There’s a new Irish bar and restaurant to cozy up to in Jersey City this fall {fingers crossed!}. New York City’s popular Hudson Hound announced the opening of a new Jersey City location last week {in the former home of Talde}, Hudson Hound JC, situated in the heart of the pedestrian plaza. Here’s what we know about the newest spot coming downtown:
{Photo Credit: @taldejc}
A Home Away from Home
The original Hudson Hound has been serving New York City for 20 years. It dubs itself a “modern Irish bar and restaurant bringing contemporary touches to traditional fare.” The bar also supports small businesses, buying from small craft brewers, and boasts of “one of the best pints of Guinness on the East Coast.” And according to reviews, Hudson Hound doesn’t disappoint. Buzz Tonight hails the OG location as a truly special Irish bar able to “separate itself from the competition.” And the bar’s Facebook page is chock-full of happy customers.
So how does the new spot stack up? Patrons can expect a modern American cuisine, with a tip of the hat to the bar’s Irish ownership. Owners Jason O’Brien and chef Donal Crosbie are not just Irish, they’re also locals. O’Brien moved to Jersey City six years ago, while Crosbie has been in residence for 20 years. “Donal has been begging me to open here [Jersey City] for 15 years,” O’Brien told Hoboken Girl in an interview. “I regret not coming a lot sooner. There’s a really great transformation that’s happening. I’ve really fallen in love with the neighborhood.”
See More: Corkscrew Bar & Grill: A Jersey City Staple Since 1976
Hudson Hound isn’t these owners’ first rodeo. O’Brien and Crosbie are also at the helm of Trinity Place in NYC. Crosbie’s bio on the Trinity Place web site proves that he’s got some serious chops, which O’Brien vouches for. After stints at Dublin’s five-star Shelbourne Hotel and La Stampa, among others, Crosbie helped open Spago Palo Alto with renowned chef Wolfgang Puck. Then, Crosbie was Executive Chef at Morrell Wine Bar and Cafe in Rockefeller Plaza, and now, he owns bars and restaurants in his own right.
“Donal comes from a higher-end background,” O’Brien noted, “but our goal is to serve comfort food, healthy food, and what’s available in abundance at the market. Our model is an easy-going, modern American bar that’s a home away from home.”
The Scoop on the Jersey City Space
Hudson Hound JC will take up residence at 8 Erie Street, according to Jersey Digs, right in the heart of downtown Jersey City, occupying the space that formerly housed Talde and Miss Wong’s {a bar inside Talde}. Talde closed abruptly in August after four years serving up Asian fusion cuisine. Dale Talde, known for his stint on Top Chef, and the brains behind the operation, told NorthJersey.com that he is scouting new locations for the restaurant, likely in NYC or Brooklyn. In the meantime, thanks to O’Brien and Crosbie, residents can enjoy the taste of something new at this prime location come fall.
When to Go + What to Expect
If you come for a bite, expect some favorites from the New York City menu, O’Brien said, like the ever-popular adobo rotisserie chicken, and a menu that changes according to the season. “We want to give everybody something they want. This menu is going to be very similar to the one in New York, but we always cater to and are responsive to customers’ interests.” Dishes will range from about $15-$26, which, O’Brien noted, “means you can afford to eat here two or three times a week.”
{Photo Credit: @hudsonhoundnyc via Facebook}
Read More: 10 Unique Burgers in Jersey City to Try ASAP
But O’Brien and Crosbie are more than just owners, they hope to become part of the fabric of downtown Jersey City. “We like to know our customers,” O’Brien remarked. “We like to be very engaged in the community. We know who butters our bread. We want to be connected to the neighborhood and we don’t take anything for granted.”
Case in point, Hudson Hound JC was slated to open in March, when COVID-19 hit. So why isn’t the space opening now with all the other restaurants in town? “We want to give all the struggling [existing] restaurants in the area time to recover. We’re trying to support local restaurants in Jersey City too, and we don’t want to take that business away,” O’Brien explained. “We made a conscious decision to hold off on opening, and we think we’ll get a fair shot in September when things have hopefully settled down.”
If all goes according to plan, Hudson Hound JC will be open for dinner seven days a week, and serve a brunch menu on both Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30AM-4:00PM. Come settle in at your newest destination this fall.
Got a news tip? Let us know — email us at hello@hobokengirl.com! We appreciate it.
Check out Hoboken Girl’s new Job Board here!
