Food Culture Takes Off In Harlem
Updated: 09/24/2012 05:30 AM
By: Valarie D'Elia
A culinary renaissance in Harlem is attracting locals and travelers alike. NY1's Valarie D'Elia filed the following report.
A newly-married Canadian couple recently had their heart set on each other and a week-long honeymoon at the Harlem Grand Bed and Breakfast.
It’s no secret Harlem has hit its stride with visitors and New Yorkers alike. Now, there’s a renewed renaissance of the foodie culture.
With the likes of celebrity caterer Serena Bass on the scene, there goes the neighborhood.
"It’s just busting wide open," Bass says. "I think people who live here have become a lot more sophisticated."
Ms. Bass is now the executive chef at Lido, responsible for designing the dishes at the year-old Italian restaurant. Lido is just one of a collection of new eateries along Frederick Douglass Boulevard.
"This is our hipster neighborhood," says Nikoa Evans-Hendricks of Harlem Park to Park. "It’s the hub of the hot new exciting businesses north of 110th Street."
The development boom includes a soon-to-open self-service wine and champagne bar with a French twist.
"Tasting different wines from all around the world," said Lewis Tucker of the Park Wine and Champagne Bar. "That was the great experience when I was in Paris."
There's also a butcher shop that attracts so many single guys, you could call it a, uh, meat market.
"We get a lot of women in here too," said Tim Forrester of Harlem Shambles. "But yeah, plenty of men. We can start a dating service in here."
Don’t be surprised to experience sticker shock, as Harlem is competitive in pricing nowadays.
"You do have the same quality as you do downtown so it’s no longer a discount market," Evans-Hendricks says.
However, the fall restaurant week, from Oct. 1 to Oct. 15, offers good value with prix fixe lunch for $20.12 and dinner $10 more.
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