I Just Want To Eat! 12/5/24 I Just Want To Eat! 12/5/24

Skinner's Loft in Jersey City, NJ

Skinner’s Loft in Jersey City is a true find. Located few steps from the Grove St Path station, this unassuming place boasts a terrific menu. We went there over a period of time, trying their brunch and dinner, always leaving satisfied after a nice meal. For brunch, I loved their croque monsieur, where the black forrest ham was smothered with a nice amount of gruyere cheese, before being squeezed between two slices of country bread and again topped with cheese. There is never too much cheese for sure! Interestingly, it was not served with a salad but with cole slaw. Jodi tried their mushroom and spinach omelet that was also good, not overcooked (I like my eggs runny by the way) and served with some crunchy home fries. I accompanied my lunch with a beer, the Founders Breakfast Stout that was quite refreshing on a hot summer day.

Croque Monsieur at Skinner's Loft in Jersey City, NJ

Founders Breakfast Stout at Skinner's Loft in Jersey City, NJ

Mushroom and spinach omelet at Skinner's Loft in Jersey City, NJ

For dinner, we had their arancini, made with ricotta and parmesan. These were crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside, served with a roasted pepper coulis that added a sweet and smokey flavor. I also liked their grilled oysters that were simply made with a garlic and herb butter. I wish more restaurants would serve oysters that way.

Arancini at Skinner's Loft in Jersey City, NJ

Grilled oysters at Skinner's Loft in Jersey City, NJ

For the main, I tried their steak frites that was a 13oz NY strip perfectly grilled to a medium rare temperature, served with some parmesan herb fries that were crunchy as I like them. They also have some interesting vegetarian dishes. The roasted cauliflower and its arugula pesto was good, but my favorite was the vegan “scallop” mushroom risotto with asparagus that is the kind of dish where I do not miss any seafood or meat. It was a mushroom fest: porcini, maitake and rumpet gave another dimension to this dish. A must have!

Steak frites at Skinner's Loft in Jersey City, NJ

Roasted cauliflower at Skinner's Loft in Jersey City, NJ

Vegan risotto at Skinner's Loft in Jersey City, NJ

To accompany my meals, I tried some of their cocktails: The Lafayette (same name as my cat, so I had to try it), made with their house infused rosemary gin, lemon juice, orange shrub, egg whites and smash cranberry, and the Rejuvenator, made with plantation rum, poire williams (pear), apple cider vinegar, ginger thyme syrup, and pear nectar. Both were quite good and creative.

Rejuvenator cocktail at Skinner's Loft in Jersey City, NJ

Lafayette cocktail at Skinner's Loft in Jersey City, NJ

For dessert, we tried their bread pudding that was pretty good, not dry, topped with some vanilla ice cream.

Bread pudding at Skinner's Loft in Jersey City, NJ

Overall, we had great meals at Skinner’s Loft. The food there is really good, served in a very relaxed atmosphere. I definitely recommend this place.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Skinner’s Loft - 146 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07302

I Just Want To Eat! 12/2/24 I Just Want To Eat! 12/2/24

Buc-ee's: come for the brisket, leave with the experience

We were visiting our friends Pam and Pat in Florida, when, as we were talking about lunch, Pat mentioned the brisket sandwich at Buc-ee’s, a chain of gas stations that started in Texas, with an outpost in Daytona Beach. The close to an hour drive, with potentially traffic, was not a deterrent, my love for BBQ being more powerful than the idea of potentially sitting in traffic the day before Thanksgiving…As we drove, I was already checking Buc-ee’s website, trying to figure out what I should try there. Brisket and pulled pork sandwiches were on the menu, so I had no other choice than trying both! As we arrived, there was already a line to pull into the giant parking lot, with people eating in their car or standing in front of their vehicle, holding sandwiches that they devoured without hesitation. You guessed it: there are no tables; you grab your food and eat in our car or next to it, making it a whole experience.

The place in Daytona Beach is huge: a gigantic parking lot with car wash and gas station on one side, and a fairly large store in the back. There, t-shirts, house decorations and various Buc-ee’s souvenirs, sit next to cakes, chocolates, and other kinds of foods, with three main areas of focus: first is their jerky that I did not try (I regret it as I am writing this, ditching the overpriced Amazon merchandise). Then is their fudge that looks amazing and tastes pretty good, especially the praline fudge that was my favorite, over the birthday cake one that Jodi liked.

Jerky at Buc-ee's in Daytona Beach, Florida

Fudge at Buc-ee's in Daytona Beach, Florida

Fudge and chocolates at Buc-ee's in Daytona Beach, Florida

But the main attraction was the brisket and pulled pork sandwiches. In the middle of the station, you can see that brisket with its nice bark being chopped and then smothered with some sweet BBQ sauce before being squeezed between two soft buns and wrapped (no need to wait for your sandwich to be done, they have a bunch ready for grab). As they prepare the sandwiches, you can hear them yelling “Fresh, hot brisket on board!” or “Sauce on the board!”, followed by an acknowledgment from the staff, like you would hear “Oui, Chef” in a fancy restaurant. So, I grabbed a pulled pork sandwich ($7.48) and a chopped brisket sandwich ($8.49). I admit that, although the pulled pork was good, my favorite was the brisket that was so tender, it literally melted in my mouth.

