Category Archives: New York

My Bad Horse Pizza experience in Harlem

20110403-120639 Apr 3, 2011 @ 12:23
By HarlemGal
Last night (April 2), I did my usual! I put my money where my blog [mouth] is. My theory is, I can blog a ka-chillion posts as a Harlem blogger and receive a ton of hits. However, in my view it don’t mean a thing, especially to readers, if one doesn’t actually go out in Harlem, spend money on the Harlem places one blogs about and share it . Catch my drift? So last night I met up with a friend, who recently bought an apartment in Harlem, to checked out Harlem’s newest restaurant on Frederick Douglass Blvd, i.e. Bad Horse Pizza.

20110403-120403When we arrived, we had to wait a bit for a table. Bad Horse Pizza was busy for its second night of business. Eventually, we were seated in the back. From there, you can see how the interior is designed to look like a barn. The windows near the bar have old fashion, wooden barn doors next to them. The dining tables are wood and the bar has a rustic metal look to it. The place looks great and you feel comfortable inside. Plus if you’re walking to Bad Horse Pizza from the south, you will see the pizzas being made fresh. The kitchen is completely wide open!
20110403-120549As for the food, we ordered a mixed green salad to share, a ten inch acropolis and secaucus pizzas. What we received was a salad, bad horse pizza and a secaucus. We looked at the two-meat pizzas and said…oh well. Let’s eat these. The place is still figuring out their game, which is ok since they just opened, and we were hungry. We devoured two meat pizzas. They were good and filling. If you like Italian sausage and real big pieces of steak on your pizza, you will like these two pies. Our pizza and salad was coupled with free glasses of red wine. Can’t beat that! Overall, our bill was $49, not including tip.

If you’re looking for freshly made house pies, check out Bad Horse Pizza, located at 2222 Frederick Douglas Blvd, for yourself. Then stop by HarlemCondoLife and tell us about your experience!

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UPDATE: Harlem Tavern receives a big delivery, no April Fools

Apr 1, 2011 @ 11:27
By HarlemGal
While Bad Horse Pizza opens this evening (April 1), looks like Harlem Tavern is slowly moving forward with building the place. This morning there was a large truck spotted at 301 West 116th Street delivering what I assume is hardwood floors. Plus renderings posted on Harlem Tavern’s website show hardwood floors around the indoor bar and dining section!

Given it is April 1st, it’s no joke that Harlem Tavern wants to experience soon what Bad Horse Pizza will experience today, opening day!

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Land Yoga lands in Harlem, studio to open up on Frederick Douglass Boulevard

Mar 30, 2011 @ 7:00

By HarlemGal
We received some wonderful and different news in our inbox yesterday! It’s generally real estate stuff in our inbox. We were informed that Land Yoga will be opening up a yoga studio at 2110 Frederick Douglass Blvd. The exact location is right next to Franz James Floral Boutique in The Douglass Condo.

Land Yoga in Harlem is expected to open in about two months. The space will include two private rooms and will offer adult classes as well as extensive children’s programing, including yoga mini camp this summer on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:00-4:30 PM. Land Yoga is also seeking wellness practitioners in acupuncture, chiropractic, nutrition, or Alexander technique who are interested in subletting space in Central Harlem.

We were also informed by Land Yoga they are running for a very special grant opportunity that will support their dream to bring yoga to the Harlem community. They need 1,000 votes by this Thursday, March 31. To vote and support Land Yoga, text the word Land to 244326. There is no charge and no spam. Participants will receive two follow-up texts asking name and reasons for voting for this business. Participants must respond to these texts to finalize your vote.

If you want to “like” and learn more about Land Yoga, check out their Facebook page or better yet, learn about the yogi launching Land Yoga by clicking here!

Again, this is refreshing news. We couldn’t be more excited! Namaste!

What should President Barack Obama order at Red Rooster Harlem?

Mar 29, 2011 @ 7:00
By HarlemGal
The barricades are up on Lenox Avenue and 125th Street, the $30k checks are in, and the articles have been written about how POTUS Barack Obama will be in Harlem this evening (March 29) at Red Rooster. I feel like I have all the information that’s out there about this visit with the exception of one thing! No one has covered the menu for this swanky fundraiser-that I am aware of. I wonder if there is a special menu for 30 grand. Let’s pretend there is not a special menu and that President Obama is using the everyday dinner menu for this expensive occasion. Under this scenario, shall we ask the question? What should President Obama order at Red Rooster?

First off, I think he should hang out at the bar for a while and throw back a few drinks, such as the Brownstoner or Rooster Punch. POTUS Obama needs to drink a lot so that he can move the Secret Service out-of-the-way in order to stand close to the window so some of us can see him from afar. Wouldn’t that be nice?

Then after a few cocktails, Obama should sit down with guests that should be asked to fork over another $30k for actually getting to eat at Red Rooster before most Harlemites get to and then discuss reelection strategy over cornbread, Pulled Pork; and Dirty Rice and Shrimp. Those food items seem appropriate for the conversation and asking for the additional funds…don’t ya think?

