Category Archives: restaurants

Mark your calendar: Second Harlem Pop Up event happening December 15

Posted on December 7, 2012 | 1 comment

On popular demand, Harlem’s Frederick Douglass Boulevard Alliance Association is back with another local event. This time its focused on the Holidays and its indoors. If you recall, a few weeks ago FBDA successfully executed the first Harlem Pop Up Greenmarket. It was a hit! Now their second event is going to take place from 12pm – 6pm on Saturday, December 15th at 2280 Frederick Douglass Blvd between 122nd and 123rd in the large vacant commercial space. There will be several local restaurants serving food, such as Lido Harlem, Harlem Tavern, 5 and Diamond Harlem, Zoma, Chocolat, along with local businesses like Land Yoga and Harlem Skin Clinic. See all the details below. See you at the next Harlem Pop-Up!
PopUpMarket

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Posted in 5 and Diamond Harlem, business, Community, Events, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Free!, Harlem, Harlem Tavern, Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar, restaurants, shopping, spending, Zoma Ethiopian Restaurant

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It’s goodbye for Harlem’s Lenox Lounge, may it RIP

Posted on December 4, 2012 | 5 comments

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The days are numbered for Harlem’s famous Lenox Lounge. Grub Street.com double confirms today what Black Enterprise reported yesterday, which was the commercial space will now be rented out to Richie Notar. Also, the NYMag blog reports Robert De Niro is involved. See story below.

That’s it for Lenox Lounge in Harlem. It’s done. Over. Finished. Go there by December 31st to say your goodbyes. That’s the last day Lenox Lounge will be open! May it rest in peace.

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Posted in 125th Street, Bars, business, food, Harlem, jazz, Lenox Lounge, restaurants

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My Image Studios Harlem officially opens November 28, view upcoming events

Posted on November 26, 2012 | Leave a comment


The New York Times reports today (Nov 26) that MIST Harlem, aka My Image Studios, located at 40 West 116th Street will open Wednesday, November 28. MIST Harlem is the “20,000 sq. ft. cultural entertainment center that features a 130-seat restaurant (Harvist) and three performance spaces presenting the best in film, live music, spoken word, comedy and more-performed by top established and emerging black & Latino artists from around the world.” Here’s an immediate list of upcoming events , which starts tomorrow, November 27. Take a look .

11/27 Middle of Nowhere Film Event
Special private screening and Q & A for the NY Women in Film and Television of Sundance Award winning director Ava DuVernay film, Middle of Nowhere.

11/28 Otelo Film Premiere
Otelo Burning directed by Sara Blecher, an award-winning documentary director and producer. Somewhere between City of God and Blue Crush, the film tells the story of a group of township kids who discover the joy of surfing. Filmed in Zulu with English subtitles, the film also includes music from South African Hip Hop artist Reason.
http://www.charged.fm/userevent/item/637/otelo-burning-premiere-event-at-mist-harlem

11/29 Elza Film Premiere
Elza, by Mariette Monpierre, is the first narrative feature film by a female filmmaker from Guadeloupe, the West Indies. It tells the universal story of a family in turmoil. Filmed in French with English subtitles, the film also includes music from French neo-folk-soul artistStévy Mahy.
http://www.charged.fm/userevent/item/642/elza-film-premiere–november-29-at-mist-harlem

12/3 Vaughn Harper Toy Drive and Benefit Concert
Celebrity toy drive and jazz concert fundraiser for Harlem Downing, a foster care agency. It is set for Monday, December 3. It is being organized by WBLS 107.5 radio personality Vaughn Harper.

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Posted in 116th Street, art and culture, business, education, Events, film, food, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurants

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Looking for a new Harlem restaurant recommendation? Try Maison Harlem

Posted on November 12, 2012 | 3 comments

If you’re looking for a new dining option in Harlem, here is a recommendation! Try Maison Harlem, located on the northwest corner of 127th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue. The French bistro opened in Harlem three weeks ago and it already has received a shot out in The New York Times.

We went by Maison Harlem this past weekend for dinner and was pleasantly surprised by the place. First, Maison Harlem is very easy to get to. Take the AC BD Subway line to 125th. Get out of the 127th Street exit and you’re right there. Second, the decor of the place is very lovely. The place is filled with dark wood every where and has lots of windows that look out making it spacious. It appears it can seat up to 75 people or more. And last, the ambiance was incredible for only being open three weeks. Maison Harlem was packed with a diverse group of patrons and we went early to dine, say 7ish. I couldn’t believe how many people were there dining and drinking at the bar.

As for the food, it was delicious, but be prepared to eat meat. If that’s not your thing, you may want to hang out at the bar for drinks. The dishes I devoured were very rich and creamy, but that’s what you get with French cuisine. I had the Frisee Salad with crispy bacon and a poached egg. If you like fancy bacon, this is the place for you. The Frisee Salad had big cubed pieces of bacon on it making the dish slightly salty and tasty. For an entrée, I tried the Tagliatelle Carbonara. This dish has a creamy sauce, more bacon, and a raw egg left in a half shell. The pasta dish was fun and different to eat because you had to take the raw egg out of its shell, whisk it up and mix in the pasta. And for desert, I had the Pina Colada Parfait. This was a light tasting desert and much-needed after I O.D. on fancy bacon. The service was fair, but a tad off. I chalk this up to the place being brand new and the staff working on their groove. I am confident the service will improve.

Overall, I am definitely going back to Maison Harlem. This place is going to have the same people watching/ambiance crowd that Red Rooster Harlem and Corner Social have. Maison Harlem is positioned to offer up a good time and a delicious meal. It has location, good food and ambiance. Can’t ask for more than that. Check it out soon!

