I Just Want To Eat! 12/6/21 I Just Want To Eat! 12/6/21

Afternoon tea at The Plaza Hotel in NYC

It’s been a while since we wanted to try the afternoon tea at The Plaza Hotel in New York City: this is a must do, although pricey. We went on a Monday I was off and it was perfect: not too many people, quiet, the way I like! It was our first time at The Plaza and the doorman made sure we had a good reason to get in: you are either a patron or a guest to enter in this iconic place that is stunning, especially in this time of the year, dressed with Holiday decorations…

The high tea is served at The Clam Court, the dining room right across from the entrance. We got a great spot on one side of the dining room that allowed us to sit next to each other. An afternoon tea is typically composed of tea (of course), sandwiches, sweets and scones. Everything comes on a three tier tray, allowing you to chose the order you want to eat. We decided to go for their Signature Holiday Tea.

It was composed of:

Sandwiches:

Pickled English Cucumber, Green Goddess Cremé, Rye Bread.

Red Leicester Cheese, Shallots, House-Made Mayo, Multigrain Bread.

Pastrami Cured Salmon, Horseradish Créme, Pumpernickel Bread.

Lobster Medallion, Truffle Aioli, Caviar, Toasted Brioche.

Foie Yule Log, Mission Figs, Foie Gras Jelly, Toasted Brioche.

Pastrami cured salmon sandwich at The Plaza Hotel in NYC

Lobster medallion at The Plaza Hotel in NYC

Foie gras sandwich at The Plaza Hotel in NYC

Scones:

Freshly Baked Warm Seasonal Scones.

Devonshire Cream, Grapefruit Rosemary Curd, House-Made Preserve.

Pastries and sweets:

Fresh Seasonal Fruit Tart (Raspberry in this case).

Lady Apple, Granny Smith & Marscapone Ganache, Caramelized Apple Cider Crumble Center.

Mont Blanc Tarte Sable, Chestnut Puree, Huckleberry Compote, Vanilla Cream.

Christmas Tree, Cranberry & Orange Compote, Marzipan Pain De Gene Cake.

Champagne Macaron, Rose Champagne Ganache.

Raspberry tart at The Plaza Hotel in NYC

Christmas tree at The Plaza Hotel in NYC

I chose an Icy Mint tea, while Jodi got an English Breakfast tea called “Big Ben”.

Overall, we had a wonderful time: the service was very courteous, as you would expect in such place, and the food not only being beautifully presented, but also being delicious and delicate. Looking at the portion, you may think it is not enough, but it is. I should mentioned that it was not stuffy, clearly a different experience compared to when we had afternoon tea at Bergdorf Goodman across the street before COVID.

For $125 per person, having an afternoon tea at The Plaza is definitely an unforgettable experience!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

The Plaza Hotel - 5th Avenue at, Central Park S, New York, NY 10022

I Just Want To Eat! 12/3/21 I Just Want To Eat! 12/3/21

The Elysian in Hoboken

I am not sure how I feel about the Elysian Cafe in Hoboken. This place has been open since 1895 and that is quite a while, continuing to serve an hungry crowd, lines always forming outside. The Elysian calls itself a French bistro, but, putting French names on their menu and a very limited number of dishes like the steak frites or French onion soup, I would qualify it more as an American bistro. Decent, not the best dinner or brunch in Hoboken, Anthony David’s or Bin 14 being on top of my list, but decent with reasonable prices. Here is what we had there:

For cocktails, their whisky smash made with Four Roses Bourbon, dry curaçao, fresh lemon juice and mint. Strong but refreshing thanks to the mint. For brunch, they serve an Irish coffee that is pretty good also.

The steak frites, made with NY strip and topped with thyme butter is a good deal. At $33, you get a good piece of meat, tender and juicy with French fries.

They also propose a cheese and charcuterie platter. Jodi being vegetarian asked for just the cheese that they accommodated gracefully but I was surprised to pay the same price as I doubt they put more cheese on the board, and their selection of cheese is quite limited as they served only 2 kinds.

Cheese platter at The Elysian in Hoboken

Brunch is quite classic with the egg white omelet being surprisingly good, especially because they put lots of goat cheese in it. But the croque madame was really a let down. It is true that the description says « ham, Gruyère and fried egg sandwich » but I did not think they would literally serve that, expecting an authentic croque madame instead. It was a bit deceptive. The sandwich was just ok: I had better egg sandwiches for sure.

So, yes, I am not sure what to think about this place. It is hit or miss I guess…

Enjoy (…)!

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

The Elysian - 1001 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 12/1/21 I Just Want To Eat! 12/1/21

Orale MK in Hoboken

Serving Mexican food, Orale has quickly conquered the Hoboken crowd from day one. It is probably because of the creative menu they offer with only few standard dishes like, of course, guacamole (although they propose the classic one but also ), but most of their dishes have a twist making their menu unique. The decor, colorful and cozy, with its Mexican soda walls that are lit and always a sort of attraction for new diners who, like me, take photos as soon as they see them, and the music, loud for sure, like being in a club. Not really my thing as I like to have a conversation with people and not have to scream to the top of my lungs…To that point, brunch is better since it is quieter.

Mexican soda wall at Orale MK in Hoboken

They have classic cocktails but also very creative ones like the Unicorn Poo that is made with Heaven Hill Bourbon, St George raspberry brandy, coconut and lime. And yes, on top you get a meringue with glitter. Nice, well balanced, you could definitely taste the different flavors.

Unicorn Poo cocktail at Orale MK in Hoboken

I mentioned the guacamole that we always get there, mild: Good, with nice chunks of avocado. There are other variations, but I always prefer the classic way.

They have few vegetarian dishes like their Brussels sprouts or the veggie tacos made with seitan, that are decent, and came with rice and beans, but there is one dish I could not not reorder: their truffle ribeye burrito that is big, the kind you would find on an episode of Man vs Food, even if Adam Richman ate burritos twice as big. It is made with black angus ribeye, charred habanero guacamole, caramelized onions, blue cheese crema, arugula (the only thing I would ditch), red rice and black beans, topped with truffled queso. Flavorful, I truly appreciated the fact that the truffle taste was not overpowering and added even more decadence to this dish.

