I Just Want To Eat! 5/22/25 I Just Want To Eat! 5/22/25

Court Street in Hoboken, NJ

We discovered Court Street many years ago but never went back until recently, for restaurant week, where I thought that they did an excellent job serving dishes that make you want to go back, capturing the spirit of the event. And we did go back. Serving hungry diners for more than 40 years, its bar is always full of people having drinks or eating on the high top tables, but I prefer their dining room, located in the back, that is quieter. The food there is very good, with a long list of daily specials. I mean long. Issue is: everything sounds good and you are a bit overwhelmed by all these choices, knowing that you cannot order the entire menu. Right? So, for restaurant week, I tried their French onion soup ($10) that had lots of cheese in it, definitely opening my appetite. I then got their coq au vin ($26) that is chicken braised in a red wine sauce. with mushrooms and onions, another French classic. It was served with vegetables and potato au gratin. I am going to stop there because this is worth mentioning. When you order some of the entrees, they propose several sides with the vegetables of the day. So, coming from an area in France known for its potato au gratin called « gratin dauphinois », I could not resist trying this. It was fantastic, to the point that, when I went back and got their rack of lamb ($40), I asked them to skip the veggies and only serve me that side. There was a bit of a mix up with my order, so I ended up with both the veggies and, to my satisfaction, a double portion of potato au gratin. The lamb was good though! Prepared with rosemary and garlic, there was a lot of it and it was perfecty cooked medium. Jodi got their eggplant parmigiana that was just ok and their arugula and goat cheese salad. Before I move to desserts and cocktails, I should mention their baked brie ($13) that is served over baby greens with apples, pears and had a honey dijon dressing: it is a must have if you love cheese.

French onion soup at Court Street in Hoboken, NJ

Baked brie at Court Street in Hoboken, NJ

Rack of lamb at Court Street in Hoboken, NJ

Potato au gratin at Court Street in Hoboken, NJ

Coq au vin at Court Street in Hoboken, NJ

Arugula and goat cheese salad at Court Street in Hoboken, NJ

Eggplant parm at Court Street in Hoboken, NJ

With our meals, I got cocktails: the first one was the Catcher in the Rye that is made with Bulleit Rye, Red Dubonnet, cointreau and bitters ($15) and their Negroni made with gin, Campari and Vermouth ($14).

Catcher in the rye cocktail at Court Street in Hoboken, NJ

Desserts are homemade and I loved their flourless chocolate truffle cake over their coconut custard pie, the chocolate cake being fudgey and decadent, while the coconut custard pie was a bit dry. I should mention that all desserts are homemade.

Flourless chocolate truffle cake at Court Street in Hoboken, NJ

Coconut custard pie at Court Street in Hoboken, NJ

Overall, our meals at Court Street were pretty good. This is definitely a great place to know and, if you go, get that potato au gratin!

Enjoy (I did)!

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Court Street - 61 6th St. Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 5/19/25 I Just Want To Eat! 5/19/25

The Biscuit Babe in Hoboken, NJ

The biscuit Babe in Hoboken is a recent addition to the food scene in the mile square city, opening March 2025 and shy of two months in operation when I visited them. Replacing D’s Soul Food Cafe, the space is quite nice, bright and beautifully decorated, with inspiring quotes on the wall that you can read as your mind wanders. Biscuits is their specialty and, of course, I had to try their BBL Drizzly fried chicken with honey butter, even if it was only 8am…The sandwich looked amazing, the reddish, shiny fried chicken pieces dripping in honey butter, being squeezed between a nicely made biscuit. It was a bit messy to eat because the fried chicken pieces fell off as the biscuit broke from the pressure of my fingers, trying to keep everything together and, most importantly, trying to get a good bite if it. But it is definitely worth the mess and sticky fingers. We also had their biscuit with butter and jam, as well as their cinnamon biscuit that was quite good, even if the frosting was not fully done, having lumps of confectioner’s sugar here and there.

Biscuit and jam at The Biscuit Babe in Hoboken, NJ

Fried chicken sandwich at The Biscuit Babe in Hoboken, NJ

Cinnamon biscuit at The Biscuit Babe in Hoboken, NJ

The Biscuit Babe is a nice addition to the Hoboken food scene, with interesting offering on their menu, that I will definitely try in the future.

Enjoy (I did)!

