Today has turned into a gorgeous day, the perfect day to stop in at Dahlia’s Ice Cream Spot (290 Central Avenue). Dahlia and co. makes all of their ice cream in-house, including ice cream cakes and cookie sandwiches. You can buy a cone/ milkshake/ yogurt cup for now, but they have several flavors available in pre-packaged single serving, pint, and quart sizes to save for later. Their innovative flavors never fail to disappoint. (more…)
Archive of ‘Central Avenue’ category
Best Pizza in Jersey City (Heights)
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)…
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)
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.
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
New Dollar $tore Finds
categories: Art, Central Avenue, Deals & Discounts, Jersey City Heights, Neighborhood, Shopping, Shopping Deals
I’m loving my new jewelry bought yesterday on the block. $6.00 total for these starfish with rhinestone earrings, Tinkerbell necklace, and the ring below. The pictures do not do these pieces justice (dumbphone camera) and yes, my finger looks weird but the ring is amaze…! Trust.
Connect to my antique jewelry collection here.
Read more about 99 ¢ent-ral here.
Dollar Stores: Central Avenue
No matter where you are in Jersey City, there is rarely a lack of a dollar store nearby. I’ll start with my three favorite in my neighborhood of the heights. All are on Central Avenue. (There are more on Central, but I frequent these the most.)
99¢ Gallery is awesome for makeup, arts & crafts supplies (they really have everything), party favors, gag gifts, gift wrap, shampoo, cow’s silk lotion, and Dove soap (the big bars are only $1 each; less than half the price at drugstores). I go here on a bi-weekly basis to stock up on toiletrees, cleaning supplies and makeup. The owners and people that work there probably think I am a party planner with all of the festive things I buy (gift bags, tissue paper, party poppers, glitter letters, glow bracelets, candles, temporary tattoos, bubbles) or that I have issues. I can’t tell. But they are super friendly and have the best selection, so I always stop there first.
This is going to sound crazy, but for all of my antique jewelry hunting and all of the inexpensive modern jewelry available on the cheap at national chains, this place kills it when it comes to conversation pieces that are inexpensive. As one might guess, not everything is a dollar in the dollar store, but 99 ¢ent-RAL’s jewelry still only ranges from $2-8 a piece. I love their headbands and hats, too. It’s a great accesories place in general. There also happened to be some really cute bathing suits there last week, so I bought one—a $12 jewel-encrusted bikini—and it looks great!
99¢ Vision has $1 brand-name dishsoap, hand soap, quality baking tins (3 for $1) and the widest selection of posterboard and craft supplies. Basically, Vision is your go-to spot for kitchen and office needs. They also tend to have the best decorations and wrapping options when it comes to holidays. Just look at these Easter baskets I created below:
What’s Happening in Jersey City This Weekend? 5/10/13
Friday 5/10/13
Mother’s Day Craft making for children will be hosted at the Zabriskie St. branch of the library (the Heights). 3:30pm; registration required. Other branches host at other times on Friday and Saturday. Full details here.
Creative Grove Art Market Visit the Grove Street PATH area to check out local art, jewelry and other crafts. 3pm-9pm.
Bake with the “cake makers” of Buddy The Cake Boss’ Carlo’s Bakery. Mother’s Day Cake Decorating Class, 5-7pm at Lackawanna (631 Grove Street). Other times available Saturday and Sunday. Details here.
Wine Tasting Fundraiser Raise money to benefit Grace Church seniors and to feed the hungry while tasting wines (and scotches and beers) from all over the world, eating small bites, and taking in a photography exhibit at Grace Church Van Vorst (39 Erie St; enter on 2nd St.). Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at Central Avenue Liquors (210 Central Ave) and at Grace Van Vorst Community Service (39 Erie Street) All details here.
Saturday 5/11/13
Race along the Hudson River waterfront in the Newport 10k, the fastest course in the region. $15,000 worth of prize money will be awarded immediately after the race, and will be followed by a post-race party with music, refreshments and prize drawings. Win NY Mets tickets, NY Red Bulls tickets, a 1- hour massage or several restaurant gift certificates. $35 to register on race day at Newport Town Square (100 Town Square Place). Proceeds will be donated to the Jersey City Medical Center.
Van Vorst Farmer’s Market Stop by Van Vorst Park (Montgomery St. & Jersey Ave.) from 8:30am-3pm to gather all of your local produce.
Jersey City Pet Owner’s Day. Drop by the Lincoln Park parking lot anytime from 10am to 4pm to get your fluffy friend free rabies shots, free 3-in-1 shots, and licensing (cats do not need to be licensed in Jersey City). Clinics will also provide free counseling on spay/neutering, and for a small fee, microchipping, take-home dosages of Strongid (for worms), and activity flea/tick treatments. Keep your pet healthy. For more information, click here.
Ed’s Exchange Merchant Market Shop the flea or sell your own goods. 10am-6pm at McGinley Square (672 Bergen Ave.) Tables are $10-20.
Green Villian, our home-owned graffiti artists, are throwing a street festival on Pacific Ave. (between Communipaw and Lafayette). Live music (acoustic & DJs), a pop-up skate demo, street vendors, food vendors, face painting, live painting and a capoeira demonstration are all involved. Start time is 12pm. More deets here.
Pushing the Daisies Spring Music Festival The Historic Jersey City and Harismus Cemetary (435 Newark Ave.) is hosting a music festival with 11 bands playing from 1pm-9pm. Tickets are $10 + donation at the door. Adult & children beverages, food, massages and Mother’s Day gifts are all for sale on the premises. If you arrive later in the day or simply can’t get enough music, there’s an after-party at the Lamp Post (382 2nd St.) with three more bands performing.
Sunday 5/12/13
Happy Mother’s Day!
Farmer’s Market at Riverview Fisk Park. Buy farm-fresh produce and unique local goods from 9am-2pm. (Ogden Ave. & Bowers St.) Details here.
Mindfulness Meditation. From 9-10:30am, join others in the community for a morning meditation session at Yoga Shunya (275 Grove St., 3rd fl.) Small donation suggested.
Wedding Show Expo at the Hyatt Regency on the Hudson (2 Exchange Pl.) from 12pm-6pm. Live entertainment, complimentary food & dessert cakes by top caterers, refreshments, free make-up trials and makeovers, expert advice from those in the wedding industry and a fashion show. Exclusive bridal goody bags for the first 200 brides that register to win a free honeymoon package! Admission is free.
Let me know what you did this weekend: tweet @jerseycitygia or email me jerseycitygia@gmail.com
Enjoy,
JCG