Teak on the Hudson [Hoboken Restaurant Week]

It’s Restaurant Week here in Hoboken and I celebrated by going to Teak on the Hudson tonight with my friend Danielle! It was the best decision of my day week. In honor of Hoboken Restaurant Week, Teak had a special, pre-fixe menu (for two) for $39.99 — we were able to choose an appetizer, two entrees and a dessert (in addition to complimentary bread or edamame). There were also great drink specials; I got a Bombay Sapphire Cucumber Mojito… for $5! Awesome prices all around.

We started with the Fried Calamari, which came with two dipping sauces, and it was the perfect way to start the meal. It was a huge portion and absolutely delicious. I really liked how it had a spicy little zest to it. Then, for our entrees we both ordered the Filet Minon Wellington, which was served inside a soft pastry along with crumbles of gorgonzola cheese. It. Was. To. Die. For. Each bite practically melted in my mouth. This was my first time having filet minon and it was an amazing first impression. Finally, it was time for dessert… we got the Vanilla Fried Ice Cream, thanks to our server’s (much appreciated) recommendation. Just like everything else we ate, it was delicious. Great way to end the meal. All in all, this was one of the best meals I’ve ever had.

My friend and I were stuffed to the brim by the time we got the bill. On top of the delicious food, Teak’s atmosphere was very classy and relaxing. As you walk through the front door, you’re greeted with unique decorations and dim, changing lights, which set a nice mood. Also, you can’t miss the gigantic fish tank behind the bar, which I thought was really cool. Service was really great, too. I would absolutely, 100% go back to Teak. I honestly can’t get over how amazing it was.

Hands down, I give Teak on the Hudson 5/5 stars.

Lefteris [Greek restaurant]

I haven’t blogged about any restaurants in awhile, but I ate at Lefteris today in Tarrytown, and what better day to blog about a Greek restaurant than on National Gyro Day! Thanks to John for keeping me updated on the national food holidays, as per usual.

I’ve been dying to go to Lefteris for quite some time now (probably a few years to be honest), especially since I live in Rockland, right across the river from Westchester (where the restaurant is located). I’ve always heard great things about this place and I finally tried it for myself today and I’m glad I did because my gyro was delicious! See below for a picture. No complaints about the food. I’d definitely go back to try some other items on their menu because it all sounded great.

The service was freakishly speedy. I think my friend and I were waiting for two minutes (maybe less) until our gyros were sitting in front of us. We chose to sit outside, which was nice, but the tables were way too close together. Still not sure what the inside looks like, but I’m sure it’s nice… I’d probably opt to sit indoors next time to scope it out.

I give Lefteris 4/5 stars. If you’re a fan of Greek food (or curious to try it), give this place a go for sure!

You can also check out my review, along with other restaurant reviews, on my Yelp profile.

Ever Eat a Hot Dog With Soul?

Last weekend, I went up to Marist for spring alumni weekend — every time I go up there with my friends, it’s always a process to pick where we want to eat because there are so many great places to choose from. There’s one restaurant, though, that always seems to make the cut. That restaurant is Soul Dog. Special thanks to my friend Emma, hot dog connoisseur, for introducing me to this soulful hot dog joint during my senior year at Marist. It’s a shame I didn’t know about it earlier in my college career.

Soul Dog is known for their hot dogs… go figure, right? It’s not particularly the hot dogs that make this place so great… it’s all the sides you get to choose from! My personal favorite toppings are guacamole, sour cream, and Soul Sauce (the restaurant’s special, spicy sauce). Along with my usual hotdog, I also order a side, whether it’s: jalapeno hush puppies, fried pickles, a bowl of soup, or Soul/BBQ/Jerk/Cajun fries (among many others). In addition to hot dogs and a variety of sides, Soul Dog also serves sandwiches, pizza, baked goods, and much more! Check out the full menu here.

Another great thing about Soul Dog is their vegetarian and Gluten-free options. This doesn’t necessarily affect me, but I think it’s great that they’re so accommodating.

I give Soul Dog 5/5 stars without a doubt! Not only is the food out of this world, but the staff is very friendly, the prices are affordable, and the atmosphere is laidback. The space is very small (see picture below), but there always seems to be a table available. Plus, when it gets warmer, there’s outdoor seating, which is really nice. You’re also provided with crayons and board games to keep you busy while you’re waiting for your food, which is great for my impatience (especially when it comes to food). If you’re ever in Poughkeepsie or the surrounding area, Soul Dog is an absolute must!

