Hoboken Business: The Winston

When I heard a new Speakeasy was opening up in Hoboken I was so excited. Nothing at all against the Hoboken crowd, but we needed a bar that could refresh the Hoboken bar scene. More cocktail bar than Speakeasy, The Winston helps fill that void. Sure, there’s still Bud Light on the menu, but you can get a really nice looking and tasting cocktail also, and that’s really the focus.

Hector Noelle, Beverage Director, designs the cocktails, and as he says, likes to “get weird” with them. He takes classic cocktails and gives them a fun new spin, which I found to actually be well executed. I even appreciate the classic Hoboken bar offerings (Bud Light, Coors Light, Patron) because it makes nice cocktails accessible to everyone. 

Hector first makes the “Seeking Perfection”, a play on the classic Gin and Tonic. In his version he uses Hendricks Gin, simple syrup, lavendar bitters, tonic, and an amazing thing called b’Lure Flower Extract. b’Lure is an extract that starts blue and changes to purple based on the Ph levels of what it’s mixed with. In this instance, the tonic water triggers the color change reaction, which is why the cocktail is presented in two parts: in an oil and vinegar cruet— separating the booze components with the b’Lure and the tonic and lime juice component— and the empty coup glass garnished with a lemon slice and burnt Rosemary for the aromatics. The cocktail is definitely showy, but it actually tastes good. I’ve never been much of a gin person, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Next up was the “Dunkirk", a Oaxaca take on an Old Fashion. Hector starts by torching a cinnamon stick and turning a glass upside down over it, smoking up the glass. He then mixes habanero shrub, orange bitters and agave, replacing the muddled orange slice, maraschino cherry and sugar from the classic recipe. He then adds El Buho Mezcal and Patron Silver. I genuinely loved this drink. The cinnamon smoke and mezcal give the drink the smokiness you expect and want from an Old Fashion, while the habanero adds a nice little extra burn. It’s the perfect fall day drink in my opinion. 

I’m personally happy to see that Hoboken Nightlife is starting to shed its Frat boy image, even if just a little. Make sure to give The Winston a try because we need more establishments like it in town! For more information check out The Winston website here, and their Instagram here.

Jersey City Business: Gringo's Tacos

I had been to Gringo’s Tacos once before when a couple of friends came over from Queens to visit us. I remember really enjoying the place and thought this would be a great place to feature in the future. The restaurant itself is settled on a little offshoot street in Downtown Jersey City that makes it feel like it’s in its own little private area. When you walk in the vibe is all FUN. There are piñatas on the wall, neon signs and sombreros hanging. Not to mention the long bar that feels like a great place to party with friends.

All three owners are there, Darren Conway, Chef Rick and John Polkowski, Beverage Director, and all are ready to get down to business. First, we speak with Darren about the restaurant and the upcoming Gringo’s Block Party on September 29th, that will benefit the Liberty Human Society and will feature food, drinks, music, a pumpkin patch and even a moon bounce. Did you know that on Tuesday’s $25 will buy you all the tacos you can eat???

We then move on to Chef Rick, who handles (obviously) the food portion of this show. We start with my favorite: Nachos. The crispy tortilla chips are smothered in homemade queso, some more chips and queso (layering is key with nachos, people!), followed by some shredded cheese and then thrown in the broiler. They’re then topped with green onions, jalapeños pickled on premises, sour cream, and guac (DUHH). It resulted in the most camera un-friendly bite I’ve ever taken, but 100% delicious. We move on to the “Chicken n’ Waffle” taco— a thin taco shell, filled with a juicy fried chicken tender, spooned on chili honey butter and topped with burnt maple butter. I’m going to be bold and tell you that I don’t really love chicken and waffles. I don’t really feel that sweet and savory have a place in my mouth together, but these tacos proved me wrong. The mixture of sweet and savory, with the crunch of the waffle taco shell was perfect. Lastly, Chef Rick made the “We Found Nemo”, a lightly battered white fish, on a freshly homemade corn tortilla, topped with a slaw, house-made salsa, and the piece de resistance: chili-lime mayo. It was one of the most perfectly made fish tacos I’ve had.

Lastly, we visit with John Polkowski, Beverage Director, and start tasting the happy juice, as I call it. We start with the “El Chapo”, a jalapeño infused tequila, blood orange juice and lime— this is my ideal adult beverage. It’s a little spicy, but light and citrusy, all served in a beautiful skull cup. Up next I try out the cocktail flight of 3, perfect for the person who wants to try multiple drinks, but just can’t commit (did I mention it’s $15???). We go with a flight made up of the “Mex on the Beach”, the “Summer in Mexico” and their signature Frozen Margarita with Hibiscus floater. Each is light, refreshing and strong but well balanced. All cocktails are made fresh daily, and then put on tap to be easily poured, which results in… GETTING YOUR DRINK QUICKER. Side bar: they have a $6 Tecate beer and shot combo. I mean C’mon.

Gringo’s is a great place for a party, dinner with friends, or just a fun, affordable date night. For more info on Gringo’s Tacos, check out their Instagram here, or their website here. Whatever you do, try it out and have some fun.

Hoboken Business: The Hoboken Mary

There's nothing better with brunch (or lunch, or dinner, or after dinner) than a good Bloody Mary, amiright? I have been on the constant pursuit for the perfect Bloody Mary recipe for years, and then in walked The Hoboken Mary. This mix has everything you need for the perfect Bloody except the alcohol and accoutrements of your dreams. No longer do you need to have 489,902 ingredients at hand.

The mix, created by Hoboken's Christine Dodd, is gluten free, low calorie, fat free, all natural, and has less sodium. Sign me up, right? It's also made from Jersey tomatoes, got a nice kick to it and comes in a reusable mason jar. Plus you honestly don't have to add a damn thing to it if you don't want to. 

Over the course of Christine's visit to the HudsonCounty60 Kitchen, she showed me how to make 3 amazing things with one simple mix. Firstly she taught me how to make a signature Jersey Bloody Mary, using Jerry's Vodka, another Jersey local business, and garnished with every NJ natives favorite meat, Pork Roll/Taylor Ham. Also garnished with some beautiful and ripe Jersey tomatoes stuffed with cream cheese.

Next we made a simple Mussels Marinara with a remoulade for dipping with 3 INGREDIENTS! All you need for this simple recipe is some fresh mussels, mayonnaise and Hoboken Mary mix. Simply add your cleaned mussels to your pot and cover with HM mix. Once the mussels have opened, they're done. For your remoulade mix add 1 tablespoon of HM mix to 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise and voila! You have created the quickest meal with 3 easy ingredients, and in about 20 minutes. If you're so inclined, your remoulade now also makes an incredible dipping sauce for shrimp cocktail, and even Popeyes Chicken.

Lastly, and this is really the piece de resistance, we made an oyster shooter. Once again 3 ingredients and E-A-S-Y. In a large shot glass add one fresh, raw oyster, cover with Vodka of choice (we used NJ's Jerry's Vodka) and a splash of HM mix. Shoot that sucker and LIVE YO LIFE. If you're feeling like starting trouble that day, substitute vodka with tequila and really start your party.

To order The Hoboken Mary, click here, OR here to find it at a location near you. Make sure to follow them on Instagram and Facebook. And don't forget to keep checking HudsonCounty60, because this week we're giving away a bottle of The Hoboken Mary mix and branded products, plus a bottle of Jerry's Vodka!