HobokenFoodCritic

Here are a couple of interesting facts I learned about Oktoberfest, from the label on a bottle of Sam Adams Oktoberfest, one of my all-time favorite beers:

1. In Germany, Oktoberfest is actually in September.
2. The best selling Oktoberfest beer in the world is Sam Adams Oktoberfest (what a surprise they would write this on their own label).

Unfortunately, I missed the Helmers’ Oktoberfest Party on Thursday, October 18 because I was home studying for the GMAT. But after finally completing the grueling exam this past Saturday, Ashley and I wanted to go out for a celebratory dinner–not only for the fact that I scored fairly well, but also because I wouldn’t be bogged down by studying anymore (which, coincidentally, is why I hadn’t written anything for over a week). We chose Helmers’ because we thought its festiveness this time of year would be fitting for our occasion, and we wanted to make up for the night we missed there.

When we arrived, we grabbed drinks at the bar while waiting for a table. Helmers’ has an extensive beer menu, which is one of the main reasons why it is one of my favorite hangouts. I ordered a Paulaner, and Ashley ordered a of Framboise Lambic–a sweet, raspberry beer (although it doesn’t taste like beer) that Helmers’ has on tap. As we sipped our drinks, we surveyed the scene, watching the plates of food being served to the tables and trying to decide what we were in the mood for.

By the time we had nearly finished our drinks, we were called to be seated. As always, our waiter was pleasant and friendly, as were the bartenders who had served us.

Now, if you love to gorge yourself with fried onion rings, then you need to try Helmers’ Bavarian Onion Rings. This appetizer is nothing more than a huge mound of razor-thin slivers of fried onions. It looks almost like a funnel cake, and definitely has a “wow” effect when it arrives to the table. It is probably too much for just 2 people, but we finished it anyway. It would have been nice if they gave us something to dip them in, though we ate them so fast we didn’t notice at the time. When we finished, we noticed how soaked in grease the napkin was beneath the onion rings. Wow.

Ordering the main course was easy for Ashley, but difficult for me. It was easy for her because she knew she wanted the Bauernwurst and Bacon Salad after she saw someone else eating it the last time we were there. It was difficult for me because I am by no means an expert on German food, so deciphering the menu was a bit difficult. I didn’t think the menu was descriptive enough for someone who doesn’t know the difference between wurst and schnitzel, however our waiter was extremely accomodating and helped me decide on the Wurst Platter, so I could sample a few different things.

Ashely’s salad was hearty helping of mixed greens and vegetables topped with chunks of bauernwurst–which looks and tastes almost like keilbasa–each wrapped with a thin slice of smoked bacon. Although a salad, it was a full meal (though lighter than most other selections on the menu). Ashley said she would definitely order it again sometime soon.

My meal was a platter of 3 assorted wursts (which are German-style sausages): bratwurst, knackwurst, and weisswurst. I didn’t know which one was which, so I identified them as the white one, the grey one, and the pink one. The sauerkraut on the side was smooth and almost velvety–it was by far the best sauerkraut I’ve ever had. In the middle of the platter was a plop of mashed potatoes smothered in gravy–also excellent. We were also given three different kinds of mustard for dipping–one that was sweet and mild, one that was sweet and a little spicy, and one that was “hot” (though it really wasn’t that bad). All three were pretty good and it was fun to dip the different kinds of wurst in all the different mustards. In case you didn’t know, guys love condiments.

My second beer was a Weihenstephan, which is another great beer that I drink all the time (they also have it on tap at Maxwell’s). Although I have been drinking it for years, I only learned how to pronounce its name properly that night, from out waiter.

As for the different kinds of wurst, their flavors varied. The pink one, which I later found out was the knackwurst, tasted almost like a hot dog–it was good, but nothing I hadn’t tasted before. The white one (weisswurst) was a bit bland, but it dressed up nicely with some mustard, gravy, and onions. The grey one, which was the bratwurst, was my favorite–it was delicious, and I would probably order a meal that features bratwurst specifically next time I eat there.

