A Beer Garden Grows In Harlem. Its name, Harlem Tavern
Opened in July 2011, Harlem Tavern is the very definition of a tavern with a balanced menu from burgers to short ribs and spoils sports enthused patrons with half a dozen flat screens playing ESPN and other major sporting events. It seems you don’t just come here for the food, you come here to pledge allegiance to your team, or preferred athlete, whatever is in season.
As far as libations, prepare for adult palate pleasers like elder flower liqueur and other top shelf combinations like the popular Ciroc Celebration which offers Red Berry vodka topped off with champagne. The Brownstone was a mix of Absolut Orient Apple, Jameson and ginger ale and the Asian Dragon Martini was sweet and smooth blending Bacardi Dragon Berry Rum and citrus liquor. Not up for the hard stuff? They also offer a long list of beers foreign and domestic as well as wines offered by the bottle or the glass.
On a recent evening, the buzz was palpable with a mix of patrons reflecting the diverse and professional class of Harlem. Popular for groups and couples alike, the ambiance is lively and casual. The hostesses and the wait staff are well informed of their menu, appetizers run the gamut from sliders to a pot of mussels cooked in white wine & garlic, spicy chorizo & tomato, or West Indian Curry. The stand out was the ricotta and smoked mozzarella fritters, a version of the regular mozzarella sticks, but upgraded with a crunchy crust and layered flavor that makes these fritters a treat. For mains go high brow tender short ribs served with mashed potatoes, or the delicious burgers and steak sandwiches, served with salty, crispy fries.
Harlem Tavern also boasts Harlem’s only Beer Garden, that during summer months offers a vista of the bustling streets of Harlem, but for the winter months all is not lost. Harlem Tav just unveiled a winterized garden area to protect you from the elements. What are you waiting for? An invitation?
Harlem Tavern 2153 Frederick Douglas Boulevard, 212.866-4500
Mention Stay Uptown When You Visit
Apt 78 – Uptown Lounge with a Long Term Commitment Attached
Photo Credit: WHRPhotography
Saying that a few people call this establishment home would be quite an understatement. It literally is the home to many of Northern Manhattan’s artistic and cultural community. Since opening in late 2010 the standard has been set for the new wave of Uptown lounging. From it’s sleek design reminiscent of your cool friend’s apartment in SoHo with repurposed apartment doors, dark woods, and contemporary furniture, these digs make you want to not only get a key but sign on the dotted line for a long term lease without paying rent.
Offering something for everyone everyday of the week, Apt78 will soon become the place for you forward your mail; boasting a diverse crowd of hipsters, locals, artists, writers, and musicians. The open and relaxed atmosphere provides the perfect opportunity to strike up a conversation. On many days during the week you will meet Jean, one of the many slender, friendly vixens to make you feel welcome and take your drink orders. She is attentive, which ensures your stay to be a long one. Check out the short menu of delicious light eats. You may quite possibly want one of everything off the menu, but the standouts are the kebobs and pizzas; juicy bits of meat and vegetables with savory dipping sauces and food porn worthy personal pizza pies with cheese that oozes, and fresh tasty ingredients; you have never had a Hawaiian pizza like this before!
Happy Hour runs from 3-7 p.m weeknights, but come on Cool Out Wednesdays where the midweek is celebrated with Celebrity DJ and recording artist Amanda Diva who spins throwbacks that will make you wish you didn’t throw out those acid wash jeans. Parties here are plenty but don’t worry, you may end up friending the birthday boy or girl by the end of the night due to the genuine communal good time vibe had by all here. Speaking of vibes, enjoy House, Top 40, and Funk sounds by uptown local resident DJ, DJ Ignishun.
Sunday-Saturday come in to take in the scene and bustle of Broadway with the coolest and most charismatic staff in Northern Manhattan, and while you are at it try the Sangria before it’s gone, as it is one of Apt’s most popular beverages, but keep an eye out for the infused spirits that have made a ripple in the uptown drinking menu and their new Mixolologist Min, as well as the seasonal drinks sure to blow your mind this holiday season. Someone say coquito?
