Category Archives: New York

Attend Casa Frela Gallery Trunk Show in Harlem

Mar 6, 2011 @ 20:44
By HarlemGal
For three consecutive weekends, Casa Frela Gallery will be hosting a trunk show that will feature several artists from Harlem. Starting this Saturday, March 12, view and purchase items from artists, such as watercolorist Lynn Lieberman, Angelic Artistry, Michele Bidault, Jan Blackett, Daria Dorosh, jeweler Arleen Geller and more, until April 2. The admission is FREE and doors will open at noon closing at 4 PM each day.

Casa Frela Gallery is located at 47 West 119th Street between Lenox and Fifth Avenue.

Zagat surveyors grant Lenox Lounge in Harlem high marks

Mar 1, 2011 @ 23:40
By HarlemGal
According to NY1,  Zagat surveyors, the experts on rating everything, have bestowed our historic and charming Lenox Lounge in Harlem with strong ratings, not necessarily for drinks and music, but for food, i.e. dining out. Sharron Cannon, general manager of Lenox Lounge, said their entire menu has been revamped where they now offer homemade made items.

In the NY1 video, the Lenox Lounge food dishes look divine and they must be because Zagat issued Lenox Lounge high marks. Located at 125th Street and Lenox Avenue, Lenox received a 23 for appeal, nineteen for decor, twenty-one for service and an E for expensive. What can one expect from a place where legends like Billie Holiday, BB King and Miles Davis use to hang.

Lenox Lounge
288 Lenox Avenue
212-427-0253
www.lenoxlounge.com

Harlem’s bier international applies for sidewalk cafe

Feb 25, 2011 @ 7:00

By HarlemGal
I walked by bier international last night and I couldn’t help but notice there was a sizable sign taped to their window informing passersby of a public hearing on April 6, 2011. The subject line gives an address of 2099 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd. Hmmm, that’s confusing since bier is located at 2099 Frederick Douglass Blvd. However, it is the words right next to APPLICATION that are key! Apparently, bier international has applied for sidewalk cafe status, which would include 16 tables and 34 seats. If you look back at the renderings of the Harlem hot spot, they have always planned for some degree of outdoor seating. This request should come as no surprise. The owners are simply following through on their vision for the place. Good for them.

The flyer gives a web address on where you can voice your opinion on this subject. Go there and share your thoughts on the matter or feel free to tell us right here on HCL what you think about bier international applying for and potentially receiving a sidewalk cafe!

Girls Night Out screening of Jumping the Broom happening in Harlem

Feb 12, 2011 @ 11:05

By HarlemGal
I just learned more details about the after party talking place this Monday, February 14 for the Girls Night Out screening of Jumping the Broom. The after party will take place at Hue-Man Book Store around 9 p.m. when the screening is expected to end. Those that get into the film screening of Jumping the Broom will receive tickets to go to the after party at Hue-Man!

In addition to HarlemCondoLife.com being a partner for Girls Night Out screening of Jumping the Broom and now Hue-Man, I have also learned that Harlem Arts Alliance, Nectar Wine Bar, Bikram Yoga, Twirl, BodyHeat by NyLean25, Munaluchi Bridal Magazine, and the planned Cupcake Suite are partners as well! And don’t forget, the after party will include complementary hair styling and make-up application from Empire Beauty School and giveaways from SendHerFlowers.com, Complete Body and Spa, and 8 Minute Dating.

So if you want to attend this after party, you need a ticket to the film screening. Go here to get your ticket.  I must stress, there are no guarantees on ticketing, as in most things in life!

To all single and fabulous women of Harlem, you’re invited to a film screening

Feb 9, 2011 @ 14:49


By HarlemGal
Listen up, all you amazing and single HarlemGals. Yes, you! You’re invited to a “girls night out!” HarlemCondoLife.com would like to invite you to a free film screening of Jumping the Broom starring Julie Bowen, Paula Patton, Meagan Good, Angela Bassett, Mike Epps, and more, this coming Monday (February 14th) at the Magic Johnson Theater. Jumping the Broom is about “a collision of worlds when two African-American families from divergent socioeconomic backgrounds get together one weekend in Martha’s Vineyard for a wedding.”

In addition to the free film screening, there is an after party for all the awesome women who get to attend the free film screening in Harlem. The after party will include complementary hair styling and make-up application from Empire Beauty School and giveaways from SendHerFlowers.com, Complete Body and Spa, and 8 Minute Dating.

Here’s the details on getting your ticket. Please note, tickets are available on a first come first serve basis!

