ALDI is saving you from the embarrassment of burnt meat and open-flame disasters this summer with their Grillmaster sweepstakes, which was kicked off at their rooftop Summer Grill Out on June 18.
There’s a myriad of faux-exotic liquors on the market today: they boast of youth, charm, popularity, perhaps even an advancement in terms of attractiveness to the opposite sex.
Do you ever wish you could be whisked away on a fast, ferry ride to a rooftop lounge with magnificent, Manhattan and Hudson River views? Well, wish no more! The RoofTop at Exchange Place in Jersey City is just your place. The seven-minute NY Waterway ride from the Brookfield Ferry Terminal in lower Manhattan is followed by a quick walk to the spirited venue. The whole evening is an experience like no other!
I was greeted at the door and taken to the rooftop by elevator where another host welcomed me. I felt like I walked into a fun party with lots of different groups. The DJ was spinning lively pop, hip-hop and Top 40. The views of the Manhattan skyline and beyond were exquisite. Seeing the Statue of Liberty was an added plus!
What about the food? The official word: “The menu is inspired by regional American cuisine with strong Mid-Atlantic-New Jersey roots, showcasing local farms and artisanal products.”
I had the tasty burger sliders, while a friend enjoyed the spicy tuna with ponzu sauce and a crispy wonton. The Tuscan kale Caesar salad with a black, garlic crouton is another tapas bite. For the grande finale, the cast-iron, chocolate-chip cookie served with spumoni bomba, rainbow sprinkles and a sparkler can’t be beat!
Check out the summer signature cocktails. The green tea Long Island is made with vodka, gin, white rum, Amaro Nonino Quintessia, green tea lemonade and lemon simple syrup. The sexy Sicilian spritzer features Aperol, Prosecco and blood-orange soda. Mocktails are available on request.
What else sets the RoofTop at Exchange Place apart? The knowledgeable servers are among the friendliest I’ve ever met. The retractable roof and walls are made of glass, which is perfect for inclement weather. If you’re cold, you can warm up by the fire pit on the outside deck! Screen-printed wraps illustrating New York and New Jersey adorn the restroom doors.
An added bonus: on my ferry ride home, fabulous fireworks were going off next to the Colgate Clock.
I can’t wait to return to RoofTop at Exchange Place for another exciting escape!
Spicy Tuna: Photo Courtesy of RoofTop at Exchange Place
Sicilian Spritz: Photo by Laurie Heifetz
View from the Deck: Photo by Laurie Heifetz
Lead Photo and Instagram reels by Laurie Heifetz: @thetravelprose
rooftopxp.com
RoofTop at Exchange Place (located in Hyatt House, 1 Exchange Place, Jersey City, New Jersey
For many Americans, champagne has always been reserved for moments of iconic joy: celebrations and special occasions only. Given champagne’s seemingly physical manifestation of joy with its golden color and pop of bubbles, it makes sense.
The daily grind of life can be tough. Day in and day out we are faced with tasks that can be stressful and emotionally draining. Every one needs a vacation eventually. It can be difficult to find the perfect way to spend those precious free moments in your calendar. But, a sweet escape that will entertain you and keep you smiling non-stop is to be found on the newest grand ship hitting the water.
There’s always been a little confusion about where Hells Kitchen ends and Theater District begins, and vice versa. Newly opened bar “Dutch Fred’s” at 307 W. 47th looks to, if anything, be the boundary line: Dutch Fred, a police officer around 1900 said while patrolling in the area, “Hell is a milder climate, this is Hell’s Kitchen.” The name stuck for the neighborhood, and finally there’s a bar acknowledging the curious reality. We were able to spend some time at Dutch Fred’s on a warm June evening, exploring the space and tasting the menu.
Located in a prime section of theater and arts venues just west of the real craziness, Dutch Fred’s is close enough to be a stopover before a show, but far enough to not send shivers down a New York native’s spine when invited there. If anything, Dutch Fred’s feels comfortable and authentic. A long bar frames the room with wood all around. Ornate detailing on the floor and ceiling made the entire space feel like the interior a luxurious old sailing ship. Selections of hightop tables dotted the room and, an open air space towards the front was perfect for a private event. Not to mention an eager and educated waitstaff who seemed to actually enjoy being there.
We started the evening with a few mixed drinks, a dramatic (literally) selection of drinks include “Astaire Sipper”, with Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Campari, Antica, and chocolate bitters as well as “Hell is a milder climate” (hey!), which involved tequila, Campari, Grapefruit, bitters, Agave, and lime. These drinks pack a punch, certainly, but are complex enough to enjoy at a measured pace. Some lighter drinks include “Kinky Boots”, a bright and ambitious drink composed of little more than Vodka, lemon St. Germain, and raspberries. Simple, but totally satisfying. My personal favorite was Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang, which is composed of Brockman’s gin, blackberry puree, lemon, and champagne. It was fun but approachable, substantiated by the gin and lemon.
As for food, we took pleasure (perhaps a bit too much) and indulged in a perfectly executed Ahi tuna, beef sliders done just right, with a just-right amount of juiciness, a soft, curried crostini topped in egg and jalapeños, as well as a selection of beef and cauliflower tacos. The food was small enough to get through with just your fingers, but share a few dishes and you could easily fill one’s stomach.
After inviting a few friends to finish with us, with pleasure can we say Dutch Fred’s was delicious, inspired, and totally accommodating. We can’t wait to go again soon!
We hope Dutch Fred’s lodges itself in the mind of the population as well as the Hell’s Kitchen name did so many years ago. We’re feeling confident: the team behind bars such as Tanner Smith’s, Three Monkeys, and The Mean Fiddler is responsible for Dutch Fred’s.
Dutch Fred’s
307 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036