Van Leeuwen Ice Cream in Hoboken, NJ
I remember the time there was this place selling ice cream downtown New York that everyone was talking about that we decided to try. At the time, I thought that it was worth going back there, even if I did not like everything. This was in 2014. Since then, I have been a big fan of this place, their ice cream being delicious. If you follow me on Instagram, you probably saw few times my stories, holding my…
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream in Hoboken, NJ
I remember the time there was this place selling ice cream downtown New York that everyone was talking about that we decided to try. At the time, I thought that it was worth going back there, even if I did not like everything. This was in 2014. Since then, I have been a big fan of this place, their ice cream being delicious. If you follow me on Instagram, you probably saw few times my stories, holding my favorite: the praline butter cake. What started with a yellow food truck has grown quite fast, with shops in not just New York, but California, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, etc. Of course, New Jersey was not forgotten, with their last venture in Hoboken. I could not be happier.
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream in Hoboken, NJ
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream in Hoboken, NJ
First, I love the decor, that is colorful, with pink and yellow being the main colors, giving a bit of a nostalgia to this place that makes artisanal ice cream. Then, it is the ice cream, with their vegan ice cream as good as the others and flavors quite interesting, like the vegan banana bread pudding that Jodi had with sprinkles on top (where do you find an ice cream shop that puts so many?), that I am sure would recognize in a blind taste. The cookies and cream is also good, as a scoop or in a milkshake, but I admit that I had better. They also have sundaes: the Sicilian Pistachio is my favorite, but I also like the vanilla chocolate hazelnut, being a huge fan of anything Nutella.
Praline butter cake at Van Leeuwen Ice Cream in Hoboken, NJ
Vegan banana bread pudding at Van Leeuwen Ice Cream in Hoboken, NJ
Cookies and cream at Van Leeuwen Ice Cream in Hoboken, NJ
Cookies and cream milkshake at Van Leeuwen Ice Cream in Hoboken, NJ
Vanilla chocolate sundae at Van Leeuwen Ice Cream in Hoboken, NJ
Sicilian Pistachio sundae at Van Leeuwen Ice Cream in Hoboken, NJ
These are just a few flavors I tried at Van Leeuwen, and their creativity is endless, with many vegan flavors being as good as regular ice cream. Their motto is “A life without anything good is bad” and in this case, good would equate to another visit…
Enjoy (I did)!
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Van Leeuwen Ice Cream - 537 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Product Review: Amzchef Nut Milk Maker
Amzchef sent me a nut milk maker to review and I surely tried it extensively! As I drink soy milk and almond milk, I was curious to see how this small appliance would perform and I was not disappointed: the soy milk and almond milk I made was creamier than what I get at Trader Joe’s and the process was quite easy.
Please note that, although this product was sent to me complimentary, I was not obliged to post and the opinions expressed in my blog are 100% my own!
Amzchef Nut Milk Maker
Amzchef sent me a nut milk maker to review and I surely tried it extensively! As I drink soy milk and almond milk, I was curious to see how this small appliance would perform and I was not disappointed: the soy milk and almond milk I made was creamier than what I get at Trader Joe’s and the process was quite easy.
For the soy milk, I bought some dried soybeans that I soaked all night and rinsed before mixing them with water. And then I let the nut milk maker do its magic. I applied the same process for the almond milk, using roasted almonds and adding a bit of cinnamon and cardamon in the water. Both need to be strained with the strainer that comes with the maker. However, for the almond milk, I kept the husk that was the result of the straining process, put it back in the maker, added some water and restarted the process again, giving me even more almond milk!
Soy milk made with the Amzchef Nut Milk Maker
Almond milk made with the Amzchef Nut Milk Maker
With this appliance, you can also boil water, so I made a tea, or make juices, like the apple juice I made using two apples and some water. The result was good, but you need to add sugar for sure. There is much more you can do with it, like porridge or corn milk: just let your creativity take over!
Boiling water with the Amzchef Nut Milk Maker
Apple juice with the Amzchef Nut Milk Maker
I should mention the cleaning process that is great as it has a cleaning function: simply put some dish soap and water and let the machine do its thing; you will just need to rinse, et voila! The short video below will give you some more information about this nut milk maker that can be found on Amazon or on the Amzchef website.
Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ
I hate restaurants like Aarzu! Once you eat there, not only do you regret they are not in your neighborhood and but it will also ruin any future experience you will have in an Indian restaurant. Well, when you know that Aarzu means “desire” in Hindi, you know a curse is upon you. A culinary curse. I admit that I did not expect such an incredible meal.
Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ
I hate restaurants like Aarzu! Once you eat there, not only do you regret they are not in your neighborhood and but it will also ruin any future experience you will have in an Indian restaurant. Well, when you know that Aarzu means “desire” in Hindi, you know a curse is upon you. A culinary curse. I admit that I did not expect such an incredible meal.
Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ
Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ
The menu is for the most part original, with several classics like the butter chicken ($26) or the lamb roganjosh ($30) that were really good, but quite usual. The appetizers were really what stoked me the most. Take the Dahi Vada ($9), a lentil fritter drenched in a sweet yogurt sauce with cumin. It was topped with a crunchy flower that gave the dish an immediate elegance, like a piece of art you will have to destroy with your fork. Same for the avocado mango bhel ($15), where the puffed rice not only shaped the dish, but gave it a delightful texture. But the two next dishes were even more surprising. The duck taco ($16) was a meeting between Indian (with the spices), Chinese with the Peking duck concept and hoisin sauce (it was mixed with tamarind) and Mexican for the name as it was not a tortilla, but 4 small paratha, a flaky, unleavened flat bread that has a little crunch. Packed in flavors, this is a dish not to miss. The second dish was the eggplant chaat ($16), where small eggplant chips where mixed with pomegranate, date chutney and candied ginger, giving it a sweet and savory taste without overpowering the eggplant that remained the star of the dish. They also have a nice selection of tandoor dishes, like chicken seekh ($26 - minced chicken kebab), but their lamb chops ($32) are definitely a must have: perfectly cooked, nicely charred and deliciously fatty. Like every Indian restaurant, they have a large selection of vegetarian dishes, some I did not really see anywhere else and some vegan, like the vegetable moilee ($24) that is a vegetable medley cooked in a coconut sauce or the Batthi ka paneer ($25) that is cottage cheese in a smoked tomato sauce (this one is not vegan). Both were delicious with some butter naan ($5) or rice.
Dahi vada at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ
Dahi vada at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ
Avocado mago bhel at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ
Eggplant chaat at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ
Duck taco at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ
Duck taco at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ
Chicken seekh at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ
Lamb chops at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ
Butter chicken at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ
Lamb roganjosh at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ
Vegetable medley at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ
Batthi ka paneer at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ
Dal tadka at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ
Butter naan at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ
Of course, I had to have a mango lassi ($8) that was decent, and Jodi got a masala chai ($5) with dessert: their Angoori gulab jamun ($10). The fried milk balls were delicious, but, instead of the classic sweet syrup, they sat in a saffron rabri that was a sauce with the texture of a crème anglaise. Different, it cut a bit on the sweetness of the fried balls.
Mango lassi at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ
Chai at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ
Gulab jamun at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ
Gulab jamun at Aarzu, Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold, NJ
Overall, this was a fantastic meal: the food was outstanding, with maybe the lentils fritters being my least favorite, the lamb chops and eggplant chaat, among over things, being a must have. I should point out the service was on point, making you feel welcome. I highly recommend this place!
Enjoy (I did)!
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Aarzu - 30 E Main St, Freehold, NJ 07728
Balaboosta, Israeli restaurant in NYC, NY
Meaning « perfect housewife » in Yiddish, balaboosta celebrates wife and mothers who are « the fearless emotional center of her family, who makes sure her table is not only full of gorgeous food, but also full of friends, love, laughter». A celebration that chef Einat Admoni, a James Beard Award finalist, showcases with incredible food inspired from Israel, but also her Persian and Yemeni roots.
Balaboosta in NYC, NY
Meaning « perfect housewife » in Yiddish, balaboosta celebrates wife and mothers who are « the fearless emotional center of her family, who makes sure her table is not only full of gorgeous food, but also full of friends, love, laughter». A celebration that chef Einat Admoni, a James Beard Award finalist, showcases with incredible food inspired from Israel, but also her Persian and Yemeni roots.
