Mexicue: Mexican and BBQ fusion
It has been a while since we wanted to go to Mexicue and decided to have dinner there on a Monday night, right before traveling to Europe, our fridge being empty. I like the concept that is a fusion between Mexican cuisine and BBQ, hence the name. I think it is a great idea and, for sure, they seem to have mastered it, proposing lots of interesting dishes, from tacos to sliders that include classic BBQ items such as pulled pork or smoked brisket.
Mexicue in NYC, New York
It has been a while since we wanted to go to Mexicue and decided to have dinner there on a Monday night, right before traveling to Europe, our fridge being empty. I like the concept that is a fusion between Mexican cuisine and BBQ, hence the name. I think it is a great idea and, for sure, they seem to have mastered it, proposing lots of interesting dishes, from tacos to sliders that include classic BBQ items such as pulled pork or smoked brisket.
Pick up counter at Mexicue in NYC, New York
I like the place that has a rustic atmosphere and seem popular with people who just want to grab a drink with some guacamole. So I too got my cocktail and guacamole! I went for the Mezcal Manhattan, composed of mezcal, kummel, absinthe, bitters and lime. When it came in a small glass, I was a bit surprised, but, after a first sip that definitely cleaned my digestive system, I was glad it was not bigger! Wow, it was quite strong and i was lucky nobody was lighting a match next to me!
Mezcal Manhattan at Mexicue in NYC, New York
The guacamole with it was a good complement; not the best guacamole, but it was pretty decent.
Guacamole and chips at Mexicue in NYC, New York
Guacamole and chips at Mexicue in NYC, New York
What I like about this place is the variety of dishes and the fact that you can order most of the dishes by the unit. So, I decided to get two tacos and a slider.
Tacos and slider at Mexicue in NYC, New York
The slider was a pulled pork slider, made with slaw, chili bean spread, house pickled pepper and a chipotle sauce. It was very good, juicy and tasty, with a nice proportion bread/meat.
Pulled pork slider at Mexicue in NYC, New York
I also got a smoked chicken taco, made with slaw, pico de gallo, cotija cheese and a chipotle sauce.
Smoked chicken taco at Mexicue in NYC, New York
And a smoked brisket taco with slaw, salsa verde, pico de gallo, cotija cheese and chipotle sauce.
Smoked brisket taco at Mexicue in NYC, New York
Both tacos were good, very juicy, and packed in flavors, but I definitely preferred the brisket one that was sublime.
Jodi on her side hesitated between the egg taco (it had guacamole and salsa verde in it) and the avocado shroom that, as you can guess, had mushrooms (wild) and avocado as well as slaw, salsa roja (slightly spicy), corn salsa and jack cheese. She chose the later that was a nice vegetarian option.
Avocado shroom taco at Mexicue in NYC, New York
I was looking forward for dessert, hoping that they would have churros, but, unfortunately, they only have...ice cream! So, no dessert. Anyway, we left satisfied with our meal that was pretty good. I like Mexicue and will definitely go back there.
Enjoy (I did)!
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Mexicue - 1440 Broadway, New York, NY 10018
Indian dinner at Badshah Modern Indian in Hell's Kitchen
Meaning "King of the village", Badshah Modern Indian is the latest venture of Abishek Sharma (who gave us Surya) and Executive Chef Charles Mani aka Chef Charlie that I met as he was going from table to table to inquire about the food. He told me that he cooks fresh ingredients found at the farmers' Market and proposes a menu that will change from time to time so it does not bore his diners, as well as himself, keeping only classics that people expect to see on the menu.
Badshah Modern Indian in Hell's Kitchen, NYC
Meaning "King of the village", Badshah Modern Indian is the latest venture of Abishek Sharma (who gave us Surya) and Executive Chef Charles Mani aka Chef Charlie that I met as he was going from table to table to inquire about the food. He told me that he cooks fresh ingredients found at the farmers' Market and proposes a menu that will change from time to time so it does not bore his diners, as well as himself, keeping only classics that people expect to see on the menu.
Chef Charles Mani from Badshah Modern Indian in Hell's Kitchen
Decor wise, I loved the fact that this place had lots of light, allowing us to admire the nice presentation of the dishes. And of course, you cannot miss the logo in the back, noticing more the big mustache than the king crown. They also have a bar with a nice variety of specialty cocktails. I should mention a detail in the decor: the USB ports that are against the wall, allowing customers to charge their phones. I did not try them though so I cannot guarantee they are actually working and not just there from the prior establishment...
Sign in the back of the dining room at Badshah Modern Indian in Hell's Kitchen
Dining room at Badshah Modern Indian in Hell's Kitchen
Bar at Badshah Modern Indian in Hell's Kitchen
USB ports at Badshah Modern Indian in Hell's Kitchen
Our meal at Badshah, that opened mid-April, was delicious. They propose a four-course Chef tasting for a very good price ($49) but we decided to try few dishes from the menu. Of course, not surprisingly, I ordered a mango lassi that was quite good, perfect to counteract the spiciness of one of the dishes we had.
Mango lassi at Badshah Modern Indian in Hell's Kitchen
To start, we got the vegetarian samosas that were served with a fenugreek sauce. The samosa were good: flakey, crispy with a tasty filling, they paired well with the thick sauce that had a vibrant color and was very close to the butter chicken sauce we got next.
Vegetable samosas at Badshah Modern Indian in Hell's Kitchen
Vegetable samosa at Badshah Modern Indian in Hell's Kitchen
Good segway indeed: for the entrees, we ordered the butter chicken. I love the color of that dish as well as its smell that fills your nose with scents that make you want to dig in fairly quickly. It was fantastic: thick and flavorful, it had a nice amount of delicious chicken.
Butter chicken at Badshah Modern Indian in Hell's Kitchen
With it, we skipped on rice and got some succulent naan bread that was freshly made, fluffy with a nice char.
Naan bread at Badshah Modern Indian in Hell's Kitchen
The second dish was from the tandoor: paneer tikka. First, I liked the presentation that was really elegant. But then, the paneer was really good.
Paneer tikka at Badshah Modern Indian in Hell's Kitchen
Paneer tikka at Badshah Modern Indian in Hell's Kitchen
The last entree we tried was the dal makhni that was made of black lentils and beans slow cooked overnight. I love dal makhni so I was real happy to try this dish that I also ate with naan. However, know that it is a bit spicy, so raita or mango lassi could be a good idea to soothe the heat in your mouth.
Dal makhni at Badshah Modern Indian in Hell's Kitchen
Dal Makhni at Badshah Modern Indian in Hell's Kitchen
We finished with dessert and went for the gulab jamun, these fried milk balls dipped in a sugar syrup. That is when I was told that the flowers on dishes were totally edible. I did not need to hear more and indeed tried the flower served with our dessert: I confirm it was edible!
Gulab jamun at Badshah Modern Indian in Hell's Kitchen
Gulab Jamun at Badshah Modern Indian in Hell's Kitchen
We had a great dinner at Badshah. It is a great addition in Hell's Kitchen, offering a delicious menu that will satisfy vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Would I go back? Definitely!
Enjoy (I did)!
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Badshah Modern Indian - 788 9th Ave, New York, NY 10019
Bluestone Lane Coffee in Hoboken, NJ
There is a new business in Hoboken and I am glad it is not another barber shop or nail salon! No, this time it is a coffee shop: Bluestone Lane Coffee. Importing the concept from Australia, you would wonder what this place has that is so different and unique. Well, it would not be the first coffee shop opening around here, Bwè being one for instance. No, but there are few things that I like about it. First is their coffee that varies from visit to visit. It is a single origin coffee that they source from the Rainforest Alliance that visits farms and certifies them for sustainability on three pillars of social, environmental and economic responsibility.
