Category Archives: food

Harlem attracts cool crowds of NYC downtown says Guest of a Guest



Guest of a Guest, the website co-founded by one of the Winklevoss twins whose been battling Mark Zuckerberg for what seems like ages now, has a feature on Harlem this week. It is quite complimentary, however, it doesn’t say anything new that we Harlemites know already. The article names a list of places to check out and most of them mentioned I agree are great places to visit. However, a true Harlem native writing about Harlem would have dug a bit deeper.

For example, Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar gives Red Rooster a run for its money, not only in food, but in ambiance as well. The same goes for Cedric French Bistro and Bar in Harlem! What about mentioning a place in East Harlem? Milk Burger has been endorsed by Anthony Bourdain and his lovely Mrs! Also, when you visit Shrine one can’t miss Yatenga, which is a fun place to hang.

Again, as most of us Harlemites know, there are a ton of cool places to hang in Harlem. Guest of a Guest apparently is just coming around (a bit late) and finding out, but hey, let’s welcome it!

To read the full article, click here.

Winter Festival in East Harlem starts December 3

Our Harlem neighbors to the East are celebrating the holidays every weekend this month! Starting December 3, and continuing on from Dec. 10th and 17th from 10 am to 8 pm, its the Winter Festival taking place in East Harlem. Heated tents will be set up in and/or near La Marqueta so that guests can enjoy checking out the local vendors and shop no matter what the weather will be like. All you have to do is get to 116th Street and Park Avenue to enjoy! See you there!

Harlem Shambles Grand Opening, you’re invited

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Harlem Shambles is having their grand opening this week and we are all invited! The local butcher shop on Frederick Douglass Blvd between 115th and 116th Street is hosting its official grand opening this Thursday, December 1st. All guests will be able to check out Harlem Shambles’ products prepared by several local chefs. Food and drink will be prepared by bier international, Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar, Nectar Wine Bar and many more! Shop tours and cutting demonstrations will also take place. Below are the exact details! See you there!

Harlem Shambles Grand Opening
Thursday, December 1, 2011
6-9 PM
2141 Frederick Douglass Blvd.

What to do today Saturday in Harlem? Land Yoga, Harlem Flo and The Dwyer

Its another beautiful Fall day in Harlem and there are several events happening today for your consideration!

This morning Land Yoga is holding its first full LED Primary Ashantga Yoga Class  at 11:15 AM to raise money for Mother Hale Learning Center. The cost is $20 dollars. That fee gives you entrance to an afternoon fundraising reception, which will take place at 3 pm at Land Yoga, located near the corner of 114th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd. This event also serves as a Bon Voyage party for Lara, the owner and teacher at Land Yoga. She’s heading back to India for a month!

Harlem Flo is having there annual trunk show featuring several local artists, such as the work of watercolorist Lynn Lieberman. That event starts at 2 pm. Harlem Flo’s Lifestyle Boutique is located at 122nd and Frederick Douglass Blvd.

Nick Coker’s Creative Vision, Inc. presents ‘A journey into the Art, the Psyche, and the Spirit of Nick Coker’s Visions’, a narrated tour and examination of the late Harlem artists’ art, poetry, prose and music at The Dwyer Cultural Center. This event starts at 6 pm and ends at 8 pm!

Nick Coker grew up in Harlem during the Renaissance era. Coker became the first black artist to work for leading advertising agencies and fashion houses on Madison Avenue. He worked for artists and organizations such as Emilio Pucci, the Seventh Avenue Fashion District, Bobby Hooks and the Negro Ensemble Company, along with many others. Coker was also the first artist to put art on t-shirts and remove a piece from the iconic apple that is now a signature of New York City tourism.

The Dwyer is located at 258 West 123rd Street in Harlem.

Harlem has another dining option, The Orange Peel

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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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Harlem Tavern starts to build roof for outdoor space

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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!

Chocolat in Harlem reopens after health violation by the City

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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?

Harlem Shambles, your local butcher, is open for business

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Vegetarians turn away and don’t read this blog post! I was walking along Frederick Douglass Blvd today, who wouldn’t give how beautiful it is outside, and noticed that Harlem Shambles had a sign board outside announcing it is open for business. I walked in and locals were already inside checking out the selection of meats they are offering to start. According to their sign, they offer all meats that are local grass fed and all natural. Harlem Shambles is open every day from 10 am to 8 pm, Monday thru Saturday, and from 11-6 pm on Sunday. Stop by your new local butcher shop in Harlem at 2141 Frederick Douglass Blvd and check them out on Facebook as well!

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


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.

Johnny Rockets coming soon to East Harlem says sign

I went to East River Plaza in East Harlem this past weekend to run some errands and right there on the ground level where cars turn in, there is a big sign hanging on the glass that says “Johnny Rockets Coming Soon.” I couldn’t believe it when I saw it. Isn’t Johnny Rockets the type of food chain you see in the suburbs? I guess they are here in Harlem to join Apple Bees.  I have mixed feelings about these types of places opening up in Harlem.

While there, I asked around about how long that sign’s been up and when is the burger joint actually opening? Everyone kept saying soon. From the looks of the space, it doesn’t appear that Johnny Rockets is opening soon. The retail space is empty, but with signage. Guess we should give this chain about year before they open in East Harlem?

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