I Just Want To Eat! 2/20/25 I Just Want To Eat! 2/20/25

Lunch at Orsay on the Upper East Side

It’s been years since I wanted to eat at Orsay, a French restaurant located on the Upper East Side. This brasserie has been around for a quarter century and seem to remain the go to spot for neighbors and business people. In a way, I can understand as there are not that many great places around, even the outpost of Angelina Paris, with its reduced menu, cannot compete. Still, it is also because it is good and quite classic. For sure, I had to try their escargots ($18) that were not just bathed in the traditional garlic and parsley butter, but were topped with breadcrumbs and had a mist of pastis. I would not have known, would not have noticed. It was pretty good and I finished by dipping some bread into it, the best ending with this dish. I continued with their lunch steak frites ($38) that was served with a delicious béarnaise sauce. The sirloin was more on the medium side, rather than medium rare, but was still good. Jodi got their special that was a crustless vegetarian quiche, that I admit should be on the menu as it was delicious. We finished with their île flottante ($14), a dessert rarely seen on restaurant menus.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Orsay - 1057 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10021

I Just Want To Eat! 2/18/25 I Just Want To Eat! 2/18/25

Product Review: Is the Amzchef 8-in-1 milk frother the Rolls Royce of milk frothers?

he milk frother from Amzchef is not the first appliance I tried from that company and, so far, I have to say that I love this brand. Not just because they are sending me these products to try, but because they are truly good. Now, you are going to ask: what would a milk frother have so unique that I can’t just use what is attached to my coffee machine? Well, this is not just a milk frother. Of course, it…

The milk frother from Amzchef is not the first appliance I tried from that company and, so far, I have to say that I love this brand. Not just because they are sending me these products to try, but because they are truly good. Now, you are going to ask: what would a milk frother have so unique that I can’t just use what is attached to my coffee machine? Well, this is not just a milk frother. Of course, it can create a creamy milk foam, but a bit more advanced than most milk frothers (and don’t get me started with the handheld ones), with settings for dense or airy foam, and the possibility to froth cold milk as well. But there is also a setting for cashew or soy milk if using alternatives (I tried it with soy). However, one of the settings I prefer is the chocolate milk one, and not just to make hot chocolate (I made a delicious one with Ghirardelli double chocolate and milk); I also made chai, an Indian tea packed in spices with healthy benefits like cardamon, cloves, cinnamon and ginger that I added to milk and black tea. I put all the ingredients in the milk frother, set it to chocolate milk, press the button and it will do its magic. No need to boil on the stove and making sure there is no spill. And the result is fantastic. By the way, I should mention that it can also make baby food with baby formula, ensuring the result will be between 113 to 131 degrees F. Cleaning is easy, the milk jug going into the dishwasher, but know that the whisk and lid have to be hand washed.

Capuccino made with Amzchef milk frother

Tea with soy foam made with Amzchef milk frother

Hot cocoa made with Amzchef milk frother

I love how easy to use and clean this 8 in 1 milk frother is. We had a basic milk frother before, but this one is a game changer for us. Now that we can use it for more than milk frothing, we are using it everyday for a nice chai after dinner. So yes, for me, it is the Rolls Royce of milk frothers! I simply love it! And you can find it on the Amzchef website or Amazon.

I Just Want To Eat! 2/17/25 I Just Want To Eat! 2/17/25

Lokal in Jersey City, NJ

With its breathtaking views of the skyline, Lokal in Jersey City is definitely a place to know for brunch or dinner, or just to have a cocktail (or mocktail). Starting with these, they can make most of the mocktails you want, my favorite being the virgin mojito and the virgin lychee martini, their spirited version being less sweet and on top of my list. They also have classics like their Manhattan …

Manhattan cocktail at Lokal in Jersey City, NJ

Virgin mojito at Lokal in Jersey City, NJ

Lychee martini at Lokal in Jersey City, NJ

Virgin lychee martini (left) and lychee martini (right) at Lokal in Jersey City, NJ

For dinner, they will bring you delicious homemade focaccia that is a bit dangerous as you cannot stop eating it although you know that some food is coming! They often change their menu, so the below has been over the course of few months. For dinner, we tried their whipped ricotta with truffled honey, that is always a crowd pleaser, where we dipped not only the bread that came with it, but also the delicious focaccia that they brought to tables. Another crowd pleaser is their cheese croquettes that were crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside, the kind of appetizer you would keep eating over and over. But it is not the only shareable appetizers they serve: their crispy Brussels sprouts make you wonder why you did not like them when you were a kid (sorry, Mom!): they had variations since they opened and these, made with grapes and macron almonds were fantastic, as was the grilled octopus, served with mojo rojo, pickled chesno peppers and fingerling potatoes. Less adventurous is their hummus that was served with their homemade naan.

Whipped ricotta at Lokal in Jersey City, NJ

Cheese croquettes at Lokal in Jersey City, NJ

Crispy brussels sprouts at Lokal in Jersey City, NJ

Grilled octopus at Lokal in Jersey City, NJ

For the entrees, at some point they had a fantastic ribeye that was juicy, tender and deliciously fatty, probably the best I had outside of a steakhouse! Jodi got their margarita flatbread that was quite good as well and a good option if you are vegetarian.

Margarita flatbread at Lokal in Jersey City, NJ

Dry aged ribeye at Lokal in Jersey City, NJ

For brunch, they brought to the table a little basket that changes every week, and I decided to try their cheeseburger, topped with white cheddar and smothered with a spicy mayo. It was ok for me, the patty being slightly overcooked and dry, and I did not like their home fries that lacked crispiness. No, I would more recommend their shashuka that was probably my favorite with the mascarpone pancakes that were fluffy and slightly crispy on the sides (we had to ask for more syrup). The mezze platter is a nice touch, served with hummus, tzatziki and a spicy feta, but the falafel were a bit on the dry side.

