Summer 2014 Restaurant Week
If my experience at Dover whet your appetite for something new to eat, then New York City Summer Restaurant Week is just in time.
Talking SCHOP! Dover the bridge
It is no secret, I love being happily surprised when trying a new restaurant, especially one that comes by way of someone else’s recommendation, planning or behest. It’s almost like being blindfolded for a surprise that only reveals itself once you can see it and taste.
Talking SCHOP! Hot time, farmers markets in the city
One of the best ways for me to savor summer is to visit one of my local, weekly farmers markets.
Eat. Drink. Mingle.
Recipes & Reviews
Step out and stroll the avenue next Tuesday night, July 15. It’s time for Summer Sizzles on Lenox, brought to you by Experience: Harlem (@xperienceharlem) and Harlem Park to Park (@harlempark2park). In its second year, Summer Sizzles
Having a Maine moment
Talking SCHOP!
I love traveling to places in the United States that I have never been to before. I was lucky enough to be invited to Kennebunkport, Maine.
Talking SCHOP! Independence with charcoal
SChop
Happy Independence Day, everyone! I hope you are either en route to your long weekend or settled on your plan to watch the fireworks display. Both promise to give you a reprieve from your everyday and hopefully surprise you with something new.
Talking SCHOP! A midyear start
Happy midyear! I wouldn’t believe it myself if I didn’t write a weekly column and know that this is my 26th piece this year. Where does the time go?!
Talking SCHOP! Year of the Gato
Another birthday came last month for me. Where does the time go? Though not a milestone year, I ceremoniously titled it “My Obama Birthday” for our 44th president (trying to make it stick, copyright in progress!). I would not let it go by without raising a glass and eating some good food.
Fairway takes the High Road
With the official start of summer right around the corner and temperatures already rivaling the dog days in August, there are a few cool reprieves for the mouth. Good thing Fairway Market (@FairwayMarket) partnered with High Road Craft Ice Cream (@HighRoadCraft) to create four signature flavors for your mouth.
Cooking for Pops
Talking SCHOP!
This weekend is not only for the father in your life. It is for the father figures—the ones putting in the work, showing up and being the best person they can be for the children they love. I salute them.
EatUp! ... only in Harlem!
Talking SCHOP!
You’ve seen it. Maybe you have even tasted it. With all of the new and different eateries and restaurants opening, Harlem is fast becoming a food destination beyond our signature soul food. Well, the time has come for Harlem to get its food due and let it shine, shine, shine in a spotlight to be cast next year.
Uptown Battle of the Bars winner crowned
Earlier this week, the second annual Uptown Battle of the Bars culminated at Harlem Tavern
Talking SCHOP! We came, we ate, and yes, we drank!
Thank goodness the spring weather is settling in, because we needed to get out of the house. We needed to crawl the streets, spend time with friends, eat, drink and see how Harlem is getting down with the get down! And there was no shortage on things to do over the last couple of weeks … lest there be a riot on the avenue.
Talking SCHOP! Clean it out! Feel good!
That winter really did it to us! We filled our coffers to the brim in order to stave off having to go out in the cold to forage.
Talking SCHOP! That full feeling …
There are not many times in life when over 75 of New York City’s top food and beverage talents converge for one evening, in one place. And when they do, you make your best effort to be there. What is the premier event in this category?
Food. Drink. Frederick Douglass Boulevard.
Time to get those oxfords, retro Jordans, chukkas and sandals out of the closet and walk the streets.
Mexico: WINNING!
Talking SCHOP!
Cinco de Mayo, a time of tequila, tacos and revelry. While there are myriad places to get down with the get down on May 5, I know where my pesos will be spent.
New York African Restaurant Week
It’s time for the second annual New York African Restaurant Week (NYARW).
Fueling up again
Talking SCHOP!
In 2008, I put Pizzeria 123 on my “Best of Harlem” list for their medium plain pizza—well done, of course. It satisfied my need for crunchy thin crust and gooey cheese in one fell swoop. I was sad to see the business compromised by the neighboring construction and then its ultimate closure. Thank you for servicing our community!
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.
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