Brunch at Amelia's Bistro in Jersey City, NJ

Took the 'rents to Amelia's for brunch.  It was still warm out so we sat outside. Love their mini muffin starters.  Had a good filling salad and others got more breakfast-y dishes. 

Mini muffins

Breakfast Burrito - scrambled eggs, tomato, onion, green peppers, cheddar cheese, brunch potatoes and chunky avocado salsa

Smoked Salmon Benedict - diced tomatoes, and onions,  capers, english muffin and hollandaise sauce

Some kind of omelette

Pear and Gorgonzola salad - caramelized pears, gorgonzola, cranberries, applewood bacon, almonds, greens, lemongrass vinaigrette and grilled chicken

Dinner at FM Jersey City in Jersey City, NJ

Dan and I finally visited FM Jersey City, which is where Union Republic used to be.  The decor inside was awesome - very 70s and just a fun change of pace.  The food was good but I realize that I really own like italian style meatballs, not Swedish.  Food was good but compared to everything else in JC, I don't know that I would return just for the food.  Seems like a fun place to hang out though for a drink or two.

Pink Lady - gin, framboise, oj, and cranberry

Disco Tots - tater tots, cheese sauce, and gravy

Trio of Pierogis - fontina fondue, bacon and caramelized onion, herbed creme fraiche

all the apps

Swedish meatballs - beef, pork, sour cream demi glace, and garlic toast

Beef Wellington - Filet Mignon, Duxelle Pate, Puff Pastry, Mushroom Demi Glaze

Inside of the beef wellington

early bird deals

inside of the bathroom.  hilarious

Dessert from Glaze Donuts in Newark, NJ

We picked up some mini donuts from Glaze Donuts' stand at Prudential Center.  Surprised they were there but happy because we got to pick up donuts to go. 

Tres Lches, Toasted Coconut, S'mores, and Peanut Butter Pretzel Crunch

Dinner at Rumi Turkish Grill in Jersey City, NJ

Had a great reunion dinner at Rumi Turkish Grill.  It's BYOB, which made dinner super affordable, and the portions were super generous.  Their meat is delicious!  Loved everything we ate.

Sampler platter with Babaganoush, Eggplant in tomato sauce, Tabule, and Eggplant salad

Dan and I shared the combination kebab platter, which had rice, veggies, and a half portion each of Lamb Gyro, Lamb Shish, Chicken Shish & Adana Kebab

Brunch at Hamilton Pork in Jersey City, NJ

Dan and I went to the Hamilton Park BBQ Festival, but unfortunately this year there were many less vendors yet the lines were still long and we were hot.  Dan and I ended up going to Hamilton Pork so we could sit inside and eat as good bbq in air conditioning.  Love their breakfast burritos!

High Life and Mulemosa

Breakfast Burrito - brisket, avocado, rice, shredded queso, refried beans, and eggs plus home fries

Breakfast burrito with pulled pork instead of brisket.  Both were awesome and HUGE

Dinner at Schnippers in NYC

I grabbed a really quick and not-so-healthy dinner at Schnippers.  Just needed something to have in my stomach so I got chicken tenders and fries.  Definitely not healthy but the chicken and fries were well fried - meaning not too greasy and not instantaneously gross.   A cheap meal in Manhattan.

Breakfast from Paris Baguette in NYC

I picked up some pastries from Paris Baguette after I picked up dinner from Woorijip.  We ate the pastries the next morning and they were pretty good, though one that we didn't refrigerate we didn't eat much of.

All the pastries

Some kind of savory potato pastry.  Realized though since I left it on the counter overnight that maybe we shouldn't eat it

Korean version of Kouign ammon

Chocolate pastry.. Good but could've used more chocolate

Dinner from Woorijip Authentic Korean Food in NYC

I picked up some food to go from Woorijip for dinner.  Everything is sooo cheap and delicious.  I got food for dinner and my lunch the next day and there were leftovers.  Great option for korean food on the cheap.

