restaurants in hudson County - River View Observer https://riverviewobserver.net A lifestyle and entertainment publication serving the Jersey City, Hoboken, Bayonne, Weehawken, West New York, North Bergen, Cliffside Park, Edgewater, Secaucus and Guttenberg Waterfront Communities Mon, 29 Jul 2013 05:06:21 +0000 en hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 TEN INGREDIENTS : At The Merchant Restaurant in Jersey City, Owner and Chef Dave O’Brien Puts the Pub Back in Jersey City https://riverviewobserver.net/ten-ingredients-at-the-merchant-restaurant-in-jersey-city-owner-and-chef-dave-obrien-puts-the-pub-back-in-jersey-city/ Mon, 29 Jul 2013 05:06:21 +0000 http://riverviewobserver.net/?p=6939 River View Observer -Your Source for Fine and Causal Dining Presents Ten Ingredients  By Sally Deering Since June 2002, The Merchant bar and restaurant on Grove Street has been the unofficial watering hole for city workers who come in to relax after a hard day at City Hall. In fact, it’s not unusual to see … Continue reading TEN INGREDIENTS : At The Merchant Restaurant in Jersey City, Owner and Chef Dave O’Brien Puts the Pub Back in Jersey City →

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 By Sally Deering

Front of the Merchant Restaurant in Jersey City Since June 2002, The Merchant bar and restaurant on Grove Street has been the unofficial watering hole for city workers who come in to relax after a hard day at City Hall. In fact, it’s not unusual to see the mayor sit down in the back with members of his staff. Just last week, Jersey City’s newly-elected Mayor Steve Fulop celebrated his election at The Merchant.

Owners Dave O’Brien and his sister Anne-Marie share the responsibilities of running the neighborhood pub which features a beautiful bar and two large, red-bricked rooms for dining. They serve an American menu with regional twists, says O’Brien who also is Executive Chef. The brother and sister team hail originally from Ireland and although the menu is considered American, there’s a nod here and there to their Irish roots.

David O'Brien of the Merchant Restaurant Jersey City
Dave  O’Brien

The Merchant offers Lunch & Dinner, Brunch and Late Night Menus with Appetizers, Salads, Sandwiches, Pastas and Entrees to choose from. There’s a House Specialty, too, The Gourmet Short Rib Burger with Horseradish, Chive, Cheddar, Bourbon-Bacon, Heirloom Tomato, Iceberg Lettuce and Beer-Fried Onions on a Brioche Bun and served with Hand-Cut Fries. ($15)

Other outstanding dishes include the Fried Calamari appetizer ($10); the Cobb Salad ($11); Mac & Cheese ($10/$14); and the Char Grilled Angus Skirt Steak ($18).

On a busy Friday, Dave O’Brien took time out of his busy schedule to share with Riverview Observer’s readers his “Ten Ingredients” for The Merchant’s success.

Let’s meet Chef Dave O’Brien!

RVO: Dave, how would you describe The Merchant’s menu?

DO:  It’s an American menu with regional twists. We just brought on a new burger — a short rib chuck blend on a brioche bun that comes with bacon, horseradish, chive, cheese, beer-fried onions, Iceberg lettuce and Heirloom tomatoes, and served with hand-cut fries. We started it six weeks ago and it’s a huge hit. It’s like a gourmet burger.

RVO:  How did you come up with the Gourmet Burger?

DO: We’ve had the same burger on the menu for 8-10 years. I visited Upstate New York and had an incredible burger there. A lot of our customers are regulars and I try the food on them before I put it on the menu. I see what they like and don’t like.

RVO:  You and your sister Anne-Marie owned The Embankment restaurant in Jersey City. Why did you sell?

DO: We had it for four and a half years. It was getting tiring and we wanted to concentrate on The Merchant and do what we’ve done best the past 11 years.

 RVO:  How did you become a restaurateur?

DOJ: I’ve done hospitality since I worked at my uncle’s hotel the Hilltop in Cork, Ireland. It was a full hotel – 50 rooms — and I worked in the kitchen a couple of summers. Since then, I’ve always worked in bars and hotels. My passion now is definitely the kitchen and the food.

 RVO:  Did you train professionally to be a chef?

DO:  I’m self-taught.

RVO:  Are there any Irish dishes on The Merchant’s menu?

DO:  We don’t really advertise ourselves as an Irish place, but we do have an Irish Breakfast which is common in Ireland. It has Irish bacon, Irish sausage, Irish beans, (baked beans in a tomato sauce), and fried mushrooms. We serve it with bread soaked in bacon fat and then fried. It tastes absolutely delicious. It’s on our brunch menu under the section, “Hung-Over”. You have that and you’re ready for more beer.

