I Just Want To Eat! 6/12/25 I Just Want To Eat! 6/12/25

Angelina Bakery in Times Square

Angelina Bakery, not to confuse with Angelina Paris (the place near Bryant Park with the amazing hot cocoa), is an homage by Tony Park, who is of Korean descent but was raised by an Italian family, to his grandmother Giuliana, who taught him cooking and baking, and his daughter Angelina who gave her name to the quickly expanding franchise. The location in Times Square opened a couple of months ago and is much better than the one they have on 8th avenue: brighter, more inviting and surely a perfect spot for business. There are really two things I love there: their bomboloni with Nutella and their croissant with Nutella. Yes, if you are a Nutella lover, this place is for you. The bomboloni does not have as much Nutella than the croissant that oozed of it as you start eating it. The croissants and by extension the chocolate croissants as this uses the same dough, are not the best I had, lacking the delicious buttery taste and slight crispiness on the outside, but Nutella eliminates that flaw. A good thing is that, if you want to try both croissant and bomboloni, you can order minis. I was also curious to try their donuts, but, although good, I would pass, getting better glazed donuts at Krispy Kreme or Dunkin.

Mini Nutella bomboloni at Angelina Bakery in Times Square

Mini nutella croissant at Angelina Bakery in Times Square

Glazed donut at Angelina Bakery in Times Square

Chocolate croissant at Angelina Bakery in Times Square

Nutella croissant at Angelina Bakery in Times Square

So, Angelina Bakery is great for breakfast, especially if you love Nutella, but they also have sandwiches and pizza that I never tried. I guess I will have to go back but will surely not resist topping my meal with a Nutella delicacy…

Enjoy (I did)!

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Angelina Bakery - Times Square Tower, W 41st St, New York, NY 10036

I Just Want To Eat! 6/9/25 I Just Want To Eat! 6/9/25

Lillie's Victorian: when Harry Potter meets afternoon tea

Dining at Lilli’s Victorian is like jumping into another dimension, but not just any, the one from Harry Potter. The entire decor reflects the magical world of the famous wizard: from the Hogwarts train station, to Dobby, to the giant Hagrid in the back who overlooks the dining room, as if he wanted to make sure all diners would behave. Lilli’s Victorian has an interesting menu, but what we wanted to try is their afternoon tea. For $50, you get assorted mini sweets (tier 1), scones with jam and pastries (tier 2) and sandwiches (tier 3). Two things happened when we ordered. First they told us that we need to choose two out of four sandwiches, a choice that is not indicated on their menu. That was fine, Jodi choosing the vegetarian ones, cucumber and honey mustard and egg salad with arugula, while I went for the prosciutto and fig jam, and the smoked salmon with cream cheese one. Then, we had to move tables because they realized that there was no way everything would fit on our tiny table. For tea, I chose the chamomile while Jodi went for the assam English. When the food came, we realized that, indeed, the first table would have been too small. There was a lot of food. The sandwiches were overall good, but the ratio of bread to filling was in favor of the former. Then, the menu said scones and we both only got a small scone with so much clotted cream. Yes, just one scone and then a bunch of sweets: crème brûlée, rugulach, lemon tart, macarons, danish…all of this leaving a sweet taste to my mouth. I admit that I wished they had more scones so the meal would be more a gradual succession from breakfast to lunch to dessert. It was good, but still, something was missing. We tried many afternoon teas in the city and this would not be on my top list. However, looking at the food people ordered, I would not mind going back…but not for the afternoon tea.

Enjoy (I still did)!

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Lillie’s Victorian - 13 E 17th St, New York, NY 10003

I Just Want To Eat! 6/5/25 I Just Want To Eat! 6/5/25

Brasserie Cognac, Midtown East, NYC

When one of the descendants of writer Victor Hugo (« Les Misérables ») joins forces with the Serafina group, you get one of my favorite French restaurants in the city: Brasserie Cognac. It is in 2008 that Chef Florian Hugo started this adventure that continues years later with the same quality and superb French flare. Brunch or dinner are equally delicious, with dishes like the soufflé that are perfect any time of the day. Their cheese soufflé ($34) is definitely recommended: fluffy and cheesy, with a delicious golden crust. It is a rare dish to see on a menu, besides of course, the classic chocolate soufflé, and they execute it perfectly, reminding me a bit my childhood in France when my mom was making it for dinner, being less successful when it comes to the way the soufflé rises. For a smaller size appetizer, the gougères ($12 for 8), that are cheese puffs are quite addictive. A more common dish is the escargots ($21) that I always love, especially with bread that I dip eagerly into the delicious butter, garlic and parsley sauce. Or the mussels ($27): the mussels are prepared in a creamy white wine sauce where I dipped not bread, but the skinny fries that came with it (these are the kind I love: skinny, crispy on the outside and cooked all the way through). They have a few other vegetarian options besides the soufflé and gougères, like the goat cheese and tomato tart ($19) that is made with puff pastry, roasted tomatoes, thyme and goat cheese. A very provençal dish that was delicious.

