I Just Want To Eat! 10/14/16 I Just Want To Eat! 10/14/16

BonChon Chicken, Financial District, NYC, NY - Closed

As I was in the Financial District all day, I decided to check some fried chicken places (I admit: I craved it). It was a bit early and there were not that many people in the restaurant, besides couple of people at the bar.

Bar at BonChon Chicken, Financial District, NYC, NY

Dining room at BonChon Chicken, Financial District, NYC, NY

I decided to get a thigh and wing combo and chose the half/half option for the sauciness: half spicy and half mild. The spicy coating is made of red chili pepper and the mild one with a soy garlic mix that has a slight saltiness. The chicken was fantastic: very crispy thanks to the double frying, cooked all the way through and moist. The coatings were also sublime, with a preference for the spicy one that put my mouth on fire, but was so good that I could not resist it.

Chicken wings and thighs at BonChon Chicken, Financial District, NYC, NY

Fortunately, they give daikon with every order, that soothed my mouth thanks to its cooling effect.

I love the fried chicken at BonChon and was glad they have a spot close to where I was that day. It is definitely worth the trip anyway!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

BonChon Chicken

I Just Want To Eat! 10/12/16 I Just Want To Eat! 10/12/16

Keste Pizza & Vino in NYC, NY

People always talk about John's Pizza, Grimaldi's or XXX, but there is a little gem on Bleecker Street that I highly recommend: Kesté Pizza and Vino. Serving sublime Neapolitan pizza, one of their best credentials is that their owner, Roberto Capiruscio is the president of the US branch of the Association of Neapolitan Pizzaiuoli (APN - Association of Neapolitan Pizza Makers), that ensures that Neapolitan pizza are made following strict guidelines (water temperature, specific flour, etc. ).

Dining room at Keste Pizza & Vino in NYC, NY

This place, that is not so big, has this warm and rustic feel that highlights even more their authenticity. And if you are curious about how they prepare their pizza, you can watch them make them in the back, where sits their wood fire oven.

Wood fire oven at Keste Pizza & Vino in NYC, NY

We went there on a Saturday with our friend Caleb. For the four of us, we decided to order two pies (each had six slices). The first one was the Quattro formaggi, made with mozzarella, gran cru, caciocavallo ragusano, parmigiano regiano, basil and olive oil.

Quattro formaggi pizza at Keste Pizza & Vino in NYC, NY

The second one was a red pie: the Prosciutto di Parma, made with tomato sauce, homemade mozzarella, prosciutto and olive oil.

Prosciutto di parma pizza at Keste Pizza & Vino in NYC, NY

Both pizza were delicious: the floppy crust was thin in the center and puffed up on the outside, with a nice char and crispness. The Quattro formaggi had lots of cheese in it, definitely satisfying the cheese lovers. However, I wished the other one had more prosciutto. But still: I was a delicious pizza.

Although my top one is still Luzzo's, I love Kesté Pizza and Vino. If you would like to try or eat a true Neapolitan pizza, this is your spot.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Keste Pizza & Vino

I Just Want To Eat! 10/11/16 I Just Want To Eat! 10/11/16

EXKI, Healthy Casual Eatery in NYC, New York

That brownie was one of the best I ever had! Wait! Flashback: this is supposed to be a post about a healthy place: how did I end up talking about a brownie? Well, EXKI, from the French word "exquis" that means exquisite, is a healthy casual eatery with more than 75 locations in Europe, trying to appeal to the busy and health conscious New Yorker (no brownie so far). With two locations in New York, this one is not new, but they upgraded their space to make it brighter (thanks to the carrera marble, white walls and light colors) and simpler, letting the food shine.

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

Menu wise, there are plenty of options: from salads to sandwiches, made daily with ingredients locally sourced, with options served for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And each time, you can get a dish (choices are limited to keep it simple) or create your own, with lots of possible combinations. As we were there for dinner, we ended up trying some bowls created especially for us. Vegetarian for Jodi, made with smoked cauliflower, quinoa, chickpeas, baby arugula, kale and raisins.

Vegetarian bowl at EXKI in NYC, New York

On my side, I got roasted chicken, quinoa, roasted peppers and watercress.

Bowl with roasted chicken at EXKI in NYC, New York

These bowls were delicious and earthy. My favorite was the roasted chicken one: that chicken was perfectly cooked and moist.

With our meal, we got some smoothies. You can go to the juice bar and ask for whatever you want, or you can just go and grab a cup with fruit in it and bring it to the juice bar so they can blend it. It is like a Mongolian bowl: you do not know what you would end up with!

Fruits for smoothies at EXKI in NYC, New York

So we ended up with an apple and a berry smoothie, my favorite being the former.

Berries smoothie at EXKI in NYC, New York

Last was dessert and it was a big surprise. First were the chocolate chip cookies, that were gluten-free, made with brown rice flour. Pretty good, although I prefer chewier cookies.

Chocolate chip cookies at EXKI in NYC, New York

But the best was the brownie, also gluten-free as incredible as it was, made with tapioca and rice flour. Well, in fact I should mention that it was a double chocolate brownie, the name explaining very well, the amount of chocolate in it. The first bite was heaven and I took advantage of Jodi being distracted to finish it...

Double chocolate brownie at EXKI in NYC, New York

I was really amazed how good this brownie, although gluten-free, was: it shows, once again, that the image of tasteless gluten-free food is incorrect and there are more and more delicious gluten-free products such as this one.

EXKI is a good grab and go eatery offering healthy options. Well, the brownie was the less healthy part of the meal, but combined with what I ate before, I think I did pretty well, no?

Enjoy (I did)!

