Sally Deering writes about Sinatra Idol On Thursday, June 14th -17 Sinatra-style singers will compete in “Sinatra Idol” the Hoboken Cultural Affairs sponsored, sixth annual contest to find the crooner who best channels the pipes of Hoboken’s hometown hero and music legend Frank Sinatra. On page 6 Maureen Wlodarczyk examines the traditon of Memorial Day once know as Decoration Day. Page 21 Sally Deering brings us the delicious details on The Brass Rail Restaurant in Hoboken. Plus more Decor, Restaurants, Real Estate inside.
Volume 16, No. 5 May 30th - June 12th 2012 FREE PUBLICATION 201-349-4336 Pg. 2 On the Cover Field Station Dinosaurs Pg. 21 Pgs. 23 - 28 lock problems? NEED A NEW LOCK? See Page 2 Pg. 11 PERMIT NO. 955 see on pg. 5 Jewelry & Watch Repair Hoboken Gold & Diamonds 115 Washington St., Hoboken riverviewobserver.net Decor Pg. 6 Pg. 13 Hudson Then . . . Again TURN YOUR UNWANTED JEWELRY INTO CASH Restaurant Views con’t pg. 2 Crooners to Sing it , Swing it and Ring-a-Ding-ding it in Sinatra Idol Competition James Anthony grew up in Las Vegas and worked as an usher at Caesars Palace, even catching Frank Sinatra and “The Rat Pack” performing on stage. Anthony became a professional drummer but gave up show business 20 years ago to raise a family. After a freak accident – he was struck by lightning – Anthony became partially paralyzed and had to learn how to talk again. After receiving some Sinatra CDs for Christmas, Anthony asked his speech therapist if he could sing Sinatra tunes to help his recovery. He’s now a professional singer who travels all over the country crooning Sinatra’s hits to sellout crowds. “I didn’t start out trying to sing like Frank because up until 3 years ago, I really knew nothing about him other than seeing him many times when I ushered the shows at Caesars,” Anthony says from his home in Washington D.C. “When the opportunity arose to come to Hoboken (for Sinatra Idol) I wanted to go to the place that I felt was the site of his beginnings. I have started a new chapter of my life and feel I owe it to myself and to Frank’s remaining family to bring the joy I feel singing his songs in the way he sang them to keep his spirit alive.” By Sally Deering
Transcript
Volume 16, No. 5May 30th - June 12th 2012FREE PUBLICATION
201-349-4336
Pg. 2 On the Cover
Field Station Dinosaurs
Pg. 21
Pgs. 23 - 28
lock problems?NEED A NEW
LOCK?See Page 2
Pg. 11
PERMIT NO. 955
see on pg. 5Jewelry & Watch Repair
HobokenGold & Diamonds115 Washington St., Hoboken
riverviewobserver.net
Decor
Pg. 6
Pg. 13
Hudson Then. . . Again
TURN YOUR UNWANTEDJEWELRY INTO CASH
RestaurantViews
con’t pg. 2
Crooners to Sing it , Swing it and Ring-a-Ding-ding itin Sinatra Idol Competition
James Anthony grew up in Las Vegas and
worked as an usher at Caesars Palace, even catching Frank Sinatra and “The Rat Pack” performing on stage. Anthony became a professional drummer but gave up show business 20 years ago to raise a family. After a freak accident – he was struck by lightning – Anthony became partially paralyzed and had to learn how to talk again. After receiving some Sinatra CDs for Christmas, Anthony asked his speech therapist if he could sing Sinatra tunes to help his recovery. He’s now a professional singer who travels all over the country crooning Sinatra’s hits to sellout crowds.
“I didn’t start out trying to sing like Frank because up until 3 years ago, I really knew nothing about him other than seeing him many times when I ushered the shows at Caesars,” Anthony says from his home in Washington D.C. “When the opportunity arose to come to Hoboken (for Sinatra Idol) I wanted to go to the place that I felt was the site of his beginnings. I have started a new chapter of my life and feel I owe it to myself and to Frank’s remaining family to bring the joy I feel singing his songs in the way he sang them to keep his spirit alive.”
