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

Brunch at Brasserie Athenee, French restaurant near Times Square

I passed so many times in front of Brasserie Athenee, a French restaurant, that I was kind of looking forward to eat there. So we decided to go for brunch, on a Saturday. The place was crowded for sure and had its charm, with the banquettes and chandeliers.

Dining room at Brasserie Athenee in NYC, NY

They started off by bringing bread, a mandatory element of a French meal, but I admit that I was a bit disappointed not to see some baguette...

I started my meal with a fresh squeeze orange juice that was just ok, as it seemed to have been cut with just a bit of water.

Fresh squeeze orange juice at Brasserie Athenee in NYC, NY

For her entree, Jodi decided to go with the salade Nicoise, made with seared tuna (I mention this because the original salad is made with canned tuna). The salad did not look good, from the tomatoes to the tuna that was not appetizing at all.

Salade Nicoise at Brasserie Athenee in NYC, NY

On my side, I wanted to order the duck leg confit, but when they told me it was served with rice and steamed vegetables, I passed. So, I went for the mussels and fries. It was just ok, the mussels being big, but dry and the fries not crispy at all.

French fries at Brasserie Athenee in NYC, NY

This was a disappointing brunch. For sure, I will not go back to Brasserie Athenee!

Enjoy (...)!

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

Brasserie Athenee

I Just Want To Eat! 2/15/17 I Just Want To Eat! 2/15/17

Valentine's Day breakfast at Sugar Sketch in the East Village

Yesterday, I was invited to a Valentine's Day breakfast organized by Type 2 Creative at Sugar Sketch, a small pastry shop that combines Italian traditional flavor profiles with modern American designs. I was there thanks to my friend Malini, The Restaurant Fairy, whose perfectly painted nails (with a heart for the occasion) can be seen on few photos.

Please note that the meal was complimentary. However, the opinions expressed in my blog are 100% my own!

Nutella Bomboloni at Sugar Sketch in the East Village, NYC, NY

Taking photos at Sugar Sketch in the East Village, NYC, NY

Display at Sugar Sketch in the East Village, NYC, NY

This was a festival of sweet and savory items from Sugar Sweet. Here is what I had:

Sweet and savory specialties from Sugar Sketch in the East Village, NYC, NY

On the savory side:

Truffle cheese cloud:

Breakfast Panzerotto — Italian style breakfast empanadas, filled with prosciutto, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese:

Breakfast Panzerotto at Sugar Sketch in the East Village, NYC, NY

Cheddar cheese and prosciutto croissant:

Cupcakes:

Chocolate cupcake:

Cherry blossom cupcake:

I do not know which one this was, but especially took this photo to show the way the cupcakes sit in their box, so it does not move inside.

Cupcake box at Sugar Sketch in the East Village, NYC, NY

Coconut brioche (Jodi loved it!):

Coconut brioche at Sugar Sketch in the East Village, NYC, NY

Bomboloni filled with Nutella: I could not resist this one simply because of the Nutella that I love. It was filled with a lot of it and the donut itself had nice hints of orange because of the zest in it, pairing well with the chocolate.

Continuing with Nutella, I drank their Nutella hot chocolate: quite good, although I wish it had more Nutella in it...

Nutella Hot Chocolate at Sugar Sketch in the East Village, NYC, NY

But if you do not like this, you can opt for a macchiato or espresso.

Macchiato at Sugar Sketch in the East Village, NYC, NY

This was a nice breakfast and I was glad that I could leave Sugar Sketch without being in a sugar coma...Thanks to Type 2 Creative and Sugar Sketch for this wonderful event!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Sugar Sketch

I Just Want To Eat! 2/13/17 I Just Want To Eat! 2/13/17

New Restaurant in Hell's Kitchen: Haru

Haru is not unknown to me: I remember the first time I went there was at their location in Gramercy with our friends Jen and Chris, before this blog even existed. I was blown away by the original meal I had, thinking at first that it was a classic Japanese place. The meal went beyond my expectations and it was probably my first step into Japanese fusion. And this week, I got to try their new location in Hell's Kitchen, that just opened a week ago, the crowd definitely getting the word of it as it was packed from the moment we arrived to the moment we left.

Please note that the meal was complimentary. However, the opinions expressed in my blog are 100% my own!

Dining room at Haru in Hell's Kitchen, NYC, NY

I like many things besides food there. First is the elegant decor and the light that is not dimmed, allowing dinners to not only see their food, but also what is being served to other tables. Because yes, this is the kind of place where your head will turn in many directions, trying to see what others ordered, sometimes with envy.

Chef Ben Dodaro from Haru in Hell's Kitchen, NYC, NY

This dinner was also the opportunity to meet with Chef Ben Dodaro who crafted some seasonal dishes on the menu that we got to try. Some, because some other dishes have been on the menu for years. Smartly, they gave us a wide preview of what they offer, with tasting portions of appetizers, sushi, entrées and desserts. When asked after each plate what I liked the most, I admit that I was not sure what to answer, everything being different and so good. Here is what we got:

Tasting menu at Haru in Hell's Kitchen, NYC, NY

Appetizers:

Short rib yakitori, marinated in a yuzu miso marinade. The meat was delicious, tender and flavorful. Under was a green apple salad that at first I disregarded, considering it more like a presentation item, but then, when I tried it, I could not believe how good it was.