Gougeres at Brasserie Cognac, Midtown East, NYC

Cheese soufflé at Brasserie Cognac, Midtown East, NYC

Mussels at Brasserie Cognac, Midtown East, NYC

For drinks, they have a full bar and good cocktails, but I only tried their Manhattan ($18) and a freshly squeezed orange juice for brunch.

Fresh squeezed orange juice at Brasserie Cognac, Midtown East, NYC

Manhattan at Brasserie Cognac, Midtown East, NYC

Dessert is not to be missed. Their île flottante ($14) or floating island is good, but although I would ditch the almonds, and their tart tatin ($16) superb, not too sweet, that is often the issue with this dessert.

Ile flottante at Brasserie Cognac, Midtown East, NYC

Tarte tatin at Brasserie Cognac, Midtown East, NYC

So, after all these years, Cognac continues to serve a delicious French fare in a relaxed atmosphere. 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!Brasserie Cognac - 517 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10017

I Just Want To Eat! 6/2/25 I Just Want To Eat! 6/2/25

What is so special at the 2nd Avenue Deli?

The 2nd Avenue Deli is one of these iconic Jewish delicatessen that do not age. The food is simply comforting, large portions being the main characteristic of such place. However, I love the fact that they offer a half sandwich and soup, even if for $28.95, it is a bit pricey. For soups, I prefer the matzo ball over the borscht, the latter not being the best I ever had (Veselka it is). The matzo ball is light, bathed in a delicious chicken broth with pasta and carrots. A must have. Sandwich wise, they have a large offering and I admit that their hot pastrami that they smoke might be my favorite: it is fatty, soft, literally melting in your mouth. I also love the soft salami sandwich, but the effort is less impressive. Vegetarians can opt for the egg salad sandwich that is delicious, not over mayonnaised if I can make up a word.

Matzoh ball soup at 2nd Avenue Deli in NYC, NY

Egg sandwich at 2nd Avenue Deli in NYC, NY

Soft salami sandwich at 2nd Avenue Deli in NYC, NY

Pastrami sandwich at 2nd Avenue Deli in NYC, NY

The 2nd Avenue Deli remains one of my favorite deli in the city and I highly recommend it. But, if you go, try the pastrami.

Enjoy (I did)!

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2nd Avenue Deli - 1442 1st Ave, New York, NY 10021

I Just Want To Eat! 5/30/25 I Just Want To Eat! 5/30/25

Hot Pot at Shoo Loong Kan in Jersey City

We passed in front of Shoo Loong Kan in Jersey City so many times, with sometimes people waiting outside for a table, that we decided to give it a try on a windy and somewhat cold Saturday. We showed up at 12pm and got a table right away. Good, considering that 30 minutes later, the place was full. Meaning “Little Dragon Ridge”, It is named after a location in the Shapingba district of Chongqing, known for its mountainous terrain that looks like a dragon. Originating from the…

Sauce bar at Shoo Loong Kan in Jersey City

If you never had hot pot, know that it is a communal cooking experience, where you cook raw ingredients in a broth of your choice. More and more do you see individual pots as people may prefer different types of broth or have dietary restrictions and Shoo Loong Kan is no exception. The pot where the both sits is divided in one, two or three flavors. We went with two ($17.99), one vegetarian, that Jodi picked, that is mushroom based, while I got the pork rib broth. With it, you pick the meat or vegetables you want to mix up, knowing that this is not an all you can eat restaurant, so you pay for each. In fact, you also pay $5.98 for the sauce bar that I admit had nothing extraordinary, especially after trying Shani House AYCE in Fort Lee that had an incredible variety. Here is what we had: sweet potato noodles ($4.99), rice cake sticks ($4.99), shiitake mushrooms ($5.99), stir fried bean curd rolls ($4.99), spinach ($4.99) and Kobe beef ($15.99). The portions were pretty generous and we dumped in the broth all the ingredients at the exception of the meat that cooks quickly and that I always hold with the chopsticks while dipping in the hot broth so to not lose the meat in it. Then, it is like a game, retrieving what you want to eat in the broth, that is not always easy, or you can just use the ladle and pour some of the broth and veggies in a bowl, eating it like a soup. The sauce bar comes with few cookies that were pretty good, and we had a choice of a vanilla, chocolate or strawberry ice cream included with the meal.

