I Just Want To Eat! 9/18/16 I Just Want To Eat! 9/18/16

Bistecca Fiorentina in NYC, NY

I love steaks and I am always curious to try non classic steakhouses. This time, we went to Bistecca Fiorentina, a Tuscan steakhouse located in Hell's Kitchen. I admit that I was not sure what to expect when we arrived: it was not that crowded and the person standing outside trying to convince people to come eat there was a sort of warning that they were dying to get patrons, at least it was my interpretation. Well, I was wrong: we had a pretty good dinner there.

Outdoor tables at Bistecca Fiorentina in NYC, NY

Dining room at Bistecca Fiorentina in NYC, NY

Meat slicer at Bistecca Fiorentina in NYC, NY

It started with the usual bread and butter, as well as a bruschetta to remind us that we were in an Italian restaurant.

Bruschetta at Bistecca Fiorentina in NYC, NY

Nice touch, but what I was really looking for was the Bistecca Fiorentina con l'Osso, a porterhouse proposed for one (28oz) or two (50 oz) brushed with Tuscan olive oil, garlic and rosemary, and broiled over aromatic wood. I was glad that they proposed it for one person as I love porterhouse, but it is often proposed for two only. At first, they brought me a dish with just a bit of spinach a la crème (that was not mentioned as coming with the steak, so I was glad to get a freebie).

Spinach a la creme at Bistecca Fiorentina in NYC, NY

Porterhouse or Bistecca Fiorentina con l'Osso at Bistecca Fiorentina in NYC, NY

Then, I heard a sizzling sound and saw the waiter carrying a very hot plate containing the porterhouse, from where emanated a fantastic aroma. The first bite was sublime: the meat was tender, juicy, perfectly cooked medium-rare and slightly charred. I could even add some more of the sauce they brushed the steak with if I wanted as they brought some more in a saucier.

Sauce for Porterhouse or Bistecca Fiorentina con l'Osso at Bistecca Fiorentina in NYC, NY

To go with the steak, I ordered some fried onions that were crispy and delightfully greasy.

Fried onions at Bistecca Fiorentina in NYC, NY

Jodi did not go for steak and rather ordered the tortellini al funghi, some delicious mushroom ravioli (not sure if they were homemade).

Tortellini al funghi at Bistecca Fiorentina in NYC, NY

For dessert, they unfortunately did not have any tiramisu (they were supposedly making it right at that moment), so we ended up with the chocolate mousse cake. It was delicious, very chocolatey, but I admit that I was looking forward to try the tiramisu.

Chocolate mousse cake at Bistecca Fiorentina in NYC, NY

We had a quite good dinner at Bistecca Fiorentina. The steak was delicious and I would probably go back to try their ribeye. Also, the fact that they also offer classic Italian dishes makes it a good option if some people want to have a good steak while other don't.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Bistecca Fiorentina

I Just Want To Eat! 9/16/16 I Just Want To Eat! 9/16/16

K Rico, South American Steakhouse in NYC, NY

We were looking for a less traditional steakhouse, following our dinner at Prime and Beyond, a Korean steakhouse, few months ago, when we stumbled upon K Rico, a South American steakhouse located in Hell's Kitchen. I was definitely curious to see how this Latin flair would translate in the cooking of meat. And I was not disappointed.

First, this large place with a patio has a decor that reflects not only the South American theme, like cactus, but also steaks with a nice painting on one of the walls that had a colorful bull's head.

Food wise, their menu is not your usual steakhouse menu: no crab cake or slab of bacon. These two are usually my go to appetizers, but this time, we ended up with the arepas, made with corn flour, cheese (queso fresco) and chimichurri.

Arepas at K Rico, South American Steakhouse in NYC, NY

This was delicious, a bit too sweet, but still delicious, with lots of cheese in it. I should mention that it was thicker than the arepas I had in various restaurants, looking more like small cakes.

For her entrée, Jodi got the plantain encrusted roasted cod that was made with coconut lime butter, papaya and pomegranate relish. The taste of coconut definitely stood out over the perfectly cooked cod. I also liked the slight sweetness of the dish.

Plantain encrusted roasted cod at K Rico, South American Steakhouse in NYC, NY

On my side, I ordered the 22oz ribeye, a beautiful piece of beef that was perfectly cooked medium-rare, that came on a piping hot skillet.

Ribeye at K Rico, South American Steakhouse in NYC, NY

The meat was tender, juicy and there was a wonderful aroma that filled my nose, coming from the various herbs they cook or serve the meat with. Rosemary was the more pronounced one. It was a nice piece of ribeye, but had a bit too much fat on one side (I love that, but it was too much). Still, I recommend the ribeye.

As a side, we got some delicious plantains that were delightfully sweet.

Plantains at K Rico, South American Steakhouse in NYC, NY

To go with my steak, I got a glass of Pinot Noir, Etude Lyric 2014 from California.

Glass of Pinot Noir, Etude Lyric 2014 at K Rico, South American Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Last was dessert. We were looking forward to try their tres leches and did not get disappointed at all: it was perfectly made, deliciously sweet, moist and with the correct firmness.

Tres leches at K Rico, South American Steakhouse in NYC, NY

We had a great dinner at K Rico: the steak was very good, tender and juicy and their menu going beyond just being a steakhouse, making this place standing out. I should mention that, when we got the check, there was a guide for tipping, probably destined to tourists. It was in several languages: English, Spanish, French, etc. First time I saw that given by a restaurant!

Tipping guide at K Rico, South American Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Enjoy (I did)!

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

K Rico

I Just Want To Eat! 9/14/16 I Just Want To Eat! 9/14/16

Urban Coalhouse Pizza and Bar in Hoboken, NJ

So, there is a new pizza joint in uptown Hoboken and they are up to a good start. As soon as Urban Coalhouse Pizza and Bar opened, that place has been packed with crowds overflowing into the sidewalk. For sure, it is a good addition to the north part of the city, replacing Puerto Spain that closed several months ago.

Dining room at Urban Coalhouse Pizza and Bar in Hoboken, NJ

Going for dinner was not for us considering the noise level that, when too loud, I do not enjoy. So we went for lunch on Labor Day. It might not have been the best day to get an impression of a new place because I could definitely see that they were overwhelmed, maybe underestimating the number of customers they would have that day.

Food wise, they have a deal for lunch where, for the price of a personal pizza, you can get a salad or a soup. Jodi went for the salad and chose the Caesar.

Caesar salad at Urban Coalhouse Pizza and Bar in Hoboken, NJ

On my side, I went for the tomato soup.

Tomato soup at Urban Coalhouse Pizza and Bar in Hoboken, NJ

I admit that when I saw the plates, I was surprised to see large ones as I was more expecting a cup of soup and a dessert plate for the salad.

For the pizza, we went for the white pie, Madame with fresh mozzarella, ricotta, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil and garlic.

White pie at Urban Coalhouse Pizza and Bar in Hoboken, NJ

The second one was The Don Gregorio, composed of sausage, pepperoni, meatballs, a red tomato sauce made with San Marzano tomatoes nod fresh basil.

Don Gregorio pie at Urban Coalhouse Pizza and Bar in Hoboken, NJ

I definitely preferred the red pie that had a very generous amount of meat. Not that the white pie was not good, but I stumbled few times on a large amount of garlic that would have repelled Dracula for couple of weeks. Otherwise, there was also a large amount of cheese, especially the ricotta. The crust was thin, nicely charred, thanks to the coal oven visible from the dining room.

