Category Archives: New York

Lido Harlem joining sidewalk seating club soon?

Posted on July 20, 2011 | 8 comments

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Back in May, I told you about how Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar was petitioning Community Board 10 to receive approval for sidewalk seating. It appears they have received the green light based on these photos! Walking by the Harlem establishment, located on the southeast corner of Frederick Douglass Blvd and 117th, last night there was white metal fences on display perfectly lined up outside the Italian eatery. The way the fences were placed it’s an obvious signal that Lido Harlem are joining the sidewalk seating club very soon, which includes bier international, 5 and Diamond, Harlem Tavern, Les Ambassades Red Rooster Harlem, Settepani, Nectar, Chez Lucienne and more! Maybe they will open the sidewalk seating to patrons this weekend?

This is good news. Harlemites have another place to hang while dining that offers outdoor seating! Congrats to Susannah, her business partner, chef and their entire team! Way to go!

Next time I stop by Lido Harlem for dinner, this chica wants the seat right outside on the sidewalk. Can’t wait!

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

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Manhattan Valley and Morningside Heights Town Hall

Posted on July 19, 2011 | Leave a comment

For those interested in voicing their concerns or have questions about Manhattan Valley and Morningside Heights, there is a town hall meeting this Thursday, July 21, with elected officials and government agencies at The Church of the Ascension, located at 221 West 107th Street. Start time is 6:00 p.m. See details below to RSVP!

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Posted in Community, education, Events, Free!, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, politics

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A Midsummers Night Picnic in Harlem’s Marcus Garvey Park

Posted on July 19, 2011 | 3 comments

The Mount Morris Park Community Improvement Association (MMPCIA) is holding their annual A Midsummer Night’s Picnic in the Park in Harlem today, July 19, in Marcus Garvey Park. This is the time when MMPCIA says thank you to its current member and welcomes new members.

The Summer Picnic is free to existing members and to those who want to join or renew their membership. There is an additional cost of $10 for family of members and friends who are not quite ready to join. Children 12 and under are free.

If you decide to attend this event today,please RSVP and register your dish ASAP by e-mailing: membership@mmpcia.org.

The potluck picnic is from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Enter Marcus Garvey Park in the SW corner, near the  West 120th Street entrance. For more information, click here.

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Posted in art and culture, business, Community, education, Events, Harlem, history, Lenox Avenue, New York, New York City, NYC

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Harlem Gal invites you to see ‘Attack the Block’

Posted on July 18, 2011 | Leave a comment

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Don’t forget you can see a free movie Tuesday, July 19 at Magic Johnson Theater! You and a guest are invited to a screening of Attack the Block.

From the producers of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, Attack the Block follows a gang of tough inner-city kids who try to defend their turf against an invasion of savage alien creatures, turning a South London apartment complex into an extraterrestrial warzone.

Here is the lowdown on how to see Attack the Block:

To download a free screening pass, go to Gofobo.com/RSVP and enter the RSVP code HLMGAL55U0.
Date: Tuesday! July 19th
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Where: Magic Johnson Harlem

And please remember, screenings by HarlemGal Inc. are on a first come first serve basis.

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Posted in art and culture, entertainment, film, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Free!, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC

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Harlem real estate progress report: Gateway Towers seventy percent sold

Posted on July 18, 2011 | 2 comments

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Recently, I blogged about how some condos in Harlem were meeting their mark in terms of sales. There is another condo development that has achieved similar success. The Gateway Towers, located at 2098 Frederick Douglass Blvd. and also known as Gateway Condominiums, is 70 percent sold. I have confirmed this with two sources. There are only a limited number of properties left in this two-phase condo development.

I am surprised by this figure. It took a while for the Gateway to be completed. One would think buyers would just forget about places that take forever to be finished. However, this is not the case when it comes to New York real estate. There seems to be about 12 apartments left on the market according to Streeteasy.com. My guess is the apartments on the upper level of the tower were snapped up first and then the lower level next. The apartments on the higher floors have unobstructed views. The rooms are also big and spacious and like most new developments, the Tower has washer and dryers in the apartments.

The 70 percent sales were also probably achieved due to location and the rooftop views I have been on several rooftops in Harlem, such as The Douglass, 2280 FDB, Parc Standard, Fifth on the Park and Livmor. However, Gateway Condo has one of the best rooftops in Harlem. It has a clear shot of Central Park and Morningside Park from the roof. Also, the view of St. John the Divine is just that…divine. The view of East Harlem is nice as well. That view offers seeing brownstones from overhead.

I had the opportunity to take some photos from the rooftop at Gateway. I could not resist. When the real estate agents show the apartments, they take visitors up to the roof. Hopefully, these photos give you a sense of why the roof at Gateway Towers is one of my favorites!

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

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‘Prince of New Orleans’ to open Davell Underground in Spanish Harlem

Posted on July 16, 2011 | Leave a comment


This has got to be the best news I have read any Saturday morning. Nola.com, a Louisiana publication, is reporting that Davell Crawford, a musical sensation from New Orleans and dubbed ‘Prince of New Orleans,’ is opening up Davell Underground, August 11, in Spanish Harlem. Davell Underground will be “a new performance space in a former storage room within The Kiosk, a Moroccan restaurant and hookah joint located at East 116th and Park Avenue. This location is right by Urban Garden Center and La Marqueta!

The article says Davell Crawford, who moved to New York City after Hurricane Katrina, and his business partner plan to present live music several nights a week in Spanish Harlem. The roster will include such New Orleanians as Charmaine Neville, Donald Harrison Jr., Delfeayo Marsalis, Benny Turner and Herlin Riley. Crawford also plans to feature New Yorker musicians, including the flutist Bobbi Humphrey.

