I Just Want To Eat! 1/26/17 I Just Want To Eat! 1/26/17

Celebrating the Year at The Bryant Park Grill

We hate the New Year's Eve crowd and so, instead of going to a restaurant that day, we decided to go the day before, a sort of New Years's Eve's Eve. And we picked the Bryant Park Grill, the setting with the park and all the lights being perfect for a magical evening. I admit that I was not sure what to expect and was quite surprised to see such a big place, with its large dining room on the left side and its covered patio.

Dining room at Bryant Park Grill in NYC, NY

As we just came back from Europe and enjoyed quite a lot of great (but heavy) food, I surprised myself by not ordering an appetizer and go straight to the main dish: well, it might be due to the closeness of the New Year and its resolutions, although, with me like with lots of people, they do not hold too long...Anyway, I decided to go with their duck confit, but, few minutes after we ordered, I was told that there was a "misunderstanding" and the Chef advised there was no more duck. I was really disappointed as I love duck, but found myself happy with their Bryant Park sea grill that was composed of a whole Maine lobster, diver scallops, jumbo shrimp, on top of a saffron tomato rice. The presentation looked beautiful and I was surely not disappointed: everything was cooked perfectly, from the seafood, to the rice that was really tasty.

Seafood grill at Bryant Park Grill in NYC, NY

No wine with my dish, but a cocktail: the Bourbon Cider, made with Old Forester Bourbon, fresh apple cider, cranberry juice and lemon. Simply delicious, of course if you like bourbon!

Bourbon cider at Bryant Park Grill in NYC, NY

Jodi went for the miso crusted sea bass, served with stir-fried vegetables, broccoli florets and sesame rice. That fish was amazing: perfectly cooked, flakey and moist. The rice was in some sort of rice balls that were so good, I could have eaten a full plate of it.

Miso crusted sea bass at Bryant Park Grill in NYC, NY

Vegetables in the miso crusted sea bass at Bryant Park Grill in NYC, NY

So far it was very good and we were looking forward for our dessert. Jodi ordered the chocolate coconut pot de creme that is a good dessert if you like dark chocolate, but kind of fell short in term of coconut taste, including the coconut whipped cream that was not coconut-y enough.

Chocolate coconut pot de creme at Bryant Park Grill in NYC, NY

On my side, I chose the deep dish apple pie (so I could say I ate fruit). It looked amazing and was very good, especially the crust that was buttery.

Deep dish apple pie at Bryant Park Grill in NYC, NY

That was a nice evening and I have to say that I was impressed by the food at Bryant Park Grill. I would surely go back, maybe when the temperature permits a nice meal on the patio, overlooking the park.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Bryant Park Grill

I Just Want To Eat! 1/24/17 I Just Want To Eat! 1/24/17

Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse in Manhattan, NYC

So, I am back at Del Frisco's Double Eagle, the fancy steakhouse located on 6th avenue, couple of minutes from The Rockefeller Center. Little did I know this place used to be a bank converted into a three story luxurious restaurant, the vault being transformed into private rooms surrounding an amazing cellar, the biggest in the city with rare bottles, for a total of more than $3 million in wine!

Wine cellar at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse in Manhattan, NYC

I went on a Thursday and was really surprised as to how busy this place was, especially when I left, with not only business people, but also families. I love the decor that is not your usual manly steakhouse and noticed this time the cables that ornate the staircase, used a handrails.

Staircase at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse in Manhattan, NYC

Bar at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse in Manhattan, NYC

Dining room at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse in Manhattan, NYC

Food wise, this was a fantastic dinner: the food was delicious and their steaks incredible. Definitely one of the best in the city, but know that, like many steakhouses, this is pricey. Del Frisco's Double Eagle is known for their shrimp: cocktail, marinated or remoulade, but also for their crab cakes that are supposed to be the best in the city. If you follow this blog, I guess you figured out that I went for the latter, crab cakes being my favorite appetizer when having steak: the crab cake (you get two if you choose it as an entree) came with a cajun lobster sauce. Just the crab cake by itself was amazing: made with lump crab meat, it was not full of breading or any filler that would overpower the crab. No, it definitely let the crab shine.

Crab cake at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse in Manhattan, NYC

The other appetizer I tried was the thick cut of bacon with served au poivre. Very good, the only negative of this decadent dish was that there was too much pepper (poivre in French).

Thick cut of bacon at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse in Manhattan, NYC

Then came my steak. I went for the bone-in ribeye (22 oz), perfectly cooked medium-rare. I loved it: well cooked, nicely charred and fatty, this was a great piece of meat, definitely of high quality.

Bone-in ribeye at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse in Manhattan, NYC

With it, I tried:

Their béarnaise sauce that was quite good:

Bearnaise sauce at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse in Manhattan, NYC

The spectacular onion rings: perfectly made, crispy with the onion cooked all the way through.

Onion rings at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse in Manhattan, NYC

The sautéed mushrooms and pearl onions, that were also good, although I could care less about the onions.

Sautéed mushrooms and pearl onions at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse in Manhattan, NYC

With my meal, I got some Pinot Noir, Lost Carneros 2013 from Napa, Pinot Noir being an excellent pairing with ribeye because of its bold flavor:

Pinot Noir Los Carneros, Napa Valley 2013 at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse in Manhattan, NYC

Last was dessert. First was the six layers lemon cake that was really good, the cake being super moist and not too sweet.

Six layers lemon cake at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse in Manhattan, NYC

And then the strawberry cheesecake that was good, but not at the level of Junior's if you ask me.

