Category Archives: restaurants

Harlem loses one of its celebrities for now, The View’s Sherri Shepherd moves across the Hudson

Posted on March 16, 2013 | Leave a comment

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A HarlemGal reader recently left a comment saying Sherri Shepherd, comedienne, actress, and television personality of ABC’s The View, is not residing in Harlem anymore. My reaction was WHAT! I just saw her online mentioning she’s hanging at the Corner Social in Harlem. So I followed up with the lovely and funny Mrs. Shepherd-Sally to see what’s up.

Shepherd confirmed via direct message on Twitter that she and her family (Lamar and Jeffrey) moved to New Jersey three months ago. But before I explain why Shepherd had to move plan-d-book-mockup400from Harlem, let me quickly point out that Shepherd unequivocally stated that she and her husband Lamar love Harlem and find it to be “a great community and plan to return in a couple of years.” They had an unexpected situation arise and had to react.

I believe Sherri Shepherd and her family will return in the near future to live full-time in Harlem. Why? As an influential celebrity, she could have easily avoided my request.  Shepherd responded in a timely manner and took the time to explain what happened. She was crystal clear in her communication. In my view, this is an example of a Harlemite who deeply cares about the community she lived in and still loves by personally taking the time to communicate what happened. Why even bother explaining to a Harlem blogger? But Sherri did.

As to what happened that caused Sherri, her son and her husband to depart Harlem, it’s a typical New York situation. Shepherd had been renting a beautiful Sherri_Shepherd_Lamar_Sally_s_Wedding_Pics_Harlem brownstone for almost three years. Her landlord gave notice that they planned to move back into the property and gave Shepherd 30 days notice. Shepherd and her husband looked at other places in Harlem because they wanted to stay, but given the time constraints they did not find a place they wanted within their budget so they moved to New Jersey for the time being. That’s it folks! That’s what happened and it happens to most New Yorker’s at one time or another.

Shepherd maybe living in NJ for now, but she has been taking the time to return to Harlem weekly. She visits the Corner Social on Lenox Avenue and 126th Street once a week and she visits Elsie’s Caribbean Cafe twice a month. Her heart is still in Harlem.

Let’s wish Sherri Shepherd and her family all the best with this change and pray for a speedy return back to Harlem. Amen!

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Posted in 125th Street, art and culture, celebrities, Corner Social, entertainment, Harlem, Harlem blogs, Harlem real estate,, Lenox Avenue, Lenox Social, New York, New York City, NYC, real estate, restaurants

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Attend Guiltless Gourmet for a Healthy Harlem, an event to help stop hunger

Posted on March 15, 2013 | Leave a comment

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According to a news release by Beth-Hark Christian Counseling Center (BHCCC), there is an estimated 1.4 million New York City residents who are food insecure and rely on the city’s network of emergency food organizations. BHCCC hopes to VanKline223raise $20,000 through their second annual Guiltless Gourmet for a Healthy Harlem Celebrity Food Tasting and Silent Auction. Funds raised will help the organization keep pace with an increasing demand for emergency food services driven by food insecurity. Guiltless Gourmet for A Healthy Harlem takes place Friday, March 22 at Harlem’s Gran Piatto d’Oro on Fifth Avenue and brings together the celebrity chef triumvirate of Melba’s Melba Wilson (Food Networks’ former Fat Chef), Kimberly Van Kline of Passion for Palate Catering and Ronaldo Calle of Gran Piatto d’Oro.

Guiltless Gourmet for a Healthy Harlem will open with a VIP Reception/Chef Rolando2_smallerMeet and Greet followed by Food Tasting and Silent Auction. Guests will sample a range of celebrity chef gourmet delights from appetizers to main dishes and bid on auction items from jewelry to vacations with starting bids as low as $50. Two-tiered priced Guiltless Gourmet tickets are $65.00 for Food Tasting and Auction. The $75.00 tickets include admission to the Guiltless Gourmet VIP event. Tickets can be purchased at God’s Answer Bookstore and BHCCC offices co-located at Bethel Gospel Assembly, Inc. BHCCC is the social services arm of Bethel Gospel Assembly, Inc. For more information visit www.bethharkccc.org.

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Posted in celebrities, Community, education, Events, food, Harlem, Harlem blogs, Harlem Restaurant Row, Melba's Restaurant Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurant row, restaurants

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1Forno Pizzeria in Harlem joins the red awning club

Posted on March 11, 2013 | Leave a comment

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Most of the Harlem businesses love the color red when it comes to their outdoor awnings with signage, such as Red Rooster Harlem, Harlem Food Bar, Cedric French Bistro, etc. 1Forno Pizzeria at 135 West 116th Street near Lenox Avenue decided to do the same and has installed a big bright red awning with their logo, phone number and address. I walked by the pizza place yesterday (March 10) and noticed the signage. I also noticed in the new awning the Harlem pizza place goes by the name 1Forno Pizzeria, instead of Il Forno.

