I Just Want To Eat! 9/30/19 I Just Want To Eat! 9/30/19

Rabbit Rabbit Tea near the Flatiron

Last Saturday, I was invited to try Rabbit Rabbit Tea, a place that serves bubble tea, a kind of tea that became popular in Taiwan in the 1980s and whose creator is unknown. It has since conquered the US and Rabbit Rabbit Tea has made its way from California to New York, housed in the location of a Chinese restaurant (Xiang Xiang Noodle). The rabbit is often associated with luck and there is this superstition in Britain and North America wherein a person says or repeats the words "rabbit", "rabbits" and/or "white rabbits" aloud upon waking on the first day of a month to get good luck for the whole month. So, I wonder if it is from that that the name of this place came from…For sure the logo is fun.

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

Bubble tea, also called boba tea, can be made with milk or without and with the various types of milk (whole, skim, condensed or thick that I learned is with whipped cream, the combinations are endless. And contrary to a common thought, the name bubble tea does not come from the tapioca pearls that are in the bottom of the glass (except in fruit tea) but because of the bubbles that form when you shake them.

I tried three different tea:

Brown sugar pearl with milk: matcha.
Fresh fruit iced tea: lychee.
Milk tea: Japanese buckwheat.

My favorite was the matcha that was very milky, and then the Japanese buckwheat. It is the first time I tried buckwheat tea and in fact did not even know it existed. They provide the following information in their website:

Origin: Taiwan

Degree of fermentation: 0%

Baking degree: 30%

Water color: Golden translucent

Flavor: Fried roasted cereal

Characteristics: Japan's popular healthy tea for many years, using 100% natural buckwheat produced in Taiwan, high in nutritional value, went through a unique expansion technology and slowly roasted to produce a special wheat scent, full of aroma, no caffeine and no artificial additives.

The lychee one was quite refreshing but the fruit was slightly overpowered by the green tea.

Lychee iced tea at Rabbit Rabbit Tea in NYC, NY

Matcha milk tea at Rabbit Rabbit Tea in NYC, NY

Japanese buckwheat tea at Rabbit Rabbit Tea in NYC, NY

I liked the tea at Rabbit Rabbit Tea: they have so many interesting combinations (including sweetness) that I 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!

Rabbit Rabbit Tea - 110-112 E 23rd St, New York, NY 10010

I Just Want To Eat! 9/27/19 I Just Want To Eat! 9/27/19

Belcampo in Hudson Yards

I heard of Belcampo thanks to fellow blogger Johnny Prime who is a reference when it comes to meat and attended a camp there, before discovering that they have an outpost in Hudson Yards. At the time when more and more people become vegetarian, many because of the way cattle are raised, Belcampo shows how raising animals for consumption can be less hazardous, controlling the food chain from A to Z, without any middlemen and under strict rules. Raised in their farm at the base of Mt Shasta in Northern California (25,000 acres), the animals are fed without any hormones and additives and it shows.

Meat display at Belcampo in Hudson Yards

But if you are vegetarian, don’t be uncomfortable when going there: they are used to have vegetarian diners and gracefully propose alternative, ready to switch meat for egg or avocado in their salads. I mention it because Jodi being vegetarian, we often end up with restaurants inflexible about their menu and not that open to either put vegetarian dishes on their menu that are not an afterthought or change to accommodate patrons who do not eat meat. So they switched lamb for avocado in “The Vessel”, a salad with Middle eastern influences, that is composed of cauliflower rice, za’atar, cherry tomato, cucumber and tahini. Pretty good salad that I will probably try to recreate at home, the cauliflower rice being quite an interesting ingredient.

The Vessel salad at Belcampo in Hudson Yards

On my side, I went all meat: I started with a cup of bone broth soup and chose the Tom Khai Gai over the Italian wedding. This Thai soup was made with poultry bone broth, coconut milk, lime, fish sauce and cilantro. Not spicy, it was quite comforting and flavorful.

Tom Khai Gai soup at Belcampo in Hudson Yards

Next was a side of merguez, a lamb sausage that I adore and cannot find that easily in supermarkets (Whole food or Freshdirect work) or in restaurants, besides North African places like Barbés in Hoboken where they serve it in various manners, from Tagine to simply with some tabouli, or French restaurants like Beaubourg (at Le District, the French market place downtown). Sometimes though, the merguez are not good, but these were excellent, perfectly made for sure.

My entree was the steak frites: a dry aged beef served with duck fat fries (for a healthier option you can choose roasted carrot. I would not because when I have steak, I go all in!). The portion was fine: you end up with a regular portion of meat, besides the fries that were quite generously served. The meat was tender and juicy, and the fries crispy on the outside like I love them. Definitely a good dish and a good price for steak ($29).

Steak frites at Belcampo in Hudson Yards

I should mention their bar that has interesting cocktails that follow the meat theme, like the Bone Broth Michelada made with beer and bone broth, or the one I tried that was the Midnight cruiser, made with duck fat washed rye, bitters and a spiced orange oleo-saccharum. Quite good, do not worry: with this type of cocktail you do not really taste whatever the wash is made off, whisky being quite strong.

Midnight Cruiser at Belcampo in Hudson Yards

Last was dessert. Although I was enthusiastic about the meal, dessert is not something I must absolutely have at Belcampo. The cookies and milk was ok, the cookies not being great, too fluffy with just a little bit of chocolate chips. Then the frosted chocolate cake was not as good as I expected, thinking it would be very chocolatey. It was not. I should have gone for the tarte tatin, although apparently made with a custard and not slices of apple (hopefully the problem is in their description).

Cookies and milk at Belcampo in Hudson Yards

Frosted chocolate cake at Belcampo in Hudson Yards

Despite the disappointing dessert, I really liked Belcampo and would for sure go back there to try other cuts and get merguez again. It is great to have such place at Hudson Yards that is not overpriced on top of that!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Belcampo-500 West 33rd Street Fl 5, New York, NY

I Just Want To Eat! 9/25/19 I Just Want To Eat! 9/25/19

Georgian dinner at Chama Mama

It is not that often that you see a Georgian Bakery and restaurant opening and when Chama Mama opened last Spring, it got people talk (I am talking about the Eastern European country). Replacing a Cuban restaurant in Chelsea (El Paraiso), Chama Mama is a casual place with in the kitchen in the middle, visible from the dining room and exhibiting their « tone », a very large clay oven that apparently every Georgian home has (in a smaller version) and where they cook bread most of the day (this one uses gas).

Interestingly, Chama Mama means « Eat Well Dad ». « Mama » being the word for « Dad » and « dida » Mom, Georgian being one of the sole languages to reverse the two. Eating well is definitely not an issue there as they offer lots of mouth watering dishes, some vegetarian, perfect to share, with an emphasis on their bread, the « puri », especially the katchapuri adjarui that is like a small bowl with cheese and an egg yolk that they would mix, at the table, with a generous piece of butter, creating a fatty cheesy cream. This is a must have for sure but is a bit filling: the bread is amazing and I would eat it just like that, without anything on it. I especially loved the crunchiness of the crust.