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

EXKi

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

Machiavelli, a trip to Italian Renaissance

Food wise, there is no duplicity, rather authenticity and Executive Chef Gian Pietro Ferro crafted a menu that would satisfy any palate eager to discover Italian food. There are of course the pizza with the thin crust, but their homemade pasta are also noticeable. I decided to start the meal with a cocktail and went for the Paolo Uccello, named after a Renaissance painter. It was made with tequila, blood orange liquor, fresh rosemary and lime.

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

Celebrating 5 years of existence, Machiavelli is the kind of Italian restaurant that one cannot forget. Located on the Upper West Side, its incredible decor is a nod to Northern Italian Renaissance, this place gets its name from Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli, an Italian Renaissance historian, politician, diplomat, philosopher, humanist, and writer who is said to be the founder of modern political science. A quite nice resume, although the term machiavellianism is a fairly negative term, being "the employment of cunning and duplicity in statecraft or in general conduct" per the Oxford dictionary.

Dining room at Machiavelli, Upper West Side, NYC

Bar at Machiavelli, Upper West Side, NYC

Paolo Uccello cocktail at Machiavelli, Upper West Side, NYC

They then brought us some homemade bread: first was the focaccia with white bean purée.

Focaccia with white bean puree at Machiavelli, Upper West Side, NYC

White bean puree at Machiavelli, Upper West Side, NYC

But the best was the one made with pizza dough and fresh rosemary and salt: crispy and simply delicious.

Bread made with pizza dough, rosemary and salt at Machiavelli, Upper West Side, NYC

The first appetizer was the Sformato di Spinaci, a creamy and flavorful spinach and ricotta flan nestled topped with a truffle-scented fonduta cheese sauce. I am not a huge fan of spinach, but have to admit that it was fantastic!

Sformato di spinaci at Machiavelli, Upper West Side, NYC

Then was the Cozze in Bianco, that are sautéed P.E.I. mussels with a sauce made of olive oil, garlic, white wine and parsley, topped with some bread. Definitely, the star of the show was that sauce that I could have just eaten with bread.

Cozze in Bianco mussels at Machiavelli, Upper West Side, NYC

The last appetizer was the beef carpaccio or Carpaccio di Manzo: thin slices of seared rare beef baby arugula, grana padano and truffle oil. Another delicious dish. First of all, the beef was thin but not to the point where you have difficulty picking it with your fork and end up with a mushy piece of it, if you see what I mean. Second, it had the perfect acidity.

Carpaccio di Manzo at Machiavelli, Upper West Side, NYC

For our entrées, we decided to try their pasta as well as pizza. For pasta, we went for the Strozzapreti alle Cime di Rapa e Salsiccia, that are eggless pasta with sautéed broccoli di rapa and Italian sweet sausage.

Strozzapreti alle Cime di Rapa e Salsiccia at Machiavelli, Upper West Side, NYC

Then was the Pizza Machiavelli made black truffle cream, mozzarella and wild mushrooms: this was a succulent pizza, so creamy, with a nice smell of black truffle (oil?). I am glad we ordered this one over the quattro formaggi that I am sure is sublime.

Pizza Machiavelli at Machiavelli, Upper West Side, NYC

Last was dessert that I ate with a shot of espresso cioccolato, or espresso with some Belgian chocolate that was very good.

Espresso cioccolato at Machiavelli, Upper West Side, NYC

There was the Bongo Bongo that is cream puffs stuffed with whipped cream and served with warm Belgian chocolate.

Bongo Bongo at Machiavelli, Upper West Side, NYC

And the tiramisu.

Tiramisu at Machiavelli, Upper West Side, NYC

We had a fantastic dinner at Machiavelli: I am glad I got the opportunity to try this place that not only stands out on the Upper West Side, but has the charm of authentic Italian restaurants. Like a trip to Italy for the subway fare.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Machiavelli

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

Pasta Lensi: not your regular pasta...for sure!

I was recently invited to a dinner prepared by Italian Chef Walter Potenza for the launch of Pasta Lensi's line of legume pasta. Yes, you heard well: legume pasta. At first, I was not sure what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised by this pasta, and not just because of the recipes cooked by Chef Potenza, his logic being to make the pasta the star of the dish (he only uses three ingredients to keep the recipe simple and the flavors clean) and not just a "carrier" for a sauce.

So, this kind of pasta is made with legumes, providing nutrients, fiber and protein, and are vegan and gluten free. There are made of chickpeas, black beans, yellow and red lentils. These legumes are then made into a flour that will be the base for pasta, in various shapes, from sedani (black beans), casarecce (chickpeas), fusilli (red lentils) and penne rigate (yellow lentils).

Chickpeas, black beans, yellow and red lentils

Yellow lentils penne rigate from Pasta Lensi

The dinner took place at Midtown Terrace, a magnificent place with an amazing view of the city.

To accompany the dishes, I went for some red wine, a Feudo Arancio Pinot Noir Stemmari 2013.

The first dish was the Pasta Lensi Chickpea Casarecce with beans and escarole minestra, a peasant soup very earthy.

The second dish was the Pasta Lensi Yellow Lentils Penne Rigate with cauliflower and raisins:

The next dish was the Pasta Lensi Black Bean Sedani with green peas, mint and ricotta:

Last was my favorite: the Pasta Lensi Red Lentils Fusilli with bacon, butternut squash and spinach (as you can see, the pasta lost its vibrant red color during the cooking process):

We finished with some Italian cookies, but for sure, it was more to finish on a sweet note after a fantastic dinner.