Breakfast basket at Lokal in Jersey City, NJ

Cheeseburger at Lokal in Jersey City, NJ

We also tried their desserts, but I admit that I was a bit disappointed: their tiramisu was not creamy enough and the cookies not soaked enough in coffee, and the flourless chocolate cake was dry.

Flourless chocolate cake at Lokal in Jersey City, NJ

Overall, Lokal is a great brunch and dinner spot, especially if you can get a table next to the window, so, not only you have some great cocktails and food, but you also get the splendid skyline view. Only negative for me is their desserts that are just ok and not memorable. I would still 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!

Lokal - 2 2nd St, Jersey City, NJ 07302

I Just Want To Eat! 2/13/25 I Just Want To Eat! 2/13/25

Brunch at Panela in Hoboken, NJ

We recently went to Panera in Hoboken for brunch. The place was quiet in the sense that there were only a few patrons, but the music was loud, to the point that I just wanted to finish my meal and leave, a headache being probably coming at the same time as the bill. Well, the fact that the kitchen was a bit slow did not help…Foodwise, it was ok, the guacamole having too much lime and I wished the avocado was less smashed, and with little chunks, the veggie quesadilla was missing cheese and I wish they served it with sour cream and pico de gallo. However, the brunch burger that was topped with bacon and an egg was delicious, served with maduros that you can add on top to add some sweetness to it, and some fries. The yolk was perfectly runny, adding richness and flavor to the burger. We finished the meal with delicious churros that were filled with dulce de leche. I should mention their coquito that was very good, nicely sweet and smooth.

Veggie quesadilla at Panela in Hoboken, NJ

So, overall, some food was good, other was ok. The menu at Panela is interesting for sure but I am not sure it is to the point that it is worth two Tylenol for me. But, if you do not mind the loud music, you should give it a shot…

Enjoy (…)!

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

Panela - 36-42 Newark St., Hoboken, NJ 07030

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

Is the tea time menu at Angelina Paris worth it?

We were looking forward to trying the afternoon tea at Angelina Paris near Bryant Park (they have an outpost on the Upper East Side, but it much smaller with a limited menu). We went around 11:30am during the holidays and waited a bit for a table as they do not take reservations. We ordered the “Tea time” where, for $49, you get a beverage (hot chocolate, tea or coffee), a grapefruit or orange juice, a selection of five mini-hors d’œuvres (avocado toast, chicken club, truffle croque monsieur, quinoa salad and salmon waffle), and mini pastries (Mont-Blanc, lemon tart, chocolate chou and macaron). It started off with a large glass of orange juice and the hot chocolate that is a must have: this is literally melted chocolate. Adding whipped cream will counterbalance the richness of it.

Orange juice and hot chocolate at Angelina Paris in NYC, NY

Hot chocolate at Angelina Paris in NYC, NY

Then came the food “tower”. Well it was more a tower for a Playmobile and I was really surprised how small it was, to the point that I leaned forward to better look at it! In fact, I realized that, when they said mini hors d’oeuvres, I should have gotten the hint! Hors d’oeuvres are small bites, so, these were definitely mini! Overall, it was good, although I was a bit disappointed with the Mont Blanc dessert (a Mont Blanc made with sweetened chestnut purée shaped like vermicelli, that tops a meringue and whipped cream), because it was too small and you could not really get what a Mont Blanc is, their regular size pastry being very good and one of their specialties.

I left hungry to say the least and a bit disappointed as I really like this place. The tea time menu is really overpriced. Disappointed, but not to the point that I will never go back to Angelina Paris! Their hot chocolate is one of the best in the City!

Enjoy (…)!

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

Angelina Paris - 1050 6th Ave, New York, NY 10018

I Just Want To Eat! 2/8/25 I Just Want To Eat! 2/8/25

Product Review: TOPZEE Easy Cook Mini Air Fryer

TOPZEE sent me their Easy Cook Mini Air Fryer to try and I really liked it. Compact, it is perfect for a small kitchen or a dorm, easily transported thanks to its light weight. There are several cooking functions, from roast, bake, air frying and reheat, with few preselected settings for easy operations: fries, fish or shrimp, chicken, pizza, meatballs (interesting!), steak and dehydrate. Of course, you can also choose a temperature and duration, but I decided to go with…

This one portion fryer is also easy to clean as it is dishwasher safe! This is the perfect choice if you are looking for a compact air fryer!

You can find it here or on Amazon.

I Just Want To Eat! 1/26/25 I Just Want To Eat! 1/26/25

Product review: Amzchef Desktop Range Hood

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

I have seen lots of videos promoting a portable range hood, so, when Amzchef proposed me to review theirs, I was quite curious. The first question you may ask is: why would one need a range hood? The answer is simple: when you cook, you generate heat, smoke, polluants and grease, the latter being a fire hazard. But you cannot always have a range hood or, in my case, I find the one on top of my stove noisy and not that efficient, especially when I am frying something, maybe because it is too high from the pan.
I admit that when I unpacked the one from Amzchef, I was a bit surprised by the size as it is bigger than I expected, but really liked the futuristic and sleek look. The first thing I had to do was to install the filter that is fairly easy. Then, I plugged it in, pressed the power button in the back and put it on the maximum setting to absorb the fumes from the pan where I was frying tofu. Not loud, it did an even better job when I made a sauce with gochujang that generates a bit of smoke usually, and it was cool to see the smoke being sucked into the range hood. There was definitely no smoke in our apartment. Of course, you could still smell a bit of the cooking but the absorption of smoke made a big difference..
Where the portability is good is if you make dishes indoors, on your dining table, with a raclette or table BBQ grill and cook meat, that usually creates smoke: you just need to set this range hood next to the grill and voila!

If you’d like to purchase one, you can find it on Amazon.