Brean curd rolls at Shoo Loong Kan in Jersey City

rice cake sticks at Shoo Loong Kan in Jersey City

Shiitake mushrooms at Shoo Loong Kan in Jersey City

Sweet potato noodles at Shoo Loong Kan in Jersey City

Kobe beef at Shoo Loong Kan in Jersey City

Pork broth at Shoo Loong Kan in Jersey City

Mushroom broth at Shoo Loong Kan in Jersey City

Overall, Shoo Loong Kan was pretty good, not as good and pricier than the Shabu House AYCE I mentioned before, that is my favorite, but still, a good pot to indulge in a fun experience.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Shoo Loon Kan - 253 Washington Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302

I Just Want To Eat! 5/27/25 I Just Want To Eat! 5/27/25

Lolita in NYC, NY

We recently discovered Lolita in Midtown Manhattan. This place, that serves Mexican food has quite an amazing decor, vibrant and bohemian chic that make it a hot spot for a happy hour. Well, talking about happy hour, it extends until 7pm on Fridays, which were the days we visited them, so we took advantage of it for their margarita ($12) and empanada de platano ($7 for two). They do have other cocktails, like The Jerk, that, just because of the name, I had to order. It had so many components: with vodka, banana, lime, strawberry, ginger, allspice, jerk bitters, scotch bonnet and is carbonated (hopefully, I did not forget anything). It is as they describe it like a clarified and refreshing highball with notes of Caribbean fruits and spices. And for sure, they are generous with the vodka! Anyway, being in a Mexican restaurant, we had to try their guacamole that was pretty good, mild, although I like mine with a bit of avocado chunks. Another appetizer I really enjoyed was their Ostiones Asados or roasted oysters, prepared with gremolata, garlic butter, ancho chile and cotija cheese. I love roasted oysters, that are a good option if you do not like shucking a live seafood in your mouth. These large oysters were delicious, and spicy! Definitely to try. Jodi had their huitlacoche quesadilla (Oaxaca cheese, mushrooms, huitlacoche, roasted corn and salsa macha crema) that was earthy and I also got their Baja style fish tacos, made with battered cod, charred jalapeño aioli, avocado and a citrus slaw. This was a pretty good taco, the fish being crispy and flakey, the whole thing being packed in flavor. A must have. The only entree I got was their pollo enchiladas that was served with a delicious mole (I do not know if they make it, mole being a quite complex sauce).

Empanada de platano at Lolita in NYC, NY

Huilacoche quesadilla at Lolita in NYC, NY

Of course we had to have dessert. They have two: bunuelos that are beignets and a tres leches. I, for sure, preferred the former that were addictive: slightly crispy, pillowy on the inside, I did not need any sauce with it. The tres leches was good, but the center was not that soaked in that delicious milk combination.

Overall, we had a good dinners at Lolita: the food is great, in an amazing decor and nice atmosphere. The back room, away from the bar, is a great spot, as not as noisy, in case you want to give it a try.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Lolita - 45 West 45th Street, New York, NY 10036

I Just Want To Eat! 5/22/25 I Just Want To Eat! 5/22/25

Court Street in Hoboken, NJ

We discovered Court Street many years ago but never went back until recently, for restaurant week, where I thought that they did an excellent job serving dishes that make you want to go back, capturing the spirit of the event. And we did go back. Serving hungry diners for more than 40 years, its bar is always full of people having drinks or eating on the high top tables, but I prefer their dining room, located in the back, that is quieter. The food there is very good, with a long list of daily specials. I mean long. Issue is: everything sounds good and you are a bit overwhelmed by all these choices, knowing that you cannot order the entire menu. Right? So, for restaurant week, I tried their French onion soup ($10) that had lots of cheese in it, definitely opening my appetite. I then got their coq au vin ($26) that is chicken braised in a red wine sauce. with mushrooms and onions, another French classic. It was served with vegetables and potato au gratin. I am going to stop there because this is worth mentioning. When you order some of the entrees, they propose several sides with the vegetables of the day. So, coming from an area in France known for its potato au gratin called « gratin dauphinois », I could not resist trying this. It was fantastic, to the point that, when I went back and got their rack of lamb ($40), I asked them to skip the veggies and only serve me that side. There was a bit of a mix up with my order, so I ended up with both the veggies and, to my satisfaction, a double portion of potato au gratin. The lamb was good though! Prepared with rosemary and garlic, there was a lot of it and it was perfecty cooked medium. Jodi got their eggplant parmigiana that was just ok and their arugula and goat cheese salad. Before I move to desserts and cocktails, I should mention their baked brie ($13) that is served over baby greens with apples, pears and had a honey dijon dressing: it is a must have if you love cheese.

