Hoboken

Valentine’s Day Tradition

Valentine’s Day Tradition

When Maithil and I were dating, the stakes seemed higher. Perhaps it was just because everyone I knew would ask, “So… what did he do for Valentine’s Day?” But, the best was last year, our first as a married couple. Both of us were having a long week and had agreed to not do anything special. However, I picked up some Thai food on the way home from work and Maithil and I watched a movie and enjoyed a spicy, tasty dinner accompanied with a couple of beers. We ended our meal with some dark chocolate, snuggled up under an over-sized, cozy blanket. We’ve decided to turn Valentine’s Day take-out and a movie into a tradition. This year, we will feast on Grimaldi’s pizza and wine, followed by pistachio ice-cream; the movie is still TBD. Low key, pressure-free, 2/14 is just the way it should be.

Dinner with friends? Flowers for a loved one? What are your Valentine’s Day traditions?

Photo by Lev Kuperman

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Happy Monday: Post Hurricane Sandy

The past ten days seem surreal. Though we had braced ourselves for Hurricane Sandy, most of us thought that the storm would be similar in impact to Irene. Unfortunately, Sandy proved us wrong. Our building lost power on Monday night. We had stocked up on plenty of dry foods, water, candles, all of the necessities; phones and computers were fully charged. Having a couple of days off from work was exciting at first but the feeling quickly fizzled once we realized that we could not heat anything in our building, which has electric lines that would be down indefinitely. Soon, we started hearing about the wide-spread devastation that Sandy was causing and a sort of nervousness set in when we could not use our cell phones to get in touch with our family in other parts of New Jersey.

Maithil and I rejoiced when we returned to a home with power on Thursday evening. I had spent Wednesday and Thursday at his office, where they surprisingly never lost power. During the peak of the storm, we had parked on a hill, away from trees and luckily, our car did not suffer any damage. Our cell phone service was restored over the weekend. As we caught up on the news, we knew that we had gotten lucky. Very lucky.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and survivors of Sandy. It is amazing to see how cities and towns have come together during this challenging time. We want to personally thank the tireless and heroic first responders, fire-fighters, medical staff, volunteers, emergency care teams, neighbors, friends, families, and countless others for their love and support. There is a lot that still needs to be done, but slowly and surely, we will rebuild.

Want to get involved in the post-Sandy recovery efforts? Here are a few ways in which you can lend a helping hand.  The NYC Food Truck Association is taking donations to provide hot meals in various affected areas. For those in living in my town of Hoboken, please consult the recovery center for all updates.

Hurricane Sandy: An image from NASA

The National Guard comes to Hoboken, NJ

Cabs in a parking lot in Hoboken, NJ

Ground Zero

Wide-spread power outage

The amazing New York Magazine cover

The first five images are courtesy of The Huffington Post; the final image is courtesy of New York Magazine

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Category: Food, Happy Monday, Hoboken, New Jersey, New York City Tags: , , , , ,

Happy Monday: Hello Fall

Some of my favorite days are when the weather is in transition. Bright sunny skies with low humidity, a refreshing breeze, a crispness in the air that may demand a sweater… these days only come for a few weeks right before and after the summer months. This weekend included two ideal outdoor brunches with two of my closest friends, Ben and Jerri. Ben and I had brunch with a friend of his at Morandi in the West Village. Our corner table, topped with a basket of sweet treats and egg dishes, allowed us to people watch, share stories and soak in the last of the summer sun. On Sunday, Maithil and I had a low-key brunch at the consistently great Bin 14, in Hoboken, with Jerri and her boyfriend, Jason to continue her birthday festivities (we had a livelier celebration less than 12 hours prior to brunch). Seeing people in their boots made me realize that Fall has arrived, Summer is officially over, and the holidays will be upon us before we know it.

Sweet treats at Morandi

Grilled cheese at Bin14

Margherita pie at Bin14

Mushroom, goat cheese and asparagus pie at Bin14

The lovely birthday gal!

