I Just Want To Eat! 5/12/26 I Just Want To Eat! 5/12/26

Create your own Biergarten with Paulaner Beer

Please know that the beer was sent complimentary but the opinion expressed on my blog are 100% mine.

When thinking about Biergarten, I always think about German Beer, and Paulaner definitely embodies this concept. True to the Reinheitsgebot, Germany’s legendary beer making regulation dating back to 1516, restricting the making to specific ingredients, Paulaner sticks to the essentials: hops, malt, yeast, and water. Nothing more. That restraint is exactly what preserves the purity, the quality, and the unmistakable flavor that festival‑goers enjoy right at the source. Here are some of their offerings available in store and online:

Paulaner Grapefruit Radler:

Thanks to its 50/50 blend of Münchner Lager and real grapefruit juice, this shandy is refreshing, light, with a burst of grapefruit layered over a smooth lager, that even someone who does not really like beer would love. This beer is perfect with beef as the acidity cuts through the richness of the meat, chicken as pairing well with the citrusy flavor of that beer, or fish as grapefruit can brighten richer seafood.

Paulaner Pils

With its clean bitterness, floral‑herbal aromas, and a refreshing finish, this classic pilsner pairs well with fried food, the crisp bitterness cutting through oil and richness, salty snacks like pretzels, chips and cured meats, as the dryness will balance salt, or matches well with grilled fish, sushi and shrimp.

Paulaner Hefe-Weizen

What some beer experts call a masterpiece, this classic wheat beer from Bavaria has a cloudy appearance that is the result of a unique technique with “yeast suspension” that the brewmasters perfected. Fruity, with the right balance of sweetness and bitterness, it is perfect with creamy cheeses, grilled fish, shrimp and mussels, or even salads thanks to its citrusy notes, but also with Weißwurst (white sausage) with sweet mustard, or soft pretzels.

Paulaner Münchner Lager

This popular Munich lager has the perfect balance of malty character and the light bitterness of hops, that give a slight sweetness, and a soft, dry hop finish that pairs well with pretzels, sausages, or schnitzel, as well as grilled meat and chicken, and even mild cheeses such as Brie, Gouda, Havarti, and Swiss.

So, do not wait and grab a stein of Paulaner beer, whichever way you like!

Enjoy (I did)!

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I Just Want To Eat! 5/11/26 I Just Want To Eat! 5/11/26

Homie’s Donuts in NYC

Named as an homage to Homer Simpson, known for his appetite and love of Donuts, Homie’s is coming from Montreal to New York, to compete head to head for best donut in the city. With a large selection of doughnuts besides the classic glazed or vanilla glazed, or Boston cream, as well as some of their own creations, like Ferrero Rocher, Cannoli, strawberry cheesecake or Dubai chocolate. I tried the Boston cream and the Dubai chocolate one over two separate visits. These donuts are big for sure and the chocolate frosting is very good on both. I also liked the vanilla custard in the Boston Cream, and the crunchiness of the kataifi and the nutty flavor of the pistachio cream of the Dubai Chocolate one was great. However, I find the doughnut itself to be doughy and so, I am not a big fan. My favorite remains The Doughnut Plant and Krispy Kreme.

Dubai chocolate donut at Homie’s Donuts in NYC

Enjoy (…)!

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Homie’s Donuts - 23 Cleveland Pl, New York, NY 10012

I Just Want To Eat! 5/7/26 I Just Want To Eat! 5/7/26

The rise of Israeli Wine

Driven by the rapid shift toward high-quality, boutique production, diverse Mediterranean terroir, and innovative, tech-driven viticulture such as specialized drip irrigation to manage arid climates, Israeli wines are up and coming. The Israeli Wine Producers Association (IWPA) is promoting nearly 40 local wineries like the ones below, that are available online and in store:…

Please know that the wine was sent complimentary but the opinion expressed on my blog are 100% mine.

Driven by the rapid shift toward high-quality, boutique production, diverse Mediterranean terroir, and innovative, tech-driven viticulture such as specialized drip irrigation to manage arid climates, Israeli wines are up and coming. The Israeli Wine Producers Association (IWPA) is promoting nearly 40 local wineries like the ones below, that are available online and in store:

Shiloh Privilege Blanc 2025:

The first ever blend from the Shiloh Winery in Judea, made with 39% Chardonnay, 26% French Colombard, 15% Chenin Blanc, 14% Viognier and 6% Riesling is a dry, crisp medium-bodied white wine, with floral and fruity tones that pairs well with grilled seafood, salads and vegetarian dishes, as well as goat cheese and alike.

Psagot Rosie Wild Brut Rosé:

Made from Pinot Noir (85%) and Chardonnay (15%) grapes, Psagot Rosie sparkling wine is unique thanks to its abbreviated second fermentation duration to just 30 days. Because of its high acidity and fruity notes (strawberry, peach and lemon), it pairs well with charcuterie, grilled fish and meat, as well as Asian dishes.

2023 Lahat Lavan:

Lahat Winery has been the personal project of Itay Lahat who, after learning about wine across Israel, decided to start his winery in 2012, showcasing the terroir of the Upper Galilee. The 2023 Lahat Lavan white wine is a blend of Roussanne (70%), Viognier (25%) and Marsanne (5%), giving to this exquisite wine a fresh, aromatic with herbal and grassy notes, perfect with goat cheese or feta, mediterranean dishes, grilled fish and salads.

