Category Archives: restaurants

Quick encounter with Harlem’s Marcus Samuelsson

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Dec 1, 2010 @ 23:23

By HarlemGal
We finally crossed in a direct path with fellow Harlemite, Red Rooster owner and celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson. The quick exchange happened on the evening of November 30. Samuelsson and his stunning wife Maya were at the annual 2010 UNICEF Snowflake Ball. Samuelsson was, once again, overseeing the menu for the Ball, along with Wolfgang Puck, and was part of the live auction.

Our quick encounter was just that. We introduced ourselves to him and his wife and discussed proximity of where we live in Harlem. He then introduced us to his partner in Red Rooster and then we told him how excited we were for Red Rooster to open in Harlem. That was it! I guess I was a bit speechless because it felt like there were a gazillion people around him and his wife. Given that setting, I can confirm that the business partner, Marcus and Maya were absolutely nice and gracious. And of course, we have to comment on the appearance. Oh…what a sharp couple the Samuelsson’s make. They looked fabulous!

We also were able to sample the Red Rooster crab cake that was served to all the guests during the Ball. It was divine as well as the lamb chops. You will want to try the crab cake at Red Rooster once it opens along with the spicy chutney.

If you’ve ever wondered what the financial value is in hiring Marcus Samuelsson to cook you a private dinner, this story will give you some insight. During the live auction at the Ball, they offered a private dinner with Samuelsson, who would come to your home in New York City and cook for you and up to 12 guests. The bidding started at $15,000. The lucky person ended up purchasing two private dinners at $35k  each.  Good for them, but even much better for UNICEF. All the proceeds from the live auction go to charity.

After witnessing several individuals bidding high for our fellow neighbor, chef and Harlemite, all we could think about was how fortunate we are because we will have a short walk to 310 Lenox Avenue when Red Rooster opens! And hopefully, no bidding required to get a table!

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Posted in entertainment, fashion, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, real estate, restaurants

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Harlem through the eyes of Marcus Samuelsson

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Nov 1, 2010 @ 7:27
By HarlemGal
The countdown begins for the opening of Red Rooster, which is suppose to have its preview night November 2 in Harlem with an official opening expected about three weeks later according to a reader and its owner, Marcus Samuelsson is wasting no time in plugging Harlem, the location of his new restaurant. In this video for Black Atlas.com, a social networking site for “sophisticated African-American travelers,” Samuelsson visits several Harlem businesses and asks them what makes Harlem so special. In addition, he asks business owners for some advice on running a business in Harlem. Hear what Harlem business owners had to say…

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

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Just Wingin It in Harlem has ‘store for rent’ sign up

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Oct 29, 2010 @ 11:01
By HarlemGal
A reader left us a message saying they  saw a “store for rent” sign hanging on the property of Just Wingin It. I walked by the place last night and sure enough, there was a for rent sign up!

I wonder what happened? Construction Intervention gave this place a makeover not too long ago. One would think after that, the eating establishment would do its best to stay open. And where is Walter Lewis in all this? There’s has to be some sort of explanation. The man seems like a reasonable person. I wish Lewis would send out some sort of statement explaining what happened-at least explain to the Harlem community, who I believe whole heartedly supported him.

If anyone has information as to what happened, please pass along.

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Frizzante in Harlem closed for couple of days

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Oct 25, 2010 @ 13:05
By HarlemGal
Over the weekend a reader asked HarlemCondoLife “what’s up with Frizzante in Harlem? The doors have been shut for a few days?” I wondered the same thing!
I made a few calls and here’s the latest! Frizzante, located at 2168 Frederick Blvd., is NOT closed for good. They are fixing a few repairs according to a source from Meridiana, an Italian restaurant on the Upper Westside and the same owners of Frizzante. They hope to reopen in a couple of days!
Whew! Glad to gear it! I love the food at Frizzante and their Happy Hour is good as well! Hope to go back soon once they reopen!

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Experience: Harlem hosts bar and restaurant crawl

Posted on July 5, 2011 | 1 comment

Oct 18, 2010 @ 13:52

By HarlemGal
Have you ever wanted to check out several drinking and eating establishments in Harlem in one night but never had the time? You’ve read about Harlem’s booming restaurant row on Frederick Douglass Boulevard in various publications and wondered what’s it like? Well, now you have the opportunity to see and experience several fine dining establishments all in one night at Experience: Harlem Bar & Restaurant Crawl taking place the evening of October 28 from 6 PM to 10 PM. Experience: Harlem, one of the early pioneers in promoting all things positive about Harlem, has rounded up some of Harlem’s best restaurant and drinking places for this event. They are: Mojo, 5 & Diamond, Melba’s, Questan’s, 67 Orange, and more! Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Click here to purchase tickets.

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Posted in Bars, Community, entertainment, Events, Harlem, restaurants

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Pizza plans a possibility for Harlem’s Settepani

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Oct 12, 2010 @ 7:30

By HarlemGal
What do you think about a pizza place opening on Lenox Avenue? Several readers have whispered in our ear saying that the southeast corner of Lenox Ave and 119th Street in Harlem is being prepped as a pizza joint. To be more specific, we hear that the owner of Settepani is looking to take over this space, pictured below, to turn it into a stylish pizza joint. Yummy! I hope this is true because if the pizza is anything like the food they serve at Settepani, located at 196 Lenox Avenue, I am so there! I have dined at Settepani and they cook up some scrumptious food. If they are really planning on making pizza in Harlem, I am confident Settepani will do it up right by making delicious pies!