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River View Observer – Page 2
on the cover . . .By Sally Deering
On Thursday, June 14th Anthony and 16 other Sinatra-style singers will compete in “Sinatra Idol” the Hoboken Cultural Affairs sponsored, sixth annual contest to find the crooner who best channels the pipes of Hoboken’s hometown hero and music legend Frank Sinatra. Even though Sinatra passed away in 1998 his spirit lives on in Hoboken: the road that swerves and curves along the waterfront is named Frank Sinatra Drive which passes Sinatra Park; there’s a sign on 15th Street and Park Avenue that welcomes visitors to “The Home of Frank Sinatra,” and now, another tip of the fedora to Ol’ Blue Eyes, Sinatra Idol. “Knowing how popular American Idol is, we wanted to create a talent contest
specific to Hoboken and Sinatra Idol seemed to be the perfect fit,” Geri Fallo, Hoboken’s Director of Cultural Affairs says. “Sinatra was one of the most popular entertainers of his generation. His music is timeless and his appeal has lasted and spans the globe. Since Hoboken was his hometown, what better way to honor his music and his memory.” This year’s contest features 17 singers competing for the title of “Sinatra Idol” with the first place winner automatically cast in the 2012 Sinatra Birthday Bash, a musical celebration of the life and artistry of Frank Sinatra, on Fri., Dec. 7 at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank. The Hoboken Idol winner will perform with a dozen
life,” Procaccino says. Contestant Ralph Muro of Endicott, New York is a retired teacher and football coach who, for the past eight years, has been the front man for a 15-piece swing band. He says: “With every song, Frank became the song, and the song became him. I try to put the same passion and feeling into what I’m singing.” All the contestants seem to have some personal connection to Sinatra’s music including George Chartofillis of West Caldwell, a State Government Worker/Intake Investigator with the Division on Civil Rights who sings karaoke twice a week on his lunch breaks; and, Sean Hanlon of Holmdel, who began performing Sinatra songs in clubs with the Jerry Lambert
con’t pg. 3
many nicknames) was the first sound I listened to and became the lied motif of my life. I know almost every Frankie song and I like to sing at home for my friends. The first time I sang on stage was at the 2010 Sinatra Idol Contest. I went to several of Frankie’s concerts in Las Vegas, Milan and L.A. In 1995, Maestro Joe Malignaggi, first violin in the Sinatra orchestra introduced me to Frankie in Palm Springs.” Contestant Al Procaccino of Holmdel is a certified financial planner who grew up on Monroe Street in Hoboken, a few doors down from where Sinatra was born. His parents knew Sinatra when he was a boy. “They played Sinatra songs in the house throughout my childhood and it had a great influence on my singing later in my
of New Jersey’s finest saloon singers backed by the 17-piece Red Bank Jazz Orchestra under the musical direction of Joe Muccioli. The contestants competing for the Sinatra Idol title and the chance to sing at Sinatra’s Birthday Bash come from allwalks of life and dots on the map – New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Washington D.C., Canada and Mantova, Italy, where fashion designer Alex Grigato, 67, was a cranky kid in a crib when he first heard Sinatra sing “Night and Day.” “The reason I’m a Sinatra fan is simple,” Grigato says. “When I was born in 1945 the echoes of the war were still in the air. My mom told me that the only way to keep me quiet was the song ‘Night and Day’ – my mom’s favorite song. So ‘the Voice’ (one of Sinatra’s
Page 3 – River View Observer
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con’t from pg. 2Band in the 1970’s and continues to perform his music. In December, 2009 Chartofillis sang at the Count Basie Theatre for the 3rd Annual Frank Sinatra Birthday Bash. Barry Wayne of Hoboken works in Manhattan as a financial advisor and grew up listening to the sounds of Sinatra at his Grandma Shirley’s house. “She used to put me in a room called the ‘Radio Room’,” Wayne says. “My Grandpa Bert was a big fan of Bennie Goodman, Manhattan Transfer, and Sinatra, which formed my appreciation.” Tony Palumbo of Midland Park is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo bank. A huge fan of Sinatra and the Rat Pack, Palumbo began singing in 1984, and while driving down to Florida, he once brought the entire Frank Sinatra collection along with him. Gary Willner of Valley
