I Just Want To Eat! 7/27/22 I Just Want To Eat! 7/27/22

Le Fanfare in Green Point, Brooklyn

We were in Green Point, Brooklyn on a Sunday, looking for a place for brunch when we stumbled upon Le Fanfare, an Italian restaurant with a neighborhood feel. It was not that crowded when we arrived early, if not for a party in the patio. I immediately loved the decor, designed by Milan artist and architect Giuseppe Amato, that sets this place apart: on the left were wooden booths were we sat; on the right were marble tables for two with the shape of school tables sticked together, dominated by a study lamp. And then in the middle, two communal tables (I was hoping no one had a reservation and would sit next to us…)

Their brunch menu was interesting, with classics like French toast, pancakes or burgers. But not only. For instance, in got their Pane Frattau, a Sardinian flat bread “pizza” as they described it, topped with a marinara sauce, some pecorino and two sunny side up eggs that were perfectly done, the yolk being runny. The “crust”, that was paper thin, had a soft texture, as if undercooked, but in a good way, and I did not need a knife to cut it. Flavor wise, it was very good and comforting.

Pane Frattau at Le Fanfare in Green Point, Brooklyn

Jodi got their avocado toast that was on a multigrain bread a bit too thick to be cut easily with the knife (the usual issue with toast). There were two pieces of bread and they could have gone with just one, doubling the amount of avocado on it. Otherwise, it was good.

Avocado toast at Le Fanfare in Green Point, Brooklyn

For drinks, Jodi got a tea while I sipped an iced coffee. Perfect with the small pieces of coffee cake they brought us while we waited for our dishes.

Iced coffee at Le Fanfare in Green Point, Brooklyn

Coffee cake at Le Fanfare in Green Point, Brooklyn

Overall, it was good and I liked the atmosphere of the place. I will have to go back to try their dinner!

Enjoy (I did)!

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Le Fanfare - 1103 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222

I Just Want To Eat! 7/25/22 I Just Want To Eat! 7/25/22

Sparks Steakhouse in NYC

Sparks Steakhouse is one of these places that are part of the history of New York, like Keens, Peter Luger or the Old Homestead. Not that it is that old, but it is a major player in the New York food scene, to the point that when it announced in 2017 that it would close its doors because it could not reach an agreement with its landlord, everyone was stunned. Fortunately, they were able to renew their lease and continue operating. Besides for its steaks, Sparks is also known because of the infamous murder in 1985, right in front of the restaurant, of Paul Castellano, the head of the Gambino family that was ordered by John Gotti.

So, I was excited to finally go there, Sparks Steakhouse being on my list forever. Arriving there, you get transported a bit to the past, noticing the tuxedo of the Maître D’ or the heavy decor that old steakhouses used to have: thick carpet, dark setting, masculine feel and tons of paintings along the walls.

Food wise, they are proud to say that, at least for steaks, they did not change their menu for the past 60 years they have been in operation. I admit that I was a bit lost with their menu that just said for instance “steak fromage” or “sliced steak with…”. So they explained that their most popular and recommended cut is their sirloin and then the filet mignon. You can they choose to have it with cheese (the “au fromage” I mentioned before) or with sautéed onions and peppers. They do not have any ribeye or porterhouse and asking feels like you are insulting them (but with an humorous way). They also have an impressive veal chop and lamb. The lamb was pretty good, drenched, nicely fatty, and perfectly cooked medium. The sirloin was good too, but more medium than medium-rare. It was tender and juicy, with a nice crust on the outside.

Lamb and petite sirloin at Sparks Steakhouse in NYC

As far as sides, they have classics, and their hash browns are a must have: crunchy with a delicious burnt crust. Another good option is the sautéed mushrooms.

Sautéed mushrooms at Sparks Steakhouse in NYC

Appetizers seem also to be of the past and pricey for what it is. For example, you get 4 baked clams and 2 shrimp scampi for $27.95! It would be a large shrimp gambas, and a giant clam, I would understand, but no, this was small and not worth the price. The crab meat and scallops was also a let down but better as there was lots of jumbo crab meat, but the Bay scallops were simply bland. Disappointing.

Clams and shrimp scampi at Sparks Steakhouse in NYC

Crab and scallops at Sparks Steakhouse in NYC

I should mention their extensive wine list that is quite impressive. However, I only had a cocktail, a Paper Plane, that was made with bourbon, aperol and amaro.

Paper plane cocktail at Sparks Steakhouse in NYC

Last is desserts. The fact that they have classic is in a way what you would want in a steakhouse and their pecan pie a la mode is superb. However, they are not making it there. They apparently only make the whipped cream. So, why not putting much more on the plate! There was just a little bit there, gone after less than two bites.

Pecan pie a la mode at Sparks Steakhouse in NYC

So, overall, I was not so impressed by Sparks Steakhouse. The meat was good but not at the level of a Peter Luger or Gallagher's, or even Porterhouse that has become my favorite. I guess going there would be more because it is an institution in the city than for its menu.

Enjoy (I still did)!

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Sparks Steakhouse- 210 E 46th St, New York, NY 10017

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

Dim Sum Palace in Midtown West

We were craving Chinese food and had to be midtown, so I thought that Dim Sun Palace would be a good spot for us. But not the location on the Theater District that can be really busy, we went to the one on 56th street. The place was packed, but, fortunately, they have a second floor that was quieter.

Dim Sum Palace offers an extensive menu with not just dim sum, also classics, and I admit that it is a bit overwhelming with so many choices, vegetarian and non-vegetarian. If you want dim sum, you will mark your choice on the printed menu, below the photo of the item (photos are always a good thing in case you are not sure what a dish is).

Of course, a Tsing Tao beer is perfect for dim sum. Light and refreshing.

Sting tao beer at Dim Sum Palace in Midtown West

For dim sum, they have the classics like the crystal shrimp dumplings that were perfect. Their mixed mushroom dumplings were also delicious, the filling being very good, letting the mushrooms be the star of these small pockets without putting things like celery or spinach that would overpower it. Another great dumpling was their shredded roast duck, but I admit that I would have loved some hoisin sauce with it, the sweetness going perfectly with the duck. My least favorite was the soy bean dumpling: I simply did not like the texture.

