Totally loving this video from the crew at Dozzino, the new(ish) wood fired artisanal pizza joint on the corner of 6th and Adams. If you haven't stopped by Dozzino yet, give it a try. Indoor/outdoor dining, chill aesthetics, delicious fresh simple food, with a touch of hipster. Plus Mr. Fancy and Mr. Flour Face aka Stickboy Sasso. Enjoy ...
DOZZINO
534 Adams St
Hoboken
201-656-6561
Follow DOZZINO on Twitter
BYOB
What could wake up Hoboken Hero from his extended slumber? What could push through the paralyzing mire of economic uncertainty? What could possibly get HH to venture out into the wintry landscape all bundled up with eyes half shut?
A brand new neighborhood Dunkin' Donuts! Behold my dear brothers and sisters! We now have a local place for coffee! A place to go when you're too lazy to make your own! A place to get your dependable fix! A place your buddy will drive 200 feet to in his SUV when hungover while you run in in wearing track pants and yesterdays sweater to get an egg and cheese and hash browns! A place to surprise the kids with one of life's little pleasures!
Much to the surprise of local residents, work began a little over a month ago on this tiny little corner shop, nestled inside one of the Upper Grand buildings at the corner of 12th and Adams. It's one of their small footprint locations that doesn't actually cook anything, yet there they are all fresh and hot each morning (all goods get delivered each morning from a local distributor)...
And just my luck they opened this morning. Stopped in and met the two ladies running the place, both of whom had big smiles to welcome me. The windows were fogged, there was snow covering their pink and orange signage, yet the glow of donuts and coffee beckoned. There have been a few delays getting this baby open (shocker!) but they are very excited to be a new addition to our neighborhood. So come on down, introduce yourself, and swipe that credit card for a cup what many say is bar none the best coffee there is.
Oh, and I must point out if you haven't yet tried their new egg white flatbread bfast sandwiches, (only 280 calories) you don't know what your missing!
Dunkin'Donuts
1200 Grand St
(really the corner of 12th and Adams)
Hoboken, NJ 07030
(201) 217-8778
Two weeks ago, Metrostop eased open the doors to its new owners. It's been months since HH has profiled the tallest building in northwest Hoboken, so I figured it was time to share with you some new (and a few old) pictures. And for those of you who recently moved in, I know you're dying to forward on some pics to your friends and family. So here you have 'em. Ready, set, GO:
Below is the official front entrance for residents. Seems a bit understated for a building of this magnitude, but nonetheless it's clean and fuss free:
The doors open to reveal a minimal lobby - elevators on the right, mailboxes on the left. They've chosen interesting lighting fixtures that are quite modern, and some extremely attention grabbing furniture:
A very commanding presence! When I first saw the new sitting areas, I imagined the furniture coming alive in the middle of the night ala Beetlejuice sculptures to terrorize residents. Probably won't happen. But you know once the sun goes down those chairs are going to scare the hell out of the children who live there.
"MOMMY CHAIRY'S GOING TO EAT ME MOMMY! AAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!"
Back outside on Jackson Street, we can see plenty of large growth trees that were planted, both on the curb side, and along the building. They've also mushed in boxwoods and some other fledgling shrubbery. This foliage will help disguise the two story parking garage (above and below ground). I've been trying to overlook their decision to put in such old school depression era bush bed borders that couldn't be more wrong for such a modern building, but I'm still having a hard time coming to terms:
The trees are going to be gorgeous in a few years, but I am a little worried about how close they were planted to the building. The maintenance man is going to have fun pruning back these babies:
Pachysandra was planted in very large swaths all over the place. Teeny tiny ones. Should fill in nicely and eventually will work towards conveying the 'green' message - it will spread everywhere in a few years:
Here's a great example of the trees that were chosen to line the sidewalk. They are common to the area. They also get to enjoy free skies above, and will be spared the chainsaw in future years, because there are no power lines above them.