Bluestone Lane Coffee in Hoboken, NJ
There is a new business in Hoboken and I am glad it is not another barber shop or nail salon! No, this time it is a coffee shop: Bluestone Lane Coffee. Importing the concept from Australia, you would wonder what this place has that is so different and unique. Well, it would not be the first coffee shop opening around here, Bwè being one for instance. No, but there are few things that I like about it. First is their coffee that varies from visit to visit. It is a single origin coffee that they source from the Rainforest Alliance that visits farms and certifies them for sustainability on three pillars of social, environmental and economic responsibility. They then roast the coffee in their roastery in Brooklyn, allowing them to control the entire supply chain, from the bean to your cup.
Espresso at Bluestone Lane Coffee in Hoboken, NJ
Espresso at Bluestone Lane Coffee in Hoboken, NJ
Presented on a wooden plank with some seltzer to cleanse your palate before you take a sip (they give you such instructions), it can come from any part of the world. The time we went, it was a coffee from Kenya. I like the fact that they give you a card with a description of the coffee you are tasting. Mine said:
Our Single origin coffee comes from the members of the Baragwi Farmer's Cooperative Society Limited in the central highlands of Kenya which sits at an altitude of 1700-1800 meters above sea level.
This sun-dried coffee was harvested between November and December and processed using a Kenya-style washed method at the Thimu factory south of Mt. Kenya.
Expect a cup that is full of bright melon sweetness with a juicy body and a caramel finish.
If you are not into coffee, they have a bunch of other options: milo, hot chocolate, tea, as well as cold pressed juices. I decided to get a fresh squeezed orange juice, but admit that I was a bit disappointed as it tasted watered down.
Fresh orange juice at Bluestone Lane Coffee in Hoboken, NJ
Food wise, they offer a limited menu, with mostly healthy dishes, some items being gluten free. Last thing to mention before telling you what we ate is that the bread is from Balthazar, fully mentioned on the menu as a sign of quality. So, Jodi went with the avocado smash (aka avocado toast) to which she added cherry tomatoes.
Avocado smash at Bluestone Lane Coffee in Hoboken, NJ
On my side, I got the salmon toast with a poached egg as a topping.
Salmon toast at Bluestone Lane Coffee in Hoboken, NJ
At first, I thought it would not be enough food, but I was wrong. Both were served with a multigrain Balthazar toast, mine being lightly toasted. The salmon toast had cream cheese and dill, with a generous portion of salmon. They were both good and I loved the fact that you can add items like egg, avocado, tomatoes, etc.
The food was good and the prices quite reasonable. My only complaint about Bluestone Lane Coffee is the proximity of the tables in the dining room that in the corner area where we were was not comfortable not only for us, but also for the staff who had to apologize to the table behind me each time they were bringing a dish. Otherwise, it is a great spot for a nice coffee and a healthy meal.
Enjoy (I did)!
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Bluestone Lane Coffee - 409 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Cut by Wolfgang Puck in TriBeCa
For my birthday, we went to the restaurant of my choice and I picked Cut by Wolfgang Puck, located in TriBeCa. Nice place, big and trendy, I soon regretted my choice, the noise level being high, the music in the background not helping. It was also pretty dark, that is not something I would ever understand as I always think that you eat first with your eyes. At some point we could have had more light when my menu started to burn after being pushed on top of the candle, as I was taking photos of the gougeres (cheese puffs) and bread sticks...
Cut by Wolfgang Puck in TriBeCa, NYC
For my birthday, we went to the restaurant of my choice and I picked Cut by Wolfgang Puck, located in TriBeCa.
Wine cellar from Cut by Wolfgang Puck in TriBeCa, NYC
Bar area at Cut by Wolfgang Puck in TriBeCa, NYC
Dining room at Cut by Wolfgang Puck in TriBeCa, NYC
Nice place, big and trendy, I soon regretted my choice, the noise level being high, the music in the background not helping. It was also pretty dark, that is not something I would ever understand as I always think that you eat first with your eyes. At some point we could have had more light when my menu started to burn after being pushed on top of the candle, as I was taking photos of the gougeres (cheese puffs) and bread sticks...
Gougeres at Cut by Wolfgang Puck in TriBeCa, NYC
Bread sticks at Cut by Wolfgang Puck in TriBeCa, NYC
As a beverage, I decided to go with a negroni, a gin based drink that is delightfully bitter. I loved the red color and found it very good.
Negroni at Cut by Wolfgang Puck in TriBeCa, NYC
They then brought us some bread. Jodi picked the pretzel bread and I chose the focaccia, both being delicious. I just tried a little as I paced myself considering the meal that was coming.
Focaccia bread at Cut by Wolfgang Puck in TriBeCa, NYC
Pretzel bread at Cut by Wolfgang Puck in TriBeCa, NYC
For me appetizer, I was looking forward to the bone marrow flan that I noticed on their website. Unfortunately, it was not displayed on the menu, so I ended up with the Maine lobster and Maryland blue crab "Louis" cocktail that was served with a spicy tomato and horseradish sauce. It was a beautiful dish, refreshing, the crab and lobster being perfectly cooked.
Maine lobster and Maryland crab cocktail at Cut by Wolfgang Puck in TriBeCa, NYC
For my entree, I went for the American wagyu ribeye with, as an addition, some bone marrow (I was set to have bone marrow that day!). When the dish came, I admit that I was a bit disappointed with the presentation as the marrow was not presented on the bone and was just sitting on top of the steak. I think that the bone would have given another look to the dish, more elegant and decadent. Unfortunately my steak was over, as I ordered it medium-rare and it came medium. Considering it was a $88 piece of meat, I sent it back and they were pretty good about that. My "new" steak came maybe 15 minutes after, perfectly cooked and the first bite was divine: it was very tender, juicy and very flavorful. Definitely worth the wait!
American Wagyu Ribeye at Cut by Wolfgang Puck in TriBeCa, NYC
American Wagyu Ribeye at Cut by Wolfgang Puck in TriBeCa, NYC
Jodi ordered the filet mignon from Creekstone Farms, Kansas that is aged for 28 days. I should mention that the same cut is proposed from various meat purveyors (Kansas, Illinois, NY, Idaho, etc). It was a very good piece of meat, perfectly cooked medium, also tender and juicy. It was even better with the béarnaise sauce we ordered. Jodi also added some morel mushrooms that were succulent.
Filet mignon at Cut by Wolfgang Puck in TriBeCa, NYC
Filet mignon at Cut by Wolfgang Puck in TriBeCa, NYC
As a side, we chose the cavatappi pasta Mac and Cheese that was one of the best I ever had. It had lots of cheese and was very creamy.
Mac and cheese at Cut by Wolfgang Puck in TriBeCa, NYC
Mac and cheese at Cut by Wolfgang Puck in TriBeCa, NYC
Last was dessert that was a bit of a let down. We chose the BCP, or banana cream pie. I was expecting something spectacular, but what we got could not really relate to what I consider one of my favorite desserts. I understand that restaurants try to give their own twist to a dessert, but this was too far fetched and not so great.
BCP dessert at Cut by Wolfgang Puck in TriBeCa, NYC
As we got our check, they brought us two chocolates: one with hazelnut (left) and a green tea one (right) that was a nice addition.
Chocolates at Cut by Wolfgang Puck in TriBeCa, NYC
Although dessert was disappointing, the rest of our meal was really good. Cut by Wolfgang Puck is a great addition to the steakhouse landscape in the city, but know that it is pricey, even pricier than better ones like Porter House in Columbus Circle. And if like me you hate noisy places, you may not want to go there...
