Tag Archives: HarlemGal

Just Wingin It in Harlem is open

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

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!

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Harlem’s Sylvia’s Restaurant to provide home delivery in February

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Jan 25, 2010 @ 15:58
By HarlemGal
I read the news in Crain’s, a New York business publication, announcing that Slyvia’s Restaurant, Harlem’s touristy soul food hangout and a political platform for wanna be candidates, will be offering home delivery in February. That is great news and a positive development for locals according to Slyvia’s peers in Harlem. I spoke with Native’s, Amy Ruth’s Restaurant and Chez Lucienne, who are all based in Harlem, about this news asking “what does this mean exactly? And is this a positive sign for Slyvia’s or a weakness?
The peers I spoke with overwhelmingly agreed this is a positive development and there is no negative side. Amy Ruth’s, who declined to use a name for this post, said “this decision is good for the community! It provides another option for Harlemites.” Brian, who identified himself as a manager at Native’s said these types of decisions do not come
lightly. Food delivery is “a logistical challenge and difficult to organize. Think about Harlem just from 110th Street from East to West up to only 125th Street? It’s a large area and there is not that many delivery options. Harlemites have another option.” Native’s said they have been talking about setting up food delivery for sometime and now plan to follow suit soon! Chez Lucienne had nothing but positive things to say about the decision.
Slyvia’s peers also said this decision could address any issues with declining sales and needing to stand out more, which is part of the business.
Whatever the case maybe, all I know is if I am craving biscuits and gravy, I now know who to call.

Other Harlem establishments that deliver are: Miss Mamie’s Spoonbread, Questans, Society Cafe, Chez Lucienne, Patisserie Des Ambassades and Africa Kine. If you know of other food delivery in Harlem from a venue that offers good food, please tell us!

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Crowds seen at Harlem’s Frizzante, Good food and design attracts

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Jan 19, 2010 @ 10:00

HarlemCondoLife

By HarlemGal and Austin2Harlem
We enjoy dining out in Harlem and this past holiday weekend was no exception. For our Friday night outing, we decided to check out one of the newest food establishments in Harlem, Frizzante Italian Bistro & Bar, located on the corner of 117th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd. Like most Harlemites, we wondered when this place was going to open up. After our visit, we now feel the wait was worth it.

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Let us start off by saying, Frizzante did not disappoint. We walked in around 9 PM and most tables were taken. Our first thought was “are we in Harlem?” Where did all these people come from? We didn’t recognize anyone in the place. It immediately felt like a downtown Italian bistro in Little Italy. The layout of the place is very well done with hanging lights, big wooden tables and a beautiful corner bar showcasing numerous wine bottles.

When we were seated, paper menus were provided with the words “CASH ONLY” on it. As we quickly scanned the menu, the price point diminished the cash only aspect because most items on the menu were below $10. BONUS! We were quite impressed. Now we were thinking, the next bonus will be if the food matches or surpasses its prices. And it did!

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We started off with Antipasto misto: proscuitto, mortadella, soppressata and capocollo served on a nice round white place; and Cuori de carciofo alla Milanese: pan seared artichoke hearts. Both starters were simple, but very tasty. The artichokes were breaded and served with lemon wedges. We sprinkled a little bit of lemon juice on top and the item tasted like you were biting into a meaty artichoke. The cured meat was wonderful as well. We liked the proscuitto and the salami-like meat. Eating the meat with the garnished type red onion gave it a kick.

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For our dinner plates, we had the Lasagne di carne, the meat lasagna, and the Scaloppine di vitello al limone, veal in a white wine and lemon sauce. Both dishes were absolutely delicious! What we were impressed the most by was the meat lasagna. It had no cheese, but it didn’t need it. It was scrumptous without it. The veal was lean and tender. You could cut it with your fork. This dish was served with roasted potatoes, but not that many. The meat was good, but they could have provided just a tad bit more potatoes. Between the two dishes we preferred the meat lasagna. However, you cannot go wrong with either one if you decide you’re in the mood for some veal.

As for dessert, we would have ordered some. After being open for only one day they were not ready to serve dessert or liquor. Frizzante does not have their liquor license yet. Not too worry, they allowed BYOB. We went to the little bodega on the corner of 116th and FDB for some brewski. However, we saw most patrons going to The Winery, Nectar or Harlem Vintage for a bottle of vino to go along with their dinner. Those establishments had to be happy that night and will be for a while until Frizzante gets their liquor license.

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Overall, we had a wonderful time dining at Frizzante. We saw some discombulation, but it was minor and plus Frizzante has only been open for a few days now. Between the two of us our bill was a total of about $45, not including tip. We were extremely pleased with the food and with the fact that we did not have to venture downtown and pay a ton of money for a nice Italian meal.

Frizzante Italian Bistro & Bar
2168 Frederick Douglass Boulevard
New York, NY 10026-2001
(212) 866-0525

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Harlem’s Frizzante Italian Bistro opens….finally

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Jan 15, 2010 @ 16:43
By HarlemGal

HarlemCondoLife

UPDATE: Click here to read review on food!

After many, many months of restaurant furniture sitting inside a nicely designed corner space, a naked bar and teasing windows for Harlemites to peak in, Frizzante Italian Bistro & Bar has finally opened its doors at the corner of 117th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd. Last night (Thursday, January 14) was their first night of business in Harlem.
I tried chatting with the gentlemen on site today to get the chisme on who is behind this new restaurant, which, in our view, supports our claim that from 110th Street to 125th on Frederick Douglass Blvd. it is slowly and surely becoming the restaurant row of Harlem. The gentlemen declined to comment on who is the investor(s). They only said “why don’t you come over tonight and try our food; and blog about that? I responded: “I will certainly do that.”

