Ryan and I arrived in Newark, New Jersey right before 8:30 a.m. yesterday for a wedding weekend in New Brunswick! Ryan’s childhood best friend, Terry, is marrying Janelle who is such a genuine and kind person and we are absolutely thrilled for them!
I was shocked when Ryan said Terry wanted to pick us up at the airport. We felt pretty special to be able to spend the day before the wedding with the groom! Terry swung by the airport and drove us to Hoboken where we spent the morning walking around and exploring the area where Terry and Janelle live.
Ryan and I were really hungry and Terry suggested popping into Jo’s Diner for breakfast.
Right when we walked inside we were hit the the most amazing smell of bacon, syrup and coffee. Feed me!
We placed our orders and when our waitress delivered our meals, as she handed me my plate she jokingly said, “Enjoy your seven-pound breakfast!”
I think she may have been half serious because there was a ton of food on my plate! It was all delicious, but the standout was definitely the breakfast potatoes. Yum!
After breakfast, we walked around Hoboken until we got a call from Terry’s parents. They were on their way to Terry’s apartment and we met them there and hung out for a little bit before it was time for Terry’s family to get something to eat. Ryan, Terry and I were still stuffed since it had been about an hour since we last ate, but Ryan and I shared a piece of pizza and it was great!
I wish I was hungrier because the mozzarella used on the cheese was so delicious!
Eventually we got a phone call from Terry’s sister and brother after they arrived at the airport and while Terry’s dad went to pick them up, Terry, Ryan, his mother, grandmother and I drove to the hotel in New Brunswick to check in before all of the rehearsal fun began.
As we checked in, we were handed a welcome bag from Janelle and Terry that included a bunch of snacks and treats that represent them as a couple.
It was adorable!
The rehearsal dinner kicked off at 7 p.m. at Steakhouse 85, located right across the street from our hotel which was very convenient!
After we arrived, we drank wine (Malbec for me) and chatted with the bridal party and the bride and groom’s families before it was time to take our seats and order.
To start, I opted for the roasted beet salad with goat cheese and thought it was fantastic. I am a big-time beet lover, so I always love it when I see them pop up on a menu. For my entree, I ordered the crab cakes and was thrilled when they came out packed with crab meat. I didn’t taste any breading which is just how I like them. Gimme tons o’ crab meat and I’m a happy girl! Dessert featured a warm apple tart with vanilla bean ice cream and I cleared my plate!
(So sorry for the awful pictures. It was quite dark in the restaurant!)
After everyone was done with dessert, we spent some more time at the restaurant finishing up our drinks and mingling before it was time to walk back to the hotel and climb into bed for a good night’s sleep before Terry and Janelle’s wedding day!
Congratulations to the happy couple!
(And HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY to Ryan today!!!)
![\"Quantcast\"/](\"//pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-1e3-7hOJ_U8Bg.gif\")
That breakfast looks delicious! I love hearty meals like that and how they always hit the spot when you’re hungry :D. Congrats to the happy couple! You look gorgeous as always!
Happy Birthday to Ryan!
Have a wonderful time at the wedding!
New Brunswick looks absolutely gorgeous! I never knew New Jersey could be so beautiful, but maybe because I was tainted by Snookie & The Real Housewives. The food looks incredible! Have a great weekend and happy birthday to Ryan!!
Yes, the Real Housewives (the accent is from those in the upper portion of the state, near New York…not all of us talk like them) and Snookie has given the state a bad rap. And the Jersey Shore crew is not even from the state. Those of us who live year round in this state (when the leaves turn in the fall it is amazing) call the Jersey Shore crew a benny ( Those who come from parts of NY and invade the shore and “think” they’re from Jersey.) Thanks for the state acknowledgement.
This pre-wedding festivities look like so much fun! Hoboken? Did you see the CakeBoss!? 🙂 I love the goody-bag idea with snacks. too cute.
I looked for him! Ha! We walked by one of his shops but didn’t see him.
Happy birthday to Ryan! What a fun place to celebrate and with great friends and great food.
Look like fun! Happy Birthday to Ryan!
