Category Archives: business

Harlem’s Frederick Douglass Blvd wins 2010 Curbed Cup Neighborhood of the Year

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Jan 3, 2011 @ 12:10

By HarlemGal
We won it! Harlem’s Frederick Douglass Boulevard has been named 2010 Neighborhood of the Year by Curbed.com. Yes! Congrats to FDB!

And might we respectfully add, winning the Curbed Cup brings sweet vindication and acknowledges what we have been saying all along, this area is hot! Go back to November 19, 2008 on this site. We predicted that FDB was headed to restaurant row status. Then a year later HarlemCondoLife.com, was the first to use the term “gold coast” to describe the FDB area!

Since our inception in 2008, we have taken some serious blows via blog post comments about focusing on this area. At times it was hurtful and hard not to take personal. However, we looked to our core beliefs and said “blog about your Harlem experience” and this area kept coming forward in our words! Despite these feelings, we emphatically have to state “We love every inch of Harlem.”

And to those who knocked us for believing in FDB, we say “truth is generally the best vindication…” Next up for FDB, New York Magazine!

 

Leave a comment

Posted in art and culture, Bars, business, Community, Harlem, history, New York, New York City, NYC, real estate, restaurant row, restaurants, shopping

Tagged , , ,

Harlem’s Les Ambassades featured in The Wall Street Journal

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Jan 3, 2011 @ 10:51
By HarlemGal
According to today’s article in The Wall Street Journal, one’s palate can go global in Harlem at Les Ambassades, located at 2200 Frederick Douglass Blvd. Or should the article state going glocal, not global? For those of us who have lived in Harlem for several years, or longer, know that Les Ambassades is an international hangout that offers fabulous breads, pastries and authentic West African dishes. Our favorites are the Steak au Poivre, Salad Nicoise, and their homemade single-size Creme Brulee. We’ve also gone in for a cup of coffee to go and the java of the day is much better than that other place right across the street.

Leave a comment

Posted in baking, business, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurant row, restaurants

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Kuti’s in Harlem named inexpensive restaurant that stood out in 2010

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Jan 2, 2011 @ 11:18
By HarlemGal
After a few days off for the holidays, I am still catching up on my reading about Harlem. Today, I stumbled across this article about low-budget restaurants that stood out in 2010. Out of 15 restaurants listed by The New York Times, Kuti’s, located in Harlem at 355 West 116th Street, was named one of “the best of casual restaurants reviewed in 2010 proved that delicious doesn’t have to mean expensive.”

Kuti’s opened up in the first business quarter of 2010 (March) and is owned by Abdhul Traore, who also happens to be the chef!

Congrats to Kuti’s in Harlem and Mr. Traore on the accolade. May there by many more!

Kuti’s
355 West 116th Street (between Manhattan and Morningside Avenues)
212- 222-1127
Take the B or C Subway line to 116th Street!

Leave a comment

Posted in business, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurant row, restaurants

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

Did social media help a Harlem bakery back into business?

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Dec 22, 2010 @ 14:00
By HarlemGal

Lee Lee’s Baked Goods in Harlem has been featured in the media among various publications, but now Alvin Lee Smalls and his bakery at 283 West 118th Street are the subject of social media and small business. A graduate student at the CUNY School of Journalism interviewed several individuals, including HarlemCondoLife.com, about the events that occurred back in May 2010 when Lee Lee’s almost closed and asked “what made the boutique Harlem bakery reopen? Was it Social Media?” Smalls answers those questions here!

Leave a comment

Posted in baking, business, Community, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Frizzante in Harlem renovating?

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Dec 21, 2010 @ 19:17
By HarlemGal
I was walking by Frizzante this evening at
2168 Frederick Douglass Blvd in Harlem and I saw a ton of
renovations happening! The place looks like it’s going through a
major cosmetic change! But why? Isn’t it a bit soon to be changing
up the place? Something is clearly up?

Leave a comment

Posted in Bars, business, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurants

Tagged , , ,

East Harlem to accommodate Magnolia Bakery’s expansion plans

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Dec 17, 2010 @ 14:28
By HarlemGal
The West Village born cupcake shop is heading East, East Harlem to be exact, according to The Wall Street Journal. Magnolia Bakery has signed a 10-year lease at 1751 Park Avenue, which is on the corner of East 121st Street. Apparently Magnolia Bakery is in expansion mode even in a volatile market and the space will be used to accommodate online shoppers!
When this part of the business is up and running, don’t you think their products coming out of this location should be stamped “made in Harlem?”

Leave a comment

Posted in baking, business, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC

Tagged , , ,

Red Rooster in Harlem to open December 17

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Dec 13, 2010 @ 11:52

By HarlemGal
The New York Times Diner’s Journal is reporting today that Red Rooster, located at 310 Lenox Avenue in Harlem, will open this Friday, December 17, for dinner only! The Times even has a copy of the menu. Click here to view the menu!
After many months of planning and boat loads of media coverage, I wonder if the downtown and/or uptown crowds will check out Marcus Samuelsson’s new restaurant the weekend it opens or will patrons wait until after the Christmas holiday? I might skip on over there, but not completely sure.
What about you? Tell us! Will you try to get reservations to Red Rooster this weekend or will you wait?

Leave a comment

Posted in Bars, business, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurants

Tagged , , , , , ,

Meet muralist “Franco the Great” and his contribution to Harlem

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Dec 10, 2010 @ 0:14
By HarlemGal
The Uptowner has shed light on the muralist who “paints winter scenes and other holiday-themed decor on storefronts across Harlem,” during the holiday season and specifically on 125th Street.  Meet Franco Gaskin, who calls himself “Franco the Great” or as others call him “Franco the Magnificent.” Watch this video! It will explain why Gaskin earns both titles!

Leave a comment

Posted in art and culture, business, Community, Events, Harlem, history, New York, New York City, NYC

Tagged , , , , ,

Apollo Theater in Harlem elects new board

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Dec 8, 2010 @ 14:52
By HarlemGal
If you were wondering who sits on the Board for the famous Apollo Theater in Harlem, wonder no more. Around noon today, the Apollo notified several constituents that last night, (I guess after the holiday lighting event?) they elected seven new board members for its 2010-2011 Winter/Spring Season.
The new directors are Marcus Samuelsson, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, Leslie Uggams, Luis A. Miranda Jr., Maya Harris, Marcella A. Jones, and Ingrid Saunders Jones.
Congrats to the new board members and good to know for us Harlemites!

Leave a comment

Posted in business, Community, entertainment, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC

Tagged , , ,

Bright holiday lights accessorize Harlem’s 125th Street

Posted on July 5, 2011 | 1 comment

Dec 8, 2010 @ 11:56
By HarlemGal
We walked along 125th Street last night to see the holidays lights in Harlem, which are now on and hanging from East to West!
The hanging holiday lights on 125th Street look wonderful and are different depending on which part of the street you’re walking. We noticed snowflakes hang from Adam Clayton Powell Blvd and 125th on heading West. Then from ACP Blvd and 125th on heading East stars lining the street! Did anyone else notice this?
We also encountered a special treat when walking along 125th Street in Harlem last night, FREE hot chocolate from Starbucks! They were giving free cups of hot chocolate out to those that were passing by looking at lights! Nice!
So have you seen the “Holiday Lights on 125?” If so, tell us what you think!

1 Comment

Posted in art and culture, business, Community, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, shopping

Tagged , , ,