Carignan 2021 Taninim Showmron from Carmel Winery:

This winery has an interesting history: It was established in 1882 by Baron Edmond de Rothschild, the proprietor of Château Lafite, one of France’s most prestigious estates. In 1957, ownership of the property was transferred from the Rothschild family to the Cooperative of Winegrowers, which later became known as Carmel Mizrahi. The Carmel Signature Taninim Creek Shomron Carignan 2021 showcases old carignan grapes that are harvested by hand and go through controlled fermentation in stainless steel vats before being aged for 16 months in oak barrels. With its medium-to-full body with concentrated aromas of black fruit, herbs, and moderate tannins, it pairs well with grilled or roasted red meat or vegetables.

Enjoy (I did)!

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I Just Want To Eat! 5/4/26 I Just Want To Eat! 5/4/26

Gair in Dumbo, Brooklyn

Taking its name from Robert Gair, the paper bag industrialist who created a manufacturing empire in Dumbo, Brooklyn, Gair is the kind of restaurant you would barely notice, probably because the front is kept busy with all the people who want to take a photo of the Manhattan bridge. Too bad, because this is a place to know. With its concrete wall and ceiling, large windows and u-shape bar, it is reminiscent of the industrial era, giving to the place a unique vibe. The menu for brunch and dinner is small, but it does not mean that you would not hesitate between multiple dishes when ordering.

But first, know that Gair is a cocktail bar, so they have a large selection of unique cocktails and few mocktails. For brunch, Jodi got their Something Soft ($12), that had orange, tonic, and could have had a bit more grenadine, while I got their Breakfast of Champions ($16), made with bourbon, Stumptown coffee and corn-flakes infused past milk. Like a spiked latte. Corn flakes seems to be one of their favorites as their French toast is crusted with it ($20). Served with maple syrup and orange infused labneh, and topped with slices of oranges and grapefruit, I loved the cereal crust, but wished it was eggier. The star of our meal was the cacio e Pepe omelette ($19). Made with pecorino Romano and cracked black pepper, and topped with Parmesan cheese, it was soft and custardy, as I love my omelettes. A must have.

Something soft at Gair in Dumbo, Brooklyn

Breakfast of champions at Gair in Dumbo, Brooklyn

Cacio e pepe omelette at Gair in Dumbo, Brooklyn

Corn flakes crusted French toast at Gair in Dumbo, Brooklyn

The brunch was pretty nice and I loved the vibe. Gair is definitely a spot to know if you are in the area.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Gair - 41 Washington St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

I Just Want To Eat! 4/27/26 I Just Want To Eat! 4/27/26

Ootoya in Times Square

Roughly translating to “Big door” or “Large household”, Ootoya is a popular Japanese restaurant that originated in Tokyo in 1958. In fact, few years ago, while being in the Japanese capital, we had a lunch there, where they serve the same concept called “Teishoku” that is a Japanese set meal usually composed of rice, soup, main dish and pickles. I love the concept because you get everything at once, that can for sure take a little time to be prepared, but then you can eat things out of order. Picking your set can be a bit overwhelming as they have so many choices, but it is what makes this interesting and different each time you go as you can create multiple combinations, both vegetarian and non vegetarian. To ease the ordering, I usually take photos of my choices.

Here are some of the sets we had:

For Jodi, she always goes for the Vegetable Tonyu Nabe ($27), that comes with rice (she preferred the mini matcha curry rice over the multi grain rice), salad and miso soup. She also had their mini homemade tofu (+$4), that was very good (forget about supermarket tofu!).

Vegetable Tonyu Nabe at Ootoya in Times Square

On my side, the first set I tried was the Gindara Miso Set ($28), composed of grilled black cod in original blend miso and Japanese grated radish, mini matcha curry rice (+$3), a salad and miso soup.

Gindara miso set at Ootoya in Times Square

And the second set was amazing: Steak Ju regular for $39 (you can get a smaller portion for $27). It is a US Wagyu sirloin dressed with their steak sauce and scallions over rice. The meat was perfectly cooked, tender, juicy, with a nice char on the outside. A must have. With it, I added kake udon (+$5) that are hot udon noodles in dashi sauce (quite good, with a nice bite), and chawanmushi (+$3), a homemade egg custard that was delicate, soft and comforting. Another must have.

Drink wise, they of course have tea like sencha ($6) and sobacha ($6) or sparkling oolong tea soda flavored with lychee ($8), but also mocktails like the Genmaicha spritz ($7) that is made with brown rice green tea with matcha, lime and Sprite. Deliciously bright and refreshing.

Sparkling oolong tea lychee at Ootoya in Times Square

Genmacha spritz at Ootoya in Times Square

Last is dessert. I love the fact that they propose a dessert box ($12) that is composed of a Japanese cheesecake, green tea ice cream and Warabimochi that are housemade mochi served with red beans and brown syrup sugar.

I love Ootoya: the food there is exquisite and quite different from what you usually get in a Japanese restaurant. I highly recommend this place.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Ootoya - 141 W 41st St, New York, NY 10036

I Just Want To Eat! 4/21/26 I Just Want To Eat! 4/21/26

Rumba Cubana in Jersey City, NJ

With several locations in New Jersey, Rumba Cubana is a good spot in Jersey City, near Hamilton Park, for a nice Cuban brunch. With a vibrant atmosphere, it serves a wide range of Cuban and Latin food, with so many mouth watering dishes that you would want to try everything. It starts with their Cuban tapas. I admit that I am not of big fan of the guacamole cubano ($9.95), simply because the plantains made it hard to eat and get a good amount of guacamole on it. I would have separated them, like they show on their website. Still, I love plantains and also got their plantain chips with cilantro aioli or Mariquitas platano ($3.95). I found them quite addictive. But my favorite was the fritura maiz (5.95) or corn fritters. Topped with parmesan cheese and served with crema fresca, they were delicious crispy and nicely sweet. A must have.

