It was bound to happen.  As if in response to the question posed by the New York Times back in April, "Where to Eat?" the plans for a meat packing district style restaurant row are underway for a five block area along the Hudson River in Harlem. Those familar with the area know that Dinosaur Bar-B-Que has already made a home in the area and the rumored arrival of the Hudson River Cafe seems to finally be coming to light this summer.  Read more about the forthcoming restaurant row here.

 
Swing uptown to see the opening of “The Winter View.”  It is the last completed work of acclaimed playwright Martha J. Thomas and it will be staged at the H.A.D.L.E.Y. Players Theatre founded by the legendary Gertrude Jeannette.

Synopsis:  This romantic comedy opens on the day of the funeral of Amos’ wife of 40 years.  Word has gotten out that there is a new widower on the scene and the women in town start their pursuit.  Amos’ only child, Samantha, tries to protect her father from the attention of the women but has her own set of problems to deal with.

Eventually Amos finds love in the most unexpected of places.

Thomas’ plays are known for the ability to tap into the human spirit, tugging at your heart strings one minute and leaving you in tears of joy the next. The Winter View is a performance sure to be enjoyed by young and old so bring your whole family out to see it.

This weekend ONLY is a free will offering/pay as you wish Friday and Saturday.  There are two performances on Saturday.  The matinee is at 2:30 p.m. and the evening performance is at 7:30 p.m.

The play runs from May 26 through June 16.  A special GALA Dinner will be on Sunday, May 28 at 2:30 pm.  Tickets for the Gala dinner are $40 and includes a full meal followed by the performance. The honoree will be Rev. Victor T. Hall of Calvary Baptist Church in Jamaica, Queens.  Previous attendees of the Gala Dinner have included notables such as Rudy Dee, Woody King, Jr. and Miki Grant.

Ticket prices for Sunday’s performance without the dinner are $15.00 general, $12.00 for seniors and groups of 20 or more and $8 for children under 12 years of age. 

The H.A.D.L.E.Y. Players is located at 207 West 133rd Street (btwn. Adam Clayton Powell and Frederick Douglas) in the St. Philips Community Center.

For more information call 212-368-9314 or 212-926-0281

Related: NPR Interview with Gertrude Jeannette 

______________________________________________________ 

 
The Tony award winning, R&B/Gospel musical set in the slick Motown era of the 1960s.The musical follows the rags to riches journey of three African American women whose professional and personal lives in some ways parallels that of Diana Ross and the Supremes. Spectacular costumes, ingenious sets and a talented cast make DREAMGIRLS a breathtaking evening in the theatre.

Music by Henry Krieger Lyrics and Book by Tom Even

Aaron Davis Hall – Theatre B

June 23, 24, 30, July 7,8,14,15,21,22, @ 7:00 PM,
August 6, 13 @ 3:00 PM.

Official Website: Harlem Rep. Theatre 

Classical Theatre of Harlem to Stage Waiting for Godot May 17-June 25

By Robert Simonson

Samuel Beckett’s classic Waiting for Godot will be the next attraction at the Classical Theater of Harlem. It will run May 17 to June 25 at the company’s 645 St. Nicholas Ave. home base.

The selection replaces Friedrich Durrenmatt’s The Physicists in CTH’s season.

Christopher McElroen, co-founder of The Classical Theatre of Harlem, will direct. No casting for Didi, Gogo, Happy and Lucky has been announced.

Beckett’s most famous play tells of two tramps waiting endlessly in an upspecified wasteland for the mysterious Godot, whom they expect daily but who never shows up. The tedium is broken up by visits from the tyrannical Pozzo and his mute (except when he talks endlessly) slave Lucky.

CTH’s most recent production was a revival of Adrienne Kennedy’s Funnyhouse of a Negro. Other past show include Mother Courage, The Blacks: A Clown Show, Native Son, The Crazy Locomotive, Rhinoceros and Ain’t Supposed To Die A Natural Death Tickets will be $35.00. Call (212) 868-4444 or visit www.smarttix.com.

