December 2013 archive

New Year, New You

2014NewYearsEve

A new year for most people means a fresh start with a clean slate. Whatever your resolutions, here are some local places that will help you put your self-improvement plans into action.

Fitness:
Take up Zumba, Yoga or Martial Arts
Workout for free in JC

Ice Skate here or here

Learn Spanish or English (ESL):
Toni Ferrer

Learn to paint or sculpt:
Jersey City Arts School

Read something that expands your mind:
Tachair Bookshoppe
Jersey City Free Books
Jersey City Bookmobile & Library

Brush up your resume/ write a personal statement/ edit your book:
Gia Portfolio

Get more work done:
IndieGrove

Learn to dance:
Kennedy Dancers
Salsa Fever

Beautify the DIY way:
My trix here

Treat yourself to a statement piece:
Vivi Girl Shop (where I was recently blogger of the month)
Tia’s Place
Very Second-Hand Clothing and Goods
Another Man’s Treasure
E. Tittlemouse & Co.

Laugh:
Brightside Tavern Monthly Comedy Night
Boca Grande Thursdays

Game to Meet JC Peeps:
Geeks Who Drink
Barcade

Volunteer:
Jersey City Cares
Liberty Humane Society

What are your resolutions? Subscribe to my newsletter and post in the comments section (via the link up top) for a chance to win a month of free advertising on my site.

Here’s to a happy, healthy 2014 in Jersey City!
JCG

 

 

 

Best Pizza in Jersey City (Heights)

pizza jersey city

I came across this old article and thought it high time I give my opinion: Rizzo’s Bakery (208 Central Ave.) makes the best pizza in Jersey City. I will clarify this by saying “Heights,” as there are tons of pizza places downtown and I have not tried them all yet.

Before you knock me for not saying Pizza Masters or Gino’s (I have plenty of good things to say about them), hear me out on why this is my fave on the cliff:

I’ve eaten pizza at countless places in the metro area. I grew up in northern New Jersey; I lived, went to school and worked  in Manhattan for a long time, and have been to Italy, where they really do make the best pizza in the world. I have yet to have a better slice in Hudson County when it comes to a delivery/take-out spot.

This is one of the best slices you can get, you just need to know what to order.

Instead of going for the regular pie-size slice at the counter (which is the size of 1/3 of a large pie—the pic below doesn’t do it justice; that box is the size of a large 16-inch pie)…

IMAG0287

Order your own fresh pie with vodka sauce, fresh mozzarella and basil (be very specific). The personal size is 12 inches in diameter, so you can definitely share it if you’re not starving. (I’ll get some pics next time I order from there. Or share yours with me at jerseycitygia@gmail.com)

riz

 

I think if you order this particular pie, you will change your mind about the other pizza places around here—I also actually believe it may cure hangovers.

My other made-to-order is this sandwich: Prosciutto, mozzarella, soprresatta, hot peppers and balsamic vineagrette. This pic is just a small portion of it (Again, send me a better pic if you have one!) with the house antipasto on the side.

rizzo's sandwich

The Salad al Michelle (shrimp, chicken and romaine dressed in a creamy calorie bomb; ask for the dressing on the side if you need to), Chicken Sorrentino (chicken, veggies and pasta in tomato broth), and the bruschetta are all delish. Try one of my suggestions if you’re going to give it a chance, because everything else isn’t worth it.

Other notes: Buy their dough to make your own pizza or buy their fresh bread. Some ingredient they use makes both addictive. Rizzo’s also has Italian cookies, cannolis and, in the morning, croissants or muffins until they run out…none of which I care about, but that’s just me.

Don’t knock it until you try it—using my ordering suggestions.

 

Buon Appetito!
JCG

 

Jersey City’s The Nutcracker: 12.21.13

Nimbus Nutcracker

You don’t have to go to New York City to view a performance of The Nutcracker this season. In fact, if you’re a Jersey City resident, you don’t have to go far at all. Nimbus Dance Works puts a spin on Tchaikovsky’s traditional tale and places it in a modern urban setting. See the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Rat King, the Arabian Princess and Drosselmeyer do what they do best Jersey City-style.

Samuel Pott coreographs and directs the professional dancers from Nimbus Dance Works joined by youth and adults from the community, and expect appearnces from surprise guest-performers in this bright, colorful and fun performance.

After the show, shop Not Yo Mama’s pop-up gift boutique in the lobby for unique, handmade Christmas gifts.

The ballet takes place at Frank R. Conwell Middle School #4 (107) Bright Street.

Tickets are affordable, ranging from $10-25. Buy here.

Miracle on 34th St. Screening at Loew’s Tonight 12.14.13

santa snow

Embrace the holiday spirit (and the snow!) tonight with the Classic Holiday Show at Historic Loew’s Jersey City Theater (54 Journal Square). The action kicks off at 6:30pm with a live holiday concert and performances, and is followed by a screening of “Miracle on 34th Street” at 8pm in the majestic cinema space.

Ticket prices:

Concert AND Movie: $14 adults; $7 kids and seniors

Concert ONLY: $10 adults; $5 kids and seniors

Movie ONLY: $7 adults; $5 kids and seniors

 

Believe in miracles,
JCG

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