Considering that a relaxed dinner for two can cost up to $100 for restaurants in and around New York City, finding a special deal for good food feels like the ultimate bargain.Court Street Bar and Restaurant, on the corner of Sixth and Court streets in Hoboken, offers an excellent early bird special that includes three courses, for only $12.95.
Court Street has been around for 22 years, but has taken on several incarnations. When it first opened it was a dive bar and pizzeria. It then became a fancy French restaurant. But Court Street has really found itself in its present incarnation since 1990. Now it’s a relaxed restaurant with an American cuisine menu and an exciting bar.
The early bird menu is offered Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 4:30-6 p.m. On Wednesday, Court Street features Lobsterfest, and on Mondays they offer a Prime Rib special. The early bird menu is full of variety, although all choices are fixed except for three, which change daily. The pork chop entrée, soup appetizer and tarte dessert are prepared by the chef’s way each day.
Court Street should also be noted for its wine. A quirky advantage to going to Street is its shelves of terrific wines to take home for $20 a bottle. Not only do you get a get a great deal on food, but Court Street throws in a wine bargain too. In 2002, Court Street received the Grand Award from Wine Spectator.
Wines can be enjoyed in the dining room or the bar, both with a casual atmosphere and large windows overlooking quiet and coble stoned Court Street. The bar offers 50 percent off all drinks on Friday and Saturday after 11 p.m. With great food and drinks, it’s no wonder that patrons regularly come back for more.
Soup, sauce, Grand Marnier
For starters, I had the house wine Costal Ridge, California 2001 Merlot ($5.50/glass), an excellent choice. The wine menu is large, and the choices also widens with use of the full bar.
For an appetizer I tried fried calamari and the soup of the day, which was a chicken rice soup. Each was a good size portion. The soup was made well with plenty of chicken and rice.
For an entrée I tried the pork chops. They were prepared in a burgundy sauce with roasted and mashed potatoes and snow peas. The potatoes were worth the visit by themselves. I finished the potatoes, both varieties, even though I usually leave plenty of vegetables on my plate at the end of dinner. The sauce was sweet and kept the pork chop moist. I also tried the shrimp scampi, served with linguini. It was juicy and beautifully presented.
For dessert I tried the fudge brownie served with vanilla ice cream and Chocolate Grand Marnier sauce. The brownie was big, with a vary impressive chocolate taste. I definitely recommend this dessert. I also tried the cheesecake, which was also a well-made traditional dessert.
Court Street is located is located at 61 Sixth St. in Hoboken. Dinner is served Monday through Friday from 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. The bar stays open to 3 a.m. on weekends. For information call (201) 795-4515 or visit www.courtstreet.com. q