The New Jersey Foodhound™

On a recent trip to London, it was one of my personal goals to find a gluten free Indian restaurant - Chicken Tikka being one of the unofficial national dishes, it seemed a must-eat. My search brought me to a lovely restaurant in the heart of Covent Garden aptly named, Masala Zone . While the name may not be as "classy" as some of the other establishments, the food, ambiance, and service all exceeded my expectations by a long shot. The Grub: It should come as no surprise that a restaurant called Masala Zone serves Indian food, what is surprising was just how amazing it was. On offer are a number of traditional Indian classics as well as unique spins on old favorites that made me wish I had the time (and ability) to try them all. As I was waiting to order, a quick scan of the other patron's tables clued me into the popularity of the Thali (an Indian-style meal made up of different dishes served on a platter) which is comprised of a main dish along with a selection o...

For generations, denizens of the Five Boroughs have started their day with the humble, tasty, ubiquitous ring of dough known as the bagel. And for just as long, the very same New York natives have been debating where the best examples can be found. I can't claim that the debate is settled, nor can I guarantee that it will ever be, but what I can say is if you want a damn good bagel - get yourself to Black Seed in Nolita (or any of their 7 locations) pronto. The Grub: Black Seed's bagels are honestly some of the best I've ever had. They take great care in making what seems a very simple baked item, and you can definitely taste the difference against any run-of-the-mill bagel slinger. As accompaniments, traditional butter and cream cheese is offered - but their bagels also serve as the foundation for a number of delicious Egg 'n' Cheese sandwiches like The Hampton (beef sausage, egg and cheese), The Leo (Salmon, egg, cream cheese and sauteed onions), or for t...

Down-home Southern baking may be one of the last things that comes to mind when thinking about New York City. Even so, there are a few hidden spots where a home-sick Southerner or curious foodie can find authentic pastries and the like. One such location is Donna Bell's Bake Shop , tucked under the World Wide Plaza building on 49th St. in Midtown. The Grub: If you have ever found yourself in the mood for a fresh buttermilk biscuit then look no further than Donna Bell's . They typically have a variety: plain buttermilk, cheddar, ham and Swiss - lots of creative and absolutely delicious choices to be had here. Want something a little sweeter? They've got you covered! Cookies, cupcakes, scones, muffins, cakes are all available but their flavors change very regularly (sometimes daily!) so be sure to stop in often for something new! Keep in mind that they are a very small shop, so things can sell out very quickly. While you're getting something to eat, you may as we...

If you find yourself in Manhattan and are in the mood for Thai food, you might as well wander over to the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood and pick from one of the dozen or more restaurants that line 9th Ave. I have had the opportunity to try nearly all of them and they tend to vary widely in quality. Whenever a new one opens up I do my best to give it a try in an endless search for the best. Currently, the best one around is a little hole-in-the-wall spot called Thai Chella. The Grub: If you've had Thai food before, you already know what's on the menu at Thai Chella . Noodle dishes, curries, fried rice and multiple iterations of stir fry make an appearance and having tried a little bit of everything here I can honestly say there's a slim chance you'll order a bad dish. I can make some specific recommendations though and suggest trying their Pad Thai (good-old standby), Thai Basil Stir Fry or their Green Curry. While their dishes may walk "the beaten path,...

If you have gluten intolerance or suffer from Celiac disease, you know just how hard it is to find baked goods and breakfast pastries. Especially those that taste the way traditional wheat-based products used to. Well, if you happen to find yourself in London, or just feel like exploring a new destination as a culinary tourist, then Beyond Bread is exactly what you are looking for. The Grub: Beyond Bread is a exclusively gluten free cafe/bakery that offers a fairly wide selection of bread, pastries, cakes and breakfast items that meet Celiac standards. Croissants, scones, buns and twists - it was very exciting to see the variety of baked items available that, quite honestly are almost impossible to find anywhere else (especially done properly). They also offer a delicious gluten free Full English breakfast served with their amazing home-made bread to stop up the runny poached egg. When I saw waffles on the menu - I knew I would have to go back the very next day which was, as e...

It will probably surprise no one that the population of Staten Island is roughly 35% Italian-American . From its reputation to its depictions in popular film and TV, its a personality the island -  for better or worse, just can't shake. So I say, embrace it by taking a ride to Alfonso's Bakery to get yourself some authentic Italian pastries. You'll feel like a part of the crowd in no time. The Grub: Alfonso's is a purveyor of all things baked, be it breads of all shapes and sizes, cakes, cookies, canoli, and other fine Italian pastries. Starting with their selection of breads, I would highly suggest trying one of their sesame twists, if there are any left that is. Nothing's better to sop up some of Mamma's home-cooked sauce! Make sure to browse the cookie counters as well, the almond cookies and Italian rainbows are some of the best I've ever tried. Lastly, grab a half-dozen, or hey, even a dozen canoli and get out fast because there will almost c...

Finding gluten free breakfast options can be one hell of a hassle. That is unless of course, you find yourself in London. Never in my life have I seen so many options that cater to individuals with food allergies and intolerance. On a lark my girlfriend launched a quick google search for vegan,(she is allergic to eggs) gluten free (for me) pancakes and lo-and-behold, My Old Dutch Pancake House popped up less than a mile from our hotel. Needless to say, we were thrilled! The Grub: As you would probably surmise, they have pancakes at My Old Dutch Pancake House - and quite the variety at that. Both savory and sweet pancake options can be found on the menu, sort of atypical for the US where savory pancakes aren't often served. Some of the savory options include Greek, smoked salmon, chicken curry and the namesake My Old Dutch with bacon, ham, chicken, peppers, mushrooms, sweet corn and cheese. If you're more in the mood for something sweet, don't worry, they've go...