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The Biscuit Babe - 918 Willow Ave, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 5/15/25 I Just Want To Eat! 5/15/25

Hani's Bakery in New York, NY

Hani’s Bakery is one of these spots that get a crazy amount of attention on social media, whether it is Tik Tok or Instagram, with people raving about one of two things that are absolutely to try. So, on a day I was off, we decided to see for ourselves. As it was a weekday, there was no line and the place was not that busy, although we saw many people stopping by to get some goods there. We ordered at the counter after a lengthy discussion about what to get, as everything looked good. We then sat at a booth, waiting for our drinks (double espresso for me and London Fog tea for Jodi). The food looked good and, after splitting everything evenly (1/3 for Jodi and 2/3 for me - yes, this is what I I would call evenly as Jodi only eats few bites compared to me and she was the one holding the knife), we tried first the cinnamon bun ($8), that I thought was good but not the best I ever had. Same for the triple chocolate chunk cookie ($8), Funny Face Bakery bring so good, that it ruined all other cookies for me! However, I really loved their paneer tikka pinwheel ($6.5) that is on the savory side and a good option for lunch: made with a croissant dough, it was crispy on the outside, buttery and not spicy, packed in flavor. Now, we had to try their best seller: their strawberry tart with passion fruit cream ($8.5). Made with croissant dough, I was not sure if I would like it, simply because of the passion fruit that can sometimes overpower a pastry and be too tart. This was not at all the case and this was sublime: first of all, these strawberries were delicious. It’s been a while since I had good strawberries, the one I found even in farmers markets lacking flavor. These were delightfully sweet, pairing perfectly with the crème pâtissière and its just perfect dosage of passion fruit, and the flakey and buttery crust. A must have.
So, it was a nice introduction to Hani’s Bakery, where I should also mention the very friendly staff who made us feel welcome. Their menu is original, but if there is one thing I would absolutely get there, it is their strawberry tart.

Cinnamon bun at Hani's Bakery in New York, NY

Paneer tikka pinwheel at Hani's Bakery in New York, NY

Triple chocolate chunk cookie at Hani's Bakery in New York, NY

Strawberry tart at Hani's Bakery in New York, NY

Enjoy (I did)!

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Hani’s Bakery - 67 Cooper Sq, New York, NY 10003

I Just Want To Eat! 5/12/25 I Just Want To Eat! 5/12/25

Product Review: Discover Japanese treats with the Sakuraco Box

One of the most memorable trips abroad was when we went to Japan few years ago, visiting Tokyo and Kyoto. I loved the food and the culture. An opportunity we got later on was getting a subscription to Tokyo Treat, where you receive a box on a monthly basis for a subscription, allowing you to discover, every time, new sweets or snacks. So, when ICHIGO.inc, the company of www.tokyotreat.com and Sakura.co contacted me to try their Sakuraco’s “Moonlit Sakura” box, I could not refuse. With a monthly subscription of $37.50 (with savings if subscribed for longer - for instance $33.50 for 6 months), you get, for very time, a different part of Japan featured. So, you never know what you are going to get, adding some excitement as your open the box. A small guide will describe the various snacks, sweets and teas you will be receiving that is very helpful as the packaging is in Japanese, describing each item in details and giving you some backstories of some of the local makers they promote. So, if you love Japan or are curious to try different food, check it out (this Youtube short will how you what was in the box - enjoy!)!

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

I Just Want To Eat! 5/8/25 I Just Want To Eat! 5/8/25

Does Oxomoco deserve a Michelin star?

I had Oxomoco in Greenpoint on my radar for a while, so, when I heard that they got awarded a Michelin Star, I had to definitely go and see for myself. Let me start with that strange name that refers in Aztec mythology to a deity associated with night, astrology and the calendar, and is said to be the first woman, akin to Eve. Isn’t food a good way to discover other cultures?
Anyway, we decided to go to Oxomoco for brunch, that is served also weekdays. The trip to Brooklyn was not too bad, a few stops on the E train and then a few on the G line, and Oxomoco is only few steps from the Greenpoint Avenue stop. The place is fairly big with a covered patio in the front and a beautiful bright dining room in the back dominated by a stunning bar. We started off with drinks: Jarritos grapefruit for Jodi and Paraiso tropical for me, a mocktail made with non-alcoholic tequila, pineapple, coconut and lime. Quite refreshing.

Dining room at Oxomoco in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Jarritos grapefruit juice at Oxomoco in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Paraiso tropical mocktail at Oxomoco in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Of course, we could not not try their guacamole ($21). When I asked if they could make it mild, I was surprised to hear that it was premade, with Serrano pepper seeds in it. You would think that in this sort of establishment they would make it fresh, but no. Regardless, it was very good, the smoked cherry tomatoes giving a bit of originality to a classic appetizer. Next was the polenta pan Frances ($25). Understand French toast. Topped with fig jam and cream, they drizzled a delicious burnt honey toffee on top. This was superb: the bread was perfectly soaked with caramelized sides. A must have. But my all time favorite was the lamb barbacoa tacos ($27). First of all, the dish looked beautiful, the squash blossom giving some elegance to the dish and contrasting well with the darker color of the homemade tortilla and lamb. And what a lamb: moist, with burnt ends that gave a slight crispiness to the meat, that, despite the spices and salsa pipicha, remained the star. I highly recommend it if you love lamb. Jodi got their Mushroom Tlayuda that is a vegetarian dish I would describe as a Mexican pizza or open face quesadilla. It was made with three sorts of mushrooms topped with mole chichilo and Oxomoco salsa. Good, crunchy, I just wish there were more mushrooms.