Truffle ribeye burrito at Orale MK in Hoboken

Their brunch is also original: they do serve some of the items on their dinner menu like the guacamole or tacos, as well as classic Mexican brunch dishes like the huevos rancheros, made with a white arepa that definitely stands out, fried leeks, queso and salsa ranchera, on top of two fried eggs.

But the most surprising is their take on French toast: their corn bread French toast is superb. A good interpretation of a classic with a delicious corn bread that I could have eaten on its own.

Corn bread French toast at Orale MK in Hoboken

For dessert, I never liked their tres leches, but their churros are very good and addictive.

So, overall, going to Orale MK is a treat. Their menu changes regularly so, if you go, you may not find some of the dishes I mentioned in this post. That’s ok: I am sure you will find other ones as delicious!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Orale MK - 1426 Willow Ave, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 11/29/21 I Just Want To Eat! 11/29/21

Lokal in Jersey City, NJ

Jersey City has quite few gems and Lokal is surely one of them. I discovered this place back in September 2019, for their Grand Opening and we recently went there a couple of times for dinner. The place did not change if not for the outdoor dining that is probably the only benefit diners got from Covid: the floor to ceiling windows provide an unobstructed view of the New York skyline where the only annoyance would be the sun reflecting on the skyscrapers, giving a yellowish color to the dishes when you attempt to take a photo. The dining room is beautiful with its urban feel and it’s few different sections to accommodate diners’s mood: lounge, high top for large parties or small table for an intimate dinner.

Food wise, I should mention the happy hour from 4pm to 6pm: oysters for $1 (minimum of 6) or the choice of three appetizers for $21. We went for it and got their crispy Brussels sprouts (I’ll have to come back to this one), pan con tomate and olive tapenade (typical Spanish tapas with a slice of bread that at least was not a mess to cut!), as well as the cauliflower croquettes (nice and crispy). So, these Brussels sprouts: this is an incredible dish, served with a whisky maple sauce. Maybe a bit too much sauce at time, but so good: the Brussels sprouts are crunchy and the sauce deliciously sweet, pairing well with the savory taste of the parmesan. This is the kind of dish that would change the mind of anyone who does not like Brussels sprouts! They change the menu from time to time and hopefully will keep this dish. Another appetizer we tried was the bao buns that were stuffed with veggies and tofu. Good and tasty.

The only appetizer I did not really liked was the grilled squid accompanied by a tomato aioli, that was stuffed with panko, fennel and spinach: the fennel was too overpowering and the calamari a bit rubbery.

Pan con tomato at Lokal in Jersey City, NJ

Cauliflower. croquettes at Lokal in Jersey City, NJ

Brussels sprouts at Lokal in Jersey City, NJ

Veggie bao buns at Lokal in Jersey City, NJ

Grilled squid at Lokal in Jersey City, NJ

The mains are quite interesting, like the fried chicken served with a corn and pepper succotash crema, or the tea smoked lamb chops. The fried chicken was ok though for me as overcooked with the crust, being made with rice flour burnt. I mentioned it to the waiter and they addressed it pretty well. The lamb chops however were superb: perfectly cooked, they were served with an eggplant purée and a spicy miso (it is on the side so if you do not like spicy, it is ok and I am sure you can ask without I am sure - it was not that spicy anyway).

Fried chicken at Lokal in Jersey City, NJ

Butternut squash flatbread at Lokal in Jersey City, NJ

Before I speak about the desserts, I should mention the cocktails. For few of them, you can decide what alcohol you want. For instance, soju or mezcal, or whisky or rum. Clever as you can get many combinations, knowing that anyway they have a full bar and can certainly accommodate many requests. So, I went for the Elliot Stubb, their take on pisco sour named after the creator of this drink. It was made with bourbon (my choice over tequila), yuzu, aguafaba (that is the liquid where legumes have been cooked), blueberry, honey syrup and vermouth. Nice and fruity but I admit that I preferred the James Pepper that was not done with the whisky from the distillery of the same name, but with Four Roses bourbon, mixed with cinnamon syrup (nice smell and undertone), apricot liquor and sherry. Strong and original, it came with a spherical ice cube that contained a flower in it, adding a bit to the originality of the drink. And if you do not drink alcohol, they can make a mocktail for you or you can try to get their strawberry lemonade that was amazing: you could really taste the strawberries!

Elliot Stubb cocktail at Lokal in Jersey City, NJ

James Pepper cocktail at Lokal in Jersey City, NJ

Strawberry lemonade at Lokal in Jersey City, NJ

And dessert of course. The tiramisu is amazing, very creamy, served in a bowl like you would a custard, with the lady fingers perfectly soaked in coffee in the bottom.

We also tried their strawberry Mille feuille that was made with fresh strawberries. It was just ok: small and not as decadent as we would have thought. Maybe if the puff pastry had been buttery I would have been wowed, but not really.

Strawberry mille feuille at Lokal in Jersey City, NJ

Still, Lokal is a great spot for the view but also their food and drink menu that they change often. I definitely recommend it.

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 - 2 2nd St, Jersey City, NJ 07302

I Just Want To Eat! 11/26/21 I Just Want To Eat! 11/26/21

Los Cuernos in Jersey City

We passed by Los Cuernos in Newport few times and so, as we love Mexican cuisine, we decided to give it a try on a Friday evening. Surprisingly, this place was not packed and, as the weather was nice, we decided to eat outside and drink as well, I decided to try their house margarita that is apparently made with their house tequila. Nice and a great price as only $8 (this was not a happy hour).

We could not of course not get their guacamole that was quite good, with nice chunks of avocado and lots of cilantro.

For her main, Jodi went for their avocado tostada that was a bit bland and we realized later that it was missing some components like the beans.

