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bella by the bite

@bellabythebite

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Bite-sized beauty, full-course life… @bellaroffo
plates, places & the moments between
📍hoboken → anywhere
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Jacuzzi — Kensington High St, London, UK

Jacuzzi is the kind of restaurant where the room immediately becomes part of the experience. The design is maximalist without feeling overwhelming, with pops of color, lush greenery, ornate chandeliers, and a massive central tree surrounded by cozy booths. Despite the grandeur, the space still feels comfortable and inviting rather than overly formal. The service was equally impressive, attentive without ever becoming intrusive.

The Amore Piccante was probably one of the best mocktails I’ve had, combining honey, ginger, chili, lemon, passion fruit, and Fever-Tree Ginger Ale. The subtle heat from the ginger and chili against the sweetness of the passion fruit was such a perfect balance.

The Burrata al Pistacchio with burrata from Puglia, pistachio pesto, prosciutto, and Sardinian carasau bread was another standout. The bread was so addicting that we ended up layering everything together into little bites, giving you the perfect mix of creamy, salty, crunchy, and nutty.

For entrées, we had the Pasta alla Norma and the Spaghettoni al Ragù di Agnello. The lamb pasta was the standout, with rich, savory lamb balanced by a bright minty salsa verde that brought an unexpected freshness to every bite. That contrast made the dish incredibly memorable.

Jacuzzi manages to make a highly designed restaurant feel genuinely inviting, while the food has enough character to stand on its own against the spectacle of the room. It’s a place where both the dining room and the food leave an impression. taken in Jacuzzi Ristorante by @bellabythebite

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a month ago

I’ll have what she’s having by @bellabythebite

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a month ago

The Grill on Fifth— Knightsbridge, London

Tucked away on the fifth floor of Harrods, The Grill on Fifth feels like a hidden escape from the bustle of the iconic department store below. The space is elegant and romantic, with polished interiors, attentive service, and a rooftop terrace that offers beautiful views across the city. For being located inside a department store, the entire experience feels surprisingly intimate and undeniably upscale.

We started with the 18-hour braised short rib croquettes served with gochujang mayo and pickles. These little bites absolutely packed a punch with flavor. The short rib was incredibly tender, the exterior perfectly crisp, and the gochujang mayo added just the right amount of richness and heat. It was one of those appetizers that immediately makes you excited for the rest of the meal.

The real star, however, was the double Wagyu smashed cheeseburger topped with house pickles, house sauce, American cheese, raw onions, and crispy shallots. I can confidently say it was one of the best burgers I have ever had. The house sauce was phenomenal, the pickles were unbelievably juicy, and while the burger was definitely onion-forward, it added so much flavor and character to every bite. Everything worked together perfectly without a single element overpowering the others.

Between the elevated atmosphere, exceptional service, rooftop views, and a burger that I am still thinking about, The Grill on Fifth proved that some of London’s best dining experiences can be found in the most unexpected places. taken in Harrods by @bellabythebite

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4 months ago

Zephyr — Notting Hill, London

From the outside, Zephyr is surprisingly understated, the kind of place you could easily walk right past. Step inside, though, and it’s an entirely different story. The dining room is stunning, filled with unique artwork and thoughtful design details that immediately make the space feel special. We opted for the lunch tasting menu, a rolling style service featuring a chef’s selection of signature dishes, which turned out to be one of the highlights of our time in London.

The meal began with sourdough sourced from a local East London bakery, topped with olive oil butter and sea salt. It was, without question, some of the best sourdough bread I’ve ever had. Alongside it came the tarama, a silky cod roe emulsion brightened with makrut lime, and the tzatziki, made with Greek yogurt, cucumber, and mint. Both were impossibly creamy, packed with flavor, and the perfect accompaniment to the warm bread. The yellowtail with dashi, jalapeño, and yuzu olive oil was exceptionally fresh and balanced. I genuinely could have eaten multiple plates of it without hesitation.

The crispy potato terrine with metsovone custard and truffle was one of the more unique dishes of the meal. The contrast between the crisp potato exterior and the silky custard created a beautiful balance of textures, while the truffle tied everything together perfectly. Then came the baby chicken, which completely stole the show. Incredibly juicy and delivered a punch of fresh lemon in every bite.

