I Just Want To Eat! 1/11/24 I Just Want To Eat! 1/11/24

Benihana in NYC, NY

Have you ever been to Benihana? Or any Hibachi place? I love these places: they are fun and when the food is also good, this is even better. This was our first time at Benihana: we talked about going there for years but never did until the Holidays where we thought that it would be a good dining experience after seeing a show on Broadway. As we arrived, we checked in for our reservation, but they told us that we had to wait a little. The reason was that they needed all the people sitting at the counter surrounding the hot grill to be present. Yes, unless you are a party of 8 people, you will have to share a table. It could be awkward depending on who you are sitting with, but you do not have to talk to them!

The fun part there is the little show that the Chef is performing and that you can see on the video below. The part with the onion and the volcano is always a crowd pleaser.

Food wise, you find classic Japanese items: tempura, gyoza, sashimi or rolls, in case you are not down for Hibachi, but I guess that someone in your party will have to get it otherwise they will probably sit you at a standard table so other people can benefit from the cooking by the Chef. So we both got the hibachi: tofu for Jodi (it was the only vegetarian option available and I should mention that they cook it on the same griddle) and the Hibachi Supreme for me: an 8.5 oz Chateaubriand (center piece of tenderloin) served with a grilled lobster. Whatever you will get with your oder will come gradually, as the Chef cooks it and not at all at once. For instance, on my side, after eating a soup that was not vegetarian (and they had no vegetarian soup for Jodi), I got the grilled vegetables, then the chicken fried rice, then shrimp, then lobster and finally the meat.

Everything was delicious and perfectly cooked, the meat literally melting in my mouth. But the one thing that impressed me the most was their fried rice that was superb! This is not your classic fried rice and it might be because of the amount of butter in it…I am drooling just thinking about it. The best was that I tried some of it that had extra egg in it, a request from a family sitting at our table.

Dessert was not an option as I was full after such a feast, but I am not sure there was anything special that I absolutely needed to try.

For a fun evening, Benihana is a great option. But if you go, get that fried rice with extra egg in it: you will not regret it!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Merci!

Benihana - 47 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019

I Just Want To Eat! 1/8/24 I Just Want To Eat! 1/8/24

Dipped N'Smashed in Hoboken, NJ

When Dipped N’Smashed announced it would take over the space of Curry Up Now, few doors from Carlo’s Bakery, I was a bit skeptical: Shake Shack, 7th Avenue Burger and 30 Burgers (that I did not like) are just few blocks away. What would this place offer that would be different? Well, that is when the Dipped part of the name comes into play: they make fresh donuts that you can then customize. So we decided to give it a try, starting with a first visit just to try the donuts.

The place is bright and fun for sure with lots neon and murals. As you enter, you need to proceed to the back of the dining room where there are point of sales kiosks that allow you to explore the menu and take your time to decide what you want, not being pressed by the presence of people behind you. When your order is ready, they will call your name.

For donuts, they use a fryer similar to what you sometimes see in places like The Doughnuttery, with the batter being dropped in a circular shape in boiling oil on one side, and slowly moving to the other side, being flipped in the middle so both sides of the dough are evenly cooked, to then end up in a large plate. They then will dip it in your choice of glaze, vanilla or chocolate glaze, sugar, followed by coconut, Oreo cookie, sprinkles, etc., before being topped with a drizzle of marshmallow or Nutella (there are more toppings, but I admit that I cannot remember all of them). So, we tried a few:

Glazed
Vanilla glazed
Vanilla glazed with coconut and marshmallow drizzle
glazed with Oreo cookie and Nutella drizzle

Donuts at Dipped N'Smashed in Hoboken, NJ

Coconut donut at Dipped N'Smashed in Hoboken, NJ

Oreo cookie donut at Dipped N'Smashed in Hoboken, NJ

Vanilla glazed donuts at Dipped N'Smashed in Hoboken, NJ

Glazed donut at Dipped N'Smashed in Hoboken, NJ

The donuts were pretty good: hot, very slightly crispy and not doughy, I preferred the ones with lots of toppings on top rather than the simply glazed ones. As you can see, they are quite generous with the toppings and they have so much variety that you can alternate combinations at each visit.

As I love Oreo cookies, I could also not resist trying their Oreo cookie milkshake that was very good, thick, with the perfect amount of cookies in it.

Oreo cookies milkshake at Dipped N'Smashed in Hoboken, NJ

Of course, I had to try their smashed burger and went for the triple smashed cheeseburger. The patty being quite thin (smashed, duh!), a single would not have been enough. A double might have done it, especially considering the fries (they were just ok for me), the milkshake and the two donuts I had that day…But for sure this is a great burger: the meat is well cooked, nicely charred, each layer being topped with American cheese, and then the whole thing is topped with big slices of pickle and smothered in a delicious house sauce. I simply loved it. Jodi got their Impossible burger, that was also quite good and was made similarly to mine.

Triple cheeseburger at Dipped N'Smashed in Hoboken, NJ

Impossible cheeseburger at Dipped N'Smashed in Hoboken, NJ

Overall, Dipped N'Smashed in Hoboken is a great addition to the city’s dining scene: the donuts are good, but I would go with a bunch of toppings on top for sure, and their burgers sublime. In fact, if I wanted a burger, this is probably where I would go, Shake Shack being my go to place before. Not anymore!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Dipped N'Smashed - 91 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 12/26/23 I Just Want To Eat! 12/26/23

Cantiere Hambirreria in NYC

Meaning “Hamburger construction site”, Cantiere Hambirreria is a truly unique place. Opened mid-December on the Lower East Side, this is an outpost of an Italian restaurant that opened on Lecce, Italy back in 2017. Beams, bikes and various signs give to this place a certain charm that makes you feel right away that you are in a special place.

The menu, that is like a newspaper, is definitely mouth watering, with a bunch of Italian dishes that will make you avoid seeing a doctor right after so you would not be yelled at. Yes, besides the salads that are huge and to share, this is a place to indulge. Burgers are the main dishes of the menu and you can opt for the Italian burgers or their take on American burgers that seem still decadent. The Italian burgers are made with schiacciatina that is their meat blend infused with mediterranean flavors and made with breadcrumbs for an added texture. The most surprising are the ones with burrata, a cheese I have never seen before on a burger. So, I went for the Tirolese that was also made with smoked speck, fig sauce, lettuce and olive oil (I ditched the walnuts as I was not so sure I would like them in it). The burger was huge and I had no idea how I would bite into it. Pressing on the burger, the burrata oozed immediately and that first bite was divine: you first get the butterness of their homemade bun, then, the creaminess of the burrata that pairs perfectly with the saltiness of the speck and the sweetness of the fig sauce. Contrary to classic burgers, the meat was taking a backseat. Messy to eat, this was an explosion of flavors in my mouth. I should mention that it was served with their homemade fried potatoes that were nicely crispy.

