Category Archives: spending

Harlem vintage newspaper stand ‘For Rent’ at 112th and Frederick Douglass Blvd

A reader asked last night and sent photos, “did you notice the old abandoned newspaper shed on 112th St and Frederick Douglass Blvd-on east side-has a ‘For Rent’ sign on it? HarlemGal did not notice, but thanks for the heads up. I wonder if the Bodega next door is the one leasing the space? Remember this is the bodega Austin2Harlem blogged about not too long ago?

I think a new newspaper stand there would be ideal and magazines too- but not for anyone to live in. Does anyone know how much the space is renting for and by whom? Tell us!

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Ron Perelman raises a cool million for Harlem’s Apollo Theater

It is showtime at The Apollo Theater, but in the Hamptons…to raise money! Ron Perelman, who joined the Apollo Theater board last year, has been throwing quite the fundraising shin-dig at his Hampton’s estate and packed with celebrity power.

Last year, Jon Bon Jovi came out for the first fundraiser and he attended again this year, along with Jaime Fox and Alicia Keys. Apparently, the event that happened this past weekend in the Hamptons raised more than $1 million for Harlem’s famous music venue versus last year where the event did not even reach a million dollars. And guess who donated food to the event? Yup, you guessed it! Marcus Samuelsson.

If this fundraiser happens again and keeps charging guests $2500 a ticket, Ron Perelman will probably reach $2 million dollars next year. Must be nice. And good for the Apollo Theater that their board works for them. The more dinero for our beautiful venue, the better! Ron go for two next year!

Preview of Harlem’s Cedric French Bistro and Bar menu

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Wondering what Cedric French Bistro and Bar in Harlem will be offering on their menu and at what price? HarlemGal has photos of the menu. Take a look!

The menu will feature five kinds of mussels, including curry, Thai, and provencales. Appetizers include risotto of the day, foie gras ravioli, beef carpaccio, and more ranging from $8 to $18. Main dishes include sautéed duck breast with cherry sauce and gratin dauphinois, steak tartare, roasted leg of lamb and some local dishes, such as fish and chips, jerk chicken, and burgers. As for desert, that is one area of the menu, I completely forgot to look at. My guess is it will be mainly french inspired deserts.

I plan on checking out this place this week since it is opening today, August 15. What about you? Are you going to dine at Cedric Bistro?

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New Middle Eastern Restaurant opening August 15 in East Harlem


There is a new restaurant opening up in East Harlem this coming Monday and the owners are shouting it out on twitter. Habibis, a quick-serve Middle Eastern restaurant, is opening its doors at 52 East 125th Street in Harlem and will be offering a menu of halal food, such as grilled meats, gyro, and falafel, as well as sandwiches, salads and desserts. Vegetarian meals will be offered as well, with options such as falafel, hummus, baba ghanoush, and a variety of salads.

Habibis’ menu is available online. Click here to check it out.

Harlem happy hours happening everywhere: Chocolat, Lido Harlem & Milk Burger

It is hump day and you’re not sure where to go for happy hour in Harlem. Here are a few choices for your consideration and recommended in order!

Those of you who know me on Facebook are a witness to my many execursions to Lido Harlem. I am always there and have more reasons to be there now given their happy hour specials. I recently learned from Susannah that from 5:30 – 7:30 every day, seven days a week, Lido Harlem is offering 1/2 price beer & wine, $5 well drinks and $5 Lido specialty cocktails. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights Lido is now offering a late night happy hour starting at 10 p.m. to close. I believe they are offering a late night menu as well! If Lido’s happy hour is anything like their food, it will be consistently good.

Chocolat has the best schedule for happy hour in my view. It starts at 5 p.m. and lasts until 8 p.m. If you can’t make a happy hour that ends at 7:30 rush on over to Chocolat on Frederick Douglass Blvd and 120th. They offer a selection of flavored martinis for $5 and small plates ranging from $5 to $8. I have had all the small plates and they were all quite good.

And last, the much talked about burger joint in East Harlem has a happy hour. If you want to be one of the first to check out Milk Burger’s happy hour, head on over soon and early or on your day off. They start at 3 p.m. Yuck. Clearly, they want people to drink early. I hope they change that time. It’s hard enough to make it to happy hour at 5 p.m. I recommend this place (see details below) because it is on the rise and experience it now while it is still relatively a new place in East Harlem.

Have a great time at happy hour. See you around in Harlem!

Milk Burger in East Harlem one degree separation from Anthony Bourdain

I tell ya! At the moment, there is no such thing as bad PR for East Harlem’s Milk Burger, the new hamburger hot spot at 2056 Second Avenue. After the little viral spat that happened a few weeks ago regarding Milk Burger allegedly burger-izing Shake Shack, who knew where Milk Burger was heading. Actually, I sort of knew its potential from that incident and now DNAInfo is reporting that Anthony Bourdain’s wife has given Milk Burger a thumbs up on twitter…to more than 18,000 followers! I guess this makes Milk Burger one degree separation from the Travel Channel star and Chef. Not bad! I am wondering now who will be next to step forward and so candidly and openly endorse Milk Burger? Any guess?

