Shakin’ up Easter
This year, families looking for a delicious Easter meal along with fun activities can celebrate Harlem Shake-style
Pernil for Easter
Talking SCHOP!
I recently restarted a bimonthly Sunday family dinner that cycles around each of our homes. What I began with a slow-cooked pot roast with braised red cabbage and potato gratin continued with Sheppard’s pie from my mom and the Greek casserole moussaka from my sister
New Taste of the Upper West Side 2014
The 2014 New Taste of the Upper West Side will be back this May with an incredible lineup of both new and returning restaurants
Talking SCHOP! Keep on truckin’
After being postponed numerous times, it finally happened! The Harlem Food Truck Rally came off this past Saturday on Frederick Douglass Boulevard
Hot time, spring’s in the city
Talking SCHOP!
The pilgrims of the @NYCHotSauceExpo are back for a second year of that good stuff.
Coming up: New York City Hot Sauce Expo
If your need for heat is calling, you’d better pick it up quickly and then forward your number to the second annual New York City Hot Sauce Expo
Talking SCHOP! East Indian, West Harlem
Last week’s column recounting a libation-filled evening at the new La Bodega 47 was only half the story. The other half was finally being able to try another new Harlem eatery after.
Talking SCHOP! Taking a ‘rum’ to the Bodega
There has been a transformation on the corner of 118th Street and Lenox Avenue. One of the original Harlem staple eateries boldly shuttered its doors for a trip around the world, and what they brought back was no mere T-shirt from the airport. What they brought back to Harlem is a new experience with a diaspora of rums—47 to be exact!
A vegetarian celebration
Talking SCHOP!
I was a little leery of attending the New York City Vegetarian Food Festival last weekend
International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York
Attention to all restaurant and foodservice industry professionals: Make room in your calendars for the annual International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York.
Talking SCHOP! Second Hundred brunches
Everyone is looking for a new place for brunch in the city, but does it exist? Permutations of eggs, bread and breakfast meats are rampant across this metropolis. Yes, the omelets, pancakes and breakfast sausage do satisfy the weekend hangover and/or encourage the necessary nap needed for sleep-deprived New Yorkers. However, when you find that spot that makes you pause and reflect a little deeper, it must be noted.
Talking SCHOP! A winter’s stew
My beef stew recipe has magical powers to heat that belly and warm the soul.
Super Bowl partying
Do you want to have your Super Bowl party somewhere you don’t have to cook or clean up afterward? Maybe you want to just order a turned-up game menu.
On the lamb, with wine
Talking SCHOP!
When I hear the word “lamb,” my ears immediately perk up. It’s such a great protein, and when prepared well, it can be transformative. Add Australian wines to that and I am at your mercy. So when I was invited last week to Fairway Market’s Café on the Upper West Side (@FairwayMarket) for an Aussie lamb-cooking demo featuring the country’s wines, I was in.
First New Year’s Eve at Vinateria
Talking SCHOP!
There is a new restaurant in Harlem that I have been remiss in telling you about: Vinateria
New year, back to basics
Talking SCHOP!
Hot, filling and delicious, it is comfort food that makes it all better. And when I think of comfort, I not only think of pasta, but specifically spaghetti with meatballs. Here is my recipe for you to enjoy, too.
Talking SCHOP! 2013: Looking back … (continued)
Happy New Year, Harlem and Amsterdam News readers everywhere! I hate to say it, but this time next year, we will be reflecting on all that 2014 brought us—the highs, the lows and all of the meat in between! Be prepared to capture the ensuing moments with photos, journaling and, of course, cooking and eating!
Talking SCHOP! … a lot like Christmas
There are plenty of mixes out there that serve the purpose of a quick and dirty pancake, but there is something to be said about making pancakes from scratch.
Talking SCHOP! Preparing for Thanks
When Halloween is over, the next seasonal step is Thanksgiving, right? So why am I only seeing advertisements for Christmas? There is so much joy to be had in the in-between. I find it especially frustrating because I have been thinking about a new stuffing idea I want to try with spicy lamb merguez sausage and persimmon. Thanksgiving, Turkey, Dutch oven, chicken, jalapeno, garlic, bird, gravy, heavy cream,
Talking SCHOP! A food film date
When one thinks of food and film, it is usually a date night: either an early movie with post-viewing debate/discussion about the film’s finer and lesser moments over pasta and wine or, vice versa, letting your server know that you are catching a movie in a hour and to speed the plough.
Talking SCHOP! Movin’ on up with the NYCWFF 2013
I absolutely love this time of the year for more than just the beautiful change in foliage and the weather
Talking SCHOP! Harlem is Harvesting
Saturday turned out to be a gorgeous fall day without the rain that was expected. Someone upstairs knew it was the annual Harlem Harvest Festival, presented by Harlem Park to Park. There were little faces, families and hungry Harlemites who were counting on the festivities to carry on.
Food festival season is here
It’s that time of year when you need to add an extra hour of cardio and some more weight training to your workout routine in order to offset all of the calories consumed. Moderation is the key, but then again, this is just once a year, so let’s just throw it into the wind.
Talking SCHOP! Tequila, tacos & beer, oh my!