Tirolese burger at Cantiere Hambirreria in NYC

The burger was filling and the mistake might have been to have an appetizer, especially considering that we wanted to try their desserts…They gave a sample of their fried dough, the pittule. Fried dough is always great and this one was no different: crispy on the outside, pillowy, some had olives in it. We decided to get the one with cacio e pepe fondue but without porcetta. This was superb: comforting, the cacio e Pepe had the right amount of pepper, so you do not choke on it at every bite.

Pittule cacio e pepe at Cantiere Hambirreria in NYC

Jodi got a salad: she chose the Pugliese, that had burrata, lettuce, “scattarisciati” tomatoes (pan-fried tomatoes), carrots, black sesame seeds and croutons. As I mentioned before, this was a huge salad (there was another burrata buried under) and there was no way I could help her with it!

Pugliese salad at Cantiere Hambirreria in NYC

Of course we could not leave without trying their desserts that are as decadent as their burgers! Their tiramisu looked amazing, but I love Kinder Bueno and Nutella, so we went for the Mocona Kinder Bueno, that was made with white hazelnut mousse mixed with crumbled wafers with milk chocolate, whipped cream, white chocolate chips and topped with Nutella and Kinder Bueno. They served it in a stove top coffee maker that added to the originality of their menu. That dessert was sublime: the mousse, that was light, counterbalanced well the sweetness of the Nutella, Kinder Bueno and wafers. I could not stop eating this, but admit that after what I had before, it was a bit challenging…

Mocona Kinder Bueno at Cantiere Hambirreria in NYC

We left this place full and really needed a walk after such a decadent meal! Cantiere Hambirreria is truly unique and has definitely its place in the NY dining scene. The service was super nice and engaging, and the food stands out from the classic burger joints. I would not eat there everyday, but will definitely go back there to try another Italian burger or their Betoniera cacio e Pepe, a loaf of bread stuffed with cacio e Pepe fondue, served with potatoes, crispy porcetta and chopped sweet sausage: another heart attack on a plate!

Enjoy (I really did)!

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

Cantiere Hambirreria - 41 Kenmare St, New York, NY 10012

I Just Want To Eat! 12/21/23 I Just Want To Eat! 12/21/23

Metropolis by Marcus Samuelsson in NYC

Finding Metropolis, the new venture of Chef Marcus Samuelsson that opened few weeks ago, is a bit challenging if you do not know that it is inside the Perelman Performing Arts Center. There isn’t a sign outside indicating that you have to go inside the art center and immediately see a busy place with a sleek dining room.

The menu, crafted by executive chef Ed Tinoco, who was culinary director at Alinea until July 2023, is meant to be shared, but understand small plates and not family style. For sure, when you see the dishes and the price tag, it is a bit expensive. Fine dining expensive and worth it if you can afford it. First are the cocktails that are quite original, like the Catskills old fashioned that I got, made with brown butter, coffee, new york state malt, and bourbon, or the lychee highball, a mocktail made with lychee, rose tea and soda water, that Jodi tried. It is always nice when restaurants offer mocktails, so if you do not want to drink alcohol, you are not just stuck with soda.

Catskills old fashioned at Metropolis by Marcus Samuelsson in NYC

Lychee highball at Metropolis by Marcus Samuelsson in NYC

For appetizer, we decided to try their fried olives and cornichons that seem like a nod to fried pickles, and was surprisingly good.

Fried olives and cornichons at Metropolis by Marcus Samuelsson in NYC

For our main, Jodi got their triangolini cacao e Pepe that was succulent, very creamy and fortunately with the right amount of pepper. On my side, I could not resist trying their lamb trio that was composed of neck, sausage (slightly spicy), tenderloin, and a kare kare inspired sauce (Kare Kare is a Filipino stew made with peanut sauce). It was served with a homemade pita that was delicious. Both dishes were superb and I certainly recommend the lamb if you love this meat, but $51 is a but pricey.

Triangolini cacio e pepe at Metropolis by Marcus Samuelsson in NYC

Lamb trio at Metropolis by Marcus Samuelsson in NYC

Desserts were a nice way to end the meal: one of their new desserts was the makrut lime tart, served with charred meringue. Nice and not too sweet, with the perfect level of tartness. But my favorite was the stout sticky toffee cake that was served with whiskey anglaise, candied walnuts and marshmallow ice cream. I loved the texture that was slightly crunchy on top and not dry. I recommend it.

Makrut lime tart at Metropolis by Marcus Samuelsson in NYC

Stout sticky toffee cake at Metropolis by Marcus Samuelsson in NYC

Overall, we had a great meal at Metropolis by Marcus Samuelsson: the service was courteous and efficient, and the dishes were delicious. This is a nice place for a fine dining experience, offering a menu that definitely stands out.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Metropolis by Marcus Samuelsson- Performing Arts Center, 251 Fulton St, New York, NY 10007

I Just Want To Eat! 12/18/23 I Just Want To Eat! 12/18/23

Saka Sushi, Hibachi and Mocktails in Hoboken, NJ

It’s funny how first impressions are not always the right one and you sometimes need to give a second chance to restaurants. This is what happened with Saka. When this place opened in Hoboken, replacing Myron Mixon's Pitmaster Barbeque, I was a bit skeptical: there are plenty of Japanese restaurants already in Hoboken, so, what would this one bring to the mile square dining scene? Two things caught my attention though: Hibachi and mocktails. The idea of mocktails is interesting because it takes a bit of craft to pass the line between a juice and a mocktail that mimics an alcoholic beverage. Their sangria is quite good and easily makes the trick; their virgin mojito also good, but my favorite is their Eye of Dragon that is made with Lychee and served in a martini glass. Less successful is their Tropic Breeze that is made with peach juice, Pina colada and strawnberry mix, a fairly sweet drink.