Overall, it was a good deal and the pizza was good, but I admit that, if I wanted to eat a good pizza in Hoboken, I would probably end up at Grimaldi's. For cheaper and more bang for your buck, at Benny Tudino's. Would I go back to Urban Coalhouse Pizza and Bar? Not sure at this point. I may give it a try in few months when they will have ironed out the kinks of the kitchen and service.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Urban Coalhouse Pizza and Bar

I Just Want To Eat! 9/12/16 I Just Want To Eat! 9/12/16

Dilli Junction, Indian street food in Hoboken, NJ

Street food is a big thing in India, but I admit that when I travel there, I am always careful with what I eat, especially avoiding this kind of food, my westerner's stomach not being used to it. So, I enjoyed it in restaurants either in Mumbai few years ago, or in New York City. So I was excited when Dilli Junction opened a month ago in Hoboken, replacing Fresh Tortilla Grill, a Mexican restaurant not unknown to us.

Logo of Dilli Junction in Hoboken, NJ

Mr Karati, owner of Dilli Junction in Hoboken, NJ

This place is the dream of the Karati family and I have to admit that they created a beautiful casual space there, with beautiful pictures from India, such as the illuminated India Gate in Delhi.

Counter at Dilli Junction in Hoboken, NJ

Dining room at Dilli Junction in Hoboken, NJ

Lord Ganesha at Dilli Junction in Hoboken, NJ

Their menu at this point has three different categories: the appetizers, the kati rolls and the platters. We went twice and the only thing we did not try is the latter. As far as appetizers are concerned, we first tried their Dahi Puri, that are round puffed puri filled with potato, chickpeas, tamarind, spicy chutney and yogurt. This is to be eaten in one bite, otherwise, it will go all over, because of the yogurt. And for sure, one bite can be challenging, some of the puri being slightly big...But then, you get an explosion of flavors in your mouth, both sweet and salty, as well as very refreshing, without forgetting the crispness of the puri itself.

Dahi Puri at Dilli Junction in Hoboken, NJ

The second appetizer we tried was Papri Chaat, fried dough wafers mixed with chickpeas, onions, tomatoes, tamarind, spicy chutney and yogurt. This was also delicious, with a nice underlying refreshing taste and an interesting texture, both soft and crispy, thanks to the fried dough. In term of presentation, it might be more appealing with a bit of tamarind and yogurt on top. Otherwise, I recommend it.

Papri chaat at Dilli Junction in Hoboken, NJ

Then, we tried their Kati rolls, these wraps made with indian flatbread (roti) are proposed both vegetarian or non-vegetarian.

Kati rolls at Dilli Junction in Hoboken, NJ

Both times we went to Dilli Junction, Jodi got their Paneer Shashlik, a roll made with cottage cheese (paneer) soaked in a marinade (secret family recipe) and served with onions, peppers and tomatoes. They also add their special green chutney for an extra kick. She also added an egg.

Paneer shashlik kati roll at Dilli Junction in Hoboken, NJ

She loved it, but, the second time, she forgot to ask for mild as the chutney add more than a kick if you are not used to spicy food. It is a great roll, tasty, even for a non-vegetarian, but I admit that I was looking forward to try their lamb rolls. They have two: the shami kebab and the shish kebab. The shami kebab is a slow cooked lamb mixed with lentils and spices, forming like a patty that had the texture of mashed potatoes.

Shami kebab at Dilli Junction in Hoboken, NJ

I liked the taste as the lamb was coming through, but I preferred the shish kebab kati roll, made with lamb marinated overnight, must more flavorful for sure and with a nice char.

Shish kebab kati roll at Dilli Junction in Hoboken, NJ

I should mention the drinks: mango lassi that was delicious, as well as Aam Panna, a drink made with green mango and mint leaves, prepared fresh. This was an interesting beverage, but a bit too tart for me. Next time, I will go for the mango lassi!

Mango lassi at Dilli Junction in Hoboken, NJ

Aam Panna at Dilli Junction in Hoboken, NJ

We had two great meals at Dilli Junction and I will certainly go back there. I think it is a good addition to Hoboken culinary landscape and I hope people will not be shy trying something different. The only thing missing on their menu is dessert, so hopefully they will add some soon!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Dilli Junction

I Just Want To Eat! 9/11/16 I Just Want To Eat! 9/11/16

Ward 8 event: Death in the afternoon at Raoul's

Yesterday, we got invited at an event called Death in the afternoon at Raoul's, a French restaurant located on Prince St in Soho. This event is an interesting concept: inspired by classical art salons, Ward 8 founders, Fay Leshner and Andrew Ousley, bring together various artists in a single location around one theme. Death in the afternoon, makes you travel to the prohibition era, a time that, as a Frenchman, I have always seen as unique, fascinated by the stories and related movies or TV series such as The Untouchables or more recently Boardwalk Empire. It is a period that I cannot imagine happening in France. Yes, it was interesting to see such event in a French restaurant, considering that trying to impose some ban on alcohol there would have resulted in riots, if not another revolution, apéritif or a glass of wine during a meal being sacred there!

Dining room at Raoul's, French Restaurant in NYC, NY

Decor at Raoul's, French Restaurant in NYC, NY

Then, they have a hidden room that you would never find unless someone told you: you can find it in the back of the kitchen, passing like a secret door as it would have been the case in a speakeasy.

Kitchen at Raoul's, French Restaurant in NYC, NY

Back room at Raoul's, French Restaurant in NYC, NY

There, there was an exhibit of restaged bootlegger portraits by New York-based photographer David White in collaboration with stylist Cynthia Altoriso. These photos were beautifully staged and taken.

Restaged bootlegger portraits by photographer David White

To set the right atmosphere for the event, a popular New York jazz band, The Grand St. Stompers performed during this wonderful afternoon, making us forget the outside world for a moment (especially that terrible heat that day).

The Grand St. Stompers band performing at Raoul's, French Restaurant in NYC, NY

So, so far we got the location, the art and music. The only things missing are food and booze! I'll start with the latter.

Old cash register at the bar of Raoul's, French Restaurant in NYC, NY

Martini glasses at Raoul's, French Restaurant in NYC, NY

The first cocktail I tried was the Pastis La Mule Verte, a dry, artisanal pastis served with an absinthe spoon topped with two sugar cubes and some water. Pastis is a well known apéritif, especially in South of France, where I lived many years, often associated with the city of Marseille where I was born. So, drinking it brought back some memories. If you never had pastis, know that, like anisette, pure, it has a golden color and then, when you add some water to it, the color changes and becomes yellowish, almost milky.

Pastis La Mule Verte at Raoul's, French Restaurant in NYC, NY

The second cocktail was the watermelon au poivre, made with vodka, absinthe, watermelon purée, fresh basil and fresh black pepper. This was a fantastic drink: delicious and refreshing, the watermelon standing out more than the vodka, making this cocktail quite dangerous as you would sip it like any Jamba Juice drink.

Watermelon au poivre at Raoul's, French Restaurant in NYC, NY

Food wise, we tried few amuse bouche:

Wagyu au poivre

Paté toast

Paté de campagne toast at Raoul's, French Restaurant in NYC, NY

Smoked salmon toast

These amuse were really good and my favorite was for sure the wagyu au poivre: the meat was tender and that sauce was sublime, with the right touch of black pepper, i.e. not overwhelmingly peppery to the point where it makes you cough, the pepper sticking in the back of your throat. In fact, writing this post, I discovered that they are known for their steak au poivre and it made me want to go back and try it...

We had a great time at Raoul's: I think that bringing together artists from various horizons to create a unique event is a genius idea, even more when one of the arts concerns my stomach... Thanks Fay and Andrew from Ward 8 for this wonderful time.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Raoul's Restaurant

I Just Want To Eat! 9/10/16 I Just Want To Eat! 9/10/16

Shanghai Asian Cuisine in Chinatown, NYC

When looking for an authentic restaurant, I often ask people native from the cuisine I want to eat what places they would recommend. For Chinese cuisine, I asked my colleague Victor and ended up at Shanghai Asian Cuisine in the heart of Chinatown. When we arrived, we thought that all the people in front of us where going to that place, but it was not the case. They were going to Jing Fong, a spacious place that serves Hong Kong style dim sum. So, needless to say that we got a table in couple of minutes in that little place that is Shanghai Asian Cuisine.