Brisket at Buc-ee's in Daytona Beach, Florida

Chopped brisket sandwich at Buc-ee's in Daytona Beach, Florida

Pulled pork sandwich at Buc-ee's in Daytona Beach, Florida

With it, we tried their Beaver Nuggets that are puffed corn tossed in a mix of butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and vanilla, that give it an interesting taste. Crunchy, you need a couple before liking them, the first few being more focussed on trying to figure out what they taste like rather than wondering if you like them or not. Then, they start being a bit addictive…

Beaver nuggets at Buc-ee's in Daytona Beach, Florida

Overall it was fun: the brisket sandwich is definitely something I would get again, but I would go for the XXL that has more brisket in it. Eating this in the back of a car was whole experience, worth the drive.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Buc-ee’s - 2330 Gateway N Dr, Daytona Beach, FL 32117

I Just Want To Eat! 11/18/24 I Just Want To Eat! 11/18/24

Aragvi, Georgian restaurant in NYC, NY

Meaning “River”, Aragvi refers to a river in Georgia that is popular for kayaking and rafting. It is also a Georgian restaurant located Midtown East, where Chef Mikheil brings authentic recipes to our plates. Of course, when going to Aragvi, you have to try their khachapuri, Georgian cheese bread made famous on instagram, especially the Adjaruli that is an open-faced khachapuri from the Adjara region topped with a cheese blend that will be mixed with butter and egg yolk in a photogenic twirl. But they have others like the Royal Khachapuri that is topped with three huge dumplings filled with lots of cheese, or the Imeruli that is an old Georgian recipe from the Imereti region and that is dough stuffed cheese blend, like a Georgian calzone.

Adjaruli khachapuri at Aragvi, Georgian restaurant in NYC, NY

Royal khachapuri at Aragvi, Georgian restaurant in NYC, NY

Imeruli khachapuri at Aragvi, Georgian restaurant in NYC, NY

Imaruli khachapuri at Aragvi, Georgian restaurant in NYC, NY

We also tried their large dumplings as an appetizer, filled with mushrooms, but I admit that it was a bit disappointing as the shell was too thick. Continuing with cheese appetizers, we got their Aragvi salad that was quite good, topped with a cheese ball, or their Soko Kecze that is baked mushrooms filled with cheese, seasoned with dry mint, and finished with a hint of butter. Good, I would have preferred the mushrooms in smaller pieces. If you do not like cheese, you can get their mushrooms and potatoes that are cooked with garlic and dill, or the Ajapsandali that are oven baked vegetables with greens and tomato sauce.

Aragvi salad at Aragvi, Georgian restaurant in NYC, NY

Khinkali filled with mushrooms at Aragvi, Georgian restaurant in NYC, NY

Soko Kecze at Aragvi, Georgian restaurant in NYC, NY

Ajapsandali at Aragvi, Georgian restaurant in NYC, NY

Potatoes and mushrooms at Aragvi, Georgian restaurant in NYC, NY

They have lots of meat, but lamb being my favorite, I could not not try their drunk lamb that is lamb boiled in beer, cooked with tomato, bell peppers, greens and onion. The dish is cooked in a pot covered with dough that I used to dip in the succulent juice. Their lamb Lula kebab was also really good, a must have if you love this meat.

Drunk lamb at Aragvi, Georgian restaurant in NYC, NY

Lamb lula kebab at Aragvi, Georgian restaurant in NYC, NY

With our meals (we went quite few times), we had some of their drinks. They have homemade lemonade and Jodi tried their lime and mint, as well as their strawberry lemonade that was a bit sweet. On my side, I tried their chacha that is a Georgian brandy; I had it straight, but I admit that I preferred it in a cocktail, like the Vovik that was composed of chacha, gin, watermelon and lemon. This was quite refreshing, as was the Qvevruli that was made with Georgian red wine, blackcurrant puree, lime juice and mint.

Lime and mint lemonade at Aragvi, Georgian restaurant in NYC, NY

Strawberry lemonade at Aragvi, Georgian restaurant in NYC, NY

Vivid cocktail at Aragvi, Georgian restaurant in NYC, NY

Qveruli at Aragvi, Georgian restaurant in NYC, NY

Of course, we had to have desserts. They have baklava or chocolate lava cake, but we wanted to try something a bit different. The first time, we had their honey cake, but I admit that I found it a bit dry. I liked the matsoni that is Georgian yogurt topped with honey and nuts, but my favorite was the Eklerki that are cream-puffs filled with cream and served with ice cream, similar to profiteroles. I also noticed that they serve Turkish coffee, that I love. So, when I asked for it, they brought me some ice cream as well. Apparently, this is the only way they serve it…

Honey cake at Aragvi, Georgian restaurant in NYC, NY

Matsoni at Aragvi, Georgian restaurant in NYC, NY

Eklerki at Aragvi, Georgian restaurant in NYC, NY

Turkish coffee at Aragvi, Georgian restaurant in NYC, NY

We had great meals at Aragvi. I prefer this place over Chama Mama because they have a lot more choice of dishes. If you go there, you must try their khachapuri: it is superb!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Aragvi - 230 E 44th St, New York, NY 10017

I Just Want To Eat! 11/7/24 I Just Want To Eat! 11/7/24

Wolfgang Steakhouse in Times Square

I should start this post by saying that Wolfgang Steakhouse is not the restaurant of Wolfgang Puck who opened Cut by Wolfgang Puck many years ago. No, this place takes its name from its owner, Wolfgang Zwiener who was a former headwaiter at Peter Luger. There is definitely a big step between working the dining room and the kitchen, and they successfully made it, but I admit that not all locations are equal. However, the one in Times Square is great: the food is consistent and their steak superb. The porterhouse, that comes sizzling or the tomahawk cajun style are both

I should start this post by saying that Wolfgang Steakhouse is not the restaurant of Wolfgang Puck who opened Cut by Wolfgang Puck many years ago. No, this place takes its name from its owner, Wolfgang Zwiener who was a former headwaiter at Peter Luger. There is definitely a big step between working the dining room and the kitchen, and they successfully made it, but I admit that not all locations are equal. However, the one in Times Square is great: the food is consistent and their steak superb. The porterhouse ($69.95 per person), that comes sizzling or the tomahawk cajun style are both tender and juicy, with a nice crust, the butter adding a bit more decadence to it. Surprisingly, the cajun rub did not overpower the tomahawk that was succulent.

