That time we went to taste Queens

That time we went to taste Queens

— Did you tell her she can eat!?!? It was a little after 8 AM on a sunny April Sunday of 2009. I was upstairs in the bathroom getting ready. Downstairs, Tom caught our nine-year-old Lizzie sneaking cereal in the pantry. No, I didn’t tell 

Chili Verde and J. Kenji Lopez-Alt

Chili Verde and J. Kenji Lopez-Alt

My culinary romance with Christopher Kimball and Lynn Rosetto Kasper was going strong for years. We connected via podcasts during my morning runs on Saddle River Trail. Then, Christopher switched from America’s Test Kitchen to Milk Street and stopped talking for a while and Lynn retired 

Sabor Unido in the Ironbound, Newark

Sabor Unido in the Ironbound, Newark

Today, we happened to be in Newark — courtesy of Lizzie. Looking for a place to eat in The Ironbound District is not an easy task — every restaurant is rated 4-5 stars by some 1K people or so. The weather was nice and the 

Yemen Cafe in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn

Yemen Cafe in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn

The moment you sit down at the table at Yemen Cafe, even before you order, you get a bowl of Marag, a hot lamb soup, a platter of Malawah, a crusty flatbread, and a bowl of Zahawiq, spicy tomato chutney with chilies and herbs. The 

Thanksgiving: Dangerously Organized

Thanksgiving: Dangerously Organized

It finally dawned on me that this year November 1 falls on a Thursday which means Thanksgiving is as early as it can be. A person of lists and schedules, for a moment I panicked — it was already the second week of November. — 

The Lomo Truck in Paterson

The Lomo Truck in Paterson

My romance with Peruvian food continues. Since I discovered it last fall, I cannot get enough of the ceviches. A while ago, Tom sent me a link to Remezcla, a site geared to Latino Millennials and their story on five best Peruvian restaurants in Paterson, 

O Lar — A Tight Spot in Piermont

O Lar — A Tight Spot in Piermont

After a hike in the Tallman Mountain Park, it seemed like a good idea to try O Lar, a tiny hole-in-the-wall restaurant on the main drag in Piermont with the focus on Mediterranean food. Many recommended this place and reviews were promising. It was Saturday 

Two Mussel Suckers in the Land of Clam Diggers

Two Mussel Suckers in the Land of Clam Diggers

It is said that the residents of City Island refer to the visitors as “mussel suckers” while calling themselves “clam diggers,” maybe going back to the days when clam digging was in abundance. Clam digging stopped but the name remained.  Until 1896, City Island was 

Entwine in Meatpacking

Entwine in Meatpacking

The sign was the draw  — patio is open. We were looking for something outdoor with a nice selection of small plates to share. And honestly, it was Valera — the host — who made me to actually check out the menu. Never looking like 

Inca Grill, Middlesex, NJ

Inca Grill, Middlesex, NJ

There’s a strong possibility, I was Peruvian in my previous life. For one thing — potatoes. They must be included in my last meal. But then, here’s this whole new development in my possible Peruvian heritage that has surfaced recently. These are the last few