Category Archives: NYC

One of Harlem’s A-List couples graces the cover of Uptown Magazine

Apr 5, 2011 @ 11:06
By HarlemGal
It’s Spring time! That means it’s time for magazines to feature the most beautiful people on the planet on the cover. Uptown Magazine falls in line and starts off April right by pleasing the eye. In their annual Gourmet Issue, one of Harlem’s A-List couples graces the April cover. It is Red Rooster Harlem owner and celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson and his drop dead gorgeous wife and model Gate Maya Haile.

For the Gourmet edition, the Samuelsson’s gave Uptown Mag incredible access. The Harlem couple allowed the magazine to photograph them all over Red Rooster. Take a look at the behind the scenes coverage. The pictures and video are incredible. If you can get past that part, feel free to click on over here to read what’s inside Uptown Magazine’s Gourmet Issue!

Harlem’s Marcus Garvey Park and Hamilton Heights make New York Mag’s Next Big Neighborhood List

Apr 5, 2011 @ 7:00

By HarlemGal
It is that time of year where New York Magazine profiles some of the upcoming neighborhoods for 2011. In this week’s edition (April 3), they list 20 of The Next Big Neighborhoods in New York City and two Harlem sections made the list!

A big congrats to Marcus Garvey Park.  This area located in Central Harlem was ranked fourth out of 20. NYMag says Marcus Garvey Park “is undergoing a several million dollar renovation, including smoothed-out sidewalks and the transformation of its existing bandshell into a state-of-the-art amphitheater.” In addition to park renovations, several buildings have sprung up, such as 5th on the Park, located at Fifth Avenue and 120th Street; and “the recently constructed Windows on 123, a pair of buildings graced with limestone-balconied apartments and full-floor lofts.”

Hamilton Heights located in West Harlem, finishes out the list placing 20th on the list.

Another notable mention, is Manhattan Valley, which is right below Harlem on the Westside. They were ranked second out of 20.

See The Faces Behind Madame Alexander Dolls in Spanish Harlem

Apr 4, 2011 @ 7:00
By HarlemGal
This week the 12th Annual Havana Film Festival New York kicks off in the City and runs from April 7-15. This year they have carved out a new prize called the Havana Prize for Best Documentary. Seven films are in competition and one of the seven is The Faces Behind Madame Alexander Dolls, a documentary that pays tribute to the Dominican and Latin American workers who have worked in the famous doll factory, located in Harlem at 615 West 131st Street, dedicating their lives to creating beautiful dolls that have delighted children and adults around the world since the early 1920s. These dolls have been collected by queens, business women, actresses, and world leaders.

The Faces Behind Madame Alexander Dolls is screening this Wednesday, April 6 at El Museo del Barrio in Spanish Harlem. The event is FREE, starts at 6:30 PM and includes a post-show Q&A with director Freddy Vargas and cast members.

Details:
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
El Teatro, El Museo del Barrio
1230 Fifth Avenue (At East 104th Street)
Admission: Free

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!