Category Archives: Dining

Picas Pics -Restaurant Reviews by Mark Pica now in the River View Observer

The River View Observer is proud to welcome Mark Pica and his insightful food column Picas Pics.

Mark Pica is no stranger to Hudson County, Mark hails from Jersey City, and ran a successful automotive business; Pica’s Automotive for years in Jersey City Heights, Mark is also no stranger to the restaurant business having run a successful restaurant in Newport, Jersey City

From time to time Mark will open our eyes and our palettes to some new and old-time favorite restaurants in and out of Hudson County.

For Picas Pics’ first column in the River View Observer, Mark has ventured outside Hudson County and chose Rum Runners in Seabright New Jersey.

PICAS PICS -RUM RUNNERS

“Picas Pics”

Pregaming for this summer’s festivities I decided to venture off to Monmouth County for an early dinner on a Beautiful Sunday afternoon. As most of you know, there are plenty of Amazing Restaurants there, but today, with summer coming, I had to be on the water.

I’ve heard many good things about The Rum Runner Restaurant in Sea Bright NJ since they did its makeover in I believe 2016, and decided to give it a shot today.

The second you walk through their glass doors into the vestibule you know it’s gonna be nice. Up a small flight of steps, through another set of glass doors, and then WOW. Spectacular Views of the Shrewsbury River, through the large windows that go along the entire length of the dining room floor. A perfect amount of decorative wood trim, elegant lighting throughout, their chic tables, and very comfortable cushioned chairs all together equaled a Major Wow! Folks, there isn’t a bad seat in the house. No matter where you sit in this restaurant, you have a Breathtaking View.

It’s always pretty cool when you’re digging how astonishing a restaurant’s decor can be, but what about the food? Well, here we go baby, right to my main. I went with their Pistachio “Dijon Crusted” Baby Lamb Chops, they were so tender and tasty, it could be the best I ever had. The Pistachio and Dijon Combo gave it a taste like never before. They were served over a Hearty Butternut Squash Risotto, tiny chunks of carrots in a black plum reduction, slightly trimmed with raspberry syrup, and guess what folks, OOOFFFHHHAAAAA Baby, Absolutely Fabulous!!!

We started off with their Delicious Honey Drizzle, Crushed Pistachio, and Goat Cheese Fritters that were “Off the Charts”!!

Being a finer restaurant, after dinner they bring over a dessert tray with several astounding choices. We chose their Lightly Crunched Caramel Cake with Fresh Whipped Cream, topped with Caramel Glaze that all resulted in a pure Caramel Bliss.

“Picas Pics” Gives this Outstanding Elegant Restaurant, The Rum Runner, Sea Bright N.J. the Max, 5 Thumbs Up! A Must Try!

Grand Opening El Aquila Dorada Mexican Restaurant Bayonne

Floodlights streaking the sky, smoke billowing outside its front door and a Marachi band playing traditional Mexican music, signaled the Grand Opening of Bayonne’s beautiful new restaurant, and 2nd El Aquila Dorada location.

On hand for the ribbon cutting was El Aquila owners Isreal and his wife Irma, their family and friends also attending, Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis and Bayonne Council members; Sharon Ashe Nadrowski, Juan Perez, and Gary LaPelusa. Bayonne Chamber President Tom Coughlin, Annette Rubin and Jack Kennedy.

Bayonne boxing legend Chuck Wepner and wife Linda also attended the Grand Opening.

El Aquila Dorada was packed with friends and customers.

 

See our photo’s here

Owners Isreal and Irma and family and friends at opening of El Aquila Dorada newest location 412 Broadway, Bayonne

Cutting the ribbon at El Aquila Dorada 2

Wepner
Boxing great Chuck Wepner and wife Linda at the opening of El Aquila Dorada

Hudson County Community College Foundation Subscription Dining Series to Begin this Month

Hudson County Community College Subscription Dining series

February 21, 2018, Jersey City, NJ / Area business people and residents are invited to participate in Hudson County Community College (HCCC) Foundation’s popular Subscription Dining Series. Now In its eighth year, the Series provides subscribers with the opportunity to enjoy superior luncheon dining experiences on Friday afternoons from February 23 through April 20. Proceeds from the Series furnish deserving HCCC students with much-needed financial assistance. Continue reading Hudson County Community College Foundation Subscription Dining Series to Begin this Month

Music Broadway Bayonne February 16, 2018

Music Broadway Bayonne for Friday, February 16th presented by  Mayor Jimmy Davis and The Bayonne Urban Enterprise Zone

Featuring live entertainment at various Bayonne restaurants, cafes’ and taverns. 

