Category Archives: Red Rooster Harlem

Harlem attracts cool crowds of NYC downtown says Guest of a Guest



Guest of a Guest, the website co-founded by one of the Winklevoss twins whose been battling Mark Zuckerberg for what seems like ages now, has a feature on Harlem this week. It is quite complimentary, however, it doesn’t say anything new that we Harlemites know already. The article names a list of places to check out and most of them mentioned I agree are great places to visit. However, a true Harlem native writing about Harlem would have dug a bit deeper.

For example, Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar gives Red Rooster a run for its money, not only in food, but in ambiance as well. The same goes for Cedric French Bistro and Bar in Harlem! What about mentioning a place in East Harlem? Milk Burger has been endorsed by Anthony Bourdain and his lovely Mrs! Also, when you visit Shrine one can’t miss Yatenga, which is a fun place to hang.

Again, as most of us Harlemites know, there are a ton of cool places to hang in Harlem. Guest of a Guest apparently is just coming around (a bit late) and finding out, but hey, let’s welcome it!

To read the full article, click here.

Select Harlem business owners to run in 2011 ING/New York City Marathon

20111102-221108.jpg

A reader and wonderful Harlemite has informed HarlemGal Inc. that two or potentially three local Harlem business owners will run in this years ING/New York City Marathon. They are Mekia Denby, co-owner of Kidberry and Ousmane, co-owner of bier international.

If you plan on watching the marathon in Harlem, specifically along Fifth Avenue, look out for these two Harlem business owners so that you can cheer them on along with the rest of the runners. They will definitely need our support as they reach this point of the marathon in Harlem. If you want to track these Harlem runners on marathon day or any other runners for that fact, go to the ING Marathon website and look for TrackMyRunners via web!

The third person we heard might be running in the marathon is Derek, co-owner of Red Rooster Harlem. However, we heard he might not run due to an injury!

If you know of any other Harlem business owners that are running in this years marathon, please let us know so that we can give them a shout out and wish them the best!

For now, let’s wish Mekia and Ousmane, Harlem business owners, all the best as they go for that medal and finish line in the ING/New York City Marathon!

20111102-221120.jpg

Harlem Restaurant and Retail Month continues, don’t miss it!

Harlem Restaurant and Retail Month is happening right now and there is still plenty of time to get out there and enjoy the benefits.  The month-long event which takes place twice a year in the Spring and Fall, showcases Harlem’s premiere restaurants all located in area of Central Harlem, from Morningside to Marcus Garvey Parks and 110th to 125th streets.  During this month, diners can enjoy a prix fixe meal at any of the participating restaurants for $20.11; and shoppers can purchase select items at retail stores for $20.11.  The promotion runs to October 31.   

The restaurants that are participating include: 5 and Diamond Restaurant, 67 Orange Street, Chocolat Restaurant Lounge, The Harlem Tavern, Lido Harlem, Moca Lounge, Native Restaurant, Nectar Wine bar, Red Rooster Harlem, Ristorante Settepani.

And for retail, the following places are participating: Bikram Yoga East Harlem, Brownstone Fitness, EG Bodywork, Franz James Floral Boutique, Harlem Flo Floral Atelier, Harlem Flo Lifestyle Boutique, Harlem Skin Clinic, Harlem Vintage Wine Store, Karrot Health Food Store, Katrina Parris Flowers, Land Yoga.

Casting Call: Food Network Star and Chef Bobby Flay is looking for Food Entrepreneurs

Listen up Harlem! This is a casting call blog post! And it is about an exciting opportunity. Bobby Flay’s Rock Shrimp Productions is  currently developing a new show for the Food Network.  The title of the show is still unnamed. However, it is going to center around Food Entrepreneurs.

Rock Shrimp Productions defines Food Entrepreneurs as individuals who left their day job and are currently in the process of opening a food store or restaurant before mid December with…no culinary experience and are taking a risk to pursue their passion of launching their own food business.  These individuals must be planning to open a brick-and-mortar space (restaurant or singular food ideas welcome) before the end of 2011.

In addition,  the Food Entrepreneurs should preferably in, but not limited to, the greater New York City area (NY, NJ, CT). Those chosen will receive culinary business coaching from a major celebrity chef and restaurateur, as well as nationwide publicity.

So if you are a Food Entrepreneur and want to rub elbows with Bobby Flay, the celebrity chef who did a Throw Down with Melba’s Restaurant in Harlem, contact Heather Briggs at hrb@embassyrow.com or learn more about the project on Facebook.

Harlem In the News: Dining Establishments and Real Estate receive high praise


Recently, the Village of Harlem received high praise mainly on two fronts, real estate and dining establishments.