Guacamole at Oxomoco in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

French toast at Oxomoco in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Lamb barbacoa tacos at Oxomoco in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Mushroom tlayuda at Oxomoco in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Needless to say that we did not have dessert, the French toast being anyway the sweet course of our meal. This place has creative dishes, with a wide selection for vegetarians, an impeccable service in a relaxed atmosphere. So, yes, Oxomoco deserves a Michelin star!

Enjoy (I really did)!

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Oxomoco - 128 Greenpoint Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222

I Just Want To Eat! 5/5/25 I Just Want To Eat! 5/5/25

Forum Coffee in Hoboken, NJ

There is a new coffee shop in Hoboken, that seems to be the kind of businesses who wants to open in the mile square city considering how many have opened in the past few months or are scheduled to open. Question is: how many coffee shops do we need? I do not know and anyway decided to try anyway! So, Forum Coffee is new, replacing Cafe Amor, Hoboken being its third location. What makes Forum Coffee different is not their pastries that I found ok, having better chocolate croissant or pain aux raisins at Chocopain nearby, the coffee cake being probably what I would go for instead for something different. No, what makes them different is their specialty coffee where they propose French toast latte, cannoli latte, gingerbread latte, chocolate covered strawberry latte, or the creme brulee latte that I tried. Original, with a subtle taste of creme brûlée, I thought it was pretty good, the only negative being that they did not serve it in a cup so I could get a nicer presentation, similar to the photos on their website. But hey, the main thing is that it was good. So, would I go back to Forum Coffee? Sure, for their latte mainly.

Creme brulee latte and London fog tea at Forum Coffee in Hoboken, NJ

Creme brulee latte at Forum Coffee in Hoboken, NJ

Pain aux raisins at Forum Coffee in Hoboken, NJ

Chocolate croissant at Forum Coffee in Hoboken, NJ

Coffee cake at Forum Coffee in Hoboken, NJ

Enjoy (I did)!

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Forum Coffee - 123 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 5/1/25 I Just Want To Eat! 5/1/25

Is this the best lobster roll in New York?

It’s been a while since I visited one of the locations of Luke’s Lobster, that I once considered, with The Lobster Place in Chelsea Market, one of my favorite locations for a lobster roll. There are plenty of places proposing this divine dish, but I often end up with a roll that has too much celery, overpowering the entire thing, or the lobster is overcooked. So, after going to Angelo Seafood Market in Hoboken, I decided to pay the one in the garment district a visit. But, instead of having a lobster roll, I decided to go for their flight that consist of three half rolls, so you can sample the lemon butter, spicy honey butter and truffle butter variations. You get that flight for $40, with chips and any soda (beer is extra). The rolls came fairly quickly and the brioche bread was totally submerged by the generous portion of lobster. I liked the three preparations, none of them overpowering the perfectly cooked lobster. So, yes, $40 is a bit pricey, but at least there is a good amount of lobster and you leave with a happy stomach. Therefore, I’ll keep Luke’s Lobster on my list of favorite places for lobster rolls.

Lobster roll flight at
Luke’s Lobster in NYC, NY

Lemon butter lobster roll at
Luke’s Lobster in NYC, NY

Hot honey butter at
Luke’s Lobster in NYC, NY

Truffle butter lobster roll at
Luke’s Lobster in NYC, NY

Enjoy (I really did)!

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Luke’s Lobster - 1407 Broadway, New York, NY 10018

I Just Want To Eat! 4/28/25 I Just Want To Eat! 4/28/25

Tipsy Shanghai in the East Village

With a location in the east village, Tipsy Shanghai is a true find. Serving Chinese food in a beautiful decor, the dining room being decorated with tons of ornaments to remind you where you are eating, this place has an extensive menu. But there are few things that are a must have. The Wuxi pork ribs ($18) is definitely one, with a recipe that was passed from generation to generation since 1905. These ribs literally fell off the bone. Then there is the crab xialong dumplings ($7.95 for 4), pork and crab soup dumplings that are now a popular item in so many places. Although the thin shell broke a bit when I took them from the bamboo basket, they were deliciously fatty, as expected. Of course we had to have scallion pancakes that were a bit crunchy and crystal shrimp dumplings ($6.95 for 4) that were also pretty good. Jodi got vegetable buns($7.95 for 3) and dumplings ($8.95 for 6) that had a nice filling, but were not my favorites.

