I Just Want To Eat! 7/24/23 I Just Want To Eat! 7/24/23

David Burke Tavern in NYC, NY

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

Chef David Burke is not unknown to me as I ate in many of his restaurants in the city and saw him few times on TV in shows like Top Chef. So, when I was invited to try David Burke Tavern, I was really excited because I knew this would full of surprises. As we arrived, we went to the upstairs dining room and sat next to a penguin, not a real one of course: a stuffed animal. You might have heard that, during Covid, to ensure that patrons would respect social distancing, Chef Burke bought a bunch of stuffed animals that he sat at tables. The penguins were kept after that, sitting on each side of the cozy dining room. Then, we saw that plates were decorated with a strange logo that is both a nod to the New Yorker dressing up to go to town and one of the famous dishes from the Chef: lobster scrambled eggs with caviar served in an Ostrich egg.

David Burke Tavern in NYC, NY

We started off our meal with cocktails: espresso martini for me and a Moroccan mojito for Jodi that was sans-alcohol, made with lemon verbena syrup, lime juice, club soda, mint and sage leaves. It was nice to see a nice selection of mocktails next to an interesting list of cocktails.

Moroccan mojito at David Burke Tavern in NYC, NY

There was no vegetarian appetizer that was a bit disappointing and the only option for Jodi would have been to get a salad, but it would have replaced her main dish selection. So, I was the only one with appetizers and decided to get the clothesline bacon, that is a popular dish that was all over social media few years ago where strips of bacon are hung on a clothesline, torched in the kitchen or at the table (ours was torched in the kitchen), so it releases fat onto the pickles that are underneath. You then cut the thick slices of bacon with a scissor, adding a bit of playfulness to the dish. It was good, although a bit chewy, making me think a bit about a jerky. This is definitely a dish perfect to share.

Clothesline bacon at David Burke Tavern in NYC, NY

The second appetizer was the crab cake pretzel raft. What a wonderful dish: the presentation is beautiful and it was delicious, the pretzel adding a bite to it as well as as a slight saltiness, with an amazing old bay tomato jam and chipotle aioli that still let the crab shine. A must have.

Crab cake pretzel raft at David Burke Tavern in NYC, NY

Then came the entrees. Jodi went for their wild mushroom ravioli that was topped with parmesan, sage, walnuts, pomegranate and a chocolate balsamic. The ravioli was perfectly made, the shell having a perfect thickness, and the whole dish having this sweet and savory taste, each ingredient complementing each other rather than fighting against each other, the mushroom filling giving a nice earthiness to the dish and the pomegranate some bite.

Wild mushrooms ravioli at David Burke Tavern in NYC, NY

Wild mushroom ravioli at David Burke Tavern in NYC, NY

On my side, I decided to try their rack of lamb. First of all, this was a large dish, with a generous portion of lamb that was perfectly cooked medium as ordered, juicy and deliciously fatty. When I saw the thickness of each piece, I understood the message they sent when bringing the knife that looked like a small meat cleaver! It was served with white beans and Swiss char, making it a very comforting dish. I did not regret my choice for sure, even if I am not a big fan of Swiss char. With it, I wanted to try their whipped potato with garlic confit that nice and light, but not as decadent as I thought, thinking that there would be some garlic confit that I adore on top of it.

Rack of lamb at David Burke Tavern in NYC, NY

Whipped potato at David Burke Tavern in NYC, NY

The whimsical lollipop tree dessert is a delightful creation that brings back childhood memories. Topped with a cotton candy that is made a la minute, it is composed of various types of lollipop cakes that you can cover with the cotton candy or with the bubble gum whipped cream that was amazing.

Lollipop tree at David Burke Tavern in NYC, NY

This was a great way to finish a delicious meal. I don’t think I have ever been disappointed when dining at one of David Burke’s restaurant: the food there is creative and fun, without sacrificing the quality of the products.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

David Bruke Tavern - 135 E 62nd St, New York, NY 10065

I Just Want To Eat! 7/19/23 I Just Want To Eat! 7/19/23

Boulangerie Le Fournil in NYC, NY

This post is a bit overdue and describes our experience as we were walking around New York and noticed Le Fournil, a French bakery that I could not resist trying. The experience started well, with a wonderful and appetizing smell filling our nose as we entered the place. We decided to get three of their baked goods: a chocolate croissant (pain au chocolat), a raisin swirl (pain aux raisins) and a sugar tart (tarte au sucre) that always makes me think about my father who loves it. We took it home and, after a little photo shoot, tried all of them. The only one we liked was the tarte au sucre that was pretty good, but we could not finish the chocolate croissant (that looked tiny by the way) or the pain aux raisins as they both had a weird taste, as if the butter used was paste.

That was disappointing as I was really looking forward to it. So, Le Fournil would not be my go to place for good French bakes for sure.

Enjoy (…)!

