RESTAURANT WEEK TO GO: MOJO ON EAST 100TH

Harlem Bespoke: Looking for something new to experience for NYC Restaurant to Go this year?  From January 25th-31st, try the $20.21 special at Mojo on East 100th which includes a croque monsieur sandwich, salad, butternut squash soup and a serving of the famous mousse!  The Belgian specialty shop is known for desserts but will be introducing a larger food menu in the coming months so this is a great way to get a preview.  Check out all the apps for delivery options at this boutique food shop in El Barrio.  More on Mojo can be found in our past post: LINK

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INTRODUCING: MOJO MOUSSE BAR IN EL BARRIO

Harlem Bespoke:  One of the best artisan stores to open locally has done so right before the city shut down but still has delivery or takeout options available.  Mojo Mousse Bar at East 100th Street just a couple of doors east of Lexington Avenue has elevated mousse to an art form.  Everything is made on site daily and classics like the dark or white chocolate are available in various sizes.  What really excited us are the new varieties with a white chocolate base but have matcha or passion fruit as the main flavor.  They have a small moped to send out for bigger orders  over $20 or a makeshift contactless station out front can be used for those who are paying by card during a quick visit. MojoDesserts.com 

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☞ EAT: A Sunday Afternoon at Cedric

An incident at the French bistro called Cedric at 185th St. Nicholas Avenue and 119th Street has gained a lot of media coverage since it reflects the conflicts of Harlem in a period of gentrification. This blogger actually had brunch on the Super Bowl Sunday following the night that would cause some controversy and here is the Bespoke review of Cedric:

After having quite a late start in the morning for Super Bowl Sunday, we decided to head out to Cedric to check the brunch menu.  The scene upon arrival was a pleasant representation of new Harlem which my guest who resides in the Bronx thought was fascinating.  There was a gathering of older gentlemen from the neighborhood at one of the corner tables and the crowd also consisted of many groups of young folk who were from diverse backgrounds which also included a few same-sex pairings.  Our small party of two was one of the only ones that were fully minority from different backgrounds and the open ambiance was perfect for a Sunday uptown.

The previous restaurant called Mojo had a very glamorous evening look to it but Cedric was more approachable during the day with its open windows, zinc bar and large framed artwork on the exposed brick walls. It was Super Bowl Sunday so the diverse and attractive staff had team jerseys on to reflect the festive mood. Fresh flower bouquets on the tables which featured small, short stem roses were a nice touch but the detail was lost since they were quite wilted, drooping and dry by this end of the week.  My brunch date also has a fashionable eye and quickly pointed this out so I was hopeful that the food would hold up to the pricing on the menu.

Cedric is a bistro and the French offerings are probably quite amazing but brunch was the mood of the afternoon after having a late night out.  French toast with a side of bacon, coffee and juice was the order and my hopes were high since we were both quite famished.  Our plates took some time to be served up and the experience turned out to be similar to the aforementioned roses.  At a certain price point, one sort of expects large slabs of toast with a bit of char on the egg coating and thick, whole slices of bacon cooked to perfection.  Our brunch plates were neatly arranged but the meager diagonally cut slices of toast looked to be of the basic white bread variety and the bacon was mostly thin and crumbled.  It all tasted fine but the visual presentation once more was lacking.

Our biggest issue with Cedric is that the food (at least for our particular brunch dish ordered) could be a little more outstanding but an incident the night before has some calling the proprietor racists and others just pointing out plain old nepotism for those with more money. Read more about this particular diner-proprietor clash in the New York Times: LINK

☞ READ: Last Week's Most Viewed Posts

Below is the list of last week's most viewed posts and comments. Harlem Bespoke will be down on Monday, January 9th for maintenance.

1. 227 Lenox Up For Auction (5)
2. New Signs at 183 Lenox (7)
3. Lenox Coffee in the Times (3)
4. Bistro Cedric to Replace Mojo? (32)
5. Sidewalk Shed up at the Victoria (2)
6. 517 West 152nd Street Townhouse
7. Will an Apple Store Open in Harlem? (21)
8. Last Year's Most Talked About Posts (3)
9. Auberge Laurent Opens New Year's Eve? (18)
10. New Year Weekend in Harlem (5)

☞ READ: Last Year's Most Talked About Posts

Below is the list of most talked about & viewed Harlem Posts in 2011.

1. Bistro Cedric to Replace Mojo? (32)
2. Pink Teacup Harlem Instead of Heifer (31)
3. An Earlier Last Call in Harlem? (27)
4. Less Controversy on Upper Lenox (27)
5. Uproar Over New Historic District Shop (22)
6. Mixed-Income for Randolph Houses (22)
7. Harlem Tavern Opening Night (21)
8. Will an Apple Store Open in Harlem? (21)
9. Update at 183 Lenox (20)
10. Harlem Hyatt Still a Possibility (19)

☞ EAT: Cedric to Open on Monday at Noon

Zagat's website has it that a certain new French bistro at 119th Street and St. Nicholas will be opening this coming Monday.  The restaurant Cedric has been renovating the former Mojo space at 185 St. Nicholas Avenue since this past spring and now the eatery will be bringing some French and local offerings to the South Harlem location.  Expect classic French dishes such as five variations of mussels alongside local favorites such as fish and chips.  Lunch, dinner and brunch will also apparently be set up as well as a bar with a wide range of French wines to choose from at the new 40-seat restaurant: LINK

☞ EAT: Bistro Cedric Starts Up

Walking by the old Mojo space at 185 St. Nicholas Avenue and 119th Street we noticed that construction for the the new bistro that will be called Cedric had just begun.  Current photo after the jump.