Shredded duck at Dim Sum Palace in Midtown West

Crystal shrimp dumplings at Dim Sum Palace in Midtown West

Mushroom dumplings at Dim Sum Palace in Midtown West

Soy bean dumplings at Dim Sum Palace in Midtown West

On the crispy side, they offer classics like the scallion pancakes that were nicely crispy and slightly greasy as they should. Or the vegetable spring rolls that always burn your mouth…I also tried their crispy garlic spare ribs that were also very hot, definitely crispy, with a delicious saltiness that enhance the taste of the meat without being too salty, or garlicky.

Crispy garlic spare ribs at Dim Sum Palace in Midtown West

Scallion pancakes at Dim Sum Palace in Midtown West

Vegetable spring rolls at Dim Sum Palace in Midtown West

We finished our meal with their sweet egg yolk steamy buns. I love this dessert: the egg yolk is delightfully sweet, the bun balancing perfectly the sweetness of the filling. This is a must have.

Sweet egg yolk steamy buns at Dim Sum Palace in Midtown West

We did not regret our choice for lunch for sure: Dim Sun Palace is a fantastic spot outside of Chinatown for dim sum. They had a wide variety, for vegetarian and not vegetarian, some dumplings being more sticky than others but still very good. I highly recommend it.

Enjoy (I did)!

Dim Sum Palace - 28 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019

I Just Want To Eat! 7/20/22 I Just Want To Eat! 7/20/22

Cafe China in NYC, NY

I discovered Cafe China several years ago, as I was going through the restaurants in New York with one Michelin Star. At the time, I was not that impressed by the food, but admitted at the time that it might have been because of the choice of dishes we made. So I was curious to see how this would be this time, and admit that this was very good, with a very speedy and courteous service! Here is what we had:…

As a cocktail, I got the Fallen Angels, made with Four Roses bourbon, freshly squeezed lemon juice, homemade grenadine and bitters. This was nicely sweet and not too strong, quite refreshing.

Fallen Angels cocktail at Cafe China in NYC, NY

Vegetable pot stickers with mixed vegetables, shiitake mushrooms and tofu skin: that was really good, with a nice charred crust, and a filling quite tasty.

Vegetable pot stickers at Cafe China in NYC, NY

Crystal shrimp dumplings: prepared with lard, they were pan fried that is the first time I had them like that. I loved it, with a large piece of shrimp inside and the shell crispy.

Crystal shrimp dumplings at Cafe China in NYC, NY

Dan Dan noodles: I love this dish and I know that every family has its own recipe. It was good, but not spicy and I have to say that Hao Noodles set the bar high for me, so I was expecting much more…

Dan Dan noodles at Cafe China in NYC, NY

Eggplant and string beans: this vegetarian dish had a nice kick.

Eggplant and string beans at Cafe China in NYC, NY

Tea smoked duck: this is one of their specialties. The deboned duck was served skin on for crispness, and with some steamed buns. They do not serve them with hoisin sauce (or any sauce) as it would overpower the smokiness of the tea. I thought that it would be dry, but it was not and the duck was delicious, the skin being fatty and sweet.

Tea smoked duck at Cafe China in NYC, NY

We finish the meal with the eight jewel rice pudding, a dessert made with sticky rice, dates, red bean, walnut and lotus seed. This was fantastic! The sticky rice gave a nice texture and was bathed in a delicious sugar syrup.

Eight jewel rice pudding at Cafe China in NYC, NY

So, finally, I tried the two dishes I mentioned in my last visit: the Dan Dan noodles and the tea smoked duck. Both were quite good and, overall, we had a great meal. So, I changed my mind about this place, and I would recommend it.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Cafe China - 59 W 37th St, New York, NY 10018

I Just Want To Eat! 7/18/22 I Just Want To Eat! 7/18/22

Joe's Ginger in Chinatown, NYC

We were craving Chinese food and decided to stop by Chinatown for lunch on a Saturday. Our original target was full with a long wait, so we finally ended up at Joe’s Ginger on Pell Street. The restaurant was a bit busy so I thought that, probably, that little known secret about this place was out: this is the sister restaurant of Joe’s Shanghai, a popular place in tourist guides, made famous by its "Xiao Long Bao", these soup dumplings served either with pork, or with pork and crab meat. So, while people line up at Joe’s Shanghai, you have a better chance to find a spot at Joe’s Ginger. I admit that I hesitated a bit about ordering these soup dumplings, but, Jodi being vegetarian, it would have been all for myself and, although I do not mind that, I wanted to try other things. So we started with classic dumplings like the steamed shrimp Har Gow or crystal shrimp dumplings that I always get when ordering dim sum, the mix mushroom dumplings, and the vegetable dumplings. Perfectly made, these dumplings were quite good, except the mix mushroom one that had a weird taste.

Mix mushroom dumplings at Joe's Ginger in Chinatown, NYC

Vegetable dumplings at Joe's Ginger in Chinatown, NYC

Crystal shrimp dumplings at Joe's Ginger in Chinatown, NYC

Another classic we got was their scallion pancake that was smaller than what I remember. It came straight from the kitchen and was really hot, delightfully greasy and crispy. Delicious!

Scallion pancakes at Joe's Ginger in Chinatown, NYC

One of the dishes I like there is their chicken pan fried noodles, but this time, I decided to try their General Tso’s chicken as it has been a while since I had that dish and was wondering if it was good at Joe’s Ginger. I was not disappointed: this dish was very good, the chicken being slightly crispy and the sauce deliciously sweet and spicy.

General Tso’s chicken at Joe's Ginger in Chinatown, NYC

With my meal, I got a Tsing Tao beer, light and refreshing on a hot day.