As usual, our experience at Helmers’ was both fun and educational. I guess you could say that Helmers’ takes traditional German food and “jazzes it up” a bit–somehow, the restaurant has managed to put together a perfect mix of tradition and modernness.

It was a big, heavy meal, so afterward we had to go home to digest for a little while. Then, we walked down to 3 Forty Grill to have a few martinis. 3 Forty Grill is one of my favorite restaurants in Hoboken, and sometimes we also go there to drink martinis in their lounge area, when we are in the mood for that sort of thing. The atmosphere is dark and trendy, with the standard electronic lounge music setting the mood in the background. While we were there, I noticed that people who work at lounges always seem so serious–they don’t smile much. It was a sharp contrast from the atmosphere at Helmers’, where the lighting is bright and all the employees have smiles on their faces. Wouldn’t you expect the German restaurant to be the serious one?

The response we have been receiving from this site has been tremendous. Over a relatively short period of time, HobokenFoodCritic has been rapidly gaining exposure and readership. I would like to thank all of our readers, especially those who have sent us emails or posted comments thus far.

In an effort to better interact with our readers and provide them with targeted and useful information, we are adding a new feature to our site, which we are calling “Ask HobokenFoodCritic”. Here’s how it works:

Visiting Hoboken from out of town? Looking for the best restaurant in a particular category? Looking for a certain type of dining experience? Want an opinion on a specific restaurant or food establishment? Email your questions to anthony@hobokenfoodcritic.com and we will give you our opinion or recommendation based on our own personal experiences. No BS, no gossip, just the honest opinions you would expect from HobokenFoodCritic. If we haven’t had enough experience to answer your question, we will let you know. If you ask a particularly good question, we may even ask your permission to post the question and answer on this site!

I have also added an “Ask HFC!” section to the sidebar so it can be easily accessed in the future. The site is constantly evolving, so expect to see many updates as time progresses. Thank you to all of our current and future readers…I hope you continue to enjoy reading our material.

Sincerely,

Anthony (HobokenFoodCritic Admin)

Rain was pouring down, we didn’t have much in the fridge, and we weren’t in the mood to order in, so we went to Ted & Jo’s (on the corner of 11th and Park), since it is a short walk away and reasonably priced. We have been to Ted & Jo’s many times, and the food and service are both spotty. We had one experience where we were seated and then just forgotten about until we got up and asked someone for service after about 15 minutes. Another time our waitress kept forgetting about us. Other times our orders have been messed up. I will say, however, that when the owner is present, he stays on top of things to ensure the service is good.

Experiences with their food have not been much more consistent. Any dish involving grilled chicken, such as the Barbecue Chicken Salad or “The Clinton” chicken sandwich, almost always comes out with the chicken overcooked. When we tried the Fish and Chips, the fish was over-fried and dark brown. Most of the time, we order from the specials menu, because the specials tend to be pretty decent.

This time the service was good from the beginning–we were seated promptly and we ordered drinks right away. I had a Blue Moon, and Ashley had a glass of Ruffino Chianti. The night was off to a good start.

As we overlooked the menus, I was reminded that I’m not crazy about the menu at Ted & Jo’s. The menu seems rather limited, and there never seems to be anything on it that excites me, especially after being disappointed more often than not.

Ashley ordered the chicken pot pie, because she wanted to compare it to the one at Maxwell’s, which is right up the street. She had a chicken pot pie at Maxwell’s a few weeks ago, and although she enjoyed it, she said there was room for improvement.

When the meal arrived, it was not a chicken pot pie at all, but rather just a bowl filled with all the stuff that would be inside a pot pie. It was topped with a small puff pastry. Although the dish was not quite what she expected, Ashley gave it a chance, thinking that sometimes “different is good”. But not this time–it tasted disappointingly bland. I tried a few bites and agreed. Even after loading it up with salt and pepper, it still had very little flavor.

