“After a good dinner one can forgive anybody, even one’s own relations.”
― Oscar Wild

Wednesday night for Broadway! A friend and I had tickets to see the Broadway show “New York, New York”, but we wanted to head out for dinner before the show. My friend suggested this place, “John’s Pizzeria of Times Square”.

First off, I want to mention the absolute beauty of the interior of this place. It was once an abandoned church … an old Gospel Tabernacle Church. When you are inside, you cannot help but stare at the beauty of the stained glass ceiling. I personally couldn’t stop staring at the ceiling. When you first enter, there are pictures of the before and after of this place … very cool.

First – Appetizers and drinks. My friend and I both ordered the “Matinee” drink, (love the Broadway theme drinks!) This drink is Strawberry Lemonade with Tito Vodka, pink lemonade, and muddled strawberries served on the rocks. Not bad, but I honestly have tasted better. The fried Calamari   with their homemade marinara sauce was next. Very good! Lightly breaded and seasoned very well! Not bland all and the breading did not fall apart. The calamari was tender and not at all rubbery. The sauce had a great taste and not at all heavy. I have to say this is one of the best calamari I ever had!

The pizza was also delicious! Exceptional thin crust, crispy with a nice char. Great toppings … the pepperoni had a nice kick and the onions were cooked well; not too burned or soggy. The sauce and cheese ratio was perfect! It also helps that the pizza is cooked in brick oven.? This pie was simple, but absolutely a show stopper in taste.

A great experience from the atmosphere to the food! No complaints! The staff was efficient and attentive. However, towards the end of our dinner, my friend and I felt a bit rushed when our server just dropped our check and did not offer dessert. However , I have to keep in mind that this place gets packed and at times and there is a long line out the door…so maybe our server was just trying to turn over the table quickly. By the time we were done, a wait had been forming. (we went early and it was during the week)

Overall, a very good experience and I certainly will be returning.

“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.”

–Virginia Woolf

The hubby and I headed down to Miami and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to enjoy some sun and be with family. The hubby was lucky enough to get us a reservation at Carbone, Miami… and these reservations are difficult to get! Carbone is an Italian-American restaurant created by Mario Carbone, Rich Torrisi and Jeff Zalaznick. This dining venue pays homage to the great Italian-American eateries that existed in New York City in the middle of the 20th century.  They take traditional dishes like Chicken Scarpariello, Linguini Vongole, or Veal Parmigiana and elevate them to a new level. All their food is made fresh and in house.

For our starters, we received a complimentary bread basket. The basket consisted of tomato coated focaccia and garlic bread. They were so flavorful and soft! Paired well with the parmesan cheese chunks and salami as well the pickled cauliflower. What a great start and this was before we ordered our appetizers! They were outstanding… So fresh and tasty. My favorite was the Prosciutto and Mozzarella. It’s such a simple plate and an absolute home run. The flakey salt on the mozzarella, the presentation of them cutting the mozzarella and spreading it on the prosciutto was great. You have to love a show with your dinner… all about that presentation!

For dinner we decided to do family style and try various dishes like a pasta, chicken, pork, and more. Personally, the star was the pork chop with peppers and the spicy rigatoni vodka. The porkchop… wow! Sliced, topped with cherry peppers, juicy and melts in your mouth. It was cooked perfectly, with a slight pink center and a fantastic sear. The spicy rigatoni and vodka sauce is a signature dish for Carbone… I felt that their vodka sauce was a different take of what you are used to. It was creamy, pretty spicy, but in a good way. The pasta was al dente and there was just the right amount of sauce coating the pasta. I have to say it was “swoon worthy” and the whole table kept going for more. I did enjoy the chicken, but it was a tad dry. The sauce, however, was a wonderful combination of sweet, tangy, and spicy all at the same. We also had sides… potatoes Louie and Funghi Trifolati. Both were exploding with flavor and did what good sides should do… they actually enhanced the incredible entrees we were eating, adding to the overall experience.

Somehow… we’re not sure how… there was room for dessert! Their famous carrot cake is moist, not overly sweet, and the cream cheese frosting did not over power the cake itself. It allowed the cake itself to shine. The key lime sponge cake was a unique twist on a key lime pie. It was a way to change a very popular south Florida dish. It was not too rich nor too dense and the layers in between tasted like a key lime pie. Both desserts were a hit at our table. Of course, it doesn’t hurt finishing with a perfectly brewed cappuccino.

