I Just Want To Eat! 11/17/16 I Just Want To Eat! 11/17/16

The Old Homestead Steakhouse in NYC, NY

The Old Homestead Steakhouse is not unknown to me, as I ate there few years ago, but skipped it since I started this blog, except for sliders as they offered a very good deal for lunch at the time. But it was way too long and we really wanted to go back to the oldest steakhouse in New York, serving carnivores since 1968! This place did not change and I was glad that they sat us on one of the corners, in a round table with a banquette, that had a good light. This latest detail was not only noticed because of the photos I was going to take, but also because, often, steakhouses are dim.

Dining room at The Old Homestead Steakhouse in NYC, NY

But, sign of modernity, they were using an iPad for the wine. Unfortunately, there was no description that could have been great for people who have no idea how to pair their food with it. Anyway, I decided to order my usual: a Pinot Noir Oak Knoll from Oregon, 2011, as I like a fully bodied wine with my steak.

iPad wine list at The Old Homestead Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Glass of Pinot Noir Oak Knoll Oregon 2011 at The Old Homestead Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Contrary to most of the steakhouses, we did not get any bread basket and butter that we are always looking forward to, curious to see any originality. At least, my appetizer came quickly and I went for my favorite steakhouse appetizer: the Colossal Crab Cake, served with a classic remoulade. The crab cake was very good, without fillers, letting the crab shine.

Crab cake at The Old Homestead Steakhouse in NYC, NY

And this was definitely made with jumbo lump crab meat.

Jumbo lump crab meat at The Old Homestead Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Then came the steak. Instead of our usual filet mignon and ribeye, we went for the porterhouse that came on a very hot plate.

Porterhouse at The Old Homestead Steakhouse in NYC, NY

It was very big and perfectly cooked medium-rare, nicely charred and with a bit of fat, maybe too much. The filet piece (on the right was delicious, juicy and tender. Unfortunately, the NY strip was a bit tough to cut, because of a nerve that you can see below, on the right photo.

With the steaks, we skipped the steak sauce and wanted to get some béarnaise sauce. Know that they do not offer it as a single serving and have to order the trio of sauces. So, instead of béarnaise, au poivre and horseradish, we replaced the later by another béarnaise sauce and it was good, because the portions were small. The béarnaise was decent, and I did not like at all the pepper (poivre) sauce.

Steak sauce at The Old Homestead Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Au poivre and bearnaise sauces at The Old Homestead Steakhouse in NYC, NY

We also ordered the truffle mac and cheese that was fantastic: first, when it comes to the table, you get this amazing scent of truffle. Then, it was delicious and delightfully creamy.

Truffle mac and cheese at The Old Homestead Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Last was dessert. Here came again the iPad and it was well done as there were beautiful photos of the various choices they have, enticing even more the patrons, full of meat, to indulge even more. So did we...We decided to go with the Big Fat Chocolate cake and did not regret it at all. I say that because the last time we went for such cake was at the Strip House in Greenwich Village and, although the presentation was spectacular, I thought it was laking chocolate taste. Not this one that is one of the best I had: very fudgey, it was moist and very addictive.

Big Fat Chocolate Cake at The Old Homestead Steakhouse in NYC, NY

We left full and I admit on the fence about the Old Homestead Steakhouse: everything but the steak was perfect...and maybe the service that was a bit rude, although it seems it is like a special touch in such restaurant...I might go back at some point and give it another chance, trying their ribeye this time, but fore sure reordering that chocolate cake that is out of this world!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Old Homestead Steakhouse

I Just Want To Eat! 11/15/16 I Just Want To Eat! 11/15/16

Cho-Ko Ramen in the Lower East Side, NYC

We were on the Lower East Side and were looking for a place to have lunch when we stumbled upon Cho-Ko, a small ramen joint. The weather was perfect for ramen, so I was looking forward to it. It is a small place and I was surprised it was empty, although we arrived five minutes after their opening time. But it remained empty until we left...

Dining room at Cho-Ko Ramen in the Lower East Side, NYC

Types of ramen at Cho-Ko Ramen in the Lower East Side, NYC

Lucky cat at Cho-Ko Ramen in the Lower East Side, NYC

Tea set at Cho-Ko Ramen in the Lower East Side, NYC

They offer a lunch menu with an appetizer and a ramen for $13/$14 that is a good price. Jodi decided to go for the pork gyoza and the shoyu ramen, made with soy based broth, bamboo shoots, spinach, braised pork and half an egg.
The pork gyoza were very good, deliciously crispy on one side, with a tasty filling and a thin shell. I was surprised that they gave six pieces as part of the lunch.

Pork gyoza at Cho-Ko Ramen in the Lower East Side, NYC

The ramen was so so and I did not like the smell or taste of the broth.

Shoyu ramen at Cho-Ko Ramen in the Lower East Side, NYC

On my side, I got the pork buns, as well as the gomoku ramen, a soup made with a soy sauce based broth, vegetables, shrimp, chicken, squid, pork and half an egg. The pork buns were pretty good and had lots of pork in it, smothered by a very good sauce.

Pork buns at Cho-Ko Ramen in the Lower East Side, NYC

But the ramen was not that great. Well, same base as the one Jodi picked, with too much bokchoy for my taste.

Gomoku ramen at Cho-Ko Ramen in the Lower East Side, NYC

At least, I appreciated the noodles that were thin and had a nice bite...

Noodles in the Shoyu ramen at Cho-Ko Ramen in the Lower East Side, NYC

Noodles in the Gomoku ramen at Cho-Ko Ramen in the Lower East Side, NYC

I admit that I was disappointed with Cho-Ko: this is not a place I would go back to for sure. I think places like Zundo-Ya or Ippudo are much better!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Cho-Ko Restaurant Inc.

I Just Want To Eat! 11/13/16 I Just Want To Eat! 11/13/16

Bustan, Mediterranean cuisine on the Upper West Side

Last week, I was invited at Bustan, a restaurant located on the Upper West Side, that serves Mediterranean cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere. I was not able to meet with Bustan's new partner and Executive Chef Raphael Hasid, but chatted a bit with his Chef de Cuisine, Christopher Burgess, who brings more than 30 years of experience in the industry, having worked even with Michael White or Anthony Bourdain. He explained to me that they are using a taboon to cook most of the food in their tiny kitchen, a taboon being a wood fire oven with a temperature of 800 degrees and a rotating center so the food cooks evenly.

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

Chef de Cuisine Christopher Burgess at Bustan on the Upper West Side, NYC

Taboon oven at Bustan on the Upper West Side, NYC

I like the decor that is modern with lots of tiny details that I am sure have a meaning, but definitely no overly stressing the Mediterranean theme. From the bar with the high chairs wrapped in cow skin, to the banquettes that offered a cozy setting not only for groups of 4 or 5, but also for couples. I also noticed a wall full of paintings representing celebrities such as James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, Roger Moore, etc...

Dining room at Bustan on the Upper West Side, NYC

Bar at Bustan on the Upper West Side, NYC

Paintings at Bustan on the Upper West Side, NYC

I started off by ordering a cocktail but admit that I forgot the name and only remember that it had rye and pear liqueur in it...This was delicious and refreshing and I would definitely order this one the next time I go there.