Short rib yakitori at Haru in Hell's Kitchen, NYC, NY

Bluefin crab and corn fritter. This was definitely not what I expected and I was for sure not disappointed: the crab was definitely the star and was not at all overpowered by some fillers as you often see with crab cakes.

Blue crab corn fritter at Haru in Hell's Kitchen, NYC, NY

Lobster taco: made with Maine lobster, this is the perfect example of a fusion dish. What was interesting was the shell made with gyoza shell! It was a bit spicy, thanks to the jalapeño-ponzu dressing, and had a nice crunch given by the cucumber. It is for sure hard to say which one of these dishes were my favorite.

Lobster taco at Haru in Hell's Kitchen, NYC, NY

Then was the sushi, served with Sho Chiku Bai Nigori, an unfiltered sake (hence the milky color) that was quite good (more restaurants and bars should propose sake).

Sho Chiku BaiNigori sake at Haru in Hell's Kitchen, NYC, NY

As well as a cucumber gimlet that was quite refreshing and could be drunken like milk...

Cucumber gimlet at Haru in Hell's Kitchen, NYC, NY

The selection for the sushi was:

Sushi at Haru in Hell's Kitchen, NYC, NY

California king crab roll:

Hell's Kitchen roll made with crunchy salmon, cucumber, lemon-chili mayo, topped with salmon, avocado, tobiko caviar and sriracha. It was served with a lemon-chili and sriracha mayo.

Hell's Kitchen roll at Haru in Hell's Kitchen, NYC, NY

Mandarin and fennel tuna sashimi:

Toro (fatty part of the tuna belly):

Uni:

Uni roll at Haru in Hell's Kitchen, NYC, NY

All were delicious and fresh. The most interesting one was the uni that had that nice creaminess and smoothness.

After that were the entrees:

Entrees at Haru in Hell's Kitchen, NYC, NY

Filet mignon served with dashi, on top of spinach (that I admit did not like, not surprising as besides spinach a la crème or fried spinach, I am not a big fan) and a nice potato and wasabi fritter. The steak was really good, tender and perfectly cooked medium. And as you may know if you follow this blog, I am always thinking twice before ordering steak in a non-steakhouse restaurant.

Filet mignon at Haru in Hell's Kitchen, NYC, NY

Potato and wasabi fritter at Haru in Hell's Kitchen, NYC, NY

Hot chili-garlic shrimp accompanied with harusame noodles (glass noodles), carrots and squash. The shrimp was perfectly cooked and delightfully spicy.

Hot chili-garlic shrimp at Haru in Hell's Kitchen, NYC, NY

Crispy duck served with a ginger-scallion pancake, a take on Peking duck that was fantastic.

Crispy duck at Haru in Hell's Kitchen, NYC, NY

Pancake for crispy duck at Haru in Hell's Kitchen, NYC, NY

This was served with some wine:

Red - Malbec Salentein reserve:

Malbec Salentein reserve at Haru in Hell's Kitchen, NYC, NY

White - Sauvignon Blanc Whitehaven:

Sauvignon Blanc at Haru in Hell's Kitchen, NYC, NY

Last was dessert, with a very unique one: a tempura cheesecake that was delicious, a bit crunchy and soft inside.

Tempura cheesecake at Haru in Hell's Kitchen, NYC, NY

And a dark chocolate white miso brownie that I found just ok.

Dark chocolate white miso brownie at Haru in Hell's Kitchen, NYC, NY

This was a great tasting offering a wide variety of dishes that allowed me to discover quite a lot of specialties served at Haru. This is definitely a place to know, a good addition to the Hell's Kitchen restaurant scene.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Haru Sushi

I Just Want To Eat! 2/11/17 I Just Want To Eat! 2/11/17

Sel et Poivre, Authentic French cuisine by an Austrian Chef

Going to Sel et Poivre (salt and pepper in French) is so refreshing: there, you get not only to taste some great French cuisine, but the dining room is worked on by Chef Christian Schienle who prepares classic French bistro dishes, some of them with a refined flair. What amuses me is that Chef Schienle (that you can see on the photo above paying for parking) is not French, but succeeds to serve delicious dishes. To the point that I went twice this week: on Tuesday for a blog dinner and on Friday, simply because I wanted to try one of their specials only served that day: cassoulet.

Salt and pepper at Sel et Poivre in NYC, NY

I like the atmosphere of the restaurant and the charm that all the black and white photos on the wall give to the room. In fact, these photos are vacation photos, adding a personal touch to an intimate setting (this photo was taken earlier in the evening).

Food wise, it was fantastic and if you go there, you may want to wear stretch pants, because you will not want to stop eating, even if you are full...like I did! So here is what I got:

Episode 1 - Tuesday Blog Dinner:

Note that the portions below were tasting size, except for the soup, snails and desserts.

Wine: I went for a Beaujolais, Brouilly Bonne Neige, 2011 that was light and perfumed, perfect with the meal I was going to have.

Brouilly Bonne Neige 2011 Beaujolais at Sel et Poivre in NYC, NY

Of course, the meal started off with some baguette that was served warm, with butter. Yes, you cannot have a French meal without bread.

Bread and butter at Sel et Poivre in NYC, NY

Then, every year, during this period, they serve a game menu and so, some grilled venison sausage and a wild boar sausage. I think it is a good idea to propose some game as a special as not that common in restaurant, and, when well done, it can be fantastic.

