Category Archives: restaurants

Brunch in Harlem bier international style

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Sep 4, 2010 @ 10:27

By HarlemGal

If you did not get out-of-town this Labor Day weekend and you’re wondering who is serving brunch all three days in Harlem, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, we have a suggestion for you! Bier international in Harlem is now serving brunch on the weekends in addition to dinner. Here is their complete menu!

If you have not gone by bier international, located at 2099 Frederick Douglass Blvd., I highly recommend it. This place has jumped right out of the opening gate and doing brisk business practically every evening. I myself am a fan of the strawberry beer. Try it. It’s delicious. And I now see from their menu they have incorporated their strawberry beer into their bunch menu, i.e. bierlini! Yum.

So stop on by bier international this weekend for bunch. I just might see you there! Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

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Red Rooster in Harlem named restaurant to watch this Fall

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Sep 1, 2010 @ 17:30
By HarlemGal
Harlem’s Red Rooster, owned by celebrity chef and Harlemite Marcus Samuelsson, was named one of 15 new restaurants to watch this Fall by The Wall Street Journal.
Red Rooster, which is scheduled to open in October at 310 Lenox Ave, was the only uptown restaurant that made list. What’s interesting in the article is the restaurant description. It says the place will seat 90 and hours will be from breakfast to late night, with no menu costing more than $25. Does that mean starters could be $24.50 or plates at $24.75? I hope not! Also, Samuelsson could be aiming to be cheaper than 5 and Diamond, which is a pricey place for Harlem, but the food lives up to those prices in my view. Who knows what’s Samuelsson’s price point strategy? At some point will find out.
See below who made the list of places to watch this fall!

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UPDATE: Busboys and Poets owner visits Harlem

Posted on July 5, 2011 | 1 comment

Aug 28, 2010 @ 1:04

By HarlemGal
The possibility of Busboys and Poets opening up a restaurant in Harlem is alive and well. How do we know this? Anas “Andy” Shallal, the owner of Busboys and Poets, has finally commented on the subject.

Through his Twitter account, Shallal said on August 27 that he is “visiting New York City…had a great tour of Harlem…still looking at New York…” Yes! That is good news! And Shallal even tweeted he went by Make My Cake. Sounds like he is saying hello to his future business neighbors? Also, based on the tweets the Busboys and Poets owner was touring around West 116th Street, not too far from the location where they are rumored to open, which is in the commercial space at 2280 Frederick Douglass Blvd. Recently, we told you about Busboys and Poets plan to expand outside the beltway and into Harlem.

This recent development of Andy Shallal confirming he was in Harlem definitely feeds into all the excitement. And it is keeping me on my blogging toes! Stay tuned Harlemites!

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Harlem rental prices heat up, Red Rooster pictures appear

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Aug 27, 2010 @ 6:30
By HarlemGal

August 26, 2010 was filled with interesting surprises! For the last two years, the rental market in New York has been favorable toward renters, but now that has apparently changed. According to The Wall Street Journal, rental activity levels in Manhattan continue to heat up. The article mentions Harlem and reports that prices on studios with doormen are on the rise in Harlem. They’re up around 5 percent. Wow. How did that happen?  What happened to the double dip recession? I guess it bypassed the NY rental market!

After I read that article, I turn around and read an email from a reader telling me Marcus Samuelsson released photos on his website about the latest construction happenings with Red Rooster.  Along with the pictures, Samuelsson states he is “super excited for the opening and it feels like the community is sharing in the excitement too!” Awh…that’s nice. I just hope the opening of Red Rooster is soon!

See what happens in a course of a day. The rental market heats up and Red Rooster pictures appear! Only in New York…right?