Balaboosta in NYC, NY
So, don’t be surprised to see Yemenite soup dumplings ($19) on their menu, a creative dish from the Chef to merge Yemeni and Chinese culture, but, instead of being filled with pork or crab, they are filled with beef and a soup made with Hawajj, a Yemeni spice blend composed of cumin, cardamon, coriander, turmeric and black pepper. Then, instead of vinegar, it is accompanied with hibleh, a condiment made with fenugreek. These dumplings are simply magnificent: I just ate a whole at once and it was an explosion of flavors in my mouth, getting as well a bit of fattiness that make soup dumplings delicious. Original is also their calamari ($29) that is served with lamb belly: a sort of surf and turf where the perfectly cooked calamari paired perfectly with the meat, that gave a bolder taste to the dish, while crispy shallots added some texture. All of this was sitting on an amba aioli for a bit of acidity, that I discovered is an Iraqi-Jewish sauce made from pickled greens mangoes, vinegar, and a blend of aromatic spices like turmeric and fenugreek. Superb!
Yemenite soup dumplings at Balaboosta in NYC, NY
Calamari at Balaboosta in NYC, NY
They also have a bunch of vegetarian dishes, like the cauliflower ($19), that now every restaurant needs to have on its menu, but this one was a bit different: slightly cooked, so still crispy, it was marinated in chermoula, a flavorful and aromatic North African marinade that originated in Morocco, and is popular in Tunisia, Algeria, and Libya. Their hummus ($17) is also a must have: there is not question that hummus is best homemade. Topped with chickpeas, green s’chug (a green hot pepper sauce) and tahini, it was delightfully creamy, served with a homemade pita that was pillowy. After all this, we could not leave without trying one of their desserts and decided to go for the tahini creme brulee ($14) that was topped with shredded halva.
Cauliflower at Balaboosta in NYC, NY
Hummus at Balaboosta in NYC, NY
Pita at Balaboosta in NYC, NY
Tahini creme brûlée at Balaboosta in NYC, NY
The creme brulee was delicious, creamy, with the top being perfectly torched, giving some added sweetness. But, I admit that one of the element I was really looking forward to is the shredded halva. It had the texture of a thicker cotton candy and was not too sweet, adding some texture to the creme brulee. In fact, for brunch, they serve this amazing Kataïf French Toast ($19) that is also topped with shredded halva. Made with challah bread and accompanied with macerated berries and whipped cream. This is one the best French toasts I had an I surely recommend it. They also have an Eggplant Shakshuka ($23) that is not to be ignored. Made also with eggs, peppers, tomatoes, feta, sour dough toast, it is a very comforting dish.
KAtaif French toast at Balaboosta in NYC, NY
Eggplant shakshuka at Balaboosta in NYC, NY
I should mention the drinks they serve there: the limonana ($10), made with lemon, lime and mint syrup is an interesting take on lemonade, while the Yarok ($10) is quite refreshing, as made with cucumber, fresh ginger and lemon. I also tried their Mensh cocktail ($20), that is a take on an old fashioned, but with black Arak as well, adding a nice anise flavor to the drink.
Limonana at Balaboosta in NYC, NY
Yarok at Balaboosta in NYC, NY
Mensh cocktail at Balaboosta in NYC, NY
Brunch and dinner at Balaboosta were equally delicious: the food there is surprising, showcasing the creativity of Chef Admoni, bridging culinary cultures with brio.