Grilled Venison and Wild Boar sausages at Sel et Poivre in NYC, NY

Followed escargots. I was really looking forward to it, but was a little apprehensive because I went to few restaurants were they put too much of a twist into it, simply ruining the dish. No, these were the classic ones, served with a sauce made of butter, garlic and parsley, sauce so good that I dipped my bread into it...

The next dish is not what comes to mind when thinking about French cuisine. It was a red pepper bisque, perfect for the season. It was light and had just a tad of cream in it (it is a bisque), and you could definitely taste the red pepper.

Red pepper bisque at Sel et Poivre in NYC, NY

After that was cod fish with creamy lentils. That dish was succulent! The fish was perfectly cooked, not dry and flakey. But then, the lentils were amazing, drenched in a cream made with mustard seeds and horseradish.

Cod fish with creamy lentils at Sel et Poivre in NYC, NY

The last entree was also something I was looking forward to. It was a quail stuffed with goat cheese in a port wine reduction. I do not see quail that often on restaurant menus and sometimes, when I get it, it is overcooked and therefore dry. At Sel et Poivre, it was perfect and I was surprised how the combination between the quail and the cheese worked well.

Stuffed quail with goat cheese at Sel et Poivre in NYC, NY

Last was dessert, to finish this delicious meal on a high note. There was first a creme brûlée that was perfectly set:

Creme brûlée at Sel et Poivre in NYC, NY

And an Apricot crepe that was sublime, the crepe being well made.

Apricot crepe at Sel et Poivre in NYC, NY

So, it is discussing with Chef Schienle that I realized that he was serving cassoulet on Fridays and I persuaded Jodi to go back the same week to try it.

Episode 2 - The return

It is really rare that I go to the same restaurant twice in the same week, but I could not resist going back to Sel et Poivre. There were in fact two dishes I wanted to try:

The first one was the Terrine de Foie Gras with red wine grapes. I was really not disappointed, the foie gras being very good and well made.

Terrine de foie gras at Sel et Poivre in NYC, NY

The second one being the long awaited cassoulet, a comfort dish from the South of France made with beans and meat that are slow cooked. Everybody has its own variation and not that many restaurants in New York serve it. Chef Schienle prepares it with duck confit, garlic sausage and pork belly, adding a bit of tomato sauce for the reddish color. This was a delicious dish, very filling. The best meat was definitely the duck confit that was deliciously salty and had this flavorful taste.

Chef Schiene also offered to try their wild boar pate that was very good, dense with a delightful gamey flavor, so good that I did not leave an ounce on the plate (now you know why I mentioned the stretch pants before...).

Wild boar pate at Sel et Poivre in NYC, NY

Jodi was more reasonable than me and chose a salad composed of arugula, watercress, endive and roquefort:

and a cheese plate (not sure what all these cheese were...

Cheese plate at Sel et Poivre in NYC, NY

Last was a tart tatin that was one of the best I had in New York: it was not too sweet and the apple was melting in my mouth.

With it, complimentary from the Chef, we got a glass of 2005 Domaine de Durban Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise, Rhone, France.

Glasses of muscat at Sel et Poivre in NYC, NY

I should in fact mention that I also had a glass of Cote du Rhone reserve.

Glass of Cote du Rhone at Sel et Poivre in NYC, NY

I was glad I had a little walk on the way home considering how much food I ate. See et Poivre is a great place and one of my favorite restaurants in the city. I definitely recommend it and, if you go, you will certainly enjoy the personality of the Chef that adds to the charming atmosphere of the restaurant.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Sel & Poivre

I Just Want To Eat! 2/9/17 I Just Want To Eat! 2/9/17

Lunch prix-fixe at Victor's Café, Cuban restaurant in NYC, NY

Victor's Café is a great Cuban restaurant located Midtown. But know that this place proposes an elegant version of Cuban cuisine, more elevated than what you would have in places like La Caridad on the Upper West Side or La Isla in Hoboken. I could not resist to try their lunch prix-fix that offers, for $29, a three course meal that was quite good. Before the food came, they brought some plantains that are always a crowd pleaser.

Plantains at Victor's Café, Cuban restaurant in NYC, NY

Then I decided to try their ceviche de camarones or shrimp ceviche. I admit that this was just ok, the shrimp being slightly overcooked.

Ceviche de camarones at Victor's Café, Cuban restaurant in NYC, NY

But the best was the entree: I chose the arroz con pollo that is braised chicken served in a rice casserole with sofrito and beer. I was really surprised by the size of the dish that was large and loved it: the chicken was well cooked and moist and the rice flavorful.

Arroz con pollo at Victor's Café, Cuban restaurant in NYC, NY

Last was dessert. I was able to try two: the first one was their arroz con leche or rice pudding that was really good, with just the right amount of cinnamon.

Rice pudding at Victor's Café, Cuban restaurant in NYC, NY

The second was the flan de huevo or simply flan, a delicious dessert, that was so dense and had some creaminess to it.

Flan at Victor's Café, Cuban restaurant in NYC, NY

This was a great meal and you really get a deal there. Victor's Café is a nice place and I am looking forward to going back for 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!

Victor's Café

I Just Want To Eat! 2/7/17 I Just Want To Eat! 2/7/17

ORO, Italian restaurant in Long Island City

Yesterday evening, I was invited at ORO, an Italian restaurant that opened last August in Long Island City, conveniently located five minutes from the Queensboro Plaza subway stop. I was really surprised when I entered this place as I did not expect a place so spacious, modern and elegant, but with a casual feel.