Katchapuri adjarul at Chama Mama in Chelsea

Also, they had the great idea to propose an appetizer sampler, perfect to share: a taste of Georgia. It had all of the cold plates they offer:

Stuffed red sweet pepper (Walnuts, blue fenugreek, garlic & marigold leaves),

Stuffed eggplant (Walnuts, coriander, garlic & red wine vinegar),
Adjabsandali (/ adjah-psan-da-lee / - eggplant, tomato, mixed peppers & purple basil),
Gebjalia (/geb-jah-lia/ - handmade cheese rolled with yogurt and mint),
Ekala (/eh-kah-la/ - wild bitter greens and walnuts served with cornbread).

I should have mentioned before that they write on their menu how to pronounce each dish so you do might hesitate less when ordering but I admit that even without this, I still show the item on the menu. Then, if you notice, lots of the dishes have walnuts in it so it you have a nut allergy or do not like nuts, you cannot order this. In such case, if you have only one choice to make, i would go for the Adjabsandali that was my favorite dish.

Taste of Georgia at Chama Mama in Chelsea

The last dish before dessert khinkali, pronounced / khin-ka-lee / , their signature house made dumplings that can either be filled with goat cheese, feta and hazelnuts or the beef and pork blend. I went for the latter. Apparently, the way to eat it is like the Taiwanese soup dumplings as it supposed to have some sauce or soup in it. I tried but there was barely no liquid...Know that these large dumplings do not come with any sauce on the side. Although I liked the meat filling, I however found the shell to be too thick and doughy. Too bad.

With my meal, I tried few wines that are made in Kveri, a clay pot similar to an amphora that is buried to let the wine mature. After trying a rosé and an amber wine, I settled for a red one, a Mosmieri saperai that was dry.

Mosmieri saperai wine at Chama Mama in Chelsea

Last was dessert. The first one was a honey cake that I thought would be flakier and would have preferred more honey on it, as well as a grape tart that was just ok.

So no, I was not as thrilled for dessert as for the bread. Still, Chama Mama offers an interesting menu and their bread is to die for. I would in fact mainly go back for that but would still try some of the other dishes they have like their guinea hen or lamb chops.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Chama Mama - 149 W 14th St, New York, NY 10011

I Just Want To Eat! 9/23/19 I Just Want To Eat! 9/23/19

Grand Opening: Lokal in Jersey City

Last Saturday, I was invited at Lokal in Jersey City, for the restaurant opening. I know: when people think about New Jersey, they wonder if they need their passport, but, in fact, between the ferry from the World Trade Center to the path train to Exchange Place or Newport, it is very easy to go there and you can enjoy delicious food while admiring a breathtaking view of Manhattan.

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

Result of the collaboration of co-owner Mona Panjwani and “concept creator” Hemant Phul, this place has an elegant feel without being stuffy, modern yet rustic. The floor to ceiling windows give a certain dimension to this big place, and the decor is stunning, with its copper like panels full of geometric shapes, the mural at the entrance where communal tables are lined up giving an urban tone and the small lounge in the back with its selfie wall and a mural that in fact is a take on Lady Liberty who, unknown to many, belongs to the State of New Jersey. And do not expect to see TVs: this is a place to share a drink or a meal, not a game.

The bar is pretty impressive, with a selection of quality spirits and cocktails crafted by mixologist Tess Sawyer. They gracefully served a non-alcoholic cocktail to Jodi that is normally made with bourbon or tequila and contains blueberry puree (reference to New Jersey), mint and bee pollen. With its purple color and flower, it looked beautiful. On my side, I settled for a classic Manhattan that I was glad was not served in a martini glass…

The menu, created by Executive chef Walter Donadio is international with flavors from all around the world and there is a large selection of small plates that are perfect to share and allow trying multiple dishes. This is what he focussed on as you can see below:

The first dish was the trio of hummus: I like the idea that is like the trio of guacamole that you sometimes see in Mexican restaurants. It was served with homemade naan that was delightfully chewy and composed of a classic hummus, a spicy carrot and a sun-dried tomato hummus. I loved these different hummus, and should mention that Jodi does not really like carrots but loved their spicy carrot hummus that was not spicy at all.

Next was the Mac and cheese that was made with a mornay sauce: very creamy, I loved the fact that it was made with pasta shaped like a cup, smothered in cheese.

It was followed by pan seared scallops sitting on an acorn squash veloute and topped with an apple salad. They for sure know how to pan sear scallops that were perfectly made and not rubbery, with a nice crust on top.

If you like seafood, try the rock shrimp smothered in gochujang: this was one of my favorites! Not spicy, crispy and slightly greasy, I simply loved it!

One of the vegetarian dishes Jodi wanted to try was the Mushroom al Ajilo, made with enoki, maitake, shimeshi, and black trumpet, accompanied by cauliflower and piquillo pepper.

Mushroom al Ajilo at Lokal in Jersey City

The last small plate was the pot of mussels, with a sublime coconut sauce in the bottom where I dipped the buttery bread that it came with.

Last was dessert and we finished with fireworks (not literally, gastronomically): we first tried their tiramisu that was really well done, creamy with the lady fingers properly soaked in coffee. And then their chocolate mousse made with Valrhona chocolate: a white and dark chocolate shell with a delicious mousse inside: I recommend it!

Chocolate mousse at Lokal in Jersey City

This was a superb meal in a great atmosphere: Lokal is a perfect addition to the restaurant scene in Jersey City and I cannot wait to try their brunch that starts in couple of weeks.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Lokal - 2nd St Unit 101, Jersey City, NJ 07302

I Just Want To Eat! 9/20/19 I Just Want To Eat! 9/20/19

Max's, cuisine of The Philippines in Jersey City

We were in Jersey City recently, trying to go to the DMV where the line was as long as a CVS receipt. So, although we decided to go back another time, we chose to eat around and found a Filipino place called Max’s Restaurant. Why not? Jodi was ok to go there as long as I was not getting a balut. Deal. I did not know going at Max’s Restaurant that they have more than 200 locations internationally, mostly in the Philippines and quite a few in North America (17 at this time). Opened in 1945 in the Philippines by Maximo Gimenez and now a family run restaurant empire, it is known for its fried chicken that I skipped as I was going to eat chicken that evening too and was curious to try the pusit sisig, a dish made of chopped squid and onion, smothered with Max’s savory sauce and chili. This was a succulent dish but I admit that I did not know it would be fried and after the chicken chicharon (fried chicken skin that is apparently a classic Filipino appetizer - good to try but I am not a huge fan), it was a bit of too much fried food. But I could not stop eating it: the sauce that seem based on mayonnaise was delicious and the octopus, perfectly cooked, crispy.