Tsing Tao beer at Joe's Ginger in Chinatown, NYC

So, overall, I was quite glad we went to Joe’s Ginger, even if it was not our first choice. The food there is great and comes very quickly. This is a great spot to know in Chinatown and, if you decide to go, make sure you have cash as this is a cash only restaurant.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Joe’s Ginger - 25 Pell St, New York, NY 10013

I Just Want To Eat! 7/15/22 I Just Want To Eat! 7/15/22

Tex-Mex dinner at El Rio Grande, Midtown East

We found El Rio Grande, a Tex-mex restaurant located Midtown East, while looking for Mexican food in that area. Their menu looking pretty good, we decided to give it a try. We went on the Friday before the 4th of July, the place not being that busy, probably because people were traveling. As we entered, we could not miss the over the top decor, with the oversized cowboy boot and the bison with wings that was hanging on top of the bar…

I started the meal with one of their many margaritas and chose a frozen pear margarita, pear being a flavor I love and do not see much on menus. Refreshing for sure on a hot day.

Pear Margarita at El Rio Grande, Midtown East

We then had guacamole, an appetizer we always order if on a menu. Their guac was really good, mild, with nice pieces of avocado in it (I hate guacamole made in a blender, with that soupy texture). And I was surprised by the quantity of it that was a lot.

Guacamole at El Rio Grande, Midtown East

I then got a chicken chimichanga that was topped with adobo sauce and cheese, and served with rice and refried beans. If you never had a chimichanga, think about a deep fried burrito (in fact, it is how it was invented but the origin is still disputed between El Charro in Tucson, Az where a burrito was dropped by accident in a deep fryer and Woody Johnson, founder of Macayo's Mexican Kitchen, who claimed it was an experiment). This was delicious: the tortilla was deliciously crispy without being greasy, and the filling was not dry at all, quite tasty.

Chicken Chimichanga at El Rio Grande, Midtown East

On her side, Jodi got a spinach and mushroom quesadilla that was just ok for me, spinach not really being a favorite food of mine.

Spinach and mushroom quesadilla at El Rio Grande, Midtown East

We finished the meal with churros that were served with a chocolate Bailey’s sauce. They were quite good, crunchy, but I was missing a bit of the texture in the middle, when the center is just cooked.

Overall, El Rio Grande was a surprising find. I thought the meal was pretty good and would not mind going back there to try other dishes.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

El Rio Grande - 160 E 38th St, New York, NY 10016

I Just Want To Eat! 7/13/22 I Just Want To Eat! 7/13/22

Dock's Oyster Bar in Midtown East

Located close to Grand Central, Dock’s Oyster Bar is one of those seafood institutions that seafood lovers must visit. This restaurant that boasts an impressive dining room offers an incredible menu where the fruits de mer (seafood in French literally meaning fruits of the sea) are celebrated in various ways: raw, cooked, in sushi or in pasta are few examples. A good way to experience it is by starting with one of their seafood platters. The Royale plateau is perfect for two, but I admit that I could have eaten it on my own, everything tasting deliciously fresh. It is composed of 8 oysters (this time from the west coast (Fanny Bay and Cascadia), 3 littleneck clams, 3 cherrystone clams, 4 jumbo shrimp and 1/2 lb lobster. Double it and you get their Grand Plateau.

For the main, I am not a big fan of their crab cakes, missing the jumbo lump crab meat and lacking a bit of taste, maybe because of the meat they used or too much filler. I am not sure. However, they cook fish perfectly and their Branzino simply pan roasted was superb: not dry, with a crispy skin, it also tasted very fresh. These “simply prepared” dishes as they call them are served with brocoli rabe, roasted fingerling potatoes oven roasted tomato and beurre blanc. I simply loved the entire dish.

Crab cakes at Dock's Oyster Bar in Midtown East

With the meal, you can of course get some wine, but their cocktails are worth a try. The Mr. Boozy with Angel’s Envy Bourbon, Mr. Black cold brew liqueur, Grand Marnier and bitters is strong but refreshing. For a sweeter cocktail, they also have the Blueberry mint sparkling lemonade that is made with vodka (so, no, this is not just a lemonade!).

Mr Boozy cocktail at Dock's Oyster Bar in Midtown East

Sweet mint sparkling lemonade cocktail at Dock's Oyster Bar in Midtown East

Triple chocolate pudding at Dock's Oyster Bar in Midtown East

Then I got dessert: I tried their triple chocolate pudding that was good, but a bit grainy, and their key lime pie that was just ok for me, having better ones while dining in the City.

Key lime pie at Dock's Oyster Bar in Midtown East

Despite that, Dock’s delivered and there is no question this is a place to go if you like seafood.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Dock's Oyster Bar - 633 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10017

I Just Want To Eat! 7/11/22 I Just Want To Eat! 7/11/22

Eleven Madison Park, a vegan experience

When Eleven Madison Park announced that they would switch to a plant-based restaurant, a lot of people could not believe it, thinking that it would be a mistake. I was not one of them. Don’t get me wrong: I am a non-vegetarian, but also appreciate a good vegetarian or vegan meal. I think that there is a place for everybody’s choice and sometimes the label put on something seems to stoke a fire, even in the culinary world. Think about it: a margarita pizza is vegetarian. Would people react the same way if you were asking the to grab a vegetarian pizza rather than just a pizza? I do not think so. There is this sort of stigma around vegetarianism and veganism that will not stop amazing me, me, who is not thinking about giving up eating meat of fish. So, as it was our wedding anniversary, and my wife Jodi being vegetarian, we decided to treat ourselves to a plant based dinner at Eleven Madison Park. We arrived right before they started service for dinner and were able to see the briefing of the staff in the impressive dining room, that finished with everyone shouting “Oui” (yes in French), that is also what they shout in the kitchen when a new order is read.

We started off the meal with a cocktail: the Watermelon (made with orange, elderflower, strawberry and brut rose) for Jodi and Pistachio cocktail for me (made with Bourbon, Palo Cortado Sherry, toasted coconut, coffee, lemon and a banana leaf - no pistachio, so I guess the name came from the color).

Watermelon cocktail at Eleven Madison Park in NYC, NY

Pistachio cocktail at Eleven Madison Park in NYC, NY

Then, the 9 course Spring menu started with asparagus in variations (poached in anise Hyssop, fried - that tempura on seaweed was superb - and steamed - there was a small dumpling in the bottom of the cup, hidden by a disc made of asparagus, that was delicious).

