First Street Bar & Grill, 100 Sinatra Drive, overlooks beautiful Pier A park in Hoboken. One can enjoy the simple American fare like delicious pizzas, entrée salads, and filling pastas, all while enjoying the view. This new bar and restaurant has a modern look with streamlined square tables and spacious design.
The atmosphere
Upon entering, customers are greeted warmly by the very competent staff. The restaurant is decorated in earth tones of brown, orange, and yellows, and most of the tables are situated underneath the windows that frame this corner bistro.
Large amounts of space between the bar area and the tables give both sections needed privacy. Diners will feel relaxed by the light jazz that plays softly in the background, allowing for conversation. There is also a large outdoor café, where patrons get an even better view of Manhattan.
Starters
First Street has a unique selection of specialty cocktails like the “Castle Point Peach Punch,” which is a mix of brandy, wine, peach schnapps and juice. It tastes like sangria with a kick!
In addition to a full bar, they have a good (although small) selection of wines to choose from. We started with a Pinot Gris called “Wine by Joe” that was flavorful, light, and crisp with a nice finish.
The staff recommended the spinach and artichoke dip. We were not disappointed! The dip was thick and rich. The mushrooms and red peppers give this great texture and flavor. Served warm with crunchy tortilla chips, we couldn’t stop eating them.
Next, we had the chicken quesadilla, which were stuffed with cheddar, mozzarella, and grilled BBQ chicken. The sauce is mild and slightly sweet, so this will please most palates. Both are items that are perfect for sharing.
Other appetizers include: red pepper stuffed with crab meat, fried calamari, chicken satay and more. The appetizers are reasonably priced from $5 to $13.95.
Pizza and pasta!
Pizza lovers will not be disappointed by the fabulous pies.
We had the spinach and mushroom pizza, which is layered with mozzarella, gorgonzola, and parmesan cheese. The homemade pesto sauce with fresh herbs and spices is spread on the crispy crust and is topped with fresh spinach and thick mushrooms. The pizza is phenomenal!
Other tempting pizza varieties include: smoked salmon and dill cream; margherita; four cheese and more. The pizza is priced from $7 to $12 and is big enough to share.
Another excellent dish is the potato gnocchi, which is a rich dish that is flavored with a delicious homemade pesto sauce. All the pasta dishes are served in a large bowl, which they will gladly wrap up for you if you can’t finish.
Other pastas include: fettuccine with bacon and asparagus; lobster ravioli; and capellini and shrimp.
Entrees
At this point, my companion and I were stuffed from the pizza and pasta, but we still managed a bite of the tender rosemary chicken. The chicken was cooked rotisserie style, which made it crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. This is a good choice if you are hungry!
Other entrees include: Chilean Sea Bass; scallops and shrimp; blue cheese crusted New York strip steak and more.
Entrees are priced from $13 to $22 and include complimentary sides that enhance each dish. Also, there are specials every night.
And…
First Street Bar & Grill is open seven days a week for lunch, dinner, and brunch.
Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Dinner is served from 4:30 to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Menu items are available for take-out and specialty menus can be arranged for parties.
Reservations are not necessary, but are recommended for large parties. All major credit cards are accepted, and they validate parking.
First Street Bar & Grill is located at 100 Sinatra Drive in Hoboken. For more information please call (201) 876-8600.