French onion soup at Court Street in Hoboken, NJ

Baked brie at Court Street in Hoboken, NJ

Rack of lamb at Court Street in Hoboken, NJ

Potato au gratin at Court Street in Hoboken, NJ

Coq au vin at Court Street in Hoboken, NJ

Arugula and goat cheese salad at Court Street in Hoboken, NJ

Eggplant parm at Court Street in Hoboken, NJ

With our meals, I got cocktails: the first one was the Catcher in the Rye that is made with Bulleit Rye, Red Dubonnet, cointreau and bitters ($15) and their Negroni made with gin, Campari and Vermouth ($14).

Catcher in the rye cocktail at Court Street in Hoboken, NJ

Desserts are homemade and I loved their flourless chocolate truffle cake over their coconut custard pie, the chocolate cake being fudgey and decadent, while the coconut custard pie was a bit dry. I should mention that all desserts are homemade.

Flourless chocolate truffle cake at Court Street in Hoboken, NJ

Coconut custard pie at Court Street in Hoboken, NJ

Overall, our meals at Court Street were pretty good. This is definitely a great place to know and, if you go, get that potato au gratin!

Enjoy (I did)!

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Court Street - 61 6th St. Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 5/19/25 I Just Want To Eat! 5/19/25

The Biscuit Babe in Hoboken, NJ

The biscuit Babe in Hoboken is a recent addition to the food scene in the mile square city, opening March 2025 and shy of two months in operation when I visited them. Replacing D’s Soul Food Cafe, the space is quite nice, bright and beautifully decorated, with inspiring quotes on the wall that you can read as your mind wanders. Biscuits is their specialty and, of course, I had to try their BBL Drizzly fried chicken with honey butter, even if it was only 8am…The sandwich looked amazing, the reddish, shiny fried chicken pieces dripping in honey butter, being squeezed between a nicely made biscuit. It was a bit messy to eat because the fried chicken pieces fell off as the biscuit broke from the pressure of my fingers, trying to keep everything together and, most importantly, trying to get a good bite if it. But it is definitely worth the mess and sticky fingers. We also had their biscuit with butter and jam, as well as their cinnamon biscuit that was quite good, even if the frosting was not fully done, having lumps of confectioner’s sugar here and there.

Biscuit and jam at The Biscuit Babe in Hoboken, NJ

Fried chicken sandwich at The Biscuit Babe in Hoboken, NJ

Cinnamon biscuit at The Biscuit Babe in Hoboken, NJ

The Biscuit Babe is a nice addition to the Hoboken food scene, with interesting offering on their menu, that I will definitely try in the future.

Enjoy (I did)!

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The Biscuit Babe - 918 Willow Ave, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 5/15/25 I Just Want To Eat! 5/15/25

Hani's Bakery in New York, NY

Hani’s Bakery is one of these spots that get a crazy amount of attention on social media, whether it is Tik Tok or Instagram, with people raving about one of two things that are absolutely to try. So, on a day I was off, we decided to see for ourselves. As it was a weekday, there was no line and the place was not that busy, although we saw many people stopping by to get some goods there. We ordered at the counter after a lengthy discussion about what to get, as everything looked good. We then sat at a booth, waiting for our drinks (double espresso for me and London Fog tea for Jodi). The food looked good and, after splitting everything evenly (1/3 for Jodi and 2/3 for me - yes, this is what I I would call evenly as Jodi only eats few bites compared to me and she was the one holding the knife), we tried first the cinnamon bun ($8), that I thought was good but not the best I ever had. Same for the triple chocolate chunk cookie ($8), Funny Face Bakery bring so good, that it ruined all other cookies for me! However, I really loved their paneer tikka pinwheel ($6.5) that is on the savory side and a good option for lunch: made with a croissant dough, it was crispy on the outside, buttery and not spicy, packed in flavor. Now, we had to try their best seller: their strawberry tart with passion fruit cream ($8.5). Made with croissant dough, I was not sure if I would like it, simply because of the passion fruit that can sometimes overpower a pastry and be too tart. This was not at all the case and this was sublime: first of all, these strawberries were delicious. It’s been a while since I had good strawberries, the one I found even in farmers markets lacking flavor. These were delightfully sweet, pairing perfectly with the crème pâtissière and its just perfect dosage of passion fruit, and the flakey and buttery crust. A must have.
So, it was a nice introduction to Hani’s Bakery, where I should also mention the very friendly staff who made us feel welcome. Their menu is original, but if there is one thing I would absolutely get there, it is their strawberry tart.

Cinnamon bun at Hani's Bakery in New York, NY

Paneer tikka pinwheel at Hani's Bakery in New York, NY

Triple chocolate chunk cookie at Hani's Bakery in New York, NY

Strawberry tart at Hani's Bakery in New York, NY

Enjoy (I did)!

