Flesh Eating Monsters
Plus the schmancy new Hoboken supermarket, the pool bubble, "local" meals and more
Testing — 1, 2, 3, Testing
Remember we said there was a bubble coming to the Weehawken pool? If you don’t remember, it’s here, along with our dopey AI images of what it might look like. Well now you can see what it really looks like. That’s the bubble getting a test run. If you walk around to the other side by the tennis courts there’s elaborate metal equipment hooked up to it that seems to heat it and/or inflate it or something. And no, this will not be up when the pool opens on Memorial Day weekend, but maybe now we’ll be able to swim in the fall. 🤞
Related from February 18: Pool Membership Mania (Source: Weehawken Gazette)
Bird Flu? Or Bird Flew?
A recent post on a local Weehawken parent group concerned someone who noticed a whole lot of feathers on the ground and was nervous this was perhaps bird-flu related. Not surprising, since yes, bird flu has been in the news. In March, the Department of Agriculture reported bird flu was detected at three New Jersey live poultry markets, two of which were in Hudson County.
However, upon investigation, we saw the feathers from this reported incident included large bits of torn up pigeon carcass, which were mostly clustered at the bottom of a large pine. This fluffy gory sidewalk display was a match to one we had seen about week earlier on Hauxhurst Avenue, just north of the library. But at that time, we looked straight up into a tree, and spotted the culprit — a ginormous hawk tearing into a hot ‘n fresh pigeon brunch. We even got exclusive pictures and video of the perp. He, or she, didn’t love being caught in the act:
In short, we can’t say for sure what the more recent feather fuss was, since we are only amateur avian sleuths, but we’re willing to bet it was another hawk-related pigeon demolition, and not bird flu related. A bird photographer friend (who takes stunning photos, not like our crappy iPhone ones) says this is probably a Cooper’s Hawk, but wouldn’t swear to it, so if you have thoughts and want to ID this killer, do let us know.
Speaking of dining options…
The New Local Meal Delivery Service That Aint So Local — And The Not New One That Is
Roundabout January we started getting bombarded by social media ads for Feast & Fettle, a meal delivery service targeting us with video ads that said, “now in Weehawken.”
It’s not a little mom and pop. On Facebook they boasted they delivered 250,000 meals last year. On their homepage, they say it’s “locally prepared.”
So of course we wondered where? Hoboken? North Bergen?
We called Feast & Fettle and learned all the food is made in East Providence, RI. To illustrate the journey your dinner would make — here’s a map:
Wait. What is the definition of local? Believe it or not according to the USDA, local food can be 275-400 miles away, so 186 miles is technically “local” by the letter of the law.
OK. What about the prices?
At Feast & Fettle you need to commit to at least three dinners a week each time you order. To give an idea, for a single household, three entrees (yes they come with sides) cost $105. That’s $35 per dinner. For a family of four, three entrees comes to $21 per person.
HEY WAIT WHAT ABOUT THE REALLY AMAZING SUPER LOCAL GOURMET MEAL DELIVERY THING YOU TEASED? DO TELL.
Have you heard of Lorraine’s Table? You won’t see ads for it on Meta. It’s truly local and all word of mouth.
A few things to note:
The food is prepared in Weehawken by a professional chef with impressive culinary school and restaurant credentials. See: Meet the Chef.
The menu changes weekly. They post the menu on Wednesday, and you order by Saturday for delivery Tuesday or Wednesday.
Free delivery available to Northern Hudson County. Or you have the option to pick up at their kitchen.
The dishes are seasonal and include fewer but way more exciting options than Feast & Fettle… sorry not sorry for saying so.
There’s no minimum meal plan and the entrees (yes with sides) were less than Feast & Fettle, maybe because they don’t need to drive four hours to get to you?
In short: Lorraine’s Table is excellent, and now you know.
Note: This post is not sponsored, and we paid for our meals. We’re not against freebies, especially as there’s no budget here at the Weehawken Gazette, but we knew how good this was already, so none needed. We didn’t order from Feast & Fettle.
Urban Market Opens In Hoboken: Here’s Our Way Short Review
It’s huge, clean, and was super empty when we went. The produce is hella pretty and the upscale junk food options are impressive — like Lion Bars and truffle Turtle Chips. It’s so new (they opened less than two weeks ago) that a lot of stuff still doesn’t have prices listed, like in the produce section. But that’s OK because from what we saw, if you shop here, money is no object. Example: Chobani fat-free Greek yogurt is $3.99 right now at Lidl. At Urban Market it’s $8.99 or $9.99. We can’t remember which because we nearly passed out. Whatever, we wish them luck and they did have Teddy peanut butter so… we now have another supplier for our addiction. Verdict: They might attract Kings customers who want room to roller skate?
If interested, here’s more coverage of this market on Patch: https://patch.com/new-jersey/hoboken/peek-just-opened-hoboken-urban-market-see-egg-prices
Market-ing
A recent visit to the New Meadowlands Flea Market yielded a score — we got beautiful Jersey Journal umbrellas for only $3. And as we reported, since the 158-year-old newspaper ceased publication in February, we saw a collector’s item. Indeed, the seller said, “…when they’re gone, they’re gone.” Talking to the vendors we learned that Kai, pictured above, had been a printer for the paper until they folded. He was at the market just helping out his mom for the day (awww!), so although he’s not a regular, do say howdy if you see him. We’re biased but this was just another lesson in why it’s so important to support local news — because when it’s gone, it’s gone.
New Meadowlands flea is every Saturday in the Met Life Stadium parking lot and it’s free to park and shop — thanks to
for the clue. And while we’re at it, don’t miss the call for vendors for a new market in the works called Fleahawken. Go to the site and add your email to get info on that because sounds cool to us.
Related from January 27th: Jersey Journal Newspaper Ends Publication This Week (Source: Patch)
Upcoming Notable Stuff
This weekend March 28-30: The Fest for Beatles Fans returns to Jersey City and the Gazette will be there helping out the charity Rock Can Roll. It’s a fun weekend-long event and if you’re going, consider bringing a food item to donate as seen above.
Sunday, April 27: Hunterfest 5K and Festival. This USATF-NJ Grand Prix qualifier 5K in Liberty State Park offers spectacular views of the NYC skyline and Lady Liberty. It is a flat course and the top three overall male and female finishers will receive cash prizes. We’ve done this 5K and it’s a good time with food vendors, music, vibes. Sign up here.
Saturday May 10: Former Weehawken / current Jersey City resident Eddie Skuller, pictured, is doing a tribute to the “Ballads of Tom Waits” at 503 Social Club in Hoboken. Skuller will be accompanied by Joe McGinty (Psychedelic Furs, Ryan Adams, Rhett Miller) on keyboards and Jeremy Chatzky (Bruce Springsteen, Steve Earle, Laura Cantrell) on upright bass. The venue is small so getting your tickets here and now is encouraged.
Let’s Wrap This Puppy
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Susie Felber
Weehawken Gazette
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Weehawken, NJ 07086
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Tah for now nice nabes!
Susie
PS Subscribers get this newsletter first AND they can laugh at exclusive typos that are later corrected in the archive version.
Where will Fleahawken be? And what ever happened to the idea of putting small shops in the old bank on 48th and Park?