I Just Want To Eat! 6/19/17 I Just Want To Eat! 6/19/17

New Opening: Junior's on 49th and Broadway

Junior's has a new location and I could not resist to go there few days after their opening! I love Junior's and I am glad they opened other locations, not only in New York in fact as they opened at Boca Raton in Florida. So, the new location on 49th street and Broadway is quite big, looking more modern that its sister a couple of blocks away, with the feel of a modern deli, keeping the vibrant orange theme omnipresent.

Dining room at Junior's on 49th St. and Broadway, NYC

Counter at Junior's on 49th St. and Broadway, NYC

Food wise, there is no surprise there as they serve a full menu with classics that made their success, the cheesecakes being of course their number one seller. And if you do not want to dine there, you can just grab one at their takeout counter located right at the entrance.

Grab and go at Junior's on 49th St. and Broadway, NYC

We went on a Saturday, quite early and were surprised how crowded this place was. They first proposed us to sit at the counter but we preferred a table that we got without even waiting. After ordering, they brought us some pickled beets as well as cabbage and sour pickles that were quite good.

Pickled beets at Junior's on 49th St. and Broadway, NYC

Sour pickles and pickled cabbage at Junior's on 49th St. and Broadway, NYC

I also ordered a Dr. Brown's root beer, a bit tempted by their milkshakes, but thinking that it would be too much with the cheesecake I was planning to get for dessert.

Dr Brown root beer at Junior's on 49th St. and Broadway, NYC

Jodi ordered a matzo ball soup (always delicious there)

Matzo ball soup at Junior's on 49th St. and Broadway, NYC

As well as a Greek salad.

Greek salad at Junior's on 49th St. and Broadway, NYC

On my side, I ordered their pastrami reuben that I admit could have had a bit more cheese and sauerkraut, but was delicious, delightfully messy from the fat dripping from the thick layer of meat and the generous amount of Russian dressing I put on top of the pastrami. I also loved the crunchiness of the toasted bread that gave a nice contrast to the softness of the meat.

Pastrami reuben at Junior's on 49th St. and Broadway, NYC

Last was the long awaited cheesecake (plain) that is always fantastic and that I consider the best: smooth, dense and creamy.

Cheesecake at Junior's on 49th St. and Broadway, NYC

I love Junior's and was once again not disappointed!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Junior's - 1626 Broadway, New York, New York 10019

I Just Want To Eat! 6/18/17 I Just Want To Eat! 6/18/17

Uncle Jack's Steakhouse in Midtown West - Closed

This week, I was invited at Uncle Jack's, the famous steakhouse from TV personality William Degel who was a steakhouse owner before going on TV rather than just investing in a restaurant thinking that your name solely will bring patrons. Lots of celebrities who invest in the restaurant industry have no clue what the day to day of a restaurant is; it is not the case with William Degel who is fully immersed in the process, even sometimes hand picking the meat from his purveyors who are mainly in Omaha, Nebraska, probably less now that he is busy with his career and multiple restaurants. I went to their location Midtown West that opened back in 2004 and it was not the first time as it was one of the first steakhouse I reviewed after starting my blog in 2011.

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

Uncle Jack's Steakhouse in Midtown West , NYC

Dining room at Uncle Jack's Steakhouse in Midtown West , NYC

Beef parts at Uncle Jack's Steakhouse in Midtown West , NYC

Bull's head at Uncle Jack's Steakhouse in Midtown West , NYC

They invited us for a tasting that was amazing, allowing us to try several of their dishes, some very popular and, as you will see, some classics but also some more surprising dishes in this kind of establishment as they had...Asian flavors.

At Uncle Jack's, they have an extensive wine list, but I decided to go with a classic Manhattan, a cocktail I love and would love even more if these martini glasses did not exist! I don't know about you, but I always find the first sips difficult with these glasses, especially as they are usually filled up to the top, most of the time ending up with some cocktail on my fingers. But I managed and really liked it, including the cherry that was in it, completely soaked with alcohol.

Classic Manhattan cocktail at Uncle Jack's Steakhouse in Midtown West , NYC

The first dish was shrimp and lobster dumplings with a lemongrass broth that I would have probably more associated to a Thai restaurant. It was pretty good, the dumpling being well made and the broth being quite tasty, not spicy.

