Tag Archives: Lido Harlem

Pods arrive in Central Harlem along with a gigantic mural

Dining pods have arrived to part of the restaurant scene in Harlem. And a giant mural on the northwest corner of Frederick Douglass Blvd and 116th Street is going up to commemorate this form of outdoor dining! If you live in the area, you can’t miss the mural (or the pods). The mural looks awesome!

Dining pods are now lining FDB from 116th to 120th Street at the following restaurants: Bixi Harlem, Blvd Bistro, Chocolate, Harlem Burger, Harlem Tavern, Mess Hall/Double Dutch, Silvana and Vinateria. These greenhouse styled dining pods were provided to minority and women-owned restaurants on FBD as part of an initiative sponsored by the Frederick Douglass Boulevard Alliance and Stella Artois, a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch.

The 7-story, 2800 square foot mural was designed and painted by Harlem-based Giannina Gutierrez. Gutierrez created the mural to welcome diners to the area and to showcase the vibrancy of the neighborhood.

Having these dining pods donated to small businesses, who truly need the help during this time, is a great example of private sector, non profits and the community coming together to collaborate for the greater good. This is a wonderful example of corporate social responsibility at its best.

Stop by to see the mural and let’s us know what you think of it here in the comments section! Go out and dine in these donated pods. And drop a line here about your dining experience in a pod too!

Photo by Harlemgal
Photo by Harlemgal

Bixi, new Harlem restaurant opening next to Lido

New York City is officially open! I’ve been waiting to share this picture for quite some time due to covid19 and the recent Black Lives Matter movement. Apparently, there is going to be a new restaurant opening on Harlem‘s restaurant row called Bixi. It’s going to be Asian cuisine I believe and it will be managed and operated by the same individuals who run Lido Italian Restaurant on the corner of 117th and Frederick Douglass Boulevard. That’s all the info I have right now. I’m sure more details will arise soon!

New restaurant opening next to Lido.
Photo by Harlemgal

Harlem organizations partner with FIT to present Harlem Holiday Windows, free tours provided

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Move over Fifth Avenue, Harlem is getting into the holiday windows game. Spanning the corridor of Frederick Douglass Boulevard between 114th and the 122nd streets, eight Harlem businesses will display windows designed and executed by fifteen students from the Fashion Institute of Technology’s (FIT) Visual Presentation and Exhibition Design (VPED) BFA program. The window displays will depict holiday-themed scenes from the Harlem Renaissance. The windows will be on view from November 30 to January 2. Visitors are invited to stroll through the historic neighborhood throughout the holidays and enjoy the window displays, while learning a bit of Harlem’s rich history.

To kick off the season, two free window tours on November 30 and December 3 will be provided by ArtCrawl Harlem, Inc. The tours will feature live storytellers and vignettes with actors and performers bringing the windows to life. The family friendly outing will also include free children’s activity and coloring books, highlighting historical themes of the period, and refreshments from some of the participating restaurants.

Windows will be decorated at the following businesses:

Vintage Harlem NYC Wine & Spirits, 2235 FDB
Chocolat, 2223 FDB
Vinateria, 2211 FDB
Lido, 2168 FDB
Harlem Tavern, 2153 FDB
Silvana, 300 W 116
Harlem Skin & Laser Clinic, 2119 FDB
Land Yoga, 2116 FDB

Harlem Holiday Windows free kick off event will start at the Harriet Tubman statue on 122nd Street at 5:30pm on November 30, and will feature an interactive and intergenerational music performance by special guest Shine and the Moonbeams. The second kick off, also starting on 122nd Street, will be at 3pm on December 3, ending at the Shop Harlem Live Harlem Holiday Expo at MIST. Produced by Harlem Park to Park, the program will include an art filled afternoon for kids and adults.

In addition to the free kick off tours on November 30 and December 3, a full schedule of paid tours and programming around the Holiday Windows, will be offered by ArtCrawl Harlem, Inc., throughout the holiday season, from November 30-December 21. Programming will include weekly tours on Saturdays from 3–5pm (dates include December 3,10, 17).Registration is available on the website. Rates are $10 per person or $150 for groups 15-25.

Tours are available for groups by special request. For more information on Harlem Holiday Windows, and the participating businesses visit http://www.harlemholidaywindow.com or call 212.866.7427.

Harlem business owner marries beau in Harlem made dress

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Some of us love Harlem so much we try to integrate our community into almost everything. Take for example, Harlem business woman Susannah Koteen, who co-owns Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar on Frederick Douglass Blvd. Susannah married Mark Sweeney, a skilled contractor, this past weekend in New York City and this blog learned she had her wedding dress made right here in Harlem for the special occasion. How cool is that?

Apparently, Penny Babel, a seamstress who lives in Harlem, made Susannah’s wedding dress and she does all sorts of custom jobs. Babel has her studio at 220 Manhattan Avenue and 110th Street. If you need a wedding dress, specially made or a custom outfit, Babel is available. Her phone number is 212.879.5844. No need to go far for special clothing!

Susannah will continue her career at Lido Harlem, and she and her husband will reside in Harlem, which means we gain a contractor in Harlem! If you need a contractor, Mark Sweeney is available. Sweeney has a contracting business with his business partner Mustapha Diop. The business is called M & M Property Services and their website is Ionanyc.com. They do all types of jobs for commercial and residential from gut renovations, kitchens and bathrooms, custom cabinetry, and home repairs.