This was an amazing dinner and I am now curious to try to cook this legume pasta myself. Interestingly, you cannot forget what they have made of and the chickpea and black bean ones have the most pronounced legume taste of all in my own opinion. As of the date of this post, the legume pasta from Pasta Lensi are only sold at Walmart, but they will soon extend to other supermarkets more known for their cutting edge as well as natural products such as Whole Foods or Trader Joe's. I am curious to know how people would react in a blind taste, or even if it could be a way to persuade kids to eat legumes...It is definitely worth the try, but know that each of these pastas has a distinct taste, so, if you do not like one, you may like another.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

I Just Want To Eat! 10/8/16 I Just Want To Eat! 10/8/16

El Centro, Mexican food in Hell's Kitchen

After our trip to San Francisco and our fantastic meal at La Taqueria, we were craving Mexican food. So, as we were going to see a movie in Times Square, I searched for a restaurant in Hell's Kitchen. That is how we found El Centro, a very colorful place with an interesting decor, especially the figurines made of metal that cover one of the walls.

Dining room at El Centro in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

Colorful banquette at El Centro in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

Decor at El Centro in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

Tables at El Centro in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

We decided to order there a grapefruit and a strawberry soda from Jarritos ... I like that brand, especially the pineapple flavor that they unfortunately did not have and is for me much better than these. For sure, the strawberry soda was very sweet, as if they melted candies, but probably less than the Tutti Fruity flavor they also have.

Sodas at El Centro in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

As we were waiting for our food, they served us salsa and chips, a gesture, although expected, that I always appreciate. This time, the chips had some spices on it that I really liked (I think I tasted cumin...).

Tortilla chips and salsa at El Centro in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

I decided to order their chicken quesadilla after I saw that they make their own tortilla and I did not regret it. It was made with roasted chicken and three kinds of Mexican cheeses, mixed with chipotle chiles and cilantro. The homemade tortilla was very good, slightly crispy and just a bit greasy, far better than the store bought ones. Then, the filling was delightfully tasty. I definitely recommend that dish.

Chicken quesadilla at El Centro in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

Jodi wanted to order the mushrooms and peppers one but without the chiles. Unfortunately, the vegetables were already mixed so it was not possible. So, finally, she went for the mahi-mahi tacos, made with pico de gallo, guacamole, pickled cabbage, watercress and chipotle aioli. This was a very good taco, the fish being perfectly cooked and all the elements on the tacos giving an explosion of flavors that worked nicely together.

Mahi Mahi tacos at El Centro in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

We also ordered a side of guacamole with our dishes, guacamole that was perfectly seasoned.

I loved our meal at El Centro and I am glad I found this place. Will I go back? Definitely and this time I might still stick to the quesadilla...or not...

Enjoy (I did)!

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

El Centro

I Just Want To Eat! 10/6/16 I Just Want To Eat! 10/6/16

Le Bateau Ivre, French restaurant in NYC, NY

We passed in front of Le Bateau Ivre so many times that I really wanted to try this place. If you wonder what the name of this restaurant means, it refers to a poem written on 1871 by Arthur Rimbaud, that describes the drifting of a boat lost at sea.

Dining room at Le Bateau Ivre in NYC, NY

We went there on a Friday evening and the place got packed fairly quickly, some people at the bar even dancing to the rhythm of the loud music (I should say unfortunately loud...).
It is a wine bar with an impressive selection of French wines, red, white or rosé. I decided to order a glass of Bordeaux, Graves Chateau Haut Selve 2014.

Bordeaux, Graves Chateau Haut Selve 2014 at Le Bateau Ivre in NYC, NY

For sure, I was looking forward to get escargots that were deliciously prepared in a butter and garlic sauce, so good that I could not resist dipping some of the bread they gave us...

Then, I went for duck and admit that I hesitated with duck confit and magret that is duck breast. I finally decided to go with the confit that was served with potatoes and mushrooms smothered in a thick gravy a bit overpowered by the large amount of herbs in the plate. But I admit that the duck itself was sublime: the skin was slightly crispy and deliciously fatty, and it was not too salty.

Duck confit at Le Bateau Ivre in NYC, NY

Jodi went for one of their tartines and picked the brie and honey one, made with poilane bread.

Tartine Brie Miel at Le Bateau Ivre in NYC, NY

For dessert, we decided to get their mousse au chocolat as we already had a tarte tatin that week. The mousse was pretty good, served with whipped cream on top. It was dense and very chocolatey.

Chocolate mousse at Le Bateau Ivre in NYC, NY

We had a good dinner at Le Bateau Ivre and I would not mind going back there. My only complaint is the noise level that was a bit high...

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Le Bateau Ivre

I Just Want To Eat! 10/4/16 I Just Want To Eat! 10/4/16

$15 steak at Chez Jacqueline, French restaurant in Soho, NYC

I was looking for a French restaurant when I stumbled upon Chez Jacqueline, a bistro in Soho. Besides an interesting menu, what convinced me further to try it was their Wednesday deal: $15 for steak. And not just a couple of cuts: you can choose sirloin, filet mignon, skirt, etc. Of course, for that price, do not expect a ribeye or porterhouse!

Dining room at Chez Jacqueline in Soho, NYC, NY

So, we arrive in this MacDougal's restaurant and got seated right away, the restaurant not being that crowded considering such a good deal should not be missed. Few people at the bar, as well as few tables taken. Decor wise, it got its charm, definitely looking like a French bistro you would find in France, and with a touch of Provence.

The first thing I was looking forward to trying was the bread as in France, you cannot imagine a meal without it and as it is the first thing you start with, it can tell you if the meal will be good or not. I was not disappointed as they served us an épi, a sort of baguette with pointy sides, looking like wheat. A quite classic bread in France that I have very rarely seen in New York. The bread came hot and was deliciously crispy. Ok, so, usually the bread is hot to enhance the crispness because it was bought earlier in the day and lost some of this. It is also a trick for a day old bread that is not too hard (this one was probably bought in the morning).