☞ READ: Last Month's Most Talked About Posts

Here's the list of April's most talked about topics. Above photo is of the newly opened Lookout Pavillion at Riverside Drive and 123rd Street.

1. Bistro Cedric to Replace Mojo? (32)
2. Scientology Harlem Moves On (28)
3. Is Harlem Park Returning? (13)
4. 2066 Fifth Avenue Facade Demolished (11)
5. 8 West 127th Street in Contract (11)
6. The 2077 FDB Corner Store (10)
7. The New Ambassades on Lenox (10)
8. MMPHD Confused Once More (9)
9. 53 West 127th Street Brownstone (8)
10. Trufa Opens in West Harlem (8)

☞ READ: Last Week's Most Viewed Posts

Here's the list of last week's most viewed posts and comments.

1. Scientology Harlem Moves On (27)
2. Museum for African Art Windows (1)
3. 2066 Fifth Avenue Facade Demolished (11)
4. The New Ambassades on Lenox (10)
5. Is Harlem Park Returning? (13)
6. The 2070 FDB Corner Store (10)
7. Bistro Cedric to Replace Mojo? (32)
8. Urban Garden Center & Hens (6)
9. Restaurant Month at Society Coffee (1)
10.30 West 120th Back on Market (4)

☞ READ: Last Week's Most Viewed Posts

A list of last week's most viewed posts alongside comment count.

1. Bistro Cedric to Replace Mojo? (32)
2. 235 West 122nd Street Brownstone (5)
3. New Building at 5 West 127th Street (2)
4. Papst's Harlem Dining Hall c.1904 (8)
5. Trufa Opens in West Harlem (7)
6. The Stables of Strivers Row (3)
7. 88 Morningside Debuts the Man Cave (1)
8.  Rebuilding a Local Landmark (7)
9. 145 West 131st Street Brownstone (5)
10. Last Details at Central Harlem Reno (6)

☞ READ: Bistro Cedric to Replace Mojo?

According to a New York Post article published last night, Mojo at 185 St. Nicholas Avenue and 119th Street will possible be replaced by a spin-off of the somewhat expensive Upper East Side restaurant Le Bilboquet.  The new bistro will be called Cedric after Le Bilboquet's general manager Cedric Lecendre who also happens to live in Harlem. Apparently the lease has been signed at this point and there will be live music as a focus of the new space.  The Post also notes that Cedric follows the footsteps of the Red Rooster which was the first arrival of a new uptown eatery established by a well-known restauranteur from lower Manhattan.  Read more in the Post: LINK.  Check out MenuPages for a look at Le Bilboquet's offerings and prices: LINK

☞ EAT: What's Up with Mojo?

Mojo over at 185 St. Nicholas Avenue and West 119th Street seems to have been doing some great business these past couple of years but a reader pointed out some signs of concern recently. While arriving for dinner a weekend ago, one guest saw a sign up that stated the restaurant will "no longer be serving food (just cocktails) and that their hours of operation would be scaled back."  The offerings have been consistent at this hot spot since they first opened and the service really came together in the past year so we are a little surprised by the changes.  What's going on here? www.mojo-harlem.com

☞ EAT: Harlem Halloween & Restaurants

It's that time a year that even adults like to dress up and local restaurants have joined in the festivities at past events.  The lower photos are from Mojo at 185 Saint Nicholas Avenue (corner of West 119th Street) during their Halloween revelries last year.  Check out Mojo's Facebook site for more photos: LINK.

Tonight, Saturday, October 30th, Bier International will have their first Halloween celebration starting at 5:00 PM with a contest at 11:00 PM that gets the winner a free dinner. Bier International is located at 2099 FDB/8th Avenue and 113th Street.  www.BierInternational.com

☞ SEE: Around Harlem This Weekend

Salon Series, Helga Davis: “Mephisto’s Song” at the Apollo Theater Soundstage, Friday, October 22 at 7:30PM and Saturday, October 23 at 7:30PM. Celebrated New York-based vocalist Helga Davis, whose inter-disciplinary practice includes work with composers and choreographers alike, will perform this weekend only at the Apollo. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at the Apollo Theater Box Office, by Ticketmaster 1-800-745-3000 or buying them online at the Apollo website: LINK

Its My Park! Day Volunteer Planting Project, Saturday, October 23rd, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Join the Friends of Morningside Park, Partnerships for Parks and the NYC Dept of Parks and Recreation to replant the entry garden at 116th Street on the lower level of the park. Wear work clothes and close toed shoes and get ready to get dirty! Work gloves and tools will be provided.  Go to the Friends of Morningside Park site for more details: LINK