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Hani’s Bakery - 67 Cooper Sq, New York, NY 10003

I Just Want To Eat! 5/12/25 I Just Want To Eat! 5/12/25

Product Review: Discover Japanese treats with the Sakuraco Box

One of the most memorable trips abroad was when we went to Japan few years ago, visiting Tokyo and Kyoto. I loved the food and the culture. An opportunity we got later on was getting a subscription to Tokyo Treat, where you receive a box on a monthly basis for a subscription, allowing you to discover, every time, new sweets or snacks. So, when ICHIGO.inc, the company of www.tokyotreat.com and Sakura.co contacted me to try their Sakuraco’s “Moonlit Sakura” box, I could not refuse. With a monthly subscription of $37.50 (with savings if subscribed for longer - for instance $33.50 for 6 months), you get, for very time, a different part of Japan featured. So, you never know what you are going to get, adding some excitement as your open the box. A small guide will describe the various snacks, sweets and teas you will be receiving that is very helpful as the packaging is in Japanese, describing each item in details and giving you some backstories of some of the local makers they promote. So, if you love Japan or are curious to try different food, check it out (this Youtube short will how you what was in the box - enjoy!)!

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

I Just Want To Eat! 5/8/25 I Just Want To Eat! 5/8/25

Does Oxomoco deserve a Michelin star?

I had Oxomoco in Greenpoint on my radar for a while, so, when I heard that they got awarded a Michelin Star, I had to definitely go and see for myself. Let me start with that strange name that refers in Aztec mythology to a deity associated with night, astrology and the calendar, and is said to be the first woman, akin to Eve. Isn’t food a good way to discover other cultures?
Anyway, we decided to go to Oxomoco for brunch, that is served also weekdays. The trip to Brooklyn was not too bad, a few stops on the E train and then a few on the G line, and Oxomoco is only few steps from the Greenpoint Avenue stop. The place is fairly big with a covered patio in the front and a beautiful bright dining room in the back dominated by a stunning bar. We started off with drinks: Jarritos grapefruit for Jodi and Paraiso tropical for me, a mocktail made with non-alcoholic tequila, pineapple, coconut and lime. Quite refreshing.

Dining room at Oxomoco in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Jarritos grapefruit juice at Oxomoco in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Paraiso tropical mocktail at Oxomoco in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Of course, we could not not try their guacamole ($21). When I asked if they could make it mild, I was surprised to hear that it was premade, with Serrano pepper seeds in it. You would think that in this sort of establishment they would make it fresh, but no. Regardless, it was very good, the smoked cherry tomatoes giving a bit of originality to a classic appetizer. Next was the polenta pan Frances ($25). Understand French toast. Topped with fig jam and cream, they drizzled a delicious burnt honey toffee on top. This was superb: the bread was perfectly soaked with caramelized sides. A must have. But my all time favorite was the lamb barbacoa tacos ($27). First of all, the dish looked beautiful, the squash blossom giving some elegance to the dish and contrasting well with the darker color of the homemade tortilla and lamb. And what a lamb: moist, with burnt ends that gave a slight crispiness to the meat, that, despite the spices and salsa pipicha, remained the star. I highly recommend it if you love lamb. Jodi got their Mushroom Tlayuda that is a vegetarian dish I would describe as a Mexican pizza or open face quesadilla. It was made with three sorts of mushrooms topped with mole chichilo and Oxomoco salsa. Good, crunchy, I just wish there were more mushrooms.

Guacamole at Oxomoco in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

French toast at Oxomoco in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Lamb barbacoa tacos at Oxomoco in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Mushroom tlayuda at Oxomoco in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Needless to say that we did not have dessert, the French toast being anyway the sweet course of our meal. This place has creative dishes, with a wide selection for vegetarians, an impeccable service in a relaxed atmosphere. So, yes, Oxomoco deserves a Michelin star!

Enjoy (I really did)!

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Oxomoco - 128 Greenpoint Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222

I Just Want To Eat! 5/5/25 I Just Want To Eat! 5/5/25

Forum Coffee in Hoboken, NJ

There is a new coffee shop in Hoboken, that seems to be the kind of businesses who wants to open in the mile square city considering how many have opened in the past few months or are scheduled to open. Question is: how many coffee shops do we need? I do not know and anyway decided to try anyway! So, Forum Coffee is new, replacing Cafe Amor, Hoboken being its third location. What makes Forum Coffee different is not their pastries that I found ok, having better chocolate croissant or pain aux raisins at Chocopain nearby, the coffee cake being probably what I would go for instead for something different. No, what makes them different is their specialty coffee where they propose French toast latte, cannoli latte, gingerbread latte, chocolate covered strawberry latte, or the creme brulee latte that I tried. Original, with a subtle taste of creme brûlée, I thought it was pretty good, the only negative being that they did not serve it in a cup so I could get a nicer presentation, similar to the photos on their website. But hey, the main thing is that it was good. So, would I go back to Forum Coffee? Sure, for their latte mainly.