Epi bread at Chez Jacqueline in Soho, NYC, NY

I could not resist ordering escargots (snails) for my appetizer. But, unfortunately, the menu did not provide any description for the dish and I was expecting the usual butter, parsley and garlic sauce I love so much. When the dish came, I was a bit disappointed: it was made with tomatoes and asparagus, probably giving a south of France flair. It was good, but definitely not as good as what I was expecting. I think that, if you serve a different recipe, you should specify it on the menu. So it started well...

Escargots at Chez Jacqueline in Soho, NYC, NY

Then came the steaks. Filet mignon ordered medium but served medium rare for Jodi:

Filet mignon at Chez Jacqueline in Soho, NYC, NY

Entrecôte or sirloin ordered medium rare and served medium for me.

Sirloin at Chez Jacqueline in Soho, NYC, NY

I mentioned it to the waiter who acknowledged a mistake in the kitchen and proposed to re-fire it, but it was late and we did not have time for it. So we switched. The steaks were pretty good, juicy and tender, not steakhouse grade for sure for that price, but worth it. I even found them better than the steaks served for restaurant week in some steakhouses!
The steaks are not coming with sides, so we both ordered one for $6 each. Jodi went for the fries, while I went for the potato galette. Both were good, but for sure, you need to order one per person. I should also mention my glass of Bordeaux Chateau de Bel Ami 2012:

Glass of Bordeaux Chateau de Bel Ami 2012 at Chez Jacqueline in Soho, NYC, NY

Last was dessert. We went for the tarte tatin, a classic French dessert that I thought was pretty good, the apples being perfectly cooked and overall not too sweet.

Tarte tatin at Chez Jacqueline in Soho, NYC, NY

Even if there were issues with our meal, I liked Chez Jacqueline. Their $15 steak dinner is for sure one of the best deals in the city. Would I go back? Definitely, hoping that this time, they will not reverse the temperature of the meat...

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Chez Jacqueline

I Just Want To Eat! 10/2/16 I Just Want To Eat! 10/2/16

Esanation, Thai restaurant in Hell's Kitchen

Located in Hell's Kitchen, Esanation is a Thai restaurant with a lounge vibe. Serving northeastern cuisine (Isan province = Isan nation for the name of the place?), they serve patrons in a modern decor with couple of neons (Love neon in the back or the disco ball in the dining room) playing an upbeat music, setting itself apart from many restaurants that will play Thai music. In fact, it reminded me a bit Viv, another Thai place close by.

Dining room at Esanation, Thai restaurant in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

Food wise, I admit that I was a bit disappointed by the menu, as they advertise street food and I was expecting small bites that we would be able to share. Ok, I never went to Thailand and maybe there, street food is different. What they propose for street food are soups, noodles and rice dishes. So, I skipped that section and went for other items that were more appealing to me.

But, before I talk about the food, if you are familiar with the blog, you will not be surprised to read that I got a Thai Iced Tea...

Thai Iced Tea at Esanation, Thai restaurant in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

We first ordered an appetizer: the crispy spring rolls, stuffed with bean thread vermicelli, carrot, cabbage, taro and served with a sweet chili sauce. The rolls came very hot and were delightfully greasy, as well as very crispy. They were thinner than the usual ones we get, so, with a bit less filling; as a consequence, you did not really taste as much vegetables and vermicelli as usual, but it was fine, the crispness making these delicious.

Crispy spring rolls at Esanation, Thai restaurant in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

For her entrée, Jodi went for the pad see ew, these flat noodles served with tofu and egg. I thought it was ok, the tofu being quite bland.

Pad see ew at Esanation, Thai restaurant in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

On my side, I decided to order frog legs instead of my usual chicken massaman. I chose the Ka Gob Gratiam or garlic frog legs.

Ka Gob Gratiam at Esanation, Thai restaurant in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

These fried legs were served with rice, as well as a bunch of veggies such as steamed broccoli (that I gave to Jodi...). The frog legs were delicious, crispy and not greasy. I just wished that there was more sauce for the rice as steamed rice is not my favorite side...So, I dug into Jodi's plate of noodles!

White rice at Esanation, Thai restaurant in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

We did not have dessert at Esanation, as we had other plans. The food was overall good and I am ready to give it another try.

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

Esanation

I Just Want To Eat! 9/30/16 I Just Want To Eat! 9/30/16

Adrienne's Pizzabar in the Financial District, NYC

Finding Adrienne's Pizzabar, a restaurant located in the Financial District, is like finding a needle in a haystack. You definitely need a GPS to find this amazing place and, once you do, you will be blown away. First of all, the area where it is located, Stone Street, has a European feel with its cobblestones as well as multiple tables and benches installed in the street by the various restaurants. Except that the day we went, it was raining cats and dogs and only few courageous patrons dared to eat or grab a drink outside.

Dining room at Adrienne's Pizzabar in the Financial District, NYC

This place was recommended by our friend Caleb who told us that their pizza is worth the trip. So, I was excited. For sure, it was very crowded and we probably waited ten minutes to get a table (we were five people).

We decided to share two pizzas: one round (6 slices) and one rectangular (called the old fashioned that has 10 slices). Both are cooked in a brick oven that gives a nice char and crispness to the crust. The round one was the Romana, a red pie topped with prosciutto and arugula. This was a delicious pizza, not only because of the crust, but also because of the sublime sauce and the generous amount of prosciutto.

Romana pizza at Adrienne's Pizzabar in the Financial District, NYC

But my favorite was definitely the old fashioned pizza. We chose one with red sauce and picked pepperoni as toppings. Again, great crust and very good sauce. I just wished that there was more pepperoni on top, but still, I loved it.