Tomahawk cajun style at Wolfgang Steakhouse in Times Square

Tomahawk steak cajun style at Wolfgang Steakhouse in Times Square

Porterhouse at Wolfgang Steakhouse in Times Square

My favorite sides with a steak are the lobster Mac and cheese that is really creamy, and their sautéed mushrooms.

Lobster Mac and cheese at Wolfgang Steakhouse in Times Square

Sautéed mushrooms at Wolfgang Steakhouse in Times Square

But before getting a steak, I always enjoy a crab cake ($29.95), theirs being made with big lump of crab, letting the crustaceans shine and not being overposwered with fillers or celery. Their thick cut of bacon is a bit pricey ($15+ a slice), but delicious with their steak sauce, and I also like their baked clam with a glass of Manhattan ($24) that I asked to get in a whisky glass the last time I went as I hate martini glasses!

Crab cake at Wolfgang Steakhouse in Times Square

Thick slice of bacon at Wolfgang Steakhouse in Times Square

Baked clams at Wolfgang Steakhouse in Times Square

Manhattan at Wolfgang Steakhouse in Times Square

Desserts ($16.95) are not to be ignored: I love their their pecan pie that was deliciously sweet and buttery with a generous amount of crunchy pecans, or their key lime pie, that is served with a homemade whipped cream to cut the sweetness of the pie and its tartness.

Key lime pie at Wolfgang Steakhouse in Times Square

Pecan pie at Wolfgang Steakhouse in Times Square

Wolfgang Steakhouse is one of my favorite steakhouses in New York, but in Times Square: the steaks are of great quality and their food quite consistent. 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!

Wolfgang Steakhouse Times Square - 250 W 41st St, New York, NY 10036

I Just Want To Eat! 11/4/24 I Just Want To Eat! 11/4/24

Fushimi Times Square

It’s been a while since we went to Fushimi, my first visit being not in Times Square but Brooklyn. So, when they invited us for their first year anniversary, I was quite excited. Located few steps from Port Authority, this place is gorgeous: as you enter, you are right away amazed by their rendition of the Fushimi Inari Taisha, a Shinto shrine in southern Kyoto that is famous for its thousands of red torii gates that create a trail we visited few years back during a memorable trip to Japan. The rest of the restaurant is stunning with a sophisticated urban vibe, blending Japanese minimalism with sleek, contemporary aesthetics, starting with the bar area with its paper cranes or orizuru, that is a powerful symbol in Japan. According to legend, folding 1,000 paper cranes grants you a wish or brings you good luck and long life. This tradition has become a symbol of peace, especially after the story of Sadako Sasaki, a young girl who developed leukemia due to the Hiroshima bombing and sought to fold 1,000 cranes to heal. She didn’t finish before she passed away, but her story inspired many to continue folding cranes as a wish for peace and health.

Talking about the bar, they have a great selection of cocktails. I tried: the lychee martini that was not too sweet, a whisky sour made with Suntori whisky, Masamune (made with Iwai Japanese whisky, Campari, St Germain and orange bitter, The Q (unfiltered sake, St Germain, grenadine and lemon juice).

During their first year celebration, we got to try some bites:

Veggie gyoza:

Pork gyoza:

Tuna

Rock shrimp:

Salmon:

Shrimp cocktail

Shrimp Shumai

Bacon:

Then, we went back for dinner a couple of times. For appetizers, I tried their roasted duck, made with mango, cucumber, lime, mint and an hoisin reduction. This was definitely to share and I simply loved it because the skin on the duck was delightfully crispy and fatty, with the mango and hoisin sauce giving a nice sweetness to it.

Jodi got each time we went their avocado truffle crispy sushi that is a pan seared crispy rice cake, topped with avocado, truffle puree and sweet miso sauce. I admit that this is probably one of the best I ever had! Crunchy as promised and decadent with some truffle that filled my nose as they brought the plate. She also got their avocado roll that is quite basic and we also shared the bang bang broccoli with sweet chili sauce and peanut, but I thought it was just ok. It was crispy, but I did not like the sauce that could have been uniformly spread, by tossing it with the fried broccoli in a bowl. What was amazing though is their charred seasonal mushrooms that is proposed as a side, but could easily be an appetizer (note that they were not that charred, but still good).

Avocado truffle crispy sushi at Fushimi Times Square

Bang bang broccoli at Fushimi Times Square

Charred seasonal mushrooms at Fushimi Times Square

On my side, I tried the roasted Scottish salmon that was good, but not the best I ever had, being slightly overcooked, and the miso chilean seabass roll that was made with crispy sea bass with green apple for freshness and crunch, topped with crunchy sea scallops, sweet aioli and saikyo miso. This was a delicious roll, with an explosion of flavor in each bite.

Miso chilean seabass roll at Fushimi Times Square

Roasted Scottish salmon at Fushimi Times Square

Of course, we had to try their desserts. Their best is the molten cake that was gooey inside and accompanied with an amazing red velvet ice cream. I also liked their mochi ice cream that was a trio composed of vanilla, strawberry and espresso.

I had no idea that Fushimi was in Times Square and was glad that I have been invited so it put it on my map whenever I want to have an elevated Japanese meal. They have great cocktails and interesting dishes that I will continue to discover.

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!

Fushimi Times Square - 311 West 43rd St, New York, NY 10036

I Just Want To Eat! 10/18/24 I Just Want To Eat! 10/18/24

My trip to Memphis: Amelia Gene's

Few months ago, we decided to go to Memphis with the most memorable moments being the visit of the Lorraine Hotel and National Civil Rights museum, as well as Graceland, the songs from the Elvis Presley being part of my childhood. We stayed at the Caption by Hyatt Beale Street and had no idea that a not so little gem was standing next to the hotel: Amanda Gene’s, a restaurant where Chef Nate Henssler crafted a contemporary menu inspired by global cuisines. That place, that used...