Creme brulee latte and London fog tea at Forum Coffee in Hoboken, NJ

Creme brulee latte at Forum Coffee in Hoboken, NJ

Pain aux raisins at Forum Coffee in Hoboken, NJ

Chocolate croissant at Forum Coffee in Hoboken, NJ

Coffee cake at Forum Coffee in Hoboken, NJ

Enjoy (I did)!

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Forum Coffee - 123 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 5/1/25 I Just Want To Eat! 5/1/25

Is this the best lobster roll in New York?

It’s been a while since I visited one of the locations of Luke’s Lobster, that I once considered, with The Lobster Place in Chelsea Market, one of my favorite locations for a lobster roll. There are plenty of places proposing this divine dish, but I often end up with a roll that has too much celery, overpowering the entire thing, or the lobster is overcooked. So, after going to Angelo Seafood Market in Hoboken, I decided to pay the one in the garment district a visit. But, instead of having a lobster roll, I decided to go for their flight that consist of three half rolls, so you can sample the lemon butter, spicy honey butter and truffle butter variations. You get that flight for $40, with chips and any soda (beer is extra). The rolls came fairly quickly and the brioche bread was totally submerged by the generous portion of lobster. I liked the three preparations, none of them overpowering the perfectly cooked lobster. So, yes, $40 is a bit pricey, but at least there is a good amount of lobster and you leave with a happy stomach. Therefore, I’ll keep Luke’s Lobster on my list of favorite places for lobster rolls.

Lobster roll flight at
Luke’s Lobster in NYC, NY

Lemon butter lobster roll at
Luke’s Lobster in NYC, NY

Hot honey butter at
Luke’s Lobster in NYC, NY

Truffle butter lobster roll at
Luke’s Lobster in NYC, NY

Enjoy (I really did)!

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Luke’s Lobster - 1407 Broadway, New York, NY 10018

I Just Want To Eat! 4/28/25 I Just Want To Eat! 4/28/25

Tipsy Shanghai in the East Village

With a location in the east village, Tipsy Shanghai is a true find. Serving Chinese food in a beautiful decor, the dining room being decorated with tons of ornaments to remind you where you are eating, this place has an extensive menu. But there are few things that are a must have. The Wuxi pork ribs ($18) is definitely one, with a recipe that was passed from generation to generation since 1905. These ribs literally fell off the bone. Then there is the crab xialong dumplings ($7.95 for 4), pork and crab soup dumplings that are now a popular item in so many places. Although the thin shell broke a bit when I took them from the bamboo basket, they were deliciously fatty, as expected. Of course we had to have scallion pancakes that were a bit crunchy and crystal shrimp dumplings ($6.95 for 4) that were also pretty good. Jodi got vegetable buns($7.95 for 3) and dumplings ($8.95 for 6) that had a nice filling, but were not my favorites.

Wuxi ribs at Tipsy Shanghai in the East Village

Pork and crab dumplings at Tipsy Shanghai in the East Village

Shrimp dumplings at Tipsy Shanghai in the East Village

Scallion pancakes at Tipsy Shanghai in the East Village

Fried vegetables dumplings at Tipsy Shanghai in the East Village

Vegetables buns at Tipsy Shanghai in the East Village

We finished the meal with creamy custard buns ($5.59 for 3) that were good, quite hot, with a nice eggy custard in the middle. Good, but not the best I had for sure, loving the ones at Dim Sum Palace that are creamier.

Creamy egg buns at Tipsy Shanghai in the East Village

Overall it was a good meal and Tipsy Shanghai should be on your list if you are craving Chinese food and in the area.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Tipsy Shanghai - 104 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

I Just Want To Eat! 4/24/25 I Just Want To Eat! 4/24/25

Diner 24 in NYC, NY

Opened in May last year, Diner 24 is trying to differentiate itself from an unfortunately dying breed of diners in the city. How? By serving big portions and crazy milkshakes. So I had to check it out and left perplexed: not that I was surprised that the huevos rancheros would just be ok in a diner (yes, they were and interestingly, our neighboring table ordered the same and the presentation was a bit different, with avocado on top; probably forgotten by the kitchen on our side), but I found that the 12oz double smashed burger they were offering, although it looked dry at first, was really good. The meat was juicy and nicely caramelized, with crispy bits on the outside. However, the onion ring that was on top of the patty was a bit soggy, as were the fries that were the worst I had in a long time. Then came the milkshake. I settled for the Oreo s’mores one that was topped with an ice cream bar and cake pop (not a big fan), and decorated with fudge and sprinkles. When it came to the table, the toasted marshmallow just fell down immediately on the plate, so I cannot even say what it is supposed to look like. It either sat there before being served or they heated the ice cream while toasting it, causing this slide. The shake in itself was not as expected: the ice cream bar was tasteless and I could not find any pieces of Oreos. The $22 price tag was not worth it and I had better Oreo milkshakes for a lesser price.