However, on my side, it was great! I had some tacos. First I should mention that I love when you can pick a few rather than having three of the same. I ordered:

Cecina, made with flank steak.
Barbacoa, made with lamb.
Pescado, made with fish.

Cecina taco at Los Cuernos in Jersey City

Barbacoa taco at Los Cuernos in Jersey City

Pescado taco at Los Cuernos in Jersey City

My favorite was the lamb one that was slightly spicy, very tasty (I love the robust taste of lamb), and then the fish taco that was deliciously crispy, the fish being well cooked.

Last was dessert. We decided to try their tres leches, that is with churros, our go to dessert. The cake was good, but I should mention that we ditched the canned slice of peach that was unnecessary…

Tres leches at Los Cuernos in Jersey City

So, overall it was quite good and prices at Los Cuernos are pretty reasonable. I will definitely go back if in the area!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Los Cuernos - 499 Washington Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07310

I Just Want To Eat! 11/24/21 I Just Want To Eat! 11/24/21

Brunch at Black Barn in NYC

It’s been a while since we went to Black Barn, north of Madison Square Park and, as we passed in front of it, we decided to plan a visit for brunch, their outside setup being quite nice. So here we are, a couple of years later, ready to see how their menu evolved but also if we would have a better experience than before (dinner was great, but not brunch - this was before Covid).

It took us a while to pick a dish from their menu, many of them being mouth watering just looking at the description. We wanted to try their egg yolk raviolo but they did not have any, so we settled for the avocado toast, choosing the appetizer portion as we were planning to order their apple cider donuts for dessert. The avocado toast came with baked ricotta and had nice chunks of avocado on top. I really appreciated the fact that the bread was easy to cut as, often, it is so difficult that it becomes a bit messy.

I then could not resist trying their pepper crusted lamb ribs that came with a lemon hummus. I rarely see lamb ribs and, as I love lamb, ordering it was a no brainer. I was just wondering if the pepper crust would be overpowering, making me choke at every single bite. Well, that did not happen and my only regret was that it was an appetizer and not an entree: this dish is phenomenal! The lamb was deliciously fatty, juicy with a robust taste that I adore. The hummus was good, but, honestly, was not necessary.

Pepper crusted lamb ribs at Black Barn in NYC

Then we got the French toast or as they call it the Queen of pudding « French toast ». Served with a raspberry jam, it was more a pudding than a French toast, hence probably the quote used in the name and the toasted meringue on top looked beautiful, like a queen’s crown. It was very good but very dense also and we finally were too full to get the donuts.

Queen of pudding “French toast” at Black Barn in NYC

With our meal we had a tea for Jodi and an orange juice for me.

They also brought some honey butter corn muffins that are to die for!

So, overall, the brunch at Black Barn was superb, offering decadent food that make me drool as I write this post. I definitely recommend it and will certainly go back there for brunch or dinner.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Black Barn - 19 E 26th St, New York, NY 10010

I Just Want To Eat! 11/22/21 I Just Want To Eat! 11/22/21

Angelina Paris in NYC: an immersion to a Parisian experience

If you like hot cocoa and French pastries, there is one place you cannot miss in Paris: Angelina, near the Louvres Museum. This spot that opened in 1903 is a little gem where the highlight of their menu is their hot chocolate that has been their recipe for success for many years. Even in the hot weather, you cannot resist it. So, when I heard that they were opening an outpost in New York, near Bryant Park, I was excited (beware that there is…

The place is big, with the to go counter at the entrance and the dining room, with its Belle Époque style in the back. It was for brunch on a Saturday, and it was packed…and noisy!

They have a great brunch menu where you can go with the prix-fixed or à la carte. We went for the former, Jodi choosing the petit-déjeuner Angelina while I picked the brunch menu. Both started with a choice of beverage and I picked the hot chocolate while Jodi went for a tea as she knew she would get some of my drink, the serving being generous considering the hot cocoa is dense and filling, like melted chocolate, where the sweetness can be adjusted by mixing some whipped cream in it. Know that you can also have it cold, as I did few weeks before, sipping it in Bryant Park.

Iced chocolate drink from Angelina Paris in NYC

The prix-fixe came also with an orange juice and some viennoiseries (croissant, chocolate croissant and pain aux raisins).

Pain au chocolat at Angelina Paris in NYC

Pain aux raisins at Angelina Paris in NYC

Next was the main course. Omelet with mushrooms and cheese for Jodi and croissant with scrambled eggs and smoked salmon for me. Both were good but I thought that the omelet was better, less dry as the scrambled eggs were a bit over cooked. Despite this, I loved the combination with the croissant for its butter taste and the smoked salmon.

Omelet cheese and mushrooms at Angelina Paris in NYC

Smoked salmon and scrambled eggs in a croissant at Angelina Paris in NYC

While Jodi’s omelet came with fruits, I had to pick a dessert from the prix-fixed and went for the crepe. It was filled with a white chocolate praline cream and accompanied by whipped cream. Good, it is not something I would reorder though.

So, overall, the experience was good. The only negative is the fact that they bring all the dishes at the same time that can be challenging on their small tables. The prix-fixed are a good deal considering the prices à la carte. This is definitely a place to try if you want a trip to Paris without the cost of the ticket. And if you go, you cannot not get the old-fashioned hot chocolate!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Angelina Paris - 1050 6th Ave, New York, NY 10018

I Just Want To Eat! 11/19/21 I Just Want To Eat! 11/19/21

Breakfast at Buvette in NYC

It’s been a while since we wanted to try Buvette in the West Village, but I admit that seen the lines of people waiting there with no possibility of reservation was a turn off. So, on a Monday I was off, we thought that it would be a good moment to try, people working. For sure the line was much shorter and we got our table in less than 10 minutes, showing up at 11am…

The weather being nice that day, we decided to eat outside, but I checked out their dining room that was pretty and cozy with a patio in the back.