I have to mention the cocktails and our drinks definitely set the tone for our entire dining experience. The hubby ordered a mocktail (ginger fizz) and my drink was a classic Negroni (my first time with this type drink). Our drinks were excellent and thanks to our bartender, Abraham, for the recommendation and personalized service!

Overall, it was such a unique experience! From beginning to end, the food was plentiful and satisfying. The décor was classic, with a 50’s/60’s retro charm. They played music from that era, such as Ray Charles and Solomon Burke, which I totally love! (Spotify actually has a playlist title “Mario Carbone NYC” – check it out)

As for the staff, I don’t have enough words. They were amazing! They were courteous and gracious. They were friendly and were amazing with my niece Valentina! The entire team was definitely on top of their game.

I would highly recommend anyone to try Carbone Miami. They are pricey, but I feel they are worth it due to the quality of their dishes and personal attention from their staff. This is an experience in addition to a meal. The restaurant group has many locations. I would love to try the one in NYC (the original Carbone restaurant). Thanks for reading my review and continue to chomp away!

Chomping Chica

“People are so worried about what they eat between Christmas and the New Year, but they really should be worried about what they eat between the New Year and Christmas.” -unknown

Happy New Year! Usually around the New Year, the hubby and I are away. This year we decided to stay local. Yet, we wanted to do something fun for

New Year’s. We decided to do a dinner cruise with Liberty Cruise. This experience consisted of a three-course dinner aboard a ship (the Manhattan II) with views of the NYC skyline. When the clock struck 12 for New Year’s, we enjoyed the NYC fireworks on the water.

First course: I had the Oysters. Right off the bat, they were very good! Loved the caviar and the ponzu! The Caviar added a nice salty and smoky flavor to the oysters. The ponzu sauce gave this dish a combo of sweet, salt, and a bit of a “zingy” flavor. The oysters were my favorite meal out of all the courses. I wanted more.? My hubby had the Foie Gras (I was very surprised that he ordered it… he typically stays away from it, lol). He liked it! He was big fan of the fruity flavors of the apple and pomegranate that were paired with the Foie Gras. However, we both agreed that we have tasted better Foie Gras in other places.

Second Course – I had the lobster tail. The lobster was flavorful. The lobster meat was tender and it melted in your mouth. The sweet potato was ok; nothing to rave about, but if paired with the Cajun butter…. yum! This dish had a beautiful presentation, but I was left hungry. The lobster was delish, but I had to work hard to get the meat out of its shell. My husband’s Ribeye, as you can see was bigger and more filling. The truffle mash potatoes were buttery and fluffy. They had the right amount of salt. The Ribeye did not hit a homerun. It was missing that delicious sear. It seemed chewy and too soft in texture. There was no body and the Ribeye seemed a bit blah.

Third and final course – I had the Mousse cake. The cake fell flat. It was too soft and the flavors were weak. The chocolate crust was not bad. The raspberry sauce was just “ok.” The hubby enjoyed his cheesecake. It was creamy and not overly sweet. The drizzle of pumpkin sauce had a nice flavor, but it was not needed, as it did not add anything to the cheesecake.

All in all, it was still a great experience. Would I do it again? I don’t think so, no. But I’m happy I did it because it was an experience. The views were spectacular and the energy was fun and happy. The food overall was not spectacular. Unfortunately, for the price the we paid, we expected a little more. Also, around New Year’s, they double their prices (keep that in mind, if you decide to do this). Also, knowing what I know now, I would shop around other cruise companies to see what they offer.

The wait staff was a friendly and energetic, but at times it was hard to get them. They seemed to be on the go and a little overwhelmed. We made sure to tip them as they were clearly running around and maybe a bit understaffed on a holiday. We were ok, but we heard other patrons complaining about the service. Thank you for reading my review and continue to chomp away.

-Chomping Chica

“Food brings people together on many different levels. It’s nourishment of the soul and body; it’s truly love.”

– Giada De Laurentiis

Back in April of this year, some friends and I decided to have a girl’s night. One of them suggested this place! Samurai Sushi features sashimi, rolls, and Ramen. It is located in East Rutherford, NJ.

The Chu-Toro was amazing and it melted in your mouth! It had a nice kick and so flavorful. The dumplings… cooked to perfection. The tuna, so tender… loved the added touch of the caviar eggs. All of these appetizers were a work of art!

