Category Archives: drinks

Attend Harlem Holiday Lights 2011 tonight

Posted on November 21, 2011 | Leave a comment

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You are invited to the Harlem Holiday Lights Ceremony taking place this evening, November 21. The 125th Street Business Improvement District, Community Boards 9, 10, 11 and the New York City Housing Authority have partnered together for the Holiday Season to “light up” one of New York City’s, and Harlem’s, most legendary thoroughfares from river to river-125th Street! At 5:30pm, the celebration will begin with sounds and lights on the plaza of the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building. Attendees will enjoy live performances provided by legendary pioneer, producer, and publisher, Vy Higginsen, and her Mama I Want to Sing Foundation as well as the Harlem Arts Alliance and other special guests. Click here to see the entire program and watch the video below.

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Posted in 125th Street, Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., art and culture, business, Community, drinks, entertainment, Events, Free!, Harlem, music, New York, New York City, NYC

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Harlem has another dining option, The Orange Peel

Posted on November 18, 2011 | 1 comment

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The Orange Peel in Harlem is ready to take your order! The charming miniature cafe is now open on Manhattan Avenue between 116th and 117th Street. They offer breakfast, sandwiches and salads for lunch and a variety of dinner platters. Prices start at $1.50 for hot drinks and go all the way to $14.00 for pork chops. Not bad! And to back up the name, they offer fresh squeezed orange, apple, carrot, and celery juices!

So if you’re interested in trying out a new place in Harlem, check out The Orange Peel! See details below.

The Orange Peel
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
390 Manhattan Avenue
New York, NY, 10026
Phone: (212) 510-8444
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Posted in drinks, food, Harlem, restaurants, spending

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Harlem Tavern starts to build roof for outdoor space

Posted on November 16, 2011 | 1 comment

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Back in September, HarlemGal Inc. blogged about how Harlem Tavern, located on the northwest corner of 116th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd., had plans to weatherize its outdoor space. According to these pictures taken last night (November 15), the work has begun!

Having a roof cover their outdoor space is a great idea. I am so happy that Harlem Tavern is taking this approach! Now we just need to see evidence of heating lamps to go along with that new roof!

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

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Chocolat in Harlem reopens after health violation by the City

Posted on November 14, 2011 | 3 comments

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A reader informed HarlemGal Inc over the weekend that Chocolat Restaurant and Lounge, located on the corner of 120th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd, was closed and had a big old health violation sticker slapped on the double doors. I went by to check out it over the weekend and someone on site told me they would reopen Saturday night. I went by yesterday (Sunday) and Chocolat was definitely open with people inside dining.

My guess is the Health Department came by announced and found several health code violations. Then slapped them with a fine and closed their doors until they corrected the violations. That’s my guess. What do you think?

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Posted in Bars, drinks, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurant row, restaurants

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Head to the Caribbean tonight at 5 and Diamond’s Sunday Supper Club

Posted on October 30, 2011 | Leave a comment


So the snow arrived earlier than expected and the cold temperatures are upon us. How to deal with the weather change? I have one solution! Head to the Caribbean tonight. Not literally. Go there via cuisine by attending the Sunday Supper Club at 5 and Diamond Harlem, located near the corner of 113th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd.

Tonight, 5 and Diamond Harlem will incorporate cuisine and music from different parts of the Caribbean with a modern vision. The meal will be cooked by Darryl Burnette and here is what is planned for the menu:

  • House made Caribbean chips with mango guacamole.
  • Mini chile glazed Shrimp Tacos
  • Crab crusted Red Snapper tostones habanero ginger oil
  • Slow roasted Suckling Pig with Coconut Moros y Cristianos (black beans & rice)
  • Upside down Pineapple gingerbread cake with Jamaican Rum Carmel

Caribbean music will be served up as well. Steel pianist Winston Theobold from Trinidad and Tobago will perform. Winston is a versatile performer, arranger, and composer of steel band music and plays everything from classical to Calypso on his Tenor pan. Joining Winston will be folk singers from the Caribbean-American Chorale, directed by Gail Blache-Gill.

Dinner seating begins at 7:00 p.m. and prix fixe is $65. To attend, call the restaurant at 646 684 4662.

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Posted in 5 and Diamond Harlem, Community, drinks, entertainment, Events, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, music, restaurant row, restaurants

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

Posted on October 22, 2011 | 2 comments

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.

