Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food. That is the meaningful mantra behind Vibez Juice Bar and Vegan Café, located at 82 Hutton Street. Here you will find flavorful vegan soul food, fresh feel-good juices, shakes, smoothies, and shots organically prepared with your physical and mental well-being in mind.

ITA Italian Kitchen opened in March at 682 Bergen Ave, to a highly receptive McGinley/JSQ neighborhood. Chef Dylan Golden brings his NYC experience (Wallsé, Upland, High Street on Hudson) and an inspired culinary vision that takes cues from the best of both old school and modern Italian cuisine.

As we are sure you know, there are many Jersey City residents creating, donating, and selling homemade face masks and coverings. We are here to thank you all and briefly highlight three of them –women who join the many female entrepreneurs in Jersey City and beyond who are devoting their time and talent to this initiative.

Another beloved NYC restaurant has expanded to our shore, in the retail space at the base of Portside Towers to be exact. BobWhite Counter is now open for pickup and delivery with a limited menu.

The owners made the decision to open this April so that residents could have a walkable option to stock up on produce, grocery essentials, Italian cheeses, meats (prepared by the in-house butcher), sandwiches, fresh semolina and stuffed breads, desserts, and an assortment of delicious and cold prepared food to go.

Stepping in this month for a busy Phoebe is guest writer and pal Patches, a 13-year-old cockapoo residing in Hamilton Park. He and his owner would like to send an appreciative shout out to Raymond and Meredith, the duo behind Waggy Butts Mobile Grooming.

Even though the State of NJ has declared real estate an essential business and still allows us to show properties, the number of actual showings is down dramatically. In fact, our showing system shows that they are down almost 70% throughout the state.

You are likely already sharing book recommendations among friends, but here are some more to throw in the mix. We are revisiting works from two celebrated writers with Jersey City roots – Heights resident/acclaimed author Val Emmich and the late, great historical writer and novelist Thomas Fleming, who was born and raised in Jersey City during the infamous reign of Mayor Frank Hague.

Like you, all of us at the Moorefield Group are beyond grateful to the first responders, police, firefighters, grocery workers, nurses, doctors and every person in the medical profession on the front lines battling COVID-19. We know how lucky we are to be able to stay home and limit our risk of contraction and/or spreading the virus.

Ordering delivery or takeout is one of the easiest and instant ways to help our hard-hit local restaurant community. We are balancing regular meal orders with reclaiming time in our own kitchen, rediscovering culinary goals and projects that were shelved back in the busy days of pre-COVID life.

In this month’s newsletter, we recommend the acclaimed books of JC Heights resident Val Emmich to add to your at-home reading lists.

KPOT Hot Pot and Barbeque opened 7 months in an unassuming storefront at the Old Colony marketplace on Grand Street. The funky grey décor and fun pop music provide a great backdrop to this fun dining experience, great for both groups and date nighters looking to mix it up a bit!

In addition to the smoothies, fresh juices, kombucha, coffee and coffee alternatives on tap, Plant Base offers a ready to eat menu of plant-based food and house-made cheeses. You can also shop for gifts like body care products and crystals, and bulk items such as nuts, grains, pasta, products, crystals and cleaning products that are packaged and sold to leave zero negative imprint on the environment.

Formerly the home of the beloved Journal Square Pub, the space was passed on from owner Joseph Barone to two other Jersey City natives, Sebastian and Frank Cupo. They’ve retained the friendly, all-are-welcome vibe while creating some splashy new design elements (love the disco ball!), amazing craft cocktails and a fantastic food menu, courtesy of Hooked’s Tory Aunspach.

Rosita’s Yah is a fabulously fresh and healthy café that’s opened on the border of Journal Square and McGinley Square. This vegetarian/vegan spot is serving breakfast burritos, home-made pastries and desserts, tacos, burrito and acai bowls, and scrumptious side dishes too, like hummus or guacamole with chips.