Old fashioned pizza at Adrienne's Pizzabar in the Financial District, NYC

With the pizza, I got a glass of Montepulciano wine:

Adrienne's Pizzabar is for sure a hidden gem in an area I rarely think about when I look for a dining option. Well, now I will!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Adrienne's Pizzabar

I Just Want To Eat! 9/28/16 I Just Want To Eat! 9/28/16

Kurry Qulture in Astoria, Queens

With its casual yet trendy decor, Kurry Qulture is the kind of restaurant you wish you had in your neighborhood. Serving authentic Indian cuisine, the dishes there are of the quality of some of the best restaurants in New York, but for reasonable prices, in part thanks to the differential in rent between the Big Apple and Astoria. Well, it might be also because Sonny Solomon, who, with his wife, opened this place a year ago, has an impressive resume, having worked at Devi and Tulsi, two renown Indian restaurants crowned with Michelin stars, thanks to the collaboration with Chef Hemant Mathur who helped create the menu of Kurry Qulture.

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

Sonny Solomon, co-owner of Kurry Qulture in Astoria, Queens

The restaurant itself is beautiful: not overdone, it is elegant but still casual and accessible to a large crowd. In the back is a small patio with a tree in the center that gives a spiritual touch, as well as a café feel, very relaxing.

Dining room at Kurry Qulture in Astoria, Queens

Patio at Kurry Qulture in Astoria, Queens

Nest at Kurry Qulture in Astoria, Queens

I decided to try one of their cocktails and chose the Curry Flavor, made with vodka-infused curry leaves, fresh lime and coconut syrup.

Curry Flavor cocktail at Kurry Qulture in Astoria, Queens

I admit that it was just ok for me, missing a bit of flavor. I definitely preferred their mango lassi or even sweet lassi that were very good.

Mango lassi at Kurry Qulture in Astoria, Queens

Sweet lassi at Kurry Qulture in Astoria, Queens

Then, Sonny proposed to prepare a tasting for us: vegetarian for Jodi, non-vegetarian for me. I should mention that they have a 6-course tasting for $60 on their menu: a pretty good deal. They first brought us Aloo Tikki that is a potato croquette, served with a mint chutney and tamarind. Well, it started well.

Aloo Tikki at Kurry Qulture in Astoria, Queens

Then we each got a tandoori sampler. Vegetarian for Jodi, with Tandoori Mushroom, (made with ginger, garlic and yogurt marinade), Soy kabab (yogurt and coriander marinade, plum chutney) and Kurry Qulture cauliflower (cauliflower florets, garlic and tomato chutney):

Tandoori vegetarian tasting at Kurry Qulture in Astoria, Queens

Tandoori mushroom at Kurry Qulture in Astoria, Queens

Soy kabab at Kurry Qulture in Astoria, Queens

KQ Cauliflower at Kurry Qulture in Astoria, Queens

On my side, I got: Achari chicken tikka (pickling spice marinade), chicken malai kabab (yogurt and pepper marinade, plum chutney) and Shrimp Chettinad (mustard seeds, coconut and tapioca wafer):

Non-vegetarian tandoori tasting at Kurry Qulture in Astoria, Queens

Achari chicken tikka at Kurry Qulture in Astoria, Queens

Chicken malai kabab at Kurry Qulture in Astoria, Queens

Shrimp Chettinad at Kurry Qulture in Astoria, Queens

This was sublime! First, everything had incredible flavors. Then, I admit that the vegetarian dishes were as good as the non-vegetarian one and, as Jodi rightly said, they did not look or taste like an after thought. I should mention that the chicken dishes were delicious, the chicken being perfectly cooked and moist, the Achari chicken kabab having a nice char.

Next was the main course. There again, three different dishes, vegetarian for Jodi and non-vegetarian for me. Jodi had Beet carrot kofta (a veggie meatball made with carrot, beet, five spices and served in a tomato gravy), fried okra (a dish not on the menu but served as a side in one of their specialties - you can however ask for it) and sweet and sour eggplant (baby eggplant with tomato and tamarind sauce):

Vegetarian course at Kurry Qulture in Astoria, Queens

Fried okra at Kurry Qulture in Astoria, Queens

Sweet and sour eggplant at Kurry Qulture in Astoria, Queens

Beet and carrot kofta at Kurry Qulture in Astoria, Queens

On my side, it was: Murgh Makhni (pulled chicken in a tomato gravy), Lamb chops (tandoor grilled, mashed potatoes and apple chutney) and tandoori salmon (served with a rice salad and a green mango chutney):

Non-vegetarian course at Kurry Qulture in Astoria, Queens

Murgh Makhni at Kurry Qulture in Astoria, Queens

Lamb chop at Kurry Qulture in Astoria, Queens

Tandoori salmon at Kurry Qulture in Astoria, Queens

I was already amazed by the appetizers, but it was before trying the main courses! It was sublime. My favorites were the lamb chop (perfectly cooked, tender, moist and nicely charred), the murgh makhni that is butter chicken, one of my favorite dishes that I never miss to eat when I go to India, and the fried okra that I discovered at my friend Malini's parents last year in Delhi.

With our meal, we got some rice, as well as some olive and garlic naan, a specialty from Kurry Qulture not found anywhere else.

White rice at Kurry Qulture in Astoria, Queens

Olive and garlic naan at Kurry Qulture in Astoria, Queens

Last was dessert. We got rasmalai as well as gulab jamun, the later being my all time favorite Indian desserts.

Rasmalai at Kurry Qulture in Astoria, Queens

Gulab jamun at Kurry Qulture in Astoria, Queens

We had a succulent dinner at Kurry Qulture: this place really stands out and I am sure will be very successful. I definitely recommend it and will 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!

Kurry Qulture

I Just Want To Eat! 9/26/16 I Just Want To Eat! 9/26/16

Celebrating Cesari Amarone Wine at Todd English Food Hall

Food and wine are two components that, with good company, contribute in making a meal a great experience. So, when a renown wine maker celebrates 80 years of wine making with a celebrity Chef, you can expect an amazing experience. And it is what I witnessed at Todd English Food Hall at the Plaza Hotel. I admit that I did not know when I arrived that Chef Todd English would be there and was surprised to see him talking to his staff when I entered in the restaurant. That place is beautiful, spacious, with a bit of a brasserie feel.