Enjoy (I did)!
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Cut by Wolfgang Puck - 99 Church St, New York, NY 10007
Porter Collins in Hoboken, NJ - closed
Porter Collins, the new venue of Anthony and Liz Pino who gave us Anthony David's and Bin 14, opened just 2 months ago in an area that is developing. It is true that the North part of Hoboken needs more restaurants and Porter Collins is for sure a good addition, serving cocktails as well as a modern American menu. We went there early on a Saturday evening, still suffering from jet lag from our trip to France.
Porter Collins in Hoboken, NJ
Porter Collins, the new venue of Anthony and Liz Pino who gave us Anthony David's and Bin 14, opened just 2 months ago in an area that is developing. It is true that the North part of Hoboken needs more restaurants and Porter Collins is for sure a good addition, serving cocktails as well as a modern American menu. We went there early on a Saturday evening, still suffering from jet lag from our trip to France. I admit that I thought 6pm was anyway a good time for this place, as there were not that many people and especially after the live music started at approx. 6:45pm...
Bar area at Porter Collins in Hoboken, NJ
There are two areas: the bar, fairly cozy and the main dining room, quite bright thanks to the floor to ceiling windows, and with a beautiful painting of an octopus, signaling the predominance of seafood on the menu.
I started off by ordering a Manhattan, a delicious cocktail made with Woodford Reserve bourbon, cherry hearing and Averna Amaro bitters.
Manhattan cocktail at Porter Collins in Hoboken, NJ
Manhattan cocktail at Porter Collins in Hoboken, NJ
We then decided to share the raclette flatbread that was made of raclette cheese, egg (it was supposed to be sunny side), wild mushrooms, Philly hot peppers and herbs. I liked it: it had not only a lot of cheese, but also lots of mushroom. However, I could have passed on the hot peppers that were spicy.
Raclette flatbread at Porter Collins in Hoboken, NJ
Raclette flatbread at Porter Collins in Hoboken, NJ
The second appetizer was my favorite: I chose the Charred Octopus charred octopus with salsa verde, marble potatoes and crispy chorizo. The presentation was beautiful and the octopus was delicious and well cooked, being delightfully tender with a nice char. However, I could not care less about the chorizo that was maybe too much on the plate. It was good, but I thought it did not need it.
Charred octopus at Porter Collins in Hoboken, NJ
Charred octopus at Porter Collins in Hoboken, NJ
For her entrée, Jodi chose the bibb wedge salad that she asked for without bacon
Bibb wedge salad at Porter Collins in Hoboken, NJ
And I picked the small Littlenecks & Spaghetti made with tomatoes, pancetta, chilies and roasted garlic. It was very good, a perfect size after all these appetizers (and before dessert). I loved the subtle kick it had and enjoyed the delicious sauce that I guess was made with white wine.
Littlenecks and spaghetti at Porter Collins in Hoboken, NJ
Last was dessert. We decided to go with the banana foster bread pudding. It was good, but I admit that it just looked and tasted like a banana bread pudding (there would have been caramelized slices of banana, I would have probably conceded it was a banana foster bread pudding). A creme anglaise would also have been better with the bread pudding that was slightly dry.
Banana foster bread pudding at Porter Collins in Hoboken, NJ
Overall, we had a delicious meal at Porter Collins: I like that place and cannot wait to go back to try some other dishes, especially the burger and their bottomless brunch. I am glad such place opened Uptown Hoboken and I am sure that they will be successful!
Enjoy (I did)!
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Porter Collins - 1426 Willow Avenue, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Dinner at Thai Sliders, Chelsea, NYC, NY
Interesting how things can be coincidental: I ended up at Thai Sliders in Chelsea the day my friend Benny told me about this place, although he was referring to their location in the Financial District. The restaurant itself is nice, not big, but with a sense of space probably coming from the high ceiling that is garnished with some metal sheets that gives the place a sort of authentic feel.
Thai Sliders, Chelsea, NYC, NY
Interesting how things can be coincidental: I ended up at Thai Sliders in Chelsea the day my friend Benny told me about this place, although he was referring to their location in the Financial District. The restaurant itself is nice, not big, but with a sense of space probably coming from the high ceiling that is garnished with some metal sheets that gives the place a sort of authentic feel.
Dining room at Thai Sliders, Chelsea, NYC, NY
Table at Thai Sliders, Chelsea, NYC, NY
Food wise, I was excited to try their sliders. I chose two of them:
Sliders at Thai Sliders, Chelsea, NYC, NY
The first one was the Nuur Slider, made with steak and a Thai style mayo.
Nuur Slider at Thai Sliders, Chelsea, NYC, NY
The second was the Kai Slider, made with chicken glazed in coconut milk and peanut sauce.
Kai slider at Thai Sliders, Chelsea, NYC, NY
The sliders were ok, the proportion bread / meat being unfavorable to the later and the steak being a bit tough.
Jodi went for the pad see ew that was much better, not the best, but better.
Pad see ew at Thai Sliders, Chelsea, NYC, NY
Pad see ew at Thai Sliders, Chelsea, NYC, NY
I should mention the Thai ice tea I had with my meal that was delicious.
Thai ice tea at Thai Sliders, Chelsea, NYC, NY
Overall, I was a bit disappointed by Thai Sliders. Too bad, because it could have been promising. Would I go back? Probably not: there are so many Thai places in New York that serve great food...
Enjoy (...)!
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Thai Sliders - 150 8th Avenue, NY, NY 10001
Lunch at Kang Suh in KTown, NYC, NY - Closed
We wanted to get a bibimbap on a cold day and decided to try Kang Suh, a restaurant located right at the beginning of 32nd street. It is a huge place, with multiple dining rooms, the one where we got seated being quite big, but not that crowded...
Kang Suh in KTown, NYC, NY
We wanted to get a bibimbap on a cold day and decided to try Kang Suh, a restaurant located right at the beginning of 32nd street. It is a huge place, with multiple dining rooms, the one where we got seated being quite big, but not that crowded...
Dining room at Kang Suh in KTown, NYC, NY
Upstairs dining room at Kang Suh in KTown, NYC, NY
They started off by bringing us some banchan, these little side dishes that I am always looking forward to getting.
Barchan at Kang Suh in KTown, NYC, NY
There was:
Kimchi:
Kimchi at Kang Suh in KTown, NYC, NY
Potato salad with apple:
Potato salad at Kang Suh in KTown, NYC, NY
Squid:
Squid at Kang Suh in KTown, NYC, NY
Radish:
Radish at Kang Suh in KTown, NYC, NY
Mushrooms:
Mushrooms at Kang Suh in KTown, NYC, NY
Seaweed:
Seaweed at Kang Suh in KTown, NYC, NY
It was a good start and I could not wait to get the main dishes. When we ordered, we were a bit confused because they had bibimbap on their menu, as well as gopdol that was described as "rice with assorted marinated vegetables cooked in a sizzling stone bowl". Well, looked like a bibimbap to me, but when we asked, they told us that, the bibimbap dish on their menu was cold and the gopdol was what we call bibimbap. No comment: to this day and as I am writing this post, I am still confused. Anyway, Jodi ordered the godpol with tofu. The dish was just ok, a bit bland for me.
Godpol with tofu at Kang Suh in KTown, NYC, NY
On my side, I went for the bokkum bap, a rice fried in a wok. Instead of kimchi or vegetables, I chose the beef version that was quite good: delightfully greasy, it was very flavorful and the beef was nice. I thought it was a fairly comforting dish.
