Deathwatch: Native**
Our favorite foodie website Eater is notorious for their surprisingly accurate deathwatches of New York restaurants. Although we don’t want to step on anyone’s toes the recent closings we have reported lead us to present our own exclusively uptown predictions. A tipster is anticipating the next closing to be Native. As a matter of fact, their website is already down. Due to the fact that I haven’t heard a lot of good reports about this restaurant he could be onto something. What would be even more interesting is the fact that they were recently mentioned in the New York Times article "Where to Eat" back in April. Has this 4 year old restaurant succumb to the tough audiences in Harlem or is it a false alarm? As usual, readers are welcome to chime in on their dining experiences at Native.
*Edit: An intrepid tipster simply known as Flip has informed us that indeed, Native is the next uptown restaurant on the deathwatch. He found a real estate listing that includes the following information, "Currently operating as the French Moroccan bistro Harlem Native, this restaurant sits at the corner of 116th and Lenox Avenue in the Heart of Harlem…an art gallery is reportedly opening on the block, as is a bakery. Sorry, no nightclubs or bars." Thanks for the great detective work Flip! (see comments section for the rest of Flip’s tip.)
**Edit: In a strange twist of fate, Harlem Fur reports that a tipster informed him the new owner of Native happens to be none other than Melba Wilson of Melba’s! As if that connection isn’t close enough Melba also happens to be the niece of Sylvia Woods of Sylvia’s.
A newcomer that soon may be added to the deathwatch is Baton Rouge on 145th Street. It is co-owned by the same people who own Mo Bay and is located in the brownstone formerly known as the Sugar Hill Bistro. Nothing good has been said about this restaurant on sites like Chowhound and today I noticed that they placed fliers under the windshield wipers of cars in the neighborhood - to drum up business??? Even if the food isn’t any good the drinks sound lovely (see their website). Anyone who has tried Baton Rouge please add your thoughts. Do you think that it can survive the unforgiving palates of Harlemites?
- General, Eat in, Lounges, Real Estate, Notes from the Editor, Closings | Time: 1:07 am (UTC+8)
I think Native has pretty good brunches. However, their hours are kind of wack and bar is small.
Comment by reef — June 12, 2006 @ 7:27 am
Native was always sub-par to lousy and survived only 4 years because Harlem is starving for a decent place, let alone sidewalk dining in the Spring, Summer, & Fall. I’ve been there 4 times and the final time for me was when the blew brunch, something very easy to do decently. I note every time I went there I, or someone in my party, would order something on the menu, but not available due to whatever (and I am not talking about seasonal items). I can recall ordering a Spinach omelette and being told they had no Spinach for example. Happened all the time. You overlook it once, after a while you see a pattern of poor management. The place was not ready to be a restaurant, not when they opened sans a liquor license, not when they are seemingly are closing.
Comment by Anon — June 12, 2006 @ 8:22 am
I wasn’t ready to believe the “tip” but then I googled and found this listing at the Olshan realty website:
FAB RESTAURANT LEASE FOR SALE!!! - HEART OF HARLEM…
161 Lenox Avenue (at 116th Street)
Currently operating as the French Moroccan bistro Harlem Native, this restaurant sits at the corner of 116th and Lenox Avenue in the Heart of Harlem. With new condominium construction going up all around it, the corner location is perfectly situated to serve its new neighbors as they move in. An art gallery is reportedly opening on the block, as is a bakery. Sorry, no nightclubs or bars.
http://www.olshan.com/property.php?id=8888888
Comment by flip — June 12, 2006 @ 10:19 am
This is an awesome idea! This will be a deathwatch, not a genocide watch, as I don’t think Harlem restaurants will shut doors for good. Instead, we will see a little culinary Darwinism as people figure out what works in our evolving nabe. Let’s mourn the brave soldiers we lost, like Elle & Lui, and let time quickly erase the wannabes.
Comment by Chris — June 12, 2006 @ 10:45 am
It’s time for Native to go. The food is horrible and the worst Mac and Cheese. They need a new menu and a new chef in order to make it work.
Comment by GreasyGuide — June 12, 2006 @ 12:48 pm
I agree…i think it’s time for Native to go. The food was good, but the service was ABYSMAL. My wife and I actually cancelled our entree due to the long wait. Harlem needs to cull the sub-par restaurants, hopefully SettePani is next - the #1 worst service resturant in Harlem!
Comment by Alton — June 12, 2006 @ 4:14 pm
Native is too dark for my liking. service is poor. Many of the restaurants in Harlem dont seem to get the concept of time. Folks sometimes want to pop in and pop out. I waited once for a tuna fish sandwich at Boma for 20 minutes. But i must admit that that was one of the best sandwiches i ever had. Harlem is in flux and will emerge as a prime contender for “downtown” dining and night life.
Comment by joe — June 14, 2006 @ 10:22 am
I liked the recipes. The service did indeed suck.
Comment by y~ — June 22, 2006 @ 1:33 pm
This is not great news. I’ve loved the restaurant. The bar is well stocked, mojitos and mac and cheese are the best. Most of the items I’ve tryed I’ve really enjoyed. Yes,the service can be slow but no worse than any other restaurant on a busy night.
Comment by Jordan — June 23, 2006 @ 9:44 pm