Pusit Sisig at Max's, cuisine of The Philippines in Jersey City

Chicken chicharron at Max's, cuisine of The Philippines in Jersey City

Jodi on her side got the sizzling tofu that seemed to have the same sauce as the pusit sisig and was flavorful, tough to get with tofu sometimes.

Sizzling tofu at Max's, cuisine of The Philippines in Jersey City

With our meal, we ordered some juices: Calamansi (Filipino lime) for me and mango for Jodi.

Calamansi and mango juice at Max's, cuisine of The Philippines in Jersey City

Last was dessert: we opted for the Turon with coconut jam or banana lumpia. It was banana spring rolls with a sauce that was a bit too thick though. Nevertheless, I loved it: crispy and not greasy, the banana being well cooked.

Turon with coconut at Max's, cuisine of The Philippines in Jersey City

Overall, we had a good and comforting meal at Max’s Restaurant. I should point out that this casual place has a very nice staff who made sure we were ok and enjoyed our food. I would definitely go back and this time, try their fried chicken.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Max’s Restaurant - 687 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306

I Just Want To Eat! 9/18/19 I Just Want To Eat! 9/18/19

Gallaghers Steakhouse in NYC, NY

I have never been a fan of Gallaghers, the famous close to a century old steakhouse with its meat locker where they dry age their cuts visible from the outside, like a tourist attraction. But my last visit might have changed my mind. It is true that I went there years ago, before the change of ownership and complete revamping, making it more upscale but keeping a certain charm and authentic feel. Impossible to miss if the open kitchen in the back where the magic happens and I was surprised to see their grill where they cook the meat over hickory logs.

Meat locker at Gallaghers Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Bar area at Gallaghers Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Grill at Gallaghers Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Dining room at Gallaghers Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Kitchen at Gallaghers Steakhouse in NYC, NY

I started my meal with their version of an old fashioned, their 52nd st old fashioned, named after their location. It was a mixture made of Old Grandad Bonded Bourbon, Old Overholt Rye, Demerara sugar and bitters. Strong for sure as they are generous on the whisky!

Old fashioned at Gallaghers Steakhouse in NYC, NY

This was a good start but the appetizers were even better, especially the crab cake that was amazing, made with big lump crab, these were some of the best I ever had. The second appetizer was the shrimp and lobster dumplings that were surprising to see on a place like this, but well executed, the shell not being too thick and with a tasty filling.

Crab cake at Gallaghers Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Lobster and shrimp dumpling at Gallaghers Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Then came the long awaited steak: the porterhouse that was tender, juicy and perfectly cooked medium-rare, as ordered and with a nice crust.

Porterhouse at Gallaghers Steakhouse in NYC, NY

With it, I tried the hash brown that was good but I would have preferred it thinner and crispier, as well as the Mac and cheese that was very creamy (it was made with two cheese: gruyère and cheddar).

Hash brown at Gallaghers Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Mac and cheese at Gallaghers Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Last was dessert: banana cream pie and key lime pie were on the menu, both good and not too sweet fortunately.

Key lime pie at Gallaghers Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Banana cream pie at Gallaghers Steakhouse in NYC, NY

So, overall I was not disappointed with Gallaghers, to the contrary : the food was good and the service excellent. I would go back for sure!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Gallaghers - 228 West 52nd Street, NY 10019

I Just Want To Eat! 9/16/19 I Just Want To Eat! 9/16/19

Authentic Sichuan cuisine at Alley 41 in Flushing

When I received an invite to dine at Alley 41, a Sichuanese restaurant in Flushing, I realized that it has been years that we have been saying we should go in that area to try some authentic Chinese cuisine, but we never went. So I gladly accepted the offer and we went on a Friday evening. Its owner, Mr Yao Hua comes from the Sichuan province and immigrated in the US in 1999. Here, he worked in various restaurants before opening Alley 41 in 2017, doing its best to keep the flavors authentic and shipping 80% of its ingredients from the Sichuan Province in China.

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

“Although we maintain the highest standards of taste and freshness, we pride ourselves on making our restaurant accessible and affordable to all. I hope that more people who enjoy Sichuan cuisine can share new memories with us, enjoying the finest flavors in an authentic Chinese atmosphere.” Says Mr Yao.

Sichuan cuisine is known for being spicy but they can accommodate your taste. Good, because looking at the menu displayed on an iPad, lots of dishes have chilies next to it and a few with more than just one...You might be overwhelmed by the dishes because for sure only a few are your classic Chinese dishes. They do have for instance scallion pancakes but they call them handmade thousand layer cake. And it is really food: crispy and delightfully greasy as you would expect, it did not even need a sauce on the side.

Handmade thousand layer cake at Alley 41 in Flushing, Queens

They have few vegetarian dishes for sure and their handmade noodles with spicy sweet sauce is a must have: these very long noodles are a bit of a challenge when you are not the best at handling chopsticks and I was a bit scared that my white shirt would end up with lots of that reddish sauce, but I managed to eat without any accident, going back at it, the sauce not being that spicy and well balanced between the spiciness and the sweetness. This is a must have!

Handmade noodles with spicy sweet sauce at Alley 41 in Flushing, Queens

Another vegetarian dish is their vegetable with black mushrooms, made with bok choy and mushrooms, my only regret was the lack of variety of vegetables.

Vegetable with black mushrooms at Alley 41 in Flushing, Queens

Vegetable with black mushroom at Alley 41 in Flushing, Queens

Then you have meat and seafood, and I admit that they serve some of then usually eaten parts that I was not much in the mood to order, also because Jodi was there and she would have lost her appetite: liver, kidney, intestines, duck head or tongue are few examples. So I chose frogs that I guess she is more used to seeing in my plate and picked the frogs with dry pepper. This quite spicy dish was extremely flavorful with basil and cilantro coming through as my tongue was burning. The frog legs were good but they cut them with a cleaver so you must be careful with the little bones.

Frog with dry pepper at Alley 41 in Flushing, Queens

I also tried their Chef’s special tea smoked duck. This duck was fantastic: well cooked, not dry, smoky with a skin nicely glazed. If you love duck, this is a dish to order.

Tea smoked duck at Alley 41 in Flushing, Queens

We left full, the portions being quite big. Alley 41 is a good foray into Sichuan cuisine, especially if you like spicy food. I would go back there and this time maybe get more adventurous...

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Alley 41 - 136-45 41st Avenue, Flushing, NY 11355

I Just Want To Eat! 9/13/19 I Just Want To Eat! 9/13/19

Brunch at The Dutch

It’s been a while since we wanted to go to The Dutch, one of the many restaurants of successful restauranteur Andrew Carmellini (Lafayette, Locanda Verde and Bar Primi to name a few). So, as we had a cooking class at Atelier Sucré (éclairs and cream puffs) in the West Village, we decided to book a table for brunch.