Friday  February 16th  listings 

 Music Broadway Bayonne February 16, 2018

MUSIC BROADWAY BAYONNE FEBRUARY 9, 2018

 Music Broadway Bayonne for Friday, February 9th presented by  Mayor Jimmy Davis and The Bayonne Urban Enterprise Zone

Featuring live entertainment at various Bayonne restaurants, cafes’ and taverns. 

Friday  February 9th  listings 

Music Broadway Bayonne February 9 2018

Hudson Restaurant Week Winter 2018 Listings

Hudson Restaurant Week 2018

Restaurant Listing

Winter Restaurant Week starts Monday… click on restaurant for their menus, online reservations and details. 

Use #HudsonRW to get your meal paid for from January 22 – February 2, 2018.

 

MUSIC BROADWAY BAYONNE OCT. 27 2017

Now in its seventh   week Music Broadway Bayonne Oct. 27 2017 sponsored by Bayonne Mayor James Davis and the Bayonne Urban Enterprise Zone brings Music back to Broadway combining excellent venues with exceptional entertainment to make your Friday night out fun and local. 
See who’s performing at these five   participating  restaurants and Bistro and Tavern  for Friday, October 27th, 2017music broadway bayonne

GRINGO’s JERSEY CITY -FOUR ‘GRINGOS’ & A TACO

4 Friends Open Mexican Eatery Off the Beaten Path

   Rustic Hip Sets the Tone at Gringo’s in Jersey City 

   Gringo's Jersey City Gringo's Jersey City

By Sally Deering

Photos by Fermin Mendoza

Gringo’s Jersey City,  It’s the only restaurant in town with a sawed-off milk truck in the dining room. Gringo’s, the new Mexican eatery that just opened a few weeks ago in Downtown Jersey City features a sawed-in-half milk truck where Chef Rick Truocchio and his crew prepare dishes like Holy Mole tacos and Guac. Continue reading GRINGO’s JERSEY CITY -FOUR ‘GRINGOS’ & A TACO

 THE COMEBACK KID- Hard Grove Café Re-Hangs Its Cuban Star on First Street

  Hard Grove Café Re-Hangs Its Cuban Star on First Street

 After 3 Years, Traditional Cuban Dishes Are Back in Downtown JC

 

By Sally Deering

 Its been three years since Cuban cuisine-lovers could duck into the Hard Grove Café in Jersey City for a traditional Cuban sandwich. Well, good news!  On June 26, Hard Grove opened its new restaurant & bar on First Street off Newark Ave, and so far, customers are stopping by for Hard Grove’s traditional Cuban fare and a freshly mulled Hemingway Mojito. 

“June 26th was our ‘soft’ opening,” owner Evelyn Padin says, “In this industry, it’s not smart to rush into a grand opening.” Continue reading  THE COMEBACK KID- Hard Grove Café Re-Hangs Its Cuban Star on First Street

JERSEY CITY PROJECT EAT -EAT, DRINK, ENJOY, REPEAT  

 Jersey City Project EAT to Turn City Hall Plaza into Foodie Wonderland

Small Businesses Spotlighted at Weekend Food Festival

 By Sally Deering

Jersey City Project Eat
Emma Taylor of Milk Sugar Love

 Wait till you see the food vendors lined up for this year’s Jersey City Project Eats festival happening Saturday and Sunday, June 24 & 25 at City Hall Plaza. Yummy dishes for every palate – from vegan to carnivore – are guaranteed to tempt and deliver a vast array of noshables for festival-goers.

Jersey City Project Eats
Jersey City Hall Plaza

The weekend long JC Project Eats is sponsored by the City of Jersey City and the Office of Mayor Steven M. Fulop and it’s the fifth year that the annual event will turn Jersey City Hall’s sidewalk square out front into one a gastronomic extravaganza. Continue reading JERSEY CITY PROJECT EAT -EAT, DRINK, ENJOY, REPEAT Â