I Just Want To Eat! 8/22/15 I Just Want To Eat! 8/22/15

It's Greek To Me in Hoboken, NJ - Closed

We went to It's Greek To Me many years ago, and I recall that we left a bit disappointed about our experience, the food being salty and not that great. So, we decided to give it another try and ended up there first for lunch, and then for dinner, our first meal being fairly good.

Located on Washington street, the decor of the place is supposed to represent Greece, like being transported there as soon as you enter there.

Dining room at It's Greek To Me in Hoboken, NJ — Dining room at It's Greek To Me in Hoboken, NJ

Ceiling at It's Greek To Me in Hoboken, NJ — Ceiling at It's Greek To Me in Hoboken, NJ

When we went for lunch, we tried the following dishes:

Saganaki or kefalograviera cheese (fried and not flambé):

Saganaki at It's Greek To Me in Hoboken, NJ — Saganaki at It's Greek To Me in Hoboken, NJ

Melitzanosalata or eggplant salad with pita:

Melitzanosalata or eggplant salad at It's Greek To Me in Hoboken, NJ — Melitzanosalata or eggplant salad at It's Greek To Me in Hoboken, NJ

Pita at It's Greek To Me in Hoboken, NJ — Pita at It's Greek To Me in Hoboken, NJ

Grilled octopus:

Small Greek salad (not enough feta):

Greek salad at It's Greek To Me in Hoboken, NJ — Greek salad at It's Greek To Me in Hoboken, NJ

Homemade baklava:

Baklava at It's Greek To Me in Hoboken, NJ — Baklava at It's Greek To Me in Hoboken, NJ

These dishes were overall good, my favorite being the saganaki that was deliciously chewy. However, I was a bit disappointed by the octopus that, not only was small, but was not as good as other places I went to such as Telly's Taverna in Astoria or Uncle Nick's in New York. I should mention that their baklava was very good, with lots of honey and nuts in it (I hate when a baklava is dry).

For dinner, we got:

Melitzana or fried eggplant with tzatziki (I wish there was more tzatziki):

Melitzana or fried eggplant with tzatziki at It's Greek To Me in Hoboken, NJ — Melitzana or fried eggplant with tzatziki at It's Greek To Me in Hoboken, NJ

The horiatiki pizza (Greek pizza!), made with fresh tomatoes, feta and Greek olives:

Horiatiki or Greek salad at It's Greek To Me in Hoboken, NJ — Horiatiki or Greek salad at It's Greek To Me in Hoboken, NJ

Shrimp Mykonos, served with fresh tomatoes and feta over orzo:

Shrimp Mykonos at It's Greek To Me in Hoboken, NJ — Shrimp Mykonos at It's Greek To Me in Hoboken, NJ

For dessert, we went for the ravani, a sweet semolina cake soaked in a light syrup: it was delicious!

Ravani cake at at It's Greek To Me in Hoboken, NJ — Ravani cake at at It's Greek To Me in Hoboken, NJ

The dinner was even better, with the Greek pizza being very good and kind of surprising, although it is said that pizza was invented by the Greek community in Sicily, from pita thrown into the brick ovens, to clean them. The shrimp Mykonos was good, but missing a bit of sauce and cheese.

We had decent meals at It's Greek To Me: it is not the best Greek restaurant I have tried, but it can satisfy this type of craving. I definitely prefer Telly's Taverna in Astoria or Uncle Nick's in New York for this range of prices. For a more elegant setting, Molyvos or Thalassa are even better!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

I Just Want To Eat! 8/19/15 I Just Want To Eat! 8/19/15

Fantastic burger at The Brindle Room in NYC, New York

Bon sang! I probably just found one of the best burgers in town! Well, I would not specifically say that I found it: we saw it on the 5 Best Restaurants, a TV show on the food network that will make you salivate. They cover any kind of food: burgers, pizza, ice cream...The first episode we saw was on burgers and ranking number 2 was Sebastian's Steakhouse burger.

Bon sang! I probably just found one of the best burgers in town! Well, I would not specifically say that I found it: we saw it on the 5 Best Restaurants, a TV show on the food network that will make you salivate. They cover any kind of food: burgers, pizza, ice cream...The first episode we saw was on burgers and, ranking number 2, was Sebastian's Steakhouse burger.

Sebastian's Steakhouse Burger at The Brindle Room in NYC, New York — Sebastian's Steakhouse Burger at The Brindle Room in NYC, New York

This burger is an all beef 6oz patty made with quality meat coming from the New Jersey steakhouse, Sebastian's, of one of the owners, Dean Piccolo (beef neck dry-aged for 30 days, 65% top grade beef and 10% fat that is around the kidneys). It is cooked in a cast iron pan so the fat would not drip out and would remain there for the pleasure of the diners. The patty sits on a white bun and is topped with American cheese and caramelized onions. Temperature wise, they recommend it medium and will not even ask you if it is fine for you (I guess you can tell them if you want a different temperature as they clearly mention it on the menu.

The burger is served with fries and a pickle. Looking at the burger, you may not think it looks exceptional, but the first bite will make you think you are in heaven: you definitely taste the meat that is juicy and has a nice char that gives a little crunchiness to the the burger. The only regret I had was that I did not get more as I could have eaten a second one, transported by the excitement to eat such a flavorful burger.

Dining room at The Brindle Room in NYC, New York — Dining room at The Brindle Room in NYC, New York

I should mention that it is a small place, so reservation might be necessary...The Brindle Room has for sure one of the best burgers in town. They propose only one burger on their menu and I can tell you that it is worth paying $15. Would I go back? Hell yeah!

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!

I Just Want To Eat! 8/16/15 I Just Want To Eat! 8/16/15

La Masseria, Italian restaurant in NYC, New York

La Masseria is with Toni Di Napoli, my favorite Italian restaurant in the Times Square area. Although a bit pricey, it's menu offers some classic Italian dishes in a decor that would make you forget you are in the heart of the city. In a farm, La Masseria is the building where tools to live animals are housed, representing the freshness of ingredients and authenticity of the cuisine. This explains the decor, especially the farm tools hanging on the walls.

Dining room at La Masseria in NYC, New York — Dining room at La Masseria in NYC, New York

La Masseria is with Toni Di Napoli, my favorite Italian restaurant in the Times Square area. Although a bit pricey, it's menu offers some classic Italian dishes in a decor that would make you forget you are in the heart of the city. In a farm, La Masseria in Italian is the building where tools to live animals are housed, representing the freshness of ingredients and authenticity of the cuisine. This explains the decor, especially the farm tools hanging on the walls.

It is a fairly big place and we were seated in the back of the dining room, upstairs, on a corner overlooking the restaurant, but a bit difficult for the staff to reach.

Bread basket at La Masseria in NYC, New York — Bread basket at La Masseria in NYC, New York

We started our dinner by sharing the meatballs: polpette di manzo della Masseria.

Polpette di manzo della Masseria at La Masseria in NYC, New York — Polpette di manzo della Masseria at La Masseria in NYC, New York

I appreciated the fact that, knowing we were sharing, they split the dish. The meatballs were of a good size, tasty and moist, bathed in a thick tomato sauce that had a bold flavor. This is a classic that is always a crowd pleaser and if an Italian restaurant does not know how to make meatballs, it says a lot abut the rest of the food.