At that time they were still serving breakfast, so I was quite happy considering that most people who told us about Buvette were talking specifically about their breakfast. Here is what we had:

To start, Jodi got a peppermint tea while I opted for their homemade ginger soda (great if you like ginger as quite a strong flavor if it).

We then shared their French toast that was top with berries. This French toast is one of the best I had: the thick slice of brioche was bathed in a crème anglaise. It might not have been the best crème anglaise I had, missing a bit of vanilla flavor, but I simply found this French toast delicious. I was not the only one considering the number of tables who ordered it.

We both ordered eggs: chèvre or goat for Jodi, saumon fumé or smoked salmon for me. Both dishes came on pieces of bread that is probably the only negative: it was hard to cut, especially with the knife they provided that seemed to belong to a doll house…The chèvre eggs came with sundried tomatoes while the salmon one came with crème fraîche. The star of the dish was definitely these scrambled eggs: moist, perfectly cooked (meaning not dry), like I love them. Simply succulent!

So, overall it was a great meal. I understand why people rave about Buvette but this wonderful experience did not convince me that it is worth waiting an hour or more on line to get in…

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Buvette - 42 Grove St, New York, NY 10014

I Just Want To Eat! 11/17/21 I Just Want To Eat! 11/17/21

Brunch at Sona in NYC

Instagram can be a great tool for restaurants as you get free advertising thanks to the photos they post or that their diners post. So, it is thanks to Instagram that we decided, last minute, to go to Sona for brunch. We had no plan that day and then I saw a photo from Chef Hari Nayak: it did not take us long to reserve a table and be on our way…

I was really looking forward to trying their brunch menu as we had a fantastic dinner few weeks before. The menu is interesting with several classic dishes prepared with an Indian twist like the pastrami naan sandwich made with Katz’s Deli famous meat. Quite comforting and very filling, it is a good rendition of a classic delicatessen sandwich, letting the pastrami remain the star of the dish.

Eggs have also a whole section on the menu and Jodi tried the mushrooms bhurji that are scrambled eggs mixed with mushrooms and various spices that you eat with pav, a soft bread roll that was introduced by the Portuguese in India.

Hash browns are also on the menu, but again, Indian style: the hash brown aloo tiki, made with spiced yogurt and chutney are a delicious small plate to share, especially if you like sweet and savory. Each bite is an explosion of flavors that is not to be missed.

They of course have various cocktails and juices like the health tonic, a mix of beet juice, citrus shru, cumin, turmeric, spiced honey and tonic. And of course coffee or chai.

So, this was great and I enjoyed it as much as the dinner we had there. Sona is a great place for elegant and creative Indian cuisine for sure. I would definitely go back!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Sona - 36 E 20th St, New York, NY 10003

I Just Want To Eat! 11/15/21 I Just Want To Eat! 11/15/21

Lunch at 12 Chairs Cafe in NYC

We passed in front of 12 Chairs Cafe in Soho many times, intrigued by the line in front of it as I never heard about this place before. The name comes apparently from the time their small cafe had only 12 chairs, a thing from the past considering that they expanded, with even a restaurant in…

The menu of this Israeli place is nice, with lots of options for vegetarians and non- vegetarians, and with many middle eastern choices, but not only, perfect to share. Here is what we had:

Coffee and tea are pretty basic, but know that they have fresh squeezed juices as well as a mint lemonade.

The borek, that is a phyllo dough stuffed with potato purée and an egg that is then deep fried is superb! You get the crunchiness of the fried phylo and then the softness of the potato purée combined with the creaminess of the runny egg yolk. It came with labneh and a tomato purée that gave some freshness to it.

The sabich is not bad, although not as good as the one at Taim. This eggplant sandwich made with a fluffy pita is filled with fried eggplant, a hard boiled egg, tahini, onion and I guess it had some turnip in it. It was ok as a bit mushy and I thought that the taste of the eggplant was a bit lost in it. However, I liked the presentation that made it very easy to share, the pita being cut in half and the Israeli salad split also in two equal portions.

But I think the best was dessert. We did not hesitate to order they knafe, a Mediterranean dessert made with kadayifi, gabneh cheese, orange blossom and sugar syrup. Homey, the sweetness of the syrup is cut by the cheese. the only regret is that it is small!

So, overall, it was a great lunch. I understand why so many people wait in line to dine at this place: it is pretty good. I’ll definitely go back to 12 Chairs Cafe, in off times to avoid the line…

12 Chairs Cafe - 56 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012

I Just Want To Eat! 11/12/21 I Just Want To Eat! 11/12/21

Laduree Soho in NYC

Several weeks ago, Jodi went to Laduree with her friends Greg and Fletcher. She of course had to tell me what people ordered and that made me want to go back there. So, on Columbus Day, we decided to go back, myself being eager to get that vol au vent I had the last time we went.

As it was a Holiday, there were not that many people and…

As it was a Holiday, there were not that many people and, the weather being great, we decided to reserve a table in their patio. That was perfect: not just because of the noise level that was not loud (it is something I cannot get used to), but also was like being transported to France, with some sort of laid back atmosphere, appreciating the fact that we were not rushed to be done and leave.

Menu wise, I did not really find an appetizer I absolutely had to try and went directly to the main dish, thinking that anyway I would get some desserts (notice the plural…). That’s when the vol au vent comes. Vol au vent is made with puff pastry. You kind of create a well that can be filled at your discretion, mostly savory. At Laduree, it is with a succulent sauce made with chicken, button mushrooms and morel mushrooms. Lots of morels!

I love this dish: the butter and flakiness of the vol au vent itself comes through, not fully overpowered by this delicious and homey sauce, but smothered by it and covered by the chicken and mushrooms in a decadent presentation. This is a must have and know that for dinner, they propose a vegetarian version.

Taking about vegetarian, they have a nice selection of vegetarian dishes, but Jodi was not lucky that day because they did not have the taboule de choux-fleur (cauliflower taboule) that she had the last time she went and so, she decided to go for their Quiche Veggie, made with zucchini, goat cheese, za’atar and sundried tomato. The quiche was very good: fluffy, moist and tasty, it was accompanied with fries that were thin and crispy.

