Category Archives: Bars

Didn’t make it to Italy over the summer? No worries, head to Lido Harlem for Sept wine tasting event

For those of us Harlemites who could not travel to Italy this past summer, can now escape to Italy’s wine country in Harlem. Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar on 117th Street and FDB is hosting another a wine event in September. On Tuesday, September 24th from 7:30-9:30 pm, Lido Harlem is offering a five course wine tasting dinner featuring Italian wines and food.

Wine educator and sommelier, Andrea Wobensmith will once again take guests through the wines and help them learn more about pairing tips, grapes, differences in growing practices and more, all in an intimate and relaxed setting. Wobensmith has been teaching wine classes for over 7 years. Her passion began after visiting Italy and tasting wines throughout the countryside. Wobensmith earned her Sommelier Certificate with the Sommelier Society of America.

The price is $105 per person plus tax and gratuity. Space is limited, call for reservations at: 646-490-8575 or 917-733-9413.
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Cantina, Harlem’s new taqueria, will open today September 6 says owner, view menus here

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Cantina, Harlem’s new taqueria on ACP and 111th Street, will open this evening, Friday, September 6 says the owner. Cantina had initially aimed for Sept 2 to open, but could not make that deadline because “things were not in place.” Cantina is ready for business now and will take its first customers tonight after 5 pm.

So stop on by and try limited items from their menu, which we have attached for your viewing.

Happy Friday Harlem!

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An inside look at Harlem’s new Cantina, a taqueria opening Labor Day evening Sept 2

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Remember the blog post at the beginning of August about a new Harlem business coming to Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd and 111th Street? HarlemGal Inc now has confirmation on exactly what the place will be? Cantina is the name of the new restaurant on 111th and ACP.

Cantina will be serving burritos, tacos and ceviche, along with a full service bar. Starting this coming Monday evening, September 2, Cantina in Harlem will open for business and will be offering $2 tacos and $4 margaritas, according to one of the Cantina owners, who spoke with HarlemGal Inc today and happens to be involved with Harlem BBQ as well.

The price point of the Cantina menu will be below $19. One of the owners of Cantina said, “everything on the menu will be reasonable and affordable, yet everything offered will be of a high-end product.” The chef at Cantina will be coming from Dos Toros in Union Square.

Cantina in Harlem invited us in today to take a look at the place and we must say it looks very cool and comfortable. There is exposed brick and aged wood everywhere. Plus the location is perfect. It’s right by Central Park North. So when you are done with your day in the park, Cantina is one block away from Central Park North where one can purchase a fresh squeezed cucumber margarita and taquaria food. The place looks very inviting and charming. We can’t wait to check it out.

Oh by the way, Cantina was going to be called Suzy-Q and was going to offer BBQ. The owner of Cantina said they changed their strategy mid way through planning because they realized the BBQ need was already met in Harlem.

Stop by this coming Monday after 4 pm to check out Cantina in Harlem! It is on the northwest corner of ACP and 111th Street.

Mark your calendar: The Cecil to open in Harlem September 23, Minton’s in October

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OMG, HarlemGal Inc has the latest information on Richard Parsons’ involvement around The Cecil in Harlem and Minton’s, formerly known as the famed jazz club Minton’s Playhouse. According to his peeps, The Cecil will open September 23 and Minton’s plans to open the second week of October. So mark your calendar!

Richard Parsons has been trying to revive this space in Harlem, ie 118th Street and St. Nicholas, for quite sometime. Looks like this well-known businessman is making it happen in Harlem. With opening dates set, Parsons’ is about to deliver on what he’s been talking about for a few years, which is to revive this old-time Harlem jazz spot.

According to the information provided to HarlemGal Inc., “Minton’s is the revival of the 1930s/40s jazz club Minton’s Playhouse and will operate as a speak easy feel with a nightly house band. The Cecil will incorporate worldly music for a social dining experience. The Cecil’s menu will incorporate an Afro-Asian-America Brasserie style and Minton’s southern revival cooking with low country notes.”

Below are additional details on The Cecil and Minton’s!

The Cecil
Address: 210 West 118th Street (St. Nicholas & Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd)
Telephone number: 212.866.1262
Cuisine: Afro-Asian-American Brasserie as conceptualized by Executive chef and partner, Alexander Smalls, integrating culinary traditions of the African Diaspora.
Team: Richard Parsons – Restaurateur, Alexander Smalls – Executive Chef, Joseph Johnson – Chef de Cuisine

Minton’s
Opening Date: Second week of October 2013
Address: 206 West 118th Street (St. Nicholas & Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd)
Telephone number: 212.243.2222
Cuisine: Southern Revival Cooking with Low Country Notes
Team: Richard Parsons – Restaurateur, Alexander Smalls – Executive Chef, Banks White – Chef de Cuisine

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Pop star Katy Perry dines on Harlem’s restaurant row, Melba’s Restaurant

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What a week so far for Melba’s Restaurant in Harlem! On Monday night, Christine Quinn, NYC mayoral candidate, stopped by for a women’s event. Last night, Tuesday, singing star Katy Perry and her posse dined in Harlem at Melba’s on 114th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd.

