Downtown Jersey City Bar and Restaurant News and Updates

A lot has been going on in the bar and restaurant scene in downtown Jersey City, happening too fast to keep the site as updated as Twitter, so here is a quick recap to keep everyone in the loop:

Greene Hook (Formerly Cityside Bistro)

The folks at Light Horse Tavern are opening a gastropub at 70 Greene Street in the spot that used to be Cityside Bistro.  Via nemobeatz, founder of Lafayette Nextdoor (check it out!).

Raval at 136 Newark Avenue (Formerly Synergy)

Satis' owner to open a wine and tapas bar.  Via nemobeatz, always in the know!

Departed Soles Brewing Company

Jersey City is getting its own brew!  Departed Soles Brewing Co., a new company that brews gluten-free & regular craft beers, will be making its home at 150 Bay Street 2A.

Taphaus Biergarten (Crystal Point)

Work on a new beer garden, Taphaus Biergarten, is underway on the ground floor of Crystal Point (2 Second Street).  No expected opening date, although their direct NYC waterfront views will surely make it a must-visit watering hole.  Via reddit.

Porta

Porta, known for their Asbury Park pizza restaurant and dance club, is still at work on their Jersey City location at 135 Newark Avenue. Opening date is expected to be next month, July 2014.  Check out this photo of their pizza oven being delivered!  Via @corinne_v.

The Big Straw NJ

The Big Straw's new tea room and cafe at 276 First Street is also still under construction, opening date expected mid-to-end of July 2014.  But you can still catch them at Groove on Grove to try their extensive variety of bubble teas!

Koro Koro Rice Ball Cafe

A new sign for Koro Koro Rice Ball Cafe has popped up at 538 Jersey Avenue (between Columbus and Newark, a couple doors down from Choc O Pain).  Via ‏@stevieshamrocks.

ME Casa Food Truck

ME Casa now has a food truck!  Known for their highly praised Puerto Rican and Latin American dishes served at their restaurant at 356 Varick Street, ME Casa now has a mobile kitchen.  Keep your eyes peeled for their bright yellow truck!

Talde Jersey City and Carrino Provisions (8 Erie Street)

Still under construction, but floor plans and pricing for the apartment rentals at Telco Lofts (also at 8 Erie Street) are now online.

Update (6/11/2014): The Jersey Journal is reporting a couple of new dining options at the Newport Centre Mall including Panera Bread and Potatopia in the dining pavilion currently undergoing renovations until October 2014.

Update (6/13/2014): BROA Cafe at 279 Grove Street also appears to be very close to opening, possibly within the next couple of weeks or so.

Update (6/16/2014): The new wine and tapas place at 136 Newark Avenue is going to be called Raval according to It's Jersey City.