We started off our meal with some drinks, their cocktail menu being quite interesting and not your classic old fashioned or Manhattan. Some had rosemary, some cauliflower brine and truffle, others raspberry. tea leaf. Jodi went for a spirit free (the Green Gene with lime, apple, cucumber and peach champagne rub), while I chose the Shadow Woman made with bourbon, pear (the deciding factor), honey syrup and lemon.

The Green Gene at Amelia Gene's in Memphis

The Shadow Woman at Amelia Gene's in Memphis

We then proceeded to share their buttermilk biscuits, that came with hot honey butter, fruit preserves and pickled vegetables. I think that was a mistake, not because it was not good, to the contrary! They were delicious, crispy on the outside, but because you could not stop eating these large biscuits and we had more food to come…

Buttermilk biscuit at Amelia Gene's in Memphis

Buttermilk biscuits at Amelia Gene's in Memphis

We then got two bites: the first one was a tiny croissant filled with foie gras and with a touch of raspberry gel. Surely one bite, but, what a bite! The buttery and flakey croissant was just a cover for the foie gras filling to explode in my mouth. The second item was their golden potato fondue made with Tete de Moine cheese and black truffle. This looked quite appetizing, with the shavings of cheese sitting on top of the mashed potatoes, calling for a thorough mix that gave a creamy texture to the dish and freed the delicious aroma of the truffle. A must have!

Golden potato fondue at Amelia Gene's in Memphis

Croissant with foie gras bite at Amelia Gene's in Memphis

Next was their cheese: for $26, we got 5 different kinds:

Bloomy breeze: a brie style blend of fresh milk from Jersey and Holstein cows.
Truffle hive: a Utah cheddar with a truffle rind.
Little Mountain: an Alpine-style cheese from Wisconsin.
Shabby Shoe: a Wisconsin version of a popular French goat cheese (Chabichou).
Point Reyes Blue: a Californian blue cheese.

Cheese selection at Amelia Gene's in Memphis

These platter at Amelia Gene's in Memphis

It’s been a long time we have seen a good cheese selection like this, many restaurant serving low quality cheese, just to have a cheese plate on their menu as it looks fancy and is easy to prepare. The selection at Amanda Gene’s was truly amazing.

We also shared the bucatini with saffron and white tomato: was a succulent dish! The pasta was well cooked, al dente, smothered in a delicate sauce that still allowed to shine.

Bucatini with saffron at Amelia Gene's in Memphis

Of course, we could not leave without dessert and opted for the salted caramel creme brûlée with a cherry sauce and whipped white chocolate. Perfectly made, custardy, it was the best way to end a fantastic meal.

Salted caramel creme brûlée at Amelia Gene's in Memphis

Amelia Gene’s was an incredible find: this place proposes a great menu in a stunning decor, and a relaxed atmosphere. I highly recommend it!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Amanda Gene’s - 255 S Front St. Memphis, TN 38103

I Just Want To Eat! 10/15/24 I Just Want To Eat! 10/15/24

The Dubai Chocolate: worth the hype?

I admit that I had no idea what the Dubai chocolate was until I read an article in the news about the frenzy that has taken over Tik Tok. So, I decided to try it and went to The Nut Factory who was promoting it. At close to $19 a bar, this chocolate bar, made with Belgian chocolate, pistachio and kataifi is pricey, but so good! Kataifi is used in many desserts, my favorite one being kunefe or knafeh...

I admit that I had no idea what the Dubai chocolate was until I read an article in the news about the frenzy that has taken over Tik Tok. So, I decided to try it and went to The Nuts Factory who was promoting it. At close to $19 a bar, this chocolate bar, made with Belgian chocolate, pistachio and kataifi is pricey, but so good! Kataifi is used in many desserts, my favorite one being kunefe or knafeh, popular in the Middle East, that is made with cheese, pistachio and a sugar syrup. Don’t worry, there is no cheese in this chocolate bar, but the crunch from the kataifi and the creaminess of the filling surely elevates it. Overall not overly sweet, the chocolate is also of good quality, my preference is the white chocolate.

So, yes, it is worth the hype for me! You can find it at The Nuts Factory and Amazon, with prices varying greatly, from $19 to $35!!! Surely not a treat I would have every day.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

I Just Want To Eat! 10/11/24 I Just Want To Eat! 10/11/24

The Bakery at The Tin Building in NYC

If you have never been to The Tin Building, you are truly missing an incredible experience. This food market from Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten is superb, with my favorite spot being their bakery that proposes delicious items, similar to what you would get in France. My favorite is their brioche au sucre that is better eaten there, as the sugar will fall in the bag on the way home, and their pain aux raisins, that is sticky, flakey and buttery, with a bit of almond paste in it and a perfect amount of raisins. Simply delicious! But I would not miss their almond croissant that is fantastic, their buttery and flakey croissant, and their chocolate croissant that is filled with Valrhona chocolate, not some cheap chocolate bar for sure.

Brioche au sucre at The Bakery at The Tin Building in NYC

Almond croissant at The Bakery at The Tin Building in NYC

Croissant at The Bakery at The Tin Building in NYC

Pain au chocolat at The Bakery at The Tin Building in NYC

Pain aux raisins at The Bakery at The Tin Building in NYC

They also have a bunch of pastries and cookies, but I admit that paying $18 for a Paris-Brest that is one of my favorite pastries is not something I would do. However, their $5 chocolate chip cookie or linzer raspberry cookie are to die for.

Linzer raspberry cookie at The Bakery at The Tin Building in NYC

Chocolate chip cookie at The Bakery at The Tin Building in NYC

So, no wonder why this is my favorite spot at The Tin Building: everything is delicious and, as you enter your nose is filled with that buttery smell that can only open your appetite. The only problem is that everything looks so good and so, you do not know what to order! Price wise, these items are between $4.50 and $6 that is reasonable considering prices elsewhere and the quality of these items. I highly recommend this place!

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!