Maison Harlem
341 St. Nicholas Avenue (127th Street)
212-222-9224/212-222-9220

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Posted in Bars, Cafe, drinks, food, Harlem, Maison Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurants, spending

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Savann Turkish Restaurant coming to Harlem, joining restaurant row

Posted on November 9, 2012 | Leave a comment

The restaurant scene on Harlem’s restaurant row is about to get more diverse. A very reliable source and long time reader passed along some juicy info! Apparently, the sponsor of 2280 Frederick Douglass Condominium, you know the place that was rumored to be in discussion with Busboys and Poets, but passed on sealing the deal with the DC-based chain, has recently signed a lease with the owners of Savann, a turkish restaurant that use to be located on the upper west side. This new Harlem restaurant will keep the same name and the menu will be similar, according to a source on the restaurant side familiar with the lease. Savann will rent part, not all, of the retail/commercial space that is near Harlem Flo.

If you are not unfamiliar with the former Savann, read here for more info.

And stay tune, Savann Turkish Restaurant plans to open in late 2013!

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Posted in Bars, business, Community, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, restaurant row, restaurants

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Harlem’s Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar to host ‘Gay-borhood Mixer’ November 12

Posted on November 8, 2012 | 4 comments

Harlem is a very diverse community that is inclusive of all people. Lido Harlem, located on the southeast corner of 117th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd., enjoys and succeeds at serving up fine dishes  to all walks of life.  They recognize-and I agree with them-there appears to be a growing presence of the gay community in South Harlem. To cater to this particular demographic, they are hosting their first Harlem LGBT Community Mixer on November 12 from 9 pm to 11 pm with an extended happy hour that will feature drink specials!

I raise my glass to Lido Harlem for organizing this mixer.  We all know they are not the first to cater to the gay community in Harlem. Billies Black, Natives Restaurant and more have always catered and welcomed the LGBT Community of Harlem long before most of us moved here. However,  for Lido Harlem to do this, I say why not and go for it!

Gay-Borhood Mixer
November 12, 2012  |  9pm-11pm
Lido Harlem
2168 Frederick Douglass Blvd @ 117th
646.490.8575

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Posted in 116th Street, Bars, business, Community, Events, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar, restaurant row, restaurants

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A look back in photos at this year’s East Harlem Harvest Festival

Posted on November 1, 2012 | Leave a comment
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On October 27, the business community of East Harlem organized their first Harlem Harvest Festival. I attended and had a fabulous time from drinking SugarHill Beer for FREE (Yum), to watching to 212Green perform and walking up and down La Marqueta trying out the different food treats. It was a wonderful time at the East Harlem Harvest Festival and glad to hear the organizers plan on doing this a couple of times a year! Given that, I definitely plan to head back!

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Posted in 116th Street, art and culture, business, Community, entertainment, Events, food, Free!, Harlem, kids, music, restaurants, shopping, spending

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Seasoned Vegan signs lease at 55 St. Nicholas Avenue in Harlem, aims to open January 2013

Posted on October 31, 2012 | 4 comments


The owners of Seasoned Vegan recently notified their KickStarter backers via email that “after much hard work, preparation and long anticipation” they have signed a lease for restaurant space at 55 St. Nicholas Avenue, right at the corner of 113th Street. The note states they “used the money from KickStarter for the down payment… and that they plan to open at their new location in Harlem in January 2013.”

Congrats to Brenda and Aaron. As always, looking forward to another dining option in Harlem.

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Posted in business, food, Harlem, restaurants

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What’s open today in Harlem during Sandy?

Posted on October 29, 2012 | 11 comments

Most of us are home today in Harlem bracing for the arrival of Sandy. Some Harlem business have posted notices on Facebook or Twitter saying they are open today.

So far the businesses who have said they’re open are: Astor Row Cafe on Lenox Avenue and 130th, Lenox Coffee at 60 West 129th Street, The Chipped Cup at 3610 Broadway, Dunkin Donuts on FDB between 113th and 114th Street, Il Cafe Latte on Lenox Ave and 119th Street, Frederick’s Cafe & Bistro on FDB and 114th, East Harlem Cafe at 1651 Lexington Avenue, Patsy’s Pizza at 2287 First Avenue will be open today from 11 am to 11 pm, Chez Lucienne on Lenox Avenue, Harlem Tavern on 116th Street and FDB, and Red Rooster Harlem on 125th and Lenox Avenue is open for lunch. They will make a decision about dinner later depending on storm conditions.

If you know of any other Harlem businesses that are open today, October 29, please tell us! Stay safe and dry Harlem! 20121029-091047.jpg 20121029-091102.jpg 20121029-091142.jpg

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Posted in 125th Street, business, Community, food, Harlem, Lenox Avenue, Red Rooster Harlem, restaurants

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The Lavender Light Gospel Choir to perform at 5 and Diamond Harlem

Posted on October 22, 2012 | Leave a comment

The Lavender Light Gospel Choir is performing tomorrow, Tuesday, October 23rd, at 7:30 pm at 5 and Diamond Harlem. The Lavender Light Gospel Choir is a mixed choir of women and men who believe that music can heal the world! It is the world’s first and only LGBT, non-denominational gospel choir that encompasses many ethnic and spiritual backgrounds. 

The 5 and Diamond Harlem is located at 2072 Frederick Douglass Boulevard (between 112th and 113th Streets). If you’re interested in attending, it’s $75 per person, which includes 4-course dinner with champagne toast. The guest chef is Patricio D’Andrea from Florence, Italy.

Seats are limited. Please call 917-860-4444 to RSVP.

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Posted in 5 and Diamond Harlem, art and culture, entertainment, food, Harlem, restaurant row, restaurants

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