Please note that the meal was complimentary. However, the opinions expressed in my blog are 100% my own!

Bar ar ORO, Italian restaurant in Long Island City

Dining room at ORO, Italian restaurant in Long Island City

Wine display at ORO, Italian restaurant in Long Island City

There, I got the chance to meet with the Chef, Scott Andriani, who crafted a very interesting menu.

Chef Scott Andriani from ORO, Italian restaurant in Long Island City

I started off my meal with a cocktail, a mule sweet and bitter made with muddled strawberries, Russian vodka, campari, lime juice, topped with ginger beer and a strawberry. This was delicious, the taste of strawberry coming through and making it very refreshing. But, this is the type of drink that you would sip without realizing there is alcohol in it...

Mule cocktail, sweet and bitter at ORO, Italian restaurant in Long Island City

Then, they brought us some homemade bread, one was made with fennel and the second one with onions. It was quite good bread, the crust being crispy and not too thick, and quite light, cooked in their brick oven.

Homemade bread at ORO, Italian restaurant in Long Island City

Cooking the bread in the brick oven at ORO, Italian restaurant in Long Island City

Then came the appetizers. We tried:

Butternut squash arancini made with aborio rice, aged parmesan cheese and served with a sage-lemon aioli. I thought it was an interesting dish as different from the classic rice balls. I really liked the sweetness the butternut squash added to the dish.

Butternut squash arancini at ORO, Italian restaurant in Long Island City

Meatball parmigiana served with a tomato basil sauce. These meatballs were delicious, not dry. There was a hint of lemon in that dish that I found unusual and surprising.

Meatballs parmigiana at ORO, Italian restaurant in Long Island City

Charred octopus on top of a white bean ragout, charred peppers, roasted garlic and paprika aioli. The octopus was not rubbery and had a nice char. However, I found it a bit salty. The white bean ragout though was fantastic.

Charred octopus at ORO, Italian restaurant in Long Island City

This was definitely a good start and I was looking forward to try the entrees. The first one was the squid ink linguini, served with mixed seafood and a tomato broth. I love squid ink pasta and was in heaven. Know that the pasta there is homemade. They were perfectly cooked and, with the sauce, were sublime. There was also a large amount of seafood, from mussels, to shrimp, squid and clams, all well cooked.

Squid ink linguine at ORO, Italian restaurant in Long Island City

The second entree was the deep dish grandma pizza that was made with plum tomato, fresh mozzarella and herb oil (rosemary for sure). I admit that I was expected something different, like a fusion between the Chicago deep dish pizza and the Sicilian. It was good, but did not stand out for me.

Grandma deep dish pizza at ORO, Italian restaurant in Long Island City

With the entrees came some sides. The first one was quite unusual: corn creme brûlée. This was a great side: creamy and delightfully sweet.

Corn creme brûlée at ORO, Italian restaurant in Long Island City

The second one was the crispy brussels sprouts drizzled with bacon vinaigrette, another delicious side that I recommend, especially if you do not like brussels sprout: this will change your mind.

Crispy brussels sprouts at ORO, Italian restaurant in Long Island City

Last were the desserts and we got spoiled. We tried:

Tiramisu:

Pannacotta:

Strawberry pannacotta with kiwi sorbet (Restaurant Week dessert):

Strawberry pannacotta at ORO, Italian restaurant in Long Island City

All the desserts were delicious, but I admit that my favorite was the pannacotta that was perfectly set. I should also mention the kiwi sorbet that was surprising: it was the first time I had that flavor and loved it: they make it with the kiwi seeds that kind of give the same bite you have with the fruit. I hope they will add that to their regular menu.

The dinner at ORO was great: the food was simply delicious. ORO is definitely a place to know.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

ORO

I Just Want To Eat! 2/7/17 I Just Want To Eat! 2/7/17

Restaurant Week Winter 2017: China Grill - Closed

There are two places I love for Restaurant Week Midtown: Circo and China Grill. This year, I went twice to China Grill for their Restaurant Week offer that is a very good deal. You get an appetizer, an entree, a side for two and a dessert for $29 and can add a bottle of wine for an additional $40. What I like about it is the choices that are not only limited, but also can be found on their regular menu. The first time I went, I did not have my camera unfortunately, but the second time, I did. So this is what I had that time:

Appetizers:

Chicken thigh skewers with a toasted peanut sauce. This was a great dish, the chicken being very well cooked, moist and that toasted peanut sauce amazing, with a perfect thickness.

Chicken thigh skewers at China Grill in NYC, NY

The lobster pancakes (for an additional $6): This was a mix of mushrooms and lobster, rolled into a crepe, with a delicious sauce that was made with coconut milk. This was delicious, the crepe itself being well done, soft and tasty. However, I admit that the lobster was a bit overpowered by the mushrooms.

Lobster pancakes at China Grill in NYC, NY

Entree:

The previous time I had their barbecued wild salmon that was amazing, the salmon being cooked to perfection. So, this time, I went for their drunken chicken, served with pickled ginger and sprouts, topped with a ponzu sauce. I should mention that it was a nice portion. Quite good, the chicken being well cooked and moist. But I admit that the salmon was even better and recommend it.

