The bone marrow burger at The Brazen Fox in the East Village
How did I end up at The Brazen Fox? Well, simply after winning a bet where the price was...bone marrow. Originally, we were supposed to go to Swine to get their bone marrow burger, but, we discovered that they are closed on Mondays. So, after looking on the internet, our plan B was The Brazen Fox in the East Village. This place is a bar, located on 13th and 3rd avenue. Quite big, it has two floors, the second floor being probably quieter and overlooking the street for those who like people watching...from the top...
How did I end up at The Brazen Fox? Well, simply after winning a bet where the price was...bone marrow. Originally, we were supposed to go to Swine to get their bone marrow burger, but, we discovered that they are closed on Mondays. So, after looking on the internet, our plan B was The Brazen Fox in the East Village. This place is a bar, located on 13th and 3rd avenue. Quite big, it has two floors, the second floor being probably quieter and overlooking the street for those who like people watching...from the top...I should mentioned the replica of planes on the ceiling, as well as the multiple TVs around the dining room, perfect for sport fanatics.
To accompany my meal, I opted for a cocktail instead of one of the many beers they offer. I went for the Something Old, made with bacon infused bourbon, maple syrup and angostura bitters. I admit that it is is the bacon that made me choose this and I was not disappointed: it had this sublime smokiness from it, as well as some sweetness from the maple syrup.
Menu wise, they have whatever a bar would serve: wings, burgers, sandwiches, but also lobster rolls, fish tacos and...Brussels sprouts (?). The first dish I tried was the buffalo wings that were decent, with a nice kick.
But what really got my attention was the bone marrow burger. Prepared with dry aged blend of beef, roasted bone marrow butter and sautéed shallots, on a toasted brioche bun, it was out of this world. When I cut the burger in half, it released some juices and I definitely sensed at that point that I was there for a treat. And the first bite was divine: it was juicy, perfectly cooked medium with a delightful char and a nice fattiness that may have come from the bone marrow butter. And the juiciness did not disappear as the patty rested. Note, it stayed like that until the last bite that did not take too long to come as I inhaled that burger!
It was served with some delicious hand cut fries that were skin on, but could have had more crispness to it to be perfect.
The bone marrow burger at The Brazen Fox was fantastic and is on my list of burger places to try in New York. Of course, its originality with the bone marrow make it an interesting find, but I wonder if their signature burger, The Brazen Burger, is also as good. Well, I guess that to know that, I will have to go back...
Enjoy (I did)!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
Burke and Wills, Australian bistro on the Upper West Side
Menu wise, they have snacks, small plates as well as large plates. But I went for one and only one dish: the "roo burger", understand kangaroo burger. I had kangaroo before, not as a burger, but a steak, when I was living in France, at a time when kangaroo and ostrich meat became a novelty, offering a healthier alternative to beef. Kangaroo has a very particular taste, far from beef and closer to venison, with a strong gamey flavor.
Doing some research to write this post, I discovered that the restaurant's name Burke & Wills is an homage to two explorers, Robert O'Hara Burke and William John Wills, who in 1860 led an expedition across Australia, in areas not yet known. Unfortunately, it did not end well and it is said that they died a year later from being depleted from vitamins due to their consumption of seedcakes.
It is a nice place, located in the heart of the Upper West Side. I like the feel of the decor with first the bar area at the entrance, that has two person booths, and then, in the back, a nice dining room sitting under a glass canopy that gives good light during the day, contrasting with the low light of the bar area.
Menu wise, they have snacks, small plates as well as large plates. But I went for one and only one dish: the "roo burger", understand kangaroo burger. I had kangaroo before, not as a burger, but a steak, when I was living in France, at a time when kangaroo and ostrich meat became a novelty, offering a healthier alternative to beef. Kangaroo has a very particular taste, far from beef and closer to venison, with a strong gamey flavor.
When the burger came, I was very excited. The charred patty was topped by a tomato jam, arugula and picked onions. It was perfectly cooked medium, juicy and very flavorful, with a nice char. It was served with a delicious harissa mayo that had a nice kick and accompanied with large fries that were a bit crispy and, unexpectedly cooked all the way through.
With the burger, I decided to have an Australian beer. I chose a Cooper's vintage Ale. I could have gone for a cocktail, especially after seeing the Paul Hogan or Kylie Minogue ones that were prepared without alcohol. I guess they ditched the Mel Gibson...
For dessert, I decided to go for the homemade donuts that were served with Nutella and dulce de leche. The doughnuts were really good, airy and fully covered with confectioners sugar. I definitely recommend it.
I had a nice meal at Burke & Willis: the burger was good and is a perfect choice if you want to try something unusual. I think that, for sure, it is worth the trip.
Enjoy (I did)!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
Burgers at Church Street Tavern in TriBeCa
Church Street Tavern is the kind of place that could be on top of my list, but is not because of the multiple issues we had with the service. I rarely comment on service unless it is exceptional. For poor service, I rarely do it because I understand that waiters are not in control of everything. Could the kitchen be the problem for instance? They could also be understaffed for whatever reason. Well, at Church Street Tavern, the issue was our waiter. First, if your patrons do not feel like having a drink, you should not make them sense you are disappointed because your tip will be lower, the bill not matching your expectations.
Church Street Tavern is the kind of place that could be on top of my list, but is not because of the multiple issues we had with the service. I rarely comment on service unless it is exceptional. For poor service, I rarely do it because I understand that waiters are not in control of everything. Could the kitchen be the problem for instance? They could also be understaffed for whatever reason. Well, at Church Street Tavern, the issue was our waiter. First, if your patrons do not feel like having a drink, you should not make them sense you are disappointed because your tip will be lower, the bill not matching your expectations. Then, no need to be condescending when questions are asked about the menu. Last, of the three times we went, twice we got an issue with our order. The first time, I ordered a Wellington burger: I had no idea what it looked like and ended up with their Tavern burger that, although delicious was not what I asked for. The second time, I got the Wellington burger, but it was overcooked and medium. It might have been a kitchen issue, but considering the previous issue and the attitude of the waiter, I would think not. Yes, there are definitely issues with the kitchen, the main one being inconsistency: look below at the fish and chips we ordered at two different occasions. Not at all the same quantity of fish...Too bad because it was pretty good, the fish being perfectly cooked in a batter that was slightly crunchy.
Before I show you what we ate, let's talk about the place. When you enter, you stumble on the bar that, each time, was full. In the back, is the dining room, with its exposed bricks and black and white photos that give a nice atmosphere to the restaurant, warm, with a bit of nostalgia.
The main item of their menu is burgers made with a dry-aged patty made with their own blend. The Tavern Burger was definitely a hit for me: juicy, tasty with a nice proportion bread / meat and the patty had a nice char. It is made with bacon-onion jam, aged cheddar and arugula on a toasted brioche bun.
The second burger was the Wellington burger. It was built with mushroom duxelles, foie butter and cheesy pastry crisp. This is the one that was overcooked and I found the puff pastry a bit tough. Definitely not as good as the Tavern burger.
When I ordered the Tavern burger, I could make it a deluxe, that came with a side. Their sides are fairly good, whether it was the fries or the onion rings, my preference going with the later.
We also tried their mac and cheese that were delicious, made with lots of cheese that did not taste processed.
Other dishes were the fusili with tomatoes, mozzarella and pecorino cheese. I admit that it was very good, especially because they were generous with the amount of cheese.
And the fish and chips I mentioned previously. The photos below show the two different times we went and the inconsistency in the size of the dish.
So I am a bit on the fence with Church Street Tavern: this is a good example as how poor service can ruin an experience. They have good food there, so I may anyway decide to go back. We'll see...
