Jersey City has kicked off it’s second annual JC Restaurant Week, a two-week event to showcase and help local eateries in a post-pandemic environment.
Hosted by the Jersey City Restaurant Association, the event runs from March 7-20, with more than 70 restaurants across the city participating, including Asian, Italian, Mexican, vegetarian and vegan establishments, and smaller eateries such as cafes, bakeries, bars, ice cream parlors and food trucks.
“We say in Jersey City, when Jersey City restaurants are tested, we find the strength within,” said Carmen Mendiola, the president of the JCRA at the kickoff event outside of Jersey City Hall. “We are Jersey City strong.”
Mayor Steven Fulop urged the city to support the restaurant community, noting that the industry, including the restaurants and those in the service industry, have struggled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’ve done a lot on the local level to help people survive, whether it be grants parklets, expediting city resources,” he said. “But at the end of the day, nothing replaces customer support, and that’s why this week is really, really important.”
Israel Jiles, the owner of Ani Ramen, said that it had been “really an adventure,” and thanked Fulop and his team for their support.
“Restaurant Week, as we know, has been a staple, but it’s also much needed,” he said. “It opens the aperture for many people that are in the city and outside of the city to try us. Maybe they say ‘oh, I’m not going to try because of X, Y and Z reasons’. The mayor and his team just allow some of those barriers to open and allow people to dine with us, and for that we’re greatly appreciative.”
A full list of restaurants and eateries participating as well as special offers can be found at jcrestaurantweek.com. Offers at participating establishments can be received by mentioning “JC Restaurant Week.”
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