re. CAP: YELP Wine & Tapas at Spuntino

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Last Tuesday night, Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas in Clifton was brimming with Yelp Elites and their plus ones. 

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The yelpers were treated to yummy light bites like a fresh beet watercress salad, ahi tuna with watermelon, and yellow tomatoes topped with house-made mozzarella.

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We sampled sinful pork belly, garlicky spaghetti pomodoro, and hot pizza with an assortment of toppings. Each offering representing the eatery was delicious and paired delightfully with an adult libation (read: wine and beer). 

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A little bourbon tasting including three different varieties was also available for the yelpers. The night culminated in four flavors of gelato and strong espresso. It was good food and a yelping time.

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7.20.15

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SUMMERTIME date hot spots : EZ Dating Coach x foodie ventures

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Summer is most definitely in full swing and the heat is on. Summer days mean enjoying and taking advantage of the weather, but love is also in the air. Even though there is no shortage of things to do during the warmer months, especially in Hoboken, coming up with the perfect summertime date can be a little daunting.

Don’t worry; I teamed up with Mike Goldstein, founder of EZ Dating Coach, again to create a round-up of the best local hot spots for summer romance. EZ Dating Coach is a service offering advice and support in dating and communication.  

Check out some of Hoboken’s bests for outdoor dining and drinks, picnics, and more.

Best Restaurants for Dining Al Fresco

Sushi Lounge

Mike: I really like Sushi Lounge for outdoor dining.  It’s one of the best sushi places in Hoboken, but more importantly, it’s off Washington Street. If you bring your special someone on a dinner date on Washington, there’s a good chance someone will interrupt to say "Hi." However, at Sushi Lounge there is a lot less foot traffic and it will allow intimate conversation, sustained eye contact, and hopefully some romance.

foodie ventures: As the main drag, Washington Street doesn’t really scream romance. It definitely can get rowdy, especially during the summer. In order to avoid the mayhem, check out Otto Strada on Park Avenue. There is a lovely little set-up for outdoor dining on a much quieter street in a residential area of town. The Italian restaurant offers good food and is B.Y.O.B, a bonus.

Anthony David's

Mike: Similar to Sushi Lounge, Anthony David’s is off Washington Street so you get privacy. But I also love this place because it has a lot of fun shareable small plates and very tasty secondi options.  Not to mention any of the pasta dishes are delicious. 

Anthony David's

Best Outdoor Drinking

Mike: Nothing beats having a beer with 75-degree weather at the rooftop of City Bistro.  It offers great views, a relaxed atmosphere, and is never too crowded, as the employees have mastered crowd control at this point. 

Pier 13

foodie ventures: Pier 13 combines classic summertime pastimes: eating, drinking and soaking up sun. With rotating food trucks steps away from the beach-like bar complete with yummy drinks, fake grass, and lazy chairs, you and your date will definitely have fun in the sun.

Mike: We have to represent the downtown Hobokenites too! The rooftop bar at The Dubliner feels like a tiki bar and offers refreshing cocktails. This is a great spot for a mid-week date because there will be less people on the roof and that means less wait time for drinks. 

Best Happy Hours 

The Cuban

 foodie ventures: The Cuban has an awesome happy hour. Unfortunately, it’s only at the bar, but many of their tropical and strong $5 specialty drinks and discounted bites will make you feel like you are vacationing somewhere warm.   

Stingray Lounge

foodie ventures: Another excellent happy hour is at Stingray Lounge. The place is refined and super swanky. The cushy seats and spot-on details make the raw bar feel fresh and intimate. Plus, what can be more romantic than half-priced bubbly and sexy oysters?

Best Picnic Spots and Snacks

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Mike: Pier A is the best picnic spot in Hoboken, hands downs.  It is big, airy, and beautiful. There is always plenty of space.  Remember to pack your blanket or a beach towel.  In terms of a date, there’s nothing like showing a girl you care about her by packing a picnic lunch and taking her to Pier A.  She will appreciate your effort, and the beautiful Manhattan skyline won’t hurt the romance factor either. 

Fiore's

foodie ventures: It’s a walk, but picking up a delish roast beef and mutz special and some Italian deli action from Fiore’s would definitely win hearts (through the stomach of course!). You could also head to Sobsey’s together to pick up some picnic essentials: cheese, olives and freshly baked bread for savories, and fruit for a refreshing summer sweet.

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Mike: This time I need the uptown folks to feel the love.  Pier 11, the grassy area around 11th street is smaller than Pier A but offers the same great view, ambience, and beautiful day experience. 

16 Handles

foodie ventures: Little Grocery Uptown would be a great place to grab snacks to go and drink in the skyline at Pier 11. Top it off a lovely with some tasty customizable froyo sundaes from 16 Handles. It’s a great way to cool down, get to know your date, and create something together (if you share your frozen dessert).

Best Festivals and Feasts 

St. Ann's Italian Festival

foodie ventures: Saint Ann’s Festival starting July 23 is classic Hoboken. It is famed for its delicious greasy, hot, powdered sugar-dusted zeppoles presented by the Saint Ann’s Church. There are eats galore, live music, fun games, a boozy tent—a little bit of everything a summer date should include.

Hoboken Arts and Music Festival

Mike: My favorite festival, by far, is the Hoboken Arts and Music Festival in September.  Like your everyday street fair, this festival still offers all the greasy food options, however, here, you have a beautiful and eclectic selection of art and businesses from around the northern NJ area.  I find, most of the people are more interested in making new friends than pushing their wares, which truly makes this my favorite in Hoboken.  Grab your date, walk, and experience the festival. Then if you want, you can stop in at Mikie Squared for some sangria. 

The Madison

Las Olas 

foodie ventures: Treat your date to something luxurious this summer. Impress your date with a scrumptious three-course meal for less. Hudson Restaurant Week kicks off July 27 while NYC Restaurant Week gets started July 20. You can try something new and explore different communities and neighborhoods without breaking the bank. Win-win!

Fig & Olive

Butter

Enjoy the sun and the warm weather while it lasts and plan a summer date to remember!

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7.2015

Sushi Lounge

 

photo OP: SUNDAY dinner

RER 7.5.15

Although unpleasant, heartburn can be the residue of lovely things. I know that sounds nuts, but it’s true. That burning, tingling feeling like some monster is trapped and clawing at your throat is a reminder of the delicious night you had before. This time, it is a memorial of too much red wine and pepperoni, too much dancing and laughing with my cousin and sister during a good old Sunday dinner.

We shredded a thick zucchini and combined all our favorite mix-ins to create our morning breakfast treat—zucchini bread.

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We doctored up some Yellow Tail Sangria to our liking with soaked bright citrus and tangy green apple, and topped it all off with crisp ginger ale.

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We diced up some fresh white onion and sliced a vibrant orange pepper, plopped on some creamy ricotta and layered our pizzas high with spicy pepperoni.

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We threw together some Bisquick, brown sugar and cinnamon for shortbreads topped with sweet canned peaches and too much vanilla ice cream.

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We sipped and stirred, sliced and baked, chatted and belted our hearts out. It was a perfect end to the holiday weekend and the best way to start off what needs to be a productive week. Despite all of this, heartburn should not be an indicator of happiness.

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7.6.15

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