Crain's and Curbed has just reported that Marcus Samuelsson's Red Rooster restaurant location will be on 310 Lenox Avenue, just a block north of 125th Street. The location is quite interesting since it will be right next door to Chez Lucienne. Will this be the new restaurant row? Sylvia's is just one block up. We speculated South Harlem like everyone else but it looks like Central Harlem just got even more interesting. Read more in Crain's: LINK or Curbed: LINK. Photo by Ulysses
Friday, May 7, 2010
☞ EAT: Red Rooster Harlem Location Revealed
Crain's and Curbed has just reported that Marcus Samuelsson's Red Rooster restaurant location will be on 310 Lenox Avenue, just a block north of 125th Street. The location is quite interesting since it will be right next door to Chez Lucienne. Will this be the new restaurant row? Sylvia's is just one block up. We speculated South Harlem like everyone else but it looks like Central Harlem just got even more interesting. Read more in Crain's: LINK or Curbed: LINK. Photo by Ulysses
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I think this is a great location. It's in the heart of the nice brownstone blocks both North and South of Mt. Morris Park, there is other retail nearby, it's near 125th but not on it (which I think would have been a mistake since nice restaurants don't usually sit on major NYC cross streets) and it can draw people from both South Harlem and Central/West Harlem.
ReplyDeleteNot a fan of this location - too much loitering. However, I'm happy with the new restaurant.
ReplyDeleteI think this is good. GreenGirl is right that it can draw from West Harlem. Hamilton Heights is within walking distance.
ReplyDeleteGenius, Marcus Samuelsson said it would be close to 125th, this location really is central Harlem. As Ulysses says, this could be another restaurant row and in the heart of Harlem. Also the building is recently renovated and has a really nice façade and fabulously restored cornice seen in the photo, this building will make a fitting home to the new Red Rooster.
ReplyDeleteThis spot has excellent transportation and ready made foot traffic from Sylvia’s and Chez Lucienne, this is huge for Lenox above 125th and a big boost to Sylvia’s and Chez Lucienne.
ReplyDeleteThat is one gorgeous building. 126th Street just got justified!
ReplyDeleteThis is fantastic--perfect spot. m
ReplyDeleteMarcus is a Stud for sure! A great spot. and Hats off to him and his crew! Now does anyone know what happened to Trattoria Amici? There is a dept of health sign on the front door and the place is on lock-down. What violation could they have had?
ReplyDeleteJust in case you guys missed this interesting detail from the article:
ReplyDelete"Sources said the spot will have a café and bar on the ground level, and jazz and fine dining downstairs."
This comes on the heels of news of a potential hotel and Wholefoods on what would essentially be that corner. Could they know something? Let's hope! Looks like our faith in Harlem is credited once again!
ReplyDeleteI was the first person on this blog to get at Ulysses for constantly focusing on FDB and sort of ignoring or avoiding Lenox Avenue. It feels great to see Lenox, ESPECIALLY NORTH OF 125th STREET, getting some love. I told Green Girl and the rest of the crew that north of 125th is a much more conventient location for anyone rather than the lower teens. It turns out (Hyatt Hotel, Red Rooster?) that I may be correct...
ReplyDelete(5th ave and 127th resident)
I LOVE the fact that it's NOT IN SOHA. A lot of you here are SOHA Snobs, going all out to separate yourself from all North of 125th St. 6:46 is right, this blog focuses on FDB and SOHA.
ReplyDeleteGuess what, the HOTTEST spot coming to Harlem IS NOT in SOHA. Deal with it you arrogant SOHA Snobs!
Restaurant Row in Harlem is now officially North of 125th St. on Lenox Ave. Sylvia's is world famous and the tourist flock their daily, Chez Lucienne is perhaps the most interesting, unexpected, and compelling on a culinary level for Harlem, and now Marcus the Star Chef? Think about it, star Chefs are going to be adjacent to each other in Harlem, both North of 125th St. I am not great fan of Sylvia's but the foreign tourist are by the bus load daily. Sylvia's-Chez-Marcus all in a row? What's next? Perhaps Emeril might be looking to extend Harlem's premiere "restaurant row"!