Beef bokkum bap at Kang Suh in KTown, NYC, NY
The meal at Kang Suh was good, although the godpol was not that great, maybe the choice of tofu instead of beef not being the best in term of flavor. I would go back and try their BBQ next time as I am a bit on the fence...
Enjoy (I did!)
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Kang Suh - 1250 Broadway, New York, NY10001
Family style dinner at Tony's di Napoli in Times Square
Times Square is not the best area to get great food, lots of restaurants focusing more on foot traffic than anything else, not caring if people would have a good time and great food, so they would come back. But there are exceptions and Tony's di Napoli is one of them. We often go to this family style Italian restaurant when people visit: the food is good and prices are quite reasonable. The last time we went was with our friends, the Yates, who came visiting.
Tony's di Napoli in Times Square, NYC, NY
Times Square is not the best area to get great food, lots of restaurants focusing more on foot traffic than anything else, not caring if people would have a good time and great food, so they would come back. But there are exceptions and Tony's di Napoli is one of them. We often go to this family style Italian restaurant when people visit: the food is good and prices are quite reasonable. The last time we went was with our friends, the Yates, who came visiting. Here is what we had:
Bread basket:
Bread basket at Tony's di Napoli in Times Square, NYC, NY
Fried calamari: deliciously crispy, not greasy and perfectly cooked, not at all rubbery.
Fried calamari at Tony's di Napoli in Times Square, NYC, NY
Caprese rustica salad made with mozzarella, tomatoes and croutons:
Caprese rustica salad at Tony's di Napoli in Times Square, NYC, NY
Spaghetti with meatballs: a must have! These large meatballs are fantastic and we always order them. I wish I knew how to make them: they are tasty and not dry at all. And that sauce is delicious.
Spaghetti with meatballs at Tony's di Napoli in Times Square, NYC, NY
Eggplant parmesan: another great dish that we always order.
Eggplant parmesan at Tony's di Napoli in Times Square, NYC, NY
Nutella cake: normally, desserts are for 2 to 3 people, but I could not share this one...
Nutella cake at Tony's di Napoli in Times Square, NYC, NY
We had a great time, with great company and great food. If you are looking for a family style Italian restaurant in Midtown, Tony's Di Napoli is the perfect plate.
Enjoy (I did)!
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Tony's Di Napoli - 147 W 43rd Street, New York, NY10036
Momofuku má pêche in NYC, NY - Closed
It's been a while since I wanted to go to Momofuku má pêche, one of the many restaurants of Chef David Chang, my favorite being Momofuku Noodle Bar. Yes, I wanted to go there to try their signature dish: the habanero fried chicken. It was not that hard to get a reservation on Opentable. In fact, I was surprised that the place would not be more crowded for a Friday night. When you enter into the building, the first think you will see is Momofuku Milk Bar where Pastry Chef and founder Christina Tosi offers a bunch of delicious treats.
Momofuku Ma Peche in NYC, NY
It's been a while since I wanted to go to Momofuku má pêche, one of the many restaurants of Chef David Chang, my favorite being Momofuku Noodle Bar. Yes, I wanted to go there to try their signature dish: the habanero fried chicken. It was not that hard to get a reservation on Opentable. In fact, I was surprised that the place would not be more crowded for a Friday night. When you enter into the building, the first think you will see is Momofuku Milk Bar where Pastry Chef and founder Christina Tosi offers a bunch of delicious treats. You then have to go down some quite dark stairs to reach the dining room of Momofuku má peche, dining room that is quite impressive with its very high ceilings.
Momofuku Milk Bar at Momofuku má pêche in NYC, NY
Dining room at Momofuku má pêche in NYC, NY
In term of drinks, they have a nice selection of cocktails, beers, sake and wine. I decided to go for the bonji old fashioned, a cocktail made with bourbon, black sugar and bonji (a cold-pressed liquid seasoning made in the style of tamari and soy sauce from fermented grains). It was ok, having too much bourbon that hid the other ingredients that I was looking forward to tasting.
Bonji Old Fashioned at Momofuku má pêche in NYC, NY
Bonji Old Fashioned at Momofuku má pêche in NYC, NY
Food wise, they offer small and large plates, as well as very large dishes for 3 to 5 people. For the appetizer, we decided to order the corned beef buns, served with cabbage and 1000 island dressing. I liked it, the buns being very soft and the filling delicious, with a delightfully fatty corned beef smothered with that delicious sauce.
Corned beef buns at Momofuku má pêche in NYC, NY
Corned beef buns at Momofuku má pêche in NYC, NY
Corned beef buns at Momofuku má pêche in NYC, NY
For her entree, Jodi picked the roasted rice cakes made with mushroom, kale and garlic chives, the only vegetarian main dish (if you are vegetarian, you will have only a couple of dishes on the entire menu, unless you settle for side dishes). I liked her dish, especially the texture of the rice cakes that have nothing to do with these rice cakes you find in supermarkets.
Roasted rice cakes at Momofuku má pêche in NYC, NY
On my side, I went for the habanero fried chicken, their signature dish. It came in a bucket, with some lime that kind of helped soothe a bit my mouth, although I would have prefered having some daikon that would have been more effective, the chicken being quite spicy, the habanero being in the brine and batter (on a scale from 1 to 10 of spiciness, I would say that it was a 7). The chicken was really good, not greasy, crispy on the outside and moist inside. There were 5 pieces of it and was served without any sides, that surprised me considering it was a $28 dish.
Habanero fried chicken bucket at Momofuku má pêche in NYC, NY
Habanero fried chicken at Momofuku má pêche in NYC, NY
Last was dessert. We decided to go for the banana bread pudding, made with plantain chips that added a nice crunch, dulce de leche and labne ice cream. I liked it, at the exception of the ice cream that tasted really weird on its own (I would have preferred vanilla ice cream).
Banana bread pudding at Momofuku má pêche in NYC, NY
Banana bread pudding at Momofuku má pêche in NYC, NY
I liked my meal at Momofuku má peche: it was good and creative. I would go back definitely and recommend it, unless you are vegetarian...
Enjoy (I did)!
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Momofuku má pêche - 15 West 56th Street, New York, NY 10019
Dinner at Indian Accent in NYC, NY
So we are back at Indian Accent, the contemporary Indian restaurant from Chef Manish Mehrotra located at The Parker Méridien Hotel, midtown Manhattan. This time we were there with some of our blogger friends, for a fantastic evening filled with laughter and amazing food.
Indian Accent in NYC, NY
So we are back at Indian Accent, the contemporary Indian restaurant from Chef Manish Mehrotra located at The Parker Méridien Hotel, midtown Manhattan. This time we were there with some of our blogger friends, for a fantastic evening filled with laughter and amazing food.
Dining room at Indian Accent in NYC, NY
The restaurant itself has a nice vibe and is the kind of place were you will spin your head to look at the dishes passing by, their presentation being beautiful.
When they asked us if we wanted to order drinks, I made the exact same mistake as last time and asked for a lassi: they do not have any! I was again surprised as this is a classic beverage and, finally, decided to order a cocktail called Smoke & Spice, made with ras el hanout infused Islay scotch, allspice dram (liquor flavored with allspice berries), and a flamed orange. I picked it because I was curious about the ras el hanout spices that I use when making couscous. This was really good, refreshing, with a nice aftertaste of orange and spices.
Smoke and Spice cocktail at Indian Accent in NYC, NY
Smoke and Spice cocktail at Indian Accent in NYC, NY
Then, they came with a mysterious box filled with some little balls that were an homage to street food.
Amuse bouche at Indian Accent in NYC, NY
Amuse bouche at Indian Accent in NYC, NY
As well as a pumpkin shorva or soup and too small blue cheese naan that were addictive.
