Category Archives: restaurant row

5 & Diamond in Harlem launches supper club and cooking class

Jun 6, 2010 @ 18:03
By HarlemGal
Ever wondered about how to learn to butcher, prep, cook and serve lamb? Well, now is your chance to pick up that skill right here in Harlem at 5 & Diamond located at 2072 Frederick Douglass Blvd.
Starting Monday, June 7, Five & Diamond is launching its first bi-weekly supper club/cooking class. For $55 bucks a person, you can learn all the attributes of lamb! And the interesting part of this course aside from learning about the lamb,  is you’ll get to learn from bad boy chef Ryan Skeen. Hmm…could be fun and interesting! Let’s just hope the cooking class is much better than his hand/keg stand shown below.

Five & Diamond flier

Photo by Joannie

UPDATE: Bier International in Harlem aims to open soon

Jun 2, 2010 @ 12:24

By HarlemGal

We reached out  yesterday to the folks at Bier International, which will be located at 2099 Frederick Douglass Blvd., to see what’s up with the planning around Harlem’s first beer garden. Here is what they told us:

“Thanks for your support. After some delays, we anticipate opening in about three weeks.”

Yes! That means Bier International in Harlem will be open during the 2010 World Cup! Folks, get your beer drinking hats ready! We Harlemites will soon have another place to hang those hats, relax, and drink our brew!

Workers seen on site in Harlem at expected Bier International

Jun 1, 2010 @ 7:30

By HarlemGal

A month ago, we mentioned that 2099 Frederick Douglass Blvd is expected to be the home of Bier International, Harlem’s first beer garden; and that we didn’t think it would open at the end of May. The opening did not happen in May. However, we’re happy to report we have seen work activity on site recently. Over the Memorial Day weekend, we saw workers outside of the property and one side of the rolling steel doors up.

From the photos below, there is something happening inside the retail space. However, the real question is what type of deadline are these workers on? We asked when the beer garden in Harlem is scheduled to open, one replied “a month from now.”

What a complete bummer-if in fact that is the case! With the 2010 World Cup starting on June 11 and lasting for several weeks, that is prime beer drinking time. Maybe the worker on site meant to say “we’re opening in two weeks for the World Cup or midway through the World Cup.” We are keep our fingers crossed hoping that one of those scenarios is the case! If you have heard otherwise, chime in!

Top ten reasons on why Harlem is one of the best places to live in New York City

Apr 14, 2010 @ 7:19

By HarlemGal
This is a blog that writes about all things positive about Harlem. We tell our stories from “nuestros corazones.” Unfortunately, we don’t have data, grids or a fancy magazine to back up our stories. We only have words, life experiences and a love for all things Harlem. And what better time to use these descriptions and tools than right now-especially given the recent edition of New York Magazine.

To profess our reasons on why we believe Harlem is one of the best places to live in New York City, we created our own Top Ten List. Sorry Dave. We have to borrow a page right out of your playbook to make our point. Here we go….

Top Ten Reasons on why Harlem is one of the best places to live in New York City:

10. Harlem is almost 400 years old. And guest what?….we will still be around for another 400 years! Isn’t lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn suppose to sink under water?

9. Harlem is very green. We are near several three parks: Central Park North, Jackie Robinson Park, Morningside Park, Riverside Park, Riverbank State Park and Marcus Garvey Park. Harlem also has St. Nicholas Park, which a reader told us “is one of the most historical (along with Hamilton Grange, City College, Hamilton Heights and Striver’s Row near).” Shouldn’t we count Riverside Park too? Then that would be four parks we are near.

8. We are home to the highest institution of higher learning in the State of New York, Columbia University. Park Slope kids will be living in Harlem when they get older and head to Columbia.

7. We have many different neighborhoods and some of their names are sweet, like sugar, or romantic as Spanish.

6. We are one of the happiest according to a recent survey. To tell the truth, we are very happy in life. However, we are not happy with New York Magazine right now….

