jersey city stuff

[glenn]

The question was posed if you were going to JC (god knows why you would want to), should you go to Marco & Pepe's, or the newly opened Lighthorse, or the other newbie, 95 Greene. All 3 replaces are near each other, so if you don't like the looks of one of 'em, it's easy enough to go on to the next. At this point, reservations are not required at any of 'em, and I don't think M&P takes reservations.

Marco & Pepe, named after owner Ralph's dogs, is on Grove and Mercer (I think). I've been there countless times since they opened 2 years ago and it is a truly unique place for JC. It's grown up a lot, starting out as mostly tapas dishes and a very limited menu, though good. Ralph is from Spain and the initial plan was to give it a an Italian and Spanish flavor. It retains its European style and is very casual. Jeans is the norm and yuppies predominate. They have a large selection of European beers as well as a pretty decent wine list (as well as a nice selection of wines by the glass). It's become a little more homogenized since its early days -- now there are American, Australian and French wines on the menu, and the dinner menu was American style, for lack of a better term. We had dinner there for the first time in a while, and it seems that the tapas menu is history and they've serving a full dinner menu. Entrees range from about $15-$21. The dishes we had were definitely unique, though they sometimes missed the spot. I had a warm tart as an appetizer, which turned out to be a very tasty pastry covered with carmelized onions. It doesn't sound exciting, but it was excellent. I had to order the macaroni and cheese based on the description, which regrettably I forget. When I asked the waiter about it, he just smiled in approval. It was incredible. Anabelle had the risotto with squash, which was also excellent. They leave a french style carafe of water on the table, and the bread, which was great, was served in a tin pail. Nice touch.

I don't have much experience with the other places having only eaten at each place once. Putting personal grudges aside with the Lighthorse, they presently hold out the most promise of any restaurant in JC. It's a gorgeous space and the owners have high aspirations. The original plan was to model themselves after Gramercy Tavern, though I don't know if that's still the case. We were there about 6 weeks ago, a week after they opened. However, in every area, our experience ranged from fair to disastrous. Someone should check this place out though in the future, but it won't be me because of personal reasons. If you must know, the owners are snobs.

We were at 95 Greene the day after Valentine's Day, a week after they opened. Very pretty place. They were still serving the Valentine's Day prixe fixe menu, which we weren't in the mood for. So we ordered from the bar menu. We got the complimentary amuse that was being served on the VD menu, which I thought was a nice gesture, not to mention it was out of this world. The bar food was ok, nothing more. We took a look at the regular dinner menu and it looked to be the usual upscale fare and the prices were a bit high. The wine menu was disappointing with a very limited selection of wines by the glass. But we'll be back.

In answer to which place would I recommend, I'd say go to M&P's if you want a very laid back environment and interesting food, though not haute cuisine. If you want a real fine dining experience and are willing to take a chance that they've worked out the zillions of kinks, go to Lighthorse.

But here's the real SHOCKER... a kosher style deli is open in the heart of JC!! And it's been there going on a year, but it's on a side street and no one knew about them, especially since they didn't advertise until recently. Steve's, 359 Varick St, 201-422-2700 is a real throwback. At least Steve is. We checked it out today and had combo sandwiches, kasha knishes and brought home chopped liver (after Steve forced some down my throat). There's no hot food -- it's in a landmark area and presumably they don't issue permits for commercial cooking. So forget about stuffed cabbage. The sandwiches were not the typical overstuffed sandwiches I'm accustomed to, but then again the price was only $7.95. It was good, though it doesn't compare to the better known NY establishments. The knishes happened to be excellent, as well as the chopped liver. Nothing is made on premises except for the egg salad, chicken salad and tuna salad. One wonders how such an establishment does any business in JC, considering JC has a population of about 102 Jews. It turns out they deliever to Hoboken and other areas, and are bigtime into catering. Steve claims to have made his money back in 3 months and is preparing to open another place in Bayonne. Steve must know something I don't know... there's probably only about 28 Jews in Bayonne.

Ok, back to the REAL new jersey stuff....