For the entrée, I went for the calf liver or fegato di vitello spadellato all'aceto di mirtilli:

Calf liver at La Masseria in NYC, New York — Calf liver at La Masseria in NYC, New York

The liver was served with onions and blueberry vinegar. It was a very good dish, the liver being perfectly cooked. I admit that I love the combination of onion and vinegar that give sweetness and acidity to the dish.

Jodi got the Scialiatelli quattro passi, that are home made short cut thick fettuccini with eggplant and smoked mozzarella.

Scialiatelli quattro passi at La Masseria in NYC, New York — Scialiatelli quattro passi at La Masseria in NYC, New York

This was a good dish, earthy and very comforting. Definitely worth trying.

For dessert, we could not leave without trying the tiramisu.

Tiramisu at La Masseria in NYC, New York — Tiramisu at La Masseria in NYC, New York

It was a good tiramisu, not the best and as creamy as I like it, but good.

Dinner was good: delicious food and excellent service. La Masseria is definitely my go to place for Italian in that 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!

I Just Want To Eat! 8/13/15 I Just Want To Eat! 8/13/15

Fish and Chips at A Salt And Battery in NYC, New York

No need to cross the ocean to get some good fish and chips: A Salt and Battery (a play on assault and battery) is probably your spot if you are craving this so British specialty..or if you are curious about trying some fried candy bars (I guess anything can be fried).

This is a very small joint with very few seats.

This is a very small joint with very few seats.

Menu wise, they offer different kinds of fish: cod and haddock that are the most common and that we tried, as well as sole. Unusual was to see scallops.

Less than ten minutes after we ordered at the counter, our order of cod, haddock and fries (the chips, sold separately) was ready. We decided to go with the regular size that was enough for us, but know that if you have a big appetite, they offer a large portion.

Fried cod at A Salt And Battery in NYC, New York — Fried cod at A Salt And Battery in NYC, New York

Fried haddock at A Salt And Battery in NYC, New York — Fried haddock at A Salt And Battery in NYC, New York

Do not expect them to serve the fish on newspaper there, health regulation probably prevents them from doing it (I do not need ink on my fish anyway). Both dishes came piping hot and I thought the regular portion was a good size. The batter was slightly greasy, but not soggy and was nicely golden. The fish was perfectly cooked and flakey. The ensemble was very good and well seasoned.

French fries at A Salt And Battery in NYC, New York — French fries at A Salt And Battery in NYC, New York

As far as the fries were concerned, they were good, but I prefer mine thinner and crispier. But don't get me wrong: I still enjoyed it.

But, what I was most curious to try was the deep fried lion bar. You my not know what a Lion bar is as I rarely see it in the U.S. Composed of filled wafer, caramel (32%), crisp cereal (26%) and Peanut Butter (14%) covered in milk chocolate (42%), it is fairly common in Europe where you can find different variety as well as cereals.

Fried Lion bar at A Salt And Battery in NYC, New York — Fried Lion bar at A Salt And Battery in NYC, New York

I waited until I finished my fish to ask them to make it, following their advice, as you want to eat it hot. When it came, it did not particularly look good, but I can tell you that the first bite was divine, as were the subsequent ones. Everything besides the wafer and cereal is melted and goes so well with the batter. This is definitely a must have.

I wanted to go to A Salt and Battery for a while now to try their fish and chips and was not disappointed. Would I go back? Definitely, not only for the fish and chips, but also to indulge with some other deep fried candy bars!

Enjoy (I surely did)!

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

I Just Want To Eat! 8/10/15 I Just Want To Eat! 8/10/15

Bouley in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

Getting a reservation for a Friday night was not difficult and they confirmed twice with us that we were coming for dinner, reminding me each time that jacket is required. Located on Duane street, very close to Khe-Yo, this is a stunning place: big, with an elegant setting , you cannot miss the entrance with its wall of apples, the lounge area with its purple color and flowers, the vaulted ceilings brushed with gold leaves, the heavy wooden doors and the thick carpet that contribute to the general atmosphere of the restaurant. It is fancy, pricey, but comfortable, with a good service, as expected in such place.

For our wedding anniversary, we decided to go to Bouley, the eponymous contemporary French restaurant of famous chef Daniel Bouley, located in TriBeCa.

Entrance at Bouley in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Entrance at Bouley in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

Lounge at Bouley in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Lounge at Bouley in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

Menu wise, it is contemporary French and you do not find classics that Chef Bouley probably mastered when working for Chef Paul Bocuse in France at some point of his career. For dinner, they propose a six course tasting menu or a three course tasting; we went for the later. After ordering our appetizer, entree and dessert all at once, they brought us some semolina bread, as well as an apple and raisin bread.

Bread at Bouley in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Bread at Bouley in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

Bread cart at Bouley in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Bread cart at Bouley in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

But then, before our entree came, we heard a squeaky sound: it was a bread cart similar to a cheese or dessert cart, featuring different kinds of breads.

To start, they brought us a chilled tomato coulis made with a cucumber gelée.

Chilled tomato coulis at Bouley in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Chilled tomato coulis at Bouley in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

It was very refreshing, a play on gazpacho that was perfect to open our appetite and cool us down. With it came toast that had a truffle purée on top that I inhaled...

For appetizer, Jodi ordered the Forager's treasure of wild mushrooms, a dish composed of mushrooms, sweet garlic and grilled tuna (toro):

Forager's treasure of wild mushrooms at Bouley in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Forager's treasure of wild mushrooms at Bouley in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

Good dish, although the tuna had a bit of a fishy taste, far from the succulent taste of seared tuna we had in other restaurants.

On my side, I was close to order the foie gras, but decided to go for the Pacific oyster that was roasted and served with chanterelle mushrooms.

Pacific oyster at Bouley in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Pacific oyster at Bouley in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

I first tried pacific oysters at ..., and really wanted to have these large oysters again. I was not disappointed: not only was the oyster fantastic and deliciously fresh, but the sauce and mushrooms were incredible. I could have licked the plate, but it would not have been appropriate...

For her entrée, Jodi picked the Chatham Day Boat cod fish, served with mushrooms (again?), artichoke and romanesco that is an edible flower from the same family as broccoli and Brussels sprouts.

Chatham Day Boat cod fish at Bouley in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Chatham Day Boat cod fish at Bouley in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

On my side, I went for the Maine lobster.

Maine lobster at Bouley in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Maine lobster at Bouley in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

The fish was composed of fava beans, white asparagus and a pomegranate sauce (weird: the menu said black truffle blood orange dressing, but I did not taste or smell truffle and they said pomegranate when they presented the dish). It was succulent: the lobster being the star of the dish, perfectly cooked. I definitely recommend it.

Both dishes came with a fingerling potato purée that was delicious (I wish there was more).

Fingerling potato purée at Bouley in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Fingerling potato purée at Bouley in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

Before dessert came, they served us a coconut soup with amaretto ice cream and pineapple granité.

Coconut soup with amaretto ice cream at Bouley in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Coconut soup with amaretto ice cream at Bouley in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

I liked it and it was a good palate cleanser in a way. Then, they brought us some chocolates and cookies, and I admit that we could not resist, although we were full.

Chocolates and cookies at Bouley in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Chocolates and cookies at Bouley in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

Dessert was a bit disappointing. We tried the hot Valrhona chocolate soufflé with white coffee cloud, coffee ice cream and a chocolate mousse.

