I Just Want To Eat! 7/10/25 I Just Want To Eat! 7/10/25

Shmoné, modern Israeli cuisine with a Michelin star

I was really excited to go to Shmoné, a modern Israeli restaurant that was awarded a Michelin star for the first time. Knowing that the chef, Eyal Shani, is also behind Miznon, that I love, we knew we would be there for a treat. We went on a holiday and made sure we had a reservation as this place can be packed. And it did fill up pretty quickly, in the dining room, where we were seated, and at the counter, where diners could observe the kitchen do their magic. The menu is definitely intriguing as, it showcases a lot of very creative dishes. For instance, the crab shawarma ($44) on tomato foam was something I had to try and I was not disappointed : it had the texture of shawarma, being caramelized and slightly crispy, but you could still taste the crab. Or the grilled cheese and gazpacho ($20) that is presented elegantly, the sandwich sitting on a martini glass. Everything there was good: the cold tomato soup was refreshing and the grilled cheese crispy on the outside and cheesey inside. I could also not resist the Hokkaido scallop topped with caviar ($26) that was a good bite to start the meal in a decadent way. They have many vegetarian dishes besides the grilled cheese, and so, Jodi settled for the grilled king oyster mushroom in shiitake broth ($26) that was comforting, the mushroom having a nice meaty bite.

Grilled cheese and gazpacho at Shmoné in NYC, NY

Hokkaido scallop with caviar at Shmoné in NYC, NY

King oyster mushroom at Shmoné in NYC, NY

For dessert, we went for their corn tres leches ($19) that was out of this world: instead of the classic sponge, it was a corn sponge, that was perfectly soaked and to complete the theme, they topped it with corn flakes for an additional crunch. A must have!

With our meal, Jodi had a mocktail called Jasmine Nohito ($15) that was a take on mojito, made with jasmine syrup, lime, muddled mint and club soda. On my side, went for the Southern Sting cocktail ($23), that was made with bourbon, hot honey, lemon juice and Laphroaig wash.

Although the portions were small because the principle is to share dishes, we left full and satisfied. The food at Shmoné was really appetizing and delicious, and, even if it is on the pricey side, this is a great place for dinner that I recommend. And by the way, I should mention that Shmone means 8 in Hebrew, the name referring to the location, 8th street.

Enjoy (I really did)!

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Shmoné - 61 W 8th St, New York, NY 10011

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

Rumi Turkish Grill in Jersey City

Taking its name from a famous poet, Rumi Turkish Grill has been serving hungry crowds in Jersey City for several years, offering an extensive menu that makes you want to order everything. We went on a Saturday evening and the place was busy, but not to the point of overwhelming the kitchen as the food came quickly, or the wait staff who was welcoming and checked on us regularly. I love Turkish cuisine and was really looking forward to try few dishes. Here is what we had:…

Sigara Borek: these crispy Turkish cheese rolls are a must have.

Sigara borek at Rumi Turkish Grill in Jersey City

Eggplant in tomato sauce: I love it with their homemade bread (ekmek) that, by the way, you can buy to go as they have a small grocery section. This dish reminded me of eggplant shashouka.

Eggplant in tomato sauce at Rumi Turkish Grill in Jersey City

Ekmek at Rumi Turkish Grill in Jersey City

Then came the entrees that were quite generous portions. Jodi got their veggie kebab, while I had Tandi or slow cooked lamb. The veggies were good, but for sure my favorite was the lamb that was really good and is a perfect dish if you love lamb.

Tandir at Rumi Turkish Grill in Jersey City

Veggie kebab at Rumi Turkish Grill in Jersey City

With my meal, I got their homemade Ayran drink (yogurt drink), and then, with dessert, I got a Turkish coffee and Jodi a Turkish tea. Now, let's talk about dessert. My favorite that I am always looking for in Turkish restaurants is kunafeh, that is made with kadaifi (shredded phyllo), cheese and pistachio, in a sweet syrup. At Rumi, they make it and this was fantastic: crunchy on the outside, gooey in the inside, and delightfully sweet, but not overly. This is a must have!

