1Forno Pizzeria in Harlem joins the red awning club

20130310-225519.jpg
Most of the Harlem businesses love the color red when it comes to their outdoor awnings with signage, such as Red Rooster Harlem, Harlem Food Bar, Cedric French Bistro, etc. 1Forno Pizzeria at 135 West 116th Street near Lenox Avenue decided to do the same and has installed a big bright red awning with their logo, phone number and address. I walked by the pizza place yesterday (March 10) and noticed the signage. I also noticed in the new awning the Harlem pizza place goes by the name 1Forno Pizzeria, instead of Il Forno.

If you haven’t tried a pie or a slice of pizza from 1Forno on 116th Street, give it a try. I order from them all the time and love that one can create their own toppings from a varied list of toppings! 1Forno also gets good reviews on Yelp. See contact details below.

1Forno Pizza Harlem​
135 w 116th St
New York, NY 10026
212- 222- 3030

20130310-225607.jpg

Harlem locals invest in where they live, The Grange Bar & Eatery coming to Harlem’s Hamilton Heights

272685_108468342656296_171968014_o
I love it when readers write in to tell us another set of Harlem locals are opening up a business right where they live, such as Harlem Tavern, Yatenga and more. Rita Royer-Henley and Roy Henley have been living in Harlem’s Hamilton Heights area for more than eight years and they’re the couple behind The Grange Bar & Eatery, which will be a farmer’s kitchen bistro and bar located right in the heart of West Harlem, Hamilton Heights– at 1635 Amsterdam Ave (Corner of 141st st) to be exact. Opening date is set for mid-April-May 2013

Guests of The Grange Bar & Eatery will be able to enjoy comfort food made in a 2350 sq ft, 75 seat setting with local produce and organic seasonal ingredients when possible, according to the Henley’s. The bar plans to provide “a mixology-driven selection of balanced cocktails.” “We want to go beyond the traditional cocktail and move away from those overly sweet and overpowering drinks. To do so, we will be incorporating in-house naturally pressed juices, herbs and bitters,” says the Henley’s. “We want to feature and support spirits from local small and artisan distilleries from all across the country.”

As for beer and wine, The Grange Bar & Eatery plans on using a 16-Draft Beer system, which is 80 percent craft beers and 20 percent traditional beers; seasonal beers included. The wine will be a balanced selection of international as well as local wines. Overall, guests should plan on “picturing themselves in a farmer’s country kitchen,” says the Henley’s. Oh, and The Grange Bar & Eatery plans on having outdoor seating, subject to City approval.

Out of all the many places in Harlem to open a business, I asked the Henley’s why Hamilton Heights? “We have been living in Hamilton Heights for a combined 8 years and have witnessed how much this beautiful section of Harlem has changed and grown especially in the last 5 years. We soon discovered out of our own need to have more places to go to that were within walking distance. We believe so much in this [part of Harlem]. “We are thrilled to make this happen and setting the standard for this portion of Amsterdam Ave that has so much potential in becoming the next restaurant row in Harlem.”

Congrats to the Henley’s on the opening of The Grange Bar & Eatery in Harlem’s Hamilton Heights. To learn more about the upcoming establishment, go to their Facebook page.

Wanna work at Harlem Shake? Yes, the real Harlem Shake

Interested in working at the real Harlem Shake in Harlem on 124th and Lenox? Here’s the lowdown. Harlem Shake will be doing their hiring through a NY Job Bank. It’s part of a NY state program. Prospective employees may contact Ms. Jai Popat at jpopat@grantassociatesinc.com for more information on job listings and details on sending job applications, starting on or around March 21st, which is coming up soon!

So there you have it. If you wanna work at Harlem Shake, you have the scoop! Good luck to those applying!

20130308-084322.jpg

Attend Harlem Shake Off in…Harlem March 9

A reader sent in the following information today about a Harlem Shake Off happening this Saturday, March 9 in Harlem! Details are below:

To kick off a new comedy webisode based in Harlem and to respond to all the hokey renditions of the current fad, Harlem Shake on YouTube, a “real” Harlem Shake Off is happening at Marcus Garvey Park (122nd and Madison) this Saturday, March 9th at 12 pm. Socl Expt is hosting!

If you wanna have fun and are good dancer from Harlem and the Bronx come out to this Harlem get together. FYI, the event will be videotaped!

20130307-152408.jpg

Read Borough President Scott Stringer’s letter on recent East Harlem tragedy

20130306-113749.jpg
As most of us know, an angel from God, a precious little soul, a boy, who resided in East Harlem was struck and killed recently by a truck while walking to school. It’s a complete tragedy. Now we are learning that the truck should not have even been on that block and troublesome pedestrian statistics exist for this part of Harlem, according to Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer via a letter sent out today to constituents.

According to Stringer, “of the 145 pedestrian interval signals in Manhattan, which give pedestrians lead time in crossing a street before vehicles can proceed, only two are in East Harlem. Furthermore, while many schools have special reduced speed limit signs with flashing lights, no such treatment exists near P.S. 155, despite the history of deaths in the neighborhood.”

