Category: restaurant

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restaurant

Dear Maud | Hoboken, NJ

Crispy Fried Chicken Korean Style, Spicy Mayo, Sweet Chili, Scallions, Toasted Sesame Bun with Fries

Dear Maud used to be a college bar called ‘The Inn’ and before that.. I don’t even know. There was definitely a period of time where it was shut down before it became Dear Maud. Based on the amount of people that are coming here now, it seems to have made a turn around.

The food was on point surprisingly for a place with baos, ceviches, burratas, salads, and.. sandwiches? It’s a decent mix of variety which is great for munching away.

I’m a big fan of spicy tequila and mezcal so A+ on the drinks.

Would I go back? Probably if I’m looking for a chill place with friends for brunch or dinner. It gets packed so show up with reservations!

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restaurant

L’Artusi | Italian | West Villange, NYC

I really love the setup of the restaurant where there is a nice long bar in the first floor with some booth seating. Our dinner was served at the second floor, which you can oversee the first floor. The service is impeccable and the food is delicious, both for the eyes and mouth.

I would recommend and try to get a reservation early!

shallot, rye crisps, horseradish crema
fregola, chickpeas, radish, asparagus, watercress
golden raisin marmellata, madeira, crème fraîche mousse
caramel popcorn, bourbon gelato

Website: L’Artusi
Location: 228 W 10th St, New York, NY 10014

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restaurant

Battello | Jersey City, NJ

Pan roasted Octopus at Battello with Chippewa pansies, pepper oats, and paprika oil at Battello

Everytime I walk by the waterfront of Jersey City I always marvel at this super modern setup Battello has on the pier. After many remarks of ‘oh we should really go there’, we finally did!

The restaurant sat us outside with a beautiful view of downtown Manhattan.

While the inside was not too shabby either.

Outdoor and Indoor Dining at Battello

On to the main event: the food!

Everything was excellent down to every last crumb along with the service. I got to try out my new (to me) camera and enjoy the modern takes on Italian food. Squid ink pasta? check. Octopus? check. Truffles? check.

Would I go back? Probably! Maybe even bring guests too so we can all enjoy the lovely view at night once the weather warms back up.

Website: Battello
Location: 502 Washington Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07310


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restaurant

Sushi Nakazawa

This is my third time going to Sushi Nakazawa so that shows how much I love this place. Now that NYC has opened up indoor dining, I immediately booked a reservation for this restaurant. The following is the first set of nigiris that were all tender and delicious.

I also got the 3 types of uni:

Japan, California, and Maine Uni

My favorite is.. all of them. I can never say no to uni and none of them have that typical chemical taste you get when you buy from the grocery store. I know I know, you can’t compare grocery store uni with this.

Here is the rest of the nigiri omakase set:

To finish the night, there was tofu creme brulee and the classic egg custard:

How would I describe the whole experience? Definitely worth going back to as another special occasion! Is it worth the bar experience versus the dining experience? That, I am not too sure. I enjoy watching the sushi chefs making the food and I always sit at the bar every time I come. Since I’ve never sat at the dining room, I can’t really comment. If you enjoy watching your food being made, it’s worth the extra 20 dollars!

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restaurant

Lobster Rolls of Bar Harbor, Maine

Please note: this list is heavily influenced by the places we went. This is not a list of TOP lobster rolls at Bar Harbor, rather just a list of lobsters rolls eaten by me. Bonus: one whole lobster picture as it is somewhat related. Lobster, Bar Harbor, close enough keywords!

Terrace Grille at the Bar Harbor Inn

Enjoy the lobster roll and view! A++

Stewman’s Downtown

Okay okay, this is not a lobster roll, but it’s just as delicious, A+

Leary’s Landing Irish Pub

Hunger and late night dinner makes this A+.