[Rosie]

Thanks for the reports. Bayonne has 2 or 3 Temples. Also, there are many businesses on Rt 169 which would support a deli especially at lunch time.

[Rail Paul]

Glenn -

I'd venture Jersey City's Jewish population has been augmented by the newer developments at and about Newport, Port liberte and the expansive property / boat yard at the Luis Munoz Marin light rail station. Lots of Wall Street types, so there may be a few folks of Jewish heritage among them.

What's the name of the restaurant in the hyatt by the polish war monument at the foot of montgomery street? Good bar, OK food?

Paul

[glenn]

Vu?? Not sure, but Rosie should know, she knows all the mediocre places :)).

[Rosie]

The Vu. Place is gorgeous. Haven't eaten there.

[schnapps]

As a fairly recent newcomer to Jersey City, I for one greatly appreciate your opinions on Jersey City cuisine and usually find myself agreeing with most of your assessments.

Have you ever tried Tania's Polish Restaurant or Rita and Joe's? I've never been to either of them and was just wondering if there are any opinions.

BTW: Jersey City has 5 synagogues and is the corporate headquarters of Manischewitz.

[Rosie]

Tania's is alot of fun. Great potato pancakes and pierogi. Inexpensive. Have heard good things about Rita and Joes but haven't been.

[menton1]

Just a question, with apologies if I offend any JC lovers-- with Hoboken only 5 minutes away, with its great ambience, New York feel, and excellent food choices, why would one venture into Jersey City?

Edited March 3, 2003 by menton1 (log)

[glenn]

Mention, bash JC all you want. I do :)). Have you been to Hoboken much? I disagree with your assessment - there are a zillion restaurants there, but I can count on one finger all the good ones. Not to mention that the parking is a hassle. Plus it's hard to notice any ambience on a weekend night as one is doing his best to avoid the vomit on the sidewalk on Washington St.

Schnapps, I agree with Rosie about Tania's. However, I find it hard to motivate myself to go much because it takes forever to get served. Another little jewel near Tania's is a Moroccan place which I can't remember the name of, on the corner just east of Tania's on Grove. It's byob. Not a big menu, but everything on it is good. I've never been to Rita & Joe's... is it Italian?

[5 synagogues?? The only one I know of is the ancient one downtown.]

[tommy]

Just a question, with apologies if I offend any JC lovers--  with Hoboken only 5 minutes away, with its great ambience, New York feel, and excellent food choices, why would one venture into Jersey City?

because driving into hoboken sucks and the restaurants for the most part are horrible?

[ngatti]

- there are a zillion restaurants there, but I can count on one finger all the good ones.

Lemme guess..."The Dining Room etc..."

Nick

[glenn]

Well, I have a big finger. Add Amanda's and Frankie & Johnny's, La Isla and maybe Baja's. But unquestionably, the Dining Room is the only one that can motivate me to put up with all the nonsense that goes on in Hoboken.

[tommy]

Well, I have a big finger.  Add Amanda's and Frankie & Johnny's, La Isla and maybe Baja's.  But unquestionably, the Dining Room is the only one that can motivate me to put up with all the nonsense that goes on in Hoboken.

you're such an old grumpy bastard.

baja is pretty bleak, doncha think?

[ngatti]

Well, I have a big finger.  Add Amanda's and Frankie & Johnny's, La Isla and maybe Baja's.  But unquestionably, the Dining Room is the only one that can motivate me to put up with all the nonsense that goes on in Hoboken.

Excellent. As Amanda's and The Dining Room are participants in my fave charity...

Nick

[Rosie]

Augustino's

[glenn]

you're such an old grumpy bastard. 

what's your point?

baja is pretty bleak, doncha think?

I just threw that one in because I thought you liked it. Me, I wouldn't be caught dead in there.

I knew Rosie would throw in Augustino's. And what about that place under the viaduct that I thought sucked moosemeat that everyone else seemed to like, are they still around?

