Ample Hills Creamery at The Gotham West Market in NYC, New York
You should have seen our faces when we saw Ample Hills Creamery at The Gotham West Market! We heard about this ice cream parlor from Jodi's cousin, Rebecca who recommended it. We went a couple of times and, each time, we got some amazing creamy and rich ice cream.
Ample Hills Creamery at The Gotham West Market in NYC, New York
You should have seen our faces when we saw Ample Hills Creamery at The Gotham West Market! We heard about this ice cream parlor from Jodi's cousin, Rebecca who recommended it. We went a couple of times and, each time, we got some amazing creamy and rich ice cream.
Cones at Ample Hills Creamery at The Gotham West Market in NYC, New York
Jodi went for the sugar cone, while I went for a bowl, too scared to get some ice cream on my shirt...And I have to say that a scoop is a generous amount of ice cream! What I like about Ample Hills Creamery is the originality of their flavors. I have two favorites:
Snap Mallow Pop: that is advertised as a deconstructed rice krispie treat: made with marshmallow ice cream and buttery Rice Krispie clusters.
Snap Mallow Pop at Ample Hills Creamery at The Gotham West Market in NYC, New York
Sweet cream and cookie that is in fact cookies and cream.
Sweet cream and cookie at Ample Hills Creamery at The Gotham West Market in NYC, New York
Jodi got the vegan coconut chocolate ice cream that she loved. I have to say that it was good dark chocolate, but I still prefer the first two...
Vegan coconut chocolate ice cream at Ample Hills Creamery at The Gotham West Market in NYC, New York
Ample Hills Creamery is definitely one of my favorite ice cream joints: their ice cream flavors are original and phenomenal. I definitely recommend it if you love rich and creamy ice cream. And you know what? I will go back!
Enjoy (I did)!
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The Chicken Factory in Hoboken, NJ
It has been a while since I wanted to try The Chicken Factory in Hoboken. It is a small place that serves Korean dishes besides their own version of wings and drumsticks, smothered either with a soy and garlic sauce or a sweet and spicy sauce. For instance, they have bibimbap, bulgogi, japchae or Haemul Pa Jeon that is a seafood scallion pancake. Then, if you are vegetarian, they do have few options for you: vegetarian bibimbap, garden salad, coleslaw, kimchi, etc.
The Chicken Factory in Hoboken, NJ
It has been a while since I wanted to try The Chicken Factory in Hoboken. It is a small place that serves Korean dishes besides their own version of wings and drumsticks, smothered either with a soy and garlic sauce or a sweet and spicy sauce. For instance, they have bibimbap, bulgogi, japchae or Haemul Pa Jeon that is a seafood scallion pancake. Then, if you are vegetarian, they do have few options for you: vegetarian bibimbap, garden salad, coleslaw, kimchi, etc.
Counter at The Chicken Factory in Hoboken, NJ
This is a very casual place, with only few tables inside and outside. You definitely do not go there for the decor (I was going for the chicken!).
I ordered the wings and drumstick combination, with a mix between the two sauces, curious to see how the sweet and spicy sauce was. When it came, it looked very appetizing and indeed it was fantastic!
Wings at The Chicken Factory in Hoboken, NJ
Wings at The Chicken Factory in Hoboken, NJ
Wings at The Chicken Factory in Hoboken, NJ
Wings at The Chicken Factory in Hoboken, NJ
Wings at The Chicken Factory in Hoboken, NJ
Wings at The Chicken Factory in Hoboken, NJ
The chicken was perfectly cooked and moist, smothered by a coating slightly crunchy and addicting to a point where you would try to get every pieces of it on the chicken bone. The sauces were very good, but my preference went to the sweet and spicy sauce that had a nice heat to it. And there, no blue cheese sauce to appease your mouth.
The Chicken Factory is definitely a place to know if you love chicken wings. I would probably go back there to try some other dishes, but I admit that I may finally re-order these wings that were succulent.
Enjoy (I did)!
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Kori, Korean restaurant in TriBeCa
Far from K-Town, Kori is a Korean restaurant that is a true finding in Tribeca. I like their statement:
In Korean, KORI means “connection,” which represents our vision of connecting healthy Korean cuisine with New Yorkers in the finest way possible.
Yes, it is an elegant Korean restaurant with an elevated menu. Not a big place for sure and you'd better have a reservation.
Kori, Korean restaurant in TriBeCa
Far from K-Town, Kori is a Korean restaurant that is a true finding in Tribeca. I like their statement:
In Korean, KORI means “connection,” which represents our vision of connecting healthy Korean cuisine with New Yorkers in the finest way possible.
Yes, it is an elegant Korean restaurant with an elevated menu. Not a big place for sure and you'd better have a reservation.
Dining room at Kori, Korean restaurant in TriBeCa
Kitchen at Kori, Korean restaurant in TriBeCa
As a started, they brought us a salad in a spherical bowl that caught my attention more than what was inside...As well as kimchi, seaweed and what I think was pickled turnip.
Salad at Kori, Korean restaurant in TriBeCa
Banchan at Kori, Korean restaurant in TriBeCa
Then, we ordered some veggie dumplings that were pretty good, but I cannot remember the name (damn it!).
Veggie dumplings at Kori, Korean restaurant in TriBeCa
For her entrée, Jodi chose the mushroom bibimbap that came pipping hot in a stone bowl, the rice continuing the cook and creating a delicious crust.
Mushroom bibimbap at Kori, Korean restaurant in TriBeCa
On my side, I went for the bulgogi stew that was simply fantastic!
Ribeye and mushrooms at Kori, Korean restaurant in TriBeCa
Bulgogi stew at Kori, Korean restaurant in TriBeCa
Bulgogi stew at Kori, Korean restaurant in TriBeCa
Bulgogi stew at Kori, Korean restaurant in TriBeCa
The marinated ribeye came on the side, with mushrooms and scallion. They then poured them in the very hot broth that was in a very hot stone bowl too, from where emanated a delicious aroma. In couple of minutes, the beef was cooked and I literally inhaled that dish that was succulent. It came with rice that absorbed the delicious broth that now had the taste of meat. This is definitely a dish I recommend.
Rice at Kori, Korean restaurant in TriBeCa
For dessert, we decided to go for roasted rice cake sticks with green tea ice cream.
Rated rice cakes at Kori, Korean restaurant in TriBeCa
Green tea ice cream at Kori, Korean restaurant in TriBeCa
That was a great dessert: first the rice cakes were awesome, a bit chewy, and perfect dipped in the honey that came with it. Then, the green tea ice cream, although bitter, was deliciously creamy. A hit!
I really liked our dinner at Kori and would certainly go back: the food there was very good and comforting and the service courteous and efficient.
Enjoy (I did)!
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Casual Thai in Hoboken, NJ
I admit that we hesitated before going for lunch at Casual Thai in Hoboken, a delivery few years ago going wrong from the time it took to get our food to the food itself not being good. But I was thinking that sometimes, deliveries do not give justice to restaurants; for instance, pizza is not as good when delivered as it usually steams in the box. Same for burgers or hot sandwiches.
Casual Thai in Hoboken, NJ
I admit that we hesitated before going for lunch at Casual Thai in Hoboken, a delivery few years ago going wrong from the time it took to get our food to the food itself not being good. But I was thinking that sometimes, deliveries do not give justice to restaurants; for instance, pizza is not as good when delivered as it usually steams in the box. Same for burgers or hot sandwiches.
