The South Comes North

Thanks to a thoughtful, generous gift from the Fenomenal Fenice Family, I had occasion to visit high-energy Jersey City and a very neat place called South House. (I should have known it would be a good night after I found a free parking space, just a block away.)

The business's website description encapsulates the description pretty well: "SOUTH HOUSE (Bar and Restaurant) brings “SIMPLE SOUTHERN” to Jersey City; fusing Austin, Texas flavor with the gritty soul of the south. Located in the heart of Pedestrian Plaza of the Historic Downtown Special Improvement District in Jersey City, NJ."

Housed in a former uniform factory, the place, just three years old, has outside seating, two levels open and a third, a rooftop-type area--so popular in JC-- in the works. It's both capacious and welcoming, due in large part to the efforts of the family who designed the interior space, including actual church pews inside. One of the affable sisters involved named Allison shared some interesting facts about its opening with the PubScout. While there was some initial concern about painted-white, aged-looking brick walls, it works perfectly in a relaxed, laid-back setting.

The decor is cool, too, but it's the beer and the food I'm about, and South House doesn't disappoint. Considering their Austin, TX roots, lots of Shiner stuff is available--even their house IPA--very tasty, by the way, less hoppy than malty-- is a Shiner product. But there are plenty more options available in cans and bottles, playing, perhaps, to the increasingly craft beer-savvy denizens of Jersey City.

The food menu is varied, but I'm a Shrimp and Grits fan when I'm in the South. I'm now also a Shrimp and Grits fan when I'm in South House. That dish comes as an appetizer, but our server Danae, recognized that I might need a bigger portion, and she happily arranged it. Eight huge, perfectly seasoned shrimp came in a bowl of cheesy, well-seasoned, delicious grits that left me completely sated.

Ditto the Cesar Chavez Salad the missus ordered, to which those same shrimp were added. While I finished mine, her portion was so large, she had to stop eating. Otherwise, she/we would not have had room for an absolutely decadent Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding. We learned that a special dessert cook comes in daily to make the desserts for the place, which is pretty neat. Hopefully, when you go, she'll have that Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding on the menu. But be warned--it's big enough for two to share.

Venture downstairs and see the walls lined with rare, exclusive photos of musical greats--many from the Sixties--including Dylan, Joplin, Jagger and Hendrix. There are pool tables down there that can provide some after dinner fun, too. It had a kind of psychedelic vibe to me, which seemed in keeping with the decor.

There is more to read about this interesting place at the website above. But it's better to just go.

And if you go, that pedestrian plaza on Newark Avenue is quite a setting with a constant parade of folks patronizing some excellent places. While I have reported on Skinner's Loft, we went for an after dinner drink with Son#2 and Lady Emily, both residents of Jersey City. They suggested a place called The Atlas House, which had a very good beer list, great decor and a waiter named Josh who looked like John Malkovich.

There, my son Kacy and I had and enjoyed a 902 Double-Pahhked, and 8.7% hazy, juicy, grapefruity IPA that was quite refreshing. It capped off a great night on the longest day of the year.

Almost as long as the traffic delay on the always-under-construction Rt. 78. But even with that, the night was a winner. Like Ahnold Schwarzenegger, we'll be back.

Cheers!

The PubScout

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