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

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

Left Bank Burger Bar is, as its name indicates, a burger joint in Jersey City, few steps from the Grove Street path station that serves some incredible burgers. We were there few times and have never been disappointed, the burgers being delicious and creative. The only negative would be the fact that they do not serve milk shakes, that I love with a good burger, but that’s…

We were walking in Hell’s Kitchen, looking for a place for brunch, when we stumbled upon this small restaurant, tucked between two busy places. The menu being enticing, we decided to try it. This is how we discovered 9th Avenue Blue Seafood Bar and Eatery. Opened at the end of 2016, this place serves a wide array of Mediterranean dishes: pizza, pasta, seafood, etc. With the option to order from their brunch menu that had classics like waffles or eggs Benedict elevated with lobster, or regular menu.

It’s been a while since we went to Khe-Yo, the restaurant of Chef Marc Forgione located in Tribeca. The first and last time we went there, we had great food, but the music was so loud that we just wanted to eat quickly and leave. So, we decided to go back for lunch, as I was off during a weekday and sat outside, enjoying the nice weather…and the quiet.

Dim Sum Palace is not unknown to me, having dined at this place multiple times, trying some of their small fried or steamed dishes. It is always exciting to go there, marking with a pen on their menu your selection, sometimes probably going overboard as you want to try plenty of things, similar to what would happen in a tapas restaurant.

Have you ever been to a restaurant and, after seeing their menu, wish that you could order all of it? Or if one single ingredient could be changed, you would order that dish? It happened to me multiple times. But that problem is resolved at Il Gradino, “the step” in English, an Italian restaurant located on the Upper East Side that opened in May 2022. There, owner Diego Argudo, a veteran of the restaurant industry, decided to implement the concept of piacere (pleasure, enjoyment in Italian) that is interpreted that as “preparing the dishes your way”. Diego explained to me that…

Short for l’appartment, L’Appart is a hidden restaurant located in The District, a French marketplace located few steps from the World Trade Center. We discovered this place few years ago and could not wait to go back for our anniversary. With 28 seats and an open kitchen overlooking the spacious dining room, this place proposes a unique experience where the term hospitality meets its true meaning: from the moment you enter to the moment you dine, you not only feel welcome, you also feel special.

Chef David Burke is not unknown to me as I ate in many of his restaurants in the city and saw him few times on TV in shows like Top Chef. So, when I was invited to try David Burke Tavern, I was really excited because I knew this would full of surprises. As we arrived, we went to the upstairs dining room and sat next to a penguin, not a real one of course: a stuffed animal. You might have heard that, during Covid, to ensure that patrons would respect social distancing, Chef Burke bought…

This post is a bit overdue and describes our experience as we were walking around New York and noticed Le Fournil, a French bakery that I could not resist trying. The experience started well, with a wonderful and appetizing smell filling our nose as we entered the place. We decided to get three of their baked goods: a chocolate croissant (pain au chocolat), a raisin…

It’s been a while since I have been to Lokal in Jersey City. Not that the food is not good, but there is so much to explore in Hoboken, Jersey City and New York that time passed before going back there. So, when I got an invite to try their new menu, I was thinking that it would be a good opportunity for a revisit. I did not regret it: the food at Lokal is not just exciting, it is overall good in a relaxed atmosphere, not too noisy (well, it will also depend on the neighboring tables of course), with a breathtaking view of the city.

We ended up at Auntie Guan’s Kitchen as we were looking for a place close to the Path train, and passed in front of this place that makes dumplings, quite a few times. Classic menu with spring rolls that were good, crispy, although the ratio shell to filling was in favor of the former, and the Dan Dan noodles not as good as what I had at Hao Noodle or…

A few months ago, Charritos decided to redefined themselves as a Taqueria, changing totally their menu, keeping only their guacamole that used to be one of the best. Used to because the one they serve today, with a generous amount of salsa and tortilla chips is not as good, a bit soupy, as if their used a blender to make it, with not enough chunks of avocado in it.

