy, or the cheese that was in good amount, but because of the sauce that seem to be straight from a can. Dessert though was delicious. We settled for the molten cookie cake ($9.99), that was served with vanilla ice cream (a la mode) and whipped cream. Soft, with a nice amount of chocolate chips inside, not too sweet, it was a good way to end the meal.

Root beer soda at The Cabin Restaurant in Freehold, NJ — Root beer at The Cabin Restaurant in Freehold, NJ

Fried pickle chips at The Cabin Restaurant in Freehold, NJ — Fried pickles chips at The Cabin Restaurant in Freehold, NJ

Buffalo wings at The Cabin Restaurant in Freehold, NJ

BBQ burnt ends at The Cabin Restaurant in Freehold, NJ — BBQ Burnt Ends at The Cabin Restaurant in Freehold, NJ

Plain pizza at The Cabin Restaurant in Freehold, NJ

Molten cookie cake a la mode at The Cabin Restaurant in Freehold, NJ

Overall, the food was fine, and even if not everything was great, I still want to go back to try their barbecue, as, if the other items they're make are like these burnt ends, they must be fantastic !

Enjoy (I did)!

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The Cabin Restaurant - 984 Route 33, Freehold, NJ 07728

I Just Want To Eat! 8/27/26 I Just Want To Eat! 8/27/26

Picanha at Colombian Streakhouse and Lounge in Bound Brook, NJ

I was really looking forward to trying Colombian Steakhouse and Lounge in Bound Brook, NJ, thinking about the meat being cooked on a vertical grill, coming sizzling to the table, everyone looking at the plate coming to the table as I always do in steakhouses. I was not expecting the place to be so big, with the main dining room on the right when you enter, and then another room on the left, probably used for private parties. I was there for lunch, but know that, if you go for dinner, there is…

Kitchen with vertical grill at Colombian Streakhouse and Lounge in Bound Brook, NJ — Colombian Streakhouse and Lounge in Bound Brook, NJ

Dining room at Colombian Streakhouse and Lounge in Bound Brook, NJ — Colombian Streakhouse and Lounge in Bound Brook, NJ

I was excited to try the picanha ($37.99 with 2 sides), or top sirloin, that is a famous cut in Brazilian barbecue and asked to have it medium rare. The dish came, as expected on a sizzling plate, with the two sides I chose: maduros (fried pantains) and frijoles (beans). The meat was juicy, but it was a bit tough and overcooked as, of course, it continues to cook on the sizzling plate and they should have probably cooked it rare, so I would get it close to the requested temperature. At least the sides were good, the fried plantains being nicely sweet and the frijoles comforting. Still, I was a bit disappointed and wondered if I should not have gone for a different piece of meat or if I would have ended up with the same result. With it, I had a coconut lemonade ($6) that was frozen, making it even more refreshing on a very hot day, and I finished the meal with a delicious tres leches ($9.99) that made me forget for a moment about the steak...

Maduros and frijoles at Colombian Streakhouse and Lounge in Bound Brook, NJ

Coconut lemonade at Colombian Streakhouse and Lounge in Bound Brook, NJ

Tres leches at Colombian Streakhouse and Lounge in Bound Brook, NJ

After eating there, I checked few reviews and some indeed mentioned the toughness of the meat. Still, I am glad I gave it a chance and tried this place as I was in the area. Not that I would go back though…

Enjoy (…)!

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Colombian Steakhouse and Lounge - 200 Talmage Ave, Bound Brook, NJ 08805

I Just Want To Eat! 8/24/26 I Just Want To Eat! 8/24/26

Have you ever had a croissant pizza?

I am surprised that no one thought about a croissant pizza before, or maybe they did and it did not get as much buzz as mango sticky rice that you can now find everywhere or few years back, poké, to name just a few. So, when I heard about the croissant pizza at Viva La Dough, few steps from the World Trade Center, I had to try it. This kosher place, serving only vegetarian options, opened few weeks ago. As you arrive, you walk down the stairs and discover a fairly large place with a very floral decor. So, we decided to order some of these pizzas, three of them as they are small (it is $7.95 for one and $16.95 for three): the Margherita (tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella and olive oil), the vodka (vodka sauce, fresh mozzarella, ricotta cheese and fresh basil), and the French onion (caramelized onion, cheddar and mozzarella). When you bite into it, you get the slight crispiness, flakiness and buttery taste of the croissant, giving a more decadent taste to what would have otherwise been just a pizza. I thought that the vodka one was a bit disappointing, being a little dry, but the Margherita was quite nice and I loved the French onion that was sweet and savory, like a deconstructed French onion soup where the bread has been replaced by a croissant. I also tried their mushroom panini ($14.95), where wild mushrooms were accompanied by ricotta cheese, mozzarella and arugula. We could have chose to have the sandwich made with a croissant or sourdough, and we picked the latter. This was comforting, earthy and cheesy, equally as good as the pizza. They do have milkshakes that I was tempted to get, but finally settled on a cookie butter latte ($8), that was good, smooth with an undertone of butter cookie.

Vodka pizza croissant at Viva La Dough in NYC, NY

Margherita pizza at Viva La Dough in NYC, NY

French onion pizza at Viva La Dough in NYC, NY

Mushroom panini at Viva La Dough in NYC, NY

Cookie butter latte at Viva La Dough in NYC, NY

Overall, I liked the food at Viva La Dough: the croissant pizza is an interesting creation that I would eat over and over. The fact that it is small allows for trying several of them in one shot. They have desserts like these trompe l’oeil cakes, but we had other plans. I guess I will have to go back to try them!

Enjoy (I did)!

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Viva La Dough - 160 Broadway, New York, NY 10038

I Just Want To Eat! 8/20/26 I Just Want To Eat! 8/20/26

Does Hoboken really need Springbone?

When Springbone opened in Hoboken, replacing Bon Banh , I was a bit skeptical. Another healthy restaurant? Another one serving bone broth (Alfalfa does)? Still, we decided to give it a try. The place was nicely done, with lots of lights and kind of a zen feel. As you arrive, you have to go to the counter to order your meal and they will bring it to your table once ready.

When Springbone opened in Hoboken, replacing Bon Banh, I was a bit skeptical. Another healthy restaurant? Another one serving bone broth (Alfalfa does)? Still, we decided to give it a try. The place was nicely done, with lots of lights and kind of a zen feel. As you arrive, you have to go to the counter to order your meal and they will bring it to your table once ready.