Blue cheese naan at Indian Accent in NYC, NY
For dinner, we went for the 4 courses. For the appetizer, I went for the crab claws, accompanied with butter pepper garlic and cauliflower. Slightly spicy, it was delicious, the crab being perfectly cooked and the sauce very tasty.
Crab claws at Indian Accent in NYC, NY
Jodi went for the potato sphere chaat served with a white pea mash.
Potato sphere chaat at Indian Accent in NYC, NY
Then, mid-course. Soy keema, quail egg, lime leaf butter pao for jodi. This dish was amazing and the presentation sublime.
Soy keema at Indian Accent in NYC, NY
Soy keema at Indian Accent in NYC, NY
Soy keema at Indian Accent in NYC, NY
Pathar beef kebab, bone marrow nihari for me (I could not resist the bone marrow).
Bone marrow nihari at Indian Accent in NYC, NY
Bone marrow nihari at Indian Accent in NYC, NY
Bone marrow nihari at Indian Accent in NYC, NY
Bone marrow nihari at Indian Accent in NYC, NY
Main course. Paper roast dosa with water chestnut and mushrooms for Jodi:
Dosa at Indian Accent in NYC, NY
For me, braised lamb with prune korma and Rajasthani pearl millet khichdi:
Braised lamb at Indian Accent in NYC, NY
Braised lamb at Indian Accent in NYC, NY
As an accompaniment, we both picked a kulcha (type of leavened bread), with mushrooms for Jodi and with hoisin duck for me, a spin on Peking duck that might originate from Indo-Chinese cuisine.
Mushroom kulcha at Indian Accent in NYC, NY
Hoisin duck kulcha at Indian Accent in NYC, NY
Last was dessert. Jodi went for the doda barfi treacle tart, served with a vanilla bean ice cream. If you go, this is the dessert to order.
Doda barfi treacle tart at Indian Accent in NYC, NY
On my side, I went for the makhan malai, made with saffron milk, rose petal jaggery brittle and almonds.
Makhan Malai at Indian Accent in NYC, NY
Makhan Malai at Indian Accent in NYC, NY
At the end of the meal, we got the opportunity to visit the kitchen where we met with Chef Vivek whom treated us with a mango sorbet that was superb.
Chef Vivek at Indian Accent in NYC, NY
Tandoor oven at Indian Accent in NYC, NY
Mango sorbet at Indian Accent in NYC, NY
Chef Vivek at Indian Accent in NYC, NY
Map at Indian Accent in NYC, NY
Mango sorbet at Indian Accent in NYC, NY
This was a wonderful evening and the food was outstanding. Every dish was an explosion of flavors and the presentation was amazing. There, the Chef crafted an elegant menu elevating dishes to a level that would satisfy not only people who love Indian food, but also others, the amount of spices being very measured. I definitely recommend Indian Accent: you will not regret dining there!
Enjoy (I did)!
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Indian Accent - 123 W 56th Street, Midtown West, NY 10019
Kati Rolls at Desi Grub near Times Square - Closed
I love Kati Rolls, a sort of wrap made with paratha bread, typical street food, that originated in Kolkata, India. So I was excited to go to Desi Grub, a place we found walking on 40th, on our way to Port Authority. It is a small place, with just few seats and an open kitchen from where they will cook your rolls to order.
I love Kati Rolls, a sort of wrap made with paratha bread, typical street food, that originated in Kolkata, India. So I was excited to go to Desi Grub, a place we found walking on 40th, on our way to Port Authority. It is a small place, with just few seats and an open kitchen from where they will cook your rolls to order.
Counter at Desi Grub, NYC, NY
Open kitchen at Counter at Desi Grub, NYC, NY
Here are the rolls we tried:
Order at Desi Grub, NYC, NY
Egg roll (the simplest on the menu):
Egg Kati roll at Desi Grub, NYC, NY
Chicken Tikka Roll:
Chicken tikka roll at Desi Grub, NYC, NY
Chana roll ordered not spicy (it is normally a Spicy Chana roll):
Chana roll at Desi Grub, NYC, NY
Shami kebab roll (made with minced lamb):
Shami kebab roll with egg at Desi Grub, NYC, NY
Spicy shrimp roll (not that spicy I have to say):
Spicy shrimp kati roll at Desi Grub, NYC, NY
My favorite roll is the shami kebab that is very flavorful (I love lamb so it is an easy sell) and my least favorite is the spicy shrimp as I thought the shrimp were way overcooked. I love their bread that is delightfully greasy. One roll is fine if I want to be reasonable, but I do not mind a second one as they are of a decent size.
Mango lassi at Desi Grub, NYC, NY
As a beverage, each time we went, we got their mango lassi that is very good, and perfect if your mouth is on fire.
I like Desi Grub: it is not at the level of The Kati Roll Company that is few blocks away, but I find their Kati rolls pretty good and reasonably priced.
Enjoy (I did)!
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Desi Grub - 200 W 40th St, New York, NY 10018
Cannelle Patisserie, French Bakery in Long Island City
I sometimes go to a place and wish they were in my neighborhood. This is what happened with Cannelle, a French bakery located in Long Island City, where we went for Jodi's Popup Show. We had to go early to setup her art at the Rockaway Brewery Co and and I proposed to go have breakfast at Cannelle.
Cannelle Patisserie in Long Island City
I sometimes go to a place and wish they were in my neighborhood. This is what happened with Cannelle, a French bakery located in Long Island City, where we went for Jodi's Popup Show. We had to go early to setup her art at the Rockaway Brewery Co and and I proposed to go have breakfast at Cannelle.
Cannelle Patisserie in Long Island City
Cannelle Patisserie in Long Island City
We got a table, but, trust me, it was challenging as that place was quite busy in the morning. Of course, in that area, there are not that many options, but I also soon discovered that it was also probably because it was fantastic, very authentic.
Viennoiseries at Cannelle Patisserie in Long Island City
Here is what we had:
Chocolate croissant (flakey and buttery):
Chocolate croissant at Cannelle Patisserie in Long Island City
Pain viennois (reminds me when I was a kid and ate that with...butter):
Pain viennois at Cannelle Patisserie in Long Island City
Kouign Aman (a specialty from Brittany, think about croissant with more butter and sugar on the outside, caramelized):
Kouign Aman at Cannelle Patisserie in Long Island City
Lemon tart: alright, this was not for breakfast. We in fact went back in the afternoon, before the show, so I could get my coffee fix and I could not resist.
Lemon tart at Cannelle Patisserie in Long Island City
For beverages, Jodi got her tea, and I got a double espresso as well as a fresh squeezed orange juice.
Espresso at Cannelle Patisserie in Long Island City
Orange juice at Cannelle Patisserie in Long Island City
Everything was very good and traditional. They have a nice selection of pastries (damn, I saw too late they have a Mille-feuille), and sandwiches, although some of them were less classic like the chicken and Roquefort sandwich. Price wise, it was quite cheap compared to most of the French bakeries you find in New York City, the rent probably playing a big part of it. Overall, it was great. Considering that it is not too far from Manhattan (short distance by train), and the beautiful river front that is few blocks away, I cannot wait to go back there!
Enjoy (I did)!
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Cannelle - 5-11 47th Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101
Celebration event of Sushi Seki's placement in "Wine & Spirits Magazine- NYC 50"
This week, I was invited to a wonderful event at Sushi Seki Times Square, to celebrate the placement in Wine & Spirits Magazine - NYC 50 (where to eat and drink well in NYC right now). I have never been to that place, but, believe me: after what I have tried, I will surely go back, especially after trying some of the signature dishes of Chef Seki, that I wish I met that day.
