Community News

Sorry for the delay on this week's Community News! I've been away and trying to do a lot of catch-up, but here is the last round of Community News for 2013. Thanks for a great year, Jersey City!

• Congratulations to Thirty Acres for their mention in Eater's round-up of Best Newcomers in 2013! While not new this year, Saveur's Helen Rosner mentioned the restaurant as one that "really came into its own"http://ny.eater.com/archives/2013/12/industry_experts_on_the_top_newcomers_of_2013.php
• Congratulations also to Zeppelin Hall who was named New Jersey's Most Popular Bar by Buzzfeed: http://www.buzzfeed.com/christinebyrne/americas-most-popular-bars-in-2013
• Amelia's Bistro is holding a 5 course Beer Tasting dinner with Saranac Brewery on January 28th. $75/person https://twitter.com/AmeliasBistroJC/status/416639125840613376/photo/1

Community News

• Downtown Yogurt has been hard at work for the past several weeks, putting finishing touches on the store, including a sign this week! While they haven't announced an official opening date, we can look for it in the near future! https://www.facebook.com/DowntownYogurt
• Congratulations to Incrediballs who made #12 on the Best Jersey Eats list from Munchmobile overseer Peter Genovese!
• Union Republic is carrying a full line of vegan and paleo-friendly yogurt from Anita's Coconut Cultured Cream and they've also started up their grab-n-go options. For December, they're offering: a whole wheat chicken salad wrap, a braised kale salad with cranberries and gouda, and a vegan quinoa salad with dried cranberries, caramelized walnuts, and green onions.
• Hudson Restaurant Week is coming up again! It runs from Jan. 13th - Jan. 26th with some restaurants offering a second week of great deals. Keep an eye on the website for participating restaurants, news, and information!

Christmas Eve - Where To Go

If you're hoping to skip the holiday stress and madness, entertaining out of town guests, or just want a nice dinner out in Jersey City on Christmas Eve, I've got a few suggestions:

Vu Restaurant at the Jersey City Hyatt is open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for all your holiday (or non-holiday) dining needs.

Casa Dante will be having their annual Seven Fish Christmas Dinner with six courses for $79/person as well as serving their usual extensive a la carte menu on Christmas Eve.

Celebrate New Years Eve With Your Jersey City Favorites!

This New Years, come celebrate along with Jersey City at one (or many) of the awesome events happening around town! There will be drinks, music, people...everything you need to ring in 2014 and get your New Year started right.

UPDATED 12/30/13:
In addition to the events listed at the jump in the original post, here are some more optioons so you can celebrate in style! Tickets and reservations are still available for most places and many are walk-in friendly as well. Happy New Year everyone!

VB3 is hosting a night full of celebration with three different options for the evening, ranging from $50-$125: http://ow.ly/i/48kqh

Roman Nose will have dinner specials and a special midnight champagne toast as well as a New Years Day Brunch with complimentary Crispelle:  https://twitter.com/RomanNoseJC/status/417436505892597760/photo/1

The Hamilton Inn has three seatings for a special New Years Eve dinner and there are still tables available so book now! https://twitter.com/TheHamiltonInn/status/417313979459842049/photo/1

White Star is offering an open bar from 9pm-2am with late night food and a champagne toast for $50 as well as regular dinner and bar service

GP's is also offering a three course dinner with two different seatings and special cocktails and live music all night! http://www.gpsrestaurant.com/upcoming-events

Still need gifts?

If you're still looking for unique and awesome gifts (and you're not alone in that), why not consider some of the awesome food/beverage options around Jersey City?

ModCup is offering a special box set containing three 8oz bags of whole bean coffee from Sumatra, Kenya, and Colombia as well as a great t-shirt with a hand pull espresso design. Thursday, Dec. 19th is the last day to order in time for Christmas so make sure you snap up this offer quickly! They also have roaster's choice subscriptions, t-shirts, espresso blends and more for sale. You'll be sure to find something to satisfy any coffee lover here.  http://modcup.com/shop/