Pear cocktail at Bustan on the Upper West Side, NYC

They then brought us some homemade bread that was cooked in the taboon. This bread was fantastic and I had to pace myself as I knew some more food would come.

Homemade bread at Bustan on the Upper West Side, NYC

For appetizers, we chose three mazettim, these small plates perfect for sharing. There was:

The falafel basket served with tahini and a pickled mango sauce: they were really good, a bit crispy and not greasy at all.

Falafel basket at Bustan on the Upper West Side, NYC

Moroccan cigars: crispy feuille de brick stuffed with braised short ribs, mushrooms and onions, and served with tahini and harissa tomato salsa (spicy!). This reminded me one of the dishes from my family called bestels a la viande that are made also with feuille de brick and some ground meat, pan fried and simply served with lemon. It was succulent, delightfully crispy, the filling was very flavorful.

Moroccan cigars at Bustan on the Upper West Side, NYC

Homemade lamb merguez (lamb sausage) served with a Moroccan red lentils stew with carrots, spinach and celery roots. I admit that I did not like the merguez that was a bit bland. However, the stew was amazing! It had so much flavors from the spices used, that I could not stop eating it with the spoon or with the bread. Even if the sausage is not that great, I recommend this dish just for the stew.

Homemade lamb merguez at Bustan on the Upper West Side, NYC

At that point I switched to wine and ended up with a glass of Mettler Family Vineyards 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon that was very good, fruity (you could smell and taste raspberry) and bold. I should mention that it was a big glass and I saw that they served a generous amount of wine to every patron and not just me, because of the blog.

Mettler Family Vineyards 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon at Bustan on the Upper West Side, NYC — **Mettler Family Vineyards 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon at** Bustan on the Upper West Side, NYC

Then came our entrées and mine was quite interesting in the way it was cooked and presented. I chose the lamb terracotta, that are spiced lamb kebab, charred onion, roasted tomato, roasted pepper, sumac, oregano, tahini and pistachio, baked in a bread dome. When they cut the bread dome, a sublime smell emanated from the dish and the first bite was even better: the lamb was so good, moist and fantastic when each bite was mixed with the various ingredients there, or with the bread that was deliciously crispy (only the top could be eaten as the bread on the side was purposely undercooked).

Lamb terracotta at Bustan on the Upper West Side, NYC

Jodi went for the halibut, poached in chraime, a sauce made with tomatoes and peppers. It was served with Israeli couscous. Another great dish with a fish perfectly cooked.

Halibut at Bustan on the Upper West Side, NYC

The last dish was the roasted cauliflower, served with labaneh, a thick and creamy yogurt. Simple and delicious, each of the three different cauliflowers having a distinct taste.

Roasted cauliflower at Bustan on the Upper West Side, NYC

Last was dessert and we ended up on a high note. We definitely wanted to try their kanafeh, this crispy shredded phyllo dough with ricotta cheese that is fried and smothered in a sweet rosewater syrup and topped with pistachios and vanilla ice cream.

Kanafeh at Bustan on the Upper West Side, NYC

The second dessert was the turkish sundae made with shredded halva, homemade vanilla gelato, crisped rice and caramelized nuts.

Turkish sundae at Bustan on the Upper West Side, NYC

Both desserts were succulent and I could not even decide which one was better, although I loved the Turkish sundae because of the shredded halva (I love halva) that was like Turkish cotton candy. If you cannot decide between two desserts, then get both!

We left full and amazed by the delicious food at Bustan. The menu there is fantastic as it showcases incredible flavors, some of them reminding me my childhood, with dishes not so classic and elevated. I definitely recommend Bustan: it is worth the visit!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Bustan

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

Beija Flor, Brazilian restaurant in Long Island City

We were at the Flux Factory in Long Island City for the New York Academy of Art Alumni exhibit where Jodi participated with a beautiful painting (see her work at www.jodigerbi.com), and we decided to eat in that area after the show. I just needed Google Map to find Beija Flor (Hummingbird in portuguese), a Brazilian restaurant that serves some delicious food. At first, I was worried that there would be live music as I wanted to have a quiet dinner, being able to hear each other and thankfully, there was not and the noise level was pretty nice.

Bongo drums at Beija Flor, Long Island City

Dining room at Beija Flor, Long Island City

Of course, I could not not have a caipirinha there and it was delicious.

Caipirinha at Beija Flor, Long Island City

For appetizer, we decided to get their pastel de queijo, some sort of fried ravioli filled with cheese, lots of cheese!

Pastel de queijo at Beija Flor, Long Island City

Then, Jodi got Peixe Na Telha, that is pan seared king fish served on mashed plantains with grilled asparagus. The fish was perfectly cooked, flakey and moist, and I loved the sweetness from the plantains.

Peixe na telha at Beija Flor, Long Island City

Peixe na tell at Beija Flor, Long Island City

On my side, I went for one of my favorite Brazilian dishes: mocqueca de peixe com camerao that is a traditional fish stew made with fish, shrimp and coconut milk. It was served with rice, as well as a sort of mash made with the sauce. This was a fantastic dish: the fish was very good as were the shrimp that were unfortunately quite small. But overall, it was an awesome dish.

Mocqueca de peixe com camarão at Beija Flor, Long Island City

Mocqueca de peixe mash at Beija Flor, Long Island City

Last was dessert. We decided to go with the purim de leite condensado or condensed milk flan. It was quite good, although I would have preferred it with just the caramel rather than with the chocolate sauce.

Pudim de leite condensado at Beija Flor, Long Island City

Our dinner at Beija Flor was great: the food was really good and we enjoyed it in a relaxed atmosphere. This was definitely a good find.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Beija Flor

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

Buffalo Wild Wings in Times Square, NYC

So my friends and i wanted to eat wings close to Times Square and ended up at Buffalo Wild Wings, a sports bar with a number of TVs that was quite impressive.

Dining room at Buffalo Wild Wings in Times Square, NYC

This large place was quite crowded at some point, and I truly appreciated the fact that it was bright enough so I could see what I was eating...

I decided to order a beer from their large selection and ended up with a Stella Artois, a Belgian beer.

Stella Artois beer at Buffalo Wild Wings in Times Square, NYC

For appetizers, we shared Buffalo potato wedges that were good, but would have been better with a special sauce rather than just having ketchup.

Potato wedges at Buffalo Wild Wings in Times Square, NYC

The second appetizer was the beer-battered onion rings that were delicious: crispy, slightly greasy, with the onion being perfectly cooked.

Onion rings at Buffalo Wild Wings in Times Square, NYC

Then came the wings. There were two:

Medium spicy:

Wings medium spicy at Buffalo Wild Wings in Times Square, NYC

Blazin' that is the spiciest on the menu:

I started with the latter. At first, I thought it was not a big deal. Then, it hit me and was so hot that I started having hiccups! Needless to say that I stuck to the medium after, these having a little kick that was perfect.

