Take a walk down Commerce Street and you might actually see… commerce! Novel idea, I know.
I’ve never been to Queen Pizza II, but if it’s anything like the original a few blocks over on Halsey, it’s earning its keep. Across the street is the Spot Lounge. I have no love lost for this place after getting purple mini-burgers when they first opened and having the waiter tell me they were supposed to look like that. To date, that was my first and only time there.
Further up the block is Food for Life Supreme, with a warm, splashy print enveloping an otherwise grey and dreary wall devoid of the sunlight. The establishment leaves me equal parts curious and petrified, mostly because their Volcano Supreme sandwich, a “fried whiting exploding in freedom sauce.”
And coming soon at the Commerce Market will be the Port City Brew Pub (not sure if this is an official name or simply an eye-catching graphic), another bar and grill set to open its doors walking distance from Prudential Center.
From the gutted shell on the other side of the windows, I’m guessing this is still months away from completion, but a pub that promises “Food, Fun and Craft Beers” would be a welcome addition to the local nightlife scene. If anyone knows anything about it, please shed some light on the subject.
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:13 am
This is what Im talking! More options in downtown Newark around the Financial area. Slowly this city will be a hot spot for out of towners. Another great find Quade!
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Living in 1180, we’ve tried Food for Life several times. They are really hit or miss.
The last time we were there they refused to honor the 100 years/100 restaurants coupon that the Newark Museum had printed up. They claimed that since we only had a print out of the coupon that it wasn’t valid. Which is funny because we got it directly from the “printable coupon” section of the museums website and it was only for 10% off.
That said, we’ve had really good food from there in the past. I just don’t understand management that would deny an obviously legit coupon for the sake of saving 4 bucks and run the risk of preventing future business.
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Have you made it up the Market Street hill to the old St Joseph’s Church” The Priory restaurant is quite nice. Very peaceful. The elevator is just about where the altar used to be. (Actually it isn’t but it almost looks that way.)
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:09 pm
I love that building that is supposed to host the new brew house and the building one over is supposed to become a steak house.
June 3rd, 2009 at 3:05 pm
You should give The Spot Lounge another try. It’s my personal favorite Devils pre-game bar. It’s the only one I’ve been to where kickbacks are actually given out to customers … very old school, and very appreciated. The owner, Russell, is always there, either working behind the bar or mingling with everyone. Great people there.
June 3rd, 2009 at 6:31 pm
You also forgot to mention Cafe Airlie’s, which is also on Commerce Street. For shame!
June 4th, 2009 at 7:49 am
Good sleuthing Quade.
BTW, I second the suggestion you give The Spot another shot. We don’t always get there in time before Devils games, but the owner recognizes us now, and gave us a pass on the cover charge when they had a super band playing on a recent Tuesday.
We also met Mom Spot (owner’s mother), and she gave me 2 big hugs! Oh, also our “regular” waitress knows our “regular” cocktails too.
June 4th, 2009 at 8:09 am
A few things:
I’ve read that this pub is slated to open on or around September 1st, but I omitted that from the blog because I really don’t know how reliable the source is. Also, Brick City hung a banner draped across its facade, advertising an August 2008 opening, only to actually open for business 5 months later. It might be better off to not know when this brew pub will open until it’s definite.
So a couple people think I should give the Spot another try. Maybe I will.
Am, I did unintentionally neglect to mention Airlie’s, but I really like their sandwiches and will comment on them more in-depth in the future.
Thanks for the tip on Food for Life, Rob. Ditto Tom West for the Priory. I’ve been past there a few times. Odd location.
June 4th, 2009 at 11:08 am
I’m still in love with Skipper’s. The owners are hella nice and its the kind of a place you go to get away. Only downside … it seems as though only senior citizens are aware of this gem!
June 4th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
I second everything Breezeblock said. Mom Spot (I don’t know how to spell her name … Shareef? Something along those lines) is awesome. She’s usually in the kitchen, but if she recognizes you she’ll come out and give you a big hug.
