The best part about dinner is undeniably dessert. Sure, appetizers are great and main courses are good, but we all know dessert is king. Just outside of downtown Jersey City sits McGinley Square, a part of town that is on the rise as far as new businesses coming to fruition. The neighborhood has a relatively new dessert bar/French kitchen serving up some incredibly delicious sweet and savory options. The latest installment on Bergen Avenue is OhLaLa!Dessert Bar + French Kitchen. Think of this as your brunch headquarters, and where to enjoy food and drinks after work {they are BYOB}. Read more to hear about this must-visit BYOB dessert bar + French kitchen in the heart of JC.
All About OhLaLa!
OhLaLa! is a collaboration between partners Diana Vasquez {native Jersey City real estate broker} and Ariles De Tizi {Parisian artist + painter}. The two teamed up to create a much-needed space in a part of town that had limited post-work food and drink options. Since cooking for friends and family is a favorite pastime for this duo, they seized an opportunity to fill this void and bring new life to the community.
See More: Dairy-Free Treats Found in Jersey City
The Space
The cafe location was previously a barbershop that has since been gutted out and renovated into what is now OhLaLa!. High ceilings, exposed brick, and bright white walls amplify the youthful aesthetic of this Bergen Avenue hot spot. Seating is minimal {there’s room for about 10 people}, but it’s perfect for a weekend bunch or just drinking coffee while catching up on work {aka there’s wi-fi}. The kitchen itself is French-inspired but also has a bit of influence from the owners’ travels around the world. Chef Fallou Ly is steering this culinary ship who was previously staffed at a French restaurant in NYC. The passion the owners have for the community and food are reflected in this venture and it has proven itself to be a dwelling place for locals in the McGinley Square part of town.
Let’s Talk About The Food.
On the sweet side of the menu, diners can expect crepes and waffles topped with anything from fresh fruit, chocolate sauce, ice cream, and even freshly toasted marshmallows.
The OhLaLa! is a decadent crêpe served with Nutella, bananas, strawberries, toasted marshmallows and a scoop of vanilla ice cream {talk about a sugar high}. For a lighter option, the Mimosa is filled with honey, fresh raspberries, mint, and lemon juice. Although the crepes might be the star of the menu, the baked in-house cakes, cookies, and croissants shouldn’t be missed either.
The chocolate chip cookie was a fan favorite and pays homage to the oh-so-familiar NYC cookie from Levain Bakery. This cookie incredibly delicious and is enough reason to swing by the shop this weekend.
On the savory side of the menu, guests will find salads, tartines, sandwiches, and crepes filled with vegetables, cheese, and even smoked salmon. The croque madame is exceptionally tasty with thick-cut brioche and served with a side of mixed greens.
For drinks, a whole side of the menu is dedicated to the caffeine enthusiast as well as the must-try three coco mocha {white, dark, + milk Belgian chocolate}. HOLYYYYY.
Read More: A Definitive List of Hoboken Desserts You Must Eat ASAP
The community is still growing so the team is working to perfect the kitchen and get the staff strong before diving into delivery. Hopefully, in the next month, OhLaLa! will be found on a Seamless or Ubereats delivery platform. A spring menu is also in the works so stay tuned for more sweet and savory treats from this soon-to-be favorite cafe.
Hours + Location
OhLaLa! is located at 690 Bergen Avenue in McGinley Square. For now, the hours are Wednesday to Friday 3:00PM-10:00PM, Saturday 12:00PM-10:00PM, and Sunday 12:00PM-8:00PM. The owners noted that these will change based on the response from the community and once the kitchen is ready for longer days. Do yourself a favor and check out OhLaLa! this weekend for all your sweet and savory needs.
Have you been to OhLaLa! yet? Do you have a go-to treat? Let us know in the comments!