Then, I was looking forward to trying their Hibachi, but admit that I thought they would cook on an iron griddle in front of us, mistaking it for teppanyaki! No, they cooked it in the kitchen and brought a plate to our table: Jodi got the vegetable version, while I got the chicken with fried rice for me. The portions were quite generous, but I thought that it was lacking a bit of flavor. That’s when I was disappointed, although, when we came back recently, the table next to us had their steak hibachi that smelled fantastic and made me regret going for chicken…

The hibachi came with a clear soup that made it a complete meal.

In our subsequent visits, we decided to try more classic dishes, as well as some of their appetizers. They have a nice selection of vegetarian appetizers like their gyoza or age tofu that is soft and crispy. For non vegetarian, I thought the crispy calamari was a bit rubbery, but their crispy Thai coconut shrimp was superb!

Crispy Thai coconut shrimp at Saka, Hoboken

For sushi, Jodi tried first their tofu skin avocado roll that was good, but now, each time we go, orders their evergreen roll that is made with avocado, cucumber, asparagus, tofu skin and seaweed salad. I admit that it is the first time I have seen a vegetarian roll besides the classic avocado roll and its spin off with asparagus or cucumber. This one has all of them! Their tamago is also quite good, not too watery.

On my side, I tried their Saka roll made with lobster salad, avocado, mango and tempura crunch wrapped in rice paper. This was delicious, with an explosion of flavors in my mouth, the mango adding some sweetness and the tempura crunch some texture. Their Washington roll was also succulent. Made with lobster salad, it is composed also of shrimp tempura, avocado, and topped with spicy Kani (crab) and tobiko. I definitely recommend this one.

The last entree I tried was their chicken Katsu that is fried breaded chicken. This was once again a generous portion. The pounded chicken was covered by a crunchy coating that was not greasy at all, served with a delicious fried rice and a duck sauce that is always a favorite and a homemade sauce that I found ok.

We never went for their desserts as we always left full, except once, where we decided to try their mochi ice cream that was nice.

So, as you can guess, we have become fans of Saka: I love their food that is a bit different from others, and I am seriously thinking about trying their steak hibachi the next time I go, accompanied with the Eye of Dragon mocktail!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Saka - 618 Washington St Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 12/10/23 I Just Want To Eat! 12/10/23

Senza Gluten by Jemiko in Hell's Kitchen

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

Few years ago, gluten-free options were very limited, with mainly bread and pizza, people often commenting on the latter tasting like cardboard. But now, there are many more options, tasty options. I could mention for instance the donuts at Alfalfa in Hoboken that you would probably not guess are gluten-free if I did not tell you. Eating gluten-free used to be necessary for people with celiac disease or other ailments, but, many people started to adopt such diet and reported less bloating, better digestion and energy level. So, I was curious to try Senza Gluten by Jemiko, a gluten-free restaurant we passed by a couple of weeks ago, that opened 7 months ago in Hell’s Kitchen. There, I met with Chef Jemiko Solo who explained to me that he wanted to offer an Italian menu that would not only satisfy people who must eat gluten-free food, but also others.

For sure, the menu is quite extensive and I would not have known that I was in a gluten-free restaurant, the only indication besides the name being maybe the description of the various components composing the dishes that give you hints about the ingredients used to replace gluten. They have for instance a bread basket that is made up of a classic baguette (made with cornstarch and white and brown rice flour), a wholesome grain bread (made brown and white rice flour) with and an artisan style bread (rice flour, cornstarch, millet and potato), a new offering, that they bake in their downtown bakery and cafe. The bread was good, with or without dipping it in olive oil, and reminded me a bit the texture of bread made at home.

Gluten free bread at Senza Gluten by Jemiko in Hell's Kitchen

We ate a bit of bread with a nice espresso martini that was well balanced for me and an organic black cherry juice for Jodi.

Espresso martini at Senza Gluten by Jemiko in Hell's Kitchen

Black cherry juice at Senza Gluten by Jemiko in Hell's Kitchen

For the appetizer, we had to try their arancini con quattro formaggi or 4 cheese arancini, made with with 24-month aged Parmigiano Reggiano, buffalo mozzarella, taleggio and fontina cheese and white truffle oil. These rice balls were nicely crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside, filled with lots of cheese. This was a good start, followed by Parmigiano di cavalfiore, one of the Chef's favorite made of breaded and fried cauliflower that is baked with buffalo mozzarella and 24-month aged Parmigiano Reggiano cheese in San Marzano tomato sauce, drizzled with fresh basil and extra virgin olive oil puree. This was a sort of spin on eggplant parmigiana that I found superb, the cauliflower being slightly crispy with a nice crunch.

Arancini at Senza Gluten by Jemiko in Hell's Kitchen

Parmigiano di cavolfiore at Senza Gluten by Jemiko in Hell's Kitchen

For the entrees, I could not not try. a pasta and their flatbread that is not so flat. The pasta was fettuccine bolognese that was made with a corn based pasta in a delicious meat sauce with grated Pecorino Romano. I do not know if it is because there was a lot of sauce, but I could have never guessed that this was made with corn flour. The pasta was perfectly cooked, smothered by a robust meat sauce. Delicious. The flatbread was also superb: It is also a Chef’s favorite made with wild mushrooms, buffalo mozzarella, baby arugula and white truffle cream. Normally it has speck (smoked prosciutto), but they made it vegetarian for Jodi. Made with a bit of corn flour, the crust was thick and had a nice bite. There was lots of cheese and mushrooms, but I admit that I ditched some of the arugula as I have never been a big fan of it on pizza.

Mushroom flatbread at Senza Gluten by Jemiko in Hell's Kitchen

Flatbread pizza at Senza Gluten by Jemiko in Hell's Kitchen

Fettuccine bolognese at Senza Gluten by Jemiko in Hell's Kitchen

The last entree we tried was their French toast made with their homemade brioche. This was my least favorite dish, mainly because the brioche had too much orange blossom in it that overpowered the entire dish.

French toast at Senza Gluten by Jemiko in Hell's Kitchen

For dessert, we went for their tiramisu that is made with homemade ladyfinger (Savoiardi) cookies dipped in espresso coffee, layered with mascapone and dusted with cocoa powder. The tiramisu was delicious, very creamy and this is another dish that I would not have suspected was gluten free.