Wuxi ribs at Tipsy Shanghai in the East Village

Pork and crab dumplings at Tipsy Shanghai in the East Village

Shrimp dumplings at Tipsy Shanghai in the East Village

Scallion pancakes at Tipsy Shanghai in the East Village

Fried vegetables dumplings at Tipsy Shanghai in the East Village

Vegetables buns at Tipsy Shanghai in the East Village

We finished the meal with creamy custard buns ($5.59 for 3) that were good, quite hot, with a nice eggy custard in the middle. Good, but not the best I had for sure, loving the ones at Dim Sum Palace that are creamier.

Creamy egg buns at Tipsy Shanghai in the East Village

Overall it was a good meal and Tipsy Shanghai should be on your list if you are craving Chinese food and in the area.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Tipsy Shanghai - 104 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

I Just Want To Eat! 4/24/25 I Just Want To Eat! 4/24/25

Diner 24 in NYC, NY

Opened in May last year, Diner 24 is trying to differentiate itself from an unfortunately dying breed of diners in the city. How? By serving big portions and crazy milkshakes. So I had to check it out and left perplexed: not that I was surprised that the huevos rancheros would just be ok in a diner (yes, they were and interestingly, our neighboring table ordered the same and the presentation was a bit different, with avocado on top; probably forgotten by the kitchen on our side), but I found that the 12oz double smashed burger they were offering, although it looked dry at first, was really good. The meat was juicy and nicely caramelized, with crispy bits on the outside. However, the onion ring that was on top of the patty was a bit soggy, as were the fries that were the worst I had in a long time. Then came the milkshake. I settled for the Oreo s’mores one that was topped with an ice cream bar and cake pop (not a big fan), and decorated with fudge and sprinkles. When it came to the table, the toasted marshmallow just fell down immediately on the plate, so I cannot even say what it is supposed to look like. It either sat there before being served or they heated the ice cream while toasting it, causing this slide. The shake in itself was not as expected: the ice cream bar was tasteless and I could not find any pieces of Oreos. The $22 price tag was not worth it and I had better Oreo milkshakes for a lesser price.

Cakes and milkshake display at Diner 24 in NYC, NY

Oreo S’mores milkshake at Diner 24 in NYC, NY

So, I was a bit disappointed, even if the burger was good. Diner 24 is not a place I would love to go back to.

Enjoy (...)!

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Diner 24 - 283 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10010

I Just Want To Eat! 4/21/25 I Just Want To Eat! 4/21/25

Koi Bryant Park in NYC

Located in the posh Bryant Park Hotel, Koi serves an elevated Asian menu that is definitely worth a visit, even if a bit pricey. I should mention that they have a vegan menu that is not brought systematically to the table and you would need to ask for it. Of course, you can get a miso soup or some edamame, but I suggest the crispy rice that is in essence a sushi made with crispy rice that they propose with spicy tuna, yellow fin tartare or truffle avocado that is what we ordered. It is at this place that we tried crispy rice for the first time, many years ago, and we are never disappointed: you get the crispiness of the rice mixed with the creaminess of the avocado that has a subtle truffle taste that fills your nose as they bring the dish. Another vegan dish that is on that menu, in their signature section is their vegan dragon roll, made with shiitake, sweet potato, tofu, avocado and soy paper. This was quite good, and the kind of roll that I would see myself eating, even if I am not vegan. But I admit that my favorite is their creamy shrimp tempura that had a shell deliciously crispy, hiding a perfectly cooked shrimp. A must have.

Crispy rice avocado at Koi Bryant Park in NYC

Vegan dragon roll at Koi Bryant Park in NYC

Creamy shrimp tempura at Koi Bryant Park in NYC

For entrees, I tried their lobster that was perfectly made, topped with a sake truffle butter, as well as their duck that was delicious, the skin being nicely fatty and slightly crispy. My only regret is that I did not order a side with it as it was only served with roasted shishito peppers that were good, but could have been mixed with other vegetables.

Before talking about dessert, I should mention their cocktails that are quite creative. The Sun-toki one with Japanese Toki whisky, blood orange puree, spices and crushed pepper was superb, as was the Samurai with also Toki whisky, muddled ginger and yuzu sake for a nice acidity. But if you do not drink alcohol, they have several mocktails like the Oh! So Lychee! with lychee puree, cranberry and vanilla extract that was refreshing an as good as the others (you cannot go wrong with lychee!).

Sun-Toki cocktail at Koi Bryant Park in NYC

Samurai cocktail at Koi Bryant Park in NYC

Oh! So Lychee mocktail at Koi Bryant Park in NYC

Now, let’s talk about dessert: I admit that I only tried their banana spring roll, that were magnificent: crispy on the outside, with a nice banana and chocolate filling inside, paired perfectly with the vanilla sauce that came with it. Another must have!

