Dinner at White Star Bar in Jersey City, NJ

Another trip to White Star since Dan and I were both in the mood for burgers.

Double Burger Double Cheese plus side of bacon mac and cheese

Paulus Hook Burger - Smoked-Salt Onion Strings, Portabella, Gruyere & Truffle Aoili on the side so I could dip my fries in it

Dinner at Two Door Tavern in NYC

Debbie and I stopped by Two Door Tavern for dinner, in large part because of the sign outside for frozen drinks.  It was happy hour so the appetizers were all 50% off so we just shared a bunch of apps for dinner.  It was good for bar food.  The frozen drink didn't really taste like what it was, but was satisfying as it was over 90 degrees out.

Frozen moscow mules

Bavarian Pretzel Bites with stone ground mustard and cheese sauce, Honey Sriracha Buffalo Wings, and Crispy Artichoke Fries with truffle aioli dipping sauce

Spinach and Artichoke Dip with crispy tortilla chips

Lunch at Shanghai Best in Jersey City, NJ

The 'rents and Dan and I went to Shanghai Best for lunch.  We ordered way too much food so had plenty of leftovers.  Always a great option for Chinese food in downtown JC.

Mapo Tofu

Scallion pancake stuffed with beef

Sweet and spicy pork chop

Beef chow fun

Crystal shrimp.  So much shrimp

Sesame shrimp

Dinner at Fuku + in NYC

We went to Fuku for dinner post a tv show panel.  The place wasn't crowded which was nice and this time I got to have the sandwich Korean style, which in my opinion is even better than the regular chicken sandwich because the radish adds some sweetness and freshness.  Great we didn't have to spend too much for a David Chang restaurant.  Drinks were great too and we got some cookies from the attached Momofuku milkbar.

Loaded Fries and regular fries.  I actually preferred the regular because the loaded fries were crazy rich

Kimchi bacon burger was super juicy and delicious.  Very messy though

Spicy Chicken Sandwich Koreano style

Dinner at Dullboy in Jersey City, NJ

Dan and I went to Dullboy for dinner.  It was Tiki Thursday so had some delicious tropical dranks.  And the food was incredible though so filling I could barely move afterwards.

Tropical drinks

The Scout on the left: bourbon, blackberries, lemon juice, giffard muroise & vanilla, cynar artichoke amaro
On the right Jamaican Bloodbath: rumfire white overproof rum, cappelletti, grenadine, cuca fresca cachaca, angostura bitters and orange.  The rum fire was NO JOKE.  So strong

Clams Casino - panko, bacon, clams, garlic, shallots & white wine.  Delicious version

Threesome - braised pork belly, seared foie gras, sea scallop,pumpkin seed pipian, sun dried tomato chutney.  This was ridiculously rich both separate and together, but better together

Chicken - brined brick pressed chicken, white truffle-bacon hash, crisp brussels sprouts with lime, natural jus.  I didn't like how the chicken looked but it was tender and delicious.  Great with the truffle hash and crispy brussel sprouts

Mac & cheese pot pie - braised brisket, tomato, onion & chipotle.  So good.  The best thing we ate but incredibly rich and this was just an app

Dinner from Taqueria Viva Mexico Kitchen Cafe in Jersey City, NJ

Dan was in the mood for Mexican food so ordered from Taqueria Viva.  He got his usual enchiladas and I also got enchiladas but in mole sauce.  The dish was tasty but the sauce a tad sweet.  I probably could've finished the whole plate I was so hungry but the sweetness of the mole sauce stopped me.  Lasted for two meals though.

Shredded Chicken Enchiladas - Three corn tortillas filled with shredded chicken, smothered with green sauce and topped with Mexican cream, cheese, red onions and avocado. Served with rice and refried beans

Steak enchiladas in mole sauce

Dessert from Doughnut Plant in NYC

After dinner at Txikito we hit up Doughnut Plant for dessert.  Since it was the end of the day we there weren't quite so many options left but still delicious and better than fresh donuts at some other places in the city.

Doughseed donut with peanut butter and banana cream

Chocolate covered donut

Dinner at Txikito in NYC

For Dan's birthday I took him to Txikito in NYC for delicious Basque dinner.  The food was delicious and authentic, as good as food that we had in San Sebastian.  Definitely a great place to go to NYC if you are in the mood for authentic Basque cuisine.