Le Fournil - 115 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

I Just Want To Eat! 7/17/23 I Just Want To Eat! 7/17/23

Lokal in Jersey City

It’s been a while since I have been to Lokal in Jersey City. Not that the food is not good, but there is so much to explore in Hoboken, Jersey City and New York that time passed before going back there. So, when I got an invite to try their new menu, I was thinking that it would be a good opportunity for a revisit. I did not regret it: the food at Lokal is not just exciting, it is overall good in a relaxed atmosphere, not too noisy (well, it will also depend on the neighboring tables of course), with a breathtaking view of the city.

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

We started our meal by ordering some cocktails / mocktails. Jodi had a lychee mojito mocktail that was refreshing and quite original, lychee not being a fruit that is often used for cocktails, while I went for an espresso martini that was fortunately not served in a martini glass (I hate these glasses).

Lychee mojito mocktail at Lokal in Jersey City

Espresso martini at Lokal in Jersey City

The difficult part with their menu is that they have so many mouth watering plates to share that you would want to order all of them! We decided to share their charred cauliflower that were cooked with vadouvan spices that is an Indian blend typically made with onion, garlic, cumin seeds, mustard seeds and fenugreek. I liked the rustic presentation and it was quite good, prompting me to think about how I used to hate cooked cauliflower when I was a kid… The second appetizer was their goat cheese croquettes that were made with goat cheese of course, potato and chickpea, laid on purple mustard that also served as a way for these little balls to stay in place on the plate. The croquettes were superb: crispy, not greasy, with a generous amount of cheese in it. I could have eaten another serving for sure.

Charred cauliflower at Lokal in Jersey City

Goat cheese croquettes at Lokal in Jersey City

For her main, Jodi got their margarita flatbread that was made with blistered cherry tomatoes, burrata and basil. I admit that it was ok for me, finding the crust to be a bit bland. Bland is not how I would describe my dish though! I got their rack of lamb that was crusted with goat cheese (again! Goat cheese must be on sale!), giving a mediterranean feel to the dish. This dish was delicious: the perfectly cooked lamb was served with haricots verts and harisa roasted potatoes that were not spicy despite being cooked with harisa. I definitely recommend this dish if you like lamb.

Margarita flatbread at Lokal in Jersey City

Of course, we could not miss dessert. Their tiramisu was a bit of a let down, being a bit watery, that is a shame because I can still remember the tiramisu they used to serve that was very good. But the molten chocolate cake was superb: gooey in the center, it was very chocolatey, the vanilla ice cream complementing perfectly the richness of the chocolate. Another must have.

Chocolate molten cake at Lokal in Jersey City

Overall the food at Lokal was very good and exciting. It is worth the trip to Newport, knowing that it is 10 to 15 min walk along the river from the Newport path train stop.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

I Just Want To Eat! 7/12/23 I Just Want To Eat! 7/12/23

Auntie Guan's Kitchen in NYC, NY

We ended up at Auntie Guan’s Kitchen as we were looking for a place close to the Path train, and passed in front of this place that makes dumplings, quite a few times. Classic menu with spring rolls that were good, crispy, although the ratio shell to filling was in favor of the former, and the Dan Dan noodles not as good as what I had at Hao Noodle or even Cafe China that you could argue serve a bit more elevated Chinese cuisine. Still, it was just ok for me, lacking that spicy flavor that is so delicious that, although your mouth is on fire, makes you go back to it. We also tried their veggie dumplings that were too thick and bland, as well as their bean sprout, scrambled eggs and wood ear mushrooms that you wrap in a thin pancake. That was just ok, also a bit bland.

Vegetable spring rolls at Auntie Guan's Kitchen in NYC, NY

Dan dan noodles at Auntie Guan's Kitchen in NYC, NY

Bean sprouts, wood ear mushrooms and scrambled eggs at Auntie Guan's Kitchen in NYC, NY

Pancake at Auntie Guan's Kitchen in NYC, NY

Veggie dumplings at Auntie Guan's Kitchen in NYC, NY

So, overall, the meal at Auntie Guan’s was very disappointing. At least we tried…

Enjoy (…)!

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Auntie Guan’s Kitchen -108 W 14th St, New York, NY 10011

I Just Want To Eat! 7/10/23 I Just Want To Eat! 7/10/23

Charritos Taqueria in Hoboken, NJ

A few months ago, Charritos decided to redefined themselves as a Taqueria, changing totally their menu, keeping only their guacamole that used to be one of the best. Used to because the one they serve today, with a generous amount of salsa and tortilla chips is not as good, a bit soupy, as if their used a blender to make it, with not enough chunks of avocado in it.

Guacamole and salsa at Charritos Taqueria in Hoboken, NJ

I love their tacos though and truly appreciate that they serve them by the unit, so you can make your own combination. The pescado Ensenada that is their Baja style crispy fish is one of my favorite, even if they put too much cabbage on top, the fish being flakey and nicely crispy. Or their Achiote marinated shrimp that are also delicious, quite tasty. On the meat side, I love their carne asada that is made with grilled marinated strip steak, or their birria that is made with brisket, beef rib and cheese, that you will dip is a delicious meat juice, before bitting in a crunchy tortilla. Their brisket is quite good and if you do not want it like that, you can also opt for the taco Suadero that is solely made with slow cooked brisket.

