Category Archives: restaurants

Another MetroPCS appears and auto shop no more on 116th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Apr 7, 2010 @ 10:50

By HarlemGal
A reader tipped us off that there was new construction activity happening on Frederick Douglass Blvd between 116th and 117th Street. Apparently a retail space on the eastside of the street was being gutted and cleaned for another MetroPCS. That’s odd since there is already a MetroPCS on FDB between 113th and 114th Street, and there is one on 116th and Lenox Avenue as well.
While I was in the area, I noticed the auto shop had a big lease sign hanging on the gates. The owners are leasing the space to anyone who can come up with their preferred change. Once that happens, the renters can do as they wish with the space….except tear it down for condos! The person I spoke with made it clear, that space is not for sale!!! Got it!

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Harlem’s Just Wingin It premieres April 20th on Construction Intervention

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Apr 2, 2010 @ 11:30

By HarlemGal

We now have an exact date on when Just Wingin It and its makeover premieres on the Discovery Channel’s new series Construction Intervention. Below is the episode description released to the media by Discovery:

Just Wingin’ It
Premieres Tuesday, April 20 at 10PM ET/PT

Nestled on the busy streets of Eighth Avenue [also known as Frederick Douglass Blvd.] in Harlem, Walter Lewis always wanted to give back to his community by opening a neighborhood restaurant. Being a firefighter wasn’t enough for Walter. He wanted to open a business that helped this community thrive while providing a safe hangout for local youths. Walter’s dreams came true when he opened Just Wingin’ It in Harlem. Unfortunately, a bad construction job forced him to shut his doors indefinitely – only a few months after opening. Walter has always been there for his community and now Charlie and his team are going to be there for him. The redesign of this small restaurant includes a brand new layout that can handle heavy customer traffic, new restane into this soon-to-be community hot spot.

Half of what is mentioned above I did not know about so I cannot provide much comment. The only item I can attest to is this part of the description: “this soon-to-be community hot spot.” I like the sound of that! HarlemCondoLife could not agree more! Especially on FDB from 110th to 125th Street. That area is becoming a hot spot due to new restaurant establishments, grocery store, wine store and several condo developments!

In closing, I have a quick question for Walter Lewis. When are you opening up for business? Please tell us so we can come by for food and see the new place! By the way, Just Wingin It is located at 2190 Frederick Douglass Blvd. in Central Harlem.

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Tonnie’s Minis from Harlem now available at Bloomingdales

Posted on July 5, 2011 | 1 comment

Mar 31, 2010 @ 12:00

By HarlemGal

Did you know the cupcakes from Tonnie’s Minis located at 264 Lenox Avenue are now available at Bloomingdales? I learned this from this television report. That’s wonderful news for Tonnie and his fans. Fans and newcomers have two options to purchase cupcake treats. At Bloomies, you can get a California size cupcake or a mini, but if you can’t get to that gigantic department store for a delicious bite of a Tonnie’s Minis cupcake, don’t fret. The other options is to go to the boutique store in Harlem located at 123rd Street and Lenox Avenue.

I went there recently with a friend visiting from Africa. The place is so cute with a bright orange awning and it smells divine when you enter! The sweet smell exists due to the fact that the room is filled with so many cupcake options. If you want a grande cupcake with your choice of icing, no problem! They have it!

If you want a pequeno size or two, go with the mini! Of course, when my friend and I went to Tonnie’s, out of all the cupcakes we could have purchased, we went with the red velvet mini cupcake. Yum! Why break with tradition…right? Eating red velvet anything (cake or cupcake) is a natural tendency when you live in Harlem. Want to partake in this tendency? Head on over to Tonnie’s Minis by foot or on the 2/3 subway line! You will enjoy the cupcake experience as well as a nice and spacious walk along Lenox Avenue!

Tonnie’s Minis
264 Lenox Avenue (123 ST )
Harlem, NY 10027
T: 212-831- 5292/5293

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Café Amrita: The Harlem Chameleon

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Mar 31, 2010 @ 1:00

By Austin2Harlem

Café Amrita, located at 301 West 110th Street, can be almost anything you want it to be. In the morning, it’s a bright, airy spot for coffee, hot chocolate and a breakfast sandwich or toasted bagel. At lunch it’s a good place to grab a quick and delicious grilled Panini.  The roast beef and swiss Panini is my favorite along with chips. Hang out a little later in the evening as the lights are turned down and it transforms into the perfect neighborhood watering hole.

If you show up before 8 p.m., you’ll be treated to happy hour specials including $4 draft beer and $5 wine. I generally order Samuel Adams on tap or Blue Moon. After happy hour ends, it’s just a buck more, so feel free to stick around and enjoy the game on the big screen TV or just chat with the friendly patrons and staff.  You can choose from the numerous small tables or grab a stool at the long wooden bar.

No matter when you visit, you’ll find Café Amrita in Harlem to be a warm, relaxed, and a welcoming venue filled with tasty food and drinks at reasonable prices. Throw in the affable mix of Harlem locals, and it may just become your favorite place to spend an hour…or three. I know that for this recently transplanted Texan to Harlem, it’s a spot where you’ll often find me hanging my hat.

Cafe Amrita
301 West 110th Street
New York, NY 10026
t: 212-222-0683
Open from 8 am to around midnight -1 am every day

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Harlem’s first beer garden expected to open in May? I don’t think so!