Dining room at Casual Thai in Hoboken, NJ
So, we went on a Sunday, for lunch. The place was not that crowded and I guess they had limited staff that day, because our food took a long time to come. Decor wise, it is nice, with a Buddha at the entrance that definitely sets the atmosphere.
Buddha at Casual Thai in Hoboken, NJ
I started off with my favorite drink: a Thai iced tea that was delicious and, fortunately, did not have too much ice in it.
Thai iced tea at Casual Thai in Hoboken, NJ
Then, we decided to share the vegetable spring rolls.
Vegetable Spring rolls at Casual Thai in Hoboken, NJ
They came very hot and were quite good, with a good proportion of shell versus veggies, but with unfortunately too much pepper in it.
For her entrée, Jodi went for Pad Woon-Sen, that is glass noodles with vegetables and tofu, a pretty good dish that is sweet and savory.
Pad Woon-Sen at Casual Thai in Hoboken, NJ
On my side, I got the chicken massaman.
Chicken Massaman at Casual Thai in Hoboken, NJ
White rice at Casual Thai in Hoboken, NJ
It was good, but a bit difficult to eat in the little bowl they gave (they removed my plate) and with too many vegetables compared to the succulent curry sauce. With it came some white rice.
For dessert, we ordered my favorite: mango with sticky rice.
Mango sticky rice at Casual Thai in Hoboken, NJ
Mango sticky rice at Casual Thai in Hoboken, NJ
The presentation was beautiful. The mango was perfect, ripe and deliciously sweet, but the rice, although good, was missing some coconut milk that would have made this dish successful.
I am a bit on the fence with Casual Thai, the food being just ok. I think that restaurants like T Thai or Sri Thai are any way much better options...
Enjoy (...)!
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Brunch at Sarabeth's in TriBeCa
If there is something for which Sarabeth's is known for, it is its brunch. Believe it or not, but I never went there and only tried some of their jam that you can find in some supermarkets. So, we decided to go to the one in TriBeCa on a Sunday. We had of course a reservation as the place was packed.
Sarabeth's in TriBeCa
If there is something for which Sarabeth's is known for, it is its brunch. Believe it or not, but I never went there and only tried some of their jam that you can find in some supermarkets. So, we decided to go to the one in TriBeCa on a Sunday. We had of course a reservation as the place was packed.
Dining room at Sarabeth's in TriBeCa
After sitting at our table that was located in the back, we ordered our food as well as beverages: for Jodi, a tea, and for me the Four Flowers Juice, made with orange, pineapple,
banana & pomegranate juice.
Tea at Sarabeth's in TriBeCa
Four flowers juice at Sarabeth's in TriBeCa
Jodi decided to try their garden omelette, composed of mushroom, green peas, zucchini, cheddar. Eggs and omelettes are coming with a choice of muffin, scone, toast or croissant. She decided to pick the croissant that was pretty good, flakey and buttery.
Garden omelette at Sarabeth's in TriBeCa
Croissant at Sarabeth's in TriBeCa
As far as the preserves that came with it, we only got an orange marmalade that was fantastic; but it was such a small portion...
orange marmalade at Sarabeth's in TriBeCa
The omelette itself was good: fluffy and not dry, there was lots of vegetables in it, but not enough cheese for my taste. On my side, I decided to go for the salmon benedict.
Salmon benedict at Sarabeth's in TriBeCa
Salmon benedict at Sarabeth's in TriBeCa
Salmon benedict at Sarabeth's in TriBeCa
The benedict were really good: the yolk was perfectly runny and there was a delicious Hollandaise sauce smothering it, where I dipped the delicious muffin that was in the bottom.
I should mention that we also shared a muffin basket that was just ok. The muffins were regular size and I thought they would have a nice selection of mini ones. There were pumpkin, corn and bran muffins.
Muffin basket at Sarabeth's in TriBeCa
The brunch at Sarabeth's was overall good, but I admit that I expected better. It is not cheap, but you pay for the name and location. Would I go back? Probably, but this time to try their crispy chicken and waffle or their burger.
Enjoy (I did)!
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Dallas BBQ in Times Square, NYC, New York
How did I end up at Dallas BBQ in Times Square? I simply wanted to eat BBQ and my favorite, Southern Hospitality, was full. I think I should have gone to Brother Jimmy's, although it was not really in the area where I was...I mean, the service at Dallas BBQ was very good, being courteous and efficient, but the food did not meet my expectations and I kind of left me still craving some delicious ribs...
Dallas BBQ in Times Square, NYC, New York
How did I end up at Dallas BBQ in Times Square? I simply wanted to eat BBQ and my favorite, Southern Hospitality, was full. I think I should have gone to Brother Jimmy's, although it was not really in the area where I was...I mean, the service at Dallas BBQ was very good, being courteous and efficient, but the food did not meet my expectations and I kind of left me still craving some delicious ribs...
Dining room at Dallas BBQ in Times Square, NYC, New York
I went to Dallas BBQ long time ago on the Upper East Side, but I cannot remember that experience, that is probably a bad sign. This was big, with and industrial feel, packed with tourists and moviegoers in search for good food to eat.
Beer at Dallas BBQ in Times Square, NYC, New York
I got a Stella Artois beer, just 10oz, 20oz being too many back and forth trips to the restroom. Strangely, they gave us a straw...
Straws at Dallas BBQ in Times Square, NYC, New York
I chose their classic combo, composed of fried chicken (with honey glaze), ribs and fried shrimp. It came with quite good corn bread and I decided to pick a baked potato over fries and onions, a sort of fake healthy choice that felt good on my conscience.
Classic combo at Dallas BBQ in Times Square, NYC, New York
The plate looked a bit like a mess and it was a bit tough not to have food fall on the table while cutting the chicken. So I methodically started with the fried shrimp that were fairly good: well cooked and crispy. Then the chicken that I admit was delicious too. The last part was the ribs that I was keeping for the end. They were so disappointing: dry and not at all falling off the bone. At least, the generous amount of sauce helped, because I was so looking forward to it.
Ribs and crispy shrimp at Dallas BBQ in Times Square, NYC, New York
Fried chicken at Dallas BBQ in Times Square, NYC, New York
They brought a tangerine and pineapple cupcake for dessert, a special for Halloween. That was just ok, the frosting being a bit weird. But you know what? It was a nice touch anyway.
Cupcakes at Dallas BBQ in Times Square, NYC, New York
So, my dinner at Dallas BBQ was definitely not that great, New York offering many options for great ribs that were for me the main reason I picked the combo. Next time, I'll pass...
Enjoy (...)!
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Tout Va Bien, French Restaurant in NYC, New York
Meaning everything is fine in French, Tout Va Bien is a family restaurant that has been serving a classic French bistro menu since 1948. It is a small place with a decor quite cluttered iwith so many French artifacts all over, from photos to littles statues, to soccer club flags, as well as the French songs playing in the background (Charles Aznavour when I went there), creating definitely a certain atmosphere close to what you would find in some restaurants in France.
Tout Va Bien, French Restaurant in NYC, New York
Meaning everything is fine in French, Tout Va Bien is a family restaurant that has been serving a classic French bistro menu since 1948. It is a small place with a decor quite cluttered iwith so many French artifacts all over, from photos to littles statues, to soccer club flags, as well as the French songs playing in the background (Charles Aznavour when I went there), creating definitely a certain atmosphere close to what you would find in some restaurants in France. Of course, you cannot miss the bust of Elvis Presley who was an icon of Rock'n Roll in France from what I remember when I was a child.