Last was dessert: you cannot go to Laduree and not have dessert! Especially the macarons. We got 4 of them: 2 vanilla, 1 chocolate and 1 hazelnut. The hazelnut one was disappointing, missing the taste of hazelnut and tasting more like chocolate; the chocolate one was too dense; however, the vanilla one was delicious. They usually have good macarons and I think it is because of the choices we made (where is the salted caramel macaron?).

Chocolate macaron at Laduree Soho in NYC

And of course, I could not resist ordering the Plaisir Sucre cake that is made with chocolate, hazelnuts, meringue biscuit, praline and a milk chocolate filling. This was fantastic: very chocolatey, contrary to the macaron, you could really taste the hazelnuts in the chocolate as well as the ones that were in the bottom. Dense and not too sweet, I love the different layers of this cake and texture with the crunchiness of the praline in the bottom. This is a must have if you love hazelnut!

I should mention that we ate our dessert with a tea for Jodi and a double macchiato for me.

So, this was a great meal: Laduree is a great place and they succeeded to create a French feel in a relaxed atmosphere. I will certainly go back, this time maybe to try their dinner!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Laduree - 398 W Broadway, New York, NY 10012

I Just Want To Eat! 11/10/21 I Just Want To Eat! 11/10/21

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in Jersey City, NJ

I have always been a fan of Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, loving their steaks that they cook in butter and bring in a 500 degree plate to your table, sizzling, like hearing angels singing in your ear. But know that, unlike most of the chains, they are not consistent from one location to the other. I like the one Midtown Manhattan, but do not like much the one in Wehawken where I went a couple of times and was disappointed by their steak: not a great quality and not well cooked, missing the char that they perfect anywhere else. So I was excited to verify my theory in Jersey City, at their location in Newport. The place is fairly big, a little dark, situated few blocks from the path station.

The menu is quite standard and I decided to go for my favorites. So I first started with their Gambler’s Old Fashioned, made with Knob Creek, Demerara sugar and bitters. Boy was it strong!

Gambler’s old fashioned at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in Jersey City, NJ

Then, I got their crab cakes. Appetizer size as they also offer them as an entree. The two pieces of deliciousness came sizzling, bathed in a lemon butter sauce that was not overpowering and let the jumbo lump crab remain the star of the dish. These are a must have: it is not like places where you have more filler than crab meat.

Crab cakes at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in Jersey City, NJ

Next was the cowboy ribeye. Bone in, his 22oz of meat was perfectly cooked medium rare and had a nice crust. The meat was tender and tasty, coming sizzling, bathed in butter. I love it.

Ribeye at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in Jersey City, NJ

I decided to accompany it with their potato au gratin that is made with a three cheese sauce. Decadent and never disappointing.

Potato au gratin at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in Jersey City, NJ

Jodi being vegetarian was a good sport to accept a dinner there and, besides the potatoes, got herself a chopped salad.

Chopped salad at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in Jersey City, NJ

Last was dessert. We decided to go for their chocolate sin cake. Well, I understand the name: this is like pure chocolate ganache. Flourless, served with a raspberry sauce, it was so chocolatey that I regretted they did not serve it with whipped cream to cut a bit on the dense chocolate. Still, superb!

Chocolate sin cake at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in Jersey City, NJ

So, overall we had a great dinner at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in Jersey City. Great service (I should mention it) and delicious food. And yes, I finished my steak…

Enjoy (I did)!

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Ruth’s Chris - 499 Washington Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07310

I Just Want To Eat! 11/8/21 I Just Want To Eat! 11/8/21

Brooklyn Chophouse in NYC

I am a big fan of Brooklyn Chophouse. Funny enough, when I mention that place, people think that it is located in Brooklyn when in fact in it downtown Manhattan, close the the World Trade Center.

What I like about this place is their interesting menu that has Chinese food and steak! Interesting combination that they execute well. Although I was tempted to get their ribeye the last time we were there, we decided to stick to Chinese cuisine, sharing most of the dishes. Here…

I am a big fan of Brooklyn Chophouse. Funny enough, when I mention that place, people think that it is located in Brooklyn when in fact in it downtown Manhattan, close the the World Trade Center.

I started by ordering a Manhattan from their full bar as none of their specialty cocktails had whisky in it.

Then came the food, surprisingly all at the same time, making it a bit challenging to have all the dishes on the table. The first one was scallion pancake, a classic, deliciously greasy, slightly crispy and flakey: always a crowd pleaser.

Scallion pancakes at Brooklyn Chophouse in NYC

Then we had the steamed edamame dumplings that were quite good, the shell not being to thick and with a flavorful filling.

Edamame dumplings at Brooklyn Chophouse in NYC

Next was the crispy sweet and sour eggplant that is in the category side for two. I love it: crispy, spicy and sweet, with well cooked eggplant. A must have.

Crispy sweet and sour eggplant at Brooklyn Chophouse in NYC

For non-vegetarian dishes, I decided to try their short rib bao buns. The bun itself was nice, pillowy and slightly sticky and the filling delicious, the sauce dripping on my fingers (yes, a little messy).

Short rib bay buns at Brooklyn Chophouse in NYC

I also got the lobster satay that came with what they call their « famous peanut sauce ». It came sizzling on a skillet, perfectly cooked. Superb! This is a another must have.

Lobster satay at Brooklyn Chophouse in NYC

For dessert, we shared the double height chocolate cake. I admit that this was a bit of a disappointment: it for sure did not look like the photo on their website and was not that chocolatey.

Double height chocolate cake at Brooklyn Chophouse in NYC

Despite this, the meal was great. Brooklyn Chophouse is a good place for dinner and you don’t even need to go to Brooklyn to enjoy it!

Enjoy (I did)!

