Dessert from Lab-320 in NYC

After brunch, Debbie, Nicole and I went to try rolled ice cream.  Definitely interesting to watch them make it and a unique experience eating it.  I still prefer my ice cream either in a cone or smashed in a bowl ha, but nice to try something new.  It took us awhile to decide what we wanted though so I think the workers were getting annoyed, plus we all shared one order haha.

Cookies and cream rolled ice cream with chocolate pretzels, mochi and pistachios

Brunch at Pardon My French in NYC

We had book club at Pardon my French, a very trendy place in Alphabet City.  No AC, and very loud, which was tough on a hot summer day.  They had bottomless brunch but I don't think the mimosas were very strong.  The food, however, was delicious, so was happy for that.

Blurry french toast that Debbie got and enjoyed- brioche french toast with fresh fruit, maple syrup and whipped cream.  Pretty massive

Nicole and I split this and the entree below .  This is the Croque Monsieur - grilled ham and cheese sandwich covered in bechamel sauce and served w/mixed green salad and potatoes.  Sandwich was everything you want in a croque monsieur. Cheesy inside and out

We also split the grilled steak and cheese sandwich, which had of course grilled steak, melted white cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato and avocado.  Great balance and of course, a quality baguette

Salmon eggs benedict that Kavita got

Tunisian eggs that Tracy got - eggs baked in terracotta with spicy tomato sauce, feta cheese and capers

Buttermilk pancakes with fresh berries, maple syrup and whipped cream that Sejal got

Dinner at Porta Pizza in Jersey City, NJ

Because our recent Porta trip was so good, we came back less than two weeks later for more haha.  As mentioned, the menu is constantly changing, so the stuff we got last time wasn't available.  I LOVE their shrimp pizzas!  This one had some heat, but still was delicious.  Didn't love our appetizer but that was my only complaint.  We were starving though so thought it necessary.

Formaggi e salumi - selection by chef.  Sausages and peppers were great.  Two of the cheeses were good but the gorgonzola/blue on the bottom right was too much.  Even a tiny bit was like a punch in the face, not in a good way haha.  

Shrimp Boats pizza- san marzano tomatoes, shrimp, garlic, chili flakes, and extra virgin olive oil.  Def spicy with the chili flakes but great sauce and shrimp were so plump and juicy 

Carbonara - guanciale, parmigiano reggiano, roasted egg, parsley, black pepper and extra virgin olive oil.  Haven't had this pizza since Monk Room in Newark.  As good as I remember

Birds eye view of the red and white pizzas

Dinner from More Express in Jersey City, NJ

Another order from More Express.  This time tried to expand my menu ordering.  The food was pretty good, and I was shocked at how good the duck was, particularly since it was take-out.  The roti wasn't as good as some other places, but we got a nice assortment of food.

Roasted Duck with baby bok choy - so tasty.  Duck was not too fatty and had great marinade and char.  The bok choy was a nice balance and made me feel healthier ha

Crab Meat Fried Rice - not sauce like Talde but great flavor

Roti with dipping sauce, which was missing any kind of meat :(

Chicken satay was okay.  Not as good as teppan, esp. that peanut sauce

Dinner at Yuca Bar in NYC

Elena and I went to Yuca Bar for happy hour/dinner.  Food and drinks were excellent, though no food deals sadly.  We went on the earlier side so it wasn't ridiculously loud/crowded yet.  The food was great; still so many things on the menu I want to eat though.

Platano relleno - sweet plantain stuffed with slow roasted pork and drizzled with sour cream

Arepas con steak y queso - white corn cakes filled with grilled steak, melted chease, and topped with guacamole

Elena got a frozen marg, and I think I got a watermelon caipirinha

Breakfast from Choc-o-pain in Jersey City, NJ

We have been going to Choc-o-pain nearly weekly this summer on the weekends for their amazing kouignamon and chocopain, and of course their quiche!  I failed to take pics of the pastries - I think I had done it recently but turns out I haven't ha.  But their quiche lorraine - omg so good! Huge chunks of both jam and bacon and pretty large portion for the price.  An excellent savory (but not too salty) compliment to the sweet pastries, which are also amazing.

Large slice (really two slices) of quiche lorraine.  

Dinner at Sam A.M. Cafe in Jersey City, NJ

Sam A.M. usually isn't open for dinner, but every now and again they do a supper club - a special prix-fixe menu with delicious seasonal options.  You need to make a reservation to go.  We decided to go after seeing their menu for that week on Instagram.  It was overall a great meal and didn't feel too full, but for $40 I felt perhaps portions could've been a tad bigger.

Lobster and Sea Bass Ceviche with ripe avocado - don't think I tasted avocado.  The ceviche itself was good, not overly lime-y but hard to differentiate the fish from lobster cut wise

Fresh Berry, Watercress salad with warm feta dressing.  Nice and light.  Creative ingredients for salad 

Entrees were the star.  Dan got the stuffed local flounder with salted petite potatoes.  The flounder was well cooked and loved the bread crumb topping

Long Island Duck Breast L'Orange - had the chance to pick pieces and I went with the leg and thigh.  Great flavor and well cooked, just a bit petite

Homemade classic flan.  Good but hardly the best I've had