What: The team behind popular New York restaurants like AOA Bar & Grill and BLT Prime have crossed the Hudson and opened a new gastropub on the Jersey City waterfront called Hudson & Co. Bar and Grill.
Interior: They may call themselves a gastropub, but there’s nothing pubby about this 12,000-square foot restaurant. Hudson & Co. has a modern/nautical vibe with high ceilings and HDTVs as far as the eye can see. The restaurant features a 55-guest lounge area and 60-guest main dining room alongside a multitude of smaller/private rooms. There’s also a spacious terrace that can accommodate 120 guests seated/150 standing (which will likely be a popular spot come spring/summer).
The Menu: Sushi? Pizza? Filet mignon? Hudson & Co.’s menu has it all, which makes the restaurant a bit hard to define. Starters range from $12 for a German Pretzel to $18 for the Crispy Octopus. Entrees run from $23 for the Butternut Squash Ravioli to $48 for the 40-Day Dry Aged NY Strip. At the bar, you’ll also find a variety of craft beers, signature cocktails, and wines.
Crispy Octopus ($18)
We Loved: The staff at Hudson & Co. are friendly and very attentive. The restaurant was packed on the night we went, but our waiter was on point with everything. In terms of food, the Crispy Octopus was our favorite dish of the night. The octopus is perfectly tender and topped with a delicious mustard caviar. It’s accompanied by a fingerling potato salad and a smoked paprika gastrique/sauce. Likewise, we enjoyed the Black Truffle Pizza, though we wouldn’t have minded a slightly crispier crust. The Arctic Char was another winner — a generous filet of fish that’s tender, slightly sweet, and served with a crispy skin. As far as cocktails, the Fig & Sprig and Buffalo, KY were our favorites. Lastly, kudos to whoever picked the soundtrack, a mix of Phoenix, Empire of the Sun, and old-school Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs.
Could Be Better: Too. Many. TVs. I get the need for TVs at the bar, but when every corner of the restaurant is showing a sports game, it makes me feel like I’m dining in a Hoboken sports bar. (Hint: I don’t like Hoboken sports bars). In terms of food — the Crunchy Scallop Roll was borderline basic. There were so many competing flavors and so much rice that the scallop got lost in the mix. The current menu is also too eclectic. I’d rather see a focused/seasonal menu, than a crowd-pleasing menu that tries to do it all. I’m a fan of Misunderstood Whiskey, but the “Ginger Red” cocktail felt over-the-top sweet. Dessert also felt like an afterthought with our tiny slice of lukewarm pie.
Final Take: The waterfront’s revival continues and Hudson & Co. will be a great addition to the area. However, it’s currently not offering anything unique. That said, I realize the restaurant just opened and it’s still finding its groove, so we definitely plan to revisit in the coming weeks.
Crunchy Scallop ($18)
Black Truffle Pizza ($23)
Buffalo, KY ($13) 
Fig & Sprig ($12)
Ginger Red ($13)
Caramel Apple Walnut ($10)