Dining room at Shanghai Asian Cuisine in Chinatown, NYC

What I really wanted to eat there was their soup dumplings. I think, talking to people, many think that Joe's Shanghai is the only one making them. Well, there are so many places that have quite good ones and Asian Shanghai Cuisine is one of them. We decided to go with the pork ones rather than pork and crab.

Soup dumplings at Shanghai Asian Cuisine in Chinatown, NYC

Vinegar for Soup dumplings at Shanghai Asian Cuisine in Chinatown, NYC

Besides liking the idea of the soup inside the dumpling, I love the fattiness of it and the burst of flavor when you eat it. This was perfect.

We also ordered some scallion pancakes that were deliciously crispy and a bit greasy as expected.

Scallion pancakes at Shanghai Asian Cuisine in Chinatown, NYC

Last, we got Shanghai style Lo mein with chicken: a great dish made with delicious noodles that was quite tasty.

Shanghai style Lo Mein with chicken at Shanghai Asian Cuisine in Chinatown, NYC

This was a great meal: delicious and tasty, as well as reasonably priced. I would definitely go back to Asian Shanghai Cuisine and try other dishes from their large menu.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Shanghai Asian Cuisine

I Just Want To Eat! 9/8/16 I Just Want To Eat! 9/8/16

Jimbo's, Greek Restaurant and Bar in Astoria, Queens

What better place to eat amazing Greek food than Astoria, aka Greektown because of its large Greek population? That is where I got the opportunity to try Jimbo's, a family restaurant conveniently located a couple of minutes from the train. Their philosophy: cut out the middleman and offer quality food (large portions) at reasonable prices, from fish to meat. They are apparently known for their steaks, but I admit that I wanted to taste some of their Greek recipes.

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

Dining room at Jimbo's, Greek Restaurant and Bar in Astoria, Queens

Bar at Jimbo's, Greek Restaurant and Bar in Astoria, Queens

Our guide that evening was Yianni, whose nickname is Jimbo. With his family, he tried to create a warm place with authentic Greek food made with ingredients imported straight from Greece. For instance, his grandfather has olive trees. So, he regularly sends from there, olives as well as cold pressed olive oil. I started my meal with one of their creations: the ouzo lemonade. I found that pretty refreshing and not too strong. It was served with two maraschino cherries: the game was to catch them with simply using the straws...

Ouzo lemonade at Jimbo's, Greek Restaurant and Bar in Astoria, Queens

We then started our meal with some appetizers. First came the trio of spreads (Kria Pikilia); there was Melitzanosalata (roasted eggplant spread with roasted red peppers, garlic, fresh herbs, and extra virgin olive oil), tzatziki (Yogurt spread with cucumbers, garlic and extra virgin olive oil) and Tirokafteri (spicy feta spread with red pepper and extra virgin olive oil). This was definitely a large portion worth the $13 price.

Kria Pikilla at Jimbo's, Greek Restaurant and Bar in Astoria, Queens

Melitzanosalata at Jimbo's, Greek Restaurant and Bar in Astoria, Queens

Tzatziki at Jimbo's, Greek Restaurant and Bar in Astoria, Queens

Tirokafteri at Jimbo's, Greek Restaurant and Bar in Astoria, Queens

My favorite was the tzatziki, then the melitzanosalata that had this nice smokey flavor so particular to eggplant. The tirokafteri was good, slightly spicy, but not something I was crazy about. The spreads were served with either bread or pita. We went for the later.

Pita at Jimbo's, Greek Restaurant and Bar in Astoria, Queens

Then, we got the keftedes or Greek meatballs. Small, they were perfect with a bit of tzatziki.

Keftedes or Greek meatballs at Jimbo's, Greek Restaurant and Bar in Astoria, Queens

We also tried their Greek salad or Elliniki, made with romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, kalamata olives, sardines and feta cheese.

Greek salad or Elliniki at Jimbo's, Greek Restaurant and Bar in Astoria, Queens

Instead of sardines written on the menu, they put anchovies, that Jodi hates, but that I love. So, I asked them to bring them on the side...

Anchovies at Jimbo's, Greek Restaurant and Bar in Astoria, Queens

Of course, there was one dish I really wanted to try: the grilled octopus (Oktapodi Scharas) and I was not disappointed. It was tender with a bit of char outside.

Grilled octopus at Jimbo's, Greek Restaurant and Bar in Astoria, Queens

The last appetizer was also one I was looking forward to try: the Saganaki (Brandy flamed kefalograviera cheese finished with a touch of lemon). It was sublime and a must have if you like cheese.

Saganaki at Jimbo's, Greek Restaurant and Bar in Astoria, Queens

We went had out entrées. For Jodi, the vegetarian platter composed of Spanakopita (homemade spinach pie with feta cheese, scallions, and dill baked in phyllo dough), gigantes (giant beans in tomato sauce with extra virgin olive oil, onions, garlic and fresh herbs), and dolmadakia (stuffed grape leaves with rice, fresh herbs, extra virgin olive oil and a touch of lemon). It is in fact a trio of appetizers, but I thought it was a good idea to create one vegetarian plate just in case.

Vegetarian platter at Jimbo's, Greek Restaurant and Bar in Astoria, Queens

Spanakopita at Jimbo's, Greek Restaurant and Bar in Astoria, Queens

Gigantes at Jimbo's, Greek Restaurant and Bar in Astoria, Queens

Dolmadakia at Jimbo's, Greek Restaurant and Bar in Astoria, Queens

On my side, I got an amazing dish: Arni Youvetsi or baked in tomato sauce, herbs and orzo. It comes in a traditional pot and, when the lid is lifted, you get this fantastic aroma filling your nose. The thick sauce is still bubbling at first as the dish is very hot. The lamb, slow cooked was literally falling off the bone. And that sauce was so good, having a bold flavor enhanced by the delicious taste of the lamb.

Arni youvetsi at Jimbo's, Greek Restaurant and Bar in Astoria, Queens

Last was dessert. We got the Galaktobouriko that is a baked Greek custard cream in phyllo dough and honey syrup. This homemade dessert was sublime, the cream being delicious and not too sweet.

Galaktobouriko at Jimbo's, Greek Restaurant and Bar in Astoria, Queens

This was a great dinner and I enjoyed talking to Yianni and get some insight about the restaurant. Jimbo's is the kind of place that is worth the trip and, considering they are next to the train station, it would be sad to miss such a place that serves such a delicious food.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Jimbos Restaurant and Bar

I Just Want To Eat! 9/6/16 I Just Want To Eat! 9/6/16

Samui in Fort Greene, Brooklyn

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

Taking its name from Ko Samui, an island in Southern Thailand (Ko means Island), Samui is one of the most unexpected restaurants I went to in New York. When I received the invite to try their food, I did not imagine to find such a place, off the beaten path in Fort Greene, that opened two weeks ago: from the vibrant yet elegant decor to the fantastic food, this is the kind of restaurant I would definitely go back to, even if I have to walk 6 blocks from the train station. I cannot comment on the authenticity of the food, but, considering that the Executive Chef, A Napadol is from Thailand and grew up learning how to cook with her grandmother, I would think that this is fairly authentic, although, as you will see, the Chef added her own touch to some dishes. I spoke a bit with Chef A and she mentioned that what is important is to provide quality food at reasonable prices, healthier and lighter than most of the Thai restaurants that uses various sauces packed in sugar (after she said that, I was thinking about the number of times I found my food sweet when eating in a Thai place).