My friends and I decided to do family style. I let them chose the different types of rolls and pieces of fish for the sashimi (I totally forgot the names of the rolls and pieces of fish????). EVERYTHING was super fresh and fantastic. Every morsel was absolutely delicious and filling. Their plating is beautiful and you can tell they put love into the dishes they create.

Drinks… refreshing and tropical! Again, a work of art. The dessert was yummy and a great size to split between three people. I loved the presentation and it was devoured in minutes!

Overall, this was a great experience! Everything was ABSOLUTELY delicious; presentation is on point and the service is amazing. The prices were on the higher side, but fair for the quality and ambiance. The restaurant itself is beautiful inside and the staff was very helpful and kind. I will definitely come back! Thanks for reading my review and continue to chomp away!

-Chomping Chica

“Life is too short for self-hatred and celery sticks.”
– Marilyn Wann

Joe Bosco BBQ is an authentic smokehouse & BBQ located in the Delaware Water Gap region. They use a smoker and they smoke all their meat with wood fire. They have a signature brisket that undergoes a 14-hour smoking process that produces the juiciest and most tender cuts of meat.

When entering the place… it was slammed! However, it did not deter us from trying the place. The menu had a great selection of proteins! They also have a special of the day. (Unfortunately, we did not ask.) The menu ranges from Brisket to St. Louis Ribs. They also offer fun sandwiches and tons of sides. So many choices!! Once we made our choices we ordered at the register. (The lady at the front who took our order was super sweet!)

After we ordered, we had to wait patiently for our meal. It took some time for our order to come. My hubby was nice enough to ask the status at the register. They responded that they apologized for the long wait, due to so many people ordering at the same time. They further commented that their items on the menu are fresh and made from scratch. Once my hubby and I received our meals… oh my god, definitively worth the wait! My “Pig Tail” was awesome; everything from the pretzel bread down to the sausage. The skin was crisp and it was smoked perfectly. I felt the smokiness brought out the flavor of the sausage, giving it such a juicy texture! The pulled pork sandwich was also delish! It was juicy and again the smokiness just made it so tasty. They also didn’t drown it with sauce (my husband hates that). The hand-cut fries, addictive. We could NOT stop eating them. The potato salad was so good. Love how they added pieces of carrot and dill; it made the salad unique and oh so yummy! The corn bread was sweet and fluffy. Loved it!

Overall great place! The place is chill and comforting. The food is authentic and you can tell they put a lot of love in what they cook! The staff is super sweet and they take the time to answer your questions on the menu. I will definitely will be coming back. I want to try the rest of their awesome menu! Thank you for reading my review and continue to chomp away!

-Chomping Chica

“One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating.”
– Luciano Pavarotti

The hubby and I went down to South Florida to visit my brother and my sister-in-law. I told them that I was craving a delicious Cuban Sandwich. My sister-in-law told me about Versailles! We decided to go for an early dinner. I was super excited! Versailles Restaurant, a famous Cuban establishment is located in Miami Florida (Little Havana) and has been serving Cuban cuisine for five decades. Soon after it opened its doors in 1971, Versailles quickly became the gathering place and unofficial town square for Miami’s Cuban exiles. What is even cooler, this restaurant was featured in the 2014 movie “Chef” starring Jon Favreau, Sofia Vergara, and John Leguizamo. (One of our fave movies!)

The appetizer was amazing from the start! We ordered the Versailles Combo. Omg, so delicious and satisfying! The empanadas were flavorful and I never had croquettes like theirs. The Yucas were fried to perfection. That Cilantro Sauce was amazing… it was the perfect dipping sauce!

All are meals were fantastic!! The Oxtail was savory, tender, and yummy. It was very tender and fell off the bone. The Spanish baguette had a very good ratio of meat and bread. The chorizo was savory and smokey, which gave the sandwich a pleasant hint of spice. The Famous Cuban Sandwich….soooo good! A staple at this place and it did not disappoint. The bread was crispy and the inside of the sandwich was delicious!!

The Café con Leche was strong, but yummy. The coffee was served in a mini carafe, accompanied by a cup filled with steam milk. I poured the whole carafe of coffee into the cup… so good and it hit the spot! Big fan of Cuban Coffee.

I was very excited to come here and I was not disappointed! The food was satisfying and authentic. Our waitress was super sweet and attentive. This place is simple, homemade , and comforting. It’s a classic Miami (Little Havana) staple and I will definitely be coming back when I’m in the area. Thanks for reading my review and continue to chomp away!

