I don't even eat burgers but again, give this business a chance - the owners probably left behind steady paychecks, spent some $$ doing a nice build out, and are trying their best to figure out best practices for cooking, wait times, credit card stuff, etc.

I'm so happy to see another nice looking shop here in town and will stop in to order some burgers for friends or something - because I'm committed to supporting small businesses.

The downtown closely resembled Trenton when I made a gamble and purchased a home here a decade ago. My sister purchased a home in Trenton and has witnessed that city's further decline since buying. She visits JC and cannot believe the assortment of options we have here - bagels, croissants, ice cream, great coffee, etc.

This burger shop is soliciting feedback (based on comments on this thread) and will hopefully dial into the community's preferences and pricing soon - but give the *little guy* a chance already.

So disappointing...a shop owner at the bodega on Coles was also killed a few years ago and the murderer was never caught.

http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/20 ... i.html#incart_2box_hudson

Not really understanding how the received a variance to extend the front steps 4 ft beyond any neighboring property ~ straight into the street. Seriously?

There's nothing worse than being "underwater" and I have lots of friends who purchased a 1 bdrm, later had a baby, and came to the table with a check when they were forced to sell.
I purchased a crack house in the downtown in 2007.,,.my hand shook when I purchased directly from the sellers and I was signing checks...spent a year gut/rehabbing...then listed the place and couldn't sell for what I had invested in it.
Ended up buying out my fellow investors and moving in. We installed outdoor security cams an indoor alarms and waited it out. Second guessed ourselves a bunch of times while we wrote out mortgage checks.
Fast forward 8 years and we could sell at approx double what we purchased & invested...and now don't want to move because everything is gentrified.
Real estate is highly cyclical, historically in 10 year periods. There are always bargains to be had, even in hot housing markets but if I can give any advise at all: max out your 401k, live belie your means and if you gave spare cash after that...consider real estate carefully.

Nicest post I've seen in awhile, Eggzbenedict. Wasn't my car but way nice of you to post this here as we've all been sideswiped at one time or another. Keep on keeping it on!

@ Monroe: my point, exactly: pricing was on par with my favorite, splurge restaurants in NYC while the decor was on par with an ice cream parlor. We love to support *local* but there was just too far a disconnect between expectations (a comfortable evening out with delicious food, wine and decor) and reality.

Tried dining there early on but vegetarian offerings were pretty slim. Then the progression to liquor license and tasting menu...so dinner, wine dessert for two would have been in the $200 range. Call me old school or whatever but I just couldn't see spending on par with our favorite NYC restaurants, only to be seated in what looked like an ice cream parlor.
Dining out is about the whole experience...and I kinda expect some comfy seating, warm and inviting atmosphere, etc.

In it's wake, I'd love to see a great breakfast / lunch spot. Super simple menu, approachable pricing, etc.

Having worked in a hospital for a bunch of years during college I can tell you: it's all about the quality of the NICU...and I would recommend that you deliver the baby in NYC, rather than in JC or Hoboken hospitals. I sailed through my pregnancy, running and biking 5 miles/day but then suffered several complications in the delivery room and things escalated very quickly. I hemoroghed twice, fell into shock, had to be coded and narrowly avoided an emergency hysterectomy after a good old fashioned, vaginal delivery. I credit Columbia Presbyterian's staff with saving my life.
With regard to pediatrician's...maybe your next question...you'll want to see which hospitals they are affiliated with and whether/not they have a dedicated pediatric emergency room. Babies and kids are not "little grow us" when it comes to emergency treatment and I continue to be amazed at smart folks who use "Hoboken University" hospital when there's no "university" behind it.
Good luck & you have plenty of time to travel during labor.

I lived in Hoboken for a dozen years and when the Quick Check on Washington & Third vacated due to rent increases, I called Trader Joe's. "Hi, I've never called a grocery store before to beg them to come to town but our Food Town is closed twice / year for health violations and Shop Rite is well alright and everything but you should really check out this space...everyone here loves you guys." They called me back a few weeks later with a "wow, nice space but way to expensive for a grocery store" and Garden of Eden renovates and moves right on in.
Garden's way more expensive that TJ's. It's about time they woke up to Hoboken and signed a lease already.

Nope....open and still blaring the same dumb music...sorry, older, steadily drunk clientele waiting on the steps each day at 11:45am, waiting for the security shutters to be opened. It's all so sad.

Not sure why there isn't a "Bambino Chef" topic here yet. My daughter returned from a morning Spring Break class there and can't stop talking about it.

The space is beautiful and Rene and the team cooked up a nutritious lunch that the kids actually ate. They really know how to capture a child's attention and provided me with a nice break today.

I left the class thinking, "why did I throw all those Toddler brithday parties in my home...so much planning, prep, CHAOS and after clean up exhaustion?" I am already planning our next birthday party - can't wait!!

I hired a new Maid Service...the owners credit the fine PATH Train service here in town for launching their business. Hilarious! And the cleaning was great, btw. We'll probably be reading more of these stories soon.

http://www.maidinjc.com/about/

The space is gorgeous....plenty of seating and a beautiful build out. Focaccia was heavenly...a little oily, a bit salty...just spot on. Capuchino machine was giving the owner some issues this week...they'll figure it out soon enough.