RVO: What is The Merchant’s signature dish?

DO: The old signature dish was the Skirt Steak, which is still on the menu, and served with sautéed mushrooms and onions and fries.  I’m trying to make the Gourmet Short Rib Burger our new signature dish.

RVO:  Anything else new at The Merchant?

DO: We update our specials every day for our regulars and we’ve upgraded the furniture and TV, but the best thing about The Merchant is our consistency. We have staff members who have worked here since we opened. It’s like going to “CHEERS”; everybody knows your name.

RVO: The Merchant is across from Jersey City Hall; have you served any mayors?

DO: We’ve served four Jersey City mayors during our 11 years here: Mayors Glenn Cunningham, Harvey Smith, Jerramiah Healy and Steve Fulop. \We stay on the sidelines and try to please everybody. The Merchant is a neutral zone politically. We congratulate whoever wins and console whoever loses.

RVO: You have a lot of space at The Merchant do you host parties, too?

DO: In Ireland and England, pubs are like a meeting place. Everything is run from the pub. I have a soccer team from here: the Jersey City FC (football club); it’s an over-30s league. Everybody comes here and hangs out. This is our meeting place and then we go and play soccer.

We have writers clubs, reading groups, softball teams. We even have a knitting club. Where are you going to get a soccer club and a knitting club meeting in the same place?

If you go:

The Merchant Bar & Restaurant

279 Grove St

Jersey City
(201) 200-0202

www.themerchantnj.com

Lunch: Mon-Fri, 11:30 am -4:00pm
Dinner: Mon-Sat, 4 -11:00 pm; Sun:  4-10 pm
Brunch: Sat, Sun: 11 am -4 pm
Late Night Menu: Fri, Sat:  11 pm -1 am

 

 

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]]> La Reggia Restaurant, Banquets & Lounge Fine Italian Dining at “The Little Italy of Secaucus” https://riverviewobserver.net/la-reggia-restaurant-banquets-lounge-fine-italian-dining-at-the-little-italy-of-secaucus/ Thu, 07 Mar 2013 19:13:37 +0000 http://riverviewobserver.net/?p=6353 By Sally Deering   When you step inside La Reggia restaurant in Secaucus your senses are seized by the distinct aromas of fine Italian cheeses and a warm and inviting atmosphere where tables are dressed in white linens and the wait staff is dressed in long white aprons – an homage to fine European restaurants … Continue reading La Reggia Restaurant, Banquets & Lounge Fine Italian Dining at “The Little Italy of Secaucus” →

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By Sally Deering

 

The beautful dining room at La Reggia Restaurant in Secaucus
The beautful dining room at La Reggia Restaurant in Secaucus

When you step inside La Reggia restaurant in Secaucus your senses are seized by the distinct aromas of fine Italian cheeses and a warm and inviting atmosphere where tables are dressed in white linens and the wait staff is dressed in long white aprons – an homage to fine European restaurants where food and service are of the highest caliber.  

 Once you are seated at one of those beautifully dressed tables in the warm glow of La Reggia’s inviting dining room, you can understand why it’s affectionately called “The Little Italy of Secaucus.” 

 La Reggia serves Italian-American cuisine prepared with only the freshest vegetables, seafood and meats that go straight from the marketplace to the chef’s kitchen and then to your plate.  Co-owners Chef Enzo Carputo and Alfonso Corbosiero set the standards high at La Reggia and ever since it opened its doors in 1998, those standards continue to be met.

 Chef Enzo creates exquisite Italian dishes that surprise, impress and ultimately satisfy beyond expectation. In his own words, “I want to educate the people, I want them to know what real Italian Food is,” he says.

Born in Naples, Italy, Enzo Carputo came to the U.S. in 1980 and settled down in New Jersey. He learned to cook at a young age and his talent led to a career as Executive Chef for several fine restaurants where his dishes earned Five-Star ratings. At La Reggia, Chef Enzo will sometimes step away from the stove to visit with the guests in his dining room.

The menu at La Reggia offers a vast array of choices. Appetizers feature Caprese with Prosciutto di Parma, Fresh Mozzarella & Tomato; Wild Boar Sausage with Polenta & Fontina Cheese; Fried Calamari with Sweet, Hot or Ginger Sauce; Antipasto Italiano with imported Meats & Cheeses; and Asparagus wrapped in Prosciutto, Parmiggiano Crust & Cream Champagne Sauce.

