The Hamilton Park neighborhood is an adorable part of Jersey City with tree-lined streets and great corner bars and restaurants like Ed & Mary’s {located at 174 Coles Street}. Places like these turn into your home away from home — where you go to celebrate, commiserate, or just cozy up on a cold night. We recently visited Ed & Mary’s {formerly 9th & Coles} for some grub + drinks; see what we thought about this Hamilton Park locale in Jersey City:
The Atmosphere
Because it’s located on the corner of the block, there is plenty of outdoor real estate on the sidewalk. Take your pick from the ample seating area and head inside to place your food and drink order at the bar. Servers will bring your order to the table so you can continue to enjoy the beautiful day. Feel free to bring your four-legged BFF with you as the friendly staff sets out water bowls {so you can both enjoy a cool drink}.
If the summer heat or fall chill is too much for you outside, grab a booth inside where you’ll be in close proximity to their massive beer menu hanging on the wall. The interior and the music selection made it feel like Pearl Jam met brunch on the day we visited. Rock tunes livened up the mood on a sleepy Sunday morning. The coffee was strong and the vibe chill.
The location was formerly known as 9th and Coles, but its new owners, Ed and Mary Snyder, took over and added some fun upgrades {including a penny bar and spot for darts in the large back room}. For special occasions, the back room is a perfect option since it’s set away from the bar and the rest of the restaurant {although it is not completely private}.
The Drinks
See More: Harry’s Daughter in Jersey City: Bergen Lafayette’s Caribbean-Inspired Gastropub
First things first: the mimosas were good and served in a wine glass so the portions were quite generous. The same holds true for their Aperol spritz {practically served in a chalice} which can be a hit or miss at a restaurant depending on who’s pouring. The best part about both of these drinks is that they were on the specials menu for brunch. $5 mimosas are a major score.
The Food
They have great brunch staples like a breakfast burrito {loaded with black beans, cheese, and pico de gallo}, a grilled chicken sandwich piled high with avocado, bacon, tomato, and lettuce, and sweet potato hash topped with eggs.
The pièce de résistance, however, is their menu of different kinds of grilled cheese. We’re not just talking about using different kinds of cheeses. We’re talking about the use of truffle oil drizzles, house-made bacon, challah bread, and black peppercorn dressing in at least seven different kinds of grilled cheese. It’s the ideal way to indulge. Lighten up your meal by skipping their {delicious} fries and getting a side of their tasty Brussel sprouts.
Consider stopping in during the week for dinner and dining on veggie burgers and a Brussels Caesar salad. The best part is that you can stay for after-dinner drinks and tell your friends to meet you at this neighborhood hangout because the bar is open until 3:00AM.
READ: Weehawken’s Hudson Blue Bar and View: A Review
Have you ever been to Ed & Mary’s? Share your experience with us in the comments below and tag us in your foodie pics on Instagram @HobokenGirlBlog + #HobokenGirl <3
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