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Harlem couple invest in where they live creating Harlem Tavern

Posted on July 5, 2011 | 3 comments

Aug 20, 2010 @ 15:27
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By HarlemGal
What does The Tonic Bar located in Times Square have in common with Harlem? The Tonic Bar is owned by a couple who live in Harlem. They’ve been residents of Harlem since 2006. The couple behind The Tonic Bar in Times Square have now decided to invest 100 percent in where they live by launching Harlem Tavern, a neighborhood bar & grill, at 2153 Frederick Douglass Blvd. This is the space we told you about back in April how the corner gas station/auto shop was up for lease. (Oh…and a reader too had sent us an update on the recent construction happening at this corner space.)
Today, one of the owners of the upcoming Harlem Tavern spoke directly with HarlemCondoLife to tell us why they are putting their dinero dollars into where they live-particularly Frederick Douglass Blvd.
According to Sheri Wilson from SoHa 116 Restaurant Corporation and co-owner along with her husband says Harlem Tavern will be a restaurant that is representative of Harlem. “Harlem Tavern is going to be a place for everyone. Harlem is such a diverse place. We are creating Harlem Tavern to capture and accommodate that diversity,” says Wilson.
Wilson says word recently got out about their exact plans cause their website was just finished and hit the internet. She said “you’re the first we are speaking to.”
They still have several processes to complete with NYC’s Department of Buildings. However, they’ve built-in plenty of time to open in their business timeline, which is not soon. Wilson says they are aiming to open after the new year. “If all things go as planned, we plan to open in February 2011.” She said if they make that deadline they will get heating lamps to accommodate customers and the winter weather.
In closing, Wilson explained why Frederick Douglass Blvd? “Harlem is a great place to live and Frederick Douglass Blvd is a wonderful street that holds enormous potential for growth.” We could not agree more with Sheri Wilson! We have dubbed FDB as “restaurant row” and the “gold coast of Harlem.” As each day passes, our predictions are becoming more and more of a reality.
A special congrats to our fellow Harlemites on their plans with Harlem Tavern! May everything fall in place and so that we have another new and interesting place to hang! Salude!

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Two Harlem establishments now open for business: bier international and Chocolat

Posted on July 5, 2011 | 1 comment

Aug 12, 2010 @ 17:26
By HarlemGal
We have received official notice that Chocolat, located at 2217 Frederick Douglass Blvd, and bier international, located at 2099 FDB, are now open for business. They join many other fine establishments on FDB, an area we have forecasted as Harlem’s restaurant row. Stop on by these places and tell us what you think!

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Introducing Cupcake Suite Cupcakery & Cafe in Harlem

Posted on July 5, 2011 | 1 comment

Aug 4, 2010 @ 14:18

By HarlemGal
Frederick Douglass Boulevard in Harlem just got a little sweeter! Why? Because 2211 FDB will be the home of the brand, spanking new Cupcake Suite Cupcakery & Cafe. According to their website, the Cupcake Suite is founded by the Get’em Girls (pictured in this post) and their vision “is to create a swank upscale bakery and communal cafe with the comforts of the Carolinas and the inspiration of boulangeries in France.” Ooh la la! I am so there! I love sweets!
The Cupcake Suite will be located on what they call-not us- Harlem’s budding restaurant row, Frederick Douglass Blvd., between 119th and 120th Street and will offer signature cupcakes for $2.00 each; and specialty cupcakes for $2.50 each. View their menu here!
The Cupcake Suite plans to open late September/early October so put your taste buds on hold and start to figure out how to manage your desire for sweets! Harlem will now have Tonnie’s Minis, Make My Cake and Lee, Lee’s Baked Goods all close by in Central Harlem. Let the cupcake competition begin! Hmm…can you say cupcake throw down! Quick, call the Food Network!

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HCL writes cerveza at bier international in Harlem

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Aug 3, 2010 @ 7:00

By HarlemGal

How many ways can you say beer in a different language? And can you spell it out in that language as well? I was recently asked these questions by the owners and designer of the upcoming bier international in Harlem, which will be located at 2099 Frederick Douglass Blvd. I answered the questions honestly. I only knew how to say beer in one other language and spell it out. I said “cerveza!” The folks at bier international, which I learned the name of the beer pub is not capitalized, said that was perfect and if I wanted to write it on their big, white wall that will be the home to the word “beer” in multiple languages. If you look at the rendering of the upcoming beer joint, it shows writing on the wall.

