Progressive Dining with Dishcrawl in Jersey City

Michael Anthony's View
Grilled Halloumi from Skylark
Grilled Halloumi from Skylark
Ramps and Prosciutto from VB3
Ramps and Prosciutto from VB3

Last week, I attended my very first Dishcrawl. Dishcrawl is based on the concept of progressive dining where guests are taken to various venues to eat throughout an evening. Dishcrawl began in California and has grown to have local chapters in over 150 cities across the United States and Canada. The chapter I crawled with is based in Jersey City and the evening entailed walking to three restaurants where food, social networking and friendly conversations were involved. “I want to take Dishcrawl to the next level. I’d like to have themed Dishcrawls as well as weekend ones,” said Alessia Aron, Jersey City Dishcrawl Ambassador.

During last week’s Dishcrawl, we visited VB3 (see a previous review of this favorite of mine), Michael Anthony’s and Skylark on the Hudson. Here’s what was served:

Lamb Meatballs from Skylark

VB3 Restaurant – Arancini – rice balls stuffed with Mozzarella and peas with orange saffron aioli, grilled ramps with Prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano Regianno and ravioli di ouvo with favas, morels and truffle. All three dishes were stellar and as has been true of all my visits to VB3, Chef Michael Colletti knocked it out of the ball park with quality ingredients, delicious flavors and interesting presentations.

Michael Anthony’s – Filet on Bruschetta with fresh Mozzarella, sesame encrusted salmon with Asian ginger sauce, chicken Francese sandwich with fresh Mozzarella, side salad with apple cider vinegar dressing. Gorgeous views of the Manhattan skyline.

Skylark on the Hudson – Halloumi cheese with Piquillo pepper sauce, lamb meatballs with pea puree and Tzatziki, cracklin mac n cheese with smoked bacon, scallions, chef’s artisan cheese fondue. I’m a huge Greek food fan and enjoyed the Halloumi and lamb meatballs.

Dessert was from the online bakery called All Kinds of Whoopie. We sampled banana cupcakes with peanut butter frosting topped with chocolate chips and a chocolate cupcake with salted caramel.

“I’m planning on having two events in June, the first one on June 11th and then possibly June 22nd or 23rd,” continues Aron during a recent interview. The June 11th Dishcrawl will take participants to the neighborhood of Hamilton Park in Jersey City. Tickets are $45 per person and include food at each establishment. Drinks can be purchased by guests directly from the venue.

For more information about Dishcrawl Jersey City, please visit www.dishcrawl.com/jerseycity, follow on Twitter or like on Facebook.

Veronique DebloisFood & Wine Chickie: Veronique is a food and wine writer based in Morris County, NJ. As the author of the popular blog, Food & Wine Chickie, Veronique shares recipes, wine and restaurant reviews. Follow Veronique on Twitter or like her Facebook page.

Veronique DebloisFood & Wine Chickie: Veronique is a food and wine writer based in Morris County, NJ. As the author of the popular blog, Food & Wine Chickie Insider, Veronique shares recipes, wine and restaurant reviews and insight into the travel industry of which she’s a 15-year veteran. Follow Veronique on Twitter or like her Facebook page.