Fritura maiz at Rumba Cubana in Jersey City, NJ

Mariquitas de platano at Rumba Cubana in Jersey City, NJ

Guacamole cubano at Rumba Cubana in Jersey City, NJ

While Jodi had their ensalada tropical ($8.95), one time with queso blanco and one time without, I went for their vaca frita ($16.95), a classic Cuban dish made with crispy seared shredded flank steak, marinated in citrus mojo, and prepared with garlic and red onion. Served in a plantain cup with white rice and black beans, it was very good. Crispy on the outside, but tender inside, the beef with intensely savory, garlicky and citrusy. Another traditional dish I tried was their arroz con pollo a la chorrera ($17.95). This chicken braised in sofrito infused yellow rice with sweet plantains is like a Cuban risotto. I loved it: the chicken was well cooked, and the rice very flavorful, with the plantains adding a nice sweetness. For the price, this was a very good deal considering the generous portion.

Ensalada tropical with queso blanco at Rumba Cubana in Jersey City, NJ

Ensalada topical at Rumba Cubana in Jersey City, NJ

Vaca fritta at Rumba Cubana in Jersey City, NJ

Arroz con pollo a la chorrera at Rumba Cubana in Jersey City, NJ

With it, I tried their batido, a fruit milkshake that I always get in a Cuban restaurant. Mamey, a tropical fruit also called sapote, is my usual order, and I also tried their mango one. Both were well made and a nice drink to get with food.

Batido de mamey at Rumba Cubana in Jersey City, NJ

Batido de mango at Rumba Cubana in Jersey City, NJ

For dessert, we tried their tres leches ($4.95) that was nicely sweet, creamy and ultra-moist, and their coconut flan or flan de coco ($4.95), that, although I am not a huge fan of coconut, was pretty good.

Tres leches at Rumba Cubana in Jersey City, NJ

Flan de coco at Rumba Cubana in Jersey City, NJ

We had great food at Rumba Cubana with prices that are reasonable when it comes to what you get in the area. Definitely a place to put on a must explore list.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Rumba Cubana - 235 Pavonia Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07302

I Just Want To Eat! 4/14/26 I Just Want To Eat! 4/14/26

Product Review: AMZCHEF Coffee Grinder

Although these products were sent complimentary, the opinion expressed in this post is 100% my own.

I recently received a coffee grinder from AMZCHEF to try. As I opened the box, I immediately saw how slick it looked with its anti-static silver body and its led panel. But, what makes it more interesting is its 48 grind settings, from coarse to fine, that you just need to adjust depending on the coffee machine you have, from French press, drip or espresso, giving you the perfect brew. I personally prefer freshly ground coffee beans because they preserve volatile aromatic oils and flavor compounds that evaporate within 15 to 60 minutes of grinding, providing a richer, more flavorful, and aromatic cup. And with a burr grinder like this, you get consistent particule size, that I could never get with the grinder I used to have, perfect for my espresso machine. And then there is the smell of freshly ground coffee filling the kitchen… honestly, that alone makes the whole ritual worth it!

Check this out on Amazon or the Amzchef website.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

I Just Want To Eat! 4/13/26 I Just Want To Eat! 4/13/26

Fire And Oak in Jersey City, NJ

Fire and Oak in the Westin Hotel is one of my favorite restaurants in Jersey City: nice atmosphere and great food there always makes for a nice evening. While Jodi always goes for their pizza (margherita - $20 or the Newport made with eggplant - $21), missing their no longer served Detroit pizza years ago, I enjoyed their steaks, especially their steak frites ($46), composed of a hanger steak and truffle Parmesan fries with a sauce au poivre (peppercorn sauce). Tender, juicy, with that bold and intensely beefy flavor. Their 16oz Sterling ribeye ($57) is good, but I thought it lacked that buttery and richness that I crave in a that piece of meat. I still enjoyed it with the best whipped potatoes ever: so creamy, with bits of skin. They sometimes have specials, like the mushroom pappardelle ($32) that Jodi got in one off our visits, a great pasta dish topped with whipped ricotta cheese, and with a generous amount of mushrooms (oysters and shiitake), bathed in a delicious creamy sauce.

The Newport, eggplant roman pizza at Fire And Oak in Jersey City, NJ

Wild mushroom pappardelle at Fire And Oak in Jersey City, NJ

Steak frites at Fire And Oak in Jersey City, NJ

Sterling ribeye at Fire And Oak in Jersey City, NJ

Seafood is not to be missed though. I really liked their lobster bisque ($16), that was rich, creamy, and velvety with a deep, savory lobster flavor, as well as their crab cake ($21), made with blue crab served with a lemon remoulade that was also a special. Their pan seared Bronzino with jumbo lump crab scampi ($38) is not to be missed if still proposed: the fish, topped with large pieces of crab, was perfectly cooked, sitting on top of a delicious roasted garlic and white wine sauce. With it, were asparagus, as well as some fingerling potatoes that were deliciously crispy.

