Category Archives: baking

Lee, Lee’s Bakery in Harlem to be featured in holiday special on WABC

Lee, Lee’s Bakery in Harlem was hopping yesterday. Not only was Alvin Lee Smalls busy filling up his shelves with baked goods, such as his famous rugala, he was busy being interviewed by WABC’s Channel 7! The New York City TV station stopped by in Harlem yesterday to interview Mr. Lee about his boutique style bake shop, along with a few loyal customers of his. What for you may ask? WABC is including Lee, Lees Bakery in their holiday special, which is tentatively schedule for December 17 at 7 pm! Apparently, the word continues to climb that Alvin Lee Smalls of Lee, Lee’s Bakery in Harlem make some exceptional rugala. It’s so good it’s gotta be on TV!

Stop by Lee, Lee’s Bakery at 283 West 118th Street now to purchase baked treats and tune into WABC on Dec. 17 at 7 pm to see Alvin and a few other locals from Harlem talk about why they love Lee, Lee’s Bakery!

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Harlem Restaurant and Retail Month continues, don’t miss it!

Harlem Restaurant and Retail Month is happening right now and there is still plenty of time to get out there and enjoy the benefits.  The month-long event which takes place twice a year in the Spring and Fall, showcases Harlem’s premiere restaurants all located in area of Central Harlem, from Morningside to Marcus Garvey Parks and 110th to 125th streets.  During this month, diners can enjoy a prix fixe meal at any of the participating restaurants for $20.11; and shoppers can purchase select items at retail stores for $20.11.  The promotion runs to October 31.   

The restaurants that are participating include: 5 and Diamond Restaurant, 67 Orange Street, Chocolat Restaurant Lounge, The Harlem Tavern, Lido Harlem, Moca Lounge, Native Restaurant, Nectar Wine bar, Red Rooster Harlem, Ristorante Settepani.

And for retail, the following places are participating: Bikram Yoga East Harlem, Brownstone Fitness, EG Bodywork, Franz James Floral Boutique, Harlem Flo Floral Atelier, Harlem Flo Lifestyle Boutique, Harlem Skin Clinic, Harlem Vintage Wine Store, Karrot Health Food Store, Katrina Parris Flowers, Land Yoga.

Casting Call: Food Network Star and Chef Bobby Flay is looking for Food Entrepreneurs

Listen up Harlem! This is a casting call blog post! And it is about an exciting opportunity. Bobby Flay’s Rock Shrimp Productions is  currently developing a new show for the Food Network.  The title of the show is still unnamed. However, it is going to center around Food Entrepreneurs.

Rock Shrimp Productions defines Food Entrepreneurs as individuals who left their day job and are currently in the process of opening a food store or restaurant before mid December with…no culinary experience and are taking a risk to pursue their passion of launching their own food business.  These individuals must be planning to open a brick-and-mortar space (restaurant or singular food ideas welcome) before the end of 2011.

In addition,  the Food Entrepreneurs should preferably in, but not limited to, the greater New York City area (NY, NJ, CT). Those chosen will receive culinary business coaching from a major celebrity chef and restaurateur, as well as nationwide publicity.

So if you are a Food Entrepreneur and want to rub elbows with Bobby Flay, the celebrity chef who did a Throw Down with Melba’s Restaurant in Harlem, contact Heather Briggs at hrb@embassyrow.com or learn more about the project on Facebook.

The Catskills come to the border of East Harlem


While most of us will be attending the Harlem Harvest Festival today, let’s all start making plans to head East next weekend…to East Harlem that is. Manhattan Country School brings the Catskills farm to the border of the barrio in their annual Farm Festival on Saturday, October 15th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. “Parent volunteers turn East 96th Street between Madison and Fifth Avenues into an urban carnival, offering family friendly entertainment including rides, games, crafts, a silent auction, raffles and live music. The MCS Farm Festival offers a variety of homemade baked goods, a wide variety of delicious ethnic cuisine and fresh produce from their farm in Roxbury, N.Y.”

Admission is free and all from the public are invited. Tickets for food, games and rides will be available for purchase. In the event of rain, festivities will take place indoors.

This sounds like a great event for family and friends! Hope to see you there next weekend!

Mark your calendar: Harlem Harvest Festival set for October 8

Save the date of October 8th! That is when the annual Harlem Harvest Festival takes place on the corner of 116th Street and St. Nicholas Ave! I went last year and had a wonderful time visiting all the street vendors, eating and watching the performances from the Dance Theater of Harlem.  It is a great way to kick off the Fall season.

Take a look at photos from last year’s Harlem Harvest Festival!