If you haven’t tried a pie or a slice of pizza from 1Forno on 116th Street, give it a try. I order from them all the time and love that one can create their own toppings from a varied list of toppings! 1Forno also gets good reviews on Yelp. See contact details below.

1Forno Pizza Harlem​
135 w 116th St
New York, NY 10026
212- 222- 3030

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Posted in 116th Street, 1Forno Pizzeria Harlem, business, Cedric French Bistro and Bar Harlem, food, Harlem, Harlem blogs, Harlem Food Bar, Harlem Restaurant Row, Il Forno Pizza and Salad Harlem, Red Rooster Harlem, restaurant row, restaurants

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Harlem locals invest in where they live, The Grange Bar & Eatery coming to Harlem’s Hamilton Heights

Posted on March 11, 2013 | Leave a comment

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I love it when readers write in to tell us another set of Harlem locals are opening up a business right where they live, such as Harlem Tavern, Yatenga and more. Rita Royer-Henley and Roy Henley have been living in Harlem’s Hamilton Heights area for more than eight years and they’re the couple behind The Grange Bar & Eatery, which will be a farmer’s kitchen bistro and bar located right in the heart of West Harlem, Hamilton Heights– at 1635 Amsterdam Ave (Corner of 141st st) to be exact. Opening date is set for mid-April-May 2013

Guests of The Grange Bar & Eatery will be able to enjoy comfort food made in a 2350 sq ft, 75 seat setting with local produce and organic seasonal ingredients when possible, according to the Henley’s. The bar plans to provide “a mixology-driven selection of balanced cocktails.” “We want to go beyond the traditional cocktail and move away from those overly sweet and overpowering drinks. To do so, we will be incorporating in-house naturally pressed juices, herbs and bitters,” says the Henley’s. “We want to feature and support spirits from local small and artisan distilleries from all across the country.”

As for beer and wine, The Grange Bar & Eatery plans on using a 16-Draft Beer system, which is 80 percent craft beers and 20 percent traditional beers; seasonal beers included. The wine will be a balanced selection of international as well as local wines. Overall, guests should plan on “picturing themselves in a farmer’s country kitchen,” says the Henley’s. Oh, and The Grange Bar & Eatery plans on having outdoor seating, subject to City approval.

Out of all the many places in Harlem to open a business, I asked the Henley’s why Hamilton Heights? “We have been living in Hamilton Heights for a combined 8 years and have witnessed how much this beautiful section of Harlem has changed and grown especially in the last 5 years. We soon discovered out of our own need to have more places to go to that were within walking distance. We believe so much in this [part of Harlem]. “We are thrilled to make this happen and setting the standard for this portion of Amsterdam Ave that has so much potential in becoming the next restaurant row in Harlem.”

Congrats to the Henley’s on the opening of The Grange Bar & Eatery in Harlem’s Hamilton Heights. To learn more about the upcoming establishment, go to their Facebook page.

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Posted in Bars, business, Community, drinks, food, Harlem, Harlem blogs, Harlem Restaurant Row, Harlem Tavern, restaurant row, restaurants

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Wanna work at Harlem Shake? Yes, the real Harlem Shake

Posted on March 8, 2013 | 1 comment

Interested in working at the real Harlem Shake in Harlem on 124th and Lenox? Here’s the lowdown. Harlem Shake will be doing their hiring through a NY Job Bank. It’s part of a NY state program. Prospective employees may contact Ms. Jai Popat at jpopat@grantassociatesinc.com for more information on job listings and details on sending job applications, starting on or around March 21st, which is coming up soon!

So there you have it. If you wanna work at Harlem Shake, you have the scoop! Good luck to those applying!

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Posted in 125th Street, business, Community, food, Harlem, Harlem blogs, Harlem Shake, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurants

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Harlem’s Seasoned Vegan aiming to open by April, menu available online

Posted on March 5, 2013 | 2 comments

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Did anyone notice that Seasoned Vegan in Harlem did not open in February? They were hoping to open Feb. 23, but couldn’t cause they’re still waiting on a few more permits to be cleared. Not surprised. This kind of stuff happens all the time with new restaurants. From what I hear Seasoned Vegan, which will be on the corner of St. Nicholas Ave and West 113th Street (55 St Nicholas Avenue), plans to open by April. That’s not that far away!