Dessert ended with an olive oil cheesecake featuring a beautifully burnt top. The texture was rich yet light, and the caramelized exterior added the perfect amount of depth without overpowering the dish. It was the ideal ending to a meal that felt polished, thoughtful, and memorable from beginning to end. taken in zephyrnottinghill by @bellabythebite

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4 months ago

Crevette — NYC

Crevette delivers the kind of meal that reminds you why dining in New York can still feel exciting. A seafood driven menu rooted in the coastal flavors of Spain and France manages to balance technical precision with a sense of ease. The dining room mirrors that same atmosphere with a striking mural by Michael McGregor of a lobster feast somewhere along the coast. Crevette is bright, transportive, and quietly elegant without ever feeling overly formal.

The Bluefin Tuna with guindilla peppers and crispy potato stood out as one of the strongest dishes on the table. The contrast between the chilled tuna and the warm crisp potato created a perfect balance of texture and richness. While the whipped ricotta and Cantabrian anchovies on toast delivered one of the most memorable bites of the night. The anchovies brought an intense saltiness that softened into an almost sweet complexity against the ricotta. A special of turbot roasted in parsley butter arrived delicate enough to nearly dissolve with each bite.

For entrées, the Sicilian sashimi was beautifully plated and tasted unbelievably fresh, to the point where you almost forgot you were sitting in Manhattan. The Peekytoe Crab Agnolotti with English peas and basil was another standout. The crab filling was incredibly delicate and fresh without overpowering the pea sauce surrounding the pasta. The fried soft shell crab sandwich with Basque tartar sauce and pickled cucumbers had the perfect crispy consistency with just the right amount of saltiness balanced by the tang from the sauce and pickles.

Dessert managed to be just as impressive as everything before it. The dark chocolate torte with whipped cream was rich and creamy without becoming too heavy, with whipped cream that you could immediately tell was made from scratch by the texture and visible vanilla bean throughout. It came alongside chocolate and vanilla soft serve, and combining the torte, ice cream, and whipped cream together created one of those desserts you genuinely keep thinking about long after the meal ends. taken in Crevette New York by @bellabythebite

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4 months ago

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4 months ago

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4 months ago

Onieal’s — Hoboken, NJ

Set on a quaint corner near Church Square Park, Onieal’s feels like the kind of neighborhood spot you instantly settle into. What makes it stand out is how many different vibes it offers in one place. There’s a small outdoor patio for warmer days, a more relaxed dining area in the back with tables and booths, and a front bar with high tops that shifts into a livelier scene as the night goes on, complete with occasional live music and even a disco ball.

We started with the fresh fried mozzarella, and you could immediately tell it wasn’t your typical frozen appetizer. The cheese pull alone said everything, perfectly melty and clearly made with care. This place is known for having some of the best burgers in Hoboken, so I had to go with the Wall Streeter burger with sautéed onions, bacon, and cheddar. It was cooked to a perfect medium rare and came fully loaded with lettuce, tomato, onion, a dill pickle spear, and house cut fries that made it feel like a complete, satisfying meal.

The service really adds to the experience here. Everyone is welcoming, friendly, and quick, which is exactly what you want in a neighborhood spot where the energy depends just as much on the people as it does the space. It makes the whole place feel easy, comfortable, and somewhere you actually want to stay.

Between the flexible atmosphere, strong comfort food, and that welcoming, local energy, Onieal’s is one of those places that works for just about anything and makes you feel right at home every time. taken in Onieals Restaurant by @bellabythebite

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5 months ago

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7 months ago

The LOLA — Hoboken, NJ

This Waterfront Restaurant & Lounge is absolutely stunning from the second you walk in. Greenery and cascading vines cover the ceiling, chandeliers glow against the low lighting, and yes, they have matchbooks which immediately earns bonus points. What makes it even better is the location right on the waterfront, with massive windows framing the NYC skyline. It’s one of those views that instantly elevates the entire experience. The staff and managers were incredibly attentive all night, making everything feel seamless and well executed for opening weekend.