Executive Chef A Napadol at Samui in Fort Greene, Brooklyn

Of course, the first thing you notice when arriving is the facade of the restaurant, very symmetric with all these vibrant colors, by renowned graffiti artist Andrea von Bujdoss (aka QUEEN ANDREA ONE), which evokes the Ft. Greene’s industrial heritage. Then, the dining room is amazing: warm, modern and elegant, every detail has been thought through (even the hooks under the bar are a nod to Thailand, representing an elephant, an important figure in Thai society), the middle of the room kind of looking like its own island, illuminated by three large geometric copper chandelier.

Dining room at Samui in Fort Greene, Brooklyn

Bar area at Samui in Fort Greene, Brooklyn

Elephant hook at Samui in Fort Greene, Brooklyn

To continue on honoring artists, Chef A and her husband, music producer Hani Albader (who better than him could be in charge of the music that was not too loud, allowing us to enjoy a nice conversation?), installed a 3D screen behind the bar, so local artists' work could be projected. So, with such attention to detail in the restaurant itself, I was curious to taste the food. To accompany it, I went for Thai iced tea, my classic order. But, notice on the photos below the different shapes of the glass: it is because the one on the left has Mekhong Thai Whiskey (it is called Makong Thai T). It was very good, but a bit dangerous, because being not too strong, so you could drink that all night long...

Thai iced tea at Samui in Fort Greene, Brooklyn

Making Thai T at Samui in Fort Greene, Brooklyn

We then started our meal with some appetizers. The first one was the black potato fritters, served with a cucumber relish. I loved the presentation that reminded me of pakoras in Indian cuisine, and potato latkes for the taste, although way more crunchy. I loved it with or without the relish that added a nice freshness as well as added crunch to the dish.

Black potato fritters at Samui in Fort Greene, Brooklyn

Cucumber relish at Samui in Fort Greene, Brooklyn

The next one was a classic: crispy Spring rolls. Quite good, crispy with a filling that was tasty and the shell not too thick.

Crispy Spring Rolls at Samui in Fort Greene, Brooklyn

Then came the tumeric garlic chicken wings served with a sweet chili sauce. It was delicious and I truly appreciated the fact that there was not too much garlic in it...The chicken was crispy on the outside and moist inside.

Tumeric and garlic chicken wings at Samui in Fort Greene, Brooklyn

The last appetizer was the Tom Yum Kung: Spicy shrimp soup. I never think about ordering soup as an appetizer, but, recently, I tried a dish with Tom Yum that put my mouth on fire, but was so good that I kept going back to it. So, I was thinking that maybe it would be another revelation. Fortunately for me, it was not spicy and I loved the layers of flavors given by the lemongrass and lime. The broth was fantastic and there would not have been shrimp or mushrooms in it, I do not think I would have cared!

Tom Yum Kung: spicy shrimp at Samui in Fort Greene, Brooklyn

Then came the entrées. Jodi went for the crispy red snapper. Contrary to a lot of restaurants, they do not serve it whole, simply because some of the patrons do not like to see the head of the fish. This was sublime: the snapper was crispy on the outside, moist in the inside, being perfectly cooked.

Crispy red snapper at Samui in Fort Greene, Brooklyn

On my side, I went for the maksamun curry aka massaman curry. Not for a lack of originality as I often order that dish, but because it was the first time I saw it served with...short ribs! So, I got curious and was not at all disappointed. First, the short ribs were delicious, perfectly slow cooked, so I did not even need a knife to cut through. Then, the curry itself was heaven: very tasty, it was not watered down like in some Thai restaurants and had an incredible flavor. I should mention that it did not have any peanut so it can be eaten by people with this kind of allergy.

Short ribs maksamun curry at Samui in Fort Greene, Brooklyn

Last was dessert. The first one was one that I always look for when eating Thai: mango and sticky rice. The mango was sublime and the sticky rice good, but I wish there was a bit more coconut milk.

Mango sticky rice at Samui in Fort Greene, Brooklyn

The second dessert was even better: warm banana in coconut milk. I simply loved it and had to control myself not to finish it. I particularly liked the coconut milk with the sesame seeds that added a nice nutty flavor to the dish.

Warm banana coconut milk at Samui in Fort Greene, Brooklyn

We had an amazing dinner at Samui. This is definitely a place I recommend: it has this cool vibe and elegance that makes it so unique. And let's not forget the food that was delicious!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Samui

I Just Want To Eat! 9/4/16 I Just Want To Eat! 9/4/16

The Malt House FiDi in NYC, NY

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

This week, I was invited for a blog dinner at The Malt House in the Financial District, where I had the pleasure to dine with my fellow bloggers The Restaurant Fairy, Johnny Prime's and The Cake Dealer. The Malt House is not unknown to me as I went to their first location in the West Village at the beginning of the year. But I was excited to go to their outpost in the Financial District (aka FiDi) as I heard it is amazing. And for sure, I was impressed. This place is huge and the tour we took with one of the owners, Darren, took a bit of time as, each time I thought that was it, he showed us another room, like being in a labyrinth, where each room had its own atmosphere. To give you an idea, the main room has 18-foot high ceilings, exposed Carnegie, Steel beams, rustic brick walls, and reclaimed wood showcasing the 60-foot long Arch Main Bar. But definitely the one room that I thought was amazing was the Boardroom, a private room located on the second floor that has been incredibly decorated: classy, warm and manly with its leather couches.

Bar area at The Malt House FiDi in NYC, NY

The Armoury at The Malt House FiDi in NYC, NY

Boardroom at The Malt House FiDi in NYC, NY

There, Beverage Director Trevor Draper created a drink menu quite diversified, with a nice selection of draft beers, but also delicious cocktails, like the Barry White Saved My Life, made with dry gin, coconut, spices and lemon zest (not too strong and looks like milk, so...),

Barry White Saved My Life cocktail at The Malt House FiDi in NYC, NY

or the Atlantic Cab made with vodka, ginger beer and lime.

Atlantic Cab cocktail at The Malt House FiDi in NYC, NY

Foodwise, Chef Armando Avila succeeded in crafting more than just a bar menu, putting his own twist on some classic dishes, including adding some Latin flair.

Chef Armando Avila at The Malt House in NYC, NY

We first started with the appetizers:

Avocado Bacon Deviled Eggs: first, I have to say that I liked the presentation that was simple and rustic. Then, instead of being your regular deviled eggs, the Chef used Sriracha aioli, avocado, bacon and serano peppers. And for sure, they had a nice little heat to it.

Avocado bacon deviled eggs at The Malt House FiDi in NYC, NY

Avocado bacon deviled egg at The Malt House FiDi in NYC, NY

Crab and Artichoke Dip: I admit that I was not sure how this dish would work and if I would like it, especially when I saw that there was spinach in it...In fact, this complex dip is made with jumbo lump crab, three cheese, artichoke and the infamous spinach. That was one of my favorite dishes: first, serving them with plantains was a very good idea as it changes from chips or vegetables. Then, this dip was deliciously creamy, letting the crab shine.

Crab and artichoke dip at The Malt House FiDi in NYC, NY

Buttermilk Bites: These were Southern style fried chicken served with ranch dressing, as well as a cilantro jalapeño aioli that was fantastic. The chicken was deliciously crispy and slightly greasy, making each bite heaven! If like me you like fried chicken, this dish is for you.