Drunken chicken at China Grill in NYC, NY

Side:

One of their most spectacular side is the crispy spinach that as its name indicates is crispy and delightfully greasy. But I also like their vegetable fried rice that is very flavorful and does not need any sort of meat in it.

Vegetable fried rice at China Grill in NYC, NY

Dessert:

Chocolate cake and cookies topped with coconut ice cream. The chocolate cake was pretty good, very chocolatey, and the coconut ice cream quite good too.

Chocolate cake and cookies with ice cream at China Grill in NYC, NY

This was a great lunch and a good deal. Definitely, China Grill embraces the spirit of Restaurant Week that is to make diners discover places and want to go back to try their regular menu. Well done!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

China Grill

I Just Want To Eat! 2/3/17 I Just Want To Eat! 2/3/17

Gaby near Bryant Park in NYC, NY

I was looking for a French restaurant Midtown and found Gaby, a place attached to the Sofitel Hotel, few steps from Bryant Park. Interesting place with its Art Deco decor, but with still the feel that it is the restaurant of a hotel.

Food wise, I was really surprised. They do have some classic dishes like foie gras au torchon, as well as French onion soup, but they also put some spin on some other dishes as you will see below. To follow the French tradition, they brought us a bread basket, bread being a must have in a French meal. I especially liked the walnut and olive bread that was there.

To start, I decided to go with the foie gras au torchon as the escargots were not the traditional garlic/butter. The foie gras, marinated in cognac, came with a salad, a ginger marmelade and a country bread. It was very good, the alcohol having a very subtle taste and not being overpowering at all. However, I did not really like the ginger marmelade that was anyway not necessary, the foie gras being delicious on its own.

Next, I ordered the duck breast that was served with red organic rice, baby spinach, carrots and an orange sauce. So, as you may have guessed, this was their take on canard (duck) à l'orange. I loved it, especially the duck that was well cooked, pink in the center, not dry. I loved the fact that it was not drenched in sauce, keeping it being the star of the dish.

Red organic rice and baby spinach at Gaby, NYC, NY

Jodi decided to go with their salade niçoise, but, the lettuce was there replaced with quinoa, and the canned tuna by fresh ahi tuna. This was another successful dish: the tuna was perfectly seared with a nice black pepper and herbs crust.

Tuna and quinoa in Salade Nicoise at Gaby, NYC, NY

Greens from Salade Nicosia at Gaby, NYC, NY

For dessert, we opted for the crème brûlée. This was the only disappointment of the meal: it was slightly over cooked, so it was not as creamy as it should have been.

Overall, we had a delicious dinner at Gaby. I wish the atmosphere was not one of a hotel joint, but I can forget that considering the food they serve. So, yes, I would go back and maybe this time try their steak frites...

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Gaby

I Just Want To Eat! 2/1/17 I Just Want To Eat! 2/1/17

Giant hot dog at Brooklyn Diner in NYC, NY

It has probably been 11 years since I went to Brooklyn Diner and was really surprised to see it pop up on OpenTable. When I lived in the city, I use to go there for their large hotdog, one of the biggest, if not the biggest in New York, measuring 15 inches. This place is still there, with its big cakes at the entrance, one slice being too much for just one person for sure. I like the decor, that makes this place a tad more elegant than your regular diner. And you know that I love diners, as for me they are reminiscent of Americana.

So, yes, I was there for their 15-bite hot dog, made entirely with beef. When it came, I thought that they really made it a fancier version than it was before, especially as far as the presentation goes. It was served with French fries, house made juniper sauerkraut and a salad to give patrons the impression that there is at least something healthy on their plate. The delicious bun was smaller than what I recollect and I was glad considering how much food there was (and yes, I finished it...). The sausage was delicious, flavorful with a perfect casing. I dipped it in mustard and a bit of relish that came on the side.

15 bite hot dog at Brooklyn Diner in NYC, NY

Juniper sauerkraut at Brooklyn Diner in NYC, NY

Salad with hot dog at Brooklyn Diner in NYC

French fries at Brooklyn Diner in NYC, NY

Jodi was more reasonable than me and ordered the veggie burger that looked really good and appetizing (I cannot believe I woould say this...). It was served with guacamole, cheese, lettuce, tomato and aioli. It was very tasty and I admit that I liked it, finding it not boring. Both dishes were served with very good fries, slightly crispy on the outside.

Veggie burger at Brooklyn Diner in NYC, NY

As I mentioned, i finished my hotdog and unfortunately did not have any more space for some cake or even a milkshake. So I guess I will have to go back to Brooklyn Diner another time...

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Brooklyn Diner

I Just Want To Eat! 1/30/17 I Just Want To Eat! 1/30/17

Korean dinner at Osamil in K-Town, NYC

Jodi and I wanted to eat Korean food and ended up at Osamil in Koreatown. The name of this modern restaurant comes from their address, 5 west 31st street. 5- Oh, 3- Sam, 1-il. We went on a Friday evening and it was quite busy, its warm dining room being filled with hungry customers. I like the space: it is a mix between a modern and rustic decor, with an open kitchen in the back.

Dining room at Osamil in K-Town, NYC, NY

I started off with a cocktail rather than a beer or wine that was discounted during a happy hour that ended at 8pm. I chose one of their signature cocktails: The Old World, made with Hennessy, Calamansi Honey, Peychaud’s Bitters, HKB Baiju. I admit that I was a bit surprised when it came as the glass was not filled, giving the impression somebody already drank some. At least they could have put a slice of orange or an ice cube in it to give another dimension to the drink. But still, it was a solid cocktail that I recommend.