Ever wonder why trees are always planted on sidewalks DIRECTLY beneath power lines? Makes absolutely no sense. Anyway, I digress:
May take a few to provide some adequate shade though :)
A little farther south are very long steps, for loitering, sunning, and relaxing:
And also apparently, for skateboarding:
Here's the southeastern view. Notice the unique shape of the building, and the very wide sidewalks. This is a major thoroughfare for foot traffic, so it was necessary to keep it open and roomy. Soon the official Metrostop signage will be installed to the right at this corner:
Here's the new 8th Street oversized sidewalk that leads to the entrance to the light rail. To the right, a cornucopia of greenery, bordered by hand laid stonework. A nice touch:
Love a good grass plant. They should plant many more of these to soften things up:
At the top of the steps is a new raised area that takes up a large portion of the southern half of the property. Beautiful pavers have been put down, with a chic border stone, and some random street lights scattered about:
Extreme paver closeup, taken during installation:
There's a grassy area that gets great sun. I think this is supposed to be the official sculpture park, but there's no sculpture yet. I can't believe we have grass in the neighborhood! If you squint your eyes and plug your ears it almost feels like the suburbs!
There are, however, several large stone benches, that look very cool, except I feel like a four year old when I sit on them. They are SO HIGH my feet don't touch the ground. It's actually pretty funny. I wish they had sunk them lower into the ground:
It's still a beautiful touch though. I can see people hanging here in the warm weather, relaxing after work. And the south side of this building, which you can see in the image below, will be home to Amelia's Bistro - a restaurant that will offer brunch, lunch and dinner, complete with outdoor seating. The neighborhood is dying for this restaurant to open. Any updates on this, please drop HH an email:
Supposedly Amelia's Bistro is opening in October, but something tells me they are behind schedule. Here's how the restaurant looks these days. Even with a kitchen build-out, it's a pretty big space. And all the windows are actual swing doors that fully open up to the outside air. Next summer is going to be heaven when this thing gets going. To wet your appetite, click here to drool over the menu of their Jersey City location:
Along the rear of the building - it's very clean and architectural. I love the lines of the building, and the interesting use of glass and brick. There's an additional entrance to the light rail, which is very convenient. And they exterior lighting, seen below, creates a beautiful glow at night, all around the building. Great job:
Also in the back, not exactly visible in the below picture is the gym on the second floor. You can also catch glimpses of parked cars both above and below you, especially at night when you can easily see through the tinted glass.
On to the north side of the building - and clearly the most commanding:
When we first saw the renderings for the building, we figured this would be the official residence entrance, because of the sheer scale of it, but it's actually an additional retail space, long rumored to be the future home of Starbucks:
Hopefully one way or another, we'll get confirmation on when and what will be going into this space. Developer and Starbucks are both mum at this point. Beautiful double height columns that overlook the future park going in on 9th Street along the light rail. Meandering pathway, dog run, etc.
A perfectly symmetrical facade which I love. I get lost staring at how perfect it is:
Back on the ground after a quick shake of the head, we see that the north side of the property also features the new 9th Street light rail entrance, and a maze of hand rails, fencing, and twisty turns. A month ago, it looked ... uh ... ummm ... just a tad bit restrictive:
But since unlocking the gates, and with a few steps back and a nice deep breath - the entrance, complete with stairs and a handicap ramp, actually looks very pleasing to the eye:
Stepping back even further to the street, perspective really sets in. This building is large and in charge. But it's well done, with lots of glass, interesting nooks and crannies, and tons of details to keep your eyes full. There are lots of balconies hidden all over the place. And remember, the views above 7 are all of New York City. And along the western side of the building - every single view is of simply ... trees. Big beautiful green lush trees. Pretty rad, considering no other condo building in Hoboken has such a unique view. It must trick your mind into thinking you are in the woods. What peace it must afford...
Metrostop is a beautiful addition to the neighborhood. Each day, as more and more owners move in, the building is slowly coming to life. As we ease into fall it will be exciting to see how the neighborhood continues to transform itself. There are some units left for sale, and now that the building is open, there are open houses and tours going on each day.
Can anyone say block party?
Click the below image to enlarge!
Do you like to give your opinion? Yes, of course you do! Well stop by City Council Chambers at 94 Washington Street at 7pm this Wednesday to discuss the future of the Western Edge Redevelopment plan. Now's your chance to have your voice heard.
Do you want good restaurants? Quality retail? Open space covered with real grass? Perhaps a bicycle fast lane along Monroe Street? Community pool? Do you want to make sure that future retail spaces are larger than what's currently zoned in our Upper Grand buildings, which sit empty because they are not large enough for businesses other than nail salons and dry cleaners? Thought so. Come and hang out on Wednesday evening!
