I Just Want To Eat! 1/21/22 I Just Want To Eat! 1/21/22

Vegan lunch at Beatnic in NYC

You may not know Beatnic, but if I tell you that it is the rebranded name of By Chloe, it probably rings a bell. Founded in 2015 by Chef Chloe Coscarelli, the rebranding is the result of a long legal battle between the Chef and the investors of the restaurant that truly put vegan dishes on the map in New York City, making it a bit trendy. Chef Coscarelli is not anymore part of the adventure and it could be why Beatnic does not have the same aura. This fast casual place offers interesting dishes that I was looking forward to try as a non-vegetarian who had great vegan food in the past and I was really disappointed. The air fried fries were horrible, totally undercooked and the chicky deluxe, the vegan version of the fried chicken sandwich, made with tempeh, although crunchy at first, became quickly mushy. At least the nachos were ok, mainly being tortilla chips, jalapeño and black beans (but still mainly tortilla chips) and they know how to make a salad (quinoa taco salad made with Romaine, Quinoa, Spicy Chorizo, Black Beans, Sweet Corn, Avocado, Tomato, Tortilla Strips, Tofu Crema, Agave-Lime Vinaigrette). I was definitely not convinced when I left and so was Jodi who is vegetarian.

Chicky deluxe sandwich at Beatnic in NYC

Well, I do not think I will be back soon!

Enjoy (…)!

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

Beatnic- 60 W 22nd St, New York, NY 10010

I Just Want To Eat! 1/19/22 I Just Want To Eat! 1/19/22

Madame Claude Bis in Jersey City

I heard about Madame Claude Bis, a French restaurant located under the White Eagle Theater in Jersey City for some time and decided to try it. Opened by wife and husband, Alice Troïetto and Mattias Gustafsson who are both from France, I admit that the name makes me smile: Madame Claude, whose real name was Fernande Grudet, headed a network of call girls in France in the 60s. When she got arrested, she threatened to expose political and famous personalities that she claimed were her clients (she claimed that JFK was a client for instance). No, Madame Claude Bis is a legitimate restaurant serving French cuisine, with gypsy music and French songs on Thursdays by a band called the Manouche Bag.

The place is nice: located at the bottom of a townhouse, you walk downstairs to a warm dining room with an atmosphere that reminds me of one particular restaurant I used to go to when living in Paris called Le Temps Des Cerises.

The menu is full of classic French dishes, from coq au vin to duck confit, and of course the classic steak frites. Here is what we had:

I decided to order a cocktail, The Manouche Bag (remember the band I mentioned before), made with Rye, chocolate bitters, sweet vermouth and Chartreuse, while Jodi got a grenadine syrup (these syrups are quite popular in France: concentrated, you just add water or seltzer to it - there are flavors like mint, anise, cherry, mojito, etc). I should mention that they have a nice selection of French whisky (Rozelieures, Michel Couvreur).

Grenadine syrup at Madame Claude Bis in Jersey City

The Manouche Bag cocktail at Madame Claude Bis in Jersey City

As an appetizer, I could not pass on the escargots, that were made with the classic garlic, butter and parsley sauce (I of course dipped some bread in it).

Escargots at Madame Claude Bis in Jersey City

Jodi got their smoked chanterelles mushrooms that were sublime, really smoky but without overpowering the delicious taste of these elegant mushrooms.

Smoked chanterelles mushrooms at Madame Claude Bis in Jersey City

She then continued her meal with a warm goat cheese salad that was served on a crouton with mesclun, carrot and slices of pear.

Warm goat cheese salad at Madame Claude Bis in Jersey City

On my side, after quite a bit of hesitation, I ordered their lamb shank. That dish was phenomenal. The lamb shank was braised in rosemary and white wine, the meat literally falling off the bone, to the point where I did not even need a knife. It came with baby green peas, carrots and a potato gratin that was deliciously cheesy. I was in heaven!

Lamb shank at Madame Claude Bis in Jersey City

Last was dessert. We decided to go for their homemade tarte tatin. Although I wished it was more buttery, I thought it was a good way to end this delicious meal.

Tarte tatin at Madame Claude Bis in Jersey City

So, yes, Madame Clause Bis was a real treat and I will certainly go back to that place. It is one of the few French restaurants in Jersey City that are worth a visit.

Enjoy (I really did)!

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

Madame Clause Bis - 390 4th St, Jersey City, NJ 07302

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

Boucherie in NYC

On Christmas Eve, we were looking for a place to eat when we finally decided to go to Boucherie near Union Square. We went there a while back, on Valentine’s Day that is a day where we rarely go to restaurants, menus being generally overpriced; so I thought it would be a good idea to do a revisit, checking first with Jodi that there would be some vegetarian dishes appealing to her.

I love this place: huge with definitely the feel of being in a Parisian brasserie. The restaurant was decorated for the occasion, with a big tree at the entrance.

We started off our meal with some mocktails: PJ Breeze for Jodi, a drink made with pineapple, lime, lavender and mint (refreshing with the lavender being subtle) and the Berrymania for me, made with raspberries, cranberries purée, lemon and Sprite. I loved the fact that they offer drinks like this so you get excited to get one and are not just getting soda, coffee or tea if you do not want alcohol. My drink was so good: also refreshing, it had a pieces of raspberries in it that added a nice texture.

For the Holidays, they had a Pate de foie, a duck liver and foie gras mousse served with toasted bread and a cherry compote that was perfect with the pate.

Jodi just got an entree; her favorite when we go to France: the salade mesclun au chèvre chaud or warm goat cheese salad. This is a nice dish that we often make at home as easy to make.

Salade de chevre chaud at Boucherie in NYC

On my side, I ordered the entrecôte grillée, an Australian grass fed ribeye that was served with new potatoes, a salad and I also asked for béarnaise sauce. The steak was more medium than medium-rare and a little bit hard to slice Still, it was good. I loved the potatoes that were crispy with nice hints of salt, that I liked to eat with the salad.

We finished with their chocolate and caramel tart that was truly a decadent and elegant dessert with its gold leaf on top. The chocolate was dense, the bits of salt on top balancing well the sweetness of the chocolate and caramel.

Chocolate and caramel tart at Boucherie in NYC

This was a nice meal, although I find La Grande Boucherie, their sister restaurant located Midtown, better. Still, if in the area, I would stop by to get some other French dishes, their menu being quite mouth watering.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Boucherie -225 Park Ave S, New York, NY 10003

I Just Want To Eat! 1/14/22 I Just Want To Eat! 1/14/22

Dinner at Frankie in Jersey City

We decided to explore the food scene near Grove Street in Jersey City, when we stumbled upon Frankie, an Australian restaurant. When we arrived, the place was not that packed but, as the evening went, it got totally crowded, inside and outside with what seemed to be mostly regulars.