Valrhona chocolate soufflé at Bouley in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Valrhona chocolate soufflé at Bouley in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

As well as the hot caramelized Anjou pear tart that came with crème fraiche and huckleberry:

Caramelized Anjou pear tart at Bouley in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Caramelized Anjou pear tart at Bouley in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

Creme fraiche and huckleberry at Bouley in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Creme fraiche and huckleberry at Bouley in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

The soufflé was slightly overcooked, but I liked the Anjou pear tart, the crust being a buttery biscuit Breton.

I should mention that I drank a glass of Vouvray sec, Philippe Foreau 1999, from Loire, France.

Vouvray sec at Bouley in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Vouvray sec at Bouley in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

Our dinner at Bouley was good, but I admit that I was not wowed as I expected. Would I go back? Maybe, but if I had to pick a restaurant in TriBeCa, it would be Little Park first. And for contemporary French, I would rather go to Daniel...

Enjoy (I did)!

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

I Just Want To Eat! 8/7/15 I Just Want To Eat! 8/7/15

Il Tinello: Italian restaurant in Midtown Manhattan, NYC, New York

If you are looking for an old school Italian restaurant that serves traditional dishes from northern Italy, Il Tinello Ristorante might be the place for you. Opening about 30 years ago, it is an elegant and pricey restaurant in Midtown Manhattan. I admit that I do not remember that much the decor, the lights being very dimmed, making me worry about the photos I would take during the meal.

If you are looking for an old school Italian restaurant that serves traditional dishes from northern Italy, Il Tinello Ristorante might be the place for you. Opening about 30 years ago, it is an elegant and pricey restaurant in Midtown Manhattan. I admit that I do not remember that much aboutnthe decor, the lights being very dimmed, making me worry about the photos I would take during the meal.

Dining room at Il Tinello in NYC, New York — Dining room at Il Tinello in NYC, New York

There, you will find classic dishes and it seems the Chef has no intention to add his own twist. But, hey, Classic Italian is fantastic, so why change it! Menu wise, Italian food lovers will be pleased: there is homemade pasta, seafood or meat, with plenty of vegetarian dishes. There, you will also notice the cart of antipasti, as well as the cart of dessert, that the waiters in white jackets tried to push in the tight space between tables.

Cart of antipasti at Il Tinello in NYC, New York — Cart of antipasti at Il Tinello in NYC, New York

I was there with a friend and we shared couple of dishes that the staff nicely split in separate plates. To start, they brought a bruschetta, as well as some bread.

Bread basket at Il Tinello in NYC, New York — Bread basket at Il Tinello in NYC, New York

Bruschetta at Il Tinello in NYC, New York — Bruschetta at Il Tinello in NYC, New York

The first appetizer that came was the tuna tartare. Right away, as they knew we would share dishes, they split them evenly; I thought it was a nice gesture.

Tuna tartare at Il Tinello in NYC, New York — Tuna tartare at Il Tinello in NYC, New York

The tartare was ok, missing a bit of acidity. Then was the linguine all'amatriciana, a thick sauce made with tomato, pancetta and onions. This is definitely a delicious comforting dish, but I wish there was more sauce in it.

Linguine all'amatriciana at Il Tinello in NYC, New York — Linguine all'amatriciana at Il Tinello in NYC, New York

Then, I tried the scampi il tinello, or shrimp in a white wine sauce and a touch of pesto. Quite good, the shrimp were of a nice size.

Scampi il tinello at Il Tinello in NYC, New York — Scampi il tinello at Il Tinello in NYC, New York

But my favorite was the veal Milanese, a breaded veal chop nicely pounded, served with arugula. Perfect dish that had a slight crispness from the delightful breading. I definitely recommend it.

Veal Milanese at Il Tinello in NYC, New York — Veal Milanese at Il Tinello in NYC, New York

Last was a decent homemade tiramisu.

Tiramisu at Il Tinello in NYC, New York — Tiramisu at Il Tinello in NYC, New York

They also brought some Italian cookies with our coffee.

Italian cookies at Il Tinello in NYC, New York — Italian cookies at Il Tinello in NYC, New York

Espresso at Il Tinello in NYC, New York — Espresso at Il Tinello in NYC, New York

I should add that I had wine, but I do not recall the name of it and did not have a photo of the bottle (I took it by the glass)...

Wine at Il Tinello in NYC, New York — Wine at Il Tinello in NYC, New York

It was a good meal, but I admit that I found much better Italian options in the area, such as Osteria Del Circo, Remi or Il Corso. Would I go back? Maybe...

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

I Just Want To Eat! 8/4/15 I Just Want To Eat! 8/4/15

Restaurant Week: Benoit in NYC, New York

If there is a place that does not disappoint for Restaurant Week, it is Benoit, the French bistro owned by Chef Alain Ducasse. This is the perfect occasion to try this place that I visited before (check my review of Benoit here).

I love the feel of that place that makes you travel miles away, in an elegant French bistro in Paris.

I love the feel of that place that makes you travel miles away, in an elegant French bistro in Paris.

Tap room at Benoit in NYC, New York — Tap room at Benoit in NYC, New York

Dining room at Benoit in NYC, New York — Dining room at Benoit in NYC, New York

For restaurant week Summer 2015, they offer the traditional appetizer, entrée and dessert for $25 (lunch): a good deal for this place. I went with one of my friends on a Friday. I was surprised that the place was not packed. It might have been because people preferred a place with a terrace, the weather being quite nice outside.

Bread and butter at Benoit in NYC, New York — Bread and butter at Benoit in NYC, New York

Bread at Benoit in NYC, New York — Bread at Benoit in NYC, New York

They started off by bringing some cheese puffs or goujeres that were fantastic (not enough I would say) and some bread and butter.

Gougères or cheese puffs at Benoit in NYC, New York — Gougères or cheese puffs at Benoit in NYC, New York

Then, they proposed a gazpacho as the soup of the day. Not really a French specialty, but perfect for the summer.

Gazpacho at Benoit in NYC, New York — Gazpacho at Benoit in NYC, New York

It was served in the same pot as a French onion soup would be served in, adding a bit of charm. It was good and refreshing, although I like mine less chunky.

For the entrée, there was a Massachusetts hake

Hake at Benoit in NYC, New York — Hake at Benoit in NYC, New York

But I preferred the poulet a la Basquaise (Basque chicken), a South Western specialty from France. It is a braised chicken cooked in a sauce made with tomatoes, peppers, shallots... and served with rice.

Poulet a la Basquaise at Benoit in NYC, New York — Poulet a la Basquaise at Benoit in NYC, New York

Riz pilaf at Benoit in NYC, New York — Riz pilaf at Benoit in NYC, New York

I loved the presentation that was very rustic. Taste wise, it was delicious: the chicken was perfectly cooked and moist and I could have eaten the sauce with a spoon. It was a very comforting dish.

For dessert, they had the classic creme brûlée,

Creme brûlée at Benoit in NYC, New York — Creme brûlée at Benoit in NYC, New York

As well as some homemade tarts. I decided to go for the strawberry and pistachio tart that was superb, especially the crust that was buttery.

