Category Archives: New York City

Say it’s not so, Red Rooster Harlem graded a C

Posted on July 10, 2011 | 2 comments


I am reading in The New York Daily News today (Sunday) that our Red Rooster Harlem was graded a…gasp…C from the New York City Department of Health. Say it ain’t so? I was there last week along with my companion and, as always, the food was outstanding. Also, patrons can see the kitchen when you walk in and if you are seated right by it inside it’s in full view. The Red Rooster kitchen appears to look like a Mercedes of kitchens run by only the best drivers. I cannot believe this and agree with the person quoted in the article: “If this [Red Rooster Harlem] is a C, then how do dirty jerk chicken joints in Flatbush get A’s? This place has a brand-new kitchen. I’ve seen it.”

I have no doubt that Marcus Samuelsson and his team are “on it.” Given how driven of a team they are, they will not rest until they get that A. Count on it!

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Posted in business, Harlem, Lenox Avenue, New York, New York City, NYC, Red Rooster Harlem, restaurants

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Rent spikes in Harlem

Posted on July 9, 2011 | 2 comments

Harlem is a Nike symbol or an arrow shooting straight up on a graph when it comes to the rental market for apartments. According to The Wall Street Journal, Harlem, along with the Financial District, share a statistic at the moment being that they are seeing the largest rent increases during the last year. Rental prices in both of these Manhattan areas are up more than 15 percent year-over-year.

The article states “the average Harlem apartment rent was $2,055 a month during the second quarter, up $333 from a year earlier. These rent averages include dwellings of all sizes – studios, as well as one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.”

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Posted in Community, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, real estate

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Shop farmers market and practice yoga in Harlem

Posted on July 8, 2011 | 2 comments

Friends of Morningside Park, Community Markets and Land Yoga are putting the tag terms, health and wellness, community and grocery shopping in action. This weekend (July 9th) they are starting outdoor yoga in Morningside Park. From 4 to 5 pm, you can practice yoga under the big blue Harlem sky with Lara from Land Yoga at the 110th St and Manhattan Ave entrance. This free class will be held at the same time every week, weather permitting. So bring your own mat and dristi (focus) to the park.

And also bring your grocery list! The Morningside Farmers Market opens at 9 am sharp!

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Posted in Community, education, Events, Free!, Harlem, health and wellness, New York, New York City, NYC, shopping

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Attend Live@1220 Fifth in Spanish Harlem

Posted on July 8, 2011 | 2 comments

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For the third summer in a row, the Museum of the City of New York will host its eight-week music series on its outdoor terrace overlooking Fifth Avenue and Central Park. The series called “LIVE@1220 Fifth” will take place Wednesday evenings from July 13 through August 31 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. Admission includes after-hours access to the Museum as well as one complimentary cocktail or refreshment.

This year’s lineup of DJ sets and live bands, features local New York artists from many musical genres, including jazz, hip hop, rock and roll, Afrofusion, Latin jazz, boogie-woogie, and more! Below is the music schedule:

July 13: Sophia Urista soul, funk, and blues
July 20: Bobby Sanabria & Quarteto Aché Latin jazz
July 27: Baby Soda street jazz
August 3: Juliana Riccardi Band alternative rock and ethereal pop
August 10: Mamarazzi featuring Precision Dance Troupe African-rhythm-infused funk music
August 17: The Tickled Pinks retro boogie-woogie
August 24: DJ Devon Craig Johnson jazz, hip hop, and modern pop
August 31: The KNOX Band featuring Carla Scott pop, rock, and funk hits

Admission is $15 for non-members and $10 for Museum members. To purchase your tickets, go to MCNY.org.

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Posted in art and culture, Community, education, entertainment, Events, music, New York, New York City, NYC

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‘Secret Agent’ buys in Harlem

Posted on July 7, 2011 | 2 comments

According to The New York Observer, Harlem is getting a “secret agent.” Well, actually Fifth on the Park is. Apparently, Glen Sergeon Jr., who got him dubbed the “Secret Agent” by Forbes magazine back in May has said goodbye to his Greenwich Village penthouse for a three-bedroom apartment in the condo tower Fifth on the Park. Records show that the Secret Agent himself paid $1.42 million for his new place on the 20th floor of the 28-story building located near Marcus Garvey Park at 120th Street.

The article mentions that Fifth on the Park is the tallest apartment building in Harlem and the Secret Agent’s “new 1,884-square-foot home offers all the modern amenities, such as state of the art kitchens with granite counter tops, washer/dryers, central air conditioner and heating systems, cherry wood floors, oversized windows, 9 – 10′ ceiling heights, marble baths with soaking tubs and custom closets.” And the Secret Agent is getting a deal. There are almost no taxes to pay, due to the 421-a program.

Hope the residents at Fifth on the Park are excited about having a “secret agent” living in their building. Maybe they will dub him the James Bond of Harlem?