Asparagus tempura at Eleven Madison Park in NYC, NY

Poached asparagus at Eleven Madison Park in NYC, NY

Steamed asparagus at Eleven Madison Park in NYC, NY

Then we got Tonburi that are dried seeds from Japan that are also called “land caviar”. Crunchy, with a taste close to broccoli, it was served with baby lettuce, a horseradish cream and a beautiful radish tostada (you spread the Tonburi on the tostada in fact).

Radish Tostada at Eleven Madison Park in NYC, NY

Tonburi at Eleven Madison Park in NYC, NY

Then it was time to have a glass of wine. I chose a glass of Sauternes from Bordeaux, a Chateau d’Yquem 1997. Sweet, perfect with the vegetables.

Sauternes from Bordeaux, a Chateau d’Yquem 1997 at Eleven Madison Park in NYC, NY

Next was a bread course that was a laminated bread with morel butter. The morel butter was quite good and looked amazing, but I admit that that bread was definitely the star. So I got seconds and refrained myself when they asked if I wanted more! It was crispy on the outside, with a sourdough taste, the center being just underdone but in a good way.

Bread and morel butter at Eleven Madison Park in NYC, NY

Few minutes later came the blistered fava beans served with green chickpeas and sorrel. I loved it, fava beans being one of my favorites, although, not really something I see often on a menu.

Blistered fava bean at Eleven Madison Park in NYC, NY

Blistered fava beans at Eleven Madison Park in NYC, NY

After that, we had peas that were glazed with brown rice, and served with coconut and nepitella, a Mediterranean herb used in Italian cuisine, also known as calamint. This was the only dish that I thought was too salty for me.

Then a cart came on the left side of the table and they prepared the Fresh tofu dish in front of us. They get their fresh tofu from one of the oldest tofu houses in New York City and you could tell it was freshly made: it was silky, literally melting in my mouth. Even ultra soft store bought tofu does not have this texture. They prepared it with artichokes, arugula and green garlic.

Fresh tofu at Eleven Madison Park in NYC, NY

The next dish was Morels, served with braised seitan, spinach and Spring onion. I never liked seitan, but this dish was superb, earthy, with a nice crunch from the seitan.

Morels at Eleven Madison Park in NYC, NY

The last dish before dessert was the squash that was prepared table side. The squash was sitting on a corn masa that gave a nice texture to the perfectly cooked zucchini squash. It was accompanied by a poblano pepper and coriander blooms on top, and they added a roasted pepper jus at the end.

Squash at Eleven Madison Park in NYC, NY

The first dessert was a chamomile ice cream sandwich with fennel pollen.

Chamomile ice cream sandwich at Eleven Madison Park in NYC, NY

The last dish was a variation on strawberry, one being a strawberry on skewer and the other one as an ice cream, with cherry blossom and rose.

Strawberry at Eleven Madison Park in NYC, NY

And they offered us some drinks: apple cider for Jodi and fortified wine with elderflower for me.

Apple cider at Eleven Madison Park in NYC, NY

Fortified wine at Eleven Madison Park in NYC, NY

I should mention our tour of the kitchen: this is a huge place, with north of 50 people in there, very organized, focused on the task assigned to them to such a point that it is pretty quiet in there considering the number of staff. And it is very clean, making me think about the state of my kitchen after I cook...What was great was to see them prepare the cold dishes, using tweezers with such a precision and artistry that I was mesmerized. And, as we were there, they made a gin-rhubarb drink for us (without gin for Jodi), with Brooklyn Gin.

Gin-Rhubarb cocktail at Eleven Madison Park in NYC, NY

Overall we had a great experience at Eleven Madison Park. The new menu is different, quite creative and beautifully plated. At the end of the evening, I was full and did not miss not having any meat of fish. Is it worth the price? Well, it is a bit pricey and I guess you pay for the experience and dining in one of the best restaurants in the world. Know that they change their menu 4 times a year to follow the seasons (but not following the calendar of seasons - for instance, the Summer menu will come on July 12) , so, going several times within the same season, you will probably get the same dishes.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Eleven Madison Park - 11 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10010

I Just Want To Eat! 7/9/22 I Just Want To Eat! 7/9/22

Alice's Tea Cup on the Upper-West Side

As Jodi’s friend, Jackie, was visiting for Alaska with her daughter, we ended up at Alice’s Tea Cup on the Upper West Side. It’s been a while since we went to this whimsical place, the last time being for their afternoon tea. As you can guess, the name comes from Alice in Wonderland and, if you did not guess before going, you get a hint as you enter the restaurant, although the first thing you get is the smell of the delicious cookies and scones that they sell.

They are known for tea (they claim to have more than a hundred varieties, and their scones that are spectacular, served with clotted cream and raspberry preserves. My favorite is the plain scone, but their chocolate and coconut was really good. They also use their scones for eggs Benedict and I admit that their salmon Benedict was superb, but quite filling. The salmon sat on a scone and was topped with a perfectly poached egg, covered with rosemary hollandaise sauce. Looking at the photo, you may think that they were served with roasted potatoes and asparagus, but in fact it was roasted pears that I thought was an interesting combination.

Scones at Alice's Tea Cup on the Upper-West Side

Salmon Benedict at Alice's Tea Cup on the Upper-West Side

As far as tea is concerned, I always go for the mint tea, while Jodi goes for the English breakfast. But if you do not like tea, you can have cocktails (there are a few), coffee, milk chocolate, etc.

Moroccan mint tea at Alice's Tea Cup on the Upper-West Side

Whimsical, Alice’s tea cup is the perfect place for kids birthdays, but still welcoming adults for a delicious brunch. I definitely recommend this place that has a delicious menu that will make you think more than twice before ordering a dish with some many mouth watering choices.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Alice’s Tea Cup - 102 W 73rd St, New York, NY 10023

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

Cali Burrito at Playa Betty’s

We passed by Playa Betty’s, a restaurant with a beach theme located on the Upper West Side, quite a few times, this place being each time a bit crowded.