This big place that proposes an American fare was packed for sure, not just the dining rooms but also the bar. Food wise, there are few interesting dishes they offer like the donut tree that seems decadent, but the flavors proposed not that great for me, so we passed. And I was glad we did when we saw the table next to us get it: it looked good but small for $18! Yes, overpriced. Well, few dishes are like the hot fried chicken and biscuits: the chicken was good and moist, crispy on the outside, but $33? For that price you would get an outstanding poulet frites with a salad at Rotisserie Georgette. The biscuits thought were good, freshly made and we even got a side of it. We also tried their burrata with fried green tomatoes and a side of hot pepper jam (not so hot) that seemed tiny for the $24 they charge.

Fried chicken and biscuits at The Dutch in Soho

Fried green tomatoes and burrata at The Dutch

As far as beverages are concerned, Jodi got a cherry juice while I had a healthy option: the green clean freshly pressed juice made with kale, spinach cucumber, mint, apple and pineapple. Quite good, you mainly taste the cucumber and mint but I found it refreshing.

So we left not that enthusiastic with The Dutch: no, it was not the same excitement we had after going to Lafayette or Bar Primi. The Dutch offers an interesting menu, but it is overpriced and the two places I just mentioned are better options.

Enjoy (...)!

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

The Dutch - 131 Sullivan Street, New York, NY 10012

I Just Want To Eat! 9/11/19 I Just Want To Eat! 9/11/19

Pico Taco in Hoboken, NJ

We recently went to Pico Taco, a small taco joint near the path train in Hoboken. Yes, small, bright with only few tables on each side and the counter in the back where you will place your order. Opened in May 2019, Pico Taco makes their own tortilla, claiming that they use fresh ingredients, although, when I asked what fish they used for their crispy fish taco, they said “frozen tilapia”. I admit that at that point I hesitated (not just because the fish is frozen, but also because…

We recently went to Pico Taco, a small taco joint near the path train in Hoboken. Yes, small, bright with only few tables on each side and the counter in the back where you will place your order.

Opened in May 2019, Pico Taco makes their own tortilla, claiming that they use fresh ingredients, although, when I asked what fish they used for their crispy fish taco, they said “frozen tilapia”. I admit that at that point I hesitated (not just because the fish is frozen, but also because tilapia is not the best choice) but finally went for it. It was good, crispy and well cooked, although the portion fish vs cabbage was a bit unbalanced in favor of the latter. I preferred the Al pastor that was quite good, juicy and tasty, the pineapple adding a nice sweetness. However, I did not finish the carne asada one, the meat being too tough. Disappointing….

Al pastor taco at Pico Taco in Hoboken, NJ

Jodi on her side got the mushroom taco (hongos) that was decent.

We also shared an appetizer, the classic guacamole and chips. I admit that I was a bit disappointed by the portion and presentation of the guacamole that was just ok, probably made few hours before but fortunately in a blender.

Guacamole and chips at Pico Taco in Hoboken, NJ

So, overall, it was ok and not the kind of place where I would go back, even if I was craving tacos. Definitely, since the loss of The Taco Truck in Hoboken, we have seen several restaurants trying to propose classic tacos but for me all failed. For less classic though, I love Shaka Bowl (their pork or lava rock tacos are superb), Loquito or, pricier, Orale.

Enjoy (...)!

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

Pico Taco - 70 Hudson St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 9/9/19 I Just Want To Eat! 9/9/19

La Pecora Bianca, Midtown East

It’s been a while since we wanted to dine at La Pecora Bianca and we finally decided to go to this bright and inviting restaurant with few locations in Manhattan. We picked the one Midtown East that was not that packed when we arrived. I like the decor that is not overdone but you could wonder if you too should come there dressed in white.

Dining room at La Pecora Bianca, Midtown East

Food wise, I admit that I was expecting more. Not that it was not good, but, with all the buzz about this place, I thought it would sweep me off my feet. Here is what we had:

As a beverage, Jodi got the strawberry basil fizz made with club soda, a refreshing non-alcoholic drink. On my side, I went for the Paper Plane, that was a cocktail made with bourbon, Spritz (nice bitterness) and nonino.

Strawberry basil fizz at La Pecora Bianca, Midtown East

Paper plane cocktail at La Pecora Bianca, Midtown East

As an appetizer, we shared the zucchini fries that were delicious: not greasy, slightly crispy, perfect in the pomodoro sauce. Know that it is in the “snacks” section, so it is small.

Zucchini fries at La Pecora Bianca, Midtown East

For her main, Jodi ordered a side: the eggplant Parmesan that was not really what we expected, the fried eggplant one. It was just a layer of eggplant with mozzarella and Parmesan.

Eggplant parmesan at La Pecora Bianca, Midtown East

On my side, I went for a pasta dish as they make their own pasta. I picked the linguine with Manila clams, chili and lemon breadcrumbs. It was good, although the pasta was not al dente and so slightly overcooked for my taste and there could have been more of the delicious sauce that was quite tasty.

Linguine with Manilla clams at La Pecora Bianca, Midtown East

Manilla clams at La Pecora Bianca, Midtown East

Dessert however was great: we got their olive oil cake that was superb, but small, especially if you want to share.

Olive oil cake at La Pecora Bianca, Midtown East

So, overall, it was an ok meal at La Pecora Bianca. If you want Italian food and are in the area, this is fine. However, definitely not my go to place.

Enjoy (...)!

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

La Pecora Bianca - 950 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10022

I Just Want To Eat! 9/7/19 I Just Want To Eat! 9/7/19

Why Osteria Francescana might be the best restaurant in the World...

I wanted to go to Osteria Francescana for a while, mesmerized by the avant-garde cuisine of acclaimed Chef Massimo Bottura whose innovative mind comes out pretty well in the Netflix’s series Chef’s Table. Opened in 1995, Osteria Francescana rapidly gained popularity, climbing the ladder of the 50 World Best Restaurants (3rd in 2013 and 2014, 2nd in 2015 and then 1st in 2016 and 2018). Rapidly but not without struggling at first, the restaurant was rejected by Italian patrons who thought that the dishes served did not represent Italian classics and were even treasonous. It is only when a critic stopped by the restaurant due to a change of plan that things took a different turn in the right way. I admit that even thought I come from France, a country which is extremely proud of its cuisine, said to be the best in the world and setting the foundation for many cooking techniques, I am sometimes annoyed by the lack of the general openness of people when it comes to cooking: crafting new dishes with new flavor profiles does not mean that you neglect or reject the classics. Some of the dishes we know today were new at a certain point of time and nobody decided that after that, nothing new should be created. Keeping an open mind by still giving a nod to tradition is something I am always looking forward to and Chef Bottura certainly succeeded at Osteria Francescana.