Source:  Playbill

A local neighborhood cafe is facing eviction due to a strange odor that could be smelled for blocks.

The Sweet Harlem Cafe  is not smelling so sweet these days after a basement full of raw sewage began to stave off customers forcing them to close their doors during the messy clean up.

Now that things seem to be back on track, the landlord is refusing to renew the cafe’s lease. 

To read the details go to the Epoch Times [website] 

 
"Nothing is ever new in New York" an exasperated Samantha sighed on an episode of "Sex and the City."  That is probably because Samantha never made her way past the upper East side into Harlem where everything old is new again.

Quiznos Subs is moving into the neighborhood and serving an area that has traditionally been neglected by chain restaurants. Temporary signage has appeared in a vacant store front on 8th Avenue and 135th Street across from Strivers Gardens.  The location is flanked by The Wright Bar and Barbara’s Flowers while a new Duane Reade and Chase bank face them on the opposite side of the street.

Quiznos website claims that the chain is the #1 restaurant chain according to Nation’s Restaurant News and the #2 overall franchaise according to Entrepreneur Magazine.  Despite the rapid growth of the chain, everything hasn’t been all toasty for the company.  There have been reports of problems with the franchaise by owners resulting in excessive turnover. Considering the fact that Quiznos is venturing into unchartered territory on 8th Avenue, in an area with no other franchaises within 10 blocks north to south, is a cause for concern regarding their longetivity and success in the area. 

Perhaps the new owners of the 8th Avenue location opted to rent the smaller space next to local businesses as opposed to the larger, newer space across the street on the ground floor of Strivers Gardens or even the space formerly occupied by A Slice of Harlem on the corner of 135th Street because they are fully aware of the possible risk factors. In any event, the store should anticipate initial success since they will have the distinction of being the only Quiznos in Harlem and they are situated in a location that has the potential for plenty of foot traffic.

The closest restaurants in the area include, Home Sweet Harlem Cafe (facing a possible eviction),  Bamboo Village Chinese Take-out and Yvonne Yvonne Caribbean Take-out.  Quiznos menu includes subs, soups and salads. The lighter fare is a healthier alternative to what is currently available along that portion of 8th Avenue. Located near thriving businesses, a high school, and the B/C subway station, Quiznos should find that Harlem is hungry for the wide variety of tasty, toasted sandwiches.

When one thinks of the West 140s they might imagine a vast desert when it comes to places to eat, but a few take-out restaurants in the area seem to be trying to fill the culinary gap.

Queen Sheeba Restaurant
317 W 141st Street
New York, New York 10030
212-862-6149

This Middle Eastern restaurant is located in the most unlikely of places — on 141st Street between 8th and Edgecombe. It is quietly tucked in the middle of the block relatively unseen from either cross street in the former location of the very short lived A Dash of Soul.

Polanco Restaurant & Barbecue
2421 7th Ave (141st Street)
New York, New York 10030
212-862-1090

Although the customer service leaves something to be desired in this always busy restaurant, the food is some of the best in the immediate area.  Polanco offers a variety of standard Spanish fare at reasonable prices and the portions are big enough to share. Neighborhood favorites include grilled chicken salads, cuban sandwiches and the batidas y jugo naturales.

Peoples Choice Kitchen
2733 8th Avenue (145th Street)
New York, New York 10039
212-281-3830 

There will typically be a line of customers from the plexiglass window to the door in this Caribbean take-out restaurant that offers ox tails that melt in your mouth, stew chicken and curry goat.  Just don’t ask for beef patties because believe it or not they don’t sell them.