Cottage, New York is a professional entertainer. Wilner started singing Frank Sinatra songs when he was hired by the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and sang Sinatra’s arrangements with the band. He performed with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra for the inauguration of President Jimmy Carter, in Washington, D.C. Larry Dubin, of Port Washington, New York is a substance abuse counselor and has been singing since he was 5. For the past 33 years, Dubin has used music in his therapeutic work and while working for a drug treatment center, Dubin would MC singing Sinatra’s “That’s Life.” Rounding up the pool of contestants is Donnie Farraro, a retired truck driver from Hasbrouck Heights; Salvatore Gigante of Newark; Ed Houff of Wilmington, Delaware; Joseph Settineri, aka “Danny Satin” of Staten Island, New York; Bill Gagliardi of Lakewood;
Rick Valiant of Vancouver, BC; and, Anthony Kane of Hoboken. It seems like a challenge to choose the best of seventeen singers who all have the passion and style of Sinatra and that task is left to Numa Saisselin, CEO of the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank and Dale Monaco, Sinatra’s 2nd cousin and only living relative left in Hoboken. Monaco also judged last year when Anthony, who used Sinatra tunes as part of his speech therapy, was making his second attempt at the title. “Dale put her hands on my cheeks and said ‘you sound like Frankie’,” Anthony says. “Growing up in an Italian-Irish family and in Las Vegas, I realized we had the same roots. It’s in the blood.” If you go:
Sinatra IdolThurs, June 14, 7 to 9 pm(Rain date Fri, June 15)Sinatra Park on Sinatra
In“The Boss Always Sits in the Back,” D’Amore gives a true account of events that he personally witnessed. His multi-dimensional take on the Mob and explo-ration of family relation-ships give this book wide appeal and lasting relevan-cy. D’ Amore does not shy away from giving details of a rather perilous occupation. However, he simultaneously breathes life into a group of people that have been stereotyped and speculated on for decades.Photo by Steveamack
Thelma from ‘‘Good Times’’
Proudly Supports the Jersey City
Library
Bern Nadette Stanis Thelma on “Good Times”
proudly holds a Jersey City Library Card
Listen up famous people:Actors, Actresses, Comics, Politicians, Athletes, Authors, Artists if you come to visit Jersey City be certain if Priscilla Gardner Director of the Jersey City Public Library finds out you will be leaving with a Jersey City Library Card. As did Bern Nadette Stanis from the hit TV show “Good Times.” Stanis was in Jersey City on May 22nd for a book signing event for her two books: Situations 101: Relationships, The Good, The Bad, The Ugly and Situations 101: Finances, The Good, The Bad, The Ugly, at the MacDonald’s on Martin Luther King Drive.When Gardner found out she was there to greet the actress/ author with a Jersey City Library card in hand. “I started this in 2004, when Glenn Cunningham was mayor, since he loved our library – the New Jersey Room, especially, where he did research on Jersey City’s African Americans,” said Director Gardner. “Next, was Mayor Healy, and then asking for – and getting – support of the Jersey City library just snow-balled!” Other folks who have the JC Library Card:President Obama, Former President Clinton, Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Comdienne Rosie O’ Donnell, Wendy Williams, Miss NJ Ashleigh Udalovas 2012,Former Gov. Corzine and State Senator Sandra B Cunningham
Seated Author and former Hudson County residentJon D’Amore signs copies of his book “The Boss Alway’s Sits in the Back” for Union City Police commissioner, Lucio P. Fernandez; Mayor Brian Stack; & Police Chief, Brian Barrett in Union City on May 24th, 2012.
and Greene Streets, and at the Lobby on Greene St,
located at 135 Greene Street off Columbus Drive
in Jersey City.
