Tag Archives: Restaurant

Looking for a new Harlem restaurant recommendation? Try Maison Harlem

Posted on November 12, 2012 | 3 comments

If you’re looking for a new dining option in Harlem, here is a recommendation! Try Maison Harlem, located on the northwest corner of 127th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue. The French bistro opened in Harlem three weeks ago and it already has received a shot out in The New York Times.

We went by Maison Harlem this past weekend for dinner and was pleasantly surprised by the place. First, Maison Harlem is very easy to get to. Take the AC BD Subway line to 125th. Get out of the 127th Street exit and you’re right there. Second, the decor of the place is very lovely. The place is filled with dark wood every where and has lots of windows that look out making it spacious. It appears it can seat up to 75 people or more. And last, the ambiance was incredible for only being open three weeks. Maison Harlem was packed with a diverse group of patrons and we went early to dine, say 7ish. I couldn’t believe how many people were there dining and drinking at the bar.

As for the food, it was delicious, but be prepared to eat meat. If that’s not your thing, you may want to hang out at the bar for drinks. The dishes I devoured were very rich and creamy, but that’s what you get with French cuisine. I had the Frisee Salad with crispy bacon and a poached egg. If you like fancy bacon, this is the place for you. The Frisee Salad had big cubed pieces of bacon on it making the dish slightly salty and tasty. For an entrée, I tried the Tagliatelle Carbonara. This dish has a creamy sauce, more bacon, and a raw egg left in a half shell. The pasta dish was fun and different to eat because you had to take the raw egg out of its shell, whisk it up and mix in the pasta. And for desert, I had the Pina Colada Parfait. This was a light tasting desert and much-needed after I O.D. on fancy bacon. The service was fair, but a tad off. I chalk this up to the place being brand new and the staff working on their groove. I am confident the service will improve.

Overall, I am definitely going back to Maison Harlem. This place is going to have the same people watching/ambiance crowd that Red Rooster Harlem and Corner Social have. Maison Harlem is positioned to offer up a good time and a delicious meal. It has location, good food and ambiance. Can’t ask for more than that. Check it out soon!

Maison Harlem
341 St. Nicholas Avenue (127th Street)
212-222-9224/212-222-9220

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Posted in Bars, Cafe, drinks, food, Harlem, Maison Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurants, spending

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The 5 and Diamond Harlem kicks off 2012 helping Haiti

Posted on January 3, 2012 | Leave a comment

The women behind 5 and Diamond Harlem are starting off the new year by thinking of others. Lia Sanfilippo and Selene Martinez, co-owners of the Harlem restaurant Frederick Douglass Blvd., are organizing a benefit January 5 called Helping Hands for Haiti. All the proceeds, i.e. 100 percent, from the event will be donated to support grassroots efforts in Haiti in the areas of medical, construction and food distribution. If you would like to attend this event, RSVP to info@5anddiamondrestaurant.com. Suggested donations are listed below.

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Head to the Caribbean tonight at 5 and Diamond’s Sunday Supper Club

Posted on October 30, 2011 | Leave a comment


So the snow arrived earlier than expected and the cold temperatures are upon us. How to deal with the weather change? I have one solution! Head to the Caribbean tonight. Not literally. Go there via cuisine by attending the Sunday Supper Club at 5 and Diamond Harlem, located near the corner of 113th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd.

Tonight, 5 and Diamond Harlem will incorporate cuisine and music from different parts of the Caribbean with a modern vision. The meal will be cooked by Darryl Burnette and here is what is planned for the menu:

  • House made Caribbean chips with mango guacamole.
  • Mini chile glazed Shrimp Tacos
  • Crab crusted Red Snapper tostones habanero ginger oil
  • Slow roasted Suckling Pig with Coconut Moros y Cristianos (black beans & rice)
  • Upside down Pineapple gingerbread cake with Jamaican Rum Carmel

Caribbean music will be served up as well. Steel pianist Winston Theobold from Trinidad and Tobago will perform. Winston is a versatile performer, arranger, and composer of steel band music and plays everything from classical to Calypso on his Tenor pan. Joining Winston will be folk singers from the Caribbean-American Chorale, directed by Gail Blache-Gill.

Dinner seating begins at 7:00 p.m. and prix fixe is $65. To attend, call the restaurant at 646 684 4662.

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Spend your Sunday evenings at The Supper Club in Harlem

Posted on October 11, 2011 | Leave a comment


There is a lot happening in Harlem for the month of October. So much activity is happening that it is hard to keep it straight. One event you should consider for your busy schedule is 5 and Diamond’s Supper Club. The next one is planned for October 16 and the theme will be Caribbean.