Shrimp and lobster dumpling at Uncle Jack's Steakhouse in Midtown West , NYC

The second dish was a maple glazed Nueske bacon served with peanut butter and a hint of chipotle. This was an incredible dish and probably one of the best bacon dishes I ever had! Most of the time, restaurant will just serve the bacon without any sauce and you can add some steak sauce. At Uncle Jack's, they stand up by giving a dish full of flavor: smokiness of the bacon, the sweet and savory dimension given by the maple syrup that has deliciously caramelized, and the nuttiness of the peanut butter. All combined, it gives you a spectacular dish that I highly recommend.

Maple glazed Nueske bacon at Uncle Jack's Steakhouse in Midtown West , NYC

The third dish was lamb "lollipop" chops that had a panko crust and were served with a rosemary and garlic demi-glace. The chops were "frenched" meaning that the bone was cleaned up, giving the appearance of the lollipop, and the panko crust gave a bit of the crunch right before biting into the tender and juicy meat.

Lamb lollipop chops at Uncle Jack's Steakhouse in Midtown West , NYC

The fourth dish was buffalo mozzarella salad served with a 25 y/o balsamic vinegar reduction. I admit that this is not really a dish I would order when going to a steakhouse, preferring more bacon or crab cakes. But in fact I liked it, especially because of the mozzarella that was very good and not rubbery at all, and because of the generous amount of basil.

Buffalo mozzarella salad at Uncle Jack's Steakhouse in Midtown West , NYC

But what I was really looking for the the NY "Trump" steak. Yes, you read well. I asked why they called it this way and got in a nutshell few reasons:

Proximity of the Trump tower and the fact that the Trump Campaign came often to dine at Uncle Jack's.
The support to Donald Trump from the owner.

The person who told me that jokingly said that it is easy to identify President Trump supporters from non-supporters by the way they order that piece of meat, using either Strip or Trump.

NY "Trump" strip steak at Uncle Jack's Steakhouse in Midtown West , NYC

Anyway, when it came to the table, that steak looked fabulous. It was a 16oz NY strip, USDA Prime, that was cooked in its jus in an 1800 degree Fahrenheit infrared broiler that gives a nice char to it. The meat was very tender, flavorful and juicy with just enough fat. It was simply phenomenal. I should mention that they propose this beautiful steak in 8oz, 12oz and 16oz making a steak dinner affordable considering how prices are today.

With the steak, we tried few sides:

Brussels sprouts with a chili glaze:

Brussels sprouts at Uncle Jack's Steakhouse in Midtown West , NYC

Garlic Mash potatoes:

Mash potatoes at Uncle Jack's Steakhouse in Midtown West , NYC

5 cheese mac and cheese (gouda, american, parmesan, cheddar and swiss):

5 cheese mac and cheese at Uncle Jack's Steakhouse in Midtown West , NYC

They were all good, but my favorite was the mac and cheese that was delicious, with so much cheese in it!

Dessert sampler at Uncle Jack's Steakhouse in Midtown West , NYC

Last was dessert and we got a sampler composed of a pecan pie (my favorite), a tiramisu and chocolate mousse. At that point, I was just looking forward for the walk we would have after leaving the restaurant. We had a great time and the food at Uncle Jack's was superb. It is definitely on top of my list when it comes to steakhouses in New York and stayed consistent over the years.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Uncle Jack's Steakhouse - 44 West 56th St. NY, NY 10019

I Just Want To Eat! 6/16/17 I Just Want To Eat! 6/16/17

Long Island City Flea & Food Market

Jodi had a pop up show in Long Island City, right across from the LIC Flea and Food Market. As we finished setting up her paintings and were looking for a place to eat, I proposed to go there. It was really my first time in this area and I was really impressed by the neighborhood, especially the river bank with its huge Pepsi Co. sign that you can see from the East side of Manhattan.

I love markets because of the diversity of food you can find there, although some of them like Smorgasburg, are getting a bit too crowded. We wandered around the market and our first pick was Empanada Papa, a place that sold...empanadas.