Strawberry and pistachio tart at Benoit in NYC, New York — Strawberry and pistachio tart at Benoit in NYC, New York

This was a great deal and I really recommend Benoit for Restaurant Week or just for a regular meal there. This is for me a good choice if you are looking for a French restaurant. And if you go, try their cassoulet: it is divine!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

I Just Want To Eat! 8/1/15 I Just Want To Eat! 8/1/15

Tiny's And The Bar Upstairs in TriBeCa

Tiny's and The Bar Upstairs is a popular place located in TriBeCa and housed in a three story building that dates from 1810. There, siblings Ana, Jack and Matt Abramcyk paired with Chef Paul Warthen to serve to an hungry crowd some American dishes with southern and French influences.

Menu at Tiny's And The Bar Upstairs in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Menu at Tiny's And The Bar Upstairs in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

We went there for brunch and decided to eat outside, in the tiny terrace, enjoying a nice brise. I started off with a refreshing fresh squeezed orange juice (yes, the table was slightly tilted...).

Orange juice at Tiny's And The Bar Upstairs in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Orange juice at Tiny's And The Bar Upstairs in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

Then, couple of minutes, our entrées came. Jodi ordered the gruyere omelette.

Gruyere omelette at Tiny's And The Bar Upstairs in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Gruyere omelette at Tiny's And The Bar Upstairs in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

When the omelette came, I immediately noticed the perfect yellow color, that definitely shows some technic. It was a very good omelette: fluffy and not dry at all, with lots of cheese.

Tater tots at Tiny's And The Bar Upstairs in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Tater tots at Tiny's And The Bar Upstairs in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

It came with arugula, but most noticeably, some cheddar and chives tater tots, homemade. These were fantastic, with a slight delightful greasiness and crispness that made me regret there were not more on Jodi's plate.

On my side, I went for the oven baked French toast. It was served with spiced pecan, crème anglaise and apple butter.

Oven baked French toast at Tiny's And The Bar Upstairs in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Oven baked French toast at Tiny's And The Bar Upstairs in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

I admit that, when it came to the table, I was surprised by the portion that was fairly small for a $14 dish and was glad I could eat half of Jodi's omelette. They could have easily cut a larger slice of bread and there was no need to add any crème anglaise or apple butter to it as it was literally bathing the bread. And let me tell you: this was delicious! I would have had a spoon or forgotten my bonnes manières, I would have licked the plate!

The brunch at Tiny's and The Bar Upstairs was really good and I would definitely love me to go for dinner one night, hoping that the noise level will be acceptable.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

I Just Want To Eat! 7/29/15 I Just Want To Eat! 7/29/15

Quiznos subs

The first time I tried Quiznos, I did not need to be pushed to get toasted as they say: I mean, I love their steak sandwiches. I discovered them few years ago and was definitely worried that they would close when I heard that they had difficulties and filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2014, from which they emerged few months later, after closing few locations.

It is a fast food chain, with subs that are definitely better than Subway. Of course, I would never put them at the same level as Italian subs that I adore. But still, this is part of the guilty pleasure I cannot resist.

We went back recently, after I sneakily suggested a path uptown and did not need to put too much energy to convince Jodi to go there.

Hoagies at Quiznos subs in NYC, New York

The location close to Penn Station was empty; that was surprising considering that it is next to a movie theater and conveniently placed close to the train station and Macy's.

Jodi went for her favorite vegetarian sandwich: the veggie guacamole. She chose a wheat bread.

Veggie guacamole sub at Quiznos subs in NYC, New York — Veggie guacamole sub at Quiznos subs in NYC, New York

Condiment station at Quiznos subs in NYC, New York — Condiment station at Quiznos subs in NYC, New York

This is composed of cheddar, mozzarella, guacamole, lettuce, black olives and all sorts of veggies. She added some pickles from the condiments station.

On my side, I went for the black angus steak sandwich. I also chose the whole wheat bread as, of course, I wanted to make sure I had a healthy diet...

Black Angus Steak Sandwich at Quiznos subs in NYC, New York — Black Angus Steak Sandwich at Quiznos subs in NYC, New York

This sandwich was made of black angus steak, mozzarella, cheddar, sautéed mushrooms and onions, honey bourbon mustard and a secret sauce.

I liked the vegetarian sandwich, but surely, it was nothing compared to the steak one that was literally melting into my mouth and had a delicious sweetness to it. Their steak sandwiches are so good, with the meat tender and juicy, that I definitely recommend them.

I love Quiznos and do not mind indulging there from time to time...So, I will be back!

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

I Just Want To Eat! 7/26/15 I Just Want To Eat! 7/26/15

Cara Mia, Italian restaurant in Hell's Kitchen

Jodi and I were looking for a restaurant on Opentable for a dinner on a Friday. We decided to book a table at Cara Mia, an Italian restaurant in Hell's Kitchen. We passed in front of it few times, so I thought we should give it a try. I admit that when we arrived, I has a bad feeling; it might be the fact that one of the staff members was outside, trying to convince people to come for dinner...

Dining room at Cara Mia, Italian restaurant in Hell's Kitchen — Dining room at Cara Mia, Italian restaurant in Hell's Kitchen

It is a big place, but, I thought it missed some charm that you would find in places like Rosemary's or Abbottega. The service was also not that great: it was slow and not because of the kitchen, but simply because the staff was not really paying attention at what was going on in the dining room. And trust me: the bill came faster than our food!

They brought us a bread basket after we ordered our food. There was focaccia as well as country bread in it, that we ate with some olive oil.

Bread basket at Cara Mia, Italian restaurant in Hell's Kitchen — Bread basket at Cara Mia, Italian restaurant in Hell's Kitchen

For the appetizer, we shared the calamari arrosto or roasted calamari with wild mushrooms.

Roasted calamari at Cara Mia, Italian restaurant in Hell's Kitchen — Roasted calamari at Cara Mia, Italian restaurant in Hell's Kitchen

The calamari was good and there were lots of mushrooms...and garlic. It was a nice start, despite the amount of garlic.

Then, we decided to order some house made pasta. Yes, Cara Mia offers house made as well as store bought pasta and it makes sense that they mention it on the menu. Jodi ordered the parpadelle that were served with portobello, porcini and shiitake mushrooms in a garlic and olive oil sauce.

Parpadelle at Cara Mia, Italian restaurant in Hell's Kitchen — Parpadelle at Cara Mia, Italian restaurant in Hell's Kitchen

On my side, I chose the cavatelli with bolognese sauce.

Cavatelli bolognese at Cara Mia, Italian restaurant in Hell's Kitchen — Cavatelli bolognese at Cara Mia, Italian restaurant in Hell's Kitchen

I definitely preferred the parpadelle that were cooked al dente and would have probably been great with the bolognese sauce, the cavatelli being a bit doughy. I was a bit disappointed to say the least, as I was really looking forward for fresh pasta.

We finished our meal with the tiramisu that was not good: it was dry and had an off taste.

Tiramisu at Cara Mia, Italian restaurant in Hell's Kitchen — Tiramisu at Cara Mia, Italian restaurant in Hell's Kitchen

It was a disappointing dinner at Cara Mia and I do not think I would go back anytime soon. I should have gone to La Masseria located few blocks from there!

Enjoy (...)!