It was a nice time to share: beer, wings and good company being the perfect combination. And Buffalo Wild Wings is the perfect spot for this.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Buffalo Wild Wings

I Just Want To Eat! 11/7/16 I Just Want To Eat! 11/7/16

Stage Door Deli in Hell's Kitchen

Sometimes, I should just stick to the original plan...It all started with wanting to eat ramen at Jun-Men in Chelsea. But the weather was pretty good for November and, as we walked passed Stage Door Deli, we changed our mind, reserving ramen for a colder day. I was excited for sure, thinking about the Reuben I would inhale in few minutes.

Counter at Stage Door Deli in Hell's Kitchen

This place that has been serving classic deli dishes is of a nice size, with a good number of booths, my favorite seats when I go to a deli or diner, or in fact to any restaurant. The food came fast, but the service lacked courtesy that I guess adds to the charm of these old school establishments, but until a certain point. Not checking on us, taking a long time to bring the check and hearing few expletives coming from the mouth of who I think was the owner, definitely added some color to the whole experience. In term of food, nothing to rave about. Jodi started with a matzoh ball soup that was average. I think I can make a better one from a mix I buy at the supermarket.

Matzoh ball soup at Stage Door Deli in Hell's Kitchen

Then a bagel with cream cheese, fairly standard.

Bagel and cream cheese at Stage Door Deli in Hell's Kitchen

On my side, I got a Reuben, made with corned beef, sauerkraut (mainly on one side) and Swiss cheese. Served open face, it was also average (although lots of cheese) and I was a bit disappointed that they did not have Russian dressing with it. For $15.50, I believe I can get a better one at Junior's or even at diners like Square Diner in TriBeCa!

Corned beef reuben at Stage Door Deli in Hell's Kitchen

So I guess you understand that I will not go back...

Enjoy (...)!

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

Stage Door Deli

I Just Want To Eat! 11/6/16 I Just Want To Eat! 11/6/16

Cooking Class with Chef Hooni Kim at The De Gustibus Cooking School

Located on the 8th floor of Macy's, hidden like a priceless gem is the De Gustibus Cooking school. I mean, even some employees of the store did not know it was there and it took me a couple of inquiries to find my way to what would be a wonderful evening, where my friend Malini, The Restaurant Fairy, brought me along, generously sharing the experience with me and Cindy, from the food blog Chubby Chinese Girl.

De Gustibus Cooking School at Macy's, NYC, NY

All Star Asian class at De Gustibus Cooking School at Macy's, NYC, NY

Created in 1980 by Arlene Feltman Sailhac who was our host, and now owned and run by Salvatore Rizzo, former Director of House Operations and Events at the James Beard Foundation, De Gustibus redefined cooking demonstrations before it started to be popular on TV, making them more fun than starring at a screen: there, you can watch directly the invited Chef(s) make dishes, interact with him/her/them and...taste the dishes! I mean, it is always nice to see people cooking, but tasting their food is even better. I like the setup of the class with its large screens that allow to clearly see the countertop and observe what the Chef is doing.

Kitchen at De Gustibus Cooking School at Macy's, NYC, NY

Chef Hooni Kim at De Gustibus Cooking School at Macy's, NYC, NY

And the evening was presented by the founder of the school herself, Arlene Feltman Sailhac:

Arlene Feltman Sailhac, founder of De Gustibus Cooking School

So, that day, the theme was All Star Asian with Chef Hooni Kim from Danji and Hanjan who crafted a menu inspired by Seoul street market. Know that some of these dishes are served at his restaurants.

I appreciated the fact that it was not just about the dishes he was making, Chef Kim talking about his childhood, especially when visiting his family in Korea, as well as other personal details I did not know about him. His food was of course the main topic and we were there for a treat! It started off with homemade tofu with soy perilla vinaigrette.

I admit that I had no idea what perilla was until he showed us some of these Korean leaves and then recognized them as I remember wrapping beef in it when I went to Seoul many years ago. It started well, with the tofu being silky and creamy, fresh from the day of the class (tofu firms up as time passes). And that vinaigrette (made with sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce and perilla leaves) was perfect with it as tofu has a subtle flavor and this gave some depth to the dish.

Homemade tofu with soy perilla vinaigrette at De Gustibus Cooking School at Macy's, NYC, NY

Next was Korean steak tartare "yook hwe". For the meat, the Chef used beef tenderloin cut in small cubes rather than batons as Koreans usually do. He also used an Asian pear, a quail egg and gochujang that is a Korean sauce made from red chili, glutinous rice, fermented soybeans, and salt. The tip he gave us was to season twice the meat as the first time, the seasoning will make its way through the meat. I loved the presentation with the red from the gochujang and the yellow of the yolk of the quail egg giving a nice contrast. It had a nice bite thanks to the pear, some nuttiness coming from pine nuts and a slight kick thanks to the jalapeño that was added to the meat.

Korean steak tartare at De Gustibus Cooking School at Macy's, NYC, NY

After that was one of my favorite dishes of the evening: spicy rice cakes with sausage "ddukboki". This was made with rice cakes that had the form of batons, that he fried to give some crunchiness on the outside and soften them on the inside. The result was an amazing dish with the incredible texture of the rice cakes, a sublime Chinese sausage that paired perfectly with the rice cakes and delicious sauce where the spiciness built up slowly but surely in the back of my throat. Thankfully, he added a bit of creme fraiche on top to counterbalance the heat.

Spicy rice cakes with sausage ddukbokki at De Gustibus Cooking School at Macy's, NYC, NY

The last dish, before dessert, was the soy poached black cod and daikon. This was a great dish: the fish, black cod, also called sablefish, was literally melting in my mouth and I could have just eaten that soy sauce with a spoon!

soy poached black cod and daikon at De Gustibus Cooking School at Macy's, NYC, NY

Last was dessert: caramel filled Korean pan fried donuts "hotteok". But they were not made by Chef Kim. He preferred delegating that to Diana Kang who has a blog called A Korean Girl Eats.

Diana Kang making donuts watched by Chef Hooni Kim at De Gustibus Cooking School at Macy's, NYC, NY

Caramel filled Korean pan fried donuts "hotteok" at De Gustibus Cooking School at Macy's, NYC, NY

But such food would not be complete without a perfect wine pairing and we definitely had great wine with these dishes, thanks to Vias Import Ltd. We had:

Crémant d'Alsace brut from Camille Braun.
Pacherhof Kerner 2014 (white).
St Aubin 1er Cru Rouge 2013, Domaine Marc Colin (red from Bourgogne).

Wine at De Gustibus Cooking School at Macy's, NYC, NY

Crémant d'Alsace brut from Camille Braun at De Gustibus Cooking School at Macy's, NYC, NY

Glass of Pacherhof Kerner 2014at De Gustibus Cooking School at Macy's, NYC, NY

Glass of St Aubin 1er Cru Rouge 2013, Domaine Marc Colin at De Gustibus Cooking School at Macy's, NYC, NY

I definitely had a good time at De Gustibus Cooking School with Chef Hooni Kim. I like the concept that allows not only to observe a Chef and learn some tricks, but also the interaction and setting that make this a relaxed moment great to be shared with people or even when going alone. The dishes did not seem complicated to replicate (they give you the recipes) and the most difficult part seems to be where to find the ingredients. But for that too Chef Hooni Kim gave some tips: go to H Mart in Korea Town and you will find most of it.