The Old World cocktail at Osamil in K-Town, NYC, NY

We started our meal with the roasted mushrooms, a vegetarian dish made of enoki, trumpet, cremini, hon-shimeji and maitake mushrooms, truffle oil and pine nuts coulis. That was a good start, this dish being succulent.

Roasted mushrooms at Osamil in K-Town, NYC, NY

Next was the spicy whole squid that was very spicy! I mean, my mouth was on fire, but it was so good that I kept going at it. It was served with the tentacles and was perfectly cooked, not rubbery at all.

Spicy whole squid at Osamil in K-Town, NYC, NY

It was followed by the chicken wings with their classic sauce that was slightly sweet and not spicy. These twice fried wings were fantastic: delightfully crispy, the chicken was perfectly cooked and moist.

Korean fried chicken wings at Osamil in K-Town, NYC, NY

Last was the kimchi fried rice with steak. It was composed of caramélisés house made kimchi, bacon for a bit of smokiness, a fried egg and some hanger steak cooked medium for Jodi. I simply loved that dish. The steak was not the best I had and was a bit tough, but the rice was so good! Jodi found it spicy, but I did not taste any spiciness at all, and I was wondering if it was because of the squid.

Kimchi fried rice with steak at Osamil in K-Town, NYC, NY

I wish they had desserts as I thought they would make something spectacular. But no, no desserts. In fact, there are not that many Korean restaurants that offer them. Anyway, Osamil is one of the best I had with Hanjan or Danji, serving an unusual menu. I definitely recommend this place.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Osamil

I Just Want To Eat! 1/28/17 I Just Want To Eat! 1/28/17

Brunch at Petit Poulet in NYC, NY

We were looking for a brunch place close to Herald Square, when we stumbled upon Petit Poulet, a French bistro and wine bar that is part to the Radisson Hotel in Koreatown. Although most of the hotel restaurants feel like... hotel restaurants, there was a bit of a feel of a French brasserie, thanks to the decor, such as the tables and bistro chairs, tin ceiling and mosaic floor.

French product for sale at Petit Poulet in NYC, NY

La cuisine (the kitchen) sign at Petit Poulet in NYC, NY

Food wise, Petit Poulet meaning literally little chicken in French, I was expecting few dishes with chicken, but admit that I was a bit disappointed as the only choices for brunch were the Caesar salad with chicken as an add-on, and the Petit Poulet salad. So I went with the latter that was served with some nice pieces of St André cheese. It was a very good salad that sort of followed my New Year resolution, if it was not for the cheese. There was a nice amount of pulled chicken in it, and it was not overdressed. I simply liked it.

Signature salad at Petit Poulet in NYC, NY

Jodi went for their veggie omelet that had spinach (and not asparagus as mentioned on the menu), tomato, roasted red pepper and goat cheese. It was a good omelet, not dry and fluffy. It was served with some delicious house potatoes that were slightly crispy.

Vegetarian omelet at Petit Poulet in NYC, NY

That was good and I was close to order a crepe Suzette for dessert, but did not. At least this time, as I would go back at Petit Poulet, maybe for dinner this time.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Petit Poulet

I Just Want To Eat! 1/26/17 I Just Want To Eat! 1/26/17

Celebrating the Year at The Bryant Park Grill

We hate the New Year's Eve crowd and so, instead of going to a restaurant that day, we decided to go the day before, a sort of New Years's Eve's Eve. And we picked the Bryant Park Grill, the setting with the park and all the lights being perfect for a magical evening. I admit that I was not sure what to expect and was quite surprised to see such a big place, with its large dining room on the left side and its covered patio.

Dining room at Bryant Park Grill in NYC, NY

As we just came back from Europe and enjoyed quite a lot of great (but heavy) food, I surprised myself by not ordering an appetizer and go straight to the main dish: well, it might be due to the closeness of the New Year and its resolutions, although, with me like with lots of people, they do not hold too long...Anyway, I decided to go with their duck confit, but, few minutes after we ordered, I was told that there was a "misunderstanding" and the Chef advised there was no more duck. I was really disappointed as I love duck, but found myself happy with their Bryant Park sea grill that was composed of a whole Maine lobster, diver scallops, jumbo shrimp, on top of a saffron tomato rice. The presentation looked beautiful and I was surely not disappointed: everything was cooked perfectly, from the seafood, to the rice that was really tasty.

Seafood grill at Bryant Park Grill in NYC, NY

No wine with my dish, but a cocktail: the Bourbon Cider, made with Old Forester Bourbon, fresh apple cider, cranberry juice and lemon. Simply delicious, of course if you like bourbon!

Bourbon cider at Bryant Park Grill in NYC, NY

Jodi went for the miso crusted sea bass, served with stir-fried vegetables, broccoli florets and sesame rice. That fish was amazing: perfectly cooked, flakey and moist. The rice was in some sort of rice balls that were so good, I could have eaten a full plate of it.

Miso crusted sea bass at Bryant Park Grill in NYC, NY

Vegetables in the miso crusted sea bass at Bryant Park Grill in NYC, NY

So far it was very good and we were looking forward for our dessert. Jodi ordered the chocolate coconut pot de creme that is a good dessert if you like dark chocolate, but kind of fell short in term of coconut taste, including the coconut whipped cream that was not coconut-y enough.