Banana spring rolls at Koi Bryant Park in NYC

Overall, Koi is a great spot, with great food, but it can be packed and the service can suffer a bit, the kitchen being backed up. It is also a bit loud, that is always something I do not like when dining. But the food is good, so I could make an exception.
Enjoy (I did)!

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Koi Bryant Park - 40 W 40th St, New York, NY 10018

I Just Want To Eat! 4/17/25 I Just Want To Eat! 4/17/25

Angelo Seafood Market in Hoboken, NJ

I finally made it to Angelo Seafood Market! Jodi having a lunch plan, I was thinking it would be the best time to go there as they probably have nothing vegetarian to offer if we wanted to go together. Nice place, with a store in the front, proposing various products, from pasta filled with lobster to canned fish and fresh seafood in the back. But it is in the basement that you can get their lobster roll, with mayonnaise or butter. I went for the latter, wondering if they would put some celery, too much of it in fact, in it. As I waited, a delicious smell of butter came from the adjacent kitchen and maybe ten minutes later, I got my lobster roll with chips ($25). Prepared on a brioche bun that was toasted, I took a first bite. Buttery is what comes to mind first. The lobster was good, but slightly overcooked and I just wished there was a bit more of it. So, as you can guess, it was a good lobster roll, but nothing to rave about. I was a bit disappointed, as I was expecting more from a seafood place…

Lobster roll at Angelo Seafood Market in Hoboken, NJ

Enjoy (I still did)!

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Angelo Seafood Market - 626 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 4/14/25 I Just Want To Eat! 4/14/25

Wenwen, Taiwanese Restaurant in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

I never had Taiwanese food before, so I was excited to try Wenwen in Greenpoint, and learned that it a blend of Chinese cuisine and local cuisine with influence from Japanese cuisine as well. We arrived a little before 12pm on a Saturday and were the first to go in. Well, 15 minutes later, that place was packed, from the dining room to the bar. Their brunch menu is quite appetizing with a few vegetarian dishes like the fried tofu with garlic soy paste or the pea shoots with tofu skin. The former was my favorite: crispy on the outside, soft inside with a delicious sauce made with sichuan peppercorn. I also loved their Sacha hot honey popcorn chicken that was accompanied by a spicy sauce. It was so good that I did not care that my mouth was a bit on fire. But the best surprise was their Tater tot Dan Bin, a Chinese crepe filled with egg, cheddar and some tater tots for crunch. This is an interesting version of an egg sandwich that is a must have when going there. I should also mention their cocktails or more their mocktails, as I tried their Pining Passion that was made with pineapple, lemon, passion fruit, mint and seltzer. Refreshing, I was glad that it did have just a touch of passion fruit as this can overpower a drink.

Sacha hot honey chicken at Wenwen in Brooklyn

Peashoots with tofu skin at Wenwen in Brooklyn

Overall, we had a great brunch at Wenwen. We did not try their desserts as we were going somewhere else for it, so, this is another excuse to go back...

Enjoy (I did)!

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Wenwen - 1025 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222

I Just Want To Eat! 4/13/25 I Just Want To Eat! 4/13/25

Product Review: Amzchef Double Induction Cooktop

Amzchef sent me a double induction cooktop for a product review. I really discovered induction after trying one of their products (post here) and love it because it allows you to control the temperature, similar to what you would experience with a gas stove. This double induction cooktop is portable, with dual burners that are paired with a cast iron griddle that can be used as an indoor grill, perfect to cook vegetables, meats, eggs or pancakes. Small (9.1"D x 18"W x 4.3"H), it is perfect for a small kitchen or a trailer, or anywhere on the go. Easy to use, you just need to get used to the display, that is quite similar anyway to lots of stoves (mine says high-9, down to medium-6 and low-1). When cooking on the two burners, know that you cannot go above 1800W, so, by bringing the temperature up on one side, it will go down on the other side. To use the griddle, you simply put it on top of the burners and set the appliance to the correct mode. The cast iron griddle is non-stick and goes into the dishwasher, making it the perfect appliance for your kitchen!