Sushi Seki Times Square in NYC, NY
This week, I was invited to a wonderful event at Sushi Seki Times Square, to celebrate the placement in Wine & Spirits Magazine - NYC 50 (where to eat and drink well in NYC right now). I have never been to that place, but, believe me: after what I have tried, I will surely go back, especially after trying some of the signature dishes of Chef Seki, that I wish I met that day.
Here is what I had:
For beverages, this event was full of top producers, serving not only beer or sake, but also shochu, whiskey and champagne. For the latter, I knew already the Lanson brand as I remember that my grandfather used to buy it whenever we celebrated an event or a Holiday.
Bottles of Lanson Champagne at Sushi Seki Times Square in NYC, NY
Glass of Lanson Champagne at Sushi Seki Times Square in NYC, NY
There was also a wine-style sparkling cider from Cliffton Dry, a refreshing drink that had nice notes of pear, honey and citrus with a clean apple finish.
Clifton Dry Wine-style sparkling cider at Sushi Seki Times Square in NYC, NY
Cliffton Dry Wine-style sparkling cider at Sushi Seki Times Square in NYC, NY
They also proposed Shochu that I tried in a drink I will talk about in a few, as well as Japanese whiskey.
Japanese whiskey at Sushi Seki Times Square in NYC, NY
Shochu at Sushi Seki Times Square in NYC, NY
But, there was one table people could not miss: Sakeman! Well, there were two guys wearing masks that most of the people mistook for Mexican wrestlers because of the lucha libre inspired masks, but with a small difference: each character has a letter in the front, forming the word "sake" (I got to meet the "S" and "K").
Sakeman at Sushi Seki Times Square in NYC, NY
The cocktails I tried at Sushi Seki were fantastic: well balanced, not overly strong, and refreshing. The first one was called "Ringo Thyme", that is exclusively served at the Times Square location, made with the sparkling cider mentioned above.
Ringo thyme at Sushi Seki Times Square in NYC, NY
Ringo Thyme at Sushi Seki Times Square in NYC, NY
The second one of the Yuzu cocktail, made with shochu. shizo, yuzu honey and yukari salt. It was in fact my favorite.
Yuzu cocktail at Sushi Seki Times Square in NYC, NY
Yuzu cocktail at Sushi Seki Times Square in NYC, NY
Food wise, they served some delicious hors d'oeuvre, some of them like the tomato seared over salmon sushi being signature dishes. Here is what I could try:
Seared tomato over salmon sushi: a surprising combination that is like a Japanese bruschetta.
Seared tomato over salmon sushi at Sushi Seki Times Square in NYC, NY
Seared tomato over salmon sushi at Sushi Seki Times Square in NYC, NY
Hamachi sushi with jalapeño:
Hamachi sushi at Sushi Seki Times Square in NYC, NY
Hamachi sushi at Sushi Seki Times Square in NYC, NY
Yuzu miso cod:
Yuzu miso cod at Sushi Seki Times Square in NYC, NY
Chicken yakitori:
Chicken yakitori at Sushi Seki Times Square in NYC, NY
Chicken yakitori at Sushi Seki Times Square in NYC, NY
Soba noodles:
Soba noodles at Sushi Seki Times Square in NYC, NY
Soba noodles at Sushi Seki Times Square in NYC, NY
Gobo (burdock root):
Gobo at Sushi Seki Times Square in NYC, NY
Shrimp and lotus root:
Shrimp and lotus root at Sushi Seki Times Square in NYC, NY
Veggies with dashi and bonito flakes:
Veggies with dashi and bonito flakes at Sushi Seki Times Square in NYC, NY
Oysters:
Oysters at Sushi Seki Times Square in NYC, NY
Oyster at Sushi Seki Times Square in NYC, NY
Oysters at Sushi Seki Times Square in NYC, NY
The food at Sushi Seki was delicious and tasted fresh. This event definitely makes me want to go back and try some other dishes. I am not surprised Sushi Seki is named in Wine & Spirits: this is well deserved!
Enjoy (I did)!
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Sushi Seki Times Square - 365 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036
Untitled at The Whitney Museum
Our friends Jen and Gary wanted to go to the Whitney Museum and then have lunch at Untitled, the restaurant located on the first floor of the museum (art without a title is named "untitled"). I admit that I was not sure what to expect there, thinking that the food would probably be overpriced and subpar. I was wrong! At Untitled, Executive Chef Suzanne Cupps crafted a small contemporary American menu perfectly executed and served in a modern dining room with lots of light thanks to the floor to ceiling windows. And if you are curious like me, you can even observe the ballet happening in the open kitchen.
Untitled at The Whitney Museum, NYC, NY
Our friends Jen and Gary wanted to go to the Whitney Museum and then have lunch at Untitled, the restaurant located on the first floor of the museum (art without a title is named "untitled"). I admit that I was not sure what to expect there, thinking that the food would probably be overpriced and subpar. I was wrong! At Untitled, Executive Chef Suzanne Cupps crafted a small contemporary American menu perfectly executed and served in a modern dining room with lots of light thanks to the floor to ceiling windows. And if you are curious like me, you can even observe the ballet happening in the open kitchen.
Dining room at Untitled at The Whitney Museum, NYC, NY
Open kitchen at Untitled at The Whitney Museum, NYC, NY
Here is what we had:
Bread basket with butter (not sure what kind of bread it was, probably with cereal, but it was delicious and earthy):
Bread and butter at Untitled at The Whitney Museum, NYC, NY
Bread at Untitled at The Whitney Museum, NYC, NY
Butter at Untitled at The Whitney Museum, NYC, NY
Burger for me, made on a soft brioche roll, cheddar cheese and crispy onions. It was fantastic: juicy, very flavorful, I did not even need to add any ketchup on top of it. It came with roasted potatoes, aioli and another sauce that I cannot recall...
Burger at Untitled at The Whitney Museum, NYC, NY
Burger at Untitled at The Whitney Museum, NYC, NY
Burger at Untitled at The Whitney Museum, NYC, NY
Burger at Untitled at The Whitney Museum, NYC, NY
Jodi got the soft scrambled eggs served with cloumage cheese and grilled bread (she asked for it without the scallions). These were some of the best scrambled eggs I ever had: soft and very creamy.
Soft scrambled eggs at Untitled at The Whitney Museum, NYC, NY
Soft scrambled eggs at Untitled at The Whitney Museum, NYC, NY
Last, we were ready to get the check when Jen remembered that they serve a very good cookie. So we ended up with cookie and milk. And what a cookie! Chewy, very chocolatey with big blobs of chocolate and delightfully salty in some parts, it is on top of my list.
Cookie and milk at Untitled at The Whitney Museum, NYC, NY
Cookie at Untitled at The Whitney Museum, NYC, NY
Milk at Untitled at The Whitney Museum, NYC, NY
They also propose cocktails and beers, but I went for their spiced pear (quite good) and an espresso. Jodi went for a tea.
Spiced pear at Untitled at The Whitney Museum, NYC, NY
Overall, we had a great brunch at Untitled: although a bit pricey, they serve a delicious brunch in a nice atmosphere. But if you go, I recommend the burger and the cookie: that will do it!
Enjoy (I did)!
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Untitled - Whitney Museum, 99 Gansevoort Street, New York, NY 10014
Banh Mi at Co Ba in NYC, NY
As we were walking in Chelsea, we stumbled upon Co Ba, a small Vietnamese restaurant and decided to have lunch there to try their banh mi, a Vietnamese sandwich made with a French baguette.
Co Ba is not that big, quite narrow in the back, with a simple but nice decor.
