Marco and Pepe's --Jersey City

[Rosie]

Anyone been?

[glenn]

Many many times. Now I know no one reads anything I say, not that anything I say is worth reading. I mentioned this place a number of times. [see my comment in recent post glenn's long-winded post which no one read and which he wasted 4 hours typing, boo-hoo, but I digress.

They opened a year or so ago and have been constantly improving. Very strange place for JC. Good strange, that is. It's sort of a Spanish tapas bistro with an Italian influence. They've got an enormous hard-to-find beer selection as well as a nice selection of wines by the glass. Marco and Pepe are Ralph the owners' dogs. It's especially nice in the warm weather to sit outside. Very laid back and European.

[Rosie]

Marco & Pepe are dogs. But the restaurant at 289 Grove St, Jersey City which the owners named after them is thriving and worthy of a visit. The menu and cooking are innovative and exciting.

We started off with an excellent frisse salad topped with pickled pearl onions, grilled thick bacon, and quail egg dressed with a warm bacon vinaigrette. The sweet/sour lobster soup was more of a palate cleanser then the hearty soup I was expecting. It had scallions, bonito, enoki mushrooms, red pepper and udon noodles which provided some texture. We couldn’t taste the sweet/sour flavors but the lobster essence in the broth was unmistakable.

Entrees were a fabulous braised lamb shank with a white bean, eggplant, roasted tomatoes, pearl onions, braised fennel, and a white wine rosemary jus. Lowell also had a winner; duck breast with red pearl onions, Swiss chard, mushroom roasted barley, tomatoes, and veal mushroom jus. "The duck really tastes like duck." I said after a taste.

Lucky for us we ran into Glenn and the lovely Annabel at the restaurant. They joined us so we got to taste their food also. Garlic steamed mussels with cilantro, tomatoes and white wine were bobbing in flavor. The grilled pork loin with baby spinach, potato rosti, roasted tomato, shallot and olive compote was flavorful but cooked one minute too long. The roasted sea bass with a tamarind glaze beautifully presented atop of long beans, shiitake mushrooms, and lemongrass Basmati rice was stellar.

Lowell and I shared a warm apple pie made with Armagnac roasted apples topped with vanilla gelato and surrounded by a warm caramel sauce. I was sorry we didn’t order two of them.

With a bottle of wine ($26), after dinner drink ($10) tax and tip the bill was $130. Be forewarned--they do not take reservations unless you have a party of six or more. 289 Grove St, Jersey City. Phone: 201-860-9688.

[tommy]

oddly, i found myself in JC the other night, and a friend had mentioned how great this place was and how we should go. but it didn't fit into our plans. however, this clinches it.

Edited March 28, 2004 by tommy (log)

[Rosie]

And Tommy you will be very happy with the age range of the diners there!

[Abe Froman]

Anyone living in the area should check M&P out. A very nice relaxed atmosphere with delicious food & deserts, as well as interesting beer and wine selection. Such a strange location, but soemhow it works.

[Rosie]

Abe--I don't remember if I welcomed you to eGullet--so welcome. Be sure to let us know the places you like to dine at besides M&P.

[Abe Froman]

Thanks, Rosie.

I'll try to put together a JC thread when I get the chance.

I had the duck at M&P recently as well and thought it was excellent.

[bhelpuri]

So, let's have that Jersey City thread already.

[Rosie]

So, let's have that Jersey City thread already.

Welcome to eGullet. Let us know where YOU like to eat in JC.