 
While rushing down 7th Avenue the other day I happened to spot two new eateries that I hadn’t noticed before. The first was The Harlem   Wing & Waffle. They specialize in, what else, wings and waffles.  This contemporary eatery is located between 139th and 140th Streets, across McDonald’s and a couple of doors down from Make My Cake.  It has an orange interior with stainless steel accents.  They already seem to be a hit in the neighborhood. Once we find out more about Wings & Waffles you know it will be featured here on UPTOWN flavor.

The other place was the R&D Grill on the opposite side of the boulevard, not to be mistaken with the Harlem Grill.  The R&D Grill is a typical take-out spot where you step down off of Seventh Avenue into the narrow diner to order breakfast all day (including waffles), lunch specials or dinner from the "hot open flame grill."  Some of the items from the grill include steak (T-bone or Sirloin), chicken, turkey wings, ribs and grilled salmon with sides.  The prices are reasonable ranging from $2.50 for a burger to $12.50 for a flame grilled steak with sides.

On the take out menu they inform us that the restaurant was formed by "two gentlemen who love good food with a heavy hand on the portions, even down to the hearty sandwiches."  Be forewarned, they also set the tone for the type of restaurant they run  "music, television or light conversation on the topic of the day in a clean comfortable, no hurry environment."  Keep your credit cards at home because they are only accepting cash at this time but they plan to be equipped for credit and debit cards in the future.

The Grill is located at 2311 Seventh Avenue and their hours are 8-8 seven days a week. They also offer free delivery. Call for more information 212-234-2334.

Related: Got a Belgian Waffle jones but you don’t want to trek downtown to a diner?  IHOP can take care of that craving on the corner of 135th Street and 7th Avenue. Their hours are Sunday through Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday to 12:00 midnight.

Links: Chicken and Waffles [website] :: Gladys and Ron’s :: Roscoe’s ::

I saw this new restaurant on 145th Between Amsterdam and Broadway (closer to Amsterdam and across from the library.)  The sign says that they specialize in seafood and they deliver!  If anyone has tried them out, please offer your review.  I wonder how their presence will affect the business of the late night taco truck down the block.

El Puerto Seafood Steak House & Grill
500 West 145th Street (bet. Broadway & Amsterdam)
Phone: 212-926-93340

Open from Mon. to Thurs. 7am - 12 midnight
Fri, Sat, Sun 24 hours.
Catering available for all occasion. Free Delivery. Breakfast, lunch and dinner menu.

Related:Hamilton Heights Restaurants  

BATON ROUGE IN HARLEM

[Excerpt…]

"All of our dreams were realized the day the doors opened and we were able to provide for our neighborhood," says Jones, co-owner of Sugar Hill. "We designed the house to be a true community gathering place with the jazz lounge on the first floor, dining room on the second, and community space on the top two floors; we wanted our neighbors to think of this space as their own."

Sugar Hill Bistro served the Harlem community well, but its doors have long been closed. Now another eatery and gathering place has come to take its space on 145th Street–Baton Rouge, a New Orleans style restaurant and lounge. Real estate broker Brian Phillips of Sotheby’s International Realty sold the Sugar Hill building to its new owners Sheron and Joe Barnes, who before bringing MoBay Uptown to Harlem, first launched MoBay, a popular Brooklyn-based Caribbean eating place.  With Baton Rouge, Sheron and Joe have opened what will certainly be another colorful culinary treat.

Source: Uptown Magazine [website]

MCCOY TYNER with special guest SAVION GLOVER at Aaron Davis Hall, March 24!

Aaron Davis Davis Hall
presents

NEA Jazz Master MCCOY TYNER
with special guest SAVION GLOVER

Don’t miss legendary pianist, NEA Jazz Master McCoy Tyner and his trio,
Eric Kamau Gravatt (drums) and Charnett Moffett (bass) with special guest Savion Glover.