ReplyDeleteRed Rooster will bring change to this section north of 125th street and that is the natural progression from the success down south. Everyone is happy. Can we just leave at that?
ReplyDeleteRed Rooster will bring change to HARLEM, not just "this section north of 125th."
ReplyDeleteThis new restaurant, which will certainly be a destination restaurant, will solidify Harlem's rep as the hottest up-and-coming neighborhood. The recession slowed Harlem's development, however, it didn't put a halt to it. This is evidence that Harlem will continue to progress and its better days are ahead.
ReplyDeleteCan we all take this with a grain of salt, please? It is great news for the (extended) neighborhood but it is just one restaurant. Harlem is a beautiful area but it is predominantly poor and there is still a lot of drug dealing on the streets. Those of us on this blog who want to see Harlem evolve need to stay aware of this and report what we see, go to police precinct meetings, community board meetings, etc. Poverty and drugs won't suddenly disappear because one celebrity chef shows up.
ReplyDeleteAnon 10:30,
ReplyDeleteI can assure you that a reknowned chef, as Mr.Marcus Samuelsson surely is, opening a restaurant in the neighborhood will benefit the community in many ways. First, the loiterers on the corner of 125th and 127th will be squeezed out by better retail moving in. Someone will certainly tell them to leave. The discount and checks and cashed stores will eventually be shut down and better retail will move in (this is a good thing considering that they don't offer much to the community as it is).
Second, jobs will be created, no? Tax revenue will increase, and maybe the money can be reinvested into the neighborhood. Certainly seems like the case as the city is financing some of the Hyatt Hotel on 125th.
Third, it will bring in money from outside of the neighborhood, as it will be a destination restaurant. I have already invited people across all of New York State to dinner at Red Rooster before knowing where it will open and when. This will inevitable lead to people exploring other restaurants and shops in Harlem.
This is a win-win for Harlem, especially Central Harlem, the area's main artery.
10:30 PM said, "It is great news for the (extended) neighborhood but it is just one restaurant".
ReplyDeleteThe "extended" neighborhood? WTF does this mean? "extended" from whom? Are you aware people, actual people live on 126th St? Rumor has it that people even live on 127th St if you can imagine that! And you know what, some even have jobs, and like you are owners of homes...and shock of all shocks...some have nicer homes and more net worth than you!
This is an example of the worse kind of speech on this blog and the common tone of this blog. Here is this person posting on this blog from the sole perspective and paradigm that "neighborhood" of Harlem Bespoke is SOHA, plain and simple. Everything beyond SOHA is an "extension" of the neighborhood and Harlem Bespoke.
The voice of exclusion and separateness is constant on this blog, many times it's subtle, as in this person who's said this above. Subtle but clearly demonstrates how the SOHA crowd views themselves premiere, primary, and the center point of Harlem.
I truly believe there are people on this blog, regular posters that are not pleased this restaurant is not in SOHA. Why? In their mind, Marcus made a choice contrasting their mental paradigm of themselves and their (as they would say) "neighborhood". Marcus made a choice away from their orientation...and some people don't like that....that Marcus did not affirm their orientation (that SOHA is the MUST, blah blah blah).
Stop the fighting!!!! Ulysses has done a great job and I don't think he has a SoHa bias per se - his postings cover all of Harlem. SoHa has seen more retail so more of those posts are related to SoHa. But so many of his other posts have been on other neighborhoods that have more traditional architecture and Harlem charm. As for my posts, I have simply stated that South Harlem does have certain advantages -more retail, school district zoning, proximity to Central Park - but other neighborhoods have better preserved architecture and subway access.
ReplyDeleteThe reality is all of Harlem's future is somewhat tied together. This is a great location and South Harlem, Central Harlem, and even West Harlem will benefit. However, this alone will not stop the problems that plague our community - but it's a step in the right direction. I do applaud Marcus for a choice that serves all of Harlem.
Copy to what Green Girl said. Looking at the tag list, Central Harlem is easily the number one topic. Maybe angry anon should focus on placing positive comments up on his neighborhood instead of worrying about what people say about theirs. Bickering aside, I plan to on making Red Rooster as part of my weekly Harlem dining plans. Thank You Marcus!