Tiramisu at Senza Gluten by Jemiko in Hell's Kitchen

Overall, this was a delicious meal and I would not mind going back to Senza Gluten by Jemiko, even if I do not have to eat gluten free: the food was very good and I had I didn’t know it was all gluten-free, I would probably not have guessed. I will definitely go back there for dinner!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Senza gluten by Jemiko - 626 10th Ave, New York, NY 10036

I Just Want To Eat! 11/2/23 I Just Want To Eat! 11/2/23

The Grey Dog in NYC, NY

It’s been years we have been talking about trying The Grey Dog in Chelsea, but it only took a visit from our friends Gary and Jen to make us venture to this popular place. Too popular maybe as quite noisy, a bit disorganized and slow (they forgot to bring Jodi’s dish), but quick to bring you the check and get the bill paid so you can leave, when you are still trying to enjoy your dish….

It’s too bad because the menu is exciting, serving breakfast all day, and if not, proposing several mouth sandwiches or bowls. Drinks were disappointing: Jodi’s chai was bland and my espresso martini not balanced at all.

Espresso martini at The Grey Dog in NYC, NY

At least, their Grey Dog breakfast was good: you pick eggs any style, pancakes or French toast, home fries, sausage or bacon or avocado. So, I chose sunny side up eggs with French toast and sausage, while Jodi got scrambled eggs with avocado and pancakes. The eggs were well cooked (I hate when they are overcooked and then dry), mine having a runny yolk as I like them. The pancakes were good and fluffy, but I admit that I preferred the French toast that was well soaked. The only think was that with the French toast, they served a raspberry syrup that was just ok. I would have preferred some maple syrup personally. They home fries (more home potatoes) were nicely crunchy, not greasy and I replaced them with a nice fruit cup that had banana, orange among other fruits.

eggs and pancakes at The Grey Dog in NYC, NY

Eggs and French toast at The Grey Dog in NYC, NY

We were still eating when they brought the bill, followed by the device to pay fairly quickly (they simply told people sitting next to us that they had to leave), ruining a bit the meal. Not that the breakfast dish was not good, but for me, going out is more than just the food: it is a whole experience. I’ll pass…

Enjoy (…)!

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

The Grey Dog - 242 W 16th St, New York, NY 10011

I Just Want To Eat! 10/30/23 I Just Want To Eat! 10/30/23

Ramerino Italian Prime in NYC, NY

I never know what to expect when I go to a restaurant located in a hotel: sometimes it is delicious like Fire & Oak in Jersey City, and sometimes, it is disappointing. So, going to Ramerino Italian Prime was a bit of a bet, their menu looking delicious. As we entered, the spacious dining room was empty that was not a good sign and I admit that the stale bread they served us was also not a good sign. At least, the espresso martini I started with was good, well balanced, upping a bit my hope that we would have a nice dinner. We started off with the melanzane that is baked layers of sliced eggplant, smothered in a delicious tomato sauce , some Parmigiano- Reggiano, and lots of fresh basil. After the first bite, I was thinking that this might not be that bad, this dish being delicious and quite comforting, the eggplant being well cooked, drenched in a sauce with a robust flavor.

Espresso martini at Ramerino Italian Prime in NYC, NY

Melanzane at Ramerino Italian Prime in NYC, NY

Next, as I did not see my linguine alle Vongole that is my go to dish when eating in an Italian restaurant (it was on the menu displayed outside that was not updated), we decided to try their cacio e pepe and pappardelle. The cacio e pepe was made with tonnarelli pasta, Pecorino Romano, black pepper, grated 24- month age Parmigiano-Reggiano. It was delicious, the pasta having a nice bite and I truly appreciated that it had the right amount of pepper. I just wished it was a bit more creamy. Then, the pappardelle with wild mushrooms, truffle oil, and goat cheese, on which we added parmesan cheese, was sublime: the pasta was also perfectly cooked, drenched in a delicious demi-glace sauce, and a perfect amount of truffle oil that did not overpower the dish at all. There were lots of wild mushrooms and I thought that the goat cheese complemented well the dish.

Pappardelle at Ramerino Italian Prime in NYC, NY

Cacio e e pepe at Ramerino Italian Prime in NYC, NY

Of course we could not leave without dessert and out tiramisu came with some limoncello, on the house. I was surprised to see some chocolate sauce on the side and admit that I was not sure how to eat it (I got some spoonful of it…). The tiramisu, homemade, was quite good: the mascarpone layer was creamy and light, topping some perfectly soaked in coffee lady finger cookies.

Limoncello at Ramerino Italian Prime in NYC, NY

Tirasmisu at Ramerino Italian Prime in NYC, NY

Overall, the dinner was pretty good, with an excellent service. Ramerino Italian Prime is the perfect example of what a restaurant in a hotel should be: a delicious experience that can cater to more than just hotel guests who do not know where to eat or have no other choice than going there because of time constraints. I will definitely go back there!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Ramerino Italian Prime - 16 E 39th St, New York, NY 10016

I Just Want To Eat! 10/26/23 I Just Want To Eat! 10/26/23

Purple Rice in Hoboken, NJ

When the Pastrami House closed its doors, I was not that surprised. The food was good there, but the lack of space for dining left this place with no other option than being a take out joint, limiting a bit its customer base. So, very quickly after they closed in the Summer, construction began and Purple Rice opened in August, and we decided to give it a try. We ordered on their Point of Sale, where most of the dishes were presented with a photo, that I thought was a good idea as we had no idea what some of the dishes were.

A few minutes after ordering, I got my Thai iced tea that was quite good, not too sweet.

Thai iced tea at Purple Rice in Hoboken, NJ

But then the wait started…We kept seeing bags ready for delivery, but nothing for us. It took a while for our food to come and finally everything came at the same time, in plastic containers. We started with the scallion pancakes that were soggy and undercooked, really not good. Then, my main dish, the chicken curry that is in the Chef’s special, did not look good and was in fact not good: the sauce was gluey. I was also surprised that they did not even serve it with rice. So I took some of the rice that was in Jodi’s dish, tofu teriyaki that was at least good, the tofu being flavorful.

Scallion pancakes at Purple Rice in Hoboken, NJ

Curry chicken at Purple Rice in Hoboken, NJ

Tofu teriyaki at Purple Rice in Hoboken, NJ

Overall, this was a disappointing lunch: I did not really liked the food and was a bit annoyed that they focused on delivery rather than ensuring that people dining in get their food in a reasonable amount of time. If I had to pick, I would prefer Keming, few blocks from there, from the same owner.