I admit that I know little of Australian cuisine and was a bit lost in the menu that was international with things like green curry or fish and chips. At least the pea and chive dumplings we shared were quite good. The peas were pea shoots and it was made with a tofu bechamel. Reading the description, it was definitely intriguing but then, after the first bite, I was pleasantly surprised. This was not an after thought and the shell was well made, not doughy or too thick, and the filling tasty.

Pea and chives dumplings at Frankie in Jersey City

Pea and chives at Frankie in Jersey City

As her main, Jodi got a veggie burger with a side of salad. This was a good veggie burger, not mushy, the slaw having a very slight kick.

On my side, I got their meat pie that was made with beef shank and bone marrow. It was accompanied by herbed butterball potatoes. The presentation was quite nice and it was a big portion, but I did not really like the dish, the crust being dry and did not like the meat part.

I also had a drink: The girl in Amber, made with Misunderstood ginger whisky, fresh ginger, lemon and cinnamon. Nice drink, very gingery with a delicious undertone of cinnamon.

The girl in Amber cocktail at Frankie in Jersey City

Last was dessert. I was really looking forward to trying their house made cinnamon donuts. They were supposed to be filled with chocolate ganache but in fact there was just a bit of ganache on top. The ganache was good, but the donut itself lacked sweetness. I guess it would have been better if done as intended, with the ganache inside…

So I was a bit disappointed with Frankie. Surprising considering that this place was packed. If I lived in the neighborhood, I might give it another try to see if it is because I did not order the right dishes, but it is not the case, so I’ll pass.

Enjoy (…)!

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

Frankie -264 Grove St, Jersey City, NJ 07302

I Just Want To Eat! 1/12/22 I Just Want To Eat! 1/12/22

Brunch at Atla in NYC, NY

We were looking for a Mexican restaurant in the City for brunch when I stumbled upon an article from The Infatuation recommending Atla, a place located in Noho. As we arrived, we realized that we passed many times in front of this bright restaurant from the same team behind Cosme.

We started off with some juices. I appreciate when a restaurant proposes exciting juices next to cocktails (if I drink a cocktail for lunch, I need a nap) and other than the classic orange or grapefruit juices. Jodi got the coconut and pineapple one, while I had a mix of Asian pear, lime and Jasmine. My juice was ok, preferring what Jodi ordered.

Coconut and pineapple juice at Atla in NYC, NY

Asian pear, lime and jasmine juice at Atla in NYC, NY

We then shared a guacamole that came with large homemade tortilla. We always order guacamole when eating in a Mexican restaurant and were really looking forward to it. Unfortunately, it was not good: soupy and too salty.

For her main, Jodi got the cheese quesadilla with mushrooms. Bland is how I would describe this dish. It is as if they assembled everything right before serving, the tortilla missing that slight greasiness and char that you would expect, and the mushrooms had not taste.

Cheese quesadilla with mushrooms at Atla in NYC, NY

Cheese quesadilla and mushrooms at Atla in NYC, NY

On my side, I got the lobster burrito. I thought that it was a great idea to replace the rice with cabbage, making a lighter version of this dish and elevating it with lobster. Problem was that there was too much cabbage, not enough lobster (well cooked though) and the corn tempura, that added a nice crunch, was too salty.

Last was dessert. We could not not try their churros. They were not great, missing that crunchiness and slightly doughy texture we love so much in this classic treat. It was accompanied with a spiced chocolate that I did not like either.

So, overall, this was a disappointing meal. We had high expectations considering the team who owns it and the article I read. I’ll pass.

Enjoy (…)!

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

Atla -372 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012

I Just Want To Eat! 1/10/22 I Just Want To Eat! 1/10/22

Madam Ji in Greenwich Village, NYC

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

Madam Ji is not unknown to me as I went there a couple of weeks ago for lunch and I was really excited to go back as a guest for dinner. It used to be Surya, that I first visited in 2015, meeting with Chef Lala Sharma, the father of Chef Abhishek Sharma who now runs the place among other acclaimed restaurants (Badshah, Swagat). Chef Abhishek Sharma explained to me that he wanted to create a sister restaurant to Badshah, a popular joint located in Hell’s Kitchen, Badshah being casual and Madam Ji more elegant. The dining room is indeed quite elegant with its beautiful decor, the dining room being dominated the name in neon of the restaurant, surrounded by nature, and by the beautiful painting by Kavi, a Florida based artist who was born in Mumbai and raised in LA, representing a king (badshah) and a queen (Madam Ji), that is the concept sought by the Chef.

Chef Abhishek Sharma at Madam Ji in Greenwich Village, NYC

Dining room at Madam Ji in Greenwich Village, NYC

Bar at Madam Ji in Greenwich Village, NYC

Art from Kavi at Madam Ji in Greenwich Village, NYC

For lunch, they offer only a prix fixe menu that is an incredible deal: for $14.95, you get the soup of the day or salad, an entree, a rice, a naan and the dessert of the day. You cannot beat that! The soup of the day was a tomato soup. Well, not just any tomato soup: it was a smoked tomato soup made with tomatoes roasted in their tandoor, and cooked with various spices like cinnamon. Creamy, with a fantastic smell, it had so much flavor that I just wish I knew what spices they are using to do make it at home (although I do not have a tandoor…). This soup is in fact on their dinner menu.

Smoked tomato soup at Madam Ji in Greenwich Village, NYC

We then decided to both get vegetarian dishes so we could share. We chose the chana masala (chickpeas cooked in a fire roasted tomato curry) and the paneer makhani (cottage cheese served in a buttery tomato sauce spiked with fenugreek). Both were good, but I admit that my favorite was the paneer Makhani that was delightfully creamy, the paneer being homemade. I ditched the rice and just ate it with their fluffy naan, using it to grab pieces of cheese or chickpeas while at the same time dipping it in the sauce.

Chana masala at Madam Ji in Greenwich Village, NYC

Paneer Makhani at Madam Ji in Greenwich Village, NYC

Naan at Madam Ji in Greenwich Village, NYC

Rice at Madam Ji in Greenwich Village, NYC

The dessert of the day was kheer or rice pudding, made with coconut milk, pistachio, cardamon, almonds and rose water. Comforting, it was a great way to finish the lunch. Quantities seem small but I can tell you that I was full when I left!

Dinner was a different, still amazing experience. We started by having some drinks: the mango lassi of course that is a drink we always get when eating Indian, a good way to counter the heat of some dishes, although I admit that the food there was not spicy. And then, a 1947 beer that goes really well with Indian food and that I discovered last year (check out my podcast episode with Nirav Vyas, founder of 1947 Beer on Apple Podcast and Google Podcast).

1947 beer at Madam Ji in Greenwich Village, NYC

Mango lassi at Madam Ji in Greenwich Village, NYC

For appetizers, we tried their samosa that was crispy and comforting, but I admit that their Malabar Aubergine was the star: It consists of crispy slices of eggplant served over a coconut malabar sauce with spinach and goat cheese crumble. This beautiful dish was delicious: crispy and creamy, you get several flavors when you bite into it that blend harmoniously together.

