The first few weeks of 2024 have been a whirlwind of local headlines: New Jersey’s last Sears superseded by Hudson County’s first Dave + Buster’s; Hoboken couple goes viral with cutest baby’s-first-flight-story ever; the arrival of new businesses; and a number of local business closures. Over the next week, Jersey City residents will say goodbye to another beloved eatery — Sunday, January 21st will be the last day of service for Pasta Dal Cuore. The locally-owned Italian restaurant at 527 Jersey Avenue has kept Jersey City locals fed and full over the last ten years, with homemade pasta dishes to write home about (and believe us, we have). Despite its closure, Pasta Dal Cuore’s owner, Elena Cartagena, is already plotting her next culinary venture. Read on for everything we know about Pasta Dal Cuore’s closure in Jersey City.
The Closure
On the morning of Wednesday, January 17th, Pasta Dal Cuore announced its official closure via an Instagram post. The post started with an anecdote from the owner, Elana: “When I started PDC in 2014, my goal was to bring modern Italian cuisine — the way I loved it — to my hometown Jersey City. I began with fresh pasta and grew into a full service restaurant.” In the subsequent slide, Elena broke the news: “So it is with a heavy heart that I announce this will be PDC’s last weekend.” See the full post below.
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Though Elena didn’t explicitly cite reasons for closure, she eluded to challenges small businesses so often face, especially since COVID-19. Despite the challenges, she said that she and her team “had an incredible time and served [their] community with love and dedication.” Elena, rightfully so, is “so proud of what [they] have accomplished.”
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Pasta Dal Cuore will be closed Wednesday, January 17th, and Thursday, January 18th, before opening back up for its final weekend of service. The Jersey City restaurant is open Friday, January 19th at 5PM, and will remain open throughout the weekend, opening at 1PM Saturday and Sunday. Elena invites locals to “come by, have a drink, eat some pasta.”
Elena made it clear to The Hoboken Girl that though Pasta Dal Cuore’s story ends here, hers does not. She shared with HG: “Although I do plan to move on from Pasta Dal Cuore, I am exploring new opportunities to continue to serve my community, potentially in a new iteration, or new take on Italian cuisine.”
About Pasta Dal Cuore
Elena Cartagena started Pasta Dal Cuore in November of 2014, first as a pasta store and then eight months later as a full-service restaurant. As locals know good and well, Pasta Dal Cuore is not your average Italian — but Elena’s story isn’t average either. She left the advertising world of NYC for culinary school and traveled around Italy for four months, soaking up the recipes and culture like a fresh piece of semolina in a dish of olive oil. She brought her new knowledge back to her hometown of Jersey City, and a few years later (after a stint at the Eataly pasta counter), she did just that. An Italy-trained, Eataly veteran making pasta right here in Jersey City? Unsurprisingly, Pasta Dal Cuore quickly rose to local favorite status.
The menu features a collection of dishes from Elena’s time in Italy, representing not just a particular region but highlighting the whole country. Some highlights from over the years include the Farro salad, served warm with farro, beets, pickled red onion, goat cheese, kale, and pistachios tossed in vinaigrette. The Suppli and Meatballs were also a go-to of ours.
See More: A List of Must-Try Pasta Spots in Essex County
Everything is made from scratch and some ingredients are even sourced from the Grove Street Farmers Market. That said, all of the pastas are noteworthy, but one favorite was the spinach linguine with pancetta, caramelized onion, tomatoes, red pepper flakes, and pecorino.
Locals undoubtedly will miss Pasta Dal Cuore and its varsity lineup of homemade pasta dishes, but we’re excited to see where Elena takes her culinary talents next.
For all the latest Hoboken + Jersey City news, be sure to follow @thehobokengirl on Instagram and TikTok.
Things to Do in Hoboken + JC Instead of Scrolling TikTok (If It Gets Banned)
While the country patiently awaits the Supreme Court’s decision on whether to ban TikTok on January 19th, we Hoboken + Jersey City residents will have plenty to do to replace all of that scroll time and unplug. Here at The Hoboken Girl, we’re thinking positively and embracing the pending change to use this as a time to reconnect with ourselves, our hobbies, our passions, and even our community — something the world could use a little more of right now. Keep reading for an extensive list of what to do with all your time in Hoboken and Jersey City if TikTok gets banned.