Page 6 River View Observer
Hudson Then...Again Decoration DayMay 1868
by Maureen Wlodarczyk
The sesquicentennial of the American Civil War has fueled renewed inter-est in the epic conflict that threatened to irreparably tear apart the fabric of our nation. Historians, au-thors, military and veterans groups, academic institu-tions and museums are offering programs, exhibits, re-enactments and books about that war, ensuring that this important story is retold and remembered. That is especially timely this month as the last Monday in May marked Memorial Day, the day we honor members of our military who died while serving our country. Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, was born in the immediate after-math of the Civil War when
the families of war dead began the practice of bring-ing flowers to decorate the graves of loved ones lost in that conflict. In May 1868, the commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), the veter-ans’ organization for those who served in the Union Army, issued a proclamation requesting that “Decoration Day” be observed through-out the United States. Commemoration activities in the North in those early years often included rhetoric aimed at Southerners whose secession and rebellion was seen as treasonous. Recon-ciliation came slowly and painfully on both sides as the years passed. In May 1868, Decoration Day services and the placing of flowers on veterans’
graves took place in Hudson County under the auspices of the local GAR chapter.
Decoration Day Postcard
Among the dignitaries and organizations participating that year were the Bergen, Hudson City and General Philip Kearny GAR posts,rifle corps, the Father
Matthew Society, Concordia Glee Club, the mayors and council members of Hud-son, Hoboken, Bergen and Jersey City and the Police Board. A long line of horse carriages formed at 1 p.m. for the procession leaving from Montgomery Street in Jersey City and heading to various local cemeter-ies. The commemoration activities the following year expanded to include horse-drawn hearses carrying the flowers, and Civil War sol-diers and sailors, members of the local clergy, distin-guished orators, Reinhart’s Band, the Hudson County Artillery, the 4th Regi-ment of the N.J. National Guard and citizens in their own carriages. Around the County, flags were lowered to half-mast throughout the day and businesses and pub-lic offices were closed. In May 1870, Decoration
Day observances took on a special, solemn significance as the body of a Jersey City man and Union soldier, Stewart Turner, was re-turned home for burial at the New York Bay Cemetery. Turner, a Private in Com-pany “K” of the N.J. 2nd Infantry Regiment, had died in July 1865 at a hospital in Alexandria, Virginia and had initially been interred there. His body was ex-humed nearly five years later and returned home for reburial in Jersey City. Re-ports at the time described huge crowds that came out to see the procession that in-cluded a large horse-drawn stage carrying a group of young ladies charged with laying flowers on the graves of the dead Union soldiers at the New York Bay, Jersey City Harsimus and Catho-lic cemeteries. The hearse carrying Private Turner’s remains was provided by Wandle & Son Undertakers of Montgomery Street and
was drawn by “four splen-did grays.” A banner in front of Hose Company No.3 displayed the following words: “Let angels spread their wings above, let flowers forever bloom; Let bays, green bays, spring up to mark the martyrs sacred tomb.” Awaiting the burial procession at New York Bay Cemetery were hundreds of local citizens who had trav-eled by carriage, trolley or on foot. Near the cemetery, local officials, speakers, and clergy congregated on a platform in front of which military representatives and bands were stationed and ceremonies took place. Theobservations concluded with
the singing of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.” In searching for my own family history I discovered just a few years ago that my Irish-born great-great-grandfather John J. Flannel-ly, who came to Jersey City in the late 1840s fleeing the Irish potato famine, fought in the Civil War as a Pri-vate in the N.J. 6th Infantry Regiment. Like Stewart Turner, my great-great-grandfather was hospitalized while his unit was engaged in Virginia. Fortunately for me, John survived to return home to Downtown Jersey City, marry and raise a large family. Today, 142 years after Private Stewart Turner’s remains were laid to rest in
Jersey City American cemeteries continue to receive members of our brave military that died in wars, conflicts and acts of terrorism around the world. As we look forward to the holiday weekend and the start of the summer sea-son, let us pause to honor the memory and sacrifices of our men and women in uniform.