Dining room at Tout Va Bien, French Restaurant in NYC, New York
Decor at Tout Va Bien, French Restaurant in NYC, New York
Menu wise, they really have all the classics: escargots, foie gras, soupe à l'oignon, coq au vin, etc...as well as crab cakes that day as a special (they have few daily specials presented on a chalk board).
Daily specials at Tout Va Bien, French Restaurant in NYC, New York
Soupe å l'oignon at Tout Va Bien, French Restaurant in NYC, New York
Crab cake at Tout Va Bien, French Restaurant in NYC, New York
For appetizer, I decided to order the escargots. I could have ordered 12, but, as you know, I am a pretty reasonable guy, so I only went for 6.
Escargots at Tout Va Bien, French Restaurant in NYC, New York
They came pipping hot, still sizzling, with a delicious buttery smell emanating from the dish. I loved it: simply made (butter, garlic and parsley), the sauce was very addictive and I kept dipping my bread in the butter. I wondered at that point if one should not just serve butter with garlic and parsley, without the escargots, as an appetizer.
Bread at Tout Va Bien, French Restaurant in NYC, New York
For my main entrée, I hesitated between the veal liver and the veal kidney. I went for the later that was served with mashed potatoes and haricots verts. For the sauce, I had the choice between vin blanc (white wine), Bordelaise or moutarde (mustard). I chose mustard and definitely did not regret it. I should mention that they were generous with the amount of sauce on the plate and I was close to dipping my bread in it when I remembered that I also wanted dessert...
Veal kidneys å la moutarde at Tout Va Bien, French Restaurant in NYC, New York
This was a fantastic dish: the kidneys were perfectly cooked medium rare, with a pink center, and perfectly cleared, so not tough at all. And that sauce was deliciously creamy. This is definitely a dish I would recommend and I am curious how the other sauces are.
Know that if you are not really fans of the creepy meats, you can try their filet mignon that looks appetizing or their fish dishes (below a red snapper provençal that was a fail special).
Filet mignon at Tout Va Bien, French Restaurant in NYC, New York
Red snapper provençal at Tout Va Bien, French Restaurant in NYC, New York
I paired my meal with a glass of Bordeaux, but, of course, they have other selection, not all French (Malbec for instance).
Glass of Bordeaux at Tout Va Bien, French Restaurant in NYC, New York
For dessert, I went for the poire belle Helene, made with canned slices of pears, vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce and whipped cream. They have kind of similar dessert with peaches (peche melba).
Poire belle Helene at Tout Va Bien, French Restaurant in NYC, New York
Peche melba at Tout Va Bien, French Restaurant in NYC, New York
Good dessert, but I admit that I would have been even more pleased if they had an ile flottante or floating island, or even a tarte tatin that is one of my favorite desserts. Otherwise, they have the classics: creme brûlée, chocolate mousse...It was perfect with a double espresso.
Double espresso at Tout Va Bien, French Restaurant in NYC, New York
So I was really pleased with my meal at Tout Va Bien: the food was really good and the atmosphere enjoyable, with a nice service. I would definitely go back there an this time get that veal liver!
Enjoy (I did)!
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Del Frisco's Grille in Hoboken, NJ
I was thrilled when I heard that Del Frisco's Grille would open in Hoboken end of September 2015. We decided to go there for brunch and then dinner to check it out. It is a fairly big place, with a view to the kitchen and pass that is in the back, a view that I always find interesting, especially in that place, where you could see the staff lining up, waiting for the dishes to be ready and giving the last touch, like the brush of mix of salt, pepper and butter on the steaks.
Del Frisco's Grille in Hoboken, NJ
I was thrilled when I heard that Del Frisco's Grille would open in Hoboken end of September 2015. We decided to go there for brunch and then dinner to check it out. It is a fairly big place, with a view to the kitchen and pass that is in the back, a view that I always find interesting, especially in that place, where you could see the staff lining up, waiting for the dishes to be ready and giving the last touch, like the brush of mix of salt, pepper and butter on the steaks.
Dining room at Del Frisco's Grille in Hoboken, NJ
Dining room at Del Frisco's Grille in Hoboken, NJ
Interestingly, it was not that crowded for brunch, but when we went for dinner, it was packed, from the dining room to the bar area. Service wise, it was good, although a bit over the top, probably because it was close to their opening and they wanted to make sure patrons would have a good time.
In terms of food, they have quite a large choice. For brunch, we skipped eggs and decided to order:
Guacamole:
Guacamole at Del Frisco's Grille in Hoboken, NJ
Guacamole at Del Frisco's Grille in Hoboken, NJ
The Ahi tacos:
Ahi tuna tacos at Del Frisco's Grille in Hoboken, NJ
Ahi tuna tacos at Del Frisco's Grille in Hoboken, NJ
The banana foster French toast:
Banana foster French toast at Del Frisco's Grille in Hoboken, NJ
Banana foster French toast at Del Frisco's Grille in Hoboken, NJ
It was just ok: the guacamole was missing salt and the chunks of avocado were to big, giving the impression to eat an avocado salad rather than guac. The tacos were good and I loved the idea of using ahi tuna paired with a delicious spicy citrus mayo (I recommend it). The banana foster French toast was good, but missing some rum sauce (and adding syrup kind of throw the dish off), and there was not enough banana.
Steak knife at Del Frisco's Grille in Hoboken, NJ
For dinner, I was excited to try the steaks. Jodi went for the filet mignon (8oz that is a perfect size for her), ordered medium.
Filet mignon at Del Frisco's Grille in Hoboken, NJ
Filet mignon at Del Frisco's Grille in Hoboken, NJ
I went for the ribeye (16 oz), ordered medium-rare.
Ribeye at Del Frisco's Grille in Hoboken, NJ
Ribeye at Del Frisco's Grille in Hoboken, NJ
When they bring the steaks to the table, they ask you to check that they were cooked at the correct temperature: it is the first time I have seen this. The steaks were good; not the same quality as Dino & Harry's or Zylo, but still. They had a nice char, were tender and deliciously juicy. Unfortunately, they had too much salt and pepper (remember the brush at the pass mentioned above) and, after a while, it kind of overpowers the meat, even if you remove it with the knife.
Entrees are coming with sides. Jodi got the fries that were crispy.
French fries at Del Frisco's Grille in Hoboken, NJ
I got the mash potatoes that I did not like as it contained too much scallion.
Mash potatoes at Del Frisco's Grille in Hoboken, NJ
With the steaks, I got a Pinot Noir Meiomi 2013 from California, a nice pairing with the bold taste of the ribeye.
Pinot noir Meiomi at Del Frisco's Grille in Hoboken, NJ
Last was dessert: Jodi went for the coconut cream pie. It was one of the rare times she was disappointed about it: too much chocolate shavings overpowered the coconut.
Coconut cream pie at Del Frisco's Grille in Hoboken, NJ
On my side, I ordered the Nutella bread pudding, replacing the coffee ice cream with vanilla ice cream. This was disappointing too, the taste of the Nutella being minimum and the bread pudding being dry...
Nutella bred pudding at Del Frisco's Grille in Hoboken, NJ
Nutella bread pudding at Del Frisco's Grille in Hoboken, NJ
So I was a bit disappointed after our meals at Del Frisco's Grille, especially the dinner, as I was looking forward for the steak. Would I go back? I do not think so...