Ayran at Rumi Turkish Grill in Jersey City

Turkish coffee at Rumi Turkish Grill in Jersey City

Turkish tea at Rumi Turkish Grill in Jersey City

Kunafeh at Rumi Turkish Grill in Jersey City

Overall, we had a great meal at Rumi Turkish Grill: the food is great and not to be missed. The his is the type of restaurant I would love to have in my neighborhood!

Enjoy (I did)!

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Rumi - 67 Greene St, Jersey City, NJ 07302

I Just Want To Eat! 7/3/25 I Just Want To Eat! 7/3/25

Shogun Omakase in NYC, NY

Omakase seems to be a trend nowadays in New York. I wonder if it is the element of surprise of such meal that makes people love it. If you never had omakase before, know that this Japanese word means “I leave the details to you” and so, you will just sit at the counter and let the chef serve you whatever comes to mind. So, if you do not like raw fish or any seafood, this is …

I went with a friend of mine to Shogun Omakase, a Japanese restaurant located few steps from Grand Central Terminal and tried their 88 Omakase ($88 pp) that comes with one appetizer, ten pieces of nigiri, one monaka, one hand roll and a dessert. Here is what I had:

The appetizer was an oyster with fish roe:

Oyster with fish roe at Shogun Omakase in NYC, NY

Sea bream (madai):

Scallop (hotate):

Stripped jack (shima aji):

Stripped jack at Shogun Omakase in NYC, NY

Squid:

Yellowtail (kanpachi):

Sable fish or black cod (Gindara):

Salmon:

Fatty tuna (O-toro):

Sea Urchin:

Eel roll topped with foie gras:

Monaka (spicy tuna, roe and avocado in a waffer cup):

Tuna roll:

Sake:

Dessert was surprising though, the tiramisu being quite good, but not really what I would have expected to finish the meal. Maybe if they would have made it with matcha, it would have made sense…But overall, this close to an hour experience was delicious. This is definitely a place to know.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Shogun Omakase - 295 Madison Ave #101G, New York, NY 10017

I Just Want To Eat! 7/1/25 I Just Want To Eat! 7/1/25

Buongiorno Gelateria in Jersey City

Located at the entrance of the Newport mall in Jersey City, Buongiorno Gelateria serves an interesting selection of handmade gelato, like the Dubai chocolate that everyone seems to have right now in ice cream or coffee (theirs is pretty good but I am not sure I would get a full scoop), Rafaello chocolates, Kit Kat, etc. In fact, I got their Two Towers that was made with Kit Kat, Nutella and chocolate, a quite decadent mix that had some pieces of Kit Kat in it that added some crunchiness to it. I also tried their hazelnut and chocolate that is similar to Nutella, a bit more flavorful than their nocciola that is simply hazelnut, that I also enjoyed mixed with coffee when I got their affogato ($10.50 also covered with pistachio for an added nuttiness and crunch). Jodi got their coconut and dark chocolate gelato that were also pretty good, as well as their sorbet, with cantaloup and raspberry, that was really good. The only flavor I did not like was the Lord of the Rings that is made with Kinder Bueno: the Kinder Bueno lost its crunch and was like trying to eat cardboard…

TWo towers and hazelnut gelato at Buongiorno Gelateria in Jersey City

Coconut and Belgian chocolate gelato at Buongiorno Gelateria in Jersey City

Affogato at Buongiorno Gelateria in Jersey City

Cantaloupe and raspberry sorbet at Buongiorno Gelateria in Jersey City

Lord of the rings and hazelnut chocolate sorbet at Buongiorno Gelateria in Jersey City

We only tried their small cup where you get two scoops that are quite big and cost $9.25, the staff trying to convince us to try the medium size. The ice cream is topped with a small cone or a waffle heart, various toppings and drizzled with either chocolate sauce or white chocolate sauce.

A bit pricey, although in the range of most of the gelato places nowadays, the quality is good, the ice cream creamy, and the flavors are interesting. However, I am surprised they do not propose only one scoop as one may not want two much ice cream and would then pass instead of wasting money. Just my view…

Enjoy (I did)!