Pescado ensenada at Charritos Taqueria in Hoboken, NJ

Achiote marinated shrimp at Charritos Taqueria in Hoboken, NJ

Birria taco at Charritos Taqueria in Hoboken, NJ

Taco shader at Charritos Taqueria in Hoboken, NJ

Carne asada taco at Charritos Taqueria in Hoboken, NJ

If you are vegetarian, you can try their butternut squash and beans, but it is just ok, missing beans in fact, or the cheese enchilada that could be made a bit more exciting…The enchilada vegetariana is however quite tasty.

Enchilada vegetariana at Charritos Taqueria in Hoboken, NJ

Butternut squash taco at Charritos Taqueria in Hoboken, NJ

A good idea they had is to serve some with an egg, like a Kati roll or breakfast burrito, but in a smaller package, the Los de Huevo, the one with chorizo being packed in flavor.

Taco de huevo con chorizo at Charritos Taqueria in Hoboken, NJ

More classic is their mole that is made with chocolate: also served in small size (a taco with it is perfect), their chicken enchilada is superb, the sauce being rich and bold.

Chicken enchilada with mole at Charritos Taqueria in Hoboken, NJ

The only time we made it to dessert, we were hoping to have a tres leches cake or some churros, but, unfortunately, they only had a flan that was still a good way to end the meal.

Flan at Charritos Taqueria in Hoboken, NJ

So, I do not regret that Charritos reinvented itself: I like the food there and the fact that every time you can mix and match the tacos you want to eat without having to eat three or four of the same. This is a great place that I recommend, even if my favorite remains Tacoria that is located several blocks from there.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Charritos Taqueria - 518 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 6/14/23 I Just Want To Eat! 6/14/23

Rubirosa in NYC,NY

I discovered Rubirosa many years ago but never posted about it. I cannot remember why. I also do not know why it took us that long to go back, this place being fantastic. Most of the people go for their pizza that is superb, with its crispy thin crust. What is great is that, if you hesitate a bit, you can pick two different pizza flavors, each going in half a pie. The classic, that is simply made with tomato and mozzarella is good, but the best for me is the Tie Dye that is made with vodka sauce, tomato, pesto and mozzarella. The first bite is divine: you get the crispness of the thin crust, followed by and explosion of flavor from the sauces that dance in your mouth in harmony, the pesto not being overpowering, finished with hints of cheese. It is very hard to stop.

The Tie Dye and classic pizza at Rubirosa in NYC,NY

But they do not just have pizza: for appetizer, I tried their meatballs that are huge, made with beef, pork and veal, smothered by a robust tomato sauce that seems to be the same as the one used in the Grandma’s braciole that was amazing. In fact, I never had braciole before and did not know what it was until I watched The Sopranos.

Grandma’s braciole at Rubirosa in NYC,NY

They also have eggplant parmigiano that you can have as an antipasti or a main, my favorite being the latter that is served with delicious pasta.

Eggplant parmigiana at Rubirosa in NYC,NY

Rubirosa is a great place that I guess I truly rediscovered. The food there is succulent, and know that the appetizers as large portions, perfect to share. We never got dessert there because too full after such feasts and with all this exquisite food, I am not sure I will ever be able to!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Rubirosa-235 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10012

I Just Want To Eat! 6/12/23 I Just Want To Eat! 6/12/23

Whipped Urban Dessert Lab on the Lower East Side

We wanted to try Whipped Urban Dessert Lab, a vegan ice cream shop located on the Lower East Side and did not expect to see a long line in front of it. We waited a bit and then weere able to enter the shop that was not that big, making our way to the front where we could order on a screen, a system I always prefer when not sure what to get…

At Whipped Urban Dessert Lab, you have to pick:

The base ice cream that can be Sweet Creme with a touch of vanilla, Chocolate or The Whipped Twist (chocolate & sweet creme);
The sauces: chocolate, peanut butter, coffee, strawberry, mint chocolate and apple;
Toppings: pretzels, waffle cone pieces, chocolate cookie crumble, strawberry crumble, cinnamon spice crumble, salted pecan, rainbow sprinkles, or sugar cone pieces.

When you get sauces and toppings, they first put some of the toppings in the bottom of the cup and then top it with the soft serve ice cream that they push down, giving it a dome shape. They then add some toppings all over and make a well with their finger where they will put some sauce. If you chose a second sauce, they will add it on top, creating a nice pattern.

On my side, I went for the whipped twist with salted pecan, chocolate sauce and peanut sauce. Jodi got the sweet cream with rainbow sprinkles , waffle cone pieces and chocolate sauce. Overall it was ok: you can tell that this is not regular ice cream as it is a bit watery, and, the toppings in the bottom are not that great as you get a mouthful that does not mix too much with the ice cream.

Overall, I thought that it was nice to try, with the mix and match being fun, but it would not be my go to place for ice cream unless I was going with someone vegan.

