Dinner from Gogi Grill in Hoboken, NJ

We ordered Korean fast casual from Gogi Grill, which reminds me of a Chipotle but Korean food.  The food was delicious, healthy, and large portions.  Enough for two meals.  The ETA for arrival was a bit longer than originally stated but it was worth it in my opinion.

My Build Your Own Bowl - Korean Fried Rice (soy sauce, sesame oil, and butter), beef bulgogi, sprouts, garlic butter corn, cucumber kimchi, zucchini, seaweed stripss, and side of red (extra spicy korean red pepper sauce)

My bowl all mixed up

Dan got a Build Your Own Burrito - korean fried rice, beef bulgogi, garlic butter corn, spicy slaw, romaine lettuce, regular kimchi, and green sauce (cilantro, lime, and medium spicy chili)

We got one build your own taco to try the spicy bacon - spicy korean bacon, watercress, spicy slaw, white radish, cucumber kimchi and side of red sauce.  Bacon was delicious and thick, though not too spicy.  There was a LOT going on such a small taco though haha

Dinner from Carvao BBQ in Jersey City, NJ

We ordered dinner from Carvao BBQ via Uber Eats.  We were pleasantly surprised both by how delicious the food was and how quickly it came.  The bbq is typical Portuguese.  Large portions and cheap prices.  Can't go wrong.

Part of the sampler - delicious Mexican corn

Everything we ordered

"Small" ribs - said two pieces but they were cut in half and large.  Plus fries and rice

Rest of the sampler included grilled Portuguese sausage and fried wings.  The wings were dry rubbed and delicious!  The sausage was a wee bit overcooked but Dan enjoyed.  Definitely had good flavor

Lunch at Wasabi Sushi and Bento in NYC

Dan and I went to Wasabi in Fulton Center for a quick lunch.  Dan got poke and I finally tried the eel bowl.  Eel tasted good but was so small I was still hungry after :(  So I got some dumplings that I failed to take a pic of which were filling.

Eel bento bowl with veggies on white rice.  Dan also got a tuna rice ball which was tuna salad.  It was okay.  I don't generally like the ratio of protein to rice -- too much rice

Lunch from Yorganic in NYC

I had a healthy lunch from Yorganic by work. I had a bliss bowl and the bowls there are large and last for two lunches.  Didn't love the peanut sauce (was a little watery) but the actual bowl ingredients were delicious and healthy.  A great lunch option.

Bliss Bowl with white rice, grilled chicken, chickpeas, broccoli, corn and mushroom.  Next time will try some of the other meats like bulgogi

Dim Sum Brunch at Nom Wah Tea Parlor in NYC

Jordan and I went to Nom Wah for dim sum brunch.  Had to wait a bit but actually moved fast, despite getting there at 11:30.  They forgot two of our orders but didn't put it on the receipt, and was actually probably a good thing because were both pretty full. Unfortunately they did not forget any of our fried orders, which was probably why we got so full.  Still, a good meal in nice company and without the hecticness of the cart dim sum.

Scallion pancakes

Fried Turnip Cake and Fried Shrimp wrapped in bacon

The Shu Mais aka my fav dim sum options

Pork Shu Mai

Shrimp Shu Mai

Dinner at Red Poke in NYC

After City Kitchen, Dan and I swung by Red Poke because it was nearby and poke seemed like a light but potentially filling option.  For the first time we realized you can have bad poke.  We should've been tipped off because they had other bowls options like cooked meat and only two real poke options.  Was kind of pricey and just not impressive.  It tasted weird for a reason we can't pinpoint.  Something about this tasted off.  No umami flavor and way too much citrus.

Make your own bowl

Looks nice in the picture but was not good

Fun sign though

Dinner at City Kitchen in NYC

Dan and I went to City Kitchen for a quick dinner.  Dan got himself a lobster roll from Luke's Lobster and I got ramen from Kuro Obi, which has some link to Ippudo.  Both were good though we weren't completely full so swung by a poke place and got a little more food.

Spicy ramen.  Can't remember what kind but it was a spicy miso broth

Nice bowl though not super memorable

Lobster Roll.  Always good

Lunch at Milano's Deli in Jersey City, NJ

Dan picked up lunch at Milano's Deli for me.  The sandwich was huge but a little wet from being wrapped in the aluminum foil with so much balsamic.  Not bad.  I think it would've been better had I eaten at the deli and not have it sit for so long.  Ate the other half the next day and wasn't bad.

Chicken Bruschetta Sub

Dinner at South House in Jersey City, NJ

Dan and I went to South House to celebrate Mardi Gras.  We had to wait a while to get seated because it was so popular and the only place in JC that seemed to be celebrating.  They had a live jazz piano that was awesome - they even played Pony haha.  It took a little while to get our food/drinks but overall was worth it.  Had some hurricanes and the food was pretty tasty and reminded us of NOLA.  Can't wait to go back later this year.

Jambalaya - really delicious flavor and good texture

Fried Green Tomatoes with remoulade

Cajun Chicken Po Boy - this was the only thing we didn't love because the chicken was spicy with no sweetness.  Nothing else on the sandwich too.  Fries were good.

Lunch from Pollo Campero in Corona, NY

I went to Pollo Campero in Corona and finally tried their fried chicken.  Definitely distinct from any traditionally American fried chicken.  Nice spice and not too greasy.  Not healthy but still delicious.