Samosa at Madam Ji in Greenwich Village, NYC

Malabar aubergine at Madam Ji in Greenwich Village, NYC

For her entree, Jodi got their P&B skewers cooked in their tandoor that is Paneer and Broccoli (not Peanut Butter!). I admit that we did not know it would be a small dish. Still, it was quite good and their homemade paneer had a nice bite, without being rubbery. It was smothered in delicious spices that gave a very subtle heat. On my side, I went for the truffle lamb korma as it was recommended over other dishes. I did not regret it: the creamy sauce was superb and I could not stop dipping naan or paratha in it! I did not taste any truffle, but it was so good that I did not care. By the way, the paratha was awesome: slightly crispy and delightfully greasy.

P&B Skewer at Madam Ji in Greenwich Village, NYC

Naan and paratha at Madam Ji in Greenwich Village, NYC

Truffle lamb korma at Madam Ji in Greenwich Village, NYC

Last was dessert: we got their gulab jamun (my favorite Indian dessert) and their kheer that we loved when we went for lunch.

Gulab jamun and kheer at Madam Ji in Greenwich Village, NYC

These meals were great: Chef Abhishek Sharma proposes a modern menu with a wide range of dishes that make you want to try everything. I truly appreciate the fact it has the right amount of spiciness so you can enjoy your meal. The menus at Madam Ji and Badshah are quite similar with few difference, so if you are not in Greenwich Village but Hell’s Kitchen, check Badshah out!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Madam Ji - 154 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012

I Just Want To Eat! 1/7/22 I Just Want To Eat! 1/7/22

Brunch at High Street On The Hudson

We have a sort of tradition with our friends Gary and Jen: first a Museum, then brunch. So this time, we went to The Whitney Museum for the Jasper Johns exhibit and then ended up at High Street on The Hudson, a place that seemed quite popular, so I was glad that we had a reservation.

From the get go the waiter told us that they only serve regular coffee: no espresso in sight.

From the get go the waiter told us that they only serve regular coffee: no espresso in sight. That is fine except that two minutes later, he came back telling us that they do not have anymore coffee and are trying to figure it out. Interesting as you would think that a place like this would always have coffee but in this day and age, you never know: the delivery might not have happened. Fortunately, they did figure it out and I got my favorite beverage to sip, with a refill s’il vous plait.

For her main Jodi got the mushroom omelet that was made with Gruyère, spinach and mushrooms. Quite good with lots of mushrooms and cheese. The best part of the dish was these potatoes that were crispy, cooked all the way through, with just enough salt to enhance their taste.

On my side, I hesitated between the burger and the spicy fried chicken sandwich. I picked the latter that was superb: good size chicken that was deliciously crispy, not dry, and certainly spicy. But not the spicy that burns your mouth to the point that you cannot eat anymore. No, the kind that is making you go back at it. It was served with sweet potato fries.

Fried chicken sandwich at High Street On The Hudson

Sweet potato fries at High Street On The Hudson

Overall good brunch, but I thought the service was a bit sassy, even refusing to close the door as we were all cold (and we could see that we were not the only ones) because, supposedly, some diners did not want to smell like food. Well, in that case they should have sat them outside so people inside could be warm! I don’t think it was true though. We did not get discouraged and decided to go back for dinner, where the service was much better, but I thought that the food was ok, some dishes hitting the spot like the guacamole that seems to be an appetizer that any restaurant must have, even if not serving Mexican food, or the octopus that they surely know how to cook well (I love the combination with the tapenade, but did not like the potatoes that were not well cooked).

Others were a miss. For instance, the P.E.I mussels were tiny and overcooked (the white wine sauce was very good, though and I dipped some French fries in it…). Jodi got their veggie burger that was their only vegetarian entree and it was mushy.

Veggie burger at High Street On The Hudson

At least desert was good: the lemon cake was superb: crispy on the outside, soft inside, I could have eaten a second one easily.

I should also mention the drinks: Jodi went for a pineapple and club soda drink, while I went for one made with whisky called Fright Night. Interesting name, no? In fact, they have a list that has horror movie names like The Shining, The Exorcist or the Bride of Chucky. I guess someone is a fan…My cocktail was made with peach infused Michter’s rye, spiced maple and bitters. Good, although I was expecting more peach taste.

Fright Night cocktail at High Street On The Hudson

Pineapple and club soda at High Street On The Hudson

So, overall the experience at High Street On The Hudson was just ok. Not sure that this is a place I would go back to.

Enjoy (I still did)!

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

High Street On The Hudson-637 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014

I Just Want To Eat! 1/5/22 I Just Want To Eat! 1/5/22

Dino & Harry's Steakhouse in Hoboken, NJ

There are two places that I love for steak in Hoboken: Antique Bar and Bakery with their amazing dirty ribeye, and Dino & Harry’s, a steakhouse named after Dino Panopoulos and his father, Harry, who have owned it since 1991. This place was also used in the movie The Trial of the Chicago 7, representing the Haymarket Tavern where protesters clashed with the National Guard. So we were a bit overdue, and I did not regret it! The food there was amazing. Here is what we had:

I had a Manhattan as a cocktail. For the first time I was asked if I wanted it it on the rocks, so I went for it.

Manhattan at Dino & Harry's Steakhouse in Hoboken, NJ

As an appetizer, I opted for the Blue Point oysters, hesitating a bit between this and the slab of bacon or grilled octopus, thinking that it might not be a good idea considering what was coming.

Oysters at Dino & Harry's Steakhouse in Hoboken, NJ

Jodi, being vegetarian, started with their sliced tomato and onions, and then had a some of the sides I will mention later, a baked potato and some grilled asparagus.

Sliced tomato and onion at Dino & Harry's Steakhouse in Hoboken, NJ

Grilled asparagus at Dino & Harry's Steakhouse in Hoboken, NJ

For my main, I was not sure if I should get the ribeye or the porterhouse for one. I decided to go for the latter because it is rare to see it for one person, usually being a cut to share. The meat was perfectly cooked and I really enjoyed both the NY strip part and the tenderloin. I accompanied it with Bearnaise sauce, my all time favorite.

Porterhouse at Dino & Harry's Steakhouse in Hoboken, NJ

For sides, we shared their Mac and cheese that was really creamy, as well as their corn creme brûlée that was superb, even if a bit too sweet.

Corn creme brûlée at Dino & Harry's Steakhouse in Hoboken, NJ

MAc and cheese at Dino & Harry's Steakhouse in Hoboken, NJ

We finished our meal with their key lime pie that looked more like a deconstructed version of a classic steakhouse dessert. Delicious!

Key lime pie at Dino & Harry's Steakhouse in Hoboken, NJ

Overall, we had a great meal at Dino & Harry’s: I have always been a fan of this place and they continue to serve amazing steaks in Hoboken.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Dino & Harry’s - 163 14th St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 1/3/22 I Just Want To Eat! 1/3/22

Badshah in Hell's Kitchen

I have known Badshah for quite some time, the first time I discovered this Hell’s Kitchen place being mid-2017 that seems to be an eternity. We went there a month ago for a light dinner, having indulged all day in the city and then were invited to try some of the dishes. You don’t need to ask me twice: I love this place! The decor is colorful, showcasing not just the mustache that that is a characteristic of the logo of the restaurant, but also a big drawing of Chef Sharma in the back wall.