There could potentially be another ringing endorsement in Milk Burger’s future, but no one will beat this 140 character endorsement by Mrs. Bourdain: “I actually enjoyed my Milk Burger and I love that they deliver. Shake Shack is still my husband but Milk Burger can be my booty call.” Get that women her own TV show…and another burger!

The Money Series examines how East Harlem spends their money

In our Money Series,  it has covered spending habits for the Harlem areas of 10027 and 10030. The Money Series continues with the focus on East Harlem. The zip code used to come with the data for this segment of Harlem is 10029.

The top three household spending areas for the 10029 area of Harlem resulted in shopping ranking first, health & family is second, followed by house & home. If you compare spending for 10029 with 10027 and 10030, 10029 ranks identical to 10027 in the areas of health & family and house & home. Each of these spending categories ranked second and third out of the top three spending categories versus 10030, these categories ranked first and second. The interesting fact out of all three zip codes was that 10027 was the only part of Harlem that had food and drinks in the top three spending categories. Food & drink did not even rank in the top three for 10029 and 10030.

On a 12 month average, household spending for 10029 includes: $461 for shopping. Next is health & family totaling $452. Most of the spending in this area is dedicated to school & child care and insurance. House & home follows with a total of $432 with the majority of this portion going toward utilities.

If 10029, 10027 and 10030 are compared in their shared ranking areas, which are health & family and house & home, 10030 spends the most on health and family at $798 versus 10027 spends $552 and 10029 spends $452. In house & home, 10027 spends the most at $472 followed by 10030 spends $434 and 10029 spends $432.

All figures are created from an online money management tool and based on ages from 18 to 65 years of age and above, all households (married with kids or without, male or female single with kids or without), and income starting at $20,000 to $125k and above.

Stay tuned as the Money Series will look into spending habits of Harlem residents versus other parts of Manhattan.

Progress being made on upcoming nail salon in Harlem

If you’re drop by Society Cafe at 114th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd. soon, you may notice there is some construction happening next door. That’s where a new nail salon is moving into the retail space near 2098 Frederick Douglass Blvd., which you first learned about here not too long ago. According to workers on site, they are hammering, painting and nailing away because they’ve been given a deadline to be done in about one month. So stay tuned. We may have a new business opening up soon in this block!

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2011 Harlem Week kick off was a big success

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Harlem Week 2011 kicked off today, July 31, with much success. There were plenty of New Yorker’s in attendance who wanted to partake in this years theme, “A New York State of Mind.” I certainly did and enjoyed the kick off celebration very much. I checked out all the street vendors and camped out at the Macy’s Food Truck, which was featuring free food by Marcus Samuelsson.

If you were not able to check out Harlem Week 2011 kick off today, do not worry. There is  a month full of activities planned for August.  For additional details, go to Harlem Week’s website.

Weekend Harlem Must Dos, Lido sidewalk cafe, Urban Garden Center sale and Marcus & Macy’s

There are three Harlem must dos I am recommending for this weekend. Try them out and let me know what you think!

On Friday, July 29, swing by Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar. Their sidewalk seating is in full swing. They have plenty of tables outside for Harlemites to sit and dine on. While you’re there, check out some of their summer cocktails. Here are three to consider!

20110729-124324.jpgTry Serena’s Sangria. It is made with a white wine base, passion fruit, sliced plums, and Spanish brandy. It’s hard to drink just one. Try the pitcher for $25.

Next, Lido Lemonade with lemon juice, vodka, and Licor 43 infused with thyme. The glass is garnished with a sprig of thyme.And if you need a carbonated fix, try Fiore Spumante (Italian for Sparkling Flower). It’s gin and St Germaine with champagne and a raspberry to garnish.  Also, Lido is now open Mondays and offering
$14 prix fix lunch with free wifi and complimentary iced coffee or tea!

On Saturday, July 31, head on over to Urban Garden Center in Spanish Harlem. They have a sale! They are offering 30 percent off on all in stock inventory. It ends on July 31 so drop by 116th and Park Avenue, take advantage of the sale and say hi to Dimitri, chief designer at Urban Garden Center!

And on July 31, spend Sunday afternoon with Marcus Samuelsson and the Macy’s Food Truck. Macy’s Food Truck is parking itself on 126th Street and Riverside Drive with our fellow Harlemite during Harlem Week. From noon to 4:00 p.m., Red Rooster Harlem owner and Chef Marcus Samuelsson will be on board cooking and serving catfish sandwiches with fried caper slaw and sweet potato fries!

There ya have it! Weekend Harlem must dos!