Continuing our search for defined L3gaci’s we came to our first New Jersey venture, Hoboken, New Jersey.
Deemed the “Mile Square City”, stretching to over two miles for exploring has been an evolving piece of land since founded. Once a working mans town, seen as a cheaper place to live that the near by New York City, Hoboken in the late 80’s felt the change of culture. From into a more culturally sound place to live than before, Hoboken transformed as the place to live. Calling home to many new restaurants, boutiques, and new condominiums, Hoboken was well on its way to becoming an upscale environment. Going there today one can see just that. Home to Stevens University, Maxwell’s, The new W hotel, skate parks, The Melting Pot and so much more Hoboken offers some true inspiration for things to do.
Walking along a mixutre of paved road and cobble stone, we set a path on the ins and outs of this city to see what makes it a defined L3gaci. From its well know history, currently celebrating over 150 years of being an established city, to its current up and coming shops. Hoboken has already proven itself a L3gaci, and we were sure to find out.
With one of its only draw backs, traffic, we easily made our way to the ‘hub’ of Hoboken. Finding parking in one of the many lots or along side streets can either be costly or annoying, however is worth the stress. One thing your soon to learn on our adventures is, I love food. We set to find one of the many choices one can have in Hoboken and we found The Energy Kitchen.
With a few locations throughout New York City and this location in Hoboken, The Energy Kitchen has made its way through the stomachs of health enthusiast throughout the area. Only serving items under 500 calories that are still appeasing to the taste buds, is sure to make a statement. Just entering the store alone, from the Stainless steal finishing using sharp colors and accents that ‘scream’ fresh can give one a hint of what they are about to consume. Biting down on one of these affordable salads, wraps, sandwiches or even a filling shake, can really give one a sense what this shop is all about. Taking my first bite in my chicken wrap and finishing it with a very berry shake, I could taste just what this shop was all about. Fresh affordable, healthy and fast service for one of the many on the consumers that calls Hoboken its home. The Energy Kitchen is an addition to one of the many up and coming features in Hoboken that adds to the defined L3gaci.
Say you’re a fan though of something a little bit sweeter. Your taste buds lingering for a piece of sugar. One wouldn’t have to walk far to discover where to get a bite to cure ones sweet tooth. We walked to Crumbs Bake Shop for the answer.
Opening in its Hoboken location only in 2003 along with its first shop in New york this growing company has worked its way into the hearts of not only Hoboken but the surrounding area. Having customers come from the neighboring towns only to get a bite of these tiny morsels. Their mission statement is to Celebrate the little things in life, making the cupcake the exception in a world where we move too fast, making maybe what we really do need is just to be reminded that the best things are simple and easy. With that they easily accomplish this task having an array of over 50 cupcakes freshly made in the shop each day, with fillings or with out the options are endless. With a friendly staff that eager to help new customers and answer any and all questions eating here is as simple as they strive it to be. Also offering an option to deliver, place an order in the shop or online and for any or no reason at all one can have the comfort food to slow down a hectic day. Make sure you grab a cup of milk or coffee to scarf down these delicious delights, don’t worry though if you can not finish, I had mine wrapped up to take home and hide from my roommates for a late night snack. The Crumb Bake Shop found its way into my stomach and heart, giving me that comfort food after a long day. Settling into the back drop of Hoboken to give a freshly baked touch to this defined L3gaci.
After filling our stomachs with more than what they can handle, walking around Hoboken is a good way to shake off any ‘bloated’ feelings. With many shops, art galleries, and walk ways to please the eye, Hoboken transitions into a town to spend the entire day in. With a night life that’s a L3gaci in its own we found some good places to call it a night with.
Traveling to Hoboken the three L3gaci’s we find that if one goes to Hoboken you can not miss are the newly opened Lana Lounge, Benny Tudinos Pizza and the Famous Maxwell’s Bar and Restaurant. Giving options for the every type of individual coming to Hoboken these spots are one of a kind. First on our list is Lana Lounge, opening only a few years ago is a place to let you body do the talking. Locals and people coming from the tri state area make it a point to go to Lana Lounge at least one in their clubbing life time. Attracting attention from radio stations, artists and performers this lounge is making its way on the map. Consisting of 3 floors to dance on, 2 dj’s to give an entirely different feel depending where you are, 6 bar areas to start the night with more opening along the way this club has it all. Opening starting thursdays through the weekend one can feel a different club every night. With latin, reggaton, r & b, hip hop, top 40, pop, mash-ups and house just to start off a night here your guaranteed to not stop moving till the 2 am closing doors. Located right on river street, ear the path train station, don’t worry about missing these doors, with a long line forming early to access into this club is easy to spot. Moving its way into the club culture to give a new taste from the more popular pubs of the more typical Hoboken style, Lana Lounge shows its way to keep the defined L3gaci on of it’s on.