I discovered Rubirosa many years ago but never posted about it. I cannot remember why. I also do not know why it took us that long to go back, this place being fantastic. Most of the people go for their pizza that is superb, with its crispy thin crust. What is great is that, if you hesitate a bit, you can pick two different pizza flavors, each going in half a pie. The classic, that is simply made with tomato and mozzarella is good, but the best for me is the Tie Dye that is made with vodka sauce, tomato, pesto and mozzarella.

We wanted to try Whipped Urban Dessert Lab, a vegan ice cream shop located on the Lower East Side and did not expect to see a long line in front of it. We waited a bit and then weere able to enter the shop that was not that big, making our way to the front where we could order on a screen, a system I always prefer when not sure what to get…

For few years now, for my birthday, we have been going to Porterhouse in Columbus Circle for dinner. I have never been disappointed by this place, always going for the same steak: the chili rubbed boneless ribeye. Always perfectly cooked medium rare, very tender, juicy, the chili rub enhancing the flavor of my favorite cut.

Located where Talde the eponymous restaurant of the Top Chef alum used to be, Hudson Hound opened in 2021 near the Grove street stop of the Path train. This outpost of this NYC Irish-American restaurant serves delicious comfort food with classics like the fish and chips or the full Irish breakfast that is composed of two eggs (you make them your way, so I chose sunny side up), Irish bacon (rashers), Irish sausage (bangers), roasted half tomato with herbed breadcrumbs, sautéed mushrooms, black & white pudding, boxty potato cake, baked beans, and a slice of house made…

It seems that mochi donuts are a thing, with plenty of spots opening, serving this delicious combination between an American doughnut and Japanese mochi that originated in Hawaii in 1992. The Chicken Factory that serves fantastic Korean fried chicken is now serving mochi donuts. Shaped with eight balls, these deep fried donuts have a slightly crispy outside and are chewy on the inside. Like classic doughnuts, they can be proposed in many ways: the classic with confectioner’s sugar on top, churros, coffee, cookies and cream, chocolate with coconut, etc.

We passed in front of Lexington Candy Shop few times, noticing their windows full of Coca Cola bottles from all over the world. So, it was time to try this close to a century old luncheonette located on the Upper East Side. Small, packed, with still this nostalgic feel, and the rudeness of the service that seems to be a signature, unless you are a regular…

I was really looking forward to trying the new location on broadway of Wolfgang Steakhouse, but, our dinner did not go as expected. It started well though. Entering the place, I saw some bottles of whisky against the wall, not knowing at that point that they have a very large selection of this delicious liquor, my choice that day being a glass of Kentucky Owl Confiscated.

Mischa, the new venture of Chef Alex Stupak from Empellon, is difficult to fairly describe. First, the place is hidden in an office building on Park avenue and if you pass by, you would probably not notice it. That could be on purpose, so only diners specifically looking for it would go there. Then, the menu is a mix of various cuisines, served with a twist, like the deviled egg floating island that combines two different dishes (the deviled egg that originated in Ancient Rome and the floating island that is a French dessert) in an elevated way. Light but also creamy, it is served with trout roe that…

There is no question that Antique Bar & Bakery is one of my favorite restaurants in Hoboken: their food is simply fantastic, their dirty ribeye being phenomenal and their bread pudding one of the best I ever had among other things that makes this popular restaurant a visit worth a trip to the mile square city. So, when they opened Antique on 112, few steps from their restaurant, we had to try it. The first time was during the Holidays, a perfect time as many people were traveling. The second was recently: the experience was totally different as the place was packed and the cuisine seemed overwhelmed with not just the orders from their hungry diners, but also the deliveries….

When La Isla Uptown closed, I was a bit sad, the place serving delicious Cuban food in a more spacious space than the downtown location. Martha’s came a few months later, who, leveraging on the decor of its predecessor, serves new American cuisine. We went there a couple of times, and tried some of their dishes. Here is what we had:…

I passed in front of the Scandinavia house so many times and never noticed that there is a restaurant tucked inside: Bjork Cafe proposes Nordic cuisine in a minimalist decor. We found it on Opentable.com, as we were looking for a place to go on a Friday evening few weeks ago.

