Category Archives: Community

Apollo Theater Exhibit starts February 8th at MCNY

Feb 7, 2011 @ 7:30
By HarlemGal
This week the Museum of the City of New York kicks off their three-month exhibition about our beloved Apollo Theater. Starting February 8 through May 1, 2011 , see  Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing: How the Apollo Theater Shaped American Entertainment at MCNY, located  in Spanish Harlem at 1220 Fifth Avenue at East 103rd. The traveling Smithsonian exhibit traces the evolution of the Apollo-from its origins as a segregated burlesque hall to its starring role at the epicenter of African-American entertainment and American popular culture.

To learn more about the exhibit, click here.

UPDATE: Levain Bakery says February 22 is opening day for Harlem store

Feb 6, 2011 @ 11:53
By HarlemGal
Not too long after my blog post talking about when Levain Bakery was opening up for business in Harlem,  Levain went on record on their Facebook page and Harlem store door officially, there is a sign up, stating when they are opening up their Harlem store. The day is Tuesday, February 22.

So there we have it! We now have confirmation straight from the source on when Levain Bakery is opening up their Harlem store! Get your taste buds ready, Harlemites! Most people I chatted with about Levain, say their treats are very good!

UPDATE: Lido in Harlem misses signage date, next goal to open before Valentine’s Day

Feb 4, 2011 @ 7:30

By HarlemGal
As I approach my third year of blogging about Harlem, I am starting to learn new restaurants opening in Harlem approach deadlines similar to how I do: I will aim for a certain date and it will get done a few days after. It happens, right? As with the case with Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar, located at 2168 Frederick Douglass Blvd., who hung up a big sign recently saying “Opening February 1.” Obviously that date passed, however the objective is the same for Lido in Harlem and that is to open for business soon.

I spoke with Susannah, a Harlem resident and proprietor of Lido, and she said they are now aiming to open before Valentine’s Day where Harlemites will be able to order from a delectable, Italian menu! I was also had the opportunity to walk inside Lido (sorry no pics) and the place is coming together. It’s going to look great! The color scheme is based on light greens with white molding in select areas. The bar appeared to be concrete-like, not wooded, larger than before, and its on the left side when you walk in. Brushed silver light fixtures will illuminate the restaurant. Their website is up with limited information.

And of course, I had to ask Susannah why they named the restaurant Lido. She told me it’s named after Venice Lido in Italy, “a skinny island between the lagoon and the Adriatic, with hotels and beaches.”

So stay tuned for more info, such as who will be the chef and what will be the price point of the menu!

Have a great weekend!

Bad Horse Pizza riding into Harlem to some extent unknown

Feb 1, 2011 @ 7:30
By HarlemGal
I noticed over the weekend that we had a new twitter follower called Bad Horse Pizza. When I saw this I honestly thought, “who the heck is that?” I later googled them, which turned up their website and a blog post about them riding into Harlem soon. And guess where? Yup! You guessed it! Frederick Douglass Blvd! The exact address is 2224 Frederick Douglass Blvd!

I was very surprised to hear this news and double surprised that a pizza joint would be opening up on FDB. Why? We have Giovanni’s on 110th and Columbus Avenue, Pizzaria 123 right next to 2280 Frederick Douglass Condos and we have Settepani supposedly opening up a pizza place on 119th and Lenox Avenue.  It seems like we are good when it comes to pizza.

Don’t get me wrong. I think its wonderful that a new business is opening up in the old space that Corcoran bolted from. However, a pizza place with the words “bad” and “horse” in it to go along with existing or upcoming places such as, 67 Orange, Chocolat, Levain Bakery, 5 and Diamond, bier international, Melba’s and more?

These questions come to mind. Is Bad Horse Pizza a strategic fit with FDB? And does it compliment the other businesses that have or are planning to open in the area? Ayudanos por favor!

Levain Bakery to open for business in Harlem this week?

Jan 31, 2011 @ 7:30

By HarlemGal
Will this week be the week Levain Bakery officially opens up their Harlem store? We are hearing that’s a possibility. According to a reader, who dropped us a line over the weekend, they went by Levain’s Upper Westside location recently and were told Levain’s Harlem location at 2167 Frederick Douglass Blvd will be opening up on February 1! Sweet, if that is the case.

I walked by the Harlem store over the weekend and the place appears ready, then again one never knows unless you’re in the baking business. Let’s wait and see if this is the week!