Tin Building - 96 South St, New York, NY 10038

I Just Want To Eat! 10/8/24 I Just Want To Eat! 10/8/24

Shalom Japan in Brooklyn

Shalom Japan in Williamsburg is an interesting find: there, married chefs and owners Aaron Israel and Sawako Okochi created a menu that merges their two cultures, Jewish and Japanese, giving a nice twist to both cultures, the most representative dish being their matzoh ball soup ramen that is made of chicken broth, wood ear mushrooms, scallions, nori, soy marinated egg (it is an add on), Mandel for some crunch and matzoh ball (I asked for a second one). This is a genius move considering the two dishes have commonalities: noodles and chicken broth. tasty and filling, I highly recommend this dish if you go there. For a more classic ramen, you can opt for the sesame temomi mazemen that is a cold soup served with shiitake mushrooms, shishito peppers, cucumbers, Shiso and you can also add a soy marinated egg to it. I admit that I prefer hot ramen, but found this really good, refreshing in fact.

Matzoh ball ramen at Shalom Japan in Brooklyn

Sesame Temomi mazemen at Shalom Japan in Brooklyn

For dessert, we could not miss their chocolate banana bread pudding that could have had more chocolate and was not as moist as I would have liked.

Chocolate banana challah bread pudding at Shalom Japan in Brooklyn

Overall, we had a nice meal at Shalom Japan: the food is interesting and most importantly, good. I would definitely go back to try other dishes like the wagyu pastrami sando or lox bowl.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Shalom Japan - 310 S 4th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

I Just Want To Eat! 9/22/24 I Just Want To Eat! 9/22/24

You cannot miss the Lobster pasta at Avra Estiatorio!

Years ago, I have tried the lobster pasta at Avra Estiatorio, a fancy Greek restaurant with several locations in New York and since then, I have been drooling just thinking about it. The last time I went there, they were offering the dish for market price at $75 a pound, plus $20 for the pasta that I thought was a bit pushing the envelop as they could have thrown the pasta for free for anyone ordering lobster! Anyway, we went there on a weekend for lunch and I saw it on the menu for $64. So, I decided to go for it. Served with linguine in a light tomato sauce, there was a lot of lobster and they sure know how to cook it. It is not a huge dish and an appetizer was welcome. We decided to share the fried saganaki (do not expect them to flambe it at the table, shouting “Opa” as the flames go up though). The cheese was sublime, crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside. I would mention that they brought us some hummus and homemade pita and cracker that I ate while sipping my mocktail, the Greek Sunrise, made with lime, orange, pineapple, soda and grenadine. Sadly, Jodi got their Greek salad that was expensive and disappointing, the tomatoes being mushy.

Lobster pasta at Avra Estiatorio in NYC, NY

Hummus and pita at Avra Estiatorio in NYC, NY

Greek salad at Avra Estiatorio in NYC, NY

Greek Sunrise at Avra Estiatorio in NYC, NY

Needless to say that I had no room for dessert…But I was glad I got to go back to Avra Estiatorio to get that lobster pasta that is a must have if you love lobster.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Avra Espiatorio - 1271 6th Ave, New York, NY 10020

I Just Want To Eat! 9/6/24 I Just Want To Eat! 9/6/24

Mashed Burgers in Hoboken, NJ

Smashed burgers are becoming a trend. It’s true that because of the way they are cooked, the taste will be a bit more pronounced, especially when the edges are slightly crispy and caramelized. So, after 7th Street Burger (my least favorite) and Dipped’n Smashed (my top burger joint) opened, I thought that would be it. This was until Mashed Burgers opened a couple of weeks ago, replacing Bareburger that suddenly closed. So we had to try it. The decor at Mashed is colorful and you cannot...

Arcade games at Mashed Burgers in Hoboken, NJ

So, after ordering on their point of sale (I love when they have those, so you can take your time to order and can see the various options offered for your burger - with extra sauce, extra cheese, no onion, etc), we sat at the table, waiting for them to bring our food. I admit that, when my double OKC burger came to the table, I did not find it that appetizing, the sauce looking like it sat a bit before being served. Made with shaved grilled onions, American cheese, pickles and Mash sauce., I thought the burger was quite good, juicy for sure, the bottom of the bun being a bit greasy. Jodi got their Mash Impossible burger, without onion, that had more or less the same ingredients as mine, with American cheese, pickles and Mash sauce. This was also good, although for me, a double patty is preferable so the ratio bun to meat is in favor of the later.

OKC burger at Mashed Burgers in Hoboken, NJ

Impossible burger at Mashed Burgers in Hoboken, NJ

With it, we had some fries that were crispy, but definitely not my favorite, and some delicious onion rings that I am always looking for when having a burger.

French fries at Mashed Burgers in Hoboken, NJ

Onion rings at Mashed Burgers in Hoboken, NJ

I also got an Oreo cookie milkshake that had big pieces of cookies on top, but needed more ice cream as very milky.

Oreo milkshake at Mashed Burgers in Hoboken, NJ

Overall, this was good, but I admit that I still prefer Dipped’n Smashed. This would probably come second with Shake Shack. I will have to go back to try their foot chicken sandwich and their churro that is an interesting dessert they are proposing there!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Mashed - 515 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 9/4/24 I Just Want To Eat! 9/4/24

Byrd in Hoboken, NJ

Don’t be mistaken by its name: Byrd is not specialized in cooking volatiles many ways, but is a nod to the American polar explorer, Richard Byrd, with their logo being the Arctic Tern. Yes, it is Byrd with a “y”. Located off the beaten path, it is one of those fancy restaurants in Hoboken that are worth a little walk. There, Chefs and owners Ehren and Nadine Ryan serve an array of interesting dishes to share or not, starting with snacks like their bbq'd Matake mushroom skewers smothered in soy caramel glaze that are a must have, and so is their chef's midnight snack that is sourdough bread topped with (lots of) brie and pickled red onions. Less successful is their lemon labneh that had too much lemon in it that completely overpowers the dish.

