Light Horse Tavern | |
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| |
Restaurant information | |
Established | 2002 |
Owner(s) | Bill Gray and Ron Smith |
Street address | 199 Washington Street |
City | Jersey City |
County | Hudson |
State | New Jersey |
Postal/ZIP Code | 07302 |
Country | United States |
Website | http://www.lighthorsetavern.com/ |
Light Horse Tavern is a restaurant located in Jersey City, New Jersey. Restored from an 1850s tavern, the building served as a speakeasy during Prohibition in the United States. Founders Bill Gray and Ron Smith named the restaurant after Henry Lee III, known as "Light Horse Harry", a historical figure from the American Revolution. Its first chef was Ian Topper-Kapitan; he was replaced in 2007 by Marcos Costas.
Reception of the restaurant included multiple favorable reviews in The Jersey Journal, [1] [2] the New Jersey section of The New York Times, [3] [4] and New Jersey Monthly. [5]
The restaurant was restored from an 1850s tavern. [3] The Jersey Journal described the facility as a "pre-Civil War building that boasts a coveted landmark status". [1] The building previously served as a speakeasy during Prohibition and functioned as a neighborhood bar. [1] Light Horse Tavern was named after Henry Lee III, known as "Light Horse Harry", a historical figure from the American Revolution. [4] [1] [6] Light Horse Harry led the successful Battle of Paulus Hook, which helped to retain Jersey City as a stronghold for the Continental Army. [1]
Founders and brothers-in-law Bill Gray and Ron Smith started the establishment after becoming familiar with the relevant history while restoring two neighboring buildings. [4] The restaurant first opened in 2002 with chef Ian Topper-Kapitan, pastry chef Marco Runanin, and wine steward Roland Arnold. [4] In February 2010, the restaurant served as a location for an opening reception of visual artist, Frank Messina. [7]
Chef Ian Topper-Kapitan was replaced in 2007 by Marcos Costas, who had previously been employed at Lespinasse and the Essex House in New York City. [3] Dishes at the restaurant have included lobster salad and pan-roasted salmon, in addition to "a crisp, greaseless version of fish and chips". [3] Troy Unruh joined the restaurant as executive chef in November 2008; [8] [9] he left in 2009 to become executive chef at a restaurant called Zylo. [10]
Light Horse Tavern received favorable mention in a 2003 review for The Jersey Journal, which noted, "With its beautiful decor, try to stay focused on the food. It's surprisingly good and reasonably priced." [1] The Waterfront Journal described the Light Horse Tavern in 2004 as "an exquisite restaurant where you can dine Manhattan-style". [11] In 2004, Hudson Reporter referred to the establishment as "the center" of the "political world" in Hudson County, New Jersey. [12] The publication noted, "Unfortunately, so many political people show up at the Light Horse these days that enemies cannot help but bump into each other." [12] The tavern was a favorite hangout location for New Jersey politician Paul Byrne. [13] [14] In 2005, The Jersey Journal recommended the Light Horse Tavern among locations to celebrate New Year's Eve. [2] A 2006 article about Jersey City in New York Magazine highlighted the Light Horse Tavern, among recommended local attractions of the city, and described it as "upscale". [15]
The New York Times included the restaurant in a 2007 piece on regional New Jersey restaurants, "Standouts Among the Year's Best", giving the restaurant a rating of "very good". [3] [note 1] David Corcoran wrote favorably of the restaurant in a 2007 review for The New York Times, and commented of the establishment's bar: "Long and lively, a scene all its own. Extensive, well-chosen wine and beer lists." [4] In 2008, New Jersey Monthly selected Light Horse Tavern as "Critics' Choice" for "Best Bar Scene". [16] Amaechi Okoro wrote favorably of the dining and bar at the establishment in a 2008 piece for The Waterfront Journal, and called it a "classy alternative" to louder facilities. [17] Stan Parish of New Jersey Monthly reviewed the restaurant in 2008, and came to a negative conclusion, "Best bet? Sidle up to the bar, where you should have been all along, for a can of Young’s Chocolate Stout. Bottom line? The neighs have it." [6] Mariam Ayad of The Waterfront Journal wrote of the establishment's bar in 2009, "The Light Horse Tavern is a nice bar with a cozy fireplace and tidy table arrangement. Behind the bar, you'll find friendly bartenders ready to listen or have a good laugh. The venue also hosts live music a few days each week." [18] In 2010, New Jersey Monthly highlighted the establishment among "Critics' Picks" for beer selection, in its "2010 Readers' and Critics' Restaurant Poll". [5] Jon Whiten of The Jersey City Independent recommended the restaurant among "This Weekend’s Best Bets" in June 2010, for its wine tasting fundraiser with sommelier Roland Arnold. [19] Zagat Survey listed Light Horse Tavern as "top listed" in "Best Buys: Pub Grub". [20]
Light Horse Tavern | |
---|---|
| |
Restaurant information | |
Established | 2002 |
Owner(s) | Bill Gray and Ron Smith |
Street address | 199 Washington Street |
City | Jersey City |
County | Hudson |
State | New Jersey |
Postal/ZIP Code | 07302 |
Country | United States |
Website | http://www.lighthorsetavern.com/ |
Light Horse Tavern is a restaurant located in Jersey City, New Jersey. Restored from an 1850s tavern, the building served as a speakeasy during Prohibition in the United States. Founders Bill Gray and Ron Smith named the restaurant after Henry Lee III, known as "Light Horse Harry", a historical figure from the American Revolution. Its first chef was Ian Topper-Kapitan; he was replaced in 2007 by Marcos Costas.