Empanada Papa at LIC Flea and Food Market

Empanadas from Empanada Papa at LIC Flea and Food Market

We chose the cheese and buffalo chicken empanadas. Both were quite good, the empanadas having lots of tasting filling in it and being nicely crispy. However, my favorite was the buffalo chicken one that had a nice kick.

Next was Butcher Bar from Astoria that was proposing BBQ. I could not resist! First, I observed them serving patrons and my appetite increased as I saw them pulling the pork with their hands, so easily. And then I saw the brisket with its nice char: it looked juicy and fatty. So, I decided to try some. They cooked it for 12 hours in a BBQ pit that you could see in the back after applying a dry rub. I ordered it with some slaw that was delicious, but nothing compared with that fantastic brisket: it was so good! Tender, juicy and fatty, I loved the burnt ends. I really need to go check out that place.

Butcher Bar BBQ at LIC Flea and Food Market

Smoker from Butcher Bar BBQ at LIC Flea and Food Market

Brisket being served at Butcher Bar BBQ at LIC Flea and Food Market

Brisket at Butcher Bar BBQ at LIC Flea and Food Market

Brisket and cole slaw at Butcher Bar BBQ at LIC Flea and Food Market

With the brisket, we got some lemonade that was quite refreshing.

Brisket and lemonade from Butcher Bar BBQ at LIC Flea and Food Market

Then, we wanted something sweet and ended up at Enzo Le Beau, a place serving crepes and waffles. I wanted a butter and sugar crepe, my favorite: simple but so good. Unfortunately, they did not have anymore butter (what? Who does not plan for butter when serving crepes?) and I did not want any of those heavy crepes with too many toppings. No, simplicity was fine for me. So I asked for a waffle with sugar. What I did not foresee was that they use the same batter for crepes and waffles. Sacrilege! These are two different items and of course, the texture of the waffle was off, being way too light and a bit bland. Anyway, we just tried bit of it as the wind took care of the rest...

Enzo Le Beau at LIC Flea and Food Market

Waffle in the making at Enzo Le Beau at LIC Flea and Food Market

Waffle from Enzo Le Beau at LIC Flea and Food Market

I admit that I was still hungry after that and so, we finally decided to get a Mozzarepa, a dish that you can often find in street fairs, that is made of two arepas, these corn based "pancakes") and mozzarella. They are cooked on a griddle and the best part is when the cheese is burnt on the outside. We got this delicious item at Chuzos, an Ecuadorian stall.

Mozzarepas cooking on a griddle at Chuzos at LIC Flea and Food Market

Mozzarepas from Chuzos at LIC Flea and Food Market

I liked the market, but know that, like many of these places, you will not find healthy food there, but more items that are in the category of guilty pleasures...

Enjoy (I did)!

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

LIC Flea & Food Market - 21-52 44th Drive, Hunters Point, New York City, NY 11101

I Just Want To Eat! 6/14/17 I Just Want To Eat! 6/14/17

Birch Hoboken: better than Black Tap Burger?

Each time we come back from Europe, there is one meal I want to have: burger! And we decided to go to Birch Hoboken, a place that opened two months ago. With a concept similar to Black Tap Burger, I was really curious to see how they would measure up and I was not disappointed: the food at Birch Hoboken is way better than Black Tap. The burgers are tastier and better cooked (I asked for medium and I got a juicy medium patty) and the milkshakes are not a big mess. The only complaint with Birch Hoboken is the music: loud. I would understand for dinner as this is also a lounge, but for brunch? And when I say loud, it is loud. I think they are making a mistake: yes, loud music might get you attention, but it will scare away families who would come to indulge in these fantastic milkshakes they propose.

Here is what we got there:

For burgers, I decided to go with the Cheese Lovers Burger, composed of Monterey Jack cheese, provolone and a white truffle cheese sauce (you could definitely smell and taste the truffle that was not overwhelming). When you order your burger, you can ask for either prime beef or kobe. I went for the latter, although I admit that I could not taste the difference...But for two more dollars, it was a no brainer. I liked the rustic way of presenting the burgers, on a fake newspaper sheet (the bottom was from a Cuban newspaper and the paper sheet for the fries was from...France! The burger was made with a delicious brioche bread that was branded with the name of the restaurant. It definitely had a lot of cheese and I have to say that the first bite and the subsequent ones were divine. The Pat La Frieda patty was juicy and tasty, and the cheese was oozing from the burger. There was so much cheese that it was definitely a burger for cheese lovers.

