Chris --Great job!!!! Great place -- you are very nice and I look forward to stopping in often --and will be happy to spread the word!!!!!

As for tghost and kem, Thanks as well for your kind comments. We r glad u enjoyed yourself and look forward to having you back. However, we were not able to get the tables today so it looks like it will be a few more days. Since I am covering all the shifts myself, it is tough to get out and buy them. But I will get it done soon.

Regards,
Chris

Now, now, u r 2 kind. Thanks for stopping by guys and we really enjoyed your company as well. In fact, we are planing on building out the back room as a cozy lounge sort of feel just for you guys. But gimmie a week or so to finish it. We hope to see again real soon.

Don't forget the old joke- If u r an American in the kitchen, what r u in the bathroom-he,he,he... . Just kidding Europa we loved you as well.

Good Night I am closing now so I can start working on that room.

Best Regards,
Chris

Move over, Basic, there's a new coffee shop in town! Legal Grounds has definitely topped my list, after having sampled their espresso and latte this evening.

These folks truly know how to brew a perfect cup, and they use the best beans and equipment money can buy. I've learned that they also roast their own beans and were trained by the best barista in the country. Their espresso was reminiscent of the best cafe (aka espresso) my husband and I had during our recent trip to Italy.

The place is very warm and cozy, with more chairs, tables and free WiFi evidently on their way. The owners and staff are equally warm and friendly, making our first visit very enjoyable.

Basic will always hold a special place in my heart, but this new spot is Legally my new number one. This is exactly the type of coffee shop we've been wishing for in our area.

Welcome to the 'hood and I wish Xtian and his lovely wife the best of luck.

I too enjoyed a late afternoon latte at Legal Grounds for the first time and also had the pleaure of meeting Chris. I walked across town from Hamilton Park to check it out.

He wasn't fibbing...it is a warm, inviting place with great coffee! Give it it a try! You'll probably be back.

This is THE coffee house of Jersey City. I stopped in this morning for a latte and was met by Chris, who couldn't have been friendlier. You can tell he has truly found his calling---the coffee is superb. The ambience is perfect, very cozy. I can't wait for the shop's tables to arrive so I can spend even more of my time there!

I wanted to thank those who have taken a positive interest in our coffee house and I would also like to extend an apology to anyone who may have come while the store was closed.

Indeed I am taking a slow approach to opening during the next two weeks because I am working every shift until I measure the demand of the business both from a customer and staffing perspective. Hence I will not be open late during weekdays except for maybe friday and saturday.

Although we are open, I am still figuring out the hours. I definetly will be open seven days per week. Mon-Fri open 6:30am to >6pm. --- Sat-Sun open 7:30am --- Fri-Sat close >9pm.

Unfortunately our space is not very big but I that we do a warm and inviting ambiance for all to enjoy. Also, I think we have a unique combination of product offerings. So we will have a little something for everyone.

Thanks again and we welcome any constructive advice from any of you because we really are looking to make a positive contribution to our Pauls Hook neighborhood.

Regards,
Chris

Yes, indeed! This is my first day on this site, and I am glad to have discovered it after living in the downtown area for 9 years now!

I think it should be a general place to list events too - arts, reading, club nights, bar happy hours & parties...Perhaps it can be called "What's Happening? Arts, Entertainment and Events in JC". I'd love to see a place where all events were listed and could be discussed, where I could jumpt to see just what was shakin' everyo single night and who was going. I think it would help us all to meet each other better too.

They were open today. Not sure what time they close, though. I stopped in today and talked with the owner, Chris. It's a great place and they have a great variety of coffee drinks, as well as tea and hot chocolate. Stop in.

What is the nearest cross street so I can find Legal Grounds?
I'm waiting to road test their brew!

Let me rephase. Will you offer anything for the lactose intolerant?

I'm not doing espresso, just coffee and cafe au lait. I have a steamer for the cafe au lait and homemade hot chocolate, but soy milk isn't in the plans for now. Half and half for the hot chocolate and whole milk for the cafe au lait. [the menu is up at meltjc.com] Besides, it's not my life ambition to follow in Starbuck's footsteps :).

But you might wanna check with Christopher at Legal Ground. He's doing the full line of espresso drinks (and better than Starbucks.)

Jook, did you know that Starbuck's has a special version of Silk soymilk? "When steamed, it makes lattes and chai beverages even creamier and more tantalizing. "

I hope you at Melt and also Legal Grounds will offer soymilk or Lactaid milk.

http://www.starbucks.com/retail/silk.asp

http://www.lactaid.com/

While the topics of kid-friendly restaurants and cell phone use in restaurants are valid, please start a new thread on these subjects if you'd like to discuss them further. Unfortunately, the software does not allow for me to move these posts and I don't want to delete them. Please stick to the topic of welcoming a great new coffee shop to JC. Thanks for your cooperation.

My toddler doesn't get into the kinds of problems that Anonymous mentioned because, first, she's pretty well-behaved and tightly controlled, and, second, I've resigned myself to going for about 3 years without going to cool restaurants, except on the rare occasions when I can get a babysitter.

But why does every establishment in a neighborhood with hundreds of toddlers have to cater to adults who are dining without small children?

Why can't there be one or two restaurants, or corners of restaurants, set up for parents who would like to let active toddlers play in a play area for a few minutes? Or, even better, why can't there be a toddler playground (a la Romparo or Echo of Art Too in Hoboken) that also serves cappucino?

I think that the humorless truth is that the coolest places in Jersey City tend to be both toddler and pet resistant.

Toddlers really are a lot like other small mammals. Chances are that all of the toddler-proofing ideas would also work for pets. Just put pet toys in the enclosure and schedule different play times for pets and toddlers.

