The Dopeness Doesn't Live Up to Its Name

Let me start by saying I really, really wanted to like The Dopeness. I kept checking it out while it was being built out, getting excited for what seemed like an awesome space with a very chill and artistic sensibility. On this front, I wasn't disappointed. The restaurant itself is different, urban, eclectic, and creativity abounds. However, in pretty much every other area, The Dopeness disappoints and worse, it disappoints for no real reason other than being disorganized.

I'd attempted to go three times prior to this occasion, all at different times on different days and each time, it was closed - no explanation, no note, no hours posted on the door. Just closed. While frustrating, I didn't consider it that big of a deal although it definitely became a longer and longer stretch of time between attempts. Finally, the fourth time was the charm. 

We went in on a Saturday night around 7 pm and the place was empty. There was one table of three seated towards the front, sort of tapping their fingers and looking around but no one else in sight. This should have been an indication of how the night would go. After awkwardly standing around for several minutes, someone came out and told us they were expecting a large party around 8pm in the back, but we could have either of the other two open tables in the front more loungey/bar area so we sat down. And then began what turned out to be a long night of waiting.

Community News

• Jersey City Veggie Burgers made it into the semi-finalist round of the Start Something NJ competition and needs votes to advance to the next round! You can vote daily here: http://startsomethingnj.risingtidecapital.org/vote_food.html#vote
• Today was the last farmers market at Riverside Park in Jersey City Heights until next year. However, the market at Journal Square continues through November and Van Vorst Park, Hamilton Park, Grove Street and Paulus Hook continue through December so you can still enjoy fresh and local produce!
• Beat the chilly weather with Satis Bistro's "Taste of the Highlands" scotch tasting this Tuesday. More information here: http://www.satisbistro.com/events/
• In sad news, Soul Flavors is closing after six years at their location on Grove Street. Citing difficulties recovering from Hurricane Sandy, the owners have decided to shut their doors but encourage people to keep up with them by emailing info@soulflavors.com and say that catering orders can still be placed. Best wishes to everyone.

Let the Halloween Festivities Begin!

Jersey City residents and friends, I hope you have your halloween costumes ready at the door because it's the weekend before Halloween and Jersey City is ready for you!

Iron Monkey, LITM, and Zeppelin Hall are just a few of the local spots holding monster Halloween Parties and Costume Contests with exciting prizes for the winners! Spooky good food and drink specials are available all over town so get out there and enjoy them while pretending to be someone (or something!) else.

Wonder Bagels is a Cornerstone of Jersey City Life

No one needs me to tell them Wonder Bagels on Jersey Ave is great. The lines halfway down the block on weekends can attest to that. But in case you need a reminder of exactly why - here we go:

• Despite the madhouse it appears to be on weekend mornings, it's actually fairly well-organized and quick-moving. The guys behind the counter are clearly used to working with and around each other and patterns of productivity emerge. It's rare they take long with an order and in 6 years, I've never once had something be wrong.
• The menu is varied with everything from bagels to wraps to salads and they use Boar's Head meat for anything deli-related
• Freshly squeezed orange juice and  fresh carrot juice
• Some outdoor seating - it may get claimed early but on nice days, it affords great people watching
• A wide variety of bagel toppings - cream cheese flavors including walnut raisin, olive, scallion, etc., along with a few choices of tofu "cream cheese", white fish salad, salmon and so much more
  
   

Community News

• Left Bank Burger Bar, located at 193 Newark in the former It's Greek to Me space, will officially open tomorrow at 4:30pm! Stop by to enjoy one of their many offerings, including a special black bean veggie burger made by Jersey City Veggie Burgers.
• Another new restaurant, Shanghai Best at 97 Montgomery Street, is also officially open and early reviews are positive! Check out Seen in Jersey City's post for a look at the menu.
• Also opening this week is Park and Sixth's new restaurant, the Park and Sixth Gastropub, located at 247 Washington Street will open Tuesday 10/22 with a variety of delicious menu items, including a Wagyu burger!

Cocoa Bakery is open!

Originally scheduled to open last year, Cocoa Bakery, like so much of New Jersey, was devastated by Hurricane Sandy and has spent the better part of a year cleaning and rebuilding while appearing at farmers markets throughout Jersey City and filling custom orders, including fun and beautiful cakes. Midweek last week, they quietly reopened and they've now announced their grand opening for this weekend, culminating with Mayor Fulop attending a ribbon cutting at 5pm on Sunday, October 20th.