Yes, food looks great but I really love that small town look and feel of New Brunswick…which by the way we have a province named that here in Canada!
Happy Birthday, Ryan! 🙂
Looks like an adorable little town! Have fun!
Happy Birthday to Ryan!!! Spending it with his childhood friend must be a nice way to celebrate! Brunswick looks lovely…I want those pumpkins!!! Do you guys differentiate between the ones you eat and ones you decorate with? As in are they different varieties?
That’s such a nice area of Jersey! Congrats to the lovely couple, you kids have a great time!
I totally would have ordered everything you did at Steakhouse 85. I love me some good crab cakes. And apple desserts a la mode 🙂 Best wishes to the bride and groom! Have a great rest of the weekend!
Happy birthday to Ryan too!!
Love your hair! It looks different than when you use the straightener method. What did you use?
Thanks! I curled it with a curling iron, but looped it around the outsides and left the ends out.
What a cute place to live! It’s gorgeous… I knew the east coast had a rep for being beautiful in the fall, and this proves it!
Your hair looks awesome! Love the waves!
That pizza… wow, made me drool a little bit. Happy birthday to Ryan!
wow the first picture you took you’re literally standing right in front of my apartment haha I’ve been reading your blog for years and never thought you’d come to my town! so funny. wish I could have given you suggestions before you came… so many better places to eat than that diner. you would have died at Stacks pancake house … pumpkin pancakes there are unreal. Hope you enjoyed Hoboken 🙂
no way!!! that’s crazy! i’d love to come back to visit hoboken!
Ah I live in the next town over! Depending on how long you stay, I’d definitely recommend dinner at Catherine Lombardi, it’s in the theatre district of New Brunswick. Good food, great wine! There might even be a good show to catch next door at the State Theatre. Enjoy your time here 🙂
Yummmyy~sometimes big and traditional breakfasts like that are a must! And I hope Ryan has an awesome birthday!!!
I love walking/touring around new cities! All of your meals look YUMMY!! And I love weddings – have a great time! 🙂
-Sammy @ peaceandloveandicecream.blogspot.com
Looks like it is a beautiful weekend for a wedding!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN!!!
Happy 30th Bday to Ryan! Good to see you in my neck of the woods 🙂 I love Hoboken! Enjoy the East Coast Wedding!
Yum love the tasty breakfast photos! Love and shine Courtstar
Thanks for the positive review of NJ 😀 I went to Rutgers and live minutes from New Brunswick, so, you’d think I would have suggestions for things to do or see, but I can’t really think of anything 😀 mostly I shop. recently I found out Rutgers has a beautiful garden. Who knew? Enjoy the wedding and Jersey:D
I am so jealous! My father was from Hoboken. I have always wanted to go and explore where he was from. It looks like a fantastic place to walk around and get to visit. I hope the Happy couple enjoy their wedding.
Wedding weekends are just the best, aren’t they? Especially when you get to celebrate a wedding AND a birthday!
That pizza looks incredible! My mouth is watering right now : )
Did you get that dress at Anthro? I think I just bought it yesterday!
It’s actually French Connection! I LOVE Anthropologie dresses though!
I love all of the fall pumpkins! Your hair looks really pretty!
My sister just moved from there! hope you enjoyed Hoboken and your weekend! 🙂
Looks like a lot of fun!! Did you visit Carlo’s Bake Shop?? 🙂
Haha! We did! But he wasn’t there. Bummer.
I live in Hoboken 🙂 hope you enjoyed your visit!
I grew up in Northern NJ about 20 minutes from where you were and had friends who went to Rutgers, so it’s fun seeing you there! Too bad the weather was not more ‘fall-like’ yet, but hopefully you were able to see some changing leaves and enjoyed the wedding!
What a cute black dress! That breakfast looks delicious!
No wayyyy you were in Hoboken!? That’s where Joe’s restaurants are, and I lived there for years. I’m a few miles away now. Aww! Love it there. Looks like you made the most of your weekend in NJ! 🙂
LOL, Jersey crawls out of the woodwork and represents *the second* someone is on our turf. Glad you enjoyed…BTW the Carlo’s in Westfield is totally better, and I’m extremely biased. <3