Tag Archives: Photos by HarlemGal

Harlem Lanes is a ‘strike’ full of fun

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Jun 16, 2010 @ 15:30

HarlemCondoLife

By HarlemGal
It’s mid week and you’re wondering what you should do for fun on a Thursday? We were asking ourselves that same question recently. We solved it with one simple idea: Let’s go bowling! And that we did! We headed to Harlem Lanes located at 2116 7th Avenue (between 125th and 126th Street) on a Thursday night recently and had a blast!
There are a ton of things to do in Harlem, however we wanted something different, yet playful. Harlem Lanes was the perfect solution. It is a two level, 24 lane bowling alley and entertainment complex with a bar and cafe.
For a couple of hours, we bowled two games at $6 dollars each. Our shoe rental was $5 bucks a piece. Drinks were around $10 and very tasty I might add. They put whip cream on their piƱa coladas. Yum.
While at Harlem Lanes, we laughed, danced a little to the music being played from the jukebox-at least I did, made fun of our bowling skills and at times watched the other people in the lanes close by who were great at bowling. One cannot help but stare at those who seem to get a strike at every turn. It’s a natural tendency…right? Then you ask yourself, why can’t I do that?
We did all this for very little and had a great time! Plus we walked home from there. We did not have to trek back uptown! However, we stress going on a week night. There were plenty of lanes available, limited crowds; and not much of a wait for drinks.
So if you want to do something fun, different and close to home on a week night, check out the first bowling alley to open in Harlem since the eighties. Harlem Lanes is the perfect to do during the week!

Harlem Lanes
2116 7th Avenue
New York, NY 10027-4411
(212) 678-2695

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Posted in Community, entertainment, Events, Harlem

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Frederick Douglass Circle in Harlem opens, people already visiting

Posted on July 5, 2011 | 2 comments

Jun 2, 2010 @ 20:27

By HarlemGal

Today is the first day that Frederick Douglass Circle in Harlem is available to the public. Yes, it is officially open after more than seven years in the making.Wow. It’s about time and long overdue. According to a worker at Cafe Amrita, City workers were taking down the barriers last night around 1 AM.

Thank you to whomever said or convinced the City to open the circle now. Nice timing. Harlemites can enjoy the Circle during the summer months and on. I was out there today looking at every aspect of the Circle. It looks fabulous.

Below are pictures of locals looking around Harlem’s brand new Frederick Douglass Circle or better yet, come by and see it for yourself! Take the B/C to 110th Street/Catherdral Parkway or the 2/3 to 110 Street/Central Park North.

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Posted in art and culture, Community, Harlem, history

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Workers seen on site in Harlem at expected Bier International

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Jun 1, 2010 @ 7:30

By HarlemGal

A month ago, we mentioned that 2099 Frederick Douglass Blvd is expected to be the home of Bier International, Harlem’s first beer garden; and that we didn’t think it would open at the end of May. The opening did not happen in May. However, we’re happy to report we have seen work activity on site recently. Over the Memorial Day weekend, we saw workers outside of the property and one side of the rolling steel doors up.

From the photos below, there is something happening inside the retail space. However, the real question is what type of deadline are these workers on? We asked when the beer garden in Harlem is scheduled to open, one replied “a month from now.”

What a complete bummer-if in fact that is the case! With the 2010 World Cup starting on June 11 and lasting for several weeks, that is prime beer drinking time. Maybe the worker on site meant to say “we’re opening in two weeks for the World Cup or midway through the World Cup.” We are keep our fingers crossed hoping that one of those scenarios is the case! If you have heard otherwise, chime in!

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Posted in Bars, business, Harlem, restaurant row, restaurants

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Gateway Condo in Harlem sheds part of scaffolding curtain

Posted on July 5, 2011 | 1 comment

May 14, 2010 @ 10:52
By HarlemGal
If you were wondering what’s behind those scaffolding curtains drapping over Gateway Condominiums located at 2098 Frederick Douglass Boulevard in Central Harlem, we now have a preview! Part of the curtains are down. I believe it came down yesterday. I guess the developer wants us Harlemites to see that the center part of the construction is almost finished. I use the words “almost” cause I am hoping the center building will be painted to match the other buildings it is joined next to.
The center building that we can all see now was a vacant lot. There’s not too many of those lots left at the base of Central Harlem. Vacant lots are slowly vanishing.
As for Gateway Condo, let’s hope the other part of the curtain comes down soon from the part of the building that’s sitting on top. Last week, I saw a giant crane taking big items to the very top of the building. The construction worker on site said they were trying to cover the 11th floor.
Given all this recent activity, let’s just hope those efforts continue so that the project can be finished!

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Posted in Harlem, real estate

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Polished Finger Tips opens in Harlem, another new business on Frederick Douglass Boulevard

Posted on July 5, 2011 | 2 comments

Apr 25, 2010 @ 15:49

By HarlemGal
When I was heading to Best Yet Market on Friday, I noticed a new store had opened right by Just Wingin It. It is called Polish Finger Tips located at 2198 Frederick Douglass Blvd. They opened April 21st and now offer spa services, which includes manicures, pedicures, waxing, facials and more. On top of that, there are clothes to purchase inside this place. So when you visit Polished Finger Tips you can shop for clothes while you wait for your mani/pedi or facial appointment. I tried out their manicure for $15 dollars on Friday and it came out very nice. I was pleased with the results, service and I enjoyed looking around at the decor. Whoever decorated the place did a nice job. I plan to go back soon for a pedicure.

Now Harlemites have two options in the area to get nails and feet polished. There is Z Nail Salon on 116th and now Polished Finger Tips!

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Posted in business, Harlem

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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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Posted in business, Harlem, restaurants

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Harlem church to become Harlem mosque

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

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.

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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.Ā 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.Ā 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,Ā 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.Ā 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.”

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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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More room for dining at Harlem’s Lolita’s

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Jan 15, 2010 @ 9:51

HarlemCondoLife

By HarlemGal
Not too long ago, I was craving tostadas and Mexican corn on the cob so I headed to Lolita’s on Lenox Avenue and 113th Street. When I went in I noticed the place was full since the only area to sit is in a narrow space you see right when you walk in or you can sit outside when the whether is nice. However, this time when I went there to dine the host turned far left and said “you can sit here,” which was in an entire different area! I had never gone beyond the narrow area. Apparently, Lolita’s took over some of the space next door (or was hiding it) and now there is una gran sala to eat! Que suave and congrats to Lolita’s on their expansion! After being open for nearly two years, I would say that is nice progress for Lolita’s.
If you like Mexican food for a reasonable price, head on over to Lolita’s with your BYOB or try one of their Jaritos! Enjoy!

Lolita’s Restaurant
100 West 113 Street, New York, NY 10026-3013
(212) 222-6969

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