Dining room at Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy

So, how did we get there? When traveling, I kind of make a deal with Jodi: she plans the cultural activities like the museums and I plan the food. So, as we were going to France to see my family and were already in Europe, we decided to spend few days in Florence, with the goal to get to Modena, just an 1 hour30 minute train ride from there, to eat at Osteria Francescana. The thing is that we had to book our flight early to get a good deal, but the reservations for the restaurant were not yet open. On April 1st at 10am, you were able to finally make reservations online...Italy time! Meaning 4am NY! So as you can guess, i woke up at 4am that Monday, my will to go there being stronger than my pillow. But what a disappointment when I realized that thousands of people had the same idea and I was placed more than 9,000 in the queue to book a table with no way to put myself on a wait list. Even leaving my computer on for hours if not days did not do it. I gave up after few days, but, few weeks later, as we were in Chicago for an art exhibit, Jodi reminded me about the reservation and I successfully ended up on a waiting list, before receiving good news 4 days after:

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So here we are, waiting outside for the restaurant to open at 12:30pm. Entering there is like a dance: some people go on the right, others like us on the left and upon entering we discovered the small dining rooms that would keep the experience intimate.

We had the choice of going with the a la carte menu or the 12-course tasting and decided to go for the latter as it was a unique occasion to try some of the Chef’s creations, the restaurant accommodating a vegetarian meal for Jodi (I told them when reserving). At 290 Euros per person, it is expensive, but worth it if you can afford it as this is a sublime experience that you might only live once…

We started off the meal with a glass of Italian champagne, a 2009 Ca' del Bosco Franciacorta Cuvee Annamaria Clementi, Italy, Lombardy.

Glass of 2009 Ca' del Bosco Franciacorta Cuvee Annamaria Clementi, Italy, Lombardy at Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy

2009 Ca' del Bosco Franciacorta Cuvee Annamaria Clementi, Italy, Lombardy at Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy

At first, they brought us some homemade sourdough and multi-grain bread that was very good, and later, some very long breadsticks also delicious.

Sourdough and multi-grain bread at Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy

Breadsticks at Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy

Then, it was a festival of flavors but, like many of these restaurants, you can get overwhelmed when they describe the dish, your attention being focussed on the dish itself, the colors and aroma being incredible. But I think I got most of them. If I were to pick 3 dishes, they would be (in order of appearance):

The spaghettini from the gulf of Naples to Hokkaido (sea urchin sauce and roasted clam on top). If you look below, you will see that the colors of the dish are those from the Italian flag, green, white and red. The sauce was amazing, quite comforting and I did not even think about any cheese on top. And the pasta was superb: perfectly made and cooked.
Then, the Five ages of Parmigiano Reggiano, in different textures and temperatures. This is one of the iconic dishes from Chef Bottura that is composed in the bottom of a cream made with a cheese that is 24 months old, on the left side is a demi-souffle made with a 30 months old, on the right side a foam that is 36 months old, the galette, 40 months old and the white top, called a "breath of air" is 50 months old. After trying this dish, I will not look at parmigiano reggiano the same way: coming from a country with more than 400 varieties of cheese, parmigiano reggiano was always associated with pasta or pizza and I would have never thought about eating this delicacy on its own or even prepared the way Chef Bottura does it. I should mention the 5 temperatures of the components that add some dimension to a dish that is truly unique.
The third one is the baba that is a tribute to the Amalfi coast of Italy. I usually get the baba au rum that is a quite popular dessert in France, but this one had buffalo ricotta cheese, tomato and a strawberry sauce in the bottom. I was surprised to see the tomato as a dessert but then remembered that it is a fruit. This was a very interesting dessert, the sweetness of the strawberries pairing well with the cheese.

Here is what we had:

Amuse-bouche:

Croccantino of foie gras at Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy

Italian fish and chips at Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy

Parmigiano reggiano stick at Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy

Rabbit macaron at Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy

First course: grilled hamachi in abstract for me and grilled eggplant in abstract for Jodi.

Grilled hamachi in abstract at Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy

Grilled eggplant in abstract at Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy

Second course: Autumn in NY as a fresh water fish salad (eel) / equivalent vegetarian for Jodi.

Autumn in NY at Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy

Vegetarian version of Autumn in NY at Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy

Third course: spaghettini from the gulf of Naples to Hokkaido (sea urchin sauce and roasted clam on top). For Jodi, tomato gazpacho on top).

spaghettini from the gulf of Naples to Hokkaido at Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy

Four course: we are still deciding which fish to serve (turbot with a cream of scallop, accompanied with trout roe with squid ink sauce) for me and for Jodi a tartan made with leeks, white wine, beurre blanc foam, Truffle.

Turbot at Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy

Tartino with truffle at Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy

Fifth course: pasta al pesto in abstract, a node to a classic Italian dish that was very creative and surprising. It was made with fermented pasta (miso), pine nuts and you could definitely taste the basil and peas that gave this beautiful green color.

Pasta al pesto in abstract at Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy

Sixth course: for Jodi, marinated avocado and for me, Wagyu no wagyu, a take of Chef Bottura on the Japanese meat where the beef is replaced by heart and pork belly, that sits on a ponzu sauce, made by his Tokyo-born sous chef Kondo Takahiko.

Marinated avocado at Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy

Wagyu no wagyu at Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy

Seventh course: Five ages of Parmigiano Reggiano, in different textures and temperatures. It was served with a sourdough and potato bread.

Five ages of parmigiano reggiano at Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy

Sourdough and potato bread at Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy

Eighth course: ravioli of roasted potatoes in roasted guinea hen sauce (vegetable sauce for Jodi - both dishes looked more or less the exact same).

Ravioli of roasted potatoes at Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy

Ninth course: this dish is a tribute to Edith Piaf that I guess Chef Bottura loves, especially when you know that he has prints from Francesco Vezzoli's La Vie en Rose series representing the French singer. Interestingly, as they brought us the dishes (with beet root for Jodi and deer for me). The sauce was made with cherry and you can see on the side an endive with the shape of a rose.

Vegetarian La vie en rose at Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy

LA vie en rose at Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy

Tenth course: In defense of nature, with each layer (grapefruit representing knowledge, ice cream made of rosemary and bay leaves, representing fecondity and longevity, and the rose on top represents life) .

In defense of nature at Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy

Eleventh course: Tribute to Amalfi, the baba I talked about earlier.

Tribute to Amalfi at Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy

Twelfth course: chocolates and Madeleines. We finished our meal with espresso, tea, homemade chocolates and Earl grey madeleines.

Chocolates at Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy

Espresso at Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy

Madeleines at Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy

Balsamic vinegar from Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy

I admit that at that point, after this 3h30 meal that did not feel long, I was full and glad we could walk around and go to the Ferrari Museum after that, our train to Florence being later. I should mention that, when we left, they gave us a small bottle of balsamic vinegar as Modena is known for it. Our experience at Osteria Francescana was unique and my only regret was not to be able to meet with Chef Bottura who was in South America at that time. Maybe another time!

Enjoy (I really did)!

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Osteria Francescana- Via Stella, 22, 41121 Modena MO, Italy

I Just Want To Eat! 9/5/19 I Just Want To Eat! 9/5/19

Florence, Italy: All'Antico Vinaio

We were leaving the Uffizi Galery in Florence when we saw a horde of people sitting wherever they could to eat a huge sandwich glutinously. So we followed the line and ended up in front of All’Antico Vinaio, a popular sandwich shop that had, the same week, a pop up in New York, in front of Otto Enoteca. Opened in 1991, this place serves sandwiches made with a bread that is baked during the day, and prepared to order.