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Pi Day: Leo’s Grandevous

In celebration of Pi Day (3.14) yesterday, Maithil and I went to Leo’s, a regular spot for Frank Sinatra in his day and now a neighborhood staple, a few blocks from us in Hoboken. It’s a no frills Italian bar and restaurant with great food and great service. Since I could not manage to trek it uptown to Two Little Red Hens, my favorite pie spot, I decided to go for another kind of pie at Leo’s, their vegetable bar pizza pie ($7). It’s the only personal pizza that does not leave you feeling guilty after finishing every last crumb. Why? Because it is more like a roasted/grilled vegetable salad with melted mozzarella on a flat-bready crust covered with a thin layer of tomato sauce. The pile of veggies include: olives, roasted red peppers, broccoli, spinach, tomatoes, artichokes, and mushrooms. It is best eaten with a fork and knife, topped with a sprinkling of garlic powder and crushed red pepper, and accompanied with a chilled beer. Simple, delicious and oh-so-satisfying.

Maithil and I shared the fresh Mozzarella and Tomato salad ($7.95) to start and he had the perfectly cooked Chicken Piccata ($16.50) for his main (he was also very happy to help me with my pizza).

Score: 4/5; 5/5 (for the pizza)

Address: 200 Grand Street (on the corner of 2nd and Grand), Hoboken, NJ; www.leosgrandevous.com/

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In The Kitchen: A Mexican Birthday

December has been a month of birthdays. Two of the most important birthdays included my Dad’s 60th and Maithil’s 29th, both of which are actually on the identical day! I made a Mexican themed dinner to celebrate. The menu included: 7 layer dip, guacamole (which ended up being a finely diced avocado salad due to the unripe state of the avocados), enchiladas, and mushroom soft tacos. The only thing missing were the margaritas!

7 Layer Dip

Guacamole with a twist

Enchiladas

Mushroom Soft Tacos

Mushroom Soft Taco Recipe

Ingredients:

- 10 oz. of mushrooms (I used baby bellas)

- small corn tortillas

- black beans (season with taco seasoning)

- 1 medium red onion

- sour cream

- hot salsa

- shredded cheese (I used a Mexican blend)

- lemon juice and salt

Putting it Together:

Slice the mushrooms and cook in a skillet with olive oil until tender. Thinly slice the red onion and pickle with salt and lemon juice. Heat one corn tortilla in a nonstick pan for about a minute, until soft. Remove from heat and spread a teaspoon of sour cream on it. Heat another corn tortilla and place it on top. In the center: top with a healthy tablespoon of black beans, a sprinkling of cheese, as desired, a small handful of mushrooms, salsa, as desired, and a small handful of pickled onions. Fold the ends to form the shape of a taco and eat warm.

Note: You can use goat cheese instead of sour cream. You can add any other diced veggies that you like.

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Neighborhood Spot: O’Nieal’s

Jerri, my closest friend since the 4th grade, and I had an impromptu dinner last week. We had lots to catch up on and O’Nieal’s was the just the neighborhood spot. We had both been there for drinks but never for dinner. Recommended by our friend Amy, we walked in at around 8pm and were seated, upon request, outside at a comfortable table for five almost immediately. We clearly got lucky since both the indoor and outdoor tables were mostly to capacity. To our delight, it was also wine down Wednesdays which meant that every glass, red or white, was $5.

With a glass of Chardonnay and Riesling in hand and a basket of warm bread, olive oil, butter, and parmesan to calm our hunger, we chatted with our chipper and helpful host, Kerri, about narrowing down the choices. Jerri decided to go with the Chicken Special and I had the Mediterranean Chicken minus the chicken. Jerri’s tender chicken came in a marsala sauce with a side of steamed broccoli and mashed potatoes. She really enjoyed her generous serving of chicken, pan fried with a thin layer of egg and flour, allowing for a slight crisp on the outside, juicy on the inside result. Her only complaint was that the mound of mashed potatoes were nothing special and especially lacking in moisture and a creamy finish. 

Chicken Special

I was very indecisive in choosing a pasta dish. I knew I wanted a spaghetti with all of the fix-ins of the Mediterranean option, sun-dried tomatoes, black olives, artichoke hearts, goat cheese, but with the addition of a liquid base. Kerri and chef were extremely accommodating to my request of making this with the chardonnay broth offered in the Rotini Arrabiatta. The result was just what I was craving, a huge bowl of piping hot pasta with loads of veggies. Our host advised me that the chef threw in extra of everything to please my vegetarian diet; so sweet! Too much to finish in one sitting, I brought home some leftovers for Maithil. Content, Jerri and I decided to end the night with dessert at my place. 

Mediterranean Chicken (minus the chicken)

Recap: O’Nieal’s is a great neighborhood bar and restaurant option. Attentive and accommodating service; many choices; not cheap; wonderful outdoor seating overlooking Church Square Park; vegetarian friendly. 

