A New Greek Restaurant in Weehawken

Mediterranean on the Hudson

Restaurant opens at former Arthur’s Landing site in Weehawken

by Al Sullivan

Eliana Stefanitsis majored in philosophy in college, something that makes sense for a woman growing up with a Greek heritage. But more fitting is the fact that her father has been in the restaurant industry for more than 30 years.

“I grew up in the restaurant business,” she said.

Now, she serves as vice president of the newly opened Molos in Weehawken. The ribbon cutting on Dec. 9 brought out scores of people: well-wishers, local political people, business people and just ordinary folk who missed having a quality restaurant at that location.

Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner said various government bodies, from the Planning Board to the Town Council, worked with the Stefanitsis family to get the place open after the site had remained vacant for nearly four years.

This site formerly housed Arthur’s Landing, which closed its doors in 2009.

Jerry Stefanitsis said he previously owned businesses in New York City, starting in 1980, and that the current site on New Jersey side of the Hudson intrigued him.

Although the menu boasts of Greek and Mediterranean food with chef Athanasios Liavas, Jerry hopes to draw from potential customers with diverse tastes, including commuters who might be coming and going by way of the nearby NY Waterways ferry.

Liavas has worked in four- and five-star restaurants in Greece, Australia, and New Zealand.

The restaurant had a soft opening in November, and the hours currently cater to dinner crowds, but this is expected to change as word gets out about its opening, and the hours will be increased to cover lunch as well.

Working with NY Waterways, the restaurant intends to take advantage of the bus service that transports passengers from the ferry to various locations along the waterfront. The establishment may also offer a dinner and theater package, which will allow patrons to dine in Weehawken and then take in shows in Manhattan via the ferry and its transportation network.

River views

With views of Manhattan and the Hudson River, the name Molos is appropriate for a number of reasons. In Greek, it means “the pier where fishermen gather with their daily catch.”

The restaurant will allow diners to select fresh whole fish that are displayed on a bed of ice, a Greek tradition. Fresh fish will be flown in daily from the Mediterranean and other places in the world.

Eliana said the restaurant will have a full menu of Mediterranean specialties, but this won’t preclude ordering fillet mignon.

The two-floored restaurant has glass on three sides with spectacular views. Downstairs seats about 170 people in the main dining area. Upstairs, which can seat up to 165 people, offers accommodations for catered parties, weddings receptions, and engagements.

A small bar, Eliana said, allows people to meet others prior to dinner.

Arthur Imperatore, Sr., founder of NY Waterways, said he wore his Greek fisherman’s hat just for the occasion. He said the restaurant will provide jobs as well as cuisine that is not found locally.

Turner said the town has been concerned about that location since Arthur’s Landing shut its doors in February, 2009.

“This is a great use of this building,” Turner said. “We never want to have a vacancy on the waterfront.”

Father Christos Pappa from Fairview gave the blessing, using a sprig of basil to cast the holy water, a tradition that goes back to St. Helena, who used basil to determine the true cross Christ had died upon. Blessings of this kind are common, offering to provide a level of protection to people who start out on new ventures. While everyone hopes for success, the blessing is designed to offer protection and hope for the future.

Located at 1 Pershing Road, Molos is open 5 to 11 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and 5 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.

The Weehawken Recreation Pee Wee Junior Football Team, pictured here with Mayor Richard Turner and Richard Barsa, were the 2013 Memorial Art McDonald Superbowl runners up for the Bi-County Junior Scholastic Football League. They recently played their final game and hosted their league playoffs at Weehawken Stadium.

L.A. Gang Member Nabbed at Fulton Street, Weehawken

Reputed L.A. gang member accused in double-murder nabbed in Weehawken: cops

The Jersey Journal, 20-Dec-13

A reputed West Coast gang member wanted for murder in California was arrested in Weehawken yesterday by Hudson County sheriff’s officers, authorities said.

After six hours of surveillance, Donovan Blair Johnson, 22, of Los Angeles, was arrested on Fulton Street at 10:30 p.m. by sheriff’s officers and FBI agents who were working on a tip, a sheriff's office report says.

Johnson was wanted in connection to the Aug. 27 shooting in which a 16-year-old boy and an 18-year-old man were gunned down on a Los Angeles street, a police report says.

Authorities say he fired an AK-47 in a gang-related retaliation shooting. Two more men, 19 and 18, were wounded, the report says.

After conducting surveillance at an apartment building on Fulton Street Thursday, sheriff's officers entered the building and searched and apartment, but did not find Johnson.

While searching the area around 10:30 p.m., officers were approached by a man and they ordered him across the street because of the investigation, a report says.

The man told the officers he lived in the building and when he identified himself as Donovan Johnson, he was arrested, a report said.

Police in Los Angeles believe the double-murder was retaliation for the shooting death of a gang member by a rival gang.

Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schillari praised the work of his officers, as well as the FBI agents and law enforcement in Los Angeles.