Another idea: why doesn't someone just break down and open a Showbiz Pizza Palace type place that serves decent food?

Quote:

AGREE!!!! No cell phones --

I heard some places in NYC banned them and even built the old fashion style phone booths (without the pay phone) for cell phone users to have their conversations

Since this is almost a wish list for what people would like a coffee house to be I figured I would add mine - I would love to see some restuarants and coffee places that do not permit cell phone usage inside.

I'm so sick of hearing people's personal conversations on their cell phones!!!

Quote:

Not forgetting -- could careless if kids, dogs, cats, bird or anyother kind of animal are there.

I was curious about a wireless connection --So I can sit and drink a coffee of my choice and have a snack and work on my laptop and enjoy the aroma of the coffee they are brewing.

Hey Hey Hey;
This topic is about Legal Grounds, NOT play grounds, this particular place is way to small to accomidate kids, pets, and even most adults.

Did anyone hear that they have a kewl coffee roaster and a expresso machine that is smokin?

Have any local papers looked into how Jersey City funds it's Pension program? I know that San Diego recently had some huge problems with a poorly run Pension Plan. It would be nice to read a Jersey Journal article about any issues.

Quote:

I agree...they are so used to the culture of corruption that they don't see anything wrong with discussing it openly. It's the way business seems to be done in Jersey City/Hudson County. It leads me to ask, what's wrong with the electorate that keeps the same people in office year after year?

Regarding the City Council...they have an air of total disdain for any of the public that comes up to speak. It's our 5 minutes and you'd think that they would at least pay attention to us and quit running around the room currying points with the people that they think will contribute to their next campaign.

I loved what Maldonado said a few weeks ago in reply to S. Fulop's query about taking developer's money...his reply was something like "you can ask any question that you want but we don't have to answer it". That's kind of telling about his attitude towards the public, isn't it.

I hope the FBI starts investigating corruption in Jersey City.

Quote:

And directly related to this post, we have a prime example of how (not) to conduct NJ politics:

BAD APPLES!!!
Feb 22, 2005 2:25 pm US/Eastern
(1010 WINS) (NEWARK) Three mayors and eight other local and county officials in Monmouth County were arrested Tuesday, charged in a corruption sting by federal authorities.

Ten officials were accused of extorting cash bribes and free work from a contractor who was working undercover for the FBI, and the other official was charged with money laundering, federal prosecutors said.

Among those arrested were the mayors of Hazlet, Keyport and West Long Branch.

Secret recordings made by the FBI depicted the defendants as eager to compromise their offices for cash. One told a colleague, "Nobody watches, nobody hears, nobody sees." Another told an undercover agent posing as a corrupt middleman not to worry about getting caught because he "could smell a cop a mile away."

http://1010wins.com/topstories/local_story_053123543.html

Nothing wrong with a place for pets. Isn't there a place in Hamilton Park area that keeps dog bowls outside the door?

Does anyone know if this place has wireless connections? S

Both places are right around the corner from me --but the Daily Grind is right across the street from ex-boyfriend --have a feeling that I would more comfortable in the new place

Actually, I'm thinking more in terms of exotic pets (pythons, tarrantulas,gators, moonbats, etc). These pets don't get out much & Im sure their owners would love to go to a coffee place where they would be welcome to congregate & heavily insured should something go horribly awry

JC has tax problems because it's taxes are too low. Real estate should be reappraised more often at current values.

Police officers should also step up on enforcing illegally park vehicles throughout the city. Illegal parkers should be heavily fined and towed away.

Permits for parking should be much more expensive, and all parking lots in the city should charge $$ for parking, or heavily enforce short-term parking requirements.

The city could also get more tax dollars by allowing bars and clubs to stay open later. Relaxing the hours of operation would bring in more money, and more tax dollars.

That kind of "to the victor belongs the spoils" attitude is not exclusively a Jersey City problem.
Go to the republican controlled suburban counties and you'll find a lot of people in county government also are GOP hotshots. It stems from the pay to play system in New Jersey which allows the pols in power to hand out jobs and contracts like they were candy and today is Halloween. What the public has to do is start voting the scoundrels out in bringing in independents who are beholden to no one...except the public!

Yes, I agree. But when I read that article, what really struck me was this: This type of behavior is so common, so accepted, so prevalent...that they dont even consider it inappropriate or unethical. Therefore, why wouldn't they talk about it openly in the local paper? It would never occur to them that there is anything wrong here. These bozo's just dont get it. And here we have, ladies and gentleman, the very definitive example of our great "Culture of Corruption". Welcome to Jersey.

Now, consider these things when we all show up Wednesday night. Do you really think that our little righteous voices will be heard? Or if heard, that they will made a difference? Jersey City has and always will be...up for sale. Billions talk. Remember George Philopolis? Look at Lloyd Goldman...he even tried to burn people alive, and they didnt even slow him down. (hmmm...wonder what ever happened to those 2 employees of his that were arrested...) scary isnt it?

Listen, Ive been there when groups have tried to sway the city council. They come with their signs and crowds. The 111 artist packed the place. And, sadly, where are they now? If you want to be heard the numbers have to be great and the noise has to be loud. Forget your 'appropriateness' at the door. Yell. Chant. Clap. Get Mad. Really really mad. They are stealing our city again. Our pot holes are canyons, our streets are becoming war zones again, the trash is building up and the stink is rising. Parts of our city are becoming drug supermarkets. The homeless are everywhere. And the city should be addressing these issues with they money from taxes of those that are developing the waterfront. My little taxes are not a drop in the bucket...but they sure love to stick it to me. Doesnt it get you mad that your paying and they arent?

Im telling you...get mad, get loud or get ready to pay.

Now that's the idea! Adult-friendly coffee house.