jersey city in the Times

[glenn]

I was all set to diss yet another lousy dinner in JC last night, until I read the front-page article in today's NJ section of the Times. (But I will anyway). Very interesting stuff – though the next Williamsburg?? I dunno about that. I was glad to see Marco & Pepe’s get some good press, though the crowds are sure to start flocking there now. And jeez, I didn’t know the new chef comes from Danube and Bouley. Uncle Joe’s (or Maxwell’s, Jr., as I call it), also got a lot of well-deserved press. And a rekkid store where I can finally find MY music in JC would have been unthinkable only a few years ago (on Brunswick).

But what the heck does “slightly swanky” mean? That’s what they called the 3-month-old (or so) Merchant Bar. Though some trendies might call the décor minimalist, I call it desolate and uninspiring, just like the food and service.

So there are some new places to try, though there hasn’t been a shortage of that in the past year. However, the possibility of Starbucks on Erie St. doesn’t bode all that well (the next Hoboken?, yuck!). On the gotta try list is Madame Claude (though the Times is not all that inspiring by waving the flag for the $5 crème brulee, Metropolis Ground (a coffee shop) and Ria’s Café.

Last night. I honestly don’t know why I torture myself by giving Presto’s chance after chance. I always say that I’ll never step foot in that place again every time after dining there. The “problem” is they have damn good pasta, which is what I was in the mood for. But it’s a small place (about 30 seats) and the service stinks. But I figured the rain would keep the masses away. Wrong. As usual, there’s no hostess (Saturday night at 8 for chrissakes!) manager or owner to be seen, and the staff was just ignoring us as we stood there like idiots waiting to be seated. So we sat down at the only available table, still dirty from the previous diners. After 5 minutes I had to grab the busser to tell him, HELLO, clean the table and bring menus. It was sweltering hot in there too. We sat another 5 minutes. They always have specials but they never voluntarily tell you about them – some sort of secret sales tactic I guess. I hate studying the menu, which I have memorized anyway by this time, w/o knowing the specials. We had enough. Got up and walked out. THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME, I SWEAR!

After previously having a not so great experience at the 1-month-old 95 Greene, I figured they deserved another chance. And it was only a few blocks from Presto’s. Talk about different realities!! 8:15 PM, Saturday night, and there were 2 people at the bar and ZERO dining customers! And it was nice and cool, a refreshing change. The two of us sat down at a 4-top by the window. The menu was completely boring even though the prices seemed to demand more imagination. The one and only interesting item was an appetizer, which frankly, sounded gross. Pastrami dumpling!! But I tell ya, with the sauce, it worked, we loved it. The entrees were piss-poor. The sauce for our dishes, pork and halibut, tasted like it came from a can. The pork was a crummy cut, or was spoiled. Service was good (whattaya expect, staff outnumbered customers by 4 to 1!), up until dessert. 5 minutes after sharing a flourless chocolate cake that was left in the microwave too long, I was told they had a problem with the espresso machine and it would be a few minutes longer. No thanks. I was offered a free coffee, but passed.

I honestly don’t foresee JC becoming the next anything, at least for years to come, but I’ll keep the faith and the searching.

[Rosie]

Isn't Presto's BYO?

[glenn]

No. Strike 5.

[tommy]

the good news is, uncle joe's is indeed one of the better clubs in the area.

[Hank]

Rosie. I am clueless. If Presto is as bad as Glenn reports it to be why even bother about whether they are BYOB or not? I feel very strongly that that should never be a criteria to go to a restaurant unless it is reported that the food is very good.

[Rosie]

Rosie. I am clueless. If Presto is as bad as Glenn reports it to be why even bother about whether they are BYOB or not? I feel very strongly that that should never be a criteria to go to a restaurant unless it is reported that the food is very good.

Hank--I'm not going there so fast. I just want to keep my records up to date in case anyone asks me about this restaurant.

[glenn]

Hank--I'm not going there so fast. I just want to keep my records up to date in case anyone asks me about this restaurant.

Just refer them to me.