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

Todd English Food Hall at the Plaza in NYC, New York

Chef Todd English at Todd English Food Hall at the Plaza in NYC, New York

Open kitchen at Todd English Food Hall at the Plaza in NYC, New York

Dining room at Todd English Food Hall at the Plaza in NYC, New York

Table at Todd English Food Hall at the Plaza in NYC, New York

Before I talk about the food, let's talk about the star of the show: the Cesari Amarone wine. The Cesari company was founded in 1936 by Gerardo Cesari, producing wine in the province of Verona in Italy. More precisely, in the Valpolicella and Lugana viticultural zones.

Present at the event was Alessandra Marino, Brand Manager for Cesari, who talked about wine with such passion.

Alessandra Marino, Brand Manager at Cesari

We tried two of Cesari's wines: the Classico and the Reserva. First was the Cesari Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, 2012, their flagship wine that has a long and persistent finish, with a bouquet characterized by cherry and prune aromas.

But my favorite was the Cesari Bosan Riserva 2007. This full-bodied wine has a complex bouquet, layered with red cherry and spice aromas. I very often go for Pinot Noir because you can find some of these characteristics, but admit that this was a revelation and for a Frenchman to admit it is a big step...that I am ready to take!

Cesari Amarone della Valpolicella Bosan Riserva 2007

Perfectly paired with the wine was a meal specially prepared by Chef Todd English who gratified us by his presence along the evening, talking about his love for food, but also to please the crowd with it, also showing some true passion for what he is doing.

We started off the meal with some antipasti. On one side of the table were some salumi:

Salumi at Todd English Food Hall at the Plaza Hotel, NYC, New York

Ham at Todd English Food Hall at the Plaza Hotel, NYC, New York

Spicy sausage at Todd English Food Hall at the Plaza Hotel, NYC, New York

Speck at Todd English Food Hall at the Plaza Hotel, NYC, New York

And on the other side, some veggies and cheese:

Vegetables and cheese at Todd English Food Hall at the Plaza Hotel, NYC, New York

Olives at Todd English Food Hall at the Plaza Hotel, NYC, New York

Pickled beets at Todd English Food Hall at the Plaza Hotel, NYC, New York

Eggplant spread at Todd English Food Hall at the Plaza Hotel, NYC, New York

Artichokes at Todd English Food Hall at the Plaza Hotel, NYC, New York

Parmigiana at Todd English Food Hall at the Plaza Hotel, NYC, New York

Then came some fantastic dishes paired with the Cesari Classico:

Fried oysters, served with caviar, mascarpone, lemon and micro cilantro.

Fried oysters at Todd English Food Hall at the Plaza Hotel, NYC, New York

Fried oyster at Todd English Food Hall at the Plaza Hotel, NYC, New York

Squid Ink Cavatelli with crab ragu and tobiko (a bit of Japanese twist):

Squid Ink Cavatelli at Todd English Food Hall at the Plaza Hotel, NYC, New York

Roast squash agrodolce with mascarpone and shiitake:

Roast squash agrodolce at Todd English Food Hall at the Plaza Hotel, NYC, New York

Then we switched to the Cesari Bosan Riserva and got:

Risotto tater tots with beef tartare:

Fig and prosciutto pizza:

Short rib ravioli with a mozzarella fondue:

Short rib ravioli with mozzarella fondue at Todd English Food Hall at the Plaza Hotel, NYC, New York

Polenta amatriciana, grilled octopus and saffron aioli:

Polenta at Todd English Food Hall at the Plaza Hotel, NYC, New York

This was great dinner and the wine was fantastic. I am glad that I was able to learn about Cesari Amarone and will definitely consider this wine moving forward. As for Todd English Food Hall, this meal made me want to 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!

The Plaza Food Hall by Todd English

I Just Want To Eat! 9/24/16 I Just Want To Eat! 9/24/16

Japan Rice Peace Project

Last Monday, I got the privilege to attend the Japan Rice Peace Project seminar, chaired by Jeff Santos from The Santos Marketing Group, in the presence of Mrs Akie Abe, the wife of Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. This project emphasizes the role of rice in food action, whether it is sustainability, crisis relief or social responsibility. We often say that rice is in Asia like bread in western countries: a common staple. Well it is a bit more and the recent natural disasters in Japan, such as the earthquake in Tohoku in 2011 followed by the Fukushima nuclear incident, or even more recently the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes are reminders that food is key in case of crisis.

Mrs Akie Abe, Mr Hiroshi Sakurai and Ms Nara Takahashi at The Japan Rice Peace Project Seminar

But it is not as simple as showed the story told by Ms Nari Takahashi, President of NPO Project 88. When she went to Miyagi after the 2011 earthquake, the city was devastated. She flew in some cream puffs to feed the population, but soon realized that many people could not eat them because of food allergies. So she worked for months with a team to create an allergen-free, gluten free cookie.

Allergen free cookies from NPO Project 88

I tasted those and admit that at first I was doubtful, thinking about those bland rice cakes you can find at the supermarket. Well, these cookies were simply delicious and some of them, with a cartoon on them (if you look closer, you will see that they represent Mrs Akie Abe!), were fun. I would not have known how they are made, I would have never guessed!

The Master of Ceremony, Jeff Santos from The Santos Marketing Group

Mr Hiroshi Sakurai, President of Asahi Shuzo

Mrs Akie Abe, wife of Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

Ms Nara Takahashi, CEO of NPO Project 88

Of course, when you think about the association of Japan and rice, you think about sake, the national drink. Present at the seminar was Mr. Hiroshi Sakurai, President of Asahi Shuzo, one of Japan major distilleries, who talked about rice, but also people. Yes, the message there was that rice is hard work and most of their production is not done by machines, but by human beings, proud of the quality of the product they deliver. As Mr. Hiroshi said: not "oishi", not worth it. Meaning: not delicious, not worth it. He also said that "sake does not have to exist if it is not good", showing how important quality is for him and his company. So of course I could not leave without trying their sake...

