What’s happening in East Harlem September and October? a pig roast and East Harlem Harvest Festival

Posted on September 5, 2013 | Leave a comment

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The good folks behind East Harlem’s Urban Garden Center sent us their event line up for September and October. And as always, there is lots of fun things to do in this section of Harlem.

Mark your calendar. The East Harlem Harvest Festival will take place on Sunday, October 27th from 10 am to 6 pm at La Marqueta on 116th Street and Park Ave. We went last year and had a very good time. This event is a celebration of East Harlem’s retailers, restaurants, bars, institutions, parks, history and more.

On September 15 and 29, and October 13 and 27, there will be a pig roast called El Boar-rio at La Marqueta starting at noon. Flea Marqueta is hosting this event on specific Sundays because that’s when the market is open where you can shop for artisans, food and enjoy entertainment.

Interested in sponsorship and vending opportunities at these events? Email info@fleamarqueta.com for more information.
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Posted in art and culture, business, Community, entertainment, Events, food, Free!, Harlem, Harlem blogs, Harlem businesses, Things to do in Harlem

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Whole Foods Market NYC Branch hosting its Kid’s Day of Service Initiative in Harlem September 7

Posted on September 4, 2013 | Leave a comment

Whole Foods Market is not open in Harlem yet. However, that’s not stopping the leading retailer of organic and natural foods from logoorganizing a volunteer event in Harlem for the grocer’s Kids Day of Service Initiative.

On Saturday, September 7, from 10:30 am-12:30 pm the NYC branch of Whole Foods is organizing a volunteer event to help beautify Morningside Park while also offering “fun games and a projects created by its partner, ioby.” At the end of the two-hour volunteer effort, families can enjoy a free salad lunch and learn about the healthy eating resources from the Whole Kids Foundation. Interested in attending? Additional details are below or click here.

Who: Whole Foods Market New York City
What: Volunteer event to help beautify Morningside Park
Where: Morningside Park, West 110th to West 123rd Streets
ENTRANCE: West 117th Street and Morningside Avenue (The event will be held within West 116th to West 122nd Streets). If taking the subway, the nearest lines are the A, B, C, D and 1. If driving, there is street parking only.
WHEN: Saturday, September 7th, 10:30AM – 12:30 PM

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Crab Bash today at Red Rooster Harlem

Posted on September 3, 2013 | Leave a comment

Red Rooster Harlem "Grade Pending" sign
Chef Marcus Samuelsson and Crab Man Mike are saluting the end of summer with a Crab Bash, today, September 3 at 4:00 pm on the patio at Red Rooster Harlem at 310 Lenox Avenue.

A Harlem legend, Crab Man Mike will be serving his signature fresh crabs for the festivities, while Samuelsson and the Red Rooster kitchen team will prepare sides, such as Mexican Street Corn; Potato Salad; Mac and Greens; Buttermilk Mash; Blue Cheese Slaw; Old Bay-spiked French Fries; Collard Greens; and Bourbon Mustard Pole Beans. Guests can get into the groove with New Orleans jazz musicians providing live entertainment, and Radeberger pints will be available for $5 a pint.

The event is open to the public and free to attend. Individual crabs will cost $3 each; 3 crabs and 2 sides will cost $18; and 6 crabs and 3 sides will cost $30.

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Bikram Yoga in East Harlem to close…for good

Posted on September 3, 2013 | Leave a comment

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Sad Harlem business news to report. Late last night, Bikram Yoga East Harlem informed their members via email that they are “unable to continue operating and maintaining” the yoga studio located at 4 East 116th Street. The owners of Bikram Yoga say they are closing because they have been unable to make a profit from running the yoga studio. The East Harlem yoga studio will close on September 14.

Read the full email notice below.

Dear Bikram Yoga East Harlem Family and Friends:

We are writing to let you know that we are unfortunately unable to continue operating and maintaining Bikram Yoga East Harlem.
After nearly 5 years of serving our community, we continue to be faced with issues that prevent the studio from being profitable.
We have been pouring personal funds into the studio to keep it going for some time now. We can no longer do this.
We have contacted teachers and fellow studio owners who we thought might be interested in buying the studio and taking over the lease, however we got no firm offers.
We are still open to selling it, however, we must announce that the studio will be closed as of September 14th, 2013.
If you know of anyone who might be interested in purchasing the studio and taking over the lease, please have them contact us ASAP.

