Notes From The City: An Abundant Life

One day when I was walking through Hoboken, a young man asked me if I knew where Leo's was. I had seen it before, but I couldn't remember the cross streets, and I explained that to him and then gave him an idea of the general direction. His next question was, "Do you want to go with me?" and I laughed, and kept on walking, but the invitation seemed a genuine one and it made me think that I'd like to go to Leo's one day to see what it was about it that seemed to create such an inviting invitation from one stranger to another in the community. A little while after that, the gorgeous Jennifer Sutton was hosting a Ladies Night Out event for Stella & Dot, and so I had my opportunity to visit her and Leo's and find out more about this local treasure.

Leo's has been family owned since it opened in 1939, and the food is in a word amazing. I've written here before that I'm a foodie and a bit of a food snob - I can make most of the things I love to eat, and when it comes to eating out, I don't do it often, and when I do I'm very picky. A friend of mine and I share the birth sign of Aquarius, and our birthdays are within a few weeks of each other, so when Hudson Restaurant Week came around this year, I asked him if he'd like to try a dinner at Leo's to celebrate our birthdays in Hoboken style. I should also add that he has taken courses at the Culinary Institute, and that he has taken me there for dinner, and he, like me, has strong opinions on what makes for a good meal. I knew that Leo's would be enjoyable - the atmosphere is charming and I had tasted a few things at the wonderful event Sabor Hola 2016, but I had never eaten a full meal there though I had been wanting to for a while.

From the hot bread to the wine special, from the White Bean Bruschetta and the Appetizer to the Primo Piatto and the Secondo Piatto, everything was exquisitely prepared and presented, and service was given with a true smile. We could have stayed there all night, savoring flavors and enjoying the ambiance, but my friend needed to get back to Manhattan and I had a full day the next day. Can I say that the squid ink pasta with crab meat was divine and the mussels so sweet and tender that they reminded me of days as a child gathering them on the beach in Rhode Island? And how about the stuffed squid and the home made short rib ravioli, some of the most pleasurable and fresh tasting delicacies I've had in a long time. By the time we were finished with the first course and we realized there was the second course still to come, I looked at my friend and said, "This is New Jersey at it's best." The comfortable atmosphere, the delicious food, each course perfection in every way. And with Sinatra playing in in the background and his photos gracing the walls, it's also very Hoboken and very Italian, and to me that means we've made it to Heaven.

Leo's Grandevous

200 Grand Street

Hoboken, New Jersey

(201) 659-9467

www.leosgrandevous.com