Strawberry cheesecake at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse in Manhattan, NYC

This was a great dinner: the food at Del Frisco's Double Eagle is spectacular and I highly recommend it if you love steaks or want to have a nice dinner.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Del Frisco's

I Just Want To Eat! 1/22/17 I Just Want To Eat! 1/22/17

The 5th Annual Bollito Misto at Circo in NYC, NY - CLOSED

I love this casual Italian place that has an amazing decor that matches its name: a circus. Colorful and playful, it has a certain charm and the food served there has always been delicious. For the Bollito Misto meal, I was there for a treat, with a 4 course dinner that, at $49 with a glass of wine is a steal.

From January 23rd to 29th 2017, Circo is hosting its 5th Annual Bollito Misto and I was invited by Mauro Maccioni for a preview tasting last Thursday. I could not believe it had been 5 years already since the first occurrence of this special dinner, where I got the chance to meet with Mauro and Egidiana Maccioni, the matriarch of this famous family.

Dining room of Osteria Del Circo in NYC, NY

Bollisto Misto Menu at Osteria Del Circo in NYC, NY

The wine was a Lambrusco di Sorbara, Omaggio a Gino Friedman, a sparkling wine with a rosé color and notes of berries, perfect with antipasti like prosciutto or the Bollito Misto itself.

Lambrusco di Sorbara, Omaggio a Gino Friedman wine at Osteria Del Circo in NYC, NY

In fact, the first course was the antipasti, composed of prosciutto, mortadella, gnoccho fritto (that is fried dough), Parmigiano reggiano cheese, some sort of rilette, as well as candied fruit called Mostarda di cremona.

Antipasti at Osteria Del Circo in NYC, NY

For the second dish, I was supposed to choose between the tortelli di zucca or pumpkin tortelli or cappelletti in brodo di capone. They graciously offered to serve both so I could try them. Both were really good, the pumpkin tortelli having a nice sweetness and being light and soft. The cappelletti were quite tasty, with a mix of herbs and meat, in a light broth.

Pasta course at Osteria Del Circo in NYC, NY

Pumpkin tortelli at at Osteria Del Circo in NYC, NY

Cappelletti in brodo at at Osteria Del Circo in NYC, NY

Next was the bollito misto, the Italian pot au feu, that I have never seen on a restaurant menu before. It came with different condiments: roasted tomatoes and garlic, salsa verde, candied fruit, sea salt and mustard seeds similar to a moutarde a l'ancienne that you will put around the plate and eat with the meat. There were many different slices of meat that I admit could not name, and, in the center, a delicious bone marrow that was sublime.

Bollito misto at Osteria Del Circo in NYC, NY

Condiments for the bollito misto at Osteria Del Circo in NYC, NY

Last was dessert. It was a pear poached in wine, served with zabaglione, a thick Italian custard that was fantastic. The ice cream was chocolate flavor. It looked very elegant and was delicious.

Poached pear at Osteria Del Circo in NYC, NY

With it came some Italian cookies, but I admit that I barely touched them as I was already full...

Italian cookies at Osteria Del Circo in NYC, NY

This was a great dinner: comforting and delicious, and I thank the team at Circo for their hospitality. This is a unique meal that is served only one week every year, so do not miss it: it is worth trying!

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! 1/20/17 I Just Want To Eat! 1/20/17

Black Tap Burger: just for the show?

You should never judge a book by its cover and I surely should apply that to my experience at Black Tap Burger. This place is often covered in social media, especially on Instagram, where photos of their milkshakes have been legendary. And, if you passed in front of it, you cannot not notice the line in front of it. Surely the photos look appetizing and you would think that the hype surrounding this place is justified. Well, that it what I thought until we had lunch there, on January 2nd...

Black Tap Burger, Meatpacking District, NYC

Line in front of Black Tap Burger, Meatpacking District, NYC

We have a sort of tradition where, when we come back from a trip to Europe, we go for a burger. Originally, we were going to the joint inside the New Gansevoort Market, but thought that, maybe, Black Tap Burger could be an option as it was January 2nd, with some people away or working (I was not), and it was raining. We waited probably 20 minutes outside and I was surprised when we got seated to see that there were any empty tables that did not justify that wait. My theory: the line outside gives attention. Well, I think it might have also been the fact that the restaurant was short of staff that day as our food took forever to come to our table. Our neighbors who arrived many 10 minutes after us even got their order...when we left!

Bar area at Black Tap Burger, Meatpacking District, NYC

Dining room at Black Tap Burger, Meatpacking District, NYC

Of course, I could not not try their milkshake, not the regular, but the crazy one, and chose the Vanilla cookie that was made of vanilla frosted rim with cookie crumbles topped with a ‘cookiewich’, crumbled cookies, chocolate chips, whipped cream and chocolate drizzle.

Vanilla Cookie milkshake at Black Tap Burger, Meatpacking District, NYC

For sure it looked spectacular, but I just had enough time to take a couple of photos that it collapsed on the bottom plate. I asked for a spoon and was surprised to hear from the waiter that they did not have any clean...So, I used one of the cookies...Was it good? Yes, but it surely did not justify the $15 it costs!

Next were the burgers. The All American for Jodi, composed of prime burger, lettuce, tomato, pickles, american cheese and a special sauce.

All American burger at Black Tap Burger, Meatpacking District, NYC

The Old Fashioned for me, a burger made of prime burger, crimini mushrooms, swiss, caramelized onions and horseradish sauce (fortunately on the side).

Old Fashioned burger at Black Tap Burger, Meatpacking District, NYC

The burgers looked good, but it stopped there: we ordered them medium and I found them slightly overcooked and dry. They came with French fries for Jodi and onion rings for me. The fries were mushy and I was hoping that these beautiful big onion rings, served with a truffle aioli would be delicious. Again, disappointing.

French fries at Black Tap Burger, Meatpacking District, NYC

Onion rings at Black Tap Burger, Meatpacking District, NYC

So, I do not know if it was because it was an off day, but I did not like Black Tap Burger and found it overpriced. For a good burger close by, I would go to 5 Napkin Burger that has also delicious shakes.