De Gustibus Cooking School is for sure a place to consider and know that they have various classes, each different from one another for a unique experience (did I mention that Mario Batali, Julia Child, Thomas Keller, Wolfgang Puck, and Martha Stewart among many others taught there?).

Enjoy (I did)!

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

I Just Want To Eat! 11/5/16 I Just Want To Eat! 11/5/16

Otto's Tacos in Hell's Kitchen

Taking its name from his owner, Otto Cedeno, Otto's Tacos only serves...tacos. No, there, there are no quesadillas or tortas, only tacos made with a fresh tortilla prepared daily.

It is a small joint, with lots of people coming to grab a meal and go, or sit at one of the (sort of) communal tables.

Taking its name from his owner, Otto Cedeno, Otto's Tacos only serves...tacos. No, there, there are no quesadillas or tortas, only tacos made with a fresh tortilla prepared daily.

It is a small joint, with lots of people coming to grab a meal and go, or sit at one of the (sort of) communal tables.

Dining room at Otto's Tacos in Hell's Kitchen

We ordered at the counter and, right away, the kitchen fired our order that was ready in five minutes or so.

Kitchen at Otto's Tacos in Hell's Kitchen

We ordered:

Guacamole and chips: for less than $5, you get a nice amount of a delicious guacamole.

Guacamole at Otto's Tacos in Hell's Kitchen

Tortilla chips at Otto's Tacos in Hell's Kitchen

Carne asada with red salsa (red salsa). They forgot the guacamole that is an add on, but it was not a problem as we got plenty on the side.

Chicken (green salsa):

Chicken taco at Otto's Tacos in Hell's Kitchen

Mushroom with red salsa:

Mushroom taco at Otto's Tacos in Hell's Kitchen

All these tacos were very good, tasty, with lots of salsa on them. My favorite was the carne asada one. However, I should mention that I was not that thrilled by the fresh tortilla, although I was looking forward to it. For instance, I wanted to take a photo with a taco in my hand, but it broke apart. All of them did and it was very messy to eat! I should mention that the sauces were mild and we could add a kick thanks to the sauces on the table.

Hot sauces at Otto's Tacos in Hell's Kitchen

Last was dessert. We got the churro that was served with a dulce de leche sauce. This was exquisite and the best way to end a meal. In fact, I would just go for the churro!

Churros at Otto's Tacos in Hell's Kitchen

Otto's Tacos was good, but definitely not the best tacos I ever had. But if you are in the area and want to have cheap tacos, 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!

Otto's Tacos

I Just Want To Eat! 11/3/16 I Just Want To Eat! 11/3/16

Jack Austin's in Weehawken, NJ

Each time I come back from Europe, there is one thing I want to eat: a burger. As I was still jet lagged, we decided to go close by, at Jack Austin's in Weehawken. Interesting place for sure with all the dog artifacts...

Dining room at Jack Austin's in Weehawken, NJ

Dogs lamp at Jack Austin's in Weehawken, NJ

Dog lamp at Jack Austin's in Weehawken, NJ

Jodi decided to be more health conscious than me and ordered the green market salad with an egg.

Market green salad at Jack Austin's in Weehawken, NJ

On my side, I got their deluxe burger that is their regular cheese burger plus an onion ring (not sure what else they have compared to the regular burger). This was a delicious burger: their 8oz Pat La Frieda beef blend was fantastic: tasty and juicy, perfectly cooked medium.

Burger at Jack Austin's in Weehawken, NJ

It was served with a Cole slaw that I found just ok, as well as some very good fries, crispy on the outside and perfectly cooked all the way through.

Cole slaw at Jack Austin's in Weehawken, NJ

I should mention that I ordered a thick cut of bacon and asked for mayonnaise, but it arrived after I finished my meal!!! Not sure what our waiter was doing, but I believe he simply forgot to let the kitchen know I ordered it. But I have to say that the manger handled this well.

This was a good burger and I will probably go back another time to Jack Austin's, this time, I will most likely try their rib platter or go again for their burger...

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Jack Austin's

I Just Want To Eat! 11/1/16 I Just Want To Eat! 11/1/16

Bombay Grill House in Hell's Kitchen

We were walking on 9th Avenue when we stumbled upon Bombay Grill House and the photo of their thali, a plate containing various dishes making a full meal, from appetizer to dessert. I discover Thali many years ago in Mumbai and specifically remembered one that was vegetarian, that I loved, a weird thing to write considering my love for meat...Anyway, I kept Bombay Grill House in mind and few weeks later, we decided to try their cuisine. The place was not that full, although we could see traces of a large table that left probably before we arrived.

Dining room at Bombay Grill House in Hell's Kitchen

Without any hesitation, I went for their mango lassi that was pretty good: thick and not too sweet.

Mango lassi at Bombay Grill House in Hell's Kitchen

Jodi went for the vegetarian thali while I went for the non-vegetarian one. Hers had:

Vegetarian thali at Bombay Grill House in Hell's Kitchen

Samosa:

Saag paneer:

Vegetable vindaloo:

Paneer tikka masala:

Chutney:

Dal Pranchatna Jaipuri:

Rice:

Kheer or rice pudding:

On my side, I got:

Non-vegetarian thali at Bombay Grill House in Hell's Kitchen

Lamb vindaloo:

Dal pranchatna Jaipuri:

Samosa:

Rice:

Saag paneer:

Chutney:

Tandoori chicken:

Rice pudding or kheer:

Rice pudding at Bombay Grill House in Hell's Kitchen

With the thali came some papadum as well as some naan, both delicious, although the naan did not look that great...

Papadum at Bombay Grill House in Hell's Kitchen

Naan at Bombay Grill House in Hell's Kitchen

We left full. Definitely, for $16.95, the thali at Bombay Grill House is a good deal. The only regret is that you cannot choose one of the entrees and I thought that the choice of vegetable or lamb vindaloo was odd considering that this dish is usually very spicy (they made it mild for us). I would definitely go back there, but this time to try other dishes, although I might be again tempted by the thali. So good!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Bombay Grill House

I Just Want To Eat! 10/31/16 I Just Want To Eat! 10/31/16

Valentine's and Easter 2017 Collections from La Maison Du Chocolat

Being a blogger has its perks and one of them is that you get sometimes invited to previews of upcoming menus or collections such as the 2017 Valentine's and Easter Collections event organized last week at La Maison Du Chocolat on The Upper East Side. Well, I was not just excited about the chocolate, although I could easily imagine being locked inside this place all night...It was also because I got the opportunity to meet Geoffroy D' Anglejan-Chattilon, Managing Director of La Maison du Chocolat with whom I had a nice chat.

La Maison du Chocolat, Upper East Side, NYC, New York

Geoffroy D' Anglejan-Chattilon, managing Director at La Maison Du Chocolat

There, I got to sample some of the new creations of Chef Nicolas Cloiseau that I met at Petrossian for a Caviar and Chocolate event. Yes, caviar and chocolate, a surprising combination that works perfectly and showcases an amazing creativity.

