Photos by Steve A. Mack- River View Observer 

JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop and the Jersey City Youth Foundation have teamed up for the Mayorâ€s Annual Toy Drive to deliver holiday cheer and toys to more than 600 children, with the toys being distributed from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, December 20th, 2013, at City Hall, 280 Grove Street.

And this year, Santaâ€s elves had some extra helpers with Cake Boss Buddy Valastro on hand to treat kids to cupcakes and cookies and local business owner Tommy Two Scoops  was  serving up gelato.

“We wanted as many people as possible to join us and get in the holiday spirit as we help bring a little cheer to those in need,” said Mayor Fulop. “The holidays are a time to give to others and what better way that joining with your community to celebrate.”

Toys  were  distributed by Santa to pre-registered families,  and residents who would like to join in and meet the Cake Boss and celebrate the holidays  were also invited to attend

More than 200 toys were also donated by the Hudson County Building Trades and Local 696.

“The outpouring of gifts has been tremendous and we thank all of the residents and businesses who again this year participated in the toy drive,” added Mayor Fulop.

The Resident Response Center has been registering families and collecting donations since early December and a number of local businesses helped by donating gift cards to the Jersey City Youth Foundation for the purchase of toys for children newborn to twelve years old.

About the Jersey City Youth Foundation

The JCYF strives to provide, enhance, expand and participate in the high-quality educational, recreational, cultural, and community enrichment programs. In 2013, our inaugural year, JCYF was able to provide backpacks to school children, Thanksgiving turkeys to families, and holiday toys to children. 2014 will be an exciting year as we continue to grow as an organization and expand our programming and impact on youth in Jersey City.

All media inquiries should be directed to Jennifer Morrill, Press Secretary for the City of Jersey City, at 201-547-4836 or 201-376-0699.///

The post Mayor Steve Fulop, Santa and the Cake Boss Buddy Valastro at Jersey City Annual Toy Drive first appeared on River View Observer.

By Sally Deering

The Brightside Tavern “Where everyone knows your name”

When Tom Parisi opened a little Gelato shop on York Street in Jersey City more than a year ago, he named it “Tommy Two Scoops” and the name stuck like a maraschino cherry on an ice cream sundae.  An entrepreneur at heart, Tommy Two Scoops is his best salesman (he spent more than 20 years selling carpet), talking with neighbors outside his shop, kissing babies and petting puppies that venture into his “dog friendly” shop, which also serves sandwiches, wraps and other light delights.

Less than two months ago, Tommy Two Scoops – who is also known to burst into song with a  fine imitation of Louis Armstrong, added a new restaurant to his repertoire, the Brightside Tavern located on the corner of Bright and Monmouth Streets (across from the Jersey City Medical Center and adjacent to the Pathmark on Grand Street).  And just like he did with his Gelato shop on York Street, Tommy Two Scoops has enhanced the Bright Street neighborhood with a new and exciting bistro that serves delicious food.

“If you build it, they will come,” Tommy Two Scoops says. “Opening Tommy Two Scoops on York Street gave me great practice and I met a beautiful cross-section of people from the neighborhood.  Itâ€s nice to be in a place where people are happy.”

The Brightside Tavern has everything needed to make people happy. Tearing down the old, dilapidated saloon that stood before, Tommy Two Scoops and his contractors built a beautiful restaurant that houses an elegant dining room, a bar that resembles the one on the TV show “Cheers” and a classy upstairs banquet room perfect for corporate functions, baby showers and engagement parties. And with his entertaining personality, Tommy Two Scoops plans to add a Baby Grand to the atmosphere for live entertainment and maybe even some Karaoke nights, where guests can go up on stage and sing their favorites – something near and dear to Tommy Two Scoops, who once sang on stage at the Apollo theatre in Harlem.