Maureen Wlodarczyk is a fourth-generation-born Jer-sey City girl and the author of three books about life in Jersey City in the 1800s and early 1900s: Past-Forward: A Three-Decade and Three-Thousand-Mile Journey Home, Young & Wicked: The Death of a Wayward Girl and Canary in a Cage: The Smith-Bennett Murder Case. For info: www.past-forward.com.
Photo by John Crittenden, Show Me Your FacesLeft to right: Erin Lynn Duer, Richard Pearson, Howard Richman ( Jersey City Resident and our
Rumpelstiltskin), Jennifer Eisenberg, Nicole Spano
Hudson Theatre Ensemble
Silly on Sixth! Children’s Series
presentsRumpelstiltskin
A zany and funny adaptation with singing and dancing!
6 Performances only: Saturday June 9, 2012 at 11 AM, 1 PM, and 2:30 PM Sunday June 10, 2012 at 11 AM, 1 PM, and 2:30 PM
Show runs about 45 minutes Hudson School Performance Space 601 Park Ave
Hoboken, NJ 07030 $7 for Kids; $10 for Adults; 201-377-7014 or [email protected]
Page10 River View Observer
Page 11 River View Observer
Field Station Dinosaurs Now Open in Secaucus This past Memorial weekend Field Station Dinosaurs a 20 acre educational theme park in Secaucus featuring 31 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, opened to the public. Located at Laurel Hill on Dinosaur Way.Field Station: Dinosaurs is a world-class family attraction that combines cutting-edge science with the creative minds of great artists and teachers to create a one-of-kind experience that’s thrilling, educational and fun. Set against the breathtak-ing natural backdrop of the New Jersey Meadowlands and nestled at the base of a 150 million year old rock formation, the Field Station is an oasis of natural wonder just nine minutes from New York City. Over thirty life-sized, realistic dinosaurs (in-cluding the ninety foot long Argentinosaurus, the largest animatronic dinosaur ever made) come to life thanks to the brilliant engineering of the world’s leading roboti-cists and the imagination of our artists. Walk along the 3/4 mile trail, check out the 31 life-sized dinosaurs and partici-pate in fun activities. If you go tickets are $25 or if you purchase them online or by phone $20 for adults and admission is free for children 2 and under. Children 12 years old and younger $17.50 by phone or online.For more information visitwww.fieldstationdinosaurs.com
Field Station Dinosaurs Open Spring Hours Now-June 17
Monday through Friday (School Groups Only) Saturday and Sunday 10am - 6pm
Summer Hours June 21 - September 3 Open every day 10am - 6pm
Page 12 River View Observer
Garage Sales• Flea Markets •Collectors To adveriste here call 201.349.4336
FOUR BHS ART STUDENTS WIN PHOTOGRAPHY AND COMPUTER GRAPHICS AWARDS “An Artistic Discovery” is the annual Congressional High School Art Competition coordinated by Members of Congress. Each district in New Jersey participates and selects winners in each category. The Best in Show 1st Place overall winner in each district will travel to Washington DC. and have their work displayed in the United States Capitol for one year. The 10th Congressional District Competition and Exhibition was held from April 21st to May 18th, 2012 at the Newark Museum in Newark, NJ. At the awards cer-emony on May 14th, four BHS art students received top awards for their artwork.Amy Paraskeva received a 1st Place award for her black and white photograph titled “Elegance”. Lauren Foley received a 2nd Place award for her digitally enhanced photograph titled “Closed for Repairs”.Gino Cogliati was awarded 3rd Place for his color photograph titled “Aunt Sue’s Chair”. Amy, Lauren and Gino are Photography students of Mr. Thomas Hart.Daniel Ibanga received a 2nd Place Award for his digital image titled “The Unseen”.Daniel is a Computer Graphics student of Mrs. Charlann Meluso.Each of the winners received a medal and a certificate of recognition.The exhibition featured 12 others from Bayonne High School. They are as follows: Brian Brown, Carlos Diaz, Manuel Izurieta, Olivia Kalinowski, Amanda Losardo, Megan Mahan, Roodbertho Melon, Adrian Olbes, Dennis Ortiz, Aurie Pogata, Dahlia Saad, and Rebecca Sanchez. Each of these participants received a certificate of recognition.
