I Just Want To Eat! 1/31/22 I Just Want To Eat! 1/31/22

Baar Baar in NYC, NY

When Baar Baar opened a couple of years ago, everybody wanted to try this Indian gastropub where Chef Sujan Sarkar proposed a menu composed of a modern interpretation of regional dishes. So it was time for me to try and we decided to try it on a Saturday evening, for an early dinner. Yes, I like early dinners: first, of course, I can roam around the place and take photos, but I also like the quiet. So I did my thing at Baar Baar and was quite happy to be able to because their decor is stunning, cozy with a beautiful mural next to the bar.

The menu is big and it was quite difficult to pick just few dishes as everything looked amazing. Here is what we had:

As a cocktail, i went for their chai negroni instead of their old fashioned that is typically what I would have picked (or at least any whisky cocktail), intrigued by the combination of chai and this bitter drink that was made with gin, masala chai concoction, Campari and sweet vermouth. Nicely bitter, I was expecting more chai flavor but it had a nice hint of cardamom. It came with a homemade bread stick that had nothing special and seems to be more for presentation purpose .

We then share the dahi puri. The small shells were filled with tamarind, avocado, yogurt mousse and raspberry chaat masala. I love that dish: it is a one bite as the filling is quite liquid and I love the explosion of flavor you get when eating it, with a delicious sweetness to it.

Next was the cauliflower 65, made with chili peanut chutney, curd rice mousse and podi masala. This dish from Chennai was a bit spicy, with the outside of the cauliflower being slightly crispy.

The lamb chops with hempseed chutney were superb: well cooked and a bit spicy. I also tried their Goan prawn balchao, served head on, that was delicious but spicy too.

For her main, Jodi got the tandoori mushroom that was served with a upma polenta, topped with parmesan and accompanied by pav, a soft bread roll. We also shared the black dairy dal with some naan that had a nice char. Dal is often something we get in Indian restaurants (dal makhni to be more specific) and this one was very good, creamy as I like it.

Tandoori mushroom at Baar Baar in NYC, NY

Although I was excited by the dinner menu, I was less so by the dessert one and we finally decided to order ice cream, just because we need to end the meal on a sweet note. We tried their toasted coconut as well as the saffron-pistachio: well, we were not disappointed. The ice cream was superb: dense, creamy and tasty. This, with a chai, was the perfect way to end a great meal.

Saffron-pistachio ice cream at Baar Baar in NYC, NY

Toasted coconut ice cream at Baar Baar in NYC, NY

Yes, overall it was delicious (the only negative is that all the plates came at once) and their menu having many small plates is a good way to try many things. Baar Baar delivered and it is not the last time I’ll be there.

Enjoy (I did)!

If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
Baar Baar - 13 E 1st St, New York, NY 10003

I Just Want To Eat! 1/28/22 I Just Want To Eat! 1/28/22

White Mana Diner in Jersey City

We passed in front of White Mana Diner many times, but did not know the history being this tiny diner that sits in the corner of Manhattan Avenue and Tonnele Avenue in Jersey City. This place was built in 1939 by Paramount Diner, a company located in Oakland, NJ for the 1939 World Fair and is the sister restaurant of White Manna in Hackensack. Both diners take their name from the biblical food, manna, but lost an “n” because of a mistake when manufacturing the sign! It is said that this is in this place that the slider was invented. Surely, when you step in, you have the impression it is frozen in time: as soon as you enter, you see the horseshoe shaped counter (the small dining room is closed) that surrounds the front kitchen where burgers are made. They are not the best burger you would have but it is all about the experience: the meat, that they apparently hand roll, is thin compared to the potato bun. They precook it with few pieces of onion and will finish the cooking process as customer order. Still, tasty, but then noticed the big WEB 1/4 lb that might be their quarter pounder. Too late: I already ordered: would be for the next time.

Grill at White Mana Diner in Jersey City

Cheeseburger at White Mana Diner in Jersey City

White Mana burger at White Mana Diner in Jersey City

Jodi got a grilled cheese that was made in the back kitchen and we shared some fries.

Grilled cheese at White Mana Diner in Jersey City

French fries at White Mana Diner in Jersey City

To accompany my 2 cheeseburgers (I ordered a second one when I realized I would still be hungry), I decided to get a vanilla milkshake that was poured from the machine on the right side of the room. Interesting to see that, to make a chocolate milkshake, they simply add chocolate syrup and mix it with the vanilla milkshake.

Vanilla milkshake at White Mana Diner in Jersey City

Milkshake at White Mana Diner in Jersey City

Overall, it was good and cheap ($19.85 for all of this). Not the best burger but I would go back for the 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!

White Mana Diner - 470 Tonnele Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07307

I Just Want To Eat! 1/26/22 I Just Want To Eat! 1/26/22

Afternoon tea at The Crosby Bar in NYC

Their afternoon tea is fairly classic: you get scones, sandwiches and sweets, but instead of just a choice of tea, you can opt for coffee or hot chocolate. Of course, you can also have champagne for an additional fee. Interestingly, as we were eating our way through, the waiter came to our table and asked if we wanted some more! Trust me: I had enough food there!

There is something that I really like about afternoon tea:

I like the elegance, most of the time, depending where you go,
the excitement when you see the three tier tray being placed on your table,
and the relaxing atmosphere, depending on where you go of course and how crowded and loud the place can be.

So, this time we decided to go to The Crosby Bar, located in The Crosby Street Hotel. The place is quite big, with a colorful decor and a noise level that was ideal for enjoying the experience.

We decided to stay with tea, English breakfast for Jodi and peppermint for me. They use loose tea that they steep directly in the boiled water, so the issue is that at some point, it will sit there for too long and become bitter.

English breakfast at The Crosby Bar in NYC

Their afternoon tea was composed of:

Top plate:

Caramelized apple tartelette

Chocolate whoopie pie, candy cane cream

Ricotta almond lemon cake

Eggnog panna cotta, amarena cherry, panettone crumbles

Chef’s selection macaron

Middle plate:

Turkey, cranberry chestnut stuffing, semolina raisin

Smoked salmon, horseradish, watercress, skyr

Cucumber, lemon labneh and za’atar

Truffled egg salad, parsley

Bottom plate:

Scones with clotted cream and preserves

As Jodi is vegetarian, she had her own three tier tray with only vegetarian sandwiches that I thought was a nice touch. The portions were quite generous (as I mentioned you could get seconds if you wanted). The sandwiches were good, but the best part was the scones that were served warm, nicely crunchy on the outside. However, I thought the sweets were less successful, including their whoopie pie that is what people seem to rave about. Still, I would go back there.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

The Crosby Bar - 79 Crosby St, New York, NY 10012

I Just Want To Eat! 1/24/22 I Just Want To Eat! 1/24/22

Vietnamese lunch at Madame Vo in the East Village

It’s been a while since we went to a Vietnamese restaurant and I do not count the few deliveries of Banh Mi we had in the past few months. I think the last time we sat in a Vietnamese restaurant, it was at Cycle in Long Island City. So, a visit to Madame Vo was necessary. I heard about this place few times and stumbled upon it as I was looking for a reservation on Resy. Well, when we arrived at 12pm, a bit in…

It’s been a while since we went to a Vietnamese restaurant and I do not count the few deliveries of Banh Mi we had in the past few months. I think the last time we sat in a Vietnamese restaurant, it was at Cyclo in Long Island City. So, a visit to Madame Vo was necessary. I heard about this place few times and stumbled upon it as I was looking for a reservation on Resy. Well, when we arrived at 12pm, a bit in advance, I thought that it was probably not necessary to reserve a table, being the first to arrive, but, 30 minutes later, we understood: the place was packed!

We started off with ordering some drinks: a mango and peach green tea for Jodi and a Vietnamese coffee for me. If you never had Vietnamese coffee before, know that it is made with condensed milk, giving to this robust coffee a deliciously sweet flavor, richer than a classic cafe au lait.

Vietnamese coffee at Madame Vo in NYC, NY

For the appetizer, Jodi got their Tofu Rang Muoi, a toasted tofu served with avocado sauce that was quite tasty, while on my side, I decided to try their chicken wings. The wings are prepared in a garlic fish sauce that is medium-spicy. Fish sauce probably sounds weird, but in fact, my first chicken wings prepared with fish sauce were memorable: it was at the now closed Pok Pok in Brooklyn. Well, Madame Vo surely makes outstanding wings and, although my mouth was on fire, I kept going at it, the delightfully caramelized wings being so decadent.

Then came the entrees. Jodi went for their stir-fried rice noodles prepared with eggs, tofu, peppers and cilantro (Hu Tieu Chay). The aroma of that dish was superb and really made me want to dig in. It was delicious and comforting, reminding us of pad see eew.

On my side, I could not resist ordering the Tet Noodles, a dish composed of egg noodles stir fried with garlic butter fish sauce and topped with lump crab meat and prawns. All these ingredients, combined with tomato paste, butter and heavy cream resulted in a rich and luxurious entree that I inhaled after carefully mixing the crab with the perfectly cooked noodles.

We were ready for dessert but, unfortunately, they do not have any! This was my sole disappointment, a meal being only complete for me when ending with something sweet. Otherwise, this was amazing. I understand now why this place was crowded! I’ll have to go back there another time to try other dishes…although these noodles…

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 Vo - 212 E 10th St, New York, NY 10003

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