Rome-born and raised Stephania Cocozza, always had a vision for her own coffee shop. “A cozy place that was not a cookie-cutter cafe – traditional but with twentieth-century twists.” There should be fresh Italian pastries. The space is good for small and intimate gatherings – and the espresso drinks must be excellent. So after a twenty-year career working for big coffee companies, when she decided to open 9 Bar Cafe, the preparation was painstaking. It took Stephania a year to find a perfect spot, which ended up being at 18 Erie Street and later, 200 Greene Street in Jersey City, “a unique small space in an old building located in a quiet neighborhood.” Read on to learn more about 9 Bar Cafe in Jersey City.
The Space
The original location opened in February 2015, aptly named after the industry-standard nine-bar pressure applied when brewing espresso. It expanded to a second, larger location two years later, in the Urby Apartment building near Exchange Place.
The two locations follow different aesthetics. The Erie Street shop, with its French windows, exposed brick walls, dark-toned wood furniture, is quaint and intimate.
Read More: All About Hudson Kitchen, a Food Incubator in Kearny
The Urby location, high-ceilinged and flooded with light, is sleek and more contemporary. The layout is thoughtful and highly functional, with different areas designated for remote working, small gatherings, or casual meet-ups.
The Menu
The menu is compact. There are “flavored” coffee and tea drinks — mocha, matcha latte, chai latte, served hot or iced — and the options do not wander far off the familiar terrain. Its strongest suit is the espresso itself. A nice volume of viscous potion, beautiful crema on top. It’s potent, but easy on the palate. The flavors are distinct but extremely smooth. There is no overwhelming bitterness and acidity.
Cappuccinos and macchiatos are also excellent, with their silky foams and layered froth-milk texture. Affogato (a scoop of ice cream drowned with a shot of espresso) and shakerato (espresso, ice cubes, syrup shaken together like a martini) are available in summer.
“I wanted to keep it simple, consistent and distinctive,” Cocozza said of the beans. The espresso uses a medium-roast house blend custom roasted at a facility owned by a good friend. The regular coffee uses a dark roast, also custom-roasted.
Passion for Perfection
(Photo credit: @9barcafe)
Stephania’s approach to the food and beverage offerings is just as focused as her quest for the right space.
See More: Bayonne-Based Cafe Coming to Jersey City
To start, the barista training was, as still is, meticulous. “I teach them everything, from the history of coffee to the technique of making the perfect espresso and the preparation of the steaming of the milk,” Cocozza told Hoboken Girl.
(Photo credit: @9barcafe)
Pastries and sweets are also prepared with diligent attention. Croissant doughs are shipped frozen from Italy, thus the plump shape iconic of a “cornetto”, and freshly baked daily. So are the pão de queijo (cheese bread, made of parmesan and tapioca flour), which are imported from Brazil.
(Photo credit: @9barcafe)
Cakes, butter cookies, and quiches are made in-house – while some other specialties are sourced from local bakeries. Get the custardy, rum-infused canelé whenever they are available the burnished crust crackles beautifully like the outer crumbs of sourdough.
To stay in the know with 9 Bar Cafe, follow along on Instagram at @9barcafe.
Meal Delivery Service Feast & Fettle Launches in Hudson County
This article is sponsored by Feast & Fettle.
There’s nothing like a delicious dinner at the end of a long day, and a new meal prep delivery service is changing that — which just launched in Hoboken + Jersey City, and Hudson County as a whole. Feast & Fettle officially launched in Hudson County, delivering fresh, chef-prepared meals straight to Hoboken, Jersey City, and beyond. With a rotating menu and locally sourced ingredients, Feast & Fettle keeps true to its name (and we’re loving it so far). Keep reading to learn more about this North Jersey meal prep service and how you can snag an exclusive offer below.
The Details
Feast & Fettle is a food delivery service with a rotating menu of chef-prepared meals. Every dish is made from scratch using fresh, locally sourced ingredients — and delivered to your door with no chopping, mixing, or sautéeing required.
The menu pretty much caters to every craving and dietary preference. From seared steaks and pasta dishes to vegan bowls and fresh seafood, Feast & Fettle has something for everyone (all of it good and good for you). Some of our favorites include the chicken pot pie, fettuccine with broccoli and cauliflower alfredo, roasted vegetables, and quinoa salad with vegan pesto. And, all meals are delivered FRESH (never frozen).
In addition to dinner entrees and sides, there's also a selection of breakfast, lunch, kids' items, and juices. Like we said: something for everyone.
How it Works
Feast & Fettle isn’t your average meal delivery service — and as of this week, it’s officially available to Hudson County residents. Members personalize their plans based on how many people are in the household and how many meals they want covered. Delivery is on your time, too. Once you choose your meal items for the week, you select the drop-off day. There’s no grocery shopping or cooking, or stressing out over what to make — just fresh food delivered like a gift once a week.
Feast & Fettle is a no-commitment meal delivery service, meaning you pay when you order and can cancel at any time.
Don’t forget, you can get 20% off your first week of meals with code HG20 until 2/14/25.
Feast & Fettle is now delivering to Bergen, Morris, Essex, and Passaic Counties as well as newly-launched Hudson County. For more info or to become a member, visit the site.