So if you’re dining at Lido anytime soon, be sure to say congrats to Susannah. We certainly will. Wishing her and Mark all the best and many, many years of good health and happiness. Cheers!

Lido Harlem offering wine and dinner tastings for upcoming holiday season

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The holiday season is upon us, Harlem! Do you have special plans? Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar on 117th Street and Frederick Douglass is offering wine and dinner tastings during the holidays! Interested participants can schedule a wine and tasting event with friends and family or hold a company holiday party at Lido Harlem as well!

Your special event can include history, grapes and other important wine facts. For example, discover why certain foods pair better than others with your wine. Sommelier, Andrea Wobensmith will lead the tasting in a fun and relaxed setting. Lido Harlem is offering 4 and 5 course pairings for 10 or more individuals.

For reservations, call Lido at 646-490-8575, or Andrea Wobensmith at 917-733-9413, andrea@wineandtravels.com Below is a sample menu for your viewing:

First Course
Warm salad of arugula, roasted pears, walnuts, shaved parmesean
Wine: Prosecco Brut Jeio Bisol
Second Course
Arancini, risotto rice balls stuffed with gorgonzola
Wine: Rose Sangiovese
Third Course
Spaghettini, arrabiata with grilled shrimp
Wine: Toscana Rosso Circa
Fourth Course
Braised short ribs with fontina polenta, marscapone cream, fresh horseradish
Wine: Aglianico Del Vulture
Fifth Course
Chocolate budino with sea salt
Taylor Fladgate, Fine Ruby

Save the date: Second Annual Harlem Hospitality and Culinary Conference set for October 23

The second annual Harlem Hospitality and Culinary Conference, featuring top industry tastemakers and influencers from the worlds of food, hotels, nightlife and real estate, will be happening Wednesday, October 23, from 8 am – 2:30 pm, at The Studio Museum in Harlem.

Panelists this year include Richard Notar, Managing Partner, Nobu Restaurants, Serena Bass, Celebrity Caterer, Serena Bass Inc., Executive Chef, Lido Harlem, Richard Coraine, Managing Partner, Union Square Hospitality Group, Christina Grdovic, VP and Publisher, Food & Wine Magazine, Jennifer Baum, Founder, Bullfrog & Baum, Adam Saper, Managing Partner, Eataly New York, Artie Thompson, Catering Director, Chef Roble & Co./Bravo TV and Faith Hope Consolo, Chairman, Retail Group, Douglas Elliman Real Estate, among others.

The conference, will explore strategies for developing and sustaining successful businesses in Harlem within these key industries. Topics will include Game Changers: Winning Strategies in the Culinary Industry Today; Branding: Creative Strategy Behind a Successful Culinary Brand; Homegrown Restaurants/Eateries: Thriving as David in the Land of Goliath; Event Catering: Untapped Potential for Restaurant/Culinary Business Growth; Artisanal Foods: Creating a Successful Neighborhood/Regional Culinary Brand; Cocktails and Nightlife: What Makes a Great Bar?; and NYC’s Wake Up Call: Meeting Growing Demand for Harlem Hotels.

See details below on how to attend. And read more here about Harlem restaurants.
Conference Flyer2013

Didn’t make it to Italy over the summer? No worries, head to Lido Harlem for Sept wine tasting event

For those of us Harlemites who could not travel to Italy this past summer, can now escape to Italy’s wine country in Harlem. Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar on 117th Street and FDB is hosting another a wine event in September. On Tuesday, September 24th from 7:30-9:30 pm, Lido Harlem is offering a five course wine tasting dinner featuring Italian wines and food.

Wine educator and sommelier, Andrea Wobensmith will once again take guests through the wines and help them learn more about pairing tips, grapes, differences in growing practices and more, all in an intimate and relaxed setting. Wobensmith has been teaching wine classes for over 7 years. Her passion began after visiting Italy and tasting wines throughout the countryside. Wobensmith earned her Sommelier Certificate with the Sommelier Society of America.

The price is $105 per person plus tax and gratuity. Space is limited, call for reservations at: 646-490-8575 or 917-733-9413.
Lido

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

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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

Attend five course wine tasting dinner at Lido Harlem

Lido

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The good folks over at Lido Harlem, located at 2168 Frederick Douglass Blvd at 117th Street, are hosting a wine event in June. On June 5th from 7:30-9:30 pm, they are offering a five course wine tasting dinner featuring…of course, Italian wines and food.

Wine educator and sommelier, Andrea Wobensmith will take guests through the wines and help them learn more about pairing tips, grapes, differences in growing practices and more, all in an intimate and relaxed setting. Wobensmith has been teaching wine classes for over 7 years. Her passion began after visiting Italy and tasting wines throughout the countryside. Wobensmith earned her Sommelier Certificate with the Sommelier Society of America.

The price is $105 per person plus tax and gratuity. Space is limited, call for reservations at: 646-490-8575.

Harlem to celebrate Second Annual Food and Drink Boulevard May 2

The Frederick Douglass Boulevard Alliance and Experience Harlem invite us all in Harlem to their annual Food and Drink Blvd event, which is an evening of food, cocktails, music, and culture featuring most of the dining establishments on Harlem’s restaurant row, aka Frederick Douglass Blvd. The event takes place Thursday, May 2nd, from 6-10 pm. The cost to attend is $10 in advance. To purchase tickets for this fun event, go here.
FDBA eblast 2013