Chef Nicolas Cloiseau from La Maison Du Chocolat

Here is what I tried:

Valentine's 2017 Collection:

This collection is very interesting as it evolves around four different Parisian moments. The first one is An espresso, s'il vous plait, with a Café gourmand chocolate, coffee and its aroma being a big part of French lifestyle (no problem if you only like tea though). First of all, I love coffee, but usually dislike anything with coffee in it such as chocolate or ice cream. There, I was surprised, because I loved it, probably because there was the right balance between the milk chocolate, almond praliné and the Hawaiian coffee that has a more subtle taste. I also loved the crunchiness of the crepe that also composed this delicious first chocolate.

Cafe gourmand at La Maison du Chocolat, Upper East Side, NYC, New York

The second moment is A secret Paris Rendez-Vous, Hidden From View with the Caramel Apple chocolate, made of a caramel compote and milk chocolate. This was amazing, the taste of the apple compote coming through gradually.

Caramel Apple chocolate at La Maison du Chocolat, Upper East Side, NYC, New York

The third moment, called A bouquet of flowers, to brighten your day, with a floral and fruit bouquet chocolate made with a dark chocolate ganache, violet and rose.

Floral and fruit bouquet chocolate at La Maison du Chocolat, Upper East Side, NYC, New York

The last moment, A chic cocktail to end of day, was represented by the cocktail attire chocolate, made with a dark chocolate ganache, lemon, rosemary, lemon basil, topped with an apricot.

Cocktail attire chocolate at La Maison du Chocolat, Upper East Side, NYC, New York

All these chocolate were delicious: not too sweet, delicate, I loved the subtle flavors of each ingredient that came through as I was tasting them. Chef Cloiseau talks about temps, that is like a timeline where each ingredient has its time to shine.

Easter 2017 Collection:

I did not get a chance to try the Easter 2017 Collection, but, based on what I have tried that day at La Maison Du Chocolat, I am sure it is delicious. For sure, it is different from the usual bunny, beautifully presented and, just hearing what each of the four figurines were made of, I was simply drooling. There was:

Miss Cow: almond praliné topped with milk chocolate.

Miss Cow 2017 Easter Collection at La Maison du Chocolat, Upper East Side, NYC, New York

Mademoiselle Feather: almond/hazelnut praliné, caramelized biscuit, dark chocolate

Mademoiselle Feather 2017 Easter Collection at La Maison du Chocolat, Upper East Side, NYC, New York

Mister sheep: Hazelnut praliné, crispy crepe, topped with dark chocolate.

Mister sheep 2017 Easter Collection at La Maison du Chocolat, Upper East Side, NYC, New York

Monsieur Bunny: almond praliné, caramelized coconut, milk chocolate

Monsieur Bunny 2017 Easter Collection at La Maison du Chocolat, Upper East Side, NYC, New York

Unrelated to these two collections were orangettes, candied orange peels enrobed in dark chocolate, result of the collaboration between La Maison Du Chocolat and The Webster in Miami. Not only these chocolates were succulent, the pairing of the orange peels with the dark chocolate being delicious, but the packaging was beautiful, celebrating each company as well as locations, palms, flamingoes and Webster building for The Webster (located in Florida), Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe for La Maison Du Chocolat.

Orangettes at La Maison du Chocolat, Upper East Side, NYC, New York

I have to say that I admire La Maison Du Chocolat and the creativity of Chef Cloiseau: they propose some amazing creations and so far, from all that I have tasted, it was spot on. They succeeded in being different from all the other chocolatier, modernizing their offering in a way that make them definitely unique.

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 Maison Du Chocolat

I Just Want To Eat! 10/30/16 I Just Want To Eat! 10/30/16

Esperanto, Latin cuisine in Alphabet City, NYC

I love NY for the diversity of its food and was not disappointed after eating at Esperanto, a Latin restaurant located in Alphabet City that is celebrating its 17th Anniversary. This place has a neighborhood latin café feel that I always like to find, far from the famous places where there is no soul. It is not a big place, but it benefits from having space outside for a few tables, so patrons can enjoy the last bit of good weather before winter comes. Esperanto is not a big place; it is colorful and warm, with a rustic feel.

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

Doing room at Esperanto in Alphabet City, NYC

We went yesterday and arrived earlier than planned, after seeing a horror movie close by for Halloween. At that point, live music was still playing in the bar area, filling the room with Brazilian rhythms (there is live music everyday from 4 to 6pm).

Live music at Esperanto in Alphabet City, NYC

We started off with ordering some drinks. Caipirinha for me:

Caipirinha at Esperanto in Alphabet City, NYC

Sunshine RX for Jodi, a cold-pressed juice made with pineapple, apple and orange. In fact, Esperante has a juice bar (Jugo juice bar as they call it), that prepares cold-pressed juice at prices very similar if not lower compared to the the Jamba Juice and like. Definitely a good deal.

Sunshine RX cold-pressed juice at Esperanto in Alphabet City, NYC

We decided to order few appetizers, perfect for sharing. Here is what we had:

Guacamole, pico de gallo and chips:

Plantain crusted goat cheese. This was served with sautéed leeks and pico de gallo. Fantastic dish, especially if you like goat cheese. I loved the texture, from the crunchiness of the crust to the softness of the cheese and the flavors paired perfectly together.

Plantain crusted goat cheese at Esperanto in Alphabet City, NYC

Beef empanadas: nice shell, delicious filling that was moist and tasty.

Beef empanadas at Esperanto in Alphabet City, NYC

Mussels, roasted in garlic, paprika, butter and parmesan cheese. A succulent dish that I recommend.

Mussels at Esperanto in Alphabet City, NYC

Last was dessert. The first one was churros, served with a chocolate sauce. These were big churros and I admit that I did not need at all the chocolate sauce as they were delicious by themselves, although missing a tiny bit of sugar.

Churros at Esperanto in Alphabet City, NYC

The second dessert was the banana flambées, that are ripened bananas sautéed in dark rum (lots of it) and sugar, creating a delicious coating.

Banana flambées at Esperanto in Alphabet City, NYC

We had a nice time at Esperanto, a cute little spot in Alphabet City that is worth knowing. They have interesting small plates that are perfect for sharing in a casual and relax setting.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Esperanto

I Just Want To Eat! 10/28/16 I Just Want To Eat! 10/28/16

Mentoku Ramen in Hell's Kitchen

When temperatures start to go down, I am always looking forward for ramen. I was really looking forward to try Mentoku in Hell's Kitchen. I saw that place while walking down the street and noticed their spicy ramen with...whipped cream. Not that I was going to try it as it seems to be really spicy, but still, I was a bit curious. We went on a Saturday to this small cash only place that was not as crowded as Totto Ramen that we passed by few hours later.

Dining room at Mentoku Ramen in Hell's Kitchen

Open kitchen at Mentoku Ramen in Hell's Kitchen

Menu wise, they have a bunch of choices and Jodi decided to go for their lunch special that included a ramen and a green salad for $13. I have to admit that the salad was quite small and thought it was not that much of a great deal considering that the ramen she chose was $11 (so, do the math: the salad was $2 - at the end of a day, the ramen would have sufficed).