Enjoy (I did)!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
Balaboosta - 611 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014
Calle Dao Bryant Park
Serving Cuban Chinese fusion in homage to the Chinese community that was once thriving in the Cuban capital, Havana, Calle Dao is not unknown to me. Cuban Chinese is not that common and people are always surprised when I mention such restaurant, forgetting that the long closed La Caridad was quite popular in New York at some point, being even mentioned in shows like Seinfeld. But Calle Dao is a bit different than La Caridad, a level above when it comes to dishes…and prices. Their black rice paella ($37) has been on the menu for years and is surely not to be missed with its clams, shrimp, calamari, mojo rojo and crema, in which you can add a grilled miso butter lobster (+$15) to make it…
Calle Dao Bryant Park
Serving Cuban Chinese fusion in homage to the Chinese community that was once thriving in the Cuban capital, Havana, Calle Dao is not unknown to me. Cuban Chinese is not that common and people are always surprised when I mention such restaurant, forgetting that the long closed La Caridad was quite popular in New York at some point, being even mentioned in shows like Seinfeld. But Calle Dao is a bit different than La Caridad, a level above when it comes to dishes…and prices. Their black rice paella ($37) has been on the menu for years and is surely not to be missed with its clams, shrimp, calamari, mojo rojo and crema, in which you can add a grilled miso butter lobster (+$15) to make it even more decadent. If like me, you love lobster, you can get their lobster noodles ($39) that lobster is in miso butter with crispy shallots, shiitake mushroom, pepper, onions, Chinese broccoli and sautéed lo mein Noodles. What I would surely not miss is their fantastic Cuban fried rice ($30), that is one of my favorites, made with shrimp, pulled pork, Spam, maduros, onion, bell pepper, egg, and cilantro crema. Every bite is packed with different flavors from this surf and turf version of a classic Chinese dish. Each time we went, Jodi got their mushroom noodles ($29), that are shiitake mushrooms served with Chinese broccoli and Lo Mein noodles, dressed in garlic hoisin sauce. This is a great vegetarian dish, comforting and flavorful. For appetizers, I love their crispy shiitake wonton ($14), another vegetarian dish, and their tostones ($10), served with house mojo sauce, that you can find in the sides section. For desserts, we just tried their tres leches ($13) that is really good, perfectly soaked in this delightful three milk melange. I should mention their cocktails that change from time to time. My favorite was the Clave ($10) that was made with rum and coffee, but is unfortunately not anymore on the menu. But the Opium ($19), made with bourbon, tamarind, Ruby Red grapefruit, lemon and poppy seeds is worth a try.
Bar at Calle Dao Bryant Park
Dining room at Calle Dao Bryant Park
Opium cocktail at Calle Dao Bryant Park
Clave cocktail at Calle Dao Bryant Park
Crispy wontons at Calle Dao Bryant Park
Tostones at Calle Dao Bryant Park
Mushroom noodles at Calle Dao Bryant Park
Lobster noodles at Calle Dao Bryant Park
Cuban fried rice at Calle Dao Bryant Park
Tres leches at Calle Dao Bryant Park
Overall, a meal at Calle Dao is always a good experience: the food and drinks are good and original. I recommend you get a reservation though as it can be crowded, especially on Friday night. If not, it is worth the wait…
Enjoy (I did)!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
Calle Dao Bryant Park - 38 W 39th St, New York, NY 10018
Gotan in Hoboken, NJ
Serving Mediterranean cuisine, Gotan is not unknown to me as I discovered this place few years ago in New York, where the owner, Rami Rosen, had several locations, before closing a few when COVID hit. Another place I knew of him is Yuki’s Coffee and Bakery in Hoboken, located few steps from the largest space the restaurant has ever occupied, with 5,000 square feet and two floors. The food there is fantastic, with two favorites of mine: the Gotan breakfast ($16.50), composed of an egg over easy, a Mediterranean salad, labneh, potatoes and a fluffy pita that is also served with my second favorite: the shakshuka ($18). This dish is a bit different from my family recipe that is a stew made with…
Gotan in Hoboken, NJ
Serving Mediterranean cuisine, Gotan is not unknown to me as I discovered this place few years ago in New York, where the owner, Rami Rosen, had several locations, before closing a few when COVID hit. Another place I knew of him is Yuki’s Coffee and Bakery in Hoboken, located few steps from the largest space the restaurant has ever occupied, with 5,000 square feet and two floors. The food there is fantastic, with two favorites of mine: the Gotan breakfast ($16.50), composed of an egg over easy, a Mediterranean salad, labneh, potatoes and a fluffy pita that is also served with my second favorite: the shakshuka ($18). This dish is a bit different from my family recipe that is a stew made with roasted peppers, tomatoes and garlic, mainly eaten cold. At Gotan, the tomato stew is topped with tahini, chimichurri and pine nuts, served with two eggs poached in this heavenly delicious stew. If you prefer a sandwich, the falafel one, although classic is really good, but, a more original is the halloumi & grilled pepper, made with roasted halloumi cheese, grilled red pepper, onion, watercress, tahini, parsley pesto and olive tapenade. They also have more classic Mediterranean dishes like their hummus and peppers ($16.50) where their hummus is nice and creamy, and of course, they have an avocado toast ($14.50) that seems to be what any restaurant needs to have on their brunch menu in the past few years, this one being topped with feta cheese and mint to give a Mediterranean flair. They also serve coffee and tea, but, each time we went, we got their spearmint lemonade ($5) that was perfectly made, not too tart, not too sweet.