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Buongiorno Gelateria - 525 Washington Blvd Floor 1, Jersey City, NJ 07310

I Just Want To Eat! 6/30/25 I Just Want To Eat! 6/30/25

Product Review: President's Whipped Cream

I have known the brand President for its cheese and butter, the last one I tried being the Leerdammer, their brie and camembert being often in my parents’ fridge when I was a kid. So, when they proposed to send me their gourmet whipped cream to try, I was a bit excited. With the summer, it is perfect with ice cream, but I also enjoy it on pies, fruits, on top of my double espresso or a hot cocoa, and even just like that, without anything else. I mean, Chantilly was something I had often when I was a kid, but store bought whipped cream was a bit too light compared to a homemade version. So, when I tried the two products President sent me, I was pleasantly surprised: one is Madagascar vanilla and the other one is extra creamy. They were apparently developed based on traditional French techniques and won the gold medal from the American Masters of Taste. Both are really good, with the extra creamy being a bit creamier than the other one, but, my favorite is the Madagascar vanilla that has hints of vanilla that does not taste artificial. They are both thicker and tastier than what I usually find at the supermarket.

You can find President products at ACME, CVS, Shop Rite, Key Food and Target Fresh among a few, so, if you see it, try it! You will not regret it.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

What is the concept of "Bouillon" that is coming back in France?

The concept of bouillon was created by a French butcher, Pierre-Louis Duval, in 1855 who got the idea to serve simple and affordable meals in the bustling Les Halles, in the center of Paris, with broth (bouillon in French) being the base component. In the past few years, this concept saw a revival with many restaurants flourishing across France. There, classic French dishes are served, not all in broth, with a very simple presentation and still good prices. For instance, the popular oeuf-mayonnaise that is similar to deviled eggs is simply a cooked egg split in half, with a dollop of mayo on it. When we were in Grenoble, we tried the one in the city center called Bouillon Archers and got the following dishes:

Escargots (12 for 12 Eur):

Escargots at Bouillon Archers in Grenoble, France

Lentils salad (3 Eur):

Lentils salad at Bouillon Archers in Grenoble, France

Paris mushrooms in garlic and vinegar (4 Eur):

Paris mushrooms in garlic and vinegar at Bouillon Archers in Grenoble, France

Deviled eggs (3 Eur):

Deviled eggs at Bouillon Archers in Grenoble, France

Top round with butter and fries (13:50 Eur):

Top round and fries at Bouillon Archers in Grenoble, France

Side of fries (4 Eur):

Fries at Bouillon Archers in Grenoble, France

Baba au rum (6:50 Eur):

Baba au rum at Bouillon Archers in Grenoble, France

Chocolate mousse (4 Eur):

Chocolate mousse at Bouillon Archers in Grenoble, France

Shot of green chartreuse (6 Eur):

Green chartreuse at Bouillon Archers in Grenoble, France

Everything was quite good. Simple but good and having all this food for less than 60 Eur is pretty incredible. The only negative was maybe the escargots that. were small and it was a bit difficult to extract the snail from the shell (I enjoyed dipping the bread in the butter sauce by the way…). The biggest surprise, besides the price, was how good the steak was: it was tender, juicy and perfectly cooked medium-rare. Also, all the desserts are homemade and the baba was delicious, well soaked in rum, with homemade whipped cream, and the chocolate mousse was also perfectly made, not overly dense and slightly airy. Both are must have. I love this concept of simple classic dishes and hope it will come to the US at some point, French restaurants being definitely on the pricey side.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Bouillon Archers - 2 Rue Dr Bally, 38000 Grenoble, France

I Just Want To Eat! 6/24/25 I Just Want To Eat! 6/24/25

My Trip to Porto: Auge in the Porto Palácio Hotel

On our first night in Porto, we were looking for a place to eat when we found Auge, a restaurant adjacent to a rooftop on the 19th floor of the Porto Palacio Hotel. We first had a drink, a mocktail called “wild berry” (8 Eur) for Jodi that was made with mixed berries, mint, lime and club soda, and a Port wine for me, a Tawny Douro 20 yr. (20 Eur). Quite relaxing, the view of Porto was beautiful, especially as we started to see the sun go down. I also had a Portuguese whisky at dinner as I was curious to try one from there, a Woodwork, Malte e Grao Portuguese Nº1 (25 Eur) that was just ok for me.

Tawny Douro 20 yr port wine at Auge in the Porto Palácio Hotel

Wild berry mocktail at Auge in the Porto Palácio Hotel

Woodwork, Malte e Grao Portuguese Nº1 in Auge in the Porto Palácio Hotel

They first brought us an amuse but I admit that I do not recall what it was besides the fact that it was non-vegetarian. But I can still remember the bread with Portuguese olive oil and caramelized onion butter they brought us: that bread was so good that we could not stop eating it and declined when they proposed to bring more because otherwise we would not be able to eat our meal. I started with an appetizer: vieiras braseadas or braised scallops (18 Eur). It was served with textured cauliflower, toasted pine nuts, sparkling wine and oyster sauce. Quite good, although I wish the scallops were charred on top to give a bit of texture. For her main, Jodi got their açorda trufada de cogumelos florestais or truffled forest mushroom açorda with egg yolk and crispy leeks (26 Eur). It had a great aroma but was unfortunately a bit mushy. However, my entree was really good: it was carabineiro e peixe galo em arroz caldoso de crustáceos, malagueta e salircônia or
john dory and carabineiro in rice with crustaceans, chilli and salirconia aka sea asparagus (42 Eur). The fish and rice were perfectly cooked and I found this dish very comforting. For dessert, we went for the pao de lo, a traditional Portuguese sponge cake that was served with vanilla ice cream, lime caviar and olive oil from the Douro region (14 Eur). This was a delicious way to end the meal: the sponge cake was really good, not dry at all, and all the ingredients in the dish came together to give a nice texture and refreshing flavor. A must have.

Amuse at Auge in the Porto Palácio Hotel

Braised scallops at Auge in the Porto Palácio Hotel

Bread at Auge in the Porto Palácio Hotel

Truffled forrest mushrooms at Auge in the Porto Palácio Hotel

John Dory at Auge in the Porto Palácio Hotel

Pao de lo at Auge in the Porto Palácio Hotel

Overall, it was an ok meal, a bit pricey as you can expect in a hotel restaurant where you will also pay for the view. Would I go back? yes, for a drink only.

Enjoy (…)!

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Auge in the Porto Palácio Hotel - Av. da Boavista, 4100-130 Porto, Portugal

I Just Want To Eat! 6/23/25 I Just Want To Eat! 6/23/25

My trip to Porto: Mercado do Bolhão

Another recommendation from our tuk tuk tour guide was the Mercado do Bolhao in the city center. This is an impressive open market, with its two floors, the first one full of tourists avid to eat seafood (especially oysters and shrimp), charcuterie, cheese, bread, pasta, you name it, and the second floor being a bit more quieter, with restaurants serving Portuguese specialties (one of them was vegetarian) and that seem to cater also to tourists. We just stopped by for sweets, having a meringue that was well made (Jodi loves those) and trying a queijada de leite (2 Eur) or milk tart, so we could see if we preferred it over the pasteis de Nata (Portuguese egg tarts). I am not sure we got a good milk tart as it was not sweet as I read it is supposed to be and you certainly do not get the wow factor when you get your first bite. To the contrary. It is not that it was not good: it lacked the sweetness I was looking for. The pasteis de Nata remains my favorite for sure…

Meringue at Mercado do Bolhão in Porto, Portugal

Queijada de leite at Mercado do Bolhão in Porto, Portugal

Enjoy (I still did)!