Find it at:

Amzchef website

Amazon

I Just Want To Eat! 4/10/25 I Just Want To Eat! 4/10/25

Miriam on the Upper West Side, NYC

Each time we passed in front of Miriam, an Israeli restaurant located on the Upper West Side, we noticed the crowd and so, thought that we had to try this place. We never tried the dinner, only going for brunch. Reservation required unless you are lucky enough to have a sit at the bar. For drinks, we had their mint tea that was nice and sweet, or their homemade mint lemonade that was well made, not too tart or too sweet. However, I thought that their Turkish coffee was not great, being a bit watery. Food wise, I am still thinking about their lamb shawarma that was served with a fluffy pita, delicious Persian rice that was buttery and a harissa and yogurt sauce that was not spicy. This dish is fantastic: I could have eaten the rice, that had dried fruits in it, on its own, but, mixed with the lamb, it was even better, an explosion of flavors. I highly recommend this dish if, like me, you love lamb. The shuk salad with campari tomatoes, parisian cucumbers, chickpeas, breakfast radishes, scallions, mint, eggplant, za'atar croutons, feta cheese and lemon vinaigrette was pretty good and refreshing, but I admit that I prefer their breakfast platters. My favorite is the Jerusalem breakfast that is composed of two eggs any style, avocado spread, tomatoes salad, homemade Jerusalem bagel and labeneh. Comforting, this was the first time I had a Jerusalem bagel and I could have eaten more of it. The middle eastern breakfast sambusak was also succulent. It was made with a sambusak that is a house-baked bread stuffed with cheese, served with avocado, tomatoes, two eggs any style, Israeli salad and tahini. The day we got these breakfast platters, we skipped dessert, but, when we went back, we tried their knafeh that was superb: the crispy kataifi was hiding a delicious layer of ricotta cheese that pairs well with the sugar syrup their poured on top and the pistachio ice cream that was sitting on top of the dish. A must have.

Lamb shawarma at Miriam on the Upper West Side, NYC

Shut salad at Miriam on the Upper West Side, NYC

Sambusak breakfast at Miriam on the Upper West Side, NYC

Jerusalem breakfast at Miriam on the Upper West Side, NYC

Knife at Miriam on the Upper West Side, NYC

Turkish coffee at Miriam on the Upper West Side, NYC

Miriam is a true gem, serving an exciting menu, made of dishes packed with flavors. Brunch was great and I am looking forward to go back for dinner!

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!

Miriam - 300 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10023

I Just Want To Eat! 4/7/25 I Just Want To Eat! 4/7/25

Why we decided not to go back to Pariwaar Delights - The King of Biryani's & Mandi's in Hoboken, NJ

When Pariwaar Delights opened a couple of months ago in Hoboken, replacing Mikie Squared, I was really excited as I love Indian cuisine, that I discovered during so many trips to India in the past. Calling itself the King of Biryani, I was looking forward to try their specialty, a rice dish that I only had thanks to one of my colleagues who was bringing that chicken and rice dish from time to time at the office, as he knew I loved that cuisine. Although it was spicy, I simply loved it. Our first visit was quite interesting as we witnessed a little heated discussion between staff in the middle of the dining room, thinking that maybe they could have gone somewhere else instead of making a scene in front of diners. I cannot tell you what this was about, not being fluent in Hindi! We started the meal with samosas ($9.99) that were pretty good, crunchy on the outside, with a nice filling that had a little kick. I just wished they had tamarind sauce with it and not just mint sauce. The biryanis took a while to come, but, when they did, they look quite big, more for sharing for sure. Mine was the lamb dum biryani ($29.99), while Jodi got their veg dum biryani ($17.99) that had paneer on it. Made with basmati rice cooked in spices, it was very flavorful. The boneless lamb was good, but slightly overcooked and I kind of preferred the paneer because of that. The lamb biryani had a bit of a kick and I drank a mango lassi to help with the spiciness of the dish. For dessert, we had their gulab jamun ($5.99) that were pretty good, a nice way to end the meal.

The second time we went, we were thinking that maybe the service would be a bit faster, but it was not the case. The chaat delight samosa ($14.99) took forever to come, to the point that we wondered if they forgot us. We finally got our dish that was good, a bit spicy, even if we asked for mild. This was a delicious explosion of flavor, but I admit that here again, I missed tamarind sauce in it. The dish is supposed to be vegan, but it had yogurt in it and I am not sure how they made it. Still, a good option. It is only once we finished that dish that my drink, butter milk or chaas, made with yogurt, water and spices, and Jodi’s lime soda came. I also thought at some point that they forgot them and wonder how such drinks can take more than 30 minutes to be prepared! Next were our kati rolls. Since I tried the Kati Roll Company, I have been a big fan of these Indian wraps. The chicken tikka roll ($9.99) was just ok, and I thought the paratha it was wrapped in was lacking crispiness. Jodi got the paneer masala one ($9.99) and both had more onions than anything else. That time, we skipped dessert as the service was so slow, we did not want to stay longer.