Cakes and milkshake display at Diner 24 in NYC, NY

Oreo S’mores milkshake at Diner 24 in NYC, NY

So, I was a bit disappointed, even if the burger was good. Diner 24 is not a place I would love to go back to.

Enjoy (...)!

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Diner 24 - 283 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10010

I Just Want To Eat! 4/21/25 I Just Want To Eat! 4/21/25

Koi Bryant Park in NYC

Located in the posh Bryant Park Hotel, Koi serves an elevated Asian menu that is definitely worth a visit, even if a bit pricey. I should mention that they have a vegan menu that is not brought systematically to the table and you would need to ask for it. Of course, you can get a miso soup or some edamame, but I suggest the crispy rice that is in essence a sushi made with crispy rice that they propose with spicy tuna, yellow fin tartare or truffle avocado that is what we ordered. It is at this place that we tried crispy rice for the first time, many years ago, and we are never disappointed: you get the crispiness of the rice mixed with the creaminess of the avocado that has a subtle truffle taste that fills your nose as they bring the dish. Another vegan dish that is on that menu, in their signature section is their vegan dragon roll, made with shiitake, sweet potato, tofu, avocado and soy paper. This was quite good, and the kind of roll that I would see myself eating, even if I am not vegan. But I admit that my favorite is their creamy shrimp tempura that had a shell deliciously crispy, hiding a perfectly cooked shrimp. A must have.

Crispy rice avocado at Koi Bryant Park in NYC

Vegan dragon roll at Koi Bryant Park in NYC

Creamy shrimp tempura at Koi Bryant Park in NYC

For entrees, I tried their lobster that was perfectly made, topped with a sake truffle butter, as well as their duck that was delicious, the skin being nicely fatty and slightly crispy. My only regret is that I did not order a side with it as it was only served with roasted shishito peppers that were good, but could have been mixed with other vegetables.

Before talking about dessert, I should mention their cocktails that are quite creative. The Sun-toki one with Japanese Toki whisky, blood orange puree, spices and crushed pepper was superb, as was the Samurai with also Toki whisky, muddled ginger and yuzu sake for a nice acidity. But if you do not drink alcohol, they have several mocktails like the Oh! So Lychee! with lychee puree, cranberry and vanilla extract that was refreshing an as good as the others (you cannot go wrong with lychee!).

Sun-Toki cocktail at Koi Bryant Park in NYC

Samurai cocktail at Koi Bryant Park in NYC

Oh! So Lychee mocktail at Koi Bryant Park in NYC

Now, let’s talk about dessert: I admit that I only tried their banana spring roll, that were magnificent: crispy on the outside, with a nice banana and chocolate filling inside, paired perfectly with the vanilla sauce that came with it. Another must have!

Banana spring rolls at Koi Bryant Park in NYC

Overall, Koi is a great spot, with great food, but it can be packed and the service can suffer a bit, the kitchen being backed up. It is also a bit loud, that is always something I do not like when dining. But the food is good, so I could make an exception.
Enjoy (I did)!

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Koi Bryant Park - 40 W 40th St, New York, NY 10018

I Just Want To Eat! 4/17/25 I Just Want To Eat! 4/17/25

Angelo Seafood Market in Hoboken, NJ

I finally made it to Angelo Seafood Market! Jodi having a lunch plan, I was thinking it would be the best time to go there as they probably have nothing vegetarian to offer if we wanted to go together. Nice place, with a store in the front, proposing various products, from pasta filled with lobster to canned fish and fresh seafood in the back. But it is in the basement that you can get their lobster roll, with mayonnaise or butter. I went for the latter, wondering if they would put some celery, too much of it in fact, in it. As I waited, a delicious smell of butter came from the adjacent kitchen and maybe ten minutes later, I got my lobster roll with chips ($25). Prepared on a brioche bun that was toasted, I took a first bite. Buttery is what comes to mind first. The lobster was good, but slightly overcooked and I just wished there was a bit more of it. So, as you can guess, it was a good lobster roll, but nothing to rave about. I was a bit disappointed, as I was expecting more from a seafood place…

Lobster roll at Angelo Seafood Market in Hoboken, NJ

Enjoy (I still did)!