So I was curious to see their menu and immediately saw one item that made me want to try it: the Hang 10 burrito that is a Cali burrito. I never had a Cali burrito until I traveled to San Diego and had one at Lucha Libre, one of the known restaurants there. Simply put (and hopefully not insulting anyone), it is a burrito where the rice has been replaced by French fries. It was made with chopped steak, lettuce, Jack cheese, guacamole and sour cream. It was big and really appetizing. The first bite was divine, but the other bites also: you get the crunchiness of the fries, and then an explosion of flavors from the various ingredients that did not overpower at all the meat that was perfectly cooked. I was in heaven!

“Hang 10” Cali burrito at Playa Betty’s on the Upper West Side

We also tried there their guacamole that you build yourself: they bring you all the components needed with some crushed avocado and you decide how you want your guac to be. And if people with you prefer it a different way, no problem: just split the avocado and make your own on your plate. This is a great idea!

Making guacamole at Playa Betty’s on the Upper West Side

Crushed avocado at Playa Betty’s on the Upper West Side

Guacamole at Playa Betty’s on the Upper West Side

They even have vegetarian tacos that Jodi tried. The “ I can hass “ was a delicious beer battered avocado taco, and the shroom asada that was Jodi’s favorite, was made with a grilled portobello mushroom and caramelized onions.

Vegetarian tacos at Playa Betty’s on the Upper West Side

We did not have any dessert because after that burrito, I needed a walk! I did not regret our visit at Playa Betty’s: the food was fun and delicious. I will have to go back and try other dishes there, but an early brunch might be the best time for me as it was quiet!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Playa Betty’s - 320 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10023

I Just Want To Eat! 7/5/22 I Just Want To Eat! 7/5/22

Burger at 10th and Willow Bar and Grill in Hoboken

I recently saw a post from Hoboken Girl saying that the best burger in the city is at 10th and Willow Bar and Grill. So I had to check it out as for me it is between Antique Bar & Bakery and O’Neals, but you never know!
We decided to go on a Sunday for brunch. The place was empty at the time we went and we got the impression they did not care much for us, maybe because we did not order alcohol. Who knows? So it took a while for our order to be placed. We started off with their fried goat cheese balls.

Fried goat cheese balls at 10th and Willow Bar and Grill in Hoboken

For her main, Jodi got their chopped Mediterranean salad that was served with romaine, olives, red onion, tomato, cucumber and pita croutons. Unfortunately, it was over dressed (it was a garlic feta dressing).
Then came my burger. I went for the 10th Street burger that was served with provolone, mushrooms and A1 sauce. When it came, it looked spectacular, the thick patty being smothered by cheese and sauce. But, unfortunately, it was overcooked (I asked for medium, medium rare might have been better), and dry.
I asked for onion rings instead of fries or salad (unbeknownst to me there was a surcharge of $4) and these rings, although large and crispy were not cooked all the way through for some.

Chopped Mediterranean salad at 10th and Willow Bar and Grill in Hoboken

Burget at 10th and Willow Bar and Grill in Hoboken

Onion ring at 10th and Willow Bar and Grill in Hoboken

So overall it was disappointing. I stand by my opinion that is Antique Bar & Bakery and O’Neals have the best burger in town!

Enjoy (…)!

If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
10th and Willow Bar and Grill - 935 Willow Ave, Hoboken, NJ 07030

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

Terra in TriBeCa

Have you ever been to a restaurant and have this feeling that things are not going to go well from the get go? This is what happened when we went for dinner at Terra in TriBeCa, after going to the New York Academy of Art for an exhibit where Jodi had a painting. It started with the host who barely said hello and apparently did not like the fact that I asked for a table that was not next to the sidewalk. Then, a first waiter came and took our order for drinks (I had a Mint Julep), before a second one came for the same thing. When we told…

After my drink came, we got our appetizer, the Melanzane e Caprino that is grilled eggplant with goat cheese and basil. This was good, although the eggplant was too thin, so we could barely taste it.

After waiting for a bit, we got our pasta: fettuccine ai funghi for Jodi, made with wild mushrooms and nowhere to be found truffle oil, and linguine vongole for me. Both pasta dishes were overcooked and bland. They would have brought some parmesan cheese, it would have given some saltiness to it (we just needed to find our waitress), but the fact that it was overcooked ruined a bit the dish. The vongole was also very disappointing and one of the worst I had: the sauce was simply not good, tasteless and there were not that many clams in it.

Fettuccine ai funghi at Terra in TriBeCa

Considering the quality of the food and the wait time, we decided to skip dessert that is exceptional for me as I always like to finish my meal with something sweet. Terra was disappointing and I definitely do not recommend that place.

Enjoy (the post)!

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Terra - 222 W Broadway, New York, NY 10013

I Just Want To Eat! 6/29/22 I Just Want To Eat! 6/29/22

Franklin Social in Jersey City, NJ

We discovered Franklin Social two weeks ago, simply by seeing on Instagram that they had the 1947 beer on their menu. I know: it is weird because usually you go because you see a particular dish on social media, but no, this was this awesome beer that I discovered last year...

1947 Beer at Franklin Social in Jersey City, NJ

The first time we went was for brunch, on a quiet Sunday, the place not being that crowded if not for a graduation party that they hosted in their patio. We sat outside, the weather being perfect and I admit that this was very relaxing, enjoying my beer and the food that came at a good rhythm, not too fast, not too slow. We started off by sharing deviled eggs, a dish that always reminds me of meals at my mom’s when I was a kid and she made oeufs mayonnaise, although the quantity of mayo in hers was twice the one they put at Franklin Social and my mom never put sunflower seeds gremolata, that added a nice crunch to it..