Green salad at Mentoku Ramen in Hell's Kitchen

But I admit that her ramen, vegetarian, was not only surprising, but also delicious. It was the matcha ramen, made with green tea soup noodles topped with konjak, menma, kikurage mushrooms, and soy milk. I thought that the presence of green tea and soy milk was quite original and the taste of it was scrumptious.

Matcha ramen at Mentoku Ramen in Hell's Kitchen

On my side, I went for a pork bun that was very good, with just the right amount of fat and enough mayo. The pork was perfect, not dry at all.

Pork bun at Mentoku Ramen in Hell's Kitchen

Then came my ramen. I chose the chashu ramen that is the Hakata Genryu Ramen with extra pork. It is made with Tonkotsu pork soup, pork loin chashu, menma and scallions. I loved it: deliciously fatty and tasty, I literally inhaled it.

Chashu ramen at Mentoku Ramen in Hell's Kitchen

With it, we ordered each a soft boiled egg (ajitama) that was perfect, the yolk being runny.

Soft boiled eggs at Mentoku Ramen in Hell's Kitchen

I should mention the noodles that were thin flat egg noodles in both ramen.

Matcha ramen noodles at Mentoku Ramen in Hell's Kitchen

Chashu ramen noodles at Mentoku Ramen in Hell's Kitchen

I loved my lunch at Mentoku: this is a great ramen place and I am sure I will go back to indulge on some more of this noodle soup I often crave.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Mentoku

I Just Want To Eat! 10/26/16 I Just Want To Eat! 10/26/16

Fogo de Chao in NYC, New York

The last time I went to Fogo de Chao was few months after this upscale steakhouse opened, back in December 2013. I even went to one of their locations in Sao Paolo that I found of lesser quality than their sister restaurant in the big apple. Well, the location itself is amazing with its three floors and I cannot imagine the rent they pay a month.

Bar on the 1st floor at Fogo de Chao in NYC, New York

Bar on the 2nd floor at Fogo de Chao in NYC, New York

Dining room at Fogo de Chao in NYC, New York

To go there, you need a solid appetite as the prices are similar to a steakhouse, except that you cannot take home any leftovers (would be interesting to ask them to wrap up some meat to take home...). Fortunately, if you are vegetarian (pure or eating fish), you have options, like the salad bar or the sea bass.

For sure, I skipped the salad bar that was quite big with lots of options, from salads to salumi, and of course fruit that were nicely presented.

Salad bar at Fogo de Chao in NYC, New York

Parmesan cheese at Fogo de Chao in NYC, New York

Salumi and cheese at Fogo de Chao in NYC, New York

Pineapple at Fogo de Chao in NYC, New York

Asparagus at Fogo de Chao in NYC, New York

Watermelon at Fogo de Chao in NYC, New York

What was surprising was the service: rude and inefficient. My friend Abe got his cocktail order wrong twice; the waiters seemed annoyed that I was taking photos (I try to go quick and never use the flash, asking courteously for permission to do it), and they would not follow up when we asked them for something. Weird, because the restaurant was not that busy for a Thursday evening, so it had nothing to do with understaffing from what I observed.

As a start, they served us some pao de quejo that are these small cheese breads that are so addictive.

Pao de quejo at Fogo de Chao in NYC, New York

In terms of meat though, we were there for a treat: their meat is simply delicious: tender, juicy and well cooked (you can ask for the temperature of your choice and they try to accommodate), with very few cheap meats as I would call them, such as chicken or pork. Not only did they have great beef cuts, but they also had lamb, especially these lamb chops that were fantastic. Remember that they give you a chip with two sides: green, so the staff knows they can bring meat, red so they stop bringing more meat.

Chips for more/no more meat at Fogo de Chao in NYC, New York

And I can tell you that the meat comes fast!

I got the following meat:

Garlic steak:

Sirloin:

Pork ribs:

Bottom sirloin:

Leg of lamb:

Top sirloin:

Lamb chops:

With the meal comes some sides: mash potatoes, fried polenta sticks and caramelized bananas. The latter were definitely my favorite.

Mash potatoes at Fogo de Chao in NYC, New York

Caramelized bananas and polenta at Fogo de Chao in NYC, New York

Last was dessert. Smartly, they show you all the desserts they serve and I admit that it is a bit difficult to resist, even after eating so much food.

Desserts at Fogo de Chao in NYC, New York

So I tried: Chocolate cheesecake (just ok, not as dense and tasty as I expected):

Chocolate cheesecake at Fogo de Chao in NYC, New York

Lemon tart (sublime, not too sweet):

Lemon tart at Fogo de Chao in NYC, New York

Tres leches (my favorite):

Tres leches at Fogo de Chao in NYC, New York

With my meal, I decided to keep the Brazilian theme and ordered a caipirinha that was perfect.

Caipirinha at Fogo de Chao in NYC, New York

This was a nice meal in an amazing decor: I for sure prefer Fogo de Chao to Churascaria Plataforma. Would I go back? Definitely! And if you go, skip the salad bar: it is just a way to make you eat less 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!

Fogo de Chao New York

I Just Want To Eat! 10/24/16 I Just Want To Eat! 10/24/16

Lala Sahab, modern Indian on the Upper West Side, NYC - Closed

Meaning Sir Lala, Lala Sahab is the new venture of Executive Chef and owner Lala Sahab that I met few months ago at Surya, where he not only treated us with a sublime meal, but also made a demonstration of the use of the tandoor oven.

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

Executive Chef Lala Sharma at Surya in NYC, New York

So, needless to say that I was really excited to go to Lala Sahab. There, Chef Sharma crafted a modern menu influenced by Northern Indian food and organized in few categories of small plates perfect for sharing: Mumbai Bites, Bhatti Se (from the Tandoor) and Choolah Se (from the pan), served in a decor with warm colors, a nod to Indian spices and cultural history.

Dining room at Lala Sahab in NYC, New York

Back dining room at Lala Sahab in NYC, New York

If you are a beer drinker, you can get some draft beers from local producers or the famous Indian beer, Kingfisher. I like beer, but, with Indian food, I prefer a mango lassi and the one I got was perfectly made: not too sweet and not watery at all, with a delicious mango taste.

Mango lassi at Lala Sahab in NYC, New York

We then got some papadum with mint and tamarind sauces before our dishes came, like having an apéro (the name given in France of the time before a meal when beverages are drunk with few snacks such a peanuts, olives or crackers).

The first dish to come was a sampler of two: a vegetable samosa and a tikka-wale samosa. The former is fairly common, but I admit that it was the first time I tried a chicken tikka samosa, more accustomed to see lamb whenever a non-vegetable samosa was proposed. And I loved both of them: these turnovers were delightfully crispy and very tasty, not spicy, and delicious with either the tamarind or mint sauces served with the papadum, or with the makhni sauce that came with the plate, another twist I guess on a classic Indian dish.