Enjoy (I did)!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
Daisy May's BBQ USA in NYC, New York
I was looking for a quite BBQ place and stumbled upon Daisy May's BBQ USA, a small joint located off the beaten path, close to the now popular Gotham West Market. Going there is like stepping in another dimension, the decor being a bit over the top...
I was looking for a BBQ place and stumbled upon Daisy May's BBQ USA, a small joint located off the beaten path, close to the now popular Gotham West Market. Going there is like stepping in another dimension, the decor being a bit over the top...
So, you go at the counter, order your food, and then, they give you a tray with your order few seconds after. Quick, but not so cheap compared to other BBQ restaurants that I found much better. Then you go to the back where they have a dining room with communal tables or sit at the counter, enjoying people watching.
I decided to go with one of their combos, that had sweet and sticky ribs, St Louis style, smothered in a Kansas city style sauce that I thought was delicious. Unfortunately, the ribs were a bit dry, and not at all falling off the bone, as advertised...I also got the brisket that was again dry (I did not finish it)...The sides were better, especially the mac and cheese that I thought would be terrible considering the experience with the meat. But you know what? It was fairly decent, as was the cole slaw.
I was disappointed to say the least. Would I go back to Daisy May's BBQ USA? Probably not. There are much better places in NYC for similar prices.
Enjoy (...)!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
Daisy May's BBQ USA
Address: 623 11th Ave, New York, NY 10036
Phone:(212) 977-1500
Dominique Ansel Kitchen in NYC, New York
I have been a fan of Dominique Ansel way before he made headlines with the Cronut. My ultimate pick at his bakery is the DKA or Dominique Kouign Amman, a buttery mount of deliciousness that makes me drool just thinking about it. And guess what? You may have to queue up at 5am for the Cronut, you do not need to for the DKA! But don't get me wrong, the Cronut is delicious and sort of have a French touch to the doughnuts, creating a craze that seems to have worn off.
I have been a fan of Dominique Ansel way before he made headlines with the Cronut. My ultimate pick at his bakery is the DKA or Dominique Kouign Amman, a buttery mount of deliciousness that makes me drool just thinking about it. And guess what? You may have to queue up at 5am for the Cronut, you do not need to for the DKA! But don't get me wrong, the Cronut is delicious and sort of have a French touch to the doughnuts, creating a craze that seems to have worn off.
But this time, it is not about Dominique Ansel Bakery, the DKA or the Cronut. It is about Dominique Ansel Kitchen, a made to order bakery, where 70% of the dishes are made to order, the Chef considering that the fresher the better. In fact, when I say made to order, I should correct myself and more say assembled to order.
This place is small, with only few seats, smartly placed to optimize the space. First, you order at the counter, where there are nice and appetizing photos of the dishes. Then, you pick a seat. They will then being your dishes as they are ready (took maybe five minutes).
We decided to try two dishes and two desserts. First, we started with the edamame and avocado toast.
The vessel for this dish is a poppyseed brioche that is stuffed with ricotta, mint, edamame and avocado. I liked it, although the brioche was a bit old and so tough (Jodi thinks it was toasted, but I doubt considering how hard it was)...Otherwise, I thought it was a pretty successful vegetarian dish, the edamame and avocado working very well together, and the ricotta adding even more freshness.
The second dish was the Egg-clipse, an interesting brunch dish made with a delicious squid ink brioche (the taste of the squid ink was very subtle), topped with mashed potatoes, a fantastic mushroom bechamel and two egg yolks.
For dessert, we chose the ultimate S'mores, a decadent dessert made with homemade speculoos cookies, a honey marshmallow, a dark chocolate whiskey ganache and some sea salt milk chocolate shards.
It was definitely looking spectacular and I had no idea how to start eating it...It was good, but very sweet and I admit that I could not finish it. Also because we had another dessert...It was the Maple filled waffles with hazelnut sugar.
There were four of them that came in a paper bag. They were filled with a thick maple gelee. The waffle itself was very good, to the point that I would not have minded having just the waffle and nothing inside!
Overall, it was good, but I am not sure it is the kind of place I would go often, at least for brunch. Breakfast is another story as their pastries look amazing and I cannot stop thinking about that DKA...so, yes, I would go back!
Enjoy (I did)!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
Maman in TriBeCa
Last Saturday, we went for brunch to Maman (mom in French), a new up and coming place in TriBeCa. I cannot remember what was in that location, but Maman is surely a good addition in the neighborhood, proposing family inspired recipes from France and North America, thanks to the association of Chef Armand Arnal, Benjamin Sormone and Elisa Marshall.
Last Saturday, we went for brunch to Maman (mom in French), a new up and coming place in TriBeCa. I cannot remember what was in that location, but Maman is surely a good addition in the neighborhood, proposing family inspired recipes from France and North America, thanks to the association of Chef Armand Arnal, Benjamin Sormone and Elisa Marshall.
In fact, I was looking forward to try their brunch after having their Nutella beignet that is out of this world. Nutella lovers will definitely not be disappointed after seeing the amount of deliciousness that is in the core of the beignet.
As the first time we went was Easter, they had a special: a coconut eclair that was decent (it was more for Jodi as I am not as a huge fan of coconut as she is and she loved it).
That place was really crowded for brunch, in both the bakery area at the entrance and the dining room in the back, but we were able to sit at their communal table fairly quickly. The decor was rustic, with lots of plants or artifacts that give the impression you are away in the countryside. It goes in line with the fact that they locally source ingredients, crafting a mouth watering menu that is a combination of French classics and traditional brunch dishes. Or shall I say "frunch"?
Jodi went for the deconstructed avocado toast composed of crushed avocado with lime and cilantro, tomatoes and pumpkin seeds, served with a homemade country bread. This seems to be one of their popular dishes and I was not surprised that they had an avocado toast on their menu as it seems to become the dish to serve. However, to set themselves apart, it was interesting to see a deconstructed version. It was definitely good, refreshing and healthy in a way.
On my side, I got the "rabbit hole" that is an egg in a hole, but again, their own version, with honey roasted pastrami, caramelized onions, comté cheese and tomato, topped with a sunny side egg. The bread was quite soft, the shape of a bagel, but the texture of a brioche (less dense than a bagel for sure), with poppyseed on top. It was great: rustic, I loved the different layers of flavor, between the bread, meat, egg, as well as the sweetness of the onions and the sharpness of the cheese.
On top of that, the egg was perfectly cooked, the yolk being runny.
Last, I really wanted to try the "oeuf a la coque" that are soft boiled eggs, where the white and yolk are runny and used as a dip for some pieces of bread. This is a very traditional French dish that reminds me of my childhood. When the dish came, I did not expect three eggs as the name of the dish indicated only one... Then, after I removed the top of the first egg with my knife, I sensed that it was overcooked. I reached out to the yolk and confirmed my diagnosis. I tried the second and third, and all of them were in the same state. I admit that I was a bit disappointed and the waiter did not even know how this should be served. At least, the country bread and spreads (tapenade and sundried tomato -a guess for the later) were very good.
On our way out, we could not resist stopping by their bakery and bring home some of their cookies. We tried:
The Oreo cookie:
Maman’s ‘famous’ nutty chocolate chunk cookie:
I admit that these cookies were a bit disappointing: the Oreo cookie tasted stale and the nutty chocolate chip cookie was just ok, having in some part too much macadamia nuts and not enough chocolate. Clearly not at the same level of that Nutella beignet I tried the week before!
Overall, I liked Maman: good food, reasonable prices and nice atmosphere. Would I go back? Certainly, and maybe for their dinner this time, but for sure for more of the goodies they bake, especially the beignet or the Nutella madeleines...