ReplyDeleteThirding green girl. and i could spit onto lenox from my bedroom window. love this blog and i have to say, im HAPPY this is where red rooster will be because im sick of walking over to FDB to check out all the new spots! so if im happy it's over on Lenox i can see someone who lives on FDB being disappointed. i dont think this is a crime of any kind.
ReplyDeleteI dont understand how 126th street can't fit the South Harlem category? Doesn't that section of Harlem run from the 110s to the 150s? Someone not familiar with the neighborhood would assume it is. I just love to call it Harlem. I don't need the extra addage. I think SOHA sounds dull. I would prefer to say Haarlem and then add the street and /or avenue.
ReplyDeleteWhat is going on with you people. I don't know how old you are but anyone over 35 knows that there is Harlem and Spanish Harlem and nothing else. Where do you come up with this stuff. Just be happy that good things are coming to Harlem. And as for the person who stated Harlem is predominiantly poor, you are obviously not born and raised in Harlem There ar many many millonairs in Harlem along with a lot of upper middle class people. The poor are who you see, however you can't tell those with money because they are not extravagant. If you knew anything about business you would know that banks do not come to areas where there is no money. Look around Harlem. In the last 5 years several banks have come. Banks= money. You should do your research. Every building that looks ugly on the outside is not ugly onthe inside. Some that look like tenaments on the outside are actually fabulouos condos or
ReplyDeleteco-ops on the inside. Maybe you should take a walk up and down some of these blocks to see what is going on before you make a general sweeping comment that a whole community is basically poor.
A quick Google search produced this from the 2001 US Census data:
ReplyDeleteDemographics Who are the residents of Central Harlem compared to ...
File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - Quick View
Central Harlem is ranked one of the poorest neighborhoods in all of New York City, with over a third of residents living in poverty ...
www.healthyharlem.org/pdfs/statistics/Demographics.pdf - Similar
I agree with (10:30 PM) about the tone of some of the comments. I'm a life-long Hamilton Heights/Riverside resident and had no idea there was such a neighborhood divide, with designations like SOHA.....etc. in Central Harlem.
ReplyDeleteUlysses/Bespoke covers Harlem better than anyone else. All of it! If the majority of entries are about a particular area, then that's where the action is. And everyone should get used to new neighborhood designations/definitions in Greater Harlem.
The days of "Harlem" being known as just anything above 110th, with no acknowledgment of distinct areas are over. Personally, I consider Greater Harlem to have 8 distinct neighborhoods. SOHA being one of them.
Anon 10:22 am,
ReplyDeleteWell, Harlem's best restaurant will not be in SOHA, but in Central Harlem. I want to call this area North Central Manhattan from now on.
The natural progression would be NoHa. Remember Noho came from Soho? Brokers, get your iphone note pads out!
ReplyDeleteHarlem has always had neighbourhoods. .Sugar Hill, Hamilton Heights, Strivers’ Row.
ReplyDeletePlease spare us SoHa and the like. I don’t know anyone who lives in ”NoHo“ (sounds like a prostitute-free zone) and anyone who refers to ”Hudson Square” is a real estate agent.
I’m proud to say I live in Harlem. I don’t need to qualify it.
i would have chosen the recently vacated restaurant spot up on 145th street. it's just more charming. why be next to a bank?
ReplyDeleteProbably need to be next to a bank to afford to eat there?
ReplyDeleteSanou's Mom - well said!
ReplyDeleteWe were all awaiting this restaurant anxiously regardless of what part of Harlem we're from. Lets support it! Lets spend some money in our neighborhood rather than spend it downtown (which has plenty of money as it is).
ReplyDeleteChef Marcus Samuelsson deserves immense support for taking on the challanges and risks of opening up a restaurant in a developing neighborhood. We need to acknowledge that and not be ignorant to the fact. We need to support this joint and give it the benefit of the doubt.
"By opening the restaurant, we want to make sure it's affordable and offers fresh foods directly from nearby farms and food crafters, without alienating the community itself".
ReplyDelete- Marcus Samuelsson
Should be interesting to see if indeed he delivers on this...