Enjoy (…)!

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

Whipped Urban Dessert Lab - 95 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002

I Just Want To Eat! 6/7/23 I Just Want To Eat! 6/7/23

Porterhouse in NYC, NY

For few years now, for my birthday, we have been going to Porterhouse in Columbus Circle for dinner. I have never been disappointed by this place, always going for the same steak: the chili rubbed boneless ribeye. Always perfectly cooked medium rare, very tender, juicy, the chili rub enhancing the flavor of my favorite cut.

Chili rubbed ribeye at Porterhouse in NYC, NY

Their best side is their crispy hash browns that are out of this world, but one should also not miss their onion rings that are delightfully crispy on the outside, the onion being cooked all the way through.

Crispy hash brown at Porterhouse in NYC, NY

But do not think that I forgot the appetizer: I hesitated between their crab cake and their bone marrow and settled for the latter that I love to get in a steakhouse, always regretting not to see it more often on a menu. Their roasted bone marrow is served with a peppercorn sauce, an herb salad and some country bread that is toasted, perfect for dipping into the fatty juices of this delicious dish.

Roasted bone marrow at Porterhouse in NYC, NY

If you are vegetarian, they have a few dishes that Jodi ordered like the field greens salad or the burrata and tomato salad.

Field green salad at Porterhouse in NYC, NY

Porterhouse NYC is not just all about the great steak dining experience. They also offer a diverse list of classic and contemporary cocktails , that complement their impressive dishes, and I was pleased to see one with yellow Chartreuse, a French liquor made by monks for centuries that contains 130 different herbs. This cocktail was The New Yorker, made also with Whistle Pig whiskey and Campari. If you do not drink any alcohol, they have few zero proof cocktails like the pineapple cobbler, made with fresh pineapple, strawberry, citrus and soda.

The New Yorker cocktail at Porterhouse in NYC, NY

Pineapple cobbler at Porterhouse in NYC, NY

Of course we could not leave without trying their dessert and we decided to order their coconut cake that Jodi loves. I am not a huge fan of coconut cake, but I admit that this one is incredible. The cake was a beautiful shade of pale white, topped with sweet, creamy frosting and a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes. Not too sweet, the sponge is very moist, with every bite being a treat.

Porterhouse remains one of my favorite steakhouses in New York, Chef Michael Lomonaco proposing succulent dishes that I definitely crave. So, yes, I’ll be back, for sure for my birthday that is now like a tradition!

Enjoy (I did)!

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Porterhouse - 10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019

I Just Want To Eat! 6/5/23 I Just Want To Eat! 6/5/23

Hudson Hound in Jersey City

Located where Talde the eponymous restaurant of the Top Chef alum used to be, Hudson Hound opened in 2021 near the Grove street stop of the Path train. This outpost of this NYC Irish-American restaurant serves delicious comfort food with classics like the fish and chips or the full Irish breakfast that is composed of two eggs (you make them your way, so I chose sunny side up), Irish bacon (rashers), Irish sausage (bangers), roasted half tomato with herbed breadcrumbs, sautéed mushrooms, black & white pudding, boxty potato cake, baked beans, and a slice of house made Irish soda bread. This complete breakfast is a great deal for $22 and you can even get its vegetarian version if you do not eat or do not want to eat meat, that is replaced by a veggie burger that you can also get as a main dish. They also have an avocado toast, but I admit that it was a bit disappointing, the avocado being as if put in a blender, missing a bit of texture.

Fish and chips at Hudson Hound in Jersey City

Full Irish breakfast at Hudson Hound in Jersey City

Veggie urger at Hudson Hound in Jersey City

Veggie burger at Hudson Hound in Jersey City

Avocado toast at Hudson Hound in Jersey City

Dessert is not to be missed, all of them being made in house. Their sticky toffee pudding, served warm with vanilla ice cream is superb, so is the warm apple crisp.

Sticky toffee pudding at Hudson Hound in Jersey City

Warm apple crisp at Hudson Hound in Jersey City

I like Hudson Hound for bunch: probably quieter than dinner, the food is quite good and very comforting, in a relaxed atmosphere. Great spot for a simple, casual meal.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Hudson Hound - 8 Erie St A, Jersey City, NJ 07302

I Just Want To Eat! 6/1/23 I Just Want To Eat! 6/1/23

Chicken Factory - Mochi Tori in Hoboken, NJ

It seems that mochi donuts are a thing, with plenty of spots opening, serving this delicious combination between an American doughnut and Japanese mochi that originated in Hawaii in 1992. The Chicken Factory that serves fantastic Korean fried chicken is now serving mochi donuts. Shaped with eight balls, these deep fried donuts have a slightly crispy outside and are chewy on the inside. Like classic doughnuts, they can be proposed in many ways: the classic with confectioner’s sugar on top, churros, coffee, cookies and cream, chocolate with coconut, etc.