Chaat delight samosa at Pariwaar Delights

But the third time was even worse! I got my mango lassi, butter chicken tikka ($27.99) and some naan that tasted like cardboard, after 30 minutes, but Jodi’s dish never came, despite us asking few times. After more than 50 minutes, observing countless of deliveries, we decided to leave. When I told the manager we were canceling Jodi’s dish and wanted the check, he got a bit nasty, not even apologizing. I have never seen this. Usually, they would apologize and even comp some of your meal. So, it is nice to be king of biryani, but maybe they should try to be king of hospitality, focusing on customer service and prioritizing diners over deliveries.

Enjoy (the post)!

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Pariwaar Delights - The King of Biryani's & Mandi's - 616 Washington St. Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 4/3/25 I Just Want To Eat! 4/3/25

Curry On in Jersey City

Newark avenue in Jersey City has many Indian restaurants and so, we like sometimes to try new ones, although I admit that I have my favorite: Rasoi. So, this time, we decided to go to Curry On as someone at work recommended it. As you enter, you feel like you are in a different place with the decor and lighting that makes you wonder if they throw parties at night. Menu wise, they have the classics, with nothing really standing out. We started with samosa chaat that is made with samosa, potato and crispy puffs, smothered in yogurt and tamarind sauce. Packed with flavor, crispy bits from the samosa, I love the sweet and savory taste of that dish. For our main, Jodi went for the paneer tikka masala while I went for the lamb korma. Both dishes were good, but not exceptional and the oil breaking from the sauce made it a bit greasy. They served it with a generous amount of rice and we ordered a delicious butter naan that was nicely charred and fluffy. As usual, I had a mango lassi to go with my meal and we finished with gulab jamun that were well made.

Paneer tikka masala at Curry On in Jersey City

Overall, Curry On was good, but definitely not at the level of Rasoi, that so far, remains my all time favorite.

Enjoy (I still did)!

Curry On - 765 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306

I Just Want To Eat! 3/31/25 I Just Want To Eat! 3/31/25

Le Pavillion in NYC

I finally made it to Le Pavillon, the restaurant from Chef Daniel Boulud that is located across from Grand Central. Well, finding the entrance the first time was a bit challenging, like keeping a secret, but once you know and you try it, you just want to go back. This beautiful space with its wall of plants seems more modern and certainly less stuffy than the chef’s eponymous restaurant that, the last time I went, had jacket required, a requirement from the past. At Le Pavillion, jeans and tshirts sit next to suits and gowns. The food there is remarkable: modern French with surprising combinations, like the onion tart with époisses that is sublime. Rich, sweet and savory, it lets the pungent cheese that is often disregarded, be the star of the show. Or the duck with pear tatin that would make duck aficionados drool for days just remembering the taste of this dish, especially the perfectly cooked duck with its slightly crispy and fatty skin. The dinner menu is for sure an invitation to indulge and for $125 per person, you sure do, with lots of vegetarian dishes not to be disregarded. Like their duo of morel mushrooms and pea soup that had a very appetizing presentation and was packed in flavor, or the mushroom and Comte cheese that I hesitated to order. The sea is also well represented: their fettuccine pétoncle (seared bay scallops) was sublime. The perfectly made fettuccine was bathed in a butter sauce and topped with black winter truffle shavings for a decadent touch. Definitely a must have. Or the wild Dover sole with morel (they must have had a discount on this delicious mushroom that is not often proposed on restaurants'menus), that was perfectly cooked and with subtle and delicate flavors. With your meal, you can add a side and the pommes mont d'or are a must have. Don't think it is mashed potatoes! It is often referred as a soufflé, but I would say that it is in between: the crust is slightly crispy and the inside light and creamy.

Onion and epoisse tart at Le Pavillion in NYC

Mushroom and pea soup at Le Pavillion in NYC

Mushrooms and Comte cheese at Le Pavillion in NYC

Fettuccine and scallops at Le Pavillion in NYC

Truffled pommes Mont D’or at Le Pavillion in NYC

Desserts are not to be ignored. The hazelnut and chocolate cake was my favorite: rich, decadent, with a nice little crunch from the praline croustillant in the bottom. This will satisfy any diner who loves hazelnut. Their châtaigne and poire was also interesting, marrying chestnut cream (châtaigne) and a pear composte (poire), and so was the coconut flan that was perfectly executed.

Chestnut and pear cake at Le Pavillion in NYC

There are two things I should also mention: their absinthe, with two different choices, one from France (Jade) and one from Switzerland (Larusee). And also their bread that is fantastic and seems to be a signature for Chef Boulud, a good bread being the perfect way to start, with butter, or even end a meal with cheese, being a course on its own.

