Brunch at Elysian Café, Hoboken, NJ

Going to The Elysian is always a challenge as this popular Hoboken restaurant is always crowded and it is often that a line would form outside on week ends, specifically for brunch. Owned by Joyce and Eugene Finn who also operate Amanda's, another popular spot, it is the oldest continually operated restaurant in the city. The adventure started in 1895, when the restaurant opened as Dillenger & Jeffson's. During the prohibition, it went from a restaurant to an ice cream parlor and hair salon. I am not sure when they took that name that sounds French, but is not. 

I went there for dinner quite a while back and we did not plan to go there for brunch when we passed next to it on a Sunday, a little after 11am. As there seemed to be seats available, we decided to change our plan and eat there. 

I love that place: the decor is antique, with molds on the ceiling, old furniture and a vintage chandelier. Their menu is French, but for brunch, it is more American as the concept of brunch is not really known there. 

I started off with a fresh squeezed orange juice that was quite good, not watery with the taste of orange diluted. 

I admit that I was expecting a bread basket, maybe with muffins while we waited for our food, but it never came...

We just ordered an entrée. Jodi went for the omelette au fromage:

There was definitely a lot of fontina cheese in it, but, unfortunately, the eggs were slightly overcooked and dry. 

On my side, I hesitated between the lobster roll and the eggs Benedict. I finally went for the eggs as I wanted a brunch dish. 

It was salmon Benedict in fact, the salmon being on top of an English muffin and topped with a poached egg that was also overcooked. 

At that point I was a bit disappointed as I love when the yolk is runny and I can dip the salmon and muffin in it, while it mixes with the Hollandaise sauce, creating an interesting combination. 

With our dishes, we decided to order French fries over Lyonnaise potatoes. And I have to say that they were pretty good, not too greasy and a bit crispy.

I have mixed feelings about this place after this brunch: they have a nice menu, with good prices, but the execution was not there that day. I doubt that it was because of the number of orders coming at the same time as it was not that crowded at the time we went. Who knows...
Would I go back? Maybe for the burger or croque Madame...

Enjoy (I did)!

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And Remember: I Just Want To Eat!

Uncle Nick's, Greek Restaurant in NYC, New York

I think I have more chance booking a trip to Greece than getting a table at Uncle Nick's in Hell's Kitchen. Well, in fact, it is what I thought, having tried few times to go there, until I saw their location in Chelsea. Uncle Nick's is well known: good food in a casual ambiance, far from the trendy Avra Estiatorio or the more elegant Molyvos, that is, according to one of my Greek colleagues, the best Greek restaurant in New York. 

We went there on a Friday and the place was packed, but there were still empty tables. Service there was courteous and very efficient, serving dishes to customers adding a little folklore, like for the saganaki where they shout "Opa" at the moment they pour the ouzo on the flaming cheese. Ok, I admit that I missed this one as we were talking and I did not realized the wait staff came with our order. So, by the time I grabbed my camera and turned it on, the huge flame was gone...

The saganaki was fantastic: it was gooey and chewy at the same time, not too salty. Sublime! This is a dish I always enjoy in a Greek restaurant and definitely recommend it.

We then shared a small greek salad or Horiatiki.

It was of a good size for $9 and was very appetizing with all the vibrant colors of the vegetables. There were tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, as well as olives and grape leaves, topped with some feta.

We also tried their mixed grill, that was composed of Fried zucchini, eggplant and peppers served with scordalia dip.

A scordalia dip is made with potato and garlic. And there was a lot of garlic...

Then, I could not resist the Octapodaki or grilled octopus, smothered in oil and vinegar.

The octopus was well cooked, not rubbery at all, but I wish there was a nice char on top and less vinegar.

Last was the house made baklava.

Not the best I ever had (the one at Molyvos is fantastic), but good and a nice way to finish the dinner. I liked my meal at Uncle Nick's and the ambiance of the restaurant. I would certainly go back, maybe this time to try their moussaka or some grilled fish.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Rue 57 in NYC, New York

Rue 57, French for 57th street used to be one of my favorite spots when I came to the U.S. many years ago. I used to order their Le château seafood platter for two for myself...so, when I went back, I thought it would be a good idea to order it, although I was not alone. 

It is a big platter, full of clams, mussels, oysters, shrimp and a lobster in the center. I loved it: carefully prepared, it tasted fresh and the shrimp and lobster were perfectly cooked. 

As an entrée, I decided to go for yellowfin tuna tartare, served with ginger juice, avocado and cucumber. This was another great dish: fresh and refreshing, with a nice acidity, I loved the pairing of the tuna and avocado. 

Last was dessert. I tried the crème brûlée, that was pretty good, but not that original, as well as the Grand Marnier bread pudding that was fantastic (it is made with dried cherries and chocolate chips). 

I should mention that I chose a glass of Sauternes with my meal...

I really liked my lunch at Rue 57; their seafood is delicious and worth trying, being the main ingredient on their not so French brasserie menu. If you are looking for a restaurant midtown Manhattan, this might be your spot...

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Luke's Lobster in Hoboken, NJ

After a couple of years feeding the  avid crowd of lobster rolls at Pier 13, Luke's Lobster set foot in Hoboken and opened on May 15th. It replaced a pizza joint that seemed to be always closed and was definitely a questionable business choice, considering the number of pizzerias in the area. The pizza place was preceded by a frites joint that unfortunately did not have the same success as Pommes Frites in the East Village. Why do I think that Luke's Lobster will do better? First, there is no other lobster place in the area, solely restaurants serving their own version of the divine sandwich. Second, it is Luke's Lobster and if they keep the same quality, it will surely be a hit. Third, they reorganized the place so there are seats inside and outside. It is in fact slightly bigger than their flagship restaurant, but a tiny bit. 

We went there on a Sunday night and the place was reasonably crowded, few people taking their order and eating it in the park. We decided to stay inside, where the air conditioning was blasting. 