The entire haul

Seafood and scallion pancake

Shrimp roll w/spicy mayo

Spicy cucumber, wild rice, and soy garlic chicken

Happy Hour at L&W Oyster Co. in NYC

I went to happy hour at L&W Oyster Co. for a goodbye w/Debbie.  I didn't eat actual dinner but the oysters were cheap and tasty, clean, though a bit on the small side.  They're only $1 each and the happy hour deal is all over the restaurant, which is nice because the bar area was small and crowded.

Home-made stir fry

I made home-made stir fry with teriyaki chicken and mixed veggies (broccoli, green beans, mushrooms and cashews mixed with soy sauce and hot sauce).  For the rice, made the last of our mixed brown rice medley.  Healthy yet satisfying.

Brunch at White Star Bar in Jersey City, NJ

The 'rents, Dan and I went to White Star Bar for brunch.  I'm slowly working my way through their menu.  Food is always delicious thought it gets pretty crowded on the weekend for brunch.    The brunch menu is small but has a good mix of burgers, breakfast, and a few healthy options.

Brioche French Toast - seasonal compote, maple syrup

Plain burger with salad

Chopped Cobb Salad - Grilled Chicken, Crumbled Blue Cheese,Sweet Corn, Egg, Avocado, Crispy Bacon,Tomato, Buttermilk Ranch

Big Star - Two Eggs over easy, Thick Cut Bacon, Home Fries, Multigrain Toast

Dinner at Broa in Jersey City, NJ

My cousins and I went to Broa for a delicious al fresco dinner.  We got to sit outside in a back area that I didn't even know excited.  It was great because while we had a great seat outside at first, they asked us to move in because of a bigger party size.  In return, they gave us delicious free dessert :)  The menu changes daily and that day they had some familiar dishes that we ordered, but also tried a few new selections.  Everything was incredible - so filling and inexpensive.  Plus BYOB.  Great experience both for a date or just with friends.

Delicious mixed sausage topped with fried egg

Croquetas

Awesome octopus

Garlic shrimp with potato chips

Short rib.  They only had a small piece left so they cut the price in half, which was excellent because we were full by the time this came

Brunch at Light Horse Tavern in Jersey City, NJ

The 'rents, Dan and I went to Light Horse for brunch.  Their food is always very solid though for some reason I find it mildly hard to distinguish it from other nearby eateries.  The cuban was a nice surprise.  Usually the food is generically american/bistro but it had some authentic flavors for sure.

Cuban sandwich (roasted pork, ham, swiss cheese and mustard. I nixed the pickles) and yuca fries

House smoked salmon - dill, cream cheese trio, red onions, and capers on a bagel

Bourbon Vanilla Croissant French Toast with fresh berries.  Excellent

Brunch at Black Ant in NYC

We had book club at Black Ant in the East Village.  Unfortunately most people couldn't make it, but we still had a nice conversation and cheap-ish meal since no one drank.  They do have all you can drink but no one felt in the mood.

Huevos Pochados - poached eggs, taquitos de queso, chipotle salsa, avocado and crispy jamon serrano

Enchiladas Verdes vegetarian - corn tortillas, roasted tomatillo salsa, queso fresco and pico de gallo

I got the Perrito Pulpo - grilled octopus hot dog with pico de gallo, spicy mayo, pickled jalapenos and spicy fries

Delicious seasoning and the octopus was cooked just right.  Just not a huge dish so I wasn't super full after

Dinner at Miso Ramen in Jersey City, NJ

Dan and I were in the mood for ramen and didn't want to spend a ton of time or money, so ended up at Miso Ramen. While I love Ani, this is a great place to go for quick delicious ramen, and they also make their own noodles so they are definitely legit.  The portions are pretty large as well so had leftovers, which was nice for the next day.  This post covers actually two different dinner visits, since in one week or so I think we went twice.  Guess we were really into ramen that week.

Special of brisket buns

Delicious.  Their buns are nice and fluffy and not too sticky.  Thick pieces of meat

Sliced chicken ramen - Sliced chicken, sesame, menma (bamboo shoots) mushroom, scallions, black garlic oil, nitamago (soft-boiled seasoned egg)

Miso ramen with pork

Miso ramen with pork again

Sliced chicken ramen again

Special buns.  I think a saucy chicken?