I ordered a burger, cooked medium-well (which is how I like my burgers), with provolone and mushrooms. Since I had eaten fries for lunch that day, I asked if I could substitute my fries with a small side salad, which was no problem. The meat was cooked perfectly, and although the bun it was served on didn’t have much flavor, I have to say it was a pretty good burger overall.

Our waitress, who was very nice, kept coming back at regular intervals. When I finished my Blue Moon, I ordered another. But that was the last we heard from our waitress until we were done with our meals, about 15 minutes later, when she finally brought me my second beer.

I guess we couldn’t complain too much, since the bill was only $38.

Ted & Jo’s is the kind of place that I wish I liked, but I just can’t because of the experiences we’ve had. It’s a small local Irish bar & grill that looks very appealing from the outside, and has a nice, clean, relaxed atmosphere inside. There is also outdoor seating. In fact, I think the visual appeal is what keeps us coming back–we keep giving it another chance after enough time passes that any negative experiences don’t seem so bad anymore. I feel like the place has so much potential, but continues to fall short.

As we walked home, we talked about our experience. Ashley remarked, “Well, another mediocre meal at Ted & Jo’s. Who makes a chicken pot pie like that?”

A trip to the uptown Bagel Smashery has always been, in my view, more about the fun atmosphere and the unique concept than about the quality or value.

For those of you who don’t know what it is, the act of “bagel smashing” is simply toasting the bagel with a sandwich press, which results in a flattened creation that might resemble a panini. If you are not in the mood for a “smashed” bagel, you can order your bagel “sober”, which, by contrast, means not toasted at all.

The uptown Smashery is the second of two locations. The original shop is located downtown, on First Sreet. Several years ago, a young couple bought the rights to use the Bagel Smashery concept for their small uptown sub shop called Josh & Ive’s, which became more widely known as the “uptown Bagel Smashery”.

The tiny shop on Willow Ave (between 9th and 10th) grew to be a popular breakfast and lunch shop, where hung-over customers would sometimes overflow out the door on Saturday and Sunday mornings. They offered (and still offer) a wider variety on the menu than the downtown location, expanding beyond bagels to include subs, wraps, and breakfast burritos.

The food, particularly the breakfast food, was never that great. Actually, it was far from great. The bagels tasted more like bread than bagels. The breakfast burritos were wrapped in a rubbery tortilla, and filled with eggs that always had a grayish tint. And it was all expensive.

Yet, as you approached the uptown Bagel Smashery, you would always hear their speakers blaring music such as Guns ‘N’ Roses, Jimi Hendrix, or Jack Johnson out through the screen door. In front of the shop, you were commonly greeted by a chalkboard that had some kind of hip or humorous quotation written on it.

Inside, though cramped (and often crowded), you were always met with a lively, vibrant atmosphere. Small photos were scattered all over the colorful walls. And the owners, Josh and Ive, were always upbeat and pleasant, and their attitudes added to the experience.

Bringing new people to the uptown Bagel Smashery was always fun–if Josh found out that it was someone’s first time there, he would ring a bell and and announce the presence of a “first-timer”, and all the employees would cheer.

I remember one time I went there on a Saturday afternoon around 3pm, and Josh was sitting there with his Apple laptop, designing new menus for the business.

“Check this out,” he said, “What do you think?”

I gave a nod of approval.

He went on to tell me the whole concept he was trying to convey with the menu, and as I was trying to decide which sandwich I wanted, he explained the techniques he used to make a few of the sandwiches.

Although the chicken cordon bleu sandwich I eventually decided upon that day was nothing more than mediocre, there is something to be said about the fact that Josh and Ive put their whole hearts into the shop which bore their names. It was that passion that kept their customers coming back.

