Category Archives: restaurants

Zagat surveyors grant Lenox Lounge in Harlem high marks

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Mar 1, 2011 @ 23:40
By HarlemGal
According to NY1,  Zagat surveyors, the experts on rating everything, have bestowed our historic and charming Lenox Lounge in Harlem with strong ratings, not necessarily for drinks and music, but for food, i.e. dining out. Sharron Cannon, general manager of Lenox Lounge, said their entire menu has been revamped where they now offer homemade made items.

In the NY1 video, the Lenox Lounge food dishes look divine and they must be because Zagat issued Lenox Lounge high marks. Located at 125th Street and Lenox Avenue, Lenox received a 23 for appeal, nineteen for decor, twenty-one for service and an E for expensive. What can one expect from a place where legends like Billie Holiday, BB King and Miles Davis use to hang.

Lenox Lounge
288 Lenox Avenue
212-427-0253
www.lenoxlounge.com

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Posted in art and culture, Bars, Harlem, history, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurants

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Harlem’s bier international applies for sidewalk cafe

Posted on July 5, 2011 | 3 comments

Feb 25, 2011 @ 7:00

By HarlemGal
I walked by bier international last night and I couldn’t help but notice there was a sizable sign taped to their window informing passersby of a public hearing on April 6, 2011. The subject line gives an address of 2099 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd. Hmmm, that’s confusing since bier is located at 2099 Frederick Douglass Blvd. However, it is the words right next to APPLICATION that are key! Apparently, bier international has applied for sidewalk cafe status, which would include 16 tables and 34 seats. If you look back at the renderings of the Harlem hot spot, they have always planned for some degree of outdoor seating. This request should come as no surprise. The owners are simply following through on their vision for the place. Good for them.

The flyer gives a web address on where you can voice your opinion on this subject. Go there and share your thoughts on the matter or feel free to tell us right here on HCL what you think about bier international applying for and potentially receiving a sidewalk cafe!

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Posted in Bars, business, Community, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurant row, restaurants

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Opening of Levain Bakery Harlem store delayed

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Feb 22, 2011 @ 15:49
By HarlemGal
A follower on Twitter informed me today that Levain Bakery is delaying their opening of their Harlem store by one week. I think this photo says it all. I guess the cookie dough is not ready yet!

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Posted in baking, business, Community, Harlem, restaurants, shopping

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Franz James Floral Boutique in Harlem to open today, Lido Restaurant as well

Posted on July 5, 2011 | 1 comment

Feb 12, 2011 @ 9:44

By HarlemGal
February 12 is one busy day for some new local businesses opening up in Harlem. As I told you, Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar was scheduled to open before Valentine’s Day and they are now open. Go check them out and tell us what you think of the new digs.

Last night on my way home, I saw folks working inside Franz James Floral Boutique, located at 2114 Frederick Douglass Blvd. I walked in to see what was up. While there, I met the owners, Franz and James (hence the name of the business), and they told me they were opening today, February 12. They will be offering full flower art services, such as arrangements/center pieces for any occasion, and they will be selling loose flowers as well.

By the way, James of Franz James  told me he is from Harlem and continues to live here. So this new business is partially owned and operated by a Harlemite. The same is partially true for Lido. Susannah, co-proprietor, lives in Harlem as well. It’s great to know this. However, we all know a solid product has to be offered.

So if you want to check out these new businesses on Frederick Douglass Blvd. They’re open…starting today!

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Posted in art and culture, business, Harlem, real estate, restaurants, shopping

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New York Magazine acknowledges, Harlem is hot

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Feb 8, 2011 @ 10:30
By HarlemGal
What a difference a year makes?  Let’s reflect! April 11, 2010 Harlem is poorly ranked by Nate Silver for New York Magazine’s Neighborhood Issue. Does anyone remember this article? I certainly do. That article inspired me to write Top ten reason why Harlem is one of the best neighborhoods to live in. Let’s fast forward to today. Harlem and several local establishments are currently featured bright and big this week in a series of articles under the banner The Everything Guide to Harlem in NY Mag. It’s a creme-de-la-creme of articles featuring restaurants, markets, shops and bars in Harlem. My favorite article is The New New Harlem, which is sort of a “Whose In and Whose Out.” In my view, featuring several establishments in this type of format demonstrates the caliber and variety of places located in Harlem. Plus in order to pit two businesses against each other, there has to be plenty of selection. Clearly, Harlem has reached that point.

In closing, I will use soccer terms to describe this Harlem milestone. This article is another G-O-A-L for Harlem. Remember, we won Curbed Cup 2010 too. More importantly, it recognizes (again) what most of us have known all along, and now NY Mag too, Harlem is hot! Adelante!