Ironically, Tuesday nights at Melba’s is open mic night. Did Katy Perry sing at Melba’s? According to our source, who sent us the info along with photos, say Ms. Perry “enjoyed a delicious meal and the entertainment after still relaxing from all the hectic festivities from the MTV VMAs.”

Melba’s Restaurant in Harlem is not only known for her down to earth comfort food, but also for its celebrity sightings such as: Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, and Tamar and Vince. Clearly, celebrities love coming to Harlem and places, such as Melba’s. Harlem is a great getaway for celebs that want to venture uptown and get some privacy versus the downtown madness.

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Notice in Harlem, John Legend plays Red Rooster, beer and wine at Frederick Cafe Bistro

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Has anyone noticed there’s is a big beer and wine sign hanging at Frederick Cafe Bistro in Harlem? Walk by 114th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd and you will see it. I guess this means if patrons want more than coffee, they can now have beer and/or wine?

And did anyone notice that John Legend performed in Harlem last night? According to Marcus Samuelsson’s twitter account, he did. Legend apparently gave a private performance at Red Rooster in Harlem. Nice.

Legend has performed in Harlem before. A few years back he played at the Apollo!

Ahh…the things we notice happening in Harlem! It’s endless.

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New Harlem business arising at ACP and 111th Street, another opens in Harlem’s Sugar Hill

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When it comes down to what’s opening/coming to Harlem, leave it to HarlemGal readers to know the scoop. They provide good, credible tips and we have two tips here to pass along!

Recently, one reader commented via Twitter that “a new bar must be coming to Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd and 111th Street (1838 ACP)! A name called Suzy-Q’s has applied for a liquor license.” Hmm, sounds interesting. This blog does not have confirmation of that. However, I walked by that corner this weekend and there does appear to be some construction action happening on the northwest corner of ACP and 111th Street. If anyone knows more, feel free to chime in!

Another longtime resident of Harlem and a reader of this blog wrote in and said, “just wanted to pass a tip along of a new bar/grill called Solace at 143rd Street and Broadway. They opened on July 3 and are still awaiting their liquor license. In the meantime, they have a full menu and hookahs all set to a deep house music soundtrack. I visited on Saturday and was very pleasantly surprised!” According to Solace’s website, they offer “a comfortable dining experience featuring high quality bar cuisine with an emphasis on fabulous, fresh burgers.”

So there we have it, one new Harlem bar possibly coming to Central Harlem and another bar and grill opens in Sugar Hill.

A big thanks to HarlemGal readers!
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Ready for Joe’s Crab Shack to open in Harlem? It’s happening July 30

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Harlem is getting another dining option for what seems like the gazillionth time! So many new Harlem restaurants opening up lately. HarlemGal Inc has heard directly from the PR firm representing Joe’s Crab Shack, which is a Houston, Texas-based company, and they have confirmed the Harlem branch of Joe’s Crab Shack will be opening to the public on July 30. There were a lot of dates floating around online about the grand opening, but HarlemGal Inc has the lowdown and the official opening for the public is July 30.

The new restaurant is opening at 125th Street and Frederick Douglass Boulevard.
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View latest health ratings for Harlem restaurants

Wondering which Harlem restaurants get an A in the health rating area?  Find out now how Harlem restaurants make the grade. NYC Health Ratings recently posted a tweet on Twitter about the latest health ratings for Harlem restaurants. If you’re interested in knowing who gets an A, view them all here!

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The Park 112 in Harlem, formerly known as The Park Wine Bar, hopes to open in August

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The  owner of the upcoming The Park 112 in Harlem, prior name is The Park Wine Bar, recently spoke with HarlemGal Inc about their plans to open one of the first full service wine bars on Harlem’s restaurant row, aka Frederick Douglass Blvd. Lewis Tucker says they are planing to open The Park 112, which will be located on FDB between 112th and 113th Street, the second week of August, if all goes well with permits, etc from the City.

What will The Park 112 be like in comparison to what’s currently being offered in Harlem? When asked who is his competition, Tucker politely says “don’t compare me to another establishment. All of us have something to offer.” “The Park 112 in Harlem will be upscale,” says Tucker. “If Harlemites like places, such as Stanton Social, Asia de Cuba or the Supper Club from downtown, then that’s what The Park 112 in Harlem will offer in terms of food, service and ambiance.”

248055_570421293002139_671156230_nThe Park 112 will be offering American Fusion cuisine in small plates, along with a select group of large entree’s. Wines will be offered from all over the world. And a full cocktail menu will be available as well.

The Park 112 will be Tucker’s first establishment to open ever. He’s from The Bronx. However, he chose Harlem for the obvious reason, it is happening in Harlem right now. And based on his well-connected background, which he shared, he will have no problem drawing in a crowd at The Park 112 in Harlem.

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