Jersey City 4th of July Celebration with Pitbull and Akon

On July 4th, Jersey City hosted a full day of festivities with food truck eats, carnival rides, a beer garden, performance first by Akon, and headliner Pitbull and fireworks at Exchange Place. This was actually the first time I've spent 4th of July in Jersey City. As a local resident right outside of Manhattan, I miss the years when the Macy's fireworks were over the Hudson River. All I had to do was walk up the street. Now Jersey City is my new go-to for not just fireworks but for plenty of lobster rolls, tacos and gourmet grilled cheese, and an exciting performance. It's also an easy commute for me via light rail, or path for my friends coming from the city. I hope the city of Jersey City continues to bring concerts, food and fun with their fireworks show. I missed Snoop Dogg's performance last year but glad I didn't miss this one! Check out highlights from the concert performance here.

Akon presented with the key to Jersey City

- Kim Weling

Get Your Tickets to Ani Ramen House Soul of Sake Event

SOUL OF SAKE EVENT at Ani Ramen House, Jersey City, NJ

Miss Sake USA will host their monthly Soul of Sake event at Ani Ramen House in Jersey City on Tuesday, November 20. Miss Sake USA and Coco's Spirit will introduce you to the new art of blending sake and whisky. New spirits featured monthly. Limited space available, so don't wait to book!

Tickets include 2 featured sakes Nanbubijin Umeshu and Tengumai Junmai Daiginjo 50 and one featured whisky Hibiki Harmony whiskies. Three (3) appetizers will be served family style and each guest will get a bowl of ramen of their choice.

@aniramen @MissSakeUSA

 $38 online and $42 at the door per person (excl. tax & gratuity)

To purchase tickets email: info@aniramen.com

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

Ani Ramen House

 218 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ

Time: 6pm –9:30pm

Jill's Blogger Birthday Celebration at VB3

I recently attended a blogger birthday celebration at VB3 in Jersey City for Jill Goldsberry, blogger for examiner.com, and beautyliciouslifestyle.wordpress. We started the four course dinner started off with The Twist, a VB3 martini, paired with Arancini - saffron rice balls stuffed with mozzarella as the first course. 

The second course was my favorite of the night - Crispy Grilled Sea Bass - skin-on, with roasted cauliflower, capers, golden raisin vinaigrette & pinenut gremolata. The sea bass was incredibly tasty, with a nice crispy texture. It's definitely a dish I would get again.  The third course was Grilled Beef Short Ribs - marinated & grilled bone-in short rib with charred scallion & sesame romesco sauce. The short ribs were tough and thick, not the fall-off-the-bone short ribs. The final course to end a great night featured Chocolate & Pistachio Semifreddo with vanilla creme anglais and candied pistachio.

- Kim Weling

Restaurant Review: VB3 | Villa Borghese III

Roasted Eggplant 'Meatballs': Ground, Roasted Italian Eggplant, Lightly Fried, with Sweet Tomato Sauce and Basil

For Memorial Day, I had lunch at VB3 | Villa Borghese III with Jill of Jersey City Beauty Examiner. VB3 is a pizzeria, restaurant and bar located in the Monaco Building at 475 Washington Avenue in Jersey City's waterfront area facing the Manhattan skyline. Free indoor garage parking is a big plus for me. VB3 is also walking distance from the Path train and lightrail.

VB3 is open daily for lunch and dinner, featuring Chef Michael Colletti. No reservations are required and 1/2 priced appetizers and drink specials are available during happy hour Monday-Friday from 5-8pm. Brunch is available on Saturdays and Sundays (and the brunch menu looks incredible so you bet I'll be back for that)!

It was a beautiful day to sit outside, so I'm glad VB3 offers outdoor seating. Jill and I tasted most of the appetizers on the menu, and everything was amazing. The Arancini was delicious, and the Baby Pork Ribs with Balsamic-Rosemary BBQ Sauce were so tasty and slid right off the bone. I love the combination of capers with the Crispy Baby Calamari. I would say those were my top three appetizers. 

For our entrees, we decided to split the Baby Spinach & Fennel Salad with Shrimp and Wild Mushroom Pizza with Pecorino, Truffle Oil and Thyme. I loved the combination of both these dishes and I've been craving it ever since. Even though there are so many other dishes I plan on trying on the menu next, I would definitely get this again. I've never had a wild mushroom pizza with truffle oil and it's gone to the top of my list as far as pizza's go. As indulgent as that pizza is, the salad was the perfect balance with fresh, grilled shrimp.

For drinks we tried the Privateer, Watermelon Rita, and my favorite - the Blackberry Smash. We spent all afternoon at the restaurant, enjoying the food, drinks and the weather. Adjacent to the restaurant is VB3 Pizzeria, with artisanal pies and dinners available for eat-in, take-out or delivery. I was happy with everything from our exceptional service to beautiful plating and delectable food. My only regret is that we ate so much we didn't have room for dessert! But I will certainly be back to try some. The House-Made 'Fried Oreos' and 'S'mores' Creme Brulee caught my eye. 

I would like to thank Owner/General Manager Joe Russo and the VB3 staff for having us at the restaurant! I definitely plan on coming back regularly!

Arancini: Saffron Rice Balls stuffed with Mozarella

Baby Pork Ribs: Four Hearty Ribs, Slow Roasted, Brushed with Balsamic Rosemary BBQ Sauce, Topped with Pickled Cabbage Slaw

Crispy Baby Calamari: Lightly Fried, Milk Tendoerized Calamari, Tossed with Cherry Peppers and Capers, Drizzled with Citrus Vinaigrette

Brick Oven Chicken Wings: Topped with Roasted Onions & Celery, House-made Hot Sauce, Crumbled Gorgonzola Cheese

Privateer: hennessy cognac, coconut water, muddled strawberries, fresh lime juice, agave nectar

Watermelon Rita: avion silver tequila, agave nectar, fresh limes, fresh sour mix, hella smoked chili bitters 

Blackberry Smash: death's door white whisky, fleur elderflower, cherry heering, fresh lemon juice, blackberry preserves

Wild Mushroom Pizza: Pecorino, Truffle Oil and Thyme

Baby Spinach & Fennel Salad with Shrimp: Marinated Grilled Shrimp, Dried Cherries, Toasted Almonds, White Balsamic-Cherry Vinaigrette and Crumbled Gorgonzola Cheese

- Kim Weling