Common Ground Family Festival is happening at Morningside Park in Harlem

UPDATE: The Friends of Morningside Park have decided to reschedule the festival for a date in October.  As soon as the rain date is available, we will pass along.

The Friends of Morningside Park are holding its Common Ground Family Festival this Saturday, September 24th from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Festival will include kite making and decorating, Belly Dancing Ensemble, Peter Westbrook Foundation Fencing Demonstration, Johns Magic-Magician, The Legendary Paragons singing Doo Wop, Harlem Farm Fresh CSA, face painting, scavenger hunt, pony rides and much, much more!

And the best part, music will be provided by DJ Stormin Norman of the popular Harlem gathering called Sundae Sermon. Stop by Morningside Park at the 114th Street Stage and 117th Street Playground this Saturday to check out all the activities for Common Ground Family Festival.

HarlemGal Inc’s latest photo stream on Harlem Restaurants

Atomic WingsCedric HarlemHarlem TavernThe KioskLido HarlemAtomic Wings
67 OrangeCedric French Bistro and BarHarlem TavernHarlem TavernAmbassades BuffetNectar Harlem
AmbassadesRed Rooster HarlemLido HarlemWXYZ BarLevain BakeryRed Rooster Harlem
Sylvia'sLenox LoungeSettepaniHarlem restaurantsMacy's Food Truck Staff, Harlem Week 2011Harlem Week 2011

Last photo stream was on Harlem Week. Now photos of Harlem’s eating establishments are up! If you have a photo of your favorite Harlem place, send to me by email, Twitter or Facebook!

Harlem’s Tonnie’s Minis to hold First Annual Customer Appreciation Day


Tonnie’s Minis, Harlem’s delicious cup cake shop at 264 Lenox Avenue, is dedicating a day to say “Thanks” to their customers.  They are holding their First Annual Customer Appreciation Day and it’s happening this coming Saturday, August 27. The event starts at noon and goes to 9:00 p.m. Check out details on their facebook page.

Should be a fun event. I saw where someone said they can’t wait to try the cupcake shots. Yummy! If that’s the kind of shots they will be having at this event, I am so there. See you at Tonnie’s Minis in Harlem this Saturday!

2011 Harlem Week kick off was a big success

Macy's Food Truck Staff, Harlem Week 2011Harlem Week 2011Harlem Week 2011Uptown Dance Academy, Harlem Week 2011Face painting, Harlem Week 2011Harlem Arts Alliance, Harlem Week
Harlem Week 2011More tees, Harlem Week 2011Harlem Week 2011Face paint freshen up, Harlem Week 2011Harlem Week 2011Tees at Harlem Week 2011
Harlem Week 2011 VendorT shirt vendor, Harlem Week 2011Harlem Week 2011Harlem Week 2011Harlem Week 2011Harlem Week 2011
Harlem Week 2011Harlem Week 2011Harlem Week 2011Macy's Food Truck Crew, Harlem WeekHarlem Week 2011Macy's, Harlem Week

Harlem Week 2011 kicked off today, July 31, with much success. There were plenty of New Yorker’s in attendance who wanted to partake in this years theme, “A New York State of Mind.” I certainly did and enjoyed the kick off celebration very much. I checked out all the street vendors and camped out at the Macy’s Food Truck, which was featuring free food by Marcus Samuelsson.

If you were not able to check out Harlem Week 2011 kick off today, do not worry. There is  a month full of activities planned for August.  For additional details, go to Harlem Week’s website.

Celebrate Harlem Week with Marcus Samuelsson with Macy’s A-Go-Go Food Truck

I have more details about Marcus Samuelsson’s July 31 participation in “Macy’s Chefs A-Go-Go,” a national food truck tour showcasing the Macy’s Culinary Council. The Macy’s Food Truck is rolling into upper Manhattan-126th Street and Riverside Drive to be exact-with our fellow Harlemite during Harlem Week, a month long celebration of the culture, arts, civil rights, politics, religion and community education. Perfect timing! Love it!

From noon to 4:00 p.m., Red Rooster Harlem owner and Chef Marcus Samuelsson will be on board at the Harlem stop, cooking his signature recipes and dishing them out for free! And guess what Marcus will be cooking? He will be serving catfish sandwiches with fried caper slaw and sweet potato fries! Yummy! That sounds delicious for lunch on Sunday, July 31.

If you have not tried Marcus Samuelsson’s cuisine, here is your opportunity! And the best ingredient in Marcus’ food that day, it’s FREE! See you at 126th and Riverside, July 31 at noon! Cheers!

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