Category Archives: business

The 5 and Diamond Harlem launches ‘Monday Mac and Cheese Mania’

Posted on August 1, 2011 | 7 comments

After a busy weekend in Harlem and Monday work day approaches, who wants to cook Monday evenings? I certainly don’t feel like it the majority of the time. The folks over at 5 and Diamond Harlem, located at 2072 Frederick Douglass Blvd., know how rough us Harlemites have it on a Monday after a long weekend. To help alleviate with the busy schedule on Mondays, 5 and Diamond has launched an easy Monday menu along with laid back prices.

The new Monday night dinner menu includes five different mac and cheeses. Its’s called “Monday Mac & Cheese Mania” ranging from $8 to $12 dollars a plate. The 5 and Diamond is also offering five different types of sandwiches. Two out of the five are burgers priced around $10.

In addition to the new Monday menu, 5 and Diamond is adding a little fun to the evening.  DJ Whutevva from Power 105.1 will be spinning pop, rock, hip hop and R & B from 5:30-9:00 p.m. With the music ending at 9 p.m., patrons can still make it home early with plenty of time to get ready for work the next work day.
So if you don’t feel like cooking a meal on a Monday and don’t want to spend a lot, check out Monday Mac Mania at 5 and Diamond in Harlem!

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Posted in business, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurant row, restaurants

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Sylvia’s Restaurant in Harlem, the Queen of Soul Food turns 49

Posted on July 31, 2011 | 1 comment


Sylvia’s Restaurant, located at 328 Lenox Avenue, is letting all her friends know, Facebook friends that is, that the Queen of Soul Food, is celebrating her 49th Anniversary. She is inviting everyone over August 1 for a free community breakfast from 8-10 a.m! There will be live music and Southern-style breakfast for all those that stop by! Long, live the Queen of Soul Food!

Happy Anniversary Sylvia’s Restaurant!

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Posted in business, Events, Harlem, Lenox Avenue, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurants

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2011 Harlem Week kick off was a big success

Posted on July 31, 2011 | 2 comments
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
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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.

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Posted in art and culture, baking, business, Community, education, entertainment, Events, Free!, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, Red Rooster Harlem, restaurants, shopping, spending

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Harlem Real Estate Progress Report: A view from the top of 88 Morningside

Posted on July 29, 2011 | 2 comments

This past Tuesday, July 26, the sales and marketing team for 88 Morningside, a new Harlem condo development right across the street from Morningside Park and 122nd, held a reception to unveil their rooftop deck and celebrate their TCO, temporary certificate of occupancy. Several guests were taken around at the soiree to view available apartments and take in the view from atop. And cocktails and food treats were provided by 67 Orange Street!
I was able to take in the view from the rooftop for myself and it’s not bad at all if you’re looking for an apartment to buy in Harlem. The building has a wonderful view of Columbia University, the park, and midtown Manhattan. If you are looking for an apartment with rooftop views, check this property out!

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Posted in business, commercial real estate, Community, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, real estate

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Weekend Harlem Must Dos, Lido sidewalk cafe, Urban Garden Center sale and Marcus & Macy’s

Posted on July 29, 2011 | 1 comment

There are three Harlem must dos I am recommending for this weekend. Try them out and let me know what you think!

On Friday, July 29, swing by Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar. Their sidewalk seating is in full swing. They have plenty of tables outside for Harlemites to sit and dine on. While you’re there, check out some of their summer cocktails. Here are three to consider!

20110729-124324.jpgTry Serena’s Sangria. It is made with a white wine base, passion fruit, sliced plums, and Spanish brandy. It’s hard to drink just one. Try the pitcher for $25.

Next, Lido Lemonade with lemon juice, vodka, and Licor 43 infused with thyme. The glass is garnished with a sprig of thyme.And if you need a carbonated fix, try Fiore Spumante (Italian for Sparkling Flower). It’s gin and St Germaine with champagne and a raspberry to garnish.  Also, Lido is now open Mondays and offering
$14 prix fix lunch with free wifi and complimentary iced coffee or tea!

On Saturday, July 31, head on over to Urban Garden Center in Spanish Harlem. They have a sale! They are offering 30 percent off on all in stock inventory. It ends on July 31 so drop by 116th and Park Avenue, take advantage of the sale and say hi to Dimitri, chief designer at Urban Garden Center!

And on July 31, spend Sunday afternoon with Marcus Samuelsson and the Macy’s Food Truck. Macy’s Food Truck is parking itself on 126th Street and Riverside Drive with our fellow Harlemite during Harlem Week. From noon to 4:00 p.m., Red Rooster Harlem owner and Chef Marcus Samuelsson will be on board cooking and serving catfish sandwiches with fried caper slaw and sweet potato fries!

There ya have it! Weekend Harlem must dos!