Enjoy (...)!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
Del Frisco's Grille
Address: 221 River St, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Phone:(201) 653-0195
Tikka Indian Grill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Eating at Tikka Indian Grill is like traveling far away from the trendy Williamsburg neighborhood. The food there is amazing, especially if you like spices and discovering flavors and aromas that will astonish you during the entire meal. There, owner and Executive Chef Mallika Khan, who is from Bangladesh, crafted a menu inspired from her mother's recipes, covering many parts of India.
Please note that the meal was complimentary. However, the opinions expressed in my blog are 100% my own!
Tikka Indian Grill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Eating at Tikka Indian Grill is like traveling far away from the trendy Williamsburg neighborhood. The food there is amazing, especially if you like spices and discovering flavors and aromas that will astonish you during the entire meal. There, owner and Executive Chef Mallika Khan, who is from Bangladesh, crafted a menu inspired from her mother's recipes, covering many parts of India. We unfortunately did not get a chance to meet with Chef Khan, but we chatted a bit with co-owner Syed about the food (and the importance put on the quality of each dish served), as well as Bangladesh and India.
This place just opened on October 22nd 2015, replacing another Indian restaurant called Spice Garden. I love the decor of Tikka Indian Grill: modern and subtle, with one wall with beautiful photos (amazing colors) to remind you that you are in an Indian restaurant.
Dining room at Tikka Indian Grill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Table at Tikka Indian Grill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Dining room at Tikka Indian Grill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Spices at Tikka Indian Grill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Foodwise, we had a festival and avoided spicy dishes like the lamb vindaloo I tried few years ago and made me sweat like Ben Stiller in the scene in the Ethiopian restaurant in Along came Polly.
Papadam at Tikka Indian Grill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Chutneys at Tikka Indian Grill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Papadam at Tikka Indian Grill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Papadam at Tikka Indian Grill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
They first brought us some papadam, an Indian cracker that I always found addictive. It was served with onion chutney (Left on the photo - slightly spicy), cardamon chutney (center) and my favorite: tamarind sauce. We also got a mango lassi that was delicious and not watered down.
Mango lassi at Tikka Indian Grill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Mango lassi at Tikka Indian Grill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
For appetizers, we got different dishes, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian:
Samosa chaat, a typical street food, made with chunks of samosa, chickpeas, tamarind sauce and yogurt. This is the perfect dish if you like mixing sweet and savory. It has a subtle kick, but the yogurt and tamarind tame down the spiciness.
Samosa chaat at Tikka Indian Grill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
The second vegetarian dish was Sabji Tikka.
Sabji tikka at Tikka Indian Grill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Sabji tikka at Tikka Indian Grill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
It is composed of grilled paneer cheese, mushrooms and potatoes, also grilled. I admit that I did not really care about the potato, but the paneer was fantastic. Often, it is kind of rubbery. At Tikka Indian Grill, you will get one that has a texture similar to farmer cheese rather than firm tofu.
Paneer at Tikka Indian Grill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
For non-vegetarian dishes, we got first the Tawa lamb kebab or pan fried minced lamb.
Tawa lamb kebab at Tikka Indian Grill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Tawa lamb kebab at Tikka Indian Grill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
It was quite good, especially for people who, like me, love lamb, as it had this bold taste particular to that meat. Eating it, I thought they should serve it with raita though, the patty being a little dry, but I realized, writing this post, that it was supposed to be served with an apricot chutney...
The last appetizer was Paanch Shoran Jingha or shrimp with five spices.
Paanch Shoran Jingha at Tikka Indian Grill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Paanch Shoran Jingha at Tikka Indian Grill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
This was one of the most flavorful of the appetizers and I am not sure what spices they put there, but I did not leave any shrimp on the plate...And I should mention that the shrimp, were perfectly cooked and of a nice size.
Then, came the entrees.
Entrees at Tikka Indian Grill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
We asked for a tasting size as we wanted to try different dishes and did not want to waste, so what you see on the photos in the bowls is smaller than usual.
First, there was my favorite: chicken tikka masala.
Chicken tikka masala at Tikka Indian Grill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
The chicken was perfectly cooked and not dry, smothered by an succulent sauce that I literally inhaled, trying to restrain myself considering we had other dishes on the table.
The next dish was chana masala, curried chickpeas that had a little kick. A delicious dish that I suggest if you are vegetarian...or not.
Chana masala at Tikka Indian Grill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
I then was looking forward to try their dal bukhara. I love dal that I rediscovered in India last year, being more accustomed to watered down versions in the past, so, not so thrilled about it. But when dal is made with cream and butter, that is another story. And guess what: at Tikka Indian Grill, they use cream, lots of cream, that makes this rich dish one of my favorites.
Dal Bukhara at Tikka Indian Grill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
The last dish on the table was the lamb chops that were marinated in spices and then grilled. Another dish for lamb meat lovers.
Lamb chops at Tikka Indian Grill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Lamb chops at Tikka Indian Grill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
When we thought that the next course would be dessert, Syed proposed to try other specialties of the restaurant...
Entrees at Tikka Indian Grill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
The first dish was chicken korma, that is chicken smothered in a creamy nut sauce.
Chicken korma at Tikka Indian Grill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
The second one was chicken saag tikka, skewered chicken served in pureed spinach.
Chicken saag tikka at Tikka Indian Grill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
The last one was Rogan Josh or lamb curry.
Rogan josh at Tikka Indian Grill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
All of these dishes were scrumptious and so flavorful. I am not a big fan of spinach (except a la creme), but the chicken saag tikka with its creamy spinach sauce is definitely a dish I would re-order.
To accompanied our dishes, we tried their delicious naan that was fluffy with a nice char, as well as some basmati rice.
Plain naan at Tikka Indian Grill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Basmati rice at Tikka Indian Grill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
For dessert, we then had kheer or rice pudding:
Kheer at Tikka Indian Grill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
As well as gulab jamun, these milk balls that are deep fried and then dipped in a sweet syrup.
Gulab jamun at Tikka Indian Grill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Gulab jamun at Tikka Indian Grill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Both desserts were good and not too sweet, especially the kheer. I loved the gulab jamun that had a dense texture, although I would have liked a bit of the sugar syrup in it.
Seeds at Tikka Indian Grill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
We definitely had a good time at Tikka Indian Grill. The food was amazing and I am still salivating while writing this post. This is a place to know if you live in Williamsburg, but also in the city, the commute from Union Square being as long as if you were going from there to the Upper East or West side!
Enjoy (I did)!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
ADDRESS: 185 Grand Street
(btwn Bedford Ave & Driggs Ave.)
Williamsburg, NY 11211
PHONE: 718-768-2262
OPENING: October 22, 2015
WEBSITE: www.tikkawilliamsburg.com
Rice Shop in Hoboken, NJ
I cannot remember the last time we went to Rice Shop in Hoboken and why did not come back, until we went back...Yes, we were disappointed by the food to say the least. It started well, with a very good Thai iced tea that is one of my favorite beverages with its delightful sweetness counterbalancing the bitterness of the tea.
Rice Shop in Hoboken, NJ
I cannot remember the last time we went to Rice Shop in Hoboken and why did not come back, until we went back...Yes, we were disappointed by the food to say the least. It started well, with a very good Thai iced tea that is one of my favorite beverages with its delightful sweetness counterbalancing the bitterness of the tea.