In the eating out area, both DNA Info and The New York Daily News raved about how there are several great places to dine uptown and some of those dining establishments have received positive reviews in Zagats.

In the NY Daily News, they mentioned Red Rooster and Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar in one sentence, specifically stating that Zagats says these dining establishments are “the new stars to watch.” The article also mentions “Covo Trattoria & Pizzeria, where happy hours go until midnight, most dishes are less than $15, and the outdoor dining is a Zagat top pick.”

In a separate article, The New York Daily News raved about how Levain Bakery has the best chocolate chip cookies in the City. No surprise there. Their hot and cold coffee is not bad either. Try it.

DNA Info spoke to our favorite Harlem Gal and the women behind Eat In Harlem, Sakita Holley, about how Harlem now has several restaurants “to suit any mood.” Holley endorsed several eating out places starting from East Harlem all the way West. Milk Burger, 67 Orange, Hudson River Cafe and more received a thumbs up from Holley.

Of course, what’s driving all these great new and interesting restaurants in Harlem is real estate or is it the other way around? The Wall Street Journal reported recently that “the number of Harlem apartment sales rose to the highest level since September 2008, according to analysis of city records. But they were only slightly above sales reported in the same quarter in 2010.” The article goes on to say that Harlem is not only performing well in the real estate area, it’s even attracting buyers who are from the second largest economy in the world-China!

Check out all the articles in their entirety below! And that’s Harlem In the News!
Harlem Restaurants to Suit Any Mood
Harlem’s Culinary Treasures
Best of New York
Harlem Attracts Post-Slump Buyers

Uptowners and downtowners turn out in Harlem to support the Horn of Africa




Marcus Samuelsson and is wife Maya opened their home in Harlem this past weekend to guests familiar and unknown-all to help the Horn of Africa. The turn out for the event was packed! And the hosts were as gracious and hospitable as…Harlemites would be. See for yourself in HarlemGal’s latest photo stream!

See the play SEED and in turn receive special discounts at select Harlem establishments


Harlem Park to Park  has partnered with The Classical Theater of Harlem and Hip Hop Theater Festival to give locals a wonderful night out uptown. Purchase a ticket to SEED, a play by Radha Blank and bring your receipt or ticket stub from SEED to participating Harlem Park to Park restaurants listed in the picture for brunch or dinner (or select retailers for services) and receive special discounts and free offers starting today, September 16 through October 9.To purchase tickets for SEED, visit www.seedtheplay.com.

Harlem business owners helping to feed others here and abroad


There are three Harlem business owners that are actively trying to make a difference by helping to feed others here and in Africa. And they are inviting us to come along and help with their efforts.

Land Yoga and Soham Wellness have partnered together to raise $5,000 for the Food Bank of New York City by the end of September. The Food Bank had a 50 percent cut in their budget and they need our help. To donate to the Food Bank, click here.

Marcus Samuelsson, along with his wife Maya and several other notable organizations, have organized “Brunch for the Horn of Africa” on September 18th at Marcus and Maya’s apartment in Harlem. From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for $50 bucks, the Samuelsson’s will be serving traditional American brunch items as well as a few Ethiopian dishes for “Brunch for the Horn of Africa.” Go to this link to make your reservation. Once you RSVP, you will be sent a confirmation email with all the specific details.

In addition to the suggested $50 per person donation, a raffle of various items will take place throughout the event, offering guests a chance to contribute further and win some fun prizes from Marcus’ celebrity pals. “Brunch for the Horn of Africa” will help feed the famine victims in East Africa.

Bono and wife Ali Hewson visit Red Rooster Harlem

Bono didn’t come to Harlem to sing Angel of Harlem. He came for fashion and to visit the hottest restaurant in the City, Red Rooster. Bono and his wife Ali Hewson celebrated her Edun’s spring women’s show and the launch of a men’s marketing campaign with a dinner at Harlem’s Red Rooster restaurant this past Sunday. Women’s Wear Daily has the photo and the scoop of the power couple in Harlem. Click here to read about their involvement in fashion.

20110913-090725.jpg

Red Rooster Harlem tops Eater.com’s Heat Map

Eater.com just updated their Heat Map today, which basically asks: where should I eat right now? The answer: Red Rooster in Harlem. It is listed as the number #1 spot where hipster foodies are flocking to at the moment. Red Rooster Harlem has been on the Heat Map for sometime, however I don’t recall it being in the top spot. If you look at the entire list, it’s the only uptown establishment listed. Nice!

Red Rooster Harlem is definitely a hot and top spot. We all know who live in Harlem. Eater.com, tell us something we don’t know!

20110906-025256.jpg