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Brooklyn Chophouse - 150 Nassau St, New York, NY 10038

I Just Want To Eat! 11/5/21 I Just Want To Eat! 11/5/21

Dulce de Leche In Jersey City, NJ

I discovered Dulce de Leche thanks to one of my coworkers who brought the signature cake (aka the house cake) from this Argentinian bakery located in Jersey City and raved about the various items they offer. After tasting that cake (that yes, had dulce de leche in it), we…

The place was fairly busy, most of the people checking all the goodies that were on display, probably like us, unsure what to order, so many things looking very appetizing. We decided to try few the following:

Churros - you cannot go wrong with churros and, although not made à la minute (to order), they were deliciously crispy and chewy. One was a classic, the other one filled with Nutella.

Churros at Dulce de Leche In Jersey City, NJ

Another item with Nutella was a sort of beignet (I do not recall the name…). It was very good, although I would have liked more Nutella in it.

Beignet with Nutella at Dulce de Leche In Jersey City, NJ

Then we had a palmier, that is made with puff pastry, tasting buttery and being nicely caramelized on the outside. Quite good.

Palmier at Dulce de Leche In Jersey City, NJ

Last was the cake. We could not not try a cake that they offer by the slice. A tres leches could have been our choice, but then, we saw their dulce de leche chantilly, a chocolate cake with layers of dulce de leche and chantilly. Let me tell you: this is one of the best chocolate cakes I ever had! Moist, chocolatey without being dense, not too sweet, the chantilly, similar to the one on a tres Leche cake cutting on the sweetness of the Dulce de Leche a bit; also, the pairing of the dulce de leche and chocolate cake was perfect. I would even recommend it over the house cake!

Dulce de leche Chantilly cake at Dulce de Leche In Jersey City, NJ

So it was great and I am looking forward to go back to Dulce de Leche, maybe this time to try one of their savory products like the empanada that are apparently very good.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Dulce de Leche - 376 Centrale Avenue, Jersey City 07037

I Just Want To Eat! 11/3/21 I Just Want To Eat! 11/3/21

Brunch at Aunt Jake’s in NYC

We discovered Aunt Jake’s few years ago and loved their concept: they make homemade pasta and understand that sometimes diners would like to order a dish but the pasta might not be what they like or they do not see a sauce they love. So, what they do is that they propose a create your own concept where you can pick a type of pasta and a sauce. We were there for brunch and I surely did not need to do that because they had squid ink bucatini alle vongole. Let me explain: I love squid ink pasta (never had bucatini like that before by the way),I love bucatini and I often order linguine alle vongole. So my choice was quickly made. And I did not regret it: the clams were buried under perfectly cooked pasta that were delicious and I could not resist dipping the bread that came with it in the white wine sauce.

Squid ink bucatini alle vongole at Aunt Jake’s in NYC

But, if you prefer a classic brunch, you can get eggs (Jodi go a side of scrambled eggs that were well made, not dry at all as well as a small salad) or, a must have is their French toast. Nicely presented, the thick pieces of bread were eggy on the inside and crispy on the outside thanks to the cornflake crust. It came with a berry sauce as well as a small quantity of maple syrup. At first, we thought that we would have to ask for more syrup, but between the berry sauce and the French toast itself being eggy, it was not necessary. That was superb and is definitely a must have.

We also got some juice: grapefruit for Jodi and a green juice for me made with green apple, kale, celery (too much of it) and ginger.

So, overall, this was a great meal: Aunt Jake’s is a great find with amazing dishes and a great concept when it comes to pasta. I should mention the name that gets people confused: it is on purpose that the owner gave a name that does not implies any gender. As they say about this fictitious character: “as the menu allows you the freedom to choose what appeals to you, so should the name”!

Enjoy (I did)!

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Aunt Jake’s - 1555 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10028

I Just Want To Eat! 11/1/21 I Just Want To Eat! 11/1/21

Amazing meals at Fire & Oak in Jersey City

We were walking in Newport, looking for a place to eat, when we stumbled upon Fire & Oak in the Westin Hotel. At that point, we were not expecting much, thinking that a restaurant in a hotel would not offer an incredible meal, but that was ok, as we just wanted to sit down and relax after…

Private room at Fire & Oak in Jersey City

Looking at the menu and the diversity of the dishes, I was thinking that they probably wanted to cater to the different crowds that stay there. It had steaks, seafood, pizza, sushi, etc. It seemed all over the place and I was wondering if we made a good choice. Mon dieu was I wrong! After our first dinner there, I just wanted to go back! The food there is really good. Just see for yourself what we had:

Cocktails there are interesting and I am sure that they can accommodate any request as they have a full bar. Of course, I could not not try their old fashioned, especially as I was intrigued by the mention « special presentation » on the menu (quite smart). I knew what was coming and was ready to take a video! It was made with Barrel Aged Misunderstood ginger spiced whisky. I preferred it over the Herbal Zen cocktail that was composed of Corgi Earl Grey Gin, Laphroaig scotch, lemon and honey syrup. Strong, I appreciated the added sweetness of the honey syrup but thought that there was too much going on there.

Old fashioned at Fire & Oak in Jersey City

Herbal zen cocktail at Fire & Oak in Jersey City

For appetizers, I have tried their mussels in white wine sauce that reminded me a bit when I was living in France and ordering mussels and fries in restaurants, dipping the fries in the sauce. There was a nice quantity of these big mussels and I thought that this could be great if ordered as a main with their crispy fries.

The Grilled Spanish octopus is delicious, served with a fava dip. They surely know how to cook it as it was not rubbery and had a perfect char. My only regret is that they cut it in pieces, a whole tentacle being more beautiful on a plate.

Grilled spanish octopus at Fire & Oak in Jersey City

We also tried their Detroit pizza. First time I had one and admit I had no idea what it was. It is a thick crust pizza usually backed in a rectangular pan used for automotive drip or to hold small parts in factories. Makes sense considering the automotive history of Detroit. We tried their mozzarella pizza, as well as the eggplant and burrata pizza. Slightly crunchy with the sides deliciously caramelized, these pizza are very comforting, covered with lots of toppings and a generous amount of cheese.