Enjoy (…)!

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

Purple Rice - 832 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

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

Conveyer Belt Sushi at Kaiten Zushi in NYC

Conveyor belt sushi, also known as kaiten sushi, is fun and changed the way we indulge in this beloved Japanese cuisine. As you take your seat, a sense of anticipation fills the air. The vibrant colors of the plates rotating on the conveyor belt grab your attention, casting a spell of culinary adventure. You watch with excitement as the chefs behind the counter meticulously craft each tiny masterpiece, a testament to their skill and dedication. The concept is simple yet ingenious, pushing you without even realizing it, to consume more than you would in a regular Japanese restaurant. So, when…

Opening a couple of months ago, Kaiten Zushi is fairly big, bright, but this is not what I was imagining as there is no dishes going around the dining room like a classic conveyer belt sushi has. On the other end, this is a bit of a guarantee that no one would even think about licking the plates that go around as it seems to have been a problem in Japan with the so called “Sushi Terrorism”. No, there, you will order your dishes on a touch screen and they will simply arrive on the belt. Not the same but still fun.

But I admit that the main attraction might be the robot that is bringing drinks to your table. This is my second conveyer belt sushi in the NY/NJ area, but, each time, I ended up with the waiter, not the robot, bringing my order. A bit of a bummer, each time thinking that there must be some drinks like sake that I order each time that are not eligible for it!

In term of sushi, they have the classic salmon, tuna or shrimp sushi, with the usual vegetarian options that are tamago or avocado roll, as well as vegetable gyoza or tempura (I wish sometimes we could pick the vegetables). But what I really loved there was their fried takoyaki that is a is a ball-shaped Japanese snack made of a wheat flour-based batter typically filled with diced octopus, tempura scraps, pickled ginger, and green onion, and smothered with mayonnaise and takoyaki sauce. This reminded me our trip to Japan few years ago when I stumbled upon a stand where a woman was making them, using chopsticks to turn them around in a mold to cook them evenly (and heavenly if I may say).

Shrimp avocado and mayo sushi at Kaiten Zushi in NYC

Vegetable tempura at Kaiten Zushi in NYC

Desserts were not as exciting though, with the usual mochi ice cream and some mochi donuts, but with flavors that were not to my liking. Still, this was fun and the food was delicious. This is definitely a place I recommend.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Katien Zushi - 276 5th Ave, New York, NY 10001

I Just Want To Eat! 9/28/23 I Just Want To Eat! 9/28/23

10th Street Pasta & Pizza in Hoboken, NJ

It’s been a while we wanted to try 10th Street Pasta & Pizza and we finally made it. Why did we want to try it? Many people say that it is the best pizza ever. So, on a Saturday evening, we decided to show up there, early because this place is always packed. It was crowded for sure, but we were able to be seated outside, even if the weather was still hot. This was not our best choice considering that the pizza itself was piping hot! Anyway, we decided to try their square classic….

It took a bit of time for the pizza to come, but I admit that, when it came, it looked very appetizing, having lots of cheese on top, and being caramelized all over the edges. As it was very hot, I proceeded to cut a slice with a knife, but, it was a bit difficult. So I switched to a classic eating with my hands but had to go slowly as it was burning my palate. I admit that the sauce was very good, so, for me, the whole top was great, but not the crust that was both hard and chewy. I was a bit disappointed and definitely prefer Johnny Pepperoni close by for a square pizza or even Uptown Pizza and their Sicilian. 10th street has a lot of diners there, so it could be that our pizza was a bit over cooked. Who knows. So, I’ll wait a bit and might go for a revisit.

Enjoy (…)!

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10th Street Pasta & Pizza - 1000 Willow Ave, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 9/25/23 I Just Want To Eat! 9/25/23

Lemongrass in Hoboken, NJ

It is always sad to see a restaurant closing, but also exciting when another is opening. So, yes, I was excited to visit Lemongrass, a Vietnamese restaurant that replaced City Lobster who was removed from these premises because of unpaid rent. At Lemongrass, you order at the counter and have a choice between summer rolls, rice plates, vermicelli plates, banh mi and Pho. I tried the first four, ditching the Pho for a cooler season!

The banh mi was for me the best of the dishes: the soft but slightly crispy baguette was hiding a delicious pickled carrot and radish mix that is also served in the rice and vermicelli plates giving a nice acidity, cucumber, jalapeño (just a few), lots of cilantro and some Vietnamese ham and a pork patty, topped with mayonnaise. Flavorful and comforting, the pork can be replaced by tofu, chicken or marinated flank steak. I am not sure i would try the marinated flank steak banh mi as I had it in the rice plate and thought that it was too tough.

Marinated flank steak at Lemongrass in Hoboken, NJ

The vermicelli plate is good, coming with very similar items as the banh mi: cucumber, jalapeño, pickled carrot and radish mix, cilantro and lettuce, accompanied by Vietnamese dressing, with either tofu, chicken or marinated flank steak.

Vermicelli plate with tofu at Lemongrass in Hoboken, NJ

A lighter option is their summer rolls: it is a serving of three and you can mix and match shrimp, pork or tofu that is great so you do not get just one protein. Served with a nice peanut sauce, they were good, although missing a bit of flavor and that crunch that Bon Banh, further downtown hoboken has.

Summer rolls at Lemongrass in Hoboken, NJ

Shrimp summer roll at Lemongrass in Hoboken, NJ

Tofu summer roll at Lemongrass in Hoboken, NJ

Last are the beverages. They propose bubble tea but, every time we went, they did not have any bubble (tapioca pearls). Not that I mind because my primary objective is to get a Thai tea, but they may want to just ditch the concept if they cannot offer it.

Thai iced tea at Lemongrass in Hoboken, NJ

Overall, I am mixed. Lemongrass has good options and less good ones, with a menu that, except the banh mi, I will not crave. However, I am waiting for the colder days to try their Pho as, with Phonomenon now closed, they are the only one offering this Vietnamese soup in Hoboken.

Enjoy (…)!

