Home-made pork chops and rice and beans

I used the air fryer to make my usual pork chops and it turned out great!  It was a lot faster to cook but I had to do in two batches to make sure the skin crisped.  I didn't turn it over half way through, so maybe I should next time.  I marinated the pork chops in italian dressing then covered in bread crumbs, and cooked at 400 degrees for 12 minutes.  They were a tad burned, so Dan suggested next time cooking at lower temp for longer to get crisper skin.  The rice and beans were a great compliment too.

Air fried pork chops with rice and beans, and cherry tomatoes

Lunch at Rumba Cubana in Jersey City, NJ

Dan and I went to Rumba Cubana for a late lunch and had an incredible meal.  The food was soo delicious and inexpensive, and the drinks, although unlabeled on the menu, were also inexpensive and very tasty.  I definitely would come back, for brunch, for dinner, for whatever.  I'm still so amazed by how cheap it was considering how much food it was.  We had leftovers for more than two more meals.  I highly recommend people go here before they realize how expensive things should actually be.

Complimentary crackers with dip.  Not sure what was in the dip but I really liked it

One side of the menu so you can see how inexpensive the food is

Papa Hemingway Daiquiri (L) - $7.95
Passionfruit Sangria (R) - $7.95

Ceviche de Pescado - $6.95  Sooo much fish, large pieces, and the marinade was just the right level of acidic.  I only wish we had gotten more plantain chips 

Chicharrones de puerco - $3.95!  Sooo much delicious pork goodness

Dan got mofongo with ropa vieja - $7.95, which he ate for three meals total

El Revolico sandwich - $7.95, churrasco steak, fried sweet plaintains, swiss cheese on pressed cuban bread. SO SO good. I  could only eat one third at lunch because I was stuffed from the other food
with side of maduros $2

Inside of my sandwich.  Perfect combo of meat, cheese, and plaintains

still in shock by how cheap this was

Brunch at Greene Hook in Jersey City, NJ

The 'rents, Dan and I went to Greene Hook for brunch.  Looks like they recently changed their menu, so got to try a few new things, which is always something I look forward to.  Everyone was particularly impressed by the pork buns, since the restaurant itself isn't particularly asian-inspired.

Latest menu - February 2019

Pork Belly Buns - hoisin, scallion, cucumber

BLT on sourdough with fries

Mixed Green Salad (mixed greens, beans, egg, potato, and basil) with grilled chicken

Three eggs and style with bacon, roasted tomato, home fries, and toast

Fat Joe - breaded chicken, bacon, mayo, and american cheese

Dinner at Wurstbar in Jersey City, NJ

Nicole, Tracy and I went to Wurstbar for happy hour dinner.  We each got our own sausage and shared poutine.  I had to get one of their monthly specials as it sounded so so good, and ended up being delicious.  Another incredible and inexpensive meal (came out to $25 w/tip, including drinks).

February monthly specials

Three different sausages

Chicken Masala Poutine - Haus cut fries, cheese curds, chicken sausage, spicy masala gravy, cilantro

poutine without the flash

I got Gordon's Ramsey - beef frank, prosciutto, dijon, duxelle crumble, puff pastry and mushroom wine sauce. So incredible

Semi-home-made udon noodles

I used some frozen udon noodles to make a delicious stir fry with scallops and shrimp and plenty of sesame oil.  A great, healthier alternative to take-out.

Udon with broccoli, mushrooms, scallops and shrimp

another shot

Semi-home-made charcuterie plate

Dan and I hit up Wegman's and OMG they have a section of fresh charcuterie meats! Insane and clearly puts Wegman's on top of all the grocery stores haha.  We also got some delicious cheese from Cabot that you can't find cheaply anywhere where we live.  I heart Wegman's so so much.

Wegman's amazingness

Look at Dan's handiwork.  I contibuted the fig jam to the left

Fig jam, table crackers, serrano ham, cabot farmhouse reserve cheddar cheese, iberico chorizo, rice crackers, speck, and cherry tomatoes

Dinner from DeLorenzo's Tomato Pies in Yardley, PA

Dan and I picked a large pie to go from DeLorenzo's.  The reviews all stated how long in-person waits can be, and they don't take reservations, so we decided to pick up and turned out great.  For basically $20 we got a large delicious, thin crust pizza with sausage and mushrooms.  The crust wasn't paper thing though, which made me really happy because the time I went to DeLorenzo's in Robbinsville I felt the crust was too thin.  So happy to have discovered this place so close to the family home.  Maybe one day we'll eat in house since it's BYOB and so close.

