Dinner from Ibby's Falafel in Jersey City, NJ

I was craving some Middle Eastern and discovered that Ibby's is on Fast Delivery, another food delivery service in JC but a little less traditional.  Food came pretty quickly and was delicious, though I think everything always seems to taste better in person as things tend to dry out or steam too much in the containers (esp the pita sandwiches in foil).  Still delicious and my preferred falafel in JC.

Lamb Shawarma sandwich.  Best meat there in my opinion

Chicken shawafel platter - falafel, chicken shawarma, rice and veggies with hummus and pita

Dessert from Lady M Confections in NYC

I swung by Lady M at the new Westfield Mall at World Trade Center.  Picked up some delicious crepe cake and stuffed our faces at home.  Both were excellent.  I can't tell which I liked better; I think it just depends on whether you're in the mood for vanilla or chocolate.  That day,  I was equally entranced by each.

These look less pretty as I forgot to remove the plastic plate part to keep it together.  But it was delish!

Pick your poison

Close up of the chocolate

Brunch at City Diner in Jersey City, NJ

Went to brunch at City Diner with Dan and the 'rents.  Delicious and quick and great service considering it was a Sunday afternoon.  Both Dan and I were feeling incredibly sweet after the previous dinner of salty meats.  Somehow I still had a yen for bacon though.

Dan got Bananas and Cream French Toast, which is exactly what it sounds like

I got the Nutella Berry Croissant - chocolate hazelnut spread, sweetened cream cheese and sliced strawberrys and blueberries on a toasted croissant

Side of sweet potato fries.  Always solid

Side of bacon because what is a meal without meat?

My mom got Sal's Wrap, which is what I get 75% of the time - wrap with scrambled eggs, bacon, avocado, and spinach.  Pseudo healthy I like to think

My Dad was the only actually healthy one.  He got a Greek Salad (Romaine, feta, grape tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, red onion, Kalamata olives, Greek dressing) with grilled chicken.  Huge portion with enough for a second meal

Dinner at Brazeiro Churrascaria in North Bergen, NJ

Laura, Dannys, Dan and I went on a delicious double date at one of the best rodizio places I've been to, probably top 3 of my life.  There were about 15 different meats brought around and it costs less than $30 per person, pre-tip.  Includes a meager salad bar, but also some great table sides of maduros, rice, beans, and yuca.  All the starch you need to go with your meat.  The meat was not too salty and so flavorful.   Would def recommend if you are looking for a meaty meaty meal.

Sides of maduros and french fries

Rice and beans and yuca

Some salad bar veggies and the first meat - sausage.  Lots of flavor in a tiny bite

Chicharron!  Best thing we ate and so unique.  I've never seen it before at rodizio.  Again with the sausage

Bacon wrapped turkey and chicken drummette

Some beef. Now I'm starting to forget

Beef with cheese and pork tenderloin

More beef I can't remember.  

Again more delicious beef.  My second fav thing was either the short rib or hanger/flank steak

Spicy sausage and other meats

I think this was the hanger/flank steak which I LOVED

More beef.  Sorry if these are starting to look gross haha

I think short rib?  Delicious is also another name

Just kidding this was the short rib and AMAZING

Lunch from Simple NYC in NYC

I swung by Simple NYC on the LES for some delicious poke bowls.  I heart poke so much and this place was solid and inexpensive.  Unlike Pokeworks, bowl combos are pre-set but everything worked really well together and was great.  You can also call or order online in advance and pick up so no waiting.  The place is small with not much seating but also in a not hugely traffick-y area so I bet you could get a seat at least weekdays.  Excellent place that I would def revisit if in the area.

Spicy Tuna bowl - avocado, seaweed, diced mango, seasonal veggies, cucumber, masago, pickled ginger, edamame, oshinko, micro mix and ginger umami. Yummy!

Octopus Bowl - miso glaze, avocado, seasonal veggies, cucumber, masago, togarishi, seaweed, aioli, pickled ginger, edamame, oshinko, micro mix and ginger umami.  Excellent and the octopus was nice and tender

Dessert from Dominique Ansel Kitchen in NYC

Giant choc chip cookie.  Good but nothing to run here for

Being that we were in the West Village, had to do a quick stop at DAK for some DKAs (for breakfast) and other new treats.  Jordan got a warmed up choc chip cookie, which needed to be warmed more.  I get a lemon yuzu tart, which sounded insane but was TOO warm and gooey to be enjoyable.  It was kind of a runny hot mess.  So I stopped eating halfway through, brought it home, and put it in the fridge.  The next day after it had re-solidified, it was much much better.  Not sure why they served it so warm.  Def cold tart is the way to go.

Black Tea Tiramisu.  Some interesting flavors and not too sweet.  Def try if you are into tea (not me but still appreciated it) 

Lemon yuzu tart.  Looks and sounds beautiful but was too runny when served.  Make sure it's cold before you eat.  Don't be greedy and try to eat it in the store

Dinner at Aria West Village in NYC

Jordan and I went to Aria in the West Village for an Italian small-plates style dinner.  There is a ton of Italian food in NYC, especially in the West Village.  Aria was good but not super memorable when I think of other awesome Italian eats in the area (i.e. L'Artusi, dell'anima, and Barbuto).  It's a very cute and romantic place though, more so than any of those others I mentioned.  The meal was solid but looking back, nothing that made me want to come back.  Still glad to have tried it though because the menu was huge and had sooo many good looking options.

Special - burrata, tomato and prosciutto. Winning combo.  Prob the best thing we ate as that burrata was soo silky smooth and rich

Mushroom Bruschetta with montasio cheese.  A pretty large portion and I guess similar to really greasy mini pizza bites.  Not nearly as good as I had hoped

A special that day - octopus salad.  Good texture, but can't particularly remember the flavors of the other ingredients with the octopus

Gnocchi with tomato and mozzarella.  I wanted to love this sooo much more than I did because the pics online looked so good and I heart gnocchi.  But it wasn't anything that memorable and could've used more salad.  The Barbuto gnocchi is currently my fav in all of NYC and they seasonally change the preparation, which is awesome