Co Ba in Chelsea, NYC
As we were walking in Chelsea, we stumbled upon Co Ba, a small Vietnamese restaurant and decided to have lunch there to try their banh mi, a Vietnamese sandwich made with a French baguette.
Co Ba is not that big, quite narrow in the back, with a simple but nice decor.
Dining room at Co Ba in Chelsea, NYC
They offer a menu with various Vietnamese specialties such as pho, but also some that seem to be a fusion, like the Co Ba tacos. But, as we had plans for dessert, we decided to stick with the banh mi. Jodi went for the banh mi chay, the sole vegetarian sandwich, made with tofu and shiitake mushrooms.
Banh mi Chay at Co Ba in Chelsea, NYC
Banh Mi Chay at Co Ba in Chelsea, NYC
On my side, I ordered the banh mi thit composed of cold cuts and chicken liver pate.
Banh Mi Thit at Co Ba in Chelsea, NYC
Banh Mi Thit at Co Ba in Chelsea, NYC
Interestingly, the sandwiches come with jalapeño, but they were served on the side (Jodi asked for hers without). These sandwiches were just ok, having more bread than anything else and in fact a bread with a thick crust that was dry because slightly overlooked.
As a drink, we tried their special made with fresh squeezed lemon juice, kumquat and mint, a quite refreshing beverage.
Signature drink at Co Ba in Chelsea, NYC
Overall it was disappointing. If you want to eat a banh mi, Co Ba would definitely not be a first choice. In fact I would go to Banh Mi Saigon Bakery that is fantastic!
Enjoy (I did)!
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Co Ba - 110 9th Avenue, New York, NY10011
BXL Cafe in NYC, NY
Menu wise, they have some interesting items, going from traditional (like the chicons or moules frites) to classic American like their burger. For our appetizer, we decided to go with the croquettes aux truffes that were quite delicious, the golden brown outside being very slightly crispy, enveloping a nice and gooey mushroom filling.
BXL Cafe in NYC, NY
A lot of people have this idea that restaurants too close to Times Square care more about foot traffic than satisfying a hungry crowd mainly made of tourists. BXL Cafe is not one of them. This Belgian restaurant (BXL is for Brussels) opened in 2004, offering a good selection of beers, like the Stella Artois I ordered.
Stella Artois beer at BXL Cafe in NYC, NY
Stella Artois beer at BXL Cafe in NYC, NY
Menu wise, they have some interesting items, going from traditional (like the chicons or moules frites) to classic American like their burger. For our appetizer, we decided to go with the croquettes aux truffes that were quite delicious, the golden brown outside being very slightly crispy, enveloping a nice and gooey mushroom filling.
Croquettes aux truffes at BXL Cafe in NYC, NY
Croquettes aux truffes at BXL Cafe in NYC, NY
For her entree, Jodi went for the salade de chèvre chaud or goat cheese salad that was good, the cheese being delightfully sweet, thanks to the honey they poured on top of it.
Salade de chevre chaud at BXL Cafe in NYC, NY
On my side, I went for the moules frites and chose the vin blanc et crème (white wine and cream mussels and fries). It came in a large pot with the lid used for the shells. There was a good quantity of it and the mussels, smothered in a delicious sauce, were of a nice size.
Moules vin blanc et creme at BXL Cafe in NYC, NY
Moules vin blanc et creme at BXL Cafe in NYC, NY
It was simply delicious and I dipped my fries in the sauce, ditching the mayonnaise that came with it.
French fries at BXL Cafe in NYC, NY
For dessert, we went for the Belgian waffle that was a bit disappointing, not as good as the ones you get at Wafels and Dinges.
Belgian waffle at BXL Cafe in NYC, NY
Belgian waffle at BXL Cafe in NYC, NY
Although dessert was not great, I had a nice meal at BXL Cafe, a good spot if you are looking for a place to eat near Times Square or simply want to grab a good beer.
Enjoy (I did)!
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BXL Cafe - 125 West 43rd Street, New York, NY10036
Wafels and Dinges in the East Village
We were going to an art gallery on my birthday and stumbled upon Wafels and Dinges, an outpost of the now famous Belgian waffle truck (more than a truck today...). Nice place with the yellow color being omnipresent, and with various waffle makers hanging around.
Wafels and Dinges in the East Village, NYC, NY
We were going to an art gallery on my birthday and stumbled upon Wafels and Dinges, an outpost of the now famous Belgian waffle truck (more than a truck today...). Nice place with the yellow color being omnipresent, and with various waffle makers hanging around.
Direction to Wafels and Dinges in the East Village, NYC, NY
Kitchen at Wafels and Dinges in the East Village, NYC, NY
Breakfast promotion at Wafels and Dinges in the East Village, NYC, NY
Dining room at Wafels and Dinges in the East Village, NYC, NY
We wanted to try their two kinds of waffles, the Brussels one and the Liege one, but they mentioned to us that they only had the latter, that was weird and prompted me to think that they probably get the batter delivered instead of making it on site. So we got the Liege waffle that was quite good, light and chewy, that we simply ordered with sugar and a side of strawberries. We could have gone crazy as we could have added an insane amount of toppings, from Nutella to whipped cream, without forgetting speculoos, a paste that some people find addictive, not me.
Liege waffle at Wafels and Dinges in the East Village, NYC, NY
Liege waffle at Wafels and Dinges in the East Village, NYC, NY
Although, I took few speculoos cookies that were offered in a basket.
Speculoos cookies at Wafels and Dinges in the East Village, NYC, NY
As they did not have the Brussels waffle, I decided to try instead a banana and Nutella milkshake that was very good.
Banana and nutella milkshake at Wafels and Dinges in the East Village, NYC, NY
Banana and nutella milkshake at Wafels and Dinges in the East Village, NYC, NY
We also got an espresso (double, although small) and a tea for Jodi.
Espresso and tea at Wafels and Dinges in the East Village, NYC, NY
It was good. I just wished that they had the two kinds of waffles so I could have compared each of them. I guess it means that I will have to go back to Wafels and Dinges...
Enjoy (I did)!
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Wafels and Dinges - 15 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009
Porter House in NYC, NY
It has been a while since we wanted to go back to Porter House, the fancy steakhouse located in the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle. We went there three years ago for a lunch during Restaurant Week and promised ourselves that we we will go back for dinner one day. That day had come. We went on a Friday and I could not believe how packed this place was. I wished we had a table next to the windows so we could have a view of Columbus Circle, but unfortunately, it was not possible.
Porter House in NYC, NY
It has been a while since we wanted to go back to Porter House, the fancy steakhouse located in the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle. We went there three years ago for a lunch during Restaurant Week and promised ourselves that we we will go back for dinner one day. That day had come. We went on a Friday and I could not believe how packed this place was. I wished we had a table next to the windows so we could have a view of Columbus Circle, but unfortunately, it was not possible. We got a good table though, if it was not for our neighbor who had a tendency to comment on every dish we ordered, with some sort of admiration for the "unhealthy choices" we ordered. As I told him: when you are in a steakhouse, you have to go all in. I do not see a point in ordering a huge steak and go for steamed broccoli...
Bar area at Porter House in NYC, NY
Dining room at Porter House in NYC, NY
Instead of going for wine, I decided to check their signature cocktails and chose to go for their Gentleman's bet, made with Rittenhouse rye, Aperol, Lustau Oloroso sherry, and Dolin Rouge vermouth, a nice bitter drink that I really liked.
Gentleman's bet cocktail at Porter House in NYC, NY
Gentleman's bet cocktail at Porter House in NYC, NY
As we were still looking at the menu, they brought us some cheese bread (addictive) with some orange butter that I tried but did not like. I thought that was it in terms of bread, but, then, a guy came with a selection of bread and asked us to pick one (or as many as we wanted as our other neighboring table did). I went for the white bread and Jodi with the sourdough, both being quite good.