Lobster bisque at Fire And Oak in Jersey City, NJ

Crab cake at Fire And Oak in Jersey City, NJ

Bronzino and crab scampi at Fire And Oak in Jersey City, NJ

Desserts there are pretty good, with their decent tiramisu, and my favorite: the apple crostata à la mode, that was deliciously sweet and buttery. A must have.

Apple crostata at Fire And Oak in Jersey City, NJ

Tiramisu at Fire And Oak in Jersey City, NJ

Besides food, their cocktails are not to be missed. Their smoked old fashioned ($21) is definitely the star of the show, the glass coming under a cloche filled with smoke that will be removed by the wait staff in slow circular motion. I also like their Pears and Lychee ($16) that is like a lychee martini with hints of pear, or their Ketel One Nitro espresso martini ($16) that is perfectly balanced. They also have mocktails, like the Lychee Fusion, made with pineapple, lychee and cranberry.

Smoked old fashioned at Fire And Oak in Jersey City, NJ

Ketel One espresso martini at Fire And Oak in Jersey City, NJ

Pears and lychee cocktail at Fire And Oak in Jersey City, NJ

Lychee fusion mocktail at Fire And Oak in Jersey City, NJ

I don't think I have ever been disappointed with fire and Oak: the food is quite good there and I love their cocktails. This is for sure a place to know in Jersey City if you are looking for a nice diner.

Enjoy (I did)

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

Fire and Oak at the Westin Hotel - 479 Washington Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07310

I Just Want To Eat! 4/10/26 I Just Want To Eat! 4/10/26

Japanese BBQ at Yakiniku Toraji in New York City

Meaning “grilled meat” in Japanese, yakiniku is what can simply be described as Japanese BBQ. Originating from Korean cuisine in Japan, it is simply bite size meat, usually beef, pork or chicken, that is grilled on either a charcoal, gas or electric tabletop. It’s been since a memorable trip in Japan years ago since I had Japanese BBQ, so I was excited to try Yakiniku Toraji. We went on a Friday evening and what was great is that they sat us in a small room, giving us not only privacy, but also far from the tables that were a bit noisy.

They have quite a large menu, but with few vegetarian options that one could have found exciting. I thought that the Yakko ($6) or spicy tofu was bland and not spicy at all. I don’t know if the lack of flavor made me not like the fact that it was served cold, but I would pass on this dish. I preferred the Ninniku ($9) or flash fried garlic that was surprisingly delicious and probably provided me protection against vampires for few weeks. No, in fact it was not too garlicky. The Negitama rice ($9) was quite good, made with chopped scallion and a yolk, perfect to accompany grilled vegetables (Yasai- $12). What I really wanted to try was the meat and opted for the Toraji selection ($68), composed of boneless short rib, outside skirt, rib finger and filet. I chose to have it marinated rather than just salted and casually cooked it on the grill. My favorite was the rib finger, that I never heard of before: it is the meat that you find between the ribs. Fatty, it has a rich flavor. But overall, all the meats were superb: tender and juicy. I was in heaven.

Fried garlic at Yakiniku Toraji in New York City

Spicy cold tofu at Yakiniku Toraji in New York City

Ngitama rice at Yakiniku Toraji in New York City

Vegetables at Yakiniku Toraji in New York City

Meat at Yakiniku Toraji in New York City

Grilling meat and veggies at Yakiniku Toraji in New York City

Dessert was great: it was a green tea ice cream with red bean ($6) that was served with green tea. With its nice presentation, I loved the contrast between the ice cream that was creamy and slightly bitter, and the red bean that was sweet. A must have.

Green tea ice cream with red bean at Yakiniku Toraji in New York City

Overall, the meal at Yakiniku Toraji was delicious, although the meat was a bit pricey for the quantity, and is better if you are non-vegetarian in term of choices. This should definitely be on your list if you love or want to try Japanese BBQ.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Yakiniku Toraji - 217 E 43rd, 1F NY10017, New York

I Just Want To Eat! 4/6/26 I Just Want To Eat! 4/6/26

Product Review: AMZCHEF 20-Bar Espresso Machine

Although these products were sent complimentary, the opinion expressed in this post is 100% my own.

I love coffee. So, when Amzchef proposed to send me their espresso machine to review I was quite excited. Especially as I could try it along their coffee grinder that is awesome.
This stainless steel machine looks slick with its LED control panel that allows you to choose between single shot or double shot espresso (what I usually drink), steamed water or frothing. With its 20-bar high pressure, I was able to obtain a golden brown crema that is definitely what you are looking for in an espresso: no crema means poor pressure and an awful taste. This one gave me a bold flavor in just a few minutes.

This is a great espresso machine, easy to use and with a nice design. To get it in your kitchen, check out Amazon.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

I Just Want To Eat! 3/30/26 I Just Want To Eat! 3/30/26

Crab House Times Square

If you always wanted to eat like a king, you should go to Crab House Times Square: the opulent decor, from the main dining room behind the bar to the various private rooms, with its gold Pegasus and giant chandelier will certainly make you think that you are royalty. The food as well: this is an all you can eat (AYCE) restaurant, where, for $168, you have two hours, from the time your drinks arrive, to ordering from their menu, from mainly seafood options to Wagyu ribeye lit on fire, Wagyu kalbi (rib) or Wagyu fried rice, with very limited vegetarian options that would not make sense in such place. The way it works is simple: they give you a menu with all the options, that you will mark with an X, and they will bring it to the table fairly quickly. Apparently, the food is cooked to order rather than buffet style. And I am glad that they sat us at a large table, because when the food arrives, mostly at once, you need lots of space. The table was fine, but I admit that a couch is not the most comfortable seat when eating, even if you can bring it closer to the table, and for sure, regardless, the bib they provide is strongly suggested.