Counter with broth in the back at Springbone in Hoboken, NJ — Springbone in Hoboken, NJ

Bone broth simmering and menu at Springbone in Hoboken, NJ — Springbone in Hoboken, NJ

Their menu showcases several bowls, soups, bone broths of various kinds, with several vegan options, and smoothies. And, if you prefer, you can make your own bowl. That is what Jodi did, where, for $14.90, she mixed herbed quinoa, lemon garlic broccoli, corn salad, croutons, organic chilli tofu and hummus. On my side, the first time we went, I wanted to try their Honey Dijon Salmon bowl ($17.45), but, unfortunately, they did not have any salmon, so I chose the Mexican bowl ($13.95), that was composed of chicken thigh, bone broth rice, black beans, corn salad, guacamole and a spicy verde sauce (definitely spicy). Although my mouth a a bit on fire from the salsa verde, I really liked the dish that I found comforting, the guacamole and beans counterbalancing the heat and I thought that there was a nice amount of each of every components, including the chicken. But then, on our next visit, I finally got to try the salmon and I loved that dish: the salmon was perfectly cooked, drizzled with a romesco sauce and sitting on a bed of kale, served quinoa, lemon garlic broccoli and marinated cucumber. This dish was packed with flavor and I was really surprised I loved it because I am not a huge fan of kale, but the other ingredients won me over, especially the quinoa and broccoli. A must have for sure.

Make your own bowl at Springbone in Hoboken, NJ

Mexican bowl at Springbone in Hoboken, NJ

Honey Dijon Salmon bowl at Springbone in Hoboken, NJ

Of course, I could not not try their bone broth. I really liked their Immunity broth ($5.95) that is a classic chicken bone broth with ginger, garlic and vitamin C (not sure from what) and admit that I was a bit disappointed with the Liquid Gold Broth ($5.95), also made with their classic chicken broth, and apparently with coconut milk and turmeric. I thought there would be more coconut milk and turmeric in it and could not really taste any, to the point that I asked if it was the right one they gave me as they were carrying several cups when bringing my order to the table. But no, they confirmed it was the right one and said that I would have had more milk and turmeric if I ordered a larger one. Weird…

Immunity chicken bone broth at Springbone in Hoboken, NJ — Immunity bone broth at Springbone in Hoboken, NJ

Liquid Gold bone broth at Springbone in Hoboken, NJ — Liquid Gold Bone Broth at Springbone in Hoboken, NJ

Despite that, I really liked Springbone. They have many more dishes on the menu that I really look forward to try. So, yes, it is a good addition to the Hoboken food scene.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Springbone - 506 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 8/17/26 I Just Want To Eat! 8/17/26

Viv & Jules in Hoboken, NJ

Viv & Jules is the last exciting place we tried recently. Hoboken: great food and service in a relaxed atmosphere is how I would describe it in few words. The first time we went for brunch, I was surprised to see the place mostly empty. And then, I realized it was the 4th of July and so, many people were away. That first brunch made us want to go back for another one and then dinner. They have a full bar, where people seem to be more dining than just drinking and I tried few of their cocktails. For brunch, the Irish coffee ($15) is a good choice, but I also liked the orange crush ($15), made with tequila and a fresh squeezed orange juice, giving you the vitamins you need for the day (good excuse, no?). For dinner, I went for the Champs-Elysees ($15), a cocktail made with cognac, Benedictine and lemon juice. If you prefer mocktails, the coconut kiss ($12), composed of coconut puree, pineapple juice, orange juice and lemon juice, is a very good option, close to a pina colada.

Champs Elysees cocktail at Viv & Jules in Hoboken, NJ — Champs-Elysees cocktail at Viv & Jules in Hoboken, NJ

Coconut kiss mocktail at Viv & Jules in Hoboken, NJ

Orange crush cocktail at Viv & Jules in Hoboken, NJ

Irish coffee at Viv & Jules in Hoboken, NJ

Although cocktails were great, it is the food that excites me the most. For brunch, you can go fairly classic with their mushroom omelet ($14), made with spinach, Gouda, and of course mushrooms, accompanied with sourdough bread and a salad, or the dry aged Gruyère burger ($25), that is served with tallow fries. Classic but delicious: the omelet had lots of mushrooms and cheese, and the burger, was perfectly cooked, juicy, with enough cheese (is there really such a thing as enough cheese?), and some caramelized onions that added a nice sweetness to the whole thing. Cheese seems to be a big thing there in fact. For instance, their endive and gem salad ($17) is topped with a nice amount of Gouda, but for sure I would not ignore the stuffed gougères ($16) that are phenomenal, stuffed with a cheddar sauce and chopped truffle (very subtle) and topped with shaved Parmesan. This is a rich and decadent appetizer perfect to share. Their avocado croissant ($15) looks also amazing: with a nice amount of shaved Parmesan on top, a buttery and slightly crispy croissant encased avocado and arugula, giving an elegant French twist to the now classic avocado toast. Talking about toast, their tiramisu French toast ($19) is amazing: taking inspiration from the classic Italian dessert, this indulgent brunch creation delivered all the flavors we love in tiramisu while bringing the comforting richness of French toast to the table. But, what I was looking forward to try though is their prime Delmonico steak ($85), a 16oz ribeye that was topped with beurre maitre d'hotel, a classic butter compound made with butter, parsley, lemon, salt and pepper. I was surprised that for the price it only came with a bit of salad and so, I ordered their aligot potatoes ($14), a French classic that is mashed potatoes made with lots of cheese and cream (that is the way we ate mashed potatoes when I was a kid). This was delicious: the steak was render and juicy, while the aligot was creamy and cheesy (although I should point out that aligo has even more cheese).

Tiramisu French toast at Viv & Jules in Hoboken, NJ

Mushroom omelet at Viv & Jules in Hoboken, NJ

Dry aged gruyere burger at Viv & Jules in Hoboken, NJ

Endive and gem salad at Viv & Jules in Hoboken, NJ

Avocado croissant at Viv & Jules in Hoboken, NJ

Stuffed gougeres at Viv & Jules in Hoboken, NJ

Prime Delmonico steak at Viv & Jules in Hoboken, NJ

Potatoes alight at Viv & Jules in Hoboken, NJ

For dessert, we got their sticky toffee pudding that was served with a caramel sauce, but I admit that I was full at that point. Still, it was delightfully sweet, rich with a deep caramel flavor.