Thai iced tea at Rice Shop in Hoboken, NJ
But then, the food came...We decided to start with the scallion pancakes. Contrary to lots of food, this is a dish that you expect to be greasy and these were dry as if they wanted to make it healthy. And the taste was bland.
Scallion pancakes at Rice Shop in Hoboken, NJ
Scallion pancakes at Rice Shop in Hoboken, NJ
It was served with a soy and peanut sauce, a weird combination that I did not really like.
Soy and peanut sauce at Rice Shop in Hoboken, NJ
Next was Roti Canai, an Indian bread (roti), served with chicken and potato in a curry sauce. Although I loved the curry, I really did not like the roti that had also a weird taste.
Roti canai at Rice Shop in Hoboken, NJ
Roti canai at Rice Shop in Hoboken, NJ
At that point, I was expecting the last dish to save the meal. We ordered chicken pan fried noodles.
When the dish came, it looked fantastic and very appetizing. The noodles were delightfully crunchy, accompanied by vegetables that were smothered in a thick sauce. Unfortunately, the chicken was overcooked and I did not even finish it.
So, yes, I was disappointed, especially as I was craving some good Chinese food. Well, I will have to look somewhere else as I am not sure I would go back to The Rice Shop.
Enjoy (...)!
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Maria's Mont Blanc in The Theater District, NYC, New York
Maria's Mont Blanc was on my list of restaurants to try, few people recommending this place that serves European cuisine and is one of the rare restaurants in New York to have raclette, a dish found mainly in Switzerland and France, where cheese (racket cheese) is melted and then eaten with such things as potatoes or dried meat.
Maria's Mont Blanc in The Theater District, NYC, New York
Maria's Mont Blanc was on my list of restaurants to try, few people recommending this place that serves European cuisine and is one of the rare restaurants in New York to have raclette, a dish found mainly in Switzerland and France, where cheese (racket cheese) is melted and then eaten with such things as potatoes or dried meat.
Bar area at Maria's Mont Blanc in The Theater District, NYC, New York
This place has been opened for more than 35 years and has this neighborhood feel that I always like, far from the hype and where you feel comfortable and a bit far from the eclectic life outside. So, it serves European cuisine and you will understand when you will see what I ate that sounded more French than anything else. Yes, on the menu, you will find the classic raclette, cheese fondue (for two people - unfortunately, nobody was in the mood for it), pasta, meat...So, I decided to go for escargots for appetizer and veal kidney for my main course.
What I did not see is that my entree came with a salad that came first. For sure, I would have never had the idea of ordering a salad by myself...
Salad at Maria's Mont Blanc in The Theater District, NYC, New York
So, after few bites, so it would not be wasted, the escargots came.
Escargots at Maria's Mont Blanc in The Theater District, NYC, New York
It was a traditional way of doing it, with garlic and butter, the sauce being addictive and I had to restrain myself from dipping bread in it.
Bread basket at Maria's Mont Blanc in The Theater District, NYC, New York
Then I got the veal kidney with Marsala and mushroom sauce. It came in a pot that gave a rustic feel to it and had a nice portion in it that I admit I did not finish. The kidney was perfect: well cleaned and cooked, they were not tough at all, smothered in a delicious sauce that the fans of mushrooms would appreciate.
Veal kidneys and rosti at Maria's Mont Blanc in The Theater District, NYC, New York
Veal kidneys and rosti at Maria's Mont Blanc in The Theater District, NYC, New York
Veal kidneys and rosti at Maria's Mont Blanc in The Theater District, NYC, New York
Veal kidneys and rosti at Maria's Mont Blanc in The Theater District, NYC, New York
It was served with rosti, that is a Swiss dish made with potatoes and string beans that I did not even touch. The rosti was good: cooked all the way through, it has a slight crunchiness.
String beans at Maria's Mont Blanc in The Theater District, NYC, New York
For dessert, I had the meringue glacée that is meringue, vanilla ice cream and whipped cream.
Meringue glacee at Maria's Mont Blanc in The Theater District, NYC, New York
A delicious dessert that I definitely recommend, being also light (by my own reference) and not too sweet.
As far as wine was concerned, we went for a Dole Des Monts, a Swiss red wine.
Dole Des Monts Swiss wine at Maria's Mont Blanc in The Theater District, NYC, New York
I had a wonderful dinner at Maria's Mont Blanc: the food was great and prices reasonable in a restaurant that has this feel that it has been there forever and is only known by a few. I would definitely go back, but this time for fondue or raclette.
Enjoy (I did)!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
Recipe: S'Mores pie or should I say S'Mornies?
I discovered S'Mores in this country, this treat not being known at all in France. Even roasting marshmallows, that we call chamallows, is pretty uncommon there. So, I decided to make my own version of a S'Mores pie, layering a Graham cracker crust, a fudgy brownie and some torched marshmallow. An easy recipe that will satisfy adults and kids!
S'Mores pie recipe
I discovered S'Mores in this country, this treat not being known at all in France. Even roasting marshmallows, that we call chamallows, is pretty uncommon there. So, I decided to make my own version of a S'Mores pie, layering a Graham cracker crust, a fudgy brownie and some torched marshmallow. An easy recipe that will satisfy adults and kids!
Time: 1h
Servings: 10
Ingredients:
Graham cracker crust:
S'Mores pie recipe: ingredients
- 15 Grahams finely crushed
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 8 table spoons of butter
Brownie:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 340g or 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips or morsels
- 10 table spoons of butter
- 3 eggs
- 80 g all purpose flour
- 1 tea spoon of vanilla extract
And a bag of marshmallows.
Step 1: prepare the Graham cracker crust
Finely coarse 15 Graham crackers in a food processor. Then add the butter previously melted in the microwave and the light brown sugar. Mix it thouroughly to make sure that all the ingredients are fully integrated.
S'Mores pie recipe: Graham crackers in the food processor
S'Mores pie recipe: preparing the Graham cracker crust
S'Mores pie recipe: grinding Graham crackers
S'Mores pie recipe: Graham cracker crust
Melt two tablespoons of butter in the microwave and spread inside your cake mold. Then pour the Graham cracker mix and flatten it to the bottom with the bottom of a glass.
S'Mores pie recipe: Graham cracker crust
Step 2: prepare the brownie
In a pan, melt on medium heat the chocolate morsels and the butter. Once melted, let it rest for 10 minutes. Then, add the eggs, the light brown sugar, the sugar and the vanilla extract. Once all the ingredients are fully incorporated, add the flour and mix completely, until the flour is well integrated in the chocolate batter.
S'Mores pie recipe: melt chocolate and butter
S'Mores pie recipe: making the brownie batter
S'Mores pie recipe: chocolate and butter melted
S'Mores pie recipe: brownie batter
Then, pour the brownie batter on top of the Graham cracker crust and make sure it is even in the mold.
S'Mores pie recipe: brownie batter poured on top of the Graham cracker crust
Step 3: bake
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then bake the pie for 30 minutes.
S'Mores pie recipe: the pie is baked
Once cooked, remove from the oven and let it sit for 30 minutes.
Step 4: Toast the marshmallow
Put the marshmallow on top of the pie and toast them using a torch.
S'Mores pie recipe: torching the marshmallow
S'Mores pie recipe: torching the marshmallow
Et voila!