Jodi does not like seafood, so we were glad that they proposed a grilled cheese. 

She decided to go for cheddar cheese over American. It was a decent grilled cheese, definitely not amazing and just an option for people who do not like lobster, crab or shrimp. 

On my side, I went with the combo called Taste of Maine, that, for $22, came with half lobster roll, half crab roll, half shrimp roll, two crab claws, a pickle, chips and a soda. 

It was a good deal considering all of this, but do not imagine that you will end up with large claws: they were definitely small. 

My favorite was the lobster roll and then the crab roll, that were delicious, with lot of meat on a buttered bun that was fantastic. I love the fact that they do not smother the seafood with mayonnaise, so you can taste it. My least favorite was the shrimp roll that I found bland. 

Although this was a no-surprise meal, I am glad that they opened in Hoboken and hope they will be successful. Well, not to the point it will be impossible to go there though...

Enjoy (I did)!

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

L'Artusi, Italian Restaurant in the West Village

We ended up at L'Artusi thanks to my brother Hervé who sent me a voucher for my birthday. I had this restaurant on my very long list and we were planning on going there for restaurant week, but had to cancel, so I was thrilled to have an occasion to go there. 

The Chef, Gabe Thompson is not unknown to me as we recently went to one of his other restaurants in Manhattan, L'Apicio, where we had a fantastic dinner. In fact, the menus at the two places have a lot of similarities. And for sure, we knew we would not pass on desserts as his wife, Katherine, is the pastry Chef and not only did we have amazing desserts at L'Apicio, but, when they appeared on the TV show The Best New Restaurant, she blew away the diners and the judges, Tom Colicchio being the host and head judge, each time with a different dessert. 

We went at 8pm on a Friday and the place was packed. We saw couple of people trying to get a table without any reservation no success, the long wait being probably prohibitive. I should mention that when we left, there was a line at the entrance. It is a fairly large place, with a bar where you can dine and some tables overlooking the kitchen located in the back of the room. We got a table upstairs, where I noticed a private room that seem to also be their cellar. I really got lucky, because our table was right below two small lights and, when they dimmed the lights, we were not too much affected. It was not only important for the photos, but also because I like to see what I eat...

I was in the mood for a glass of wine and chose a red from Tuscany: Rosso di Montalcino, Collemattoni, 2013. 

It went very well with the dishes I picked. We had to choose between the crudo (raw with tartare and ceviches), verdura (salads), pasta, pesce (fish) and carne (meat). The size of the dishes is supposed to go crescendo, but, ordering a pasta and a meat was definitely fine. The pasta I chose was the house made tagliatelle with bolognese bianco (meaning no tomato sauce) and Parmesan. 

That was a fantastic dish: the tagliatelle, larger than what I am used to, were so good and perfectly cooked, bathed in a bolognese sauce that was very comforting. 

My second dish was the quail. I admit that I hesitated between this dish and the octopus, but rarely see quail on a menu, so went for it. 

The dish was small and I would have probably expected two little birds as the size was supposedly larger than the pasta dish. But in fact, I would have liked more, not because of the size, but because it was succulent. The quail itself had been butterflied, leaving only few bones to take care of. And that taste: quail is hard to cook as it can easily be overcooked and end up dry. At L'Artusi, it was so moist, with the skin perfectly seasoned and a slight heat from the chilies. It was served with pickled ramps and baby fennel. 

Jodi decided to order two of the smaller dishes. The first one was the spring pea salad, composed of English peas, snap peas, poppy seeds, walnuts and yogurt. 

It was quite good and I appreciated the texture of the dish, the peas being a bit on the crunchy side. 

But the best was definitely the roasted mushrooms, served with pancetta, ricotta salata and a perfectly made poached egg. 

This was very good and understand that, usually, Jodi does not like poached eggs: she inhaled it! 

After a phenomenal meal, we could not miss the dessert from pastry Chef Katherine Thompson and decided to share the olive oil cake and the chocolate budino, an Italian chocolate pudding. Because of a large party, desserts took time to come, so our waiter offered me another glass of wine and comped the desserts, apologizing for the wait. This is great service and the kind of gesture that would surely make us want to go back. 

But, back to the desserts. The olive oil cake was the best, even if the pudding was delicious, it surpassed it. There was no need for the raisins marmalade or crème fraiche mousse, as it was definitely standing on its own. The pudding itself was dense and very chocolatey, perfect for chocolate lovers. 

We had a great time at L'Artusi and I understand why this place is so popular: not only the food is spectacular, but the service is outstanding, making the whole experience memorable. I highly recommend that place!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

O Merveilleux in Yorkville, NYC, New York

The first time I tried a merveilleux was in Paris, at my friends Caroline and Arnaud who bought them at Aux Merveilleux de Fred. The merveilleux is a meringue cookie coated in whipped cream; it is a specialty from the North of France and Flanders (Belgium). 

So I was excited to try O Merveilleux, a Belgian bakery located in Yorkville, on the Upper East Side. It is a colorful place that serves also some choux (cream puffs), cookies and macarons. We decided to get some treats with some tea and espresso (double of course...).

We chose three merveilleux as well as one cream puff, all of them mini sizes. Yes, they offer mini sizes that is smart, because people love to try a few.

We tried:

Merveilleux with dark chocolate:

Merveilleux with white chocolate:

Merveilleux with speculoos:

Vanilla chou:

All of them were delicious: the merveilleux were light and not too sweet. I do not think I had a favorite, all of them being good. The chou was succulent too and I loved the fact that there was a lot of vanilla cream in it.

I really liked O Merveilleux and would not mind going back there if I am 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!

Kyochon Chicken in NYC, New York

I love chicken in any way: fried, roasted, pan seared...So I was looking forward to try Kyochon Chicken near Koreatown. So, here I am in that place that is fairly modern: very bright, trendy decor and loud techno music, especially if you go upstairs where a large counter as well as tables are. You order at the counter and then have to wait until your buzzer tells you your food is ready.