Located in a lower level space on Grand Street, with a bright and welcoming entrance patio cheerfully framed by potted plants, Cocoa Bakery has lots of room to sit and linger over coffee and pastries while admiring the busy workers in the kitchen and behind the counter. There is a sense of urban hominess with delicious smells of flour and sugar permeating the air, tempting your senses but what a worthwhile temptation it is.

Weekend = Autumn Activities

This Saturday, Iron Monkey is hosting a pumpkin pie bake-off! You can submit your pie beginning at 2:00pm, judging will take place beginning at 3:15pm and winners will be crowned at 4:00pm!

Flavors of Fall at 6th Borough Market

This past Sunday was the second occurrence of the 6th Borough Market and it was once again packed with stalls full of gorgeous, creative household goods, art, and jewelry. I loved being able to walk around, looking at everything and seeing the amazing things other people create and/or find.

However, I was really there for the food. Both Jersey City Veggie Burgers and Milk Sugar Love had tweeted that they would be there with some new items and I couldn't wait to check them out.

Community News

• As was widely and happily reported last week, Talde, run by Dale Talde of Top Chef Fame, will be opening a Jersey City location along with a provisions store on Erie Street: http://ny.eater.com/archives/2013/10/talde_team_to_expand_to_jersey_city_next_year.php 
• Cocoa Bakery opened after months of work recovering from Hurricane Sandy. Their hours are not set, but they'll have a grand opening in a couple of weeks. Feel free to start enjoying in the meantime!
• Orale has started delivery service via foodler.com! However, be forewarned, there is a $6 delivery fee. But if the craving strikes....http://www.foodler.com/orale-mexican-kitchen/14680

What To Do in Jersey City

There's a lot going on over the next few days in Jersey City! Make sure to plan ahead and enjoy as much as you can!

Tonight, Barcade is celebrating New England Beer starting at 4pm

Friday and Saturday, you can enjoy Oktoberfest at Zeppelin Beer Hall with a live German band, bratwurst, and lots of beer.

Oktoberfest Fundraiser!

Farms in the Heights, the Riverview Neighborhood Association and the City of Jersey City are holding an Oktoberfest-themed fundraiser this Saturday to help benefit the Riverview Farmers Market and the Riverview Jazz Festival.

Community News

My apologies, but I was away at an absolutely amazing wedding this weekend so this week's Community News is a bit brief.

• Satis Bistro started a new fall menu! http://www.satisbistro.com/menu/dinner-menu/
• La Conguita is now offering daily Happy Hour specials with food and drink combos. Check out the schedule here: http://www.laconguita.com/happyHour.php 
•  A new store called My Pretzel opened up in Journal Square! There isn't a lot of information about it currently but I can't wait to find out more!

Jersey City Weekends are Great Weekends

It's supposed to be a beautiful weekend out and it is packed with tons of awesome activities in Jersey City!

Please check the Jersey City Eats Calendar to see more details, but as examples:
Friday, you can enjoy National Taco Day at Orale with a free shot of tequila when you order the taco trio or celebrate Oktoberfest at Zeppelin Hall.

Morsella & Cupo: Great Sandwiches in Journal Square

It's no secret that Jersey City has some awesome delis around. Proof is here and here and now, here.

UPDATE: Less than a month after this posting, I received a comment (see below) that Morsello and Cupo was being reported as closed. I've tried contacting the previous owners several times but haven't been successful in reaching them. I can confirm it is closed but I'm hoping they'll reopen in time somewhere else . If anyone has any further information, please let me know.

Morsella & Cupo near Journal Square is relatively small, more of a take-out counter than anything else, but they have more than enough delicious food to make sure you leave happy. The focus is on sandwiches but they do offer hot entrees with a schedule of specials every day, including this chicken bruschetta ($8) every Tuesday and Thursday.

Best Burger in Jersey City?

Earlier today, Chilltown Chronicle reported that the former It's Greek to Me space on Newark and Jersey Ave will become a "Burger Bar" which prompted a conversation amongst several of us on Twitter as to what the Best Burger in Jersey City is.