Deviled eggs at Franklin Social in Jersey City, NJ

For her main, Jodi got the falafel sandwich that was quite good, while I opted for the fried chicken sandwich that was served with jalapeño coleslaw, pickles and roasted chili aioli. I admit that the ratio bread / fried chicken was in favor of the bread unfortunately , but the chicken was deliciously cooked, crunchy on the outside and moist on the inside. I was also expecting some heat but it was not spicy at all. Still, I enjoyed it. It was served with either a salad or some steak fries. I decided to try the latter, although I never liked steak fries. I did not change my mind: they were slightly crunchy, but not fully cooked inside. Yes, I still prefer skinny fries!

Falafel salad at Franklin Social in Jersey City, NJ

Falafel sandwich at Franklin Social in Jersey City, NJ

Fried chicken sandwich at Franklin Social in Jersey City, NJ

For dessert, we got churros with chocolate sauce (normally it comes with caramel, but we got two servings of chocolate sauce). In fact I did not care much for the chocolate sauce, these churros being delicious on their own (and if you want to know my favorite dipping for churros, it is condensed milk!).

Churros at Franklin Social in Jersey City, NJ

A week later, we went back for dinner and all the spots outside were taken so we sat in their quiet dining room that had a nice homey feel. As it was before 7pm, we benefited from the happy hour: I got a cocktail ($10) called “We The People”, made with Dickel Rye, apple brandy, Madeira, Demerara and angostura bitters. Sweet and refreshing. We also got, for $6, some fried pickles that we always get whenever on a menu. Served with an horseradish aioli, they were very good, not greasy, crunchy and delightfully salty and sour. We also got their potato croquettes that were bigger than expected, sitting on creme fraiche and accompanied with a lemon brûlée that I squeezed on top of the croquettes that were filled with cheese, crunchy on the outside without being greasy and creamy inside. Delicious!

We The People cocktail at Franklin Social in Jersey City, NJ

Fried pickles at Franklin Social in Jersey City, NJ

Potato croquettes at Franklin Social in Jersey City, NJ

For her main, Jodi got the crispy cauliflower that was served with tzatziki. This is the kind of dish that would make you think twice before saying you do not like cauliflower! It was succulent: deep fried (well, anything deep fried is good, right?), the cauliflower was cooked all the way through but had still a bite.

Fried cauliflower at Franklin Social in Jersey City, NJ

On my side, I had the pan roasted duck that was served with Brussels sprouts and a creamy polenta that was amazing. The duck was nicely fatty, perfectly cooked medium. This was a delicious dish.

Pan roasted duck at Franklin Social in Jersey City, NJ

Last was dessert. As we had the churros last time, we decided to try their bread pudding. It looked good, but unfortunately did not deliver: it was too dense and dry with a spicy taste. Too bad that they did not give more caramel sauce, because at least, the top that was slightly crunchy was good.

Bread pudding at Franklin Social in Jersey City, NJ

Overall, we had great meals at Franklin Social: this place is awesome and is worth a trip to Jersey City, this place being few blocks from the Grove Street Path station.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Franklin Social - 292 Barrow St, Jersey City, NJ 07302

I Just Want To Eat! 6/27/22 I Just Want To Eat! 6/27/22

Mexican Dinner at Sinigual in NYC

Located few blocks from Grand Central, Sinigual is a great Mexican restaurant: good ambiance and exciting menu come to mind when I think about this place that is quite big…

Located few blocks from Grand Central, Sinigual is a great Mexican restaurant: good ambiance and exciting menu come to mind when I think about this place that is quite big.

Going there, there are few staples you have to try: their house margarita (if you do not drink alcohol, they have a lemonade), and their guacamole that is really good, perfect made, with nice chunks of avocado, served mild as requested, and not overly salty. Only issue with that guac is the fact that it is supposed to be made table side. Not that it would make it taste better, but I enjoy seeing a little show, especially if advertised on the menu. But as Jodi said, “they said table side, but it does not mean it has to be your table!

For her main, Jodi got their vegetable fajita that was served with onions, bell peppers, pasilla chiles, new mexico frijoles, avocado relish, pico de Gallo with a handmade flour tortillas. They asked if she wanted sour cream, to which she responded “yes”, and we later realized that they charged us $2.50 for it! Despite that, it was good, with a little kick.

On my side, after much hesitation from their mouth watering menu, I decided to try their filet mignon enchiladas with grilled shrimp that was in their Chef’s Special section. This dish was composed of filet mignon enchiladas, mushrooms, grilled shrimp, a vegetable skewer, black beans, and cilantro-pasilla rice. Everything was succulent and what greatly contributed to the success of that dish was their chipotle sherry sauce that was sublime, whether with the rice, the enchiladas or the shrimp. The chunks of filet mignon were tender and juicy, and the shrimp perfectly cooked. For sure, this surf and turf dish is definitely something to try there.

Filet mignon enchiladas and grilled shrimp at Sinigual in NYC

Last was dessert. We went for their crepas de cajeta that are crêpes stuffed with cajeta that is a goat milk caramel, caramelized plantains, vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. I did not care much about the plantains as they lacked sweetness, but the crepes with cajeta were spectacular. To the point that we bought some cajeta on Amazon the next day so we could put it in the crepes Jodi makes.

Overall, we had a great meal at Sinigual: this is a fantastic place for elevated Mexican food, and I will for sure go back there, this time, hoping to get see that guacamole making up close…

Enjoy (I did)!

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Sinigual - 640 3rd Ave, Manhattan, NY 10017

I Just Want To Eat! 6/25/22 I Just Want To Eat! 6/25/22

Sorrento's Subs in Freehold, NJ

It has probably been 17 years since I have been to Sorrento’s, an Italian joint that serves large subs. So, as we were going to Freehold, I had a special request: to go to Sorrento’s for lunch. I admit that when we arrived, I did not recognize the place, not that it mattered much, as long as their menu was still mouth watering. And it was! Imagine: they serve subs with a bunch of meat, like ham, turkey, roast beef, salami, prosciuttino, chicken, roast beef or capicolla, that you can complement with cheese, and combine together in any way you prefer, making their 18 inches sandwiches even more decadent (yes…

I ordered the 18 inches Super, that I shared with my mother in-law, and ate half of it (9 inches), ditching a bit of the soft and nice bread at some point, focusing more on the meat and cheese, my stomach starting to be full, and wanting to keep some space for ice cream.