Avocado toast at Gotan in Hoboken, NJ
Pita at Gotan in Hoboken, NJ
Gotan breakfast at Gotan in Hoboken, NJ
Shakshuka at Gotan in Hoboken, NJ
Hummus and peppers platter at Gotan in Hoboken, NJ
Halloumi sandwich t Gotan in Hoboken, NJ
Falafel sandwich at Gotan in Hoboken, NJ
Lemonade at Gotan in Hoboken, NJ
So, definitely, Gotan is a nice addition to the Hoboken restaurant scene and, even if a bit off the beaten path, it is worth a visit.
Enjoy (I did)!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
Gotan - 770 Jackson St, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Istanbul Doner Kebab in Hoboken, NJ
First was DoneRight Döner Kebab, and now we have Istanbul Doner Kebab, with a location that is more off the beaten path as it is on 8th, between Madison and Jefferson. Both restaurants serve Turkish doner, but the comparison might stop there as Istanbul Doner Kebab is not a fast casual place as DoneRight is. From the outside, I thought it was small, but in fact they have a decent size dining room, dominated by beautiful Turkish lamps. Their menu has a few vegetarian options, like the…
Istanbul Doner Kebab in Hoboken, NJ
First was DoneRight Döner Kebab, and now we have Istanbul Doner Kebab, with a location that is more off the beaten path as it is on 8th, between Madison and Jefferson. Both restaurants serve Turkish doner, but the comparison might stop there as Istanbul Doner Kebab is not a fast casual place as DoneRight is. From the outside, I thought it was small, but in fact they have a decent size dining room, dominated by beautiful Turkish lamps. Their menu has a few vegetarian options, like the dips (hummus, babaganouj, cacik - that is cucumber and yogurt-, labneh) or Ezme -a tomato and peppers salad. I just wished they had a sampler to try some of them. What I loved is their cigara borek ($11), these Turkish cheese rolls that were delightfully crispy and not greasy, perfect to start a meal. Continuing with vegetarian options, they have falafel that you can get in pita or lavash ($12) or as a side (4 for $8). These homemade falafels that do not have the usual spherical shape were slightly crispy on the outside and moist inside. The sandwich was good but was missing a bit of sauce (by the way, with your sandwich, you can choose your sauce from cacik, tahini, garlic or acili that is a spicy sauce). You can also opt for a shepherd salad, made with tomato, pepper, cucumber, red onions and parsley (the small one, $9, is a nice portion). A dish I really wanted to try was Iskender, a classic Turkish dish that is layered with pita in the bottom, sliced lamb, topped with tomato sauce and accompanied with yogurt. Interesting dish to try, but I admit that it was just ok for me: the pita was a bit soggy and the lamb was overpowered by the tomato sauce that did not really taste homemade. The lamb doner sandwich ($15) though was quite good, but there was not enough tahini sauce, no pickles (mentioned in the menu) and barely any salad and onion. Their lamb though was superb!
Pita at Istanbul Doner Kebab in Hoboken, NJ
Falafel at Istanbul Doner Kebab in Hoboken, NJ
Shepherd salad at Istanbul Doner Kebab in Hoboken, NJ
Borek at Istanbul Doner Kebab in Hoboken, NJ
Falafel sandwich at Istanbul Doner Kebab in Hoboken, NJ
Lamb done sandwich at Istanbul Doner Kebab in Hoboken, NJ
Iskender at Istanbul Doner Kebab in Hoboken, NJ
Iskender at Istanbul Doner Kebab in Hoboken, NJ
With our meals, we tried their Turkish orange soda, and Ayran, a yogurt drink I always get when having Turkish food.