Posted on July 5, 2011 | 1 comment

Mar 26, 2010 @ 12:40
By HarlemGal
In my mind, there is no question that Frederick Douglass Blvd is fast becoming a hot spot to hang whether for drinks or dining out or both. Heck, I have been saying all along and I will say it again that FDB is destined to be dubbed restaurant row especially now since this well known Harlem avenue called 8th Ave is getting a beer garden at 2099 Frederick Douglass Blvd.

On their website it states the beer garden will open early Spring. Hmm… Other reports say May. Below are pics taken of 2099 FDB today. Do you see any workers there? I think Bier International hired some ghosts to do construction work because I walk by this space practically every day and I have not seen any action-not a peep, not a sound coming from this space, which leads me to believe “we’re not getting any beer garden in May.” Maybe late June or July it will open, which will be nice to have. Don’t get me wrong. Drinking a brewski during those hot, humid summer days sounds delightful! I cannot wait! Harlemites will now have another option to throw back a few beers then head over to Slyvia’s for some good grub and then on to Harlem Lanes to bowl the night away!

Man-oh-man, I love Harlem and all that it offers! Have a great weekend!

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Sneak peak of Harlem’s Just Wingin It

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Mar 23, 2010 @ 13:37
By HarlemGal
In January, we told you how Construction Intervention, the Discovery Channel TV show, was at 2190 Frederick Douglass Blvd performing some construction magic on Harlem’s Just Wingin It! Well, the magic/makeover is finished! Here is a sneak peak at what the public will see when Construction Intervention debuts April 13, 2010 at 10 PM ET/PT April or May.

Check your local listings for exact air date and time of Construction Intervention!

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What a difference a day makes for Ryan Skeen’s 5 & Diamond in Harlem

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Mar 17, 2010 @ 7:30

HarlemCondoLife

By HarlemGal
As that familiar saying goes, what a difference a day makes. I walked by 5 & Diamond, the latest addition to Harlem’s restaurant scene, Tuesday evening and the place looked completely different from Sunday night, which then looked a bit disheveled. The tables are now organized and set with glasses. The bar, or what looked like a bar, was being stocked and one of the investors was on site, i.e. Chef Ryan Skeen. He was there talking away on the phone in what appeared to be a telephone media interview. Clearly, they had some sort of PR push Tuesday cause there are several online articles about the place and the menu was released to NY Magazine.

HarlemCondoLife

I inquired again about opening day.  The folks on site said they would not be ready to open on Wednesday, hopefully Thursday or Friday (March 18 or 19th)  at best. Either way, we all have another option for dining to choose from in Harlem and you can pretty much count on HCL to visit the place soon!

2072 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York 10026
(Btwn 112th & 113th St)
T: (646) 684-4662

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5 & Diamond is the new restaurant on Frederick Douglass Blvd in Harlem

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Mar 16, 2010 @ 14:26
By HarlemGal
We now know the name of the restaurant space we have been following for months! It is called 5 & Diamond located at 2072 Frederick Douglass Blvd. The chef will be Ryan Skeen.

From the pics below, workers have been working overtime and told us they are suppose to open tomorrow night, Wednesday. Yikes! Ahh…it appears they have a lot to do from these pics. Stay tune for more info!!!!

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UPDATE: New FDB restaurant in Harlem may open next week

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Mar 10, 2010 @ 11:32
By HarlemGal

HarlemCondoLife

Not too long ago, HarlemCondoLife told you about a new restaurant developing on Frederick Douglass Blvd. between 112th and 113th Street. Apparently plans are still underway to open soon.  According to a HCL reader, they heard from a worker on site recently that the place is aiming to open up next week and the cuisine will be American. From the looks in this photo, they are definitely trying to hide the decor from street walkers. Maybe ’cause they are more than likely in place and ready for patrons?  I hope it’s true!

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Harlem’s local gems

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Mar 5, 2010 @ 7:30
By HarlemGal
While Best Yet Market celebrates its grand opening March 5, HarlemCondoLife would like to echo the words that one of our readers left on our site: “don’t forget about the local gems that were here before [Best Yet].”  Those comments are smack right on! We must continue to support all of our local businesses.

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There are several places of business close to our new supermarket that offer excellent products. HCL agrees with our reader that Harlem’s Patisserie Des Ambassades, located right across the street from Best Yet, offers delicious breads and pastries. I have purchased baguette’s at Les Ambassades before and they are absolutely delicious. Go purchase bread there. It is very good! And their pastries are scrumptious as well. There are a wide variety of pastries to choose from at Les Ambassades, such as fruit tarts, danishes, tiramisu, creme brulee and more. The food is darn tastie as well. But I won’t elaborate about the food just yet. Stay tune for a restaurant review by a HCL blogger.

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As for other places close by that offer excellent desserts and bread rolls is Lee Lee’s Baked Goods and a few blocks east  on 116th and St. Nicholas is Make My Cake.

We encourage you to visit Lee Lee’s, Make My Cake and Les Ambassades. They won’t disappoint. Take our word for it!

Patisserie Des Ambassades
2200 8th Ave
(between 118th St & 119th St)
New York, NY 10026
(212) 666-0078

Lee Lee’s Baked Goods
283 W 118th Street close to FDB
New York, NY 10026
(917) 493-6633

Make My Cake
121 St. Nicholas Ave (at 116th St.)
(212) 932.0833

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