The drink was a lychee martini ($20), that in fact, arrived a little after the first dishes came. From all the dishes, my favorite was of course the lobster, that was perfectly cooked, and whether it was with salt and pepper or garlic butter. The fresh seafood was also delicious and the octopus perfectly made. On my least favorite side was the clam chowder that was potato-y and the crab. Not that the crab was not good, but there is little reward for lots of effort, especially with the blue crab with Cajun butter sauce, where you get barely any meat. On the meat side, I loved their Wagyu fried rice and the Wagyu kalbi that was perfectly cooked, while the ribeye, although giving a good show when lit on fire, was a bit overcooked. Dessert was also a bit disappointing, because I was expecting, if not an extravant display, more than just one dessert, that was a passion fruit tart. I am not a huge fan of passion fruit that is quite particular and thought that it was an odd choice, but, ultimately, it was ok.

Below is what I tried that night:

Lychee martini at Crab House Times Square

Octopus with chimichurri sauce at Crab House Times Square

Lobster claw, oysters and clams at Crab House Times Square

Breaded jumbo shrimp at Crab House Times Square

Blue crab with cajun sauce at Crab House Times Square

Snow crab with old bay at Crab House Times Square

Mini lobster rolls at Crab House Times Square

Fresh lobster with salt and pepper at Crab House Times Square

Fresh lobster with garlic butter at Crab House Times Square

Wagyu fried rice at Crab House Times Square

Passion frui tart at Crab House Times Square

So, Crab House is an interesting concept and serves an exciting menu that would satisfy any seafood lover. It is pricey though and I see this as a one time experience if you can afford it and have a big appetite.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Crab House Times Square - 218 W 40th St, New York, NY 10018

I Just Want To Eat! 3/23/26 I Just Want To Eat! 3/23/26

Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart in Chelsea

Walking down Chelsea, we stumbled upon Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart, a small joint serving sandwiches, coffee, basque cheesecake, cream puffs and, of course, cheese tarts. I admit that when going there, I did not know that the Japanese cheese tarts originated from Hokkaido, Japan, a large dairy production region, when in 2011, in Singapore, Shintaro Naganuma of the Kinotoya bakery, served tarts directly from the oven, causing the warm center to have that melting texture that made its success. I was a bit confused: what is the difference with Pasteis de nata, the famous Portuguese egg tart? There are a few: the Pasteis de Nata is made with egg yolk, milk or cream and sugar, in a flaky and airy puff pastry, while the Hokkaido tart is made with mascarpone, cream cheese and sometimes Parmesan in a short crust pastry. So I had to give it a try. Here is what we had: the original, the egg brûlée and the salted caramel cheese tarts. Each was $4.95 or $13.75 for 3 pieces. The original was my favorite, being creamy and nicely sweet in the center, with a nice buttery crust. The egg brûlée was good, but a bit denser than the original and less decadent. My least favorite was the salted caramel as I was expecting some gooey center, but it was not the case, although I liked the added crunch from the corn flakes.

Salted caramel tart at Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart in Chelsea

Original tart at Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart in Chelsea

Egg brulee tart at Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart in Chelsea

We also tried their cream puffs that were outstanding, especially the original one ($5) that is filled with a delicious vanilla custard. But I admit that the black sesame ($5.50) was an interesting surprise as it gave an earthy and nutty flavor to it. And that Chou: light, with the craquelin on top adding a nice crunch to it. If you do not like cheese tarts, this is something to try.

Original cream puff at Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart in Chelsea

Black sesame cream puff at Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart in Chelsea

Last was the Basque cheesecake ($14) that had a nice burnt top and was light, creamy, not as rich as its counterpart, but pretty good.

Basque cheesecake at Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart in Chelsea

Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart is an interesting find that I would recommend for a morning or afternoon treat. I love their original tart and cream puffs, but their other flavors are still interesting to try.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart - 220 8th Ave, New York, NY 10011.

I Just Want To Eat! 3/16/26 I Just Want To Eat! 3/16/26

Mercato Trattoria in NYC, NY

Located in the heart of Hell’s Kitchen, Mercato is like your neighborhood Italian restaurant: cozy and warm, with a welcoming service, its menu showcases classic dishes. As I started off my meal with a Negroni, they brought us some lentils with capers in olive oil that was pretty good with bread and a nice way to open my appetite…

Lentils and capers in olive oil at Mercato Trattoria in NYC, NY

We then started with three different appetizers: the carciofini fritti ($14) that are deep fried baby artichokes topped with ricotta salata and a lemon dressing, caponata ($15) that is like an eggplant ratatouille and the polpo e patate ($24), that is pan seared octopus with potatoes, olives and capers. The latter was my favorite, the octopus being perfectly cooked. The caponata was ok, not the best I ever had, preferring the baby artichokes that had a nice crunch and are a good way to serve a vegetable that is not that popular (when I was a kid, we use to eat it with oil and vinegar, or as a salad with oranges).