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Lemongrass - 732 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 9/14/23 I Just Want To Eat! 9/14/23

Thai cuisine at Zoob Zib in NYC, NY

There are lots of Thai restaurants in New York, with few standing out: Zoob Zib is one of them. We went few times and it was always packed. What makes this place special: simply good food, from the classic pad see ew (Jodi ordered that dish every single time) to the chicken massaman curry (this is a sort of test dish for me - if they do not make a good massaman curry, this is a bad sign). But there are two things people should try there: their roasted duck and their noodles, that you can combine in a soup but I admit that it is not something I would order in the summer! Their duck Thai cashew nut is sublime: the roasted duck is perfectly cooked, not dry, with a delightfully crispy skin, hidden under pieces of bell peppers, baby corn, onion, carrot, cashew nuts and pineapple for some added sweetness that complemented the slight heat from the chili paste. But I would not pass on the curry Cantonese noodles that I had with their « combo » that is chicken, shrimp and squid. These noodles were sauteed in a wok with egg, curry powder and chili paste, mixed with onion, carrot, baby corn, cabbage and scallion. Flavorful, with a nice bite, I literally inhaled that dish!

Chicken Massaman curry at Zoob Zib in NYC, NY

Duck Thay cashew nut at Zoob Zib in NYC, NY

Curry Cantonese noodles at Zoob Zib in NYC, NY

In term of appetizers, they have the classics like spring rolls or the chive pancake that was deliciously pillowy, as well as the tofu summer rolls that Jodi loved, but that was just ok for me.

I should mention their drinks, where of course you can get a Thai iced tea but also some cocktails. The one I tried was the Lychee martini that was well balanced and really showcase lychee.

And last is dessert. Their mango sticky rice is a must have: the mango was perfectly ripe and the sticky rice, that has a texture I love, was drench with a nice amount of coconut milk. Delicious!

Mango sticky rice at Zoob Zib in NYC, NY

Now, I guess you understand why I became a fan of Zoob Zib. The food there is simply fantastic.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Zoom Zib - 460 9th Ave, New York, NY 10018

I Just Want To Eat! 9/11/23 I Just Want To Eat! 9/11/23

Harold's NY Deli in Edison, NJ

Do you remember Carnegie Deli and its opulent dishes ? Little did I know that the owner of the regretted delicatessen owns a location in Edison, NJ named Harold’s NY Deli. Entering the place, you know that everything is big there, just by looking at the giant cakes with slices probably three times what a 24 layer cake in a steakhouse would be. Or the Lintzer tart that, with its 7oz, could feed an entire family…

Dining room at Harold's NY Deli in Edison, NJ

The dining room is quite large, overlooking the kitchen where you see giant dishes coming out, wondering who would be able to eat all of this, maybe the host of Man vs Food, or if it is to share. In the back is their pickle bar, a pretty unique fixture not to be missed where you can get many type of pickles: sour, half-sour or kosher. Interesting considering that pickles are a must have in a Jewish deli.

Pickle bar at Harold's NY Deli in Edison, NJ

Pickles at Harold's NY Deli in Edison, NJ

Looking at the menu can be overwhelming, with sometimes the only indication of the portion being the price. Root beer floats, milkshakes and sundaes are to share, same as the giant ice cream soda (32oz) that I got all for myself. I ordered it with Coca Cola and vanilla ice cream, a combination I prefer to the root beer float as I find the two flavors work better together.

Ice cream soda at Harold's NY Deli in Edison, NJ

For deli sandwiches, they offer three sizes: junior (1 person), large (2 to 3 persons - can be fine for 4) and X-Large (5 to 8 persons). I got the soft salami in the junior size that was quite filling, especially after that ice cream soda…I smeared some mustard on the rye bread and ate it with a very good cole slaw that came with it. My in-laws shared the large corned beef that was quite impressive and my niece, Rayna, got the hot dog from the kid’s menu that was probably a foot long putting the two pieces together.

Salami at Harold's NY Deli in Edison, NJ

Corned beef at Harold's NY Deli in Edison, NJ

Hot dog at Harold's NY Deli in Edison, NJ

Jodi got herself a grilled cheese with Munster that did not look so big but had lots of cheese in it, as if the bread was just there to hold it together! We also shared some fries that were ok for me as I am not a big fan of steak fries, and some delicious onion rings that were nicely crispy.

Grilled cheese at Harold's NY Deli in Edison, NJ

Onion rings at Harold's NY Deli in Edison, NJ

French fries at Harold's NY Deli in Edison, NJ

After such a meal, forget about dessert and have a walk to digest! I love the food there, but I am always a bit bothered by the large quantities that call for a bit of waste, unless you take the food home of course.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Harold’s NY Deli - 1173 King Georges Post Rd, Edison, NJ 08837

I Just Want To Eat! 9/7/23 I Just Want To Eat! 9/7/23

Effin Egg in NYC, NY

We were looking for a place to eat near the Flatiron when we stumbled upon Effin Egg, a small joint serving breakfast all day. The main option on the menu is egg sandwiches and I admit that their selection is mouth watering, each of them prepared in various ways, although if you prefer a simple one, they have the Effin Boring that is simply made with scrambled eggs and cheddar, squeezed in a brioche bun. We decided to try their CEO, that is composed of scrambled eggs, chives, cheddar cheese, caramelized onions and their signature chipotle Effy Sauce in a warm brioche bun. Good, messy with all that sauce dripping all over the bun, slightly spicy, I found it pretty good! Know that when you order a sandwich, you get a free iced coffee that they roast in small batches.

CEO Egg sandwich at Effin Egg in NYC, NY

We also wanted to try their biscuit that is freshly baked and came with their house made cinnamon honey butter, that not only was frozen, but they did not even have a knife to spread it. When I asked for a knife, they could have at least lent us a small one from the kitchen. Anyway, the biscuit was not great, missing the crunchy outside and having too much baking soda in it.

The Lil b*tch waffle was no better: topped with powdered sugar and whipped butter, it was flappy, lacking the chewiness of a good waffle and simply not just meh.

We also wanted to try their Effin tots, which are tater tots topped with melted cheese and avocado crema, that we asked without bacon. Unfortunately, there was too much cheese sauce on it (I never thought I would ever say that!) and everything was soggy.

So, overall, the meal was disappointing. If I were to go back to Effin Egg, it would be for the sandwiches, nothing else.

Enjoy (…)!