I also think a pizza place is perfect for this space, which is exactly one block south of Settepani. It would be a nice alternative to Native’s and Il Caffe Latte, which I love dining at those places too. So I will ask again, what do you think about Settepani setting up a pizza place at this location?

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Harlem merchant association kicks-off Oktoberfest

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Sep 30, 2010 @ 7:00
By HarlemGal

Have no clue how to celebrate Oktoberfest in Harlem?  Look to Harlem Park to Park to assist. They offer plenty of options starting tomorrow (October 1)! Harlem Park to Park Initiative is a merchants association formed in 2009 to encourage and sustain commerce throughout the upper part of Manhattan, known as Harlem.

From October 1 to October 31 it is Restaurant and Retail Month where participating restaurants will offer three course prix fixe menus. Local shops that are participating in Oktoberfest in Harlem will offer select retail items for $20.10. Harlem Park to Park is co-hosting the Harlem Harvest Festival October 9 at St. Nicholas Avenue and 116th Street. And on October 28th end the fest with a Harlem Restaurant and Bar Crawl along 8th Avenue, i.e. Frederick Douglass Blvd.

So there are plenty of options to celebrate Oktoberfest in Harlem. I definitely plan to partake in one or more of these events. Hope to see you around!

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Posted in Community, Events, Harlem, restaurants, shopping

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Three Harlem restaurants make Michelin ‘Bib Gourmand’ best places under $40 list

Posted on July 5, 2011 | 2 comments

Sep 29, 2010 @ 16:24

By HarlemGal
Michelin “Bib Gourmand” restaurant picks under $40 for New York City were recently announced. Two Harlem restaurants made the list again and one new Harlem restaurant was added. El Paso Taqueria, located at 1642 Lexington Avenue or 237 E. 116th Street or 64 E. 97th Street, made the list for the very first time! Congrats to the Spanish Harlem restaurant known for cooking and serving good Mexican food!
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, located in the West Harlem area and Zoma, located on the southeast corner of 113th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd. made the list again! Good for them!
In total three restaurants made the list. Click here to see the complete list. Who else from Harlem do you think should have made the list of best restaurants under $40?

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Harlem rezoning plus Frederick Douglass Boulevard equals restaurant row

Posted on July 5, 2011 | 1 comment

Sep 24, 2010 @ 6:00

Frederick Douglass Blvd. street sign

By HarlemGal
Frederick Douglass Blvd is in the news again! Some entities are clearly getting it that FDB from 110th Street to 125th Street is the place to be! DNAinfo.com and The New York Times have recently filed stories about FDB and how it’s experiencing a boom in drinking and eating establishments. These articles even mention the buzz words “restaurant row.” Hmm…sounds familiar?

Frederick Douglass Blvd. (Circa 2008)

On September 23, DNAinfo wrote about the booming restaurant and bar business along FDB.  It was a good story. They introduced us to new information about what the Livmor is up to with their commercial space. However, I was wondering why they left out other notable places, such as Mojo, Billie’s Black Bar, Questan’s and Cafe Amrita? Amrita is at the base of 110th and FDB. Mojo and Billie’s are technically on 119th Street, they are less than a block away from FDB and Mojo and Questan’s opened for business in the last five years. I think all these venues deserved a mention in DNAinfo and The Times. Also, why not mention the proposed Cupcake Suite opening on FDB, Aloft Hotel or the rumored Busboys and Poets coming to Harlem? I guess there is so much action happening on or near FDB, it is a challenge for these news outlets to keep track!

Frederick Douglass Blvd. today

In addition, I noticed that both publications did not mention much about vacant commercial space. What are The Douglass and Gateway Condominiums planning for their commercial space? I would bet that they are aggressively trying to sell their space. I hear Society Cafe is interested in expanding their space right next door once Gateway finishes their construction. If that ends up being true, that would be great for them. They appear to have outgrown their current space.

Overall, it is awesome media coverage for Harlem once again. I love it! Out of the two articles, I will end with my favorite quote from Chris Pollok, co-owner of bier international. “My sense is that this [Frederick Douglass Blvd.] is going to be the Restaurant Row of Harlem.” I will drink to that, Chris! Strawberry beer, please!

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Celebrate Oktoberfest in Harlem at bier international

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Sep 17, 2010 @ 11:03
By HarlemGal
Harlem’s new premium beer joint, bier international, has hit the ground running since it opened several weeks ago. Bier first started serving quality beer (their strawberry beer is my favorite) and then came the starter and full menu. Soon after, they launched a brunch menu, which is offered on the weekends. Up next is Oktoberfest at bier. They are starting the celebration this Saturday! So if you want to join in on the celebration, stop by bier international, located at 2099 Frederick Douglass Blvd., in Harlem this weekend!

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