Since we ran out of time yesterday, we thought that we would start the day with some shopping at the The Outlet Collection – Jersey Gardens mall. It is New Jersey’s largest outlet mall with over two hundred stores. We did not spend alot of time here but it was enough time to pick up a few things. We got into the car and started the drive to Hoboken. It is much easier driving in New Jersey in the daylight but still very confusing. We found the parking garage and since we had a little bit of time before our tour, we walked down to the waterfront to admire the view of New York City across the Hudson River.
We met up with Pat from Mangia Hoboken who was going to be our guide for The Hoboken Food Tour ($44 USD/person). We did not wait long for the rest of our tour group to join us. This was a group of twelve ladies from Allentown, Pennslyvia who all happen to work together in a school. I could not believe how lucky we were with the weather. Another sunny and warm day.
Our first stop was the back alley of Carlo’s City Hall Bake Shop. Normally the tour stops at the back door of the bakery but since they were filming TLC’s “Cake Boss”, we could not get close. But we did see Danny Dragone when he came out for a smoke break. As we left, we walked by the front of the bakery and people said that Buddy was on the second floor waving out the window. The line to get into the bakery was so long that it actually stretches across the street.
We spent the next four hours walking (and I do mean lots of walking) and eating our way through Hoboken. The first part of the tour was about appetizers and main course. We stopped at Antique Bakery(fresh bread), Grimaldi’s Brick Oven Pizza (thin crust pizza), Fiore’s House of Quality (mozzarella), Lisa’s Italian Deli where Tony aka Mozzarella Boss made fresh mozzarella right before our eyes. The last half of the tour was dedicated to desserts. We stopped at Lepore’s Chocolates (dark chocolate covered bacon and chocolate dipped strawberries), Empire Coffee & Tea Co. (chai tea latte) and Sweet (mini red velvet cupcake). It was a great tour and we learned alot about the history of Hoboken. By this time it was 6pm and we had to hurry back to the hotel to get changed for our night in New York City.
It is only ten miles from Newark to New York City but since the traffic was so crazy, it took us close to an hour and a half. Since it was getting close to show time, we just parked at the closest garage which was on the left hand side of the street and quickly walked the six blocks to the New York Marriott Marquis hotel. We decided to see Evita starring Ricky Martin ($100 USD/person). The play was fabulous and Ricky Martin as Che was outstanding.
After the show, we left the theatre and somehow stumbled our way via a gift shop to the stage door. Karen and I decided to split up to see which one of us was going to be able to meet Ricky Martin. I got my playbill signed by Max von Essen who played Magaldi and Michael Cerveris who played Peron. Karen was the lucky one who actually got to see Ricky Martin. What a thrill for both of us.
We walked back through Times Square where it was just wall to wall people and ended up having a late night snack at Ellen’s Stardust Diner. This is such a cool place. It is known as the home of the singing waitstaff. In between taking care of customers, the waitstaff are belting out tunes. Many of them have gone on to have careers on Broadway.
It’s been a long day so I think I’ll be sleeping in tomorrow.
you guys always find very interesting and off the beaten track things to do. Food tour looked great! I agree that New Jersey is very confusing to drive around. Did you see any White Castles?