Harlem is where it's at especially on a Tuesday, who knew?! I was fortunate enough to be part of a small group previewing HarlemEatUp!, a brand new festival May 14-17 that celebrates everything Harlem from the food to the culture. If this night is any indication of what's to come...I have only one word of advice. GO!!!!
I joined the group, not knowing anyone but by the end of the night I felt like we were all friends. Gotta love that spirit of Harlem :)
We started at Jin Ramen (3183 North Broadway). If you're coming from the city hop on the subway, take the 1 train to 125th street, walk downstairs and there it is! Super convenient. The owner Rich is a sweetheart, he let me charge my phone while I waited for the rest of the group to arrive and then took the time to sit with us for a bit. We noshed on chicken gyoza dumplings that are made in house daily. You must order the steamed pork buns, shishito peppers with yuzu salt and the standout...RAMEN! You can't go wrong as the noodles and sauces are made from scratch. I had 2 kinds but the Miso Ramen was my favorite. I suggest you wash everything down with their Sake Spritzer: peach and apple infused sakes, plum wine, house sake, peach syrup, seltzer. I wish I could have taken that to go. Props to the chef who's Filipino like me!
Next stop was a bit surreal, I definitely had a where am I and why am I here moment?! We walked into Melba’s (300 West 114th Street) and it was a PARTAY with a jammin band and Melba! I walked in and hugged her. I don't know Melba but it felt like I was walking into a festive party where everyone is family. Then I sat down next to the one and only chef & restaurateur Marcus Samuelsson. We ordered drinks and fried mac and cheese balls. I said I would only have one bite then boom it disappeared, oopsies! More importantly, everyone was clapping, grooving, and I was like...wait...am I hanging out with Marcus Samuelsson? He could not have been more friendly. Again, I was sad to leave but off we were to Marcus' spot Red Rooster (310 Lenox Avenue).
This was a perfect way to cap off the evening, food and fun at it's finest. Lucky for us,Tuesday is Latin night. They had an amazeballs salsa band and instructor (Johnny Mambo and his Latin Band) so I learned a few moves myself. When it came time to leave a woman at the bar stopped me and said "You were good honey!" That made me smile. As soon as I got home I looked up a salsa station on Pandora and practiced my new salsa moves for a solid hour. Yup, that happened. Maybe that Mojito pitcher had something to do with it.
I hear Mondays are equally as awesome..it's R&B night...and so folks, that's where you will find me tonight!
Locations:
Jin Ramen: 3183 Broadway b/t Tiemann Pl & 125th St in Harlem
Melba's: 300 W 114th St b/t Manhattan Ave & 8th Ave in Harlem
Red Rooster: 310 Lenox Ave b/t 126th St & 125th St in Harlem