Rumors were flying high in the Hoboken dining scene as whispers of City Bistro, a rooftop restaurant and lounge bar located at 56 14th Street in Hoboken, was listed for sale on LoopNet. To clear the air, The Hoboken Girl had a sit-down with the owner, John Avoletta, who denied any intention of selling the establishment. Contrary to the rumor, John plans to introduce a new concept in the new year for his other restaurant The Stewed Cow, located at 400 Adams Street in Hoboken. Read on to learn more about the rumor as well as the rebranding of The Stewed Cow.
The Rumor
LoopNet is an online marketplace for commercial property listings for sale and for lease in the US. A listing on LoopNet for what appeared to be the City Bistro location prompted a rumor that the uptown restaurant was selling. City Bistro has been in the same location for 25 years. Owner John Avoletta firmly denied any intention of parting ways with the establishment. “I do not know how the listings got on LoopNet and, for the record, gross sales listed and purchase price? So strange,” John said. The rumor can also be found on this Reddit thread. The LoopNet listing has been taken down in the meantime.
About City Bistro
City Bistro opened in 1999 and has become a neighborhood favorite in the heart of uptown Hoboken. Owned and operated by John Avoletta, City Bistro is a rooftop restaurant and lounge that has been serving drinks and dishes at 56 14th Street for the last 25 years.
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The establishment is home to several private dining areas and event spaces, as well as a rooftop deck with full-service dining and bar. The rooftop was created for guests to enjoy the views of uptown Hoboken while dining during brunch or dinner service. The restaurant resides on three floors and serves Italian American fare.
City Bistro is currently in the process of updating its menu, according to John. The current menu features choices of flatbreads, pizzas, entrees, burgers, salads, and appetizers. John also owns and operates a few other restaurants in Hoboken, including Johnny Pepperoni for 14 years — and now, The Stewed Cow. After refuting the City Bistro rumor, John shared his plans for rebranding The Stewed Cow.
The Stewed Cow Rebrand Details
The Stewed Cow, located at 400 Adams Street, is a laid-back, Texas-style pub currently serving American comfort fare accompanied by country + rock music. After removing its mechanical bull a few years back, the restaurant will now undergo g a rebranding in the new year, according to John. He shared exclusively with The Hoboken Girl that he and its former owner Joe [owner of The Brass Rail] had been in talks for a long time prior to the changeover.
The upcoming changes promise an innovative concept, stepping away from the typical sports bar environment.
“The Stewed Cow will be transformed into a new and interesting concept, something that is not being done in the city. No TVs – [it will be] food forward,” John said. He is working with Risclas Agnese, a Manhattan-based design firm, to craft his vision for the space.
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John highlighted the revamp of The Stewed Cow’s menu, emphasizing the shift towards entirely in-house items, extending all the way to the restaurant’s meat and poultry. An expanded wine list and tequila offerings are expected to be a part of the changes.
“I love the neighborhood vibe there. We are very excited for this new chapter,” John said. For more news and lifestyle content, be sure to follow @thehobokengirl on Instagram and TikTok.
