My luxe day with the ‘RHONJ’ cast: How I lived like a Real Housewife for 24 hours
Fans may have to wait some time until the all-new season of “Real Housewives of New Jersey” airs on Bravo, but that doesn’t mean you have to pause on living your best Jersey life!
That’s exactly why I – Danny Murphy, a Senior Editor and co-host of Page Six’s ”Virtual Reali-Tea” podcast – am taking you along for the ride on how to spend the most epic day in the Garden State, “RHONJ”-style.
ICYMI, Page Six launched our new video series, “24 Hours,” last week with the ladies of “The Real Housewives of Orange County” kicking it off! We obviously had to show some love to the East Coast next — starting with New Jersey.
Let me tell you, preparing to spend a day with some of the most glamorous ladies is a nerve-wracking task, so of course I had to look the part.
Enter Melissa Gorga and her boutique, Envy by Melissa Gorga, to help me learn exactly how to channel my inner Housewife.
Because I’m me, I immediately needed a snack after finishing my first task of the day. Shopping is exhausting! Thankfully, Danielle Cabral opened her home up to me and not only gave me a tour, but introduced me to the “mutz” makers themselves from Agostino Fresh Mozz Co., who made all of my cheese dreams come true. While we don’t pump our own gas in New Jersey, we certainly do make our own cheese!
After dishing and eating with Danielle about her first season on “RHONJ,” I needed a little pick-me-up to get through the rest of my day. And any Bravo fan knows that the queen of the iced coffee is none other than Margaret Josephs.
Yes, I got to have a Marge-style beverage (big wine glass, lots of ice, straw, Snickers creamer) AND gossip about all the classic moments that went down in her house. After looking back on all the events she threw, it’s no wonder she’s the Queen of Soireés.
Sitting at Margaret’s house really made me feel like a Housewife, because we got to unpack some drama (like that time Jackie Goldschneider and Teresa Giudice had some… choice words for one another) while Margaret was getting glammed up for an event later that night. I mean, what could be more Housewives than that?!
Well, Rails Steakhouse, actually – one of the Great Wonders of the “RHONJ” world. There was nowhere else that I could have possibly ended my day as a “Real Housewife” at other than this iconic steakhouse — with none other than Rachel Fuda.
If my day left you feeling inspired to have your own “Housewives”-esque tour of Jersey, well I’ve got good news for you. Keep reading as I’ve broken down all the hot spots I went to eat, glam and shop – so you can easily recreate the magic yourself!
Envy by Melisa Gorga
7 E Ridgewood Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Anyone who is a fan of “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” knows about Melissa’s journey with Envy. From experiencing some initial hesitation about the business from her husband, Joe Gorga, to now having an expanded store in it’s Envy 2.0 location, there’s no wonder why she has a Boss Bitch sign “On Display”!
While my favorite part of the day at Envy might have been talking to Melissa about her viral reunion merch, I would definitely recommend fans going there just to shop their hearts out. Not only is Melissa sometimes there in person, but everyone who works with her is truly the nicest!
Give me any boutique where I can sip Dunkin’ and I’m in heaven.
Agostino Fresh Mozz Co.
DM @agostinofreshmozz on Instagram
Cabral, who just wrapped her first season on the hit series, knows how to throw a party (even if it ends with a screaming match about seating charts). While she’s a fun time and a great host, you probably won’t have access inside her private residence like we did.
However, you can DM the boys at Agostino Fresh Mozz Co. via Instagram any time you’re looking to cater house parties, weddings or events in the Tri-State Area.
They not only taught me – a person who never turns their oven on – how to properly make mutz, but they also let me know that they do pizza making parties and more for any event you want to throw. So if you tell me you’re having these guys at your next party, my only recommendation is to invite me. Please. (Honorable mention: they helped me live my Varsity sports dream by successfully involving me in a game of catch-the-mozz-ball. If only I knew I’d be a great athlete if cheese was involved?!)
Julius Michael’s salon
at Margaret Josephs’ private home
My third spot on the “RHONJ” tour was Marge’s house just because so much has gone down there, I had to soak it in myself.
The perk of crashing her glam moment was that I also got to meet celebrity stylist Julius Michaels, who every Bravo-fanatic knows as the resident hair whisperer for so many Housewives.
He owns a salon not too far from Margaret’s house (address and booking info here) which anyone can go to in case they want to get a fresh “Housewife”-approved look themselves.
Also along for the ride was George, Margaret’s right-hand-glam for all of her events!
For more Page Six reality TV updates …
Oh, and how could I forget to let you know that Marge 2 was also there? And no, that is not a new lady joining the franchise — well, yet, anyway.
Rails Steakhouse
10 Whitehall Rd, Towaco, NJ 07082
Going to Rails is the ultimate requirement to feel like you really did become a true cast member on the “Real Housewives of New Jersey.” The memories, the ambiance, the flatbreads on the menu… all of it is so magic and oh-so Jersey.
Thankfully, I ran into Rachel Fuda, who just finished her first season on the series, while I was there. Naturally, we got to unpack the drama from the cast’s recent reunion — along with all the drama that has gone down at Rails in general.
Cheers to Jersey!
