The world has grown increasingly fond of all things Danish. Have you noticed? Articles in major publications routinely cite studies that conclude Danes are the happiest people on earth, that their bike culture should be used as a guide for all others to follow and that hygge is a lifestyle we should all aspire to.

There has been much anticipation for the opening of Into the Void, the brand-new antique store and coffee shop in The Village. The excitement was on full display at the recent grand opening of the shop which is located at 117 Brunswick.

The Paulus Hook waterfront has a trusted neighborhood local in Greene Hook. The warm wood bar is beautiful and inviting and the outside area replete with multicolored picnic tables is spacious and fun.

The guys at Departed Soles Brewing and Tasting Room are to Jersey City what Dolly Parton is to the world. Like Dolly, it is impossible to find anything remotely negative to say about them.

We love Bergen Lafayette’s Café Quetzal. Located next to the Lafayette Branch of the Jersey City Public Library on Pacific, this sunny family-owned restaurant flies quietly under the radar (no website or social media) and we love that old school vibe.

Happy March and Happy Women’s History Month. We are in continual awe of the women in Jersey City who help make this town such a diverse, inclusive and fine place to live.

We have written over the past two years with straight up awe for the long-term restaurants that managed to survive the pandemic and for the new ones that have emerged. On the latter end we include and hail Olivia, a gorgeous spot in Hoboken at the tail end of Garden Street.

At the base of 70 Hudson, to be exact. New York City’s beloved Maman Bakery will open on Valentine’s Day. The first Maman opened in Manhattan in 2014 and now has 9 locations all over the city.

Hard to believe but it has been 7 years since Short Grain opened in Jersey City. Located adjacent to City Hall on Montgomery Street, this tiny Asian-inspired eatery became an instant staple. City Hall workers, locals and commuters flocked to the shop for the excellent coffee drinks, Balthazar pastries and healthy and delicious dishes served morning to dinner hours.

Jersey City is a pizza town bar none – that incudes you, New York City. The New York Times has written rhapsodically about Razza and Bread & Salt for excellent reasons of course. But here in JC we know that there are so many other classic Italian joints worthy of praise and writeups.

Taco Bar, you had us at Birria Ramen. Sure, Birria tacos are pretty commonplace these days in new Mexican cuisine. If you have yet to try, Birria is a sweet and savory, slow-cooked beef stew. When put in tacos, the stew is strained and situated gloriously between two taco shells.

Looking to slow down on the screen scroll this year? Maybe Luna de Papel can help. It is a lovely hand-craft art studio in Bergen-Lafayette with classes for both kids and adults. Peruvian-born owner Ruth Salas has her studio stocked with paints, stickers, natural materials, papers, etc.

It’s coming up on the 80th birthday of Miss America Diner, the West Side Avenue classic located steps from the NJCU campus. Students, staff, neighbors, and folks from all walks of life come here on the regular not just for the yummy comfort food but the welcoming, friendly vibe.

The treasured Grand St. tavern is once again open for business, and for all you fans of the original Golden Cicada, you will be pleased to know that the building is in good hands – specifically, Eva Johannesdottir and Gary Keating from The Cliff in the Heights.

Cocktail-ed out after the holiday season? If you are implementing a Dry January, don’t let that impede your social life. Craft mocktails are becoming staples at many dining establishments as there seems to be a growing movement out there to make alcohol less of a required staple for socializing.