Let’s Meet at the Commons on 3rd St. August 2, 2012

Before meeting our party , in the city, we made a pit stop at Barcade, in Jersey City, NJ (www.barcadejerseycity.com). The little gem celebrates vintage arcade games and american craft beer under ONE ROOF!  The beer menu changes frequently, so if you find something you like write it down.  There is a kitchen where you can order things to nosh on, while you drink or play games.  It is strictly small appetizers and sandwiches.  The bar & games are the best things there…wink wink.  Barcade is open Mon.-Thurs.(4pm-2am), Fri-Sat(12pm-3am), and Sun.(12pm-2am).  The bar has Happy Hour Mon.-Fri with bar and food specials.  This place is definitely for the “big kid” in every adult.  Sorry no children allowed…21 and over. If you can’t help throwing a quarter into a Mrs. Pac Man or Zelda machine when you see it…This is your place.

After throwing back 2 beers at Barcade, we rolled through the Holland Tunnel to a birthday gathering at West 3rd Common, in New York, NY (www.west3rdcommon.com). This place is perfect for intimate gatherings.  The red couches in the lounge area (in the front by the bar) line the windows of the restaurant.  Our party had enough room to lounge and walk around.  It was a semi-private set up.  There were platters of Chicken, Sliders, Chips, Sweet Potato Tots, and Mozzarella Sticks.  I sipped(and threw back) Lychee Martinis and Blue Moon beer.  Of course there was the birthday shot of Grey Goose Vodka(Whoa). Everyone expressed how pleased they were with the venue. Thanks for the invite Meka and Therm.

West 3rd Commons boasts about having the best happy hour.  For happy hour specials visit the website.  On Sunday nights the entire bar is “half off” from 8pm- close.  During brunch, noon-4pm, diners can savor unlimited Bloody Marys, Mimosas, or Screwdrivers.  West 3rd Commons is open at 12pm everyday (Sun at 11am).  The kitchen closes at 12am every night.  If you choose to venture over to.  West 3rd Commons, ENJOY!

…Until our next outing…Smooches!

Aries on the Water… March 27, 2012

On a nice Saturday in March, I went to a birthday party for a family friend on the Jersey City waterfront. I enjoy the parties that are promoted by these groups (www.alazadeent.com & http://www.mrmorganent.com )so on Saturday I went to the Aries Affair at Michael Anthony’s in Jersey City, NJ.

The night started off slow (…at 10pm) because there was an entertainer, still performing b/c his performance started late (blame it on bad equipment, I guess).  But, soon as he was done (…after 11pm) the party STARTED. The music pumped in both areas of the restaurants (packed w/ eye candy for the men & women).  The D.J.s were well prepared for this crowd.  I had no complaints at all.  Ok…maybe I could complain about the line for the bathroom…but I won’t (It didn’t really matter that much). I danced & danced & danced…Got It?  The bartenders were working overtime.  The drinks were FLOWING and the food was fingerlicking good (So I heard…lol).  I did not eat (…next time…Yes, I will be back).  I sipped on Moscato and Knobb Creek Whiskey throughout the night (Yes…no Stoli that night…Ha!). There were V.I.P. areas available.  But, who would wanted to be cooped up when the dance floor was the “hotspot”?  At the end of the night I was a bit salty that we had to walk to the parking deck across the street. BUT I was thankful that I paid for parking before the ticket machine started to malfunction…Ha!

My night was VERY entertaining. My feet were so sore and my body thought we went to the gym…Move over Zumba!  Michael Anthony’s is a beautiful place to go to on a glorious day. You can eat outside on the water and soak up some sun.  The restaurant is available for brunch, lunch, & dinner.  Michael Anthony’s can also be reserved for private functions.  So you can host your own event and customize a gathering YOUR way.  I will not hesitate to attend another event at this location…and you shouldn’t either.

…Until our next outing…Smooches!

Denzel, Pizza, & Beer… February 22, 2012

The Saturday before last (yes, two weekends ago), my husband and I went out with some friends. Since we weren’t able to get tickets for the dine-in theater (Oh Poo), we saw Safe House, with Denzel Washington at the Edgewater Multiplex Cinemas in Edgewater, NJ (www.nationalamusements.com ).  Safe House was a thriller right from the beginning.  My friend laughed at me because I flinched so much. I recommend this movie for you “thrill seekers” out there.  Before we left, I had to snap a picture of the coming attraction, Dr. Seuss’  The Lorax.  The movie is about an industrialized society and the danger it poses to the environment.  It comes out on March 2, in 3D.  I enjoyed the Edgewater Multiplex.  The service was good,  food was fresh, and seats were comfortable.

After the movie we went up the road to Brooklyn’s Brick Oven Pizzeria (201. 945.9096).  Brooklyn’s is a restaurant famous for their pizza, but offers a full menu.  Plastic does not work for this spot, because they only accept cash.  The entrees are reasonably priced (about $11-16), which is good for the night of a “traveling party”.  Our party had 2 pies (1 for the meat eaters and 1 for the “wannabe”vegans…lol).  There were no complaints…So off we moved to our next location.

We ended the night in downtown Jersey City at the the Zeppelin Hall Restaurant & Biergarten (www.zeppelinhall.com ). Zeppelin Hall was named out of dedication to count Von Zeppelin, the inventor of the rigid airship (the Hindenburg tragedy always come to mind…sorry). The biergarten or “beer garden” offers 144 different beers on tap and a full menu, which includes specialty sausages, burgers and salads (unh hunh…to bad we ate already). Zeppelin Hall is a large establishment with an out-door space for beautiful days.  There are 30 foot long tables throughout the restaurant , which allows large parties to relax and socialize.  Our party had three pitchers of beer (Magner’s Cider, Sam Adams-Cherry Wheat, & Guinness).  It was rather loud, because of the live band, that’s usually there on Saturdays.  Don’t expect an intimate environment.  We had fun as a group.  We were able to be as boisterous as we wanted.  It was a great relaxed setting.  Stop in for Karaoke, Classic Rock Fridays, or even Sports Sunday…Cheers!

…Until our next outing…Smooches!