Enjoy (I did)!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
The Breakroom Burger and Tacos in the heart of Chinatown
I was looking for a burger place near TriBeCa when I stumbled upon Breakroom Burger and Tacos. First, the combination of burger and tacos was fairly interesting, although there is already Burger and Lobster, so why not that one! Then, it is in the heart of Chinatown, between a bail bondsman and an acupuncturist. Small place for sure, it is better to either come early or with a small party. When we arrived, we were lucky to be able to sit in the last two tables available, next to the counter that was blasting some terrible music that I hoped would never be in a Christmas gift.
I was looking for a burger place near TriBeCa when I stumbled upon Breakroom Burger and Tacos. First, the combination of burger and tacos was fairly interesting, although there is already Burger and Lobster, so why not that one! Then, it is in the heart of Chinatown, between a bail bondsman and an acupuncturist. Small place for sure, it is better to either come early or with a small party. When we arrived, we were lucky to be able to sit in the last two tables available, next to the counter that was blasting some terrible music that I hoped would never be in a Christmas gift.
So, we ordered at the counter and I admit waited for a long time to get our food, the kitchen being probably tiny and a bit backed up. So, as we waited, we enjoyed a delicious house made mint lemonade that was quite refreshing.
Then our food came. Jodi decided to go for the tempura avocado sandwich that was composed of a piping hot avocado tempura style, lettuce, tomato and the house sauce. She added some mushroom to it.
On my side, I went for their signature burger, The Breakroom Burger, made of a 6oz beef patty, confit crispy pork, onion ring, an egg, jalapenos, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle and house sauce. That is like a heart attack on a plate, although I was really reasonable, as I did not add a second patty...
This was a delicious burger, very flavorful and juicy, but not because of the meat, but because of the pork belly that was fantastic. The first bite was divine: you get the confit pork belly flavor mixed with the beef, as well as the egg and pickles that added a nice crunch complementing the one from the onion ring. The cheese and yolk adding some smoothness to that incredible taste, although I wished the yolk was runnier. The beef patty was slightly overcooked, but it did not matter as the other elements of the burger made it succulent. I should mention that I thought there would be some more heat with the jalapeno, but there was just a little bit of it, not enough for my taste.
With our burgers, we decided to order some tater tots that were very good, crispy and not greasy.
So we had good burgers at Breakroom Burger and Tacos. Would I go back? Definitely, but I would stick with the burgers and would try their classic with a double patty...My only regret was that they did not have any milkshakes to go with it. It helps me digest...
Enjoy (I did)!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
Dos Caminos in the Meat Packing District
To start our lunch, we went for the guacamole, small size. I admit that I was expecting smaller and was surprised by the amount of tortilla chips it came with. Usually you have to ask for more, but not at Dos Caminos. It also came with three sauces from mild to hot. I liked the hot one, that, although quite spicy I could not stop going back to.
As we had to go around Union Square, we decided to have lunch at Dos Caminos in the Meat Packing District, a restaurant located in a flatiron shaped building.
The place was not that crowded, so I was real happy because the noise level was perfect. I like the decor there: spacious, elegant and warm. Fairly big for sure, they sat us in the upstairs dining room.
To start our lunch, we went for the guacamole, small size. I admit that I was expecting smaller and was surprised by the amount of tortilla chips it came with. Usually you have to ask for more, but not at Dos Caminos. It also came with three sauces from mild to hot. I liked the hot one, that, although quite spicy I could not stop going back to.
The guacamole was very good, well seasoned, although there was just a bit too much lemon in it. But I really liked it.
Then came the entrées. Jodi went for the tacos vegetales that is the vegetarian tacos, but asked it naked, that is without tortilla. It was composed of butternut squash, pinto beans, grilled avocado, salsa verde, quinoa tortillas. It was served with rice and beans.
It was good, but not as good as the entree I chose: 18 ingredients mole short ribs. It is one of their house specialties where the short ribs are roasted overnight. At first, although I was excited by the beautiful presentation, I was a bit surprised there was not that much mole and feared it would be dry. But I was wrong: this was simply succulent! The meat was tender and the mole delicious. It sat on a Mexican risotto that was so good: moist, smokey thanks to the bacon in it, I could have eaten more.
It was served with a flour tortilla.
For dessert, we decided to order their churros ice cream sandwich. Normally it is with a coffee ice cream, but we asked to swap with a tres leches scoop, swap that they graciously performed. That was divine: the crunchiness of the churros and the particular taste of this fried dough married perfectly with an ice cream with a delicate taste, the ensemble not being too sweet and heaven when dipped in chocolate.
This was a great meal that I did not expect. Dos Caminos is definitely on my list, although, considering the location, I might recommend lunch rather than dinner as far as the noise level and crowd is concerned.
Enjoy (I did)!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
Sorellina, Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar in Hoboken, NJ
So, there is a new addition in the Hoboken food scene, an Italian restaurant called Sorellina ("little sister" in Italian). This place opened recently where Helmer's, a German restaurant used to be, closing after nearly eighty years of service. For sure the makeover that was done made Sorellina more appealing to the crowd (including the younger one), having both a rustic and modern feel.
So, there is a new addition in the Hoboken food scene, an Italian restaurant called Sorellina ("little sister" in Italian). This place opened recently where Helmer's, a German restaurant used to be, closing after nearly eighty years of service. For sure the makeover that was done made Sorellina more appealing to the crowd (including the younger one), having both a rustic and modern feel.
This place not only serves Italian food, but is also a wine bar with a nice selection of wines from Italy, as well as interesting cocktails, such as the Sambucca Mash made with Sambucca, fresh basil and orange that was very refreshing.
We went there for brunch, the second day they decided to offer it on Saturday and Sunday, as well as for dinner. In both cases, the food was delicious, but I found the prices for dinner, especially the entrees, to be expensive.
For brunch, we decided to try several dishes. First were the arancini, there rice meatballs made with hen of the woods and fontina cheese. They were fantastic: crispy, gooey in the center thanks to the generous amount of cheese. They were served with a nice marinara sauce and we should have probably asked for more of it.
The second dish was the grilled octopus, served with soppressata and candied lemon. Although small for the price, I really liked it: the octopus was perfectly cooked and I loved the pairing with the spicy soppressata as well as the taste of the candied lemon.
Then, Jodi got the escarole Caesar salad, without anchovies. A decent salad, but nothing to rave about.
On my side however, I got the fried chicken salad sandwich on house made biscuits, with a side of salad. First of all, I liked the fact that it was served with a salad, making this dish lighter. Then, the sandwich was succulent: I loved the texture of the fried chicken that was very good and had a bit of crunch. Then, these biscuits were awesome and I am glad to know that they offer them in the small plates section.
We finished our brunch with the sole dessert they were offering: an apricot tart with ricotta, a fantastic dessert for sure that was not too sweet. It was definitely a good portion of it.
For dinner, we got pecan pesto burrata, served with butternut squash. I loved it, the burrata being very good, delightfully creamy, pairing well with the pecan pesto that had a nice nuttiness and the squash that added some sweetness to it.
Then, came the entrées: brown butter cod cheeks with celery ravioli and hazelnuts for Jodi.
Veal agnolotti with ricotta and black truffle for me.
I admit that I was surprised when I saw the portions that I thought were small considering the prices. The pasta dishes were good, my preference going to Jodi's dish that was perfectly cooked, from the fish to the ravioli. My agnolotti could have been cooked a bit longer, the edges being a bit tough.
Dessert was disappointing: we chose the pasta dolce that is fried dough. I though that $11 for what we got was outrageous! Not only it was very small, but it is not a dessert that will remain in my memory.
I have mixed feeling about Sorellina: the brunch was very good and, for the most part, appropriately priced. But the dinner was way too pricey for what it was. So I guess I will go back for brunch...