The Brightside Tavernâ€s menu features American Nouveau cuisine and there are lots of choices.  On a recent visit, I tried the Hummus and Baba Ganoush appetizer served with pita, celery and carrot sticks ($9) which was delish, and the Fish and Chips entrée with the fish light and flaky and the breading light and crunchy. The steak fries had a crunchy outer texture you rarely get at other restaurants. Absolutely yummy!

The lunch menuâ€s Starters include Fried Calamari served with aioli and marinara; House-made Pizza with shrimp, Green Princess dressing, red onion and arugula; Crostini; and Three Bean Soup, a vegetarian blend of beans and vegetables ($5-$9). Salads are a Classic Caesar Salad; Roasted Pear Salad with arugula, spicy cashews and crumbled blue cheese in roasted garlic, lemon vinaigrette; Panzanella, crisp bread, mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumber, basil, fresh mozzarella and chickpeas; the Brightside Salad,  mixed greens, roasted red peppers, tomatoes, herbs and pecorino cheese in a sherry vinaigrette; and a Skirt Steak Salad with romaine, red onion, scallions, tomatoes and black beans in a Green Princess dressing ($8-$14).

Burger lovers wonâ€t be disappointed with a choice of Beef, Duck, Lamb and Veggie Burgers ($9-$11) and a long list of toppings that include bacon, roasted red peppers, mushroom, pancetta and pickled jalapeno peppers.  Sandwiches include the Veggie Panini with grilled and roasted vegetables, olive tapenade, hummus and fresh mozzarella; Short Rib Panini, citrus braised short ribs with a sesame slaw; Crispy Eggplant Panini with tomatoes and fresh mozzarella; Shrimp Po Boy; Sliced Skirt Steak sandwich with caramelized onion, charred tomatoes and melted blue cheese; the BBQ Pork sandwich; Pastrami sandwich and Torta, slow cooked pulled pork, chicken, black bean puree, chipotle, onion, avocado and Swiss cheese; Southwest Wrap, spicy chicken, avocado, red onion, chipotle aioli and pepper jack cheese; Buffalo Chicken Wrap with romaine and blue cheese dressing; and the Teriyaki wrap made with Teriyaki chicken, spinach, quinoa, grilled scallions, broccoli and red bell peppers ($8-$11).

 

The Dinner menuâ€s entrees feature Ravioli Parisi, cheese ravioli with extra virgin olive oil and shaved pecorino cheese; Orrechiette with sausage, slow roasted tomatoes, spinach and roasted onions; Penne with Cajun Alfredo chicken, roasted red peppers, sauteed red onions and herbs; Gnocchi with shrimp, arugula, pecorino cheese, white wine, garlic, butter and herbs; Vegetarian risotto with the chefâ€s selection of vegetables and shaved pecorino cheese; Grilled salmon with asparagus, mushrooms, roasted potatoes and bagna cauda; Fish and chips; Grilled chicken breast with mushrooms and pea risotto; Pork tenderloin with buttered leeks, warm quinoa salad and pork jus; Prime flat iron steak with crispy brussel sprouts and roasted sweet potatoes; 12 oz. NY Strip Steak with fries and grilled asparagus and a Half Rack of St. Louis ribs with russet potato salad ($12-$22).

For a new dining experience that offers great food in a beautiful atmosphere, check out the Brightside Tavern in Jersey City, where Tommy Two Scoops, the robust and people-friendly owner welcomes you with open arms and  “everybody knows your name.”

The Brightside Tavern

141 Bright Street

Jersey City, NJ

201-435-1234

www.brightsidetavern.com

Email:  Team@brightsidetavern.com

Lunch, Dinner and Weekend Brunch

Lunch: Mon-Fri, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Dinner:  Sun-Wed, 4 p.m.-10 p.m.; Thurs-Sat, 4 p.m.-11 p.m. (Bar menu ‘til Midnight)

Weekend Brunch: Sat, Sun, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

The post The Brightside Tavern in Jersey City – Where Everybody knows your Name first appeared on River View Observer.