Super sub at Sorrento's Subs in Freehold, NJ

This huge sub was made with cheese, salami, boiled ham, capicolla, prosciuttino (a variety of prosciutto from Lombardy typically using high quality pork shoulder). Seeing them cutting the meat and laying it down on the bread made my mouth water a bit. They then put some cheese, iceberg lettuce (I ditched some as there was bit too much of it), oregano, and drizzled some oil and vinegar. $14 (At the time of the visit) is definitely a good deal considering the size of this thing and I could not wait to eat it, with some chips and a root beer, that is a classic combination for me. The first bite was so good: you first get the softness of the bread, and then every layer of meat that has this saltiness that is kind of compensated by the cheese and lettuce (hence better not asking for salt and pepper). I was I heaven.

Of course, if you do not like these subs you can order some Italian dishes like grilled chicken, salad or Patti melt, and they have several options if you are vegetarian (Jodi got their cheese sub but I was so focussed on mine that I. almost forgot to take a photo!).

Cheese sub at Sorrento's Subs in Freehold, NJ

So, it was great to go back to Sorrento’s: the food is as good as it was 17 years ago and was worth the trip!

Enjoy (I did)!

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Sorrento's Subs - 690 Park Ave – Route 33. Freehold, NJ 07728

I Just Want To Eat! 6/23/22 I Just Want To Eat! 6/23/22

The Stingray Lounge in Hoboken

There are few places in Hoboken where I would go for seafood. Halifax of course, at the W Hotel, and then The Stingray Lounge that I discovered few years ago. Located on the North part of Hoboken, they offer some delicious dishes that would satisfy any seafood lover: lobster, shrimp, crab or oysters to name a few. If you are vegetarian, it might be a bit more challenging, although they do not make a fuss about, like some restaurants would and I truly appreciated that they removed the meat from their cheese and charcuterie platter and did not charge us the full price that is often what restaurants do.

Cheese plate at The Stingray Lounge in Hoboken

Oyster wise, they have a very good selection and I love the fact that they print your order so, in case you. get a selection of oysters, you can see which one you are eating simply by reading the ticket from top to bottom and eating the oysters clockwise.

Oysters at The Stingray Lounge in Hoboken

For the main, I wanted a lobster roll, but their ran out of brioche bread and they warned me that they were serving it on a burger bun, that is not what I would look for in a lobster roll: it is not just about the lobster, that they propose Connecticut style, with melted butter. The bread is also part of it. So I decided to get their poached scallops, that were accompanied with grits (I had better), asparagus, a green peas puree and pistachios. This was overall good and these scallops were perfectly cooked.

Poached scallops at The Stingray Lounge in Hoboken

With our meal, we got some cocktails: non-alcoholic for Jodi (the Laguna Sunrise, made with raspberry, orange, mint, simple syrup, lemon and lime), and the Mustache Pete for me, made with Makers Mark bourbon, creme de cacao, chilled espresso and orange bitters. I loved this cocktail: the first sip was divine, with first the hints of cocoa and then coffee, with the bourbon coming right after.

Laguna Sunrise mocktail at The Stingray Lounge in Hoboken

Mustache Pete cocktail at The Stingray Lounge in Hoboken

Dessert was a bit of a let down though: we decided to try their key lime pie that had a great graham cracker crust but only on the outside and not in the bottom. Too bad, because the crust would have given some texture and would have cut through the tartness of the pie.

Key lime pie at The Stingray Lounge in Hoboken

Still, it was a nice dinner. I just wishes they had more vegetarian choices for Jodi, but, besides that, this is a very good place to enjoy good cocktails and a nice meal.

Enjoy (I did)!

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The Stingray Lounge - 1210 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 6/21/22 I Just Want To Eat! 6/21/22

Pilsener Haus and Biergarten in Hoboken

Beer gardens (biergarten in German) are great places for a comforting meal and it is really good to have Pilsener Haus and Biergarten in the North part of Hoboken. Interestingly, the crowd on weekends is made of families for lunch and early dinners, that is the crowd I prefer, usually quieter…Of course, going there, you expect beer and they have a large selection of beer on tap, in bottles or cans, as well as wine, ciders and sodas if you do not like beer.

Gingerale at Pilsener Haus and Biergarten

Each time we go there, we end up starting our meal with their giant pretzel that is served with a cheese sauce as well as a mustard sauce. But their potato pancakes are also worth trying: slightly greasy and crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, they are served with sour cream and apple sauce.

Giant pretzel at Pilsener Haus and Biergarten

Potato pancakes at Pilsener Haus and Biergarten

For the main, meat is king, with various sausages offered in a bun or in a platter. My favorite is the kielbasa, that I got on a bun, but also with their kielbasa burger, that is made with a beef Patty, kielbasa, sauerkraut, curry Sauce, gruyere Cheese on a brioche bun. Decadent and really filling, the only negative of the sausage is that the skin of the kielbasa was a bit difficult to cut and so I simply removed it. Otherwise, this is awesome: messy to eat, it is like a heart attack on a plate, but you get so many delicious flavors that the first bite will tell you that you made the right choice. I got them with fries because I thought that ordering a salad with it was a bit hypocritical…

Kielbasa at Pilsener Haus and Biergarten

Kielbasa burger at Pilsener Haus and Biergarten

If you are vegetarian, you can get their veggie burger that is pretty good and not mushy. It is made with black bean, quinoa, corn, lettuce, tomato and onion.

Veggie burger at Pilsener Haus and Biergarten

Last is dessert: their strudel is probable fantastic, but we decided to try their pretzel pudding that was good but a bit dry.

Pretzel pudding at Pilsener Haus and Biergarten

So, yes, glad that place is there and I will certainly continue to go there for some comforting food.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Pilsener Haus and Biergarten - 1422 Grand St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 6/17/22 I Just Want To Eat! 6/17/22

Cecconi's in Dumbo, Brooklyn

We have some sort of tradition every year, although the past couple of years we did not do it with Covid: we go see the open studio of Peter Drake who is an amazing painter and the provost of the New York Academy of Art, and then go eat at Cecconi’s, a popular spot in Dumbo. I love this place: the outdoor has this beautiful new of Manhattan where you can have a relaxing brunch.