Enjoy (...)!

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

Black Tap

I Just Want To Eat! 1/18/17 I Just Want To Eat! 1/18/17

The Shepherd and The Knucklehead in Hoboken, NJ

We were going for BBQ at The Smokin' Barrel, when we realized that this place closed. It was replaced few months later by The Shepherd and The Knucklehead, a pub and steakhouse that opened seventeen years ago in Haledon, NJ and chose Hoboken for their second location. I was curious to know where their name is coming from and their website gave a pretty complete explanation:

Perhaps you’re asking: Where did our name come from? The Shepherd & the
Knucklehead is a novel published in 2001. It delves into the subject of the duality in man. The responsible (Shepherd) and the irresponsible (Knucklehead) represent the mental tug of war going on inside each of our minds, bodies, and souls. The main character, Oliver Wendell Tweed (a compilation of Oliver Wendell Holmes and Boss Tweed—in other words, a mix of purity and greed) is on a search for the meaning of this duality in each of us. Along for the journey is his sock monkey and constant companion, Francis Bacon. Interestingly enough, Oliver owns a pub near a university and implores emerging philosopher-students to develop both sides of their brain so they can ensure balance in their lives.

As we entered, I noticed that the decor did not change much from the previous restaurant, although some of the cowboys artifacts disappeared.

Dining room at The Shepherd and The Knucklehead in Hoboken, NJ

Bar area at The Shepherd and The Knucklehead in Hoboken, NJ

I was intrigued by their qualification as a steakhouse and so, we decided to order steaks. Of course, when seeing the prices, I knew that it would not be the best quality, but who knows: I might have a surprise. Jodi went for the filet mignon, ordered medium.

Filet mignon at The Shepherd and The Knucklehead in Hoboken, NJ

I went for the porterhouse for one, medium-rare.

Porterhouse at The Shepherd and The Knucklehead in Hoboken, NJ

Re-fired porterhouse at The Shepherd and The Knucklehead in Hoboken, NJ

When the meat came, I immediately noticed that they switched the temperature, Jodi having her steak cooked medium-rare and mine being cooked medium. We decided to send it back to the kitchen. I admit that they managed the issue very well, the owner, and even the Chef apologizing for the mishap. I should mention that this post is long overdue and that dinner took place a couple of weeks after they opened, the staff still being in training. After few minutes, our steaks came back, with the correct temperature. They were decent, the filet mignon being better than the porterhouse. With it, we got to try the mac and cheese that was good, but could have been creamier, as well as some delicious fries that were skin on, slightly crispy.

Because of the issue with the steaks, they offered us the dessert and we chose the tiramisu. Unfortunately, it seemed to have been frozen or at least was kept at a very low temperature...

Tiramisu at The Shepherd and The Knucklehead in Hoboken, NJ

So, dinner was not great, and we decided to go back for brunch. As they did not have a brunch menu yet, we ended up with mostly bar food. The giant German pretzel was delicious. We got it with the cheddar dipping sauce that was optional. Too bad they did not give more of that sauce considering that it costed an additional $3.

German pretzel at The Shepherd and The Knucklehead in Hoboken, NJ

I then tried the buffalo chicken spring rolls that were served with a blue cheese dressing. Quite good I would say.

Buffalo chicken spring rolls at The Shepherd and The Knucklehead in Hoboken, NJ

Next was the lobster bisque that was made with sherry, lump crab meat and shallots; it came with some bread. It was just fine, missing a bit of taste.

Lobster bisque at The Shepherd and The Knucklehead in Hoboken, NJ

Bread at The Shepherd and The Knucklehead in Hoboken, NJ

Jodi went for the ahi tuna salad that was pretty good, the seared tuna being well cooked, with a sesame crust that was delicious.

Ahi tuna salad at The Shepherd and The Knucklehead in Hoboken, NJ

So, overall, I was not that impressed by The Shepherd and The Knucklehead. It is a bar, so I was not expecting a spectacular meal. However, places like Hudson Tavern are far better. Would I go back? Maybe in few months, after they fix the kinks in the kitchen...

Enjoy (...)!

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! 1/16/17 I Just Want To Eat! 1/16/17

Ice cream at Carvel in Woodside, Queens

Serving ice cream since 1934, Carvel was not totally unknown to me: I heard about it, saw some ice cream cakes at the supermarket, but never tried it. For sure, you need to find a location and it is in Woodside, Queens, that I go to try Carvel Ice Cream, right after we got ourselves a burger...

Soft serve ice cream machine at Carvel in Woodside, Queens

Not that I went overboard: I was quite reasonable and went for the soft serve ice cream that is apparently one of their specialties, choosing both chocolate and vanilla. But it would not have been complete without a topping and it is bittersweet chocolate fudge that I chose: quite good, but a bit too sweet for my taste. However, the ice cream was pretty good and regretted not choosing a bigger cup...

Chocolate and vanilla soft serve ice cream at Carvel in Woodside, Queens

Jodi simply went for vanilla, also soft serve, with sprinkles on top.

Vanilla soft serve ice cream at Carvel in Woodside, Queens

That was nice and I would go back there for some of their special ice cream, some having funny names...But I would say that I prefer ColdStone Ice Cream that is richer and more decadent.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Carvel

I Just Want To Eat! 1/14/17 I Just Want To Eat! 1/14/17

Cheese fondue at Kashkaval Garden in Hell's Kitchen

It has been a while since we went for fondue at Kashkaval, a restaurant in Hell's Kitchen that takes its name from a sheep's milk Bulgarian cheese. I admit that I thought it was closed as, end of 2013, they announced that their landlord would not renew their lease and that they were launching a petition. I guess it worked out as this place is still there, although very different: it used to be a marketplace selling awesome cheeses, with a tiny dining room in the back. Now, this is a restaurant only and it is fairly big.