In the mean time, Seasoned Vegan does have their website up and running. Check it out. They have their menu on display as well so that when they do open, we will be ready and will know what to order.

Don’t know about you, but I am looking forward to the opening of Seasoned Vegan in Harlem! Stay tuned!
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Posted in business, Community, drinks, food, Harlem, Harlem blogs, restaurants, Seasoned Vegan Harlem, St. Nicholas Avenue

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Support Changing Face of Harlem, film in final stretch of completion

Posted on March 3, 2013 | 2 comments

changingfaceofharlem
Changing Face of Harlem, a documentary about Harlem’s ongoing transformation told from the voices of longtime residents, business owners, politicians, developers, and clergy, is in the home stretch to complete the film. This month they have launched an Indiegogo campaign to raise $30,000 to meet final post-production costs. Post-production costs cover final sound mixing, edit, color correction, and costs of archival footage, graphics and music.

To help Changing Face of Harlem meet their goal, go here to donate. The campaign runs for the month of March.

Read prior posts here on Changing Face of Harlem.

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Posted in 110th Street, 116th Street, 125th Street, Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., art and culture, business, Community, education, film, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, Harlem blogs, Harlem Restaurant Row, history, Lenox Avenue, Marcus Garvey Park, Mt. Morris Park, New York, New York City, NYC, politics, real estate, restaurants, Studio Museum Harlem

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Tweet of the Week: Have you dined at Harvist Harlem?

Posted on February 28, 2013 | 2 comments

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In this weeks Tweet of the Week, I’m singling out followers @leagoldman, @nikkimmascali and @iamjcrack who recently asked: have you dined at Harvist Harlem? If so, how was it?

Answer: yes, I have dined at Harvist Harlem located inside My Image Studios Harlem (MIST Harlem) on West 116th Street between Fifth Avenue and Lenox Avenue.

I shared the Grilled Cheese with Gruyère on sourdough bread. This item was extremely tasty and very heavy. I recommend it! I tried the Kale Salad with endive and pears. This salad is extremely healthy. I ordered the Kale Salad because I knew was I was going to have the Berebere Rubbed Filet Mignon as my main dish, which was delicious! The Filet Mignon was juicy, tender and seasoned to perfection! I ended my meal with the Red Velvet Soufflé! It was fancy! I liked it, but I’m more of a cheesecake kind of gal, so I’ll probably try the apple crisp the next time I return to Harvist Harlem.

As for price point, small plates range from $10 to $14 and large plates start at $18 and up to $25.

And an interesting feature about Harvist Harlem is that it is extremely spacious. When dining there it won’t feel crowded or small. Plus it’s easy to get to by taking the 2/3 subway to 116th Street. Check it out and enjoy!

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Posted in 116th Street, Bars, business, drinks, food, Harlem, restaurants

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Is Indian cuisine coming to Harlem’s restaurant row?

Posted on February 26, 2013 | 1 comment

Frederick Douglass Blvd., aka Harlem’s restaurant row, will soon have a Turkish restaurant through Savann. 2280 FDB will be the address. Then FDB will soon have a dining place that will offer Israeli food at Silvana on 116th Street. Now comes word that Harlem’s restaurant row will be getting a restaurant that serves Indian cuisine at the corner of 114th Street and FDB. Remember where Questan’s was located? That’s were a new restaurant is opening that will serve Indian cuisine. Two reliable sources have come forward to HarlemGal Inc. Plus workers were seen on site tonight and all the permits on the doors outline work is being done for a restaurant. Yippee! I love Indian food! Stay tune…

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Posted in business, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurant row, restaurants

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Yatenga owners confirm opening of another restaurant in Harlem, Silvana to serve Israeli food

Posted on February 25, 2013 | Leave a comment

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The owners of Yatenga French Bistro at 2269 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd and Shrine Bar located next door will be expanding their presence in Harlem. Sivan Baron Ouedraogo tells HarlemGal Inc that they will be opening a new restaurant in Harlem at 300 West 116th Street, right across the street from Harlem Tavern. The new dining establishment will be called Silvana and hopes to open this April.

The first floor of Silvana will be a cafe and boutique. Silvana will sell local, domestic and international home decor, accessories gifts and more. Wine and beer will be served as well. The restaurant and bar will actually be located in the lower level and will have acoustic live music. Silvana will serve Israeli food, such as shawarma, falafel and other vegetarian dishes.

If Silvana food and service will be anything like Yatenga French Bistro, this place will be good and a nice diverse addition to Harlem’s restaurant row.

To read my review on Yatenga, click here.

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Posted in 116th Street, Bars, business, Community, drinks, entertainment, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, Harlem Tavern, restaurant row, restaurants

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