Posts Tagged ‘Jersey City’

New Year, New Groove: Indiegrove

IndiegroveThe new year encourages us to re-focus our energy on our goals and aspirations. The last two weeks were relatively quiet, and now people are reconnecting and resuming business.

Here’s where Indiegrove comes in, Jersey City. For entrepreneurs and those who are self-employed, Indiegrove is your fully-equipped office away from home.

The co-working space boasts private offices, cubicle-like areas (you can even get your own phone number), conference rooms, printers, a copy/fax machine, mailboxes, free wifi in every room, bathrooms, a kitchen outfitted with a fridge, microwave, the ubiquitous water cooler (also free coffee and tea), and tables low and high allowing you to work there, too.

In other words, it is very much like a real office, except that every one in it is working on their own agenda.

Even if you are productive at home and have your own fully-equipped home office, I think you’ll find that being around other entrepreneurial types is motivating and keeps you fresh. Also, the high ceilings, bright, art-adorned walls, and huge windows overlooking downtown make it a little more cheerful than your typical digs.

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Membership options are listed hereNot sure you’re ready to buy in?

No worries. Do what I did and go on a free-coworking Friday, the one day every week that Indiegrove is open to the public. I chose to sit at the communal tables by the big windows; there is also an adjacent lounge area with couches nearby which I may try next time. Professional meetings were taking place in the conference rooms and interviews were being conducted nearby, and there were several other solo workers like myself, doing their thing on their laptops.

I must say, it was a very productive day.

JCG

 

New Year, New You

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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)…

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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)

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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

 

Savor The Season Party 12.15.13

holiday season

Savor the Season! There’s a party for Jersey City residents this Sunday from 2-5pm at St. Peter’s Prep (Van Vorst and Grand). There will be a holiday dinner, wine tasting, bake-off, live music and children’s activities.

The proceeds support Paulus Hook redesign.

Tickets are $25 per person at the door and $20 if bought online. Buy here. Children under 12 get free admission.

 

Cheers to the season,
JCG

 

Skinner’s Loft

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Skinner’s Loft (146 Newark Ave.) is one of my favorite spots. Choose your floor depending on your fancy.

The copper-ceilinged bar scene on the first floor is always bubbling and best suited for drinks and small bites with friends.

The second floor, which I most frequent, offers more intimate dining with its candlelit atmosphere, ever-present gorgeous fresh flowers, a fireplace, well thought-out antique decor and different place settings on each table (totes my style).

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Skinner’s has a warm, welcoming feel on cold winter nights. While the ambiance is beautiful, you don’t feel the need to dress up or be well-versed in wine (or Italian beer that comes in a corked bottle, for that matter). It is an elegant scene, but while the restaurant’s servers are super professional, they also make you feel relaxed—nothing’s uptight.

I’ve been here many times since I discovered it and will continue to go. Now, on to the menu:

Skinner’s Loft changes its menu seasonally, but here are some of the things I’ve tried:

Click below to read on…

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