Caponata at Mercato Trattoria in NYC, NY

Fried artichokes at Mercato Trattoria in NYC, NY

Next was pasta: we had to try their fettuccine ai funghi ($23), that are homemade, prepared with wild mushrooms that have been sautéed in garlic and olive oil. This was succulent: the pasta was really good and they were not shy with the amount of mushrooms. A must have!

Fettuccine ai funghi at Mercato Trattoria in NYC, NY

Dessert however was a bit disappointing: we got the pettole ($13) that are ricotta fritters served with strawberry sauce. First, it was pricey for the quantity of fritters. Then, I had better, these being heavy and a bit dry inside. I would pass.

Despite that, I thought the rest of the meal was pretty good. I would definitely go back, although, I wish they had my favorite dish: linguine alle vongole! Kidding aside, they have several home made pastas, as well as other items on the menu, like braised beef stew, that I would not mind trying.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Mercato - 352 W 39th St, New York, NY 10018

I Just Want To Eat! 3/11/26 I Just Want To Eat! 3/11/26

Longhorn Steakhouse in Freehold, NJ

For her birthday, we asked my mother-in-law where she wanted to go and she picked Longhorn Steakhouse. This chain has an interesting story: it was founded on August 10, 1981, by George McKerrow Jr. and his father, George McKerrow Sr., along with Bill Norman and Bill Dukes, in Atlanta, Georgia. With its western saloon aestetics, it became popular in 1982, when, during a major snowstorm, they offered $1 drinks and specials that attracted the attention of local columnist Ron Hudspeth who wrote about it. It is said that this is what started the brand momentum that expanded in the US, with more than 600 locations. I am always excited to try new places and I admit that, being a big fan of western movies since my childhood, I was like a kid in a candy shop as I was walking around the restaurant that was empty at first and then filled up a little.

They first brought us some warm bread and butter, and we quickly switched to the Texas Tonion ($10.49), delightfully crispy battered onion petals that were served with a zesty dip. Think onion rings. I also got their shrimp and lobster chowder ($5.99 or +1.99 with a steak) that was creamy and hearty. For steaks, my mother-in-law got the outlaw ribeye ($33.79), a 20oz bone-in piece of meat that was fire-grilled. This was good, tender and juicy, with nice grilled marks that added a bit of textural contrast that I also got with the Longhorn ($35.79), their signature porterhouse, with the bone separating the strip and the filet. With the steak, you can get a side, some for an additional cost, others without, like their steakhouse Mac & cheese ($3.49), that was very good and creamy, a baked potato ($3.49), steamed asparagus ($5.99) or a side of sweet potato that was included with the ribeye.

Bread at Longhorn Steakhouse in Freehold, NJ

Texas Tonion at Longhorn Steakhouse in Freehold, NJ

Ribeye with sweet potato at Longhorn Steakhouse in Freehold, NJ

Porterhouse with Mac & Cheese at Longhorn Steakhouse in Freehold, NJ

Steamed asparagus at Longhorn Steakhouse in Freehold, NJ

Baked potato at Longhorn Steakhouse in Freehold, NJ

Dessert was amazing. We decided to go for the chocolate stampede ($11.79), made with six different kinds of chocolate, two large scoops of vanilla incense cream, whipped cream and chocolate sauce. If you love chocolate, you have to order this dessert: rich and addictive, it is definitely to be shared.

Chocolate stampede at Longhorn Steakhouse in Freehold, NJ

Overall, we had a great time and food at Longhorn Steakhouse. I would not compare it to steakhouses I tried, and the steaks were not the best for sure, but they were decent for the price. And let’s not forget the experience, especially if like me you like westerns!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Longhorn Steakhouse - 370 US-9, Freehold, NJ 07728

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

Product Review: Manischewitz Homemade Jarred Soup line

Founded in 1888 by Rabbi Dov Behr Manischewitz, the brand began in Cincinnati, Ohio, originally focused on mass-producing kosher matzo and then expanding to other products, becoming part of Jewish life, present in Sabbath, Passover seders and other moments where food is not just about sustenance, but sharing a moment with love ones. In 2026, Manischewitz released…

Although these products were sent complimentary, the opinion expressed in this post is 100% my own.

Founded in 1888 by Rabbi Dov Behr Manischewitz, the brand began in Cincinnati, Ohio, originally focused on mass-producing kosher matzo and then expanding to other products, becoming part of Jewish life, present in Sabbath, Passover seders and other moments where food is not just about sustenance, but sharing a moment with love ones. In 2026, Manischewitz released a new line of homemade jarred soup, to accommodate everyday’s busy life, selling a jarred chicken matzo ball soup ready to go, with no need to buy the soup and matzo ball mix, that would require some preparation. Their line of soups also includes vegetable soup, borscht, clear chicken broth, chicken noodle, split pea, and mushroom barley. The ones I tried (chicken matzo ball, split pea and mushroom & barley) were quite good, hearty and comforting. They can be found on Amazon or other online stores.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

I Just Want To Eat! 3/2/26 I Just Want To Eat! 3/2/26

Salswee Bakery in NYC

What is so special about Salswee, the Asian-French bakery that has taken NYC like a storm two years ago? People are raving about the fruit shape cakes, but I admit that I was less impressed by it than by their viennoiseries that were deliciously buttery and flakey. Don’t get me wrong, they are doing an amazing job shaping and decorating these little cakes that really look like mini versions of fruits, but it is more something I would try once to see what the hype is about. These are mousse cakes with a thin layer of chocolate that gives a bit of a crunch. I thought the pear ($9.95) looked amazing, but was lacking a bit of the fruit taste, maybe because the puree and chunks of pear were still frozen when we got it. Not sure if it was on purpose when consumed as freezing the mousse is part of the process, but it did not work for me. I preferred the chocolate banana ($6.95), that definitely had hints of banana.

