If you live in New York these days, chances are pretty high that you’ve ventured all the way up north of Central Park to Harlem for a few evenings, or to look for a new home. So many cool bars and restaurants have opened up these past few years, rents have jumped up, and cultural institutions have attracted locals and tourists alike, all searching for that piece of ‘soul’ that makes the neighborhood such a hot destination.
While there are plenty of recent openings worth writing about (and eating at!), it’s a good time to highlight once more the one place that seems to have triggered the ‘new renaissance’ of Harlem – Red Rooster.
The neighborhood landmark is as popular today as it was when it opened nearly 5 years ago, thanks to the colorful and international culinary pedigree of its renowned chef and owner (and Harlem resident), Marcus Samuelsson. The sceney restaurant, at once elegant and comfortable, is a true celebration of Harlem with an eye-catching décor featuring curated artwork on the wall, some by local artists, and sophisticated soul food.
The diverse menu is a true reflection of the area’s population as well as the chef’s background with plenty of Southern food and Swedish touches which work incredibly well. This means you’ll find parties sharing dense slices of warm cornbread followed by an appetizer of delicate gravlax and big heaping plates of fried chicken and Swedish meatballs. And if you stay late into the night, there’s often very good live music downstairs at Ginny’s Supper Club. I feel I’ve just given you plenty more reasons to head to Harlem for the first or hundredth time…
Deviled eggs with duck salame
Gravlax, upstate farm greens, mustard vinaigrette, razor clams
Chicken & Waffle, chicken liver butter, bourbon maple syrup
Crispy fish – peanuts, cilantro, watermelon, tomatoes
Brownie Sundae for two – spiced honey peanut caramel, popcorn ice cream, cinnamon ice cream, vanilla bean ice cream
Red Rooster
310 Lenox Avenue
New York, NY 10027
T: (212) 792-9001
Map