Sticky toffee pudding at Viv & Jules in Hoboken, NJ

So, we did not have one bad dish at Viv & Jules: everything we had was good, some dishes were exciting and the service there was always on point. This is definitely on my list of favorite places to eat in Hoboken.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Viv & Jules - 400 Adams Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 8/13/26 I Just Want To Eat! 8/13/26

South Indian food at Honest in Jersey City, NJ

Jersey City has some great Indian restaurants and Honest is one of them. What started as a street cart in 1975 in Ahmedabad has now expanded to Thailand, Australia, Canada and the USA, proposing a vegetarian menu. I admit that the main reason I like this place is their dosa, a South Indian dish that I would describe as an Indian crepe, made of fermented black gram that some call black lentils and rice. So, we went for their masala dosa ($11.99) at each of our visits and did not regret it: the crepe was huge, served with some chutney and sambal, a lentil stew, and it was deliciously crispy, spongy inside and slightly greasy, in a good way. The potato and onion filling, that was not spicy, was at the center of the dosa. With or without, I did not care, because the dosa itself was fantastic. I decided to try a different dosa as well and settled for the ghee podi Masala dosa ($14.99), an open faced dosa that is like a pizza with tomato, peppers and onions, with cheese on top, and a big blob of the same potato and onion mixture. Apparently, it is made like a regular dosa, on which you pour a generous amount of ghee (clarified butter) and some podi that is an aromatic chili-lentil spice blend. Crispy, it had a very slight kick and was packed in flavor, a little messier to eat than the regular dosa. If you are not into dosas, you can try their Punjabi thali ($14.99) that consisted of two curries (one with eggplant and one with paneer), a large amount of basmati rice, dal, raita, a gulab jamun for dessert and some bread. This was delicious! The dal was a bit spicy, but the rest was mild, my favorite being the eggplant curry that was very comforting.

Masala dosa at Honest in Jersey City, NJ

Ghee podi masala dosa at Honest in Jersey City, NJ

Vegetarian thali at Honest in Jersey City, NJ — Vegetarian Thali at Honest in Jersey City, NJ

Indian breads at Honest in Jersey City, NJ — Breads at Honest in Jersey City, NJ

With our meals, we tried their sweet lime soda ($4.99) that I did not like, having a weird taste, but loved the mango ($5.99) and sweet lassis ($4.99 - it was a bit thick).

Sweet lassi at Honest in Jersey City, NJ

Mango lassi at Honest in Jersey City, NJ

Sweet Lime soda at Honest in Jersey City, NJ — Sweet lime soda at Honest in Jersey City, NJ

And of course dessert: I mentioned before the gulab jamun ($3.99) that we ordered at some point, and love the rasmalai ($4.99), a North Indian dessert that consists of a spongy cottage cheese patty soaked in a sweet milk syrup flavored with cardamom and saffron. Perfect to cut the sweetness of the gulab jamun.

Gulab jamun at Honest in Jersey City, NJ

So, Honest is definitely a great place if in Jersey City (or check out the NYC location). The food there is really good and comes fairly fast. I highly recommend it!

Enjoy (Idid)!

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Honest - 811 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306

I Just Want To Eat! 8/10/26 I Just Want To Eat! 8/10/26

The thing about Corto in Jersey City Heights

I hate places like Corto: once you eat there, you do not see other restaurants the same way and keep comparing them to it. Because, yes, this is the way I felt after going for brunch at Corto in Jersey City Heights and I am still thinking about the experience and the meal. As you enter, you definitely feel that this place is not your average Italian restaurant: rustic, cozy, welcoming, with the open kitchen in the back where you can see the magic happen, and a patio, that contributes to a very relaxing time. The menu represents well the name of the restaurant, Corto meaning short in Italian. There are three main sections and they recommend to order a dish from each: appetizers, pasta and main. They do not have a brunch menu, so do not expect a classic brunch: it is one menu for brunch and dinner with seasonal dishes that were presented to us in a way that made us want to try everything, highlighting the creativity of the chef, like the creste di gallo ($26), a short pasta with ruffled edges that literally translates to “rooster’s crest”. Made with Jersey corn, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, Urfa (a smoky and mildly spicy Turkish pepper), brown butter and grana padano, it was their rendering of a summer in New Jersey on a plate. I admit that I am always wary about pasta with vegetables, besides eggplant, preferring seafood or meat ragout, but this blew me away. The homemade pasta was superb, perfectly cooked al dente, and each ingredient complemented each other, without being dominant, and it had the perfect amount of brown butter and grana padano to elevate the dish. A must have! I should mention that they make all their pasta. We also got their cheese and salumi plate ($34), that was not your average plate, where sometimes you get basic deli cheeses. First of all, the plate looked very appetizing, with honeycomb, chickpeas, olives and crackers, accompanying the meat and cheeses. The latter were: Birchrun blue from Birchrun Hills Farm, Lanchego that is a manchego from Lancaster, PA, and a smoked gouda. The meats were from Salumeria Biellese in Hackensack. There was: Finocchiona, a type of salami from Florence, Italy, porcini sopressata and napolitana, another type of salami. There was lots of both for sure. We also got their ricotta & honey toast ($15) that seems to be popular there and was quite good, the filone bread being soft with a nice crust, topped with ricotta that was covered with wildflower honey, sea salt, pink peppercorn and olive oil. This was delicious and our waitress told us that we could use the leftovers for breakfast and eat it with an egg on top. We finished with their citrus olive oil cake ($12), that was superb, being moist with hints if citrus that are not overpowering. As it is a BYOB restaurant, they have coffee and sodas, so we went for an Italian lemonade ($4).

Creste di gallo pasta at Corto in Jersey City Heights

Ricotta and honey toast at Corto in Jersey City Heights

Meat and cheese plate at Corto in Jersey City Heights

Italian lemon soda at Corto in Jersey City Heights

Citrus olive oil cake at Corto in Jersey City Heights — Citrus olive oil soda at Corto in Jersey City Heights

Overall, this was a fantastic meal, the kind that makes you want a place like that around the corner, but that is also going to be in your mind every time you eat Italian food. I high recommend Corto!

Enjoy (I really did)!