Santorini Grill [Greek restaurant]

Last night, I was in Brooklyn for Dana‘s art show, and we stumbled upon this amazing Greek restaurant, Santorini Grill, in Williamsburg.

I love Greek food to begin with, but this was absolutely amazing. I started off with a Greek beer, Aris, which I enjoyed, and my sister ordered calamari for the table, which was also very good. For my dinner, I ordered the (lamb) Gyro Platter… a-ma-zing. The meat came with fresh pita bread and Tzatziki (yogurt sauce with cucumbers). The dish also came with homemade french fries, which looked like potato chips… so good! Everything was prepared so perfectly… everyone at the table enjoyed their meals. The picture below is what the gyro platter looks like (warning: it’ll make you hungry). Be sure to check out their full menu.

My family isn’t usually one to order dessert at a restaurant, but we enjoyed the food/service so much that we had to. I ordered the Galaktoboureko (try saying that five times fast… or once), which is custard topped with flaky filo dough and some sort of syrup… it was delicious. My dad ordered the Baklava (layered filo with almonds, walnuts, and honey syrup), and the waiter was nice enough to bring us another dessert, Karidopita (a traditional walnut cake) on the house. Of course I tried the other two desserts in addition to my own… both very good.

I give Santorini Grill 5/5 stars. The food was authentic and delicious; the staff was extremely friendly and efficient; and the atmosphere was relaxed, clean, and authentic as well. If you’re ever in Williamsburg, or even nearby, I would definitely recommend Santorini Grill. Next time I visit Dana and I’m in the mood for Greek food, you better believe I’ll be going back.

The Melting Pot [fondue restaurant]

After hearing so much buzz about The Melting Pot, I finally ate there the other night for Justin‘s Birthday. If you like fondue, then this if for you. You like that rhyme, right?

We started out with the cheese fondue. Out of the options, we went with the spinach and artichoke cheese, which was delicious. Definitely a great choice. Each cheese fondue is served with fresh bread, vegetables, and apples. The server melts the cheese and blends all the ingredients right in front of you, which was pretty cool.

We skipped the meat course, but I definitely wouldn’t mind trying this next time I go. You choose your meat(s) and cooking style, then you cook it yourself.

After the cheese fondue, we skipped right to dessert… I couldn’t resist after I saw the chocolate fondue menu. Since it was Justin’s Birthday and he has a sick obsession with peanut butter, we got The Original, which is The Melting Pot’s signature chocolate with a swirl of crunchy peanut butter. As for the dippers, you’re given strawberries, bananas, cheesecake, marshmallows, Rice Krispies Treats, pound cake, and brownies. This was to die for. If anything, I would even suggest going to The Melting Pot just for the dessert… I couldn’t get over how good it was.

I give The Melting Pot 4.5/5 stars. Although it was a bit expensive, it was definitely worth it. The food was delicious, the ambiance was classy and relaxed, the service was speedy, and our server was very friendly, attentive, and helpful.

When we got our check, the server made the mistake of telling me about Club Fondue, which I obviously signed up for. For every dollar you spend, you get a point. When you get a certain amount of points, you get a gift certificate to The Melting Pot. You also get a free chocolate fondue during your next visit, which was worth it just for that if you ask me.

Casa del Sol [Mexican restaurant]

I ate dinner at Casa del Sol for the first time tonight… It’s a really nice Mexican place right on Main Street (104) in Nyack. I loved it right as I walked through the door and saw the vibrant lighting and decorations (as shown below).

The food was really good too. I had a chicken and cheese quesadilla… Nothing spectacular compared to other Mexican food I’ve had, but certainly no complaints either. Everyone else seemed to enjoy their meals too.

I only had a Corona with dinner, but they had quite a selection of drinks on their menu. Seems like a nice place to grab drinks with friends… Definitely something to keep in mind next time I’m in Nyack. They also have live music some nights (not sure about the specifics), but I bet it’s a good time. I give Casa del Sol 4/5 stars.

Chipotle [Mexican Grill]

I finally ate at Chipotle for the first time today during my lunch break, and I finally got to see what all the fuss is about! Honestly, Chipotle tastes like heaven stuffed in a burrito. Mexican food is one of my favorite cuisines and this place definitely does it right. Not only is it delicious, but the ingredients are fresh!