Read the full Stringer letter below. I echo what Stringer says, the way this area is managed is unacceptable! I hope the Department of Transportation listens to Stringer’s request and acts swiftly. Our children should be able to walk to school and back safely. Punto! I hope the DOT acts soon. If you agree, share this information with as many people as possible!

20130306-113314.jpg

20130306-113321.jpg

Harlem’s Seasoned Vegan aiming to open by April, menu available online

20130305-111806.jpg
Did anyone notice that Seasoned Vegan in Harlem did not open in February? They were hoping to open Feb. 23, but couldn’t cause they’re still waiting on a few more permits to be cleared. Not surprised. This kind of stuff happens all the time with new restaurants. From what I hear Seasoned Vegan, which will be on the corner of St. Nicholas Ave and West 113th Street (55 St Nicholas Avenue), plans to open by April. That’s not that far away!

In the mean time, Seasoned Vegan does have their website up and running. Check it out. They have their menu on display as well so that when they do open, we will be ready and will know what to order.

Don’t know about you, but I am looking forward to the opening of Seasoned Vegan in Harlem! Stay tuned!
20130305-111700.jpg

Support Changing Face of Harlem, film in final stretch of completion

changingfaceofharlem
Changing Face of Harlem, a documentary about Harlem’s ongoing transformation told from the voices of longtime residents, business owners, politicians, developers, and clergy, is in the home stretch to complete the film. This month they have launched an Indiegogo campaign to raise $30,000 to meet final post-production costs. Post-production costs cover final sound mixing, edit, color correction, and costs of archival footage, graphics and music.

To help Changing Face of Harlem meet their goal, go here to donate. The campaign runs for the month of March.

Read prior posts here on Changing Face of Harlem.

Harlem Business Alliance unveils new back office support initiative

The Harlem Business Alliance sent in a photo of their March 1 ribbon cutting ceremony of its new Back Office Support Initiative. The initiative will operate out of a newly expanded space at 275 Lenox Avenue called the Small Business Support Center. The center will offer services designed to help entrepreneurs with the development and implementation of business solutions.

Congrats to HBA and all the entrepreneurs that will benefit from this initiative.

image

Annual Career Day for high school students to be held at Riverside Church in Harlem

20130301-112148.jpg

20130301-112157.jpg
Listen up young people! The Riverside Church will host its 22nd Annual Career Day & College Fair on Saturday, March 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Harlem at 91 Claremont Ave. (bet. 120th & 122nd Streets.). The theme of this year’s event is “Charge Forward!”

The keynote speaker this year will be Councilman Jumaane D. Williams (45th District, New York), who sits on the Committee for Higher Education and serves at the Chair for Youth Services.

At the event this year, participants will have an opportunity to visit with and receive information from representatives of more than 30 different colleges/universities (University of Kansas, M.I.T, Clark Atlanta University, Morgan State University, Wesleyan University and Johnson & Wales); and participate in panel discussions led by working professionals from a wide range of careers and vocations, including: IT, Law, Medicine, Communications, Sports/Entertainment, Engineering, Culinary Arts, Architecture, Green-Jobs and more.

Registration for the event is open and will continue through today Friday, March 1. Youth participants and organizations may register online at www.trccareerday.org, or call (212) 870-6833 or (212) 870-6827 for more information.

To get to The Riverside Church by subway take the 1 to 116th St. and walk to 91 Claremont Ave. (bet. 120th & 122nd St.) one block west of Broadway.

WHAT: THE RIVERSIDE CHURCH’S 22ND ANNUAL CAREER DAY

WHEN: SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 2013
9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

WHERE: THE RIVERSIDE CHURCH,
91 CLAREMONT AVE. (BET. 120TH & 122ND STS.)
MORNINGSIDE HEIGHTS

COST: FREE

Tweet of the Week: Have you dined at Harvist Harlem?

20130228-115742.jpg

20130228-115759.jpg
In this weeks Tweet of the Week, I’m singling out followers @leagoldman, @nikkimmascali and @iamjcrack who recently asked: have you dined at Harvist Harlem? If so, how was it?

Answer: yes, I have dined at Harvist Harlem located inside My Image Studios Harlem (MIST Harlem) on West 116th Street between Fifth Avenue and Lenox Avenue.

I shared the Grilled Cheese with Gruyère on sourdough bread. This item was extremely tasty and very heavy. I recommend it! I tried the Kale Salad with endive and pears. This salad is extremely healthy. I ordered the Kale Salad because I knew was I was going to have the Berebere Rubbed Filet Mignon as my main dish, which was delicious! The Filet Mignon was juicy, tender and seasoned to perfection! I ended my meal with the Red Velvet Soufflé! It was fancy! I liked it, but I’m more of a cheesecake kind of gal, so I’ll probably try the apple crisp the next time I return to Harvist Harlem.

As for price point, small plates range from $10 to $14 and large plates start at $18 and up to $25.

And an interesting feature about Harvist Harlem is that it is extremely spacious. When dining there it won’t feel crowded or small. Plus it’s easy to get to by taking the 2/3 subway to 116th Street. Check it out and enjoy!

20130228-115832.jpg

20130228-115849.jpg

20130228-115902.jpg