Category Archives: Frederick Douglass Blvd.

Harlem happy hours happening everywhere: Chocolat, Lido Harlem & Milk Burger

Posted on August 10, 2011 | 1 comment

It is hump day and you’re not sure where to go for happy hour in Harlem. Here are a few choices for your consideration and recommended in order!

Those of you who know me on Facebook are a witness to my many execursions to Lido Harlem. I am always there and have more reasons to be there now given their happy hour specials. I recently learned from Susannah that from 5:30 – 7:30 every day, seven days a week, Lido Harlem is offering 1/2 price beer & wine, $5 well drinks and $5 Lido specialty cocktails. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights Lido is now offering a late night happy hour starting at 10 p.m. to close. I believe they are offering a late night menu as well! If Lido’s happy hour is anything like their food, it will be consistently good.

Chocolat has the best schedule for happy hour in my view. It starts at 5 p.m. and lasts until 8 p.m. If you can’t make a happy hour that ends at 7:30 rush on over to Chocolat on Frederick Douglass Blvd and 120th. They offer a selection of flavored martinis for $5 and small plates ranging from $5 to $8. I have had all the small plates and they were all quite good.

And last, the much talked about burger joint in East Harlem has a happy hour. If you want to be one of the first to check out Milk Burger’s happy hour, head on over soon and early or on your day off. They start at 3 p.m. Yuck. Clearly, they want people to drink early. I hope they change that time. It’s hard enough to make it to happy hour at 5 p.m. I recommend this place (see details below) because it is on the rise and experience it now while it is still relatively a new place in East Harlem.

Have a great time at happy hour. See you around in Harlem!

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Posted in Bars, business, Community, entertainment, Events, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurants, spending

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The Money Series examines how East Harlem spends their money

Posted on August 8, 2011 | 1 comment

In our Money Series,  it has covered spending habits for the Harlem areas of 10027 and 10030. The Money Series continues with the focus on East Harlem. The zip code used to come with the data for this segment of Harlem is 10029.

The top three household spending areas for the 10029 area of Harlem resulted in shopping ranking first, health & family is second, followed by house & home. If you compare spending for 10029 with 10027 and 10030, 10029 ranks identical to 10027 in the areas of health & family and house & home. Each of these spending categories ranked second and third out of the top three spending categories versus 10030, these categories ranked first and second. The interesting fact out of all three zip codes was that 10027 was the only part of Harlem that had food and drinks in the top three spending categories. Food & drink did not even rank in the top three for 10029 and 10030.

On a 12 month average, household spending for 10029 includes: $461 for shopping. Next is health & family totaling $452. Most of the spending in this area is dedicated to school & child care and insurance. House & home follows with a total of $432 with the majority of this portion going toward utilities.

If 10029, 10027 and 10030 are compared in their shared ranking areas, which are health & family and house & home, 10030 spends the most on health and family at $798 versus 10027 spends $552 and 10029 spends $452. In house & home, 10027 spends the most at $472 followed by 10030 spends $434 and 10029 spends $432.

All figures are created from an online money management tool and based on ages from 18 to 65 years of age and above, all households (married with kids or without, male or female single with kids or without), and income starting at $20,000 to $125k and above.

Stay tuned as the Money Series will look into spending habits of Harlem residents versus other parts of Manhattan.

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Posted in Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., apartments, business, Community, education, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, health and wellness, history, Lenox Avenue, Money Series, New York, New York City, NYC, real estate, shopping, spending

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Yogurt store planned for Frederick Douglass Blvd in Harlem falls apart

Posted on August 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

I hate being the messanger of bad news especially since I only like blogging about things positive happening in Harlem.  However, I came across some reliable information about the planned yogurt store in Gateway Condominiums, located on Frederick Douglass Blvd. between 113th and 114th. Apparently, the deal for a yogurt place to open in the retail space of 2098 Frederick Douglass Blvd. fell through. A credible source tells HarlemGal the business person(s), who is from Westchester County, pulled out recently from plans to rent the commercial space in Central Harlem for a Baby Yogurt store. However, they are the same investor/business person(s) opening up the nail salon next door and those plans appear to be moving forward since construction is actively happening. So as of now, Harlem will not getting another yogurt place, i.e. Baby Yogurt, unless the parties involved reconsider. Total bummer. I was looking forward to that.

