2016 Recap

After what felt like an interminably long year that then ended rather suddenly, 2017 is here.
I have some longer write-ups on plans for the year coming soon, but for now, I wanted to do a quick recap of 2016.

Top 4 New Restaurants in 2016

Over the past year, Jersey City saw more than thirty new restaurants and cafes open their doors. Some sky-rocketed in popularity while others didn't last the year, but at the very least there's been a lot to try. Here are the Top Four New Restaurants of 2016:

7 Great Spots for Hot Chocolate in Jersey City

When winter coats start coming out and it takes more than a minute to delayer upon entering a building and then another minute to relayer upon preparing to leave, there's nothing left to do but embrace the season. One great way to do that? Hot chocolate!

Community News

• Congratulations to Dullboy, named one of the 18 Best Bars in America by Esquire. 
• Coach House is hosting a Bourbon Tasting Night on Tuesday, 5/31 from 7:30-9pm for $20/person. The night includes passed appetizers, tasting of brands Makers Mark, Basil Hayden's, and Buffalo Trace and features how to make the bourbon-based Mint Julep and Manhattan. RSVP by emailing clemsinc@gmail.com
• Milk Sugar Love is now offering Stumptown nitro cold brew on tap at the shop. 

Community News

• Congratulations to Departed Soles Brewing Co. for taking the bronze at the World Beer Cup this weekend with the gluten-free A Dark Night. 
• On Wednesday, May 18th, Third & Vine is hosting their first wine dinner featuring two Spanish winemakers for $65/person
• Congratulations to Taqueria Viva Mexico for being named on NJ.com's list of 20 Great Authentic Mexican restaurants in Jersey City. 
• Gusto Latino will be closed on Sundays for the summer. 
• Congratulations to The Archer and Dullboy for being named as two of the best cocktail bars in New Jersey by NJ Spotlight. 

Community News

• Congratulations to Barge Inn, Roman Nose, Gino's Pizzeria and Restaurant, Laico's, Presto's, Renato's, Battello, and GP's for their N.J.'s Best Italian Restaurant nominations. You can vote once a day for your favorite.
• Choc O Pain was featured on News 12 NJ this weekend with a cooking segment and some tips for Valentine's Day.
• Congratulations to Third & Vine for being named the best wine bar in NJ by Buzzfeed and for celebrating their second anniversary in Jersey City.

Community News

• Congratulations to The Kitchen for their great review in the Star-Ledger.
• Congratulations to 9 Bar Cafe, modcup, Smith & Chang, Brewshot, Dames, and Legal Grounds for being named as Best Coffeehouses in North NJ by NJMonthly.
• The Journal Square CSA is now open for early-bird registration and they've added some new options this year. 
• Busy Bee Organics is looking for part-time helpers interested in growing with the company.

Nominate Jersey City Restaurants Now!

NJ Monthly has opened up their 2015 Best Restaurant Poll for nominations! They are accepting recommendations in over 40 categories.

Community News

• Congratulations to Battello for being named as one of New Jersey's 20 Best New Restaurants by NJ Monthly.
• Park and Sixth Gastropub got two and a half stars from The Star-Ledger.
• Porta is now officially offering Happy Hour every Monday through Friday.
• Razza got a mention in the Village Voice for their unusual Pork Pie.
• Congratulations to Porta, Third & Vine, and Union Republic, all mentioned in NJ Monthly's New & Notable Restaurants List.

Community News

• Congratulations to former Garden State Food Tours, who have officially relaunched as Jersey Girls Food Tours and they will start running tours at the end of June, so buy your tickets now!
• Departed Soles, a new brewery, has recently moved into Jersey City where they will be creating both regular and gluten-free craft beers.
• Jersey City got more recognition from The Village Voice this week with a write-up on the 10 best places to get coffee in Jersey City and Hoboken. Congratulations to all!
• Cocoa Bakery has a new gluten-free cupcake: chocolate with chocolate glaze!
• ME Casa celebrated their second anniversary this Saturday and they expect to be rolling the truck out tomorrow, Monday. 6/8

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.

Congratulations to Razza!

I wanted to formally congratulate Jersey City's own Razza, who received a well-deserved honor today. In case you missed all the tweets and well wishes, Thrillist named Razza one of the 33 best pizzas in America!

As you probably know, based on this post and this one here, I'm a huge fan of Razza and I'm so happy they were included. They make wonderful pizzas, both traditional and innovative and I am more grateful then ever that they are right here in the neighborhood!