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Corto - 507 Palisade Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07307

I Just Want To Eat! 8/6/26 I Just Want To Eat! 8/6/26

What went wrong with Happy Tuna

Happy Tuna, Japanese restaurant in NYC, NY

We were walking on Lexington avenue when we saw a Japanese restaurant called Happy Tuna and decided to give it a try. The plcae was nice, bright and quite zen, with few large chairs that were like half booths that are easy to sit in but challenging to get out without moving the table and risking spilling drinks. We decided to order some appetizers and drinks as we were there during their happy hour (remember this). If you ordered a dish from their happy hour menu, you would get a free cocktail, that was quite a nice deal. So, I decided to get their lychee martini ($9 for happy hour), while Jodi got the same but without alcohol ($7 for the happy hour). The dish that got me the cocktail for free was the vegetable dumplings ($9) that we ordered crispy instead of steamed. The drinks were good, well made and the mocktail was not too sweet, and the dumplings delicious: crispy on the outside, with a nice filling. It started well. We then tried to get the attention of our waitress because we specifically told her that we wanted other food. After a while, Jodi ordered avocado rolls ($9.50), while I got the unagi tamago roll ($16), that apparently, per the waitress, is not often ordered. It was composed of eel (unagi), tamago (Japanese omelette), cucumber and eel sauce. It was a bit disappointing: there was barely any eel or egg, and most of the rolls fell apart. We also wanted to try their avocado crispy rice ($15), that was more chewy than crispy.

Lychee martini at Happy Tuna, Japanese restaurant in NYC, NY

Lychee mocktail at Happy Tuna, Japanese restaurant in NYC, NY

Vegetable dumplings at Happy Tuna, Japanese restaurant in NYC, NY

Avocado crispy rice at Happy Tuna, Japanese restaurant in NYC, NY

Unagi tamago roll at Happy Tuna, Japanese restaurant in NYC, NY — Unagi Tamago roll at Happy Tuna, Japanese restaurant in NYC, NY

Avocado roll at Happy Tuna, Japanese restaurant in NYC, NY

As we paid, I noticed that the mocktail was charged full price ($14 instead of $7) and I had to even prove to them that it was what was written on their menu. So, needless to say that it was not the best experiment and this is definitely not the kind of place I would recommend.

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Happy Tuna - 380 Lexington avenue

I Just Want To Eat! 8/3/26 I Just Want To Eat! 8/3/26

The Pancakes Everyone in Jersey City Is Talking About

We were going for lunch in Jersey City on a sunny Sunday, when we passed by Luna, an Italian restaurant located few steps from the path train. I remembered few videos of their square pancakes coming into my feed, with one guy saying that he waited two hours to get to try it. The restaurant having quite a lot of empty tables outside, we decided to give it a try and change plans. We started off with some mocktails: the Femina ($11), made with blood orange seltzer, pineapple juice, and a splash of club soda and lime, as well as the You’ve got red ($11), a strawberry lemonade spritzer with fresh strawberries on top. The femina was nicely sweet and refreshing, while I found the other one too tart.

You've got red mocktail at Luna in Jersey City, NJ — You’ve got red mocktail at Luna in Jersey City, NJ

Femina mocktail at Luna in Jersey City, NJ

With the pancakes, we decided to try their “Detroit style” personal Pizza ($18) on which we added more cheese. I should point out that they offer their dinner menu for brunch, giving you even more options, like this one. The pizza looked fantastic: the edges were caramelized and crispy and yes: it was cheesey!

Detroit pizza at Luna in Jersey City, NJ

Then we got their full moon pancakes ($18), the ones that seem to have gone viral. What is special about these buttermilk pancakes is the fact that they are made Detroit style, like the pizza, giving them not only that square shape, but creating a thin crust on the outside that is delightfully crispy, covering a fluffy inside with hints of vanilla at each bite. Topped with berries and a house made strawberry butter, they were simply divine.

Detroit Moon pancakes at Luna in Jersey City, NJ — Moon pancakes at Luna in Jersey City, NJ

So, the verdict is yes: these pancakes are amazing and a must have, but the Detroit pizza is not to be ignored, and it made me want to go back for other dishes (I heard that they make their own pasta).

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Luna - 279 Grove Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302

I Just Want To Eat! 7/30/26 I Just Want To Eat! 7/30/26

Are these the best dishes at Ci Siamo in NYC?

Meaning “here we are” in English, Ci Siamo is one of these discoveries that make you wonder why you did not hear about this place before. I was looking for an Italian place to go on our anniversary and simply searched for the best Italian restaurant in New York, when this name appeared. There, Chef Hilary Sterling serves fresh pasta and dishes cooked in a wood fire oven. In fact they have two of those: one when you enter and one in the back of the dining room. I admit that, looking at the front, I thought this was a small place. Located on the second floor, we decided to take the stairs instead of the elevator, not knowing that, inside the elevator were some glasses and a bottle of Chianti so you could get a sip on the ride up. As we arrived and passed the bar, I was surprised to see how big this was. Empty when we arrived for lunch, it filled up very quickly.

Wine in elevator at Ci Siamo in NYC — Wine in Elevator at Ci Siamo in NYC

There are two dishes we kept seeing going around and that they are known for: the gnocco fritto ($16) and the caramelized onion torta ($27). Gnocco frito has nothing to do with gnocchi and is in fact a traditional puff-styled fried bread from the Emilia-Romana region in northern Italy. They look large like puffed up ravioli. The exterior was thin, deliciously crispy, with some goat Gouda in the bottom that added a slightly creamy texture. It is the kind of dish you would order again and again. The caramelized onion torta was amazing as well: rich, creamy, sweet and savory, the crust was made with pecorino cheese, and topped with caramelized onions that had a balsamic finish for some slight acidity, and then some pecorino toscano, a sheep's milk cheese from the Tuscany region. This was already filling and I wondered at that point if we made a mistake ordering the cast iron focaccia ($18). But no, it was worth trying, although I wished it had some char from being cooked in the oven. Still, this was a delicious focaccia, a bit greasy on the outside, and soft and chewy inside, served with a fantastic tomato conserva, a tomato paste served with olive oil and chili. These were just the appetizers and we decided to share one pasta as it is homemade. We went for the tagliatelle with tomato and buffalo butter ($25). The pasta was delicious, perfectly cooked, smothered in a nice tomato sauce with bits of tomato skin. I just wished we had parmesan or any other Italian cheese with it (I love grana padano with pasta). For drinks, I got a negroni ($20) that was well made.

Caramelized onion torta at Ci Siamo in NYC

Tagliatelle with tomato and buffalo butter at Ci Siamo in NYC

Of course we could not miss dessert and decided to order their lemon torta ($18) that was like a deconstructed lemon tart, the meringue being served as a toasted blob with olive oil in the center, on the side and not on top of the tart. The tart itself was really good: creamy and with a sharp citrusy flavor that was well balanced by the meringue and, surprisingly, the olive oil.