Bar area at Kashkaval Garden in Hell's Kitchen

Dining room at Kashkaval Garden in Hell's Kitchen

We were there during Happy Hour, so I got a nice glass of Sauvignon Blanc for just $8, perfect to go with fondue (we say that it is not good to drink water when eating fondue, but it might be just to entice people to drink wine...).

Glass of Sauvignon Blanc at Kashkaval Garden in Hell's Kitchen

What is great with their menu is that they offer fondue per person with no minimum, contrary to a lot of restaurants where there needs to be a minimum of two persons per order. So, we decided to get two different ones:

Heating element for fondue at Kashkaval Garden in Hell's Kitchen

The Kashkaval made with Bulgarian Kashkaval cheese:

Kashkaval fondue at Kashkaval Garden in Hell's Kitchen

The truffle fondue made with gruyere, truffle peelings and truffle oil:

Truffle fondue at Kashkaval Garden in Hell's Kitchen

With the fondue, we only went for the bread (you can get meat or vegetables) and I liked the fact that there was lots of it so you do not have to ask for it as you eat. Between the two fondue, I admit that I preferred the truffle one that was delicious and truly had small pieces of truffle in it. I definitely recommend it.

Bread for fondue at Kashkaval Garden in Hell's Kitchen

This was a nice dinner and we left full, without having dessert. It is true that, when you see the portion, you think that it would not be enough, but it is. I will definitely go back to Kashkaval Garden for some more fondue: it is a great place.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Kashkaval

I Just Want To Eat! 1/12/17 I Just Want To Eat! 1/12/17

Mexican food at Tehuitzingo in Hell's Kitchen

I think I probably would have never gone to Tehuitzingo if it was not a suggestion from one of my blog readers who always had great comments or suggestions to my posts. Yes, from the outside, you just see the name, Tehuitzingo Deli and Grocery and would never guess that this place serves great food at reasonable prices, using fresh ingredients. I mean, I had to verify again on my phone the name of address and, when confirmed, entered in that small place.

Dining room at Tehuitzingo in Hell's Kitchen

Right there, you see their market, selling a bunch of Mexican products, from hot sauce to tortillas or candy.

Then, in the back, is the counter where you will order your food. We were the only ones, early last Saturday, the city still recovering from the first snow of the season. After we ordered, we sat on the stools, decorated with roosters, and did not wait long before our food came.

Counter at Tehuitzingo in Hell's Kitchen

Stool decorated with roosters at Tehuitzingo in Hell's Kitchen

We started off with a side of guacamole and chips. Pretty good, although not the best guacamole ever, the tortilla chips seem to be homemade.

Guacamole and chips at Tehuitzingo in Hell's Kitchen

Guacamole at Tehuitzingo in Hell's Kitchen

Tortilla chips at Tehuitzingo in Hell's Kitchen

Then, we got quesadillas. Cheese for Jodi:

Cheese quesadilla at Tehuitzingo in Hell's Kitchen

Cheese and chicken for me. It was made with a tortilla folded over Oaxaca cheese. I loved it: the tortilla itself was delicious, filled with lots of cheese, and the chicken very good, well cooked, not dry at all.

Chicken quesadilla at Tehuitzingo in Hell's Kitchen

We also had tacos pescado, made with tilapia fish. It was just ok, the tacos being bland and in need of hot sauce...

Pescado tacos at Tehuitzingo in Hell's Kitchen

Pescado taco at Tehuitzingo in Hell's Kitchen

Overall, we had a nice unexpected lunch at Tehuitzingo Deli and Grocery. The food is good
And cheap. It is definitely a place I would go back to.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Tehuitzingo Deli Grocery

I Just Want To Eat! 1/10/17 I Just Want To Eat! 1/10/17

Great dinner at The Wayfarer, Midtown Manhattan

Opened beginning of 2014 at the corner of 57th Street and 6th Avenue, The Wayfarer defines itself as a purveyor of classic American cuisine. I like the atmosphere of the place that is cozy and modern, with great music in the background and a nice vibe. I should mention that the service was really good: efficient and courteous.

And the food! Simply delicious, from seafood to meat, without forgetting desserts, it showcases quite creative dishes. For instance, they have fried chicken rolls that were a very interesting combination, that definitely worked. With it, I also tried the spicy tuna roll that was made with big eye tuna.

Fried chicken and spicy tuna rolls at The Wayfarer in NYC, NY

Next was the octopus: well cooked, not rubbery, it had a nice char on the outside.

Charred octopus at The Wayfarer in NYC, NY

The last appetizer I tried was the seafood platter that had lobster, shrimp, clams, oysters, scallops, as well as a nice tuna and salmon tartare. It tasted very fresh and the only thing I would have done is to make the presentation a bit more spectacular, like Mastro's does.

Seafood platter at The Wayfarer in NYC, NY

For the entree, I breached my rule that is not to order steak unless I am eating in a steakhouse. Well, I could not resist when I heard their special: a Japanese wyagu ribeye served with bone marrow. This 10oz steak was perfectly cooked, tender and slightly charred. It was fantastic.

I also tried the pumpkin gnocchi, made with roasted baby vegetables, hen of the woods, pecorino and sunflower seeds, that were also good.

Pumpkin gnocchi at The Wayfarer in NYC, NY

Last was dessert. And I should say a dessert extravaganza:

Ricotta donuts with a banana foster sauce that were sitting on a crème fraîche crémeux:

Ricotta donuts at The Wayfarer in NYC, NY

A classic maple pecan pie:

And the ultimate sundae for two that was five scoops of ice cream, hot fudge sauce, caramel sauce, sour cherry sauce, candied walnuts, cookie croutons, rice pearls and marshmallow brûlée.