Cheese bread at Porter House in NYC, NY
White bread at Porter House in NYC, NY
Orange butter at Porter House in NYC, NY
Sourdough bread at Porter House in NYC, NY
For appetizer, instead of my usual crab cakes, I decided to go with the bone marrow that is a delicacy I wish I could see more often on restaurants' menus. This one was served with chanterelles (nice amount), an herb salad I could not care less for and some country bread. It was a nice piece and I was in heaven, loving the fattiness and texture of the bone marrow that was delicious with the bread or even the mushrooms that I shared with Jodi.
Bone marrow at Porter House in NYC, NY
Bone marrow at Porter House in NYC, NY
For steaks, they have a nice choice and I could have ordered my favorite cut, the ribeye, if I did not realize it was rubbed with chili. I hate rubs because I think that they tend to overpower what is probably a nice piece of meat. So, we finally decided to go for the porterhouse for two ("You're my hero!" said my neighbor astonished by the fact that I first had bone marrow and now a porterhouse, although not just for myself, Jodi probably eating 20% of it...).
Porterhouse steak at Porter House in NYC, NY
Porterhouse steak at Porter House in NYC, NY
We ordered the steak medium-rare and I thought it was perfectly cooked, tender, juicy, with a delicious char. Both cuts (filet mignon and the NY strip) were so good, I had to remember that we absolutely wanted to order dessert.
Porterhouse steak at Porter House in NYC, NY
As a side, we decided to go for their buttermilk onion rings that were very good, slightly greasy and of a good size.
Buttermilk onion rings at Porter House in NYC, NY
Last was desserts. We ordered two as we both saw on the menu some of our favorite dishes. The South Carolina Coconut cake for Jodi:
South Carolina coconut cake at Porter House in NYC, NY
The banana cream pie for me:
Banana cream pie at Porter House in NYC, NY
Both desserts were good, but my preference went to the banana cream pie that was sublime, although I wished the crust was buttery. Otherwise, I found it on the light side, not too sweet and a good way to think that I was eating fruit after such a meal.
This was a great feast and, although on the pricey side, I consider Porter House one of the best steakhouses in the City. I think that Chef and owner Michael Lomonaco created a spot that is truly heaven for meat lovers. And if you are vegetarian, do not worry, they have several dishes for you!
Enjoy (I did)!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
Porter House - Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Circle, 4th Floor, NY 10019
Lunch at The Grand Central Oyster Bar
On a weekday, Jodi and I decided to have lunch at Grand central Oyster Bar, a place I always wanted to try. We went for a late lunch and, when we arrived, this place was packed and noisy. Fortunately, half way to our meal, people started to leave. This is an amazing place, benefiting from the beautiful architecture of the famous train station.
Grand Central Oyster Bar in NYC, NY
On a weekday, Jodi and I decided to have lunch at Grand central Oyster Bar, a place I always wanted to try. We went for a late lunch and, when we arrived, this place was packed and noisy. Fortunately, half way to our meal, people started to leave. This is an amazing place, benefiting from the beautiful architecture of the famous train station.
Dining room at Grand Central Oyster Bar in NYC, NY
Menu wise, they mainly serve seafood and a vegetarian would have limited choices there. But, definitely, if you are a seafood lover, you will have a wise range of dishes, including the catch of the day. I started my meal with a New England clam chowder that was too creamy and did not have much clam in it: disappointing start.
New England clam chowder at Grand Central Oyster Bar in NYC, NY
New England clam chowder at Grand Central Oyster Bar in NYC, NY
Then, I got a lobster roll, the dish I was looking forward to try in this place. Served with cole slaw and sweet potato chips, it came on a brioche roll that was delicious, soft and airy. The problem was the unbalanced amount of bread and lobster, the latter being smothered by mayonnaise and therefor overpowered by bread and sauce. It was just ok for me.
Lobster roll at Grand Central Oyster Bar in NYC, NY
Lobster roll at Grand Central Oyster Bar in NYC, NY
Sweet potato chips at Grand Central Oyster Bar in NYC, NY
Lobster roll at Grand Central Oyster Bar in NYC, NY
Lobster roll at Grand Central Oyster Bar in NYC, NY
Cole slaw at Grand Central Oyster Bar in NYC, NY
Jodi went for the Niçoise salad that was made with a big eye tuna that was perfectly cooked rare.
Salade niçoise at Grand Central Oyster Bar in NYC, NY
Salade niçoise at Grand Central Oyster Bar in NYC, NY
Overall, I was disappointed by the Oyster Bar, expecting better from this place. Overpriced, I think there are better options for lunch at Grand Central and, if like me you want to have a good lobster roll, Luke's Lobster or Cull and Pistol in Chelsea Market will be much better choices.
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Oyster Bar - Grand Central Terminal, 89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017
Le Grainne Cafe in Chelsea
We were leisurely walking in Chelsea when we saw Le Grainne Cafe, a French restaurant that was packed for a late Saturday brunch (when we arrived for sure, the restaurant emptying as we left). You would think that the name is French, but in fact not really. Yes, there is a word for grain that is very close to that (La Graine), but in fact, Grainne is the name of the Irish owner of the restaurant.
Le Grainne Cafe in Chelsea
We were leisurely walking in Chelsea when we saw Le Grainne Cafe, a French restaurant that was packed for a late Saturday brunch (when we arrived for sure, the restaurant emptying as we left). You would think that the name is French, but in fact not really. Yes, there is a word for grain that is very close to that (La Graine), but in fact, Grainne is the name of the Irish owner of the restaurant.
The start of the meal was perfect, with some escargots that were delicious. I was not sure though why they gave me the utensil to hold the shell as there was...no shell!
Escargots at Le Grainne Cafe in Chelsea
Escargots at Le Grainne Cafe in Chelsea
Escargots at Le Grainne Cafe in Chelsea
Escargots at Le Grainne Cafe in Chelsea
It was not served with bread and I asked for some that took a very long time to come, to the point that I had to remind the waiter as he proceeded to remove the plate. Thank God, I was faster than him because that butter sauce is so divine, you cannot leave a bit of it and have to dip some bread in it.
Escargots at Le Grainne Cafe in Chelsea
Next was the ham and cheese crepe, served with a salad. I was excited as they had a nice selection and was also set to try their butter & sugar one for dessert. Well, I quickly removed that idea from my mind as the crepe was passable. Not only the batter, overcooked, was not great, but on top of that, they put too much pepper in it. Too bad, because at least there was a lot of ham and cheese in it. I sucked it up as it took forever for the food to come and I was not really in the mood to wait another 30 minutes. I could not believe that they would do such a bad job: crepes are fairly easy to make!
Ham and cheese crepe at Le Grainne Cafe in Chelsea
Jodi fortunately did not choose a crepe and went for the salad Nicoise, made with Ahi tuna (the original recipe is canned tuna). I though that that salad looked a bit sad, with a small portion of tuna that I do not think was high grade, just a little bit of tomato and no egg as the staff forgot them, surprising considering that it was a $19 salad.
Salade Nicoise at Le Grainne Cafe in Chelsea
For beverages, Jodi got and Orangina (carbonated orange drink quite popular in France) and I got their lemonade that was just ok.
Orangina at Le Grainne Cafe in Chelsea
Citron presse at Le Grainne Cafe in Chelsea
We left very disappointed and between the food and the very, very slow service, it was for sure not a meal I would remember...positively. Yes, next time, I will pass on Le Grainne Cafe!
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Le Grainne Cafe - 183 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011