What: Girls’ Night Out screening of JUMPING THE BROOM
Where: Magic Johnson Theater in Harlem (124th and Frederick Douglass)
When: Monday, Febraury 14th
How: Click on this link to download and print out screening passes! Special instructions are located on the link.

New York Magazine acknowledges, Harlem is hot

Feb 8, 2011 @ 10:30
By HarlemGal
What a difference a year makes?  Let’s reflect! April 11, 2010 Harlem is poorly ranked by Nate Silver for New York Magazine’s Neighborhood Issue. Does anyone remember this article? I certainly do. That article inspired me to write Top ten reason why Harlem is one of the best neighborhoods to live in. Let’s fast forward to today. Harlem and several local establishments are currently featured bright and big this week in a series of articles under the banner The Everything Guide to Harlem in NY Mag. It’s a creme-de-la-creme of articles featuring restaurants, markets, shops and bars in Harlem. My favorite article is The New New Harlem, which is sort of a “Whose In and Whose Out.” In my view, featuring several establishments in this type of format demonstrates the caliber and variety of places located in Harlem. Plus in order to pit two businesses against each other, there has to be plenty of selection. Clearly, Harlem has reached that point.

In closing, I will use soccer terms to describe this Harlem milestone. This article is another G-O-A-L for Harlem. Remember, we won Curbed Cup 2010 too. More importantly, it recognizes (again) what most of us have known all along, and now NY Mag too, Harlem is hot! Adelante!

Harlem businesses come together to ‘Kiss and Tell’

Feb 8, 2011 @ 7:30
By HarlemGal
Tonight, several Harlem businesses, such as Harlem Flo, The Winery, Make My Cake, Tonnie’s Minis, Aloft Hotel and Yatenga, are gathering together to “Kiss & Tell.” Well, not exactly that, but sort of! These Harlem businesses will be on hand Tuesday evening, starting at 6 p.m., to offer gift advice for Valentine’s Day. According to Harlem Flo’s Facebook site, the February 8th event will “feature unique and creative gifts items that you can purchase for your loved ones for V-day and there after.”

So if you need something for your cupid or yourself, head on over to Harlem Flo, second location at 2276 Frederick Douglass Blvd., at West 122nd Street.

Apollo Theater Exhibit starts February 8th at MCNY

Feb 7, 2011 @ 7:30
By HarlemGal
This week the Museum of the City of New York kicks off their three-month exhibition about our beloved Apollo Theater. Starting February 8 through May 1, 2011 , see  Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing: How the Apollo Theater Shaped American Entertainment at MCNY, located  in Spanish Harlem at 1220 Fifth Avenue at East 103rd. The traveling Smithsonian exhibit traces the evolution of the Apollo-from its origins as a segregated burlesque hall to its starring role at the epicenter of African-American entertainment and American popular culture.

To learn more about the exhibit, click here.

UPDATE: Levain Bakery says February 22 is opening day for Harlem store

Feb 6, 2011 @ 11:53
By HarlemGal
Not too long after my blog post talking about when Levain Bakery was opening up for business in Harlem,  Levain went on record on their Facebook page and Harlem store door officially, there is a sign up, stating when they are opening up their Harlem store. The day is Tuesday, February 22.

So there we have it! We now have confirmation straight from the source on when Levain Bakery is opening up their Harlem store! Get your taste buds ready, Harlemites! Most people I chatted with about Levain, say their treats are very good!

UPDATE: Lido in Harlem misses signage date, next goal to open before Valentine’s Day

Feb 4, 2011 @ 7:30

By HarlemGal
As I approach my third year of blogging about Harlem, I am starting to learn new restaurants opening in Harlem approach deadlines similar to how I do: I will aim for a certain date and it will get done a few days after. It happens, right? As with the case with Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar, located at 2168 Frederick Douglass Blvd., who hung up a big sign recently saying “Opening February 1.” Obviously that date passed, however the objective is the same for Lido in Harlem and that is to open for business soon.

I spoke with Susannah, a Harlem resident and proprietor of Lido, and she said they are now aiming to open before Valentine’s Day where Harlemites will be able to order from a delectable, Italian menu! I was also had the opportunity to walk inside Lido (sorry no pics) and the place is coming together. It’s going to look great! The color scheme is based on light greens with white molding in select areas. The bar appeared to be concrete-like, not wooded, larger than before, and its on the left side when you walk in. Brushed silver light fixtures will illuminate the restaurant. Their website is up with limited information.

And of course, I had to ask Susannah why they named the restaurant Lido. She told me it’s named after Venice Lido in Italy, “a skinny island between the lagoon and the Adriatic, with hotels and beaches.”

So stay tuned for more info, such as who will be the chef and what will be the price point of the menu!

Have a great weekend!