For Self-Care Gurus
Book a spa service (like a facial or massage) at Woodhouse Spa, Salvation Wellness, Alivio Wellness, Gaia’s Cavern, Skin by EC, Studio 17, or SoJo Spa.
Try a sensory deprivation float tank experience or Scalar Lightwave Therapy at Om. Life Wellness.
Try cryotherapy, compression therapy, LED light therapy, and more at Zen Om Studio.
Listen to a guided meditation or inspiring podcast while getting a mani-pedi at one of your favorite local salons.
Visit Chrissy The Crystal Indigo for healing work, an aura reading, or a tarot reading. Plus shop around for amazing metaphysical items.
Get an IV Drip for an extra boost at Hoboken Drip Lounge.
Try acupuncture for an overall wellness boost.
Visit a local dispensary for a little extra relaxation.
Read More: 10 Hoboken + Jersey City Creators You Can Shop From Online
For Foodies
Take a cooking class at Hudson Table.
Explore dozens of mocktail creations at local eateries.
Get your handmade chocolate fix at Lepore’s or Lee Sims.
Go on a self-guided hot chocolate tour.
Make your own sushi at Saku.
Visit Van Hook for a gourmet grilled cheese or decadent, customized charcuterie board.
Take the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and go on a self-guided coffee tour. (Yes, we have a spot for each stop!)
For Creatives
Work with your hands by taking a pottery class at Blue Skies, Clay Studio, or Betty’s Ceramics Club.
Design your own colorful creation at Tipsy Tie Dye.
Learn the art of shoemaking and design your very own pair of shoes at Hoboken Shoedio.
Tap into your inner fashion designer and sew your own clothes at Galastella Studio.
Craft a designer-quality handbag Youssoufiani.
Try a paint and sip or woodworking class from our local activities guide.
Visit Dirty Hippie Studio to stock up on affordable art supplies and shop creations from local artists.
For Readers
Shop around a local bookstore like WORD, Symposia, or Little City Books to find some new reads.
Visit one of Hoboken + Jersey City’s public library branches and grab a library card. (Check out the New Jersey Room at the Priscilla Gardner Library in Jersey City + the Library of Things at the Hoboken Library Main Branch.)
Participate in the Completely Booked Book Swap on January 30th.
Cozy up in a local coffee shop with your next read.
Join a local book club.
For Fitness Lovers
Unwind with a yoga or meditation class.
Let it all out and go axe-throwing with friends.
Mix things up with a unique workout class. (Think rowing, dancing, kickboxing, and more.)
Sign up and begin training for the next Jersey City Marathon happening on April 13th, 2025.
For Fashionistas
Shop small at one of Hoboken + Jersey City’s many boutiques.
Go on a self-guided vintage/thrift shopping tour.
Grab a fresh magazine like Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Elle, and more at Davis Stationery. (You can even use it for vision boarding when you’re done!)
Check out new stores that joined the neighborhood.
For Lovers of the Arts
Attend a show at White Eagle Hall.
Grab a ticket for an upcoming show at Jersey City Theater Center or Mile Square Theatre.
Visit the Liberty Science Center, Hoboken Museum, or MORA Art Museum.
Catch a movie at your local movie theater.
Do a self-guided art crawl to admire the many murals of Hoboken + Jersey City.
Visit a local art gallery.
For Adventurers
Take a Top Rope Belay Certification class at The Gravity Vault.
Go on a self-guided walking tour of Hoboken. (Bonus: try our Frank Sinatra walking tour).
Go on a self-guided tour of one of Jersey City’s many neighborhoods such as Jersey City Heights, Paulus Hook, or Journal Square.
Walk along the waterfront and take photos of your findings.
Take the ferry to NYC for a waterfront adventure.
See More: What’s Filming in Montclair + Essex County? An Ongoing List of Movies + TV Shows
For Social Butterflies
Check our events guides for hundreds (yes, hundreds) of things to do every week.
Invite visitors to town and show them around to remind yourself of all the reasons to love Hoboken + Jersey City.
Join a co-working space to mix up your day-to-day or hone in on a creative project.
Get involved in local volunteer opportunities.
Seek out local networking opportunities.
Join Hive Athletic or Volo Sports for some group sports fun.
Post in our Hoboken + Jersey City Insiders FB Group for local meetups.
