A special GoOutJersey feature: reviews of date places from “Both Sides of the Table…”

Steve: Three A’s might be far back in Hoboken, but once you’re inside, it kind of has a Washington Street feel to it: a fleet of flat-screen TVs hangs for every vantage point in the bar area, jukebox music floods the entire venue and hilarious drunken banter greets you at the door. So Maleka and I decided to check out their restaurant, where most of the seats are separated from the bar area.

Maleka: I think it’s cute that the establishment is named for the owners’ daughters – Amanda, Antonella and another ‘A’ name that I can’t remember.

Steve: Adriana? Alexandra?

Maleka: I was leery of the place initially because the first time I came there for dinner I was nearly burned with a cigarette by a local man who was “visiting” some friends during dinner, (meaning he was not supposed to be there during dinner) and was walking around pretty close to me during his visit.

Steve: Yeah, it is a little snug in there for a Hoboken restaurant, but there are always a lot of people dining. I generally take that to mean the food is good… or the owners have loyal friends. Was it Amber?

Maleka: The specials had me salivating, but maybe that was because I had been trekking through the NYC car show for four hours prior to dinner. Steve owed me a date that night.

Steve: I thought the car show was a date. Whatever. The specials were out of control. I actually didn’t order anything from the menu. I started with the grilled shrimp stuffed with prosciutto, spinach and mozzarella in a citrus sauce. Truly amazing.

Maleka: I started with the French onion soup; a classic dish that’s hard to ruin. And it was definitely Aisha.

Steve: Aida? Angelina?

Maleka: I never thought I’d say this, but it was a little too cheesy for me. I know. I didn’t know there was such a thing. The soup itself was delicious and I felt like I wanted more of it to go with the glob of cheese that was left in my bowl.

Steve: Andrea? Arianna?

Maleka: Stop it, Stephen! My pasta was perfect. Not too much sauce, not too mushy (I’m an al dente girl). The scallops were sweet and worked nicely with the vodka sauce.

Steve: And I had the lobster ravioli in a light tomato sauce. The sauce almost overpowered the lobster, but I wasn’t disappointed. Regardless, there was a nice blend of flavors and I was definitely content by the end of the meal.

Maleka: The drinks were pretty good, but nothing to write home about (although I’m sure everyone knows that Steve and I are still recovering from the untimely departure of our favorite bartenders – shout out to Willow! – So I have a hard time getting enthusiastic about drinks. I’m still hurt and I’m having a hard time trusting again.).

Steve: The music wasn’t anything that I’d willingly listen to, but it somehow brought a sense of nostalgia that I don’t get at most Jersey locales. The usual Bon Jovi was replaced by Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band and a few other bands that I’d probably be familiar with had my high school track teammates forced me to listen to them too (though, I’m about 98 percent sure they were just the opening act for a little Living on a Prayer at the peak bar time). Anyway, the food is great and the overall dinner scene is above average despite the intimate eating space and the mid-90’s hits.

Three A’s Bar And Grill
500 Grand Street
Hoboken
(201) 217-1650
www.ThreeAsBarAndGrill.com

— by Steve & Maleka
Maleka, who moved all the way to the Garden State from North Carolina, prides herself on knowing the newest, best place to get a fab meal. Her boyfriend, Steve, originally from Philly, now lives in Hoboken and works as an associate producer in NYC.

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