In Photo (left to right): Daniel Ibanga, Lauren Foley,
Amy Paraskeva, Gino Cogliati proudly dis-play the Awards they won
at the Annual Congressioanl High School Art Competition which is
coordinated by Members of Congress.
The River View Observer Since 1998visit us on the web @ www.riverviewobserver.net
How to Add a Magical Touch To Your Child’s Bedroom
NewsUSA) - From the tiniest of tots to tweens and teenagers, a child’s bedroom is a reflection of their iden-tity. Kids often have strong opinions about their likes and dislikes when it comes to their rooms, which can pose decorating challenges for parents: one year, the little one is all about Winnie the Pooh; next Buzz Light-year may capture his imagi-nation. It’s hard for parents to keep up, let alone create an environment that reflects their children’s taste -- and do so within a budget. A solution can be found in a new collection of wall-papers, murals, borders and wall decals from Disney, the company that has brought beloved characters to life for generations. Best of all, this particular collection was created like building blocks that both capture the magic of the Disney Universe,
and allow favorite characters to be added and subtracted according to a child’s changing whims.Visit www.RoomMatesPeelandStick.com to view the Disney collection, order samples or purchase Disney wallpapers, wall decals and murals. Also on site photos of decorated rooms with instructions on how to get the look.
American Cancer Society “RELAY FOR LIFE” Beach Party On Monday June 11th, from 5pm to 10pm at the Sonic Drive in Restaurant at 100 Bayonne Crossing Way in Bayonne.The public is invited to join in and support the fight against cancer.There will be a “Classic Car Show,” Music by DJ Rickey 3Face painting for the kids and there will be a Hot Air Balloon Raffle and baked goods and relay items will be on sale to raise money.
The Bayonne Relay for Life will hold their event on June 16th and 17th at Don Ahern Stadium in Bayonne. The goal this year is to raise $125,000 through events like the Relay for Life Beach Party.For more information www.relayforlife.org
HAPPENINGS AT THE HOBOKEN MUSEUM FOR JUNE June 3: 15th Annual Secret Garden Tour - 9 am - 4 pm - Ten homeowners will share their “secret gardens” and their gardening secrets to support the Museum’s fund-raising efforts, with assistance from the Hoboken Garden Club and title sponsor, Hufnagel Landscaping. The Tour includes a wide range of garden designs by both dedicated gardening enthusiasts and professional designers, with clever solutions to such challenging issues as shallow soil and deep shade. Guided tours depart from the Museum on the half hour, and last about two hours. Tickets are $20 for HHM members and Hoboken Gar-den Club members, and for tickets purchased in advance; non-members pay $25 on the day of tour. Tickets available at www.hobokenmuseum.org or retail locations around town. Volunteers are also needed; call the Museum at 201-656-2240 for more information. http://hobokenmuseum.org/events/calendar-of-events/june/secret-garden-tourJune 16: Historic Baseball Game Tribute, 1 pm - The Flemington Neshanocks ateam who play Alexander Cartwright’s 1870s rules in period-appropriate uniforms, will take on the Hoboken Nine
in a competitive game at Stevens Dobbelaar Baseball Dia-mond. Just rescheduled! Originally set for Sunday, June 17, the game will be played on June 16. Hotdogs will be avail-able, of course! Free. June 17: Third Sunday Gallery Walk, 2-6 pm - Visit the Upper Gallery show “Ta-Da!” featuring artworks by Beth Lucas, a head scenery artist for the Macy’s Parade Design Studio, which used to be located in Hoboken. She lives in Jersey City, but once lived in Hoboken, and you can detect familiar architectural elements in several of her bright and colorful designs. http://hobokenmuseum.org/exhibitions/upper-gallery/current-show.
