Community News: La Festa Italiana is Back, Wingin It and Crepe Guru Now Open, and more

Jersey City

• La Festa Italiana returns this week for its 115th year! Running from Wednesday 8/15-Sunday 8/19 from 5pm-11pm, the festival is one of the biggest events of the year and includes favorite traditions like the 50/50, live music, zeppoles, wine and peaches, and of course, the rice balls. 
• Crepe Guru officially celebrated their soft opening last week at 110 Bright Street. They've had the kitchen open for a while for pick-up and delivery, but have now actually opened the storefront up to customers. Formerly located in Hoboken, Crepe Guru is known for their sweet and savory crepes. 

Community News

• Pint decided to donate all their proceeds last Sunday night to Orlando survivors and they were able to raise over 3,000 dollars. 
• The former Sushi Tango space is being taken over by Wurstbar and they're hoping to open in August. 
• For the remainder of June, all proceeds from Yoga in the Park at Riverview Market will be donated to the One Orlando Fund. 
• Modern Banh announced that they're now offering matcha banana pudding from Baonanas. 

Weekend Events

This weeked in Jersey City is a busy one with a lot to eat do, so get ready!

Recently, Kraverie underwent some renovations and this Friday at 5pm is their Grand Re-Opening celebration with the mayor. They will have live music, food, and best of all, a special charity raffle for a private NY Harbor Sail for four people with catering provided by Kraverie. All proceeds will benefit Bike JC and their quest to help make Jersey City streets safer for bikers, a cause especially close to Kraverie after one of their founding members died after being hit by a car while biking.

Friday night also marks the soft opening for Pasta Dal Cuore who have been busy at work getting the restaurant portion of their space set-up and ready - including lots of recipe testing! Fresh pasta will feature heavily, but there will also be other Italian dishes on offer. The soft opening hours are from 5pm-10pm for dinner service. The fresh pasta counter will continue with regular hours.

This week, Cocoa Bakery has been offering special lemon blueberry cupcakes in honor of Cancer Survivor week and all proceeds will go to benefit charity organization, ChemoComfort. Get one while you can and show your support.

Just a Note

Like many others, I was shocked and saddened to learn that Natalia Caicedo, known as Natasha, of Kraverie died recently from injuries sustained during a hit and run.

I did not know her well; I didn't know her at all except as the presence behind the Taco Truck, Lucinda Creperie, and Kraverie but even in the handful of times I visited those locations, she made a lasting impression. She was always welcoming, calm, gracious, and patient which is quite a feat in the restaurant industry.....it's quite a feat in day to day life, let alone the restaurant industry.

The Lucinda Creperie Cart was the first mobile food vendor I remember seeing with any regularity around downtown Jersey City. I can recall wondering what that might mean for the future and I believe their presence was a major influence that we can all be grateful for.  I have a clear memory of the first time I actually visited the Creperie...it was mid-evening and as I finally approached the window after staring at the menu for ages, Natasha smiled in welcome and took my order (chicken florentine) as her husband Christian immediately began prepping and cooking.  They had an amazing rhythm and it was clear how comfortable and used to working with and around each other they were. There was a sense of happiness, of calm contentment and most importantly, of mutual enjoyment between them that I can still recall feeling both in awe of and welcomed by and that alone made my experience so worth it without ever even having a bite of food - which was delicious, by the way. 

I am so so sorry to hear of her passing and my thoughts are with her husband, her parents, and the Jersey City community as a whole and I just wanted to share my own personal experience and celebrate one of the memories she is leaving behind. The dedication and care Natasha showed in building her restaurants is an inspiration and she will be missed.

Here are more articles on her life: http://www.jerseycityindependent.com/2013/06/25/community-remembers-kraverie-restaurant-co-owner-after-hit-and-run-death/   and  http://blogs.wsj.com/metropolis/2013/06/25/jersey-city-restaurant-owner-killed-in-hit-and-run-crash/

Please consider donating to her Memorial Fund: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/natasha-s-memorial-fund/68512