This is not the first time we went for afternoon tea at The Plaza Hotel. We wanted to go during the Holidays, but it was impossible to get a reservation. So we went 2 weeks ago, on a Saturday at 11am. As we arrived, they asked if we had any dietary restrictions and gave Jodi a vegetarian menu that was not on their website. On my side, the only choice I had was the Holiday Signature Tea that they probably continue to serve in January. If you never had Afternoon Tea, it is composed of…

Since it opened in August last year, Toast x Bowl has been one of our favorite places for lunch on the weekend. This casual place offers an interesting menu composed of sandwiches and rice dishes with an asian flair. I admit that I am not sure which one I prefer, both being quite tasty.

The sandwiches are a take on classic egg sandwich. Made with a deliciously buttery toasted brioche, they top the moist scrambled eggs with whatever you will order. My favorite is the…

When Le Relais de Venise closed during Covid and remained closed until recently, I thought that was it. But then, I started to see people posting about this place. It did not take me long to go there, excited, knowing that the reopening triggered long lines, probably thanks to social media, a phenomenon that happened few years ago with Skirt Steak, a copycat from Chef Laurent Tourondel.

We went when I was off from work and, as they were supposed to open…

Have you ever been to Benihana? Or any Hibachi place? I love these places: they are fun and when the food is also good, this is even better. This was our first time at Benihana: we talked about going there for years but never did until the Holidays where we thought that it would be a good dining experience after seeing a show on Broadway. As we arrived, we checked in for our reservation, but they told us that we had to wait a little. The reason was that they needed all the people sitting…

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

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

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

It’s funny how first impressions are not always the right one and you sometimes need to give a second chance to restaurants. This is what happened with Saka. When this place opened in Hoboken, replacing Myron Mixon's Pitmaster Barbeque, I was a bit skeptical: there are plenty of Japanese restaurants already in Hoboken, so, what would this one bring to the mile square dining scene? Two things caught my attention…

Few years ago, gluten-free options were very limited, with mainly bread and pizza, people often commenting on the latter tasting like cardboard. But now, there are many more options, tasty options. I could mention for instance the donuts at Alfalfa in Hoboken that you would probably not guess are gluten-free if I did not tell you. Eating gluten-free used to be necessary for people with celiac disease or other ailments, but, many people started to adopt such diet and reported less bloating, better digestion and energy level. So, I was…

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

I never know what to expect when I go to a restaurant located in a hotel: sometimes it is delicious like Fire & Oak in Jersey City, and sometimes, it is disappointing. So, going to Ramerino Italian Prime was a bit of a bet, their menu looking delicious. As we entered, the spacious dining room was empty that was not a good sign and I admit that the stale bread they served us was also not a good sign. At least, the espresso martini I started with was good, well balanced, upping a bit my hope that we would have a nice dinner. We started off with the melanzane that is baked layers of sliced eggplant,…

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

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

There are lots of Thai restaurants in New York, with few standing out: Zoob Zib is one of them. We went few times and it was always packed. What makes this place special: simply good food, from the classic pad see ew (Jodi ordered that dish every single time) to the chicken massaman curry (this is a sort of test dish for me - if they do not make a good massaman curry, this is a bad sign). But there are two things people should try there: their roasted duck and their noodles, that you…

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

We were looking for a place to eat near the Flatiron when we stumbled upon Effin Egg, a small joint serving breakfast all day. The main option on the menu is egg sandwiches and I admit that their selection is mouth watering, each of them prepared in various ways, although if you prefer a simple one, they have the Effin Boring that is simply made with scrambled eggs and cheddar, squeezed…

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

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

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

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

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

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

I have known Aba Turkish Restaurant for years and have never been disappointed with this place. The food there is tasty and comforting with a large menu offering vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, the former being as inviting as the others. After a great dinner in June, I wanted to go back there, but it was closed because of a fire in the kitchen. They will hopefully reopen quickly! At least, here is a glimpse of what we had:…