Enjoy (I kind of did)!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
Revisit: House of Que in Hoboken, NJ
House of Que, the BBQ restaurant located on Sinatra Drive in Hoboken, is not unknown to me: we went last December, two weeks after they opened and at the time, my review was fairly good, promising myself to go back to try their chicken and pecan pie. So I was excited to go back, invited by the owners, with the opportunity to meet with Chef Michael Rodriguez, a Texas pit master who brought to the East Coast authentic Austin BBQ. Chef Rodriguez gave us a bit of his background, from his years at Salt Lick BBQ in Texas that I saw (and tasted) at the Big Apple BBQ Block Party couple of year ago, to Tres Carnes in the City that is on my long list of places to try and may come on top after this phenomenal lunch we had today!
Please note that the meal was complimentary. However, the opinions expressed in my blog are 100% my own!
House of Que, the BBQ restaurant located on Sinatra Drive in Hoboken, is not unknown to me: we went last December, two weeks after they opened and at the time, my review was fairly good, promising myself to go back to try their chicken and pecan pie. So I was excited to go back, invited by the owners, with the opportunity to meet with Chef Michael Rodriguez, a Texas pit master who brought to the East Coast authentic Austin BBQ. Chef Rodriguez gave us a bit of his background, from his years at Salt Lick BBQ in Texas that I saw (and tasted) at the Big Apple BBQ Block Party couple of year ago, to Tres Carnes in the City that is on my long list of places to try and may come on top after this phenomenal lunch we had today! The birth of House of Que took a few years with events like Hurricane Sandy slowing down this project, until the official opening the week of Thanksgiving 2015.
House of Que is a big place with an outdoor area that is perfect these days and allows its diners to admire the stunning New York skyline, as well as a very large dining room with multiple TV sets all over. I always go early so I can leisurely take some photos and I admit that at first the place was not that crowded. But then, at around 1pm, people started to come, mainly families with children. And you know what? It was fine, this place being big, so kids could do whatever they wanted without bothering other patrons.
I should mention the singer who was there to entertain, one of many animations House of Que proposes. But hey, I was not there for the music!
Know, we were there for the food and we did not expect to have such a feast...The menu has changed a bit since the last time we came, with few things added such as the burger or the wings. But, overall, they propose classic Texas BBQ with meat prepared for hours in their smoker that I was able to see. When Chef Rodriguez opened it, it was like opening a treasure chest, with the light shining from the gold it contains, except that there, it was not light but smoke that came out. And that wonderful smell emanating from it made me want to have more food, although it we already ate.
We got seated at one of the booths and. looking at the paper towel roll on the table, as well as the BBQ sauces, I was thinking that the messier it would be, the better, although I hoped not to stain the white part of the banquette...
They proposed two house made BBQ sauces: first was the 512 sauce that takes its name from a Texas area code. It was sweet and spicy with a very subtle heat, but definitely a bold flavor. The second one was my favorite one: the Texas 2-steps that combines a zesty tomato sauce from Texas as well as mustard and vinegar from North and South Carolina, all major BBQ regions in the US. I loved its sweet and savory taste that was perfect with any meat.
The first dish that came was the wings. I love chicken wings and I could not resist trying these. They are proposed as mild or spicy and I decided to go for the latter. In fact, it had a perfect amount of kick and was spectacular: not only the sauce was succulent, with its nice smokiness, but the chicken was a bit crispy, perfectly cooked and moist. I admit that it was difficult not to finish the entire dish, but I knew more was to come, although I did not anticipate this:
Well, when I told Chef Rodriguez that I would like to try a little bit of everything, I did not imagine that I would have the opportunity to try most of the menu!
First were the sides as well as small bites. Often, we are a bit frustrated with the sides in BBQ places because they do not propose that many and, if you are vegetarian or eat little meat, your choices can be limited. Well, not at House of Que where I counted 10 different sides that we could try.
It included:
Mac and Cheese:
Macaroni salad:
Collard greens:
BBQ beans:
Potato salad:
Deviled eggs:
Texas slaw:
Brisket Chili:
Corn and beans:
Corn pudding:
My favorite side was definitely the corn pudding that was sweet and savory at the same time and definitely a side I would recommend. I also liked the chili that was made with some smoked brisket, or the deviled eggs that were perfectly made, the mayonnaise not being overpowering.
Then was the burger. The patty is made with ground beef and some fatty part of the smoked brisket, that adds some smokiness as well as texture to it. It also has lots of cheese, making this burger quite decadent and pickles for an added texture. I definitely appreciated the fact that the proportion bun / patty was well balanced, letting the meat shine. It was delicious, although I would have liked the meat, with its delightful char, to be slightly less cooked.
The burger came with some fries that I barely touched, simply because of all the food on the table.
Now, let's talk about the plat de resistance: the meat that they serve by the pound.
There was:
Brisket with a nice char and some delicious fat, very tender and flavorful.
Pork shoulder (a hit, like last time):
Pork ribs (nice rub, moist, although not falling off the bone):
Sausages (a house made recipe, flavorful with a perfect casing):
Smoked chicken (perfectly cooked, moist, with the skin being a bit crispy):
That was an incredible sampler , my favorite being the pulled pork shoulder and the brisket that had this delicious charred fat on it, fat that some people remove, not me for sure!
To digest, we got some desserts...
It was:
A peach cobbler:
The pecan pie that I really wanted to try:
There was also some vanilla ice cream to go with the desserts. My favorite was definitely the pecan pie that was out of this world: thick and buttery, it is definitely a decadent dessert that I recommend.
Last, I should mention that I accompany my meal with a cocktail from their inventive selection. I went for the Driftwood Sunset Punch, made with a house made lemonade, a white peach puree, Deep Eddy Vodka, mint and lime. It was a very refreshing drink and not that strong (I could drink it like milk...).
This revisit at House of Que was a feast and the walk back home was welcomed. The food there was delicious, and I would for sure even consider this place if I just want to have a good burger as it often happens when I come back from traveling abroad. So you know that I would go back, right?
Enjoy (I did)!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
Satay Malaysian Cuisine in Hoboken, NJ
You should not judge a book by its cover we say. That's the way I see Satay Malaysian Cuisine in Hoboken. The bloc where it is located is mainly known for housing Carlo's Bakery, the famous original bakery of The Cake Boss. This place has some amazing food that is worth to try whether you like Asian food or not. We went several times and, each time, our experience there has been fantastic. The decor is quite colorful, with the kitchen giving the impression the dining room is outside with its roof-like awning.
You should not judge a book by its cover we say. That's the way I see Satay Malaysian Cuisine in Hoboken. The bloc where it is located is mainly known for housing Carlo's Bakery, the famous original bakery of The Cake Boss. This place has some amazing food that is worth trying whether you like Asian food or not. We went several times and, each time, our experience there has been fantastic. The decor is quite colorful, with the kitchen giving the impression the dining room is outside with its roof-like awning.
For beverages, they offer Malaysian milk tea that I could not resist. It was good, although I prefer Thai iced tea, but hey, this is not a Thai restaurant! I decided to order one with tapioca, that is always fun to get though the large straw.
For appetizer, my favorite is Roti Canai, an Indian roti bread served with a chicken curry sauce.
Each time we went, Jodi ordered the Tofu Nyonya, that is deep fried bean curd with mixed vegetables in a house special mild sauce. The dish is cooked and served on a hot skillet and so it comes piping hot. The best part of this dish is the tofu that is soaked by this amazing sauce.
On my side, my go to dishes are:
Malaysian Nasi Goreng with seafood: made with fried rice with chicken, scallops, shrimp, squid, egg, green, pea, onion and carrot. I love the presentation which was surprising: I would have expected the dish on a plate and not in a bamboo box. It was delicious: first of all, there was lots of chicken and shrimp. Second, it was slightly greasy and delightfully tasty.
My second favorite dish there is the Indian Mee Goreng, composed of Indian style stir fried egg noodles in a mild dried squid sauce with tofu, potatoes, shrimp, egg and bean sprouts. This dish is sweet and savory, not very spicy, with the tofu being a bit crunchy.