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

Each time we went, there were people who just stopped by for a cocktail, chilling out while the listening to the Indian music in the background. I of course got my go to drink, a mango lassi that you can also get with rum (the sassy lassi), as well as the “I am Badshah” that is their take on an old fashioned, made with Bulleit bourbon, cardamon syrup and bitters. Good, but I admit that I would have liked an Indian whisky considering where we were.

Mango lassi at Badshah in Hell's Kitchen

I am Badshah cocktail at Badshah in Hell's Kitchen

The menu has classic as well as interesting dishes, some spicy, others not. Here is what we tried the few times we went there:

For appetizers, one of the dishes I discovered few years ago is the Manchurian cauliflower, an Indo-Chinese dish where the cauliflower is deep fried and then sautéed in a sweet sauce made with soy. At Badshah, it would be their King of Cauliflower, that is made with cauliflower florets fried and tossed in an aromatic chili and garlic sauce. Sweet and spicy, this is the king of the dish where, although your mouth is on fire, you continue to go for it.

King of Cauliflower at Badshah in Hell's Kitchen

Another one with the same effect is their chicken Momo dumplings called “Chelsea to Katmandu”. These crispy dumplings were smothered with a spicy tomato glaze and topped with bell peppers, onions and scallions. Boy was it spicy. But good. But spicy. Remember: I had my mango lassi to try to extinguish the fire in my mouth.

Chicken Momo at Badshah in Hell's Kitchen

Still in the appetizer section, a dish that was superb is their corn and okra masala chaat. I love the texture of this dish with the crispy okra mixed with fresh corn kernels and chopped onions, tossed in a zesty base of ghee and tajin, an Indian seasoning made with mild chili peppers, lime and sea salt, and topped with yogurt to counteract the spices.

Corn and Okra Masala chaat at Badshah in Hell's Kitchen

The classic chana masala and dal makhni are not to be missed and delicious with their charred and puffed up naan. I truly appreciated that they were not spicy. The dal was my favorite, being creamy like I like it.

Chana Masala at Badshah in Hell's Kitchen

Before I talk about the meat dishes, let me get to the last vegetarian dish we had: the paneer tikka masala. Served in a buttery tomato sauce made with fenugreek, this dish is very creamy and comforting. It came with rice, but I admit that I prefer eating it with some naan.

Paneer tikka masala at Badshah in Hell's Kitchen

So, now, the plat de resistance: their tandoor. There are few things that are definitely must have at Badshah: the first one is their Chettinad chops that is one of their specialties. It is lamb chops marinated in ginger, garlic and their signature blend of spices that are served with a smooth black pepper and coconut dip. Spicy and with a nice char, these lamb chops were succulent.

A decadent option is their Shahi tasting board that is composed of salmon, shrimp, lamb kebab, chicken malai kebab, chicken tikka and served with fruit and a goat cheese, spinach and truffle naan, as well as mint chutney, tamarind sauce, raita and mango chutney. What a dish! Beautifully presented, it reminds me of the meat boards you get in Italian restaurants. It is definitely a complete meal and all the meats were delicious, with or without the chutney that came with. The only one I did not like was the salmon that was a bit fishy. But the rest, starting with the lamb, then the chicken, was perfectly cooked, not dry and quite flavorful, with sometimes a nice char. A must have!

Shahi tandoori board at Badshah in Hell's Kitchen

Last is dessert. The gulab jamun there is always good, served warm with lots of syrup. We tried the paan kulfi that is betel leaf ice cream flavoured with gulkand and fennel seed: interesting but not really something I would get again.

Gulab Jamun at Badshah in Hell's Kitchen

Overall, we had great meals at Badshah. Well, if we did not, I would not have gone back there all these years, invitation or not. Know that this post spans over 2 months, so the menu may change. Still, it is a great place with a mouth watering menu that can satisfy the vegetarian and the non vegetarian diners. And if you are not up for a meal, you can always stop there for a drink. Who knows: maybe you will be tempted to order something to eat!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

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

I Just Want To Eat! 12/31/21 I Just Want To Eat! 12/31/21

Brunch at Sonnyboy on the Lower East Side

I found Sonnyboy, an Australian Café, while looking for a brunch place on the Lower East Side. I was not sure what to expect to be honest, but was quite glad I found it. Not that big with tables spaced enough in these times of Covid, it has a cool atmosphere and a great service.

Menu wise, I am not sure what an Australian brunch would be so I would say that it is international. To share, you can opt for their banana bread that is quite good with salted…

Menu wise, I am not sure what an Australian brunch would be so I would say that it is international. To share, you can opt for their banana bread that is quite good with salted butter or the basque cheesecake smothered with a berry compote (quite good, dense like I like it, not really airy like it should be though).

Basque cheesecake at Sonnyboy in NYC, NY

For entrees, they offer a breakfast burrito that seems to be an up and coming item in brunch menus. I personally prefer the burrata toast that is topped with figs. First, the bread is not too thick so cutting the crust will make you end up with most of the toppings on the plate if not on the table. Then, the burrata and fig pair really well together. This is a change to a ricotta toast, burrata having this delicious creaminess. The falafel bowl is also quite good: their falafel are superb, flavorful and not dry, they are served with a quinoa tabouli.

Breakfast burrito at Sonnyboy in NYC, NY

Drinks are nice too, from coffee (I got a macchiato), to chai or matcha.

So, overall, Sonnyboy is a great brunch spot. I will have to try their dinner as I am curious to see if it is as good as the brunch.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Sonnyboy- 65 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002

I Just Want To Eat! 12/29/21 I Just Want To Eat! 12/29/21

Dullboy in Jersey City

We were walking from Jersey City to Hoboken when we noticed a small place on Grove street with what appeared to be mismatched china tableware on the table. We were wondering if it was a tea parlor or something of that sort and a quick search gave us the answer: Dullboy is a cocktail bar. Taking its name from a line in The Shining, the terrific book from Stephen King, forever associated with Jack Nicholson’s performance, it comes from the line: « all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy », meaning that if you do not have time off work, you are both bored and boring. Well, Dullboy is…

It’s a cocktail bar, so I could not not try one of their specialty cocktails, The Charlotte, made with barrel seagrass rye, blade and bow bourbon, apricot liqueur, bigallet china-china (a liqueur made with macerated orange peels in beet neutral alcohol, that has a sweet and bitter taste), lagavulin scotch and lemon oil. They have classic cocktails, wine and beer, but no mocktails, so Jodi stayed with water.

The Charlotte cocktail at Dullboy in Jersey City

It is a cocktail bar, but their food is not to be missed. The crispy artichoke for instance are quite interesting: it is not that often that you see that on a menu and this was delicious, dipped in a white sauce most likely made with yogurt.