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Posted in business, commercial real estate, Community, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, real estate

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Progress being made on upcoming nail salon in Harlem

Posted on August 4, 2011 | 1 comment

If you’re drop by Society Cafe at 114th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd. soon, you may notice there is some construction happening next door. That’s where a new nail salon is moving into the retail space near 2098 Frederick Douglass Blvd., which you first learned about here not too long ago. According to workers on site, they are hammering, painting and nailing away because they’ve been given a deadline to be done in about one month. So stay tuned. We may have a new business opening up soon in this block!

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Posted in business, commercial real estate, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, shopping, spending

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The 5 and Diamond Harlem launches ‘Monday Mac and Cheese Mania’

Posted on August 1, 2011 | 7 comments

After a busy weekend in Harlem and Monday work day approaches, who wants to cook Monday evenings? I certainly don’t feel like it the majority of the time. The folks over at 5 and Diamond Harlem, located at 2072 Frederick Douglass Blvd., know how rough us Harlemites have it on a Monday after a long weekend. To help alleviate with the busy schedule on Mondays, 5 and Diamond has launched an easy Monday menu along with laid back prices.

The new Monday night dinner menu includes five different mac and cheeses. Its’s called “Monday Mac & Cheese Mania” ranging from $8 to $12 dollars a plate. The 5 and Diamond is also offering five different types of sandwiches. Two out of the five are burgers priced around $10.

In addition to the new Monday menu, 5 and Diamond is adding a little fun to the evening.  DJ Whutevva from Power 105.1 will be spinning pop, rock, hip hop and R & B from 5:30-9:00 p.m. With the music ending at 9 p.m., patrons can still make it home early with plenty of time to get ready for work the next work day.
So if you don’t feel like cooking a meal on a Monday and don’t want to spend a lot, check out Monday Mac Mania at 5 and Diamond in Harlem!

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

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Weekend Harlem Must Dos, Lido sidewalk cafe, Urban Garden Center sale and Marcus & Macy’s

Posted on July 29, 2011 | 1 comment

There are three Harlem must dos I am recommending for this weekend. Try them out and let me know what you think!

On Friday, July 29, swing by Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar. Their sidewalk seating is in full swing. They have plenty of tables outside for Harlemites to sit and dine on. While you’re there, check out some of their summer cocktails. Here are three to consider!

20110729-124324.jpgTry Serena’s Sangria. It is made with a white wine base, passion fruit, sliced plums, and Spanish brandy. It’s hard to drink just one. Try the pitcher for $25.

Next, Lido Lemonade with lemon juice, vodka, and Licor 43 infused with thyme. The glass is garnished with a sprig of thyme.And if you need a carbonated fix, try Fiore Spumante (Italian for Sparkling Flower). It’s gin and St Germaine with champagne and a raspberry to garnish.  Also, Lido is now open Mondays and offering
$14 prix fix lunch with free wifi and complimentary iced coffee or tea!

On Saturday, July 31, head on over to Urban Garden Center in Spanish Harlem. They have a sale! They are offering 30 percent off on all in stock inventory. It ends on July 31 so drop by 116th and Park Avenue, take advantage of the sale and say hi to Dimitri, chief designer at Urban Garden Center!

And on July 31, spend Sunday afternoon with Marcus Samuelsson and the Macy’s Food Truck. Macy’s Food Truck is parking itself on 126th Street and Riverside Drive with our fellow Harlemite during Harlem Week. From noon to 4:00 p.m., Red Rooster Harlem owner and Chef Marcus Samuelsson will be on board cooking and serving catfish sandwiches with fried caper slaw and sweet potato fries!

There ya have it! Weekend Harlem must dos!