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Effin Egg - 38 E 23rd St, New York, NY 10010

I Just Want To Eat! 9/5/23 I Just Want To Eat! 9/5/23

Barbounia in NYC, NY

Barbounia has been around for years, but, each time I was planning to go, I changed plans. Not sure why, because this place, that serves Mediterranean cuisine proposes some fantastic food. It was so good that, after going for brunch, we decided to go back for dinner. Here is what we had:

Let’s start with the brunch. To start we got their fire-roasted…

Let’s start with the brunch. To start we got their fire-roasted eggplant that was sitting on green tahini, and topped with marinated Japanese eggplant and zchug, a cilantro sauce that is a common Middle-Eastern condiment. It came with their flatbread that was phenomenal, so good, that I could not stop eating it, keeping a bit for the main I ordered that was shashouka merguez. Every family has its own version of shashouka, some with just tomatoes like at Barbounia, my family with tomatoes and peppers, and sometimes, it can also be spicy (it was the case there). I appreciated the fact that there were 3 baked eggs on it, but wish they put one more homemade lamb sausage (merguez). Still, this was a delicious dish. Jodi on her side got their Greek salad and added some falafel that were very good, not dry and deliciously crispy. I should mention that it was a bit pricey as the salad was $22 and the falafel added $10, so, $32 for a salad is a bit much…

Fire roasted eggplant at Barbounia in NYC, NY

Bread and fire-roasted eggplant at Barbounia in NYC, NY

Shashouka merguez at Barbounia in NYC, NY

Greek salad with falafel at Barbounia in NYC, NY

We finished our meal with some coffee, tea and a dessert called a Lebanese Osmalieh that was made with semolina custard, covered with a crispy kataifi, orange blossom syrup and served pistachio ice cream. Simply superb.

Lebanese osmalieh at Barbounia in NYC, NY

So, after such lunch, we decided to go back for dinner. I started off with a cocktail, the Portokali that was made with scotch, orange marmalade, lemon and rose water. quite refreshing on a sunny evening. We then shared the Crispy Moroccan spinach cigar. I admit that I was not sure what we would get as I am not always a fan of spinach in a dish, but this was delicious, very tasty with hints of mint in it.

Crispy Moroccan Spinach cigar at Barbounia in NYC, NY

For her entree, Jodi chose their Wild mushroom flatbread that was made with lots of cheese, namely Taleggio and fresh Mozzarella, as well as basil, and a perfect amount of black truffle-labneh sauce. On my side, it was hard to pick as they had so many mouth watering dishes. I finally decided to try their Lamb Kofta Kebab "Terracotta" that was ground lamb full of flavor as blended with spices, cooked in a flatbread dome with tomato confit, charred red onions, tahini and pine nuts. The presentation was outstanding and the first bite divine! I could simply not stop eating it, using the charred flatbread as a vehicle to grab both the meat and the sauce. This is a must have.

Lamb Kofta Terracota at Barbounia in NYC, NY

Of course we could not leave without dessert! We chose the warm ricotta beignets that were sublime, soft, airy and crispy on the outside, served with berries and milk chocolate sauce. I admit that I did not care much about the sauces as these beignets stood on their own.

Warm ricotta beignets at Barbounia in NYC, NY

Overall, our meals at Barbounia were amazing and I just cannot wait to go back there! If you love Mediterranean cuisine, this is definitely a place to try.

Enjoy (I really did)!

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Barbounia - 250 Park Ave S, New York, NY 10003

I Just Want To Eat! 8/31/23 I Just Want To Eat! 8/31/23

New Opening - 7th Street Burger in Hoboken

7th Street Burger is a burger joint that reminds me a bit of Corner Bistro with its minimalist menu that is composed of 4 options: cheeseburger, single or double, or Impossible burger, also single or double, except that Corner Bistro has more to offer when it comes to drinks. Still, this place that started in the East Village back in 2021 and has now more than 10 locations, decided to open one in the Mile Square City, just a few blocks from Shake Shack, that is quite courageous.

With a very minimalist decor to say the least, the place is not big with just a small counter near the entrance where you can stand to eat your burger. After you order, it takes approximately 7 minutes for your meal to be ready. I got their double cheeseburger with crispy fries. As I removed the food from the paper bag it came in, I definitely could feel that it was straight from the fryer (for the fries) and grill as it was very hot. The cheeseburger, made with American cheese, grilled onions, pickles and their secret sauce was wrapped in paper. Unwrapping it was a bit of a mess: the notion of smashed burger normally related to the patty, but, in this case, it was the entire burger, bun included, with the bottom of the bun being a bit soggy with all the sauce all over. Messy to eat, it was still good, the meat tasting really good and being perfectly cooked, but missing the char that I like to get at Shake Shack. For sure, I cannot complain about the amount of meat vs. bun as it was in favor of the latter and I loved the added crunch from the pickles that added a bit of acidity to it. The crispy fries were also good, and crispy as advertised, from the double frying.

Overall, it was good but I admit that if I wanted a smashed burger, I would go to Shake Shack as I prefer theirs and could also order a milkshake that is a must have for me with a cheeseburger. But this is my own preference…And by the way, do not try to find them on 7th and Washington: they are a bit lower, on 4th!

Enjoy (I still did)!

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7th Street Burger - 410 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 8/28/23 I Just Want To Eat! 8/28/23

Brunch at Winberie's in Summit, NJ

We were recently in Berkeley Highs to see my niece, Rayna, perform in a school show, and so decided to grab lunch with the family. That is how we discovered Winberie’s in nearby Summit. This all American restaurant proposes a large menu that I admit made me hesitate a bit, but I finally settled for the chicken and waffles, a southern dish that I adore for its interesting combination of sweet and savory, crispy and soft. The chicken was really good: crispy, it was moist and most importantly, cooked all the way through. It sat on a waffle that was soft and chewy, with a slight crisp.

Chicken and waffle at Winberies’ in Summit, NJ

Jodi went for their mushroom flatbread that was proposed in the appetizer section, but was large enough to be offered as an entree. The flatbread was pretty good with lots of cheese (fontina and ricotta), that smothered the garlic roasted cremini mushrooms. I should mention the use of truffle oil that was just the right amount, not overpowering the dish at all.

They also propose a bunch of mouthwatering dessert and their butter cake, served warm with vanilla ice cream and strawberries, and topped with cookie crumble was superb. A must have.