Crispy artichoke at Dullboy in Jersey City

Their lobster dumplings, made with fermented ancho-chili sauce, cilantro aioli and picked red hot chili peppers were superb and a must have.

Lobster dumplings at Dullboy in Jersey City

But the best was their ribeye that was pan roasted with butter and thyme and topped with drunken Chimichurri. The steak was perfectly cooked, tender, with a nice crust. I am just drooling thinking about it. The dish was served with amazing pork fat fried smashed red skin potatoes that were crispy and cooked all the way through. Probably some of the best I ever had.

Jodi got the burrata, served with a cranberry chutney and a brown butter and sage pesto. This was pretty good, not your classic burrata and salad dish for sure.

So, over all, Dullboy was a great find. The atmosphere and the creative and original menu made me think in a way about Antique Bar & Bakery in Hoboken and I wish they were in our neighborhood! The only negative was the fact that they do not have dessert. That will not stop me from going back!

Enjoy (I really did)!

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

Dullboy -364 Grove St, Jersey City, NJ 07302

I Just Want To Eat! 12/27/21 I Just Want To Eat! 12/27/21

Dinner at Casa Mono

I had Casa Mono on my radar for some time now and we finally made it for brunch. This Michelin star restaurant serves dishes inspired from the Costa Brava where the Chef, Andy Nusser, grew up. In fact he grew up in the fishing village of Cadaques that I visited when I was a kid during a memorable trip with my Dad and my brother. This place is where Salvator Dali lived for more than 40 years and there is a museum with his art that I can still picture.

The place is not that big, with around 15 tables, the most noticeable part of the dining room being the bar where you have a direct view of the grill. Menu wise, they serve small plates, so two to three per person is the average but, interestingly, you will not find classics like the tortilla española that is quite common in this type of restaurant. Here is what we had:

They have an impressive wine list where they specify the type of grape used (and we were sitting next to their wine rack, in a quiet corner by the way). So, I decided to try the Albamar Fusca 2019 made with Mencia grape, from the Ribeira Sacra in Galicia. Pricey but you get more than a glass of this red wine that has a bold flavor.

Albamar Fusca 2019 at Casa Mono in NYC, NY

They have few vegetarian dishes, so Jodi ordered the ensalada mono (the salad), made with manchego and Marcona almonds (gave a nice crunch and nuttiness), as well as the burrata with butternut squash that was amazing, the burrata being creamy and the squash adding a nice sweetness to the dish.

On my side, I had the duck breast a la plancha that was served with a sunchoke purée that was deliciously creamy and a gastric made with elderberry. The duck was perfectly cooked, the skin being nicely crispy. Definitely a dish I recommend.

Duck breast a la plancha at Casa Mono in NYC, NY

The other dish was the stuffed lamb belly served with hazelnut mole, onion escabeche and crème fraîche. This was superb: the lamb belly was so good that I could probably have had another piece of it. The whole dish was well balanced, with the mole standing out despite the strong taste of the meat.

Stuffed lamb belly at Casa Mono in NYC, NY

Last was dessert. We decided to try the chocolate con galleta de Avellana or chocolate ganache with crème fraîche ice cream and tahini hazelnut cookie. This was amazing! It was like a deconstructed chocolate hazelnut tart with a fantastic ganache that was rich and very chocolatey.

chocolate con galleta de Avellana at Casa Mono in NYC, NY

This was a great meal: no wonder why Casa Mono kept its Michelin Star; the food and service are on point. Definitely a place I recommend.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Casa Mono -52 Irving Pl, New York, NY 10003

I Just Want To Eat! 12/24/21 I Just Want To Eat! 12/24/21

The Cheesecake Factory in Jersey City

For years, each time I was raving about the cheesecake at Junior’s, people were talking about The Cheesecake Factory. So, when I discovered that there was one at the Newport Mall in Jersey City, I could not wait to check it out.

We went on a weekday that I was off and surely our…

We went on a weekday that I was off and surely our reservation was useless as it was not that crowded. Good: that way, the noise level was perfect for me! They sat us at a booth, close to the kitchen where they were apparently celebrating something considering the clamors and applause we could hear during our meal.

Dining room at The Cheesecake Factory in Jersey City

Kitchen at The Cheesecake Factory in Jersey City

They have a large menu with quite a wide range of dishes, vegetarian and non vegetarian. Jodi simply went for an omelet stuffed with cheese and mushrooms, with tomatoes and toast (well done omelet, not overcooked and dry), while I decided to go for the meatloaf. There were few reasons for this: first I tried meatloaf in the past and admit that I love this dish that represents Americana very comforting. Second, it always reminds me Will Ferrel in The Wedding Crashers when he asks his mom to bring some meatloaf. Silly but true. The waitress asked me if I wanted the lunch or dinner portion. I chose the former and was glad because the portion for lunch was already big. It was served with mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy, buttered corn and topped with grilled onions. The meatloaf itself was very good, with a nice crust on the outside, not dry at all. I loved it with either the gravy or just the grilled onions that have a little sweetness to it. The corn was very slightly buttery and I guess I could have asked for different sides because they asked me if they were ok as I ordered the dish.

Omelet at The Cheesecake Factory in Jersey City

Meatloaf at The Cheesecake Factory in Jersey City

With my meal, I also got a vanilla milkshake that took a bit of time to arrive because apparently it was « frozen »! It was good but at that point I regretted not having ordered the Oreo cookie one…

Vanilla milkshake at The Cheesecake Factory in Jersey City

Then came the plain cheesecake that had sour cream layer on top. After the first bite, I was a bit disappointed and comforted in my opinion that Junior’s is the best: I did not like the Graham Cracker crust that was missing something, nor did I like the sour cream on top. The cheesecake was too cold and lacking flavor.

Cheesecake at The Cheesecake Factory in Jersey City

I think I should have ordered a specialty cheesecake instead of the plain, the purpose there being to do a fair comparison with Junior’s and their plain one that is my go to dessert. Similar to the milkshake, the Oreo cookie cheesecake looks amazing. So, yes, I would probably go back another time to The Cheesecake Factory for a redo.

Enjoy (I still did)!

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

The Cheesecake Factory -30 Mall Dr W, Jersey City, NJ 07310

I Just Want To Eat! 12/22/21 I Just Want To Eat! 12/22/21

Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster Barbeque in Hoboken, NJ

When I learn that Myron Mixon was opening a BBQ place where Soul Curry, my favorite Indian restaurant in Hoboken was, I was really looking forward to it. I met Myron Mixon aka the “winningest man in barbecue” and four times world BBQ champion in 2017, at an event organized by McCormick. We talked a little bit and when I told him that what we call barbecue in France is grilling, he told me: "when you go back to France, tell them that there is an old guy in America that is telling them that grilling is barbecue". I still…

Myron Mixon 2017 - Grilling University with McCormick

So we went few days after his Grand Opening, in his place simply called Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster Barbeque. Jodi was a good sport as, this is definitely a place for meat eaters and the vegetarian options are limited. The boss green salad could have been an option, but there were not that many vegetables in it and was probably better with the meat add on. On top of that, the corn was still frozen…

Salad at Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster Barbeque in Hoboken, NJ

Talking about corn, the corn bread that is the only vegetarian « snack » was quite good, with pieces of corn in it, accompanied by a surprising orange butter.