Classic, cookies and cream, chocolate and coconut at Chicken Factory - Mochi Tori in Hoboken, NJ

Coffee, birthday cake and cookies and cream at Chicken Factory - Mochi Tori in Hoboken, NJ

These mochi donuts are very addictive and, like for traditional doughnuts, the variations are endless, except maybe that you cannot fill them with any cream as they are not that big, although I would not be surprised that someone will come up with a Boston cream mochi donut one day!

Enjoy (I did)!

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chicken Factory - Mochi Tori - 529 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 5/30/23 I Just Want To Eat! 5/30/23

Lexington Candy Shop in NYC, NY

We passed in front of Lexington Candy Shop few times, noticing their windows full of Coca Cola bottles from all over the world. So, it was time to try this close to a century old luncheonette located on the Upper East Side. Small, packed, with still this nostalgic feel, and the rudeness of the service that seems to be a signature, unless you are a regular…

As you sit, you very quickly are asked what you want to order, as if you chose before coming or had the capacity, in one minute, to grasp the menu. Well, at least I ordered my Coca Cola float that is their specialty, the soda being made there with some extract, on which they added a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream. That float was delicious! I only had a root beer float in the past, but I admit that I prefer with coke, even as the ice cream melts, mixing perfectly with the soda, much better than a Vanilla Coke in my opinion.

Coca Cola float at Lexington Candy Shop in NYC, NY

The menu has many classic luncheonette items like eggs or pancakes, but we settled for sandwiches. Jodi had a Swiss, lettuce and tomato sandwich on whole wheat bread (around $15 that is pricey for what it was), while I ordered the Lexington Special, a double decker composed of roast beef, bacon, melted American cheese, fried egg, with butter and Russian dressing ($21.95). I could pick the bread and decided to go with rye. Decadent, this was like a heart attack on a plate. Packed in flavor, I just wish they put more Russian dressing as the roast beef was a bit dry, but, fortunately, the slighly runny egg helped a bit. With it, we decided to get some onion rings that were decent, slightly crispy with the onion being cooked all the way through.

The Lexington Special sandwich at Lexington Candy Shop in NYC, NY

Swiss and tomato sandwich at Lexington Candy Shop in NYC, NY

Onion rings at Lexington Candy Shop in NYC, NY

I liked my lunch that was very comforting and, although a bit pricey and despite the rudeness of the staff, I would go back just to get the float that was delicious.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Lexington Candy Shop - 1226 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10028

I Just Want To Eat! 5/24/23 I Just Want To Eat! 5/24/23

Wolfgang Steakhouse in NYC, NY

I was really looking forward to trying the new location on broadway of Wolfgang Steakhouse, but, our dinner did not go as expected. It started well though. Entering the place, I saw some bottles of whisky against the wall, not knowing at that point that they have a very large selection of this delicious liquor, my choice that day being a glass of Kentucky Owl Confiscated.

Kentucky Owl Confiscated at Wolfgang Steakhouse in NYC, NY

The crab cake was quite good, and so was the tomato and mozzarella that Jodi got as her main, two classic appetizers.

Crab cake at Wolfgang Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Tomato and mozzarella at Wolfgang Steakhouse in NYC, NY

What was a bit disappointing was the steak. I went for a ribeye, ordered medium-rare, but I had to send it twice. The first time, it came well done and the second time rare. The third time was perfect, the steak being tender and juicy with a nice char. But the wait screwed up a bit the meal as the Jodi got the tomato and mozzarella but waited probably 20 minutes for my steak, a long wait even if that dish would not get cold. That was not the case for the onion rings that I ate with a thick slice of bacon while waiting.

Ribeye at Wolfgang Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Onion rings at Wolfgang Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Slab of bacon at Wolfgang Steakhouse in NYC, NY

The manager was really apologetic and offered us the dessert, the chocolate mousse cake that was superb, very chocolatey.

Chocolate mousse cake at Wolfgang Steakhouse in NYC, NY

I admit that, although the food was good, the meal was a bit disappointing. Nevertheless, I would give them another shot.

Enjoy (I still did)!

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Wolfgang Steakhouse -1359 Broadway, New York, NY 10018

I Just Want To Eat! 5/22/23 I Just Want To Eat! 5/22/23

Mischa in NYC, NY

Mischa, the new venture of Chef Alex Stupak from Empellon, is difficult to fairly describe. First, the place is hidden in an office building on Park avenue and if you pass by, you would probably not notice it. That could be on purpose, so only diners specifically looking for it would go there. Then, the menu is a mix of various cuisines, served with a twist, like the deviled egg floating island that combines two different dishes (the deviled egg that originated in Ancient Rome and the floating island that is a French dessert) in an elevated way. Light but also creamy, it is served with trout roe that…

Deviled egg floating island at Mischa in NYC, NY

Another example is the Romanian steak, a perfectly cooked piece of skirt steak, nicely tender and juicy, served with maitake mushrooms or dancing mushrooms in Japanese, mixed with crisp chicken skin (gribenes). This was deliciously earthy and fatty, a small heart attack on a plate…

If you are vegetarian, they serve a mushroom patty melt on marbled rye that Jodi qualifies as one of the best vegetarian burgers she ever had and I admit that it was pretty good: tasty and not mushy, quite appetizing with these long tots that were delightfully crispy and not greasy.