Orange soda at Istanbul Doner Kebab in Hoboken, NJ
Ayran at Istanbul Doner Kebab in Hoboken, NJ
Of course we could not leave without trying their desserts. The baklava was delicious, perfect with a medium sweet Turkish coffee, but I was really curious to try Annes Helva, a Turkish dessert I do not recall seeing on a menu. This dessert made with semolina and tahini, topped with chocolate ice cream was good, but not something I would reorder. I would more go for the baklava.
Baklava at Istanbul Doner Kebab in Hoboken, NJ
Annes helva at Istanbul Doner Kebab in Hoboken, NJ
Turkish coffee at Istanbul Doner Kebab in Hoboken, NJ
Overall, the food was good, with definitely some major differences with DoneRight where I would probably go for the doner, but Istanbul Doner Kebab has more dishes and would be a better spot for a sit down dinner.
Enjoy (I did)!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
Istanbul Doner Kebab - 505 8th St, Hoboken, NJ 07030
The Greek Spot in Manalapan, NJ
If you are around Manalapan in New Jersey, you may want to stop by The Greek Spot: this unassuming restaurant serves delicious food. We were there on a Saturday for lunch and had a great meal from their extensive menu. We started off with their zucchini fritters ($11) that were a lunch special. I did not expect seeing a small fried patty. Served with tzatziki, it was very slightly crispy on the outside, hiding a filling made with course zucchini, but also parsley, onion, dill, covered in breadcrumbs. They do have other vegetarian dishes (the fritters were vegan, not the tzatziki), like the…
The Greek Spot in Manalapan, NJ
If you are around Manalapan in New Jersey, you may want to stop by The Greek Spot: this unassuming restaurant serves delicious food. We were there on a Saturday for lunch and had a great meal from their extensive menu. We started off with their zucchini fritters ($11) that were a lunch special. I did not expect seeing a small fried patty. Served with tzatziki, it was very slightly crispy on the outside, hiding a filling made with course zucchini, but also parsley, onion, dill, covered in breadcrumbs. They do have other vegetarian dishes (the fritters were vegan, not the tzatziki), like the Greek pita bowl ($17) that was composed of rice, house salad, hummus, pita and falafel (you can choose chicken or lamb instead). Their lemon chicken ($18) is pretty good, but my favorite was the lamb youvetsi ($25) that is a lamb shank braised in tomato sauce with cumin and cinnamon, over orzo. The lamb was falling off the bone, and the sauce was comforting, with a bold flavor enhanced by the spices. A must have. The only thing I did not like was their baklava ($6) that was a bit dry, and with too much walnuts. I had it with a Greek tea that was medium sweet. This was definitely a great find and this is definitely a restaurant I would go to if I was in that area or in Red Bank or Ocean Township, where they also have locations.
Zucchini fritters at The Greek Spot in Manalapan, NJ
Greek Pita bowl at The Greek Spot in Manalapan, NJ
Lemon chicken at The Greek Spot in Manalapan, NJ
Lamb youvetsi at The Greek Spot in Manalapan, NJ
Baklava at The Greek Spot in Manalapan, NJ
Turkish coffee at The Greek Spot in Manalapan, NJ
Enjoy (I did)!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
The Greek Spot - 130 NJ-33 #6, Manalapan Township, NJ 07726
Product Review: Portable Desktop Kitchen Range Hood with 4-speed from Amzchef
Amzchef sent me their new Portable Desktop Kitchen Range Hood to try and I admit that it is even better than the previous one (review here), that I use regularly, as I think that it does a better job than the one I have on top of my stove. This one has 4 speeds, from low to high, ensuring adequate suction based on the type of food you are cooking. It is also perfect if you have a small kitchen or in an RV. The video below will show you how to use it and, at the end, you will see it in action!
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!
Amzchef sent me their new Portable Desktop Kitchen Range Hood to try and I admit that it is even better than the previous one (review here), that I use regularly, as I think that it does a better job than the one I have on top of my stove. This one has 4 speeds, from low to high, ensuring adequate suction based on the type of food you are cooking. It is also perfect if you have a small kitchen or in an RV. The video below will show you how to use it and, at the end, you will see it in action!
