Category Archives: drinks

Gwyneth Paltrow and Mark Ruffalo seen dining at Lido Harlem?



If you walked by the corner of Frederick Douglass Blvd. and 117th Street tonight (October 12), you may have noticed Gwyneth Paltrow and Mark Ruffalo were dining at Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar in Harlem? Well, sort of. They were actually in character for their upcoming movie called Thanks for Sharing. The entire scene was a dining out scene at Lido Harlem. Hope they mention their location in the script!

This is such a big compliment for Lido Harlem. They haven’t even been open for a year and now they have big name movie stars filming in their restaurant. The film scouts clearly liked the design and layout of the restaurant or they would not have chosen it. When you take pictures of Lido, it is very photogenic. The place comes out vibrant in pictures.

I had a quick exchange with Mark Ruffalo as I stopped him to take a photo. I told him the food at Lido Harlem is excellent. He said, “yeah, I’ll have to tell my wife about it.” You do that Mark! There is some great dining out places in Harlem and Lido Harlem is one of them!

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Society Cafe in Harlem to close it’s doors

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Readers informed HarlemGal Inc. to check out Society Cafe’s Facebook page pronto! Why? There is an announcement saying they’re closing this weekend! I went to their page and here is what Karl, the owner, wrote informing his friends/patrons.

Society Coffee…One Last Time… (A note from Karl)

“Dear Loyal Guests,

After seven years of serving the best coffee, red velvet waffles, and shrimp & grits in Harlem, I have made the difficult decision to close Society Coffee on Monday, October 10. A pioneer on Frederick Douglass Blvd, Society has been a true labor of love and a place I’ve called home. Over the years I have shared Society with thousands; I’ve watched people meet each other and fall in love, I’ve watched families begin and grow, deals get done, and business plans get written. I’ve watched college students work, friends hang out, and poets write. I’ve met so many great people who have changed and elevated my life.

Rooted in the richness of the Harlem community and the transformation on Frederick Douglass Boulevard, Society Coffee leaves with a sense of pride and appreciation to all our friends who made each day unique and flavorful. Society has served its purpose and has set neighborhood standards for a new generation in historic Harlem. We were always very close and involved with the community and it remains in our hearts. 67 Orange Street will continue to operate and serve great cocktails.

I would like to personally thank you for all your support these past years. To show you our appreciation, I would like to cordially invite you to our closing party Monday, October 10 from 5pm-7pm.

Meanwhile, please come by this weekend and enjoy brunch with us or just say hi. Thanks again for seven great years.

Sincerely,

Karl Franz Williams

Harlem Tavern making plans to weatherize its outdoor space

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We went to Harlem Tavern this past weekend. We ordered appetizers, drinks and enjoyed sitting outside. While there we wondered, what’s gonna happen to all this outdoor space once the weather changes? We asked. Harlem Tavern plans on building a marquee, a roof like shelter, projecting above the outdoor space. The marquee would have indoor heaters and the shelter would be clear where possible. Maybe on the side walls, but unlikely the roof? The plan is to build the marquee in the next few weeks. And of course, this is all dependent on approvals and costs.

So if you were wondering like we were about whether all that door space was gonna close down for the late fall and winter or stay open, the plan is to have it available! That’s going to be awesome to have winter outdoor seating at Harlem Tavern, don’t you agree?

See the play SEED and in turn receive special discounts at select Harlem establishments


Harlem Park to Park  has partnered with The Classical Theater of Harlem and Hip Hop Theater Festival to give locals a wonderful night out uptown. Purchase a ticket to SEED, a play by Radha Blank and bring your receipt or ticket stub from SEED to participating Harlem Park to Park restaurants listed in the picture for brunch or dinner (or select retailers for services) and receive special discounts and free offers starting today, September 16 through October 9.To purchase tickets for SEED, visit www.seedtheplay.com.

The 5 and Diamond Harlem kicks off Fall Supper Club with Bergdorf Goodman’s executive chef

Have you ever wondered how the food tastes at Bergdorf Goodman’s BG Restaurant? Well, wonder no more. There is an opportunity to taste it right here in Harlem. Their executive chef Darryl Burnette will be the guest chef at Harlem’s 5 and Diamond Restaurant this coming Sunday, September 18 at 7 p.m. Burnett will be treating guests to a menu of “Southern Classics with a Modern Vision.”*

Chef Burnette is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. After graduation from the CIA, Burnett had the privilege of working under such talented chefs as Charlie Palmer, Jean Georges Vongerichten, and Andy D’ Amico. Burnette has even trailed Marcus Samuelsson.

