A few weeks ago we had the pleasure of uncovering Skinner’s Loft. Located on Newark Avenue in downtown Jersey City, Skinner’s Loft is a fast favorite. The exterior exudes a classic pub charm, which is matched on the inside with a beautiful bar. The classic features one hopes for in “a place to eat and drink” (their tagline) are dressed up here in Skinner’s Loft, with fine wood finishing and exposed brick walls. The renovations are thoughtful and intuitive, highlighting the best of the old building and introducing modern sophistication in subtle ways. 

There are three levels of eating and drinking in Skinner’s Loft. The first floor, as previously mentioned, features an impressive bar which offers a welcoming haven from rush hour crowds.

The second floor boasts a delightful combination of a laid back atmosphere and a more formal dining area. The wood features and brick walls transition elegantly from the first floor and are accented by large windows with touches of stained glass overlooking the street.

The rooftop is the third option for eating and drinking. It is small and casual, with classic wrought iron patio furniture and pleasantly mismatched chairs and tables. Potted herbs occupy a small corner of the rooftop, with diners sometimes lucky enough to have them make it into their dishes. On a breezy summer evening, the rooftop provides an ideal setting for a unique and charming dining experience.

The menu features many creative small plates, a few thoughtful salads and a handful of larger plates. Many of the small plates are fancier versions of bar-food classics, such as filet mignon sliders, layered macaroni and cheese cake, and spicy rubbed BBQ baby back ribs. The larger plates offer a variety of meat, poultry, fish and vegetarian options. Although they publish their menu online, it appears that Skinner’s updates their menu seasonally. There were about six featured cocktails, all summery and tempting. There were standard beer options, spiced up with several imports and microbrews. The wine list had many interesting and reasonably priced wines.  Most wines were offered by the glass or the bottle, with a decent percentage of the latter falling in the $20-$30 range.

I ordered the fettuccine with dill and a light cream sauce. The sauce was slightly heavier than I’d anticipated, but the dill (and I think a touch of lemon) cut the heaviness and freshened the whole dish. The spices were in perfect proportion to the rest of the ingredients, and there were sumptuous pieces of pan seared salmon throughout.

Another member of my party ordered a roasted eggplant plate, served with a side of greens. Slices of eggplant were topped with roasted tomatoes, couscous and a sharp cheese. This dish was the most impressive to me, because it made roasted vegetables feel like a proper restaurant meal. It was gorgeous and cleverly composed. The vegetables were perfectly roasted, prepared with a nice olive oil, and dressed with a surprising vinegar marinade.

The final dish enjoyed by my party was a salmon filet with a citrus glaze and roasted potatoes. Although the citrus glaze was barely perceptible, the salmon was cooked perfectly and thrived without it.

I would definitely recommend Skinner’s. It’s a classy yet casual restaurant, with a thoughtful menu and deliciously prepared food. I would order any of these items again, and I can think of at least three other dishes I am eager to go back and try. Skinner’s is a welcome addition to Jersey City dining!