Complimentary soup amuse bouche

Menu of their specials that day

Kroketas - classic salt cod croquettes.  Perfectly fried and great texture inside

Txiki Txanpi - miniature Porcini mushroom grilled cheese

Marijuli - sweet pepper, tomato, Jamón, Basque anchovy

Pulpo - octopus carpaccio, lemon oil, marjoram, Piment d’espelette

Close up of the pulop.  So thinly sliced yet so meaty.  My fav dishwz

Menestra - spring vegetable medley, with peas, sugar snap peas, chanterelle mushrooms, radishes, pea puree, and sauce of Iberico fat back.  This was a special that day.  Great way to get our veggies plus pork flavor

Pil Pil - olive oil poached salt cod, crispy garlic, pil pil.  Dan had tried to cook this at home and was not quite so successful.  This was delicious.  Sauce had great flavor and not too thick or thin.  Fish was like tender meat.  So good

Cochinillo - slow roasted suckling pig with Tximitxurri sauce.  Great crispy skin and tender meat

Dinner from Lady M Cake Boutique in NYC

I picked up some dessert for Dan's birthday.  Got a delicious coconut crepe cake and a special banana cake for Dan.  One of the few desserts that I cannot replicate so of course I don't feel bad picking things up from here.

Banana Mille Feuille - flaky, golden puff pastry, whipped cream kissed with just a touch of triple sec, layers of vanilla sponge cake and perfectly ripe bananas.

Coconut Mille Crepe Cake - coconut flakes into the lightest of pastry cream, accented with a subtle touch of almonds and coconut rum, and tucked between no less than twenty layers of buttery crêpes

Both slices

Dinner at Eddyline Restaurant in Buena Visa, CO

After we went rafting we were all hungry so ate and drank at Eddyline, a brewery close to the rafting place.  We shared some delicious chili cheese fries and sausages and salad for good measure.  Great good and delicious cider and beer as well.

Small Kale Yeah Salad - Fresh baby kale, with edamame, sunflower seeds and shredded carrots. Topped with house-made lemon honey vinaigrette.

Wild Game Sausage Sampler - Cuts of 4 exotic sausages, wood-fired grilled, including: Wild Boar with Apricot, Smoked Buffalo, Elk and Jalapeno, & Jackelope and Habanero

Green Chile cheese fries - Sharp cheddar cream sauce with new mexico green chile poured over a double order of french fries plus bacon

Green chile cheese fries with pork

Dinner at Bistro at Marshdale in Evergreen, CO

The fam went to the Bistro for a delicious farm-to-table dinner for Dan's birthday.  Everything was delicious but the steak especially stood out.  The crab beignets were also very memorable.  Great meal and they had someone playing live music which was great.

Bruschetta Pomodoro - House Mozzarella, Tomatoes, Basil Chiffonade, Balsamic Glaze

Crab Beignets with Rémoulade Sauce, Arugula

Buffalo Meatballs - Korean Garlic Sauce, Kim-Chee, Cilantro

Ricotta Dumplings - Cherry Wood Smoked Shiitake, Beef Jus, Whipped Truffle Butter

Duck Confit - Braised Hind Quarter, Fennel Pear Compote, Cider Glaze. With polenta cake and veggies

Cowboy Steak special with mashed potatoes and veggies

Lobster Tail special and polenta cake and veggies

NY Strip Steak with mashed potatoes and veggies

Lunch at The Rusty Bucket in Lakewood, CO

After we landed in Denver, CO, the fam went to a bar, which shockingly was a Steelers bar.  Even more shocking, the food was amazing.  They had a Primanti's style sandwich, which if you don't know, is an awesome sandwich filled with any protein you want, vinegar cole slaw, and french fries.  The BEST.  And the guys got green chili was they said was awesome too.  It was a tad spicy for me but definitely had great flavor.  It was a surprisingly amazing lunch.

Home-made green chili

The Pittsburgh - corned beef, coleslaw, provolone & french fries piled high between grilled country miche bread.  Plus side of tots.  It was large and they served it in halves for us