This was a delicious meal: The Wayfarer is a great place for dinner. I am curious now to see if their brunch is as fantastic as this...So I will have to go back and check this out!

Enjoy (I really did)!

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

The Wayfarer

I Just Want To Eat! 1/8/17 I Just Want To Eat! 1/8/17

The Kati Roll Company in NYC, NY

One time we were working late, one of my colleagues who is originally from India, ordered some food from The Kati Roll Company. I mean that was a revelation and each bite was so divine that I could hear angels singing on my shoulders. I love that place: the food is not only good, but cheap and, if I could, I would go there on a daily basis! Kati rolls are street food wraps that originated from Kolkata in India. There are many variants, but, at The Kati Roll Company, they are made by wrapping warm paratha, a type of Indian flat bread, around a variety of meats, vegetables and cheese.

Waiting online to order at The Kati Roll Company in NYC, NY

But beware: this place can turn to a madhouse, packed with hungry patrons avid to get a wonderful bite. In fact, we went at different times and, as you can see, it goes from quiet to crazy. The best time to go is before 6pm for sure...I love the decor with its yellowish walls that seem rundown, with Bollywood (the Indian Cinema Mecca) posters all over.

Dining room at The Kati Roll Company in NYC, NY

Bollywood posters at The Kati Roll Company in NYC, NY

Here is what we ate:

Order at The Kati Roll Company in NYC, NY

Jodi always went for the chana masala, a vegetarian dish made with chickpeas that they enhanced with lime, cilantro, chutney and pickled onions. Very good, but make sure you ask for not spicy.

Chana nasal Kati roll at The Kati Roll Company in NYC, NY

Chana masala Kati roll at The Kati Roll Company in NYC, NY

The shami kebab that is minced lamb kabab blended with chickpeas and eggs. Pretty good: I love the taste of lamb, so I was in heaven. A bit spicy though...

Shami kebab Kati roll at The Kati Roll Company in NYC, NY

And then their best seller: the chicken Tikka Kati roll. Very good and tasty.

Chicken tikka Kati roll at The Kati Roll Company in NYC, NY

With my meal, I went for a mango lassi, one of my favorite Indian drinks, that was delicious and perfect to soothe my mouth as the spiciness built up.

Mango lassi at The Kati Roll Company in NYC, NY

I am a big fan of The Kati Roll Company: their rolls are amazing, the bread being delicious and slightly crispy, and the filling very tasty. This is definitely a place I recommend for cheap eats. The only negative is that they do not serve dessert...yet!

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 Kati Roll Company

I Just Want To Eat! 1/6/17 I Just Want To Eat! 1/6/17

Eataly Nutella Bar in NYC, NY

I finally made it to the Nutella bar at Eataly, the fantastic market place located close to the Flatiron. And I did not regret it! If you are a Nutella lover, this place is for you and, for sure, you will not know what to get, the choices all looking good.

I was there after lunch and so got my espresso (I am addicted to coffee). But it was not your regular espresso: it was topped with a delicious homemade whipped cream and some Nutella.

Espresso con Nutella at Eataly Nutella Bar in NYC, NY

With it, I chose the bombolone, an Italian beignet that was also filled with a generous amount of Nutella (although there is never enough). It was a large beignet, well made, being not heavy and airy.

Nutella bombolone at Eataly Nutella Bar in NYC, NY

For a first visit there, it was great, but I wonder why I did not come before to Eataly Nutella!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Eataly

I Just Want To Eat! 1/4/17 I Just Want To Eat! 1/4/17

Austrian dinner at Blaue Gans in TriBeCa

We heard about Blaue Gans, an Austrian restaurant located in TriBeCa, thanks to our friend Tessa and decided to have dinner there one night, as we were in that area. the place was packed for sure and it had a nice atmosphere, a bit artsy, the posters of various exhibits surely playing a role there.

Dining room at Blaue Gans in TriBeCa, NYC

I decided to accompany my meal with a glass of Riesling, "Terrassen" Federspiel, Tegenseerhof, Wachau 2014 that was deliciously sweet.

Glass of Riesling at Blaue Gans in TriBeCa, NYC

We started off our meal with the bratwurst, that was served with potatoes, sauerkraut and some horseradish that was delightfully spicy. It was a perfect way to start the meal, the sausage being delicious.

Then, Jodi went for the roasted cod, served with carrots and asparagus, and a Riesling sauce. It was a nice presentation, with beautiful colors. The fish was flakey and perfectly cooked.

Roasted cod at Blaue Gans in TriBeCa, NYC

On my side, I went for the beef goulash that was served with peppers and quark spatzle. Nice dish, the spatzle being quite creamy thanks to the quark, I however found the beef a bit gamey...

Beef goulash at Blaue Gans in TriBeCa, NYC

Last was dessert. We went for the chocolate cake, the Sachertorte. A bit disappointing as I like chocolate cakes really chocolatey...

Sachertorte at Blaue Gans in TriBeCa, NYC

Overall, the meal was ok, my favorite being the bratwurst and the fish. I admit that I am a bit on the fence at this point and I am not sure I would go back there. Maybe, maybe not...

Enjoy (...)!

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Blaue Gans

I Just Want To Eat! 1/2/17 I Just Want To Eat! 1/2/17

Chirping Chicken in Hell's Kitchen

When Jodi has something planned for lunch or dinner, and I end up going by myself or with a friend, I always try to find places where the food would be limited for her, like chicken or lobster places. These places can be of various level, from restaurants to take out. This time, I was at Chirping Chicken, a fast casual restaurant with, as of today, four locations in the City. I went to the one in Hell's Kitchen that was not that crowded but seemed to be a spot for police officers.