S'Mores pie recipe
Bon appetit!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
DOSAI, Indian restaurant in Curry Hill, NYC, New York
At Dosai, I got to meet with the new Chef, Hemnath Nagaran, who explained to me that he was proposing dishes mainly from South India, few of them being from the North, based on his mother's recipes. Dosai might be a kosher vegetarian place, I can tell you that I did not mind not having any meat the day we went: the food was fantastic and some of the dishes not that commonly found on menus of Indian restaurants here.
Please note that the meal was complimentary. However, the opinions expressed in my blog are 100% my own!
Dosai, Indian restaurant in NYC, New York
Opened in May 2015, Dosai is one of the multiple new ventures of Michelin Star Chef Hemant Mathur. Interestingly, the place is next to Haldi, another place from Chef Mathur that I tried few months ago, having at the same time the privilege to meet Chef Mathur.
Chef Mathur at Haldi in NYC, New York
Chef Nagaran at Dosai, Indian restaurant in NYC, New York
At Dosai, I got to meet with the new Chef, Hemnath Nagaran, who explained to me that he was proposing dishes mainly from South India, few of them being from the North, based on his mother's recipes. Dosai might be a kosher vegetarian place, I can tell you that I did not mind not having any meat the day we went: the food was fantastic and some of the dishes not that commonly found on menus of Indian restaurants here.
Dining room at Dosai, Indian restaurant in NYC, New York
Before I talk about the food, I should mention the decor, that is quite minimal, but has a certain elegance. I was wondering if the trees in the dining room were a reference to nature.
Tree from the decor at Dosai, Indian restaurant in NYC, New York
I started my meal with a mango lassi, one of my favorites with sweet lassi.
Mango lassi at Dosai, Indian restaurant in NYC, New York
Mango lassi at Dosai, Indian restaurant in NYC, New York
We then tried few appetizers. The first one is a classic: vegetarian samosa.
Samosa at Dosai, Indian restaurant in NYC, New York
Samosa at Dosai, Indian restaurant in NYC, New York
The samosa were deliciously crispy and tasty, with the filling mainly made with potatoes and cauliflower; I truly appreciated the fact that they were not spicy at all.
The second appetizer was onion pakora or onion fritters, a classic street food, that were so addictive, that I could not stop eating them, even knowing that more food was coming. They were served with a coconut chutney, but I admit that I preferred dipping them in the tamarind sauce of the samosas...They had a nice crunchy texture and the batter had an interesting taste that was coming from the chickpea flour that they use.
Onion pakora at Dosai, Indian restaurant in NYC, New York
The last appetizer was the Idli Vadai combo, composed of idli (a sort of rice cake), menu vadai (a lentil dumpling that looks like a donut), sambar (that is like a soup made with lentils, tomatoes and turmeric to name few ingredients) and three chutneys: tomato, lentil and coconut.
Idli Vadai combo at Dosai, Indian restaurant in NYC, New York
Idli Vadai combo at Dosai, Indian restaurant in NYC, New York
Medu Vadai at Dosai, Indian restaurant in NYC, New York
Medu Vadai at Dosai, Indian restaurant in NYC, New York
Sambar at Dosai, Indian restaurant in NYC, New York
Idli at Dosai, Indian restaurant in NYC, New York
The sambar and chutneys were definitely necessary, the idli and menu vadai being a bit dry, and the idli by itself being bland, but acting like a sponge when dipped in the sambar. I liked the fact that I could eat it in different ways, alternating the chutneys (my favorite was the tomato, then lentil, then coconut) or the sambar, varying the flavors.
Then came our first entrees. I could not miss the dal makhni that is a dish made with black lentils and cream that is slow cooked.
Dal Makhni at Dosai, Indian restaurant in NYC, New York
Dal Makhni at Dosai, Indian restaurant in NYC, New York
As well as the paneer makhni, that is paneer cheese with bell pepper, served in a creamy tomato sauce.
Paneer Makhni at Dosai, Indian restaurant in NYC, New York
Paneer Makhni at Dosai, Indian restaurant in NYC, New York
Both dishes were sublime: creamy, with lots of flavors from the spices, they had a nice kick. We ate them with some chapati that is a whole wheat bread (delightfully charred), or basmati rice.
Chapati at Dosai, Indian restaurant in NYC, New York
Basmati rice at Dosai, Indian restaurant in NYC, New York
You would think that we were done, but the feast continued. First was a dish that I discovered the last time I was in Delhi: Uttapam.
Uttapam at Dosai, Indian restaurant in NYC, New York
Uttapam is like a pancake made from a batter that contains rice and lentils. This one had onions and green chilies, and was served with the same three chutneys I described before, as well as the sambar. I liked it and was glad that it was not spicy, but definitely preferred the dosa (dosai) that came after and was made from the same batter.
Dosa at Dosai, Indian restaurant in NYC, New York
Dosa at Dosai, Indian restaurant in NYC, New York
Dosa at Dosai, Indian restaurant in NYC, New York
Dosa at Dosai, Indian restaurant in NYC, New York
First, I let you compare the size of this dish with the others: it is huge! The table next to us just ordered this and for sure it was enough. Dosa is a thin crepe deliciously crispy and filled in the center. We picked the Chettinadu Vegetable Dosa that was not spicy. The crepe itself was fantastic and perfect dipped in the chutneys and sambar. I also liked the filling that was made with various vegetables like potatoes and I believe cauliflower.
Of course, believe it or not, we decided to try their desserts. Gulab jamun, these milk balls that are deep fried and then sit in a cardamon infused syrup was our first choice.
Gulab Jamun at Dosai, Indian restaurant in NYC, New York
Gulab Jamun at Dosai, Indian restaurant in NYC, New York
It was very good, but I admit that I liked even more the Payasam, a dish made with angel hair pasta, reduced sweetened milk, raisins and peanuts.
Payasam at Dosai, Indian restaurant in NYC, New York
Payasam at Dosai, Indian restaurant in NYC, New York
This was a spectacular meal and the walk back to our bus was welcome. Dosai is a great place to know and confirms the talent of not only Executive Chef Mathur who truly creates a unique experience in his restaurants, but also Chef Nagaran who crafted a delicious menu that definitely stands out. Would I go back? I would definitely go back and recommend this place.
Enjoy (I did)!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
Ocean Prime in NYC, New York
I was thrilled to go to Ocean Prime the day after their opening. Located midtown, this American restaurant replaced Ben Benson that closed several months back after facing a rent increase. Like Mastro's across the street or STK, few blocks away, it boasts an elegant decor that is both modern and classy, and a service that is perfection.
Ocean Prime in NYC, New York
I was thrilled to go to Ocean Prime the day after their opening. Located midtown, this American restaurant replaced Ben Benson that closed several months back after facing a rent increase.
Bar area at Ocean Prime in NYC, New York
Main dining room at Ocean Prime in NYC, New York
Like Mastro's across the street or STK, few blocks away, it boasts an elegant decor that is both modern and classy, and a service that is perfection. Setup on two floors, this 250 seats place has three different private rooms, accommodating 12 to 20 guests if I recall. I liked the fact that the main dining room had a view to the kitchen through a frosted window. We got seated in one of them, far from the noise of the main dining room, at least until a party of six came...
Private room at Ocean Prime in NYC, New York
Of course, as we were seated, they brought the expected bread basket that had nothing spectacular if not for the pretzel bread that is always a nice thing to have.