We went to the September Supper Club and…let us say…it was extremely nice and the food was outstanding! The entire menu was prepared by Chef Daryl Burnette, who happens to reside in Harlem with his wife, and there was singing performances by Gail Blache-Gill, who brought along some of her colleagues in the industry to perform as well.

That night, every item on the menu was perfectly prepared and the singing talent was out of this world wonderful. What made the evening more special was that it felt close and personal. 5 and Diamond is sized in space where everyone can see each other and the performances were up close. Sometimes when going out at dining establishments, it’s so crowded where you can’t catch a glimpse of anything. Not at the Supper Club in Harlem. The luxury is witnessing faces (some of them you might know).

Watching Chef Burnett create magic on the plate and Ms. Gill and her colleagues singing beautifully that night, which sent chills down our spine, makes me think-and say again-“there is so much talent in Harlem” its endless and this blog wants to observe it all.

So if you’re at a loss on what to do on a select Sunday night in Harlem, look no further. There’s the Supper Club at 5 and Diamond in Harlem!

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The 5 and Diamond Harlem kicks off Fall Supper Club with Bergdorf Goodman’s executive chef

Posted on September 15, 2011 | Leave a comment

Have you ever wondered how the food tastes at Bergdorf Goodman’s BG Restaurant? Well, wonder no more. There is an opportunity to taste it right here in Harlem. Their executive chef Darryl Burnette will be the guest chef at Harlem’s 5 and Diamond Restaurant this coming Sunday, September 18 at 7 p.m. Burnett will be treating guests to a menu of “Southern Classics with a Modern Vision.”*

Chef Burnette is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. After graduation from the CIA, Burnett had the privilege of working under such talented chefs as Charlie Palmer, Jean Georges Vongerichten, and Andy D’ Amico. Burnette has even trailed Marcus Samuelsson.

The menu for the evening will include:
PETIT AMUSÉ: Mini Country Ham Biscuit with Peach Basil Habañero Jam;
APPETIZERS: Mac & Cheese Spring Rolls and Shrimp & Grits;
FISH: Rainbow Trout with Black Eyed Pea Succotash; INTERMEZZO; Mint Julep Sorbet
MEAT: Meatloaf Wellington with Truffle Mashed Potatoes and DESSERT, Red Velvet Trifle.

In addition to the food prepared by Chef Burnett, the evening will also have soprano Gail Blache-Gill as part of the program. Blache-Gill has been touring internationally in Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, singing the roles of Clara, Lily and Serena with the New York based Living Arts Inc. She takes time out of her schedule to sing Sunday night at 5 And Diamond Harlem.

If you would like to attend the first Supper Club of the season at 5 and Diamond Harlem, the menu is available for $65 if booked in advance, $75 at the door. 5 and Diamond also offers a flight of wines selected by sommelier John Soler to accompany each course, at an additional $25 per person.

To make reservations for this event, call 646 684 4662.

*Also, please note that this event is not affiliated with the department store, Bergdorf Goodman.

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Posted in 5 and Diamond Harlem, art and culture, business, Community, drinks, entertainment, Events, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, music, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurant row, restaurants

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2011 Harlem Week kick off was a big success

Posted on July 31, 2011 | 2 comments
Macy's Food Truck Staff, Harlem Week 2011Harlem Week 2011Harlem Week 2011Uptown Dance Academy, Harlem Week 2011Face painting, Harlem Week 2011Harlem Arts Alliance, Harlem Week
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Harlem Week 2011 kicked off today, July 31, with much success. There were plenty of New Yorker’s in attendance who wanted to partake in this years theme, “A New York State of Mind.” I certainly did and enjoyed the kick off celebration very much. I checked out all the street vendors and camped out at the Macy’s Food Truck, which was featuring free food by Marcus Samuelsson.

If you were not able to check out Harlem Week 2011 kick off today, do not worry. There is  a month full of activities planned for August.  For additional details, go to Harlem Week’s website.

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Posted in art and culture, baking, business, Community, education, entertainment, Events, Free!, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, Red Rooster Harlem, restaurants, shopping, spending

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Visit Marcus Samuelsson today at 126th and Riverside in Harlem

Posted on July 31, 2011 | Leave a comment



Macy’s Culinary Council Hits the Road in Harlem today! Chef Marcus Samuelsson will be on board the Macy’s Food Truck cooking and serving catfish sandwiches with fried caper slaw and sweet potato fries! Below are the details:

Sunday, July 31, 2011
Noon-4:00PM
W. 126th St. & Riverside Dr.

