Anyone care to post a review? I stopped in last night and the place was hopping! The place looks great and the menu looks very intriguing!

The benches are nicely designed and add a little bit of charm to the streetscape along with the new sidewalks, faux brick crosswalks, trees, and lampposts.

These are encouraging signs of new energy in downtown JC. It's a slow process but just a few years ago the area was much more rundown and inhospitable with fewer amenities.

We have some great, unique local restaurants and shops here. Hopefully more will follow. The improvements to Newark Avenue do encourage more development and foot traffic.

It would be nice if they repaved Newark Avenue too.

Does anyone have any recommendations for indoor tennis and racquetball facilities in Jersey City or the surrounding communities?

The ribs are still very good! I don't think many people know about this place. It's a bit of the beaten track but worth a visit. I don't know anywhere locally else you can get this quality and flavor in a rack of ribs.

Did anyone see the dedication of the 9/11 Memorial on Saturday?

I am curious if 81905 saw what the families of the victims had to say about the new memorial and to see how moved and appreciative they were. I guess they're not being very logical.



81905 wrote:
Mies, to say these two gargantuan walls are minimal is preposterous and then to say this memorial is not an intrusion defies any sort of logic.

This isn't merely a case on ones design taste it's about the sheer madness of government and how mismanaged it really is.

Christie, the architects, the 911 Memorial committee should all be held accountable for this eyesore.

The food is incredible. Fresh ingredients, well seasoned and prepared. The food is completely unique from anything else in the area. This is one of the best restaurants in the city and you can get three tacos for about ten bucks. I have been going for years. I have always been mystified by the complaints about service on this thread. I have never had any service problems.

I have lived in JC for over 25 years. I love Liberty State Park. Were very lucky to have such a beautiful park right here in our back yard. The views of NYC are amazing. I wasnt sure about the memorial when planning began. As time went on I could understand the concern about diminished views caused by the new structure. Now that the memorial is close to completion I have to say that I really like the way it has come together. I love all the grand open spaces in the park. They offer a great contrast to the dense urban sprawl within the city itself. In my opinion the memorial is not intrusion but an enhancement. The design design is very minimal, elegant and ingeniously designed to focus your attention on downtown NYC and reflect figuratively and literally on the past, present and future. I had the chance to get close to the monument the night after the recent storm. The sunset was spectacular that night and the dramatic and ghostly reflections in the monument were breathtaking. I think you get a taste of that in some of the pictures someone recently posted. See it for yourself up close and personal before you decide that it is a detriment to our city and our park. All art is subjective. Not everyone is going to like every building or monument. The WTC towers were never cherished as much as they are now as before they were gone. I hope they finish the monument soon so we can all enjoy it in its finished state.

Does anyone know anything about the new park that is being built at the north end of Newport, near the Hoboken light rail station? There is a sign announcing a new park. Construction started a couple of months ago. I think they are also building two residential / commercial towers as well adjacent to this "park".

Opening any business and making a profit takes guts, hard work and perseverance. Most new businesses fail. Things are even harder in a down economy. Ive lived in Jersey City for over 25 years and Ive seen many local businesses open and close. I am always thrilled when someone has the courage to open a new business. Their endeavor has many positive ramifications for our city including job creation, taxes and providing more shopping options for every taste. If you dont like cupcakes, dont buy them. If you have an issue with the way a business owner conducts their business this is a good forum to vent your grievances. To take a negative stance on the opening of a cupcake shop doesnt add anything positive to this discussion. I look forward to trying out the new cupcake shop. I hope they do very well!

The JC Bike Tour was great! Thanks for all those involved for making it happen. Are there any pictures from the tour on line?

I think Mamoun is Ibby's uncle. Ibby is opening soon in Hoboken too.

hot antipasto for 2

hot chicken wings

seafood marinara

veal parm

special: broccoli rabbe with shrimp or sausage

special: stuffed veal chop

Prestos is an institution and a great asset to downtown. My wife and I have been going there for over twenty years. The food is not trendy or fancy but it's well made with fresh ingredients. All dishes are made to order and served piping hot. Portions are very generous. The atmosphere is very casual and homey. There is no pretense at all. The owner is local and caters to a local clientele that wants well made, southern Italian / American food. If you want fancy food, trendy decor / ambience or fast food service this isn't the place. If you want food that is flavorful and priced reasonably, bring a bottle of your favorite wine and take the time to enjoy yourself. It's great to have more choices to eat out in the downtown area. Madame Claudes, Marco & Pepe, the Light Horse, Skinners, Hamilton Inn, etc. all have their niches. From what I have heard and read I am really looking forward to trying Satis and Box. I still miss Ox. Prestos will always be a favorite. We're lucky it's here.

My wife and I finally went to Port-O-Lounge Saturday night. The food was excellent. The tapas selections are large and can easily satisfy as entrees. Prices were very reasonable. It\'s very nice inside with a bar in back and a fireplace. I peeked at the back yard seating area which is really spacious and well designed. When the weather gets warm again this will be a great place to eat outdoors. I think a lot of people are confused about this place because it has been open as a lounge a few nights a week for quite some time and they weren\'t previously serving food. I would like to see the owners do more to publicize that they are open for business. We are anxious to go again. This restaurant is a great addition to the neighborhood.

Try Dave:

david.maryanski@gmail.com

He is a very talented designer.

My point is that the people post negative comments about buildings that don't reflect the facts or the current real estate situation.

The previous post speculated that the Trump building isn't selling because the building is sub par and overpriced. They also make mention that they are guessing.

They are wrong and they are speculating without any knowledge. The building is selling. Read the article earlier in the thread.

My other point is that there are many good values and many good buildings to suit everyone's taste. What is the point of trashing this building based on pure speculation?

Yes I am selling Jersey City. I have lived here for more than 25 years in various parts of the city. I think it's a great city with plenty of great places to live.

No one is forcing you to live in the Trump building and enjoy the perks. For your information, maintenance fees are actually very reasonable for all that you get. I have paid more per square foot elsewhere in JC and received much less.

Maybe you should stick to topics you know something about. In the meantime I will continue to enjoy my silly amenities

I suggest you visit the Trump building and request a tour before you comment on things you know nothing about.

Once you have seen the apartments, the views, the amenity floor, the outdoor space with pools and cabanas, full service gym, game room, virtual golf simulator, spa, indoor whirlpool and steam rooms you may have a different opinion on this "sub par" building.

Pay attention to all the professional, attentive and courteous staff that will open your door, carry in your groceries, escort your food delivery people to your apartment door and keep you safe.

There are lots of other great buildings in JC too with great amenities. Sales are tough all over. There are lots of condos for sale. Buyers really have some great opportunities out there. It will take time, in any economy to fill all these buildings to capacity. Based on the state of the market, the Trump building is doing fine.

Some people want small, cozy private condos. Some people want more bells and whistles. From brownstones to luxury condos JC has something for everyone's taste. There is no reason to trash a particular building if you don't have any real knowledge of the situation.

Buon Italia has a lease on the space. The signs are not Trump signs. They were put up by the retailer. Work on the interior space has begun. I hope it all comes together soon. Try thinking positive. You may enjoy your day a little more.

"Coming Soon" signs for Buon Italia can be seen in the large retail bay windows of Trump Plaza on Morgan St and Greene St.. Buon Italia is a gourmet Italian market which will have grocery items, prepared foods, a sidewalk cafe, etc. They have a very well known location in Chelsea Market, NYC already. Sounds like a great addition to the neighborhood. I have heard that they anticipate an early 2011 opening.

http://www.buonitalia.com/default.asp ... mID/66/MenuGroup/Home.htm

Quote:

I own a unit in the building and have lived there since the building opened. I have a beautiful apartment with great views of NYC and Statue of Liberty. I think Trump Management does a great job of managing the building. The amenities are very impressive. Can it be improved upon? Why not. I am always open to improvements. It can always be better. If you dont think its a great building now with great amenities why do you continue to live there? Get off the slow motion train wreck if its not up to your high standards.

Real estate prices fluctuate over time. We are still in a very down market after record highs a few years ago. If you bought at the height of the market it will take some time to make a profit. The problem is that people were under the false impression that you could buy and sell units and always make a profit in a very short period of time. If you bought a unit at the height of the market and intend to live in it and enjoy it for ten or more years you will do fine. If you buy now you will do even better. Your apartment is your home. It\'s not a short term investment.

Virtually every property, including the trump building in JC has been effected by the real estate situation over the last few years. Many people who committed to buy at The Trump building in JC never closed. In the interim the developer has poured a lot of money into an already beautiful building brimming with world class amenities.

Sales have again picked up and the building is getting more crowded with new owners every day. As a resident there, I would say that 62% sounds about right. Visit the sales office and take a tour. I think you will be very impressed. I have livd in JC for more than 25 years and and I don't think you will find better amenities or a more competent, professional and courteous staff anywhere else in the area.

I think that it's a liquor distributor headquarters. Not a restaurant. Too bad. Looks like a cool spot.

http://www.proximospirits.com/

http://maps.google.com/maps/place?hl= ... spirits&hnear=Jersey+City,+NJ&cid=8714481937580429088

My wife and I went to Teppan last night. We both had the shrimp hibachi. The food was very tasty, reasonably priced and the hibachi chef was entertaining. The portions were surprisingly large. The restaurant is spacious and well designed. Service was very attentive. Everyone made you feel welcome. The bar had a nice crowd. This is a very nice, lively addition to the neighborhood. Seems like a great place to go with a group.

I've been waiting for Teppen Korean BBQ to open in the 50 Christopher Columbus building for the longest time. I walked by over the weekend and the place looks like it's about ready to open. The bar is stocked. There is a sign in the window looking for servers. Seems like it should finally be open soon. I hope it's good. We can use some new good places to eat in downtown jJC!

My wife and I had a very nice meal at the Parkside cafe last week. The menu was appetizing. The food was very tasty and fresh. The staff could not have been more pleasant or accommodating. The prices were very reasonable. The space is very nice but they could probably use a little more ambience. Great view of the neighborhood from the large windows. They are a welcome addition to the downtown area. It's nice to have another good local option for dining out!

Pizza Patrol names best pizza in New Jersey
By Peter Genovese
January 29, 2010, 5:59AM
Finally. the winners.
After six months, 1,000 slices and 9,000 miles on the Munchmobile, the Pizza Patrol sat down and picked New Jersey's best pizza.
It wasn?t easy.
The Pizza Patrol sampled plenty of mediocre pizza during our three-season search, as the weekly reviews attest. We also enjoyed plenty of great pizza, which made the selection of winners difficult.

Our six overall winners span a range of looks and locales ? from a tiny pizza parlor in Raritan Borough and a strip mall pizzeria in Lyndhurst to a no-bathroom, no credit-card legend in Trenton and a spacious sports bar/pizzeria in Orange.
Reactions from our winners ran from joy and jubilation to surprise and disbelief. Allie DeLucia, owner of DeLucia?s Brick Oven Pizza in Raritan, our plain pizza champion. kept repeating the same word ? "Really???
Yes, Allie, really.

"I?m a true believer that anything can be improved,?? said Charlie Wilson, owner of La Rustique Cafe in Jersey City, our pick for best margherita pizza in New Jersey.



http://www.nj.com/entertainment/dinin ... rol_names_best_pizza.html

Churches Chicken where Grove Point is now in downtown Jersey City. After it was torn down it was a parking lot for years before they built Grove Point.

We pay $852.00 for a 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 1200 sq ft apt.

remember Snuffys and the Alps?