5. Because you can have a date with red, not Red Butler, but red as in red velvet cake at Lee Lee’s Baked Goods on 118th Street. Delicious!

4. We have famous songs about or that mention Harlem that are as diverse as its people. Harlem River Quiver is by Duke Ellington. Angel of Harlem is by U2. Spanish Harlem Incident is by Bob Dylan and Across 110th Street is by Bob Womack.

3. We have some serious wide sidewalks where there is plenty of elbow room for you and your baby stroller. Parts of the Village are like walking through a football field.

2. We have the famous Apollo Theater. Need we say more.

1. And the number reason on why Harlem is one of the best places to live in New York City, because This blog is going to go negative for once on its blog. We don’t believe or give a flying hoot about Nate Silver and his recent findings. Politics done right does not necessarily mean neighborhoods done right!

Nate, come up and visit us any time. We will show you all the great things Harlem has to offer!

Chocolat to be Harlem’s next restaurant on Frederick Douglass Blvd

Apr 7, 2010 @ 12:56

By HarlemGal
I would like to introduce you to the space that will house Chocolat Restaurant Lounge at 2217 Frederick Douglass Blvd. There has been all this speculation about this space pictured below, but speculate no more! I have spoken directly with the owner of Chocolat and he tells me this corner space will be his second restaurant on FDB, also known as 8th Avenue. I believe Chocolat was previously located on 5th Avenue and the first place was Moca Lounge, which was one of the early establishments to open on FDB way back in the day. It is safe to say Moca Lounge is the pioneer on FDB!!!

As for additional details, the owner shared that Chocolat will offer mixed cuisine and will open soon. Exact date to be announced later!

Now that the restaurant rumors are a little bit more clear. I guess this means Red Rooster will now open at….?

What a difference a day makes for Ryan Skeen’s 5 & Diamond in Harlem

Mar 17, 2010 @ 7:30

HarlemCondoLife

By HarlemGal
As that familiar saying goes, what a difference a day makes. I walked by 5 & Diamond, the latest addition to Harlem’s restaurant scene, Tuesday evening and the place looked completely different from Sunday night, which then looked a bit disheveled. The tables are now organized and set with glasses. The bar, or what looked like a bar, was being stocked and one of the investors was on site, i.e. Chef Ryan Skeen. He was there talking away on the phone in what appeared to be a telephone media interview. Clearly, they had some sort of PR push Tuesday cause there are several online articles about the place and the menu was released to NY Magazine.

HarlemCondoLife

I inquired again about opening day.  The folks on site said they would not be ready to open on Wednesday, hopefully Thursday or Friday (March 18 or 19th)  at best. Either way, we all have another option for dining to choose from in Harlem and you can pretty much count on HCL to visit the place soon!

2072 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York 10026
(Btwn 112th & 113th St)
T: (646) 684-4662

5 & Diamond is the new restaurant on Frederick Douglass Blvd in Harlem

Mar 16, 2010 @ 14:26
By HarlemGal
We now know the name of the restaurant space we have been following for months! It is called 5 & Diamond located at 2072 Frederick Douglass Blvd. The chef will be Ryan Skeen.

From the pics below, workers have been working overtime and told us they are suppose to open tomorrow night, Wednesday. Yikes! Ahh…it appears they have a lot to do from these pics. Stay tune for more info!!!!

UPDATE: New FDB restaurant in Harlem may open next week

Mar 10, 2010 @ 11:32
By HarlemGal

HarlemCondoLife

Not too long ago, HarlemCondoLife told you about a new restaurant developing on Frederick Douglass Blvd. between 112th and 113th Street. Apparently plans are still underway to open soon.  According to a HCL reader, they heard from a worker on site recently that the place is aiming to open up next week and the cuisine will be American. From the looks in this photo, they are definitely trying to hide the decor from street walkers. Maybe ’cause they are more than likely in place and ready for patrons?  I hope it’s true!