Samosa with Makhni sauce at Lala Sahab in NYC, New York

Chicken samosa at Lala Sahab in NYC, New York

Vegetable samosa at Lala Sahab in NYC, New York

The second appetizer was the Dahi Batata Poori, that is masala Chickpeas and crisps topped with yogurt, mint and tamarind. I love this kind of dish that has a sweet and savory taste, the yogurt adding a refreshing taste.

Dahi batata poori at Lala Sahab in NYC, New York

Then came Lala's Chaap, lamb chops marinated in Indian spices, red wine and herbs. I was definitely looking forward to try this dish as the lamb at Surya was sublime and I was not disappointed: it was tender, perfectly cooked medium and had a nice kick to it.

Lala's chaap at Lala Sahab in NYC, New York

Then came the entrées.

There was:

Saag paneer that is creamy spinach cooked with cottage cheese (paneer):

Saag paneer at Lala Sahab in NYC, New York

Sahab Ji’s Dal, a dish made with black lentils simmered on slow fire overnight and tempered with cumin and ginger:

Butter Chicken made with roasted chicken in a tomato and fenugreek sauce:

Butter chicken at Lala Sahab in NYC, New York

These dishes were really good, my favorite being the butter chicken. It was even better with the poori that is a whole-wheat puffed bread, that was nicely crispy and delightfully greasy, or with rice.

Last was dessert and we got to try two of our favorites! First was gulab jamun, these milk-balls that are fried and dipped in a sweet syrup.

Gulab jamun at Lala Sahab in NYC, New York

The second was kheer that is rice pudding.

Both desserts were fantastic and a perfect way to finish a delicious meal. I was definitely not disappointed with Lala Sahab: it is a great place to eat Indian food and it will not be the last time I would go there!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Lala Sahab

I Just Want To Eat! 10/23/16 I Just Want To Eat! 10/23/16

Fall into chocolate dipping party at Roni-Sue's Chocolates

Roni-Sue's Chocolates is not unknown to me as I got to a try few times their amazing chocolates, even recently at the Great Big Bacon Picnic in Williamsburg where they presented a delicious bacon butter crunch toffee.

Roni-Sue's Chocolates in the Lower East Side, NYC

Roni-Sue's bacon butter crunch toffee at The Great Big Bacon Picnic

But this time, I was at an event called The Fall into chocolate party, result of the collaboration of Jackie Gordon, aka The Singing Chef or The Fountain Lady who owns a chocolate event company Divalicious Chocolate Events, Fountains & Tastings, and Roni-Sue's Chocolates. This event was definitely an ode to chocolate with two different fountains. One was made with Roni-Sue’s own 60% MOHO semi-sweet chocolate, an organic, direct trade, single origin chocolate from Belize.

Roni-Sue’s own 60% MOHO semi-sweet chocolate fountain at Roni-Sue's Chocolates in the Lower East Side, NYC

The second one was MATCHA (green tea) infused white chocolate, that was my favorite definitely.

Matcha green tea chocolate fountain at Roni-Sue's Chocolates in the Lower East Side, NYC

To dip into the fountains, there were more than 25 different items, from the classic strawberries, pretzels, marshmallows, and graham crackers as well as special fall dippers like pumpkin spice cream puffs, caramel Lady apples, cranberry pepita popcorn balls or apple cider donut holes.

Matcha Chocolate fountain and dipping items at Roni-Sue's Chocolates in the Lower East Side, NYC

Chocolate fountain at Roni-Sue's Chocolates in the Lower East Side, NYC

cranberry pepita popcorn balls or apple cider donut holes at Roni-Sue's Chocolates in the Lower East Side, NYC

Marshmallows at Roni-Sue's Chocolates in the Lower East Side, NYC

Oreo cookies at Roni-Sue's Chocolates in the Lower East Side, NYC

Strawberries at Roni-Sue's Chocolates in the Lower East Side, NYC

Rice crispy treats at Roni-Sue's Chocolates in the Lower East Side, NYC

Pretzel sticks at Roni-Sue's Chocolates in the Lower East Side, NYC

And then the dipping madness started...Especially considering that a fair number of bloggers came before the event officially started to take some photos.

Food influencers fall into chocolate at Roni-Sue's Chocolates in the Lower East Side, NYC

Dipping into the chocolate fountain at Roni-Sue's Chocolates in the Lower East Side, NYC

But this was not it! There is a hidden garden where they had some additional treats for us. There was first a hot apple cider that I could have drunk all afternoon.

Apple cider at Roni-Sue's Chocolates in the Lower East Side, NYC

What I would call chocolate dipped tuiles:

Chocolate dipped cinnamon sticks at Roni-Sue's Chocolates in the Lower East Side, NYC

Butter crunch toffee:

Beer caramel pretzels:

This was a wonderful event and our hosts were fantastic. Thanks to Roni-Sue's Chocolate staff and Jackie Gordon for having us there!

Enjoy (I surely did)!

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

Roni-Sue's Chocolate Shoppe

I Just Want To Eat! 10/22/16 I Just Want To Eat! 10/22/16

Haandi in Curry Hill, NYC, New York

I heard about Haandi, a fast casual restaurant serving Pakistani and North Indian cuisine: it is apparently a favorite spot for taxi drivers and the line of taxis in front of this place when I arrived seemed to confirm this, although when I entered the joint, it was not that crowded and the customers who came later seem to be business people rather than cabbies.

Dining room at Haandi in Curry Hill, NYC, New York

I wanted to go there for one reason: I wanted to try some dishes fairly unusual...The first one is Magaz Masala, a specialty made with lamb brain cooked with onions, tomatoes and spices. The second was Gurda Kaleji Masala or lamb kidneys and liver cooked in a special sauce. I told you that these are unusual dishes! Unfortunately, they did not have any of them. So, I ended up with a meat platter that, for $8.99 is a good deal: for that price you get two meats, rice, a vegetable, a salad, a naan and raita. For the meat, I chose the chicken tikka masala and chicken jalfrezi. I passed on the vegetable and got yellow rice.

Meat platter at Haandi in Curry Hill, NYC, New York

Presented buffet style at the counter, the meat and rice was put on a plate and then warmed up...in a microwave, causing the sauces to break. The naan bread was good, and reminded me more the bread you would find in Persian restaurants, missing some of the char I love so much.

Chicken tikka masala at Haandi in Curry Hill, NYC, New York

Chicken jalfrezi at Haandi in Curry Hill, NYC, New York

Yellow rice at Haandi in Curry Hill, NYC, New York

Salad at Haandi in Curry Hill, NYC, New York

Naan at Haandi in Curry Hill, NYC, New York

With my meal, I got a mango lassi that was a bit disappointing: too liquid, not as tasty, I could taste the crystals of sugar added to the drink.

Mango lassi at Haandi in Curry Hill, NYC, New York

So, needless to say that I was a bit disappointed with Haandi. I think Curry Hill has so many good options, that I would pass. Or maybe I would go back just for the two dishes I told you I wanted to try. Solely for these...

