The
Harlem Food Bar opened up this past Friday with a packed crowd and a line of diners forming outside to get in. This is sort of a new phenomenon uptown and newcomers such at the
Corner Social on Lenox and the
Harlem Tavern on FDB have also had the same excitement build up especially on the weekends. What do they all have in common? Moderately price offerings, a well designed interior and great word of mouth from locals have made these businesses instant successes uptown. Most uptowners have traveled downtown in the past to go out dining at better establishments but now it appears many of the new eateries are fulfilling a much needed void in the neighborhood.
Top photo via the Corner Social facebook site
"Most uptowners have traveled downtown in the past to go out dining at better establishments but now it appears many of the new eateries are fulfilling a much needed void in the neighborhood."
ReplyDeleteTell that to Lawrence Page.
Chris - exactly! You just need the right formula. People have local options now and won't go to an overpriced place with strange decor just because it's nearby. And judging by the lines at the popular establishments, there is room for more.
ReplyDeleteThere is room for much more in Harlem It's virgin territory in so many ways for restaurateurs and other pioneers.
ReplyDeleteSylvia Also just shut down there Friday night love band because they got a noise complaint .......seems kind of biased no?
ReplyDeleteI think another factor for the popularity is support from Harlemites who want to see Harlem have more choices. I’m sure a lot of customers are also locals who invite friends from other neighborhoods are coming uptown for dinner or brunch and discovering Harlem for the first time.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious as to how Cove is doing. Haven't heard anything after their soft opening.
ReplyDeleteChris, the problem with Aubergine was that they had no hot food just cheese and wine. Mr. Page should come back strong with the planned French Bistro. (at least I hear it is going to be a French Bistro).
ReplyDeleteHarlem is starved for restaurants as well as other services and hopefully the success of these institutions will spur more. I have a couple of ideas but raising the cash is not as easy as having the idea :)
City I went there on the "grand" opening quite by accident and can say this it is a bit dark and the diversity was non-existent. Diversity is a must in my opinion. The drinks were not expensive and were quite good in truth, I still prefer 67 Orange :)
ReplyDeleteI will give Cove another shot in a couple weeks to see if it has improved.
Thanks HarlemBBC.
Delete@MW:
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering about that myself.
The only thing that Also's has going for it now that it and the Lenox Lounge aren't the only game in Lenox is live music.
If they can't do that, they are finished IMO. It's not like they have never played live music before there.
@HarlemBBC:
Cove is actually open now!?!?
News to me.
Vic, I stumbled on it with a friend as we did not want to wait at the rather crowded Corner Social. It is a total shame about Sylvia's they were the gold standard and then it seems a conscious decision to skirt by on the name was made. The restaurant has not been spruced up in years, at least not the last time I was there, the food is horrific and the service is a firm 3/10.
ReplyDeleteI guess as long as they keep getting the bus loads of tourist they will not change.
Well, I think that places like Sylvia and Lenox Lounge will begin to read the tea leaves-namely, they are far from the only shows in town. Dependably so, the drive for bigger profits is always the biggest motivator for change.I think they will try to roll out a few gimmick changes at first to lure some of the new blood and slowly make some changes here and there to capitalize.
ReplyDeleteBtw, that photo up top of Corner Social looks AWESOME with the glare from the lamps. Total money shot!
ReplyDelete