Food wise, I love their tuna tartare that they prepare table side, mixing the fish with avocado, mint and chili. I always find it quite light and refreshing. This seems as popular as the whipped ricotta with truffle honey and crostini that we always order and is a must have. The zucchini fritti that is zucchini fries was quite good, although a bit soggy after a while, accompanied by a lemon aioli. We also tried their butter lettuce salad that came with avocado and cherry tomato: good, but there was more lettuce than anything else.

Tuna tartare at Cecconi's in Dumbo, Brooklyn

Butter lettuce salad at Cecconi's in Dumbo, Brooklyn

Zucchini fritti at Cecconi's in Dumbo, Brooklyn

For beverages, Jodi tried their chai that was well made, ad I decided to go with their house pressed juice, especially the Ginger that was made with ginger, lemon and apple. I admit that I was a bit disappointed to see the bottle as I though they were making it fresh as advertised as house pressed juices. Still, this is the kind of juice I like, very gingery.

Cold pressed ginger juice at Cecconi's in Dumbo, Brooklyn

We did not have dessert as we had another plan, but I was close to ordering one. I love this place and we were thinking about going there for dinner as we only tried it for brunch.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Cecconi’s - 55 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

I Just Want To Eat! 6/15/22 I Just Want To Eat! 6/15/22

Pera Mediterranean Cuisine in NYC

I have been to Pera few times, each time enjoying the delicious mediterranean cuisine that they offer on their menu. There are dishes for vegetarian and non-vegetarians, people with a love of fish or meat. In fact, I find their menu quite mouth watering and one of the things I like there is their salads that allow multiple combinations; they have three different types of salads: watermelon and feta, market salad (shredded romaine hearts, dill, scallion, feta cheese, lemon and olive oil) and the Village salad (cherry tomato, cucumber, parsley, onion, kalamata olives, sheep’s milk feta cheese, red wine vinaigrette). We then can add some proteins: sliced sirloin “shashlik”, char-grilled octopus, chicken “shashlik”, lamb “adana”, grilled jumbo shrimp or pan-roasted salmon. Two times I went there, I settled for the Village salad with the char-grilled octopus that looked fantastic, and was perfectly cooked on their grill and tender. Their watermelon and feta salad is also amazing: the presentation with the large cubes of watermelon and cheese is beautiful and the two pair well, the watermelon giving a bit of sweetness and making thet dish quite refreshing.

Watermelon and Feta salad at Pera in NYC

Village salad with octopus at Pera in NYC

A good way to try many appetizers is to get their mezzo sampler that is only available for dinner. It has tzatziki, hummus, watermelon and feta, grilled octopus, fried calamari, grape leaves, grilled artichokes and spicy pepper and walnut “Muammara”.

Of course, you can get mezzo on their own, like the hummus that comes with pita chips or their phyllo rolls with Feta and Kasseri cheese that are drizzled with a cucumber-dill yoghurt.

But one of my favorite dishes is their signature lamb “adana” that is a Turkish dish where the lamb is minced, mounted on a skewer and grilled. It was served with a grilled tomato and a spicy long hot pepper, some cippolini onions and some lavash bread that was paper thin. This was succulent! I love lamb so it was a perfect dish for me: the meat was tasty and juicy, sitting on some lavash bread. A must have!

I should mention their cocktails: the Mediterranean old fashioned would be my go to drink, that they smoke at the table and has muddled orange in it. Otherwise, they have a few choices of whisky. So I tried the Garrison Brothers Straight Bourbon from Hye, Texas.

Mediterranean smoked old fashioned at Pera in NYC

Garrison Brothers Straight Bourbon from Hye, Texas at Pera in NYC

For dessert, I love their baklava that would be my first choice, but their dark chocolate soufflé is also quite good, although it does not have the consistency of a soufflé, being more liquid. Both are perfect with a Turkish coffee.

So, overall, Pera is a great find.The food there is really good and I will surely go back there!

Enjoy (I did)!

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Pera - 303 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10017

I Just Want To Eat! 6/13/22 I Just Want To Eat! 6/13/22

Fire & Oak in Jersey City

I have been a huge fan of Fire & Oak since I discovered it last year: ok, you would think that, as it is located in the Westin Hotel, you would get some hotel food, being a bit lost with the variety of dishes on the menu, but in fact, they serve some delicious food. So it was my pick for my birthday, wanting to try their ribeye for quite some time.

When we arrived, the place was packed: this was not a surprise and we of course had a reservation. They sat us pretty quickly and I immediately ordered their smoked old fashioned that they bring in a smoking dome, adding a bit of a show as they walk around the room and uncover the glass, smothered by a thick smoke.

Old Fashioned at Fire & Oak in Jersey City

Then, I got the sizzling spicy shrimp that were bathed in a scallion ginger sriracha lobster dipping sauce that was not that spicy but had a robust taste, but was not as spicy. But the sauce was the star and I was glad that they served it with a Texas toast so I could dip it in the comforting sauce.

Sizzling spicy shrimp at Fire & Oak in Jersey City

Then I got the steak. It was a 23oz bone in ribeye and I chose the French fries with it (you have a choice of one side - these fries are not to be missed: crispy on the outside and cooked all the way through ). The steak was medium, although I asked for medium-rare, but it was tender, juicy and had a nice char.

French fries at Fire & Oak in Jersey City

Jodi on her side got the wild mushroom and goat cheese pizza that was quite good with enough topping on top. I should mention that they use to make a Detroit pizza, but not anymore (I wonder why they stopped).

Wild mushroom and goat cheese pizza at Fire & Oak in Jersey City

For dessert, we got the warm chocolate brownie that was gooey with a nice crust. It was a bit sweet, but the vanilla ice cream cut down the sweetness.

Warm chocolate Brownie at Fire & Oak in Jersey City

This was a great way to finish a very good dinner. I am still a fan of this place and will be back for sure!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

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