Crawford tells Nola.com that “I don’t want to call it a ‘club.’ It’s a ‘room. We will have great music there for as long as the people of New York want to accept it, and as long as I can keep it rolling.”

This Harlemite will accept Davell Underground. Count me in. I will be there in Spanish Harlem, August, to listen to music from New Orleans! Yeah!

Listen now to Davell Crawford!

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Posted in art and culture, Bars, business, commercial real estate, Community, education, entertainment, Events, Harlem, history, music, New York, New York City, NYC

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Macy’s Chefs A-Go-Go Food Truck with Harlem’s own, Marcus Samuelsson

Posted on July 15, 2011 | 2 comments

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I came across an advertisement in The New York Times-dining section this week talking about Macy’s first-ever food truck featuring Chef Marcus Samuelsson. With anything that says “first-ever,” I inquired further to see what’s up with our fellow Harlemite. This is the deal. “Macy’s Chefs A-Go-Go,” a national food truck tour showcasing the Macy’s Culinary Council, is rolling into New York City this month with two stops. One of those two stops is happening in Harlem!

On Sunday, July 31 Marcus Samuelsson, who owns Red Rooster Harlem and resides in the area, will be at 126th Street and Riverside Drive from noon to 4 p.m. on Macy’s Chefs A-Go-Go Food Truck cooking his signature recipes and dishes for those that pass by the food truck for FREE! That’s right! The food Marcus will be cooking on the food truck will be given out for free! I don’t know exactly what Marcus will be cooking yet. However once I find out, I will pass along!

So if you haven’t tasted Marcus Samuelsson’s fabulous food creations before, now is your chance…and for free! All you have to do is go by Macy’s first-ever food truck on July 31, which will be parked with Marcus inside at 126th and Riverside Drive.

For those interested in the first stop of the Macy’s Food Truck, it is happening this weekend, July 16, downtown at Union Square’s Farmers Market with Chef Todd English.

See you at the Macy’s Food Truck in Harlem!

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Posted in business, Community, entertainment, Events, Free!, Harlem, Lenox Avenue, New York, New York City, NYC, Red Rooster Harlem, restaurants

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$100 million development for 125th will bring Harlem Brewing Company home

Posted on July 14, 2011 | 1 comment

When the City announced yesterday the redevelopment of two major, vacant sites on Harlem’s 125th Street, it garnered enormous press coverage. Why? Because it’s a big deal. The bookends of 125th will get a new look, jobs will be created and new business will move in! The part I find interesting in this announcement is that the Sugar Hill Beer I like to have at St. Nicks Pub or now at Harlem Tavern could eventually be brewed right up the street from where I live! How cool is that?

According to the news release from the Mayor’s Office, “Harlem Brewing Company, which currently brews in Saratoga Springs, will be moving its production facility to CREATE @ Harlem Green and will grow hops on an open roof, give tours and operate a brewing museum, a tap room and gift shop.” The City selected Janus Partners LLC and Monadnock Construction, Inc. to redevelop the former Taystee Bakery complex into CREATE @ Harlem Green.

And when the Harlem Brewing Company moves, it will mark the first brewery in Harlem since before Prohibition! So cool! I will drink to that! Raise your mug! Cheers!

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Posted in business, commercial real estate, Community, Harlem, Harlem Tavern, history, New York, New York City, NYC

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Harlem Yoga Studio presents Shaking Spirit Waves 5Rhythms

Posted on July 13, 2011 | 2 comments

Harlem Yoga Studio, located at 44 West 125th Street has added on an interesting and unique class to their schedule. Starting today, July 14, and every Thursday, Harlem Yoga Studio is offering Shaking Spirit Waves 5Rhythms (R) at 5:30 pm to 6:45 pm, The 5Rhythms is a movement based meditation. There are no dance steps or choreography. The class is designed to allow you to simply move to be moved.

Tonight’s class is the first ever class in Harlem according to Kierra, the instructor. So check it out come and shake yourself free in the Shaking Spirit Waves class Thursdays 5:30 to 6:45 at Harlem Yoga Studio. To get there, take trains: 2, 3 to 125th & Lenox or A, B, C, or D train to 125th & St. Nick.

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

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Catch Reel Harlem in Jackie Robinson Park

Posted on July 13, 2011 | Leave a comment

Reel Harlem, an annual summer event covering music and film continues. Tonight, July 13th, festivities are in the Jackie Robinson Park Bandshell, 148th St. & Bradhurst Avenue

At 7:00 pm hear the National Jazz Museum All Stars-a Latin Jazz Tribute.

Starting at 8:30 pm, see From Mambo to Hip Hop , a film that covers in one hour the incredible history of a community that, despite the odds, fuelled a musical revolution. From Mambo to Hip Hop delivers a terrific insight into the post war jazz and mambo era and traces the evolution of music from salsa to disco to hip hop. This is a story rooted in the South Bronx and it’s a tale told with both pride and passion.

Then Thursday, July 14 at 8:30 p.m., also at Jackie Robinson Park, the National Black Programming Consortium presents When the Drum is Beating. The movie explores Haiti’s complex past and present through the music of 62-year-old Septentrional, the country’s oldest and best-known band and the memories of its founder and leader Ulric Pierre-Louis. As Haiti disintegrates around them, three generations of musicians who make up the band struggle to go on and prevent this national treasure from being lost.

All of these events are FREE and brought to you by the Maysles Cinema and other various Harlem organizations!

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

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