Bread basket at Ocean Prime in NYC, New York
Menu wise, there is a wide range, and for the appetizers, the emphasis is definitely on seafood. I decided to go for the crab cakes.
Crab cake at Ocean Prime in NYC, New York
Served with a sweet corn cream, I thought it was pretty good, not being made with tons of fillers and letting the jumbo lump of crab shine. It paired perfectly with the corn cream that did not overpower it.
For the steak, I went for my favorite cut: the ribeye. Apparently, it is not dry-aged; solely the Kansas City strip is.
Ribeye at Ocean Prime in NYC, New York
Steaks are seasoned and then broiled at 1200 degrees. The ribeye was 16 oz that is a perfect size (although I would have eaten more), was juicy and deliciously fatty (you can see a ring of fat on the photo), with that perfect bold taste and a very slight char. It was perfectly cooked medium rare.
Ribeye at Ocean Prime in NYC, New York
With it, I got a delicious béarnaise sauce as well as a mouth watering black truffle mac and cheese (check out the black truffle on top!).
Black truffle mac and cheese at Ocean Prime in NYC, New York
I should mention that with the ribeye, I got some wine: a Chateau Carbonnieux Grand Cru Classe Graves 2012 from France.
Chateau Carbonnieux Grand Cru Classe Graves 2012 from France at Ocean Prime in NYC, New York
Chateau Carbonnieux Grand Cru Classe Graves 2012 from France at Ocean Prime in NYC, New York
For sure, I could not leave without trying their dessert. I chose the chocolate peanut butter pie that I could have shared as I was full...Inside was a peanut butter mousse that was light and decadent with the chocolate ganache: a perfect dessert if you like peanut butter.
Peanut butter mousse at Ocean Prime in NYC, New York
Peanut butter mousse at Ocean Prime in NYC, New York
That was a fantastic dinner: the food was delicious and the service spot on. I am sure that their menu will change over time as they will probably adjust it, but at this point, it was very good. It is a perfect place for the area as another steakhouse would have been probably too much considering the number of these nearby (Mastro's, Ruth's Chris, Quality Meat, Quality Italian,...). I definitely recommend it and would surely go back, this time maybe for seafood (I will probably not resist having another ribeye though...).
Enjoy (I did)!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
Max, Italian Restaurant in TriBeCa
I was craving Italian food and found Max in TriBeCa. This place was definitely crowded when we went on a Friday night and I was surprised to see so many families with young kids. It had this neighborhood feel for sure and I was looking forward to trying their dishes.
Max, Italian Restaurant in TriBeCa
I was craving Italian food and found Max in TriBeCa. This place was definitely crowded when we went on a Friday night and I was surprised to see so many families with young kids. It had this neighborhood feel for sure and I was looking forward to trying their dishes.
Menu wise, they have classics like burrata, pasta and pizza, but what is great is that they have homemade pasta and ravioli, that I always consider a plus for a restaurant. But, before I talk about the pasta, let me talk about our appetizer: Melanzane a Funghetto.
Melanzane a Funghetto at Max, Italian Restaurant in TriBeCa
Bread at Max, Italian Restaurant in TriBeCa
It is a dish composed of diced fried eggplant, cooked with tomato and basil. A perfect dish to share and eat with some bread. I found it just ok for me, tasting a bit of bitterness that might have come from the eggplant skin or the basil.
What was really amazing was their pasta. As I mentioned before, it is homemade and I definitely recommend them. Jodi went for the Ravioli Ai Porcini or porcini ravioli with truffle cream.
Ravioli al Porcini at Max, Italian Restaurant in TriBeCa
These large ravioli were fantastic and my favorite. The ravioli was perfectly made, not too thick or doughy, the cream had this wonderful truffle scent and paired perfectly with the mushrooms.
On my side, I went for the Spaghetti Alla Chitarra or homemade spaghetti with a lamb ragu and pecorino romano cheese.
Spaghetti Alla Chitarra at Max, Italian Restaurant in TriBeCa
At first, I thought there was not enough ragu, but it did not last that long...It was a very comforting dish: the pasta were perfectly cooked and that sauce was delicious, having a bold taste and a thick texture.
For dessert, we went for the classic tiramisu that was very good: creamy, with the right balance between the mascarpone cream and the coffee.
Tiramisu at Max, Italian Restaurant in TriBeCa
Tiramisu at Max, Italian Restaurant in TriBeCa
We had a great dinner at Max and it was unexpected to find such restaurant there. I would definitely go back, but for sure order their homemade pasta that is sublime. I definitely recommend this place: good food, good service and reasonable prices for TriBeCa.
Enjoy (I did)!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
Recipe: Olive Oil Cake
I discovered olive oil cake a couple of years ago, eating in an Italian restaurant. Since then, I never hesitate to order it for dessert, often preferring it to the popular tiramisu. And in fact the best olive cake I ate, that inspires this recipe, was at Maialino. So, I decided to make my own: an easy recipe for a succulent cake...
Recipe: Olive Oil Cake
I discovered olive oil cake a couple of years ago, eating in an Italian restaurant. Since then, I never hesitate to order it for dessert, often preferring it to the popular tiramisu. And in fact the best olive cake I ate, that inspires this recipe, was at Maialino. So, I decided to make my own: an easy recipe for a succulent cake...
Time: 2h
Servings: 10
Ingredients:
Recipe: Olive Oil Cake - eggs
- 2 cups of white flour
- 1 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup of whole milk
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 2 Meyer lemons (1 1/2 for the zest and both for the juice).
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
Step 1: prepare the lemon juice and zest
Recipe: Olive Oil Cake - Meyer lemon
Recipe: Olive Oil Cake - Meyer lemon
I use Meyer lemons that are sweeter and less acidic than the usual lemon variety we know. First, I grate the zest of 1 1/2 lemon and then, I will press both lemons to get the juice, removing the seeds (Meyer lemons can have close to 10 seeds).
Recipe: Olive Oil Cake - Meyer lemon zest
Recipe: Olive Oil Cake - Meyer lemon seeds
Step 2: prepare the batter
In a bowl, mix the flour, the salt, baking powder, baking soda and sugar.
In another bowl, whisk the eggs, olive oil, lemon juice and zest, and milk. Mix slowly the dry ingredients until fully incorporated.
Pre-heat the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Melt some butter and spread generously in a cake mold. Then, put a thin coating of flour on the walls of the cake mold, so the cake does not stick.
Pour the batter into the cake mold.
Recipe: Olive Oil Cake - ready to cook
Cook for 1h30 in the oven, until the crust is golden brown. Then remove the cake from the oven and let it cool for 30 minutes before removing it from the mold.
Recipe: Olive Oil Cake
Bon appétit!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post comments! Merci!
Korean Burger at BarKogi in NYC, New York
Second Avenue has some interesting spots to eat and I should probably go there more often. That is where we found BarKogi, a Korean restaurant serving traditional Korean specialties as well as some interesting fusion dishes, such as Korean fried chicken or a Korean BBQ inspired burger: the short rib bulgogi burger.
BarKogi in NYC, New York
Second Avenue has some interesting spots to eat and I should probably go there more often. That is where we found BarKogi, a Korean restaurant serving traditional Korean specialties as well as some interesting fusion dishes, such as Korean fried chicken or a Korean BBQ inspired burger: the short rib bulgogi burger.