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Posted in business, Community, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, politics, real estate

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See ‘Freeing Silvia Baraldini’ tonight at Maysles Cinema in Harlem

Posted on July 6, 2011 | 1 comment

The director of Changing Face of Harlem has informed us that there is an interesting film playing tonight at the Maysles Cinema, located at 343 Lenox Avenue. For one night only, see award-winning Freeing Silvia Baraldini tonight, July 6th, at 7 p.m.

The film is about an Italian national who was arrested in the 80’s and sentenced to 43 years in prison in part for her participation in helping to free a Black Panther from prison.

To read more about the film and purchase tickets, go to Maysles Cinema.

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Posted in art and culture, Community, entertainment, film, Harlem, history, Lenox Avenue, New York, New York City, NYC, politics

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The Mafrika Music Festival returns to Harlem’s Marcus Garvey Park

Posted on July 6, 2011 | 3 comments

The annual Mafrika Music Festival returns to Marcus Garvey Park this coming Sunday, July 10. If you recall last year they did not have it because the park was under construction.

The program starts at 10 a.m. and runs all day. Many local businesses are contributing to the festival, including one of my favorite places to dine and listen to music, i.e. Yatenga French Bistro and Bar and ShrineNYC.

So if you have no plans this Sunday, head on over to the Mafrika Music Festival at Marcus Garvey Park, enter at 120th street and 5th Ave. For more information, go to Mafrika.com

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Posted in art and culture, Community, entertainment, Events, Free!, Harlem, music, New York, New York City, NYC

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A crowd descends on Harlem Tavern opening night

Posted on July 5, 2011 | 6 comments

Jul 2, 2011 @ 11:56
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By HarlemGal
Harlem has a new beer garden and locals definitely turned out in large numbers to be the first to see it first hand. Harlem Tavern, located on the northwest corner of 116th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd., opened its doors at 5 PM sharp July 1 and folks were lined up along the outer wall to get in. By 6 or 6:30 PM the entire place was packed with uptowners. And when I say packed, every table inside and out had patrons sitting anxiously awaiting to try out the food and beverage menu. By 7 PM, I checked my online accounts and several people20110702-113357
checked into Foursquare from Harlem Tavern and photos of the place from inside were posted immediately to Facebook. The place was completely full in two hours and the kitchen and bar were blasted with orders. The design and layout of the place had no problem seating the crowd. We had seats outside and it was nice and comfortable. Harlem Tavern is going to be a great place to drink, eat and people watch. Stop by this weekend. They are starting brunch from 10-4 PM.

20110702-113541As for product, I am not going to get into reviewing the food, drinks or service yet since last night was their first night of business. I want to give them some space and time to get their service dance down. All I am going to say is the wait staff and owners did their absolute best given what was presented before them-a tsunami like large crowd. The bar and kitchen got so backed up, it was going to take them all night to get caught up. I left before 9 PM so not sure what happened after then.

I know the owners of Harlem Tavern are seasoned restauranteurs. They own several joints in the City so they know what they are doing. I plan on 20110702-113550
returning real soon. However, when I left the place last night all I kept thinking was “they better hire more staff pronto!” They need more workers ASAP! Last nights turnout proved, along with bier international’s success, there is a demand in Harlem for outdoor dining/beer gardens. Last nights attendance proved that-in my view. There had to be at least 300 or more people in attendance.

There was one more thought that crossed my mind when I left Harlem Tavern last night “gold mine.” Harlem Tavern and bier international are complete gold mines. It is obvious or it will be. Walk by these places and see for yourself! Beer gardens in Harlem…are gold mines!

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

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Meet Louis Mendes, a street photographer from Harlem

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Jul 1, 2011 @ 12:28

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By HarlemGal
On my way to work today I had the pleasure of meeting (actually bumping into) Louis Mendes, a street photographer from Harlem best known for his speed graphic camera. Our paths crossed right on the northwest corner of 116th and Frederick Douglass Blvd. I quickly asked “are you taking pictures of people right in front of Harlem Tavern today?” He said “no, I am waiting for someone.” I said “you should take photos tonight, there will be tons of people here.” He said “we’ll see.”

Then Louis took a photo of me and then I asked “can I take a picture of you?” He agreed and said “I might be here later tonight.” I said “I hope so ’cause it’s going to be happening.”

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Posted in art and culture, Community, Harlem, Harlem Tavern, history, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurant row, restaurants

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Sign says Harlem Tavern officially opening July 1

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Jun 30, 2011 @ 12:05
By HarlemGal
A reader provided us with a nice photo this morning about Harlem Tavern! I believe the photo says it all-opening day at Harlem Tavern starts at 5 pm, July 1! See you there! And a big thanks to our reader!!! You know who you are! You are the BEST!

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Posted in Bars, business, Community, entertainment, Events, Harlem, Harlem Tavern, music, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurant row, restaurants, review

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