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Posted in Bars, business, Community, education, entertainment, Events, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, Red Rooster Harlem, restaurant row, restaurants, shopping, spending

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Why is Questan’s in Harlem dark for a Wednesday night?

Posted on July 27, 2011 | 1 comment

A reader asked us if we noticed that Questan’s, located at 2113 Frederick Douglass Blvd., is closed tonight, July 27. I hadn’t really paid attention until I checked on my home from dinner tonight. I walked by and it is in fact dark tonight, Wednesday, July 27. That’s kind of odd for a Wednesday night-especially during the summer. Maybe they are getting ready to celebrate their two-year anniversary? They opened up for business in August 2009.

Does anyone know what is up? Why is Questan’s closed? Diganos (Tell us).

Update: An HG twitter follower says it has been closed for a few days now because it is changing management and that there is a notice on the door that states: “Closed and under new management. Making changes to serve you better.” Stay tuned…

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Posted in business, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, restaurant row, restaurants

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Stop by Nike’s Boulevard Ice Pop Up Store in Harlem

Posted on July 25, 2011 | Leave a comment


A follower on twitter reminded HarlemGal that Nike’s Boulevard Ice Pop Store is open for business in Harlem. It has been open for about a week in a half now at the corner of 133rd Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd. The Nike store offers customers the opportunity to go in and experience a refrigerator feel, pick from a selection of ice treats and maybe design yourself some new basketball shoes. Interesting concept and very much in line with Nike’s impressive creativity! This chica can go for the ice treats, but I don’t plan on getting me any basketball shoes any time soon.

Who has checked out Nike’s Boulevard Ice located at 2490 Frederick Douglass Blvd? If so, tell us what you think?

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Posted in art and culture, business, commercial real estate, Community, entertainment, fashion, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, shopping

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Harlem Shambles plans to open in Livmor Condo

Posted on July 25, 2011 | Leave a comment

Looks like commercial retail space in Harlem on Frederick Douglass Blvd is slowing getting scooped up! It appears from the photo below that the Livmor has sold (or rented out) some of its commercial space to a business called Harlem Shambles. I have never heard of this business and looking online for information, the only item I could find is Harlem Bespoke blogging that Harlem Shambles is a butcher shop! Hmm. I wonder what type of products they will be offering? Just meat! Or seafood too? And what does this mean for Best Yet and Central Market that are not too far away?

This is certainly a different addition to the other businesses that have opened up on FDB and that are getting ready to open soon! Recently, I blogged about how a yogurt store and nail salon are opening up side by side in the Gateway Condo located at 2098 Frederick Douglass Blvd.

As always, stay tuned on when Harlem Shambles will be opening. I am sure it will be soon!

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Posted in business, commercial real estate, Community, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, real estate, restaurant row, restaurants

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A little bit of Poland comes to 67 Orange Street in Harlem

Posted on July 23, 2011 | Leave a comment

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This past week I attended 67 Orange Street’s Cocktail Educational Series in Harlem and let me say, I have a new-found appreciation for that cocktail I order and for the person behind the bar making it. I had no idea what (or the hard work) that goes into a drink until I went to 67 Orange, located at 2082 Frederick Douglass Blvd. I had my cocktail breakthrough this past Tuesday where Zu Vodka, bison grass vodka from Poland, was the guest of honor.

Karl, the owner of 67 Orange and his guest from ZU, gave a quick presentation on ZU and then presented handcrafted cocktails with ZU Vodka. I had the Smokin Thyme, which included fresh raspberries with thyme, agave, lime juice,shaken with Mezcal, St.Germain and Zu. It was very good.That drink was right up there with my usual order at 67 Orange, the Baxter Street.  I gotta have that jalapeno flavor-even in my drink! If you like some caliente flavor to your cocktail, try the Baxter Street!

To learn more about what goes into a cocktail and find new appreciation like I did, check out the CockTail Educational Series at 67 Orange in Harlem. Their next series takes place August 2!

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Posted in Bars, business, Community, education, entertainment, Events, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurant row, restaurants

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