And so Ashley and I were sad to see a “for sale” sign on the establishment over a year ago. (more…)

Since HobokenFoodCritic.com is intended to be based on the Hoboken area, I might sometimes write about experiences slightly beyond Hoboken that may be of particular interest.

One of the great things about Hoboken is it’s proximity to Manhattan, and the accessibility of all the dining experiences New York City has to offer. We decided to take advantage of one of these unique experiences to celebrate our anniversary, as I had mentioned in a previous post.

As we were driving through the Lincoln Tunnel, with our bags packed for an overnight trip, Ashley still had no idea where I was taking her. Somehow, I had managed to keep it a secret for almost four months. We emerged from the tunnel on the New York side, and made our way over to the West Side Highway, where we headed due north.

Almost immediately, we saw a pair of immense cruise ships docked along the Hudson. One of those ships was the Norwegian Dawn, a ship we had spent 10 nights on back in February on a cruise of the Eastern Caribbean. We had a great time on that trip, but we were saddened to hear that by November, the Dawn would no longer be cruising out of New York–it is being sent to cruise out of Miami, and will be replaced in New York by the Norwegian Gem, a bigger, newer ship. So, as attached as we were to the Dawn, we might never step foot on it again.

“There’s our ship!” Ashley exclaimed–she still had no idea what was going on. I continued to play dumb, but as we made the turn on 52nd Street toward the piers, I had to tell her. “We’re going on an overnight dinner cruise on the Norwegian Dawn!” I don’t think I’ve ever seen her flip out more than when I said those words.

The Norwegian Dawn, “our ship”, is 965 feet long and can hold a capacity of 2,224 guests and 1,086 Crew. It is equipped with 13 restaurants and 9 bars and lounges, along with a ton of other amenities including a casino, spa, fitness center, golf driving net, auditorium, internet cafe, 2 swimming pools, 6 hot tubs, and a jogging track along the outside perimeter of the ship. Yet, while an overnight trip aboard a floating city might be a bit overwhelming for first-time cruisers, we knew its layout like the back of our hands after spending 10 nights on the ship back in February. We had eaten at all the restaurants, and gone to all the bars. We had already done our exploring, and we knew what we liked. And now we had one more night to make the most of it.

Norwegian Cruise Line differentiates itself from other cruise lines not only because it pioneered the use of New York City as a port of embarkation, but also because it originated the concept of “freestyle dining”, which means you can eat whenever you want at any of the wide variety of restaurants onboard. Reservations are recommended at some of the restaurants, and a few of the more upscale ones charge a small cover of $10-20 per person. The rest are free. I like the freestyle concept because you are not bound to eating at any certain time and you can enjoy the intimacy of sitting at your own table, much unlike many other cruises where you are sitting with a bunch of people you don’t know. That’s not my style.

The variety and quality of the restaurants on board is amazing. Among the 13 restaurants to choose from are a Japanese restaurant adjoined to a sushi bar (complete with a moving sushi train), a Spanish restaurant called Salsa, an upscale steakhouse called Cagney’s, a French restaurant called Le Bistro (which features glass-encased rare artwork on its walls), and even a casual buffet called the Garden Cafe. Many of these restaurants are not exclusive only to the Dawn–the same ones can be found aboard other Norwegian ships as well.

We decided to have dinner at The Venetian, which is one of the no-cover, no-reservation restaurants aboard the ship. That is not to say it is lesser quality than the others–the restaurant resembles a grand ballroom with high ceilings, complete with a magnificent chandelier, and windows on three sides looking out to the sunset over the water. Although the ship was filled to capacity, we walked right in and got a table by the window immediately.

The portions at most of the restaurants are a bit smaller than you would expect from a traditional restaurant. But the great thing about it is, you can order as many courses as you want. You can even order two main courses if you are feeling adventurous (and shameless). Ashley started with a butternut squash soup, which was served cold. She said it was good, but I took her word for it.