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Posted in art and culture, baking, Bars, business, Community, entertainment, fashion, Harlem, history, New York, New York City, NYC, real estate, restaurant row, restaurants, shopping

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Harlem businesses come together to ‘Kiss and Tell’

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Feb 8, 2011 @ 7:30
By HarlemGal
Tonight, several Harlem businesses, such as Harlem Flo, The Winery, Make My Cake, Tonnie’s Minis, Aloft Hotel and Yatenga, are gathering together to “Kiss & Tell.” Well, not exactly that, but sort of! These Harlem businesses will be on hand Tuesday evening, starting at 6 p.m., to offer gift advice for Valentine’s Day. According to Harlem Flo’s Facebook site, the February 8th event will “feature unique and creative gifts items that you can purchase for your loved ones for V-day and there after.”

So if you need something for your cupid or yourself, head on over to Harlem Flo, second location at 2276 Frederick Douglass Blvd., at West 122nd Street.

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Posted in business, Community, Events, fashion, Free!, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurants

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UPDATE: Lido in Harlem misses signage date, next goal to open before Valentine’s Day

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Feb 4, 2011 @ 7:30

By HarlemGal
As I approach my third year of blogging about Harlem, I am starting to learn new restaurants opening in Harlem approach deadlines similar to how I do: I will aim for a certain date and it will get done a few days after. It happens, right? As with the case with Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar, located at 2168 Frederick Douglass Blvd., who hung up a big sign recently saying “Opening February 1.” Obviously that date passed, however the objective is the same for Lido in Harlem and that is to open for business soon.

I spoke with Susannah, a Harlem resident and proprietor of Lido, and she said they are now aiming to open before Valentine’s Day where Harlemites will be able to order from a delectable, Italian menu! I was also had the opportunity to walk inside Lido (sorry no pics) and the place is coming together. It’s going to look great! The color scheme is based on light greens with white molding in select areas. The bar appeared to be concrete-like, not wooded, larger than before, and its on the left side when you walk in. Brushed silver light fixtures will illuminate the restaurant. Their website is up with limited information.

And of course, I had to ask Susannah why they named the restaurant Lido. She told me it’s named after Venice Lido in Italy, “a skinny island between the lagoon and the Adriatic, with hotels and beaches.”

So stay tuned for more info, such as who will be the chef and what will be the price point of the menu!

Have a great weekend!

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Posted in business, Community, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurant row, restaurants

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Bad Horse Pizza riding into Harlem to some extent unknown

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Feb 1, 2011 @ 7:30
By HarlemGal
I noticed over the weekend that we had a new twitter follower called Bad Horse Pizza. When I saw this I honestly thought, “who the heck is that?” I later googled them, which turned up their website and a blog post about them riding into Harlem soon. And guess where? Yup! You guessed it! Frederick Douglass Blvd! The exact address is 2224 Frederick Douglass Blvd!

I was very surprised to hear this news and double surprised that a pizza joint would be opening up on FDB. Why? We have Giovanni’s on 110th and Columbus Avenue, Pizzaria 123 right next to 2280 Frederick Douglass Condos and we have Settepani supposedly opening up a pizza place on 119th and Lenox Avenue.  It seems like we are good when it comes to pizza.

Don’t get me wrong. I think its wonderful that a new business is opening up in the old space that Corcoran bolted from. However, a pizza place with the words “bad” and “horse” in it to go along with existing or upcoming places such as, 67 Orange, Chocolat, Levain Bakery, 5 and Diamond, bier international, Melba’s and more?

These questions come to mind. Is Bad Horse Pizza a strategic fit with FDB? And does it compliment the other businesses that have or are planning to open in the area? Ayudanos por favor!

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Levain Bakery to open for business in Harlem this week?

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Jan 31, 2011 @ 7:30

By HarlemGal
Will this week be the week Levain Bakery officially opens up their Harlem store? We are hearing that’s a possibility. According to a reader, who dropped us a line over the weekend, they went by Levain’s Upper Westside location recently and were told Levain’s Harlem location at 2167 Frederick Douglass Blvd will be opening up on February 1! Sweet, if that is the case.

I walked by the Harlem store over the weekend and the place appears ready, then again one never knows unless you’re in the baking business. Let’s wait and see if this is the week!

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Posted in baking, business, Community, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurant row, restaurants

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Breakthru Radio struts through Harlem inquiring about decision making tips

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Jan 27, 2011 @ 7:00

By HarlemGal
Breakthru Radio, the hipster site that airs independent music on demand, strolled the streets of Harlem recently asking locals about the tools they use in making decisions on where to dine or go see movies. Most man-on-the-street responses were they rely on word of mouth or local experts. Our very own Karl, the owner of Society Cafe and 67 Orange, was featured in the piece.

In the video, it appears they filmed in several Harlem locations, such as along 110th Street/Cathedral Parkway and right in front of The Gateway Condominium, which is at 2098 Frederick Douglass Blvd.

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Posted in Bars, film, Harlem, music, restaurants

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