-Chomping Chica

“Seize the moment. Remember all those women on the ‘Titanic’ who waved off the dessert cart.”
― Erma Bombeck

A friend and I decided to check it out this place. We heard good things and we are big fans of Chef Burke! 1776 by David Burke is a modern American restaurant (as well as a Topgolf Swing Suite) that provides a hip and contemporary vibe. It is located in the heart of Morristown, NJ. The menu consists of his specialty dishes, (such as the Clothesline Bacon, highly recommend that you try it if you see this dish on the menu or if you visit his other 5 restaurants). He uses seasonal foods that are presented with an elevated flare, which can making the dining experience fun!

Appetizers were amazing! We started with their Bread Service, which consisted of a jalapeno corn bread. The bread was so flavorful, soft in the middle and crispy on the outside. The corn bread was accompanied by gruyere popovers (so good) and sweet butter. We then had the Butternut squash raviolis. The ingredients of parmesan, sage, walnut, pomegranate seeds, and a tasty chocolate balsamic sauce melded so well with the butternut squash. Onto the lobster dumplings….  the spicy miso sauce they sit on is a perfect balance with the sweet of the lobster filling. A light and delectable dish. Both dishes were beautifully plated. Finally for my drink, I ordered the “Purple Heart”. It had some heat, but it was refreshing and delicious!

The duck breast was juicy and succulent. The dumplings were amazing and the sauce that they are soaked in is aromatic, sweet (but not too sweet). The dumplings themselves are filled with a mixture of duck paté and foie gras. The Salmon was cooked to perfection. Again, both dishes had beautiful presentations.

The presentations were beautiful on both desserts. The Smart Alec was so much fun to eat and a work of art! Love the mix of both the chocolate cake and the chocolate mousse, especially paired with the sauces and the hazelnut. Next up… the cookie sliders. The cookies were warm and soft, with nice cold gelato in between. The warm chocolate sauce, toasty marshmallows on top, candied pistachios… it was the perfect combo of all the right textures, temperatures and flavors.

The food was well prepared and the presentation was excellent! Our appetizers were flavorful and our main courses were cooked to perfection. Dessert were absolutely delicious and truly decadent. The waitstaff was attentive, friendly, and on their game! Be prepared to drop some cash, but worth it for night of culinary indulgence and creativity that this place brings. Overall, a great experience. Thank you for reading my review and continue to chomp away!

-Chomping Chica-

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“Never eat more than you can lift.” – Miss Piggy

Back during the winter of 2022, I decided to venture back to this restaurant. The last time I dined here I was very young, yet I remember the sights, sounds and taste of eating here. ❤️ Now that I’m older, I wanted to come back here and rediscover it! Some friends of mine, my hubby, and I decide to make it a Saturday date night.

This steak house use to be called the “Old Joseph Davis House” and it is the oldest of the Pre-Revolutionary War homes in town. It was built by Thomas Davis in 1676 and remained occupied by his descendants until 1903. Over the past two centuries, The Davis Homestead has been a farmhouse, hospital, church and restaurant. While occupied by Joseph Davis about the time of the Revolution, the home was a meeting place for founders of the Presbyterian Church of Bloomfield and services were held here for many years before a church was built. A tunnel in the cellar of the Homestead runs to the foot of Orange Mountain (now Eagle Rock) and was used as an escape for women and children from the British. A wounded English soldier was taken into the Homestead by the Davis family women and nursed back to health. To show his appreciation, the soldier built the old well and hewed, out of stone, the basin next to it for the workers to wash. The well curb is now a converted planter near the front entrance. General Washington and General Knox stopped at the Homestead to inquire the way to Morristown and were entertained for dinner. This place is chock-full of history!!!

Appetizers were great! All three were delicious in their own way. The oysters were very fresh and were at the right chill temperature. The dip was amazing, and paired well with the amount of chips provided. The dip was also very addictive… we could not stop at one chip! The empanadas were delish! Nice and crispy on the outside and the beef inside was flavorful. The chipotle dipping sauce complemented the empanadas perfectly.