"I'm looking to contribute to a new landscape of food and dining in New York City and encourage New Yorkers to head north and discover Harlem."
- Marcus Samuelsson
Kudos to Marcus. I am going to support him, I hope I can afford him, and I am going to thank him for such a well intended mission.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marcus-samuelsson/everybodys-talking-about_b_532697.html
The sidewalk is really wide in this location and it will be a sight to see the outdoor dining flowing from Chez Lucienne, Red Rooster and Sylvia's!
ReplyDeleteTo Anonymous who quoted a 2001 census, you really are reaching to quote something to me from 9 years ago. I still stand by what I said about the wealth in Harlem and if one-third are poor, that would mean two-thirds are not poor. Do the math and get a life. Why try to tear down where you live, unless you don't live in Harlem in which case you need to just go sit in a corner and color..... be seen and not heard.
ReplyDeleteanon 9:41,
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely correct. That's going to be amazing. I hope it also encourages healthy competition, at which the existing restaurants will improve themselves significantly i.e. settapani, chez.
Is there really more retail on FDB than on Lenox? I walked along the two roads the other day and it seemed to me as though Lenox had more retail. I must say that Lenox did feel a whole lot better than FDB....there was just a better vibe and asthetic quality along Lenox.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, a new Harlem business is a new business...welcome and we support you! Hopefully the proposed Hyatt Hotel on Lenox and 125th becomes a reality. This will definitley make Lenox from 119th to 129th Harlem's main attraction. Although I must say that all the tourists seem to be flocking to this part of Lenox already.
Another thing, this blog is a very good source for Harlem info and goings-on. Seems like a lot of work...
ReplyDeleteI agree with the above poster - this is a very good blog and the comments are for the most part on point and respectful and differences of opinion do not become personal - please remember this poster at 10:41pm. You can go to curbed.com to be rude to other posters.
ReplyDeleteI am glad the restaurant is opening but still amazed that small businesses and developers haven't discovered the charm of west 145th/Convent and St. Nicholas Ave in Hamiltton Heights. Even St. Nicholas Avenue up here is amazing for some cafes and shops. Oh well. I guess we'll keep waiting.
ReplyDeleteanon 9:03,
ReplyDeleteYou have to wait your turn my friend. Let Harlem in the 120s develop first. Then 130s, 140s etc. This is the natural order of progression.
This is great news.
ReplyDeleteOne, a great new restaraunt is coming to Harlem to join Gospel Uptown, Chez Lucienne and Sylvia's in the Neighborhod.
Two, this makes the proposed Hyatt Hotel on Lenox and 125th even more likely. Having 3 famous eateries and a famous Jazz joint (Lenox Lounge) in the area means there's plenty for tourists to do now.
Celebrities and other notable people will certainly patronize Red Rooster because of Marcus' celebrity status. For one, President Obama and his family will surely stop by to dine. The First Lady already stopped by the other joint Marcus is a chef at. Marcus was also invited as a guest chef at the official White House State Dinner, making it more probable that they will stop by and support his restaurant.
ReplyDeleteThis is huge for Harlem. We can't even measure at the moment how positive of an impact this is for Harlem, especially Central Harlem.
Lets all support it, along with other local shops.
I think everyone should perhaps take a deep breath and chill. Lovely that a world class restaurant is opening up on 125th. In reality the hotel on 125th and Lenox is far from certain. Anyone who has lived here for any length of time will tell you that many many projects have been planned. Many many have fallen through. And Harlem is still very poor. There are pockets of wealth as there have always been and now they seem located on lower 8th Avenue. But try spending some time in real life Harlem. See how many people are on the street in mid day, not working. See how many girls, barely in their teens, are either pregnant or pushing a stroller or both. In the bodegas and supermarkets benefit cards are run through the machines as much as debit or credit cards.
ReplyDeleteSo while the cheer leading is nice, let’s not get nuts.
Very few of us will be able to afford to eat at Red Rooster; let us not rush by and ignore those of us who can’t.