I took the sal sal chicken combo. Sal sal chicken is crispy rice chicken strips. 

I really liked the added crispiness of the rice, but thought that it was a bit dry. I just wish they were proposing a sauce with it. For the side, I picked potato wedges; another disappointment, but I would say that it was more a bad choice that anything else: I am more a fan of crispy fries.

With it, I really wanted to try their wings. Apparently their hot wings are dry hot and, in fact, I got a sample on my tray. I confirm: delicious but very hot. But again, delicious, so, even if your mouth is on fire, you cannot resist.

What I ordered were the honey wings.

This was very good: it was sweet, heavenly crispy and the chicken was moist. I regretted at that point that I ordered the sal sal chicken and did not go solely with wings. 

I have mixed feelings about Kyochon, although I really enjoyed the wings. If I were to go back, I would stick to that or order their whole chicken...

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Like A Local Tours: Flatiron Food Tour

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

It has been a while we were talking about going on a food tour, when I received an email inviting us to one of the tours organized by Like A Local Tours, a company that proposes food tours in the Flatiron area as well as Brooklyn. We decided to try the Flatiron History & Food Tour. Ok, I admit that I was more interested by the food than by the history, but was in fact quite pleased to learn a bit of the past of this area I often visit. It was also a good occasion to take the time, in this fast paced city, to stop and admire the architecture of the buildings we passed so many times in front of, without even noticing how beautiful they were. 

Our tour guide, Robert, was fantastic: very friendly and knowledgeable, giving us some interesting pieces of information as we walked from one place to another. The meeting point was in front of Eataly, the famous Italian marketplace opened few years back by Chef Lidia Bastianich, Joe Bastianich and celebrity Chef Mario Batali.

We went inside, admiring the architecture, as well as enjoying a double espresso made at Caffe Vergnano, a coffee shop opened in 1882 in Italy.

I was literally mesmerized by the coffee machine they were using, that was not only huge, but also beautiful, like the Rolls Royce of espresso machines. We then crossed the street, and ended up at Madison Square Park, home of the first two Madison Square Gardens. And guess what? We ended up at Shake Shack, right after they opened, explaining the short line in front of us.

When I think that the first time I tried this place I did not like it...Well, I changed my mind and I am a big fan of their burger, not the wait though...

Jodi went for their 'shroom burger (crisp-fried portobello mushroom filled with melted muenster and cheddar cheeses, topped with lettuce, tomato and shack sauce) and I decided to try their Park Burger, a limited offer, made with applewood smoked bacon and a cave-aged jasper hill raw cow's milk cheese sauce. To help digest all of this, I got a vanilla milkshake that was delicious. There is no question that this place is worth trying, despite the long wait you may face when going there: Danny Meyer's burger chain is one of the best. When I think that it all started with a food cart at that location, before this flagship kiosk opened in 2004. And now, they have restaurants across the US as well as in UK, Turkey, Russia and Middle East.

Then, we walked to the Flatiron building where Robert explained to us the origin of the expression "giving them the 23 Skidoo" that was unknown to me to be honest...Here is an extract from Wikipedia:

Perhaps the most widely known story of the origin of the expression concerns the area around the triangular-shaped Flatiron Building at Madison Square in New York City. The building is located on 23rd Street at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Broadway, the latter two of which intersect at a very oblique angle. Because of the shape of the building, winds swirl around it. During the early 1900s, groups of men reportedly gathered to watch women walking by have their skirts blown up, revealing legs, which were seldom seen publicly at that time. Local constables, when sometimes telling such groups of men to leave the area, were said to be "giving them the 23 Skidoo".

We then walked to Obica (means "that's happening right before your eyes" in an old Neapolitan dialect), an Italian restaurant we passed by so many times. 

At the entrance of Obica, you cannot miss the old signage from The Exchange Buffet, that is said to have been the first cafeteria in the US; signage that the owner found when building the restaurant. This is definitely an incredible piece of history and it is great that they kept it. 

This restaurant is huge, with a large dining room upstairs, as well as a room downstairs that is perfect for private parties. It had an interesting feel, modern and rustic at the same time, with definitely some warmth, thanks to the exposed brick, wooden bar and tables. Menu wise, they offer the usual dishes you would find in an Italian restaurant, but with some particularities. For instance, Obica being a mozzarella bar, you cannot miss this divine cheese that they ship twice a week from Italy. We got to try their burrata that was spectacular: so creamy, light and refreshing, that I was glad that Jodi paced herself...

We ate it with some house made bread that I would have finished if I did not know a pizza would be served later.

I was definitely curious about the pizza that is Neapolitan style, made with triple-0 and whole wheat flour, the dough being left to rise for 48 hours. They cook it in a Valiorani gas oven made in Italy.

The pizza we tried was the Pomodoro Biologico e Mozzarella, made with organic tomato, Mozzarella di Bufala and basil. This was really good and I liked the texture of the crust that was delighfully crispy. 

We also tried some foccacina that is like pizza crust brushed with olive oil.

After sampling all of this, we definitely want to go back to Obica for dinner! But we had to leave and our next stop was in the corner of Broadway and 20th street, where we stopped in front of a beautiful cast iron building that today house Brooks Brothers and offices, but used to be owned by Lord & Taylor who opened a store there, in 1870, in this area known as Ladies' mile. We then crossed the street to go to Beecher's, a cheese shop that opened in 2011.

If you are a cheese lover, you have to see this place, where they make their flagship cheese right there, using a process called cheddaring. Yes, their flagship cheese is simply called flagship and it is gruyere made with the same process as cheddar.

They make cheese most of the day, using milk stored in the huge tank that is in the back of the room on the ground floor.

At Beecher's, you can either sit upstairs for a casual meal, or go downstairs, in the cellar, where you can have a meal surrounded by cheese that is aging up to 18 months.

After trying some samples, we tried their grilled cheese, made with the flagship cheese.