Dining room at Chirping Chicken in Hell's Kitchen

The dining room looked better than what I expected, filled with large tables. You order at the counter in the back and, if you eat there, you get a number and they will bring the food at your table.

Order number at Chirping Chicken in Hell's Kitchen

I decided to try only chicken, although I saw many other options on their large menu: ribs, shrimp or lamb were some of them. I started first with the chicken wings, small size. I ordered them spicy but was expecting more heat. Otherwise they were good: crispy on the outside, the chicken was well cooked, moist.

Chicken wings at Chirping Chicken in Hell's Kitchen

Next was the 1/4 chicken meal that come with pita, a salad and one side. I admit that I did not really care much about the salad, although it could help me try to justify the fact that it was a healthy dinner...The chicken, charcoal broiled, was pretty good: moist, with a slightly crispy charred skin, there was definitely no need for any sauce with it.

Chicken meal at Chirping Chicken in Hell's Kitchen

Charcoal broiled chicken at Chirping Chicken in Hell's Kitchen

The side however was disappointing. I ordered the Mac and Cheese that was like plastic! I should have gone for mash potatoes, corn or beans...

Mac and Cheese at Chirping Chicken in Hell's Kitchen

Overall it was ok. I mean, it is not pricey and you get what you pay for. Would I go back? Not sure: the city has so much to offer. And in the same area, Sticky's Finger Joint across the street is a better choice.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Chirping Chicken

I Just Want To Eat! 12/30/16 I Just Want To Eat! 12/30/16

Sake Bar Hagi 46 in Hell's Kitchen

I was looking for a sake bar when I stumbled upon Sake Bar Hagi 46, the outpost of Sake Bar Hagi near Times Square. We got seated in the back of the restaurant where a large party was enjoying some food and probably too much drinking, making the noise level close to unbearable...So, needless to say that, although we enjoyed our meal there, we did not take our time to appreciate it fully and, as soon as we payed the bill, guess what? The large party left!!! I had only one fear: that they followed us!

Dining room at Sake Bar Hagi 46 in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

Anyway, the food there was pretty good and I loved the fact that they served small plates so we could order a bunch of them. Here is what we had:

Frog legs karaage or deep fried frog legs. I am not sure where they found these frog legs but they were huge! The frogs were probably the size of a kitten! Otherwise, it was delicious: crispy on the outside, meaty (tastes like chicken but more bland), it was moist.

Frog legs karaage at Sake Bar Hagi 46 in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

Karaage ponzu or deep fried chicken with ponzu sauce and grated daikon. Similar to the frog legs, it was crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, the chicken being well cooked. I liked the slight taste of the ponzu sauce that was not overpowering, but admit that I did not care about the daikon.

Karaage ponzu or fried chicken at Sake Bar Hagi 46 in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

Fried pork gyoza: good, tasty, but not the best I had.

Fried pork gyoza at Sake Bar Hagi 46 in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

Age tofu: my least favorite dish. Not sure how they prepare this, but it was weird, a bit gelatinous. I definitely did not like the texture.

Age tofu at Sake Bar Hagi 46 in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

Vegetable tempura: very good, crispy and delightfully greasy (slightly though).

Vegetable tempura at Sake Bar Hagi 46 in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

For dessert, we went for the green tea mille crêpe with vanilla ice cream. I admit that the presentation was a bit sad, but it was pretty good. The green tea especially was perfect, not bitter at all. We chose vanilla ice cream to go with it: it was good, creamy, but we did not even see that it was an add-on and I thought that for $11.95, it was a bit pricey. Lady M has a better Mille crepes cake for less.

Green tea mille crepes at Sake Bar Hagi 46 in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

Now you are probably wondering if I had sake. And the answer is yes. In fact, I went for their sampler and picked three of them (from left to right):

Azure, sweet and dry.
Denshin, fruity.
Ginban, super dry.

Sake flight at Sake Bar Hagi 46 in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

Sake at Sake Bar Hagi 46 in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

I like to try different sake, from the sweetest to the super dry to taste the difference and was glad that they offered a sampler.

Despite the noise, we enjoyed our meal at Sake Bar Hagi 46 and will definitely go back. Probably for other dishes as Jodi made me realize after that we only ordered fried dishes...

Enjoy (I did)!

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Sake Bar Hagi 46

I Just Want To Eat! 12/28/16 I Just Want To Eat! 12/28/16

Surf and Turf Burger at Sagaponack in NYC, New York

Taking its name from a village in the Town of Southampton in Suffolk County, New York, Sagaponack is a restaurant located few steps from the Flatiron. I ended up there one day after finding that they serve a surf and turf burger, a dish I never heard of before. So I went one day for lunch.

Dining room at Sagaponack in NYC, New York

I did not go around the restaurant, but definitely, the decor sets the tone: sea and food, or I should say seafood.

Boat replica at Sagaponack in NYC, New York

I was not sure what to drink with my burger and then noticed their nice selection of cider. So, I went for a Wolffer No 139 dry white cider, that is made with 17 different varieties of apples and a small quantity of asian pear.

Wolffer No 139 dry white cider at Sagaponack in NYC, New York

Then came the burger that looked fantastic: the bun was topped with a grass-fed beef patty perfectly cooked medium, bacon and some chopped lobster. It was quite big and you need to press on it to be able to take a bite, the lobster releasing some juice that I thought would make the burger soggy. But it was fine and the first bite was sublime, the lobster and the meat patty pairing well together. This is for sure a decadent dish that would satisfy the burgers and lobster lovers.

With the burger was a salad as well as some very good fries that were crispy on the outside and well cooked inside.