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Mercado do Bolhão - R. Formosa 322, 4000-248 Porto, Portugal

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

My Trip to Porto: Time Out Market

As we were on our way to see the striking Sao Bento railway station (impressive blue tile work describing the history of Portugal), we stumbled upon the Time Out Market that is a little over a year old. I admit that I had no idea there was one there and so we had to check it out. Opened daily from 10am to 12pm, it overlooks the train station. Inviting, with lots of light thanks to its floor to ceiling windows, there is also a large outside area where diners can enjoy the good weather. Most of the restaurants were serving Portuguese cuisine, a heaven for seafood lovers, with few options for vegetarians and, for less adventurous visitors, pizza and burgers (these burgers look good!).
There, i went to Casa Ines and tried their sardines escabeche (sardinhas de escabeche - 8.50 Eur) that is a dish you can find in many Mediterranean countries and seemed to have originated from the Moorish occupation in Spain. I love it, this dish reminding me my mom’s cooking as she used to make that, and I enjoyed dipping the bread they gave in the sauce.
I also had to try their cod fritters (bolinhos de bacalhau - 7.50 Eur), a Portuguese specialty, served with black eyed peas, that I found very good, not salty, the outside was soft and the filling moist, with no need for any sauce to eat them. A must have.

Bolinhos de bacalhau at Time Out Market in Porto, Portugal

Sardinhas de escabeche at Time Out Market in Porto, Portugal

I really liked the Porto Time Out Market: although full of tourists, there is a good vibe and tons of delicious food that makes me wish I was there longer and had the opportunity to try more dishes there. Maybe another time!

Enjoy (I did)!

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Time Out Market - Ala Sul da Estação Ferroviária de São Bento, Praça de Almeida Garrett, 4000-069 Porto, Portugal

I Just Want To Eat! 6/21/25 I Just Want To Eat! 6/21/25

My Trip to Porto: Pastéis de Nata at Manteigaria

I finally tried a real Pastéis de Nata during my visit in Porto. I have tried this Portuguese egg tart in the past in Chinese restaurants, at Paris Baguette and even Trader’s Joe who proposed for a limited time frozen ones that were pretty good, but never what I would qualify as “real” ones. I mean, the closest were probably in Chinese restaurants as this delicacy was introduced in Asia, especially Macao as it was a Portuguese colony. Still, the one at Manteigaria, a store that is all around Porto where they make them fresh, was the best: freshly made ( you can see them baking in the back of the store), crunchy, flakey, buttery and eggy, not too sweet with a touch of cinnamon on top. I was in heaven. It seems that if you want to try this delicious egg tart, Manteigaria is the place to go.

Pastéis de Nata at Manteigaria in Porto, Portugal

One thing I should mention is the origin of these eggy tarts: they originated in the early 1800s in a monastery in Belem. Monks were using egg white as starch for cloths and had leftover yolks that they decided to use to make an egg custard filling for small tarts that they sold to generate some income. And I am glad they did…

Enjoy (I did)!

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Manteigaria - Rua dos Clérigos nº37, 4050-205 Porto, Portugal

I Just Want To Eat! 6/20/25 I Just Want To Eat! 6/20/25

My trip to Porto: Majestic Cafe

During a tour of the city in Tuk Tuk, our guide mentioned the Majestic Cafe, saying that the interior is worth a visit there. So, we decided to check it out. Originally opened in the 1920s, this cafe that went through ups and downs, is a popular spot for tourists who want to admire the beautiful art nouveau decor, with its curved wooden frames, large mirrors and stunning decorative details, or want to see one of the locations where…

When we went, the place was full and we were lucky to get a table within five minutes. I ordered a hot chocolate with whipped cream (9.50 Eur), preferring it over the pricey double espresso (9 Eur), while Jodi ordered a peach ice tea. The hot chocolate was just ok, better than some but not really memorable if it was not for the place. What was really good and is definitely a must have is their French toast or Rabanada Majestic (9 Eur). The golden brown bread was perfectly soaked, slightly crispy on the outside, sitting on a sweet egg cream sauce and topped with raisins, pignoli and walnut. The French toast stood on its own and reminded me a bit the way my mom made it (in France, it is called “pain perdu”).