This was a very good grilled cheese: not too greasy on the outside, the bread was crispy and they were definitely generous with the amount of cheese. 

The last stop was Breads Bakery.

Jodi kept talking about this place since she tried their croissant at her friend Tessa's place. So here we were, like VIPs, going in the back of the kitchen, where we looked, envious and trying not to drool, at the delicious viennoiseries and breads they make.

First, we saw the rolls they prepare for Burger and Lobster, a place located close by that serves lobster rolls and...burgers.

Then, the challah bread that looked succulent.

As well as the croissants, croissants aux amandes and cinnamon buns.

Or preparing bread before putting it in the oven:

But we were there for one reason: their chocolate babka that has been named the best in New York City by New York Magazine. I tried a babka last year and was not that fond of it, but after trying this one, I am sold! It was spectacular! 

They prepare it with French butter (explaining the flakiness), nutella and Belgian chocolate. Imagine that Jodi does not like nutella, but inhaled her slice (to my disappointment, as I was hoping for some more...). I would go to Breads just for this, but there were other items like the rugalah that I certainly want to try.

We finished the tour full and glad we experienced it: Like A Local Tours is definitely worth considering if you want to indulge while learning history about this amazing city. 

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Da Mikele by Luzzo's in Tribeca, NYC, New York

If you ask me, luzzo's is one of the best pizzerias in New York City. I discovered it during a pizza tour two years ago and went to probably all their locations: in the East Village, at The Gansevoort Market, and now, TriBeCa. 

With a totally different decor from their flagship restaurant (look up and you will see what's on the ceiling), the one in TriBeCa displays a modern rusticity. I could definitely see myself having a drink or some pizza at the large bar. It is also a warm place, thanks to the exposed brick; my only regret is that the brick oven is not visible from the dining room. Last, I should mention the scooter at the entrance, adding a bit of authenticity to the place. 

Each time I went to Luzzo's, I was not disappointed and we were looking forward to trying different dishes. Few minutes after we ordered, they brought us some delicious bread, made in their oven, that we eagerly dipped in olive oil. I guess the base was pizza dough, with some yeast added. 

Then, came the arancini di riso, some deliciously creamy, cheesy and crunch rice balls that are served with marinara sauce. 

But, it was nothing in comparison with the pizza that came after that. We ordered a small "The quadrata", an old fashioned square pizza made with mozzarella di bufala, tomatoes, oregano and garlic. 

This is the ultimate pizza as it has four corner slices, preventing any fight over the almighty deliciousness that a corner is. I mean, who would want s middle slice from a Sicilian pizza???
The first bite was fantastic: the nicely charred crust was delightfully crispy and the sauce was divine. And that cheese...When you have tried mozzarella di bufala, there is no turning back!

This was another delicious meal and I wished that we did not have other plans for dessert so we could dive into their dessert menu. If you've never been to Luzzo's, I highly recommend it. As far as I am concerned, I will certainly go back!

Enjoy (I sure did)!

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

Avra Estiatorio, Greek restaurant in NYC, New York

For my birthday, we went to Avra Estiatorio, an elegant Greek restaurant located Midtown East. When people asked me if I already went there, I answered affirmatively: I went there more than 10 years ago and remember two things: the long wait (couple of minutes became 45 minutes) and the delicious fresh lobster I ate. I was hoping the first would not repeat...Well, it kind of did...

It was a Tuesday and the place was packed. Despite our reservation, we probably waited 25 minutes and they attempted to give us a table right next to the bar, where would have had other patrons derrieres as the sole sight. So we respectfully declined and waited for a better table that unfortunately never came: I sat my back to the door that was wide open (so the wait staff could go outside to serve people sitting at the terrace), the cold air forcing me to put my jacket on. 

After we ordered, they brought us a bread basket (I was expecting pita), with olives, radicchio and some house made hummus that was a bit liquid. We started off with the fried saganaki:

At Avra, they do not flambé it, but, it was not necessary, the fried version being delicious: crispy, not greasy, gooey and chewy at the same time. Then, for her entrée, Jodi ordered the Tonos or Grilled sushi quality tuna with sautéed swiss chard and sliced marinated beets. 

The fish was very good, perfectly cooked rare, as requested. However, the swiss chard was not Jodi or myself's favorite...

On my side, I ordered the youvetsi or Shrimp, scallops, clams and mussels in tomato and herbs with orzo and feta cheese.

This was terrific dish: first, the seafood was amazing, tasting very fresh and perfectly cooked. I should mention the large size of these shrimp that would make you regret to have dined once at Red Lobster and enjoyed their shrimp...Then, the orzo, bathed in this delicious sauce and sprinkled with feta was spectacular. This is definitely a dish I recommend.

For dessert, we went for baklava:

And a Galaktoboureko that is a custard pie:

I admit that I preferred the Galaktoboureko that was a first, the custard complementing well the sweetness of the sugar syrup. The baklava was just ok and definitely not the best I had (Molyvos has an awesome one!).

The dinner at Avra Estiatorio was good, but I prefer Thalassa or Molyvos: the food is better and the atmosphere less stuffy....

Haldi, Indian restaurant in Curry Hill, NYC, New York

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

Haldi is one the new new venues Michelin-starred Executive Chef Hemant Mathur is devoting his time and talent to grow. Chef Mathur is not unknown to me as I was lucky enough to taste his amazing food at Tulsi in November 2013 (he got a Michelin star there), but without a chance to meet with him. I mean, he has an impressive resume: worked at Bukhara, one of the popular restaurants in Deli that I tried last year; he teamed up to open Devi, getting a Michelin star in 2007, being the first Indian restaurant in the country to get one. I admit that I did not like Devi that since closed, but it was anyway way after Chef Mathur left the restaurant.

We spoke a bit with Chef Mathur and I was truly pleased to see how nice and humble he is (he was also going from table to table to check with the patrons how the food was). Contrary to Devi or Tulsi, Haldi is more casual.

