Category Archives: Frederick Douglass Blvd.

Blink Fitness signage up in Harlem, target opening day June 2013

A friend, reader of HarlemGal Inc., and filmmaker/producer of Changing Face of Harlem, Shawn Batey, sent in a photo over the weekend of signage on the upcoming Blink Fitness, which will be located on 125th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd. According to Blink Fitness’ website, the Equinox-owned business is aiming to open this coming June. Interested consumers can join the gym at their Harlem location for $1. For more information, go to www.blinkfitness.com/locations.

And a big thanks to Ms. Batey for sending in the photo! Muchas Gracias!

20130513-142334.jpg

Harlem Yo! coming to Frederick Douglass Blvd, frozen yogurt, smoothies, shakes to be offered

I was walking along Frederick Douglass Blvd in Harlem this evening (May 10) and noticed new signage was up where the old Posh Paws was located, 2121 FDB. The purplish awning says HarlemYo!, Frozen Yogurt, Burritos, Smoothies, Shakes and Salads. Looks like Harlem’s restaurant row is getting another food/eating out option?

20130510-200616.jpg

Harlem’s Les Ambassades renovation halfway complete, Frederick Douglass Blvd location opens redesigned cafe

20130501-081324.jpg
I’m sure most of us have noticed by now that Harlem’s Les Ambassades on Frederick Douglass Blvd, aka Patisserie Des Ambassades, is in the midst of redesigning the place. You see it when you walk by.

In order to redesign and still stay open, Les Ambassades had to create new space for their breads and pastries first, which they did right next door at 2200 Frederick Douglass Blvd between 118th and 119th Street. They have recently opened this part of their new construction and the place looks great!

The new shop now has giant sign boards up displaying all of their products. Their pastries sit in new glass counters and the bread is very visible along the back walls for customers to just point at and buy.

Take a look for yourself! Stop on by and see how Les Ambassades is changing things up at their FDB location.

20130501-081318.jpg

20130501-081345.jpg

20130501-081352.jpg

20130501-081403.jpg

Help wanted at upcoming Harlem restaurant, Silvana hiring

I walked by Silvana Harlem yesterday, this is the new restaurant opening soon on 116th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd., and noticed the scaffolding is down and a help wanted sign is up!

If you’re interested in working at this upcoming Harlem hot spot, stop by Silvana this coming Tuesday, April 30 from noon to 2 pm.

By the way, I took a quick peak inside the place. It appears Silvana will have exposed brick on the first floor from left to right and columbia blue is featured on the exterior. It’s coming along! Stay tuned here for more details as they become available!

20130426-085940.jpg

20130426-085949.jpg

20130426-090000.jpg

Serena Bass, executive chef at Lido Harlem, featured in NY Times Thursday Styles

Check out today’s New York Times Style section! Harlem ‘s Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar is featured via its executive chef, Serena Bass. The article focuses on the different stages of Ms. Bass’ successful career as a caterer in London and New York City. Bass started at Lido Harlem last Fall and the article mentions some of her clientele has actually come uptown to Lido to dine in Harlem.

To read the full article, go here!

20130418-131815.jpg

20130418-131834.jpg

Vinateria Harlem opens today April 17, take a look inside

20130417-073701.jpg
HarlemGal Inc has confirmation from the owners of Vinateria Harlem that they are in fact opening to the public today, April 17. If you’re interested in checking out this new place located on Harlem’s restaurant row, i.e. 119th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd., stop on by. They will be serving new American cuisine by Chef Gustavo Lopez.

20130417-073546.jpgI had the opportunity to take a look inside recently via invitation from the owners to view the decor. Vinateria is very lovely and has a comfortable setting. What’s interesting about Vinateria Harlem is that they practically went green with the entire place. Almost every item inside is recycled, such as the dinner chairs & tables, the corner church pews, vintage decanters, and the bodega doors are the original from the prior place. The decorator had cut out aluminum placed over the entry doors to give it a cast iron look.

What I liked the best in decor was the spacious corner seating with the church pews, which you can see to the left when you walk in. It fits a large group and you can look out on to FDB and people watch.

Overall, the place looks fantastic. So stop by Vinateria this evening or over the weekend and tell us what you think of the place. The staff and owners are anxiously awaiting to meet you and be at your service.

Vinateria Harlem
2211 Frederick Douglass Blvd
New York, New York 10026
No public phone number yet

20130417-073407.jpg

20130417-073429.jpg

20130417-073508.jpg

20130417-073603.jpg

20130417-073624.jpg

20130417-073719.jpg

20130417-073736.jpg

20130417-073750.jpg

Vinateria Harlem not open yet, but it will soon

If you’re wondering like I am when Vinateria Harlem, located at 118th 119th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd., is opening, it’s not tonight or tomorrow night. I have heard from a very good source that Vinateria will not open to the public more than likely until later in the week. But stay tuned here. As soon as this blog receives confirmation of the exact opening day, we will pass along.

And if you see people inside Vinateria Harlem tonight or tomorrow night or you saw  people inside over the weekend, those are private events happening or also known as practice events. Generally, restaurants do practice runs with friends and family first before they open their doors to the public.

20130415-183515.jpg

Harlem Vintage becomes Vintage Harlem?

A reader on Facebook dropped us a line over the weekend saying that the old Harlem Vintage wine store that was located on 121st and Frederick Douglass Blvd will continue as a wine store, but with a new name–Vintage Harlem. The word is the owners of the new Vintage Harlem plan to open up the new wine store very soon.

This is good news. Now this part of Harlem will continue to have two wine stores, The Winery and Vintage Harlem!

20130415-073443.jpg

It’s Spa Week at Polished FingerTips in Harlem April 15-21

0_0_0_0_651_838_csupload_55662507
We just received Harlem’s Polished FingerTips electronic newsletter and noticed that Spa Week is coming up starting April 15 until April 22. Enjoy a variety of spa treatments for $50 for this one special week. To learn more about Spa Week at Polish FingerTips, go to their website or give them a shout. Contact details are listed below.

Polished FingerTips Nail Spa
2198 Frederick Douglass Blvd
New York, NY 10026
(212) 222-4466

Friends of Frederick Douglass Circle in Harlem invites community to meeting April 23

IMG_0249
A group of Harlemites, who live near the Frederick Douglass Circle in Harlem, have formed a community organization called Friends of Frederick Douglass Circle. The Friends of Frederick Douglass Circle aim “to beautify this particular area of Harlem and bring events to the circle.”

This organization is having a pubic meeting April 23 at 301 Cathedral Parkway and we are all invited to attend. See details below if interested in participating.

Read prior blog coverage of Frederick Douglass Circle here.

Friends of Frederick Douglass