Dinner at Left Bank Burger Bar in Jersey City, NJ

We were craving burgers for dinner so headed to Left Bank.  I think I saw some ridiculous looking burger challenger and we thought we should go there.  We each ordered special burgers and they were both delicious but super filling.  I think everytime we go there we end up leaving a little stuffed.  Still, a great meal.

Fried pickles.  Even I enjoy these

Dan had the Champion Burger but can't remember what it was called.  I think there was some pulled pork and deep fried beer battered burger on it though

Challenger Burger: Puff Puff Pass - grass fed short rib patty, cheesy puff pastry bun, french onion jam, bourbon shrooms, smoked bacon, gruyere cheese.  With a side of onion rings

Don't know how but I ATE THE WHOLE THING.  Soo good but very messy and cheesy

My drink order.  I think called El Chapo.  Tecate with shot of patron.  Fri-yay

Lunch at Shanghai Best in Jersey City, NJ

The 'rents and I went back to Shanghai Best for Chinese food lunch.  Everything was pretty tasty except I got a chicken soup for Dan to go and it had gross pieces of bland looking chicken parts that no one wants.  Sad.  Everything else was solid especially loved the sesame pancakes.

Spicy pork belly. Not sure if the pork belly was ideal cut for this

Sesame pancake.  I think sweet because of coconut

Shrimp with broccoli

Sesame Beef

Dessert from Krispy Kreme in Jersey City, NJ

A Krispy Kreme factory just opened up in JC and it's been crazyyy.  Lines out the food.  Even with just lines inside, the service is super slow.  We can't understand how because people are literally just putting donuts in boxes, but apparently they haven't quite figured out a good system.  Hopefully as time passes, the demand will be less, and/or the workers will figure out how to make things run more smoothly.  Everyone loves to watch the donuts on the assembly line, and I too took some pics of the process ha.

Brunch at Le Coucou in NYC

Dan and I went to Le Coucou in NYC, a new French restaurant that is getting a lottt of buzz.  We originally wanted to go because they have a Lyonnaise dish - quenelles. A kind of creamy, rich fish casserole.  That doesn't sound too appealing but trust me, it is divine.  Unfortunately they no longer have it for brunch even though their menu online lists it :(  I was totally joking with Dan before that they had run out; I felt so bad when we sat down and I saw it wasn't there.  I figured out how to swing a normal dinner reservation though, so we will be back.  The service was wonderful; Michelin quality.  Our waiter suggested some dishes after we told him things we were sure of, and everything was paired wonderfully.  We actually weren't too full because the portion size was right, but satisfied.  Can't wait to come back for dinner!

Kouign amann - very different shape than what we were used to, but excellent.  Very crispy and nice caramelization.  A tad sweet for me but Dan really liked it

Celeri remoulade - celery root, apple, smoked salmon, walnuts.  This was recommended by the waiter.  I wouldn't have been drawn to it on my own, but it was my favorite dish!  So light and everything was paired perfectly

Loved the apples freshness with the salty/smoky salmon and crunch of the walnuts

Another shot

Lobster Crepe with egg.  Actual buckwheat crepe. So good but rich

Coeur de 'l'entrecote "dix par dix" aux fois gras - thinly sliced ribeye seared on the plancha, relaxed fois gras

Shot before the foie gras melted.  Was like butter.  So rich but delicious.  I wish it had come with more veggies or something non-meaty

Baba Al Rhum - rum cake stuffed with creme fraiche.  THIS WAS SO GOOD.  Better than the baba al rhum from Paul Bocuse because the rum cooked off so there was the hint of flavor but otherwise just sweet sweet goodness.  I was kind of full but I got it together even to eat my share.  After the salmon dish this was my fav

Dinner at Asia de Cuba in NYC

Had a ladies dinner at Asia de Cuba for Restaurant Week.  The place was pretty large and busy, as it was RW, so unfortunately the service wasn't great.  I think we were there at least three hours and the food was just okay.  Good, but the service was so lackluster that no one wanted to come back.  Their RW menu was a really good deal - the dishes offered were worth more than the per person cost, but the service really was a downer.  We each ordered different dishes (minus dessert) so got to try a lot of their food at least.

Tunapica Tartare - crispy wonton, spanish olive, currants, toasted coconut, almond, avocado ceviche

Casabe Cakes - guava bbq pork, onion mojo, fresno pepper

Snapper Ceviche - thai chili, red onion, cilantro and plantains

The Crispy Calamari salad - banana, chayote, cashews, hearts of palm, and orange-sesame vinagrette.  Calamari was perfectly fried.  Banana wasn't awful with it but I didn't get it

Pork lechon fried rice

Seven spiced black chicken - snow peas, shitake mushrooms, creamy congri

Short Rib Vaca Frita - carrot puree, plantain fufu, chinese broccoli mojo

Coconut cake - vanilla bean, coconut cream, dulce de leche ice cream.  I loved this and didn't think it was too sweet at all (as some yelp reviews suggested)

Seared scallops with black rice

Tres Leches de Chocolate - chocolate szechuan peppercorn ice cream.  Those who got this really liked it.   

Home-made vegetable lasagna

We bought a huge container of ricotta at Costco and besides various times of eating ricotta toast, I had to think of a good way to use it.  Decided to make a vegetarian lasagna using zucchini, squash, and red bell peppers.  Pretty easy to make and so much food.   We were eating lasagna for a week!  Dan helped by making the marinara sauce.  A delicious and pretty healthy meal with only a little bit of prep work.

Before putting it in the oven

Fresh out of the oven

Can see all the veggies and cheese

Dinner at Greene Hook in Jersey City, NJ

Dan and I went to Greene Hook for dinner and had another amazing meal.  We hadn't realized it was Restaurant Week but couldn't turn down the great deal - $35 for three courses where majority of the dishes were from their regular menu.  Everything was super well-prepared and so tasty and filling.  We were already kind of getting full from appetizers but soldiered on.  Their menu is seasonal but there is always stuff on the current menu that I want to try.  We both agreed this is one of the best restaurants in JC, but most people don't seem to know about it because it's not quite as central and in a more quiet part.  More for us!

Baked Brie - fruit puree, port reduction and crostini.  Soo rich and delicious.  The piece of brie was huge - I think like a normal size piece we'd buy for a get-together.  Perfectly matched with the fruit/port reduction.  Wonderful spread all together on the crostini.  This was very filling though

Pork shoulder with caramelized apples and apple cider brandy sauce.  Another amazing pairing.  Pork was very tender and was perfect with the apples and sauce

Short Rib with celeriac, green beans, watermelon radish and demi glace.  I've had Short Rib from here before and it was just as delicious, though with different accompniments.  Short rib just fell apart with my fork, didn't even need a knife

Cassoulet - pork shoulder, pork belly, duck confit, garlic sausage, toulouse sausage, and white bean.  Insane meat and bean mix. Not quite a stew because it was baked but soo good. Very rich though.  Beans tasted meaty too

Another shot of the short rib

Bread pudding with maple syrup ice cream.  Perfect.  Very large as well

Creme Brulee with fresh berries.  Excellent texture , soft and creamy inside but nice caramelized tops and great with the berries.  Lighter than the bread pudding which was good because we were so happily full.  I still cannot believe all of our food was only $35 per person.  I feel like they got the raw end of this deal