Not sure if they’re best in downtown, but I enjoy the ones from Diesel and Duke’s. Good enough to eat without any kind of dip, which is IMO the litmus test for a good fry.

They’d be better off intentionally converting one or two of the lawns to a dirt playing field. Then maybe more people would stay off the grass parts.

You are literally asking for personal financial advice here, you’ve said it yourself above: “my post is about…the hassle and COST of owning a car here” (emphasis mine). It’s weird to ask about that while disregarding the idea of a cheaper car. If you rent zip cars, what do you think you’re going to get? Not the kind of car you have now. So if you’re considering a using a cheaper car via something like zipcar, you should also compare that with owning a cheaper car. Of course it’s ultimately your choice, but it’s strange you think this is odd.

I don’t understand the argument that the cost of the car itself doesn’t matter. In addition to comparing your current car to the cost of Uber/zipcar with no car, you should definitely compare to getting a cheaper car. I make more than you do and bought the lowest price Honda CRV during the pandemic. It was a great decision, and cheaper by far than using Uber and zipcar given how often I use it.

That makes sense!

Could you explain what makes the vibes different and more second date like? I am just curious.

Can you explain? Not saying you are wrong I’m just curious what people think makes a bar casual vs not. I’m used to only thinking about that word in terms of dress code.

I'd avoid Dullboy, the Archer, Barcade, if you want to be able to hear each other. I've gone on more than one date at Pet Shop and was able to have a conversation. Either the couch in the back, or downstairs at the wine bar, are the quieter spots.

A bar at a restaurant may be better for conversation, with respect to volume, ex: White Star? And then if things go well you can grab a more substantial dinner. No good for right now, but if you still need this info in the summertime then Smorgasbar is fantastic for this. (And then Dullboy becomes an option too, if, and only if, you can sit outside.)

I know it means I'm getting old but I really don't know what the point is of cranking the volume up so much people have to shout at each other. I go to bars when I want to just hang out and talk with whoever I'm with.

Hudson Greene market has caviar, saw it a couple weeks ago. NetCost in Staten Island or Paramus do too (they are about equally far). One time I was able to buy it at Costco in Bayonne around New Years. I have bought it once at Oliva in Newark ave but never saw it again after that.