Category Archives: restaurants

Bier international in Harlem takes over Society Cafe commercial space

Posted on February 6, 2012 | 5 comments

Thank goodness for readers and their juicy tips. Those tips can eventually lead to correct facts. For example, look at our post about a Japanese restaurant opening on Frederick Douglass Blvd. The Winery is opening up the Japanese restaurant. Now the latest tip in is how the owner(s) of bier international in Harlem have taken over the commercial space of where Society Cafe use to be. Society was located on the southeast corner of 114th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd before it closed in 2011.

Apparently the plans for this space on FDB and 114th Street are to keep it as it was, a cafe, where sandwiches and coffee are sold. The other tip is that the place will more than likely be called Cafe Frederick! Not a bad name…right?

Once this new cafe opens, all the commercial space in the Gateway Tower will be filled and another place can be added to the Frederick Douglass Blvd tourist map, a.k.a. restaurant row, which The Daily News reported on recently.

Update: The name of this establishment ended up being named Frederick Cafe Bistro.

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Posted in Bars, bier international, business, commercial real estate, drinks, food, Frederick Cafe Bistro Harlem, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, real estate, restaurant row, restaurants

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Amtrak publication makes major faux pas with Harlem, but calls it cool and hip

Posted on February 2, 2012 | 2 comments

While Gothamist was quick to point out how Amtrak’s external publication titled Arrive called Harlem a borough, which is a poor journalistic and potentially costly PR mistake, I’d like to point out and focus on how Arrive called Harlem “cool” and “hip.” The article says “New Yorkers are taking notice” of Harlem and “if you blink your eye, something changes.” Yes, this transportation company clearly only sees New York City and it’s sub-sections as a bunch of boroughs. Given the ignorance, it could have been worse. But lets focus on what they really got right, which is featuring our beautiful community and local businesses, talking to good spokespeople about Harlem, and ultimately using the best verbs to describe us, which…hey, we have always known, is being a place that is “hip and cool!” Thank you Amtrak!

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Posted in 125th Street, art and culture, Bars, bier international, business, Community, drinks, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, history, Lenox Avenue, New York, New York City, NYC, Red Rooster Harlem, restaurants

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Is a Japanese restaurant the next place to open on Harlem’s Frederick Douglass Blvd?

Posted on January 31, 2012 | 4 comments

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For those of you who were hoping that the next place to open up in Harlem on or near Frederick Douglass Blvd would be a diner, sorry to tell you, it’s not happening. However, if you wanted a Japanese restaurant to open in Harlem, your wish is highly likely to come true! A few reliable readers have tipped off HarlemGal Inc about how the last remaining commercial space in The Douglass Condo, located on the northeast corner of FDB and 114th, has been rented out and the space is being prepped for a restaurant, a Japanese restaurant to be exact! This restaurant would be located to the left of Land Yoga.

We also hear the person behind leasing this space is an existing Harlem business owner. Their first business was on FDB, but then moved the same business around the corner and is still operating there. The planned Japanese restaurant we are talking about will be their second separate business in Harlem-and not far from the first business.

So there you have it! No diner is coming any time soon. Just sushi, sake, edamame and probably a lot more will be offered soon in this space in Harlem. Workers have been seen on site daily so who knows when this new Japanese restaurant will open. Hopefully in 2012! Will keep you posted!

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

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Harlem’s restaurant row, Frederick Douglass Blvd., has its own map and alliance group

Posted on January 29, 2012 | 1 comment

It’s official…again! Frederick Douglass Blvd in Harlem from 110th to 125th Street, also known as restaurant row, has its very own map, according to The New York Daily News. And the folks behind the map is an alliance group called Frederick Douglass Boulevard Alliance (FDBA). Check out the map below. It mentions all existing businesses from 110th to 124th Street. The map does not include up and coming places on FDB, such as the Harlem Food Bar or Marcos Leatherlab, the cobbler store.

Lia San Filippo, co-owner of 5 and Diamond Harlem restaurant and co-president of the recently formed FDBA, tells the Daily News “the map was created to help people know that Harlem is here and helps customers find us more easily.” Amen Lia!

Back in 2008, I wrote a blog posting asking if FDB is turning into Harlem’s restaurant row? Looks like we have our answer not only in a map but in the form of an alliance group!

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Posted in 5 and Diamond Harlem, apartments, art and culture, baking, Bars, bier international, business, Cedric French Bistro and Bar Harlem, commercial real estate, Community, drinks, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, Harlem blogs, Harlem businesses, Harlem Restaurant Row, Harlem restaurants, Harlem Tavern, health and wellness, Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar, Melba's Restaurant Harlem, music, New York, New York City, NYC, real estate, restaurant row, restaurants, shopping, spending

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Drew Barrymore dines at Rao’s in East Harlem? Get outta here!