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Posted in 125th Street, 5 and Diamond Harlem, Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., art and culture, baking, Bars, bier international, business, Cedric French Bistro and Bar Harlem, Community, drinks, entertainment, Events, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, Harlem Tavern, Lenox Avenue, Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar, Red Rooster Harlem, restaurant row, restaurants, shopping, spending

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

Posted on October 18, 2011 | 1 comment

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.

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Posted in 125th Street, 5 and Diamond Harlem, Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., art and culture, baking, bier international, business, Cedric French Bistro and Bar Harlem, Community, drinks, entertainment, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, Harlem Tavern, Lenox Avenue, Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar, New York, New York City, NYC, Red Rooster Harlem, restaurant row, restaurants

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Head to Italy at wine tasting dinner at Lido Harlem

Posted on October 17, 2011 | Leave a comment

Aside from the Harlem pub crawl tomorrow evening (October 25 18), there is another option on what to do! This option involves drinking fine wine and eating delicious food! Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar, located in the corner of 117th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd.,is having a wine tasting dinner on the 25th from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m with Andrea Wobensmith, a wine expert. Wobensmith will take guests through five wines and pair them with the food served at Lido Harlem. In addition, Wobensmith will help guests with pairing wines for their own future use, such as a home party. The cost for the evening is $85. To make a reservation, call 646-490-8575.

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Posted in art and culture, Bars, drinks, entertainment, Events, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar, restaurant row, restaurants

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Harlem In the News: Dining Establishments and Real Estate receive high praise

Posted on October 16, 2011 | 2 comments


Recently, the Village of Harlem received high praise mainly on two fronts, real estate and dining establishments.

In the eating out area, both DNA Info and The New York Daily News raved about how there are several great places to dine uptown and some of those dining establishments have received positive reviews in Zagats.

In the NY Daily News, they mentioned Red Rooster and Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar in one sentence, specifically stating that Zagats says these dining establishments are “the new stars to watch.” The article also mentions “Covo Trattoria & Pizzeria, where happy hours go until midnight, most dishes are less than $15, and the outdoor dining is a Zagat top pick.”

In a separate article, The New York Daily News raved about how Levain Bakery has the best chocolate chip cookies in the City. No surprise there. Their hot and cold coffee is not bad either. Try it.

DNA Info spoke to our favorite Harlem Gal and the women behind Eat In Harlem, Sakita Holley, about how Harlem now has several restaurants “to suit any mood.” Holley endorsed several eating out places starting from East Harlem all the way West. Milk Burger, 67 Orange, Hudson River Cafe and more received a thumbs up from Holley.

Of course, what’s driving all these great new and interesting restaurants in Harlem is real estate or is it the other way around? The Wall Street Journal reported recently that “the number of Harlem apartment sales rose to the highest level since September 2008, according to analysis of city records. But they were only slightly above sales reported in the same quarter in 2010.” The article goes on to say that Harlem is not only performing well in the real estate area, it’s even attracting buyers who are from the second largest economy in the world-China!

Check out all the articles in their entirety below! And that’s Harlem In the News!
Harlem Restaurants to Suit Any Mood
Harlem’s Culinary Treasures
Best of New York
Harlem Attracts Post-Slump Buyers

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Posted in 5 and Diamond Harlem, apartments, bier international, Community, drinks, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, Harlem Tavern, Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar, New York, New York City, real estate, Red Rooster Harlem, restaurant row, restaurants, review, spending

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Drink up at the Second Annual Harlem Bar Crawl set for October 25

Posted on October 13, 2011 | Leave a comment

The women behind Experience: Harlem, i.e. Angie Hancock, along with the help of a few others, is organizing a Harlem Restaurant and Bar Crawl October 25. It is their second pub crawl and as expected, they have lined up all the great eating and drinking establishments on Frederick Douglass Blvd in Harlem for one night of cocktail specials. In addition, the organizers will donate $1 from each purchase to Food Bank NYC to benefit food kitchens in Harlem.

How can you participate? Go here and purchase a bracelet for $20. This will allow you to take advantage of drink specials from 6:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. at anyone of the establishments listed in the photo. And if you purchase your bracelet now, you will receive a two-for-one special. That means a $10 savings. Not bad! Hey, don’t take my word for it. It’s all outlined on Facebook!

See you at the Harlem Bar Crawl.

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Posted in 5 and Diamond Harlem, Bars, Cedric French Bistro and Bar Harlem, Community, drinks, entertainment, Events, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, Harlem Tavern, Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar, restaurant row, restaurants, spending

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