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Weekend Harlem Must Dos, Lido sidewalk cafe, Urban Garden Center sale and Marcus & Macy’s

Posted on July 29, 2011 | 1 comment

There are three Harlem must dos I am recommending for this weekend. Try them out and let me know what you think!

On Friday, July 29, swing by Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar. Their sidewalk seating is in full swing. They have plenty of tables outside for Harlemites to sit and dine on. While you’re there, check out some of their summer cocktails. Here are three to consider!

20110729-124324.jpgTry Serena’s Sangria. It is made with a white wine base, passion fruit, sliced plums, and Spanish brandy. It’s hard to drink just one. Try the pitcher for $25.

Next, Lido Lemonade with lemon juice, vodka, and Licor 43 infused with thyme. The glass is garnished with a sprig of thyme.And if you need a carbonated fix, try Fiore Spumante (Italian for Sparkling Flower). It’s gin and St Germaine with champagne and a raspberry to garnish.  Also, Lido is now open Mondays and offering
$14 prix fix lunch with free wifi and complimentary iced coffee or tea!

On Saturday, July 31, head on over to Urban Garden Center in Spanish Harlem. They have a sale! They are offering 30 percent off on all in stock inventory. It ends on July 31 so drop by 116th and Park Avenue, take advantage of the sale and say hi to Dimitri, chief designer at Urban Garden Center!

And on July 31, spend Sunday afternoon with Marcus Samuelsson and the Macy’s Food Truck. Macy’s Food Truck is parking itself on 126th Street and Riverside Drive with our fellow Harlemite during Harlem Week. From noon to 4:00 p.m., Red Rooster Harlem owner and Chef Marcus Samuelsson will be on board cooking and serving catfish sandwiches with fried caper slaw and sweet potato fries!

There ya have it! Weekend Harlem must dos!

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Celebrate Harlem Week with Marcus Samuelsson with Macy’s A-Go-Go Food Truck

Posted on July 21, 2011 | 4 comments

I have more details about Marcus Samuelsson’s July 31 participation in “Macy’s Chefs A-Go-Go,” a national food truck tour showcasing the Macy’s Culinary Council. The Macy’s Food Truck is rolling into upper Manhattan-126th Street and Riverside Drive to be exact-with our fellow Harlemite during Harlem Week, a month long celebration of the culture, arts, civil rights, politics, religion and community education. Perfect timing! Love it!

From noon to 4:00 p.m., Red Rooster Harlem owner and Chef Marcus Samuelsson will be on board at the Harlem stop, cooking his signature recipes and dishing them out for free! And guess what Marcus will be cooking? He will be serving catfish sandwiches with fried caper slaw and sweet potato fries! Yummy! That sounds delicious for lunch on Sunday, July 31.

If you have not tried Marcus Samuelsson’s cuisine, here is your opportunity! And the best ingredient in Marcus’ food that day, it’s FREE! See you at 126th and Riverside, July 31 at noon! Cheers!

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Macy’s Chefs A-Go-Go Food Truck with Harlem’s own, Marcus Samuelsson

Posted on July 15, 2011 | 2 comments

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I came across an advertisement in The New York Times-dining section this week talking about Macy’s first-ever food truck featuring Chef Marcus Samuelsson. With anything that says “first-ever,” I inquired further to see what’s up with our fellow Harlemite. This is the deal. “Macy’s Chefs A-Go-Go,” a national food truck tour showcasing the Macy’s Culinary Council, is rolling into New York City this month with two stops. One of those two stops is happening in Harlem!

On Sunday, July 31 Marcus Samuelsson, who owns Red Rooster Harlem and resides in the area, will be at 126th Street and Riverside Drive from noon to 4 p.m. on Macy’s Chefs A-Go-Go Food Truck cooking his signature recipes and dishes for those that pass by the food truck for FREE! That’s right! The food Marcus will be cooking on the food truck will be given out for free! I don’t know exactly what Marcus will be cooking yet. However once I find out, I will pass along!

So if you haven’t tasted Marcus Samuelsson’s fabulous food creations before, now is your chance…and for free! All you have to do is go by Macy’s first-ever food truck on July 31, which will be parked with Marcus inside at 126th and Riverside Drive.

For those interested in the first stop of the Macy’s Food Truck, it is happening this weekend, July 16, downtown at Union Square’s Farmers Market with Chef Todd English.

See you at the Macy’s Food Truck in Harlem!

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