Some of the reservation congestion at the Red Rooster might be alleviated by this summer since the eatery at 210 Lenox Avenue has just applied for a sidewalk cafe permit. This past week's community board meeting reviewed the alfresco application and Marcus Samuelsson's restaurant will eventually have outdoor seating next to Chez Lucienne and Sylvia's. There's a couple of new openings set to happen on the next block north so this section of upper Lenox Avenue seems to be developing into a bit of a restaurant row.
Lenox Ave has been a restaurant row for some time now. In fact I think it's safe to say that Lenox Ave has quite a few more restaurants than FDB.
ReplyDeleteHarlem is looking better by the day!
Good to see the alfresco sidewalk dining is expanding on upper Lenox, it will be quite a sight to see all the tables and colorful umbrellas this summer. Now we need some more of these restaurants on the west side of Lenox to finish construction and open for business.
ReplyDeleteI like that the upper Lenox corridor (above 125th) restaurants have a distinctive Harlem style with the Sylvia’s inspired bulb lit signage adopted by Red Rooster and now the new Ambassades, plus we have some other unique options not least Maysles cinema making upper Lenox a micro neighborhood with it’s own character. Lower Lenox (below 125th) has the fabulous architecture and could use some more dining options north of Settepani at 120th to occupy the many brownstone street level stores and provide alfresco dining on the huge sidewalks.
ReplyDeletewestsider nails it -- other parts of Harlem are getting chain restaurants but something much more special is happening around Lenox and 125th. I hope it sticks.
ReplyDeleteAgreed...and the huge sidewalks and amazing transportation options are a huge benefit! The tourists love Lenox Ave - there are always tons of tourists out there.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I would want to sit outside of Red Rooster - it's a bus stop. With all the buses and people it's going to be noisy and not the best atmosphere for a nice dinner. I don't eat outside at Chez Luciene for the same reason.
ReplyDeleteWhat I want to see now is more businesses opening North of 135th. There are so many open store fronts and, with the exception of Miss Maudes, nowhere decent to get a meal.
Has anyone eaten at Chez Lucienne recently? Have they managed to raise their standards, or are they now able to keep cruising on Red Rooster overflow traffic?
ReplyDelete@Jay: Had Sunday brunch at Chez Lucienne recently after learning that they had replaced the previous host (Jeremy?) whom we found to be unpleasant. Eggs Benedict a la Russe was just excellent; the new host charming and warm.
ReplyDeleteChez Lucienne is like different restaurant. That incredibly rude bald man is gone. I’m not sure if he was a manager or what but he was terrible.The person whoe replaced him is excellent.The new staff is also quite friendly. I go there for lunch a few times a week and for brunch on Saturday. I can’t remember why I gave them another chance after so many miserable dinners but the new Chez Lucien is really great.
ReplyDeleteI love sitting outside and having a glass of white wine with my croque monsieur and salad. While it is in front of a bus stop and on one of the busiest corners in Harlem; the noise has never bothered me.
Red Rooster on the other hand doesn’t seem to be set up for side walk dining. Maybe I’m wrong but it doesn’t seem to have the huge opening doors that make for the right flow.