Corn bread at Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster Barbeque in Hoboken, NJ

As I went for the three meat platter where I could choose a side, we decided to get the Mac and cheese, as she loves it and we were not disappointed: very cheesy, this was very good.

Mac and cheese at Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster Barbeque in Hoboken, NJ

Now let’s talk about the meat: they offer what you would expect in this type of restaurant. From smoked chicken, to brisket and ribs, without forgetting pork belly. So I went for the baby back ribs, brisket and sausage. The brisket was the best of the three, although not the best I had (Fette Sau in Brooklyn is literally melting in your mouth). The sausage was quite good, the casing giving a nice bite to it. The ribs were a bit disappointing: I was expecting the meat to fall of the bone but it was not the case at all. It was a bit dry and I was glad to have several sauces to go with it (my favorite sauce was the hickory sauce followed by the tangy sweet sauce).

Meat tray at Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster Barbeque in Hoboken, NJ

Sauces at Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster Barbeque in Hoboken, NJ

Ribs at Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster Barbeque in Hoboken, NJ

Brisket at Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster Barbeque in Hoboken, NJ

Sausage at Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster Barbeque in Hoboken, NJ

So I was a little bit disappointed as my expectations were high, but I understand that they just opened and need to train a bit the staff longer. So I’ll give it a try in a few months and will see how it measures up with House of Que, the other BBQ place in Hoboken.

Enjoy (…)!

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

Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster Barbeque - 618 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 12/20/21 I Just Want To Eat! 12/20/21

Wayan, Indonesian with French influences by Chef Cedric Vongerichten

With a last name like Vongerichten, I am sure people always compare you to the most known in the family or at least always make a reference as I am going to do it in this post. But you cannot not mention that Jean-Georges’ son, Cédric is, with his wife Ochi, the owner of Wayans, a restaurant located in Nolita that serves Indonesian cuisine with French influence. Opened in 2019, this place is a true gem: beautiful decor with, besides an outdoor setting installed during Covid, a front dining room that is more casual than the back dining room, and, in between, a small open kitchen where you can see dishes being made (there is another kitchen downstairs).

The food there is incredible and you need probably two dishes per person if you want dessert, their characterization of being a family style restaurant referring more to sharing than portions (no, this is not Carmine’s!).

A must have is their lobster noodles that has been on their menu since inception. Know that they can make it vegetarian and I am sure it works. This is a stunning dish that I was glad, selfishly, to have all for myself: flavorful, with herbs like Thai basil and cilantro, the noodles were, as was the lobster, perfectly cooked, smothered by a sauce made with many ingredients like butter, soy, green chili, lime, etc. but still well balanced. After the first bite you cannot stop! It is a must have.

An interesting dish is the escargots Rendang. This classic french appetizer was made with garlic herb butter and calamansi. It was quite good, the flavors totally different from the traditional escargots, but I was a bit disappointed that I could not dip the toasted brioche in some sauce. Still, the taste was quite unique.

For Jodi, being vegetarian, she had a good choice of dishes that did not seem to be a second thought. The first one was the chickpea satay: what a great idea! Looking like mini churros, they were crispy on the outside and not dry at all, the sauce not being necessary at all. The filling did not just have chickpeas in fact: it also had shiitake mushroom.

The other dish was their avocado toast Gado Gado, made with cucumber, boiled egg on top and peanut relish (she asked to have it on the side). The dish looked beautiful with all the colors. It was good, the radish and sunflower seeds adding an additional texture; the only negative was the brioche that was a bit too thick.

Avocado toast gado dado at Wayan in NYC, NY

Avocado toast gado gado at Wayan in NYC, NY

Before I talk about dessert, I should mention the drinks. For lunch, I usually go sans alcohol, so I was glad to see that they offered mocktails. I chose the turmeric tonic, made with turmeric, citrus, honey and tonic, while Jodi got their smokey lemonade, made with smoked salt and cinnamon. Both were quite original, my favorite being the smokey lemonade as I love smokey flavors.

Dessert was a way to end the meal on a high note. Because our order took a little bit of time to come, they offered us a pandan custard. Pandan is a green leaf that is often described has having a grassy vanilla taste with hints of coconut. I was not sure what to expect, but found it delicious! Creamy and not too sweet, they added passion fruit seeds for additional texture.

The dessert we ordered was their banana sundae served with ube (purple yam) ice cream. The colors of this dessert were amazing, with the purple from the ube ice cream to the orange of the deliciously caramelized bananas, my favorite element that I would eat everyday!

Overall it was a great experience: great food, good service in a relaxed atmosphere. Wayan is definitely a place to go to and now when people ask me if I know who Vongerichten is, I’ll respond: which one?

Enjoy (I really did)!

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

Wayan -20 Spring St, New York, NY 10012

I Just Want To Eat! 12/17/21 I Just Want To Eat! 12/17/21

Lunch at 2nd Avenue Deli in NYC

I always loved delicatessen: there is something homey and nostalgic about these places, the only annoyance being the tourists invading obnoxiously places like Katz’s Delicatessen. Kosher or not, they have quite a classic menu, more geared towards the non-vegetarian than the vegetarian, cold cuts and all sorts of meats being the star. So yes, I was excited to go to the 2nd Avenue Deli. This time, we decided to go to their location on the Upper East Side on…first avenue. That is where I saw an automat for the first time, when entering the place: interesting to see but of course, it was inoperable and just for the decor, but 20 cents for a .pastrami sandwich is definitely of another time, far far away!

Quieter for sure compared to the deli I mentioned above. It is kosher so do not expect to see things like a pastrami Reuben on their menu. But they sure have matzo ball soup and salami. The soup is spectacular: the chicken broth is well made, accompanied with carrots and pasta, not salty, and the matzo is one of the best I had! It was dense in the center, like discovering the heart of deliciousness.

Matzo ball soup at 2nd Avenue Deli in NYC

The salami sandwich, soft salami in this case, was quite big, even if I ordered their half sandwich and soup for my meal. The amount of salami is quite generous and I cannot imagine eating a full sandwich. For $23, matzo ball soup and this is a decent deal.

Salami sandwich at 2nd Avenue Deli in NYC

You may wonder what Jodi had as she is vegetarian: she settled for a huge knish that was slightly crispy on the outside. Definitely a heavy dish.

With this we got some sodas (root beer for me, black cherry for Jodi), and, like many delis, they brought us pickles and coleslaw.

