Happy Sunday, everyone! This week, we’re bringing you some food-related updates {including the start of one delicious event in Jersey City}, plus noteworthy news in and around town. Here are the top Hoboken and Jersey City news stories of the week.
New Jersey E-ZPass Users Overcharged in New York
AAA reported that drivers who possess an E-ZPass tag issued by out-of-state agencies are being overcharged at the MTA-run New York bridges and tunnels {this includes the Verrazano, Triboro, Throgs Neck and Whitestone Bridges, and the Brooklyn Battery and Queens Midtown tunnels.} They’re being charged the cash rate, instead of the E-ZPass discount. MTA officials stated that a New York-issued E-ZPass is available to drivers regardless of the state in which they live, so that they can receive the discount. This means drivers must choose between a New York and New Jersey issued E-ZPass, based on which gives them the best discount. Port Authority {which is in charge of crossings like the George Washington Bridge and Holland and Lincoln tunnels} was praised by AAA for continuing to charge all E-ZPass users a discounted rate.
Lutze Biergarten Hosting Weekly Lutze Eats
Lutze Biergarten is about to get even better. Every Saturday and Sunday, from July 22 to October 29, they’re hosting Lutze Eats on the Harborside Waterfront Boardwalk. Restaurants will set up pop-up tents right along the boardwalk and you’ll get to buy directly from the vendors, so no tickets are needed. The vendors include MozzArepas, Sisig City, Glazed and Confused, Maroon Sausage, Ben and Jerry’s, Kimchi Grill, Enfes Mediterranean Grill, and Raw Mkt.
No. 18 Wellness Opening on Washington
No. 18 Boutique, which recently relocated to Maxwell Place, didn’t get rid of their old spot on Washington. They’re simply converting it into No. 18 Wellness, an athleisure shop where you’ll be able to get everything you need for your athletics and your leisure. Now, you can sweat in style because who doesn’t love a little extra motivation to hit the gym?
Condo Sales Rebound in Jersey City
After nine years, the market for condo sales has returned in JC {it became dormant after the 2008 financial crisis}. Among plenty of other construction, two new, tall, condo buildings {10 Provost Street at Provost Square and Park and Shore near the waterfront in the Newport Center neighborhood} are now available for those interested in owning their next apartment. “Jersey City has arrived as the seventh borough, behind the other five and Hoboken,” said Jeffrey Otteau, an appraiser and president of Otteau Group Inc. “It is now an appendage of Manhattan, and is experiencing a Brooklyn-like trend on the west side of the river.”
D’s Soul Full Cafe Brings Bagels Back to the Menu
D’s Soul Full Cafe hasn’t served bagels since 2014 {for reasons that include finances, health, and beyond}. For three years, customers were fine with it. Then, all of a sudden, and for unknown reasons, the demand increased drastically. So, D’s decided to give the people what they want. As of yesterday, they expanded their menu to include bagels {only plain… for now} with regular, scallion, sundried tomato, and veggie cream cheeses. They’ll soon be offering avocado and hummus-based spreads as well.
Hoboken Farms Participates in Donation to NJ Community Food Bank
Hoboken Farms teamed up with Banza to donate more than 13,000 pounds of food to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. Hoboken Farms donated their sauce, while Banza donated their chickpea pasta, totaling 50,000 servings for people throughout New Jersey. One of the best things about these donations is that they’re healthy. Hoboken Farms sauces are certified non-GMO, gluten-free, low in sodium, have zero added sugar, and three times the amount of olive oil as comparable products. Banza’s chickpea pasta is non-GMO and gluten-free, with double the protein, four times the fiber, and 40 percent fewer carbs than regular pasta. PS: Check out our obsession with Hoboken Farms here.
Mayor Zimmer and Suez Water Reach Agreement
Mayor Dawn Zimmer announced that her Administration and Suez Water reached an agreement about the water service contract that would provide more than $31 million in infrastructure investments and a total of over $40 million in benefits to the City of Hoboken through 2034. “Our aging water system is in need of expensive capital upgrades, yet the $350,000 provided annually by our existing water agreement from 1994 is not even enough for emergency repairs,” the mayor said. The new agreement requires City Council approval, and will be presented to them in August.
Court Street Receives Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence
Wine lovers take note: Court Street has been awarded Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence for 2017. Though they have received Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence every year since 2002, this is only the second time they’ve earned “Best of” status. This is pretty exciting news, since they’re the only restaurant in Hudson County to receive the honor. Something special to keep in mind is their Saturday afternoon wine tastings that they hold September through May.
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And that’s the latest Word on Wash! Have any news tips? Email hello@hobokengirl.com to let us know — we appreciate it.