For the main course, I believe Obama should either have the Braised Oxtail or the Uptown Steak Frites. For $30,000 dollars a head, OBAMA PLEASE DON’T EAT CHICKEN or FRIED YARD BIRD. That is a no, no given the price guests are paying to dine with an awesome POTUS. Plus the Food Network police will never forgive you or Marcus if you eat chicken at such an expensive event!

As for desert, it is a toss up on what Obama should order. I like both the Sweet Potato Doughnuts or Spiced Bread Pudding. I have had them both and they are delicious!

After his fabulous meal at Red Rooster Harlem, I hope President Obama walks a long rope line near the popular restaurant and shakes plenty of Harlem hands. My guess is there will be a ton of people waiting and watching for him to arrive and depart. Given who President Obama is and what Harlem stands for, in my opinion it would be a perfect way to end the evening to what I am assuming will be a perfect meal.

Harlem Children’s Zone launches twitter site on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

Mar 24, 2011 @ 23:26
By HarlemGal
Did any of you watch Late Night with Jimmy Fallon this past Tuesday night? Fallon interviewed Geoffrey Canada, Harlem Children’s Zone CEO, on the obvious and most important topic, education! Fallon praised Canada for his dedication to helping children in Harlem receive an education and told him “he is so cool.” After discussing the importance of education, not only in Harlem but across the US, Canada announced that he was joining the masses and starting a twitter site. It’s called @hczorg. In just two days, the Harlem Children’s Zone has more than 2500 followers. Not bad and definitely cool!

Harlem’s Bad Horse Pizza provides sneak preview of menu

Mar 21, 2011 @ 10:09
By HarlemGal
When walking along Frederick Douglass Blvd this past weekend, I noticed that Bad Horse Pizza, soon to open at 2222 Frederick Douglass Blvd, had their menu taped to the door for all to see who passed by. Take a look!

I may have teased this place for their name, however I can’t complain about their menu! Ten and 16 inch pies will cost $11 and $14. Specialty pies will run close to $20 bucks! And look at the selection! Can’t wait to try the FDB! Tell us! What do you think of the menu?

Levain Bakery to donate gross sales to support the people of Japan

Mar 20, 2011 @ 11:16
By HarlemGal,
Levain Bakery, which recently opened up a store in Harlem, announced on their Facebook page that this coming Wednesday, March 23rd, they will donate 25 percent of their gross sales from their Upper Westside and Harlem shops to the Red Cross for Japan. They are asking friends/supporters to spread the word.

In support of Levain Bakery and the Japanese people, HCL is encouraging all of its readers to stop by Levain Bakery on Frederick Douglass Blvd and 116th Street on Wednesday for treats and let’s help out those in dire need! See you there!

Leelee Sobieski spotted in Harlem

Mar 19, 2011 @ 12:41

By HarlemGal
An NYPD rookie was arresting someone on the streets of Harlem recently and let me tell you, this rookie appeared mean…and quite gorgeous. See photo above. Of course, the rookie I am talking about is only pretending. It is actress and Tribeca mom Leelee Sobieski, who was in character, along Manhattan Avenue and 114th Street in Harlem, for the TV pilot called Rookies. The crew has been filming in Harlem and will continue Sunday and Monday on Frederick Douglass Blvd from about 113th to 115th Street.

By looking at these photos, can you imagine if every NYPD rookie looked like Leelee? I’d say a good portion of the male population in the City would not mind getting arrested!

Rookies with LeeLee Sobieski filiming in Harlem

Mar 18, 2011 @ 8:07
UPDATE: We have photos of the filming taking place along 114th and 115th Streets between Frederick Douglass Blvd and Manhattan Avenue!

By HarlemGal
On my way home last night, I saw several orange cones lined up along 114th Street between Manhattan Avenue and Frederick Douglass Blvd. I checked the signs and it’s Rookies, a CBS’ drama pilot being filmed in Harlem today, March 18 and March 20-21st from 6 AM to 1 AM. Rookies stars Leelee Sobieski and is produced by Robert De Niro. Nice! Maybe we will see Mr. De Niro!

‘Central Harlem has experienced a revival’

Mar 7, 2011 @ 11:00
By HarlemGal
These days one can’t swing a bat without hitting the words “Harlem and real estate” together! By that, I mean Harlem is constantly being covered by the main stream press. Searching through my clips this past weekend, I came across another flattering article about Harlem. The Wall Street Journal reports “Central Harlem has experienced a revival. New businesses have moved in, ranging from upscale restaurants and wine bars to cutting-edge boutiques. Dozens of condominiums have sprouted around the neighborhood…”

It’s great to see these articles about my Harlem from the traditional press. However, I am getting to the point when I see these write ups is shouting “tell me something I don’t know.” This article re-hashes what’s already been printed. Come on mainstream press! There are a ton of other positive angles to cover about Harlem. For example, I wish they would profile some of the people who decided to choose Harlem as their home, what was the rationale? Profile those that have new or existing businesses in Harlem. How has this revival impacted local businesses? How are schools affected now compared to years ago? What’s the ratio of families versus single people moving to Harlem? And of course, the money trail is always a good one to follow. A story always arises from the money and paper trail!

These ideas come to mind for me. I’m sure there are more. What other positive angles do you think the mainstream press should cover about Harlem? Tell us!