Food Tally: 1 glass of Riesling and two glasses of Chardonnay, $5 each; Chicken Special, $18.70; Mediterranean Chicken (minus the chicken), $18.00. Total (w/tax)= $55.32 

Score: 3.75/5

Address: 343 Park Avenue, Hoboken, NJ; http://onieals.com/hoboken.html

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Hoboken’s First Wine Bar: Bin 14

Amy, Maithil and I had visited Bin 14 for dinner and drinks. When we could not decide on a meeting place for brunch on a Sunday, we decided to return to Chef Anthony Pino’s tapas and wine bar in uptown Hoboken. Chef Pino is also the master behind the more traditional, The Dining Room at Anthony David’s in Hoboken. Located in a contemporary industrial space, complete with exposed-brick walls and a marble-top bar, the restaurant boasts a menu of over 100 wines from around the world and various specialty drinks. Amy and Maithil both had a bloody mary to start. Though they enjoyed their rightly spiced morning pick-me-ups, the meal surpassed the drinks.

Hungry and intrigued by the menu options, we ordered vegetarian friendly dishes so we could sample each other’s plates. Amy opted for the Wild Mushroom and Goat Cheese Omelet, Maithil got the Roasted Tomato, Basil and Ricotta Frittata, I ordered the Brioche French Toast with Fresh Strawberries, and we got the Fresh Fruit plate and the Spicy Artichoke, Ricotta and Lemon Zest Pizza to share. Both the omelet and the frittata were served with grilled crostini and brunch potatoes. The first thing I tried were the eye-catching, almost a burnt mahogany colored potatoes. Each piece was spiced and cooked precisely. They were some of the best brunch potatoes we had ever tasted. Amy clearly loved her omelet, a classic blend of feather-like whipped eggs, creamy goat cheese, and ample mushrooms, since there was hardly any left to share. The frittata was light and airy, bursting in flavor from the fragrant roasted tomatoes and basil, while the crumbly ricotta baked to the bottom provided a touch of texture. My fluffy french toast had a buttery richness to it which was only enhanced by the hints of cinnamon and the fresh strawberries.

Wild Mushroom and Goat Cheese Omelet

Roasted Tomato, Basil and Ricotta Frittata

Brioche French Toast with Fresh Strawberries

The zesty pizza, topped with arugula, was chewy and hearty, the artichokes being the scene-stealers. I must note that I am not a huge fan of fruit plates and I rather prefer fruit plates with just fruits from similar families. The mixed fruit at Bin 14 was one of the few I’ve thoroughly enjoyed, with the sweet and juicy oranges and melons blended with a collection of summer berries. We were all very pleased with the cordial service as well as our relaxed and tasty meal, especially since we never really considered this wine bar to be a brunch option. We will surely return soon.

Spicy Artichoke, Ricotta and Lemon Zest Pizza

Recap: Sharable plates and wine bar; comfortable and hip atmosphere; delicious, well-priced dishes and lots of wine options; vegetarian friendly

Food Tally: Bloody Mary, $7; Fruit Plate, $6; Wild Mushroom and Goat Cheese Omelet, $12; Roasted Tomato, Basil and Ricotta Frittata, $11; Brioche French Toast, $11; Spicy Artichoke, Ricotta and Lemon Zest Pizza, $10; Total (pre tax+tip)= $64
 
Score: 4/5 (overall); 4.5/5 (for food alone)
 
Address: 1314 Washington Street, Hoboken, NJ; www.bin14.com

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Pino’s Italian: The Dining Room at Anthony David’s

Maithil and I do not have a specific anniversary date to celebrate the day that we started dating. Rather, each year, we celebrate the day that we were first began convering. Earlier this week, he surprised me with a celebratory dinner at The Dining Room at Anthony David’s. I am pleased to report that our overall experience lived up to the rave reviews we had heard from our friends, quickly elevating this elegant spot to the top of our favorites list in Hoboken.