Any how, I said yes. I would love too! I was given the fun privilege of writing the word “cerveza” in brownish colored paint high up on their wall. I was a bit nervous writing on their freshly painted wall, but I did it and did not mess up! So when you head on over to bier international for a brewski and you see the word “cerveza” on the wall, you know the story behind it.

I hope bier international in Harlem opens up soon. I am getting thirsty!

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Harlem Happy Hours-where to go?

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Jul 23, 2010 @ 12:37
By Austin2Harlem
These chalkboard signs shown in this post say it all. There are some good happy hours to check out in Harlem! I found three early evening happy hours and one late in the evening that are very reasonable and worth stopping by!
The first chalkboard is from my favorite hang out Cafe Amrita, which is located near the corner of 110th Street and Frederick Douglass Circle. Their prices for happy hour go as low as $3 for a beer and it lasts until 8 PM.
Second, is a newcomer to the Harlem happy hour scene. 5 and Diamond Harlem has been busy non-stop since it opened in the Spring, but now offer a ‘5 for 5’ drink and menu special. The menu is different. Crispy Pig Ears are available for $5…I kid you not! Go early if you want to experience the ‘5 for 5.’ Five and Diamond’s happy hour is from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. (I hope they change that to 8 PM one day. It’s a bit early.)
Another newcomer to the happy hour scene is Frizzante located at 117th and FDB. Their beer and wine starts at $4 a drink.
And the most interesting happy hour in Harlem is at Mojo on 119th and St. Nicholas. They do a reverse happy hour in Harlem that starts at 10 PM and goes until 1AM. Their signature drinks during happy hour are $6! That is a deal! Plus it’s always happening at Mojo in Harlem!
With all these happy hour options, there is no reason to be home in Harlem. Get out and frequent one of these establishments. Better yet, tell us what you think of these places and any other happy hours you may like!

Cafe Amrita sign board

5 and Diamond sign board

 

Frizzante sign board

Drinks at Mojo's reverse happy

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Need a place to brunch in Harlem? Try Il Caffe Latte

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Jul 18, 2010 @ 10:16

By HarlemGal
On Twitter, we are sometimes asked “where should I go for brunch in Harlem?” We provide several options in our tweets. However, at the top of HarlemGal’s list I respond with “go to Il Caffe Latte at 189 Lenox Avenue.” It’s located between 119th and 120th Street on Lenox Ave, also known as Malcolm X Blvd.
The reason why I like this place so much is because it feels like I am going to family home for breakfast. It’s not big and it’s not small. It’s comfortable. When you approach Il Caffe Latte it has a wide store front with a giant squared window. That setting alone is inviting. It allows you to immediately peak in at a distance from the sidewalk. From there, you can see in and what you’ll discover are plenty of people inside enjoying themselves.
I went on a Saturday afternoon before three and ordered the Make Your Own Omelette with salad, along with multi-grain toast and iced coffee. It was absolutely the best cause the omelette was nice, big and fluffy stuffed with spinach, mushrooms and cheese. Yum! And the toast was authentic multi-grain bread with real butter, not margarine. Sometimes you can go to a restaurant and the bread is lacking. Not here, I liked my grained bread at Il Caffe Latte. And to top it all off, the iced coffee was served in a well-sized shake glass. I believe it was a pint size. So I had plenty to quench my thirst and stock up on the caffeine. Oh…and another wonderful attribute of Il Caffe Latte, I only spent about $13 dollars. Not bad for an enjoyable brunch in Harlem.

So if your asking that familiar question “where should I go for brunch in Harlem?” Try Il Caffe Latte in Harlem. But go early cause when I went to this place it was busy right up until the end of brunch, which is around three o’clock. People kept coming in and out. That was the only downside, which is manageable!

See you at brunch in Harlem.

Il Caffe Latte
189 Lenox Ave.
(between 119th St & 120th St)
New York, NY 10026
(212) 222-2241

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