Sanou's Mum,
ReplyDeleteThere are many eastern European immigrants in south Brooklyn using benefit cards, as their relatives wait for them outside in a Mercedes Benz or BMW. It doesn't necessarily mean that someone is poor if they are using such a benefit card. Can it be that they are exploiting the system?
A signigicant amount of Orthodox Jews in Boro Park are on Section 8 housing. However, many of them own buildings and apt coops. Can it be that they are exploiting the system?
We know Harlem has its share of poor residents. However, lately it has moved towards more of an equilibrium. And Red Rooster will shift the balance even further.
Of course there is abuse of the system. I mean, that’s a given. For some it’s the lifestyle of choice.
ReplyDeleteI think if a hotel is built that will bring money to the area with (hopefully) jobs. Although look how well that worked out for those who live near the East Harlem Plaza..
I don’t see Red Rooster money staying in the nabe.
Sanou,
ReplyDeleteEast River Plaza was an outright failure before it went up. The location of the mall is a desolate one at best, lacking any real public transportation. New Yorkers are not fond of big box discount stores in the first place. Secondly, there is one right across the river in the Bronx.
The Hyatt Hotel will certainly go up and be a success at that. It is centrally located in Harlem, and it will be in Manhattan, within 10-30 mins off all the Manhattan attractions one can think one. The 4/5/2/3/A/B/C/D. All of the Harlem attractions. 15 blocks away from Central Park. The room rates will certainly be lower. The building will get all sorts of tax exemptions making higher profit margins possible, at the same time creating job growth in Harlem. Win-win, no?
The Hyatt Hotel along with Chef Marcus' Red Rooster will being a domino effect on 125th street. Next up: Harlem Park on Park & 125th.
Why wont the money stay in the neighborhood? Marcus lives in the neighborhood, and I anticipate much of the staff will come from 20 blocks north and south of the restaurant. Don't get me wrong, one restaurant we are getting a little carried away. Normal neighborhoods do not get this excited over a single restaurant opening. And the hyatt is not a done deal. And the concept of a whole foods, although sorta plausible is just wishful thinking. Everybody just calm down.
ReplyDeleteTremendous news and the location is absolutely spot on. The growth on FDB has occurred at an exponential rate, whereas Lenox is seeing a more subtle, gradual growth rate.
ReplyDeleteThe Hyatt Hotel would be a huge boon. FYI...walked by the lot on 125th this morning and it has had a significant clean-up. Hair cut and all. Might just be a coincidence, but as far as I know this corner has not been cleaned up in months.
"And the hyatt is not a done deal. And the concept of a whole foods, although sorta plausible is just wishful thinking."
ReplyDeleteThe Hyatt is a done deal ! 1000%. I've said in the past, this guy Emmitt Smith is a true champion, in all aspects of life. He went in knowing that the Hyatt is a done deal.
You think they haven't been told how much it will cost to build a 200 room hotel?
Also, Red Rooster isn't just any restaurant. It's the restaurant of someone who was a chef at the first White House State Dinner. Someone who has world-wide acclaim for being a chef. Someone who is on the Bravo channel on a weekly basis.
Stop trying to fight the development Harlem is experiencing, and will continue to experience.
Finally, this blog has woken up. My Harlem people... it’s OK to disagree, but let’s keep it respectful. One reason for the existence of this blog (in my opinion) is mature way for Harlem folk to discuss/interact and sort out differences about our community. I think the back and forth is stimulating and extraordinarily useful. The next phase of this blog - usernames for each commenter:-).
ReplyDeleteOn a side note, I think some thought should be put into extending the Mt Morris historic boundaries to include blocks between Madison and Lenox Aves from 124th to approx. 133rd. This will help to preserve histroic details that so many tourists wish to enjoy (ie. Langston Hughes' brownstone on 127th btwn 5th and Madsion) ....and this particular area receives tons of tourists on a daily basis.
ReplyDeleteAren't we being over sensitive about neighborhood names within Harlem?! - NYC is known for microneighborhoods. Yes it benefits realtors, but when there's a boom in condo's, retailers, restaurants, etc, in an area, it becomes the new hot microneighborhoods.
