2nd-ing this! Uncle Momo brunch is great too and it's BYO. Kitchen Step, Latham House to name a couple more

I don't know Weehawken too well. It is quieter I believe, not sure about safer. It's not as walkable as Jersey City or Hoboken. And also not as convenient for commute to lower manhattan. I think you have to either take the lightrail to hoboken to catch the PATH or you can take the ferry to midtown and the subway/bus.

I used to work in the LES before my office moved to Brooklyn. If you want to make your wife's commute less hellish, try to stay near the PATH. Maybe consider Harrison. There's loads of new buildings there due to building up the area near the PATH and the soccer stadium, a lot of new restaurants...

You should also try looking into the Journal Square neighborhood, there's a few high rise buildings there with amenities and the such and more on the way. Also decently priced apartments in older buildings. The neighborhood is up-and-coming, still a little rough at night but not dangerous, definitely less nightlife than downtown JC but that's quickly changing.

My friend lives there, it's above the biergarten... says there's a lot of noise on weekend nights, especially on the side of the building that faces the back (overlooking the biergarden backyard) so it depends on what you value more... quiet or having a close by bar/restaurant. If you like quiet maybe try looking at one of the other properties over there. I know there's some street parking in that neighborhood and garage parking for a fee too in one of the buildings. Safe area, better lit-up than Modera lofts neighborhood (Powerhouse district) which is under heavy development.

Check out the residences at Liberty Harbor. I know a few people who live in various buildings there and they're pretty happy. https://www.libertyharbor.com/