Afterwards, we can do a conga line together back to our neighborhood.
Click the link below to read an awesome piece about Hoboken from The Washington Post. You'll want to forward it to all those skeptical friends of yours, because it clearly explains the lure of living here.
The Washington Post - Hoboken, N.J.: Start Spreading The News
No, you are not reading the above flyer all the way from the moon, nor are you a 95 year old who forgot their glasses. This itty bitty super tiny teensy weensy pretty much unreadable listing (taken directly from the official Hoboken website) is actually a public meeting announcement to invite local citizens and people with strong opinions to come to the next City Council Meeting and discuss the future redevelopment plan for the western edge of Hoboken. Clearly they do not want any of us showing up. Why don't we prove them wrong and show up en mass? Bring your noise groggers and megaphones and confetti and make tell 'em what you want in your neighborhood.
For example, if I was there I'd say - any future retail spaces must be at least twice as large as the ones currently existing in the Upper Grand buildings - because those retail spaces are so small no businesses can actually use them - other than nail salons and dry cleaners. This is a problem that should be corrected on all future developments. Why keep making the same mistake? Have you noticed how many unrented retail spots there are in the Upper Grand buildings? It's because the square footage of the spaces availalbe are TOO SMALL. Kind of the like the flyer above.
Wednesday, April 9th, 2008 @ 7pm
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
CITY HALL
94 Washington Street
Unfortunately HH is not in town tomorrow night - so if any diligent and caring NW Hobokeners would like to file an official report with HH on what went down at the meeting, I will publish your report and make you a local honorary junior celebrity. You may not be as popular as Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie, but you'll feel good about being one of the few who care enough to improve your own community. Please email me by clicking here..jpg)
Thanks Eddie, for the tip!
RealHoboken.com has the scoop on the new 'Liberty Too' sports bar (name not 100% confirmed) coming soon to Monroe Center for the Arts. This new second location of the very popular Liberty Bar on 14th Street will open this September, in the old Shades of Hoboken space. To read the full story, click here!
Ever since Shades closed, we in the NW Hoboken area have been hurting for a good place to unwind. HH was sad when Shades closed, but to be honest it didn't seem like it was going to succeed from the beginning. When I went there the first time there was a fire alarm malfunction and we sat there trying to drink martinis while a ferociously loud fire alarm and strobe lights went off uncontrollably for at least 15 minutes. By the time our entrees were served and the fire department showed up, our ears were bleeding and I couldn't feel my face. At the time I thought to myself, "this can't be a good sign," and my hunch was right. I also never understood why a restaurant called 'SHADES' couldn't take the extra effort and straighten out the blinds hanging in their windows - they were a complete mess going every which way and it drove me crazy. The success of life lies in the details.
Have been saying all along that a more approachable type of comfort food restaurant/bar would be a huge success at Monroe Center - a place that offered decent food and drinks at the friendlier price point. Looks like Liberty Bar owner Dawn Kaplan has made the right move. Cheers and bottoms up! Fall can't come soon enough. Here's to hoping she adds Stella Artois to the draft beer selection!
the arts + sports x alcohol = strange fit / also kind of hot
And about that bar name, 'Liberty West' has a much better ring to it than 'Liberty Too'. You are not The Limited trying to go after children, you are a bar. A bar for men! Manly men! And the women and mo's who love 'em.
Dear Shades of Hoboken, please transform this underused, perfectly suitable outdoor area that is literally attached to your delicious restaurant, into an outdoor oasis of comfortable seating, blue sky conversations, shrimp cocktails, lobster croquettes, and chilled ice buckets full of crisp white wine. We beg you. The neighborhood is begging you.
Rubee's Closet has posted her store hours, to let us know when she's open for business. For those of you that are not familiar, Rubee's is a women's boutique, set up casually like a woman's closet, and not formally merchandised. It's stocked in a whimsicle manner, full of approachably priced clothing, accessories, jewelry, and hats. 
I'm no retail genius. But between you and me, doesn't her store hours seem slightly, oh.....I don't know.....uh......mmmmm.....somewhat limited? :
And in the middle of the complex, between the two buildings that are joined together by a recessed overpass, they have installed huge ground floor windows:
The eventual retail stores that occupy these huge windowed spaces are going to benefit big time. They make quite an impression to passing foot traffic. Job well done!