Cheese Lovers burger at Birch Hoboken, NJ

Jodi went for the veggie burger and added a slice of avocado to it. It looked really good and was delicious: you could definitely taste black beans in it. Good, but not to the point where I regretted to order my burger...

The fries were shoestring, perfectly cooked, but could have been a bit crispier.

Of course, I could not leave without trying their milkshakes and ordered the "Give me S'mores" one. It was quite big and looked spectacular. The sides of the cup had a chocolate rim with cookie crumbles and Hershey's chocolate pieces. On top were marshmallows, toasted s'mores and Graham crackers. The milkshake itself was a chocolate one.

It was overall quite good: the burger and the milkshake being delicious. They have other burgers like the French onion that look succulent or you can build your own. For milkshakes, if you are not into the crazy ones, you can get a simple with just whipped cream on top...

Birch Hoboken is a nice addition to the city and I would definitely go back there, but not in the evening...

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Birch Hoboken - 92 RIVER STREET, HOBOKEN NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 6/12/17 I Just Want To Eat! 6/12/17

Mumbai Masala Indian Grill in Harlem

Opened June 1st by veteran restaurateurs Salim Rahman (Tajmahal, Bay Leaf, Tikka Indian Grill) and Amin Ruhel (Tripti, Dipali), Mumbai Masala Indian Grill is a new eatery in the Hamilton Heights and Sugar Hill areas of New York City. I am always excited to try new restaurants, even more when they just opened and our visit at Mumbai Masala Indian Grill did not disappoint us.

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

Dining room at Mumbai Masala Indian Grill in Harlem

I like the feel of the restaurant that has a certain warmth, thanks to the exposed brick and admired the handmade lotus flower lamps and the large photos on one of the walls that added a touch of exoticism. The interesting thing about the three large photos in the dining room is their meaning: first you get women in a market in Mumbai, then spices (masala) and then rickshaw in Dhaka, the capital of Bengladesh (Salim told me he is from there).

Papadam at Mumbai Masala Indian Grill in Harlem

Menu wise, you get an array of dishes from all over India. They started off by bringing us some papadam with red onion, green and tamarind sauce. I never had a papadam like this: it was very light and literally melting in my mouth. With it we had some lassi: sweet for Jodi, mango for me, the latter being my favorite.

Sweet lassi at Mumbai Masala Indian Grill in Harlem

Mango lassi at Mumbai Masala Indian Grill in Harlem

For appetizers, we tried two dishes. The first one was chili gobi, some cauliflower with onions and bell pepper. This was fantastic: it was like a sweet and sour vegetarian dish. At that point, I should mention that Salim explained to us that most of their food is not precooked; it might be marinated, but not precooked, so, compared to other places, it may take more time to come, but also, it probably allows them to adjust the amount of spiciness to a level expected by their customers.

Chili gobi at Mumbai Masala Indian Grill in Harlem

The second appetizer was samosa chaat, a street food dish that is sweet and savory, and so refreshing, with some bits of crispy samosa shell, chickpeas, tamarind, yogurt and chutneys.

Samosa chaat at Mumbai Masala Indian Grill in Harlem

Then came the entrees and it was a festival of flavors. First was the tandoor veg (smaller size for us as we were trying several dishes). It was composed of paneer, as well as grilled vegetables, cooked in a tandoor oven. A pretty good dish with a nice grill flavor.

Tandoor veg at Mumbai Masala Indian Grill in Harlem

Then, two different dal that they offer as main dishes or sides: dal makhni (black lentils in a creamy sauce that have been slow cooked) and dal tadka (yellow lentils with cumin and coriander).

Dal tadka at Mumbai Masala Indian Grill in Harlem

Dal Makhni at Mumbai Masala Indian Grill in Harlem

I am not sure which one I preferred, both being fantastic: tasty, creamy, they were amazing with some of the bread we had (luchi, a deep fried bread, and plain naan brushed with butter).

Yuchi at Mumbai Masala Indian Grill in Harlem

Plain naan bread at Mumbai Masala Indian Grill in Harlem

Then, the main entree was chicken tikka masala, one of my favorite Indian dishes. It was really good: creamy, the chicken was perfectly cooked.

Chicken tikka masala at Mumbai Masala Indian Grill in Harlem

Last was dessert. Not surprisingly, I got gulab jamun, milk balls that are deep fried and then dipped in a sugar syrup:

Gulab jamun at Mumbai Masala Indian Grill in Harlem

And kheer that is rice pudding.

Kheer at Mumbai Masala Indian Grill in Harlem

It was overall a fantastic meal: the food at Mumbai Masala Indian Grill is very good and I truly appreciated that it was not overly spicy, yet very flavorful. They have a nice choice of dishes that would satisfy non-vegetarian, vegetarian as well as vegan diners. It is a nice place, located in an area where people never think about going when looking for dining options. Well, now you have a good reason to go there!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Mumbai Masala Indian Grill - 1768 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10031

I Just Want To Eat! 6/11/17 I Just Want To Eat! 6/11/17

Grilling University with McCormick

This week, was in a way BBQ week: before going to the Big Apple BBQ Block Party, I was in fact invited to a wonderful evening at the Grilling University by McCormick where I learned a lot about grilling technics. If you cook, whether you have a grill or not, you probably stumbled upon products from McCormick and you might have some in your kitchen. Well, I do.

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

This was an event full of food, cocktails and interesting tips from professionals. We started off with Executive Chef Kevan Vetter who had the hard task to teach people how to grill fish and vegetables, not the first things you would think off when thinking about grilling.

Executive Chef Kevan Vetter at The Grilling University with McCormick

Executive Chef Kevan Vetter preparing fish at The Grilling University with McCormick

Executive Chef Kevan Vetter cooking fish at The Grilling University with McCormick

Applewood rub used by Executive Chef Kevan Vetter at The Grilling University

Vegetables cooked on the grill by Chef Kevan Vetter at Executive Chef Kevan Vetter preparing fish at The Grilling University with McCormick

There was Chef Myron Mixon, aka the “winningest man in barbecue” who has been four times world BBQ champion. And do not tell him that grilling is not BBQ! We talked a bit and when I told him that what we call barbecue in France is grilling, he said: "when you go back to France, tell them that there is an old guy in America that is telling them that grilling is barbecue". He made some amazing hanger steak for us that was marinated in a Brazilian steakhouse sauce from McCormick and explained how to position the charcoal on the grill and its effect on the cooking process.

Chef Myron Mixon at The Grilling University with McCormick

Chef Myron Mixon using a Brazilian steakhouse marinade at The Grilling University with McCormick

Chef Myron Mixon cooking a hanger steak at The Grilling University with McCormick

Then, we got a demo from Chef James Briscione, 2 time Chopped champion and Rocky Stubblefield, grandson of Christopher B. Stubblefield, aka Stubb, creator behind Stubb’s Legendary Bar-B-Q Sauce, who made some pork and chicken. One of the useful tips given was to always let the rub on the meat sit for a bit because if you immediately put the meat on the grill, the rub will fall off.

Chef James Briscione and Rocky Stubblefied at The Grilling University with McCormick

Stubb's BBQ sauce at The Grilling University with McCormick

At the same time we had these demos, we also had some amazing food, featuring some of McCormick's products. Here is what I tried:

Delicious food at The Grilling University with McCormick

Watermelon caprese skewer (made with Grill Mates Limited Edition Basil Balsamic Veggie Marinade Mix):

Watermelon caprese skewer at The Grilling University with McCormick

Grilled Indian spiced flatbread: (made with McCormick turmeric, ground cumin and crushed red pepper):

Grilled Indian spiced flatbread at The Grilling University with McCormick

Mojito lime shrimp and mango grilled pizza (made with Grill Mates Mojito lime marinade):

Mojito lime shrimp and mango grilled pizza at The Grilling University with McCormick

Pineapple steaks with toasted coconut (made with Grill Mates Island woodfire grill marinade):

Pineapple steaks with toasted coconut at The Grilling University with McCormick

Grilled vegetable antipasto bruschetta (made with Grill Mates garlic, herb and wine marinade):

Grilled vegetable antipasto bruschetta at The Grilling University with McCormick

Smoked chicken with white BBQ sauce (made with Grill Mates Applewood Rub):

Smoked chicken with white BBQ sauce at The Grilling University with McCormick

Brown sugar bourbon pork tenderloin with grilled peaches (made with Grill Mates brown sugar bourbon marinade mix):

Brown sugar bourbon pork tenderloin with grilled peaches at The Grilling University with McCormick

Grilled cabbage steak with bacon and blue cheese (made with Grill Mates Smoky Applewood Marinade):

Grilled cabbage steak with bacon and blue cheese at The Grilling University with McCormick

Dessert was Zatarain's berry cornbread cake with peppered whipped cream:

Zatarain's berry cornbread cake with peppered whipped cream at The Grilling University with McCormick

For drinks, there was a smoky margarita (made with McCormick Sicilian sea salt and smoked paprika):

Smoky margarita at The Grilling University with McCormick

As well as a Frozé pops or frozen rosé pops made with McCormick vanilla extract, raspberry extract and pure lime extract:

Frozé pop at The Grilling University with McCormick

It was a great event where I learned a lot about one of the most popular cooking method in the US. And in fact, even if you do not have a grill, you get some good tips, as well as good ideas to prepare succulent meals with all the condiments McCormick offers. So, time to start cooking!

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! 6/10/17 I Just Want To Eat! 6/10/17

The Big Apple BBQ Block Party -June 10/11th 2017

Today I feasted at the Big Apple BBQ Block Party at Madison Square Park, an annual celebration of BBQ. Yes, if you are vegetarian, no need to bother: this is not for you as choices are extremely limited. The Big Apple BBQ Block Party is for meat lovers and it features a bunch of places from all over the country, from Alabama to Texas. We went during lunch time and was quite crowded, full of people excited like me to try some amazing food or simply look at some of the spectacular smokers there.

Whole hog at The Big Apple BBQ Block Party

Martin's BBQ Joint's smoker at The Big Apple BBQ Block Party

Whole hog cooking in Martin's BBQ Joint's smoker at The Big Apple BBQ Block Party

Here is what we tried:

Our first stop was at Dinosaur BBQ, a place well known in the City with its restaurants in Harlem and Brooklyn; they proposed some St Louis spareribs with baked beans. This was delicious: the meat had a nice char and was literally falling off the bone.

Dinosaur BBQ at The Big Apple BBQ Block Party

St Louis spare ribs on the grill from Dinosaur BBQ at The Big Apple BBQ Block Party

The second stop was Jim'N Nick's BBQ from Alabama. There, I got their hot link (sausage), pimento cheese and saltines.

Jim'N Nick's BBQ at The Big Apple BBQ Block Party

Sausage and pimento cheese from Jim'N Nick's BBQ at The Big Apple BBQ Block Party

Last was Salt Lick BBQ from Texas that I remember I tried two years ago. And again this year, they proposed their succulent brisket on white bread, sausage and slaw. Simply delicious.

Salt Lick BBQ at The Big Apple BBQ Block Party

Brisket and sausage at Salt Lick BBQ at The Big Apple BBQ Block Party

Cutting the brisket at Salt Lick BBQ at The Big Apple BBQ Block Party

The Big Apple BBQ Block Party is also tomorrow, so if like me you love BBQ, do not miss it! They offer VIP tickets that allow you to go to a fast track line and get a certain amount of food, but you can like me just go and eat whatever you like, paying just $12 per dish.

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! 6/10/17 I Just Want To Eat! 6/10/17

Habanero Blues in NYC, NY

For her birthday, Jodi wanted to go for Mexican food. I asked some of my colleagues who suggested some places. The problem with these: they did not have guacamole! So, I finally found Habanero Blues on Opentable. When we arrived, I realized that we passed so many times in front of it, but the crowd was a bit of a deterrent...Fortunately, on a Monday night, it was not a problem: the place was not that crowded and kind of quiet, until approximately 8pm when the music started (or at least started to be more noticeable) and people started to arrive.

Dining room at Habanero Blues in NYC, NY

I started the meal with a cocktail and picked "El Burro" (the donkey), a delicious drink, quite refreshing, made with Bulleit Bourbon, ginger and fresh lime juice.

