2017 Garden State Culinary Arts Awards

The contestants for the Garden State Culinary Arts Awards, recognizing the best and brightest chefs and restaurants in New Jersey, have been announced and Jersey City has a strong showing.

Jersey City Whiskey Fest

After two successful events, the organizers behind Jersey City Beer Fest and Jersey City Wine Fest are back again with a new event - the Jersey City Whiskey Fest! Read below for more info on the event and everything you get to try.

El Cocotero Now Open

Photo from El Cocotero

In case you missed the news over the weekend, El Cocotero is now open at 749 Bergen Ave, serving lunch and dinner.

Community News

Jersey City

• Subia's has started carrying a selection of baked goods (including doughnuts) from the renowned Vegan Treats in Pennsylvania. 
• South House is offering a special menu with Cajun specialties this Tuesday for Mardi Gras.
• The JC Village Association shared this great article from the New York News Magazine in 1976 going over the history of the village and local favorites like Pecoraro Bakery. 
• Third & Vine is introducing a new seasonal tart - lemon meringue with raspberry coulis.

Friday Feature: Papaya Salad from Pho 888

Welcome to weekly series,"Friday Feature"! The first Friday of every month will continue to be "Get to Know JC Eater" showcasing a local resident and their recommendations, but on all other Fridays, a specific dish or find from around Jersey City will be featured on the blog.

This week's feature is the Papaya Salad from Pho 888.

New Spanish Restaurant Replaces The Music Box

A new Spanish restaurant is opening today on the corner of Monmouth and 7th in the former Music Box space at 322 1/2 7th Street.

Community News

Jersey City

• Congratulations to Dan Richer of Razza for being named as a semi-finalist in the Best Chef in the Mid-Atlantic category by the James Beard Foundation.
• Pet Shop is hosting a special "Love to Love Ya Baby" night this Wednesday full of different vendors to help you set up better dating profiles, get style advice, and more along with a dance party at the Wine Bar.
• Congratulations to Cellar 335 on their mention on USA Today for their creative barware. 
• Cellar 335's Executive Chef & owner, Jamie Knott was featured on the Food Network this past week on  Beat Bobby Flay. 
• Milk Sugar Love will be donating $1 from every puppy fro-yo sold at the shop to See Spot Rescued and stay tuned for more specials and fro-yo socials over the summer. 

Friday Feature: Artist's Special at The Archer

Welcome to weekly series,"Friday Feature"! The first Friday of every month will continue to be "Get to Know JC Eater" showcasing a local resident and their recommendations, but on all other Fridays, a specific dish or find from around Jersey City will be featured on the blog.

This week's feature is the Artist's Special from The Archer. 

Day Without Immigrants

Today marks a national protest, Day Without Immigrants, where immigrants and supporters throughout the country are going on strike, refusing to work or open their businesses and avoiding shopping in an effort to show the White House the effect and far-reaching impact immigrants have.

Dullboy for Sale

After hearing rumors swirl for months, it appears Dullboy is officially for sale - or possibly even already sold.

*UPDATE*
Earlier today, the owners of Orale MK reached out to let me know that while Dullboy had been up for sale, it has now been taken off the market and instead, they have formed a new partnership with Dullboy owner Brian Dowling. Orale will come on board as menu consultants and will help manage the kitchen at Dullboy.

Gabriel Rieben, who's been the head of the mixology program at Dullboy to much acclaim since it started, is staying on board and it will remain Dullboy - just with some kitchen updates courtesy of the team at Orale. They hope to be able to present the new menu by early to mid March.

Community News

• Pasta Dal Cuore and Cool Vines are collaborating on a special Venice Carnevale dinner with a 5 course Venice-inspired menu with wine pairings, music, and masks. 
• Koro Koro has officially closed their Jersey City location temporarily while the building undergoes repairs, but they will be open in Hoboken and will soon have the truck running again. 
• Via WiredJC, local Jersey City Chef Williams Paul Andrew is competing in the ICE Culinary Voice scholarship competition and you can help support by voting for his video. 
• Dullboy will have reduced hours and be serving drinks only over the next few weeks as they do some updates to the menu. 

Friday Feature: Maltagliati Pugliesi from Pasta Dal Cuore

Welcome to weekly series,"Friday Feature"! The first Friday of every month will continue to be "Get to Know JC Eater" showcasing a local resident and their recommendations, but on all other Fridays, a specific dish or food find from around Jersey City will be featured on the blog.

This week's feature is the Maltagliati Pugliesi from Pasta Dal Cuore.

Snow Day Updates

Winter finally decided to show up and it came with a ton of snow!

Here's a list of confirmed opening/closings. I'll be at work so won't be able to update regularly, but I'll try to keep posting throughout the day. Please feel free to comment today with any updates you know about.

Harborside Offers New Pop-Up Restaurants

After recently closing their main cafeteria and Henry's on the Hudson, Mack-Cali's Harborside Plaza has been hard at work bringing in several new pop-up restaurants.They're trying to offer a variety of options as they do renovations to bring in more permanent vendors and have managed to create one of the most interesting lunchtime scenes around.

February Events

February might be a short month, but it doesn't mean there's any less to do! Check out the list below to see what's happening this month:

Tuesday, Feb. 7th

• Krispy Kreme opens for business beginning at 5 am
• Jersey Girls Food Tours is holding an "Eat for a Cause" tour from 6pm-9pm for $75/person with 50% of the proceeds going to the Food Bank of NJ.
• Check out Speakeasy Burlesque with Lillian Bustle at Miss Wong's Lounge with a $10 cover and drink specials all night beginning at 8pm.

Krispy Kreme to Open Tuesday

Photo from Krispy Kreme Jersey City

One of the most-anticipated openings of the year is already here. The Jersey City location of Krispy Kreme will open this Tuesday 2/7, at 95 Columbus Drive in the former PNC bank space.

Community News

• The Jersey City Chuck E. Cheese is participating in a new program, Sensory Sensitive Sundays, offering earlier hours, smaller crowds, limited noise, and no costumed characters. 
• Congratulations to Cellar 335, Hamilton Pork, The Kitchen Step, Latham House, and Wurstbar for being included on NJ Monthly's list of the 25 Best New Restaurants in New Jersey. 
• The Starbucks at Journal Square is expected to open in May.

Get to Know JC Eater: Amanda

Welcome to "Get to Know JC Eater" where every first Friday of the month, I post a profile of a local resident sharing where and what they love to eat in Jersey City. If you'd like to be featured, please leave a comment below or email me directly.

This week's JC Eater is Amanda, a Hamilton Park resident who loves experimenting in the kitchen. 

Super Bowl Specials

The Super Bowl is right around the corner and as one of the major eating and drinking events of the year, here are some ideas to help you out.

First, a reminder of where to find my favorite wings in Jersey City. Sadly, JC Wingery is no longer here even during the markets, but the rest still stand.