For dessert, we tried their fried ice cream that is sublime, but I admit that my favorite is the mango sticky rice, which is sticky rice cubes served with mango and a coconut cream.
This place is great and I definitely recommend Satay Malaysian Cuisine. I would definitely go back there for some delicious cheap food.
Enjoy (I did)!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
Boi Noodle House in NYC, New York
On a Saturday night, we were decided to go eat Ramen and our target was Tabata Ramen, close to Port Authority. But, on our way, we noticed this place called Boi Noodle House, a Vietnamese restaurant that had ramen on the menu. From the outside, it was a bit difficult to see that it was a restaurant, but the A on the door attracted my eyes that are always looking for restaurants while walking around (Yes, it drives Jodi crazy sometimes, but I cannot help it).
On a Saturday night, we were decided to go eat Ramen and our target was Tabata Ramen, close to Port Authority. But, on our way, we noticed this place called Boi Noodle House, a Vietnamese restaurant that had ramen on the menu. From the outside, it was a bit difficult to see that it was a restaurant, but the A on the door attracted my eyes that are always looking for restaurants while walking around (Yes, it drives Jodi crazy sometimes, but I cannot help it).
The decor was a bit weird, the tables having a plastic on top of the colorful tableclothes, like going to your grandmother's place.
Menu wise, they have the classic Pho, as well as some signature noodle soups quite unusual such as the one with escargots (snails) that I did not dare to try...
We decided to start with the caramelized pork buns.
I thought that the bun was just ok, being a bit doughy and the pork belly was dry. Fortunately, there was a bottle of hoisin sauce on the table that I used to give a better taste...
Then, I chose to get the Xia Xiu pork and spare ribs ramen.
The presentation was spectacular: they do not just come with a bowl with all the ingredients. No, they come with a large plate with the bowl in the center, and all the ingredients on the side, such as the pork belly, the spicy bamboo shoots, the hard boiled eggs and some cabbage. You then just have to mix it. The chicken and pork broth was pretty good, but unfortunately, the meat was tough and overcooked.
Jodi went for the organic tofu pho, served with tofu, enoki mushrooms, boo choi, scallions, cilantro, basil, bean sprouts.
I am not sure what the broth was made with, but thought it had a weird taste that I did not like at all...The noodles were flat rice noodles that were good, but a bit overpowered by the broth. However, the garlic noodles in my ramen were really good.
I admit that I was disappointed by Boi Noodle House. The menu looked promising, but I did not like any of the dishes. That is definitely not a place where 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!
Brushstroke in TriBeCa
When we went to Bouley in TriBeCa, I was definitely unimpressed, if not disappointed. But we still were going to give a chance to the famous Chef, trying the Japanese restaurant he opened with Yoshiki Tsuji, Brushstroke. And you know what? It was much, much, much better, with a tasting that was memorable.
When we went to Bouley in TriBeCa, I was definitely unimpressed, if not disappointed. But we still were going to give a chance to the famous Chef, trying the Japanese restaurant he opened with Yoshiki Tsuji, Brushstroke. And you know what? It was much, much, much better, with a tasting that was memorable.
It is not a huge place, and we were lucky to sit at the counter, overlooking the kitchen where the magic happened, mesmerized by the precision of the staff, sometimes using tweezers to plate the dishes. We went for their tasting menu (en kaseiki): vegetarian for Jodi and non-vegetarian for me. Both were fantastic: beautifully presented and amazing taste.
We started off with beverages. Jodi had a tea called Genmaicha, a fine gyokuro green tea mixed with toasted brown rice.
On my side, I had a glass of sake from their large selection. I chose the Song of the Sea Junmai Ginjo sake:
Here is what we had:
Jodi - Yuzu wasabi guacamole and soba chips.
Me - Sakizuke: smoked European eel and Ankimo tofu.
Jodi - Kabocha and butternut squash soup with tofu sesame foam.
Me - Nimonowan: Winter vegetables in sake lees (yeast that are leftover from the fermentation) white miso broth.
Jodi - Miniature vegetables landscape over snow tundra in tofu.
Me - Tsukuri: sashimi made with sea bream or Tai, a fish similar in appearance and taste to red snapper.
Jodi - steamed turnip mochi with Winter mushrooms and gingko nuts.
Me - Hashiyasume: Chawanmushi Nantucket Bay scallop bekkou-ankake.
Jodi - Winter vegetables hassun.
Me - Hassun: Kinmedai black pepper Yuan-Yaki, Winter bamboo shoots, sweet soy sauce, steamed organic duck and the sushi of the day.
Jodi - Satoimo and quinoa dumpling.
Me - Shiizakana: this was the main dish and for this one, I could chose between two. I decided to go for the Colorado lamb chop, served with puffed dried green seaweed, red wine reduction and Satoimo purée.
Jodi - Lotus roots and mushrooms with Japanese heirloom green rice.
Me - choice of rice entrée: I decided to order the Long Island Jonah crab truffle ankake over rice.
Last was desserts. We decided to go for the sake lees creme brulee that was phenomenal, served with a homemade sweet sake.
The second dessert was the black truffle ice cream accompany with truffle honey, truffle vinegar and almonds. This was for sure a very unique dessert. It was good, but, if I had to pick, I would order the creme brulee.
Last, with the bill, came a crispy treat that I think was made of tofu skin.
This was a phenomenal dinner and most of the dishes were very good, whether vegetarian or non-vegetarian. The presentation was beautiful and I wonder if the name of the restaurant was not picked to represent the art put into creating such dishes, the plate being like a canvas to a master. This is pricey, but, if you want such an experience, it is a very good place to go to.
Enjoy (I did)!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
Ramen-Ya on W4th Street in NYC, New York
As it will soon not be ramen time for me: I love the hot soup one and I am less inclined to have these noodles in a cold dish, although I tried once at Takumi and it was delicious, but I really associate ramen with colder days...One of the ramen joints that was on my radar is Ramen-Ya and we decided to go for lunch on a week day. When we arrived at their location on West 4th street, I was really surprised to see the entrance that is a white townhouse, giving the impression you are going to a friend to have a meal.
As it will soon not be ramen time for me: I love the hot soup one and I am less inclined to have these noodles in a cold dish, although I tried once at Takumi and it was delicious, but I really associate ramen with colder days...One of the ramen joints that was on my radar is Ramen-Ya and we decided to go for lunch on a week day. When we arrived at their location on West 4th street, I was really surprised to see the entrance that is a white townhouse, giving the impression you are going to a friend to have a meal.
Ramen-Ya is a tiny place for sure and we got seated at the counter. A disappointing counter in fact because I like to sit there to watch the kitchen and how they make the food.
Before getting our soups, we decided to order pork gyoza, not spicy. They were pretty good, juicy and tasty, with a nice charred shell.
Then came our ramen. Vegetarian for Jodi, with the Yasai ramen, made with a vegetable miso soup, topped with nenma, kikurage mushrooms, bean sprouts, corn and scallions. She added a boiled egg (aka nitamago).
On my side, I went for the musashi shio black that has a Tonkotsu pork broth topped with shashu pork, kikurage mushrooms, nitamago (seasoned egg), scallions and black garlic oil.
Both ramen were good, but I definitely preferred mine because the broth was more flavorful. However, I admit that I preferred the noodles in the vegetable version as they were thicker, giving a nice texture, and tastier. The broth in the musashi shio black was very good, silky, and I appreciated the fact that the garlic was not overpowering. I should mention the shashu pork that was deliciously cooked as well as the egg that had a nice half cooked yolk that was slightly runny.
The meal at Ramen-Ya was definitely very good. I heard this place can be crowded, but a bit of wait is worth it. Would I go back? For sure!
