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Re: The Hamilton Inn
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Home away from home
 
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I finally tried this joint. 1. My friend and I ate at the bar and the bartender and the staff member sitting next to us was very helpful. We asked for more bread and not only did they give us bread, but when we finished that, they gave us more without asking (dipping into the left over clam sauce). 2. The food was very good. Pastrami sandwich, clams, and pizza with artichoke. 3. They need 3 or 4 more beers on tap, throw a couple of germans in there. 4. The prices for some of the options are fair, some are a bit high, but nothing outrageous. 5. The interior is very nice and gives off a neighborhood feel.
Posted on: 2010/7/14 17:28
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Re: The Hamilton Inn
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Newbie
 
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$45 really isn't that bad for appetizers, burgers and drinks. I'd say that's fairly cheap...
Posted on: 2010/6/24 13:25
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Re: The Hamilton Inn
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Just can't stay away
 
Joined:
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Hamilton Inn posts Happy Hour Specials :
Happy Hour M-F 4-7 Half price Cocktails/Fusions on Wednesday 4-Close Endless Happy Hour Half Price Beer, well drinks and wine DJ Bill Thursday evenings and Sunday Brunch $3 Cocktails Sat & Sun 11-4 Facebook Link
Posted on: 2010/6/4 16:57
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Re: The Hamilton Inn
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Just can't stay away
Joined:
2009/12/30 14:44 Last Login : 2023/9/18 21:02 From Jersey City
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I agree with most of the prior posts the HI is overpriced for the quality of food. It is great to have a nice restaurant back in that location though.
Posted on: 2010/6/4 16:28
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Re: The Hamilton Inn
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Not too shy to talk
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Hamilton Inn is one of my top three favorite restaurants in JC. It is priced very reasonably and service has been always good. Appetizer & main course for two for $45 is cheap if you ask me. The drinks are awesome, and bartenders have been friendly and attentive when I sit at the bar. The kitchen seems on top of it. I never had to wait too long for food. I like that they make an effort of keeping the outside and inside always clean & beautiful. Try turkey burger, pan-fried salmon, fish taco and lobster pizza. They are all excellent. Overall, it is up there with Marco & Peppe and Lighthorse Tavern for me but cheaper and definitely friendlier.
Posted on: 2010/6/4 16:09
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Re: The Hamilton Inn
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Just can't stay away
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Haven't had a chance to dine yet, but I did stop in for a couple of drafts. Love the interior and the energy.
But $16.00 for two medium-to-decent brand drafts? This isn't Tribeca.
Posted on: 2010/6/4 15:59
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Re: The Hamilton Inn
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Home away from home
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i was there wednesday night and the service was good and the burger was great. we also had the pirogies and they were pretty tasty. nothing to complain about, and the inside of the restaurant looked great.
Posted on: 2010/6/4 6:32
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Re: The Hamilton Inn
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Newbie
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I read jclist all the time but felt I needed to login to add my 2 cents on this place....
It's clear that this place lacks consistent service. I've been there a number of times to sit at the bar and everything's been fantastic. But I went to eat the first time this past Memorial Day and I've never had service so bad. I was in a group of 4, and aside from greet us and clear the table, the server did absolutely nothing. We sat for about 25 minutes and aside from walking past us and giving us a few looks, we got nothing. And I mean no tableware, no menus, nothing. We felt ignored, so eventually we just had to leave and eat somewhere else. Now I've worked in the service industry a number of years and if I ever did that, it's safe to say that I wouldn't have ever have kept my job. I would think that rule 1 for food service is to provide a menu. It's safe to say I won't be back for awhile. There are too many alternatives with outdoor seating where you don't get treated this poorly.
Posted on: 2010/6/4 5:15
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Re: The Hamilton Inn
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Quite a regular
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We went to dinner there tonight...the service was great...they gave me a taste of two different wines so I could decide which one I wanted. However, we were not really impressed with the food...pretty mediocre. Liked the look of the place, though. Quote:
Posted on: 2010/5/29 1:59
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Re: The Hamilton Inn
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Home away from home
Joined:
2008/2/19 19:39 Last Login : 2018/2/27 11:11 From Hamilton Park
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Been a few times. I really love the way the place looks I think they did a great job on the re-face.
I have had both good food and service and bad food and very very bad service. If they keep the prices they have they need to make the food amazeing. I dont think I would frequent it as much for dinner but I am willing to splurge for drinks and apps on weekends. Especially during the summer. I love both Marco and Pepe and the light horse. When I go I expect that I am going to have a good size bill comeing at me, but I also expect that my food will be excellent. This place needs to decide what it wants to be. Hope they get it together soon. It is a great addition to the neighborhood and I would hate to see it go away! If Marco and Pepe can make it on Grove Street this place can make it in Hamilton Park.