Trompe L’oeil fruits at Salswee Bakery in NYC

Chocolate banana mousse cake at Salswee Bakery in NYC

Pear mousse cake at Salswee Bakery in NYC

What I preferred was their viennoiseries, the pain au chocolat ($5.50) being buttery, flakey and deliciously crispy on the outside, with the almond croissant ($5.95) being nicely sweet, with a good almond filling. Mastering their croissant dough, they use it for many of their creations, like the coconut flake bun ($4.95) that was good, but Jodi who loves coconut wished there was more or the cinnamon roll ($3.95) that she loved (I always prefer the ones with a good layer of icing). I preferred the tart brulee ($5.95), that was a tropical fruit tart with a brulee caramel crust, inside a deliciously buttery and flakey shell.

Almond croissant at Salswee Bakery in NYC

Chocolate croissant at Salswee Bakery in NYC

Coconut flake bun at Salswee Bakery in NYC

I should mention that they have coffee (the espresso is $3.99), but, interestingly, they only have Rooibos tea! Overall, I loved the viennoiseries, but was less impressed by the trompe l’oeil fruits that are nice pieces of art, but not something I would crave.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Salswee - 1407 Broadway, New York, NY 10018

I Just Want To Eat! 2/23/26 I Just Want To Eat! 2/23/26

The Shakespeare in The William Hotel, NYC

Located at the bottom of the luxurious William Hotel, few steps from Grand Central, The Shakespeare is an unpretentious English tavern that serves classic pub food. With a dining room separated from the bar, this dark but homey place only suffers from a shortage of staff that requires patrons to be patient and enjoy drinks as they wait for their food. With the cold weather, I was glad that they offered hot drinks ($16) like mulled wine, Bailey’s coffee, although I would pass on this one, surprisingly lacking any flavor, even of coffee, unless you like a very light one, and the mysterious buttered rum that they ran out each time I went. Off the menu, you can get a hot toddy or, like I did, an Irish whisky that I enjoyed. Of course, they also have beer and my choice was a Guinness ($10).

Bailey’s coffee at The Shakespeare in The William Hotel, NYC

Irish whisky at The Shakespeare in The William Hotel, NYC

Guiness beer at The Shakespeare in The William Hotel, NYC

Know that they have a happy hour, and we got their house made ricotta ($10), that was good and creamy. But my favorite appetizer is a classic English dish: scotch egg ($16) that is a boiled egg wrapped around a sausage and bread crumbs, that is then deep fried. Served with a tartar sauce, I loved the crunch of the outside that uncovered the meaty coat, before dipping into the soft egg and runny yolk that gives a gooey texture. Another classic I loved was their bangers and mash ($27) that are sausages served with mashed potatoes. Theirs is served with an onion gravy that elevated a bit what could have been a boring dish, giving a nice sweetness to it. The best part was the bangers sausages that were nicely charred, giving a bit of a crunch at each bite. A must have. Another classic? The fish and chips ($29) that is battered cod deep fried just enough to get a perfectly cooked and flaky fish, covered with a deliciously crispy layer and served with fries that, although not crispy, were pretty good.

Ricotta at The Shakespeare in The William Hotel, NYC

Scotch egg at The Shakespeare in The William Hotel, NYC

Fish and Chips at The Shakespeare in The William Hotel, NYC

Bangers and mash at The Shakespeare in The William Hotel, NYC

If you are vegetarian, they do have options like the veggie burger ($22), with a pretty good house made patty, or the British grilled cheese ($14), made with English cheddar, stilton, dijon mustard on a country sourdough toast. The grilled cheese was good, but needed more cheese!

Veggie burger at The Shakespeare in The William Hotel, NYC

British grilled cheese at The Shakespeare in The William Hotel, NYC

Of course, we had to try their desserts, especially the Sticky Toffee pudding ($12) and the chocolate pudding ($12), that are not house made, but still a great way to end a meal.

Chocolate pudding at The Shakespeare in The William Hotel, NYC

Sticky toffee pudding at The Shakespeare in The William Hotel, NYC

Overall, we had nice meals there, in a relaxed atmosphere. This gastropub has a nice menu, with some dishes that are definitely a must try (scotch egg, fish and chips and bangers & mash for sure).

Enjoy (I did)!

The Shakespeare - 24 E 39th St, New York, NY 10016

I Just Want To Eat! 2/22/26 I Just Want To Eat! 2/22/26

Product Review: Wonder Juice Clean Green and Veg8+Cayenne

Crafting 100% cold-pressed organic juices, made with Fair-Trade certified and non-GMO ingredients, with no added water or sugar, Wonder Juice is releasing two new vegetable juices: Clean Green and Veg8+Cayenne. Whether you are health conscious or need a snack, these juices are a perfect way to get a dose of vegetables.

Although this product was sent complimentary, the opinion expressed in this post is 100% my own.