I admit that I am not a sake connoisseur, but I like having some with japanese food from time to time. If I had to pick, I would say that my favorite was the sparkling one. There is for sure a market to develop outside of Japan for sake and I hope more restaurants and bar will propose some, as they propose port wine for example. In fact, last Spring was the first time sake was served at The White House where President Obama hosted Mr and Mrs Abe, and it was Dassai.

Mr Sakurai proud to see his sake served at The White House

Of course, with the sake, we got to try some sushi made with 3 types of ECO-RICE brand: Koshihikari, Shirafuji and Yamada Nishihi.

Sushi made with ECO-RICE brand

This was a great seminar that definitely raises awareness and I am glad I was able to join: thanks to The Santos Marketing Group for giving me the opportunity to attend! And as Mrs Abe said, let's not forget that "nature is part of us and we are part of nature".

Enjoy (I did)!

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

I Just Want To Eat! 9/24/16 I Just Want To Eat! 9/24/16

Sept 24/25 2016 - The Great Big Bacon Picnic in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Alright people: listen up! If you love bacon, you cannot miss this week end's event called The Great Big Bacon Picnic in the Old Pfizer Factory in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. There, you can taste bacon, bacon, as well as bacon, in many different ways. This bacon-palooza features so many restaurants that I ended up with a bacon coma at the end of our visit. They are there the entire week end, so check them out at: http://greatbigbacon.com

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

The Great Big Bacon Picnic in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Here are some of the fantastics bites we got:

First, I saw Glen Fejulla and Bes Levonja, the owners of Off The Hook, a restaurant in Astoria that I reviewed last year. I still remember my oyster shot and the lobster roll I got there. At The Great Big Bacon Picnic, they served a clam chowder with bacon (I tried their clam chowder before and it is succulent).

Glen Fejulla and Bes Levonja, the owners of Off The Hook in Astoria at The Great Big Bacon Picnic in Williamsburg, Brooklyn — Glen Fejulla and Bes Levonja, the owners of Off The Hook in Astoria at The Great Big Bacon Picnic in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Clam chowder with bacon from Off The Hook in Astoria at The Great Big Bacon Picnic in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Chef's Cut Real Jerky - sriracha flavored jerky

Sriracha flavored jerky from Chef's Cut Jerky at The Great Big Bacon Picnic in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Feast - Bacon with caramelized apple, charred scallion, creme fraiche and chinkiang vinegar glaze:

Bacon with caramelized apple, charred scallion, creme fraiche and chinkiang vinegar glaze from Feast at The Great Big Bacon Picnic in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

TRAIF - Bacon doughnut, dulce de leche, coffee:

Bacon doughnut from Traif at The Great Big Bacon Picnic in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Chadwick's Restaurant - Braised bacon bahn mi crostini:

Braised bacon bahn mi crostini from Chadwick's restaurant at The Great Big Bacon Picnic in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Kingsley - Bacon marmelade buns:

Bacon marmelade buns by Kingsley at The Great Big Bacon Picnic in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Mexi BBQ - Double imperial pork appetizer: beer braised pork belly with fennel mustard and pink peppercorn-candied bacon.

Double imperial bacon appetizer from Mexi BBQ at The Great Big Bacon Picnic in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Gossip Coffee - Caramel Chocolate IPA bacon doughnut:

Caramel Chocolate IPA bacon doughnut from Gossip Coffee at The Great Big Bacon Picnic in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Miura Wine Bar - Sweet breakfast: a soft brioche/donut slider caramelized and filled with "scrambled eggs" liquid nitrogen ice cream and a slice of sweet crispy bacon (very creative and delicious):

Sweet breakfast from Miusa Wine Bar at The Great Big Bacon Picnic in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Midnights - Cheddar bacon gougere:

Walker's Bar - Smoked pork belly pan seared in olive oil and served with a raisin caper chutney:

Smoked pork belly from Walker's Bar at The Great Big Bacon Picnic in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Handcraft - Bison, wild boar and bacon meatball wrapped in bacon and pineapple:

Handcraft's meatball wrapped in bacon at The Great Big Bacon Picnic in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Naive - Bacon wrapped fig stuffed with gorgonzola:

Bacon wrapped fig stuffed with gorgonzola from Naive at The Great Big Bacon Picnic in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Brooklyn Baked and Fried - Fried bacon and pear bites:

Fried bacon and pear bites from Brooklyn Baked and Fried at The Great Big Bacon Picnic in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Tellers - Black pepper bacon:

Cow & Clover - BLT lettuce wrap:

BLT lettuce wrap from Cow & Clover at The Great Big Bacon Picnic in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Tres Carnes - Pork belly tacos with poblano lime ranch and pickled onions:

Pork belly taco from Tres Carnes at The Great Big Bacon Picnic in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

There was also that deviled egg with bacon: I was so excited to try it that I forgot to take the name of the restaurant (if its you, please send me an email!).

Deviled egg with bacon at The Great Big Bacon Picnic in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Rhodacookies - bacon and chocolate cookies:

Roni-Sue: Bacon Buttercrunch toffee:

Roni-Sue's bacon butter crunch toffee at The Great Big Bacon Picnic in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Endless Summer - Bacon jam stuffed cream puff with candied jalapeño on top:

Bacon jam stuffed cream puff from Endless Summer at The Great Big Bacon Picnic in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Sweet Science - BLT sliders:

BLT sliders from Sweet Science at The Great Big Bacon Picnic in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Lambchops - Graceland Banana Foster, an homage to Elvis made with bacon, peanut butter, bacon infused crostini, pistachio bacon praline, brunt sugar tangerine zest.