Posted on: 2010/5/28 13:51
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Re: The Hamilton Inn
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Home away from home
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Quote:
But they DO have happy hours (apparently word does not get 'round that quick in downtown). The happy hour on Thursday lasts all night(!). They also have happy hour M-F with half price on all beer and wine, unlike most other places in JC that only have happy hour for a few selected wines and draft beer or no happy hour at all. I agree that some of the food is over-priced (the lobster roll I had was a pathetic size. Come on, guys!) and some of it may need some tuning. The Chicken Bucheron I had was very good. Overall it is a great addition to the area.
Posted on: 2010/5/27 23:45
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Re: The Hamilton Inn
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Not too shy to talk
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i think hamilton inn has some cheap beer on thursdays well into the evening. they did last thursday at least. yea, the staff is comatose and the food is definitely expensive but it's better than the ale house (or simple) which were always empty. i don't think the hamilton inn has completely figured out what they want to be yet. is it a bar? is it marco/pepe north? who knows. but whatever. go have a drink and maybe a lobster pizza.
Posted on: 2010/5/27 21:21
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Re: The Hamilton Inn
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Home away from home
Joined:
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Quote:
And yet the Lighthorse continues to thrive while the place on the opposite corner has turned over at least twice in the time LH has been open. I've been to Hamilton Inn four or five times now. It's my new favorite place. Food is good. Atmosphere is good. Staff is friendly if not blazingly fast. Nice selection of beers. I'm down.
Posted on: 2010/5/27 21:09
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Re: The Hamilton Inn
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Home away from home
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We tried to go a few weeks ago and the place was packed (or should I say, no tables were available). After reading more and more what others in the area have to say, I'm less enthusiastic about trying to go again. $45 for burgers and an appetizer is nuts. With other more competitive restaurants/bars within walking distance, it sounds like they'll need to make some adjustments, quickly.
Posted on: 2010/5/27 20:55
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Re: The Hamilton Inn
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Home away from home
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This is great. Not only first hand hearsay, but the majority of posts on jclist have two major complaints. 1. Bartenders/Wait Staff is not attentive 2. The food is overpriced.
To me, that spells DOOM. Why are people continuing to go to this place. To the owner: This is not NYC, Brooklyn or even Hoboken. Serve quality dishes at reasonable prices and you'll make a ton of cash. Just snip 2 or 3 bucks off a dish. Also, you MUST have happy hours, specials on wine and beer. This is sound advice, heed or be gone soon. Don't waste the really great interior and atmosphere. Word gets 'round quick in downtown.
Posted on: 2010/5/27 20:06
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Re: The Hamilton Inn
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Just can't stay away
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I ate there last night. The inside looks great. Food was good but a bit overpriced. I ate at the bar and the service was ok. It seemed like the bartender forgot about me several times in the 45 minutes I was there. Probably won't go back...
Posted on: 2010/5/27 18:50
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Home away from home
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I ate there Saturday afternoon with my wife. The service was fine and the food was good but it is definitely a bit over-priced. Our lunch without liquor cost $45.00 with the tip. The new owners seem to have gone in the vein of the Lighthorse Tavern and I think that might be their mistake. They would do much better if they would bring down the prices. You want customers to frequent the place 1 or 2 times a week. With those prices I might be there once every month or two. It's just not worth it for 2 burgers and one app.
Posted on: 2010/4/25 6:58
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Re: The Hamilton Inn
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Home away from home
Joined:
2007/10/9 19:48 Last Login : 2013/2/18 15:54 From Van Vorst Park
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It usually takes a good restaurant about 6 months to hit their stride and get into a groove.
Give them a chance and don't be so quick to bash them. I'd rather have an average restaurant than no restaurant.
Posted on: 2010/4/24 14:53
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Re: The Hamilton Inn
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Not too shy to talk
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My wife and I ate at the Hamilton Inn last night with a couple of friends who also live in the neighborhood and encountered a lot of the same problems people have been complaining about.
The good news is the place looks great and seems like it would be a fun place to hang out and drink some beers. The bad news is the service and food were sub par at best. First it took a while to get seated even though we had reservations. Then it took a while to order. When we finally got our food, one of the orders was incorrect and my wife, who had ordered a burger well done, received a burger that was boderline rare. I'm generally not one to complain about restaurants because I'm not a very picky person, but it would be nice if they could step their service up a bit. I'm sure we will go back because we like to support local establishments, but we might give them a while to settle in to get things in order.
Posted on: 2010/4/24 12:20
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Re: The Hamilton Inn
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Home away from home
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What I'm hearing is that some of the issues that people have with the prices here is that they feel the type of food doesn't match the prices...is that right? Like, $14 for spaghetti and meatballs?