Food wise, the menu is not your usual Indian menu: there are of course traditional Indian dishes like Chicken Tikka Massala or vegetable samosas, but the majority of the dishes were unknown to me. These were regional specialties from Bengal as well as Rajasthan (Marwari). I should also mention the jewish bites and entrées that I have never seen before. So we tried different dishes in a tasting size. With my meal, I tried the different kinds of lassi: mango, salty (made with black salt and cumin) and sweet.

After we sat, they brought us some papadum with tamarind sauce to open our appetite.

Then, came our appetizers. The first ones where from Bengal.

Jhal Muri or puffed rice, peanuts, green chutney and tomatoes.

Lamb egg roll, that is different from the Chinese egg roll and is more similar to a kati roll that had been fried.

It was served with a garlic and onion chutney.

Chingri Malai or shrimp in a coconut and tamarind sauce, served with lachi that is a fried bread similar to puri. 

Then, we got cheese samosas that are a jewish recipe.

All these appetizers were delicious, my favorite being the chingri malai: that sauce was incredibly good!

Then, the entrées came. No chicken tikka massala for me as it is too standard. We had some vegetarian dishes that were succulent. First was the kali dal, made with black lentils and being similar to dal makhni (so creamy, yum):

The other one was the Haldi paneer (from Rajasthan). Paneer is cottage cheese; at Haldi, they smother it in a tomato and onion gravy.

I then could not resist trying the lamb kebab, served with papaya, poppy seeds and habanero pepper.

As well as the shrimp ajwai tikka, served in a creamy marinade.

Last was chicken makhmura, a jewish entrée. It was diced chicken in an almond-cashew sauce.

We ate our entrées with either rice or some deliciously buttery naan bread.

We were definitely full after all these dishes, but could not resist to try one of their desserts: misti dhoi that is a custard made of caramelized sugar, reduced milk and yogurt.

Last, we drank a massala chai, that definitely helped digest after such a meal.

This was delicious: Haldi is definitely an Indian restaurant I recommend. The food, quite unusual, was fantastic and with the right amount of heat. I cannot wait to try the other restaurants of Chef Mathur and will certainly go back to Haldi.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Bagatelle, French restaurant in the Meatpacking District, NYC, New York

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

I was recently invited to a blogger dinner at Bagatelle, the popular French restaurant in the Meatpacking district. There, I had a fantastic time with the team of Blue Polo Interactive, Inc. (Jocelyn, Michael and Josh), as well as my fellow bloggers, Malini, The Restaurant Fairy, and Christine. There, we got to meet with Chef Sebastien Chamaret, who gave us an exclusive tour of the busy kitchen.

The dinner was around 7pm and, for my first time there, I did not know what to expect, although one of my colleagues, Jérome, warned me that there might be some dancing on the tables at some point...Not so surprising as bagatelle means frivolous in French. I, of course, noticed the elegant decor, with white being predominant, and beautiful chandelier adding some chic to the place. I could also not miss the impressive bar and the even more impressive bottles of champagne sitting on one of the sides.

After a certain time, enjoying our meal, the lights got dimmed and the DJ started entertaining a crowd that got more and more excited as the evening went. I left at 11pm, but apparently, it was only the start of what would become a real party.

We, of course, accompanied our dishes with a nice selection of wines, recommended by their sommelier, Thibault. Before the dinner started, I decided to cool myself down with a nice glass of Riesling.

Then, for dinner, we switched between white and red. For white, we went for a Chassagne-Montrachet 1er cru 2011, Clos Saint Marc.

For red, we had a fantastic Bordeaux: a Saint-Estephe, Chateau Lafon-Rochet, Grand cru classe 2005:

The wine was excellent, and the only problem of the evening was to find space on the table for the food, with all these different glasses...

First, they brought us some bread (you cannot have a French meal without bread!) with some ricotta that added a fresh note.

Then, the appetizers came. You might not have gone to a dinner with a blogger, but understand that we were all camera ready to get a shot, standing up to be able to get a good photo, without spilling any wine or water.

We got:

Gnocchi truffé a la Parisenne de Nicolas, or homemade gnocchi with black truffle pesto and truffle sauce. The gnocchi were light and fluffy, with the aroma of truffle making you want to eat the entire plate. 

Tartare de thon Bagatelle composed of ahi tuna tartare, avocado salad, lime soy vinaigrette and taro chips.

Ceviche de Saumon Sauvage, or marinated Wild king salmon, kumquats confit & yuzu emulsion (beautifully presented in a scallop shell and so refreshing, with a perfect acidity):

Chou frisé or baby kale with dry cranberries, ricotta salata, pickled shallots and sunflower seeds. It was good, but I definitely enjoyed more the gnocchi and tartare. I mean, how many times did you read that I ordered a salad for lunch or dinner?

Then came the entrées:

First was the Filet de saumon sauvage grillé or grilled wild salmon. It was served with asparagus and a Hollandaise sauce. 

The second fish was a halibut or Filet de Flétan, served with fava beans, crushed fingerling potatoes and a hazelnut salsa. 

Both fish dishes were good; however, my favorite was the salmon that had a delicious crispy skin.

Next was the coquilles Saint-Jacques rôties or scallops, served with baby artichokes, fennel “farrotto” and orange-saffron emulsion; it was one of the favorites of the people sitting around the table. 

After the sea, came the land. First was the Canard a l'orange et citronelle. It was duck breast with a succulent confit leg fritter, glazed baby turnips and an orange and  lemongrass sauce.

But my favorite was definitely the Poulet fermier roti et truffé, served with country style potatoes. I mean, that chicken and these potatoes were simply incredible and I did not miss a bite, including the tasty chicken skin.

When we thought it was time for desserts, two dishes came...First was the pizza a la truffe noire or pizza with black truffle, creme fraiche and scamorza cheese (Italian cow's milk cheese, similar to mozzarella).