Mushroom patty melt at Mischa in NYC, NY

I should mention the cocktails that are as exciting as the menu, and I was really happy to see one made with green chartreuse (Guadalajara won’t do - from the lyrics of My Old School by Steely Dan). Chartreuse is a liquor from France that is made by monks since 1737 using a secret recipe composed of 130 different herbs. It is more and more used by bars and restaurants in the US, this country representing more than 50% of international exports. But, as the monks refuse to increase production, it is very difficult to find and they have even limited to six bottles a year what people can buy at their store in France. Anyway, made with egg white and tequila, it had a nice undertone of herbs. They also propose non-Alcoholic beverages like the Midnight express composed of rooibos tea, coconut and cardamom.

Guadalajara won’t do at Mischa in NYC, NY

Dessert is not to be missed. The sticky bun pie, made with caramelized apples and cardamom is succulent and addictive, and the buckwheat honey cake elegant and delicious.

Buckwheat honey cake at Mischa in NYC, NY

Overall, this new venture is a great find and I would certainly go back there, maybe for lunch as the menu is as exciting as dinner, with different dishes like the chilled noodles or the lobster roll.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Mischa -157 E 53rd St, New York, NY 10022

I Just Want To Eat! 5/17/23 I Just Want To Eat! 5/17/23

Two Hands in Tribeca

We discovered Two Hands several weeks ago and were so enthusiastic about their menu that we decided to go back to this Australian restaurant. Why? Because their menu is truly exciting. Do they have burrata? yes, but served with kasundi, a mustard sauce made with fermented mustard seeds, dukkah, an Egyptian blend of nuts, seeds, and warm spices, and roti, an Indian bread.

Burrata and roti at Two Hands in Tribeca

Looking at their menu, that changed between visits (they regularly change it), the only classic and a bit disappointing was their burger. Don’t get me wrong: made with double smash patty, lots of cheese, sweet onion, pickles and a kewpie sauce that is a Japanese mayonnaise was really good, juicy and nicely charred, but I was expecting something maybe a bit different, like their pork belly and cheddar croquettes that were delightfully smokey, rich and creamy, or the smoked beef back ribs that were smothered with tamarind sauce, literally falling off the bone. For vegetarians, they have few options like the miso mushroom bowl, composed of warm roasted mushrooms, quinoa, kimchi, a six-minute egg, crunchy veggies, puffed rice, sesame and a lemongrass ginger dressing, or the charred broccolini with tofu. Beautiful presentation and quite tasty.

Beef baby back ribs at Two Hands in Tribeca

Charred broccolini at Two Hands in Tribeca

Miso mushroom bowl at Two Hands in Tribeca

Pork belly and cheddar croquettes at Two Hands in Tribeca

They also have interesting cocktails like the Leap of Faith that has espresso in it or the bergamot toddy that is made with Starboard whiskey, an Australian whiskey that I discovered few years ago.

Leap of faith cocktail at Two Hands in Tribeca

For dessert, we only tried their chocolate pot de creme as the second time we went, there was nothing really that made us want to order dessert, going beyond our stretched belly capacity. This dessert was superb from both its presentation and taste, being rich and silky.

Chocolate pot de creme at Two Hands in Tribeca

As a side story, I asked what cut of meat was their steak frites and the answer I got was “I don’t know! Beef?”. They probably should explain more the menu to the staff! Nevertheless, these were great meals and I would definitely go back!

Enjoy (I did!)!

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

Two Hands - 251 Church St, New York, NY 10013

I Just Want To Eat! 5/15/23 I Just Want To Eat! 5/15/23

Caffe Buon Gusto in Hoboken, NJ

When Caffe Buon Gusto opened in February in Hoboken, I was not sure what to expect, thinking that this would be another Italian restaurant competing with some great ones like Sorellina or Otto Strada, but was glad to see a new restaurant opening on the upper part of town that truly needs some more places to dine.

So, several weeks ago, we decided to give it a try. The place was…

So, several weeks ago, we decided to give it a try. The place was small, packed, too much in fact, as if we were dining with other people. I did not realize it was BYOB, so we ended up just drinking water. They had some specials and so we decided to start with their burrata salad that was a nice way to start the diner and, for her main, Jodi continued to have salad, opting for another special made with avocado, tomato and mozzarella. This was ok, small, with a presentation that could have been better for sure.

Burrata salad at Caffe Buon Gusto in Hoboken, NJ

Avocado and mozzarella salad at Caffe Buon Gusto in Hoboken, NJ

On my side, I went for the linguine alle vongole that was very good, although I would have expected a bit more clams for $29.95. Still, the pasta was perfectly cooked and I dipped some of the focaccia they gave us in the delicious sauce.

Linguine alle vongole at Caffe Buon Gusto in Hoboken, NJ

Dessert was fantastic: we got their tiramisu that the couple next to us was raving about and we did not regret it. It was creamy and light, simply delicious.