Dining room at BarKogi in NYC, New York
We reserved a table for a Sunday bunch, thinking that it might be crowded: it was not. I was glad in a way, as I like my meals quiet, until they blasted some music...I guess the Bar in the name says it all! At that point, I just wanted to get my dish and go, disregarding the dessert menu. The torture took longer than expected as they seemed to have some issues in the kitchen, the food taking a long time to come (they even forgot to bring Jodi the sous-vide egg she asked for her salad).
Before I explain to you what I think about the burger, I will start with Jodi's salad: it was a baby spinach shiitake noodle salad.
Baby Spinach shiitake noodle salad at BarKogi in NYC, New York
Baby Spinach shiitake noodle salad at BarKogi in NYC, New York
Definitely a large portion made with cabbage, cucumber, carrots, mushrooms, baby spinach and noodle, served with a sweet sauce that gave some depth to the dish.
Sous-vide egg at BarKogi in NYC, New York
The sous-vide egg was an add-on that I recommend if you like runny yolks.
Short rib bulgogi burger at BarKogi in NYC, New York
Then was the burger. The patty is marinated in soy, sugar, sesame and garlic and then grilled to a perfect medium temperature. It then sits between a non-toasted brioche bread, on top of a red onion, salad and a kimchi slaw.
Short rib bulgogi burger at BarKogi in NYC, New York
Short rib bulgogi burger at BarKogi in NYC, New York
Eating it was a bit messy, but I admit that it is a good burger, although I expected more of the sweet flavor the bulgogi gets in a Korean BBQ. However, the eight ounces short rib patty was tasty and juicy. There was a lunch special, so I got it for $10 with some truffled shoestring fries that were fantastic: you could definitely smell the truffle oil and taste it; the thin fries were deliciously crispy and cooked all the way through.
Truffled fries at BarKogi in NYC, New York
This was a succulent meal and I recommend trying their lunch special. Now, is it the best burger ever? Not for me: Five Napkin Burger or The Brindle Room are far better. But still, the bulgogi burger at BarKogi is worth the visit.
Enjoy (I did)!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
Patiala, Indian cuisine, in NYC, New York
Patiala is a small take out joint that takes its name from a city in southeastern Punjab, in northern India. Located few steps from The Madison Square Garden, it is more a grab and go eatery, the seating being very limited.
Patiala in NYC, New York
Patiala is a small take out joint that takes its name from a city in southeastern Punjab, in northern India. Located few steps from The Madison Square Garden, it is more a grab and go eatery, the seating being very limited.
Counter at Patiala in NYC, New York
The way it works is that you order a box: lamb box, chicken tikka box, vegan box, vegetarian box...Jodi went for the vegetarian box that had rice, yellow dal, saag paneer (cottage cheese with spinach) and aloo jeera (potatoes tossed with cumin and coriander - spicy).
Vegetarian box at Patiala in NYC, New York
Aloo jeera at Patiala in NYC, New York
On my side, I got the chicken tikka masala with yellow dal and aloo gobi (spiced cauliflower and potatoes cooked with cumin and coriander - spicy).
Chicken tikka masala box at Patiala in NYC, New York
Chicken tikka masala at Patiala in NYC, New York
Yellow dal at Patiala in NYC, New York
Aloo Gobi at Patiala in NYC, New York
They both came with a deliciously charred naan and we ordered a samosa that was pretty good, flaky and crispy.
Naan at Patiala in NYC, New York
Samosa at Patiala in NYC, New York
The food was overall ok, nothing to dream about: there was more rice than anything else, the dal was a bit watery and bland, and the chicken tikka masala not memorable. However, the mango lassi and the gulab jamun, my favorite dessert, were very good and made me less regret to stop by this place. So I guess you know I would not go back, right?
Mango lassi at Patiala in NYC, New York
Gulab Jamun at Patiala in NYC, New York
Enjoy (...)!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches in Hoboken, NJ
Don't desperate to find a Jimmy John's near you: this supposedly gourmet sandwich joint is a franchise. Their sandwiches are delicious and made fresh in less time you will have to read the menu. Gourmet might be a bit of a stretch, but they for sure have good sandwiches. First, what makes them real good is their bread that is apparently made daily: this is a fantastic bread and, as you know 50% of a success of the sandwich is the bread. The rest of the ingredients is also apparently fresh. For instance, they make daily their tuna salad.
Don't desperate to find a Jimmy John's near you: this supposedly gourmet sandwich joint is a franchise. Their sandwiches are delicious and made fresh in less time you will have to read the menu. Gourmet might be a bit of a stretch, but they for sure have good sandwiches. First, what makes them real good is their bread that is apparently made daily: this is a fantastic bread and, as you know 50% of a success of the sandwich is the bread. The rest of the ingredients is also apparently fresh. For instance, they make daily their tuna salad.
For my first time there, I decided to get the #9, The Italian Night Club, made with Genoa salami, Capicola, smoked ham, tomato, provolone cheese, onions, iceberg lettuce (a bit too much of it), mayonnaise and housemate Italian vinaigrette.
Jodi went for the #13, The Gourmet Veggie Club. This vegetarian sandwich is made with double provolone, avocado spread, cucumber, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise.
She also asked for a pickle that was fairly big.
These subs were really good (that bread...) and a good bang for the buck. If you crave a sandwich, skip Blimpie that is couple of blocks away and go to Jimmy John: you will not regret it. Well, I did not!
Enjoy (I did)!
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Burger at Eats in NYC, New York
I was really looking forward to go for brunch at Eats, a restaurant located on the Upper East Side. There was only one item I was eying on their menu: the dry-aged steak burger. I mean, when a burger has a name like that, it gives a lot of expectations. So, we arrived way earlier than our reservation, but it was not a problem. We sat at a table next to the window.
Eats in NYC, New York
I was really looking forward to go for brunch at Eats, a restaurant located on the Upper East Side. There was only one item I was eying on their menu: the dry-aged steak burger. I mean, when a burger has a name like that, it gives a lot of expectations. So, we arrived way earlier than our reservation, but it was not a problem. We sat at a table next to the window.
Dining room at Eats in NYC, New York
Eats is a fairly big place, warm with a casual feel and a bit of nostalgia coming from the black and white photos. Their brunch menu offers some classic dishes such as pancakes or French toast, as well as some unique dishes like the shakshuka poached eggs. Jodi decided to go for the huevos rancheros that were pretty good, with a perfectly runny yolk.
Huevos Rancheros at Eats in NYC, New York
The only negative being the house potatoes that I did not like. Anyway, I am not sure why you would serve potatoes with huevos rancheros. Yellow rice maybe...
On my side, I was impatiently waiting for my burger, drinking a nicely made double espresso.
Espresso at Eats in NYC, New York
When the burger arrived, it met my expectations: visually appetizing, with melted American cheese dripping from one side and caramelized onions overflowing the patty.
Burger at Eats in NYC, New York
The bun was slightly toasted and had nothing exceptional, leaving the center stage to the meat. And I admit that that first bite was fantastic: the meat was juicy and tasty, with a wonderful sweetness coming from the onions. It was so good that I did not really need to put any ketchup or mayonnaise on it.
Dry-aged steak burger at Eats in NYC, New York
Dry-aged steak burger at Eats in NYC, New York
Dry-aged steak burger at Eats in NYC, New York
I should also mention the fries that were skin on, a bit crispy, as I like them.
This was a delicious burger and my only regret was that it was small...Eats is now on my top ten list of burgers in New York and I would just go back to this place for it.
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!