The Independent Cafe

Lobster Roll for Breakfast: I will never say no. A++

Side Street Cafe

Last lobster roll for the trip: worthhh it regardless of the phone photo! A+
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restaurant

Jeju Noodle Bar

fatty tuna, scrambled egg, to Biko rice, toasted seaweed, and uni

I have been following this restaurant’s instagram feed since they received their Michelin star. I just can’t resist those perfect uni shots, mouth drooling ramyun, and those sweet sweet seafood hashtags!

fatty tuna, scrambled egg, to Biko rice, toasted seaweed, and uni
fatty tuna, scrambled egg, to Biko rice, toasted seaweed, and uni
tofu mouse, soy truffle, grana padano, organic egg
tofu mouse, soy truffle, grana padano, organic egg
Chocolate Ice Cream

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Jeju Noodle Bar
679 GREENWICH ST. NEW YORK, NY 10014

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restaurant

Eleven Madison Park

Tartare with rye toast and condiments - 2012

Fortunately, I was able to come to Eleven Madison Park before it shut down for the summer for renovations. It was a very lovely (late, as in 9.45pm reservations!) evening of ridiculously good food. The menu consisted of 11 dishes from 11 years that the restaurant was open that were crowd favorites. The service was impeccable and it was very enjoyable to be seated facing the room. It made people watching much more fun while eating perfectly flavored and beautifully plated food.

I was very full afterwards (so not sure what yelpers are talking about with the tiny amounts of food..) and the plate of dessert and apple brandy for the last course was a very nice touch. Definitely a once in a lifetime meal!

P.S. They gift you a jar of granola for breakfast. I may be eating some of it right now.

Eleven Madison Park
11 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010

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restaurant

Brasserie 8 1/2

Terrine De Truite Fumée - Brasserie 8 1/2
Golden Beets, Fromage Blanc, Salmon Pearls, Horseradish
  • Poitrine De Canard - Brasserie 8 1/2
  • Terrine De Truite Fumée - Brasserie 8 1/2
  • Palette De Boeuf Bourguignone - Brasserie 8 1/2
  • Gâteau Aux Citron - Brasserie 8 1/2

I have never been a big fan of NYC Restaurant Week but it is great for discovering restaurants. I have passed by this building many times and never thought there was a restaurant downstairs. It is a very beautiful venue where you enter the bar and lounge area after the winding stairs. The seating in the dining room is spread out, very atypical of a New York City restaurant establishment!

Though the food is not really worth writing home about (other than the perfectly cooked medium rare duck!), it is a great place to have a nice, quiet dinner. No obnoxiously loud music and the waiters are very attentive. Come here and  enjoy the ambience.

Tip: This place has 1 dollar oysters during Happy Hour in the bar and lounge area. Perfect for midtown slurping after work!

Brasserie 8 1/2
9 W 57th St, New York, NY 10019

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restaurant

Taste Good

Hainanese Chicken - Taste Good
  • Roti Canai - Taste Good
  • Hainanese Chicken - Taste Good
  • Hainanese Rice - Taste Good
  • Beef Satay - Taste Good

The service is quick, food is cheap, and all the sauces are on point at this Elmhurst located restaurant. The satay is okay but you can make it better by dipping it in the sweet chili sauce next to the hainanese rice. This totally satisfied my craving for roti canai!

Tip: Bring CASH and order all the things. I certainly did!

Taste Good
82-18 45th Ave, Elmhurst, NY 11373

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restaurant

Union Square Cafe

Braised Lamb Shank - Union Square Cafe
Salsa Verde, Roasted Potatoes, Arugula
Marinated Sardines - Union Square Cafe
Braised Lamb Shank - Union Square Cafe
Pappardelle - Union Square Cafe
bread - Union Square Cafe
Union Square Cafe
Goat Cheese Cheesecake - Union Square Cafe

Union Square Cafe reopens in Gramercy/Flatiron district and it looks brand spanking new and classy as hell! There are two bars, downstairs and upstairs and two levels of table seating area.

Tip: The Lamb Shank is a great dish to share. It is this humongous piece of meat on bone with a side of perfectly cooked fingerling potatoes and arugula.

Union Square Cafe
101 E 19th St, New York, NY 10003