Enjoy (I did)!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
Revisit: Hell's Chicken in NYC, New York
When I was invited to Hell's Chicken last Monday, I was pretty happy to get another opportunity to go to that place, having visited it with my friend Benny few months ago as we were looking for a fried chicken place (see the post about my first visit at Hell's Chicken). This time, I went with another friend, Abe, who is also a huge fan of the fried bird and was as excited as I was to go there. We went for dinner and met with the owner, Sung Jin Min who opened this restaurant in the Spring of 2013.
Please note that the meal was complimentary. However, the opinions expressed in my blog are 100% my own!
When I was invited to Hell's Chicken last Monday, I was pretty happy to get another opportunity to go to that place, having visited it with my friend Benny few months ago as we were looking for a fried chicken place (see the post about my first visit at Hell's Chicken). This time, I went with another friend, Abe, who is also a huge fan of the fried bird and was as excited as I was to go there. We went for dinner and met with the owner, Sung Jin Min who opened this restaurant in the Spring of 2013.
Know that Hell's Chicken is not just serving dishes with chicken: they serve classic Korean dishes, such as bulgogi or bibimbap, but fried chicken is their main specialty and they make it in a way that is different from any other places. Yes, they serve gluten free fried chicken, where the wheat flour has been replaced by rice flour and the soy bean oil by canola oil.
We let Sung decide what dishes we would eat and I was glad that he proposed ones that I did not try the last time, besides the fried chicken of course. We started off with some appetizers. The first one was the Pa Jeon with seafood (there was squid that I love). Pa Jeon is a Korean style scallion pancake; each time I had one, it was less crunchy or greasy than its Chinese counterpart. I liked it: it was comforting with a nice amount of seafood.
The second appetizer was the Dubu Kimchi salad that is made with crushed tofu mixed with sesame seeds, crown daisy (chrysanthemum greens), scallion, onions and white kimchi. Tofu is not really an ingredient I would go for at first, but I thought it was delicious, light with tons of flavors coming from the crown daisy and kimchi that was not spicy at all. Would I order such dish? Probably not, but I recommend it if you are vegetarian or want a healthy dish, that is rarely what I go for...
Then came the fried chicken. We went for the mild Hell's sauce that is their house recipe made with a caramelized tomato base. The chicken, after being dipped in the rice batter is deep fried twice and then brushed with that amazing sauce (I forgot my good manners and licked my fingers more than once...). The chicken was moist and a bit crispy, smothered in that delicious sauce that had a nice sweetness. We also tried their spicy version that literally set my mouth on fire. Fortunately, the pickled radish was a good way to cleanse my palate.
Then, we tried their Yookhwe bibimbap, this piping hot rice dish that is perfect for a cold weather.
This one was made with mixed vegetables, and a beef tartar (so, like any beef tartar, it had a raw egg on top). We mixed all the ingredients together; the pot being very hot, the raw beef and egg cooked quickly and it created a delightful crust with the rice that is one of the best parts of the dish. I loved it because of that, but also because it was flavorful, the ratio vegetables / rice being well balanced. I should also mention the presentation with the different colors that was very beautiful.
The last dish was the Bulgogi Gui. So, unlike lots of Korean restaurants, they cook the marinated slices of beef in the kitchen and not on the grill in the center of the table. The dish came with banchan, these little side dishes that you usually get at the beginning of your meal.
It included: kimchi (that was deliciously spicy), soy beans and some very spicy peppers. It was also served with a scallion salad that I did not really care about, focusing mainly on the tender pieces of meat that was very flavorful.
To accompany our meal, we decided to try a sampler of flavored soju. I have never see it flavored and was curious to see what it was like. The three flavors were, from right to left (well, looking at the photo, you cannot make the difference for sure...): yuzu, blueberry and pomegranate. My favorite was the yuzu one that I found very refreshing and that had a more natural taste, the other two tasting a bit like medicine...I thought it was a great idea to propose a sampler and wish more restaurants would do so. If you do not like soju, know that they have also wine or beer (the later Korean or not).
So, definitely we had a good meal at Hell's Chicken. I should say another good meal. It is a nice place, located in an area that could be challenging for a restaurant, the foot traffic being low, but slowly developing. Often, chicken places offer limited choices for people who do not like chicken or are vegetarian and I think it is great that Hell's Chicken does not solely focus on that. Would I go back? Definitely!
Enjoy (I did)!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
Ramen at Nippori, Midtown West
Owned by Chef Maung Htein Linn, who also owns Tabata Ramen, Nippori is a Japanese restaurant located in the heart of Midtown. I should mention that both Tabata and Nippori are train stations from a Tokyo circle line. At Nippori, the Chef crafted a menu that he considers authentically Japanese, serving not only ramen, but also sushi, sashimi, etc. When we arrived, at opening time, the place was not crowded and it took only 15 minutes to start seeing customers arriving to the point where people where waiting for a table.
Owned by Chef Maung Htein Linn, who also owns Tabata Ramen, Nippori is a Japanese restaurant located in the heart of Midtown. I should mention that both Tabata and Nippori are train stations from a Tokyo circle line. At Nippori, the Chef crafted a menu that he considers authentically Japanese, serving not only ramen, but also sushi, sashimi, etc. When we arrived, at opening time, the place was not crowded and it took only 15 minutes to start seeing customers arriving to the point where people where waiting for a table.
They have a large dining room with few rooms for small parties, or you can also decide to eat at the bar...
For our lunch, we decided to share few dishes. The first one was pork gyoza that were juicy with a thin enough shell that was deliciously crispy.
The second appetizer was the pork buns, that were a bit disappointing, the slices of pork belly being quite small compared to the buns. Too bad because the pork was well cooked. It was also missing something that would give some crunch such as cucumber or pickles.
Then, we shared a tuna roll that were good but fairly common.
No, the most noticeable dish was the Nippori ramen, made with a mildly spiced chicken stew noodle soup, mixed with soybean powder, coconut milk, cilantro, red onions and crunchy lotus roots. It was a very good ramen, with lots of fresh cilantro and a delicious silky broth that had some sort of Thai inspiration with the coconut milk I guess.
I decided to add some pork belly to it, that came separately. I should mention that the ramen came with a perfectly soft boiled egg. As far as the noodles were concerned, they were also well cooked, slightly al dente.
Overall, we had a very good lunch at Nippori and the ramen was fantastic. Would I go back? Definitely! And to have some more ramen for sure.
Enjoy (I did)!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to post a comment or share it. Merci!
Family Sunday lunch at Via Vai in Astoria, Queens
So we were back to Via Vai in Astoria where Chef Antonio Morichini is now proposing a family meal on Sundays, called “Pranzo di Domenica in famiglia”. Yes, a family meal and not a brunch, although there are few dishes with eggs on the menu. As he said, if he would call it a brunch, not only people would expect eggs, but also waffles and pancakes, that are not items he is proposing. At Via Vai, you would only get traditional Italian dishes:
Please note that the meal was complimentary. However, the opinions expressed in my blog are 100% my own!
So we were back to Via Vai in Astoria where Chef Antonio Morichini is now proposing a family meal on Sundays, called “Pranzo di Domenica in famiglia”. Yes, a family meal and not a brunch, although there are few dishes with eggs on the menu. As he said, if he would call it a brunch, not only people would expect eggs, but also waffles and pancakes, that are not items he is proposing. At Via Vai, you would only get traditional Italian dishes: no penne a la vodka or chicken parmigiana. Everything there is made from scratch, from the pasta to the tomato sauce, and some ingredients are even imported directly from Italy, like the mozzarella.
So we were really excited to go there and retrieve the warmth we found the first time we went, warmth not only from that place, but also from its owner, Chef Antonio, and manager, Manuel, who is also from Roma. The place has not changed at all, except the multiple carnival masks that are all over the restaurant.