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Haandi Restaurant

I Just Want To Eat! 10/20/16 I Just Want To Eat! 10/20/16

Georgia's Eastern BBQ in the Lower East Side, NYC - Closed

I admit that at first, I did not intend to go have dinner at Georgia's Eastside BBQ with my friend Benny. No, we wanted to go get some fried chicken at Sweet Chick located a block away. Unfortunately, and despite the info I got on the Internet, the place was closed for "staff appreciation day". Nice thing in retrospect, but at that point, I was more thinking about "client appreciation day"! So, the other alternative was Russ and Daughters on Orchard and it is while walking towards it that I noticed Georgia's Eastside BBQ.

Dining room at Georgia's Eastern BBQ in the Lower East Side, NYC

Opening 9 years ago, this is the kind of discreet restaurant you would miss. Very small, I like the decor of this cash only place (notice the Johnny "Cash only" photo below), that has a rustic feel and some interesting artifacts on the wall such as the boar head or the old riffle.

Decor at Georgia's Eastern BBQ in the Lower East Side, NYC

Boar head at Georgia's Eastern BBQ in the Lower East Side, NYC

Piggys at Georgia's Eastern BBQ in the Lower East Side, NYC

Johnny Cash only photo at Georgia's Eastern BBQ in the Lower East Side, NYC

It is a family owned business where founder Alan Natkiel and Chef/partner Shawn Collins succeeded in creating a fantastic BBQ place, proving that you do not need a smoker to serve good BBQ. We decided to try few dishes, with a mix of meats. I admit that at first, I was looking for a BBQ sampler, but was a bit disappointed by the one they serve that has ribs, andouille sausage and wings.

Chicken and ribs platter at Georgia's Eastern BBQ in the Lower East Side, NYC

What I wanted was for sure ribs, but also fried chicken as they are apparently known for it, and because I was already set all day with having chicken for dinner (that's how I am...). So, then I saw the ribs and fried chicken platter on their menu and we ordered it. I first tried the chicken that was succulent: golden brown, very crispy, with a moist chicken inside.

Fried chicken at Georgia's Eastern BBQ in the Lower East Side, NYC

Then, the baby back ribs that were covered with BBQ sauce. There ribs were incredible: so tender, a knife was not necessary to eat them, the meat literally falling off the bone. It was not dry at all and had a nice char on top. These were some of the best ribs I ever had.

Ribs at Georgia's Eastern BBQ in the Lower East Side, NYC

This platter came with two sides, making it a good deal. We picked the three cheese Mac and cheese, as well as there homemade corn bread. Both of them were quite good.

Homemade corn bread at Georgia's Eastern BBQ in the Lower East Side, NYC

Mac and cheese at Georgia's Eastern BBQ in the Lower East Side, NYC

The second dish we tried was the brisket melt, served with French fries and Cole slaw (the fries were decent, but the Cole slaw lacked flavor).

Brisket melt sandwich at Georgia's Eastern BBQ in the Lower East Side, NYC

I loved that dish, especially the brisket that melted in my mouth and was moist. This was one of their specials, but I hope they will add it to their regular menu.

We left full and glad the mishap with Sweet Chick made us discover Georgia's Easyside BBQ. I will definitely go back there and maybe this time try their wings or burger.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Georgia's Eastside BBQ

I Just Want To Eat! 10/18/16 I Just Want To Eat! 10/18/16

Rice 'n' Beans in Hell's Kitchen, NYC, NY

I passed so many times in front of Rice 'n' Beans in Hell's Kitchen, thinking it was a takeout place and not realizing that, first it is a Brazilian place (I could have by simply looking at the flag, but did not pay attention because, again, I thought it was a takeout place), and second, that it is serving a pretty good food, beyond the simple casual feel the place gives.

When I saw them on Opentable, I was a bit surprised and decided to give it a try. We went on a Friday night, after 7pm and most of the tables were occupied, until after 8pm, when it became much quieter. It was the perfect time for their Happy Hour that end at 8pm and I decided to enjoy a classic Caipirinha that was pretty good.

caipirinha at Rice 'n' Beans in Hell's Kitchen, NYC, NY

As an appetizer, we decided to go for the pao de queijo or cheese bread, a gluten free ball of deliciousness. I admit that I was surprised that they make you pay for it, instead of giving a couple complementary as I have seen in some other restaurants. Anyway, they were good, very cheesy and addictive, although a bit burnt in the bottom.

Pao de queijo at Rice 'n' Beans in Hell's Kitchen, NYC, NY

For her entrée, Jodi simply went for the rice, beans and plantains, a fairly safe dish.

Rice and plantains at Rice 'n' Beans in Hell's Kitchen, NYC, NY

On my side, I went for the fish stew called Moqueca de peixe, made with fresh onions, bell pepper, tomatoes, coriander and coconut milk. It was served with yellow rice and black beans, making this a full meal. The plate looked beautiful with the color of the sauce. It was delicious, the fish being well cooked, flakey and the sauce fantastic (next time, I'll just get the sauce with rice...). This is definitely a dish I recommend.

Moqueca de peixe at Rice 'n' Beans in Hell's Kitchen, NYC, NY

Beans at Rice 'n' Beans in Hell's Kitchen, NYC, NY

Yellow rice at Rice 'n' Beans in Hell's Kitchen, NYC, NY

For dessert,we decided to order the Brazilian flan or Pudim de leite. It was good, but for sure not as good as the ones I got in Brazil.

Pudim de leite at Rice 'n' Beans in Hell's Kitchen, NYC, NY

I liked our meal at Rice'n' Beans: this small place serves great food at reasonable price. I will probably go back and, this time, try their feijoada, Brazil's national dish. But for that, I will wait for the temperatures to go down as it is a bit heavy...

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Rice N Beans Restaurant

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

Empanadas Café in Hoboken, NJ

I will not surprise anybody by saying that Empanadas Café serves mainly...empanadas. If you want to eat something else, you are going to be very, very, very, limited. I was excited to go there, not only because I love empanadas, those little pockets of deliciousness that are either baked or fried, but also because they offer a wide variety of them, away from the classic beef or cheese ones.

This place is small and casual. You order your empanadas at the counter, pay and, when it is ready, they will bring them to you on a wooden plank with some hot sauce and chimichurri sauce..

Dining room at Empanadas Café in Hoboken, NJ

Counter at Empanadas Café in Hoboken, NJ

Empanadas at Empanadas Café in Hoboken, NJ

We tried:

Egg, bacon, cheese, peppers and onions:

Eggs, bacon, cheese, peppers and onions empanada at Empanadas Café in Hoboken, NJ

Pepperoni and cheese:

Rice and beans:

Beef empanada:

Blue cheese mozzarella and walnuts:

Mushrooms:

Cheese:

Guava and cheese:

The last time we went they even had a deal: for $7, you get a fresh squeeze juice and an empanada. So I got myself a delicious fresh squeeze orange juice.

Fresh squeeze orange juice at Empanadas Café in Hoboken, NJ

I thought the empanadas are just ok, even the simple cheese (not melted) or beef (I for sure prefer the one from La Isla that is amazing) were so so. We went there twice and I have to say that I am not sold yet...Would I go back? Not sure...

Enjoy (...)!

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Empanadas Café