HarlemCondoLife

Now we have to wait and see what happens with the other new restaurant opening up near 67 Orange on FDB. The place is slowing coming together. Either way, the more dining establishments in Harlem the better.

See you at Frizzante in Harlem!

Frizzante Italian Bistro & Bar
2168 Frederick Douglass Boulevard
New York, NY 10026-2001
(212) 866-0525

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Will Harlem be the next location for a Marcus Samuelsson restaurant?

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Jan 7, 2010 @ 13:00
By HarlemGal
After a little hiatus from blogging, it’s nice to return to posting with some interesting tidbits that could potentially impact Harlem’s restaurant scene. There are rumors floating around online that famous chef and Harlem resident Marcus Samuelsson maybe opening a new restaurant…in Harlem.
Could Marcus want to give MOJO or Zomas or Melba’s some competition on Frederick Douglass Blvd, the avenue we have been predicting to become Harlem’s restaurant row? If so, it would not be a long commute for Chef Samuelsson. I have seen him with my own eyes getting on the subway on the B and C line heading downtown.
I called his PR rep today to get the lowdown and to calm my excitment. This is their statement: “At this point there are no plans for him to open up a restaurant. [He is] always looking at interesting spaces and real estate opportunities, but nothing is set in stone.”
Hmm. I really hope Marcus’ broad PR statement and business plans get directed to Harlem. What do you think? Do you want Marcus Samuelsson to open up a restaurant in Harlem? I do!

HarlemCondoLife

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NYC election driving opening of Frederick Douglass Circle in Harlem?

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Oct 26, 2009 @ 21:52

HarlemCondoLife

By HarlemGal
The upcoming New York City election is potentially now driving the opening of the long awaited Frederick Douglass Circle at the base of Central Harlem! That is what I was told today by some of the workers at the site. Apparently people will be able to access the Circle by then, but no grand opening will happen for awhile. That’s the latest lowdown from the site.

HarlemCondoLife

Do you believe that time schedule given how long it has taken to finish the project or do you think they were yanking my chain? Let’s be honest, it’s shaping up to look very nice. However, the City has been working on the FDB Circle for a looooong time! Could this timing just be purely a coincidence?

And get this, the City has an office right on 110th Street between Manhattan Avenue and FDB. I tried walking in, but the doors were locked!

Overall, the workers were very clear that they had a deadline to meet and that all the barriers would be down soon. Hmmm. Stay tuned.

HarlemCondoLife

And a quick shout out to Zinc Plate Press. They have a very good shot of the sculpture!

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Is FDB becoming the restaurant row in Harlem?

Posted on July 4, 2011 | 5 comments

Nov 19, 2008 @ 20:03
By HarlemGal

For the last couple of years (let’s say three, which isn’t that long), there have been a number of new cafes, restaurants, and bars that have opened up along Frederick Douglass Blvd between 111th and 119th Street. If our memory serves correctly, first it was Society Cafe Lounge. Soon followed Melba’s. After that we believe it was Zoma, Tribal Spears Gallery and Cafe, Nectar Wine Bar and Cafe 2112. Recently, 67 Orange opened, which we hear their Grand Opening is December 5. And now, Svntn Below, which according to Uptown Flavor is open for business!

We like that all these new places have opened up and are very excited that our community continues to grow in the dining/bar/lounges sector!

To answer the question posed, with about eight new places in less than three years opening, this blogger predicts FDB is on track to become the restaurant row of Harlem!

If we left out a new business, please tell us!

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Posted in business, Harlem, Harlem bloggers, Harlem blogs, Harlem Restaurant Row, Harlem restaurants, HarlemGal, restaurant row, restaurants

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Reflections of an Upcoming Sandwich Place

Posted on July 4, 2011 | Leave a comment

Oct 28, 2008 @ 1:56

HarlemCondoLife

By HarlemGal

Word on the Harlem street, between 112th and 113th on FDB, is that this is going to be a sandwich place. Yummy.  With the hanging of purple drapes, I assumed wine bar.  Maybe its sandwiches and wine? Tell us if you know.  Either way HarlemCondoLife looks forward to another new biz, whose product is potentially food, to the neighborhood!

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Posted in Bars, Harlem, restaurant row, restaurants

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Morningside Park Farmers Market

Posted on July 4, 2011 | Leave a comment

Oct 23, 2008

HarlemCondoLife

By HarlemGal

The New York City Coalition Against Hunger recently tipped off HarlemCondoLife about a farmers market serving the community of Harlem. We decided to check it out ourselves. What we discovered…their slogan “the farm comes to you” rings true.  You can see for yourself by heading to 110th Street and Manhattan Avenue. They’re right on the Northwest corner! According to Cara, the manager, the market has been open for more than two years and will be open this year until November 22, 2008.

HarlemCondoLife

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That’s it…West Harlem will never be the same

Posted on July 4, 2011 | Leave a comment

Oct 19, 2008 @ 0:19
You know when The New York Times features a story on the front page of the Fashion & Style section, its like letting the “cat out of the bag”  or “spilling the beans ” so to speak…but in a good way.  In this week’s edition, there is a story called “Vital Signs Under the Viaduct” and it highlights all the new businesses that are in the area.

Harlemgal has frequented the area. I’ve chowed down on ribs at Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, battled for my groceries at Fairway and sipped on some smooth vino at the Hudson River Cafe – all have been fun and delightful experiences.  Now, on my to-do-list, Talay, which was also recently featured in NY Mag!

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