I think what they are going for hear is very much a vintage-y 60's menu/theme. Hence the emphasis on fancy cocktails, and things like clams casino on the menu (and the font of their logo). Will I expect to see lardo on the menu there? No. I don't think they're trying to be a local tavern, either. There is a concept here, I think they are just maybe struggling to let it come through without seeming like Johnny Rockets or something. Despite what lots of posters have said. I don't think this place is overpriced, and I think the food is really good.
Posted on: 2010/4/24 11:56
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Re: The Hamilton Inn
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Quite a regular
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Quote:
I've said it before and Bicicletta, I agree with you and will say it again...this could be a great place to hang out but they really do need to lower their prices.
Posted on: 2010/4/24 3:21
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Re: The Hamilton Inn
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Newbie
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We gave the place a shot last week. It was very full on a weeknight, and we sat at the bar. I was glad that the televisions were small and high up so that one could enjoy the restaurant without being bombarded with televisions.
Brief review: Interior is great Staff good Food mediocre Prices high for a tavern, overpriced for food quality The cocktail prices are on par with hip places in the city, not quite hotel Gansevoort prices but close at 13 or 14 dollar martinis. The question is-- why would they choose to set prices by those standards? I think that they don't know what they want to be. If they want to be upscale then the menu and food must follow. Otherwise lower the prices, continue serving mediocre expected food and everyone wins. Someday someone will open a top notch restaurant in JC.
Posted on: 2010/4/24 2:59
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Re: Hamilton Inn
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Home away from home
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We went here a second time last week, and enjoyed it very much. They are still working out some of their service issues, but that's to be expected in the first few weeks. My fiancee had a cheeseburger, which he said was great, and I had the pecan and goat cheese salad, which was excellent. I thought the portion sizes were normal, and we both were full. The prices seemed fair for the type of place they want to be. It's not a place we can afford to eat at every week, but that's ok.
Both times we have gone at around 8:30, and there weren't any kids that I noticed.
Posted on: 2010/4/22 16:23
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Re: Hamilton Inn
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Home away from home
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Finally got to eat/drink there last Saturday. Great looking martini + speciality drink list but they were out of some key ingredients so you couldn't order some of the stuff. Good beer selection (ie, Chimay on tap - nice!; Duvel in bottles).
Food is mediocre.
Posted on: 2010/4/22 16:00
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Re: The Hamilton Inn
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Home away from home
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Screaming kids in a restaurant is less about the restaurant and more about the negligent and inconsiderate parents.
Posted on: 2010/4/18 17:54
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Re: The Hamilton Inn
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Newbie
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I'll second this. Great food, but I could do without the screaming kids. I don't mind children, but the past two times we've tried to go in there it's like romper room in there, 5+ toddlers tossing half-eaten food and screaming.
I suppose it probably becomes a lot more civil in there after 10 o'clock.
Posted on: 2010/4/18 14:29
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Re: The Hamilton Inn
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Home away from home
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Drink selection at this place looks awesome.
I've been repeatedly irritated by seating and noise issues so we have yet to consume a meal there. Tonite when we attempted to, we were smushed at at table by the door (which was cold). Sitting directly across from each other, literally 12" apart, still could not have a conversation. Buh-bye. oh, and remember, old farts are the ones with all the money. So their/our opinion ranks, too.
Posted on: 2010/4/17 3:08
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Quite a regular
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This place has great potential-good service, warm atmosphere and quality food. The only problems are the small portion sizes and high prices. I went back for a second time and ordered the fish and chips. They were very tasty but they only served three smallish pieces of fish. They need to reconsider the portion sizes--it is more important to satisfy your customers than save negligible amounts of money with each non generous serving. If they are going to charge that much for dishes there should be no question about the quantity of food.
Posted on: 2010/4/17 2:43
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Re: The Hamilton Inn
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Home away from home
Joined:
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Any updates on the beer selection?
Happy to hear that it's been lively. That neighborhood needs another nightlife option. It's really only White Star.
Posted on: 2010/4/16 20:04
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Re: The Hamilton Inn
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Home away from home
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We had drinks there last night and couldn't believe how crowded it was! It's great to have a lively neighborhood bar that's a little more upscale.
The service at the bar was friendly and attentive. The beers were fresh tasting. The interior has great character with the vintage pendent lighting, brick, and rustic wood paneling. I didn't even notice the TVs until an hour or so after being there. They've mounted five or so reasonably small screens at a height that's out of your field of vision unless you're looking for them. We haven't had the food yet but another patron said the burger was good. We saw they have a poached lobster pizza?!
Posted on: 2010/4/16 19:27
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