We are in the process of making arrangements for students to be able to transfer their packages to a nearby studio.
We will confirm those details ASAP.

It is with a heavy heart that we must close, but I look forward to being able to still teach and share the yoga without the burden of ownership in the near future.

Jennifer and I can not thank you enough for the support you have given to Bikram Yoga East Harlem over the past 5 years.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to call or email the studio.
Love & Light,
Stephanie

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Posted in 116th Street, business, Harlem, Harlem blogs, Harlem businesses, health and wellness, Yoga in Harlem

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An inside look at Harlem’s new Cantina, a taqueria opening Labor Day evening Sept 2

Posted on August 30, 2013 | Leave a comment

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Remember the blog post at the beginning of August about a new Harlem business coming to Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd and 111th Street? HarlemGal Inc now has confirmation on exactly what the place will be? Cantina is the name of the new restaurant on 111th and ACP.

Cantina will be serving burritos, tacos and ceviche, along with a full service bar. Starting this coming Monday evening, September 2, Cantina in Harlem will open for business and will be offering $2 tacos and $4 margaritas, according to one of the Cantina owners, who spoke with HarlemGal Inc today and happens to be involved with Harlem BBQ as well.

The price point of the Cantina menu will be below $19. One of the owners of Cantina said, “everything on the menu will be reasonable and affordable, yet everything offered will be of a high-end product.” The chef at Cantina will be coming from Dos Toros in Union Square.

Cantina in Harlem invited us in today to take a look at the place and we must say it looks very cool and comfortable. There is exposed brick and aged wood everywhere. Plus the location is perfect. It’s right by Central Park North. So when you are done with your day in the park, Cantina is one block away from Central Park North where one can purchase a fresh squeezed cucumber margarita and taquaria food. The place looks very inviting and charming. We can’t wait to check it out.

Oh by the way, Cantina was going to be called Suzy-Q and was going to offer BBQ. The owner of Cantina said they changed their strategy mid way through planning because they realized the BBQ need was already met in Harlem.

Stop by this coming Monday after 4 pm to check out Cantina in Harlem! It is on the northwest corner of ACP and 111th Street.

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Posted in 110th Street, 111 Central Park North, Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., Bars, business, Cantina Harlem, Central Park North, drinks, food, Harlem, Harlem blogs, Harlem businesses, Harlem Restaurant Row, Harlem restaurants, restaurant row, restaurants, Things to do in Harlem

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Mark your calendar: The Cecil to open in Harlem September 23, Minton’s in October

Posted on August 29, 2013 | Leave a comment

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OMG, HarlemGal Inc has the latest information on Richard Parsons’ involvement around The Cecil in Harlem and Minton’s, formerly known as the famed jazz club Minton’s Playhouse. According to his peeps, The Cecil will open September 23 and Minton’s plans to open the second week of October. So mark your calendar!

Richard Parsons has been trying to revive this space in Harlem, ie 118th Street and St. Nicholas, for quite sometime. Looks like this well-known businessman is making it happen in Harlem. With opening dates set, Parsons’ is about to deliver on what he’s been talking about for a few years, which is to revive this old-time Harlem jazz spot.

According to the information provided to HarlemGal Inc., “Minton’s is the revival of the 1930s/40s jazz club Minton’s Playhouse and will operate as a speak easy feel with a nightly house band. The Cecil will incorporate worldly music for a social dining experience. The Cecil’s menu will incorporate an Afro-Asian-America Brasserie style and Minton’s southern revival cooking with low country notes.”

Below are additional details on The Cecil and Minton’s!

The Cecil
Address: 210 West 118th Street (St. Nicholas & Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd)
Telephone number: 212.866.1262
Cuisine: Afro-Asian-American Brasserie as conceptualized by Executive chef and partner, Alexander Smalls, integrating culinary traditions of the African Diaspora.
Team: Richard Parsons – Restaurateur, Alexander Smalls – Executive Chef, Joseph Johnson – Chef de Cuisine

Minton’s
Opening Date: Second week of October 2013
Address: 206 West 118th Street (St. Nicholas & Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd)
Telephone number: 212.243.2222
Cuisine: Southern Revival Cooking with Low Country Notes
Team: Richard Parsons – Restaurateur, Alexander Smalls – Executive Chef, Banks White – Chef de Cuisine

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Posted in Bars, business, drinks, entertainment, Events, food, Harlem, Harlem blogs, Harlem businesses, Harlem restaurants, Minton's Harlem, music, restaurant row, restaurants, St. Nicholas Avenue, The Cecil Harlem

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Pop star Katy Perry dines on Harlem’s restaurant row, Melba’s Restaurant

Posted on August 28, 2013 | Leave a comment

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What a week so far for Melba’s Restaurant in Harlem! On Monday night, Christine Quinn, NYC mayoral candidate, stopped by for a women’s event. Last night, Tuesday, singing star Katy Perry and her posse dined in Harlem at Melba’s on 114th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd.

