I Just Want To Eat! 7/31/25 I Just Want To Eat! 7/31/25

Royal 35 Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Located few steps from the Empire State Building, Royal 35 Steakhouse is one of these little gems that no one is talking about (think Peter Luger and Gallagher’s for instance). Well, this is probably a mistake. This place that has been around for some time is worth knowing. I recently went with a friend and we shared an amazing porterhouse ($75 per person). I love the porterhouse experience: even if you do not order it, you cannot resist looking up as you hear the sizzling sound passing by. But, when it comes to your table, it is even better! The meat was perfectly cooked medium rare, with a nice char. It was tender and juicy, making every bite divine. I loved it with or without a perfectly made béarnaise sauce (my favorite sauce with steak) or a pepper sauce. For sides, I tried their Mac and cheese ($19) that were good, but could have been creamier, and their creamed spinach ($19) that I liked despite the fact that I am not the biggest fan of spinach…
But of course, you cannot go to a steakhouse without try their sizzling Canadian bacon ($10 per slice) and their crab cake ($29) that were both pretty good.

Crab cake at Royal 35 Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Sizzling Canadian bacon at Royal 35 Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Creamed spinach at Royal 35 Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Mac and cheese at Royal 35 Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Porterhouse at Royal 35 Steakhouse in NYC, NY

I should mention that I had a whisky, a Glenfiddich 15 years ($26). This was not my first choice, but my third! Each time I was selecting one, they did not have it! And I should mention that they offered a sweet wine at the end.

Glenfiddich 15 years at Royal 35 Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Sweet wine at Royal 35 Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Dessert was a good way to end this already delicious meal and the key lime pie is often what I order in steakhouses. Theirs was pretty good, not too sweet and not too tart.

Key lime pie at Royal 35 Steakhouse in NYC, NY

Overall, I had a very good meal at Royal 35 Steakhouse: this underrated place is worth the visit.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Royal 35 Steakhouse - 1 E 35th St, New York, NY 10016

I Just Want To Eat! 7/28/25 I Just Want To Eat! 7/28/25

Mary O's Irish Soda Bread Shop in NYC, NY

I finally made it to Mary O’s Irish Soda Bread shop in the East Village, where Mary O’Halloran serves only soda bread in two shapes: loaf or as a unit with butter and a homemade blackberry jam. This place has been on my instagram feed for some time, but I admit that I was waiting a bit before going because of the wait (they open at 7am until sold out that is their everyday life considering how popular this place is). So, we decided to go the weekend of the 4th of July, thinking that people will be away. Good move! They do not have that many tables and we got lucky to be able to sit on their bench outside. We just went for their soda bread with jam and butter ($6). They surely put lots of butter and a nice amount of jam that complemented perfectly the delicious soda bread that was warm and slightly crispy on the outside. After the first bite, I understood why people love this place: it was so good, and we realized that it is better to eat it right away as the bottom of the bread starts to get soggy after several minutes. In fact, we even heard someone saying that she bought them to go one time and they were not that good because of that same reason. So, is it worth the wait? Yes, definitely. That soda bread is amazing and I highly recommend it. Know that they also have e tea and coffee but it can be overpriced (the double espresso was $10!).

Enjoy (I did)!

If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!Mary O's Irish Soda Bread Shop - 93 1/2 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009

I Just Want To Eat! 7/24/25 I Just Want To Eat! 7/24/25

Mile Square Cafe in Hoboken,. NJ

Opened beginning of July where Park Avenue Cafe used to be, the Mile Square Cafe caught a lot of attention as it is the new venture of the Chefs behind O’Bagel, a Hoboken favorite who won the United States of Bagel competition. So I was curious to try Mile Square Cafe. It is a nice large space, bright and spacious, with a counter to place orders in the back and a bit of the view of the busy kitchen that does not seem to slow down. Coffee and tea are fairly standard, but what makes all the difference is their food that definitely stands out. They make focaccia in various ways: sweet with their surprising Cin-caccia ($8.95), a successful take on cinnamon roll, and savory with their za’atar focaccia sandwich ($10.95) that is refreshing on a summer day with its labneh, cucumber and mint. Health conscious dinners can also go with their grain bowl ($16.95) made with quinoa, mixed greens, herbed red cabbage slaw, tomato-cucumber salad and pistachios (we asked without), where you can add some avocado falafel that were deliciously crispy on the outside and moist inside, thanks to the avocado that added a nice fattiness to it. For something heavier, the birria grilled cheese is superb: made with braised beef and Oaxaca mozzarella blend, it comes with a spiced consommé that is so good you cannot stop dipping in it. I just wished the bread was thinner. Still, a must have.

Cin-caccia at Mile Square Cafe in Hoboken,. NJ

Za’atar focaccia at Mile Square Cafe in Hoboken,. NJ

Grain bowl with avocado falafel at Mile Square Cafe in Hoboken,. NJ

Talking about must have, you cannot go there and not get their zeppole ($4.95 for 3) that are made to order and come in a paper bag, quite hot, but so good that you do not care that you are burning your fingers while picking them up.

Zeppole at Mile Square Cafe in Hoboken,. NJ

The food at Mile Square Cafe is quite good with definitely few items I would go back for (zeppole first of course, then the grilled cheese and anything focaccia), even if I thought this was on the pricey side.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Mile Square Cafe - 746 Park Ave, Hoboken, NJ 07030

I Just Want To Eat! 7/21/25 I Just Want To Eat! 7/21/25

Mustard Indian Eatery in Harlem, NYC

At Mustard Indian Eatery, he partnered with chefs Sharmeen Rahman and Lisha Khondokar who both have their own culinary expertise: Chef Sharmeen for chutneys, relishes, and curries, like Mughlai Gosht, a classic lamb dish with cashew, bay leaf, and cardamom that I tried. Creamy, comforting, the lamb was perfectly cooked. Chef Lisha who crafts vegan and vegetarian dishes like the Baigan Bharta in the vegan section, that is made with smoked eggplant, garlic, tomato and coriander, reminding me a bit of a spiced version of eggplant shakshuka. Both dishes were delicious with their …

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

When I got invited to try Mustard Indian Eatery in Harlem, I was quite excited for few reasons: a trip to Harlem, that has an exciting food scene, my appreciation for Indian food that I discovered in my many trips to India and the fact that I knew a bit about the owner Ruhel Amin from my visit to Mumbai Masala Indian Grill, also in Harlem, few years ago.

Ruhel Amin at Mustard Indian Eatery in Harlem, NYC

Muglai gosht at Mustard Indian Eatery in Harlem, NYC

Butter naan at Mustard Indian Eatery in Harlem, NYC

Baigan Bartha at Mustard Indian Eatery in Harlem, NYC

Luchi at Mustard Indian Eatery in Harlem, NYC

Appetizers are not to ignored and I loved their samosa chaat, that are crushed samosa covered with yogurt and chutneys, having this crunchy, savory and sweet combination that makes this dish a must have, and, most surprisingly, the potato egg chop, that is a street food I have never seen on a menu, a sort of vegetarian scotch egg, where spiced mashed potatoes cover an egg, before being dipped in breadcrumbs and fried. Superb!

Samosa chaat at Mustard Indian Eatery in Harlem, NYC

Potato egg chop at Mustard Indian Eatery in Harlem, NYC

This place is BYOB, so we got a Lychee juice, as well as a mango lassi to accompany our meal. Of course, we could not leave without trying their desserts. The Gulab Jamun are always a crowd pleaser, and theirs was delicious, but I was curious to try the sandesh, a famous sweet from Calcutta, made with milk and sugar. I loved it!

Lychee juice at Mustard Indian Eatery in Harlem, NYC

Mango lassi at Mustard Indian Eatery in Harlem, NYC

Gulab jamun at Mustard Indian Eatery in Harlem, NYC

Sandesh at Mustard Indian Eatery in Harlem, NYC

Overall, we had a great time at Mustard Indian Eatery: the food there is really good, with unique dishes. Of course, if you prefer the classic samosa, butter chicken or dal makhni, they have it, and I am sure it is as good as what we tried. This is definitely worth a visit!

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Mustard Indian Eatery - 2113 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY 10026