I Just Want To Eat! 1/23/25 I Just Want To Eat! 1/23/25

Junior's in Times Square

When it comes to a pastrami reuben, there is no doubt that Katz’s Delicatessen is better. But for cheesecake, especially plain, Junior’s is for me the best, better than the Cheesecake Factory. Founded in 1950 in Brooklyn by Harry Rosen, its two Times Square restaurants, one on 45th street and the other one on 49th street are always busy, for sure with tourists and theater goers, but not only. They do not take reservations, but their wait list system is quite efficient, so, even if you are with a large group, they should be able to accommodate.
Their menu is quite big, with classic delicatessen dishes like matzo ball soup (pretty good) or potato latkes (potato pancakes, served with apple sauce - a must have) that you can order by the unit, that replace buns in one of their “sensational sandwiches” called “something different”, where two potato pancakes squeeze delicious slices of brisket. Another sensational sandwich, if you are looking for something more Americana is their 1/2 lb jumbo hotdog that is served with sauerkraut and relish. I tried it and it is good, but I always prefer their reuben, the pastrami one being my favorite over the corned beef, because of the rich, and salty flavor, with hints of spices from the rub and the delicious fattiness of the meat. With your sandwich, you can get Cole slaw, fries or chopped liver for an additional $3.95. The fries are steak fries, so not my favorite as I like them skinny and crispy on the outside. So, I often go for their chopped liver where chunks of chicken liver are mixed with onions and hard boiled eggs. They also propose it with rye bread and red onion as an appetizer if you feel that you need more than one small portion.

Matzo ball soup at Junior's in Times Square

Potato latkes at Junior's in Times Square

Something different sandwich at Junior's in Times Square

Chopped liver at Junior's in Times Square

Jumbo hotdog at Junior's in Times Square

Pastrami sandwich at Junior's in Times Square

Pastrami reuben at Junior's in Times Square

Corned beef reuben at Junior's in Times Square

If you are vegetarian, they propose few dishes besides the latkes I mentioned, like a Greek salad or their grilled cheese that is decent, but a bit disappointing as you would think that, considering the rest of their dishes, they would serve something decadent.

Grilled cheese sandwich at Junior's in Times Square

When it comes to drinks, they have cocktails, some seasonal like this bourbon apple cider they were proposing the last time I went, but my all time favorite is their chocolate egg cream (the vanilla one was just ok for me).

Bourbon apple cider at Junior's in Times Square

Chocolate egg cream at Junior's in Times Square

Vanilla egg cream at Junior's in Times Square

But now, let’s talk about cheesecake: their plain one is my all time favorite: rich, creamy, tangy and not too sweet. Their chocolate mousse cheesecake is also rich and creamy, but I find it too sweet. If I wanted something different, I would get their Oreo cheesecake that is really good and that I could not stop eating…I should mention that, if you want to take a slice home, they have containers specifically designed so transportation is not an issue.

Plain cheesecake at Junior's in Times Square

Oreo cheesecake at Junior's in Times Square

Chocolate mousse cheesecake at Junior's in Times Square

Looking at this, I guess you have guessed that I am a big fan of Junior’s. I love that place and never get bored. If you decide to go, know that the portions are big, hence the prices for sandwiches that are around $20 to $23. Sharing is highly suggested!

Enjoy (I really did)!

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

Junior’s - 1515 Broadway, W 45th St, New York, NY 10036

I Just Want To Eat! 1/20/25 I Just Want To Eat! 1/20/25

Celebrating Valentine's Day with Li-lac Chocolates

Reputed for its aphrodisiac qualities, chocolate has become a Valentine’s Day favorite. So, when Li-Lac Chocolates, the oldest chocolate house in the city (it was founded in 1923) sent me some samples, I was really excited. I discovered Li-Lac many years ago, during a walking food tour, and have been a fan since then. Why? Their chocolates, made with high quality ingredients, in small batches, using classic techniques that are very good. Even the simplest ones, that are dark or milk chocolate are well balanced, not too sweet, letting the taste of cocoa shine. For Valentine’s Day, Li-Lac is proposing a wide selection, from $3.95 for the rose, $9.50 for the heart and $32 for 10 pieces presented in a nice red chocolate box (it includes French Cream, Chocolate Fudge, Hazelnut Truffle, Maple Walnut Fudge, Marzipan, two Chocolate Mousse Rolls, and 2 red-foiled Chocolate Hearts). There is more of course on their website.

So enjoy (I did)! And happy Valentine’s Day!

I Just Want To Eat! 1/16/25 I Just Want To Eat! 1/16/25

Cafe Cartel in Hoboken, NJ

I was looking forward to trying Cafe Cartel, a coffee shop serving Colombian specialties that opened in the Summer 2024. I admit that, like the infamous drug lords, they have hidden their location as the address at 1100 Adams is a bit misleading, the entrance being on Jefferson street. Small, with two huge drip coffee makers for their cold brew, a logo representing a bandit with its face covered and a “Made in Medellin” neon sign that fan of the TV series Narcos will appreciate, it serves classic breakfast items like croissant, chocolate croissant or cinnamon rolls. We tried the latter as well as a pecan and caramel walnut dish that sounded promising, but, unfortunately, it was not good, tasting a bit stale and factory made. However, their Pan de Bono that is a Colombian cheese bread was delicious, gooey, perfect with or without Nutella. The only problem is that they heat them up in a microwave, and it was so hot that the video I made with the one with the Nutella is a great video for bloopers…Beverages were better: Jodi had an earl grey tea and I had a good espresso.

Earl grey tea at Cafe Cartel in Hoboken, NJ

Cinnamon roll at Cafe Cartel in Hoboken, NJ

Pecan, caramel and walnut danish at Cafe Cartel in Hoboken, NJ

Pan de bono at Cafe Cartel in Hoboken, NJ

Pan de bono with Nutella at Cafe Cartel in Hoboken, NJ

Overall, we were disappointed. If I were to go back for breakfast, I would just get the Pan de Bono, with Nutella of course, and an espresso (I might try their cold brew as this slow drip looks always relaxing and fascinating). Their lunch might be much better, with a selection of empanadas and small sandwiches that looked pretty good.

