Little Bar in Hoboken: Hot Spot for Craft Cocktails and Small Plates

Little Bar is a new hot spot that just opened up this month in Uptown Hoboken at 1401 Hudson Street. This new restaurant and bar is a collaboration of partners Weng Lee, Chef Seadon Shouse and Michael Barry, serving up craft cocktails and small bites with a speakeasy vibe. The Euro-style restaurant really is a little bar, at 500 square feet and a capacity of 25 people so I do recommend making a reservation. The intimate setting makes it easy to have a conversation, so it's a great spot for a date night or catching up with a friend. 

I really enjoyed the She's-So Lim-n Lychee specialty cocktail and the small plates served as boards were so delectable and perfect for sharing. My favorite dish was the Duck Liver Pate, which I will definitely be coming back for! I also loved the Kaluga Caviar served with house made potato chips and crème fraiche and the House Made Maple Smoked Salmon. I always have a sweet tooth, so the Chocolate Pot du Crème with Espresso Crumble was the perfect way to end my night. 

Above Photos by Joshua McHugh

Here's a look at the small plates from my culinary experience:

Keluga Caviar with house made potato chips and créme fraiche

Duck Liver Pate

House Made Maple Smoked Salmon

Panna Cotta with Blueberry Jam

Chocolate Pot du Crème with Espresso Crumble

- Kim Weling

Speakeasy Dining with Chef Simon at Loft 29

LEIBZIGER ALLERLEI P crab/oyster mushroom/edamame/carrots/asparagus/alba truffle sauce Bürgerspital, FRANKEN, Würzburger Pfaffenberg Silvaner 

If you are looking for a unique, dining experience, you'll want to make your next reservation at Loft 29 hosted by Chef Simon Cordes. This speakeasy restaurant indulges guests with elevated, modern German cuisine in an intimate dinner setting. Chef Simon prepares a curated 5-course tasting menu and wine pairing (wines provided by Wunderwein) that changes weekly. The historic, restored space is in a private loft with wood accents and exposed brick walls. 

Having traveled to Germany for the first time last summer/fall, I recently started to miss German food and this experience just brought it all back for me! The herring and apple strudel were my favorite dishes of the evening, and sincce I love sweet wines the dessert wine was my favorite!

WHITE ASPARAGUS GF, VT saffron aioli/speck crumble/chives/ marinated radish Freiherr Von Gleichenstein, BADEN, Grauer Burgunder Gutswein trocken 

HERRING P, GF housewife sauce/rösti/pickled onions/dill/trout roe Gut Hermannsberg, NAHE Riesling Sekt Brut 

SAUERBRATEN RHINELAND STYLE GF chive-mashed potato/glazed pearl onions/braised red cabbage/demi-glace Battenfeld-Spanier, RHEINHESSEN, Spätburgunder 

APPLE STRUDEL cinnamon whipped cream/raspberry coulis Bürgerspital, FRANKEN, Würzburger Rieslaner 

This is a great way to spend an evening among friends or for a date night out. For reservations, visit www.chef-simon.com.

- Kim Weling

Defy Facial at Naturopathica Spa & Healing Center

I have been a fan of Naturopathica products for years and was so excited to finally indulge in one of their spa services. As much as I wanted to go with one of their massages, I opted for the Defy Facial since I really wanted to experience several of the Naturopathica skincare products on my face.

The 60-minute Defy Facial includes HydroFacial technology (for exfoliation and painless extractions) combined with firming LED followed by a cooling jade stone mask to bring down any redness. This facial treatment combats fine lines and stimulates collagen with ingredients such as Vitamin C, Retinol, and Alpha Hydroxy Acids. I do appreciate that this facial also extended to the décolleté area and included a mini massage. 

I didn't experience any redness, just immediately refreshed, hydrated and glowing skin! The changing room has amazing lighting so you can really see the difference in your skin right after. There's also a nice relaxing lounge area to enjoy before or after your treatment. 

Here's a look at the products used on my skin:

• Oat Cleansing Facial Polish
• Manuka Honey Cleansing Balm
• Sweet Cherry Brightening Enzyme Peel
• Vitamin C15 Wrinkle Remedy Serum
• Manuka Honey Whipped Oil
• Lavender & Manuka Honey Balancing Mist
• Sweet Cherry Conditioning Lip Butter

I truly love all the Naturopathica products so it's hard to pick any favorites. Their products are moisturizing and leave my skin looking radiant, and they also smell amazing! I love the Manuka Honey, Sweet Cherry and Lavender & Manuka scents!

A special thanks to my aesthetician Carol, who was absolutely amazing! She really took her time to give my skin the attention it needed. I highly recommend you ask for Carol if you book a facial at the Naturopathica Spa & Healing Center in Chelsea, at 127 West 26th Street in NYC. Be sure to check out their spa menu!

Many thanks Naturopathica! Next time I can't wait to experience one of the massages!

- Kim Weling