NEW VENUE: Barcade Opens on Newark Ave in Jersey City

Jersey City Barcade Location, Newark Ave @ Erie St

    (4 out of 5 llamas-image courtesy bluebison.net)
   
 So, the Jersey City Barcade finally opened, and I could not have been happier. Finally, here was my chance to visit the ubiquitous arcade-cum-dive-bar in my own haunt!
.....well, that image was quickly smashed, as when I got there at 9 pm I was ID'd, then
I began to notice that after 10 pm there was a line outside the door..but c'est la vie, it was opening weekend! I also gradually noticed a bit of a wait to play the arcade games, but hey, there's always the beer right?....unless you brought a credit card, in which case, you had to wait for the machine to be up and running again, since it broke down.


*sigh*

talk about opening weekend blues! But hey, I could just order a Dogfish...nope, they'd just run out.
 
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 Talk about a challenging night..and yet I still gave it 4 out of 5 llamas! Why do you ask? I'll give you a couple of reasons...namely, the beer selection is still fabulous, service was great, food wasn't half bad for bar food, and- prompt arcade game repair service!When stupid Mario Bros. ate my quarters, Kevin--a part owner of Barcade and dexterous arcade machine repairman--was on hand to break open the front and do a McGyver on the machine's innards *yay*! Also, first and foremost, Barcade is the place to go and get trashed with a couple of good friends over some fine craft beer and escape from said friends occasionally for the novel pleasure of playing arcade games you haven't seen in twenty odd years. And so, just like the original, the Jersey City Barcade succeeds in being that place that you bring your out of town friends to, showing off how cool your 'hood has become. Now here's to hoping the bring back that Dogfish...







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EATALY review

EATALY may have opened in August of last year, but it took this recently replanted NY/NJ girl nearly 8 months to get over there and mangare! Finally this Sun, April 10 I took a trip out to 5th ave and 23rd street to peruse the market and mayhem that is eataly NYC.

1. The Entrance: Do not be fooled, for though there is a banner on 23rd between 5th and 6th Ave.s for EATALY VINO, it is separate from the actual marketplace/eateries! The actual entrances are just to the east of EATALY VINO and the EATALY exit and on 5th ave across from Madison Square Park. 
2. The Market: the marketplace is a prime component of Eataly, which uses their own products in their hearty fare which they dish out at two bars and cafe/restaurants. They focus on quality and diverse ingredients, with a wing for dolci and caffe', a mid-section comprised of macelleria and various cheeses used in Italian cooking, an attached section with pasta, fagioli, and related starches, pestos, sauces (with respective banners proclaiming their region of origin), a separate entryway leading to the meat market with fresh produce and truffles, and even a section towards the exit for cooking utensils and Italian and English language books/cookbooks.
3. La Piazza: the salumeria and antipasto: we got our start here eating a delicious fresh mouth-wateringly salty but rich prosciutto and peppercorn-topped, fresh mozzarella. It is a standing-only spot to enjoy a quick bite. I had my first ever deliciously dry sparkling wine (as opposed to the sweet numbers I usually get!) It was bright and refreshing. (It was the Spumanti NV, I believe.) A perfect board to split, and it came with complimentary hearty Italian wheat bread (2 pieces per meat/cheese board.)
4. Pasta/Pizza: Next came a fine sit-down pasta and pizza sampler, starting with the pizza napolitano, a simple, fresh arrabiata tomato sauce topping a thin-crust, piping hot pizza crust topped off with fresh basil. No cheese, and with a sprinkling of subtle flavors, it was just the right start to the main course. Next came my choice, the spaghetti cacio e pepe, with a perfect hint of cheese topped off with a peppery blend of spices. It was just right with a birra moretti. The pizza and pasta restaurant had two floors, and though this April has so far been a little chilly, those looking for a rooftop experience have at their disposal this next gem...
5. Bars: Eataly doesn't just make kick-ass food, their microbrewery is featured in the brewery/restaurant which can be experienced on the rooftop. Naturally carbonated cask ales are the feature here, along with local and national favorites. Along with this featured beer location are other sit down and drink locations featured within the informal dining locations (those previously mentioned, as well as la verdure and la pesce, featuring fresh fish specials and locally grown produce, La Rosticceria, a carnivore's paradise, and the elaborately fine La Manzo, run by Chef Michael Toscano, the prime restaurant experience at Eataly.)
6. Window-shopping and La Dolci: after a satisfying meal, we perused the offerings in the bookstore (highlights include Italian language books and regional travel guides around Italy, Chef Lidia's Italia and the Silver Spoon, THE go-to Italian cookbook) and the quirky salt and pepper shakers and more refined stainless steel cooking pots and pans selling for quite a pretty penny! Finally, it was time to exit via La Dolci wing, passing Caffe Lazza in favor of some sweeter, colder fare..at the gelateria! Eataly's gelato is a strong showing of homemade gelato, and while not quite as satisfying or diverse at Chelsea Market's outpost of L'arte del Gelato, it was a delicious mix of hazelnut and chocolate that awaited us as a final snack at Eataly.