Bread at All'Antico Vinaio in Florence, Italy

Looking at them preparing the sandwiches makes your mouth water: the crispy bread, shiny from the olive oil on its crust is split in few pieces before being opened and filled with whatever ingredients you chose. Most of the choices have meat in it, but, like Jodi did, you can ask for a vegetarian version. I also noticed that many had truffle cream that I decided to skip, worried that it would overpower the whole thing. Mine was La Summer: prosciutto Toscano, Mozzarella di bufala, tomato, basil, vinegar and olive oil.

Vegetarian sandwich at All'Antico Vinaio in Florence, Italy

La Summer sandwich at All'Antico Vinaio in Florence, Italy

The sandwich was slightly warm with a generous amount of cheese and meat, and the first bite was divine, all the ingredients tasting fresh, and the basil adding an incredible flavor. And that bread! I would just eat it like this.

The only problem was that it was big and I could not finish it, the hot weather not helping my appetite. Still, I devoured most of it and was amazed by the cost: only 5 Euros (for the pop up in NY, it was $14). Definitely, if we go back to Florence, we will have to go back there. I just drooled.

Enjoy (I sure did)!

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All’Antico Vinaio - Via dei Neri, 76 R, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

I Just Want To Eat! 9/4/19 I Just Want To Eat! 9/4/19

Florence, Italy: Pizzeria Antica Porta

Our friend Allan who has been living in Florence for the past three years suggested to try Pizzeria Antica Porta, a place loved by locals with few tourists like us who you would think got lost. Located in the outskirts of Florence, on the road to Rome, outside of what used to be city walls, this place might be small in space but it is big in flavor.

We got lucky, had a table quickly and could not wait to try their pizza. We chose two: the Quattro formaggi and the margarita with mozzarella di buffala.

Pizzeria Antica Porta in Florence, Italy

We got lucky, had a table quickly and could not wait to try their pizza. We chose two: the Quattro formaggi and the margarita with mozzarella di buffala.

Quattro formaggi pizza at Pizzeria Antica Porta in Florence, Italy

Margarita pizza at Pizzeria Antica Porta in Florence, Italy

Pizzeria Antica Porta serves thin crust pizza that is nicely crispy, slightly charred and definitely not boring. I hate when you get a thin crust that is under seasoned: it was not the case there. And they put lots of ingredients on it, especially the mozzarella di buffala that is the best on pizza. The Quattro formaggi was also superb: I cannot say which cheese they use but it had for sure a nice balance with Gorgonzola going through.

So this was a nice find. If you are in Florence, I definitely recommend Pizzeria Antica Porta: it might be off the beaten path, but eating there is worth it.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Pizzeria Antica Porta - Via Senese, 23, 50124 Firenze FI, Italy

I Just Want To Eat! 9/3/19 I Just Want To Eat! 9/3/19

Florence, Italy: Borgo Antico

We discovered Trattoria Borgo Antico in Florence 5 years ago after finishing a walking tour in Piazza di Santo Spirito, right in front of the Santo Spirito Basilica and were really looking forward to going back there. We went back in fact for a dish that I love there and was kind of déjà vu: the linguine alle vongole or linguine with clams in a white sauce. There are few things I need for this dish to be successful: pasta well cooked, lots of well cleaned clams (who likes to chew on sand?) and the right amount of sauce (and of course a good sauce). Well I got all of that to the point that …

We went back in fact for a dish that I love there and was kind of déjà vu: the linguine alle vongole or linguine with clams in a white sauce. There are few things I need for this dish to be successful: pasta well cooked, lots of well cleaned clams (who likes to chew on sand?) and the right amount of sauce (and of course a good sauce). Well I got all of that to the point that we went a second time to that place that is not just for tourists, our friend Allan who lived in Florence for the past three years mentioning it when we asked for good places to dine at.

Linguine alle vongole at Borgo Antico in Florence, Italy

Jodi, each time, got the margarita pizza: simple and good, I admit though that for me it was fine, nothing extraordinary compared to the other pizza I had in other places.

Margarita pizza at Borgo Antico in Florence, Italy

Not surprisingly, I had a Spritz with my meal, the popular Summer drink in Europe where it seems to be proposed everywhere. For sure, in Florence, you see signs for it, restaurants proposing cheap prices for a cocktail that sometimes seems cheap but is in fact too diluted. Not at Borgo Antico.

Spritz at Borgo Antico in Florence, Italy

Lunch is quieter than dinner there and I enjoyed people watching with a nice espresso. Relaxing. So I guess Borgo Antico will be like a pilgrimage for us when we go to Florence. I love it and surely recommend it.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Borgo Antico - Piazza Santo Spirito, 6-red, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy

I Just Want To Eat! 9/2/19 I Just Want To Eat! 9/2/19

Florence, Italy: Osteria Del Gatto e la Volpe

Osteria Del Gatto e la Volpe in Florence, Italy

On our first evening in Florence, we looked up for best pasta in the city and found out Osteria Del Gatto e la Volpe (the cat and the wolf), located via Ghibellina, a charming street few blocks from the Duomo. The comment on the website where we found it said that it was one of the last typical Italian restaurants and the rustic decor seemed a reminder of the past (although not so old in the city as it opened in 1979), but the crowd (lots of American tourists) removed any dream to find that hole in the wall where only locals go. Anyway, it still proposed a delicious Italian menu, with classic dishes like the Ribollita alla Fiorentina, a Tuscan soup made with white beans, chickpeas, lentils and pieces of bread that was quite comforting.

Ribollita alla Fiorentina at Osteria Del Gatto e la Volpe in Florence, Italy

They also have pizza and pasta and Jodi decided to try their margarita with mozzarella di buffala, but they served a regular one that had lots of cheese and was good, but is not the kind you would remember.

Margarita pizza at Osteria Del Gatto e la Volpe in Florence, Italy

The penne a la vodka is however something to try, the pasta being perfectly cooked, al dente, and with a homemade sauce that was delicious, smothering not only the penne but also some chopped onions, that added made this dish a bit different from what you would expect. I definitely recommend this dish, although it might not be what comes to mind when thinking about Italian pasta.

Penne alla vodka at Osteria Del Gatto e la Volpe in Florence, Italy

As a cocktail, I got the popular Aperol Spritz, that I sipped while eating some homemade bread dipped in olive oil.

Spritz at Osteria Del Gatto e la Volpe in Florence, Italy

Bread at Osteria Del Gatto e la Volpe in Florence, Italy

Olive oil at Osteria Del Gatto e la Volpe in Florence, Italy

Last was dessert: of course, we tried their tiramisu that is always interesting as everybody has its own recipe. It was good, creamy, with a chocolate sauce on top that I prefer to the chocolate powder that sometimes makes you choke...