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Angelo Seafood Market - 626 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 4/14/25 I Just Want To Eat! 4/14/25

Wenwen, Taiwanese Restaurant in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

I never had Taiwanese food before, so I was excited to try Wenwen in Greenpoint, and learned that it a blend of Chinese cuisine and local cuisine with influence from Japanese cuisine as well. We arrived a little before 12pm on a Saturday and were the first to go in. Well, 15 minutes later, that place was packed, from the dining room to the bar. Their brunch menu is quite appetizing with a few vegetarian dishes like the fried tofu with garlic soy paste or the pea shoots with tofu skin. The former was my favorite: crispy on the outside, soft inside with a delicious sauce made with sichuan peppercorn. I also loved their Sacha hot honey popcorn chicken that was accompanied by a spicy sauce. It was so good that I did not care that my mouth was a bit on fire. But the best surprise was their Tater tot Dan Bin, a Chinese crepe filled with egg, cheddar and some tater tots for crunch. This is an interesting version of an egg sandwich that is a must have when going there. I should also mention their cocktails or more their mocktails, as I tried their Pining Passion that was made with pineapple, lemon, passion fruit, mint and seltzer. Refreshing, I was glad that it did have just a touch of passion fruit as this can overpower a drink.

Sacha hot honey chicken at Wenwen in Brooklyn

Peashoots with tofu skin at Wenwen in Brooklyn

Overall, we had a great brunch at Wenwen. We did not try their desserts as we were going somewhere else for it, so, this is another excuse to go back...

Enjoy (I did)!

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Wenwen - 1025 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222

I Just Want To Eat! 4/13/25 I Just Want To Eat! 4/13/25

Product Review: Amzchef Double Induction Cooktop

Amzchef sent me a double induction cooktop for a product review. I really discovered induction after trying one of their products (post here) and love it because it allows you to control the temperature, similar to what you would experience with a gas stove. This double induction cooktop is portable, with dual burners that are paired with a cast iron griddle that can be used as an indoor grill, perfect to cook vegetables, meats, eggs or pancakes. Small (9.1"D x 18"W x 4.3"H), it is perfect for a small kitchen or a trailer, or anywhere on the go. Easy to use, you just need to get used to the display, that is quite similar anyway to lots of stoves (mine says high-9, down to medium-6 and low-1). When cooking on the two burners, know that you cannot go above 1800W, so, by bringing the temperature up on one side, it will go down on the other side. To use the griddle, you simply put it on top of the burners and set the appliance to the correct mode. The cast iron griddle is non-stick and goes into the dishwasher, making it the perfect appliance for your kitchen!

Find it at:

Amzchef website

Amazon

I Just Want To Eat! 4/10/25 I Just Want To Eat! 4/10/25

Miriam on the Upper West Side, NYC

Each time we passed in front of Miriam, an Israeli restaurant located on the Upper West Side, we noticed the crowd and so, thought that we had to try this place. We never tried the dinner, only going for brunch. Reservation required unless you are lucky enough to have a sit at the bar. For drinks, we had their mint tea that was nice and sweet, or their homemade mint lemonade that was well made, not too tart or too sweet. However, I thought that their Turkish coffee was not great, being a bit watery. Food wise, I am still thinking about their lamb shawarma that was served with a fluffy pita, delicious Persian rice that was buttery and a harissa and yogurt sauce that was not spicy. This dish is fantastic: I could have eaten the rice, that had dried fruits in it, on its own, but, mixed with the lamb, it was even better, an explosion of flavors. I highly recommend this dish if, like me, you love lamb. The shuk salad with campari tomatoes, parisian cucumbers, chickpeas, breakfast radishes, scallions, mint, eggplant, za'atar croutons, feta cheese and lemon vinaigrette was pretty good and refreshing, but I admit that I prefer their breakfast platters. My favorite is the Jerusalem breakfast that is composed of two eggs any style, avocado spread, tomatoes salad, homemade Jerusalem bagel and labeneh. Comforting, this was the first time I had a Jerusalem bagel and I could have eaten more of it. The middle eastern breakfast sambusak was also succulent. It was made with a sambusak that is a house-baked bread stuffed with cheese, served with avocado, tomatoes, two eggs any style, Israeli salad and tahini. The day we got these breakfast platters, we skipped dessert, but, when we went back, we tried their knafeh that was superb: the crispy kataifi was hiding a delicious layer of ricotta cheese that pairs well with the sugar syrup their poured on top and the pistachio ice cream that was sitting on top of the dish. A must have.

Lamb shawarma at Miriam on the Upper West Side, NYC

Shut salad at Miriam on the Upper West Side, NYC

Sambusak breakfast at Miriam on the Upper West Side, NYC

Jerusalem breakfast at Miriam on the Upper West Side, NYC

Knife at Miriam on the Upper West Side, NYC

Turkish coffee at Miriam on the Upper West Side, NYC

Miriam is a true gem, serving an exciting menu, made of dishes packed with flavors. Brunch was great and I am looking forward to go back for dinner!

Enjoy (I really did)!

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Miriam - 300 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10023