Buttermilk bites at The Malt House FiDi in NYC, NY

Slow Braised Short Rib Sliders: I love sliders as they are the perfect bites to share, but I often end up with overcooked meat and a dry dish. This was not the case at all at The Malt House Fidi. First of all, the slow braised short rib was delicious. But then, it is perfectly paired with pickles, shallots and rosemary caramelized onions for some additional flavors.

Slow braised short rib slider at The Malt House FiDi in NYC, NY

Then came the entrées. First was the Wagyu House Blend Burger, served with hickory smoked bacon, pesto aioli, oven roasted tomato and bib lettuce. I liked the burger itself (note the marking on top of the bun: MH = Malt House), that was flavorful, with the meat tasting like meat and not overpowered by seasoning. It was definitely a good burger. However, I thought the fries could have been a bit crispier.

Wagyu House Blend Burger at The Malt House FiDi in NYC, NY

Blackened Alaskan Salmon Po Boy: this dish was ok for me, but I thought that this rendition of a classic Southern dish was interesting. First, I believe that the seafood used in a po boy will be fried that was not he case here. Then, the choice of the bread was different as they use a brioche bun, also marked with the initials of the restaurant. I liked the addition of the cucumber for some crunch as well as the use of avocado and sriracha aioli that gave another dimension to this dish.

Blackened salmon Po Boy at The Malt House FiDi in NYC, NY

Pan roasted chicken au jus served with mashed potatoes, sautéed kale and mushrooms. So, this dish is definitely not a bar food dish and was perfectly executed: the chicken was moist and well seasoned, and the skin slightly crispy. Another great chicken choice.

Pan roasted chicken au jus at The Malt House FiDi in NYC, NY

The last dish was the fish taco made with mako shark. I admit that I did not like the dish for two reasons: first, I did not like the taste of the mako shark; second, it was missing some depth and I wish that either the fish would have been deep fried or that they added some cole slaw from a bit of bite.

Fish tacos at The Malt House FiDi in NYC, NY

Last was dessert and we were there for a treat! See what we got:

Homemade donuts:

Chocolate mousse:

Cheesecake:

Banana and chocolate crepes:

For me, a meal should always end with something sweet, so I was looking forward to try some desserts, and I was not disappointed. All of these desserts were sublime: Chef Francisco Gonzalez did an excellent job proposing not only classics American desserts like the cheesecake, but also some European ones like the mousse or crepes, fairly well executed.

I left stuffed from The Malt House FiDi, glad that I got the opportunity to try this place and some delicious food there that is not just your regular bar items. It is quite interesting to try their two locations that have a totally different feel, the one in Greenwich Village being a bit more intimate. Would I go back? Definitely and this time, I will probably go for their buttermilk fried chicken melt or lobster roll...or maybe both...

Enjoy (I did)!

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The Malt House FiDi

I Just Want To Eat! 9/3/16 I Just Want To Eat! 9/3/16

My trip to San Francisco: SOMA in South Market

My last post about our trip to San Francisco is in fact the first meal we had there. We arrived late and had no energy to walk around to find a place, especially as we did not know the area where our hotel, The Pickwick, was. So, we ended up in the hotel's restaurant, like many other tourists who were staying there (note that it was not that crowded anyway).

Dining room at SOMA in South Market, San Francisco, CA

They first brought us some bread that was welcome considering the awful food we got during our flight with Delta Airlines.

Bread at SOMA in South Market, San Francisco, CA

Bread and olive oil at SOMA in South Market, San Francisco, CA

We skipped the appetizers and went directly for the main course. Jodi went for their mushroom pizza that was topped with mozzarella cheese, baby arugula and truffle oil. It was a decent pizza, the scent of the truffle oil filling quickly our noses as soon as they brought the pizza to the table.

Mushroom pizza at SOMA in South Market, San Francisco, CA

On my side, I went for the NY steak, served with a gorgonzola and brandy sauce, arugula salad and French fries. The steak was perfectly cooked medium-rare, as ordered, and had a nice marking from the grill that gave a nice flavor to it. I was not expecting the quality of a steakhouse, and was pleasantly surprised with this dish. I appreciated the fact that they served it with both a salad and fries, the fries, probably frozen, being nicely crispy.

NY steak at SOMA in South Market, San Francisco, CA

The meal at SOMA was decent. I think it is a good place if you stay in a hotel close by and do not want to venture in the city: I would not just go there for the sake of going there 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!

SOMA Restaurant & Bar

I Just Want To Eat! 9/2/16 I Just Want To Eat! 9/2/16

My trip to San Francisco: Dynamo Donut + Coffee

If there was another item I wanted to eat in San Francisco, it is donuts. So Jodi's cousin, Rebecca suggested that we go to Dynamo Donut + Coffee. There are two places in the city and we went to the location on 24th street. Interesting decor for sure, with the donut with legs and boots on the roof, as well as the various paintings representing donuts (sometimes with a panda) from Alexandra Blum that were for sale.

Dynamo Donut + Coffee in San Francisco, CA

If there was another item I wanted to eat in San Francisco, it is donuts. So Jodi's cousin, Rebecca suggested that we go to Dynamo Donut + Coffee. There are two places in the city and we went to the location on 24th street. Interesting decor for sure, with the donut with legs and boots on the roof that is in fact Miss Donut Pink from artist Camila Valdez, as well as the various paintings representing donuts (sometimes with a panda) from Alexandra Blum that were for sale.

Donut with legs and boots at Dynamo Donut + Coffee in San Francisco, CA

Paintings from Alexandra Blum at Dynamo Donut + Coffee in San Francisco, CA

We ordered outside, at the counter, and then proceeded to the room inside, overlooking the kitchen where unfortunately they were not making donuts: I wish they did so I could have watched a bit of it.

Kitchen at Dynamo Donut + Coffee in San Francisco, CA

One of the donuts I was looking forward to try was the maple bacon. It was a good donut, but I have to say that it is not as good as the maple bacon bar at The Doughnut Project in NYC.

Maple Bacon donut at Dynamo Donut + Coffee in San Francisco, CA

The second donut was the spiced chocolate donut, that would certainly satisfy chocolate lovers, but was a bit dry for my taste. I definitely preferred the maple bacon one.

Spiced chocolate at Dynamo Donut + Coffee in San Francisco, CA

With the donuts, I got a double espresso that unfortunately was too bitter.

Espresso at Dynamo Donut + Coffee in San Francisco, CA

So, I was not too impressed by Dynamo Donut + Coffee. I think that, for a treat, I surely prefer B Patisserie or Sightglass Coffee. But, maybe your dog would appreciate these donuts as they also make some especially for them...

Dog donuts at Dynamo Donut + Coffee in San Francisco, CA

Enjoy (...)!

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Dynamo Donuts & Coffee

I Just Want To Eat! 9/1/16 I Just Want To Eat! 9/1/16

My trip to San Francisco: Ideale, Italian Restaurant in North Beach

One of the restaurants recommended by Rebecca, Jodi's cousin, was Ideale, an Italian restaurant located in North Beach, that serves Roman dishes. When you enter that place, you would think that it is small, but, in fact, they have a second dining room, in the back. I like observing what is going on in restaurants and quickly realized that many patrons are regulars, some of them speaking Italian, that is always a good sign.

Dining room at Ideale in San Francisco, CA

We decided to just order some entrees and have dessert, rather than going through a full meal with appetizers, not that there were no appetizers on the menu that we would have liked, but more because of all the food we had that day. Rebecca ordered the tortelloni alla paesana, that are homemade tortelloni, stuffed with veal and served with prosciutto and mushrooms, in a light cream reduction. It was pretty good, tasty, the tortellini being well made and perfectly cooked. According to Rebecca, usually it is better: I cannot imagine what it is then as I really liked it that time!