If you are interested in buying it, go to:
Enjoy (I did)!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
Dagg, Thai Restaurant in NYC
Meaning “to eat with warmth and joy”, Dagg is not your classic Thai restaurant: with its full bar, cocktails could be a reason, besides good food though, that people go there. After dining there a few times,I discovered that it opened in 2018 and I could not believe that it did not get more attention like Thai Diner and Thai Villa among others did. Let’s start with cocktails ($18): creative, I loved their banana in pajamas that is made with whisky infused with sun-dried bananas, but my favorite was the It’s cornnn! That is a mix of coconut rum, condensed milk, corn, nixta corn liquor and corn flakes. Nicely sweet, smooth, I loved the …
Dagg, Thai Restaurant in NYC
Meaning “to eat with warmth and joy”, Dagg is not your classic Thai restaurant: with its full bar, cocktails could be a reason, besides good food though, that people go there. After dining there a few times,I discovered that it opened in 2018 and I could not believe that it did not get more attention like Thai Diner and Thai Villa among others did. Let’s start with cocktails ($18): creative, I loved their banana in pajamas that is made with whisky infused with sun-dried bananas, but my favorite was the It’s cornnn! That is a mix of coconut rum, condensed milk, corn, nixta corn liquor and corn flakes. Nicely sweet, smooth, I loved the crunch the cornflakes added to the drink. Of course, if you prefer more classic, they have a Thai iced tea that is pretty good. They also offer Thai tea ($7) and mocktails ($12) like the Kiwi Breeze, made with kiwi, seedlip (a non-alcoholic spirit) and tonic.
Banana in pyjamas at Dagg, Thai Restaurant in NYC
It’s cornnn! cocktail at Dagg, Thai Restaurant in NYC
Kiwi breeze at Dagg, Thai Restaurant in NYC
Thai tea at Dagg, Thai Restaurant in NYC
Their food, is not to be ignored as well and if you go for lunch, check their lunch special that has classic dishes like the massaman or Penang curry, where you can add chicken, shrimp, pork, beef, tofu, vegetables or duck, with a price that varies from $17 to $32 depending on the choice of protein. For that price, you also get an appetizer, small size than the real dish for sure. So, for instance, I got the duck Penang curry for $32 and chose the chive dumplings that we once had for dinner, over a salad or vegetable roll (I tried those for dinner and they were nicely made: crispy on the outside, with a shell that was not too thick, and delightfully greasy, with a nice filling made of glass noodles, carrots, taro and cabbage - $13). The dumplings, filled with chive and corn are not to be missed: tasty, the shell is nicely sticky. The duck Penang was delicious: the duck was perfectly cooked, and the curry was a bit spicy, but not too spicy, knowing that I asked them not to make it too spicy anyway. Proposing duck as a protein is kind of elevating the dish and I was glad I tried it. But it was not the first duck dish I tried there. Their Chu Chee Duck ($34) is another good dish showcasing duck. It is served with broccolini and beet, bathed in a coconut curry sauce made with chu chee sauce that is a type of red curry. Another duck well cooked, bathed in a sauce that had a nice kick. The chicken massaman ($20), that I often get in Thai restaurants was also quite delicious, a good dish if you like more classic ones, proposed with the same protein I mentioned before, or pad see ew ($17 with tofu) and a superb fried rice ($17 with tofu).
Chive dumplings at Dagg, Thai Restaurant in NYC
Chive dumplings at Dagg, Thai Restaurant in NYC
Chu chee duck at Dagg, Thai Restaurant in NYC
Massaman curry at Dagg, Thai Restaurant in NYC
Duck penang curry at Dagg, Thai Restaurant in NYC
Duck Penang curry at Dagg, Thai Restaurant in NYC
Tofu fried rice at Dagg, Thai Restaurant in NYC
Tofu pad see ew at Dagg, Thai Restaurant in NYC
Dessert is not to be missed, my favorite being the mango sticky rice ($16). They also have a taro puff ($17) that is a roti in a shape of an empanada, filled with mashed taro and accompanied with a coconut ice cream. It was good, but I thought that it was a bit pricey and they could have thrown a second roti as it was quite small.
Mango sticky rice at Dagg, Thai Restaurant in NYC
Taro puff at Dagg, Thai Restaurant in NYC
Nevertheless, the food a Dagg is really good and I highly recommend it.
Enjoy (I did)!
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Dagg - 10 E 39th St, New York, NY 10016