French toast or rabanada at Majestic Cafe in Porto, Portugal

Hot chocolate at Majestic Cafe in Porto, Portugal

Know that Majestic Cafe also serves afternoon tea and various savory dishes, although I would just go for that French toast…Even if it is a bit touristy, it is worth a visit whether you are a Harry Potter fan or not!.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Majestic Cafe -

I Just Want To Eat! 6/19/25 I Just Want To Eat! 6/19/25

My trip to Porto - Restaurant Raiz

Looking for a random place to eat in downtown Porto, we ended up at Raiz, a place that seem small, but little did we know they had additional dining rooms on the three upstairs floors. We decided to try it for two reasons: availability of vegetarian options that were sometimes very limited, and the fact that it offers lots of small dishes so we could try a bunch. Here is what we had:
To start, I wanted to try a white port wine and so I got a glass of Niepoort dry (6 Eur). They poured a generous glass of that still slightly sweet wine that was bright and refreshing.

Niepoort dry-white port wine at Raiz in Porto, Portugal

I then got the traditional octopus fritters (Nuvens de polvo - 7.5 Eur) that were delicious, although I was expecting bits of octopus in it for more texture. Still, a must have.

Next was the « Bulhao pato » style clams (16 Eur): stewed clams in a delicious white wine sauce that reminded me a bit of vongole.

It was followed by mushroom tempura (Cogumelos em tempura - 10 Eur). This succulent dish has a bit of history as tempura originated in Portugal and was introduced to Japan later on.

Mushroom tempura at Raiz in Porto, Portugal

Then, we could not resist trying their breaded Brie (queijo Brie panado - 9 Eur). Served with a tomato chutney, it is a must have if you love cheese, even if Brie is not Portuguese.

Last was their potato mille-feuille with aioli (Mil folhas de batata - 5.5 Eur) that was deliciously crispy.

Potato mille-feuille at Raiz in Porto, Portugal

We hesitated to have dessert but were a bit tired from an all day walking in the streets of Porto (these hills!) and asked for the check that they brought in a book. It was definitely a lot of fried food, but nothing was greasy and I loved the fact that we could share all these dishes. Raiz was definitely a good find.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Raiz - Largo dos Lóios 8, 4050-338 Porto, Portugal

I Just Want To Eat! 6/17/25 I Just Want To Eat! 6/17/25

My trip to Porto: The Francesinha, a popular sandwich inspired by the Croque Monsieur

Vaccarum Francesinhas and Tapas in Porto, Portugal

There are several dishes that are must have in Portugal and the Francesinha is surely one of them. What I did not know is that this decadent sandwich that originated in Porto at the beginning of the 1950s is inspired from the French Croque Monsieur. The story says that Daniel David de Silva, upon returning from France and Belgium tried to adapt the French sandwich to Portuguese palate. The result is a heart attack on a plate: two pieces of bread lightly toasted, steak, ham and sausage, smothered by a tomato and beer sauce that can be spicy, cheese (lot of it inside and on top) and, as an option, a fried egg; all of this served with French fries that you can dip in the sauce. I tried it at Vaccarum Francesinhas and Tapas, downtown Porto. Definitely, the first bite is a mouthful: you first get the taste of the sauce and the cheese, and then the layers of meat, the steak having the most recognizable texture. Now, maybe people in Porto would tell me that the one at Vaccarum Francesinha and Tapas is not the best, knowing that it seems every restaurant has its own version, But I found it comforting and quite good. However, it is not something I would eat on a hot day for sure…or maybe I would…Anyway, if you are in Portugal, you cannot not try this dish! And just so you know, Francesinha means :Little French Girl” in Portuguese.

Francesinha at Vaccarum Francesinhas and Tapas in Porto, Portugal

Fries at Vaccarum FRancesinhas and tapas in Porto, Portugal

Enjoy (I did)!