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Posted in Bars, business, Community, education, entertainment, Events, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, Red Rooster Harlem, restaurant row, restaurants, shopping, spending

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Closing of Harlem’s St. Nick’s Pub still unknown

Posted on July 28, 2011 | Leave a comment

There is has been absolutely no drips or drabs of information about why Harlem’s St. Nick’s Pub, located at 773 St. Nicholas Ave.,  has been closed. It’s been like this for awhile…until now. According to NearSay.com, they are reporting there was an email from the NYC Health Department’s press secretary noting that St. Nick’s Pub was inspected and ordered to close back on February 16 for operating with an expired permit. Furthermore, the article states St. Nick’s owner met with a representative from the health department soon after in which the owner was informed “of outstanding fines for past violations that needed to be paid in order to reopen the establishment.”

Given this information, I guess the fines have not been paid or St. Nick’s would be open.  I sure hope this gets resolved soon. I want St. Nick’s Pub to be around for many more years to come!

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Posted in business, fashion, Free!, Harlem Tavern, health and wellness, history, Lenox Avenue, New York, NYC, restaurant row

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Why is Questan’s in Harlem dark for a Wednesday night?

Posted on July 27, 2011 | 1 comment

A reader asked us if we noticed that Questan’s, located at 2113 Frederick Douglass Blvd., is closed tonight, July 27. I hadn’t really paid attention until I checked on my home from dinner tonight. I walked by and it is in fact dark tonight, Wednesday, July 27. That’s kind of odd for a Wednesday night-especially during the summer. Maybe they are getting ready to celebrate their two-year anniversary? They opened up for business in August 2009.

Does anyone know what is up? Why is Questan’s closed? Diganos (Tell us).

Update: An HG twitter follower says it has been closed for a few days now because it is changing management and that there is a notice on the door that states: “Closed and under new management. Making changes to serve you better.” Stay tuned…

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Posted in business, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, restaurant row, restaurants

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Money Series: Harlem spending for 10030 zip code dedicated to health and family

Posted on July 26, 2011 | 1 comment



Yesterday, the Money Series gave a snap shot of how Harlemites spend, who reside in the 10027 zip code. Today, the Money Series continues by turning our focus on the residents of 10030.

The top three household spending areas for the 10030 Harlem resulted in health & family ranking first, with house & home next followed by shopping. The first two areas mentioned are identical to 10027 Harlem residents in terms of ranking. However, shopping ranks third for 10030 verses 10027 where it ranks fourth.

On a 12 month average, household spending for 10030 includes: $798 for health & family. Insurance cost make-up $277 with school & child care not far behind at $234. The next large cost is charity at $173. Healthcare, pets and personal care round the remaining total.

House & home follows with a total of $434. The majority of costs go toward utilities. Two-hundred and six dollars is dedicated to utilities. Next with $77 for home maintenance, $76 for home improvement and $75 for phone.

The shopping category came in third in terms of the top three spending areas. Harlemites from 10030 spend a total of $332. That figure is divided among general shopping at $150, clothing, shoes and outer wear at $113 and $69 goes towards electronics, office supplies and hobbies.

If 10027 and 10030 are compared in their two top ranking areas: 10027 spends $246 more than 10030 in health & family and 10030 spends $323 more than 10027 in shopping.

All figures are created from an online money management tool and based on ages from 18 to 65 years of age and above, all households (married with kids or without, male or female single with kids or without), and income starting at $20,000 to $125k and above.

The Money Series heads to East Harlem next. 10029 will be the focus!

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Posted in business, Community, education, Harlem, health and wellness, Money Series, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurants, shopping, spending

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Stop by Nike’s Boulevard Ice Pop Up Store in Harlem

Posted on July 25, 2011 | Leave a comment


A follower on twitter reminded HarlemGal that Nike’s Boulevard Ice Pop Store is open for business in Harlem. It has been open for about a week in a half now at the corner of 133rd Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd. The Nike store offers customers the opportunity to go in and experience a refrigerator feel, pick from a selection of ice treats and maybe design yourself some new basketball shoes. Interesting concept and very much in line with Nike’s impressive creativity! This chica can go for the ice treats, but I don’t plan on getting me any basketball shoes any time soon.

Who has checked out Nike’s Boulevard Ice located at 2490 Frederick Douglass Blvd? If so, tell us what you think?

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Posted in art and culture, business, commercial real estate, Community, entertainment, fashion, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, shopping

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Harlem Shambles plans to open in Livmor Condo

Posted on July 25, 2011 | Leave a comment

Looks like commercial retail space in Harlem on Frederick Douglass Blvd is slowing getting scooped up! It appears from the photo below that the Livmor has sold (or rented out) some of its commercial space to a business called Harlem Shambles. I have never heard of this business and looking online for information, the only item I could find is Harlem Bespoke blogging that Harlem Shambles is a butcher shop! Hmm. I wonder what type of products they will be offering? Just meat! Or seafood too? And what does this mean for Best Yet and Central Market that are not too far away?

This is certainly a different addition to the other businesses that have opened up on FDB and that are getting ready to open soon! Recently, I blogged about how a yogurt store and nail salon are opening up side by side in the Gateway Condo located at 2098 Frederick Douglass Blvd.

As always, stay tuned on when Harlem Shambles will be opening. I am sure it will be soon!

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Posted in business, commercial real estate, Community, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, real estate, restaurant row, restaurants

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