Enjoy (…)!

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

Cafe Cartel - Retail #3 Entrance on the corner of 11th &, 1100 Adams St, Jefferson St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 1/13/25 I Just Want To Eat! 1/13/25

Jane Doe in Jersey City

Before I talk about the food, let’s talk about their cocktails as they also have a lounge. They have quite a good selection of coktails, classic or not. I admit that I could not resist trying their Rare and Allocated cocktail called the R&A Tipperary for the simple reason that it had green Chartreuse in it. Well balanced, I was glad that this divine French liquor was not lost in the mix of High n’ wicked Aeneas Coffey Irish whiskey, Vermouth, aromatic bitters and orange oil. They also had seasonal cocktails, served hot, considering the freezing temperatures we recently had. So, I tried The Dori, that is…

When I learned that Jane Doe in Jersey City is from the same people who brought us Dullboy and Orale Mexican Cuisine, I knew we would be in for a treat. And I was not wrong. The restaurant is as cool as the staff, who are very friendly and often checking if everything is fine, making you feel welcome: this is what for me hospitality represents and they certainly know how to make you feel comfortable.

The R&A Tipperary at Jane Doe in Jersey City

One their interesting appetizer is their scallion pancake, made with zucchini butter, mushroom medley and scallions. Very creative as quite different from the classic Chinese dish, it was rustic and comforting. I highly recommend it. They also have a whipped ricotta that is homemade, topped with peppers that I thought added some depth to a cheese that, in my opinion, always needs something with it; usually it is honey, but I admit that the peppers and olive oil added some flair. It was served with Pinsa bread that is made with a hand pressed pizza dough. And if you need more, they will be quite happy to bring some.

Whipped ricotta at Jane Doe in Jersey City

Scallion pancakes at Jane Doe in Jersey City

For the main, they have a nice selection of pasta, that they can make gluten free or vegan upon request. Their bucatini with mushroom puree and butternut squash was delcious, as was their spaghetti pomodoro that was topped with Grana Padano, one of my favorite cheeses with pasta. One thing not to miss is their layered fries that I got with the skirt steak (served with truffle parm aioli and perfectly cooked medium rare, I would go back just for it) or their smash burger (the bun is a homemade milk bread that I would just eat with butter and jam! Good burger, the meat being nicely charred and juicy). These fries are cooked in beef tallow, that gave to these perfectly crispy potatoes a rich and savory flavor. This is a must have and know that you can order them as a side (I would!).

Spaghetti pomodoro at Jane Doe in Jersey City

Smashed burger at Jane Doe in Jersey City

Of course, we could not leave without trying their desserts and, like the rest, it was original. The limoncello olive oil cake with mascarpone frosting was my favorite, probably because of the generous amount of limoncello! It was totally soaked and the mascarpone frosting added a nice layer to balance with the alcohol. It was like an Italian version of a tres leches cake. Their S’mores semifreddo was also quite surprising, having chunks of chocolate and marshmallow. Quite delicious.

Limoncello olive oil cake at Jane Doe in Jersey City

S’mores semifreddo at Jane Doe in Jersey City

Hopefully after reading this, you understand why I was excited to go to Jane Doe: the food is creative and delicious. Although it is a bit of the beaten path, it is worth a visit!

Enjoy (I really did)!

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

Jane Doe - 333 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07302

Sponsored Post: Amzchef Commercial Induction Cooktop

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

The end of Blue Eyes in Hoboken, NJ?

We passed in front of Blue Eyes so many times, always thinking that we should go there for brunch or dinner, that we finally decided to stop by few months ago. Little we knew that this place will have to make major changes as the Hoboken City Council approved a new lease agreement last Summer, that forces the restaurant, that sits in Sinatra Park, to comply with the Green Acres program. This program requires Blue Eyes to expand its menu to offer a much broader choice to visitors, with apparently only grab and go (no more table service, with all seats available to all visitors), and more affordable prices. I admit that I was shocked when I heard this, thinking that they could have probably find a middle ground between the Green Acres Program and the survival of a successful business. So, what …

Gavi di Gavi, Villa Sparina, Piemonte, Italy 2022 at Blue Eyes in Hoboken, NJ

Super Tuscan, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grepiccante, Italy at Blue Eyes in Hoboken, NJ

4 formaggi pizza at Blue Eyes in Hoboken, NJ

Margherita pizza at Blue Eyes in Hoboken, NJ

Linguine alle vongole at Blue Eyes in Hoboken, NJ

This is such a shame considering the quality of their food. So, if you never had a chance to go To Blue Eyes, stop by as a sign of support to the owner and the staff before the new rule goes into effect. I do not know when it will be, so, stay tuned!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Blue Eyes - 525 Sinatra Dr, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 1/6/25 I Just Want To Eat! 1/6/25

Shabu House AYCE in Fort Lee, NJ

We recently discovered Shabu House in Fort Lee, thanks to Jodi’s cousin Jessica and her husband Michael. This All You Can Eat (AYCE) place, specialized in Shabu Shabu, a Japanese hot pot dish where thinly-sliced meat and vegetables are cooked in broth, is phenomenal: for dinner, you can go for the buffet with no meat for $27.99 or for the buffet with unlimited meat for $37.99 (they have the same options for lunch, a bit cheaper). If you choose the former, you can add some meat from $6.99 to $8.99 depending on the cut, but it seems a no brainer to go for the buffet with meat as, for $10, you get unlimited portions of either brisket, top blade, ribeye roll, beef pastrami, pork shoulder, pork belly, chicken, lamb or tripe. However, it has to apply to the whole table. So, on our side, we decided to all go for the buffet with unlimited meat as adding up the servings of meat that Michael and I would get, it was economically favorable, Jodi and Jessica sticking with a vegetarian meal. Meat portions are big, but beware: if you order too much, each 1/4 lb of leftovers will be charged $15.