Posted on January 27, 2012 | Leave a comment

According to Popsugar.com, actress Drew Barrymore headed uptown to Harlem last night (Jan 26), along with her fiancĂ© Will Kopelman, to dine at Rao’s with friends! Oh la la! As most of us know, to get into Rao’s one needs a reservation, which is hard to get, or one needs to get in with a member to eat there. Clearly, Hollywood has an open-ended reservation at Rao’s or Drew hangs with folks who have a membership. Must be nice!

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Posted in entertainment, food, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurants

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Harlem Savour of Seafood is open for business

Posted on January 26, 2012 | 3 comments

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A reader has let us know that the old spot where Just Wingin It use to be in Harlem, has been turned upside down and a new eating place has arisen. It’s called Harlem Savour of Seafood and they are open for customers to come in and order-seven days a week. Apparently the place opened this past weekend.

I looked for them online and so far their website is not up, and I can’t seem to find them on Facebook or Twitter. Hmm? I’m sure they’ll be up and online soon.

In the meantime, here is a copy of their menu incase you want to try them out now. Hope you can see the menu!
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Posted in food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, restaurant row, restaurants

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Fat Chef premieres January 26 featuring Harlem’s own, Melba of Melba’s Restaurant

Posted on January 25, 2012 | Leave a comment

Thursday, January 26 is a big day for Harlem’s own, Melba of Melba’s Restaurant located on the corner of 114th Street and FDB in Harlem. First, Melba will be on The View, which starts at 10 a.m. on Channel 7. Then later in the evening, Melba will be appearing on the Food Networks’ Fat Chef starting at 10 p.m. on Channel 50 for Time Warner subscribers. Fat Chef will be showing every Thursday for the next couple of weeks.

Let’s all turn out and support Melba by watching her at 10 a.m on ABC’s The View. Then 12 hours later at 10 p.m. on Fat Chef.

Catch you on the tube Melba!

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Posted in Bars, business, Community, drinks, entertainment, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, Melba's Restaurant Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurant row, restaurants

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You’re invited to a Harlem brunch with the Divas of Making our People Healthier

Posted on January 25, 2012 | Leave a comment

The ladies of Divas, MPH, a non profit whose goal is to help improve the health and wellness of women, their families, and their communities, would like to invite all of you HarlemGals for brunch this Saturday, January 28th at Londel’s Supper Club. Divas, MPH is holding its second annual New Year, New You women’s empowerment brunch in Harlem. This year’s brunch, which starts at noon, is centered around the non profits’ 2012 theme, “Be more. Do more. Live more.”

The Divas, MPH Harlem brunch will feature a scrumptious buffet with a menu of traditional, savory breakfast items including homestyle eggs, beef sausage, and homefries; as well as lunch favorites including a southern-style fried whiting and fresh garden salad. Guests will also enjoy complimentary mimosas, special guests favors, guided goal setting activities, and a dynamic keynote address from psychiatrist, and wellness coach, Dr. Janet Taylor.

To hang with the Divas, MPH in Harlem, click here to purchase tickets for this event happening this coming Saturday, Jan 28th!

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Posted in Community, entertainment, Events, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurants

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Melba’s Restaurant located in Harlem to be on ABC’s The View this week

Posted on January 23, 2012 | 6 comments


I just read on Facebook that the fabulous woman behind Melba’s Restaurant, i.e. Melba, will be on The View this coming Thursday, January 26 at 11 AM. That is so awesome! I think the show should be called, that day, the HarlemGal’s show! Why? Two awesome ladies, who reside in Harlem, will be sitting side by side, Sherri Shepard and Melba! Can’t wait to watch The View this Thursday!

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

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David Martinez out, Darryl Burnette in as new chef at 5 and Diamond Harlem

Posted on January 6, 2012 | Leave a comment

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New York Magazine’s Grub Street reported yesterday that Harlem’s 5 and Diamond has named a new chef…for the third time! It’s Darryl Burnette, who was with BG at Bergdorf Goodman and has been the guest chef at 5 and Diamond Harlem for their Supper Club events.

We have tasted Darryl’s food creations and let us say, it did not disappoint. He is a highly skilled chef and can cook up some great dishes! My only concern is the high turnover rate for this restaurant. It has not been open that long! Maybe chefs and management/owners are like dating? Ya gotta keep dating until you find the one! Once you find the right chef, you’ll marry them and food will be created happily ever after.

Congrats to Darryl and we wish him the best! And here’s hoping to a third times the charm!
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Posted in 5 and Diamond Harlem, Bars, business, drinks, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, restaurant row, restaurants

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