Tiramisu at Caffe Buon Gusto in Hoboken, NJ

I should mention that we felt a bit rushed as the bill came right after the tiramisu was put on our table. We paid using the QR code on my phone, but got chased for supposedly dining and dashing. The manager of the restaurant was really embarrassed when I showed him the receipt, and I was thinking that maybe they should not use this mode of payment if they are unable to check if someone paid or not. This, the tight space and the rush kind of left me not wanting to go back…The food was good though, so I may give it another chance in few weeks…

Enjoy (I still did)!

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Caffe Buon Gusto - 918 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 5/3/23 I Just Want To Eat! 5/3/23

The Mutton Chop at Keens Steakhouse in NYC, NY

It’s been 10 years since I dined at Keens Steakhouse, one of the oldest steakhouses in the city that some consider the best. I went back for the mutton chop that is their specialty, a dish they served when they opened back in 1885 that never gets old. This 26oz piece of meat priced at $68 is huge and would satisfy anyone who loves lamb. Perfectly cooked, tender and juicy, with some nice fat on the side, this is a perfect meal.

Having the mutton chop at Keens Steakhouse is a must do, but this is not the only thing there: the place is covered with churchwarden pipes, some of them belonging to JP Morgan, Babe Ruth or Buffalo Bill. So, if after that you are not convinced to go, I am not sure what would…

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Keens Steakhouse - 72 W 36th St., New York, NY 10018

I Just Want To Eat! 5/1/23 I Just Want To Eat! 5/1/23

Toastique in Hoboken, NJ

When Toastique opened in Hoboken, I was part of the skeptics: who would want to go eat toast on a regular basis? Alright, I admit that toast might not be my favorite when going for lunch or brunch, unless they have something unique. I changed my mind. Serving gourmet toast, Toastique has a great selection that will satisfy vegetarian and non-vegetarian, with the possibility to add items such as crab, poached egg or salmon to your toast. My favorite is the avocado smash, especially with crab on top. Just looking at the photos, you can see that they are pretty generous in amount of ingredients and they truly taste fresh. Now, I heard some people saying that $16 for a toast is a lot, but, considering the quality and quantity of ingredients, and the fact that in restaurants, you would get the same price, I am fine with it (with the crab, the avocado smash was $20).

Avocado smash: Avocado with watermelon radish, marinated tomatoes, chili oil, microgreens on multigrain toast

Avocado smash with crab: Avocado with watermelon radish, marinated tomatoes, chili oil, crab, microgreens on multigrain toast

Tuscan Tuna: Tuna dressed with sundried tomatoes, capers, scallions, herb vinaigrette, balsamic glaze, kalamata olives, tomato, bibb lettuce, lemon wedge on rustico toast

Smoked Salmon Toast: Smoked pastrami salmon, herbed cream cheese spread, arugula, cucumber, pickled onion, capers, toasty seasoning, microgreens, lemon wedge on sourdough toast

3 Cheese Italian Toast: Prosciutto, melted swiss and fontina with roasted garlic onion jam, topped with a poached egg and dressed arugula on jalapeno cheddar toast

Tomato burrata toast: Herbed ricotta, pesto, tomatoes, burrata, basil, olive oil, balsamic glaze on rustico toast

They also serve coffee, tea, smoothies and cold pressed juices. I love the Radiance juice, a sparkling drink made with orange, blood orange, grapefruit, pineapple and basil, or Defender that has carrot, orange, apple, turmeric and lemon.

Defender juice at Toastique in Hoboken, NJ

Radiance juice at Toastique in Hoboken, NJ

I really like Toastique: their toasts are really good. Know that if you are not in toasts, you can get some healthy bowls and, if you go, make sure you ask for real knives and forks as, although the bread is not that thick and hard to cut, I usually break 3 or 4 plastic forks...

Enjoy (I did)!

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Toastique - 1450 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 4/26/23 I Just Want To Eat! 4/26/23

Bikanervala in Jersey City

I discovered Bikanervala in Jersey City few years ago, after one of my co-workers brought some jelibis from there. This place, that specialized in vegetarian dishes and sweets is a true gem with a large menu and so many desserts that you get a bit overwhelmed when ordering at the counter. What I love about this place, besides the sweets, is their thali, that is a selection of few dishes served in a small quantity in a platter, that not only includes savory dishes, naan and rice, but also a dessert that, although small, is a nice way to end a meal. Of course they have the classics: samosa, dahi puri (these little pockets filled with potatoes, chili and topped with yogurt that are a one bite, dal makhni or paneer butter masala. I also like their tandoori platter that provides a nice array of vegetables cooked in their tandoor, as well as their masala dosa that is delightfully crispy.

Sweet lassi at Bikanervala in Jersey City

Mango lassi at Bikanervala in Jersey City

Paneer butter masala at Bikanervala in Jersey City

Masala dosa at Bikanervala in Jersey City

Tandoori platter at Bikanervala in Jersey City

My mentioned before the jelebis that I love and that could can buy in bulk, but they also have great gulab jamun, rasmalai and coconut burfi to just name a few.