I Just Want To Eat! 7/17/25 I Just Want To Eat! 7/17/25

Coletta, Vegan and Kosher restaurant in NYC, NY

Vegan food comes a long way. Having to eat in a vegan restaurant used to be, for non-vegetarians and even vegetarian, a bit of a chore, where you would go only if you had to. Then, it was often rebranded as “plant based”, giving it a cool and planet friendly image. Of course, there were exceptions, like Elizabeth’s Gone Raw in DC (now simply called Elizabeth’s), Vedge in Philadelphia, or the controversial change at Eleven Madison Park in New York. Of course, exceptions were not just reserved to fine dining: places like Double-Zero proposed some quite delicious food. So, I was very open to try Coletta, a vegan and kosher restaurant located few blocks from Madison Square Park. Why? The menu looked quite creative. And I was not disappointed. To the point that we went back. If you did not know it is vegan, you would not be able to tell by simply looking at the menu or even by eating some of their dishes. Take for instance the crispy calamari ($20). When it comes to the table, you really think they are the real deal, but in fact it is king oyster mushroom rings. The texture is slightly tougher than calamari and it has a more earthy taste, but it is a good vegan rendition of a classic appetizer. More surprising is the steak. Ground meat like the impossible is easier to make than a steak, because, for the latter, you need to recreate the texture of a piece of meat, that is not that simple. At Coletta, they are serving the steak ($38) from Chunk Food, an Israeli company that recreated a vegan version of steak with cultured soy protein (defatted soy flour, soy protein isolate, wheat gluten), coconut oil, natural flavors, beet juice concentrate (for color), salt, Iron, and cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12). The texture is incredible and, if you did not know, you may think it is real meat. Maybe not the best piece of steak you had, but something pretty tasty and close to the real deal.

More classic, they have pasta, my favorite being the eggplant lasagna ($27) over the cacio e Pepe ($26) that, although good, definitely had a nutty taste, and for sure the pizza (we had the wild mushroom truffle - $26) that had a delicious crust. They all have cheese, but vegan cheese, and it was pretty well made, to the point that I would go back for the pizza and lasagna for sure.

Wild mushroom truffle pizza at Coletta in NYC, NY

With our meals, we has some cocktails: for me, Sage & Spice, made with butter sage fat washed bourbon, amaro, pomegranate, apple and lemon ($20), or the sangria Bianca, made with Pinot Grigio, elderflower, pineapple, grapefruit, lemon and angostura bitters ($18); Kiss & tell for Jodi, a mocktail made with lychee, raspberry and lemon ($12).

Kiss & tell mocktail at Coletta in NYC, NY

Sage & Spice cocktail at Coletta in NYC, NY

Dessert was even more surprising with their olive oil cake ($16) that looked like a piece of art. It was made with a citrus vanilla sponge, housemade mascarpone, rosemary whipped cream and lemon zest. A must have!

Our dinners at Coletta were great: the food there is good, with surprising dishes that make you forget that you are in a vegan restaurant. I would go back for sure, to try some other dishes, or even get the same ones as they were pretty good. I highly recommend this place, even if you are not vegan or vegetarian.

Enjoy (I did)!

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

Coletta - 365 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10016

I Just Want To Eat! 7/14/25 I Just Want To Eat! 7/14/25

New Coffee Shop in Hoboken: Blue Angel Cafe & Bakery

Replacing the regretted Hidden Grounds, Blue Angel Cafe & Bakery, a Korean coffee shop, opened a couple of weeks ago and we had to check that out. Of course, I cannot not comment about the fact that there are many coffee shops in Hoboken, but at least, this one is a bit different, competing a bit with Paris Baguette, but, fortunately located far from it, Paris Baguette being uptown and Blue Angel downtown, close to the path. The place is nice, very bright, with a large table in the middle of the room where lots of unusual products are displayed, and, next to the cashier, refrigerated items such as cakes and macaroons. So, let me start with the latter: they have a good variety of macarons, some good like the chocolate, sprinkles or birthday cake, but I found the vanilla one to have a weird taste. For $2.95 a pop, that is a bit pricey, I would expect something better. In the same refrigerated section, we tried their 3 star choco mousse (milk, dark and white) that was very good, the perfect treat if you love chocolate. We also tried their pecan stick ($5.50) that was...sticky for sure, but a nice option with a coffee or tea to balance a bit the sweetness, and their custard bun ($3.25) that was a bit on the heavy side, with a filling that was a bit too thick for my taste. With all that, we tried their chai ($4.75) that was really not good and the caramel macchiato ($5.25) that was too sweet.

Custard bun at Blue Angel in Hoboken, NJ

3 star chocolate mousse at Blue Angel in Hoboken, NJ

Sprinkles macaroni at Blue Angel in Hoboken, NJ

Raspberry macaron at Blue Angel in Hoboken, NJ

Birthday cake macaron at Blue Angel in Hoboken, NJ

So, overall, I was a bit disappointed. I'll give it some time before coming back...

Enjoy (…)!

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

Blue Angel Cafe & Bakery - 79 Hudson St 1st Floor, Hoboken, NJ 07030

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)!

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

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)!

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

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)!

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

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)!

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

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)!

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

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)!

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

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 (…)!

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

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)!

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

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)!

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

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)!

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

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)!

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

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)!

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

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)!

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

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)!

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

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