Lemon torta with meringue and olive oil at Ci Siamo in NYC — Lemon torta at Ci Siamo in NYC

Overall, we had a memorable lunch at Ci Siamo and that made us want to go back to try some more food there. As I mentioned previously, I never heard of this place before, as if people wanted to keep it a secret…

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Ci Siamo - 440 W 33rd St Ste 100, New York, NY 10001

I Just Want To Eat! 7/27/26 I Just Want To Eat! 7/27/26

Solaz Mediterranean Cuisine, in Jersey City

When I heard that Solaz would open earlier this year in Jersey City, I was really excited for the simple reason that it is the result of the partnership between restauranteur Alexander Duran (Son Cubano) and Chef David Burke who I am a big fan of, his menu always being surprising. Solaz, that means solace in Spanish, proposes an exciting mediterranean menu, taking classic dishes to the next level in a beautiful setting. We went there for dinner and here is what we had:…

For drinks, I tried their Prince of Persia ($18), made with whiskey, grappa, acid-adjusted passion fruit, and spicy tincture, an alcohol based pepper extract that gave a nice heat to the drink. I also tried their Sultan’s lemonade ($18), made with tequila, fernet menta, Supasawa, a sour cocktail mixer, honey syrup, charred lemon and mint. Both these cocktails were pretty balanced and showed some creativity.

Prince of Persia cocktail at Solaz Mediterranean Cuisine, in Jersey City

Sultan’s lemonade at Solaz Mediterranean Cuisine, in Jersey City

For the meal, we started with saganaki ($18), where grilled halloumi cheese was topped with Calabrian hot honey, candied lemon, za’atar and served with a crostini. If you love this cheese and sweet and savory dishes, you will be in heaven. But what was most surprising was their baklava bites ($19), where mushrooms and Brussels sprouts are stuffed in a deep fried pocket (probably kataifi), and topped with goat cheese and harissa honey. I was not sure how the combination goat cheese and Brussels sprout would work, but in fact it was amazing, complementing well each over and I loved each bite. They also have crispy Brussels sprout ($14) as a side, that are prepared with hot honey and toasted almonds, that made me forget that I use to hate Brussels sprouts when I was a kid. Another side is their mushroom and leeks ($12) that I liked a bit less, finding the leeks a bit tough, while I loved the mushrooms. Of course, you cannot miss their mediterranean hummus ($15), served with feta, olive and tomato, and a delicious fluffy pita that I would not be surprised is homemade. All of these are great vegetarian options to which I would add their fattoush salad ($18), that is composed of mixed greens, parsley, bulgur, mint, pita crisps, and a pomegranate vinaigrette. Light and refreshing. But there were two dishes I really wanted to try: the first one of their paccheri lamb bolognese ($35). Why? Because it is made with mergez sausage, that I love and is difficult to find in the US. The bolognese itself was fantastic: it had a bite, was deliciously fatty and comforting, pairing well with some ricotta that tamed a bit the heat of the sausage. I just wished there was more meat and cheese. Still, it is a must have. The second one is their braised lamb shank ($49). This dish looks amazing and they are definitely not cheap with the amount of lamb on the plate! And that lamb was superb: it literally fell off the bone. It was served with Israeli couscous, mushroom and pomegranate. Another must have for sure that was packed in flavor.

Baklava bites at Solaz Mediterranean Cuisine, in Jersey City

Crispy brussels sprouts at Solaz Mediterranean Cuisine, in Jersey City

Sautéed mushrooms and leeks at Solaz Mediterranean Cuisine, in Jersey City

Saganaki at Solaz Mediterranean Cuisine, in Jersey City

Mediterranean hummus at Solaz Mediterranean Cuisine, in Jersey City

Fattoush salad at Solaz Mediterranean Cuisine, in Jersey City

Paccheri lamb bolognese at Solaz Mediterranean Cuisine, in Jersey City

Braised lamb shank at Solaz Mediterranean Cuisine, in Jersey City

Dessert was a bit disappointing though. I thought that the kunefeh ($14) was not as crispy as I liked and putting sweet clotted cream inside did not help in term of texture. I preferred their triple chocolate mousse cake with halva ($14) that was more decadent, being definitely rich and satisfying.

Kunefeh at Solaz Mediterranean Cuisine, in Jersey City — Kunefe at Solaz Mediterranean Cuisine, in Jersey City

Triple chocolate mousse cake with halva at Solaz Mediterranean Cuisine, in Jersey City

Overall, our meals at Solaz were delicious, and made me want to go back for brunch this time.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Solaz Mediterranean Cuisine - 25 River Dr S, Jersey City, NJ 07310

Post about Park Avenue Tavern by David Burke

I Just Want To Eat! 7/23/26 I Just Want To Eat! 7/23/26

The Kati Roll Company comes to Jersey City!

Founded in 2002 in a Greenwich Village location that still stands, The Kati Roll Company is quickly expanding with locations in not just New York, but also Texas, London, and now New Jersey, with a restaurant opening in Jersey City, few steps from the Journal Square Path train station. The facade is a bit different from the usual red sign, with its catchy mustard sign, but the…

What are Kati rolls? Originating from Kolkata in India, where the owner, Payal Saha, is from, this is a street food made of chargrilled vegetables or meat that are wrapped in flatbread, like a crepe. The bread we always have when going to The Kati Roll Company is called paratha, and is a layered flatbread usually made with whole wheat flour, brushed with ghee (clarified butter) or butter and folded over itself multiple times (seems like the puff pastry technique in a way). I would not say that the menu was totally new to us as we went several times to their location near Bryant Park and so, there was no surprise: we knew it would be delicious! Jodi got their vegetarian options: there is for instance the Unda paneer roll ($9.30), that is a paratha layered with an egg (Unda) and some Achari paneer, that is paneer (cottage cheese cubes) drenched in. North Indian gravy. Or the Unda Chana roll ($8.80) that is filled with Chana masala. On the non-vegetarian side, I always go with the Unda shami roll ($9.60) that is filled with minced lamb and lentil croquettes and spices, a must have if you love lamb. And their best seller apparently, the chicken tikka roll ($9.30), a grilled chicken breast that marinated in spices and yogurt. All of these were packed in flavor and I truly appreciated that they were not spicy. What I love as well in this place is their paratha that is grilled on a flattop, giving a slight crisp and a nice char.

For drinks, I got my go to Indian beverage: a mango lassi ($6.20) and their masala chai ($3.60).

Mango Lassi at The Kati Roll Company — Mango lassi at The Kati Roll Company

Unda paneer roll and undo chana roll at The Kati Roll Company — Unda paneer roll and unda chana roll at The Kati Roll Company

unda chami roll and unda chicken tikka roll at The Kati Roll Company — Unda shami roll and unda chicken tikka at The Kati Roll Company

Although this place is not new to me, I was glad to be there for their opening in Jersey City, their kati rolls being exciting and most importantly delicious. It takes a little bit for the food to be ready as they make it to order, but the wait is worth it!