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

I Just Want To Eat! 7/23/15 I Just Want To Eat! 7/23/15

Strip House in NYC, New York

We went to their location downtown, few blocks from Union Square. This place that has been feeding the carnivores for more than a decade is fairly big, with a decor centered around the burlesque, a play on the name. It goes from the portraits of burlesque actors from 1920 to the napkins print...

Strip House was on my list of restaurants (sorry, this will not be a naughty post) for a while now, but I decided to move it up my long list after meeting Executive Chef Michael Vignola at the Bacon and Beer Classic at Citi Field, for the second year in a row.

Dining room at Strip House in NYC, New York — Dining room at Strip House in NYC, New York

Napkin at Strip House in NYC, New York — Napkin at Strip House in NYC, New York

We got of course the usual bread basket and butter to start, right after we ordered.

Bread basket at Strip House in NYC, New York — Bread basket at Strip House in NYC, New York

Butter at Strip House in NYC, New York — Butter at Strip House in NYC, New York

Food wise, you will find the traditional dishes steakhouses feature but with their own interpretation. For instance, their lobster bisque has pearl couscous, the crab cakes are served with a potato salad and haricots verts, etc... Well, I decided to go for the Strip House roasted bacon, influenced by the event I mentioned before.

Roasted bacon at Strip House in NYC, New York — Roasted bacon at Strip House in NYC, New York

It was served with baby arugula, perfectly dressed with a Russian dressing. This was delicious: slightly charred and crispy, it is the kind of guilty pleasures that no one can resist. But, hey, there was arugula with it, so it must be a healthy dish!

Steak knife at Strip House in NYC, New York — Steak knife at Strip House in NYC, New York

For our steaks, we went for the 14oz dry-aged ribeye (ordered medium rare and aged 29 days) and the 8oz filet mignon (ordered medium).

Ribeye at Strip House in NYC, New York — Ribeye at Strip House in NYC, New York

Filet mignon at Strip House in NYC, New York — Filet mignon at Strip House in NYC, New York

The meat was perfectly cooked and tender, my favorite being the ribeye that had nice char and was delightfully fatty. It was served with their steak sauce and we also ordered a béarnaise that was perfect.

Béanaise and steak sauce at Strip House in NYC, New York — Béanaise and steak sauce at Strip House in NYC, New York

With it, we ordered the Mac and cheese, that was a perfect side with the steaks and was Deliciously creamy, with plenty of cheese and a nice smokiness that I suspect was due to the use of some smoked cheese as I did not see any pieces of bacon.

Mac and cheese at Strip House in NYC, New York — Mac and cheese at Strip House in NYC, New York

I decided to order some Pinot Noir with my meal and went for a 3oz glass of Chorey-Les-Beaunes, domaine Tollot-Beaut, Cote D'Or 2010.

Glass of Chorey-Les-Beaunes, domaine Tollot-Beaut, Cote D'Or 2010 at Strip House in NYC, New York — Glass of Chorey-Les-Beaunes, domaine Tollot-Beaut, Cote D'Or 2010 at Strip House in NYC, New York

It is part of their reserve wine and I truly appreciated that they propose higher quality wines in small quantity for the price of a regular glass (this one was $14 for 3oz).

For dessert, we went for the Strip House chocolate cake, a 24 layers cake that is their signature.

Strip House chocolate cake at Strip House in NYC, New York — Strip House chocolate cake at Strip House in NYC, New York

It was definitely spectacular, the size of the slice being huge. But, taste wise, it was a bit disappointing, the best part being surprisingly the cake rather than the chocolate. We should have ordered the baked Alaska!

Despite that, we had a very good dinner at Strip House and the service was excellent. It is not my favorite though, Ruth's Chris, Bobby Vans or Angus Club Steakhouse being better. And it is without considering Peter Luger that is fantastic...

Enjoy (I did)!

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

I Just Want To Eat! 7/20/15 I Just Want To Eat! 7/20/15

Tablao, Tapas restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

Tablao is a Spanish restaurant located in TriBeCa. The menu features classic Spanish dishes such as paella, as well as tapas, these small plates that are sort of the signature of Spanish cuisine. I have to say that I love when restaurants offer small plates as it is a good way to order plenty of dishes to try. But, of course, it is also a good way for restaurants to make money as people usually order too much...We went at Tablao on a Friday night. If you follow this blog, you know that I hate noisy settings, considering that a meal is a good moment to share and talk with my loved ones or friends (that I love too).

We went at Tablao on a Friday night. If you follow this blog, you know that I hate noisy settings, considering that a meal is a good moment to share and talk with my loved ones or friends (that I love too). Well, Friday night at Tablao is Flamenco night! So you can imagine how happy I was there...I mean, Flamenco is beautiful, but it was a bit loud for my taste. I should mentioned that they warned us when we arrived and proposed a table the farther away from the music, but still...

Dining room at Tablao, Tapas restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Dining room at Tablao, Tapas restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

Flamenco at Tablao, Tapas restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Flamenco at Tablao, Tapas restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

At first, they brought us some bread with some olive oil. I admit that I was a bit disappointed, hopping that they would bring something more original, such as some tortilla or olives.

Bread and olive oil at Tablao, Tapas restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Bread and olive oil at Tablao, Tapas restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

So we decided to order the tortilla Espanola.

Tortilla at Tablao, Tapas restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Tortilla at Tablao, Tapas restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

A tortilla is a traditional Spanish omelet made with onions, potatoes and eggs. It is fairly thick and I always wonder how they keep it moist considering that it must take time for the omelet to be cooked all the way through. I really liked it.

Then, we got Montaditos that are tapas served on toasted bread.

Chorizo y huevo montaditos at Tablao, Tapas restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Chorizo y huevo montaditos at Tablao, Tapas restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

We chose the chorizo y huevo that was chorizo topped with a quail egg. This was delicious: the bread, although toasted, was still soft, so it was easy to eat and not messy at all. And I loved the combination of chorizo and egg that paired perfectly together, the yolk adding some creaminess to the dish.

We also ordered the champinones ajillo or mushrooms in garlic sauce.

Mushrooms in garlic sauce at Tablao, Tapas restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Mushrooms in garlic sauce at Tablao, Tapas restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

That was good, but I must disclose that there was enough garlic to empty a vampire convention by just breathing!

We also had the Tablao chips with manchego cheese.

Tablao Manchego chips at Tablao, Tapas restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Tablao Manchego chips at Tablao, Tapas restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

It was simply homemade potato chips topped with manchego. Original for sure, it was delicious. I just wish there was more cheese.

The last entree was the gambas a la plancha or head on shrimp seared on the grill with olive oil and sea salt.

Shrimp a la plancha at Tablao, Tapas restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Shrimp a la plancha at Tablao, Tapas restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

It was normally served with aioli, but they forgot to bring it and, in fact, it did not need it: it was simple, but so good. The only negative was that the shell was stuck on the flesh, making the removal of the shell with a knife and fork challenging.

We could not leave without any dessert. We decided to go for the churros.

Churros at Tablao, Tapas restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Churros at Tablao, Tapas restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

It was a disappointing dish: tasteless, it was missing a bit of crunch. We should have gone for the flan or the tres leches...

I loved the food at Tablao and would definitely go back to try other tapas dishes. The table next to us ordered the paella and I have to admit that it looked succulent. So, next 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!