The way it works is that you first order the broth (vegetarian and non-vegetarian options). They will bring it in an individual pot that will sit on a burner that you can control from a panel on the side of the table. The fact that the pot is individual is a big plus, especially if you do not want to share, want a specific broth, or, like us, if some diners are vegetarian and others are not. On my side, I decided to try the pork bone broth that is made also with beef and is cooked for 16 hours, while Jodi chose the Golden Shiro Miso, a vegetable broth mixed with Japanese white soybean paste. After you order your broth, you take a plate and grab the various items from their buffet that you will cook in the broth. And that buffet is huge: you get a wide choice of vegetables ( with for instance different kinds of mushrooms), noodles, dumplings (frozen), seafood, etc. I have never seen anything like this! Once you pour these in the broth, you have to wait until they are fully cooked. I admit that this is a bit of an art as the temperature needs to be adjusted often as the broth will boil quickly, and ingredients will be fully cooked at different times. But it is quite fun and exciting as there is enough broth to go back to the buffet few times, where you can pick different things at each visit.

Beef pastrami at Shabu House AYCE in Fort Lee, NJ

Ribeye and lamb at Shabu House AYCE in Fort Lee, NJ

Pork bone broth at Shabu House AYCE in Fort Lee, NJ

Shiro miso broth at Shabu House AYCE in Fort Lee, NJ

Veggies at Shabu House AYCE in Fort Lee, NJ

At the end of the meal, if you are still hungry, are included some cookies, as well as mango served in three ways: cut, sorbet and granita.

Cookies at Shabu House AYCE in Fort Lee, NJ

Mango dessert at Shabu House AYCE in Fort Lee, NJ

This was great: great company, great food, both broth being delicious, the pork bone broth being creamy, and with endless possibilities. $37.99 for unlimited meat is a great deal, and know that if you prefer seafood, you can just get their meatless option and grab some of the seafood they have in their buffet: this is probably what I will be doing next time I go there. I should add that each seating is limited to 1h30 with a charge for every 30 minutes additional, that I can understand as with all this food, some people could eat for hours there! For sure, Shabu House is a great place that I highly recommend: it is worth a trip to Fort Lee!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Shabu House - 1642 Schlosser St, Fort Lee, New Jersey 07024

I Just Want To Eat! 1/3/25 I Just Want To Eat! 1/3/25

Drift in Weehawken, NJ

Weehawken, and in a way, North Hoboken, recently welcomed a new restaurant: Drift, where Chef Bryan Noury crafted a modern American menu that is quite exciting. Well, not fully American as the menu includes sushi that I did not try, always thinking that, if I wanted sushi, I may as well just go to a Japanese restaurant…This place is huge, with a dining area that is stunning, dominated by a 100-feet rectangular bar, brass walls and leather banquettes that give a warm and elegant feel to the place. I should mention their 4,000 feet outdoor space that overlooks the New York skyline and will be awesome when the weather will be warmer. We went a few times there and, for the most part, we had a great meal. Their whipped ricotta is quite good, although the focaccia was a bit dry, but I loved their croquettes that are made surprisingly with cauliflower, gruyere and truffle (oil probably). Crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside, they were simply delicious. For entrees, Jodi tried their wild mushroom wood fire flatbread that was very good, made with a generous amount of wild mushrooms and triple cream brie. I recommend it over their Margherita one that was just ok. On my side, my favorite entree was their halibut piccata: the fish was perfectly cooked, flakey, moist, with a crispy skin, bathed in brown butter, with capers and preserved lemon. I highly recommend it! Their bricked heritage chicken is also superb. Served with a cheddar polenta and wild mushrooms, the chicken was also perfectly cooked, the skin being crispy and the meat moist. However, I found their filet mignon disappointing. Very small and overcooked. I had it with jenga fries that were steak fries setup like the jenga game. And if you know me, I prefer skinny fries. They were supposed to be triple fried, but I thought they lacked crispiness. As a side, I preferred their charred forage mushrooms for sure.

Halibut piccata at Drift in Weehawken, NJ

Charred forage mushrooms at Drift in Weehawken, NJ

With our meals, we tried some of their drinks. Jodi got their pineapple and pink grapefruit soda, while I tried few of their cocktails. The first one was the Slippery Slope, made with Japanese whisky (Toki), Redumption bourbon, Joto yuzu, green apple (definitely came through), matcha and lemon. I then tried their Lock and key, a mix of brown butter washed Great Jones bourbon, demerara, orange oil, Angostura and mole bitters, their take on an old fashioned. But my favorite was the Frequent Flyer, made with Haiken lychee, Ketel One cucumber & mint, fresh lemon, coconut, sour hibiscus, Lychee being one of my favorite flavors.

Pineapple and grapefruit soda at Drift in Weehawken, NJ

Slippery slope cocktail at Drift in Weehawken, NJ

Lock and key cocktail at Drift in Weehawken, NJ

Frequent flyer cocktail at Drift in Weehawken, NJ

Of course, we could not leave without trying their desserts. I would pass on the Basque cheesecake that has nothing to do with was that dessert is suppose to be, the one at Drift being very dense and reminding me a gingerbread like cake instead. They nicely switched it for coconut and saffron pudding that was very good (and I am not always a big fan of coconut). We also tried their apple and pear bread pudding that was ok, a bit dry, served with the vanilla ice cream and their nicely buttery caramel. But my favorite is their roasted banana soufflé that was out of this world. Smartly, they served it with a creme anglaise, that let the soufflé shine. A must have, but know that it requires 25 minutes wait, so I suggest you mention it when giving your order.