Menu wise, we were there for a treat. The way the family lunch works is that, for $28, you order two dishes from the large selection and get a dessert (so it is a 3 course meal). You want two pasta dishes? Get them! You want two pizzas? No problem. Well, I guess the only problem is the fact that there are so many choices that look appetizing, that you do not know which one to order...So, as we were making up our mind, they brought us some bread with some olive oil. The bread, that is the same dough as the pizza, was cooked in their pizza oven that gave it a wonderful crispness and char.
Then, we got what I would call our appetizers, solely because they came first...The first one was Ueva al Forno or two baked eggs prepared with porcini mushrooms, fontina cheese and truffle oil. It was a delicious dish that had just the right amount of truffle oil so we could smell it and taste it, without being overpowering. The eggs were also perfectly runny.
The second appetizer was the Polpette di Manzo or beef meatball smothered in a San Marzano tomato sauce. Very comforting, the meatballs were succulent, not dry at all. And that sauce! It was so good that I could not resist dipping some bread in it.
After that, came the entrées. The first one was the pizza spinaci e ueva or pizza with spinach and eggs. I was lucky enough to watch Chef Antonio Morichini make it from scratch and cook it in their authentic Italien oven for couple of minutes.
Et voila:
This was a very good pizza: the thin crust was crispy and nicely charred, and the eggs perfectly runny; I, in fact, dipped the crust in the yolk...Know that there was no tomato sauce, just some mozzarella, and a lot of it!
Then, as if we were still hungry, came the second entrée: homemade tagliatelle al sugo di carne or house made tagliatelle with a beef and veal sauce. That was delicious: the tagliatelle were exquisite and the sauce very good, with chunks of meat in it that made this dish both rustic and comforting.
I should mention, before talking about dessert, that I enjoyed the entrees with a glass of Nero d'Avola 2014, a well-rounded wine that was perfect with this last dish.
I enjoyed that wine and was glad to see that Via Vai goes beyond the classic Chianti, proposing a wide selection of wines, all Italian.
So, last was dessert. With the prix-fixe, comes a succulent panna cotta that was perfectly made and not too sweet, a good way to end a delicious meal.
I enjoyed it with an espresso made from this great machine that sits behind the bar, that might be a bit too big for my kitchen...
We definitely had a great meal at Via Vai and enjoyed the conversation with Chef Morichini and Manuel, the manager of the restaurant, two people passionate about what they are doing. What I like about Chef Morichini is its simplicity that translates in his food. Via Vai is definitely a true gem that is worth a trip to Astoria.
Enjoy (I did)!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
Hunter's in Brooklyn
It's been 2 and a half years since we went to Hunter's a restaurant in Brooklyn with a neighborhood feel. We did not go back because of the time it takes us to go to Brooklyn, picking mainly restaurants in Manhattan. Well, that's definitely a mistake in a way, this place serving a very good cuisine made of classic dishes composed of sustainable ingredients.
Please note that the meal was complimentary. However, the opinions expressed in my blog are 100% my own!
It's been 2 and a half years since we went to Hunter's a restaurant in Brooklyn with a neighborhood feel. We did not go back because of the time it takes us to go to Brooklyn, picking mainly restaurants in Manhattan. Well, that's definitely a mistake in a way, this place serving a very good cuisine made of classic dishes composed of sustainable ingredients.
There was no major changes in that place since the last time we went, except the back of the restaurant, where tables have been replaced by a large table, creating a space perfect for large groups.
When they handed me the cocktail menu, I remembered that when we went, they participated to a competition in Brooklyn called the Shaken and Stirred best of Brooklyn cocktail. So, I decided to try one, instead of having wine. Interestingly, several cocktails have the name of fictional characters like Shere Khan from Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book, Boba Fett from Star Wars or The White Walker from Game of Thrones that I decided to try. It was made with vodka, St Germain, cucumber puree and lemon juice, a drink refreshing, with a nice acidity, with a perfect amount of vodka that let the other components shine.
Menu wise, they had few dishes that were there when I came, like the butternut squash agnolotti that was fantastic. And to be honest, I hesitated to re-order that one. No, instead, we got a bunch of other dishes and we asked for smaller portions considering the feast that was going to be served to us. For the appetizers, we got:
The burrata with broccoli tempura:
The burrata was deliciously creamy, but what I noticed the most was the broccoli tempura that were crispy and fantastic dipped in the chili aioli. I mean, these are broccoli, not the most attractive vegetable for me...But the crunchiness of the fried tempura batter made it succulent!
Then was the marinated mushrooms with arugula and shaved parmesan: quite good, especially if you love mushrooms.
Then, the last appetizer was the mussels, served in a garlic miso butter broth. I liked that dish: the mussels were of a nice size, well cleaned and perfectly cooked. And the sauce was delicious: it was tough not to dip all the bread in it...They might want to do a moules-frites (mussels and fries) dish with that: that would be awesome!
Then came the entrées. We could not resist trying their Angus beef burger, smothered in Vermont cheddar and served with pickled onions and a cilantro-jalapeno aioli.
They were definitely generous with the amount of cheese and each inch of the meat was covered! It was an ok burger for me, the meat being slightly overcooked and dry (I ordered it medium) and the ratio bread/patty more in favor of the bread...
Then was the truffled mac and cheese made with parmesan, cheddar and gruyere: definitely a hit, with a delightful creaminess that kind of made it addictive (also the fact that they do not use processed cheese like some places do!).
Last was the braised beef served with polenta, mushrooms and some greens. The meat was perfectly cooked, with no need for a knife to eat it and was perfect with the creamy polenta, mushrooms and greens that gave a comforting note to the dish.
And then was dessert...And it was a sampler! I wish all restaurants would propose a sampler, especially when there are so many good choices that you do not know which one to pick.
The sampler was composed of:
Ricotta fritters and dulce de leche: my favorite. It was very addictive and the fritters were so good that I did not even need to dip them in anything.
Nutella bread pudding: delicious and a crowd pleaser if you love nutella (there was a nice amount on it).
S'mores: a classic. However, I was disappointed as the marshmallow were not torched...
We definitely had a succulent dinner at Hunter's and were not the only one, this place getting crowded later that night. I really like the feel of the restaurant that, as I mentioned the last time I went, reminded me of some places I used to go when living in Paris: warm with a neighborhood feel. So, the food is good, the cocktails are good and the atmosphere is good. Three goods that would make me want to go back!
Enjoy (I did)!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
The Royal Munkey, Colonial Indian Restaurant in Manhattan
I was recently invited at The royal Munkey, an Indian restaurant located in Kips Bay. The experience there is sort of unique as, usually, you would go to an Indian restaurant for the food, the decor and ambiance not being really considered. Well, it is not the case at The Royal Munkey: you might want to go for the cocktails and ambiance first, and then for the food. Not that the food is not good, but the atmosphere at this place is kind of festive, as the photo below can attest, a birthday being celebrated there.
Please note that the meal was complimentary. However, the opinions expressed in my blog are 100% my own!
I was recently invited at The royal Munkey, an Indian restaurant located in Kips Bay. The experience there is sort of unique as, usually, you would go to an Indian restaurant for the food, the decor and ambiance not being really considered. Well, it is not the case at The Royal Munkey: you might want to go for the cocktails and ambiance first, and then for the food. Not that the food is not good, but the atmosphere at this place is kind of festive, as the photo below can attest, a birthday being celebrated there.
There, I met one of the owners, Arun Mirchandani, who passionately described the theme of the restaurant and introduced me to the Execution Chef, Derik Alfaro, who, although Colombian and not Indian, succeeds in crafting a succulent menu with some dishes cooked in a tandoor oven hidden in the large kitchen (in fact they have two tandoor ovens: one for naan and one for cooking dishes).
