Eats of July & August

I’m so excited to share my eats of July and August with you all! These two months have been full of yummies! If I am not already eating or drinking something, I am thinking and anticipating my next meal. I am an animal who can’t be stopped—my self-control level is that of a newborn…aka doesn’t exist. Which is why, I am always out looking for new places to eat and finding any excuse to hang out with others via a lunch/dinner date. I’ve curated a list of my favorite places I’ve been to in July and so far in August….most of them are Alex’s pictures because I devour everything the minute it’s placed in front of me….oops. Enjoy!

1. Southern Hospitality

Rating: 3 out of 5

Alex and I sometimes eat super late because we are extremely bad at keeping track of time haha. We were both craving fried chicken and Alex researched this and we went since it was near where we live. Apparently it is co-owned by Justin Timberlake. The wait was about 20 minutes at 9:30pm (when we arrived), but their system was a little off in my opinion. There were open tables everywhere, but no one was cleaning them or if they were cleaned, they weren’t seating people…maybe they were understaffed but I have no idea. Even when we were seated, it took them so long to fill out waters and to take our orders. I thought that the food was unique (fried avocado fries), but overall it was okay—nothing spectacular stood out. I don’t think this is a place I would crave to go back to, service being a big part of the reason why.

2. Amaranto

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

If you have read my blog post about visiting Bushwick, you will know that I visited this Mexican restaurant and loved everything about it! We went during happy hour (around 3pm) and got their in-house sangria. I don’t usually drink much alcohol out so when I do, it must be delicious which it was! Alex got the red sangria while I got the white since I like sweeter drinks. I loved the environment and aesthetics of the entire restaurant plus the food was delicious. This is a place I would love to go back to!

3. AP Cafe

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.0

This was the cafe we went to while in Bushwick where I had the best iced latte. I’ve realized that I love the taste of my iced lattes with soy milk and this place definitely have the best combination. It’s a must go if you want a good ole’ cup of joe!

4. Ristorante Rafele

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

This has become one of my favorite Italian places in the city after trying it. I went with a couple of friends for their Restaurant week special and it was beyond delicious. The serving portions were so big and it definitely made the restaurant week dinner price worth it. Our waiter definitely made an impression and made the whole overall experience better—he was so personal and funny. Their tiramisu was also so yummy—even though Alex thinks that their cheesecake was the best he has ever had.

5. Donburiya

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

This is also a place that Alex and I live near and I just got a simple bowl of udon which was yummy. I am not too picky with my udon places because usually they taste pretty similar. Alex tried something new—a curry dish—and thought that it was okay. Nothing particularly stood out from this place as I know there are better udon restaurants.

6. Grom

Rating: 5 out of 5

One of my favorite gelato places! I remember going there so many times when I was living in Florence, Italy and finding it here in the city always brings me back to the study abroad days. The lampone flavor which is raspberry—you could never go wrong with it!

7. Sushi Yasaka

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

When someone wants to grab sushi together, I usually think of the rolls and not actually real sushi if ya know what I mean. We stumbled upon this place one day while exploring upper west side and it was so delicious. The salmon pieces were so buttery and the prices for what we ordered was such a good deal! I am still waiting for when I go back so I can fill my tummy with its deliciousness again. But I would not recommend the mochi for dessert…ours just wasn’t that great…

8. Gallaghers Steakhouse

Rating: 4 out of 5

Yummy!! I still remember this place even though it has been a while since I went. I went with friends for restaurant week lunch and it was absolutely divine! The best steak in the best sauce I’ve ever tasted. I also got a key lime pie instead of the original cheesecake dessert option—I realized that key lime pie might be too sweet for me haha. Alex actually tried something new and got the lamb dish which he liked! This is a steakhouse that serves dry-aged steak, which is something Alex and I want to go back and try. It also is super convenient since we live around the corner from here!

9. Motorino

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Who doesn’t love pizza right? This little place located in East Village is a must-go if you love your pizza. A couple friends and I shared some pizzas and appetizers—their sizes are super big! It was so filling and delicious! We went for a classic margherita and some prosciutto…soooo good. A great spot if you’re looking for a sit-down pizza place.

10. Amada

Rating: 4.0 out of 5

I don’t usually try Spanish food often so for our last restaurant week place, we decided on this place near Battery Park area. The dishes were presented in such a cute way with presentation to the actual dishes used. The food was so delicious and unique—definitely nothing I have tried before. I couldn’t stop eating and most definitely want to go back there!

11. Mentoku

Rating: 4.0 out of 5

When my best friend was visiting, I had to bring her to a ramen place. Ramen is a classic favorite that Alex and I go to all the time. If we aren’t eating ramen out, we are eating ramen in our apartment haha. This place was so delicious and the price point was great for something so simple! At every ramen place, I usually grab a bowl of their original broth dishes—usually pork—because I am unoriginal lol.

12. Ippudo Westside

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Yes, another ramen place haha—told ya we love ramen! We have actually been watching to bring my friend here that one day but the wait was so long that we had to find a new place. After trying this place, I can tell why it has been a favorite and is so popular. The noodle are so chewy and eggy, which is how I like them and the broth was so good I drank all of it! I was also in love with the aesthetics of the place with the interior design and color scheme, which made the whole experience better. It’s a must must must go!

13. Holey Cream

Rating: 4.0 out of 5

Have you guys ever heard of a donut ice cream sandwich? Alex and I walked past this pace randomly and I saw a pic on their wall and both of us were so intrigued we had to try it out. They have VERY yummy ice cream with possibly every flavor out there. I ended up getting cookies and cream which is what I normally go for at ice cream places and Alex go to choose his donut toppings/frosting. If you go, you better be hungry!

14. BESFREN

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

I posted this on my Snapchat and Instagram stories and I got so many responses to how beautiful it looks! It is a matcha and taro soft swerve twist and it was so yummy. I like the taro side way better because I like sweeter things, but Alex liked the matcha side better. I was gonna snap a pic of their cookies that are getting famous because of the Insider videos on Facebook but Alex ate it too quickly–cookies are is weakness haha. Definitely stop here to grab a dessert and check out their skincare/makeup store next door which is filled with Korean goodies!

 

Wow, looking back I went to so many places…no wonder why I keep gettin fatter lol. Hope you all get a chance to stop at some of these place if you have the chance and I would love to hear about it!  Until my next lil’ thought then!

Jen❣️