We started with the Crab Cake Rangoon with fennel and herb salad and Old Bay agrodulce, which I had been looking forward to the most and it completely delivered. Crisp on the outside, rich and flavorful inside, and perfectly balanced with that agrodulce. The Pressed Tuna Tostadas with chipotle honey vinaigrette, avocado mousse, brûléed orange, and micro cilantro surprised me the most. I wasn’t expecting to love them instantly, but I absolutely did and honestly wished we had ordered another round.

For dinner, we ordered one of each pasta and shared across the table. The Pappardelle Bolognese with pork and beef ragù, cream, parmesan, and stracciatella was rich and comforting. The Spicy Rigatoni with Calabrian chili, garlic, and San Marzano tomato had the perfect level of heat without overpowering the dish. The Cacio e Pepe Tonnarelli tasted incredibly authentic, with fresh cracked black pepper and pecorino shining through in every bite.

Their drink list is very extensive, with something for every mood, and I already know I need to go back to explore more of the menu, especially the sides I have heard such great things about. Between the skyline views, the dramatic interior, and the strong pasta lineup, The LOLA feels like a Hoboken staple in the making. by @bellabythebite

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8 months ago

COQODAQ — Flatiron District, NYC

This was a lunch of a lifetime… the service was polished, calm, and perfectly paced, with each course arriving right when you were ready for it. Everyone who worked there carried themselves with such elegance, creating a relaxed but refined lunch experience that never felt rushed. We went during Restaurant Week and chose from the prix fixe menu, which still felt generous and exciting rather than limiting.

We started with the Golden Nuggets in all their glory. The 18 Karat topped with ocean trout roe, the 24 Karat with Golden Daurenki caviar, and the Black Gold finished with seasonal truffle. Each one was rich, indulgent, and absolutely worth savoring. The onion rings completely surprised me. Ultra thin, perfectly crispy, and paired with a homemade ranch with a subtle dill note that I will genuinely crave.

For mains, we shared The Bucket List™ Signature Fried Chicken Feast with soy garlic and gochujang glaze, along with the Fish & Chips, which completely stole the show. Crispy, fresh, and easily one of the best versions I’ve had, including trips abroad. The spicy tteokbokki had the most satisfying texture, slightly sweet on the first bite before the heat really came through. Dessert ended with soft serve frozen yogurt topped with a passionfruit sauce, which was incredibly refreshing, light, and the perfect way to wrap up the meal.

The nonalcoholic drink menu deserves its own moment. My ginger ale tasted like real, freshly brewed ginger rather than a standard soda, and the wellness-forward options with adaptogens like magnesium and lion’s mane felt thoughtful and well-curated. The interior was absolutely stunning, with beautiful lighting and mirrors that made the restaurant feel expansive despite being in the city. Even the details stood out, from the matchbooks to the multi-station sink lined with designer soaps on the way out. Getting to meet and talk with the owner was such a highlight. He was warm, present, and genuinely happy to have us there, which made the experience feel even more special. taken in Coqodaq by @bellabythebite

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8 months ago

Erini — Ewing Township, New Jersey

This was the setting for my mom’s birthday surprise, and it couldn’t have felt more special. The restaurant had custom printed menus with a prix fixe lineup, and the space was decorated to the nines for the holidays with subtle Valentine’s Day touches layered in. It genuinely feels like someone’s home in the best way possible. Incredibly cozy, yet surprisingly massive once you’re inside.

The staff was absolutely top tier from start to finish. For a large party, everything moved seamlessly and never felt rushed. We started with fried calamari paired with a sweet chili style sauce that was so addictive, Yia Yia’s meatballs, and the raspberry brie topped with walnuts and strawberry, which was easily a standout. That dish hit every note for me and disappeared fast. My Caesar salad was beautifully plated with crisp romaine, shaved parmesan, and four herb garlic croutons placed perfectly on each corner of the plate.

For my entrée, I ordered the grilled salmon with maple Dijon glaze, served with roasted Yukon potatoes and haricot verts. It was cooked to absolute perfection, and the glaze added just the right amount of sweetness without overpowering the dish. I also had a bite of the braised lamb shank, which was incredibly tender and deeply flavorful.

They also have an outdoor tiki bar, which instantly went on my summer return list. Between the food, the warmth of the space, and the thoughtful service, Erini delivered a celebration that felt polished, welcoming, and genuinely memorable. by @bellabythebite

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8 months ago