Tortelloni alla paesana at Ideale in San Francisco, CA

Jodi ordered the spaghetti al cacio e pepe, that are homemade spaghetti with pecorino cheese and black pepper. A succulent dish that was a bit salty, because of the cheese. Again, great pasta, well made and perfectly cooked. I also appreciated the amount of sauce in the dish.

Spaghetti al cacio e pepe at Ideale in San Francisco, CA

On my side, I went for the risotto, served with squid, mussels, clams and shrimp. It was very good, cooked in a light white wine sauce, it had a generous amount of seafood from where emanated a fragrant smell that made me want to dig into this dish right away.

We finished up with dessert and got two classics:

The tiramisu:

The panna cotta:

Panna cotta at Ideale in San Francisco, CA

Both desserts were delicious and it was hard not to finish them. The tiramisu was very creamy with nice hints of coffee, and the panna cotta had a perfect texture, with the right density.

We had a nice dinner at Ideale and I finally regretted not to have an appetizer that evening, not that I left hungry, but more to try something else there from their menu. It is a good Italian restaurant and the fact that they make their own pasta is definitely a plus.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Ideale

I Just Want To Eat! 8/31/16 I Just Want To Eat! 8/31/16

My trip to San Francisco: The Perennial, a restaurant promoting sustainability

Before going to San Francisco, I searched on the internet the best restaurants in the city and found The Perennial, a restaurant that prides itself in promoting progressive farming. I would call that responsible farm to table to make it simple. So, if you eat there, there are few things you should know:

They serve you a glass of water at the beginning and will refill only upon request.
Utensils will not be replaced between dishes unless you request it. So, they give you a utensil rest because of that.
If you order meat, there will be a $2 surcharge to support their carbon farming project, another sustainability initiative.

Menu at The Perennial in San Francisco, CA

Plates with utensil rest at The Perennial in San Francisco, CA

Utensils rest at The Perennial in San Francisco, CA

This is a big place with high ceilings that gives even more space. Sticking to their theme, there is wood all over, from floor to ceiling, keeping a warm and naturalistic atmosphere. In the back of the dining room is the open kitchen that I always like to observe.

Bar area at The Perennial in San Francisco, CA

Dining room at The Perennial in San Francisco, CA

Open kitchen at The Perennial in San Francisco, CA

Food wise, you can either order dishes on the menu, served as a progression, from appetizer, to middle course, to main course, before, of course, dessert, or go directly for a 4 course meal that includes the choices mentioned before, for $59, that also comes with their bread. So, it is a good deal; you would be in NYC, it would probably be $100 if not more, especially considering the quality we got. In fact, when we saw the first dishes, it reminded me a bit of NOMA that we visited a couple of years ago: because of the presentation of the dishes, some very colorful, as well as the creativity. They have a nice wine list and so, to go with my meal, I went for a glass of Johan Pinot Noir, Estate Willamette Valley, 2013.

Glass of Johan Pinot Noir Estate Willamette Valley 2013 at The Perennial in San Francisco, CA

Then came the kernza bread, served with Perennial butter. It is only when I wrote this post that I understood what kernza is: it is a superwheat developed by The Land Institute, that can grow all year long, being able to adapt to any climate change (from humidity to temperature), as oppose to other wheat that are annual crops. Well, for sure it was a good bread.

Kernza bread with butter at The Perennial in San Francisco, CA

Then came the first dishes:

Jodi got the eggplant toast that was made with the kernza bread, geranium marinated squash, squash blossom and cucumber oil.

Eggplant toast at The Perennial in San Francisco, CA

On my side, I went for the strawberries with pickled Douglas Fir tips, olive oil and borage.

Strawberries with pickled Douglas Fir tips at The Perennial in San Francisco, CA

I admit that when I saw the first dishes, I was surprised how beautiful and colorful they were. Both were delicious, but I have to say that mine was very surprising. First, the strawberries tasted like...strawberries and are not bland like the ones we often buy. Second, the Douglas Fir tips tasted good, although at first I thought they would taste like pine trees and were probably for the plating, having no idea what they were.

The second dishes were, for Jodi: the pole beans and sweet onion panna cotta, served with basil, agretti (an Italian leafy green) and papalo (aka Bolivian coriander).

Pole beans and sweet onions panna cotta at The Perennial in San Francisco, CA

On my side, it was the trout belly, served with ham hock consommé, charred cabbage and ogo (seaweed).

Trout belly at The Perennial in San Francisco, CA

These dishes were great: the panna cotta was a refreshing dish with various textures, while the trout belly was delicate with its fantastic crispy skin.

Then came the main course. For Jodi, the cauliflower gnocchi with morels accompanied with fresh cheese, grilled apple and preserved meyer lemon. This was definitely a sublime vegetarian dish, that had so many different flavors that paired well together, especially the cauliflower and morel mushrooms.

Cauliflower gnocchi with morels at The Perennial in San Francisco, CA

I went for the sirloin, although my first choice was for lamb, but they did not have it anymore. So, the sirloin, cooked medium-rare, was served with baby leeks, parsnip dumplings (that I did not like) and trumpet mushroom, with a shiitake jus. The meat was good, juicy, although a bit tough to cut. This was overall a good dish, even if not my favorite of the evening.

Stemple Creek Beef at The Perennial in San Francisco, CA

Last was dessert. We tried the nectarine sorbet served with chicory root toffee, vanilla and tarragon.

Nectarine sorbet at The Perennial in San Francisco, CA

As well as the kernza ice cream, served with pecans, roasted yeast oil and chamomile.

Kerns ice cream at The Perennial in San Francisco, CA

Both desserts were good and a perfect way to finish the meal on a refreshing note. I should mention that, with the bill, they brought us some homemade chocolates, a good palate cleanser...

Homemade chocolates at The Perennial in San Francisco, CA

Our meal at The Perennial went beyond our expectations: the food was delicious, the plates looked beautiful and I liked the atmosphere of the place. If you live in or go to San Francisco, I definitely recommend The Perennial and suggest you go for the 4 course meal that is definitely a good deal.

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 Perennial

I Just Want To Eat! 8/30/16 I Just Want To Eat! 8/30/16

My trip to San Francisco: La Cholita Linda in Oakland

Based in Oakland, La Cholita Linda was our second Latin food stop during our vacation. Located in what seems to be a quiet neighborhood, this bright place with a casual atmosphere was quite welcoming, with a decor making you feel you were outdoors.

Kitchen at La Cholita Linda in Oakland, CA

We ordered and got a buzzer that went off probably 5 minutes after, showing the efficiency of the kitchen staff considering the line that started to form behind us.

Buzzer at La Cholita Linda in Oakland, CA

We decided to try their tacos and both got their Baja fish tacos, made with salsa roja, cabbage slaw and crema. It was pretty good, although I would have liked a bit more crunchiness. But the fish was well cooked and I liked the fact that there was a nice amount of sauce and cream.

Fish taco at La Cholita Linda in Oakland, CA

The second taco I tried was the Pollo al pastor, a chicken taco also served with salsa roja, cabbage slaw and crema. I admit that I did not know what to expect as for me chicken tacos can be hit or miss, miss when the chicken is bland and the overall dish dry and boring. But at La Cholita Linda, the split-roasted chicken was delicious and moist. I think I even preferred it over the fish taco.

Pollo al pastor taco at La Cholita Linda in Oakland, CA

Last was plantains as a side, delightfully sweet, as well as a very good guacamole with chips.

Plantains at La Cholita Linda in Oakland, CA

That was a pretty good lunch and I probably could have had a third taco, but, as we ate, a line started to for outside La Cholita Linda and it would have taken too long to get my order. Next time...

Enjoy (I did)!