El Burro cocktail at Habanero Blues in NYC, NY

We then got the long awaited guacamole and chips. Quite good, I found it small though...

Then we had tacos. When I checked on their website, they were proposing tacos by the piece, but, they just changed the menu and were not proposing that anymore at the restaurant. When I asked the waiter, he gracefully told us that we could arrange for us to prepare whatever combination we would want. So, we chose:

The pescado frito tacos that is fried sea bass, pickled onions and cilantro cream:

Pescado frito taco at Habanero Blues in NYC, NY

Chorizo picado taco made with homemade spicy sausage (I did not find it spicy):

Chorizo picado taco at Habanero Blues in NYC, NY

Avocado frito taco that is fried avocado, my favorite taco! The outside is crispy and the inside melting in your mouth.

Avocado frito taco at Habanero Blues in NYC, NY

All these tacos were delicious, the avocado one being my favorite for sure, followed by the fried fish and chorizo. None of these were bland and I loved the different texture. Proposing to create your own sampler is a great idea and I hope they will continue on that path.

Last was dessert, with our all time favorite: churros. They came in a bag, dusted in brown sugar and cinnamon, and served with dulce de leech and a chocolate dipping sauce (I preferred the former).

These churros were fantastic: crunchy, I could have eaten another bag of it. It was a good way to end a perfect meal. Habanero Blues is definitely a great Mexican spot Midtown: I would certainly go back there!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Habanero Blues - 29 W 36TH ST NYC, NY

I Just Want To Eat! 6/8/17 I Just Want To Eat! 6/8/17

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.

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

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)!

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

Mexicue - 1440 Broadway, New York, NY 10018

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

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

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

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

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

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)!

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

Badshah Modern Indian - 788 9th Ave, New York, NY 10019

I Just Want To Eat! 6/4/17 I Just Want To Eat! 6/4/17

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.

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)!

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

Bluestone Lane Coffee - 409 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 6/2/17 I Just Want To Eat! 6/2/17

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...

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

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

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

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)!

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

Cut by Wolfgang Puck - 99 Church St, New York, NY 10007

I Just Want To Eat! 5/31/17 I Just Want To Eat! 5/31/17

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.

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

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

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

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)!

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

Porter Collins - 1426 Willow Avenue, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 5/29/17 I Just Want To Eat! 5/29/17

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.

Dining room 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

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 (...)!

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

Thai Sliders - 150 8th Avenue, NY, NY 10001

I Just Want To Eat! 5/27/17 I Just Want To Eat! 5/27/17

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...

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.

There was:

Kimchi:

Potato salad with apple:

Potato salad at Kang Suh in KTown, NYC, NY

Squid:

Radish:

Mushrooms:

Seaweed:

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!)

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

Kang Suh - 1250 Broadway, New York, NY10001

I Just Want To Eat! 5/25/17 I Just Want To Eat! 5/25/17

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

Bread basket:

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)!

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

Tony's Di Napoli - 147 W 43rd Street, New York, NY10036

I Just Want To Eat! 5/23/17 I Just Want To Eat! 5/23/17

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 O pentable. 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 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

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

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

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)!

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

Momofuku má pêche - 15 West 56th Street, New York, NY 10019

I Just Want To Eat! 5/21/17 I Just Want To Eat! 5/21/17

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Pathar beef kebab, bone marrow nihari for me (I could not resist the bone marrow).

Bone marrow nihari at Indian Accent in NYC, NY

Main course. Paper roast dosa with water chestnut and mushrooms for Jodi:

For me, braised lamb with prune korma and Rajasthani pearl millet khichdi:

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

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.

Tandoor oven 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)!

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

Indian Accent - 123 W 56th Street, Midtown West, NY 10019

I Just Want To Eat! 5/19/17 I Just Want To Eat! 5/19/17

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.

Open kitchen at Counter at Desi Grub, NYC, NY

Here are the rolls we tried:

Egg roll (the simplest on the menu):

Chicken Tikka Roll:

Chana roll ordered not spicy (it is normally a Spicy Chana roll):

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.

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)!

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

Desi Grub - 200 W 40th St, New York, NY 10018

I Just Want To Eat! 5/17/17 I Just Want To Eat! 5/17/17

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.

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)!

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

Cannelle - 5-11 47th Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101