HCCC Plans Information Sessions This Summer for Prospective StudentsJERSEY CITY, N.J. / May 30, 2012 — This summer, Hudson County Community College is scheduling several information sessions this summer for local residents to learn about its programs. College staff will be available to discuss the admissions process, financial aid, degree and certificate programs, and transfer opportunities after graduating. Ses-sions are as follows:
Thursday, June 1411 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.Culinary Arts Institute/Conference Center161 Newkirk Street, Room 511Jersey City, NJ 07306
Wednesday, August 8 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.Culinary Arts Institute/Conference Center161 Newkirk Street, Room 511Jersey City NJ 07306
Thursday, August 911 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.Multi-Purpose Room (N 203)North Hudson Higher Education Center4800 Kennedy Blvd.Union City, NJ 07087
For further information or to RSVP for any of these sessions, please e-mail [email protected].
The Brass Rail in Hoboken, American Cont inenta l Cuis ine s erved Simply Upscale
By Sally Deering In April 2005, Joseph San Philip and his partners Isabel Pane and Chef Doug-las Gough bought The Brass Rail on Washington Street in Hoboken, an upscale bar and restaurant that served fine French cuisine. The Brass Rail is still one of Hoboken’s upscale dining establishments and it offers two different dining atmospheres. You enter into the bar area, a laid back and casual dining area that seats about 50 and where you can relax at the bar or sit at the tables and gaze out through the windows at busy Wash-ington Street. The second floor, which seats 80, is an upstairs getaway from the bar scene that can be quiet enough for a couple on a date and big enough for pri-vate parties. Unlike the
previous owners, The Brass Rail’s bar and dinner menus are offered both upstairs and downstairs. “You’re allowed to dine on whatever you like wher-ever you like,” San Philip says. “We don’t put a restriction on that.” San Philip describes
The Brass Rail’s cuisine as American Continental, a dinner menu of upscale appetizers and entrees and a bar menu offering creative casual food, all under the direction of Chef Gough,a culinary institute graduate with extensive restaurant experience.