Root beer and Black cherry soda at 2nd Avenue Deli in NYC

This was a great meal and 2nd Avenue Deli is the perfect place for a meal like this, as well as a good option to avoid the crowd in more popular ones.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

2nd Avenue Deli - 1442 1st Ave, New York, NY 10021

I Just Want To Eat! 12/15/21 I Just Want To Eat! 12/15/21

Miznon at Hudson Yard in NYC

We were walking around the mall at Hudson Yard, looking for a place to eat when we stumbled upon Miznon, an Israeli restaurant that replaced Bel Campo who had to close their doors because of a scandal. The place is big and they kept the same decor at Bel Campo besides few changes to make it their own. Interestingly, lunch was sit down but not dinner: we ordered, pick up and found ourselves a comfortable booth.

Food wise, Miznon serves Mediterranean street food, with plates meant for sharing. Here is what we had:

They have a full bar, so you can get probably any cocktail there, but what I tried is their arak mojito that is a great take on mojito, using arak, an anise flavored alcohol popular in the Middle East, very similar to ouzo or anisette.

Arak mojito at Miznon at Hudson Yard in NYC

A must have is their roasted baby cauliflower. Delicious and well cooked, this is the type of dish where I wonder why I did not really like cauliflower when I was a kid! It is cooked in the leaves and then they drizzle some olive oil and a pinch of salt (by the way, if you want to make it at home, they display the recipe at the entrance, next to the front desk).

Baby Cauliflower at Miznon at Hudson Yard in NYC

We shared the latkes and asked for the « Jewish caviar » to be on the side as Jodi is vegetarian. These latkes were terrific: dense, crunchy, cooked all the way through, I liked them with or without the caviar that added a nice texture, popping in my mouth at every single bite.

Jewish caviar at Miznon at Hudson Yard in NYC

Next was the eggplant and tahini (eggplant rails lined on tahini). Smoky, so smooth that it was melting in my mouth, this was a superb dish.

Eggplant at Miznon at Hudson Yard in NYC

I could not of course not order the octopus shishlik, a shish kebab style octopus that was perfectly cooked, with a nice char on the outside, squeezed between various vegetables (onion, tomato,…) and laying on a sauce that I did not care about much, this kebab being succulent on its own.

Octopus shishlik at Miznon at Hudson Yard in NYC

The avocado bruschetta was also very good, with a brioche toast and chunks of avocado on top.

Avocado bruschetta at Miznon at Hudson Yard in NYC

We also tried two pita sandwiches:

The ribeye minute steak, with tahini, tomato salsa, pickles (for a little crunch) and spicy green peppers (for a little heat). The steak was tender and juicy, and I loved the spiciness of this sandwich.

Ribeye minute steak sandwich at Miznon at Hudson Yard in NYC

Jodi got the egg and avocado sandwich that was a good vegetarian option.

Egg and avocado sandwich at Miznon at Hudson Yard in NYC

The last dish we tried was their ratatouille that came with a poached egg and a pita. This has nothing really to do with a classic ratatouille, being made mainly with eggplant and being a bit spicy, the yolk of the perfectly poached egg reducing slightly the heat. Definitely to get if you like eggplant…and spicy!

Ratatouille at Miznon at Hudson Yard in NYC

I should stop there and talk about the pita: I would think it is homemade and admit that it is one of the best I had: it was soft and fluffy. Delicious !

So, The few times we went to Miznon, we had great food, very flavorful with a perfect use of kosher salt that gives that added bite and makes flavors pop. They have a location at Chelsea Market but it is way more busy that the one at Hudson Yard. So I will continue to go there until this changes…

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Miznon -20 Hudson Yards, 401B Mailbox 100 RU, New York, NY 10001

I Just Want To Eat! 12/13/21 I Just Want To Eat! 12/13/21

Dominique Ansel Workshop in NYC, NY

Dominique Ansel Workshop is like the laboratory of a mad scientist who is trying to find a secret formula. Items change on a regular basis with sometimes some of them being available only through the weekend. I wonder if it is not to test them and see if people would buy them before proposing them in his bakery.

Surely, it is creative and I love the twist given to classic items or the fusion between French and whatever the Chef has in mind, like the olive oil croissant that is made with a hint of rosemary and garlic. Good but probably more for a sandwich at lunch than for breakfast. Below are the things we tried, but remember : they might only be available for a short period of time.

Olive oil croissant at Dominique Ansel Workshop in NYC, NY

Brioche bressane: this is for two people for sure as big and dense, with a generous amount of pearl sugar on top and a creme fraîche in the center.

Brioche Bressane at Dominique Ansel Workshop in NYC, NY

S’mores danish: a hazelnut frangipane, chocolate ganache and a flakey speculoos cookie topped with a toasted honey marshmallow. This is one of my favorites: first of all, I love hazelnut so it was not a hard sale, but I love the different layers and the flakey cookie that was also buttery.

S’mores danish at Dominique Ansel Workshop in NYC, NY

Raspberry and riz au lait cube: encased in a laminated brioche is a raspberry jam and rice pudding. This was another favorite: you wonder how he was able to keep the rice pudding (that was delicious by the way) within the brioche without making it soggy. It was not too sweet and the jam and pudding complemented perfectly each other.

Raspberry and riz au lait cube at Dominique Ansel Workshop in NYC, NY

Pistachio roll: laminated brioche, pistachio praline, pistachio frangipane and toasted pistachios. If you love pistachios, this is for you! Flaky with a crispy outside, it is pistachio heaven without being too sweet.

Pistachio roll at Dominique Ansel Workshop in NYC, NY

Salted caramel pecan pull-apart bun: the heart was made with salted caramel and topped with toasted pecan and sea salt, surrounded by 5 bite sized petals that I think were made with laminated brioche. Interesting concept: I pulled apart (hence the name) a petal and dipped it in the caramel. Quite good, I just wished there was more caramel, but loved the sweet and savory taste as well as the playfulness of this.

Salted caramel pecan pull apart bun at Dominique Ansel Workshop in NYC, NY

Brown sugar kouign aman: the DKA or Dominique Kouign Aman is one of the best sellers of the bakery. It is like a croissant with even more butter and a bottom part nicely caramelized. This one was made with dark brown sugar: I admit that I prefer the original, the buttery taste not being overpowered by the taste of the brown sugar.

Brown sugar Kouign Aman at Dominique Ansel Workshop in NYC, NY

Pandan coconut chiffon cake: pandan is a tropical plant used in cooking in Asia. Its taste is described as grassy vanilla with a hint of coconut. The fluffy cake was topped with coconut cream and shredded coconut. So for sure, Jodi wanted to try it. It was ok for her and not my cup of tea, but I admit that I rarely like cakes with coconut.

Pandan coconut chiffon cake at Dominique Ansel Workshop in NYC, NY

We also tried the chocolate chip cookie but I admit that I was a bit disappointed, expecting something more decadent and with much more chocolate.