Moozerella sandwich had a single, paper thin slice of cheese and some tomatoes. Delicious.
However.....I'm a girl.
A very thin girl.
I've been to Italy.
I *get* that this is an authentic translation and appreciate it. But please add another slice or *two* of cheese.

Will be back soon.

Ok jclisters, I fnd myself in need of moving a bulky club chair and ottoman from my basement to a friends, 5 blocks away. Lacking a Ford F 150 Flat Bed Truck, who do I call to make this happen? No, renting a truck at Home Depot is not an option because I can't carry furniture.
Thanks for any referrals & recommendations!

The tree situated between the basketball court and kids splash pad was a widow maker, for sure. I have watched heavy limbs cascade down on windy days....not even during a storm. That one provably needed to come down before it took someone out.

As for other trees being removed, I was kinda surprised and saddened. Not sure whether there was a whole lot of oversite but am hoping that as a community we can come together and replant some new specimens and care for them for the next decade or so.

I'm lucky enough to have one of those combo washer/dryer units in my condo...or so I thought. Only drawback is that I can't decide which the machine does *worse*...wash or dry. Everyone in the building says the exact same thing. Clothes come out dirty (even with a tiny load) and take f-o-r-e-v-e-r to dry. Not good.

Finally threw in the towel (bad pun, kill me) and called a wash and fold service called New Bridge Laundry. Yelp reviews had lots of stars, prices seemed fair, etc.

Mike, the owner, personally picked up and dropped off my laundry. He offered dye free/scent free detergent at no extra charge and the clothes arrived clean and folded better than my own mother's laundry basket. I feel as though I bought back some weekend hours and was able to relax and have some fun.

I don't have a Yelp account (new year's resolution, haha) so thought that I'd give them a shout out here. Get ready to relax, everyone.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/new-bridge-laundry-jersey-city-2

For whatever it's worth, both Trader Joe's and Whole Foods could easily move into Lakawanna Center. Cake boss leased 30,000 + sq/feet and might we'll be considered an "anchor" to further attract lease signing. Parking is probably adequate and it's proximity between JC & Hobo & The Holland Tunnel probably can't be beat.

http://lackawannacenter.com/about.php

@craigslistdiva, thanks so much for the suggestions.
Folks travel from great distances to get to our own Little India. We are so fortunate to have so many restaurants there to choose from. Really appreciate your specific recommendations.

Kati Rolls, Kathi Rolls...not sure of the correct spelling....but who's got the best in this town? Used to get 'Em from Kultural Kuisine on JFK Boulevard, now closed. Bummer because they were enormous, delicious and inexpensive.

I have yet to meet an eye doctor who's had lasik surgery performed on his/herself. My eye doc on Newark Ave. wears glasses and tried to refer me to a "fabulous friend of mine who can safely perform the surgery". The hard sell immediately died backpack when I asked why he hadn't had the repair performed on himself yet.

Also why does the industry continuously revise the laser being used?

Admittedly, I haven't read up on the topic in awhile but I figure that I kinda need this current set of eyes for another 40 years or so. Do we yet have lasik surgery tracking for a period of 40 years? Contact lenses are a two minute "hassle" in the morning and late at night. I figure that I can continue to deal with this level of minor inconvenience.

Love that FB page ~ best thing to come along this year, for sure. I've given away a bunch of baby stuff ~ cleared out my house and the stuff found a great, second use.

It makes me so sad on Monday and Thursday nights as I walk past piles of items placed at the curb that could easily have given away on this FB page. Cat carriers, strollers, etc.

It's a great resource.

Hi, I'm starting up a small business and really wondering where best to spend advertising dollars/general energy level.

I use Instagram each day to check out what's new & exciting here in JC ~ how about you?

It's always good for a laugh or two and the deals are sometimes amazing. Best part about it is that it's free.

I feel like Facebook's kinda over.
Twitter: important or not ~ can't decide?

Thanks, jclisters!

Have you tried Amighini?
http://www.amighini.net

Please tip at least $5.00...simply because he/she's rushing to transport hot food and let's face it...the pizza delivery person probably doesn't live in the lap of luxury with views of the Hudson River.

Live large ~ pass some good karma forward.

Did Sanitary Valet on Grove Street close? The security shutter has been down on both this dry cleaner and the adjacent boutique for at least a week now.

An interesting piece re the noise levels. Tried to conduct a business meeting a few weeks ago at the waterfront and was shocked by the constant barrage of helicopters.

I believe that the tourism figure are wildly overinflated and I'll join the organized effort as outlined, below.


http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-11 ... -waterfront-dwellers.html

Reviving this old topic as I'm looking for a bookkeeper to set up quickbooks and either teach us how to maintain it or manage expenses each week. Thanks.

Bump

Hi, I could use help developing a logo right now ~ brand building stuff , go forward. If you're that artist or have a nice referral, please connect with me, thanks!

Thanks Bodhipooh!