I Just Want To Eat! 7/17/15 I Just Want To Eat! 7/17/15

Brunch at Bar Primi in NYC, New York

I saw so many mouth watering photos of dishes taken at Bar Primi and posted on Instagram, that I told Jodi we should go there for either brunch or dinner. We finally ended up there for a brunch on a Saturday, early as we made dinner plans; the kind of plan that mAkes you decide to go early enough and try not to indulge, although the latter is subjective as you will see I this post.

This place is not totally unknown as it is one of the restaurants of Chef Andrew Carmellini who flabbergasted (I love that word) me at Little Park few months ago and I really want to try all of his places...

I like the decor there, that is kind of rustic and colorful, with a large communal table on the ground floor.

Table at Bar Primi in NYC, New York — Table at Bar Primi in NYC, New York

Communal table at Bar Primi in NYC, New York — Communal table at Bar Primi in NYC, New York

Bar at Bar Primi in NYC, New York — Bar at Bar Primi in NYC, New York

Dining room at Bar Primi in NYC, New York — Dining room at Bar Primi in NYC, New York

We decided to go for eggs. Jodi ordered the baked eggs that were served with a tomato sauce and mozzarella.

Baked eggs at Bar Primi in NYC, New York — Baked eggs at Bar Primi in NYC, New York

It was a very good dish, with such a consistency that it could have been eaten with a spoon, the whites not being overcooked and the yolk perfectly runny.

On my side, I decided to try their Italian eggs Benedict.

Italian eggs benedict at Bar Primi in NYC, New York — Italian eggs benedict at Bar Primi in NYC, New York

Served with an arugula salad topped with Parmesan cheese and barely dressed, it was composed of a delightfully poached egg, Parma ham, on focaccia, smothered by a tomato hollandaise sauce. I admit that I literally inhaled these fantastic eggs! This was an amazing dish that I definitely recommend. I, I fact, at some point, mixed the runny yolk with the arugula, replacing the dressing that was missing.

We could not resist ordering dessert and went for the tiramisu.

Tiramisu at at Bar Primi in NYC, New York — Tiramisu at at Bar Primi in NYC, New York

It was very good: with just the right amount of coffee, the ladyfingers were perfectly soaked and it was deliciously creamy.

That was for sure a good brunch and I cannot wait to go back to Bar Primi 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!

I Just Want To Eat! 7/14/15 I Just Want To Eat! 7/14/15

The Great New York Noodletown in Chinatown

Wow, we passed so many times in front of The Great New York Noodle Town without even looking at their menu and simply discarding the place, preferring the more popular spots in Chinatown. Well, it was until we were invited to the Flatiron Food Tour from Like A Local Tours, where we talked about food with our guide, Robert.

Dining room at The Great New York Noodletown in Chinatown — Dining room at The Great New York Noodletown in Chinatown

This a small place, not fancy at all and you may eat at a table with strangers. They have a fairly large menu, made of dishes not only composed of noodles, contrary to what the name suggest, but where noodle dishes have a large part.

We decided to start with the vegetable dumplings soup that, for $4.95 was a bargain.

Vegetable dumplings soup at The Great New York Noodletown in Chinatown — Vegetable dumplings soup at The Great New York Noodletown in Chinatown

There were eight large veggie dumplings that were very good, the shell being thin and not doughey, and the feeling tasty.

We then had chicken pan fried noodles with mixed vegetables.

chicken pan fried noodles at The Great New York Noodletown in Chinatown — chicken pan fried noodles at The Great New York Noodletown in Chinatown

It was a large plate and it definitely reminded me of the dish I had several times when traveling to Hong Kong, whether it was the thin noodles or the sauce that smothered them. It is for sure a dish I recommend.

We ended up paying $21 for lots of tasty food: quite a good deal. If you like Chinese food and want some cheap delicious food, you should try The Great New York Noodletown. But if you go, go early enough to get a table. That's what I will do next time I go there!

Enjoy (I did)!if you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci

I Just Want To Eat! 7/11/15 I Just Want To Eat! 7/11/15

OBAO, South East Asian cuisine in Hell's Kitchen

Obao is not totally unknown to me as it is the former Ember Room where Chef Kittichai, purveyor of eclectic desserts at Spot Dessert Bar, use to serve chocolate ribs, as well as a lemon Mille crepes cake to die for. I am not sure why they changed the name and concept, but, I have to admit, that Obao is worth knowing. There, they served dishes from South East Asia, especially Thailand and Vietnam, but with a twist.

Dining room at OBAO, South East Asian cuisine in Hell's Kitchen — Dining room at OBAO, South East Asian cuisine in Hell's Kitchen

Decor wise, there has been a bit of change, but they definitely kept lots of the atmosphere of the Ember Room, with wooden walls and the ceiling decorations that look like heart shaped.

As far as the menu is concerned, they have a bunch of small plates that are great for sharing, or simply discovering their menu. We decided to try few dishes. The first one was the Japanese eggplant, served with chilies, shallots, herbs and nuch cham that is a Vietnamese dipping sauce.

Japanese eggplant at OBAO, South East Asian cuisine in Hell's Kitchen — Japanese eggplant at OBAO, South East Asian cuisine in Hell's Kitchen

This was very good: the eggplant was well cooked and had an incredible smokiness that made it stand on its own, without any need for any sauce.

The next dish was the crispy vegetable spring rolls, made with tofu, jicama, taro and mushroom.

Vegetable Spring Rolls at OBAO, South East Asian cuisine in Hell's Kitchen — Vegetable Spring Rolls at OBAO, South East Asian cuisine in Hell's Kitchen

There were four of them that were delightfully greasy and crispy on the outside and very tasty on the inside. They also have a version with pork and shrimp that I am sure is worth trying.

After that, we tried the spare ribs on sugar cane skewer.

Spare ribs on sugar cane skewer at OBAO, South East Asian cuisine in Hell's Kitchen — Spare ribs on sugar cane skewer at OBAO, South East Asian cuisine in Hell's Kitchen

I admit that I was curious about that dish and I am still wondering how they make it. It is very creative and a nice take on Vietnamese BBQ. The meat was fatty and tender, with a nice sweetness that, not only came from the sugar cane, but also from the honey mustard glaze. Dipped in the hoisin sauce, it was divine. Far better than the crispy pork belly that is the kind of dish that shows how the name given to it makes people order.

Crispy pork belly at OBAO, South East Asian cuisine in Hell's Kitchen — Crispy pork belly at OBAO, South East Asian cuisine in Hell's Kitchen

Yes, I was disappointed because it was just pork belly, the crispness being limited to just one or two pieces of meat. They would have served it with buns and a killer sauce, it would have made it a nice dish.

Our last dish was some noodles with vegetables that were good, but not at the level of the other dishes.

Noodles with vegetables at OBAO, South East Asian cuisine in Hell's Kitchen — Noodles with vegetables at OBAO, South East Asian cuisine in Hell's Kitchen

To finish, we had dessert; we chose the Thai tea panna cotta.

Thai tea wanna cotta at OBAO, South East Asian cuisine in Hell's Kitchen — Thai tea wanna cotta at OBAO, South East Asian cuisine in Hell's Kitchen

You can definitely see the touch of Chef Kittichai in that dessert: a creative twist on a classic dessert.