Sourdough and brie at Byrd in Hoboken, NJ

These “snacks” are perfect with a drink and they have a nice selection of wines or cocktails. I tried both their Negroni that you can have with gin or bourbon (I chose the latter) and their Grenache Rose, a cote du Rhone Domaine de la Bastide. Jodi. got their Non #1, a non-alcoholic beverage made with raspberry, chamomile, and Murray river salt, as well as their lemonade.

Grenache Rose, Cote du Rhone at Byrd in Hoboken, NJ

For their entrees, we tried their roasted cauliflower served with tahini sauce, hazelnut gremolata and herbs, as well as their NY strip that was topped with herb butter. The steak was quite good, cooked as ordered, but I was a bit disappointed by the skin on fries that were certainly frozen. The most surprising dish was their duck leg confit with red curry sauce: the duck was superb, the skin slightly crispy and the meat falling off the bone, bathed in a delicious sauce and accompanied by green beans and rice.

Roasted cauliflower at Byrd in Hoboken, NJ

Dessert is not to be missed, although their dessert menu is small. The best is their chocolate mousse that is served with olive oil madeleines: interestingly, they put a dollop of olive oil on the chocolate mousse, that was quite nice, pairing well with the chocolate. Their homemade chocolate chip cookies are also good, with lots of chocolate chips in it, but I wish they served it with a small glass of milk…

Chocolate mousse and olive oil madeleines at Byrd in Hoboken, NJ

Chocolate chip cookies at Byrd in Hoboken, NJ

Our meals at Byrd have been pretty good. This is a great place for a nice dinner and I wonder if they will open for brunch as I am sure they would offer a unique menu, as unique as their 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!

Byrd - 800 Jackson St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 8/19/24 I Just Want To Eat! 8/19/24

Sushi and Co in Time Square

I don’t know if you have noticed but there are more and more Japanese restaurant that are based on the principle of make your own box rather than just taking some pre-made items. Sushi and Co is one of them, with already three located in the city. The one I visited opened several weeks ago in the heart of Time Square in New York City.

So, first you need to decide which option you want to make your own. There are definitely lots of choices, from making your own teriyaki bento (that I did with air baked salmon teriyaki, avocado salad, eel avocado maki and shrimp tempura maki), sushi and roll box (2 rolls, 4 nigiri sushi and a salad), or 4 roll box (4 rolls and a salad) that is apparently their most popular with the sushi mix and match (3 rolls and a salad). Then you pick the rolls (California, spicy tuna, salmon and avocado, tuna and avocado, Philadelphia, yellowtail, shrimp tempura, eel and avocado or vegetable) or the nigiri (tuna, salmon, shrimp, yellowtail, gold tuna - that is tuna with a gold leaf on top- or eel). For salads, you can pick between avocado (that I always choose), mixed greens, edamame, seaweed or sashimi.

Sushi teriyaki mix and match at Sushi and Co in Time Square

Sushi teriyaki mix and match box at Sushi and Co in Time Square

Avocado salad at Sushi and Co in Time Square

Eel avocado maki at Sushi and Co in Time Square

Air baked salmon at Sushi and Co in Time Square

Shrimp tempura maki at Sushi and Co in Time Square

You can also choose their Omakase box where you have to pick 8 nigiri or sashimi, as well as a salad. So, I went for all the choices they had (6 of them: tuna, salmon, tuna with gold leaf (not really necessary), shrimp, eel and yellowtail) and picked another eel and salmon, with an avocado salad.

Shrimp and yellowtail nigiri at Sushi and Co in Time Square

Salmon and tuna with gold leaf nigiri at Sushi and Co in Time Square

Salmon and tuna nigiri at Sushi and Co in Time Square

Tuna with gold leaf and salmon nigiri at Sushi and Co in Time Square

Eel nigiri at Sushi and Co in Time Square

You can also just order rolls like avocado rolls or vegetable dumplings that are pretty good.

Avocado rolls at Sushi and Co in Time Square

Vegetable dumplings at Sushi and Co in Time Square

Overall it was good, but I thought some of it was a bit pricey. Still, the fact that you can mix and match makes choices quite unlimited and so, exciting. I would not mind going back to try their soup or special rolls.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Sushi and Co - 1407 Broadway, New York, NY 10018

I Just Want To Eat! 8/5/24 I Just Want To Eat! 8/5/24

Paris Baguette in Hoboken, NJ

Paris Baguette opened few weeks ago in Hoboken. This South Korean bakery that opened in first location in 1988 proposes a French inspired offering. But I admit that I would probably not go there for a croissant or chocolate croissant that are good but would be better with more butter, preferring more their pain aux raisins or their chocolate twist that is slightly crunchy and buttery, their sugar twist, their Pastéis de Nata that is a Portuguese egg tart, or, more French, the palmier that is one of the best I had, being buttery and nicely caramelized. They also have their own interpretation of the Cronut, an hybrid between a croissant and a donut, created years ago by Chef Dominique Ansel. Theirs was filled with a delicious vanilla cream and topped with a lemon cream and some zest: fantastic. I should also mention their sticky milk buns that are presented in a small loaf of deliciousness.

Croissant at Paris Baguette in Hoboken, NJ

Pain au chocolat at Paris Baguette in Hoboken, NJ

Pain aux raisins at Paris Baguette in Hoboken, NJ

Chocolate twist at Paris Baguette in Hoboken, NJ

Croissant donut at Paris Baguette in Hoboken, NJ

Sugar twist at Paris Baguette in Hoboken, NJ

Sticky milk bun at Paris Baguette in Hoboken, NJ

Palmier at Paris Baguette in Hoboken, NJ

Pasteis de nata at Paris Baguette in Hoboken, NJ

My least favorite is the almond croissant that has almond cream in it, quite liquid and not as good as frangipane, and their jumbo twist that is topped with a crunch rice topping and cinnamon sugar. Not as good as the sugar twist that reminds me a beignet called a chichi that I used to eat in France.