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

La Cholita Linda

I Just Want To Eat! 8/29/16 I Just Want To Eat! 8/29/16

My trip to San Francisco: La Taqueria

If there was one thing I wanted to try in San Francisco, it was Mexican food and I was surely not disappointed. We ended up at La Taqueria, on Mission street, a casual joint where you need to fight to get a seat (or simply go eat outside, somewhere).

Dining room at La Taqueria in San Francisco, CA

Kitchen at La Taqueria in San Francisco, CA

It is a medium size restaurant, quite colorful, that can be very crowded, but they do not put any pressure on you when you order at the counter. It only took a matter of minutes before they called our number to get our food, showcasing the efficiency of the kitchen that was as busy as a beehive.

We started off with chips, guacamole and pico de gallo. A very good appetizer composed of a perfectly seasoned guacamole and crispy homemade tortilla chips.

Guacamole, pico de gallo and chips at La Taqueria in San Francisco, CA

Then, we both went for their quesadilla, wanting to try one made with also homemade tortilla. Mine was composed of beef tongue (it has been a while I ate some), sour cream, guacamole and cheese.

Beef tongue quesadilla at La Taqueria in San Francisco, CA

Jodi went with the vegetarian one.

The first bite was heaven: forget the tortilla that you usually get in restaurants that are usually store bought. It tasted totally different, was a bit thicker and very slightly greasy. I truly appreciated the fact that they put a lot of ingredients in it, especially that beef tongue that was delicious.

Eating at La Taqueria was like a revelation and I will not look at quesadillas the same way unfortunately as it is setting a standard hard to meet now. I would certainly go back there when I will visit again San Francisco, and this time, I will probably try their burrito (that does not contain rice, people!).

Enjoy (I did)!

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

La Taqueria

I Just Want To Eat! 8/28/16 I Just Want To Eat! 8/28/16

My Trip To San Francisco: Sightglass Coffee

Another place that Jodi's cousin Rebecca recommended for breakfast is Sightglass, a coffee shop that serves delicious treats. I like the place we went to: it looked like a processing plant rather than a coffee place, with its roasting and grinding machines, as well as the numerous bags of coffee beans laying there. It kind of gives a casual yet hipster atmosphere to the whole experience.

Roasting machine at Sightglass Coffee in San Francisco, CA

Coffee beans bag at Sightglass Coffee in San Francisco, CA

Sightglass is fairly big, with several seats downstairs and several tables upstairs where you can enjoy your treat surfing the web or working thanks to their free internet access. After placing our order, we waited at the bar to get it. It was ready in just few minutes, but I should mention two things: first, they do not have tea that is fairly odd these days. Second, they do not have any trays, so if you have a large order, it could be a problem. So, no tea. Not a problem for me as I am a coffee drinker, but definitely a problem for Jodi who finally opted for a hot chocolate that was not that great.

Hot chocolate at Sightglass Coffee in San Francisco, CA

On my side, I got a double espresso that was a bit too bitter for my taste and came with a shot of water.

Espresso at Sightglass Coffee in San Francisco, CA

So, a bit of a miss on the beverage side, but not on the food side where we got some delicious treats. The first one was the Kouign Aman that I mentioned in my previous post about B Patisserie: so funny to see that croissant on steroids (think about croissant dough with more butter and sugar) served in so many places. This Kouign Aman was fantastic: crispy, flakey, buttery with a center delightfully caramelized.

Kouign Aman at Sightglass Coffee in San Francisco, CA

The second was a valrhona chocolate chocolate croissant. Simply delicious.

Valrhona chocolate croissant at Sightglass Coffee in San Francisco, CA

Last was a flourless almond cake. Imagine that Jodi does not like almonds, but ate some of it. I guess it says it all.

We left full from Sightglass and we're looking forward for a good walk before our next meal. It is a great place that I recommend, although I am still not clear why they would not propose any tea...

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Sightglass Coffee

I Just Want To Eat! 8/27/16 I Just Want To Eat! 8/27/16

My Trip to San Francisco: The Franciscan Crab Restaurant

If there is a place I am always looking forward to eat at when we come to San Francisco, it is The Franciscan Crab Restaurant. This place, overlooking the bay is one of my favorite seafood places. It is definitely a tourist destination, but their seafood is fantastic, being very fresh.

And the view is great, especially if, like us, you get seated next to the Windows, with that fantastic view of Alcatraz.

The Franciscan Crab Restaurant in San Francisco, California

View from The Franciscan Crab Restaurant in San Francisco, California

As the time passed there, the restaurant started to be more and more crowded, but I admit that the service never suffered from it: it remained courteous and on point.

Dining room at The Franciscan Crab Restaurant in San Francisco, California

Food wise, I knew already what I wanted to eat. I started off with the New England clam chowder, a must have in Fisherman's Warf, although my previous attempt to it was not so good, so I was hopping that this would be it. And it was: creamy, without big chunks of celery and a nice amount of clam.

New England clam chowder at The Franciscan Crab Restaurant in San Francisco, California

Next was a seafood skillet that was composed of shrimp, mussels and Dungeness crab, that came sizzling. That skillet was definitely good for one person as, once you remove the shells, the quantity of food remains reasonable. This was very good, however I should mention that couple of mussels, opened, had an off taste, but no worries: I did not get sick from it. The shrimp were perfect and easy to peel. As far as the crab is concerned, I must say that I prefer Alaskan crab rather than Dungeness: meatier and tastier for my palate.

Seafood skillet at The Franciscan Crab Restaurant in San Francisco, California

To accompany my meal, I opted for a glass of Schmitt Sohne Riesling from Germany.

Schmitt Sohne Riesling wine from Germany at The Franciscan Crab Restaurant in San Francisco, California

Jodi went for their halibut, served with various veggies, also a good dish, the fish being perfectly cooked and moist.

Halibut at The Franciscan Crab Restaurant in San Francisco, California

Last was dessert. They are smart to put photos of their desserts on their menu, as it may entice more people to order. Well, we did. We picked the limone torta della nonna or Grandma's lemon tart. Not only the tart was fantastic, but the vanilla ice cream (that they called custard) was amazing with or without it.

Grandma's Lemon tart at The Franciscan Crab Restaurant in San Francisco, California

We had a great meal at The Franciscan Crab Restaurant: the food was delicious, as expected. It will probably be a mandatory stop for us each time we go to San Francisco and our third visit did not disappoint.

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 Franciscan Crab Restaurant

I Just Want To Eat! 8/26/16 I Just Want To Eat! 8/26/16

My trip to San Francisco: B Patisserie

Breakfast is an important meal (well, all meals are important...) and we were looking for some fantastic places in San Francisco. Jodi's cousin, Rebecca, gave us few spots in the city that were quite accessible from our hotel, either walking distance or using Uber. B Patisserie was one of them. And I have to say, I did to regret it! Result of the collaboration of Belinda Leong (the B of the name), a pastry Chef with an incredible resume and Michel Suas, another pastry Chef with also an impressive resume (he established the San Francisco Baking Institute in 1996), this is the kind of place where choices are difficult considering all the mouth watering food in front of you.

Inside B Patisserie in San Francisco, CA

We went on a week day after 9am and the place was packed. Luckily, we found a seat outside, where they have few tables. After we ordered, they gave us a number that we put on our table and few minutes later, they brought our food and beverages.

Order number at B Patisserie in San Francisco, CA

Breakfast at B Patisserie in San Francisco, CA

We decided to get (from left to right): the banana chocolate almond croissant, the Kouign Aman and the Pain Suisse.