Eggplant and burrata Detroit pizza at Fire & Oak in Jersey City

Mozzarella Detroit pizza at Fire & Oak in Jersey City

I also tried their steak frites. Made with hanger steak, it came with a sauce au poivre (pepper sauce) that I asked on the side, and truffle parmesan fries. The steak itself, although medium rather than medium rare as ordered, was juicy, tender and had a nice crust. With or without their sauce was fine, that sauce being perfectly made, not too peppery so you choke at each bite! And these fries…Thin and crispy, with the right amount of truffle oil and Parmesan: very addictive.

Steak frites at Fire & Oak in Jersey City

Of course we had to try desserts. Their cast-iron Apple crostata is out of this world! It comes in a very hot skillet, the vanilla ice cream melting and sizzling when hitting the bottom of the dish. The apple is cooked all the way through, encased in a delightfully buttery dough. After the first bite, you simply cannot stop.

Apple crostata at Fire & Oak in Jersey City

Their key lime pie is also amazing: with its thick Graham cracker crust, it is not too tart and not too sweet. Superb!

Key lime pie at Fire & Oak in Jersey City

So, overall, we had amazing meals at Fire & Oak. Their menu might be diverse but they succeeded to execute well whatever dish they propose. In fact, it definitely makes me want to go back to try some other dishes.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Fire & Oak - 479 Washington Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07310

I Just Want To Eat! 10/29/21 I Just Want To Eat! 10/29/21

Wild Ink in Hudson Yard, NYC

Going to Wild Ink in Hudson Yard was not our original plan. We wanted to go back to Miznon for dinner, but they did not have table service and we just wanted to have a nice dinner somewhere. So we roamed around the mall and ended up finding this place on the fifth floor. With its great view of the river and the Vessel, this place was quite busy, with few groups celebrating events and one of the dishes we saw the most passing by was their Peking duck that I would have loved to try, but they…

I started with a cocktail and got their Soul of Tokyo, made with Suntory Toki whisky, oolong tea, pear syrup and yuzu.

Soul of Tokyo cocktail at Wild Ink in Hudson Yard, NYC

I then decided to try their main lobster and prawn hargow, one of their dumplings where the shell, that was similar to the one in crystal shrimp dumplings (not too thick and a bit sticky), was made with squid ink, giving to this dish this beautiful black color. The filling was quite good, composed of chunks of lobster and shrimp that were perfectly cooked.

Lobster and prawn hargow at Wild Ink in Hudson Yard, NYC

We also shared the crispy mapo dumplings that were filled with shiitake mushroom, tofu and ginger, one of the few vegetarian options they propose. Quite good, it was very tasty and I loved the crispness of the shell that was not greasy at all.

Crispy mapo dumplings at Wild Ink in Hudson Yard, NYC

Talking about vegetarian dishes, we were a bit surprised that they did not propose more vegetarian entrees as Asian cuisine offers tons of options that can even satisfy non-vegetarians. The only one was the sizzling rice pot that was not at all what we expected. We were expecting a dish similar to a bibimbap for the sizzling part but the bowl was not at all hot and so you could forget about creating a rice crust aka soccarat! You definitely needed the mala sauce in it, but it was a bit spicy for Jodi who ditched it, but, unfortunately, it was a bit bland and lacked a bit of shiitake mushrooms. For $26, they probably could have put more of them.

Sizzling rice pot at Wild Ink in Hudson Yard, NYC

On my side, the experience was different: I got their black angus bavette that is flank steak. It was served with an herb salad and marinated in a pho broth, giving to the meat that was tender and juicy, an incredible taste. I simply loved it. And I can say that I had a salad for dinner…

For dessert, we decided to try their sundae that was composed of three ice creams: black sesame, Japanese brown sugar and red bean, topped with a dark chocolate sauce and a coconut whipped cream. Interesting flavors, my favorite was the brown sugar one that had a nutty flavor.

So, overall, I had a great meal at Wild Ink. Less for Jodi, but it could be because of the choice of the entree. If we go back, she will have to pick various vegetarian appetizers that will hopefully be good. Because I would love to go back!

Enjoy (I did)!

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Wild Ink - 20 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001

I Just Want To Eat! 10/27/21 I Just Want To Eat! 10/27/21

The Flatiron Room in NYC

When it comes to whisky, the one place I love in the city is The Flatiron Room near…The Flatiron! I discovered it back in 2018 when looking for a whisky class. This place is amazing with its close to 1,000 different kinds of my favorite spirit. You can see all these bottles along the wall opposite the bar, locked up as some of them are precious like the Macallan 30 y/o at $8,523 a bottle!!!

Whisky tasting at The Flatiron Room in NYC

Kavalan Ex Bourbon Oak from Taiwan.
Starward Nova from Australia: I discovered this one few years ago at an event from Flaviar, a whisky club, and loved its smokey flavor.
Bastille Single Malt from France.
The Irishman’s Founder Reserve from Ireland.
The St George “Baller”, an American Single Malt. I loved this whisky that had a nice underlying tone of plum. The bottle is very interesting: it looks like a Japanese liquor, a nod from the master distiller, Lance Winters to Japan. I loved it so much that I got myself a bottle the next day!
Paul John Edited from India.

We went there on a Friday evening, and of course, they had a band playing in the back, adding a bit more to the retro atmosphere this place carries.

For my meal, I decided to try a couple of appetizers. The first one was the roasted bone marrow, that I was looking forward to; it was topped with fizzled leeks and accompanied by garlic bread.

Roasted bone marrow at The Flatiron Room in NYC

The second one was the 3 picadas, inspired from a Colombian dish, where they propose three kinds of meat served on top of what seemed like an arepa. The meats were: crispy pork belly, short rib and American wagyu (i liked them in that order, from good to very good). Delicious and quite flavorful, each of them was different, to the point that it seems more a dish for one person than to share so you do not miss out on any of the combinations.