Salads include Arugola with Baby Beets & Goat Cheese, Sherry Vinaigrette; Grilled Asparagus with Mixed Greens Shaved Pecorino Fresco, Lemon Extra Virgin Olive Oil; La Reggia Salad, Field Greens with Mozzarella, Roasted Peppers, Portobello Mushroom, Sundried Tomatoes, Artichoke Hearts & Balsamic Vinaigrette; and Poached Pear Salad, Mixed Greens, Candied Walnuts & Gorgonzola Cheese in a Balsamic Vinaigrette.

Pasta dishes include Veal Cannelloni, Homemade Crepe Stuffed with Braised Veal & Spinach, Besciamella Sauce & Fresh Tomato; Penne Arrabbiata, Pancetta, Shallots, Italian Hot Peppers & Plum Tomato; Rigatoni Bolognese, Classic Meat Sauce; Linguine Alle Vongole, Classic White or Red Clam Sauce; Homemade Fettuccine Alfredo; and Linguine Nero with Calamari, Clams, Mussels, Arugola & Light Tomato Sauce.

Entrees feature Veal A Piacere, Francese, Picatta, Marsala or Parmigiano; Grilled Veal Paillard with Escarole & Wild Mushroom Saute; Pork Tenderloin with Sun Dried Cherries, Port Wine Sauce served with Risotto; Pork Chop Valdostano stuffed with Prosciutto & Fontina Cheese in a Porcini Mushroom Sauce; 20 oz. Black Angus Rib Eye Steak Arrabbiata sauté with Italian Hot Peppers, Shitake Mushrooms, Madeira Sauce; Poached Salmon with Julienne Vegetables, Tomato/Thyme Beurre Blanc; and, Herb Crusted Chilean Sea Bass with Orange Scented Tomato Broth served with Ginger Risotto.

There are daily Chef’s Specials, too, like the Gamberi con Orance e Finocchio, Shrimp with Orange & Fennel appetizer; and Risotto alla Pescatore, Shrimp, Scallop, Calamari, Clams, and Mussels entree. For dessert, you might want to try the Warm Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream.

Mondays through Fridays La Reggia serves an extensive lunch buffet and whether you want to eat light or hearty, there’s something for everyone. It features Antipasto Italiano; Soup, Pizza, Frittata, Garlic Bread, Grilled Vegetables, Salad, Six Hot Chafing Dishes brimming with Meatballs, Chicken and other hearty fare; a Pasta station, Fresh Fruit, and Dessert Table. On a recent Monday, the Chicken Soup was soup of the day and it was divine – hearty pieces of chicken in a delicious, lightly seasoned broth. The salads and vegetables were fresh and flavorful and the balsamic vinaigrette dressed the salad with just the right zing.

La Reggia is open seven days a week serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, and it offers on-site catering for special events like weddings, baby and bridal showers, class reunions, Quinceanera or Sweet 16 parties, engagements, christenings, anniversaries and birthdays. La Reggia also caters corporate functions and meetings.

Whether you’re an out-of-towner staying at the Meadowlands Plaza Hotel in Secaucus or a Hudson resident looking for fine Italian dining, a trip to La Reggia is like a feast for the soul.

If you go:

La Reggia Restaurant, Banquets & Lounge

40 Wood Ave Secaucus, NJ 07094

(201) 422-0200

www.lareggiaus.com

Open 7 days a week

Breakfast:  Mon-Sun, 7 am-10:30 am

Lunch:       Mon-Fri, 11:30 am-3 pm

Dinner:      Mon-Thurs, 4 pm-10 pm

                  Fri, 4 pm-11 pm

                  Sat, 1 pm-11 pm

                  Sun, 3 pm-9 pm

 

The post La Reggia Restaurant, Banquets & Lounge Fine Italian Dining at “The Little Italy of Secaucus” first appeared on River View Observer.

]]> Hudson Restaurant Week to be held February 1st -12th https://riverviewobserver.net/hudson-restaurant-week-to-be-held-february-1st-12th/ https://riverviewobserver.net/hudson-restaurant-week-to-be-held-february-1st-12th/#respond Thu, 21 Jan 2010 12:58:57 +0000 http://riverviewobserver.net/?p=1971 Hudson Restaurant Week is a bi-annual culinary celebration that promotes Hudson County as a premier dining destination in New Jersey during slow times of the year: January and July. It was created by Get Out Hudson magazine in 2005 through conversations with local restaurants. The event and magazine were created by one young female entrepreneur, … Continue reading Hudson Restaurant Week to be held February 1st -12th →

The post Hudson Restaurant Week to be held February 1st -12th first appeared on River View Observer.

]]> Hudson Restaurant Week is a bi-annual culinary celebration that promotes Hudson County as a premier dining destination in New Jersey during slow times of the year: January and July. It was created by Get Out Hudson magazine in 2005 through conversations with local restaurants. The event and magazine were created by one young female entrepreneur, Tamara Remedios.