Overall, this place serves great dishes, in a more relaxed atmosphere than Daniel, and with an impeccable service. This is to be on the map of anyone looking for a fine dining destination in New York.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Le Pavillion - 1 Vanderbilt Avenue, New York, NY 10017

I Just Want To Eat! 3/27/25 I Just Want To Eat! 3/27/25

Vive La Crepe on the Upper East Side

We were walking on the Upper East Side and decided to have a quick bite when we stumbled upon Vive La Crepe on Lexington Avenue. I love crepes, so I was thinking, why not? They had an interesting menu, so we decided to try their ham and cheese crepe that I thought was decent, the crepe itself not being at the level of a good savory crepe to be honest (savory crepes are called galettes and are made with buckwheat, while sweet ones are made with flour). Jodi got their Amelie, made with goat cheese, mushrooms, spinach and pesto. This was ok, not having much filling in it. For dessert, I got a butter sugar crepe with halva that however was pretty good, the halva giving a bit of texture to it, and I think I would only stop by there for it. Not for the savory ones for sure…

Ham and cheese at Vive La Crepe on the Upper East Side

Amelie at Vive La Crepe on the Upper East Side

Butter nd sugar at Vive La Crepe on the Upper East Side

Enjoy (…)!

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Vive La Crepe - 958 Lexington Ave #958B, New York, NY 10021

I Just Want To Eat! 3/24/25 I Just Want To Eat! 3/24/25

Julietta in Hoboken, NJ

When we heard that Julietta, a popular gelato spot located in the West Village was opening in Hoboken, we were a bit surprised as Il Laboratorio Del Gelato is close by, although less classic, and there are plenty of ice cream shops in the mile square city. But we decided to give it a try. For both gelato and Italian sandwiches in fact. Let’s start with the first one: gelato. Jodi got their coconut one that was good. On my side, I was excited because they had hazelnut and got a sample of it. I did not like it: it had lots of crystals in it that took over the taste of the beloved flavor. So I went for their Oreo cookie and pistachio. I did not finish my ice cream. The Oreo cookie lacked chunks of cookies and was boring, and the pistachio had a bitter taste that coated my mouth.

Oreo cookie and pistachio gelato at Julietta in Hoboken, NJ

Coconut gelato at Julietta in Hoboken, NJ

Next were the sandwiches. I went for the one with mortadella and pistachio, while Jodi ordered the caprese with tomato and mozzarella. For both of them, there was more focaccia than ingredients inside and, unfortunately, the focaccia was average, a bit dry. My sandwich was very disappointing as there were only a couple of slices of paper thin mortadella that I could barely taste. I would pass on the sandwiches as well.

Mortadella sandwich at Julietta in Hoboken, NJ

Caprese sandwich at Julietta in Hoboken, NJ

Now, let’s talk about their bomboloni with chocolate as they call it. It is in fact Nutella, and I admit that it is very good, with plenty of Nutella inside. A must have. I would only recommend Julietta for this, going to Il Laboratorio del Gelato for gelato or Kikilu Gelato, and to Prato for a great Italian sandwich with a fantastic focaccia made daily.

Enjoy (the bomboloni)!

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Julietta - 423 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 3/20/25 I Just Want To Eat! 3/20/25

Shalom Japan in Brooklyn, NY

Fusion food is always interesting and chefs Aaron Israel and Sawako Okochi succeeded in proposing a creative menu inspired by Jewish and Japanese cuisine at Shalom Japan. The epitome of this is their matzo ball ramen that is when a matzo ball soup meets Japanese ramen (by the way, they even offer a kit to make it yourself). Made with chicken broth and bits of chicken, scallion, wood ear mushrooms and nori, it has mandels, that are crunchy croutons that you can add to any soup. And like ramen, you can add a soy marinated egg that they forgot at first and brought me afterwards. I also asked for an additional matzo ball from the get go and did not regret it. They were nicely made, being dense but not too much. The broth was also very good, tasty, comforting and not too salty, marrying perfectly with the other ingredients, with still that feeling that you were eating matzo ball soup and at the same time a ramen.

Matzo ball ramen at Shalom Japan in Brooklyn, NY

But if you prefer something else, they have plenty of alternatives like the Chilled sesame temomi mazemen, that is a cold noodle dish made with shiitake mushrooms, shishito peppers, cucumber and Shiso. This vegetarian dish was quite refreshing and packed with flavors.

Chilled sesame tempi mazemen at Shalom Japan in Brooklyn, NY

Chilled sesame temomi mazemen at Shalom Japan in Brooklyn, NY

I should mention their non-alcoholic beverages: they have a bunch of Japanese soda like the Moshi sparkling Uju matcha with white strawberry or the Moshi sparkling red Shiso and apple that was my favorite.

We finished our meal with their chocolate banana challah bread pudding that was good, but could have had more chocolate in it…

So, definitely, Shalom Japan is original and the creativity of the Chefs just make you want to go back.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Shalom Japan - 310 S 4th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211