Chocolate chip cookie bat Dominique Ansel Workshop in NYC, NY

So overall, it was interesting to try this unique concept that is quite smart because you just want to go back to try new items that Chef Dominique Ansel creates. For sure I will have to go back to see what new pastries will come out of his mind!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Dominique Ansel Workshop - 17 E 27th St, New York, NY 10016

I Just Want To Eat! 12/10/21 I Just Want To Eat! 12/10/21

Porter in Port Imperial, NJ

Porter is an Gastropub in Port Imperial, Weehawken, that I had on my list for a while, thanks to one of my colleagues who raved about this place that opened in the Winter of 2020. There, Chefs Christopher Lim and Tara Glick crafted a modern American menu that caters to a wide range of diners, vegetarian and non vegetarian, made in the open kitchen. Accessible from the NY Waterway Port Imperial Ferry Terminal and the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, this is both a restaurant and a bakery and cafe called…

Open kitchen at Porter in Port Imperial, NJ

Pizza oven at Porter in Port Imperial, NJ

I have to mention the bakery that is on the right side, because their cinnamon roll is simply stunning: I was never a huge fan of it, but after trying theirs for brunch, I changed my mind, although it is now setting the bar pretty high. Freshly made, with the right amount of cinnamon not to totally overpower the whole thing, it is topped with a delicious icing that is not too sweet and oozing from top to bottom.

Cinnamon roll at Porter in Port Imperial, NJ

Other baked goods include their biscuit that is great with butter, or their focaccia bread that we dipped in olive oil.

Interestingly, they have pizza on their menu, made in a wood fire oven acquired in Naples, that you can see on the photo above. Who would have thought that we would get a great pizza there? Not me. I thought that it would just be an addition to the menu to have a broader offering. I was wrong! Made with a dough resting for three days, it is the perfect Neapolitan pizza: floppy in the center, puffed up on the outside with a nice char and topped with a nice tomato sauce, the Margherita pizza with mushrooms (an topping we added) can easily compete with many places.

For brunch, they have a fried chicken sandwich that is just ok, the balance between the brioche and the chicken being off, in favor of the bun. too bad, because the chicken was pretty good, crispy and moist. I was surprised that it did not come with anything and so we ordered some fries that were also ok, not as crispy as I like them. I wish they had their Roman potatoes for brunch: these potatoes are amazing! Skin on, crispy, they are drizzled with pecorino cheese.

Chicken sandwich at Porter in Port Imperial, NJ

French fries at Porter in Port Imperial, NJ

Roman potatoes at Porter in Port Imperial, NJ

Vegetarian options are a bit limited, if not for the pizza and sides. So, Jodi ended up with their shaved vegetable salad.

Shaved vegetable salad at Porter in Port Imperial, NJ

On my side, I recommend the grilled Spanish octopus that was tender and had a nice char, as well as their duck, served with black lentils, baby turnips, and carrot-ginger. That duck is amazing: perfectly cooked, its skin is deliciously crispy.

Before talking about desserts, I should mention their drinks. First, I was quite glad to see that they were proposing mocktails right off the bat and their San Bitter Spritz (made with blood orange) was a refreshing idea. Even more refreshing and surprising is their frozen Negroni: who would have thought about making it frozen, like a margarita? And they also have a good wine list otherwise. So I tried their Pinot Noir “XL” 2019 from Maison Noir, Oregon, the bold flavor pairing perfectly with the strong taste of the duck.

San Bitter Spritz at Porter in Port Imperial, NJ

Frozen Negroni at Porter in Port Imperial, NJ

“XL” Pinot Noir at Porter in Port Imperial, NJ

Lat was dessert. We tried the “Banana, Pudding, Cake”, in three words. Well, it was like a deconstructed banana pudding cake with the three layers from the name: a banana pudding, a vanilla cake mousse encased in a crunchy layer made with nuts (the cake). This dessert was sublime: balanced, not too sweet and delicious, served with a butterscotch sauce.

So, overall, the food at Porter was delicious, although a bit pricey. The menu there is exciting and if it was not for the cinnamon roll, I would prefer the dinner over the brunch. Too bad that they do not serve that cinnamon roll in the evening!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Porter - 1100 Ave at Port Imperial, Weehawken, NJ 07086

I Just Want To Eat! 12/8/21 I Just Want To Eat! 12/8/21

Muteki Ramen in Hoboken

I discovered Muteki Ramen last year, as, loving ramen, I could not wait to try some of these noodle soups that they offer, the ramen scene in the Mile Square city being limited to Japanese restaurants having few offers on their menu and Vivi Bubble Tea and South Street Fish and Ramen downtown. Muteki opened in September 2020, during Covid and I admit that I mainly knew them from delivery and just decided to go check their restaurant after they messaged me on Instagram, offering a complimentary lunch to thank me for the shoutout I did previously on social media for this place.

Please note that part of this meal was complimentary. However, I was not obliged to post and the opinions expressed in my blog are 100% my own!

We love their ramen that are made with broths that are cooked for a long time (their chicken and pork broth cooks on low heat for 18 hours!) and not just broths made quickly with MSG to enhance the taste (and unfortunately giving me a headache that only goes away after I drink a glass of water with 1 teaspoon of cream of tartar - true: this is a good tip I found on the internet that works every time). Jodi loves their vegetarian ramen that is composed of wavy noodle in a vegetable broth, zucchini, broccoli, spring mix, spinach, scallions, grilled tomato, kikurage mushrooms, garlic chips, fried tofu, truffle oil and nori. It is very creamy and fortunately the truffle oil is not overpowering. On my side, I have two favorites:

The Muteki ramen that is composed of thin noodles in the chicken and pork broth, pork and chicken chashu, spinach, beans sprouts, bamboo shoots, butter corn, scallion, kikurage mushrooms, egg, fish cake and nori, that I always get with a perfectly cooked egg.

And the seafood ramen that is made with wavy noodles in the seafood pork broth, soft shell shrimp, clam, scallop, spinach, scallions, bamboo shoots, grilled tomato, egg, fish cake, black pepper, nori and scallion. I do not think I ever had any seafood ramen before and I was pleasantly surprised: the broth was creamy and tasty and they put lots of seafood in it.

Seafood ramen at Muteki Ramen in Hoboken

They also have the classic buns that are always a good appetizer. The ones I tried are the shrimp tempura, karaage (fried chicken) and pork, in reverse order of preference. The buns themselves are fluffy and slightly sticky and they are not shy with sauce or mayo, and I love the fact that they mark them with the name of the restaurant.

Shrimp tempura bun at Muteki Ramen in Hoboken

I also tried their homemade grape drink - fizzy and not too sweet.

As well as their Mango cheesecake (they do not make their own dessert, but it is nice to have something other than ice cream as many only offer for dessert)- did you notice the nice touch with their name written in green tea powder?

So, I remain a fan of Muteki Ramen and I guess the empty soup bowl says it all: this is the best in the mile square city. If you do not like ramen, you can try their rice donburi that I did not have…yet! By the way, Muteki means bravo in Japanese, so they really chose the perfect name! Muteki!

Enjoy (I did)!

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Muteki ramen -533 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030