Opener: The Jabane Ensemble with guest Ravi Coltrane (saxophone)
featuring Lionel Loueke (guitar), Derrick Hodge (bass), Stephen Scott (piano), Chris Dave (drums) and Gregoire Maret (harmonica)

Friday, March 24, 2006
7:30pm
$45, $35, $25

The Influence of John Coltrane
on Today’s Music: John Coltrane Documentary
a film by Jowcol Music and discussion with
McCoy Tyner, Ravi Coltrane and others

Thursday, March 23
7:30pm
$10 (free for ticket holders of 3/24 performance)

Conceived and produced by Jill Newman Productions
McCoy Tyner Photo by Gene Martin; Savion Glover Photo by Len Irish


For more information on tickets call 212.650.7100
or visit Aaron Davis Hall Ticket Information

Related:  NY1 [Jazz Legend Makes Rare Appearance]

 

In addition to the previously mentioned restaurants that have cropped up on Harlem’s Sugarhill I just discovered Baton Rouge, the sister restaurant to Mo Bay, that has taken up residence in what was previously known as The Sugar Hill Bistro on 145th Street.  This prime location places them in direct competition with Copeland’s  located a city block away. Reviews to follow.

B2: Productions co-presents a fantastic piece, Emergence-See!

We received a phone call from Broadway’s Chester Gregory telling us that we needed to see this piece, so in support of Chester, we went. We had no idea that this piece would be as powerful and moving as it was. In true B2: Productions fashion, we extended our hands in support of Daniel Beaty. It is a FREE event so the price is definitely right. We can personally guarantee that you will not be dissappointed by this talented brother who wrote and performs the thought provoking piece entitled Emergence-See!

Ruby Dee presents Emergence-SEE! "Every now and then you see a performance that jolts the senses to attention; this is one of them! Somehow this artist touched something so deep in me that I love to see in a performance and in the human spirit. By the end, I was on my feet shouting like someone in church." -Ruby Dee speaking of Daniel Beaty’s Emergence-SEE!

On Sunday, February 26th, legendary Actress & Activist Ruby Dee will present a special, FREE performance of Emergence-SEE! written & performed by Daniel Beaty of HBO’s Def Poetry Season III & IV and the 2004 Nuyorican Poet’s Cafe Grand Slam Champion. Reviewed as "a dazzling 90 minutes full of memorable moments" by the New York Times and "a brilliant spellbinding performance" by the Amsterdam News, Emergence-SEE! fuses monologue, spoken word and song into an electrifying theatrical experience. One man, forty characters. Emergence-SEE! is being presented in association with Aaron Davis Hall, The National Black Theater Festival and B2: Productions.

The evening will begin with a press conference announcing the inaugural season of The Harlem Experience featuring a spoken word performance and special guest Natasha C. Coward.
5pm: Press Conference

6pm: Ruby Dee Presents Emergence-SEE!

This is a FREE event. RSVP by emailing HarlemExperience@aol.com or by calling 212-650-7100. Please be sure to state the number of tickets you are requesting. Please RSVP by February 20th. Seats are limited so please reserve early. Admission is General Seating on a first come first serve basis.

Directions:

Aaron Davis Hall is located on the safe, secure and well-lit campus of the City College of New York, between West 133rd and 135th Streets on Convent Avenue. Convent Ave. is one block east of Amsterdam Ave. and is the extension of Morningside Ave. beginning at 127th Street.

By Public Bus:

From the East Side: M-101 to 135th St. & Amsterdam Ave. From the West Side: M-11 to 135th St. and Amsterdam Ave.; M-4, M-5 to 135th St. and Broadway.

By Subway:

1 train to 137th at Broadway or A, B, C, D to 125th at St. Nicholas Avenue.

By Car:

From 125th Street turn north onto Morningside Ave., which becomes Convent Avenue at 127th Street and continue to Aaron Davis Hall entrance at 134th Street.

Parking: Aaron Davis Hall offers audiences free attended parking in the parking lot directly behind Aaron Davis Hall located at 133rd Street and Convent Avenue.

"Click for additional information" B2:Productions New York City, New York Web site

Read the Variety review of this show.