[menton1]

Well, I still enjoy Hoboken when I go. A lot of New York City feel to it-- of course, parking is rough-- some of the brownstone buildings are unbelievably fabulous inside. A lot of yuppies around, walking the dogs, jogging. Of course, if you are looking for grass and trees and some wide open space, Hoboken is not for you. The Chamber Music society did an open house tour of 10 homes in Hoboken a couple of years back, and they are astoundingly opulent inside. And much more affordable than the city.

In the food area, aside from the serious places like Amandas and Anthony Davids, there are a lot of fun places like City Bistro (Great view) , Court Street, and Lady Janes.

N.B. I've seen vomit on the street on Madison Ave in the 70s as well.

Edited March 3, 2003 by menton1 (log)

[Rosie]

"And what about that place under the viaduct that I thought sucked moosemeat that everyone else seemed to like, are they still around?"

La Tartuferia. Haven't been.

[thereuare]

And what about that place under the viaduct that I thought sucked moosemeat that everyone else seemed to like, are they still around?

That's La Tuferia(??) which i just wrote a review about in the Valentine's Day thread.

I haven't been in a while due to "hit or miss" quality, but i still recommend "the special" at the Baja, but no need to go for anything else on the menu. Baja also offers free parking.

It's definately "younger" (or i'm getting older) but i still think that Margherita's has the best red sauce in town and is a great value.

La Isla has good food, haven't been to their sister (and nicer) restaurant Brass Rail in a loooong time.

La Scala was good the one time i went there, but service was such an issue i haven't stepped foot back there again (and an owner that didn't seem to care when i brought it to his attention... BYOB). I also just heard a good review from a friend that ate at Le Bisous(??) (new restaurant between 3rd and 4th street on Washington, same owners as a place in Ridgewood, on the pricier side for Hoboken.. $22-$27/entrees)

That's my additions to the other's that have been mentioned, although i'm in the minority when i say i'm not a fan of Amanda's.

Sure there's a handful of places, but not anything near what a town of this size should have.

[tommy]

and Lady Janes. 

lady janes went bye-bye.

[Rail Paul]

It's a slow day on the ranch, so I decided to see what was out in the census files for Jersey City and Hoboken.

I assumed that household income of $75,000 or more would be necessary to occasionally dine at the places mentioned here. I did not correct for marital status within household definition

Based on the preliminary 2000 census results for households and income, the two towns are almost identical in the % of households earning over $100,000 a year at 11% each. In raw numbers that's 10,155 for JC and 5504 for HOB. Where the results diverge is in the % of households earning $75,000 to exactly $100,000 which adds 9.2% more in Jersey City, and 14% more in Hoboken. If I carried the analysis, the numbers would favor Hoboken in a lopsided way.

These demographic outputs do not take into consideration the number of daytime workers who live elsewhere but spend a portion of the day and lunch dollars in town (advantage: JC). Or, persons who come into town to party and drink in the local bars (advantage HOB).

Based on this rudimentary analysis, I'd contend that there's more gross (reported) income per household in Hoboken than in Jersey City

[tommy]

Based on this rudimentary analysis, I'd contend that there's more gross (reported) income per household in Hoboken than in Jersey City

yeah. and people who make six figures and above generally don't fill those amounts out for the random people coming to the door for the census. in fact, they're usually out to dinner when those people come 'round.

[Rail Paul]

I did my census by mail, like 90%-92% of the US. (I didn't want my neighbors describing me, my income, my investments, my marital status, my ancestry, no sireeee. I can mis-represent myself without their help)

The door to door takers were for the relatively small portion of folks who didn't return their mail, or for whom the census had no records. Which would include a significant number of people earning under $25,000, I'd suspect. In both JC and HOB, un-reported household income over $100,000 would probably be a modest but countable segment, but shouldn't affect the validity of these numbers by much.

Based on the fill-out at Sugar House and Port Liberte, I'd suspect JC's numbers are a bit better now than they were. Sugar House starts at $850,000 or so. Not bad for an old warehouse, with a good view.

[menton1]

I think another salient point regarding this comparison is that Hoboken is a fairly homogeneous environment from one end to the other, whereas Jersey City has a vast disparity from one neighborhood to the next. This might skew those statistics, but I'm not sure how.