Jersey City Desi news — 2026-10-15

Jersey City Unanimously Declares October Hindu Heritage Month, Honoring Growing Indian American Community

Jersey City has officially designated October as Hindu Heritage Month following a unanimous vote by the Municipal Council on October 7, 2026, recognizing the cultural, social, and economic contributions of Hindu Americans in the city. The resolution was championed by Councilwoman Mamta Singh, the first Hindu woman to serve on the Jersey City Council, who called the designation especially meaningful given the city's rapidly growing Indian American and Hindu American communities. Singh described Hindu Heritage Month as an opportunity to celebrate Hindu traditions while encouraging all residents to explore a philosophy rooted in compassion, service, respect, and inclusiveness. She said Hinduism is often described not simply as a religion but as a way of life, one that asks people to do good, to live with purpose, to respect different paths, and to recognize the humanity in one another. Our greatest strength is our diversity, and every one of those communities deserves to feel seen and celebrated, she said. Councilman Michael Griffin also voiced support, and the resolution passed with no dissent. Jersey City, home to one of the largest South Asian communities in the northeastern United States, joins a growing list of American municipalities recognizing South Asian and Hindu cultural heritage during October. [2]

Brick Lane Curry House Marks Five-Year Anniversary With House of Amrut, a Speakeasy Showcasing Indian Single Malt Whiske

Brick Lane Curry House, a popular Indian restaurant on Newark Avenue in downtown Jersey City, has opened a semi-secret tasting room called House of Amrut to celebrate its five-year anniversary. The speakeasy-style venue is built around one of the world's most extensive private collections of Amrut, India's acclaimed single malt whiskey, assembled by the restaurant's owner, who describes himself as a superfan of the brand. House of Amrut pairs rare and limited-edition Amrut expressions with authentic Indian meals and appetizers in an intimate, reservation-based setting. The concept bridges two pillars of Indian heritage that rarely share the same spotlight: regional cuisine and the emerging craft spirits tradition rooted in Bangalore, where Amrut Distilleries has been crafting whisky since the 1940s. Amrut single malts have earned significant recognition from international critics and helped put Indian whisky on the global map. The opening positions Brick Lane as not just a neighborhood restaurant but a destination for enthusiasts of South Asian food and drink culture, adding another dimension to Newark Avenue's reputation as one of the liveliest dining corridors in the New York metropolitan area. [1]

Punjab Meet House Brings Manhattan-Level Indian Dining to Jersey City's Newark Avenue

Jersey City's South Asian community gained a significant new dining destination in mid-2026 when Punjab Meet House opened on Newark Avenue, the culinary corridor long anchored by family-run South Asian eateries and takeout counters. The restaurant is the work of Jimmy Rizvi, a Jersey City resident of more than 20 years who built his reputation running GupShup in Gramercy and Bungalow, Vikas Khanna's celebrated East Village restaurant, in Manhattan. With Punjab Meet House, Rizvi brings the tailored dining experience of his Manhattan properties to the neighborhood he calls home, targeting Jersey City's own substantial Indian American community rather than exporting it across the Hudson. The space features a cavernous dining room, a full bar, and an expansive menu covering chaat, tandoor preparations, curries, dal, and breads. Chef Zahir Khan, who spent roughly fifteen years traveling through India's culinary regions, anchors the kitchen. Eater New York highlighted standout offerings including a cardamom-laced cocktail and an Indian spin on tiramisu. The restaurant represents a broader shift in Jersey City's dining landscape, where high-concept South Asian restaurants are increasingly setting up shop rather than ceding the upscale South Asian dining market entirely to Manhattan. [3]

Sources: [2] TAPinto · [1] Patch · [3] Eater New York