Sausage and mushroom large pie.  They cut it differently so each slice is different

Close up of the delicious toppings

Dinner at Satis Bistro in NYC

Dan and I went to Satis Bistro for Restaurant Week.  For $35 they were serving three courses of things that are always on their menu, so it was a great deal actually.  Everything was delicious.  My only complaint was service was slow but Dan said I was being finnicky and they were moving pretty fast considering how crowded it was. 

For Dan's appetizer, he got the Meat and Cheese plate, which included cornichons and apricot dijon

Crispy Halloumi Cheese with yogurt and harissa sauce.  Delicious but super heavy cheese.  Like an extra thick mozz stick and Dan wasn't into it so I basically ate all of it myself

Dan got the Cast Iron Roasted Half Chicken - Parmesan Crusted Yukon Potatoes, Charred Broccolini, Pan Gravy

I got the Slow Roasted Beef Cheeks - Creamy Polenta, Peperonata, Braising Jus.  Normally $28 on its own and something I've been wanting to try for months.  The cheeks were soooo tender and perfectly complimented with the polenta

We both got the creme brulee.  Perfect ending

Lunch at Chikarashi in NYC

I stopped by Chikarashi for a quick lunch and ended up getting crazy and getting their poke flight of the day.  It was way too much food for me but a nice way to try three different types of poke, though one of the bowls was what I tried the first time.  My fav poke spot in the city, and definitely the best because they have collar bowls on the regular.

Wasabi Mayo Tuna, Sichuan Chili Salmon, and Ponzu Salmon

Sichuan Chili Salmon - scottish salmon, sichuan mayonnaise, furikake, kuri, shoyu daikon, katsuo panko

Ponzu Salmon - scottish salmon, wasabi ponzu, shisho, avocado, tobiko and shichimi 

Wasabi Mayo Tuna - bluefin tuna, wasabi mayonnaise, ichimi togarashi, and shoyu daikon

Dinner at JG Melon in NYC

Went to JG Melon on MacDougal St for dinner/happy hour.  They have a great happy hour dinner special including a cheeseburger, cottage fries, and a Stella for only $18.  One of the best burgers I have had in the city for sure.

Blue plate special $18!

Happy Hour at Honshu Sushi in Jersey City, NJ

Dan and I went to Honshu Sushi nearby for happy hour.  It was a great dinner and we got soooo much food.  We were so happy to learn they have collar, though not on the menu.  And Dan learned that he loves salmon skin rolls as much as me.  They also have a good deal on Japanese whiskey during HH, which was great for him and one of the reasons we went in the first place.  Great place for inexpensive, fresh sushi in the neighborhood.

Happy Hour menu

Yellowtail scallion sashimi (not HH)

Salmon Skin roll and Spicy Tuna roll.  Dan liked the salmon skin roll so much we got a second order

Deep fried spicy baby octopus.  Delicious and so much flavor. Not soggy at all

Fried wings with sesame seeds

second Salmon Skin Roll

Tokyo Roll - shrimp tempura, eel, kani and avocado
Yellowtail and salmon sashimi

Grilled collar! Just ask :)

Semi-home-made cauliflower gnocchi

Dan and I have attempted to make the Cauliflower Gnocchi for Trader Joe's on three different occasions.  The first time, I followed the directions on the bag and microwaved then sauteed.  It came out a soggy mess where I lost half the gnocchi on the pan.  The second time, Dan followed other directions on the bag which said to pour some water on the gnocchi and saute.  Similar soggy mess.  Third time, we followed internet directions that said just saute in the pan with NO water, and it came out pretty well.  It was crispy and had a great texture and flavor, and then covered in meat sauce, I couldn't even tell it was not regular gnocchi.  Great option and only $2.99.  Now we know the secret so we can experiment and make it other exciting ways.

crispy in the pain

Gnocchi in meat sauce