Roasted banana souffle at Drift in Weehawken, NJ

Apple and pear bread pudding at Drift in Weehawken, NJ

Basque cheesecake at Drift in Weehawken, NJ

Coconut and saffron pudding at Drift in Weehawken, NJ

Drift is a great addition to the Weehawken scene, with an interesting menu, some great food and an exceptional service that makes you feel welcome. At this time they only serve dinner, but I am sure that after some time, they will start serving brunch. I’ll be there…

Enjoy (I did)!

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Drift - 1200 Harbor Blvd, Weehawken Township, NJ 07086

I Just Want To Eat! 12/30/24 I Just Want To Eat! 12/30/24

Grand Brasserie in Grand Central Train Station

We currently went to Grand Brasserie, a French restaurant that opened few months ago in Grand Central Terminal. This place boasts more than 400 seats in a unique decor representing a French brasserie and offers a menu with many classics. This place has four main areas: the dining room split between regular seats and high tops, the green room and the bar in the back, that is louder and with dimmer lights as this is a more confined space.

Green room at Grand Brasserie in Grand Central Train Station

Bar area at Grand Brasserie in Grand Central Train Station

For appetizers, I tried their escargots persillade ($21) that is made with garlic, parsley and butter, my favorite part being dipping some bread in that buttery sauce (by the way, the bread was disappointing, that is sad for a French place). They did not serve the snails the classic way, and instead, put them in an onion soup bowl, covered with puff pastry that I dipped in the butter. Unusual, but quite delicious. I also liked their pate en croute ($24) that had a perfect texture and was superb.

Escargots persillade at Grand Brasserie in Grand Central Train Station

Pate en croute at Grand Brasserie in Grand Central Train Station

For entrees, I loved their duck confit ($38), that was served with pommes salardaises and frisee salad (not my favorite salad as a bit bitter, but I do not know why, I always love it with duck). I also tried their steak frites: at Grand Brasserie, you pick the cut you want between entrecôte, that I tried ($59 - boneless rib part of the cow, not as good as a ribeye), filet ($63), bone-in NY strip ($63) and a skirt steak ($37), with a choice of sauce (I chose béarnaise that is my favorite with steak). The steak was good, slightly over from the medium-rare temperature I ordered, but I admit that it was not earth chattering: I had better steaks in less fancy places. Still, it was good, but not a dish I would absolutely recommend. The fries were as I like them, thin, crispy on the outside and cooked all the way though, perfect with the béarnaise sauce that was well made, or some mayonnaise that I always ask for, dipping first in ketchup and then mayo…Jodi got their ravioli a la Parisienne ($32) that are mushroom ravioli with truffle in a creamy sauce: this was succulent! The ravioli were perfectly cooked, bathed in a rich cream that was drizzled with a bit of truffle, not enough of it (there is never enough truffle). But the most surprising dish, that is not so French, but something I would recommend as well is their crispy cauliflower that is like a cauliflower parmesan. Crispy on the outside and well cooked inside, it was topped with a tomato confit and some cheese. What a great way to serve what has become a staple in many restaurants wanting to offer a vegetarian entree.

Duck confit at Grand Brasserie in Grand Central Train Station

Ravioli a la Parisienne at Grand Brasserie in Grand Central Train Station

Entrecôte at Grand Brasserie in Grand Central Train Station

Entrecote at Grand Brasserie in Grand Central Train Station

Bearnaise sauce at Grand Brasserie in Grand Central Train Station

Crispy cauliflower at Grand Brasserie in Grand Central Train Station

With our meals, I decided to try their espresso martini that was well balanced, as well as a season’s special: their bourbon apple cider that was perfect on a cold day (I just thought that they could have had a better presentation).

Bourbon apple cider at Grand Brasserie in Grand Central Train Station

Espresso martini at Grand Brasserie in Grand Central Train Station

Desserts is where they fall short: the ile flottante ($14) was small and the fig jam they added in the bottom of the plate killed the delicious creme anglaise; the baba au rhum ($13) was too dense and the tarte tatin ($14) not as buttery and sweet as I would have expected.

Ile flottante at Grand Brasserie in Grand Central Train Station

Baba au rhum at Grand Brasserie in Grand Central Train Station

Tarte tatin at Grand Brasserie in Grand Central Train Station

Despite the dessert not being great, I would go back to Grand Brasserie to try some other appetizers and entrees, if not, I would probably stick with the escargots and the duck…Although the place is big, I suggest a reservation and be patient: the drawback of being one of the largest restaurants in the city is that the food is slow to come out and the service not always on point.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Grand Brasserie - 89 E 42nd St. Vanderbilt Hall,. New York, NY 10017

I Just Want To Eat! 12/27/24 I Just Want To Eat! 12/27/24

Kame in NYC, NY

When we went to Kame with our friends Jen and Gary, there was a sense of deja vue and, thanks to the blog, I realized that we went to that place years ago, but not in that location on 8th avenue: their previous location on Park Avenue. At the time, I found it good, thinking that I would go back, but with all the restaurants to try in New York, I never did, until now. Yes, not only did we go with our friends, but we went back few weeks later to try some of their appetizers, that I always find they are ignored in this type of places, people focusing mainly on ramen. Don’t get me wrong: their ramen is quite good, each proposed two ways: spicy or not. I went for a regular tonkotsu ramen, where the creamy pork broth was bathing kikurage mushroom, scallion, black garlic and a deliciously braised pork belly. Rich and comforting, it was really filling. Jodi had their shoyu tofu ramen from their vegan menu that was composed of green noodle in a shoyu base, grilled tofu, scallion, bamboo shoot, kikurage mushroom, shiitake and seaweed. We both added a perfectly made steamed egg, a must have with ramen. I should mention that I was so excited with my ramen that I forgot to take a photo of Jodi’s. But, I still had a taste of it and found it pretty good, tasty, the broth having some depth, far from tasting like a classic vegetarian broth, to the contrary.