Participating Restaurants

3-Forty Grill

340 Sinatra Drive, Hoboken
201-217-3406
$18-M T W Th F
$35-M T W Th Su(2/7)

Amanda’s

908 Washington St, Hoboken
201-798-0101
$35-M T W Th F Su(2/7)

Arthur’s Tavern
237 Washington St, Hoboken
201-656-5009

 $25-M T W Th F

Bistro La Source
85 Morris St, Jersey City
201-209-1717

$15-M T W Th F
$25-M T W Th F Sa(2/6) Su(2/7)

Brass Rail
908 Washington St, Hoboken
201-798-0101
$12-M T W Th
$29-M T W Th

Casa Dante
737 Newark Ave, Jersey City
201-795-2750

 $18-M T W Th F
$35-M T W Th

Clinton Social
700 Clinton Street, Hoboken
201-239-0063 $30-M T W Th F

Edwards Steakhouse
239 Marin Blvd, Jersey City
201-761-0000

$18 -M T W Th F
$35 -M T W Th F Sa(2/6)

Elysian Cafe
1001 Washington St, Hoboken
201-798-5898

$15 -M T W Th F
$30 -M T W Th F

The Embankment
234 Tenth St, Jersey City
201-222-6115

$15-T W Th F Sa(2/6) Su(2/7)
$30-T W Th F Sa(2/6) Su(2/7)

Fire & Oak
(Westin Hotel) 479 Washington Blvd, Jersey City
201-610-9610

$18-M T W Th F Sa(2/6) Su(2/7)
$30-M T W Th F Su(2/7)

Gaslight
400 Adams St, Hoboken
201-217-1400

$10-T W Th F
$25-M T W Th F Sa(2/6) Su(2/7)

Henry’s On the Hudson
Harborside Plaza II, Jersey City
201-915-3663

$?-M T W Th F
$?-M T W Th F

Hoboken Bar & Grill
230 Washington St, Hoboken
201-222-6050

 $15-M T W Th F
$30-M T W Th F

Komegashi
103 Montgomery St, Jersey City
201-433-4567

$13-M T W Th F
$25-M T W Th F

Komegashi Too
99 Pavonia Ave, Jersey City
201-533-8888

$13-M T W Th F
$35-M T W Th

Liberty House
76 Audrey Zapp Drive, Jersey City
201-395-0300
$18-T W Th F Sa(2/6)
$32-T W Th F Su(2/7)

Light Horse Tavern
199 Washington St, Jersey City
201-946-2028

 $?-M T W Th
$?-M T W Th

The Madison
1316 Washington St, Hoboken
201-386-0300

 $18-M T W Th F
$35-M T W Th F

The Merchant
279 Grove St, Jersey City
201- 200-0202

 $15-M T W Th F
$25-M T W Th F Sa(2/6) Su(2/7)

O’Connell’s
111 Montgomery St, Jersey City
201-333-3633

$13-M T W Th F
$25-M T W Th F Sa(2/6) Su(2/7)

Park Avenue Bar & Grill
3417 Park Ave, Union City
201-617-7274

$13-M T W Th F
$25-M T W Th F Sa(2/6) Su(2/7)

The Pointe
2 Chapel Ave, Jersey City
201-985-9854

$18-T W Th F Sa(2/6)
$35-T W Th F Sa(2/6) Su(2/7)

Porto Leggero
Harborside Plaza V, Jersey City
201-434-3200 $18-M T W Th F
$35-M T W Th F

The Quays
310 Sinatra Dr, Hoboken
201-656-2521
$15-M T W Th F
$30-M T W Th F

Sawadee Thai Cuisine
136 Newark Ave, Jersey City
201-433-0888

$13-M T W Th F
$25-M T W Th F Sa(2/6)

Skinner’s Loft
146 Newark Ave, Jersey City
201-915-0600

$13-T W Th F
$30-M T W Th

Soul Flavors
354 Grove St, Jersey City
201-217-3004

$15-F Sa(2/6)
$30-T W Th F Sa(2/6)

South City Grill
70 Pavonia Ave, Jersey City
201-610-9225

$18-M T W Th F
$30-M T W Th F

Tomaso’s Restaurante
163 River Road, Edgewater
201-941-3000

$13- T W Th F
$25- T W Th F

Trinity
306 Sinatra Dr, Hoboken
201-533-4446

 $13-M T W Th F
$30-M T W Th F

Zylo Tuscan Steak House
(W Hotel) 225 River St, Hoboken
201-253-2400

$18-M T W Th F
$35-M T W Th F

To learn more HUDSON RESTAURANT WEEK

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