Hoboken, Jersey City and Weehawken plan regional bike-sharing program

Hoboken, Jersey City and Weehawken plan regional bike-sharing program

The Jersey Journal,  17-Dec-2013

A new regional bicycle-sharing program may link three Hudson County cities by this spring.

Hoboken, Jersey City and Weehawken are working together to launch a regional bike-sharing program, which would include at least 650 bicycles and solar-powered parking stations, officials said in a statement late Monday. The cities plan to select a single vendor for the program through a competitive contracting process, which has yet to be approved by the cities' councils.

The councils plan to vote on the solicitation process at their next meetings.

The proposed launch for the program is June 2014, according to Hoboken City Council documents. The cities hope to install — at a minimum —300 bikes in Jersey City, 250 in Hoboken and 100 in Weehawken, according to officials. The program could later be expanded to other municipalities.

The program is designed to allow participants to travel between and throughout the three cities via bicycle, officials said.

“We know that our transportation network is a regional one that connects our three waterfront communities, which is why it was important to partner on this initiative," Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop said in a statement.

The announcement comes roughly one month after Hoboken's trial bike-sharing program came to a close. At the time, Mayor Dawn Zimmer indicated that the city would be exploring its vendor and funding options before deciding how to move forward with the program. She also said that the city would be looking into the possibility of a regional program, connecting Hoboken, Jersey City and Weehawken.

Hudson County has also been mulling its own bicycle-sharing program. The county's planning division launched a feasibility study Oct. 18, through a $95,000 grant. The study is expected to be complete in July.

The proposed regional program seeks a vendor that would allow online registration, walk-up users and that would provide bikes with built-in GPS and use-tracking systems.Officials said the program could ease parking issues and encourage local shopping.

“Following Hoboken’s extremely successful bike share pilot this summer, we are ready to scale up to a full-scale, regional bike share program,” Zimmer said in a statement. “This program will improve our region’s transportation resiliency and provide another low-cost, healthy transportation and recreation option.”

Edward Hopper painting of Weehawken (NJ) sets record with $40.5 million sale

Edward Hopper painting of Weehawken (NJ)sets record with $40.5 million sale

No Formual 1 Race in Weehawken in 2014 Because it's Postponed Again

Formula One Head: New Jersey F1 Race Won't Happen in 2014 

WSJ, 5-Dec-134

Bernie Ecclestone said Tuesday That 'What We're Aiming for is 2015'

The on-again, off-again saga of the planned New Jersey Formula One race has taken another turn.

Bernie Ecclestone, the head of F1, said in a telephone interview Tuesday that New Jersey's F1 debut won't happen in 2014, as had been hoped. Ecclestone said the New Jersey race will be postponed "for lots and lots and lots of reasons."

"We are not satisfied it's going to happen in time," he said. "What we're aiming for is 2015."

Race promoter Leo Hindery Jr. didn't immediately return a call seeking comment.

Ecclestone's statement comes on the eve of a Paris meeting of the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) World Motor Sport Council, which controls F1. The official 2014 schedule is expected to be announced following the meeting Wednesday.

The Grand Prix of America in New Jersey was first announced in October 2011, with a June 2013 target date. Hindery, a former chief executive of the YES Network, had planned a street circuit to run through Weehawken and West New York, against the backdrop of the Manhattan skyline. F1 is the world's most sophisticated and popular form of motor sport, and the race was expected to lure over 100,000 fans.

Because of financial setbacks, the race was postponed to 2014. In September, FIA released a preliminary 2014 calendar with the New Jersey race scheduled for June, with an asterisk ("subject to the circuit approval"). Now, however, according to Ecclestone, New Jersey's Grand Prix of America will be postponed again.

A multimillion-dollar corner in Weehawken NJ goes on the block

A multimillion-dollar corner in Weehawken NJ goes on the block

CNBC, 3 Dec 2013

A certain street corner in Weehawken, N.J., looks a lot like any other. The difference is that this intersection just across the Hudson River from New York has been immortalized in a painting worth millions.

The work, "East Wind Over Weehawken," by American realist Edward Hopper, is about to go on the auction block for the first time. Such an offering is a rare event, according to Elizabeth Sterling, Christie's head of American Art.

"Hopper was not that prolific in oil painting, and the majority of his works are in [museums]," she said.

Considered one of the great artists of the 20th century, Hopper is known for scenes from the 1930s. "East Wind Over Weehawken," done in 1934, illustrates a desolate street during the Great Depression, with a "for sale" sign and overgrown lawns the focal points.

"East Wind Over Weehawken" is expected to fetch between $22 million and $28 million when it is offered on Dec. 5. And who are the likely bidders?

"We've been seeing international interest, but I think it's going to an American collector—just based on what we've been seeing for past Hoppers," Sterling said. "It's been international participation, but ultimately the highest bidder for the past few years has been American."

Whoever places the winning bid could set a new record for Hopper's work at auction. The previous record, in 2006, was $27 million for his "Hotel Window."