Graceland banana foster from Lambchops at The Great Big Bacon Picnic in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Bareburger - candied bacon slider with pickled red onion and Boston bib:

Bareburger's candied bacon slider at The Great Big Bacon Picnic in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Grilled Cheese Alley - The Ridgewood, made with rye bread, sauerkraut, Russian dressing, swiss cheese and bacon (like a reuben):

The Ridgewood by Grilled Cheese Alley at The Great Big Bacon Picnic in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Master Purveyors Inc. - special blend slider with Master's uncured Fruitwood smoked bacon dust:

Master Purveyors Inc. 's beef patty with bacon dust at The Great Big Bacon Picnic in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Urban Smoke - Pork belly tacos with apple and onion jam, braised cabbage and mustard greens:

Urban Smoke's pork belly taco at The Great Big Bacon Picnic in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Know that besides food, you also get unlimited booze...And I have been reasonable. I tried the following:

Shiner Oktoberfest beer:

Heart Cut Moonshine, not made by your neighbor, but by Standard Wormwood Distillery (Brooklyn):

Moonshine from Standard Wormwood Distillery at The Great Big Bacon Picnic in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Barrow's Intense - Ginger liquor:

Ginger liquor by Barrow's Intense at The Great Big Bacon Picnic in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

And their apple cider cocktail:

Apple cider cocktail from Barrow's Intense at The Great Big Bacon Picnic in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Last was the bacon vodka egg cream by Corinne’s Concepts in Catering. I loved it!

Bacon Vodka egg cream by Corinne’s Concepts in Catering at The Great Big Bacon Picnic in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

We left full and glad that we got to go to The Great Big Bacon Picnic: this is an event that bacon lovers must not miss and you only have one more day. So you know what to do tomorrow!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

I Just Want To Eat! 9/22/16 I Just Want To Eat! 9/22/16

Jun's Macaron Gelato in Hoboken, NJ

As its name indicates, Jun's Macaron Gelato serves...macarons and gelato. In fact, I mistakenly thought that they even serve a macaron gelato sandwich, but I guess I was close to reality...It is a small shop that opened in August 2016 and proposes a wide variety of gelato: chocolate, vanilla, hazelnut, cookies and cream, etc...

Inside Jun's Macaron Gelato in Hoboken, NJ

Macarons at Jun's Macaron Gelato in Hoboken, NJ

Jodi decided to go for caramel latte gelato:

Caramel latte gelato at Jun's Macaron Gelato in Hoboken, NJ

On my side, I went for the panini gelato, their version of ice cream sandwich made with a sweet bun with your choice of gelato in the middle, bread that will then be slightly toasted.

Preparation of the panini gelato at Jun's Macaron Gelato in Hoboken, NJ

Panini gelato at Jun's Macaron Gelato in Hoboken, NJ

This was an interesting idea, but I admit that I did not finish it: the bread was good, delightfully sweet, complementing the gelato (I chose hazelnut) that unfortunately was missing a bit of flavor. Similar issue with the caramel latte. I would also say that we went several times to Italy and when you have tried gelato there, you cannot avoid comparing the gelato you eat with it. Gelato has less air and more flavor than ice cream and, in Italy, the temperature of the gelato will be slightly higher, so it will be softer than ice cream. At Jun's, it is not the case: their gelato is dense, that is not a bad thing for the sandwich as it would have melted right away.

So, I am not a huge fan yet and may go back in couple of months, maybe to try some macarons. For me, the best ice cream in Hoboken is simply Coldstone...

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Jun's Macaron Gelato

I Just Want To Eat! 9/20/16 I Just Want To Eat! 9/20/16

Cheap lunch at Room Service, a Thai restaurant in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

If you are looking for a great lunch deal, you should stop by Room Service, a Thai restaurant located in Hell's Kitchen (who would guess with that name that it is a Thai joint?). It has been a while since we wanted to try it, but it seemed to be always packed for dinner, so, one Saturday, we decided to try it for lunch, without knowing that they propose one of the best lunch prix-fixe I have seen so far. And it is not only the price ($8.50), but also the quantity that makes it awesome. So, for that $8.50, you get an appetizer and an entrée. For $1.50 more, you can add a Thai iced tea or a Tom Yum soup.

Decor at Room Service in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

Before I talk about the food, let me tell you a bit about the decor: this place is simply beautiful, being modern and chic, definitely different from your classic Thai place.

Dining room at Room Service in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

You would not be surprised if I told you that I took advantage of their deal and got a Thai iced tea, one of my favorite beverages. It was pretty good with not too much ice in it.

Thai iced tea at Room Service in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

For her meal, Jodi chose the vegetable dumplings and the pad see ew with tofu. The dumplings were good: tasty with a shell that was thin. The pad see ew were also delicious, as was the tofu that was not bland at all.

Pad see ew and vegetable dumplings at Room Service in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

Vegetable dumplings at Room Service in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

Pad See Ew at Room Service in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

On my side, I got the spring rolls and the chicken Penang curry. The spring rolls were fine, a bit too much wrap around, but with a delicious filling that had corn in it. The curry was exquisite, although I wish they had the massaman one that I prefer (there were a bit too much veggies for my taste).

Penang curry and spring rolls at Room Service in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

Penang curry at Room Service in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

Spring rolls at Room Service in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

As you can see the quantities were generous for the price. For instance, usually, you would get one spring roll instead of three at Room Service. Even the portion of curry was close to twice what I usually get for lunch special. So this makes Room Service a great spot for some good Thai food at a very reasonable price. I definitely recommend 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!

Room Service

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)!

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Dilli Junction