Word to the wise: bring a full wallet, a reusable shopping bag, and several hours at your disposal: Eataly is an all-afternoon affair not for the faint-of-waist! And, last but not least, buon appetito!

EATALY'S website
the slightly-better-than eataly's gelateria:l'arte del gelato

something pale, something floral, some M.I.A. and industrial..

allright...
fashion totally counts as art!

A group of 4 pieces from the title...

somethin pale...

...from my girl Anna Sui:

pair this w/a tight leather jacket, some crazy fishnets and knee high boots for an oh, shit! look


somethin floral...

...gotta give it to Express this is one of the hottest dresses i've seen so far this season:

love the belt! DO add some bangles and some fearless shoes (a la ....

there ya go! all at express.com)

some M.I.A....

alas for us non-Twiggys, the romper is going nowhere. at least do this Navajo-inspired print from Forever 21 the decency of some seriously western boots, bad-ass shades and, hell, when you're wearing this little, accessorize the hell outta it (boots onward--> are from my fallback fav, Urban Outfitters. +, all but the boots on sale. you're welcome.)

and finally, industrial. Metallic touches are always fresh. I got this top below from Urban (also on sale! w00t!) , pair with either a short black romper for the midriff-wary (courtesy forever 21) or some badass hot pants (leave it to topshop) and shiny espadrilles (juicy couture,) you're either on a hot date or gettin one...

these looks are definitely for the 18-30 crowd (both in price range and the daring involved....mainly price range, if you feel adventurous, go for it!)

Coney Island Spring Open + Noisefest 2011 / April 3 2011

After a long and lovely brunch at the very busy Brownstone pancake factory in Jersey City with friends/longtime couple Katrina and Eric, Katrina and I headed off together for a little show at the Coney Island USA HQ at Coney Island, Brooklyn.

After the long train ride out in lovely weather reading the Onion (a story about a guy emerging from a bender with his financial house in order, really? sweet) we got to the boardwalk, then wandered around...but no sign of the Jazz Funeral at Coney Island, unfortunately. Eventually we wandered into Coney Island USA, the headquarters/bar of the Non-profit promoting all things Coney:  http://www.coneyisland.com/

Although we missed the Jazz Funeral, we did get a beer and witness a UK based mime/performance artist/saw musician, the final act of Noisefest 2011. But, we did make our own good times, meeting and greeting folks, even discovering a jukebox, with everything from Chubby Checker to David Bowie, for a quarter a song! We 'did the twist' and made friends with fellow twister Amelia:

Then we met Jeanine, a Coney Island mermaid parade participant. She and her friend were explaining all the perks of marching in the parade (they spent time today walking with the Jazz Funeral for Coney Island, during which apparently a mermaid was carried around in a fake wooden coffin, eventually emerging to a stunned crowd on the boardwalk.) Then we talked to Dancing Man 504 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTb2ivQaDi0, for a video) a Second Line dancing pro/mentor, who has danced across the Brooklyn Bridge and, now, at the Coney Island jazz funeral event. He's spent time dancing with kids at a school in the suburbs outside of Paris at the Josephine Baker school, and hopes to go spend time dancing in Japan (for more info about what he does, check out his site: http://dancingman504.com/ )

After, we chatted with some folks that had been at the event, I met a New Orleans native and fan of Acid Bath familiar with Houma and Dax. Interesting to trade stories about scene music so far from home! Then Katrina and I wandered the boardwalk, walked out on the pier and felt the sand blow through our hair. We witnessed several hopeful fishermen catching a couple rounds of some fiesty looking fish. After some carefree time at the beach, it was time to head back past the Nathans (well...ok we went into Nathans. But escaped food-free...whew!) and on the train back into New York (and finally Jersey.)
Love Coney.
But...always nice to be back in Jersey City.

Photos/vid below: