By now, the portmanteau gastropub is common parlance among New York foodies, but a two-month-old addition to the local food scene takes a novel approach to its marriage of suds and grub. Its name is Hudson Hall, it is a PATH ride away in Jersey City, and its self-described genre — beer hall and smokehouse — conjures up thoughts of another place and another time.
Its decor helps evoke that old-world ambience, with reclaimed wood tables, vaulted tile ceilings, handcrafted ironwork, handpainted murals, and period details. A central feature of the dining room is two large custom-built smokers whence come monkfish pastrami(!) ($14) and smoked spatchcock chicken ($14) both piled high on crusty bread.
Find four to six hungry friends and order up the HH charcuterie board, served family-style and laden with truffled mouse, smoked whitefish salad, pork belly, and more ($33).
Among the small plates you will find pilsner mussels — with pickled onion, smoked garlic, and pork belly, served with crunchy garlic toast ($13) — and smoked salmon roulade ($13).
Hudson Hall, 364 Marin Boulevard, Jersey City, 201-659-6565. Open weekdays for lunch, weekends for brunch, and seven days for dinner.
