The Lamp Post Bar and Grille is a neighborhood pub with an extensive seafood Italian menu and a quality wine selection. It is conveniently located on Second Street in downtown Jersey City, and everyday is happy hour.
"Our customers are some of the friendliest people you would ever meet," said owner Vivek Singh. "We offer fantastic comfort food that will satisfy."
The happening bar scene does not eclipse executive chef Ida Spinosa’s homemade Italian-American cuisine. With more than three decades of experience, Spinosa’s specialties include linguini aglio ($8.99), served in extra virgin olive oil and garlic; fettuccini filetto di pomodoro ($9.99), served in marinara sauce with prosciutto; rib eye steak ($14.99), a 10-ounce steak grilled and seasoned with garlic and served with a baked potato; grilled honey mustard chicken ($9.99), grilled to perfection with a honey mustard glaze and served with vegetables and rice; grilled salmon ($13.99), grilled and covered in pink sauce over linguine; ravioli with asparagus ($9.99), served in vodka sauce; and twin lobster tails ($17.99), broiled and served with drawn butter.
"Everybody knows me and they know I make good food," Spinosa said. "I try to make people happy every time I prepare a dish."
The bar area is spacious and comfortable and the dining room sits about 30 people. The servers are knowledgeable of the menu and the wine list includes a dozen reds and whites. There’s a lamp post outside the place and karaoke nights are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
"We’ve been getting a great turnout for karaoke," Singh said.
My meal
I began my dining experience at the Lamp Post with a glass of medium-bodied aromatic Ironstone Merlot ($5.50), clams casino ($9.99), and zuppa di mussels in white sauce ($7.95). The clams were dipped in balsamic vinaigrette and the mussels were large and a bit spicy. Other appetizers include stuffed mushrooms ($6.50), fresh mozzarella bruschetta ($5.25), shrimp cocktail ($7.99), asparagus with prosciutto ($7.95), and fried calamari ($7.99).
For the main course I enjoyed the veal sorrentine ($12.99). Recommended by Spinosa, the veal was a tender cut with fresh mozzarella, eggplant, prosciutto, roasted peppers in a sweet sauce with pasta and vegetables. It was a traditional Mediterranean dish prepared with extra virgin olive oil. I also tried the risotto a la pescattore ($11.99). The soft rice was served with white mussels, shrimp, and clams. It is a seafood lovers’ dream.
After my meal I concluded the evening with a traditional tiramisu. It was sweet and creamy.
The Lamp Post Bar and Grille is located at 382 2nd St. in Jersey City. They are open seven days a week. Happy hour is Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Specials change daily, and Thursdays is ladies night. For information call (201) 222-1331. They offer free delivery from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the week.