And then, the Chateaubriand or beef tenderloin, served with truffled mash, peppercorn and red wine sauces. This is for two people, but I admit that I would not mind not sharing...

At this point, I regretted not wearing my stretch pants, especially when desserts came...We to to try:

The chocolate mousse:

The tarte tatin (my favorite; that crust was delightfully buttery):

The ile flottante (egg white poached meringue with creme anglaise, almonds and caramel):

But the most spectacular is their giant sunday that comes with sparklers, accompanied by music, sometimes clapping and clamoring of the other guests.

That ice cream was giant! Look at its size compared to the chocolate mousse! We just had time to snap some photos and so asked for more sparklers so we could take a video.

I finished the meal with a decaf espresso, although people around the table were stunned that it could even exist, or that someone would have the guts to order such a thing. 

This was a fantastic dinner: great company and good food in a restaurant that is worth knowing. Bagatelle is definitely unique and has this great atmosphere that would make you think that you are far away, on vacation somewhere...

Thanks to the Bagatelle and Blue Polo Interactive team for organizing this wonderful event.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Ponty Bistro, French-African and Mediterranean Cuisine in NYC, New York

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

Ponty Bistro is an interesting restaurant; not because of the decor, but more the selection of dishes that are French, African and Mediterranean. There, Chef Cisse, who opened the restaurant in 2008 with his cousin, after years in the restaurant business and an impressive resume (Daniel Boulud at Daniel Restaurant, Vong and Mercer Kitchen for Jean-Georges Vongerichten and others), crafted an eclectic menu adding some African influence to some traditional dishes. 

But do not imagine that all dishes are like that and if you are more traditional, you will surely find something that will suit you, whether it is Italian (ravioli or pasta) or French (carré d'agneau).

Decor wise, this 45 seat restaurant is like a trip to another place, if it was not for the loud noise of the street outside that brings you back to the reality of the city when the windows are open.

To start off the evening, I decided to try one of their martinis (know that those are not traditional ones made with gin and vermouth). I, of course, chose The French, made with cassis, pineapple and vodka. It was fairly refreshing, having the right balance between the two kinds of fruit (they apparently use fresh fruit), and on the light side as far as the alcohol content is concerned. This was fine for me as I am not too much of a cocktail guy, but it could be dangerous as some may drink it as they would drink milk...

Then came first dish that is not on the menu (know that these were tasting portions): it is a special that is served everyday and that one would appreciate as the temperature rises. It was a gazpacho, made with tomato, cucumber and Berber spices (light touch). 

The second dish was surprisingly good: it was a kale salad with pine nuts, dried cherries, apple, dried apricot and goat cheese, perfectly dressed with a lemon and honey vinaigrette. I wrote "surprisingly ", because I admit I cringed when I heard the word "kale". It is probably bad experiences in the past, when I ended up with bitter leaves that made up my mind about these trendy leaves. I liked it and finished my plate...

After the kale salad, we got a taste of their wild mushroom risotto. That was a great dish: classic but perfectly executed, with an aroma that could have made me forget my bonnes manieres (etiquette), making me not wait for my fellow bloggers to be served before starting to eat. 

Then, it escalated to an even better dish: mussels or moules Africana. 

The sauce was made with coconut milk, curry and lemongrass. It had a very subtle heat that I only felt after eating few of these giant mussels that are sourced in Long Island. Understand: that sauce was delicious with either bread, fries (hand cut and heavenly crispy) or simply eaten with a spoon. Ok, so you probably noticed that I mentioned dipping the fries in the sauce. Well, I do not see any other purpose when pairing fries and mussels! Try it!

The last dish was Le Poulet Tagine or the chicken tagine, a Moroccan dish. 

Chef Cisse really cooks it in a tagine, this traditional pot that gave the name to these succulent dishes. The chicken, perfectly cooked, was smothered by a sauce loaded with spices that had a little kick. It was served with couscous as well as vegetables cut in small pieces. 

Last were desserts. We tried three of them:
The chocolate fondant (damn it, my fellow bloggers got the best part):

The crème brûlée:

The tiramisu:

My favorite was definitely the tiramisu that was delicious and ended the evening on a nice note. For sure, the dishes showed how versatile Chef Cisse is, proposing a wide range of choices well executed. Ponty Bistro is the kind of place that can satisfy any crowd, adventurous or not. So, you may want to check it out...

Enjoy (I did)!

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Marc Forgione restaurant in Tribeca, NYC, New York

The last and only time we went to Marc Forgione, the eponymous restaurant of the celebrity Chef was in 2011; but trust me: I still remember a phenomenal meal there and could talk about most of the dishes we had with detail, although they are not anymore on the menu. It was time to go back and they welcomed us back after we sat, not because I am someone you would never forget, but because they probably keep the names of their customers in a database that is checked whenever somebody makes a reservation. I have to say that they definitely made us feel welcome, in such a way that shows they definitely understand the difference between service and hospitality. 

Decor wise, it is a warm and rustic place, with a noisy side, close to the bar, that has dimmer lights than where we were seated. In fact, we sat at the table next to the one we sat the first time we went, and next to a couple who had apparently too many drinks...

After we ordered, they brought us some very good potato buns, that were homemade. 

As well as some amuse-bouche composed of an everything bagel with crème fraiche and a salmon rillette. 

It started well and I was looking forward for the foie gras that I ordered for the appetizer. 

It was served with two brioche, husk berries with either cilantro, mint or basil, and a fantastic smoked almond jam that I ate even without the foie; although, with the foie, it was succulent, the sweetness of the jam complementing well the foie gras and the crunchiness of the almonds adding a nice texture to the dish. 

Jodi did not order any appetizer and went straight to her entrée. She chose the halibut en croute, without the hazelnuts. It was served with a sauce "proposal". I do not know what proposal it was but I accepted it, digging a bit more than I should have in her dish...

The fish was fantastic: perfectly cooked and flakey.