Tiramisu at Osteria Del Gatto e la Volpe in Florence, Italy

So overall, although Osteria Del Gatto e la Volpe misses the Italian ambience a tourist would look for, we had a nice meal there. Would I go back? Not sure in fact: I would rather go to a place with a more local atmosphere, even if it seems it is more and more difficult near the city center.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Osteria Del Gatto e la Volpe -151/r, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

I Just Want To Eat! 8/30/19 I Just Want To Eat! 8/30/19

Loquito, Taco Arabes in Hoboken, NJ

Am I going to be loco of Loquito in Hoboken? I know this is an easy way to start this post when you know that Loquito is a diminutive of loco that means crazy in Spanish. Loquito opened few weeks ago on Washington street, result of the cooperation of Chef Stephen El-Hassan, co-owner of O’Bagel, his sister Helengrace and Sammy Abdo, co-founder of Michigan’s Jersey Bagel and Deli. With a name like Loquito, you would expect a taqueria, but the mention “tacos arabes” below the name on the awning makes you wonder what kind of tacos they serve. At first, I thought it would be like the tacos you find in France: the tacos de Lyon, that are more a North African version of a burrito (fantastic with merguez sausage and cheese but quite heavy!). No, these are more a direct Lebanese twist on the classic Mexican dish, the tortilla being replaced by pan árabe or tandoori mountain bread and the filling being mostly meat if not for the falafel that has avocado in it to continue of the Mexican-Lebanese theme.

This is a small place where you order at the counter before sitting on one of the few stools. The order is in three steps:

First you pick the base that is either tacos or a bowl with a choice of rice (white or brown) or lettuce. The bowls will also have corn elote, hummus and black beans.

Then you pick the protein. I already mentioned the avocado falafel, so let’s talk about the meat: they propose pollo shawarma that is thin slices of roasted chicken seasoned in their own spice blend, beef barbacoa (it is not on the menu and was proposed instead of kifta, a seasoned ground beef with citrus zest, mint, parsley and Serrano pepper. The last meat choice was the Za’atar carnitas, that is shredded pork shoulder that is braised for six hours in their Za’atar-mojo blend.

Last, you choose the style. They offer three different:

- The O.G., made with garlic toum, lemon and pico de arabe (gallo?).

- Rojo: garlic toum, tahini mole, pomegranate, mint, turmeric, pickled onions and roasted sesame seeds.

- Verde: garlic toum, salsa verde, minced Serrano pepper, onion, cilantro, beet-pickled turnip (nice purple color) and pomegranate.

So first you may wonder what garlic toum is: toum is a garlic sauce similar to the French aioli, made with garlic, salt, olive oil or vegetable oil, and lemon juice.

My choice was simple: I mixed the meat dressed it based on the order I made: chicken O.G., beef barbacoa Rojo and pork verde.

Tacos at Loquito, Taco Arabes in Hoboken, NJ

The tacos came pretty quickly, presented next to each other. They had a small size so definitely three is a good portion. My favorite was the pollo shawarma that was very flavorful, followed by the pork and then the beef. All were juicy and I admit that it was a bit messy to eat, because of the sauce dripping. The shell was quite good, slightly chewy.

Za’atar carnitas taco with salsa verde at Loquito, Taco Arabes in Hoboken, NJ

The bowl was also delicious, filling, with the falafel that I would not mind having in tacos.

Falafel bowl at Loquito, Taco Arabes in Hoboken, NJ

With our meal, we also tried their turmeric lemonade that was perfectly made as well as a mango soda from Jarritos, one of our favorite brands (I prefer pineapple though).

Turmeric lemonade and mango soda at Loquito, Taco Arabes in Hoboken, NJ

No dessert: I was set to get their churro donuts but they are not making it anymore as it seems it is too much work and they are working on a new dessert that will come soon. So, this is another reason to go back!

Enjoy (I did)!

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Loquito - 217 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 8/28/19 I Just Want To Eat! 8/28/19

The Rag Trader: come with an appetite, leave with a headache!

Food is stronger than common sense: why did we decide to go to such place as The Rag Trader when we know that we hate noisy places, preferring quieter ones so we can enjoy a nice conversation while having a great dinner? This place kept popping up on Opentable.com and their menu was mouth watering, offering lots of dishes to share inspired from a wide range of cuisine. When we arrived, we realized our mistake, the place being packed and loud, but had few minutes of hope when they told us our table was upstairs. Yes, I thought that maybe upstairs was quieter, more geared towards diners. I was wrong: there was a large group of incredibly loud people (one of them could probably be heard from the West Coast). They first tried to seat us next to them but I politely declined. Still, we were close and I wish they sat us in that taco van that is on one side of the room…

We started the meal with their cauliflower and feta fritters, served with a cilantro and sumac aioli. These fritters were superb: not greasy, slightly crispy on the outside, the inside was a soft mix of cauliflower and cheese that was perfectly balanced, with just a hint of the cauliflower taste. I think that even somebody who hates cauliflower would love it.

Cauliflower and feta fritters at The Rag Trader in NYC, NY

Jodi then ordered their vegan burger, that was made with a Beyond Meat patty, vegan cheddar cheese, shredded lettuce, onion, vegan secret sauce on a pretzel bun. It was ok, definitely not the best veggie burger I had (Saxon + Parole is amazing).

Vegan burger at The Rag Trader in NYC, NY

On my side, I decided to try two of their appetizers: the fried chicken sliders that were delicious and not spicy as I expected from the sriracha aioli, as well as the baby back ribs smothered in a pomegranate molasses. The sliders were my favorite: the ratio bread chicken was fine and the chicken was sublime. It was crispy on the outside and perfectly cooked, the chicken was moist and not dry at all. The ribs were good too, falling off the bone, with a nice sweetness from the molasses.

Fried chicken sliders at The Rag Trader in NYC, NY

Baby back ribs at The Rag Trader in NYC, NY

I would go back to The Rag Trader as their food is quite good, but probably more for lunch, hoping I will not need a Tylenol after that...And don’t be surprised if I did not mention dessert: we just wanted to leave as soon as possible!

Enjoy (I did...food only)!

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The Rag Trader - 70 W 36th St, New York, NY 10018

I Just Want To Eat! 8/26/19 I Just Want To Eat! 8/26/19

Taco Dumbo in NYC, NY

We passed in front of Taco Dumbo few times and decided to try it on a Friday evening. This casual place with a busy bar was packed and we were lucky to find a seat after the ordering at the counter.

The tacos and guacamole came fairly quickly at our table, but I had to ditch the classic margarita I ordered, realizing that they forgot it in my order. The guacamole, house made was pretty good, with chunks of avocado, but needed a small bit of salt. It was not bland though, but the tacos were! Bland and dry were the beef short-rib and the rotisserie chicken Tinga that I was really looking forward to as I love rotisserie chicken. Fortunately, there was some sauce (medium) spicy that I generously used in order to add flavor, but still, it was disappointing. More flavorful but still meh was the miso cod in lettuce wrap.