Gough has several signature dishes that turn first-time guests into regulars. San Philip says: “Our Calamari is some of the best around. It’s not traditional. The chef does a Thai dip-ping sauce and the cala-mari is pretty special. It’s definitely something you’d remember and come back for.” Two entrees, the Skirt Steak served with spinach, blue cheese and mushrooms, and topped with shoestring potatoes is another Brass Rail signa-ture dish. So is the Salmon Steamed in Ginger served over bok choy and rice and topped with pineapple and shrimp tapenade. “Those have been on the menu since we’ve been here,” San Philip says. “We like to use different
ingredients and we like to give our clientele variety, (but) there’d be riots if we took those off (the menu.) Appetizers on the Dinner menu include French Onion Soup Gratin with Madeira reduction and a gruyere crouton; Crisp Fried Calamari with a sweet basil, garlic, Thai spiced dip; Mesclun Salad with tomato concasse, endive, and sherry vinaigrette; Spicy Tuna Tartare, sesame oil, fried capers and a seaweed pea-shoot salad; Burrata Salad over baby arugula in a black truffle vinaigrette; Truffle Meatballs & Gnocchi with pancetta and mushrooms in a sherry cream; P.E.I. Mussels, white wine, garlicand roasted tomatoes with basil pesto; Lobster Mac & Cheese with black truffle
Cont’d on page 22
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restaurant VIEWSCont’d from page 21
Brass Rail butter; Bibb & Tabouleh Salad topped with marinated feta; and a Chopped Vegeta-ble Salad with ricotta salata and a whole grain mustard vinaigrette. Entrees include Ginger Steamed Salmon with stir-fry bok choy, basmati rice and rock shrimp pineapple tapenade; Grilled Filet Mignon with potato gratin, spring vegetable napoleon and a horse radish cream; Grilled Cowboy Steak with spring vegetable salad and a red wine reduction; Chicken Breast with wild mushroom and sweet pea risotto and a leek black truffle vinai-grette; Grilled Swordfish over faro salad and grilled asparagus in a lemon butter sauce; Pan-Seared Scallops with lager creamed spinach and pickled polenta fries; Moroccan Spiced Crusted Tuna with vegetableratatouille, couscous and a harissa aioli; Braised Beef Short Ribs with parsnip puree, spinach and carrotbatons; Garlic Rubbed Skirt Steak with sautéed spinach, wild mushrooms, blue
cheese and shoestring potatoes; and Cioppino, pork seafood stew with a light tomato sauce.
and a pistachio sage brown butter sauce; Black Peppered Shrimp & Shells with cherry tomatoes, sweet peas and ricotta salata in a basil pesto; and Seared Scallops & Lin-guini with roasted peppers, asparagus and bacon in mustard cream. The Brass Rail offers a dessert menu, special brunch menu and an extensive wine and beer list, too. Hoboken has very few upscale dining establishments like The Brass Rail, San Philip says. Great food and service give the restaurant its high ratings, and so does a good business philosophy. “In the end the service goal is simple,” San Philip says. “When a guest sits down the goal for them is to leave happy.”
If You Go:The Brass Rail Restaurant & Bar
135 Washington St # A Hoboken, NJ 07030(201) 659-7074
The Bar Menu features Sandwiches, Pastas and Pizzas and includes the Rail Burger with lettuce, tomato, onion, pancetta & smoked mozz; Spicy Grilled Chick-en Sandwich with avocado, blue cheese and hot sauce; BR Lobster Roll withpancetta, fries; Beef Short Rib Sandwich with lettuce,
tomato, onions and a horse-radish mayo; Sausage Pizza with wild mushrooms and chorizo with fontina cheese and tomato fondue; Pro-sciutto Pizza with arugula and cream of bleu cheese; Truffle Meatballs & Gnocchi with pancetta and mushroom in sherry cream; Spinach and Goat Cheese Ravioli with garlic sausage
Chubb refers to the insurers of the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies. Chubb Personal Insurance (CPI) is the personal lines property and casualty strategic business unit of Chubb & Son,a division of Federal Insurance Company, as manager and/or agent for the insurers of the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies. This literature is descriptive only. Not available in all states.
Muller Insurance930 Washington StreetHoboken, NJ 07030 • 201-659-2403www.mullerinsurance.com
Financial Strength and Exceptional Claim Service Homeowners | Auto | Yacht | Jewelry | Antiques | Collector Car
You gave a ring as a symbol of your promise to love and protect.But how well will your homeowners policy helpprotect your fine jewelry? Most homeowners policies provide only a limited amount of coverage for jewelry. Forbroader coverage, we recommend a valuable articles policy from Chubb to complement your homeownersinsurance. Chubb’s expertise has made it a leading insurer of fine jewelry. No wonder we think it’s worth itsweight in gold. To help protect your fine jewelry, call us for information about Chubb insurance.
HOW WELL DOES YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY KEEP ITS PROMISES?
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