The Pie Social is Jersey City's New Pie Destination

New pie stand and online business, The Pie Social , debuted at the Van Vorst Farmer's Market early this summer, bringing their midwestern and southern-inspired pies to downtown Jersey City.

New Vendor Shmonuts Donuts Debuts at Van Vorst Park Farmer's Market

A new doughnut vendor, Shmonuts Donuts, made their debut at the Van Vorst Farmer's Market last weekend.

Riverview Farmer's Market Annual Peach Pie Contest is Back!

Summer means New Jersey produce comes to abundant life and in celebration of that, it's time for Riverview Farmer's Market Annual Perfect Peach Pie Contest, back again this year for the 7th year in a row.

Weekend Round-Up: Angel Azul Celebrates 20 years, Marketplace JC and more

Happy Weekend, Jersey City! Here's what's going on:

Friday
Angel Azul Cafe Anniversary Celebration, 460 Central Ave
Angel Azul Cafe, a family-run coffee shop with Colombian/Ecuadorian pastries and platters, is celebrating 20 years in business. They'll have a celebratory ribbon-cutting and other festivities beginning around 11am. Their delicious cafe con leche will be free from 11am-1pm and only .20 the rest of the day.

Community News: Small Business Awards, Barcade's 7th Anniversary, and more

Jersey City

Photo from The Grind Shop

• Congratulations to Lee Sims, Half Time Bar, Milk Sugar Love, Salerno Salumeria, Carmine's Italian Deli, ME Casa, Abbondanza Trattoria, Laico's, Whealth & Co, Dulce De Leche, Carmen Rosa's Bakery, The Grind Shop, and Gia Gelato and Cafe who were all honored and awarded winners at the 2018 Small Business Awards Ceremony by the city. The awards recognize small businesses in each ward of the city for their service and dedication to the Jersey City community. In addition, Bucket and Bay was recognized for their participation in the new Certified Green Business Program. 
• The Grind Shop has brought back their La Colombe Draft Latte! It'll be available all spring and summer.

Farmers Market Season Returns for 2018

This Saturday marks the start of Farmer's Market season in Jersey City! Markets throughout the city will begin opening over the next several weeks and run through the fall and early winter, bringing fresh produce, healthy snacks, skincare, baked goods, fish, grass-fed meat and more.

Community News

Jersey City

• The Cliff will be opening to the public this Saturday, 4/22. They'll be open and serving brunch from 8am-4pm. 
• Well-known Cuban restaurant Rumba Cubana is expanding to Jersey City. They'll be opening this fall in the new Park Francis building near Hamilton Park.
• After a long renovation period, 99 Ranch Market on Grand Street is celebrating their Grand Opening this Friday, 4/21 at 9am with giveaways, special discounts and more. There will be an on-site bakery, a gourmet Asian deli, and other specialty items. 

Meet Bebop Roast

New culinary project Bebop Roast is launching at the Van Vorst Farmer's Market this weekend.

The Hamilton Park and Journal Square Markets Return

Today, 5/4, marks the return of both the Hamilton Park Farmer's Market and the Journal Square Green Market.

The Farmer's Market at Grove Street Returns

Today, 5/2, marks the return of the Farmer's Market at Grove Street. The market will run every Monday and Thursday through December from 4:00pm-8:00pm.

Stony Hill Farms CSA

Stony Hill Farms, one of the most-seen farms at Jersey City Farmers' Markets, is offering a discount on CSA enrollment through tomorrow. Through their CSA program, you pay a flat fee to help cover production costs at the farm and in return, receive weekly shares of their best produce throughout market season.

Weekend Events

This weekend is all about the outdoor eats, so check out what's going on:

Today, join the #SaveLSP picnic in Liberty State Park from 1pm - sundown. Bring some food, hang out, meet some new friends, and help fight against privatizing the park. 

Today is also Rustique Pizza's four year anniversary so to celebrate, they're giving out free plain slices from noon-6pm. 

Jersey Fresh Peach Festival at Riverview Market

Next Sunday, August 2nd, the Riverview Farmers Market will be participating in the 4th Annual Perfect Peach Pie Contest!

This is a statewide contest run by the New Jersey Peach Promotion Council that several markets throughout NJ participate in. The winners at each market go on to participate in a second and final round for a grand prize of $300.

Non-Stop Eats!

Aall of a sudden. it seems like the entire week just filled up with amazing food events! There isn't a day without something delicious and most days have multiple somethings, so I thought I'd do a quick round-up of everything food-related happening over the next several days!

WEDNESDAY

• Prato Bakery is hosting a Prosciutto di Parma tasting at 11am
• Patsey's, a new Italian American Bistro located at 93 Franklin Street in Jersey City Heights will open tomorrow. They'll be open from 6am-3pm.
• Groove on Grove is exciting enough, but on Wednesday, the'll also have the Artists & Makers Market! Milk Sugar Love, Sincerely Sweet Confections.Koro Koro, Park and Sixth, Raval, Orale, Hard Grove Cafe and more will be there with food and drinks!
• There are still a couple of spots open at both seatings (6:30pm and 9:30pm) for Raval's Live Flamenco Show and Unlimited Tapas.
• It's the 13th Annual Newport Beach Party!
• Wednesday means Bluegrass at both Union Republic and Park & Sixth

Weekend Events

Bucket and Bay Gelato has been running their soft open all week and to kick off the start of their Grand Opening, they'll be having an opening party tonight, Friday 6/5, from 5pm-7pm with free cone giveaways!