I got a monster burrito with grilled chicken, cilantro-lime rice, black beans, peppers, cheese, and guac (of course). And when I say “monster burrito,” I mean it. It was huge. It was close to $10, but you’re getting your money’s worth. Other items on the menu were burrito bowls, salads, and tacos (soft and crispy). I mean, I guess I’ll have to go back to get the full experience, right? No complaints there.

Chipotle takes pride in their Food With Integrity. Basically, the company is committed to providing high quality ingredients while respecting animals, the environment, and farmers.

Lastly, the the staff was very fast, efficient, and friendly (at least in the one I went to in Manhattan). You can choose to dine-in or take your meal to-go… Whatever floats your boat. I give Chipotle 4.5/5 stars.

Murasaki [Japanese restaurant]

I ate dinner at Murasaki in Nyack for the first time tonight. I wouldn’t say it’s anything spectacular, but it was definitely good. I haven’t been to many sushi places in Rockland, so it was good to find a new place. My sister had actually recommended it to me.

I started with the avocado and asparagus salad with sesame dressing, which was very good. I’m a sucker for avocado, so I knew I was going to love it. I was expecting the salad to come with lettuce of some sort, but it didn’t, but I actually enjoyed it more without the lettuce (props for that).

For dinner, I got two rolls: spicy salmon (one of my favorites) and Diamond Head (tuna, yellowtail, and cucumber, all wrapped in avocado). Again, the rolls were really yummy, but nothing too different from the sushi I’ve had at other Japanese restaurants. I’d definitely go back to Murasaki when I’m in the mood for sushi though… They had a lot of different rolls that I wouldn’t mind trying.

Murasaki‘s a nice little place with a comfortable atmosphere. The service was super quick and the staff was very friendly. The restaurant also features Japanese-style seating where you feel like you’re sitting on the floor, but you’re really in a semi-underground booth, that requires you to take your shoes off. Wouldn’t mind trying that next time I go for a more authentic feel. I give Murasaki 3.5/5 stars.

Stir Crazy [Fresh Asian Grill]

Tonight was certainly not my first time eating at Stir Crazy, but it is the first time I’ve eaten there since I started my blog. What better time than now to write a review for it?

To start, Stir Crazy has such a fantastic atmosphere… Anywhere from the many Buddhas smiling at you randomly placed throughout the restaurant to the giant chopsticks hanging from the ceiling. They play nice, mellow music, providing for a fine dining experience.

My favorite thing about Stir Crazy is that you get to create your own meal! If you choose to do this, it’s quite easy. First, you choose the noodle you would like… Lo-mein, shanghai, or flat rice. Shanghai is by far my favorite… It’s a thicker, wheat noodle and Stir Crazy is the only place I can ever find it. Second, you choose which meat (if any) you’d like. After that, the server brings you a small wok and the rest is up to you. You take your wok to the “fresh market” and pick whichever veggies you desire. Once your wok is full, head over to the next station to pick your sauce (even mix them if you’d like). Finally, walk over to the cooking station, hand your wok to one of the chefs, and watch them cook your dinner right in front of your eyes. Walk your finished creation back to your table and enjoy (my favorite part)!

If you’re not much of a make-it-your-own type of person, there’s plenty of dishes to choose form on the menu that don’t require any effort on your part. I suggest making your own meal though… It’s a fun experience. Also, it’s impossible to have a bad meal if you’re the one choosing the ingredients. Don’t miss out on Stir Crazy‘s yummy appetizers either. I’ve had the crab cake hand rolls and the lettuce wraps before… Both delicious. Their dessert and drink menus look really good as well… I’ll definitely have to get something from those menus during my future visits.

I give Stir Crazy 5/5 stars! It’s most definitely one of my favorite restaurants and it never fails me. Unfortunately, there aren’t many locations, but if you’re lucky enough to have one near you or happen to stumble across one, be sure to check it out!

Sour Kraut [German restaurant]

There’s been some hype about the new German restaurant, Sour Kraut, in Nyack, so I finally checked it out tonight with some friends for dinner.

For dinner, I ordered the meal where you choose two wursts and two side dishes, so I got the kilbasa, knockwurst, potato pancakes, and German potato salad. All my food was delicious, and my friends had no complaints about their meals either (except for the pretzels… They were nothing special, but that’s not very essential). I also ordered a Bitburger (lager) on tap and it was so good. Additionally, the dinner and dessert specials sounded really yummy as well.

Although the prices were a bit steep, I would definitely go back to try other dishes from the menu. The service was a little slow, but friendly, which made it okay. I give Sour Kraut 4.5/5 stars.