A tip came in that BTH (By The Hudson) restaurant and lounge will be arriving at the commercial space just behind Dino BBQ at 125th Street and 12th Avenue. The newly renovated storefront with river views has been empty for 5 years and now a restaurant just off the Hudson will arrive apparently this year. This corner of industrial Manhttanville faces the West Harlem Piers park and should be a pretty interesting destination especially during the summer months. We could not find much else on the establishment so if anyone else has more details, please do share.
I love this space, glad to see some development, but I'm only moderately hopeful when I see the inclusion of the word "lounge." Be a restaurant or be a lounge/club. When you straddle both business models you end up with below average for both. These hybrid models (especially in this area) have definitive shelf-life of a few years. I'll be happy to be wrong :)
ReplyDeleteThank goodness! This place has been empty forever. Every time I go by I think--this would be a great casual restaurant space--breakfast, low key romantic dinner. The spot is pretty cool. Their PR company site says opening Spring 2014.
ReplyDeleteTwitter has a little more info:
https://twitter.com/ByTheHudson
The location is great! This section of Harlem has changed a lot (for the better of course) over the past five years and there are a lot more exciting changes coming in the very near future. The Columbia Expansion Project will benefit all of the establishments in this neighborhood. I am excited for BTH and will be there enjoying the beautiful views.
ReplyDeletePerfect location for a restaurant, I’m hoping for great brunch/dinner options, river/scenic view of the GWB are amazing from there.
ReplyDeleteThe place looks right in line with the current Harlem revitalization, can’t wait to see what they have in store - Stellar views!
ReplyDeletePlease share info re: Grand Opening when available.
Looked them up on Instagram, looks good: BTHNYC
What a great spot for a lounge, club and restaurant all in one. It's a great concept and I am glad to see someone had the ‘cojones’ to go for it. Business is all about risk and given the location, it is a risk worth taking!
ReplyDeleteGotta say, as much as I love some of the new places opening up in Harlem - Maison, Vinateria, Cedric - many of the others seem to be stuck in this strange "sort of fancy, expensive cocktails, faux-bistro late 90's" type thing. This place seems to be following suit. A lounge/restaurant hybrid? I mean, what exactly is a "lounge" in 2014 NYC? Remember when The Park was billing itself as a "champagne bar"? In my opinion what Harlem needs is more diversity in the dining scene. We have 4-5 French bistros but not one good slice joint! Not a diner in site! i don't mean to sound discouraging to local businesses, quite the opposite, but it is becoming a bit of a punchline.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your sentiment. Commit to food, commit to a lounge, but the hybrid thing is dated. A good diner or REAL slice place would be great, but let's face it... they aren't going to get the lease or afford the rent. Places like this start off with great intentions, but then abandon quality food and talented staff for the allure of easy money from dumbing everything down and paying the bills with lounge money... which (while hot) rolls in. It will probably fold. Places like The Grange and Harlem Public chose a direction, committed to quality and are growing stronger each day. You HAVE to commit to a business and not meander between styles trying to cater to everyone.
DeleteBar/Lounge would be good for the students and young people that live in the area
ReplyDeleteI believe a restaurant/lounge is a great concept, hence the sucess of many establishments that have opened in the past few years that have been successful. The only issue now with most of these restaurant/lounge establishments is that they all have the same concept. I'm hoping that BTH and others that may open for business will be more creative and have a different type concept that other places.
ReplyDeleteThis is great for the community. Good luck BTH. I can't wait for grand opening.
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