Pork belly picada at The Flatiron Room in NYC

Short rib picada at The Flatiron Room in NYC

Wagyu picada at The Flatiron Room in NYC

Jodi opted for the curried cauliflower and charred tomatoes that came with basmati rice and naan bread. I should mention that they do have a few dishes if you are vegetarian.

Curried cauliflower and charred tomatoes at The Flatiron Room in NYC

For dessert, we decided to try their 28 layers cake. Funny enough, it collapsed as soon as they pour the chocolate sauce on it and they had to replace the table cloth were some cake and sauce landed, and brought us a new one that they put on its side to avoid another accident. The cake was quite good, very chocolatey. A must have!

28 layers chocolate cake at The Flatiron Room in NYC

So we had a great time once again at The Flatiron Room. The food there is delicious, so I am not just going there for the whisky…

Enjoy (I did)!

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The Flatiron Room- 37 W 26th St, New York, NY 10010

I Just Want To Eat! 10/25/21 I Just Want To Eat! 10/25/21

Il Tavolo di Palmisano in Hoboken, NJ

Hoboken as truly good places to eat, but I feel that those that are not on Washington street are sometimes forgotten, unless word of mouth puts them on the map like Antique Bar and Bakery or Chocopain. So it is nice to explore and find a place off the beaten path like Il Tavolo di Palmisano, an Italian restaurant in the corner of 7th and Clinton St. We went there on a Saturday evening and could only sit on the high top next to the bar, the dining room in the back being full. Normally, I would not like it because of…

I started the meal with their barrel Manhattan, loving the taste of amaro. It was made with Savage & Cooke rye, Montenegro amaro, vermouth and orange bitter.

Barrel Manhattan at Il Tavolo di Palmisano in Hoboken, NJ

For our appetizer, we share the fried burrata that was superb: first of all, anything fried is good, and I loved the crispness of the fried shell combined with the softness of the burrata that has always this refreshing tone. It was on top of a spicy pepper spread that had a nice kick that was combined with a tomato sauce. If you never tried fried burrata, I recommend it.

Fried burrata at Il Tavolo di Palmisano in Hoboken, NJ

For her main, Jodi got a special: eggplant Parmesan ravioli, that, just by the name of it sounds delicious and a bit magic. And it was quite good: the oversized ravioli had a nice amount of eggplant parmesan in it and were topped with cheese and bathed in a tomato sauce.

Eggplant parmesan ravioli at Il Tavolo di Palmisano in Hoboken, NJ

On my side I could not not go with linguine and clams, on of my go to dishes when eating in an Italian restaurant. It was good, not the best I ever had, but good.

Linguine with clams at Il Tavolo di Palmisano in Hoboken, NJ

Last was dessert. I admit that I would have liked a tiramisu, but unfortunately, they did not have any and we went instead for their creamy almond cake that was ok.

Creamy almond cake at Il Tavolo di Palmisano in Hoboken, NJ

So overall, it was good, maybe not the best Italian in Hoboken, but a good address for sure. I’ll be definitely back.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Il Tavolo di Palmisano -700 Clinton St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 10/22/21 I Just Want To Eat! 10/22/21

Jajaja Plantas Mexicanas in the West Village

There are many vegan places in the City and Jajaja Plantas Mexicanas in the West Village seems to be very popular. Definitely, the is a bit of a hype vibe there and their outdoor patio is a nice setting for lunch or dinner.

This place serves tequila, mezcal and Mexican beer, with some interesting take on classic…

This place serves tequila, mezcal and Mexican beer, with some interesting take on classic cocktails like their Oaxacan Old Fashioned, made with Cazadores reposado, mezcal, agave and chocolate bitters.

Oaxacan old fashioned at Jajaja Plantas Mexicanas in the West Village

Serving Mexican food, they have classics: guacamole, enchiladas, tacos, etc. with descriptions that are quite mouth watering. But I admit that, after two visits, I was not that impressed with their menu. I know, I am a non-vegetarian, so going to a vegan restaurant seems a bit out of place, but, even classic dishes like the guacamole were not that well done: it was simply watery.

Guacamole at Jajaja Plantas Mexicanas in the West Village

Then, I found that the tacos and their stuffed homemade tortillas had too much on it, not only making it difficult to eat, but having too much going on and being a bit mushy. The mezcal mushroom tacos that are made with beet and paprika tortillas, red pepper, pico de Gallo and sour cream (not sure how they make it but their vegan sour cream is quite good) were just ok for me and did not like at all the Barbacoa tacos that are made with yuba, adobo, guajillo and ancho chili, coconut feta cream, serrano pepper. This dish was quite spicy, as advertised, but it is the taste of the Yuba that I did not like at all.

Mezcal mushroom tacos at Jajaja Plantas Mexicanas in the West Village

Barbacoa tacos at Jajaja Plantas Mexicanas in the West Village

We also tried the Gorditas that is made of two stuffed tortillas, beans, serrano pepper, shiitake bacon and sour cream. The fried tortilla was crispy, but again, too much going on in it.

Gorditas at Jajaja Plantas Mexicanas in the West Village

But not everything was not great: the elotes or Mexican street corn were delicious and slightly spicy. This is always a crowd pleaser.

Mexican street corn at Jajaja Plantas Mexicanas in the West Village

Or the coconut quest quesadilla, made with spinach and basil pesto, serrano, king mushroom, pico de Gallo and sour cream: creamy and tasty, this was my favorite with the corn from all the dishes I have tried.

Coconut queso quesadilla at Jajaja Plantas Mexicanas in the West Village

Last is of course dessert and their churros are superb. They come with a coconut dulce de leche that I did not care for and can be eaten without it, being quite addictive.

Churros at Jajaja Plantas Mexicanas in the West Village

So, the meals there were ok. I would go back there only if someone I know wants to go there, being vegan, vegetarian or curious. And I would then get the corn, the quesadilla and, of course, the churros! They are quite creative and their dishes are colorful, but this is not for me…

Enjoy (…)!

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Jajaja Plantas Mexicanas - 65 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003