Chocolate coconut pot de creme at Bryant Park Grill in NYC, NY

On my side, I chose the deep dish apple pie (so I could say I ate fruit). It looked amazing and was very good, especially the crust that was buttery.

Deep dish apple pie at Bryant Park Grill in NYC, NY

That was a nice evening and I have to say that I was impressed by the food at Bryant Park Grill. I would surely go back, maybe when the temperature permits a nice meal on the patio, overlooking the park.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Bryant Park Grill

I Just Want To Eat! 1/24/17 I Just Want To Eat! 1/24/17

Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse in Manhattan, NYC

So, I am back at Del Frisco's Double Eagle, the fancy steakhouse located on 6th avenue, couple of minutes from The Rockefeller Center. Little did I know this place used to be a bank converted into a three story luxurious restaurant, the vault being transformed into private rooms surrounding an amazing cellar, the biggest in the city with rare bottles, for a total of more than $3 million in wine!

Wine cellar at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse in Manhattan, NYC

I went on a Thursday and was really surprised as to how busy this place was, especially when I left, with not only business people, but also families. I love the decor that is not your usual manly steakhouse and noticed this time the cables that ornate the staircase, used a handrails.

Staircase at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse in Manhattan, NYC

Bar at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse in Manhattan, NYC

Dining room at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse in Manhattan, NYC

Food wise, this was a fantastic dinner: the food was delicious and their steaks incredible. Definitely one of the best in the city, but know that, like many steakhouses, this is pricey. Del Frisco's Double Eagle is known for their shrimp: cocktail, marinated or remoulade, but also for their crab cakes that are supposed to be the best in the city. If you follow this blog, I guess you figured out that I went for the latter, crab cakes being my favorite appetizer when having steak: the crab cake (you get two if you choose it as an entree) came with a cajun lobster sauce. Just the crab cake by itself was amazing: made with lump crab meat, it was not full of breading or any filler that would overpower the crab. No, it definitely let the crab shine.

Crab cake at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse in Manhattan, NYC

The other appetizer I tried was the thick cut of bacon with served au poivre. Very good, the only negative of this decadent dish was that there was too much pepper (poivre in French).

Thick cut of bacon at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse in Manhattan, NYC

Then came my steak. I went for the bone-in ribeye (22 oz), perfectly cooked medium-rare. I loved it: well cooked, nicely charred and fatty, this was a great piece of meat, definitely of high quality.

Bone-in ribeye at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse in Manhattan, NYC

With it, I tried:

Their béarnaise sauce that was quite good:

Bearnaise sauce at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse in Manhattan, NYC

The spectacular onion rings: perfectly made, crispy with the onion cooked all the way through.

Onion rings at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse in Manhattan, NYC

The sautéed mushrooms and pearl onions, that were also good, although I could care less about the onions.

Sautéed mushrooms and pearl onions at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse in Manhattan, NYC

With my meal, I got some Pinot Noir, Lost Carneros 2013 from Napa, Pinot Noir being an excellent pairing with ribeye because of its bold flavor:

Pinot Noir Los Carneros, Napa Valley 2013 at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse in Manhattan, NYC

Last was dessert. First was the six layers lemon cake that was really good, the cake being super moist and not too sweet.

Six layers lemon cake at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse in Manhattan, NYC

And then the strawberry cheesecake that was good, but not at the level of Junior's if you ask me.

Strawberry cheesecake at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse in Manhattan, NYC

This was a great dinner: the food at Del Frisco's Double Eagle is spectacular and I highly recommend it if you love steaks or want to have a nice dinner.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Del Frisco's

I Just Want To Eat! 1/22/17 I Just Want To Eat! 1/22/17

The 5th Annual Bollito Misto at Circo in NYC, NY - CLOSED

I love this casual Italian place that has an amazing decor that matches its name: a circus. Colorful and playful, it has a certain charm and the food served there has always been delicious. For the Bollito Misto meal, I was there for a treat, with a 4 course dinner that, at $49 with a glass of wine is a steal.

From January 23rd to 29th 2017, Circo is hosting its 5th Annual Bollito Misto and I was invited by Mauro Maccioni for a preview tasting last Thursday. I could not believe it had been 5 years already since the first occurrence of this special dinner, where I got the chance to meet with Mauro and Egidiana Maccioni, the matriarch of this famous family.

Dining room of Osteria Del Circo in NYC, NY

Bollisto Misto Menu at Osteria Del Circo in NYC, NY

The wine was a Lambrusco di Sorbara, Omaggio a Gino Friedman, a sparkling wine with a rosé color and notes of berries, perfect with antipasti like prosciutto or the Bollito Misto itself.

Lambrusco di Sorbara, Omaggio a Gino Friedman wine at Osteria Del Circo in NYC, NY

In fact, the first course was the antipasti, composed of prosciutto, mortadella, gnoccho fritto (that is fried dough), Parmigiano reggiano cheese, some sort of rilette, as well as candied fruit called Mostarda di cremona.

Antipasti at Osteria Del Circo in NYC, NY

For the second dish, I was supposed to choose between the tortelli di zucca or pumpkin tortelli or cappelletti in brodo di capone. They graciously offered to serve both so I could try them. Both were really good, the pumpkin tortelli having a nice sweetness and being light and soft. The cappelletti were quite tasty, with a mix of herbs and meat, in a light broth.