Wonder Juice Clean Green and Veg8+Cayenne

The first one is called Clean Green and gets its color from kale and spinach, that are mixed with green apple, cucumber, lemon and ginger. If you know me, you would know that kale and spinach are not my favorite veggies, but I admit that I really liked the taste: crisp and refreshing, with a perfect acididy. This blend has lots of health benefits:

Support immune function
Aid digestion
Help reduce inflammation
Improve hydration
Provide antioxidants
Support natural detox pathways (mainly liver support through nutrients)

The second one is Veg8+Cayenne and gets its beautiful red color from tomato, red pepper and beets, that are mixed with lemon, celery, carrot, cucumber and some cayenne pepper for a subtle heat. Bold, slightly sweet, with a mild acidity, the health benefits of this blend are:

Support heart health & circulation (beet, tomato, cayenne)
Improve blood pressure regulation (beet, celery)
Boost immunity (red pepper, carrot, lemon)
Improve hydration (cucumber, celery)
Reduce inflammation (tomato, cayenne, beet)
Support natural detox systems (beet, lemon)

I like both and truly appreciate that they do not add sugar (you only get the sugar from the vegetables) and they are low sodium. They are also quite good, so, give it a try! They are available in all major supermarkets.

I Just Want To Eat! 2/16/26 I Just Want To Eat! 2/16/26

Planet Hollywood in Times Squares

I remember when Planet Hollywood started 35 years ago, being promoted by Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwartzenegger and Bruce Willis: it was a real phenomenon, with all the memorabilia from Titanic, Terminator and Alien being displayed in their restaurants. I only went once to a Planet Hollywood, in Hong Kong in 1998 and still have a small shot glass that I bought as a souvenir with my drink. Then, moving to New York, I never thought about going back there, preferring the Hard Rock Cafe when it comes to theme restaurants. Planet Hollywood closed because of Covid-19 and then came back last year, in Times Square, more discretely for sure than it used to and with less memorabilia than before, replaced by large screens, for apparently a more sensorial experience. I don’t know about you, but I would have preferred to see the real things!

We went there on a Friday evening and it was not that busy. We decided to start our meal with their guacamole ($18) that was mixed with roasted corn, Serrano peppers and topped with cotija cheese and pickled onions. Good, although a bit too creamy as I like chunks of avocado in my guacamole. Served with blue corn tortilla chips, I enjoyed it with an espresso martini.

Guacamole with Roasted corn at Planet Hollywood in Times Squares

Espresso martini at Planet Hollywood in Times Squares

For her main, Jodi got their burrata caprese sandwich ($19), that was one of the few vegetarian options, composed of burrata, tomato and basil pesto, on toasted ciabatta bread. On my side, I got the Philly cheesesteak burger ($26), that was composed of an 8oz beef patty, topped with sliced prime rib, caramelized onions, peppers, Provolone, on a toasted brioche bun. This burger was fantastic! Juicy, tasty, the prime rib was tender, topped with caramelized onions that added a nice sweetness to it. A must have!

Burrata caprese sandwich at Planet Hollywood in Times Squares

Philly cheesesteak sandwich at Planet Hollywood in Times Squares

Another must have is their Candy Bar Sundae ($26) that is definitely to share with more than two people! With several scoops of chocolate and vanilla ice cream topped with chocolate sauce, whipped cream, sprinkles, and maraschino cherries, the bottom showcases a variety of chocolates and candy, like Kit Kat, Twix, M&M’s and delicious pieces of brownie, that they also feature in their Brownie Sundae Martini ($19). This Candy Bar Sundae will definitely give you a sugar rush!

Candy Bar Sundae at Planet Hollywood in Times Squares

Overall, the meal at Planet Hollywood was good, but I still wish they had the memorabilia that you would be looking at after your meal. The burger I got was superb, and the dessert was like a heart attack at the tip of my spoon. Would I go back? I would.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Planet Hollywood - 136 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036

I Just Want To Eat! 2/11/26 I Just Want To Eat! 2/11/26

Smash Burger at Gotham Burger Social Club

Located on the Lower East Side, Gotham Burger Social Club has made the headlines for years now, with many considering that they serve the best smash burger in the City. So, as we were looking for a place to eat, we decided to give it a try. Cool vibe, reminiscent of old school joints, I was glad to see that they at least had a vegetarian patty ($10), made with Impossible meat, on their menu for Jodi. Obviously, if it was not for the little green flag on top of the burger, you could not tell with one was which as they both looked the same, being made with the same toppings: grilled onions, melted american cheese, housemade pickles, jalapenos, ketchup, mustard and club sauce. Both patties were extra flat, crispy and nicely caramelized on the outside, the veggie one reminded me a bit of a parmesan crisp in the way it looked as it was really smashed thin. They are small and so, I was glad I decided to go for the Gotham Smash Double ($12.50), that has two patties, but admit that I could have probably gone for the Beastie Boy that has three. We also got some tater tots ($5) that were quite good. In fact, I should mention that they have a good selection of sides ( fries, onion rings, fried pickles and tots), that is always my frustration when I get a burger and they only propose fries. I wished they had milkshakes since that is my favorite with burgers, but, instead, got a delicious chocolate egg cream ($5).

Chocolate egg cream at Gotham Burger Social Club in NYC, NY

Tater tots at Gotham Burger Social Club in NYC, NY

Gotham smash double at Gotham Burger Social Club in NYC, NY

Veggie burger at Gotham Burger Social Club in NYC, NY

So, I loved my smash burger at Gotham Burger Social Club: this is definitely a good one and I understand why there is so much hype about this place.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Gotham Burger Social Club - 131 Essex St, New York, NY 10002