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Vaccarum Francesinha and Tapas - R. de Sá da Bandeira 131, 4000-381 Porto, Portugal

I Just Want To Eat! 6/14/25 I Just Want To Eat! 6/14/25

My trip to Porto: Elemento, when fine dining meets fire dining

Porto has quite a few Michelin Star restaurants and Elemento is surely one to visit. Located few steps from the Cathedral, the front of the restaurant does not give much hints about what is going on there, except the mention of “Fire Dining” under its name, that I am sure people read quickly as “Fine Dining”. No, it is the word “fire” that is written, and entering the restaurant, your nose cannot miss the smell of burning wood. The explanation is simple: everything is cooked with wood fire and if, like us, you can sit at the counter, you can get a good glimpse of how the magic happens in the kitchen. We went there for our last meal before coming back home, on a Thursday, and the restaurant was quite empty, giving the chance to the kitchen staff to take their time to prepare delicious dishes inspired by Portuguese cuisine, with a modern and, of course, smokey twist.

They offer a menu a la carte and an 8-course tasting menu (95 Eur). I mentioned in the reservation that Jodi is vegetarian and so, they gave me a call earlier that day to get some more information so they could prepare a nice meal for her (vegetarian options are only accommodated in the tasting menu). The result was fantastic, each of her dishes being beautifully plated, colorful and flavorful, showcasing the creativity and skills of the Chef as, sometimes, restaurants would just make vegetarian dishes by doubling the portion of what is simply a side...Not at Elemento and, if they would have serving me the same, I would have been equally satisfied. Here is what we had:

The first course was their homemade sourdough with hazelnut butter, babahanouj and olive oil. I should mention that in the photo below, you can see a wooden box that contains the utensils to be used through the meals.

Bread and butter course at Elemento in Porto, Portugal

For me (regular 8-course tasting)::

2023 Bal de Madre rosé wine:

2023 Bal de Madre rose wine at Elemento in Porto, Portugal

Red prawn tartelette with coconut and lemongrass:

Red prawn tartelette at Elemento in Porto, Portugal

Blue fin tuna, parmesan and dill emulsion:

Smoked langoustine with bread stew and Xo sauce:

Smoked langoustines with bread stew at Elemento in Porto, Portugal

Wild croaker fish with guasacaca:

Wild croaker fish at Elemento in Porto, Portugal

Red snapper, sea urchin sauce and trout eggs:

Red snapper at Elemento in Porto, Portugal

Black pork rump, tapenade and chanterelles:

Pork rump at Elemento in Porto, Portugal

Orange ice cream, beets and plum vinegar:

Orange ice cream with beets at Elemento in Porto, Portugal

Brownie ice cream sandwich:

Ice cream sandwich at Elemento in Porto, Portugal

For Jodi (vegetarian tasting):

Strawberry tonic mocktail:

Tartelette with coconut and lemongrass:

Coconut lemongrass tartelette at Elemento in Porto, Portugal

Parmesan and dill emulsion:

Parmesan cheese and dill emulsion at Elemento in Porto, Portugal

Endive, dill and pecorino cheese:

Endive, doll and pecorino cheese at Elemento in Porto, Portugal

King Oyster mushrooms, vegetables and romesco:

King oyster mushroom at Elemento in Porto, Portugal

Grilled cabbage, smoked cream, fava beans:

Grilled cabbage at Elemento in Porto, Portugal

Hokkaido pumpkin, tapenade and chanterelles:

Orange ice cream and plum vinegar:

Orange ice cream at Elemento in Porto, Portugal

Sourdough ice cream:

Then, when we thought we were done, they brought us some canelets (southwestern French mini cake) and truffles, all homemade.

Canelets and truffles at Elemento in Porto, Portugal

The dish in the shape of a turtle was definitely appropriate as we were full and left the restaurant walking like turtles…From all the Michelin Stars restaurants we ate at, this is one of the most memorable: the food was exquisite, the service on point, with a cool atmosphere (we even heard the Chef singing a Cat Stevens song that was playing in the background) and it was surely an incredible experience. A must if you are visiting Porto and are looking for a fine dining experience. This was fire!

Enjoy (I really did)!

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Elemento - Rua do Almada 51, 4050-036 Porto, Portugal

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