Ironically, Tuesday nights at Melba’s is open mic night. Did Katy Perry sing at Melba’s? According to our source, who sent us the info along with photos, say Ms. Perry “enjoyed a delicious meal and the entertainment after still relaxing from all the hectic festivities from the MTV VMAs.”

Melba’s Restaurant in Harlem is not only known for her down to earth comfort food, but also for its celebrity sightings such as: Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, and Tamar and Vince. Clearly, celebrities love coming to Harlem and places, such as Melba’s. Harlem is a great getaway for celebs that want to venture uptown and get some privacy versus the downtown madness.

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Posted in Bars, business, celebrities, drinks, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, Harlem blogs, Harlem businesses, Harlem Restaurant Row, Harlem restaurants, Melba's Restaurant Harlem, restaurant row, restaurants, Things to do in Harlem

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Big news: Harlem’s Mount Morris Fire Watchtower to be restored, formal announcement happening today, August 28

Posted on August 28, 2013 | Leave a comment

Congratulations to the The Mount Morris Park Community Improvement Association (MMPCIA) in Harlem, along with its Steering Committee of neighbors and friends, the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation and the Marcus Garvey Park Alliance! They have reached their fundraising goal of $4 million needed to restore Harlem’s Mount Morris Fire Watchtower in Marcus Garvey Park!

A formal announcement/press conference/photo-op will be taking place this morning, Wednesday August 28 at 10:30am at the top of the Acropolis! Stop by and join in on the celebration!

Read more about Harlem’s Mount Morris Fire Watchtower fundraising efforts here.
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Posted in art and culture, Community, Harlem, Harlem blogs, Harlem businesses, Marcus Garvey Park, Mt. Morris Park

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Ribbon cutting ceremony August 28 for Playground 123 in Harlem’s Morningside Park

Posted on August 27, 2013 | Leave a comment

The NYC Department of Parks and Recreation has scheduled a ribbon cutting ceremony in Harlem tomorrow, Aug. 28 at 11:30am to celebrate the renovation of Playground 123 in Morningside Park. Interested participants should stop by.

According to DNAinfo New York, “the playground, in Morningside Park at 123rd Street near Morningside Avenue, was rundown and had little more than asphalt pavement and chain-link fences when construction began in August 2012. After $3.7 million in renovations, the playground reopened [in July 2013] with new swing sets, including adaptive swings for disabled children, as well as castle-like play equipment, a basketball court, a playhouse and sprinklers.”

To learn more about Playground 123 in Morningside Park, check out Destination Harlem’s write-up .
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Posted in Community, Free!, Harlem, Harlem blogs, kids, Morningside Park, Things to do in Harlem, Things to do with kids in Harlem

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UPDATE: Monday Harlem happenings, Uptown Battle of the Bars Finale, Lido Harlem Gayborhood Mixer

Posted on August 26, 2013 | Leave a comment

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It is going to be a busy Monday evening in Harlem tonight, August 26. There is something to do for everyone along Harlem’s restaurant row.

Update, the event mentioned at Melba’s is by invite only.

Two blocks down, Harlem Tavern at 116th Street and FDB is hosting Uptown Battle of the Bars Showdown Finale event. It starts at 6 pm as well and runs until 9 pm. Three dozen bartenders have been engaged in a competition since the beginning of August dubbed the Uptown Battle of the Bars. Tonight, the winner will be announced. Learn more about the event here.

And last, but certainly not least, Lido Harlem will be hosting another Gayborhood mixer event this evening starting at 6 pm as well running all the way to midnight. Lido Harlem is located at 117th Street and FDB!

There ya have it! A busy Monday evening in Harlem! Enjoy!
LidoBTS

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Posted in Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, Harlem blogs, Harlem businesses, Harlem Restaurant Row, Harlem restaurants, Harlem Tavern, Lido Harlem, Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar, Melba's Restaurant Harlem, politics, restaurant row, restaurants, Things to do in Harlem, Where to dine in Harlem

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