Crowds seen at Harlem’s Frizzante, Good food and design attracts

Jan 19, 2010 @ 10:00

HarlemCondoLife

By HarlemGal and Austin2Harlem
We enjoy dining out in Harlem and this past holiday weekend was no exception. For our Friday night outing, we decided to check out one of the newest food establishments in Harlem, Frizzante Italian Bistro & Bar, located on the corner of 117th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd. Like most Harlemites, we wondered when this place was going to open up. After our visit, we now feel the wait was worth it.

HarlemCondoLife

Let us start off by saying, Frizzante did not disappoint. We walked in around 9 PM and most tables were taken. Our first thought was “are we in Harlem?” Where did all these people come from? We didn’t recognize anyone in the place. It immediately felt like a downtown Italian bistro in Little Italy. The layout of the place is very well done with hanging lights, big wooden tables and a beautiful corner bar showcasing numerous wine bottles.

When we were seated, paper menus were provided with the words “CASH ONLY” on it. As we quickly scanned the menu, the price point diminished the cash only aspect because most items on the menu were below $10. BONUS! We were quite impressed. Now we were thinking, the next bonus will be if the food matches or surpasses its prices. And it did!

HarlemCondoLife

We started off with Antipasto misto: proscuitto, mortadella, soppressata and capocollo served on a nice round white place; and Cuori de carciofo alla Milanese: pan seared artichoke hearts. Both starters were simple, but very tasty. The artichokes were breaded and served with lemon wedges. We sprinkled a little bit of lemon juice on top and the item tasted like you were biting into a meaty artichoke. The cured meat was wonderful as well. We liked the proscuitto and the salami-like meat. Eating the meat with the garnished type red onion gave it a kick.

HarlemCondoLife

For our dinner plates, we had the Lasagne di carne, the meat lasagna, and the Scaloppine di vitello al limone, veal in a white wine and lemon sauce. Both dishes were absolutely delicious! What we were impressed the most by was the meat lasagna. It had no cheese, but it didn’t need it. It was scrumptous without it. The veal was lean and tender. You could cut it with your fork. This dish was served with roasted potatoes, but not that many. The meat was good, but they could have provided just a tad bit more potatoes. Between the two dishes we preferred the meat lasagna. However, you cannot go wrong with either one if you decide you’re in the mood for some veal.

As for dessert, we would have ordered some. After being open for only one day they were not ready to serve dessert or liquor. Frizzante does not have their liquor license yet. Not too worry, they allowed BYOB. We went to the little bodega on the corner of 116th and FDB for some brewski. However, we saw most patrons going to The WineryNectar or Harlem Vintage for a bottle of vino to go along with their dinner. Those establishments had to be happy that night and will be for a while until Frizzante gets their liquor license.

HarlemCondoLife

Overall, we had a wonderful time dining at Frizzante. We saw some discombulation, but it was minor and plus Frizzante has only been open for a few days now. Between the two of us our bill was a total of about $45, not including tip. We were extremely pleased with the food and with the fact that we did not have to venture downtown and pay a ton of money for a nice Italian meal.

Frizzante Italian Bistro & Bar
2168 Frederick Douglass Boulevard
New York, NY 10026-2001
(212) 866-0525

Harlem’s Frederick Douglass Blvd gaining another restaurant

Oct 26, 2009 @ 0:03

HarlemCondoLife

By HarlemGal
American cuisine will be offered in the space pictured above and the chef creating and serving up those meals will bring experience from Eleven Madison and Chanterelle, according to the co-owner of this new restaurant space. This new restaurant will be located on Frederick Douglass Blvd between 112th and 113th Street. The opening date and name of the place are not ready to be disclosed yet, however  the co-owner stressed “hopefully soon, very soon!” Of course, HarlemCondoLife will keep you posted on the details!

HarlemCondoLife

With this restaurant coming soon, along with the anticipated opening of the Italian restaurant on the corner of FDB and 117th Street and recent openings, such as Questan’s, these actions continue to support our predication: FDB, also known as 8th Avenue, is on its way to become Harlem’s restaurant row.

HarlemCondoLife