It is not exactly a panna cotta, but more like a pudding, served with a fantastic flourless brownie and whipped cream. That was a delicious dessert, especially if you like Thai tea, that pairs perfectly with the chocolate from the brownie.

In fact, I should mention that I also had a Thai iced tea with my meal. It was very good, although not the best I had and missing the gradation of color so common to it.

I liked our dinner at Obao: the food and the small plate concept make this place perfect for a nice dinner out. I will surely go back, maybe to try their soup that 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!

I Just Want To Eat! 7/8/15 I Just Want To Eat! 7/8/15

Benares, Indian restaurant in TriBeCa

Benares was not unknown to me as I tried their location Midtown Manhattan. Ok, I did not really like it and my Indian friends were not thrilled either. But I was thinking that, maybe, the location in TriBeCa as well as few years could surprise me. So, we went on a Friday. The decor was modern with an interesting divide in the center of the main dining room that was in fact a banquette.

Dining room at Benares, Indian restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Dining room at Benares, Indian restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

The service there was courteous and efficient, but it is the food that I did not like. Pricey and not as good as the many places I tried. Baluchi's, located minutes away is for example far better, and I did not mention Tamarind, that was not much more expensive than this dinner, contrary to what some may think.

It started well, with some puffy snacks that replaced the usual papadam and were served with mint, tamarind sauces.

Snacks at Benares, Indian restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Snacks at Benares, Indian restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

Then, we had some delicious vegetarian samosa that were not spicy at all, crispy on the outside and with a delightful potato and peas filling. On the side was some puffy rice (bhel puri) that added a nice touch to the dish.

Samosas at Benares, Indian restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Samosas at Benares, Indian restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

We also got some dal makhni, a black lentil dish cooked with cream, that I rediscovered during my trip to India.

Dal makhni at Benares, Indian restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Dal makhni at Benares, Indian restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

Unfortunately, it was disappointing: I simply did not like the taste, even when eating it with some delicious charred naan bread or rice.

Rice pulao at Benares, Indian restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Rice pulao at Benares, Indian restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

Naan at Benares, Indian restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Naan at Benares, Indian restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

Then was the tandoori grilled platter that had all sort of meats, from chicken to lamb.

Tandoori grilled platter at Benares, Indian restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Tandoori grilled platter at Benares, Indian restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

Chicken kebab at Benares, Indian restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Chicken kebab at Benares, Indian restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

Lamb kebab at Benares, Indian restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Lamb kebab at Benares, Indian restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

Tandoori chicken at Benares, Indian restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Tandoori chicken at Benares, Indian restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

The lamb was definitely the star of the dish, with its fantastic bold flavor, full of spices. The chicken, cooked in many ways, was unequal: some pieces were really dry.

We finished up with gulab jamun, one of my favorite Indian desserts.

Gulab jamun at Benares, Indian restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Gulab jamun at Benares, Indian restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

I liked it and it had the perfect amount of sweetness.

I should mention that I drank a delicious mango lassi that was perfect whenever the heat built up too much in my mouth.

Mango lassi at Benares, Indian restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Mango lassi at Benares, Indian restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

So yes, it was disappointing and there are so many other options in New York, that I do not think I would go back.

Enjoy (...)!

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

I Just Want To Eat! 7/5/15 I Just Want To Eat! 7/5/15

Soup Dumplings at Joe's Ginger in Chinatown

When I think that I passed in front of Joe's Ginger many times, thinking it was a pale copy of Joe's Shanghai, the famous Chinese restaurant on Pell street, known for his delicious soup dumplings. Little did I know that it is the sister restaurant of Joe's Shanghai, opened in 2004 by Chef and owner Joe Si. When we went there, we saw the line in front of the flagship restaurant and passed in front of a patient crowd, avid to try the soup dumplings that are often mentioned in tourist guides or magazines.

Joe's Ginger in Chinatown, NYC, New York

Joe's Shanghai in Chinatown, NYC, New York

When we arrived at Joe's Ginger, the place was empty and remained empty until few people of Chinese descent came to have lunch.

Dining room at Joe's Ginger in Chinatown, NYC, New York — Dining room at Joe's Ginger in Chinatown, NYC, New York

We decided, of course, to try the soup dumplings and picked the ones with pork, and not the one with pork and crab as Jodi does not like crab.

Soup dumplings at Joe's Ginger in Chinatown, NYC, New York — Soup dumplings at Joe's Ginger in Chinatown, NYC, New York

Soup dumpling at Joe's Ginger in Chinatown, NYC, New York — Soup dumpling at Joe's Ginger in Chinatown, NYC, New York

There were eight of them that came pipping hot. After putting some sauce on it, we ate them from the top, only way not to have some soup all over. It was delicious: very tasty, with a shell that was not too thick and perfectly cooked.

We also shared scallion pancakes that were delightfully greasy and crispy.

Scallion pancakes at Joe's Ginger in Chinatown, NYC, New York — Scallion pancakes at Joe's Ginger in Chinatown, NYC, New York

Last, we shared the chicken pan fried noodles, one of my favorite dishes.

Chicken pan fried noodles at Joe's Ginger in Chinatown, NYC, New York — Chicken pan fried noodles at Joe's Ginger in Chinatown, NYC, New York

The noodles were thick and crispy, but I admit that I prefer thinner noodles as they soften faster. After letting them bathe in the sauce, I literally inhaled them. It was a very comforting dish and a perfect size to share considering the appetizers we had before.

I should probably mentioned that we ate our meal with some black tea, as well as a Tsing Tao beer, perfect for the occasion.

Black tea at Joe's Ginger in Chinatown, NYC, New York — Black tea at Joe's Ginger in Chinatown, NYC, New York

Tsing Tao beer at Joe's Ginger in Chinatown, NYC, New York — Tsing Tao beer at Joe's Ginger in Chinatown, NYC, New York

This was a very good meal and knowing that Joe's Ginger is there, as an alternative to Joe's Shanghai is a little known secret worth keeping. So, do not tell anybody!

Enjoy (I did)!

I Just Want To Eat! 7/2/15 I Just Want To Eat! 7/2/15

Sabores, Mexican restaurant in Hoboken, NJ

The last time I went to Sabores, I had a bad experience: food and service were not great. But, as the months passed, seeing more and more people going there, we decided to give it another chance. I still remembered the colorful decor there, although I think they added more things on the walls.

Dining room at Sabores, Mexican restaurant in Hoboken, NJ — Dining room at Sabores, Mexican restaurant in Hoboken, NJ

Decor of Sabores, Mexican restaurant in Hoboken, NJ — Decor of Sabores, Mexican restaurant in Hoboken, NJ

Entrance at Sabores, Mexican restaurant in Hoboken, NJ — Entrance at Sabores, Mexican restaurant in Hoboken, NJ

We went there for brunch and decided to start with the guacamole that was so disappointing the first time.

Guacamole at Sabores, Mexican restaurant in Hoboken, NJ — Guacamole at Sabores, Mexican restaurant in Hoboken, NJ

Tortilla chips at Sabores, Mexican restaurant in Hoboken, NJ — Tortilla chips at Sabores, Mexican restaurant in Hoboken, NJ

We had it with the tortilla chips and salsa they brought after we sat. It was a fairly good guacamole, but I admit that the presentation could have been better, maybe served in a bowl. But you know what: the most important thing was the taste that was good.