Beef short ribs and rotisserie chicken Tinga tacos at Taco Dumbo in NYC, NY

However, I found the impossible taco quite good compared to the others, but not to the point where I would go back for it. No, I would simply forget about this place and go to Mexicue for tasty tacos.

Impossible taco at Taco Dumbo in NYC, NY

Enjoy (...)!

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Taco Dumbo -2 Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY

I Just Want To Eat! 8/23/19 I Just Want To Eat! 8/23/19

Simply Chai in Hoboken, NJ

I am a coffee drinker: there is no doubt, although I severely reduced my intake when I realized that 14 espresso was a bit too much. So, tea is not something I would drink on a regular basis except at Chinese or Thai restaurants. One exception is Chai that I discovered many years ago during a trip to India. Chai means “tea” in Hindi so you should never say “Chai tea” the same way you would never say a “coffee espresso”. It is black tea that is mixed with spices like cardamom, clove, ginger, etc. and is said,…

So I was glad to see Simply Chai open few weeks ago, in a space that has seen many unsuccessful business closing fairly quickly, mainly coffee shops trying to compete with the nearby Starbucks. The space is big, relaxing and colorful, especially with all these little umbrellas on the ceiling.

Menu wise, they propose various versions of Chai and I should mention that, contrary to lots of places, they do not use tea bags or concentrate. No, they use spices sourced in India that they mix with black tea, boil it, add milk and continue to boil for a few seconds. Then they strain it and voila! You get a mixture that not only smells incredible, but also tastes amazing. They offer six different kinds of Chai (you can even get a flight of three), served hot, as well as five version of cold drinks that they are called Thandais. One of them is the Haldi Doodh, a drink that gets its color from turmeric (haldi) and is made with honey, spices and oat milk. Refreshing, you definitely get more than a hint of turmeric in it. This is again known as having health benefits thanks to the turmeric anti-inflammatory and antioxidant property.

If you are not really into chai, rest assured that they also propose coffee, from espresso to cortado, as well as an iced coffee made with cardamom that I preferred with milk.

Cardamon cold brew at Simply Chai in Hoboken, NJ

Petit coeur t Simply Chai in Hoboken, NJ

Haldi Doodh at Simply Chai in Hoboken, NJ

But besides the Chai, there is one thing that make this place even stand out: their dosa waffle. This dish is not a classic Indian dish but more a fusion of the dosa, a sort of crepe, and the waffle as we know it for the shape. We only tried the savory ones that are all vegetarian. My favorite was The Millenial, made with feta and avocado (a good one at least), but I also liked the Bombay Dreams stuffed with onions, cucumber, Amul cheese, sev for some added crispness, mint and date chutneys. The former being more like a classic American brunch offering and the second bringing Indian flavors. I admit that the waffle itself was really good, slightly crunchy in some areas.

The Millenial dosa waffle at Simply Chai in Hoboken, NJ

Bombay dreams dosa waffle at Simply Chai in Hoboken, NJ

I just need to try the sweet ones next time we go there. Because yes, I would go back in a heartbeat. I should mention that this place does something admirable: 10% of their profits will be used to house, feed and educate the homeless. So it is an even better argument to recommend this place.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Simply Chai - 79 Hudson St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 8/21/19 I Just Want To Eat! 8/21/19

Guest Chef's Night at Soul Curry in Hoboken, NJ

When we got invited to Soul Curry in Hoboken 2 Saturdays ago to attend a Guest Chef Night’s event, I was really excited: we love this place and we are often going there, the last time being right after being back from Europe, as we were craving Indian food. At Soul Curry, the menu proposes innovative and classic dishes crafted by Chef Hari Nayak that I met again, 7 years after our first encounter when the place was called Matt and Meera. It is always a pleasure to meet with Chef Nayak: his love for his cuisine and hospitality being undeniable. I told Chef Nayak that we were sad to see Matt and Meera close, the concept of American-Indian fusion being unique in Hoboken, and he explained that after 5 years, they wanted to change a bit. I am not going to complain, although I miss the wings at Matt and Meera that were superb, but still can enjoy the naanchos, a take on the messy nachos or their Old Deli butter chicken that has now some burrata in it, adding more creaminess to the dish, as well as a soothing element for those who find it spicy (I do not).

Manchurian cauliflower at Soul Curry in Hoboken, NJ

Also appreciated is the fact that they have a nice choice of vegetarian dishes, not so surprising for an Indian restaurant, but not the kind of dishes that would repulse non-vegetarian diners: yes, it happened that we shared an all vegetarian meal with Jodi and I was perfectly fine with it, to the contrary. Last, and before I talk about the guest Chef, I would point out the shareable appetizers, especially street food, that are amazing.

Chef Sampath and Chef Nayak at Soul Curry in Hoboken, NJ

So, that evening, the Guest Chef was Aarthi Sampath who worked at Junoon, a Michelin starred restaurant in the city we visited last year. I learnt that Chef Sampath started as an intern at Junoon and climbed the ladder to become Chef de cuisine that I am sure is not a simple thing. Quite impressive in fact, especially in a place like that. Her menu (a la carte or prix fixe with an appetizer, entree and dessert for $27) offered dishes inspired by North American comfort food, but with indian spices and a twist. For instance, one of the appetizers was a butter chicken poutine, with cheese curds, lime mayo, and makhni but, despite the name, no chicken. Perfect for two to share, I loved it: tasty and flavorful, with one of my favorite sauces drenching crispy (at first) fries. The second dish inspired from comfort food was the Kerala fried chicken and coconut waffle, a node to a classic southern dish. I admit that I did not really like the waffle but the chicken was fantastic: moist and well cooked, the crispy batter was infused with Indian spices.

Butter chicken poutine at Soul Curry in Hoboken, NJ

Kerala fried chicken with coconut waffle at Soul Curry in Hoboken, NJ

The last one in this category was the veggie burger, with a patty made with a potato and peas patty. Fairly classic and one again infused with Indian flavors. I should also mention the salad proposed as an appetizer: a tandoori peach salad that was quite refreshing and had lots of pieces of deliciously charred peach that paired very well with the generous amount of feta they put.

Veggie burger at Soul Curry in Hoboken, NJ

Tandoori peach salad at Soul Curry in Hoboken, NJ

We finished with dessert. And what a dessert! You could see the connection to her background at Junoon, this dessert being elegant with beautiful colors. It was a mango custard that was so light, with a superb baked mango custard with lime and champagne jello.

Mango custard at Soul Curry in Hoboken, NJ

This was a quite good meal and I admit that, besides the fact that I love the regular menu of Soul Curry, the idea of bringing a Guest Chef once a month is great. And know that if you do not want to try the special menu that evening, you can still order from their regular menu.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Soul Curry - 618 Washington Street, Hoboken NJ 07030