It's also JC Friday celebrating art and live music throughout the city, and many of the events are taking places at local restaurants and bars. Check the list to find out where you can go for good food, drinks, and local art of all kinds. 

Halloween Weekend Events!

It's Halloween Weekend in Jersey City and there is a lot going on!

• The Iron Monkey is getting into the spirit with $6.66 drink specials tonight and the Samhain Soiree Costume Party tomorrow. There will be drink specials, free candy, and prizes.
• On Friday between 3:30pm-7:00pm, hang out on Newark Ave for the City of Jersey City's Family Halloween Bash. The 2nd Annual Halloween Parade will kick off at Gymboree at 3:30 and there will be festivities like a petting zoo, "Frozen" themed games, pony rides, S'mores from Bambino Chef and food will be available to purchase from Tea NJ, WORD, Roman Nose & more.
• After the Family Halloween Bash, Newark Avenue will continue the Halloween fun with the Newark Ave. Pedestrian Plaza Closing Party which will have food, cider, and beer from all over town, music from DJ Pastiche and dancing. This will be the last night of having Newark Ave closed off so make sure to enjoy it!

Weekend Events

There's a lot going on this weekend Jersey City! Here's the line-up:

The weekend kicks off with the start of Oktoberfest at Zeppelin Hall.

On Saturday, there's a long list of options:
Pacific Flea is having one of their Big Flea events this Saturday with live music, art, and food by Nu Bar.

Weekend Events

It's Labor Day Weekend and I hope everyone is already in the midst of enjoying the time off and the weather. If you're staying around Jersey City, here is what's going on:

Both locations of Park & Sixth will be closed Saturday - Monday.

Thirty Acres is open this weekend with normal hours, but will be closed on Monday.

Zeppelin Hall will be holding a special Labor Day Weekend event they're calling Steak Haus. $21 gets you 1 lb of the grilled meat of your choice, a sauce, and a side. It runs Saturday - Monday.

Meet the Vendor: Jersey City Veggie Burgers

Welcome to Meet the Vendor, a series on Jersey City Eats profiling different vendors from all the Farmers' Markets around Jersey City. We have a wonderful and constantly growing market scene in Jersey City with unique, dedicated vendors and I encourage everyone to take advantage.

Today's vendor is Jersey City Veggie Burgers who can be found at various markets and events throughout Jersey City and New Jersey and the burgers can also be found at P&K Market on Newark Ave and from Dark Side of the Moo. Thanks for participating, Liz!

Tell us about yourself.

I’m Liz.  I founded Jersey City Veggie Burgers two years ago after watching my wonderful vegetarian husband eat one too many terrible veggie burgers.  I’ve always loved cooking and decided pursuing a career in food seemed like a great fit.  Prior to veggie burgers, I had a worked in the travel industry.  Food was often a key factor in deciding where I’d travel.  No lie, my husband and I planned an entire trip to Trinidad & Tobago based on my desire to eat a shark sandwich. (Have I mentioned that I’m not vegetarian?)

(Liz and her mom, Pat, at the 2013 Mayoral Inauguration. Photo by Metin U. Ergener)

What other markets do you participate in around Jersey City? Any outside of Jersey City?

In Jersey City, I’m at the Riverview Market in JC Heights every Sunday and the Sixth Borough Market behind City Hall every month.  I also participate in the Rutgers Gardens Farmers Market every Friday, and the Princeton Farmers Market every Thursday.

What are your top-sellers?

My top seller is probably the Three Sisters Burger.  It’s inspired by the three agricultural sisters: beans, corn and squash.  It’s a little on the spicy side, and most people who like Tex-Mex food really enjoy it.  

Meet the Vendor: Stony Hill Farms

Welcome to Meet the Vendor, a series on Jersey City Eats profiling different vendors from all the Farmers' Markets around Jersey City. We have a wonderful and constantly growing market scene in Jersey City with unique, dedicated vendors and I encourage everyone to take advantage.

Today's vendor is Stony Hill Farms who can be found at various markets all around Jersey City and throughout New Jersey! Thanks for participating Dana and everyone at Stony Hill! 

(all photos are Jersey City Eats)

Tell us about yourselves. 
Stony Hill is family owned and operated farm. The business started out in 1988 as a florist specializing in cut orchids and has expanded to now include fruits, vegetables, beef, eggs, farmers' markets, a corn maze, pick your own, and new in 2012, a CSA program. We have two home stores located in Chester, NJ. Our farm market is open May through December, and our Greenhouse is open year round. We also attend 14 weekly farmers markets April through December. 

What other markets do you participate in around Jersey City? Any outside of Jersey City?
We participate in the Historic Downtown Jersey City Farmers' Market on Mondays and Thursdays, Hamilton Park on Wednesdays, Journal Square on Fridays, Paulus Hook on Saturdays, and Riverview Fisk Park on Sundays. 

Outside of Jersey City, we are in Maplewood on Mondays, Riverdale on Tuesdays, South Orange and New Providence on Wednesdays, Hoboken on Thursdays and Saturdays, and Chester on Sundays.