Gulab jamun at Bikanervala in Jersey City

Coconut burfi at Bikanervala in Jersey City

Overall, Bikanervala is a great place for Indian food in Jersey City, in a street with many options. Going there, there is no way you cannot end up with some sweets and you can even just stop by to buy some to go, their selection being quite impressive.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Bikanervala - 815 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306

I Just Want To Eat! 4/24/23 I Just Want To Eat! 4/24/23

Chip City in Hoboken

It took a while for Chip City to open in Hoboken, to the point that there was some doubt they would actually come to the mile square city. They finally opened at the very end of February, few blocks from Insomnia Cookies. To understand the concept, you have to know the story of Chip City that started back in 2017 in Astoria, where two childhood friends Phillips and Theodore Gailas challenged each other as to who would make the best cookie and several storefronts later, they continue to offer interesting flavors, beyond the classic chocolate chips, red velvet or confetti, such as Hot Honey Cornbread that is one of my favorites, S’mores (a bit too sweet) or carrot cake or banana cream pie.

Chocolate chips and red velvet cookie at Chip City in Hoboken

Hot Honey Cornbread at Chip City in Hoboken

The cookies are big, chewy and gooey, and sold warm. They are good but a bit too sweet for me, but I would certainly go back to try their various flavors, their creativity being intriguing.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Chip City - 113 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 4/17/23 I Just Want To Eat! 4/17/23

Blu On The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

It’s been a while since I have been so excited with a restaurant menu, so, when Blu On The Hudson opened in Weehawken, NJ, I could not resist trying that place and was so enthusiastic about their cocktails and food that we went back four times! Let’s start first with the cocktails: They have a full bar so you can get some classics, but, if you go, you better check for their signature cocktails that are superb and create a bit of a show when you see some of them being served in the dining room, the smoke from the dry ice adding a note to their creativity. I have tried:…

The Bluvardier: Ojo de Tigre Mezcal, Borgetti Espresso Liquor, Fernet Branca, Campari and salt.
The Dual: Henry McKenna Bourbon, Branson Phantom, Laphroaig Scotch, Tobacco Smoked Maple Syrup and Peychaud Bitter. This one is a nod to the duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr that took place just few steps from the restaurant, and in fact, the ice cubes are replaced by two bullets.
Beachless City: Bombay Gin, Shiso, Beet, Lychee, Lime Juice.
Not A Guiness: black sesame-infused smoke lab vodka, borghetti coffee liqueur, stout, coffee.

If you prefer a cocktail, they have a few like the Get Low that is made with orange spritz, elderflower and soda water.

Not a Guiness at Blu On The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

Get Low at Blu On The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

Food wise, they have seafood, steaks, pasta, sushi (did not try these yet) and few vegetarian options like the Kale and Charred Brussels Sprouts Caesar, made with crispy ficelle, Parmigiano-Reggiano, caesar dressing, or the Burrata di Bufala with tomato jam, that you can ask without almond-prosciutto crumble. They also have few sides to consider like the crispy cauliflower with spicy avocado aioli that is very good or the charred broccoli that we did not really like, the broccoli being a bit tough.

Kale and charred broccoli salad at Blu On The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

Brurrata di Bufala at Blu On The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

Charred broccoli at Blu On The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

Crispy cauliflower at Blu On The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

For seafood, the hamachi crudo is a great appetizer, light and refreshing, with a beautiful presentation in a plate representing a clam shell, but I would not miss the jumbo shrimp cocktail, the shrimp being well cooked and definitely on the large size. I also tried their head-on shrimp and diver scallops that were delicious, both perfectly cooked, served with chermoula, or the branzino that was superb, moist with a crispy skin, served with artichokes, mussels and tomatoes and bathed in a lemon sauce.

Hamachi crudo at Blu On The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

Jumbo shrimp cocktail at Blu On The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

Head-on shrimp and diver scallops at Blu On The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

Branzino at Blu On The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

Then, for meat, I loved their prime Delmonico that was perfectly cooked and nicely charred, as well as their veal parmigiana that was nicely crispy, smothered in their Blu old fashioned tomato sauce and topped with mozzarella.

Prime Delmonico at Blu On The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

Veal parmigiana at Blu On The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

Dessert is not to be missed and my favorite is their tiramisu that is probably one of the best I had! The banana cream tart, S’mores and apple gala pie profiteroles are also good, but I would just go back for that tiramisu!

Tiramisu at Blu On The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

S’mores at Blu On The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

Banana cream tart at Blu On The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

Apple gala pie profiteroles at Blu On The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

So, yes, this place is awesome and I hope that they will soon serve brunch as I am sure that they will propose dishes out of this world. Blu On The Hudson is a great place, not just for food as you saw and I definitely recommend it!

Enjoy (I surely did)!

Blu On The Hudson - 1200 Harbor Blvd, Weehawken, NJ 07086