On my side, I got the dover sole with lobster mousse, brussels sprouts and truffle. It was their interpretation of a lobster roll apparently. I liked it, not as much as the halibut, but still. The fish was good and well cooked.

Before bringing us dessert, they brought a ginger pomegranate shot that was a nice way to clean our palates before finishing our meal on a sweet note.

So, then was dessert. We decided to go for the S'mores.

It was composed of a sort of brownie with a Graham cracker crust, a toasted marshmallow and a vanilla ice cream. I loved it and just wished there were more marshmallow. I definitely recommend this dish.

At the end of the meal, they brought us some peppermint chocolate, another occasion to have palate cleanser...

We definitely had a great dinner at Marc Forgione: the food was original, creative and delicious. Would I go back? For sure!

Enjoy (I did)!

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Poulette, Rotisserie Chicken, in Hell's Kitchen, NYC, New York

Rotisserie chicken brings to me some childhood memories, from the time we were going to the farmers' market on Sundays or when we passed by the butcher's section at the supermarket, our noses filled with the delicious and appetizing smell of the roasted bird. I love rotisserie chicken and could eat a whole one with some mayonnaise or simply by dipping the meat in the almighty juice. 

So I was definitely excited when I discovered Poulette, a French-inspired rotisserie chicken place located on the upper part of Hell's Kitchen. I went there on a Saturday, for lunch, and was glad there was nobody yet. I immediately liked the setting: simple and clean decor, with white brick walls and exposed filament bulbs. 

Menu wise, I was not sure what to get. First, I should mention that this is a place for the carnivores, the dishes made exclusively with chicken, although, if you are vegetarian, you can order some sides (ratatouille, quinoa and kale salad or string beans with mushrooms for instance). I definitely hesitated between a rotisserie chicken or the chicken sandwich that could have been called The French chicken sandwich, considering it was made with a baguette and an herbed aioli, two elements that would justify the name. So, I went for the sandwich, as well as some wings. The wings choice was trickier as I love buffalo wings, but need definitely the blue cheese sauce to soothe the heat of the sauce. At Poulette, they do not serve them with blue cheese sauce and you just have to take the heat...well, not me: I therefore went for the salt and pepper ones, not really motivated by the cayenne pepper or sesame glazed options. 

After ordering at the counter, I picked a seat and my plate came few minutes later, containing both the sandwich and the wings. Looking at it, it had this rustic feel that is probably on purpose, transporting customers to a time when it was ok to eat without a fork and knife!

I began with the sandwich. The first bite of the chicken was disappointing: it was very dry. 

Too bad because it looked very appetizing. It might have been better with smaller sizes of chicken smothered in the delicious aioli. As far as the wings were concerned, I was also very disappointed: I did not like the breading and the salt and pepper was overpowering, not being evenly spread out. 

So, no, I did not enjoy this lunch that I was looking forward to. Would I go back to Poulette? Probably not...

Enjoy (...)!

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

Il Corso, Italian Restaurant in New York, NY

We were looking for an Italian Restaurant Midtown and stumbled on Il Corso, a small trattoria located a couple of blocks from the MOMA. Opened in 1993, the name of this place means The path. The owners, who are from the south of Italy explain it by saying that "their goal is to
guide their clients on a path to a wonderful experience". 

We decided to sit in the back room, not because of the decor that was somewhat simple and not so interesting, but because it was quieter. In terms of menu, they have the classic dishes you would expect in an Italian restaurant: burrata, octopus, bolognese or vongole (with clams) pasta, risotto...But know that their pasta, bread and desserts are homemade, that definitely makes a restaurant stand out, especially if they do it well.

Talking about bread, they brought us some white bread and focaccia with a dip made with lentils and olive oil that was delicious. But I admit that I was not that thrilled about the bread that were just ok for me.

As an appetizer, we decided to try their parmigiana estiva, a dish made with slices of grilled eggplant, tomatoes, basil and some Italian cheese that I do not recall the name (the menu online says mozzarella di bufala, but it is not that).

Although a bit pricey, I thought that it was a nice way to start, especially as I am a big fan of eggplant. I just wished there was more cheese and basil.

For her entrée, Jodi chose the homemade gnocchi a la Siciliana.

It was served with eggplant (again?), tomato, ricotta salata and tomato sauce. This was a fantastic dish; the gnocchi were amazing: light, not doughy at all. This was not heavy and the ingredients, namely tomato and eggplant added a nice freshness to it. I definitely recommend it.

On my side, I was inclined to order the Linguine alle vongole, but the printed menu mentioned that the pasta was not homemade. So, I ordered the Pici cacio e pepe or thick fresh spaghetti with black pepper, pecorino cheese and olive oil, served in a cheese basket.

This was very good, especially if like me you love cheese as there was plenty of it. The pasta was fantastic and perfectly cooked al dente. When you see the dish coming, you may think that there is not that much quantity of it, but in fact, there is enough. The cheese basket was a great idea, although it was a bit tough to cut with the knife and a bit salty.

Last was dessert. We decided to go with the classic tiramisu.

What a wonderful way to end a delicious dinner: the homemade tiramisu was succulent and flavorful; the lady fingers were perfectly soaked in coffee; the mascarpone cream was light and airy; there was a touch of chocolate and hazelnut paste, thicker than nutella, as well as a nice amaretto taste from the cookie crumbles on top of the dessert.

This dinner was unexpected and I am glad that I have found this place. Would I go back? For sure and I definitely recommend it!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Devi, Indian restaurant in NYC, New York - CLOSED

It probably took me a year before going to Devi. Not that I could not get a reservation, but the list of restaurants I would like to visit is long as NewYork offers endless choices. I added it on my list after visiting Tulsi in November 2013, the Chef Hermant Mathur having worked at Devi, allowing the restaurant to receive a Michelin Star in 2007 and 2008. I had high hopes, but, unfortunately, it turned out to be a sad experience, far from the elegant dining experience we were expecting to get. The service was not good, not attentive at all, with maybe some serious issues in the kitchen as the food took forever to come, prompting us to leave without any dessert, as we did not want to wait any longer. Food wise, I found it overpriced for what it was, the quality being far below Tulsi, Tamarind or even Baluchi's that is owned by the same person, Rakesh Aggarwal. 