(photos curtsey of lanalounge.com) 
Say you like the more traditional Hoboken bar, make a few turns and up the road on the main street of Washington will bring you to Maxwell’s bar and restaurunt. Historic for being a Hoboken land mark this night-time hot spot as been making its way since 1978.
With family efforts after having the idea to turn this factory bar into more of a restauraunt, this bar has taken home to Hoboken for many years. Coming to enjoy a drink, food, or music this place really does have it all. Known for finding under ground and up and coming indie, pop, pop rock/alternative rock bands, come here and you may just be ale to meet the next big thing. With a back room to show case these bands to a bar lining with pictures to see everyone that has come through Maxwell’s, this has been home to many, pictures dating back to show Bruce Springsteen, Blue Oyster Cult, The Ataris and Nirvana and even my favorite band Paperoute has been apart of the history. Not as loud as a lounge one can come here to sit down, have a few drinks, relax after work or hear a band start its own L3gaci. Keeping updated with smaller rooms to sit private parties or sitting down in the side room to enjoy a meal away from the bar, or take a table near the bar and listen to the band that’s performing that night, it offers a little bit of something for everyone, sticking true to its original roots and giving that old style bar feel with small modern touches. Turley making it self a defined L3gaci, giving others the chance to start out and gain exposure. With friendly staff and affordable drink prices this Hoboken hot spot has paved its way for many to become a defined L3aci.
Hoboken truly has it all with an amazing Hang Over cure of Benny Tudino’s Pizza, open for over 40 years, serving the biggest slices only thought possible at the jersey shore, these slices need 3 plates to hold it together.
Open till 1 am and delivering, this pizzeria could not be located on a better spot. Right on washington ave take a stroll down from all the clubs and try to get a last slice before closing time. Sit down and enjoy a slice and a drink only costing $4.50, I couldn’t even finish my slice. While eating chat along with the staff, making fun of each other and letting you in on the jokes, they keep you coming back for more. Not just serving pizza, they have veal, pasta, chicken, subs, calzones and more. Not just like any other pizza shop though, coming in here you can taste the quality and the pride in the slices. The heritage behind every bit of this shop. Show cased on in the main entrance pictures of famous actors dress the wall. Also, come in early enough and Benny will be there making pizza and talking to first time customers eager to know a little bit more about this once of a kind shop. Striving to fill their motto of “try the rest then have the best” they make their landmark in Hoboken, giving one of a kind style that only this city can find. Making its presence known giving a mouth full in every bite this spot is sure to fill stomachs and leave a L3gaci behind with every consumer.
After spending the day into night in Hoboken we were filled with food, new sightings, and so many more idea to do on our next trip back. Still needing to see the skate park, see the one of a kind clothing shops only offered here and enjoy more of the breath-taking landscape, we left the sky scrapers to our backs. Having just started to enjoy this defined L3gaci, Hoboken offers more than just one trip to this city. Exhausted from walking, dancing and eating we made our way to our cars and our beds. Experiencing for ourselves what makes this defined L3gaci move.
The Crumb bake shop
409 Washington Street
Hoboken, NJ 07030-4877
(201) 420-8900
The Engery Kitchen
96 Hudson Street,
Hoboken, NJ –
(201) 222-8499
Lana Lounge
92 River Street, Hoboken,
NJ – (201) 656-8516
Maxwell’s
1039 Washington Street,
Hoboken, NJ –
(201) 653-1703
Benny Tudinos Pizza
622 Washington Street,
Hoboken, NJ –
(201) 792-4132
We were set on our first mission to find out what makes our city of choice move. Here comes Philly, we traveled to the neighborhood of Manayunk, set in the north-western section (19127). Located on the banks of the river Schuylkill River the name literally means “place to drink”. Manayunk certainly takes hold to that name, offering not just some of Philly’s best food choices, but offering some unique places to dine and shop as well.
l3gaci.com 