As the fall weather begins to settle in, we begin to stock our coffers in preparation for winter hibernation. Yes, we gather food and household items so trips to the store are minimal, but we also gather information for good watering holes and eateries that might soothe some cabin fever should the need arise.
Talking SCHOP! The Cecil (re)opens
In our ever-changing neighborhood, we are constantly surprised. New places open that become our favorite restaurants, stores and spaces, while some of our favorites have unfortunately closed.
Talking SCHOP! Turkish soul food in Harlem
Harlem, one of the homes of soul food: fried chicken, ribs, mac and cheese, greens, et al. It is called “soul” because we cook both from the soul and, when it’s good, to the soul. Yes, soul food has been coined as an American cuisine, but I would venture to say that we could find a concept of it in every country.
Talking SCHOP! Vendy Awards 2013
Last weekend marked the ninth annual Vendy Awards, where New York City’s best food street vendors go to be acknowledged and celebrated by foodies and food connoisseurs. It always promises to be a day that will fill you up with food, passion and appreciation.
Talking SCHOP! Harlem to Oak Bluffs, Part II
I hope everyone enjoyed the Labor Day weekend and got a moment to themselves to reflect on the summer and prepare for September, fall and the holiday-laden fourth quarter of the year.
Talking SCHOP! Harlem to Oak Bluffs, Part I
August is that month! The month where everything slows down. You can’t get anyone on the phone; the streets are a little emptier than usual and your email inbox is filled with “on vacation” auto-responses
Talking SCHOP! Harlem Restaurant & Retail Week
here is a little something for everyone from Lenox Avenue to Frederick Douglas Boulevard. Here are just some of the $30.13 prix fixe dinner menus that caught my eye.
Savor Harlem for Harlem Week
Harlem Haberdashery, Harlem Shake and Mount Morris Park Community Improvement Association have come together to get you to savor Harlem during Harlem Week. With a series of three events on Lenox Avenue, these Harlem businesses, along with presenting sponsor Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, will be blending the worlds of car culture, cuisine and clothing to celebrate the new renaissance of Harlem during the legendary Harlem Week.
Places to M.E.A.T: Must Eat at Tomorrow
There are places that have lived on my M.E.A.T. (Must Eat At Tomorrow) list forever for reasons that range from the obvious (it’s in another city) to the financial (I don’t eat for free, people!).
West Harlem Gastro Cruise
Starting Monday, Aug. 5—and every Monday and Tuesday in August thereafter—you can cruise and eat Harlem. The West Harlem Food & Beverage Association, in conjunction with NY Waterways & Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance, DockNYC and the BillyBey Ferry Company, have created the West Harlem Gastro Cruises to encourage tourists and locals to experience Harlem in a unique and fun way.
West Harlem Gastro Cruise
Starting Monday, Aug. 5—and every Monday and Tuesday in August thereafter—you can cruise and eat Harlem. The West Harlem Food & Beverage Association, in conjunction with NY Waterways & Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance, DockNYC and the BillyBey Ferry Company, have created the West Harlem Gastro Cruises to encourage tourists and locals to experience Harlem in a unique and fun way.
Harlem is Officially Crabby with Joe's Crab Shack
Talking SCHOP!
Tuesday, July 30 saw the official opening of the national seafood chain Joe’s Crab Shack (@joes_crab_shack, 2349 Frederick Douglass Blvd., 212-222-0445, www.joescrabshack.com) in the new behemoth building that also currently houses Party City and Blink Fitness. It is the seventh Joe’s in New York and the first in New York City.
Tap, tap, turn with family
It’s true, food brings people to together. A holiday, a birthday or just a weekly dinner at a table together can be transformative, and mostly without any verbal cues. Just the shared experience of enjoying that annual glazed ham or mom’s fried chicken says, “Thanks for coming,” and “It’s great to see you.”
Talking Schop! Change is good
There was someone great who once said, “The only guarantee in life is change.” And change can be great. You know, take a new way home, add a new spice to a dish you can make with your eyes closed or take a trip to somewhere you have never been. Yes, change can be bad too, but guess what? That can change.
Talking SCHOP! Doin’ it on Dyckman
I hope you enjoyed a long, festive July 4 weekend wherever you were. Thankfully, I spent it in the city.
Eatery, Harlem Shake Opens in Style
Thursday, June 11 saw the grand opening of Harlem Shake (@harlemshakenyc, 100 W. 124th St....
Eatery, Harlem Shake Opens in Style
Thursday, June 11 saw the grand opening of Harlem Shake (@harlemshakenyc, 100 W. 124th St. at Lenox Avenue, www.harlemshakenyc.com), which was sponsored by the Amsterdam News (@NYAmNews), Carol’s Daughter (@carolsdaughter), Uptown (@UPTOWNmagazine), Sundae Sermon (@SundaeSermon) and others. Clouds, rain, heavy rain nor torrential rain kept Harlem celebrities and dignitaries, patrons and guests from coming to celebrate Harlem’s newest eatery. In fact, the weather proved that rain IS good luck!
The Great, rainy Googa Mooga festival in Brooklyn
Albeit under cover of rain, I finally made it to the Great Googa Mooga in...
My Recipe Inspiration
Every week I am in the grocery stores shopping for clients and seeing all of...
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