Almond croissant at Paris Baguette in Hoboken, NJ

Jumbo twist at Paris Baguette in Hoboken, NJ

I still have a lot to try at Paris Baguette, including their…baguette. We tried to go there for lunch, but thought that their offerings are more limited, for example the only salad that day was a salmon salad and no vegetarian sandwich. I will try again!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Paris Baguette - 1000 Maxwell Ln, Hoboken, NJ 07030

Sponsored post: Damascus Chef Knife from Sakuto

I Just Want To Eat! 7/29/24 I Just Want To Eat! 7/29/24

The Kitchen Table at The Modern in NYC

Adjacent to The Moma, The Modern is probably the most underrated two Michelin stars restaurant in the City. I do not know why. Anyway, we were looking for a place to celebrate our anniversary when we saw that they offer a unique experience that any food enthusiast would appreciate: a table in the kitchen that gives you an inside look to what happens in the kitchen. I have been to Michelin star kitchens before, from Noma in Denmark to Maison Pic in France, without forgetting Eleven Madison Park, and have always been impressed by the calm and organization of the kitchen staff, only disturbed by tickets being called, followed by a “oui” Chef shouted in unison. It is simply mesmerizing and the kitchen at The Modern is no different: organized in three sections: dining room, pastry and bar room, the 30 or so staff there were working like a well oiled machine while 30 other people where preparing the next service (we went for lunch).

The $345 menu is a suprise: they ask you for any dietary restrictions and anything you do not like, but that’s it: Executive Chef Thomas Allan and his team will decide what to serve you with some classics like their eggs on eggs on eggs or their dry aged duck, each dish being like a piece of art carefully crafted. Here is what we had:

They started by bringing us an amaretto flavored kombucha from Brooklyn to prepare our palate, as we were waiting for our drinks. We also got a mocktail for Jodi (Ko-Pilot, made with a non-alcoholic Duche de Longueville sparkling cider, Yuzu, maple and sea salt) and cocktail for me (First World, made with Mezcal, Falernum that is a Caribbean syrup, vermouth, verjus and green chartreuse, that is what made me decide to go with this cocktail, lemon and fleur de sel that was on the side of the glass). I also had, later in the meal, a nice 2022 Roger Belland Chassagne Montrachet that was a bit of a bet as I did not know what they would serve, but could not resist a pinot noir!

Amaretto flavored Kombuchar at The Kitchen Table at The Modern

Ko-Pilot mocktail at The Kitchen Table at The Modern

First World cocktail at The Kitchen Table at The Modern

2022 Roger Belland Chassagne Montrachet wine at The Kitchen Table at The Modern

Then started the 8 course menu that was more 10 with the add-ons…Here is what we had with, on the left, the vegetarian dishes for Jodi:

Amuse bouche:

Beets and lovage:

Hiramasa or yellow tail and elderflower:

Hiram's or yellow tail with elderflower at The Kitchen Table at The Modern

Beluga lentils eggs on eggs on eggs:

Asparagus, green tomatoes, avocado ice cream and burrata:

Asparagus green tomatoes and burrata at The Kitchen Table at The Modern

Endive with grilled sugar snap peas and morel mushroom broth:

Endived with sugar snap peas at The Kitchen Table at The Modern

Caviar eggs on eggs on eggs:

Chilled lobster, green tomato, avocado ice cream and burrata:

Chilled lobster green tomatoes and burrata at The Kitchen Table at The Modern

Sea bass with grilled English peas and mushroom broth:

Sea bass with English peas at The Kitchen Table at The Modern

Agnolotti with artichoke, sorrel and black truffle from Australia, a treat from the Chef:

Agnolotti with artichoke and black truffle at The Kitchen Table at The Modern

Grilled Summer squash with poached cherries and chanterelles:

Grilled Summer squash at The Kitchen Table at The Modern

Confit eggplant with squash blossom and saffron:

Confit eggplant at The Kitchen Table at The Modern

Dry aged duck with poached cherries and summer squash:

Dry aged duck at The Kitchen Table at The Modern

American Wagyu beef with creamy chanterelles and parmesan:

American Wagyu beef at The Kitchen Table at The Modern

Frozen Almond with cucumber and passion fruit to clean our palate:

Frozen almond with cucumber and passion fruit at The Kitchen Table at The Modern

Raspberry and pistachio ice cream compliment of the Chef:

Raspberry and pistachio ice cream at The Kitchen Table at The Modern

Dark Chocolate tart with blueberries and sunflower:

Dark chocolate tart at The Kitchen Table at The Modern

Cheesecake ice cream, strawberries, brown sugar:

Cheese cake ice cream at The Kitchen Table at The Modern

Last, they brought us some banana toffee that were the last thing I could eat after such meal. Everything was delicious, my favorite being the duck that was perfectly cooked, the skin being crispy and deliciously fatty, as well as the pasta that surprised me, not because of the truffle, but because, when I heard “artichoke”, I was not sure what to expect. Being in the kitchen you can of course expect a top notch service, but it was even better: this was true hospitality, everyone making us feel comfortable, in a setting that was not stuffy at all. I definitely recommend it if you can afford 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!

The Kitchen Table at The Modern - 9 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019

I Just Want To Eat! 7/8/24 I Just Want To Eat! 7/8/24

Koocheh Coffee in Hoboken, NJ

Replacing City of Saints, Koocheh Coffee, opened few weeks ago in Hoboken. In Persian architecture, a Kucheh or Koocheh is a narrow alley that suits well this small place for sure. At Koocheh coffee, you get classic offerings of a coffee place, but there are few additional choices that are worth trying: chai that you can see more and more on menus, that, even if made from a syrup, is quite good, and their turmeric latte that Koocheh’s owner, Babak Moghaddam, told me is made with turmeric imported from his native Iran. Turmeric drinks has a quite interesting taste: creamy, earthy, very slightly sweet, some say that it taste like chai that is not the case at all. When it comes to pastries, they get theirs from Baltazar: croissants, chocolate croissants, almond croissants, etc.