Then, Jodi ordered the vegetarian tacos, made with grilled vegetables.

Vegetarian tacos at Sabores, Mexican restaurant in Hoboken, NJ — Vegetarian tacos at Sabores, Mexican restaurant in Hoboken, NJ

This was delicious and tasty, the veggies not being bland at all. On my side, I decided to try their enchiladas de mole, a recipe from the Chef's grandmother.

Enchiladas de mole at Sabores, Mexican restaurant in Hoboken, NJ — Enchiladas de mole at Sabores, Mexican restaurant in Hoboken, NJ

The first time I had mole was at El Maguey Y La Tuna, a restaurant on the Lower East Side: there, it was fantastic! So, how would be the one at Sabores? It was delightfully sweet, smokey and rich, with an underlying taste of chocolate that was divine. I ordered it with chicken that was perfectly cooked and moist. The dish was served with rice and beans.

Rice and beans at Sabores, Mexican restaurant in Hoboken, NJ — Rice and beans at Sabores, Mexican restaurant in Hoboken, NJ

Last was dessert. we hesitated between the flan and the tres leches. We went for the later...

Tres leches cake at Sabores, Mexican restaurant in Hoboken, NJ — Tres leches cake at Sabores, Mexican restaurant in Hoboken, NJ

We accompanied it with a Mexican hot chocolate that had a nice cinnamon flavor, but was not as good as the hot cocoa at Zafra's.

Hot chocolate at Sabores, Mexican restaurant in Hoboken, NJ — Hot chocolate at Sabores, Mexican restaurant in Hoboken, NJ

The tres leches was not that great, being a bit dry on the top part...too bad, because the rest of the dishes at Sabores were pretty good. But, you know what? I would definitely go back there and this time, go for the flan...

Enjoy (I did)!

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

I Just Want To Eat! 6/29/15 I Just Want To Eat! 6/29/15

Café Noir in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

I had Café Noir, a Mediterranean restaurant located in TriBeCa on my list and we decided to go there after an event at Jodi's school. We arrived there after 9pm and, surprisingly, the restaurant was not packed. Yes, I was surprised considering how crowded all the other restaurants were on a Friday night.

Dining room at Café Noir in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Dining room at Café Noir in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

I like the decor at Café Noir, very bistro, but with a Mediterranean touch, and was pleased to see that the lights were not too dim when we arrived, until ten minutes later, when the darkness filled the room. Yes, I like to see what I eat on top of the difficulty to take good photos without flash.

The menu there is Mediterranean, with a variety of dishes from Europe and North Africa, such as the squid ink paella or the couscous. After ordering, our waiter asked us if we wanted some bread that took a while to come: that was a sign, the kitchen being very slow...

Bread basket at Café Noir in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Bread basket at Café Noir in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

We decided to share few dishes. First was a fantastic warm goat cheese, topped with rosemary and honey and served with grilled bread.

Warm goat cheese at Café Noir in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Warm goat cheese at Café Noir in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

This is definitely a dish I recommend If you like goat cheese. Not only did the pairing with honey work perfectly, adding some nice sweetness to the dishes, but I also love the fact that the two main components melted and mixed, giving an incredible taste.

We also shared a small salad, served with white anchovies, that had nothing to rave about, but gave us good conscience, being probably the only healthy dish on the table.

Small salad at Café Noir in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Small salad at Café Noir in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

Next was the Mediterranean mezze. It was composed of marinated artichokes with grilled peppers and olives, quinoa tabbouleh, tomato marmalade, eggplant purée, mint feta yogurt and house made garlic flatbread.

Mediterranean mezze platter at Café Noir in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Mediterranean mezze platter at Café Noir in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

We really thought, based on the description on the menu, that there would be a nice amount of food: we were wrong! It is definitely overpriced, for a dish that I definitely would not recommend, but it was nothing compared to the Café Noir couscous that was for sure not worth $28.

Couscous at Café Noir in TriBeCa, NYC, New York — Couscous at Café Noir in TriBeCa, NYC, New York

I mean, it had one house made merguez sausage, three pieces of chicken the size of my pinky, and a very negligible amount of lamb. Although I liked the semolina and chickpeas, I thought the veggies were bland. So disappointing...

We did not order dessert, not wanting to stay another hour there. So, no, I would probably not go back at Café Noir, finding the food expensive and not that great. I think there are much better options in TriBeCa, like Petrarca, The Odeon or Da Mikele by Luzzo's.

Enjoy (...)!

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I Just Want To Eat! 6/27/15 I Just Want To Eat! 6/27/15

Cluck-U Chicken in Hoboken, NJ

I love chicken and, when I discovered fried chicken, it was as if angels were singing above me. So, no wonder why I wanted to try Cluck-U(niversity) Chicken. I did try their delivery and the smell of the chicken totally drove my cat crazy. But, sorry Whitney, no seasoned or fried chicken for you!

The cat smelling the chicken from Cluck-U Chicken in Hoboken, NJ — The cat smelling the chicken from Cluck-U Chicken in Hoboken, NJ

At that point, I tried their fried chicken, chicken wings and mac and cheese.

Fried chicken from Cluck-U Chicken in Hoboken, NJ — Fried chicken from Cluck-U Chicken in Hoboken, NJ

Chicken wings from Cluck-U Chicken in Hoboken, NJ — Chicken wings from Cluck-U Chicken in Hoboken, NJ

Mac and cheese from Cluck-U Chicken in Hoboken, NJ — Mac and cheese from Cluck-U Chicken in Hoboken, NJ

At the time, I thought the fried chicken was delicious, the wings ok and the mac and cheese not good at all. So I decided to go to their restaurant, in the southern part of Hoboken.

I ordered my meal at the counter and then got a root beer at the soda fountain.

Root beer at Cluck-U Chicken in Hoboken, NJ — Root beer at Cluck-U Chicken in Hoboken, NJ

As you may have noticed by the way, yellow is the predominant color in that place, an ode to chicken...

Anyway, several minutes later, I got my order.

Food at Cluck-U Chicken in Hoboken, NJ — Food at Cluck-U Chicken in Hoboken, NJ

It was composed of:

Two pieces of fried chicken (served with a biscuit):

Fried chicken at Cluck-U Chicken in Hoboken, NJ — Fried chicken at Cluck-U Chicken in Hoboken, NJ

A grilled chicken sandwich:

Grilled chicken sandwich at Cluck-U Chicken in Hoboken, NJ — Grilled chicken sandwich at Cluck-U Chicken in Hoboken, NJ

Mac and Cheese (I know, I am persistent):

Mac and cheese at Cluck-U Chicken in Hoboken, NJ — Mac and cheese at Cluck-U Chicken in Hoboken, NJ

Everything was good, except the mac and cheese that was dry and definitely made with low quality cheese. The fried chicken was fantastic: nice golden color, deliciously crispy, the chicken was perfectly cooked and moist. The grilled chicken sandwich was also good and I loved the fact that they propose the chicken either fried or grilled, the latter offering a healthier option.

At $12 for all of this, I did not expect a gourmet meal, but found it quite delicious. Would I go back? Probably for the fried chicken. But I will definitely pass on the mac and cheese!

Enjoy (I did)!

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