Make your way to Apt78, 4447 Broadway, (646)490-4657
Mention Stay Uptown When You Visit
The Cachapa! – Stay Uptown Supper Club
If you live or party in Washington Heights you know that after the last call for alcohol is made you are thinking about only one thing. Well may be two, the point is, one of them is going to be what to eat to soak up all those shots; and late night eats are a blessing and curse in this neighborhood. A blessing because the food is in abundance, a curse because most of it is delicious and the cachapa is a fanastic example of this.
The Cachapa is a Venezualan sandwhich of sorts, made from a corn meal mixture similar to the arepa from street festivals, but not as dense, simlilar to the crepe, but more substantial and crispy like a johnny cake, with just a hint more sweetness. It can be filled with shredded pork, chicken, beef, chorizo, cheese and what seems like countless other combinations. It has the usual fixins of lettuce tomatoes and a special sauce that really seals the deal, it’s like mayo but better. This South American corn cake grub has taken over a large stake of Washington Heights. With a handful of eateries, many open 24 hours on weekends and so many places to choose from The Stay Uptown Supper Club decided to have a Cachapas Night. A group of friends, some homemade sangria and 6 cachapas from Cachapas y Mas, and Q’Kachapa in a no holds barred cage match in flavor. Research never tasted this good.
About our Supper Club: It is a group of Uptown residents of various cultural backgrounds eager to explore and celebrate Northern Manhattan Food and Culture.
Notes on Cachapas Y Mas (107 Dyckman Street, 212.304.2224): The Beef Steak was tender and delicious, the cake itself was sweet and moist, had a texture that reminded us of a pancake and paired best with the Pernil, it was juicy, savory, and perfectly seasoned.
Notes on Q’Kachapa (1552 Saint Nicholas Avenue, 212. 928-2898): The corn cake was less sweet, and crisper which really caught the attention of the club. This crisper texture was preferred over the moist cake of Cachapas Y Mas, and Chorizo filling really stood out, it was spicy, and provoked unanimous “Yums”.
Next time you are uptown head to one of these places you won’t be disappointed. Be sure to mention Stay Uptown when you visit.
Interested in joining our Supper Club. Contact Us Info@StayUptown.com
Chill Berry of Harlem – Summer’s Last Stand
Longing for the days of summer gone by? Do you get whiplash searching the streets for an ice cream truck and its incessant chime? Is that sad ice cream sandwich you get from the corner store not hitting the spot? Well search no more! Chill Berry in Harlem is your solution for a self serve frozen treat in Northern Manhattan all year round.
With 10 rich low fat flavors like Cake Batter, Pecan Praline, and Pistachio, and numerous fresh fruit and classic toppings from sprinkles to the exotic moochi, the sky is the limit in terms of fantastic combinations to enjoy. Chill Berry is cozy and inviting with an uber friendly staff eager to walk you through the process of self service and offers countless samples. The space has a lounge like feel with banquette seating, wooden stools and tables, as well as 4 flat screen televisions featuring music videos and soothing R&B playing overhead to set an escapist mood.
Come here for a bit of heaven in a cup and a nice respite from your long day at work at .49cents an ounce. If you have children this will be the best thing since Puss in Boots 3D. They will enjoy making their own combinations and serving themselves, it will make them feel all grown up.
Harlem’s landscape is in a major transition and with little neighborhood shops like these offering affordable options to the community it couldn’t get much better. And if you live close by and don’t want to leave your spot watching a marathon of The Real Housewives on Bravo or The Game on BET, they offer convenient home delivery service. It can’t get any easier than this.
Chill Berry (414 Lenox Avenue at 131st Street, 212-862-4455)
Winter Hours are from 12pm – 9pm for more information visit their website
Mention Stay Uptown you visit