I was happy that Maithil had made a reservation because they were fully booked, a first that I have seen for a restaurant in Hoboken on a Wednesday night. The two candle-lit rooms with an open kitchen in the front makes for a charmingly cozy and romantic, yet relaxed scene. The front room, a gourmet market by day, stocked with shelves of Sarabeth’s preserves and assorted bottled waters, is better suited for smaller parties while the main dining room feels a bit more formal. Chef Anthony Pino’s, BYOB Italian menu truly has something for everyone. They can even make any of the eight pasta dishes on the menu vegetarian friendly. It took us some time to browse through the menu and make our selections. Our fantastic server helped us select our entrees while Maithil and I decided to start with two cheeses and two vegetables. In the meantime, we snacked on a selection of regrettably not warm, fresh, mixed house breads and a light, grainy hummus.  The plate of Tallegio, Aged Gouda, Grilled Artichokes, and Garlic Zucchini was the ideal way to wet our appetites. Both the well-portioned artichokes and the small-portioned zucchini were grilled to perfection and bursting with flavor. The garlic in the zucchini added an earthy tone to the plate. What we really appreciated were the large serving sizes of the cheeses that we were barely able to finish!

Then came the main courses, the Bucatini with fresh mozzarella, chilies, basil, tomato sauce, minus the pancetta for me, and the Peppered Ahi Tuna with warm spinach, and mashed potatoes for Maithil. The al dente Bucatini was uncomplicated with just the right amount of spice and cheese (mozzarella blended in and shavings of parmesan on top). The basil and slivers of garlic added a touch of fragrant sweetness to the dish. An instant favorite.

Maithil requested that his tuna be well-done and spicy. He got just that. He loved the crispy top layer which added texture to the pepper-marinated, tender and juicy inside. We both thoroughly enjoyed the creamy, fluffy and light mashed potatoes, some of the best I have ever had.

To top off the night, we had the Warm Homemade Brownie with pistachio gelato upon our server’s recommendation. The smooth gelato, true to the flavor and color of an actual pistachio, was the winning part of the dessert. There was nothing special about the brownie, we’ve had both richer and poorer. I’d get it again for the gelato and hope that the brownie, as mentioned in the name, is actually served warm.

I look forward to trying more of their dinner selection as well as their lunch and brunch menus. A great surprise, Maithil.

Recap: Wonderful service; calm, romantic atmosphere; simple, delicious dishes; vegetarian friendly; outdoor seating; on the pricier side for entrees; BYOB

Food Tally: Tallegio, Aged Gouda, Grilled Artichokes, and Garlic Zucchini, 4/$18; Peppered Ahi Tuna, $25; Bucatini, $24; Warm Homemade Brownie, $8. Total w/tax=$80.25

Score: 4.25/5 overall; 4.75/5 for entrees alone

Address: 111 Tenth Street, on the corner of 10th & Bloomfield, Hoboken, NJ; www.anthonydavids.com

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Pasta Over Pizza: Margherita’s

I had passed by Margherita’s Pizza and Café in Hoboken many times. Craving a pizza oriented dinner after looking for apartments on a rainy night, Maithil and I decided to try out this neighborhood Italian spot. We were seated right away in the bustling, tightly packed room with an aromatic kitchen in the back. The scene is casual and easy, with an emphasis on BYOB.

With pizza in its title and on our minds, it was obvious to start with a pie. Our server, perfectly nice but not very warm or attentive, recommended the Smokin’ Mutz Pizza when he brought us our complementary plate of bruschetta. Although it sounded like the ideal bite, with fresh, diced tomatoes and red onions mixed with the house vinaigrette on thin toasts, something was a bit off. The bread was overly crispy, almost chip-like and the vinaigrette should have been stronger. However, given the nominal menu price, you get what you pay for. We munched on our warm, slightly dense bread basket while we waited for our pizza. The pie, topped with black olives, onion, and sundried tomatoes, looked better than it tasted. It was heavily covered with their homemade mozzarella, making the cheese almost excessive. They should have extended the cheese closer to the crust line, rather than placing it all closer to the center. The crust was lackluster in flavor and should have been crunchier. We would not have almost finished the small pie was it not for an ample sprinkling of crushed red pepper. 

Bruschetta and Bread Basket

Smokin' Mutz Pizza

Left a little unsatisfied, we ordered the Penne Arrabbiata with homemade whole wheat fettuccini. We should have gone with the pasta to begin with after noticing that many more table were ordering pasta dishes over the pizza. The robust, spicy marinara sauce-heavy fettuccini, with hot cherry peppers, onions, basil, garlic and olive oil was just what we needed a rainy night. The only thing that could have made the dish better was the pasta to sauce ratio; this was more like sauce with pasta rather than the other way around. 