Let's first talk about the amazing decor: very colorful, it is an homage to cafes and bistros in the old Bombay, in the colonial era; it is surrounded by an impressive number of monkey artifacts, from paintings to lamps, to the impressive chandelier that lights up the VIP table that sits apart from the dining room. Even the wallpaper has monkeys on it. All around the dining room, you cannot also miss the small replica of bicycles you would commonly see in India.
But one thing that people may miss is the train that circles on top of the center column, as well as the monkey that dominates the bar, being the sole monkey with a crown: it is indeed The Royal Munkey!
Next, let's talk about the cocktails: they have numerous made with whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, etc. I decided to go with a classic, The Lady Mountbatten. It is made of Scotch, Crème de Pamplemousse (grapefruit cream), house-made strawberry gastrique, fresh lemon and lime juices and peach bitters. I really liked it as it had this delicious citrusy taste that was very refreshing, slightly acidic and bitter.
Now, let's talk about the food. There are two things to know about The Royal Munkey menu. First, it is a European like bistro (hence the boiled eggs on the bar as an homage to classic bistros). In a bistro, you typically get all the components of your dish on a plate: nothing comes on the side. At The Royal Munkey, the main dishes are coming with everything: saffron-ghee-rice, raita and naan, chilies, pickled onions and lemon daal. Indian food is typically a meal to share and, sometimes, people do not understand that such presentation does not prevent them from sharing.
Then it is colonial Indian cuisine. Like me, I am sure you wonder what it means. Their website describes it well:
"Colonialism in India is what first introduced the flavors of the sub-continent to the rest of the world. The rich ingredients and spices used in the kitchens of the Indian aristocracy were incorporated into the recipes brought by the European settlers and officers. “Memsahib’s cooking”is a hybrid style that evolved when the British “Lady of the House” asked her Indian household cooks to prepare traditional British dishes. Over time, the cooks incorporated rich ingredients and spices used in the kitchens of the Indian aristocracy into the recipes brought by the European settlers."
But at The Royal Munkey, you will not get fusion cuisine but a rather traditional one, "similar to what we eat at home" Arun told me, "representing no particular region". So I was very excited and he graciously offered us a tasting of their most popular dishes (know that it was smaller portions). We started with dahi puri, a classic street food dish that originates from Mumbai. This little crispy puff has to be eaten in one bite so the mint water and yogurt inside does not fall all over when you bite on it...
Then, we got a tandoori sampler composed of a mutton seekh kebab, cottage cheese (paneer tikka) and a tiger prawn.
For sure, of the three, the prawn was the most spectacular. De-shelled, it was a big prawn and not those small one you often get served. And it was perfectly cooked. Then, the mutton seekh kebab was very tasty, the spices adding a nice flavor to it. Last was the paneer that was very good, far from the rubbery paneer we sometimes get and with a nice char.
Then was the Bombay lamb chop, cooked in the tandoor after being brined in a five-spices marinade. I think that was one of the best lamb chops I had in a long time! It was perfectly cooked medium, not dry and tender, with the delicious bold taste of lamb I adore.
Another incredible dish was the quail or tandoori batayr. First of all, I have never seen quail in an Indian menu, even during my multiple trips to India. Second, cooking quail is hard, because few seconds more and it can be very dry. Well, I can tell you that this one was perfectly cooked, not dry at all. It has been brined with hung yogurt masala, ginger, garlic, chili, turmeric, maize and bay-leaf, before being cooked in the tandoor, giving to it a delicious char. Normally, you get two quails when you order the dish and, at that point, I regretted not to have the second bird on my plate...
After that came some entrées samplers. Vegetarian for Jodi (well, not really for her as I tried some) and non-vegetarian for me. The one for Jodi had:
Butter paneer tikka masala that is paneer (cottage cheese) cooked in the tandoor oven and served in a creamy tomato sauce. Very comforting, that tomato sauce is very addictive (I had the chicken version and could not stop dipping my naan bread in it...).
Bagara Baigan or marinated baby eggplant and coconut curry (delicious, with some nice nuttiness from the sesame seeds).
Garden fresh vegetables korma that is seasonal vegetables in a creamy almond sauce (and you definitely taste the almonds).
On my side, I got:
Butter chicken tikka masala as mentioned above.
Lamb shank rogan josh or braised lamb in a curry sauce. I admit that it was my least favorite dish, the lamb being a bit tough.
Sindhi fish curry or monkfish served in a fenugreek sauce. This dish, very good, the fish being well cooked and very flaky, with a slight kick, is interesting for few reasons. First, it is a classic Sindhi dish. In fact, Arun's father is from this community that originated from the Sindh province in Pakistan. In 1947, after the segregation of Pakistan and India, many Sindhi left for India and dispersed all over the country. The second fact about this dish is that it is Arun's grandmother's recipe. And apparently, she approved it after trying it at The Royal Munkey, a seal of approval that cannot be ignored!
Both samplers were served with some delightfully fluffy naan and some ghee rice.
Last was dessert. And we got another sampler...It was composed of Gajar Halwa that is a carrot pudding, a warm caramelized seviyaan (made with caramelized vermicelli noodles, cardamon, molasses and confectioner sugar) and a cricket rum ball that is a rum infused chocolate cake.
Interestingly, besides maybe the carrot pudding, the desserts were different from what you usually get in Indian restaurants, like Gulab jamun or kheer. I liked them and noticed that they are not overly sweet, that can sometimes be the case.
Our dinner at The Royal Munkey was very good and we really liked the vibe in the restaurant. Dining there is truly unique whether you consider the decor, the cocktails, the food or the ambiance. Would I go back? Definitely for dinner and probably for brunch.
Enjoy (I did)!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
Brunch at Bubby's in the Meat Packing District
So we finally made it to Bubby's, after repeated suggestions from one of the blog's readers (thanks Ttrockwood!). Not ghat this place was not on my list, Jodi mentioning it several times and raving about their brunch and biscuits that I tried one time, when she brought back one from a brunch with her cousin Rebecca. Instead of going to the one in TriBeCa, we decided to go to the location close to the High Line.
So we finally made it to Bubby's, after repeated suggestions from one of the blog's readers (thanks Ttrockwood!). Not ghat this place was not on my list, Jodi mentioning it several times and raving about their brunch and biscuits that I tried one time, when she brought back one from a brunch with her cousin Rebecca. Instead of going to the one in TriBeCa, we decided to go to the location close to the High Line.
It was a Monday and the place was packed. What I noticed and found interesting there is that the food was served by the kitchen staff and not our waitress; I wonder if they share tips...Hopefully they do. At first, I ordered a double espresso that was good, but small...
To start our meal, we decided to go with the deviled eggs.
There were two eggs and I could definitely taste the hints of mustard in it. It was not the best deviled eggs ever, but it was good.
For her entrée, Jodi ordered the veggie burger and asked to replace fries with a salad, change that they gracefully made.
The patty was made with lentils and vegetables, and I thought it was fairly good, having a bit of crunch on the outside. What was weird was this big piece of wedge salad on top of it!
On my side, I chose the eggs Benedict instead of the fried chicken and biscuits. I admit that I hesitated a bit, but thought that eggs were a better choice for brunch.
It was delicious: they were served with some bacon, as well as their famous biscuits that replaced a muffin. And these biscuits were phenomenal: flaky and crispy on the outside. The eggs were also perfectly runny and I truly appreciated that they served a salad with the dish rather than fries, giving me the impression I had a healthy diet...
This was very filling, but I still had some space for dessert and as I heard that Bubby's was known for their pies, we asked for some. Unfortunately, they did not have any! Well, it will be for another time, because I would definitely go back to that place: prices are on the high side, but it is definitely worth it.
Enjoy (I did)!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