I like all the usual Devils pre-game bars, Scully’s especially, but there’s something about the people at The Spot that just makes the place stand above the rest for me.
June 4th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
I’ve got to admit I’m floored by all the pro-Spot responses. I will most certainly go back and post my findings when I do.
June 5th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Lookn forward to a brew pub when im in town for Seton Hall games. Wonder if Cricket Hill, a local brewery 20 min away in Fairfield will be involved?
June 7th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
For me, it’s all about the people at The Spot. The menu has been scaled down and sometimes they don’t even have everything in the menu available in the kitchen. They can’t have draught beer because there’s a parking garage downstairs, making running keg lines impossible. The fact that everything has to come in bottles doesn’t help their pricing when compared to the rest of the places around The Rock.
They’ve definitely got some strikes against them, so I can understand why some wouldn’t like the place. But the people there are simply the warmest. And that’s not an indictment of the staffs at the rest of the bars in the area either. One visit, one conversation, and you’re immediately adopted into the family there.
June 8th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Good to see new businesses opening in the area instead of shutting down!
June 12th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
The more bars/restaurants the better, especially sit down style with waiter service.
I see a family owned brew pub as a goldmine in that location.
Mayor Booker needs to acknowledge the growth around The Rock that is a direct result of the Devils moving to downtown Newark.
June 14th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
No question that the growth of Newark’s downtown area is a direct result of the Devils moving there. Even on a bad night, that’s 12,000 people coming into town that otherwise would simply speed by on 280. Now that there’s more to do and more places to go (and more on the way, apparently), some of them might even be coming to town when there’s nothing going on at the arena and sit down for a meal or go out for a drink.
June 19th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
I’d love to see a bunch of microbrews featured at a local bar. I’m a big fan of Rogue’s Dead Guy Ale, and one time, went nuts with a gift card to the liquor store and picked up all sorts of random beers you NEVER see at the bars. Something Japanese with an owl on the label, Flying Dog, Phoenix, etc. Cricket Hill is good too, if only because its from Jersey.
June 22nd, 2009 at 3:41 pm
The owner of the new brew pub was there while I walked past last week – he reckons it will be open by October. Suppose he wants to get ready for the Devils season. Their brewer isn’t on board yet but is an experienced one working elsewhere. Good news indeedy.
June 22nd, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Another good pub is MMMBello’s opposite the rear entrance to Penn Station. Plenty of great beer on tap including their own label brew which is made for them in PA. Friendly, family-owned and a grat mix of customers. Worth a stroll down there.
June 22nd, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Thanks for the update on the brew pub, track5. I’ve also got MMMBello’s on my radar ever since I passed it a few weeks ago, but I didn’t realize it was a brew pub. I love their sign.
June 23rd, 2009 at 10:13 am
mmmbellos does a century club, (you have to drink 100 different beers in one years time.)The owner Manny is a very friendly guy, the barmaids and barteners have been working there for a long time. you wont be sorry you tried it. good spot.
July 11th, 2009 at 12:03 am
Thanks for the tip on MMMBello’s.
I also spoke to someone working at the Brew Pub… he says that the economy has made things challenging, but they’re still working on it.
Someone mentioned being happy to see things opening instead of closing. There are actually things opening in Newark all the time (restaurants anyways — seems retail doesn’t fare as well). I’ve been surprised how many quality places have opened in such a bad economic situation.
July 11th, 2009 at 12:05 am
Thanks for the tip on MMMBello’s.
I also spoke to someone working at the Brew Pub… he says that the economy has made things challenging, but they’re still working on it.
Someone mentioned being happy to see things opening instead of closing. There are actually things opening in Newark all the time (restaurants anyways — seems retail doesn’t fare as well). I’ve been surprised how many quality places have opened in such a bad economic situation.
Food for Life is partnered with a cooking school, by the way. They’re good kids and they try hard. Sometimes the food isn’t perfect, but you have to cut them a little slack. I’m glad to support them.