2 piece fried chicken and corn salad.  The corn salad was my attempt to be healthy.  I think it had kale in it, but was also covered with cotija cheese

Close up of the chicken.  Large portion.  Also came with side of corn tortillas so I made some tacos with the chicken and salad

Brunch at Pasta Dal Cuore in Jersey City, NJ

Took the 'rents to Pasta Dal Cuore in our neighborhood.  The non pasta dishes were fine but nothing spectacular.  The pasta on the other hand was delicious, amazing, and entirely worth coming back for, especially the carbonara.  The pancetta was so crisp and crunchy.  I think this place has the best homemade pasta in JC.  They also saw their homemade pasta and sauce so also a great place for a semi-homemade dinner.

Tagliatelle Bolognese - classic beef, pork and veal spauce, sprinkled lightly with fennel pollen and grana padano

Tajarin Alla Carbonara - rich pure yolk cut pasta with pancetta, pecorino romano, raw egg yolk, and black pepper

My mom's Spinaci Frittata - spinach and grana padano.  Served with delicious potatoes and salad

My Pugliesi Omelet - sweet Italian sausage, broccoli rabe, and taleggio cheese

Inside the omelet.  Nice sweet sausage with slightly bitter broccoli rabe.  Potatoes were also delicious.  Nice crispy outside and soft inside, tossed in herbs.  Only $9 also

Homemade Bistec and Veggies

We had some steak so I decided to make Filipino Bistec.  Pretty easy - just marinade for about an hour and slice the meat thin and cook onions, then the beef with the sauce reduced.  Also made some green beans and carrots to go with it and it was a great combo.

Bistec close up with onions

Green beans and carrots cooked in bacon fat

Of course have to have white rice with the meal

Lunch at Blaze Pizza in Wayne, NJ

Dan and I went to Blaze Pizza at the Willowbrook Mall.  It was Dan's first time and a return for me as the last time I went to Blaze was when working in Newark.  Line moved pretty quickly and he was as impressed as I was the first time but the quality, size, and cheapness!  Such an amazing concept and so well executed.  I got usual white pizza with veggies and chicken.  So delicious and a good amount of leftovers.

My white pizza with chicken, mushrooms, tomatoes, zucchini and roasted garlic

Dan's pesto sauce was really tasty too

Home-made Ensalada Campera

We went to Fairway for the first time and both fell in love with this supermarket!  Picked up some inexpensive ($4.99!) tuna fillets in olive oil and decided to make my fav salad - Ensalada Campera which is probably the same thing as Salad Nicoise.  Basically tuna fillets, greens, boiled potatoes, tomatoes, capers, green beans, hard boiled egg, and anything else you want to throw on it.  We got some delicious authentic balsamic.  Real balsamic with grape must.  It was divine and as good as any salad of this sort we've had at a restaurant.  Pretty pleased with myself.

Dinner at Cellar 335 in Jersey City, NJ

Dan and I went to Cellar 335. It's an Asian Tiki Bar in downtown JC.  An interesting and definitely unique idea in JC.  Later at night apparently they have a DJ and dancing, which again is not a common thing in JC.  We walked there, which was a bit lengthy (a mile each way).  Place seemed very trendy and like a lot of places in the city.  The drinks were tasty and in fun copper mugs.  Unfortunately the food was just ehh, pretty not memorable.  Too bad because I liked the concept but wasn't at all impressed by the food.

Maui's Gift - absolute elyx, avua prata cachaca and young thai coconut water, and lime.  Dan got it and was so cutely presented.  It had a great flavor.  I had a Smoldering Bastard which I forgot to take a pic of but was also nice, rye-based.

Beef Cheek Bao - my fav thing of everything we ate.  Great flavor and nice bounch on the bao bun

Crispy Duroc Rib - sesame, coconut and tamarind bbq.  On yelp everyone raved about this, but we both found it too sweet.  The sauce was so familiar.  Can't place it but have definitely had this sweet thick bbq flavor before

Hamachi Tartare - crispy rice cake, cucumber and ponzu.  Wanted to love this but was a little too acidic and also just ehh

Sacri-Fries - neuske's bacon, scallion and cheese sauce.  Again wanted to love this but it was too rich

Prime Skirt Steak - miso, cauliflower and chimichurri.  This was tasty.  Great flavor and tender steak, but still not super memorable as someone who eats a ton of steak of all different cuts.  It was a little sweet for me as well

Dessert from Veniero's in NYC

After lunch at Momofuku we swung by Veniero's for some pastries to go.  We sat on a park bench and tried some cannoli and then continued eating these delicious sugary treats at home and for breakfast the next day.  Classic NYC Italian bakery.

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Lunch at Momofuku Ssam Bar in NYC

I had no work on some week day for a holiday, so Dan and I went into the city for lunch at Momofuku Ssam Bar.  I always want to go but don't want to risk lines, but we came soon after it opened for lunch and there was plenty of seating.  The food was sooo good.  Meat was tender and flavorful and perfectly seasoned.  The combo of lettuce wraps, rice and meat is so simple yet satisfying.  Didn't realize the pancakes were so large, otherwise would've only ordered one between the two of us.  Definitely need to come back for further ssam meals.

Bonji Old Fashioned – bourbon, black sugar, bitters .  I got a non-alcoholic Thai Basil Cooler which was basically basil lemonade.  So refreshing and delicious.  I'm sure the gin/alcoholic version would've been amazing as well

Can't come to any Momofuku without getting the pork buns - pork belly, hoison, cucumber and scallion

Stuffed Rotisserie Duck Ssam - delicious duck meat, rice, and lettuce with cucumbers.  Also ordered a chive pancake which was large

Dan ordered the same Ssam meal but with pork belly, which was good but a smaller portion.  I definitely think the duck was better.  The girl at the table next to us ordered the Gochu Glazed Pork Ribs and I def want to come back to try that.  There were two MASSIVE ribs, almost looked like beef.  Sooo much meat and the sauce looked amazing