The chana masala was just ok, and a bit spicy, although we asked for not spicy and they assured us they could make is as requested.

Even eating it with rice, naan or drinking some mango lassi did not help.

The chicken tikka masala was average, the sauce being good, but the chicken overcooked and so dry.

However, I enjoyed the dal that, although spicy, was creamy as I like it.

So, if you ask me if I would go back, I guess you know I will probably not...

Enjoy (...)!

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

Bangkok House in Hell's Kitchen, New York, NY

Still exploring the many restaurants located on 46th, we noticed this small Thai restaurant called The Bangkok House. Well, small from the outside, big in the inside, thanks to the long shape of the dining room.

There, no surprise concerning the cuisine served as it is pretty standard, the only thing that would make them standout from other Thai restaurants is the prix-fixe menu that they propose for dinner, probably wanting to align with the other restaurants in the area that try to attract theater goers. 

I started of course with a Thai iced tea.

It was very good, but had too many ice cubes in it.

We decided not to have the prix-fixe and shared the spring rolls as an appetizer.

They were good, tasty and not greasy. Pipping hot of course...

For her entree, Jodi ordered the pad see ew. 

And I ordered the curry massaman. 

I asked for not spicy, but there was definitely a bit of kick that started building up in the back of my throat. 

The food, pretty standard, was good and the portions generous. The service was also excellent, ensuring that we had everything we needed and liked the dishes. 

Would I go back? Yes, if I am in the area and am looking for a Thai that serves traditional dishes. For a more modern, more original and a little pricier menu, I would go to QI in Times Square. 

Enjoy (I did)!

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And Remember: I Just Want To Eat!

Q2 Thai in Hell's Kitchen, NYC, New York

Well, this post was ready for publication when I discovered that the place just closed. So sad: I liked their food and was planning on going back when I saw the iron curtain down...Anyway, here is the post:

Q2 Thai is the type of Thai places you find in New York, where you do not go for the decor, but more for the food: delicious and cheap, especially when going for lunch and enjoying a meal for less than $10. I heard about this place few times, my colleagues mentioning how good but how spicy this place could be. So I went once to try by myself. 

I started off with a Thai iced tea that is my favorite drink when eating Thai, the tea being heavenly sweet, allowing to tame any spiciness of the food. 

Then, I got the first part of my meal: black bean soup and vegetable Spring roll.

I admit that I was surprised by the black bean soup, associating it more with Mexican cuisine rather than Thai. But, it was still good! The Spring roll was good too, being not too greasy, with not too much shell, and tasty.

Next was my usual Thai dish: chicken curry massaman.

I asked for it mild and the level of spiciness was perfect, this dish having a nice kick but not being overly spicy. It was delicious and I appreciated that it was not loaded with mostly potatoes.

This was a good meal and I would definitely go back to Q2 Thai. I should mention that the service there was courteous and fast. Maybe too fast as they came few times to remove the dishes, although I was not fully done...

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Burger Fi in Yorkville, NYC, New York

I guess Burger Fi's name is an homage to the military, the US Marines motto being Semper Fi, an abbreviation of the latin Semper Fidelis that means Always Loyal. In this case, it would be loyalty for burgers, that I have no problem to have! Each time I eat a burger, I think about how, many years ago, before meeting Jodi and before the burger craze started, I thought that the quarter pounder from McDonald's was the best...Today, there are so many chains and restaurants that elevate the burger to something else than just fast food: Burger Fi is one of them. Yes, it is a chain with many locations in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee...And New York, where we went on a Saturday, before twelve and the place was not yet full. Yes, it got crowded few minutes after.

Decor wise, there are couple of things that I noticed. First, the wood on the walls that reflects the commitment of Burger Fi to serve natural ingredients and beef raised without antibiotics or hormones, as well as the two wooden communal tables. Then, if you look on the left of the counter, you will see some bottles of wine on the wall: they serve wine by the glass or bottle, as well as craft beers. I did not go for any of these, but rather for a banana milkshake, a flavor I did not see in a while and that I love. When ordering it, you get to chose the base: vanilla or chocolate. I went for vanilla.

It was sublime: thick and flavorful. Jodi even said that it was the best milkshake she ever had! Now, that's a statement!

Then we got our burgers. Know that at Burger Fi, you do not wait for your order at the counter or get a number: you get a buzzer.

Instead of building our own burgers, we went for their menu items. Jodi ordered their vegi patty, a crisp quinoa patty, with white cheddar, grilled mushrooms and BurgerFi sauce served on a multigrain bun. This was a total surprise: it was good! It did not taste weird and was not mushy; to the contrary, it was tasty and a bit crispy, as advertised. It would not convert me, but still, it was pretty good.

On my side, instead of building my own, I went for their cheeseburger. It is composed of double Angus patty, double American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and BurgerFi® sauce. 

As you can see on the photo above, the burger was branded with the name of the restaurant. The patties were similar to the way they serve burgers at Shake Shack: very thin, cooked medium. They were delicious, but I had to remove some of the iceberg lettuce as there was too much of it. I really liked it.

For the sides, that they call accessories on their menu, we went for the cry and fries that are fries and onion rings. Good idea to have this combination so we do not have to order two sides to try them. 

The fries were crispy and cooked all the way through. Then, the onion rings were spectacular! I mean, look at the size! And they were delicious: the onions was perfectly cooked and it was heavenly crispy and not greasy. 

We had a great meal at Burger Fi: the food was delicious and the service courteous. I would definitely go back for a burger or maybe a hot dog. And this time, I will try the banana shake with the chocolate base.

Enjoy (I did)!

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