Now, let’s go back to the appetizers: they have a wide choice, even in the vegan menu, where Jodi got to try their vegan gyoza (marinated vegetable, mushroom, cabbage and ponzu sauce), that I found pretty good, but lacking a bit of crispiness, or the impossible meat bun that is an original offering, mirroring the katuni bun made with pork that I got. Good, but messy to eat as they put lots of mayo and Japanese BBQ sauce on it, and we both thought there should be more meat in it. I had two favorites: the fried chicken or karaage, that was crispy on the outside, the chicken being moist. This was so good on its own that I did not care much about the spicy may (not so spicy) it was served with. This is probably one of the best karaage I had, oftentimes this dish being a bit dry, with the chicken slightly overcooked. My second favorite is their takoyaki that is a fried squid ball topped with mayo, tonkatsu sauce and bonito flakes that move when placed on something hot (it is called the “waggle dance”). I love that dish that I discovered in Japan and never hesitate to order it when on a menu, and at Kame, they are quite good, the sauces creating an explosion of flavors in your mouth. I also tried their Ika Geso (or fried Squid Leg) that is fried squid tentacles served with Japanese mayo. Crispy, nicely salted and perfectly cooked, I like it. The last dish I tried was their Japanese Berkshire pork sausage or kurobuta sausage that had nothing extraordinary and tasted like any hot dog sausage you would buy.

With our meals, we had their green tea that came in a small pot that they refilled with water from time to time, as well as their plum lemonade. But, if you’d like, you can get some hot sake or beer.

Overall, we had great meals at Kame. My favorite meal would be the fried chicken (karaage) or takoyaki for appetizer, followed by their tonkotsu ramen that was superb! This is definitely a place to know. And if you are vegetarian or vegan, ask for their vegan menu as they do not bring it systematically (they probably should).

Enjoy (I did)!

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Kame - 330 8th Ave, New York, NY 10001

I Just Want To Eat! 12/24/24 I Just Want To Eat! 12/24/24

Buffet at Brick Lane, house of the spiciest curry in the world

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

I was recently invited at Brick Lane in Jersey City, not to try their phaal, but to try their buffet. If you do not know what the phaal is, you are missing out on the spiciest curry in the world. Made with Carolina reaper, ghost pepper and habenero, among seven different kinds of chili, whomever prepares it needs to wear a gas mask because of the fumes that would burn your eyes as this dish is made. Only few people are able to eat it, approximately 5%, after signing a release, and, if you do within 30 minutes, you get a free beer and your name on the “Phall of fame”, with a certificate. I admit that I only tried a side of it, a very little taste: at first, it was fine, and then, it hit me…and hard! My mouth was on fire and it took quite a lot of mango lassi and naan to tame that heat. But I was not going back for the phaal, but to try their buffet that they serve on weekends from 12pm to 4pm. I love buffets because they offer a unique opportunity to try several dishes and I was not disappointed: the buffet at Brick Lane is a great deal.

For $26, you get several appetizers, a mix of entrees, vegetarian and non-vegetarian, a selection of breads and a plethora of desserts that you can eat with chai, coffee or regular tea. Let’s start with the appetizers: my favorite is their dahi puri, an Indian snack that originates from the city of Mumbai, that are mini-shells filled with potato, tamarind, and yogurt among other things. Sweet and savory, crispy on the outside, it is packed with flavors. A must have that they make to order, so you do not have to wonder how to make them. As expected, they had samosa, but smaller ones, as well as desi fried chicken and Tawa aloo or potato fry that were quite good, getting some crispiness from the hot dish they were served on. My least favorite was the fried fish (Tawa fish fry) that had a fishy taste I did not like.

Desi fried chicken at Brick Lane in Jersey City

Tawa fish fry at Brick Lane in Jersey City

For the entrees, they have a nice selection of vegetarian dishes. I loved the maa ki dahl, and the Baingan Bharta that is like an eggplant mash from North India. This dish definitely has some heat and I appreciated some of the rice they had, my favorite being the saffron rice or zafrani pulao, or some of the breads. I should talk about these breads: usually, when you go to an Indian buffet, they only propose naan. At Brick Lane, they had butter naan, garlic naan and a delicious paratha that was nicely crispy. Their naan was superb: fluffy with a nice char, I could not stop eating it with the butter chicken that was definitely on my list of dishes to try. I admit that I would have preferred smaller pieces of chicken, but their creamy sauce was so good, that was my favorite entree, over the chicken curry and Rajasthani Laal Maas (mutton curry) that were also good, but had too many bones.

Maa ki daal at Brick Lane in Jersey City

Chikkar chilly and baingan bharta at Brick Lane in Jersey City

Mix veg Kadai at Brick Lane in Jersey City

Zafrani pulao at Brick Lane in Jersey City

Butter naan at Brick Lane in Jersey City

Garlic naam at Brick Lane in Jersey City

Butter chicken at Brick Lane in Jersey City

Chicken curry at Brick Lane in Jersey City

Rajasthani laal maas at Brick Lane in Jersey City

With my meal, I had a mango lassi that was well made and was great to counter any heat from some of the dishes, and finished with a chai that was perfect on a cold day, and to go with the many desserts we tried. Another difference with Brick Lane is the amount of desserts in their buffet, with not all of them classic Indian, like the chocolate cake or apple pie, but with a nice selection of traditional ones like gulab jamun that are some of my my favorite, or Gajar halwa that is a carrot pudding surprisingly good (I do not like carrot cake, but always loved this dessert). Less known is the Sevaiyan kheer that is similar to rice pudding, but with rice replaced with vermicelli. If you never had it, I recommend you try: it is delightfully sweet, but not as much as the gulab jamun.

