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!