Banana chocolate almond croissant at B Patisserie in San Francisco, CA

Kouign Aman at B Patisserie in San Francisco, CA

Pain Suisse at B Patisserie in San Francisco, CA

First, the banana chocolate almond croissant: there is no doubt that chocolate and banana pair well together and I admit that I was a bit worry that it would be too sweet as it is often the case with chocolate almond croissants. Well, that was not the case at all and it was sublime. I also liked the crunchiness of the croissant that gave a nice texture to the whole thing. However, I admit that the Kouign Aman was my favorite: crispy, buttery and delightfully sweet, I was glad they were proposing it (in New York, you can have a Kouign Aman at Dominique Ansel Bakery or at Bouchon Bakery in the Time Warner Building). Last was the Pain Suisse, a viennoiserie that I rarely see in bakeries, made with a vanilla cream and chocolate. This was delicious, flakey and a bit crunchy.

We definitely had a great breakfast at B Patisserie and I am glad in a way that they were not located next to our hotel, because then, I would have been there every single day (that does not sound that bad 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!

B Patisserie

I Just Want To Eat! 8/25/16 I Just Want To Eat! 8/25/16

My trip to San Francisco: In-N-Out Burger

Well, I heard so many times about In-N-Out Burger in a very positive way that it was not possible not to try it when we went on vacation in San Francisco. Maybe one mistake I made was not to take a photo of the outside after we left: you should have seen the line in front of their location on Fisherman's Wharf. Yes, this place is a madhouse and I praise their staff who is doing a good job expediting the orders as fast as they can. Of course, it was impossible to try to get a table inside the restaurant and, fortunately, we realized that behind it, there was a patio with several tables available.

Patio at In-N-Out Burger in San Francisco, CA

We were there for burgers and did not even think twice about what to order. Jodi went for a cheeseburger and I went for a double cheeseburger (called a double-double), fries and a vanilla milkshake. Know that they also have off menu items such as the 3x3 that is 3 meat patties and 3 slices of cheese, or the 4x4 that is 4 patties and 4 slices of meat. But, being a reasonable guy, I stopped at two.

Burgers, fries and milkshake at In-N-Out Burger in San Francisco, CA

So, how were the burgers? I should say that I thought they made a mistake with my order as I did not see the two patties at first. No, I saw two slices of tomatoes and thought they screwed up my order compared to the cheeseburger Jodi got. At that point, considering the crowd, there was no way I would have gone back inside the restaurant. Then, I saw the two patties.

Double-Double at In-N-Out Burger in San Francisco, CA

Cheeseburger at In-N-Out Burger in San Francisco, CA

The first bite was divine: the meat tastes like meat and does to have tons of seasoning on it, there is lots of cheese and that proprietary sauce that is apparently a variation of thousand island dressing was fantastic.

French fries at In-N-Out Burger in San Francisco, CA

The fries were also good, although I would have liked them crispier. Last was the milkshake that was perfectly made: thick, but not to the point where you can't get anything through the straw, with a nice vanilla flavor.

I should mention that the packaging has some bible references, concept that came out in 1980 to represent the Christian belief of the In-N-Out Burger owners.

Bible verses on packaging of In-N-Out Burger in San Francisco, CA

The burgers at In-N-Out Burger were very good, reasonably priced, and I wish they were on the East Coast, although places like Shake Shack or Five Guys definitely measure up and might even be slightly better. If I went back to California, I would definitely go get a good burger there!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

IN-N-OUT Burger

I Just Want To Eat! 8/24/16 I Just Want To Eat! 8/24/16

Avlee Greek Kitchen in Brooklyn, NY

Located in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, Avlee is a small Greek restaurant that has its charm. Opened in February 2012, this place is the pride of the owner, Andrew Poulos that I had the chance to meet. Yes, it is a small size restaurant, but with a secret garden in the back (Avlee means garden in fact). I like the decor with its open kitchen, but mainly because, like many Greek restaurants, the decor gives the impression your are outside with its shutters.

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

Dining room at Avlee Greek Kitchen in Brooklyn, NY

Kitchen at Avlee Greek Kitchen in Brooklyn, NY

Market at Avlee Greek Kitchen in Brooklyn, NY

Food wise, they serve classic dishes, using natural products. We started off our meal with a spread sampler made of (from left to right on the photo below) Tzatziki (yogurt, cucumber, garlic and dill), Fava Mani (made with chickpeas, lemon, tahini and cumin - equivalent to hummus), and Melitzanosalata (eggplant, bell peppers, jalapeño, parsley and garlic).

Spread sampler at Avlee Greek Kitchen in Brooklyn, NY

Tzatziki at Avlee Greek Kitchen in Brooklyn, NY

Fava mani at Avlee Greek Kitchen in Brooklyn, NY

Melitzanosalata at Avlee Greek Kitchen in Brooklyn, NY

My favorite was the taztziki that was refreshing, and then the Fava Mani. I admit that I did not really like the Melitzanosalata that much, the eggplant flavor not being that pronounced. It was served with some pita that was slightly grilled.

Pita at Avlee Greek Kitchen in Brooklyn, NY

Then came the saganaki, my favorite appetizer when I have a Greek meal. I simply like this cheese (called Kefalograviera), from its taste with its slight saltiness to its texture that is slightly chewy. At Avlee, they do not flambé it, but rather pan fry it and it was sublime.

Saganaki at Avlee Greek Kitchen in Brooklyn, NY

We also tried the Sika or fig rolls that are figs stuffed with feta, wrapped in prosciutto and pan fried. It was good, but I wish there was more feta in it.

Sika or fig rolls at Avlee Greek Kitchen in Brooklyn, NY

The last appetizer was the Spanakopita, a mix of spinach, cheeses and mushrooms wrapped in phyllo. It was ok for me, simply because I am not a huge fan of spinach and dishes with it are either hit or miss. Jodi loved it though...

Spanakopita at Avlee Greek Kitchen in Brooklyn, NY

But then came the entrée: Arni Youvetsi Kokkinisto. This was an amazing dish made with slow braised lamb shank cooked in a tomato sauce and served with orzo. The lamb was very tender, falling off the bone and the sauce very flavorful.

Arni Youvetsi Kokkinisto at Avlee Greek Kitchen in Brooklyn, NY

That dish came with a Greek salad that had a bit of a kick because of the pepper in it.

Greek salad at Avlee Greek Kitchen in Brooklyn, NY

The second entrée we tried was the grilled Haloumi that is a grilled Cypriot goat milk (know that I asked for smaller portions for the dishes as we wanted to try several of their specialties). It was delicious, especially with the nice char from the grill.

Grilled Haloumi at Avlee Greek Kitchen in Brooklyn, NY

We also tried three sides:

Gigantes or large white beans baked in a tomato, onion and dill sauce.

Gigantes at Avlee Greek Kitchen in Brooklyn, NY

Horta Revithia or sautéed kale, roasted chickpeas, shallots in chicken broth.

Horta Revithia at Avlee Greek Kitchen in Brooklyn, NY

Sautéed spinach with orzo.

I liked all of them (even the one with spinach!), but my favorite was definitely the Gigantes.

Last was dessert, with first the Galaktoboureko, a vanilla custard layered with phyllo that was very good and not too sweet, with nice hints of cinnamon.

Galaktoboureko at Avlee Greek Kitchen in Brooklyn, NY

Their homemade baklava that was quite good.

Homemade baklava at Avlee Greek Kitchen in Brooklyn, NY

With the desserts, I got a coffee made in a briki, a small pot to make a traditional Greek Coffee. Quite good and flavorful.

Coffee made in a briki at Avlee Greek Kitchen in Brooklyn, NY

We had a very good lunch at Avlee Greek Kitchen. My perfect meal would be: saganaki, the lamb youvetsi and the baklava. In fact, this is what I recommend if you go there. Anyway, they have plenty of dishes to satisfy any palate, with non-vegetarian, vegetarian, vegan and gluten free dishes.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Avlee Greek Kitchen