Fettuccini Arrabbiata

Maithil and I agreed that we would come back for the pasta if we were in the neighborhood and needed a quick fix. However, we have had better pizza and pasta in Hoboken. 

Recap: Go for the pasta over the pizza (although we heard that the margharita pie is the best choice); tight neighborhood space; decent service and atmosphere; gets loud; vegetarian friendly 

Food Tally: Smokin’ Mutz Pizza, $9.95; Penne Arrabbiata, $13.95 + $2 for whole wheat fettuccini; Total+tax= $27.72   

Score: 3/5 

Address: 740 Washington Street, Hoboken, NJ

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Date Night: Taim & Sweet Revenge

Maithil and I had a date night in the West Village last night. I planned a low-key, casual night which resulted in amazing food and new finds. First stop, the sort of hidden Taim (tah-eem). I had heard rave reviews about this tiny vegetarian falafel spot and it lived up to every word. Taim undoubtedly served the best falafels Maithil and I have ever had. The menu, while it offers many different combinations, is pretty straight forward and your meal is either served in the form of a pita sandwich or a platter.

Maithil got the Sabich Platter (slice of eggplant, fried, topped with a sliced hard-boiled egg, tahini sauce, and served with Taim’s moroccan carrots and israeli salad) and I got the Mixed Falafel Platter (a sample of Taim’s three different falafel flavors, served with hummus, tabouli, and israeli salad); all platters are served with white or whole wheat pita, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and zahatar seasoning. The sampling of all three falafel flavors was an ideal choice for a first-timer. Now I know that I would get the green (traditional , with parsley, cilantro and mint) or the harissa (with Tunisian spices, spicy) over the red (with roasted red pepper) which was a little too strong in the roasted red pepper flavor. The warm and cool ingredients for each dish were fresh and all of the various flavors on the platters, from the creamy and smooth hummus to the tree distinct dipping sauces, blended together beautifully. The platter portions were just right for a fulfilling dinner.

The shop is small, with about six stools along the transparent wall which overlooks the bench seating for about three or four outside. Thankfully, we were able to get two seats since we just barely missed the dinner rush which made the space feel tight and cramped. I hope they expand their location or open up another location that is larger to accommodate the demand. Also, the counter service needs to be improved with a friendlier staff. Finally, the only other down side was that Taim is cash only. Their profits would definitely rise if they accepted credit/debit cards. Regardless of these setbacks, the food at Taim is scrumptious and this has now become our new favorite falafel place.

Taim Food Tally: $10 each + tax = $22.78.

Taim Score: 5/5 (food); 3.25/5 (service/ambiance)

Taim Address: 222 Waverly Place, near 7th Ave., NYC; www.taimfalafel.com

“Eat, Drink & Be Merry”

After dinner, we went to Sweet Revenge for dessert. It’s a cupcake, beer and wine bar located in the West Village, which, at a glance, looks like a simple, laid-back, cozy wine bar. We started by sitting at a small table in the back and then moved to the slightly more private, better lit window ledge overlooking the street, right before our treats arrived.

Every day, patrons can choose from a choice of five cupcakes, four signature flavors and one artisan, flavor of the day. Each cupcake is masterfully paired with a wine and a beer, giving the customer some choice. Maithil decided to get the Dirty Cupcake (valrhona chocolate cake with dark chocolate truffle) with the beer pairing, the Kopparberg Pear Cider, from Sweden and I opted for the Crimson & Cream (raspberry red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting) with the wine pairing, the Raspberry Bellini.

Both large cupcakes looked decadent and tasted incredible with the drink pairings. The frostings were smooth and creamy and the cake was dense and tasted more like a piece of actual cake rather than a cupcake. Of the two, I preferred Maithil’s because his cupcake as well as the entire pairing was richer in flavor and not as sweet as mine. This unique spot is perfect for a date or a gathering with friends; I can’t wait to return. The only thing that could have improved our experience is friendlier service. Sweet Revenge also offers a light, savory menu as well as a brunch menu.

Sweet Revenge Food Tally: Cupcakes, $3.50 each; Beer Pairing, $11; Wine Pairing: $10; Total+tax+tip=$35.

Sweet Revenge Score: 4.25/5

Sweet Revenge Address: 62 Carmine Street, between Bedford and 7 Ave. South, NYC; www.sweetrevengenyc.com

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Category: A Date, Bakery, Bar, Cafe, Dinner, Food, Hoboken, Lunch, New York City, Restaurant, Snacks, Trends, West Village Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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