The menu for the evening will include:
PETIT AMUSÉ: Mini Country Ham Biscuit with Peach Basil Habañero Jam;
APPETIZERS: Mac & Cheese Spring Rolls and Shrimp & Grits;
FISH: Rainbow Trout with Black Eyed Pea Succotash; INTERMEZZO; Mint Julep Sorbet
MEAT: Meatloaf Wellington with Truffle Mashed Potatoes and DESSERT, Red Velvet Trifle.

In addition to the food prepared by Chef Burnett, the evening will also have soprano Gail Blache-Gill as part of the program. Blache-Gill has been touring internationally in Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, singing the roles of Clara, Lily and Serena with the New York based Living Arts Inc. She takes time out of her schedule to sing Sunday night at 5 And Diamond Harlem.

If you would like to attend the first Supper Club of the season at 5 and Diamond Harlem, the menu is available for $65 if booked in advance, $75 at the door. 5 and Diamond also offers a flight of wines selected by sommelier John Soler to accompany each course, at an additional $25 per person.

To make reservations for this event, call 646 684 4662.

*Also, please note that this event is not affiliated with the department store, Bergdorf Goodman.

Live music is the next dish served up at Lido Harlem Monday nights

Along with their excellent food, Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar is serving up something new on their menu, live music! Stop by this coming Monday, September 12 and see their first musical act, Mavis Swan Poole. Learn more about Swan Poole’s music here.

See you at Lido Harlem, located at 2168 Frederick Douglass Blvd., on Monday!

Groupon deals for Harlem, Tonnie’s Minis, Amor Cubano, and Atomic Wings

A follower on our twitter tweeted: did you see Tonnie’s Minis on Groupon? They are offering 50 percent off on a dozen cupcakes! It’s a buy now offer until tonight.

There is also deals for Amor Cubano at 2018 3rd Avenue in East Harlem. I have dined there and its good place for Cuban food. They are offering half off on your dining experience, liquor not included.

And Atomic Wings, located at the corner of 113th and Frederick Douglass Blvd., which we reviewed on this site, is offering $6 for any combo meal.

These Groupon deals are only for today so go to their site if you’re interested.

And a big thanks to the twitter follower who gave us the heads up. Much appreciated!

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Bier international in Harlem is turning one, a look back in photos

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Bier International is turning one and they are celebrating this milestone on September 12.

Its been an exciting year for Harlem’s first beer garden located on Frederick Douglass Blvd near 113th Street. They have received a ton of press coverage, positive reviews about their food and beer, and I can attest that this place has been a hit since day one. There hasn’t been one day where I have walked by and seen bier international empty. It has been busy from day one.

Congrats to the owners and entire team at bier international for reaching this milestone! In celebration of bier international turning one, let’s look back in photos and raise our beer glass to bier international. May they celebrate many more years to come in Harlem! Salude!

Red Rooster Harlem tops Eater.com’s Heat Map

Eater.com just updated their Heat Map today, which basically asks: where should I eat right now? The answer: Red Rooster in Harlem. It is listed as the number #1 spot where hipster foodies are flocking to at the moment. Red Rooster Harlem has been on the Heat Map for sometime, however I don’t recall it being in the top spot. If you look at the entire list, it’s the only uptown establishment listed. Nice!

Red Rooster Harlem is definitely a hot and top spot. We all know who live in Harlem. Eater.com, tell us something we don’t know!

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Pablo Blaqk and Ladell McLin perform tonight at the Shrine in Harlem, no cover charge

Need plans for tonight? How about listening to some live music in Harlem? The good folks over at the Shrine, located at 2271 Adam Clayton Powell (7th Ave) between 133 & 134 streets, tell HarlemGal Inc. they have two live bands playing tonight, September 2, with no cover! Sweet. See details below!

Pablo Blaqk 8 p.m., no cover charge

The one and only Pablo Blaqk is playing a a very special bonus NYC show tonight after packing the house last night at Arlene’s Grocery. The Cuban-American, soulful singer-songwriter, is touring to support the long-awaited release of his Sons & Daughters album. He has shared the stage with incredible acts like John Legend, John Forte, Great Lake Swimmers, and Joshua James. With over 230,000 YouTube views, this young artist is steadily on the rise. Pablo Blaqk is an act you do not want to miss.
www.pabloblaqk.com

Ladell McLin 9 p.m., no cover charge

Ladell has been described as a true artist that possesses the ability to transcend the bounds of conventional music through his muse, the blues. Born on the South Side of Chicago, Ladell discovered the music that would have a lasting influence on his life. Deeply touched by the genre, Ladell worked hard to hone his seemingly natural talents on the guitar. His efforts eventually earned him a place in the house band at Buddy Guy’s Legends, arguably the world’s top spot for blues. McLin learned onstage from the best in the business: Koko Taylor, John Primer, and Buddy Guy himself. Mr. McLin will play 2 stellar sets this evening.
www.ladellmclin.com

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