The brunch at Winberie’s was pretty good: this is the perfect spot if you are in that area.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Winberie’s - 2 Kent Pl Blvd, Summit, NJ 07901

I Just Want To Eat! 8/24/23 I Just Want To Eat! 8/24/23

Brunch at Blu on The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

I love Blu On The Hudson and it has become my favorite brunch spot. Located on the waterfront in Weehawken, Blu On The Hudson serves an exciting menu. Let’s start with their cocktails that are very creative, I think the one that blew me away was their breakfast martini that is made with whisky: not only did it taste good, but the presentation with the focaccia and orange marmalade stuck on the side gave a certain dimension to it. I also tried:

The Not a Guiness, that I got for dinner also, made with black sesame vodka, chocolate stout and espresso liqueur.
The oil on the skin that is made with Aperol, strawberry, grapefruit and Prosecco.
The Mediterranean seaside, composed of gin, mint, thyme and watermelon.

If you do not want a cocktail, you can opt for a tea, theirs being from Le Palais des Thes, a well known French purveyor of tea.

Oil on the skin cocktail at Blu on The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

Mediterranean seaside at Blu on The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

Breakfast martini at Blu on The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

Tea and Not a Guiness cocktail at Blu on The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

For dishes, they have classics like pancakes, like their banana foster pancakes that are fluffy, as well as avocado toast or scrambled eggs that are cooked with smoked salmon, chives and served on a toasted croissant. I loved this dish: the croissant was flakey and buttery, the eggs were moist and, unlike what I had in the past with similar dishes, it did not have that overly salty flavor that smoked salmon can sometimes bring when cooked. But one of my favorite is their steak and egg: two sunny side up eggs served with a 6oz filet mignon that was perfectly cooked medium-rare and juicy. It came with homemade tater tots that were delicious and made me want to eat more. Another favorite is their lobster roll. Smothered in warm butter, the perfectly cooked lobster is served on a toasted roll, accompanied with a salad and waffle fries. You can also get lobster as a roll, as they also offer sushi on their menu and I have to admit that their Blu roll that is composed of bluefin tuna, spicy lobster and avocado is exquisite.

Smoked salmon scrambled eggs at Blu on The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

Smoked salmon scrambled aggs at Blu on The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

Lobster roll at Blu on The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

Steak and eggs at Blu on The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

The Blu Roll at Blu on The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

There is also a plenty of vegetarian dishes: I mentioned the pancakes and their banana foster pancake stack is very good, the fluffy pancakes being perfect to share. An interesting one if the Blue’s Way, that has a Mediterranean touch with the delicious halloumi cheese that is served with scrambled eggs, tomato, tzatziki and a homemade fluffy pita. Jodi loves their vegan Cobb salad that I admit is quite good and looks appetizing. It is composed of tomato, quinoa, chickpeas, avocado, corn and vegan feta and does not look like an afterthought. They also have a vegan sticky bun that we wanted to try, but they did not have any that day…

Halloumi at Blu on The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

Vegan Cobb salad at Blu on The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

Banana foster pancakes at Blu on The Hudson in Weehawken, NJ

The menu at Blu On The Hudson is more than this and we still have some time to try everything. The food there is superb whether for brunch or dinner. So, yes, I am a big fan!

Enjoy (I really did)!

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

I Just Want To Eat! 8/21/23 I Just Want To Eat! 8/21/23

Crazy food at Tony Boloney’s in Hoboken, NJ

Tony Boloney’s is not your typical pizza and sub place: their menu is probably what your cardiologist would NOT recommend. Known for its taco pizza that I did not get a chance to try, it is the right place for food decadence. Want a lobster roll? Theirs, the Lobsta Trap, is made with steamed lobster, aioli and bayou butter. Nothing too unusual you would say. Well, they lay the lobster on a bed of fresh and smoked mozzarella (lots of it)! This is not for the faint of the heart and you better get a bunch of napkins because it is very messy to eat, but so good. I thought that with all these ingredients the lobster would be overshadowed, but it was not the case. With the perfectly cooked lobster, each bite was a festival of flavor and worked well together, making it one of my favorite lobster rolls.

The Lobsta trap at Tony Boloney’s in Hoboken, NJ

Their version of cheesesteak, the Ole sub was also something: it is made with mezcal marinated ribeye mixed with fried onions, lettuce, tomato, cilantro and Mexican string cheese, drenched in chipotle sauce. A bit different from the original and also quite messy to eat, it is spectacular.

The Ole sub at Tony Boloney’s in Hoboken, NJ

I should mention that these subs are big, so not need to order anything else and, for some of them, like the Ole, they propose a vegan version. If you are vegetarian or vegan, they have also salads, like the pueblito that can be made with mushrooms rather than chicken or steak (it has romaine, spicy mole and pickled jalapeño crema dressing- you can get a different dressing if you do not eat spicy-, roasted corn, black beans, grape tomatoes, string cheese, tortilla chips and smashed avocado) or the Tuk-Tuk salad with satay cauliflower, romaine, green papaya slaw, cilantro and roasted peanuts. Know that their menu changes from time to time and I do not think they have this one anymore, but it gives you an idea.

Tuk Tuk salad at Tony Boloney’s in Hoboken, NJ

The Pueblito salad at Tony Boloney’s in Hoboken, NJ

Their pizza is also quite phenomenal with slices starting at $6. My favorite is the Burrrrrata, where each slice has a whole burrata that is siting on vodka sauce and made with dry aged mozzarella (I did not know it was a thing), pecorino, basil and chili oil (this is not spicy). Then, I love their Ay Dios Mio Mac that is their version of Mexican Mac and cheese pizza, made with chipotle Mac and cheese, dry aged mozzarella, queso Oaxaca string cheese and cilantro. I wish it was creamier, but still, this is really good. We also tried their magic mushroom as Jodi loves mushrooms and I thought at first that I loved it, the nice portion of cremini mushrooms being well prepared (I hate when sometimes it is undercooked from a can), and with lots of cheese (fresh and dry aged mozzarella), but the truffle cream was overpowering and coated my mouth. Overall, the pizza crust is crispy, with a nice char, but for sure the pizza can be a bit greasy that is fine by me.

Burrata pizza at Tony Boloney’s in Hoboken, NJ

Magic mushroom pizza at Tony Boloney’s in Hoboken, NJ

Ay Dios mío Mac at Tony Boloney’s in Hoboken, NJ

So, for sure, Tony Boloney’s is unusual and the kind of place where you want to indulge in food that is comforting, but crazy. I definitely recommend it!
Enjoy (I did)!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
Tony Boloney’s -