Pasta course at Osteria Del Circo in NYC, NY

Pumpkin tortelli at at Osteria Del Circo in NYC, NY

Cappelletti in brodo at at Osteria Del Circo in NYC, NY

Next was the bollito misto, the Italian pot au feu, that I have never seen on a restaurant menu before. It came with different condiments: roasted tomatoes and garlic, salsa verde, candied fruit, sea salt and mustard seeds similar to a moutarde a l'ancienne that you will put around the plate and eat with the meat. There were many different slices of meat that I admit could not name, and, in the center, a delicious bone marrow that was sublime.

Bollito misto at Osteria Del Circo in NYC, NY

Condiments for the bollito misto at Osteria Del Circo in NYC, NY

Last was dessert. It was a pear poached in wine, served with zabaglione, a thick Italian custard that was fantastic. The ice cream was chocolate flavor. It looked very elegant and was delicious.

Poached pear at Osteria Del Circo in NYC, NY

With it came some Italian cookies, but I admit that I barely touched them as I was already full...

Italian cookies at Osteria Del Circo in NYC, NY

This was a great dinner: comforting and delicious, and I thank the team at Circo for their hospitality. This is a unique meal that is served only one week every year, so do not miss it: it is worth trying!

Enjoy (I did)!

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I Just Want To Eat! 1/20/17 I Just Want To Eat! 1/20/17

Black Tap Burger: just for the show?

You should never judge a book by its cover and I surely should apply that to my experience at Black Tap Burger. This place is often covered in social media, especially on Instagram, where photos of their milkshakes have been legendary. And, if you passed in front of it, you cannot not notice the line in front of it. Surely the photos look appetizing and you would think that the hype surrounding this place is justified. Well, that it what I thought until we had lunch there, on January 2nd...

Black Tap Burger, Meatpacking District, NYC

Line in front of Black Tap Burger, Meatpacking District, NYC

We have a sort of tradition where, when we come back from a trip to Europe, we go for a burger. Originally, we were going to the joint inside the New Gansevoort Market, but thought that, maybe, Black Tap Burger could be an option as it was January 2nd, with some people away or working (I was not), and it was raining. We waited probably 20 minutes outside and I was surprised when we got seated to see that there were any empty tables that did not justify that wait. My theory: the line outside gives attention. Well, I think it might have also been the fact that the restaurant was short of staff that day as our food took forever to come to our table. Our neighbors who arrived many 10 minutes after us even got their order...when we left!

Bar area at Black Tap Burger, Meatpacking District, NYC

Dining room at Black Tap Burger, Meatpacking District, NYC

Of course, I could not not try their milkshake, not the regular, but the crazy one, and chose the Vanilla cookie that was made of vanilla frosted rim with cookie crumbles topped with a ‘cookiewich’, crumbled cookies, chocolate chips, whipped cream and chocolate drizzle.

Vanilla Cookie milkshake at Black Tap Burger, Meatpacking District, NYC

For sure it looked spectacular, but I just had enough time to take a couple of photos that it collapsed on the bottom plate. I asked for a spoon and was surprised to hear from the waiter that they did not have any clean...So, I used one of the cookies...Was it good? Yes, but it surely did not justify the $15 it costs!

Next were the burgers. The All American for Jodi, composed of prime burger, lettuce, tomato, pickles, american cheese and a special sauce.

All American burger at Black Tap Burger, Meatpacking District, NYC

The Old Fashioned for me, a burger made of prime burger, crimini mushrooms, swiss, caramelized onions and horseradish sauce (fortunately on the side).

Old Fashioned burger at Black Tap Burger, Meatpacking District, NYC

The burgers looked good, but it stopped there: we ordered them medium and I found them slightly overcooked and dry. They came with French fries for Jodi and onion rings for me. The fries were mushy and I was hoping that these beautiful big onion rings, served with a truffle aioli would be delicious. Again, disappointing.

French fries at Black Tap Burger, Meatpacking District, NYC

Onion rings at Black Tap Burger, Meatpacking District, NYC

So, I do not know if it was because it was an off day, but I did not like Black Tap Burger and found it overpriced. For a good burger close by, I would go to 5 Napkin Burger that has also delicious shakes.

Enjoy (...)!

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Black Tap

I Just Want To Eat! 1/16/17 I Just Want To Eat! 1/16/17

Ice cream at Carvel in Woodside, Queens

Serving ice cream since 1934, Carvel was not totally unknown to me: I heard about it, saw some ice cream cakes at the supermarket, but never tried it. For sure, you need to find a location and it is in Woodside, Queens, that I go to try Carvel Ice Cream, right after we got ourselves a burger...

Soft serve ice cream machine at Carvel in Woodside, Queens

Not that I went overboard: I was quite reasonable and went for the soft serve ice cream that is apparently one of their specialties, choosing both chocolate and vanilla. But it would not have been complete without a topping and it is bittersweet chocolate fudge that I chose: quite good, but a bit too sweet for my taste. However, the ice cream was pretty good and regretted not choosing a bigger cup...

Chocolate and vanilla soft serve ice cream at Carvel in Woodside, Queens

Jodi simply went for vanilla, also soft serve, with sprinkles on top.

Vanilla soft serve ice cream at Carvel in Woodside, Queens

That was nice and I would go back there for some of their special ice cream, some having funny names...But I would say that I prefer ColdStone Ice Cream that is richer and more decadent.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Carvel