East Harlem’s La Marqueta to hold Open House February 2

Jan 29, 2011 @ 11:14
By HarlemGal
In the photo above, that’s what East Harlem’s La Marqueta looked like a few decades back. The marketplace, located at East 115th Street and Park Avenue, started back in the 1950’s, grew to more than 400 vendors and suffered its own down period. That was then. Now the East Harlem market is having its own rebirth and they’re giving the public an opportunity to see it in an Open House on February 2! All the details are listed below.

Also, watch what vendors are in place at La Marqueta in this news feature on NY1. See you at La Marqueta!

Free flu shots offered in Harlem January 31

Jan 28, 2011 @ 7:00
By HarlemGal
If you need a flu shot and would like one for FREE, read on! Free flu shots will be given by faculty pharmacists from the Touro College of Pharmacy, located in Harlem at 2090 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd. From noon to 2 PM, student volunteers will assist with the screening process to adults 18 and older on Monday, January 31.

The flu shots will be administered in partnership with Project VIVA, a research study conducted by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies (CUES) of The New York Academy of Medicine. Touro College of Pharmacy opened its doors in Harlem in September of 2008.

DATE: Monday, January 31, 2011
TIME: Noon – 2:00 p.m.
PLACE: Touro College of Pharmacy
2090 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd., 6th floor
(Between 124th and 125th Streets)
Harlem, N.Y.

Franz James Floral Boutique to blossom in Harlem

Jan 15, 2011 @ 12:18

By HarlemGal
2114 Frederick Douglass Blvd. will be smelling like roses, orchids and tulips soon. This is one of the retail spaces in The Douglass Condominium that has apparently rented out its commercial space to Franz James Floral Boutique. Big signs are up on the windows saying “Coming Soon.” I went to the website listed and all its says is “website builder and flower as art.”

I have never heard of Franz James Floral Boutique. I generally by my flowers over in East Harlem on the corner of Lexington and 116th Street. Is anyone familiar with this shop? Is it a first store for Franz James? And does anyone know if this is a local business person? Chime in here or tell us on Twitter.

Either way,it’s another business opening up on the award-winning Frederick Douglass Blvd!

Meet Sugarleaf Vineyards and its tie to Harlem

Jan 14, 2011 @ 7:40
By HarlemGal
Two weeks ago, I blogged about the top-selling wines at The Winery. When I wrote that post I was asked “where else can one purchase wine in Harlem?”  The response I quickly gave was Harlem Vintage or stop by for a drink at Nectar on Frederick Douglas Blvd and 120th Street. Soon after, I went through some of my old notes and emails, and I came across another option for Harlemites to purchase wine. Wha…la! And this option is linked to Harlem like the others.

May I introduce Sugarleaf Vineyards and Winery. Sugarleaf Vineyards is 100 percent wholly owned by The Bias’, who reside right here in Harlem with their two kids. They often commute back and forth to Virginia to manage their vineyard. However, their home base is a lovely brownstone in Central Harlem.

While the ingredients, barreling and bottling for Sugarleaf wines may take place in Virginia, they hold similar accolades as fellow Harlemite Marcus Samuelsson when it comes to White House honors and the Bravo TV Channel. Their 2008 Petit Manseng was served at The White House for the 2010 Governor’s Ball and their winery was featured in a recent episode of The Real Housewives of DC.

So if your interested in purchasing wines made by Sugarleaf, click here to order. They ship to New York City in increments of 3, 6, and 12 bottles. Or stick to the walk in plan, Sugarleaf is also sold at Harlem Vintage, Nectar and Red Rooster! Cheers!

Red Rooster Harlem serves up ‘The Lunch Tray’

Jan 12, 2011 @ 11:53
By HarlemGal
It is a snow day for most of us and if you forgot to stock up the fridge, like I did, what should one do for lunch today, tomorrow or next week? Hmmm. Since lunch and brunch are now being offered at Red Rooster Harlem, I am gonna head on over to 310 Lenox Avenue for “The Lunch Tray.” “The Lunch Tray” is a tasty prix fixe special that offers three courses for $17. It starts today and will be available during lunch service, Monday through Friday, from 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Check out today’s menu. And see you at Red Rooster Harlem!

Citrus Salad
Blood Orange, Fennel, Pomelo

Spicy Mexican Chili
Crème Fraîche

Lady Baltimore Cupcake
Currants, Lemon