Category Archives: Frederick Douglass Blvd.

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.

Lee, Lee’s Bakery in Harlem to be featured in holiday special on WABC

Lee, Lee’s Bakery in Harlem was hopping yesterday. Not only was Alvin Lee Smalls busy filling up his shelves with baked goods, such as his famous rugala, he was busy being interviewed by WABC’s Channel 7! The New York City TV station stopped by in Harlem yesterday to interview Mr. Lee about his boutique style bake shop, along with a few loyal customers of his. What for you may ask? WABC is including Lee, Lees Bakery in their holiday special, which is tentatively schedule for December 17 at 7 pm! Apparently, the word continues to climb that Alvin Lee Smalls of Lee, Lee’s Bakery in Harlem make some exceptional rugala. It’s so good it’s gotta be on TV!

Stop by Lee, Lee’s Bakery at 283 West 118th Street now to purchase baked treats and tune into WABC on Dec. 17 at 7 pm to see Alvin and a few other locals from Harlem talk about why they love Lee, Lee’s Bakery!

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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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Harlem Flo’s Holiday Gift Fair is happening today

It’s never to early to start shopping for loved for the upcoming holidays. One option is happening today, November 5th, from 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. At Harlem Flo’s Holiday Gift Fair holiday gifts and decor from local vendors will be featured with greeting cards, picture frames, Harlem post cards, handmade gift items and more on display in the Coventry Garden. To check it out, stop by 2276 Frederick Douglass Blvd at 122nd Street.

Select Harlem business owners to run in 2011 ING/New York City Marathon

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A reader and wonderful Harlemite has informed HarlemGal Inc. that two or potentially three local Harlem business owners will run in this years ING/New York City Marathon. They are Mekia Denby, co-owner of Kidberry and Ousmane, co-owner of bier international.

If you plan on watching the marathon in Harlem, specifically along Fifth Avenue, look out for these two Harlem business owners so that you can cheer them on along with the rest of the runners. They will definitely need our support as they reach this point of the marathon in Harlem. If you want to track these Harlem runners on marathon day or any other runners for that fact, go to the ING Marathon website and look for TrackMyRunners via web!

The third person we heard might be running in the marathon is Derek, co-owner of Red Rooster Harlem. However, we heard he might not run due to an injury!

If you know of any other Harlem business owners that are running in this years marathon, please let us know so that we can give them a shout out and wish them the best!

For now, let’s wish Mekia and Ousmane, Harlem business owners, all the best as they go for that medal and finish line in the ING/New York City Marathon!

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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.

A flea market to open March 2012 on 117th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd. in Harlem

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On Saturday (October 22), I walked by the empty lot on 117th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd in Harlem and noticed there were workers leveling out the ground. I quickly stopped and asked the person, who appeared to be supervising the work being done, what’s happening with this lot? The gentleman responded with “the space is being prepped for a flea market.” He said a flea market, which will sell anything and everything, will open in March 2012. This person also stated they were handing out fliers earlier in the day to people walking by. Hmmm…I did not receive a flier cause apparently they were out when I walked by. Drats. Let’s see what happens. Stay tuned.