This past weekends New York Time's interview with celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson intimated further on the possible location of his next restaurant called The Red Rooster. Many folks have been pitching possible locations for the new eatery with the old name that alludes to a famous speakeasy from the early years of Harlem. The restaurant will indeed put Harlem on the map as a serious food destination and Samuelsson mentions that the location will be close to 125th Street which connects with a theory we have had for some time. The top photo shows a very large storefront at 2211-2223 FDB/8th Avenue and 120th Street that has been stalled in the middle of a gut renovation for a restaurant space since the middle of 2008. Since the year has started, the recently dormant construction site has really picked up. Readers have also been keen on the new activity and we dropped by the corner last week to take some photos. The handsome building's architecture would probably be appropriate for the revival of a Harlem restaurant and provide a bit of historic appeal to the new space. The final clue for us is that the restaurant is literally around the corner from the chef's residence. We can't confirm anything at this point since time will only tell where and when the actual restaurant will open. The closest subway to this location is the A,B,C,D at 125th Street or the B,C at 116th. Photos by Ulysses.
A spot with tons of foot traffic is Lenox Ave. btwn 125th and 126th near the Chez Lucienne Restaurant.
ReplyDeleteI've passed by this storefront everyday and also noticed that recent activity at the site, seems to have run parallel with Samuelsson's new restaurant buzz. Before this article, It was my hopeful thinking that The Red Rooster would choose this location 3 blocks from my place. We shall see. If so, a new tenant like this would set in stone the notion that South Harlem's section of Frederick Douglass Boulevard is poised to be uptown's new Renaissance Restaurant Row.
ReplyDeleteThat site has been under renovation for three years or more. It was being developed by the owners of MoCA as a restaurant, and I saw them shepherding a group of investors through the space about a month ago.
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This location is too far from the subway, near a subway would make it more attractive for diners traveling from other neighborhoods and a subway stop brings the all important foot traffic. Also closer to 125th makes sense as that is more Harlem centric which is I think is Mr. Samuelsson’s plan, also 125th has a lot of foot traffic while this block is relatively quiet, I’m sure Mr. Mr. Samuelsson understands in NY it is location, location, location. So my money is on Lenox and 125th, just my two cents.
ReplyDeleteA decent restaurant will steer clear of 125th street. I'm sure it will be somewhere on FDB at least a few blocks from 125.
ReplyDeleteAgree with the last comment -- I would expect him to go "near 125th" without being right in the thick of it. This portion of FDB would fill the bill.
ReplyDeletePerhaps in the new Aloft hotel. It would have a built-in clientele
ReplyDeleteThe commercial space in the beautiful brownstone on the corner of Lenox Ave and 120th St (across the street from Setepani)would be great!
ReplyDeleteIdeal location for aesthetics and a chic outdoor experience would have been the corner of the triangle building on FDB but it's already going to be occupied by 'The Triangle Cafe.' This is old news but I haven't seen any activity in recent months. BTW If anyone has any info on the status of that project, please share.
ReplyDeleteYeah!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat's up with the corner of 120th. & Lenox that was supposed to be "One Bar"???
There's also the space that Appleby's was reportedly looking at - the former BOMA coffee shop at 126th and Fifth. There were some issues with the owners of that building, so not hopeful, but would be a nice spot.
ReplyDeleteThe double wide funeral parlor on 122 and Lenox just sold.....wonder who to? I have a feeling.....
ReplyDelete2280 fdb seems like a nice place for the restaurant.
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