Our main courses were a treat! The salmon was cooked to perfection and it was a good sized portion. Regarding our red meat meals… we were told that they were flame grilled Certified Angus Beef and prime cut meats, and were wet aged for 14 days. This process does make a difference when eating their steak dishes and they did not disappoint! For the steak frites, the temperature of the meat was perfect and quite tender! The sides we had were so good as well. I really enjoyed the mashed potatoes, and the creamed spinach was out of this world. I’ve never had such delicious creamed spinach! (I didn’t take a picture of the sides because by that point members of our party started to devour them, lol.)

Overall I had an enjoyable night! I was happy that they offered outdoor dining! Great food, generous portions and excellent service. Bloomfield Steak House has a friendly neighborhood vibe in a charming, rustic, pre-revolutionary building that adds to the warm, inviting ambiance of your dining experience. I’m glad I came back and will definitely go again. Thank you for reading my review and continue to chomp away!

-Chomping Chica

It has been a while since I baked….(a lot of things going on in my life). It was time and decided to bake these delicious bars!

The recipe calls for simple ingredients. 1 cup of brown sugar, 1/4 cup of softened butter, 1 pinch of salt, 1 1/2 cups of oats, 1 1/2 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 2 tablespoons of water, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 2 cups of chocolate chips, and 14 ounces of sweetened condensed milk (I had them all, except for the condensed milk). No eggs! ?

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl combine all ingredients until crumbly. Divide in half. Spray 9 x 13 inch glass baking dish with non-stick pan coating (I used melted butter to coat the dish). Press half crust mixture in the pan. Reserve remaining mixture.

In another large bowl (microwave safe) mixing cup melt together sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips and water on medium power, stirring often, until smooth. Add the vanilla extract. Pour chocolate mixture over crumb mixture. Sprinkle remaining crumbs on top and press lightly to smooth.

Bake in the oven for 20 minutes. Cool completely (very important you do this, if not they will fall apart), then cut into small squares. Wrap tightly to store in the refrigerator or freezer.

This recipe is always a favorite! A grand slam with my hubby and the rest of the family. It is also a favorite when I go down to the Queen Victoria Bed and Breakfast in Cape May. They often serve it during their tea time and the hubby and I always gobble them up. It is great to have them at home, thanks to their cookbook! These bars are sweet and satisfying. They are always a favorite with chocolate lovers. Plus, they are so simple to make! Thank you for reading my review and continue to chomp away!

-Chomping Chica

“Food is symbolic of love when words are inadequate.” -Alan D. Wolfet

Around the holiday season, the hubby and I usually go to Cape May for New Year’s. Such a great time to go because this shore town is full of energy and jolliness. We decided to go the Ebbitt Room to celebrate a delicious New Year’s dinner ??. We partook in their four course dinner.

The Ebbitt Room is located in the heart of historic Cape May, New Jersey. Their menu consists of artisanal cocktails and farm-fresh classic American regional cuisine. The Ebbitt Room offers a variety of vegetarian and gluten-free dishes, too. As a farm-to-table restaurant, they feature free-range eggs and fresh herbs, vegetables and pork from their own farm, Beach Plum Farm located in West Cape May.

First course… both dishes were amazing! The Waygu beef was so flavorful! The pomegranate added a refreshing and bold taste to the meat, with a faint note of sweetness. Loved the citrus-based tang of the Ponzu sauce. The Yellowtail was delicate in taste, while the yuzu kosho added a citrusy heat, with the sweetness of the bosc pear.

The second course, we both ordered the same thing! The Rabbit Radu Cavatelli pasta was cooked al dente and the sauce was not overpowering. I was a big fan of the saltiness of the pancetta, mixed with the earthy and nutty flavor of the truffle.

Our main courses…omg delicious. My husband’s halibut had a flavorful crispy skin, with a mild sweet and light buttery taste. The beet reduction enhanced the taste of the gentle flavoring of this fish. The Filet Mignon was cooked to a perfect medium rare and melted in my mouth. I loved the taste of the foie gras, but I don’t think it was needed with this dish. I felt it overpowered the Filet Mignon just a bit. The Filet Mignon can stand on its own. Loved the red wine porcini sauce as it was rich and decadent. The flavors lingered luxuriously on your tongue!

Overall, as always, a great experience with the Ebbitt Room! Fantastic service, delicious food, and beautiful atmosphere. Their menu is diverse and always changing. Their dishes always reflects the fresh and local flavors of South Jersey farm to table. A definite must go if you are ever in the Cape May area. Thank you for reading my review and continue to Chomp away!

-Chompingchica