Archive of ‘Neighborhood’ category

Beat Street Restaurant: First Look

Finishing up the decor. Photos courtesy of Ivan Orama, designer of Beat Street.

Beat Street – a hot new restaurant occupying a portion of the v. cool Transmission space at 150 Bay St. – is gaining a lot of buzz in Jersey City.

 

If you haven’t read up on it yet, or just want to know more, here you go.

 

Let’s start with their pre-opening on Wednesday, June 14. Rather than just, say, have a soft-launch open, Beat Street’s “sneak peek” is a benefit for Big Brothers Big Sisters. The cocktail party will feature several musical acts, and there will be an open bar and passed hors d’oeuvres, as the full kitchen is not open yet.

 

Then, when the restaurant officially opens on Thursday, June 22, there will be a pay-what-you-want fundraiser, with all proceeds from the evening going to The Sharing Place Food Pantry at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. (Stay tuned for my recap!)

 

Here’s the story behind the conception: Howard Brunner, the man behind Transmission, the 5,000 sq.ft 2-yr.-old nightclub, wanted to evolve the environment into a “multi-sensory experience.” So he partnered with nightlife curator KC Macias and celebrated chef Darryl Harmon to open Beat Street, a 100-seat restaurant, bar, lounge and performance space within.

 

The name Beat Street is a tribute to the 1984 movie of the same name, so the entire inspo is breakdancing, DJ’ing and graffiti. Think: street art, street food, street music. But a little more upscale. Brunner explains, “It’s a juxtaposition of gritty street life with high-end touches that truly makes it a distinctive experience.” How Jersey City is that, for you?!

 

Decor is getting its final touches now by Ivan Orama, a New York City artist known not only for murals, but handmade furniture, like this Wu-Tang Clan table, which is a replica of an old-school cassette tape.

His client list is impressive, so I’ll let that speak for itself. And the work at the restaurant in progress…

 

Beat Street will feature a bar, a lounge (with a grand piano!), a dining room, and later, will have wrap-around outdoor seating space. Darryl Harmon, the chef (who also has an impressive list of clientele), is “excited to see guests’ reactions” to the menu. He’s using the street food theme to “get real funky,” which has resulted in the Rocka Falafel Waffle, a combination of pressed falafel and waffle with mint frozen yogurt, Harissa infused syrup, Raita and micro borage.

All of the menu foods are experimental takes on the familiar, and each dish has a very specific way of being presented: Nachos are Frito-based and served pouring out of a Frito chips bag,  A Sloppy Joe will arrive in a custom graffiti lunchbox (no two are alike) with other fun items like a liquid-nitrogen powered root beer float, and you may get a mini trash can or a street cart as your food’s delivery vessel depending on your order. The serving aspect “will be quite a show.” says Harmon.

As for the vibe, KC Macias, who has yet another impressive track record, will bring an eclectic mix of live music to Beat Street, encompassing all genres. “I’m talking about raw, street music, including salsa you would hear in the streets of Havana, and jazz that you’d hear off of Bourbon Street” he says, but emphasizes that Beat Street is welcoming, “like you’re in your living room being entertained in a cool way.”

Beat Street will be open from 5-11pm, Tuesday – Saturday, starting on June 22.

I can’t wait to check it out! Check back here after the opening for my experience at Beat Street.

Eat Drink Groove ~
JCG

 

Networking Event: Marketing for Tech Companies [Thursday, June 15]

Jersey City-based Relayware is hosting a networking event for people at tech companies involved in sales and marketing this Thursday, June 15th at 6pm.

Titled “Channel Cocktails” because Relayware provides technology for vendors to support their channel partners, the event takes place at Pet Shop Bar (193 Newark Ave.) and is free and open to all.

Simply register for your complimentary spot here.

To tech networking,
JCG

Park Fest 2017 [Saturday, June 10]

Hamilton Park hosts Park Fest this Saturday, June 10 from 12-7pm, a seasonal celebration with something for everyone.

There will be three bands, a DJ, food trucks, adult bevvies, a flea market, tennis and kickboxing instruction, a magician, and even a petting zoo. Admission is free.

Bring your friends & family for the fun and meet new people in your neighborhood.

JCG

Ward Tour 2017 [Sunday, June 4]

wardtourjc

It’s that time of year again, Jersey City—when we GET OUR BIKE ON and ride throughout the six wards of Jersey City in the Bike JC Ward Tour.

The race begins at 11am at Exchange Place on Sunday, June 4th. Enjoy a 15-mile ride on streets closed to traffic at an easy 10mph pace (with rest stops and a police escort). Upon finishing, celebrate with live music, food, drinks and other fun.

Registration is free, with a $5 suggested donation to fund BikeJC’s efforts to make cycling better, safer and more accessible in Jersey City.

Ward Tour check-in begins at 9am at Exchange Place. It’s recommended to get there before 10am because—of course—you want to situate yourself and hype up before the tour.

Be inspired. Helmets REQUIRED.
JCG

 

Jersey City Craft Brew Fest [Saturday, June 3]

Jersey City Craft Brew Fest is back! If you missed the first one ever this past Fall, you may want to see what it’s all about.

Try over 150 craft beers from local breweries while overlooking the New York City skyline and listening to live music at Harborside Plaza Atrium (Exchange Place).

Find your new favorite summer brew from the eclectic offering of local beers and ciders, and have the chance to speak with brewery representatives.

And, of course, there will be plenty of food vendors to help soak up all that beer.

TICKETS

*General Admission $65, which includes unlimited tastings and a souvenir tasting glass

*SAVE $20 WITH JERSEY CITY GAL PROMO CODE: jerseycitygal

*Choose between two sessions: 12-4pm & 5:30-9:30pm

*(Non-drinking) Designated Driver $15

*Purchase at jcbrewfest.com

*Adults 21+ Only: No kids. No Dogs.

*Parking $5

 

Taste & Enjoy,
JCG

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