I admit that this was a great dish and I would definitely go back to Sagaponack to try some other dishes. If you love lobster, I recommend this dish for sure.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Sagaponack Bar & Grill

I Just Want To Eat! 12/26/16 I Just Want To Eat! 12/26/16

Soul Food at Zora's Cafe in Hell's Kitchen, NYC - Closed

We were really excited to have dinner at Zora's Cafe, a restaurant in Hell's Kitchen that serves soul food. We passed so many times in front of this 20 seat tiny place that I got curious. It started well, with a homemade lemonade that was delicious: not too sweet and with a perfect tartness.

Homemade lemonade at Zora's Cafe in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

And some very good homemade corn bread that was served with butter and drizzled with honey.

Homemade corn bread at Zora's Cafe in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

But then it started downhill: the kitchen, quite small, was so slow, it took forever for our food to come and it was not even hot! We got:

Hush puppies: just ok, a bit dry.

Hush puppies at Zora's Cafe in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

Fried green tomatoes: just ok, some slices being hard.

Fried green tomatoes at Zora's Cafe in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

Linda's Mac and Cheese: promising when digging into it with a spoon, it was cold and so the cheese was not gooey.

Linda's Mac and Cheese at Zora's Cafe in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

Fortunately, the fried chicken was delicious, crispy and slightly moist.

Fried chicken at Zora's Cafe in Hell's Kitchen, NYC

We skipped dessert because of the slow service and left a bit disappointed for what could have been an amazing experience. Too bad...

Enjoy (...)!

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Zora's Cafe

I Just Want To Eat! 12/23/16 I Just Want To Eat! 12/23/16

Cafe Triskell in Long Island City

We were back to Long Island City, looking for a place to have lunch and found Café Triskell, a French crêperie coming straight from Brittany from where the owner, Philippe Fallait is from. And I have to say that it felt like a little corner of France, miles away.

Chef and owner Philippe Fallait from Cafe Triskell in Long Island City

We were there for crêpes and did not even consider any other dishes, although I regretted not ordering the escargots that the table next to us were eating with much pleasure. No, we went for their buckwheat crêpes. Jodi chose the pear, aged goat cheese, honey (without almonds) one, that was served with a small salad.

Pear and goat cheese crepe at Cafe Triskell in Long Island City

I went for the ham, egg and cheese.

Ham, egg and cheese crepe at Cafe Triskell in Long Island City

Both crêpes were delicious, very slightly crispy. In Jodi's crepe, I loved the combination of the sweet and savory. With mine, it was quite a classic crepe, very good, with a perfectly made sunny side egg, but I wish there was a bit more ham. Despite this, I would recommend it.

Butter and sugar crepe at Cafe Triskell in Long Island City

For dessert, we both got the butter and sugar crepe that was fantastic: sweet, very buttery and delightfully crispy.

We had a great lunch at Café Triskell and I would definitely go back there as I think it is one of the best crêperies in New York, staying very classic and not trying to make crazy combinations. I surely recommend it

Enjoy (I did)!

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Café Triskell

I Just Want To Eat! 12/21/16 I Just Want To Eat! 12/21/16

Numero 28 Pizzeria in The East Village

I was recently invited at Numero 28 Pizzeria in the East Village. I already know this pizza place as I went to their original location on 28 Carmine St, location that gave its name to the place. Little did I know that they had that many locations, including Miami and London! We were there for lunch and the place was quiet until later, prompting me to think that we were really early...I liked the atmosphere that is rustic and warm, with the staff speaking Italian to add to the ambiance.

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

Facade at Numero 28 Pizzeria, NYC, New York

Dining room at Numero 28 Pizzeria, NYC, New York

In the back is their wood fire oven that would make an amazing pizza later on. While waiting for our food, I decided to try one of their sodas: a San Pellegrino Chinotto a quite bitter drink made with Sicilian Chinotto oranges.

San Pellegrino Chinotto oranges at Numero 28 Pizzeria, NYC, New York

We started off our meal with some classic Italian dishes: meatballs

Meatballs at Numero 28 Pizzeria, NYC, New York

as well as eggplant or Parmigiana di melanzane:

Parmigiana di Melanzane at Numero 28 Pizzeria, NYC, New York

Both were sublime: the meatballs were not dry and tasty, smothered in an incredible tomato sauce that I also ate with their homemade focaccia. The eggplant were also very good, sliced thin, so fully cooked and soft, melting in my mouth.

Focaccia at Numero 28 Pizzeria, NYC, New York

But then I got to see them make our pizza in their wood fire oven. What I like at Numero 28 Pizzeria is the fact that they offer different sizes, from the round personal one to the long medium or large, with half and half possible for the medium or three different choices for the large one.

Cooking the pizza in a wood fire oven at Numero 28 Pizzeria, NYC, New York

Pizza in the making at Numero 28 Pizzeria, NYC, New York

We decided to go with two of their best sellers on a medium pie (half-half). The first one was the DOC, made with a San Marzano tomato sauce, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil and mozzarella. The second one was the Numero 28, made with speck, mozzarella, mushrooms and truffle cream. The size of the pizza was spectacular and it was only the medium: I cannot imagine how the large one is. I looked beautiful and our noses were filled with the smell of truffle. Both were delicious, the Numero 28 having lots of speck on it with the truffle cream not being overpowering. The DOC, simpler was also fantastic, from the tomato sauce that was phenomenal to the large amount of cheese. I should add that the crust was thin in the center, puffed up on the outside and deliciously crispy.

Medium pizza at Numero 28 Pizzeria, NYC, New York

DOC pizza at Numero 28 Pizzeria, NYC, New York

Numero 28 pizza at Numero 28 Pizzeria, NYC, New York

Last was dessert. We went with their homemade tiramisu that was sublime: creamy, light and not too sweet, with the lady fingers properly soaked in coffee.

Tiramisu at Numero 28 Pizzeria, NYC, New York

It was perfect with an espresso...

Espresso at Numero 28 Pizzeria, NYC, New York

This was great meal. Numero 28 Pizzeria offers great food and their pizzas are delicious. I would certainly go back and probably try, this time, their pasta that is homemade.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Numero 28 Pizzeria Napoletana

I Just Want To Eat! 12/19/16 I Just Want To Eat! 12/19/16

Cafe Istanbul in Astoria, Queens

I was recently invited for a dinner at Cafe Istanbul, a restaurant on Steinway in Astoria that serves Mediterranean, Egyptian and Turkish cuisine. Opened over two months ago, this place is the dream come true of Mumbai native, Sonny, who spent 18 months creating this place, making it comfortable and very open.

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

Dining room at Cafe Istanbul in Astoria, Queens

Cafe Istanbul is a hookah lounge, so if you like a hookah during or after your meal, or just with a bite, this might be your spot. As I do not smoke, I did not try it, but saw many people there, enjoying it. Well, they may even have enjoyed their hookah desserts, that have exotic flavors like mango, orange of pomegranate. I never thought flavored hookah even existed.

Hookah at Cafe Istanbul in Astoria, Queens

In term of beverages, know that this is a halal restaurant, so they do not serve any alcohol. However, they offer great tea made with mint leaves. There is Moroccan (made with green tea), Egyptian (made with black tea) and Turkish. You can really taste the difference between each of them, not only by the color, but also the taste that goes from lighter (Moroccan) to stronger (Turkish).

Moroccan tea at Cafe Istanbul in Astoria, Queens

Egyptian tea at Cafe Istanbul in Astoria, Queens

Turkish tea at Cafe Istanbul in Astoria, Queens

Mint leaves in Egyptian tea at Cafe Istanbul in Astoria, Queens

Foodwise, we were there for a treat, prepared by Chef Fathi who is from Egypt. We started off with some hummus and babaganouj that we ate with some pita. These were delicious: the babaganouj had a delicious smokey flavor and the hummus a texture that definitely showed it was homemade. I loved the nice drop of olive oil in the middle that I mixed with these spreads while dipping my piece of pita.

Hummus at Cafe Istanbul in Astoria, Queens

Babaganouj at Cafe Istanbul in Astoria, Queens

Then, we got the cigars, called sigora boregi. They were made of feta cheese, parsley, dill, herb wrapped up in homemade Turkish phyllo. Some were just filled with cheese, and others with lamb as I told Sonny that I love lamb. It was very good, served with a homemade tahini sauce. The shell was hot and crispy, not too thick, and the filling melted. However, I could not really taste the lamb, whose flavor was too subtle, overpowered by the cheese that was predominant.

Lamb and cheese cigars at Cafe Istanbul in Astoria, Queens

Next were two salads: the Turkish shepherd salad, made with feta cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers and onions topped with parsley. And the fattoush salad, made with mixed greens.

Turkish shepherd and fattoush salads at Cafe Istanbul in Astoria, Queens

Fattoush salad at Cafe Istanbul in Astoria, Queens

Turkish feta salad at Cafe Istanbul in Astoria, Queens

But then came an appetizer I was really looking forward to try: the lamb liver. Cooked in a pan with just some oil, it reminded me the way my mom use to cook liver. Simple, but tasty. If you like liver, this is a dish I recommend.

Lamb liver at Cafe Istanbul in Astoria, Queens

But the lamb extravaganza did not stop there! I also got the lamb chops that were superb: these six pieces were well cooked, medium, and had a nice char. It was served with a delicious basmati rice that was prepared with saffron. The rice was moist and there was no need for any sauce on it.

Lamb chops at Cafe Istanbul in Astoria, Queens

For Jodi, Sonny prepared a vegetarian dish that was grilled vegetables.

Grilled vegetables at Cafe Istanbul in Astoria, Queens

Last was dessert. We got to try their version of creme brûlée that was topped with berries:

Berries creme brûlée at Cafe Istanbul in Astoria, Queens

As well as the almond pudding that had a slightly denser consistency of a panna cotta.

Almond pudding at Cafe Istanbul in Astoria, Queens

We had a great time at Cafe Istanbul: the food was good and there was a nice ambiance there. Even if you are not into hookah or even smoking, it is a good spot to have dinner and, if you are a bit put off by the smoke, you can go for an early dinner: it is worth it.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Cafe Istanbul

I Just Want To Eat! 12/17/16 I Just Want To Eat! 12/17/16

Lunch at LobsterCraft in NYC, NY - Closed

We were walking on 33rd, behind Penn Station, when Jodi pointed out Lobster Craft a restaurant that specializes in ...lobster...and follows the success of a food truck operated by Captain Mike, a coast guard captain and licensed lobster fisherman.

More of a casual place, you order at the counter and your order will be ready in just few minutes. I decided to go for The Coastal, their classic lobster roll served on a toasted split-top roll baked daily. They use a whole lobster from Maine, from the claws to the tail, and for sure there is a lot of it. The lobster is topped with hot butter and a pinch of their secret seasoning. I thought that it was an ok roll, the lobster being slightly overcooked and needing a bit more butter. It came with some potato chips that were...good for potato chips.

Potato chips with lobster roll at LobsterCraft in NYC, NY

With the lobster roll, instead of a beer, I decided to go with a glass of Chardonnay, served on tap.

Glass of Chardonnay on tap at LobsterCraft in NYC, NY

I admit that I was a bit disappointed by LobsterCraft, expecting an outstanding roll, as good as Luke's Lobster or The Red Hook Lobster Pound. But it was not as good, just an ok roll.

Enjoy (...)!

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

LobsterCraft NYC