Breakfast at Koocheh Coffee in Hoboken, NJ

Chocolate croissant at Koocheh Coffee in Hoboken, NJ

Croissant at Koocheh Coffee in Hoboken, NJ

Almond croissant at Koocheh Coffee in Hoboken, NJ

After Bwe, this is the second “persian coffee shop” in Hoboken. It is always nice to see family owned shops opening instead of another corporate one. Koocheh Coffee is a nice addition to the neighborhood and I wish Babak all the best for his business!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Koocheh Coffee - 1320 Bloomfield St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 7/5/24 I Just Want To Eat! 7/5/24

Carmine, family style dinner in Times Square

Italian family style restaurants always remind me when I brought my family who came from France for our wedding to Tony Di Napoli for a welcome dinner. We not only had fun with my family singing what I would just call classic French celebratory songs (I will not give more details but you can guess that there was some good ambiance in the restaurant), but the food was delicious (if you go, get the meatballs). So, I was looking forward to going to Carmine in Times Square. We were 7 people and had to wait just a bit for a table, the big restaurant being packed. Packed and loud, very loud, to the point that dessert was not even an option for me: I just wanted to get out! And it was not the only issue: we were a bit pushed to order more food than what we needed, our waiter, who by the way did not check on us after we were served, telling us that the eggplant parm we ordered was small, more like a side, that was not true at all. At least you can bring food home, but I do not like this kind of dishonest method. The eggplant parmesan was just ok, and I preferred the chicken marsala, or the appetizers we had previously: fried zucchini that is always a decadent way to eat that vegetable, or the spiedini all romana that is a roasted Italian loaf that is toasted and covered with melted mozzarella cheese in a capers, anchovies, basil and white wine reduction. At least we had good company, but I admit that Tony Di Napoli remains my favorite for Italian family style in Times Square.

Fried zucchini at Carmine in Times Square

Spiedoni alla romana at Carmine in Times Square

Eggplant parmesan at Carmine in Times Square

Chicken marsala at Carmine in Times Square

Enjoy (…)!

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

Carmine - 200 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036

I Just Want To Eat! 7/1/24 I Just Want To Eat! 7/1/24

Uncle Momo, French-Lebanese restaurant in Jersey City

Uncle Momo in Jersey CityUncle Momo in Jersey City

We passed in front of Uncle Momo many times and decided to try that place for brunch on a Saturday. The result? We went back several times for lunch and dinner, the food being very good. We mostly tried their Lebanese dishes, some being served with their house made pita that is superb and is a must have (you can order it for $1), perfect with hummus or babaganouj. If you are vegetarian, they do have a falafel platter (these falafel are light and crispy), but my favorite is the Momo’s breakfast that is composed of two eggs over easy, served with hummus, tabouleh, labne, home fries and mixed greens. They also do propose other eggs dishes, like the Parisian Omelet, or crepes, that are pretty good, made with quinoa flour that has a nice slight nutty flavor, but, a classic not to miss is their French toast: the challah bread is slightly crispy on the outside, soft and custardy, topped with fruits and accompanied with creme anglaise and maple syrup.

Falafel platter at Uncle Momo in Jersey City

Parisian omelet at Uncle Momo in Jersey City

Crepes scrambled eggs and Swiss cheese at Uncle Momo in Jersey City

Breakfast platter at Uncle Momo in Jersey City

Crepe scrambled eggs and Swiss cheese at Uncle Momo in Jersey City

French toast at Uncle Momo in Jersey City

My least favorite there was their regular pitza that, celebrate what some say is the origin of pizza: in Naples, pita was thrown into wood fire ovens to clean them and someone had the idea to put tomato sauce and cheese on top and serve it. No, the pizza was not as good as what you would get in a pizza shop: the sauce is a bit bland and the tomato sauce, that is what I always look for in pizza, lacking robustness. Maybe the ones with lamb and chicken are better and tastier, but it did not make me want to try more.

For non-vegetarian, they also have a wide range of dishes. if you are not sure what to try, the mixed grill is a good way to try their grilled chicken, lamb chops, Lebanese sausage and lamb kebab. Everything was delicious, tasty and juicy, but my favorite is their Lebanese sausage, or Makanek, that reminded me of mergez sausage, although it was made with ground beef instead of lamb. Served with hummus, pita and fries, it is a dish I would get over and over. I should also mention their lamb kofta kebab, that is made as a sandwich, wrapped in their delicious pita with tahini and onions: I recommend it if you love lamb.

Mixed grill at Uncle Momo in Jersey City

Lamb kofta kebab sandwich at Uncle Momo in Jersey City

This place does not have a liquor license, so it is BYOB, but they propose few mocktails that are refreshing, like the virgin mojito or Pina colada. For brunch, they do offer classics: espresso, macchiato, americano, or mint tea, but also serve a decent chai or Turkish coffee, and an interesting baklava coffee that I found too sweet.

Iced Americano at Uncle Momo in Jersey City

Turkish coffee at Uncle Momo in Jersey City

Baklava coffee at Uncle Momo in Jersey City

Now, you are probably wondering if they serve desserts. They do, but, each time, we were full and we only tried their Muhalabia that is a milk pudding that has the consistency close to a panna cotta, made with milk, heavy cream, rice flour, orange blossom, topped with a blueberry sauce and pistachios. Soft and light, not too sweet, it was a perfect way to end a meal.

Hopefully, with all these photos of delicious food, you understand now why we went many times to Uncle Momo. This place is worth a trip to Jersey City, being located few blocks from the path train. It is great for brunch or dinner. They have a large menu and we will for sure go back to try more!

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!

Uncle Momo - 289 Grove St, Jersey City, NJ 07302