ReplyDeleteMadison Ave, and some parts of it extending to Park Ave, to Lenox Ave from 125th to 130th is the most beautiful part of Harlem. It was being neglected during the past couple of months because of all the West Harlem/SOHO.. I mean SOHA.. fever.
ReplyDeleteThe church on Madison and 126th has a boat load of tourist on a daily basis. Now we need those people to stick around Harlem for the rest of the day and leave some money in Red Rooster/ Chez, etc.
Anyone else see irony that Anon. 11:19 suggests posters use names rather than Anonymous?
ReplyDeleteAlso guys, not to be a pedant. OK, I am. But “domino effect”? Rather negative connotations there.
There‘s my snark quotient for the day. Perhaps I am just bitter because I know there is no way I will be able to afford to eat at Red Rooster.
Sanou,
ReplyDeleteAccording to Wikipedia (which isn't the best source, but I'll use it),
Domino effect: "The domino effect is a chain reaction that occurs when a small change causes a similar change nearby, which then will cause another similar change, and so on in linear sequence.
Furthermore,
"It typically refers to a linked sequence of events where the time between successive events is relatively small. It can be used literally (an observed series of actual collisions) or metaphorically (complex systems such as global finance, or in politics, where linkage is only a hypothesis).
Domino effect doesn't and shouldn't necessarily have a negative connotation to it.
@ Sanou’s Mum:
ReplyDeleteWell, my browzer was rebelling against me yesterday so I was the Anonymous poster @ 12:15. Apologies for any confusion this may have caused.
Hopefully, the Red Rooster sticks to the same pricing that the other places in the area like Lenox Lounge has. I'd hate to think they'd try for a larger price point than that.
Anon 12.22,
ReplyDeleteDefinition all well and good but in the lexicon. . .
Gawd but I am annoying. I used to be an editor. Can you tell?
I am also perfect and never wrong.
i think the fact that there will be a cafe and bar upstairs and fine dining downstairs means that there will be something for all of us regardless of how much money we have in our wallet. at least that's my hope!
ReplyDeleteOkay -- wow. Having reviewed the above, I think the impression of an "argument" having taken place, while understandable, is an inaccurate one.
ReplyDeleteTo the single, irregularly anonymous commenter behind all of the following posts:
5/7 6:46
5/7 7:23
5/7 7:43
5/7 9:25
5/7 9:36
5/7 11:12
5/8 6:41
5/9 7:25
5/9 12:39
You really need to chill out. Please. Go over to the well-appointed kitchen in your Lenox & 127th St condo (which is afforded by your undeniably massive net worth), pour yourself a cup of tea, and relax.
There isn't any cabal of SoHa people out to get you -- seriously. We're all happy about this news, about the hotel, and about most any other positive development we read about on here. Nobody, apart from the "loitering" guy at the top, has expressed any negativity on this at all. There is no need for you to unilaterally come in here and project conflict where none exists; we are *all happy* about this restaurant coming in -- whether it's on 116th or on 126th is not such a big deal in the scheme of things.
This is the best blog for keeping track of what is going on in Harlem. I beg you all to try to keep it that way, and not have it be turned into some kind of Curbed-like cesspool of nonsense.
I agree with the post above....but let's acknowledge the other commenter's feelings of being marginalized by FDB proponents who have tried to denigrate all other Harlem streets, Blvds, and avenues.
ReplyDeleteAnd I must say - why did you go through all of those posts and try to discern which were written by the same person and list them all...talk about "okay--wow".
Let's just stop this silliness...
I support all the positive comments about the Harlem Bespoke blog. I visit every day to find new, informative posts about the many charms of Harlem, as well as updates on the challenges of restoring it to its former glory. Also, the SoHa folks can be forgiven for feeling their heat a little; most of us new residents are overjoyed to see new development and positive press, and South Harlem has gotten a lot. I also agree with the poster who pointed out that Harlem has a long tradition of neighborhood names such as Sugar Hill and Strivers Row. That's why I am a BIG supporter of the cool name I just heard for the area from 125th to 135th, encompassing Lenox, 5th and Madison Avenues, HIGH FIVE DISTRICT. I love it!! What do you think?
ReplyDeleteI like the sound of it, "High Five District".
ReplyDelete