not just nourishment: SAINT ANN's Italian Festival

RER 7.25.14

It was that kind of summer night. The air was thick and dense, too much humidity and too many bodies. It felt darker than it really was, late July clouds hung heavy in the sky, oppressive with tangible heat.

But people were out in droves, flocking to the bright lights, delicious smells, and pulsing sounds of live music and carnival games. Lit arches of red, green and white welcomed them to Saint Ann’s Annual Italian Festival, celebrating the patron saint of  Saint Ann Church, one of Hoboken’s many churches. This year the feast ran from July 23 until July 27.

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RER 7.25.14

Yells of vendors hawking their wares—deep friend Oreos, oozing with warmth and grease; Italian sausage and peppers overfilling long rolls; crunchy, sticky, sweet fresh-popped kettle corn— echoed through the night sky. Teens shouted at the top of their voices, enticing kids and adults alike to play games to try to win itchy stuffed animals in an array of neon colors. The music pulsed as the performers belted out covers of familiar songs to create even more of a stir.

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RER 7.25.14

But the food— sizzles of fresh sausage, other tasty meats and corn cakes alive with stretchy mozzarella hitting the massive steaming flattops, reverberated with the background sounds emanating from the throng and the temporary stage opposite the large Catholic church. Powdered sugar dusted the faces of the hungry and satisfied, lingering reminders of the ever-popular zeppole, hot fried dough served in a brown bag the grows translucent from grease and time. Paper plates wobbled in hand as people navigated the multitude, searching for friends or food. Hot dogs dished out from a food truck were gleaming under the yellow glow of street lights and beaming smiles, and funnel cake fingers searched for dirty money in hidden wallets while waiting in line for even more deliciousness.

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RER 7.25.14

Saint Ann watched and participated in the feast through laughs and heartbeats.

Saint Ann, the mother of the Virgin Mary, is the patron of unmarried women, childless couples, mothers, housewives, pregnancy, women in labor, and grandmothers. In Hoboken she is honored with a ‘novena,’ a nine-day period of intense prayer and reverence for the important saint. The novena culminates with the procession of the adorned statue of Saint Ann. This 600-pound statue is carried through the streets, decorated with jewelry and pendants representing prayers, wishes and the deepest of hopes.

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RER 7.25.14

Saint Ann’s Festival is a staple in Hoboken, bringing memories and moments that people across generations look forward to and hold on to. It is nights of fun and remembrance, fried food and prayers, reconnecting and good times.

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7.25.14

RER 7.25.14

HudsonRW: the Stewed Cow

RER 1.27.14

Thank goodness for Hudson Restaurant Week’s Super Week. To celebrate the Super Bowl coming to Jersey, some restaurants participating in HudsonRW have extended their deals through game day (eee!).

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Off to the Stewed Cow, a relative newcomer to the Hoboken scene, for Super Week. HudsonRW at the Stewed Cow included two options: three course prix fixe for $25, or $35 for a libation pairing. The color scheme of the place is dark, but the details are inviting, reminiscent of a contemporary old west. The Stewed Cow is a land of strong bourbons and hardy dishes— a watering hole for the urban cowboy. And somewhere in the back is a mechanical bull that gets plenty of action every night.

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Appetizers

Buffalo Calamari

This was super fresh, super yummy, and also super spicy (to me)— fried calamari with a spicy twist. The blue cheese crumbles were at first jarring (Scott Conant says that cheese and fish is a big no-no), but buffalo is automatically paired with blue cheese.

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Cheesy Tater Tots

A mini cast iron pan overflowing with greasy, golden potato pillows, topped with an inexcusable amount of cheese. It was hot and salty, starchy and what cafeteria dreams are made of.

Bourbon Chili and Chips

Like the other oversized appetizers, this was what you would expect, but it had the most complex flavors. The wet chili had a little pile of shredded cheese on top, but nestled in the warm sauce was thick chunks of braised beef, making it hearty and rustic.

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Entrees

Fish Tacos

The two tacos were topped with a bunch of shredded cabbage, adding a freshness and crunch that was missing in the marinated mahi mahi. A red onion here and chunk of tomato there comprised the salsa, but the tangy crema fresco muddled all the flavors.

All American Burger

It was big, juicy, and basically just right. Just a regular burger done decently.

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Cajun Fettuccine with Grilled Chicken

The rough and ready Cajun spices blended right in. The thin creamy sauce coated the fettuccine, adding not quite enough heat. Peas were frequent, while big chicken pieces seemed far and few between.

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Desserts

Warm Cookie Dough

This was the most undercooked cookie like ever, but it was hot and delicious, with the  harmony of white and brown sugars and chocolate chips. On top were two large baubles of melting cookie dough ice cream, indulging in a double dose.

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Borubon Pecan Pie

As all pecan pies should be, this one was sweet, meaty, dense and delicious.

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Fried Oreos

Memories of the shore came to mind, but this heavy, dough reincarnation of the favorite burst bubbles. The gooey chocolate cookies were lost in a puffy orb of oil-saturated dough, which made them hard to enjoy.

In the moment, the food was delicious, satisfying and addictive. I could not put my fork down gorging on little potato nuggets and spicy tentacles, or rest my taco on the plate or even give my spoon a breather when there was cookie dough childhood reveries to be had. There was nothing truly out of the ordinary at the Stewed Cow, other than the extremely friendly and eager staff, but at the same time, that’s not what it’s about. It’s about bourbon, and comfort, and having a good time, which I totally did! Next time the bull!!(?)

Keep up with all the #HudsonRW adventures and everything in between on facebook, instagram, twitter, yelp and pintrest! So sad that I am running out of time, but so happy there is Super Week!

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1.27.14

RER 1.27.14