Enjoy (I did)!

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The Kati Roll Company - 924 Bergen Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306

I Just Want To Eat! 7/20/26 I Just Want To Eat! 7/20/26

Bangalore Kitchen in Jersey City, NJ

A new restaurant serving South Indian cuisine opened a couple of months ago in Jersey City, in the Newport neighborhood. I was looking forward to trying this place from the owner of Dosa Spot, located close by, in the Newport Mall, but was at first disappointed when we went the first time. Why? Because, while they were doing construction, the poster announcing their opening was showing a thali, a traditional Indian platter that features classic dishes served with breads. Passed the disappointment, we decided to try their dosa, a South Indian crepe made with rice flour. I always love the presentation of dosa that always looks large, but the filling is usually concentrated in the center, so it is not as big as it looks. Jodi went for the cheese dosa ($15.99) and I went classic with a masala dosa ($14.99), that was filled with potato masala and was not spicy. Both were served with some chutney and sambal, a lentil stew, and I enjoy them, my preference going for the masala dosa that was more hearty. The crepe itself was deliciously crispy with a slightly spongy interior, and had a nice nutty taste. I loved it. They have other South Indian specialties like uttapam or idli, but we decided to go for more classic dishes when we went back. For appetizers, the samosa ($8.99 for two) were good but a bit spicy. I preferred the Masala puri ($12.99), where crispy chaat puris are topped with peas, onion, chutneys and fresh herbs, smothered in a curry. For dinner, we also got the butter chicken ($23.99) and the paneer butter masala ($21.99), that were served with basmati rice and that we ate with butter roti ($5), a whole wheat bread cooked in a clay oven and topped with ghee. The curries were delicious: comforting, mild (they asked us how spicy we wanted it), with that tomato based curry being quite addictive (I could not stop dipping the bread in it).

Cheese dosa at Bangalore Kitchen in Jersey City, NJ

Masala dosa at Bangalore Kitchen in Jersey City, NJ

Butter chicken at Bangalore Kitchen in Jersey City, NJ

Butter paneer at Bangalore Kitchen in Jersey City, NJ — Butter peneer at Bangalore Kitchen in Jersey City, NJ

Butter roti at Bangalore Kitchen in Jersey City, NJ

Masala puri Bangalore style at Bangalore Kitchen in Jersey City, NJ — Masala purr Bangalore style at Bangalore Kitchen in Jersey City, NJ

Basmati rice at Bangalore Kitchen in Jersey City, NJ

Samosa at Bangalore Kitchen in Jersey City, NJ

With my food, I got a mango lassi ($7.99), that is my favorite Indian drink and a butter milk ($4.99), that is yogurt churned with water, cilantro and salt, definitely different from classic buttermilk in taste and thickness. I should also mention their masala chai ($3.99) that was amazing and that I got with dessert. It was rich, creamy and aromatic, served very hot in a small cup that you are not sure how to hold without burning your fingers!

Mango lassi at Bangalore Kitchen in Jersey City, NJ

Butter milk at Bangalore Kitchen in Jersey City, NJ

Chai at Bangalore Kitchen in Jersey City, NJ

And these desserts were delicious. Of course, I had to get their gulab jamun ($7.99), that were perfectly made and deliciously sweet, and I loved the vermicelli payasa ($7.99), that is a traditional South Indian dessert made with milk, joggery (an unrefined sweetener made from sugar cane juice or palm sap) and vermicelli. Think about a sweeter version of rice pudding with vermicelli. Quite addictive, this is a must have!

Payasa at Bangalore Kitchen in Jersey City, NJ

Gulab jamun at Bangalore Kitchen in Jersey City, NJ — Gulab Jamun at Bangalore Kitchen in Jersey City, NJ

Overall, the food at Bangalore Kitchen was really good. I would either go for a masala dosa or butter chicken, with dessert and that fantastic chai. But there are more to discover and I am sure I’ll be back!

Enjoy (I did)!

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Bangalore Kitchen - 126 River Drive South, Jersey City, NJ 07310

I Just Want To Eat! 7/16/26 I Just Want To Eat! 7/16/26

La Brochette Steakhouse in NYC, NY

I passed in front of La Brochette so many times, that it was time to try it with a friend of mine. The name is French (means a skewer) and the menu has tons of French in it, but I would not describe it as a French steakhouse. As I arrived, the hostess made me walk around the place, going up and down, to avoid the private event that was taking place in the main dining room. So, I got a glimpse of how big this place is with its multiple rooms. As my friend arrived, we started off with cocktails, that were unfortunately limited as they did not have any sweet vermouth that day. So, no Negroni or Manhattan and we both settled for an old fashioned ($22). Classic, but, sadly, it was too light and too sweet. However, I loved their glass of Psagot Edom ($39), a full bodied Cabernet blend from Israel.

Old fashioned at La Brochette Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Psagot Edom Cabernet Blend at La Brochette Steakhouse in NYC, NY — Psagot Edom Cabernet Blend wine at La Brochette Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Know that this place is kosher, so you will not see a classic menu with seafood or a bacon slice, and there is no dairy, including for dessert. Instead, you can get sushi or a bunch of non-vegetarian apps mainly, unless you want a salad. One option is the eggplant tian ($28) that is fried slices of eggplant served with babagabouj. It was pretty good, nicely crispy. I liked the nems de cotes croisées ($33), a Vietnamese inspired roll made with an 8-hour short rib, cabbage and mushrooms. Served with a BBQ aioli, It looked burnt, but in fact it was deliciously crispy and the meat was melting in my mouth. But the pièce de résistance was their prime rib for two ($189) that we ordered medium. Sliced, it looked fantastic, served with a red wine sauce, a peppercorn sauce and salt (I should mention that we also got a béarnaise sauce -$3- that was just ok). As sides, we had the sautéed wild mushrooms and the spinach ($16 each). The meat was very good, perfectly cooked medium, tender and juicy. A must have there.

Eggplant Tian at La Brochette Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Nems de cotes croisée at La Brochette Steakhouse in NYC, NY — Nems de cotes croisées at La Brochette Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Prime rib for two at La Brochette Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Spinach at La Brochette Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Sautéed wild mushrooms at La Brochette Steakhouse in NYC, NY — Sauteed wild mushrooms at La Brochette Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Dessert was a bit of a let down. When the waitress said that they had a chocolate soufflé, we jumped on it, but in fact, it was a chocolate cake that was a bit dry. I wonder if originally it was a chocolate lava cake that was overcooked! We should have gone for the tiramisu, although I am not sure how it is without mascarpone.

Chocolate cake at La Brochette Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Overall, the food was fine, a bit overpriced and for sure not a place I would recommend in New York, with Benjamin steakhouse being just a block away. But if you eat kosher, this is a great representation of a NYC steakhouse.

Enjoy (I did)!

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La Brochette - 340 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10016

I Just Want To Eat! 7/14/26 I Just Want To Eat! 7/14/26

Java Factory Flavor 52 Launch

Please note that this coffee was sent complimentary, but this post represents 100% of my opinion.

Java Factory Coffee pods Throwback season 1

I love coffee: black, no milk and no sugar, going mainly for espresso. But, when I was offered to review some of the throwback flavors of Java Factory, I was curious, especially considering that some of these flavors like Sunday Pancakes, Jelly donut or candied pecan represent, for me, a Frenchman, Americana. What I missed originally is that they come in pods, but quickly realized that I could use my espresso machine for a tasting that would end up being quite surprising. But before that, let me explain few things. Java Factory launched Flavor 52, an initiative in cooperation with the Guiness World Records, for the “most unique coffee flavors launched by a coffee brand within a single year”. Yes, every weeks, for 52 weeks, culminating with the 2027 Summer Fancy Food Show, Java Factory will release unique flavors like the ones I tried. This will be done through 6 seasons:

Throwback Collection – Season 1
Ice Cream Truck – Season 2
Sweater Weather – Season 3
Wild Ones – Season 4
Just Desserts – Season 5
The Finale – Season 6

How I made an espresso with Java Factory Coffee pods Throwback flavor — Espresso made with Java Factory Coffee pods Throwback flavor

The ones I tried are, in order of release: Sunday Pancakes, Candied Pecan, Jelly Donuts, and Grandma’s Candy. All of these definitely represented perfectly the throwback theme and had a very distinctive smell and flavor, that was not overwhelming, that is what I often dislike with flavored coffee. My favorite was the Sunday Pancakes, Jelly Donuts and Grandma’s Candy. My least favorite was the Candied Pecan, that lacked a bit of flavor for me.

If you are interested to try, you can subscribe directly through the Java Factory website www.javafactory.com for either full-year access or seasonal subscriptions.

Enjoy (I did)!

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I Just Want To Eat! 7/13/26 I Just Want To Eat! 7/13/26

Clinton Hall 36 in New York, NY

Looking for an afternoon fun, playing games and enjoying food? Check Clinton Hall 36 (36 refers to the street and they also have other locations in New York). This is fun for sure with tons of games to play, from board games to fusball. But I admit that it is not for that that we went there, but for two dishes that attracted my attention on instagram: the donut grilled cheese ($19) and the fondue burger ($18), both probably not recommended by a cardiologist, but surely by the little demon that sits on your left shoulder. The concept of the donut grilled cheese is already decadent, knowing that for years people have proposed burgers and ice cream with one of the food that clearly represents Americana. Just the name is exciting, but at Clinton Hall, they succeeded in creating a unique experience by having the grilled cheese hanging on a hook, with the melted mozzarella slowly dripping in the tomato soup. Not only does it look theatrical, it also tastes great: as you bite, you first get the sweetness of the grilled glazed donut, followed by the gooeyness of the cheese. With the robust tomato soup, it is even better as the acidity cuts into the rich and fatty cheese. A must have. The fondue burger is another experience, where a cheese burger is presented with a pretzel bun whose top is filled with melted fondue cheese. And if this was not enough, it is accompanied with some extra fondue cheese in a small bowl, just in case you do not have enough. This is a great take on a cheeseburger, a bit messy to eat for sure, and it needs to be eaten right away as otherwise the cheese will solidify.

Dinin groom with games at Clinton Hall 36 in New York, NY — Dining room with games at Clinton Hall 36 in New York, NY

Board games at Clinton Hall 36 in New York, NY

Video games at Clinton Hall 36 in New York, NY

Jenga game at Clinton Hall 36 in New York, NY

Connect 4 games at Clinton Hall 36 in New York, NY — Connect 4 game at Clinton Hall 36 in New York, NY

Doughnut grilled cheese at Clinton Hall 36 in New York, NY

Fondue burger at Clinton Hall 36 in New York, NY

Veggie cheeseburger at Clinton Hall 36 in New York, NY

Considering this place is an homage to beer gardens, they had to have a jumbo pretzel ($14) that is served with the same cheese fondue as the burger and a mustard marmalade, definitely a crowd pleaser. The burger patty can be replaced with a plant based one, but, it is not the impossible burger and it was a bit mushy. The crunchy Caesar ($12), with an avocado ($4) is decent, but quite classic.

Hot jumbo pretzel at Clinton Hall 36 in New York, NY

Crunchy Caesar salad at Clinton Hall 36 in New York, NY

Drink wise, they have a large selection of beers, and I loved the OM Chocolate Nitro Stout by Upward Brewing Co ($11 for a pint) , an oatmeal stout infused with chocolate nibs and conditioned with nitrogen, that was rich and decadent. However, I would pass on the espresso martini ($15) that I thought was not well balanced. They also have non alcoholic beverages like the strawberry fields mocktail ($9) that Jodi really liked.

Upward OM chocolate nitro stout beer at Clinton Hall 36 in New York, NY — Upward OM chocolate nitro stout at Clinton Hall 36 in New York, NY

Espresso martini at Clinton Hall 36 in New York, NY

Strawberry fields mocktail at Clinton Hall 36 in New York, NY

Overall, Clinton 36 is a great place for some original food in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. I highly recommend it and if you go, get the doughnut grilled cheese: it is surprisingly delicious!

Enjoy (I did)!

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Clinton Hall 36 - 16 West 36th Street, New York, NY 10018

I Just Want To Eat! 7/9/26 I Just Want To Eat! 7/9/26

Is the viral French Dip from Salt Hank’s worth it?

Opened in 2025 in the West Village by Henry Laporte (Salt Hank is apparently his nickname), Salt Hank’s has been all over social media for its French Dip that some say is the best in New York. So, I had to give it a try. As I was off on July 3rd, I decided to go there, thinking that people would either be away for the Holiday or be working. Good plan except for the weather as it was a very hot day and waiting 30 minutes in the sun for the restaurant to open, as a line started to form in front of the restaurant, was not my best idea. Jodi’s text literally said: “I cannot believe you are sweating for a sandwich”. I was and was pleasantly surprised to see the restaurant bringing glasses of ice water to everyone outside. Nice gesture! Fortunately, it paid off, I had the first spot in line and was first to order. I gave the ticket they handed over while waiting and asked for the French dip with matchstick fries, and got a housemade limeade as a $42 bundle. Pricey for sure, so I was really hoping it would be worth it. I barely had time to sit as they called my name quickly and brought me a tray with the sandwich and fries. At first glance, it looked delicious, the meat being juicy, topped with caramelized onions and provolone cheese, squeezed between bread. I decided to have a first bite without a dip and I admit that It was divine: the toasted bread was crispy on the outside, and then I got the sweetness of the onions, and some hints of horseradish aioli, followed by the fantastic flavor of the dry-aged prime rib that was generously layered. The meat was so tender, it melted in my mouth. Dipping in the jus was even better as it added a nice savory taste to what was already a great steak sandwich and I even tried to add some of the fries in few bites, to add even more texture. I was in heaven!

French dip and matchsticks fries at Salt Hank's in NYC, NY

So, let’s be honest, even if it is a bit pricey, this is worth it, even in the sun…

Enjoy (I did)!

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Salt Hank’s - 280 Bleecker Street, New York, NY 10014

I Just Want To Eat! 7/6/26 I Just Want To Eat! 7/6/26

Meximodo in Jersey City, NJ

Meximodo is the kind of place that you would want in your neighborhood: great ambiance, good food and cocktails is what makes this restaurant a great addition to the Jersey City food scene. We went there in the past 3 months five times, including brunch, and we were rarely disappointed. I say rarely because the only dish I really am not thrilled with is their ribeye divorciado ($59), a 14 oz steak topped with fried onion and served with salsa aji verde and salsa ranchera with a choice of sides (I chose rice and beans). I thought the steak was a little tough and lacked flavor. I would pass on this one and more go for the ribeye sizzling fajita platter ($26). Also served with rice and beans, it comes with sautéed onions and pepper, avocado, crema, pico de gallo and four tortillas. I loved the presentation, with the dish being served with a lazy Susan, turning on itself. And the ribeye was this time succulent: tender and juicy. Another favorite is their Jalisco Birria Melt tacos ($21) that is made with goat meat. Messy, the braised goat was melting in my mouth. A must have. They have few seafood options, but what I was looking forward to try is their Baja crispy fish tacos ($19). The battered Alaskan cod was crispy, smothered in tartare sauce and habanero ranch for a little kick, and covered with cabbage and a pineapple salsa. It did not disappoint. Jodi on her side tried their golden cauliflower tacos ($19), a spicy dish where crispy cauliflower was topped with chipotle aioli, crema, cabbage, pico de gallo and salsa macha. Know that you can also get the crispy cauliflower as a side (or appetizer). Another vegetarian option is the huilacoche quesadilla ($17). Not sure if you had huilacoche before: it is a type of fungus with an earthy and smoky flavor. Served with Oaxaca cheese, pickled jalapeños and guacamole (by the way, I prefer the truffle street corn - $16 - as I like my guac with chunks of avocado and less soupy), this appetizer was quite comforting. Going back to sides, I should mention their crispy yuca fries ($9), that were topped with chimichurri and cotija cheese, accompanied by a cilantro garlic aioli. This is a must have side: crispy as advertised and slightly greasy, they are a bit addictive. I also love the sweet plantains ($9), that are always a crowd pleaser.

Ribeye divorciado at Meximodo in Jersey City, NJ

Ribeye fajita at Meximodo in Jersey City, NJ

Guacamole and tortilla at Meximodo in Jersey City, NJ — Guacamole at Meximodo in Jersey City, NJ

Truffle street corn at Meximodo in Jersey City, NJ

Baja fish tacos at Meximodo in Jersey City, NJ

Birria melt tacos at Meximodo in Jersey City, NJ

Huilacoche tacos at Meximodo in Jersey City, NJ

Plantains at Meximodo in Jersey City, NJ

Rice and beans at Meximodo in Jersey City, NJ

Crispy Yuca fried at Meximodo in Jersey City, NJ — Crispy yuka fries at Meximodo in Jersey City, NJ

Brunch is also not to be ignored: at some point, their proposed some corn pancakes ($17) that were phenomenal, being sweet and slightly crumbly, and of course, their huevos rancheros ($21) do not disappoint as well.

Corn pancakes at Meximodo in Jersey City, NJ

Huevos rancheros at Meximodo in Jersey City, NJ

Before talking about dessert, I should mention their drinks. They have a large selection of tequila and mezcal, so, I could not miss trying their margaritas (classic and mango - $16), that they also offer alcohol free ($13). But my favorite is their smocky agave old fashioned ($18), a take on an old fashioned that comes in a wooden box filled with smoke. Another mocktail their propose is their Paloma ($14) that is made with Ritual Tequila Alternative, grapefruit soda and fresh lime. Now, if you are more into hot beverages, their sweet honeycomb ($8) that is a honey vanilla latte is quite nice, and their almond horchata ($7), made with sweet almond and cinnamon rice milk is smooth and calming. A must try.

Mango margarita at Meximodo in Jersey City, NJ

Classic margarita at Meximodo in Jersey City, NJ

Alcohol free margarita at Meximodo in Jersey City, NJ

Smoky agave old fashioned at Meximodo in Jersey City, NJ

Sweet honeycomb latte at Meximodo in Jersey City, NJ

Almond horchata at Meximodo in Jersey City, NJ — Almond horchata t Meximodo in Jersey City, NJ

Last is dessert: the tres leches cake ($14) was good but I wished it was more soaked in milk, although I admit that there was lots of milk in the plate, so I soaked it myself. Of course, we could not not try their churros ($14) that were served with a Mexican chocolate sauce and their signature dulce de leche. Nicely crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, they were perfect. But the main attraction at Meximodo is their Margarita Sundae ($18), a giant ice cream made with a scoop of vanilla, one of horchata and one of cookie ice cream, layered with crushed cookies, hazelnut wafers and raspberry, and topped with a lollipop and a sugar cone. This is a fun dessert, perfect for sharing, with the horchata ice cream being a favorite.

Tres leches cake at Meximodo in Jersey City, NJ

Margarita sundae at Meximodo in Jersey City, NJ

So, I guess you now understand why we went many times to Meximodo: the food and drinks there are really good, and can be enjoyed in a nice atmosphere.

Enjoy (I really did)!

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Meximodo - 25 Christopher Columbus Dr, Jersey City, NJ 07302