Just Wingin It in Harlem is open

Apr 21, 2010 @ 21:08

By HarlemGal
I stopped by 2190 Frederick Douglass Blvd. tonight (Wednesday), the home of Harlem’s Just Wingin It, to see if they were open after they were profiled on The Discovery Channel’s Construction Intervention last night (April 20)…and THEY ARE! They opened up for business yesterday (April 20).

Tonight when I waked in, they were very busy! While I was waiting for my order, I purchased the curry chicken sandwich…yum, I caught a conversion about how some folks from Queens saw Construction Intervention last night so they decided to drive on over and try the food. When I walked in the folks from Queens were there eating away on their second batch of wings. I also met a principal from a local Harlem school while at Just Wingin It. The principal saw the show last night too and was there to order some food to go! And I met Walter Lewis tonight, the owner and NYC fireman! He was super, super, super nice and working way…in the fireman’s suit!!!

Walter, HarlemCondoLife.com congratulates you on your reopening and wishes you much success with your business.

For the rest of us, let’s get out there and support Just Wingin It; and the rest of our Harlem local gems!

Harlem church to become Harlem mosque

Apr 17, 2010 @ 15:31
By HarlemGal

These pictures say it all. We now know who purchased the church located at 371-373 Manhattan Avenue in Harlem. The picture below says “this is what you paid for. Please continue to donate.” No moving date was listed on the signage below. We also asked a few people standing outside Masjid Aqsa Mosque if they knew when they were relocating and no one would comment. If the mosque is relocating to Manhattan Ave., then what’s to become of their current property located on Frederick Douglass Blvd. between 115th and 116th Street? Will they sale it or rent it out? In due time, we will find out.

What’s up with Stephanie in Central Harlem?

Apr 16, 2010 @ 10:34

HarlemCondoLife

By HarlemGal

Two readers have reached out to us asking que paso con Stephanie, the bodega located on the northeast corner of 116th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd? One reader writes “the corner deli appears to be going through a major overhaul internally possibly to keep in step with their new neighbors on the boulevard.” Maybe so? I just hope they do not change the exterior. I love the colorful signage Stephanie, the corner deli wears. It makes her look unique and colorful. As for the inside, change is probably a nice business strategy in order to generate more customers. If anyone else has the scoop on what is happening with our bodega, diganos! Pronto!

HarlemCondoLife

Top ten reasons on why Harlem is one of the best places to live in New York City

Apr 14, 2010 @ 7:19

By HarlemGal
This is a blog that writes about all things positive about Harlem. We tell our stories from “nuestros corazones.” Unfortunately, we don’t have data, grids or a fancy magazine to back up our stories. We only have words, life experiences and a love for all things Harlem. And what better time to use these descriptions and tools than right now-especially given the recent edition of New York Magazine.

To profess our reasons on why we believe Harlem is one of the best places to live in New York City, we created our own Top Ten List. Sorry Dave. We have to borrow a page right out of your playbook to make our point. Here we go….

Top Ten Reasons on why Harlem is one of the best places to live in New York City:

10. Harlem is almost 400 years old. And guest what?….we will still be around for another 400 years! Isn’t lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn suppose to sink under water?

9. Harlem is very green. We are near several three parks: Central Park North, Jackie Robinson Park, Morningside Park, Riverside Park, Riverbank State Park and Marcus Garvey Park. Harlem also has St. Nicholas Park, which a reader told us “is one of the most historical (along with Hamilton Grange, City College, Hamilton Heights and Striver’s Row near).” Shouldn’t we count Riverside Park too? Then that would be four parks we are near.

8. We are home to the highest institution of higher learning in the State of New York, Columbia University. Park Slope kids will be living in Harlem when they get older and head to Columbia.

7. We have many different neighborhoods and some of their names are sweet, like sugar, or romantic as Spanish.

6. We are one of the happiest according to a recent survey. To tell the truth, we are very happy in life. However, we are not happy with New York Magazine right now….

5. Because you can have a date with red, not Red Butler, but red as in red velvet cake at Lee Lee’s Baked Goods on 118th Street. Delicious!

4. We have famous songs about or that mention Harlem that are as diverse as its people. Harlem River Quiver is by Duke Ellington. Angel of Harlem is by U2. Spanish Harlem Incident is by Bob Dylan and Across 110th Street is by Bob Womack.

3. We have some serious wide sidewalks where there is plenty of elbow room for you and your baby stroller. Parts of the Village are like walking through a football field.

2. We have the famous Apollo Theater. Need we say more.

1. And the number reason on why Harlem is one of the best places to live in New York City, because This blog is going to go negative for once on its blog. We don’t believe or give a flying hoot about Nate Silver and his recent findings. Politics done right does not necessarily mean neighborhoods done right!

Nate, come up and visit us any time. We will show you all the great things Harlem has to offer!

Chocolat to be Harlem’s next restaurant on Frederick Douglass Blvd

Apr 7, 2010 @ 12:56

By HarlemGal
I would like to introduce you to the space that will house Chocolat Restaurant Lounge at 2217 Frederick Douglass Blvd. There has been all this speculation about this space pictured below, but speculate no more! I have spoken directly with the owner of Chocolat and he tells me this corner space will be his second restaurant on FDB, also known as 8th Avenue. I believe Chocolat was previously located on 5th Avenue and the first place was Moca Lounge, which was one of the early establishments to open on FDB way back in the day. It is safe to say Moca Lounge is the pioneer on FDB!!!

As for additional details, the owner shared that Chocolat will offer mixed cuisine and will open soon. Exact date to be announced later!

Now that the restaurant rumors are a little bit more clear. I guess this means Red Rooster will now open at….?

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

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!

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

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.

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife

Tonnie’s Minis from Harlem now available at Bloomingdales

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

HarlemCondoLife

Café Amrita: The Harlem Chameleon

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

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

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!