Jennifer Tripucka 
The hunt for a good dinner spot never ceases, and in Jersey City, there’s always a new spot to discover. Recently, we dined at Carol Ann’s Table, a newer spot to the Heights at 333 Palisade Avenue, that is locally-owned and operated by Chef Andrew Ifill. Named after Chef Andrew’s grandmother, this BYOB restaurant has a small, curated menu, and is perfect for a date night on Palisade Avenue. Read on for more about Carol Ann’s Table in Jersey City.
The Vibes
The exterior of the building really doesn’t do its interior justice, as the black awning appears nondescript in that it tells a completely different date-night-ready interior inside, with just a few tables for dining. Cloth napkins and a simple-yet-cozy tablescape adorn the four tables for dining, and photos of Carol Ann, Chef Andrew’s grandmother, adorn the walls.
The kitchen is small, tucked back to the left, and if you walk back you’ll likely be able to chat with Andrew and see a bit of what’s happening behind the scenes. A few locals were enjoying dinner when we were there, and Chef Andrew chatted with them while creating his masterpieces.
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Originally from Sacramento, California, 35-year-old Chef Andrew studied his way through culinary school and moved to Newark, NJ to try out life on the East Coast. He currently works as a manager at a local coffee shop and at night he cooks up dishes at his new restaurant on Palisade Avenue.
The Menu
Being BYOB has its perks, in that you can bring any cocktail of your choosing to the (literal) table. We opted for some Ghia mocktails (you can find locally @ Alfalfa in Hoboken), and the rest was up to the chef (we ordered our favorites off the menu).
The menu features elevated comfort food classics, such as the standout Carol Ann’s Burger: a grass-fed beef burger with pickled onions, sweet tomato jam, lettuce, and jalapeño aioli on a brioche bun (Chef Andrew also has gluten free rolls!).
The short rib ragu was another standout in its basil tomato sauce. A little *Editor’s Note* fun fact about our visit: being Celiac has its drawbacks but being at a locally-owned small restaurant has its perks, and at the time, Chef Andrew didn’t have it noted that the papardelle could be gluten-free. When asked if he had gluten-free pasta, he said “No, but let me run and grab it at the store!” and within about 20 minutes, a delicious gluten-free short rib ragu dish was at the table. It was pretty incredible.
On the shared apps front, the crispy fried shrimp, chicken wings, and grilled rib tips complete the comfort food line-up, and all were delectable.
Dessert has two consistent options: chocolate lava cake (gluten-free for our Celiac friends!), and banana pudding, which we’re going to try at the next visit, along with the roasted chicken, a half chicken served over glazed carrots and a five-grain blend, and the seared salmon, served with brussels, broccoli rabe, and a creamy mustard velouté.
Pricing varies between $12-$30 for apps and entrees, and coupled with BYOB makes it a relatively affordable dining out option in the area. Our total was in the ballpark of $90 plus tip, but because we wanted to try a bunch of menu items, so we opted for several apps.
Overall Vibes
It’s no secret to the Heights neighborhood that this spot is quickly becoming a go-to due to its laid back, welcoming atmosphere alongside tasty dishes that are made from scratch by Chef Andrew.
He noted when we were there that he is hiring, and if interested, to inquire within.
Once he gets more of a team built, he will be able to expand his hours, which are currently Thursday dinner from 5PM-9:30PM and Friday through Sunday with brunch (10AM-3PM) and dinner service (5PM-9:30PM) only, as he works by day as the manager of a local coffee shop in Jersey City.
We’ll be back for more soon, as that banana pudding is on the top of our list, along with another burger and the steak tips. If you’re looking for a cozy BYOB dinner in the Heights that feels like home, Carol Ann’s Table should be your next stop.
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Welcome to Jersey City, Carol Ann’s Table!
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