I started with a Greek salad, which had olives and feta cheese and was topped with some kind of sweet, lemony dressing. That was followed by a cold seafood appetizer that basically looked like an ice cream sundae, but instead of ice cream it was filled with shrimp, lobster, and chunks of fish. Ashley was jealous of that one when she saw it, but she refrained from ordering one herself to save room for the main course.

For the main course, we both ordered peppercorn crusted sirloin steaks with a side of vegetables and rice. I ordered it medium well, which was probably a mistake because it was a bit too well done for my liking. Ashley’s was medium, and was cooked much better. The steaks were a little flatter and not quite as mouth-watering as the ones you would get at Cagney’s (where there is a $20 cover), but they were decent.

For dessert, I had a chocolate lava cake, which oozed chocolate goodness. I was happy that it was a perfect portion for one person, because that meant I wouldn’t have to share too much of it. Still, though Ashley managed to get a few spoonfuls, though she was busy enough with her peach sorbet. I washed mine down with a glass of Remy Martin VSOP (though I prefer scotch over cognac).

After dinner, we barhopped a bit, and then went to a show called “Band on the Run” in the Stardust Theater, which is similar to going to a show on Broadway. The show was impressive, with a mix of up-tempo music and acrobatics. I would highly recommend attending the live entertainment provided on Norwegian’s ships–they are known for their outstanding shows, and often feature well-known performers.

Did you ever see that commercial where the guy sneaks the beer bottles into the theater and they all smash in his coat when the performer hits a high note? Well, when you’re on a cruise you don’t have to worry about sneaking alcohol into the shows, you can just flag down one of the many servers walking around the theater and order a drink. You can even order a bucket of beers if you don’t want to keep ordering drinks throughout the whole performance [Warning - may cause excessive trips to the bathroom!].

Later on, we went to an audience-interactive, and highly raunchy, “game show” called The Quest. All I can really say about that is that it involved numerous articles of women’s undergarments as well as men having to put on lipstick and all kinds of crazy and embarrassing acts. Plus, since it was almost midnight, everyone had a pretty good buzz going by that time of the night.

We stayed out for a while, and after winning $52 on slot machines in the casino, we finally got to bed around 3am. We only had one night on the ship, so we made sure we didn’t miss anything.

The ship cruised east, almost out as far as the tip of Long Island, before turning around in the middle of the night to make its way back home.

When we woke up the next morning, I knew there was one thing that was still missing. See, on our previous trip on the Dawn, there were these little bran muffins available at all the cafes and breakfast restaurants. I had developed such a liking for those muffins that by the time the trip was over, it was a little joke of ours that I would miss the muffins more than anything else on the trip. So, naturally, on our current trip I had kept my eyes peeled for the muffins, but they were nowhere to be found.

We went to breakfast at the buffet-style Garden Cafe, and we filled up our plates with breakfast foods such as eggs and Canadian bacon. As we were nearing the end of the buffet line, lo and behold, I found the muffins! Knowing this would be my last time on the Dawn, and I wouldn’t be going on any cruises in the near future, I knew what I had to do. I took one bran muffin and put it on my plate, and then took another one and wrapped it in a napkin. I savored every bite of the one muffin with the rest of my breakfast, and yes, I smuggled the other one off the ship, and took it home.

The following night, back at our Hoboken apartment, I re-lived our cruise experiences on the Dawn one last time, as I enjoyed my last bran muffin along with a dram of the Glenlivet 12 year that I bought at the duty-free “Galleria” on the ship.

In November, the Dawn will make its way to Miami, where it will be stationed permanently. I am glad we were able to stay on it one last time to give us a sense of closure. But there are other ships that will continue to voyage out of New York. The Dawn’s replacement, for example, will be the Norwegian Gem, which is a brand new ship, and is supposed to be even more spectacular. We look forward to giving it a try–perhaps it could be “our new ship”. I can only hope it will have the same bran muffins.