Mango lassi at Brick Lane in Jersey City

Gulab Jamun, Gajar halwa and kada prasad at Brick Lane in Jersey City

Sevaiyan kheer at Brick Lane in Jersey City

Apple pie and fruits at Brick Lane in Jersey City

Chocolate cake and cookies at Brick Lane in Jersey City

We left full and glad we had a walk after such a meal. The food at Brick Lane is delicious and the buffet is a nice addition, allowing to try many dishes from various regions of India. And for $26, this is a very good deal! Sadly, their location in New York just closed, but know that their outpost in Jersey City is easily accessible as few steps from the Grove Street path station.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Brick Lane - 136 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07302

I Just Want To Eat! 12/19/24 I Just Want To Eat! 12/19/24

Kellari Taverna in NYC

There are quite a lot of nice greek restaurants in the city and Kellari Taverna is one of my favorites. We went there over the past few months, for dinner and brunch, although the latter feels more like lunch considering the dishes we got that are not at all brunch-like. Located few steps from Times Square, Kellari Taverna is identical to many places of that sort: big, with high ceilings, the center piece of the dining room being their fresh fish that is something I …

Well, in fact I tried their lavraki that they deboned for me. The charcoal grilled fish was superb and definitely seemed fresh. The sardines, offered as an appetizer, were less successful. Don’t get me wrong: they were good but they did not remove the bones that can be challenging with sardines. Too bad, because they were pretty good, also grilled. Besides fish, they also propose shellfish, and their yiouvetsi with clams, calamari and shrimp, served with orzo in a tomato and feta sauce is succulent and quite comforting; it was my first time having seafood yiouvetsi; I had lamb before. Talking about lamb, their lamb chops or paidiaka are superb: perfectly cooked medium, juicy and a little bit fatty, they give you a nice amount of it that they serve with broccoli rabe and roasted potatoes.

If you are vegetarian, they have plenty of options as well. For appetizer, you can opt for the classic spreads (we had hummus, tzatziki and babaganouj), Mediterranean kale salad (baby kale, chickpeas, quinoa, graviera cheese and a honey lime dressing) or the greek salad (tomatoes, onions, olives, cucumbers, peppers and feta), that seems to be popular as are the Kellari chips, that are made with eggplant and zucchini and accompanied with tzatziki. They always come straight from the fryer, burning your fingers a bit if you try to eat them like you would chips. What I love also there is their Halloumi psito, where the cheese is grilled and served with apples, figs and honey for some nice sweetness. Interestingly, they do not offer saganaki that is always a crowd pleaser when flambe. For entrees, they have what I would call a Greek risotto: the wild mushroom Kritharoto that is made with orzo and graviera cheese in a creamy sauce. Definitely creamy and quite comforting.

Pikilia or spreads at Kellari Taverna in NYC

Mediterranean salad at Kellari Taverna in NYC

With our meals, I always order a glass of ouzo and Jodi got their sunrise moktail, made with pineapple, ginger, grenadine, lemon, agave, ginger ale and orange juice. And I always finish with a Greek coffee that is similar to a Turkish coffee, ordering it medium sweet. It is perfect with dessert and their baklava that is good, but their bougatsa that is a vanilla custard pie is even better, the vanilla filling being superb.

After reading this post and seeing the photos, I hope you now understand why I like this place: the food is really good and I will surely go back!

Enjoy (I did)!

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Kellari Taverna - 19 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036

I Just Want To Eat! 12/16/24 I Just Want To Eat! 12/16/24

South House in Jersey City - redemption?

I discovered South House two years ago, wanting to explore a bit what Jersey City had to offer, but the experience was not that great and I never went back. Until I received an email from one of the managers, Mike, who found the post and was saddened to read the experience I had, asking us if we would be willing to come back as him, and another manager, Taylor, made some changes to the place. So, we decided to give it another try, with the idea to order the same dishes as last time, allowing us to compare the experience. I like the feel of the place with its exposed bricks, wood beams and stairs, furniture and old photos or paintings, that make me think strangely about a place you would find in areas like …

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

To start, Jodi had a tea while I had the “Pick me up” cocktail that is like espresso martini, made with vodka, hazelnut liqueur (did not taste much of it), espresso and cinnamon. Well balanced, I drank it with some pickled veggies that they brought to the table.

Pickled veggies at South House in Jersey City

Pick me up cocktail at South House in Jersey City

They then brought us some freshly made biscuits with butter and raspberry jam. This was a bit of a problem: these little biscuits were so good that I could not stop eating them and, considering what was coming, it was a bad idea…In fact, few minutes later, came the fried green tomatoes that were quite large. Crispy on the outside, they were served with a sriracha mayo that had a nice kick and was not super spicy. They were good, but I admit that I had better. However, the farmers skillet that I ordered was really good (that was the dish I ordered the last time that I did not like), especially the brisket that they smoke for close to 16 hours: it was soft and juicy with nice burnt ends. This is a large dish: remember the biscuits I could not stop eating before? I did when I got that skillet that was composed of a layer of potatoes covered with cheese, topped with that delicious brisket and then covered with eggs and roasted salsa; you can choose how you want your eggs, so, instead of scrambled that is how I got them last time, I decided sunny side up, over easy, the perfectly runny yolk adding some creaminess to the dish. Jodi got their bean and cheese brunch tacos that are served with scrambled eggs, refried pinto beans and cheddar cheese. These tacos looked appetizing and were quite good: the scrambled eggs were well made, not overcooked and dry, and the soft tortilla had some nice char that added a bit of flavor.

Fried green tomatoes at South House in Jersey City

Farmers skillet at South House in Jersey City

Bean and cheese tacos at South House in Jersey City

Of course, we could not leave without trying again their banana pudding. This time, no weird taste: it was quite good, not too sweet, with crumbled Nilla wafers in the bottom that we mixed with bananas and the vanilla custard that was not totally set, but still addictive. A must have.

Banana pudding at South House in Jersey City

This meal was a total 180 compared to what we had few years ago and I am not saying this because it was complimentary: the food was pretty good and there are lots of things on the menu that look quite appetizing. This is a good restaurant to have on the map if you are looking for a brunch place in Jersey City. And if you go, ask for the biscuits…

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

South House - 149 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07302