Reception of the restaurant included multiple favorable reviews in The Jersey Journal, [1] [2] the New Jersey section of The New York Times, [3] [4] and New Jersey Monthly. [5]
The restaurant was restored from an 1850s tavern. [3] The Jersey Journal described the facility as a "pre-Civil War building that boasts a coveted landmark status". [1] The building previously served as a speakeasy during Prohibition and functioned as a neighborhood bar. [1] Light Horse Tavern was named after Henry Lee III, known as "Light Horse Harry", a historical figure from the American Revolution. [4] [1] [6] Light Horse Harry led the successful Battle of Paulus Hook, which helped to retain Jersey City as a stronghold for the Continental Army. [1]
Founders and brothers-in-law Bill Gray and Ron Smith started the establishment after becoming familiar with the relevant history while restoring two neighboring buildings. [4] The restaurant first opened in 2002 with chef Ian Topper-Kapitan, pastry chef Marco Runanin, and wine steward Roland Arnold. [4] In February 2010, the restaurant served as a location for an opening reception of visual artist, Frank Messina. [7]
Chef Ian Topper-Kapitan was replaced in 2007 by Marcos Costas, who had previously been employed at Lespinasse and the Essex House in New York City. [3] Dishes at the restaurant have included lobster salad and pan-roasted salmon, in addition to "a crisp, greaseless version of fish and chips". [3] Troy Unruh joined the restaurant as executive chef in November 2008; [8] [9] he left in 2009 to become executive chef at a restaurant called Zylo. [10]
Light Horse Tavern received favorable mention in a 2003 review for The Jersey Journal, which noted, "With its beautiful decor, try to stay focused on the food. It's surprisingly good and reasonably priced." [1] The Waterfront Journal described the Light Horse Tavern in 2004 as "an exquisite restaurant where you can dine Manhattan-style". [11] In 2004, Hudson Reporter referred to the establishment as "the center" of the "political world" in Hudson County, New Jersey. [12] The publication noted, "Unfortunately, so many political people show up at the Light Horse these days that enemies cannot help but bump into each other." [12] The tavern was a favorite hangout location for New Jersey politician Paul Byrne. [13] [14] In 2005, The Jersey Journal recommended the Light Horse Tavern among locations to celebrate New Year's Eve. [2] A 2006 article about Jersey City in New York Magazine highlighted the Light Horse Tavern, among recommended local attractions of the city, and described it as "upscale". [15]
The New York Times included the restaurant in a 2007 piece on regional New Jersey restaurants, "Standouts Among the Year's Best", giving the restaurant a rating of "very good". [3] [note 1] David Corcoran wrote favorably of the restaurant in a 2007 review for The New York Times, and commented of the establishment's bar: "Long and lively, a scene all its own. Extensive, well-chosen wine and beer lists." [4] In 2008, New Jersey Monthly selected Light Horse Tavern as "Critics' Choice" for "Best Bar Scene". [16] Amaechi Okoro wrote favorably of the dining and bar at the establishment in a 2008 piece for The Waterfront Journal, and called it a "classy alternative" to louder facilities. [17] Stan Parish of New Jersey Monthly reviewed the restaurant in 2008, and came to a negative conclusion, "Best bet? Sidle up to the bar, where you should have been all along, for a can of Young’s Chocolate Stout. Bottom line? The neighs have it." [6] Mariam Ayad of The Waterfront Journal wrote of the establishment's bar in 2009, "The Light Horse Tavern is a nice bar with a cozy fireplace and tidy table arrangement. Behind the bar, you'll find friendly bartenders ready to listen or have a good laugh. The venue also hosts live music a few days each week." [18] In 2010, New Jersey Monthly highlighted the establishment among "Critics' Picks" for beer selection, in its "2010 Readers' and Critics' Restaurant Poll". [5] Jon Whiten of The Jersey City Independent recommended the restaurant among "This Weekend’s Best Bets" in June 2010, for its wine tasting fundraiser with sommelier Roland Arnold. [19] Zagat Survey listed Light Horse Tavern as "top listed" in "Best Buys: Pub Grub". [20]