This is the last weekend to catch the current exhibits at the Studio Museum in Harlem which includes a show on interiors such as the James VanDerZee photo from 1931: LINK

Harlem Oktoberfest is still going on strong and Mojo will reopen their kitchen tonight after having shut down for the past week for repairs.  Three course menus are all being offered for $20.10 at participating restaurants during lunch hours and from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM: LINK

☞ SEE: Around Harlem This Weekend

Starting Friday, October 1st through the 31st, celebrate Oktoberfest at some of the best Harlem restaurants including 5 & Diamond, Settepani, Sylvia's, Chez Lucienne, Native, Mobay, Nectar, Society, 67 Orange Street and Mojo. Offered will be 3 course prix fixe menus at $20.10 during lunch hours & from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM during the evening. Check out the full list and support our local businesses: LINK

Daniel Beaty's one man show Through the Night had a sold out limited run at Riverside Theater and now has opened Off-Broadway at downtown's Union Square Theater (100 East 17th Street): LINK.  For $65 tickets, call 1-800-982-2787 or go through TicketMaster: LINK.

Saturday, October 2nd, 1:30 PM. Boy Scouts of Harlem will be broadcast on PBS Channel Thirteen WNET.  If you missed the local screening of Harlem based director Jake Boritt's documentary, then set your DVRs!  Read the most recent review from the Daily News: LINK

Sunday, October 3rd, Services at 11:00 AM, Fair starts at 1:00 PM for the Blessing of the Animals at St. John the Divine. The annual festival service, Blessing of the Animals and afternoon Fair will happen this Sunday. Visitors can expect to see a great variety of animals process up the nave, including a yak, a tortoise, baby swans, and a macaw. Directly after the service, Cathedral Clergy will be available for blessings at the Fair on the Close. The Fair’s themes – celebration of Creation, compassion, and faithful stewardship of the Earth– align with the vision and work of this beloved Saint.  Get all the details on the St. John's website: LINK.  Photo via Gothamist

☞ SEE: Around Harlem This Weekend

There are a lot of free events for family and adults this weekend. Tonight, Saturday, June 26th, at Marcus Garvey Park, 8:30 PM, will be a screening of the animated film Madagascar: LINK. For the adults, Mojo is having its first anniversary on Saturday night (congratulations!) and will have Happy Hour half-priced drinks ($6) starting at 10:00 PM to celebrate. Over in West Harlem, Covo Trottoria will have their monthly Sunday Covo Comedy event with half priced drinks ($3-$5) from 4:00 PM-midnight: LINK. All photos by Ulysses

☞ SHOP: SWING Concept Shop Ready for Spring

One of the best boutiques uptown just got a new look for Spring. Helena Greene's world eclectic, women's, men's, children and home shop called SWING has really upgraded their street presence with some dynamic window design. Taking a cue from nearby Mojo restaurant (who happens to be run by her partner), striking window type has been added that provide a little color and a graphic element to the overall shop presentation. Check it out this week for 50% of winter stock is on sale which includes names such as Rick Owens, Lanvin, Martin Margiela and Ann Demeulemeester. SWING is located at 1960 ACP/7th Avenue which is the corner of West 118th Street.Tel.(212) 222-5802‎. The closest subways are the B,C or the 2,3 at 116th Street. Photo by Ulysess

☞ EAT: Harlem Restaurant Week Begins

Harlem Restaurant Week is a month long celebration of many of the best new restaurants and retailers uptown. If you missed out on our romantic restaurant destinations for Valentines, then try out the $20.10 prix fix menus that many of them will be showcasing for the next month. Another positive point is that $1.00 of each of specialty menu proceeds will go to UNICEF to help out the relief efforts in Haiti. Old school classics such as Sylvia's and Londel's are on hand along with the great newcomers such as Mojo, Creole and Chez Lucienne. Check out the full list and make your reservations today: LINK

☞ EAT: Romantic Destinations in Harlem

Mojo in South Harlem is a top choice so head out early: LINKThe new Yatenga in Central Harlem has best bet for availability: LINKChez Lucienne is an obvious choice but book in advance: LINKMelba has classic southern cooking with a contemporary edge: LINK
Frizzante serves up fresh Italian in a cozy setting: LINK
Native is dark and romantic: LINK
West Harlem's Covo has a large but romantic atmosphere: LINK

All photos by Ulysses

☞ SEE: Film Crew on St. Nicholas Avenue

We noticed filming last week on Lenox Avenue and it now seems that St. Nicholas Avenue has been getting some attention this morning. The above photo was taken by one of our readers today and shows the block of St. Nicholas Avenue and 119th Street. The signs that we saw posted this weekend did not state what they were filming so we assume maybe its the same crew but moving a bit further west. It seems there's always camera crews stationed at least once a month in the South Harlem nabes. The last time there was a crew on this block was the filming of the MOJO commercial (the restaurant can be seen at the far left corner). Does anyone have any tips on what the action is about? Click on image to enlarge. Photo courtesy of Michael M.