Billie's Black

As a Harlem resident I try my best to patronize retail establishments withing my neighborhood.

I was having one of those I don't feel like grocery shopping or cooking days.  So I decided to head over to Billie's Black. 

Billie's Black is a modest Soul Food restaurant located on a tree lined street in the heart of Harlem.  The restaurant is pretty easy to find as they have a rather large awning.  Billie's Black is a full survice restaurant that includes a bar.  It appears you don't need reservations, but since the dining room is not that large would suggest calling ahead - Especially on the weekend.

The restaurant is very causal with a "home-y" feel.   I arrived on a weekend night close to closing so there were only two tables seated and they were both near the end of the meals.  There were also a few people at the bar.

I took a seat and waited...and waited...did the staff forget I was there?  Finally I ordered the BBQ  Chicken wings as an appetizer and the Catfish for my entree.

While waiting for my appetizer, I noticed that there is a lot of art which adds to the unique ambiance of the space.  There is also a performance space.

About 10 minutes later my "BBQ" chicken wings showed up.  They are fried chicken wings with a BBQ hot sauce on the side?  WHAT? I was left shaking my head.  The wings weren't very good, they tasted if they may have been frozen.  Two minutes later my entree arrived.  Was there a miscommunication in the kitchen? Pushing the wings aside I start in on my catfish which is perfectly cooked.  The greens were a bit over cooked and the Macaroni and Cheese was solid.

One thing I hate about any restaurant is horrible service.  That can make or break a restaurant and Billie's Black is a violator. 

The price for the food was a bit of a head scratcher as well.  In most restaurants I would get two catfish filets here I clearly received only one.  So I dont think the price justifies the price.

To be fair, I did visit at the end of the day, so I'll need to return for a Brunch service.

Billie's Black

271 West 119 Street

New York, NY  10026

Phone:  (212) 280-2248

web:  http://www.billiesblack.com

Haru (Broadway)

Went to Haru for lunch with some coworkers.  Haru is a sushi/Japanese restaurant located in Times square.

It’s a casual restaurant with a very cool decor.   I usually avoid Times Square restaurants, as its full of chains (although there are some good independents) and uber touristy.   However, lunch in Times Square can be nice, since many of the restaurants cater to the surrounding businesses.

The restaurant looks plain from the outside, but once you enter, you walk into a bright, beautiful and modern multilevel restaurant.  There is a main dining room which is sectioned by bamboo to create booths and smaller dining sections for more privacy.  There is a full bar and a sushi bar.  The decor was definitely more than I expected.

 

As this is a lunch review, the dress is (business) casual and the atmosphere is perfect for a business lunch, meeting or a meal with friends.   I would say the vibe is low key.  Tables are nicely spaced and you can have a conversation without straining.  This is not a restaurant I would take children.

We had to wait about 5 minutes to be seated, although we had a reservation.  Once seated we had to wait another 5 minutes for our server to acknowledge us.

The menu appears to be pretty basic and reasonably priced for lunch.  We ordered chicken Teriyaki, Salmon Teriyaki and tofu steak.  Those each came with a California roll, rock shrimp kakiage, rice and miso soup or house salad.  In addition we orders some rolls and Rock Shrimp appetizers.

The items were presented nicely although one person had a special request that was denied, yet when pointed out, quickly corrected.  Overall the food was nicely prepared and tasty.

The services was uneven as we had to wait even though we had a reservation and our server seemed to be distracted either with other tables or just unattentive.  It’s hard to tell when the person serving you has no emotions.

The price for the portions and location were justified.  Entrees around $15 dollars in the Times Square area of Manhattan are what I would consider normal.

My conclusion is this is an average lunchtime restaurant with a lovely decor.  I would return again, most likely for dinner so I can compare the the services.  For average Sushi, this is good, considering there are other high end Sushi/Japanese restaurants in the vicinity.

Haru (Broadway)
205 West 43 Street
New York, NY  10036
212-398-9810
WEB:  http://www.harusushi.com/locations.aspx?page=103

Sugarhill

I decided to take a tour of Sugar Hill since it's a beautiful day out.

I walk over to 125 and St. Nicholas and take the D Train to Sugar Hill section of Harlem.  The Sugar Hill section of Harlem borders are 145 Street on the South and 155 Street is the Northern Border; Edgecombe Avenue on the East and Convent Avenue on the West.  Some blocks stretch to west to Amesterdam.

The neighborhood sit high above the bluff, as Manhattan's topography is rocky and or mountainous above 100 Street.  

It was know as a place to have a "sweet life" and the moniker "Sugar Hill" went into affect.

This area has some of the most Exquisite

townhouses in all of New York.

Here is my walking map so you can follow along.

Beautiful Town homes on 147 Street.

On to Convent Avenue.  We have the Church of the Crucifixion.

It's like the biggest 70's mistake ever.  The place looks like something out of Space 1999 or the movie the Fifth Element. 

Modern buildings never fit in to historic neighborhood.

I'm looking right at you 415 West 150 Street!  

 But I digress.

On to St. Nicholas

 Now on to 152 Street

The fabulous Dance Theatre of Harlem

Across the street to gorgeous buildings

with amazing details.  They looked to be preparing

for renovation?  In addition, looks, as if at one time, there may have been a related building in between.

On to Amsterdam

Work Mama!  Catch the coordinating jacket, bag and pumps!

 The American Cancer Society

This is building is gorgeous.

 You can see all the way down to Columbus Circle

Trinity Cemetary. 

I need to check this place out at a future date.

Some of the Mausoleums were beautiful

On 153 Street, I discovered some

gorgeous home with great period details..minus

the security system

On 155 Street you can see across to the Bronx

and that Stadium

I turn down Edgecombe.  Nice wide street that overlooks

Jackie Robinson Park and has solid building stock.

I don't know who owns or the history

of this house but I love it!

Around the corner on St. Nicholas 

Is the house formerly owned by 

James Bailey of Barnum & Bailey fame.

 Now it's funeral parlor

The other grand homes arent as well 

preserved or maintained

Back on to Edgecombe

Jackie Robinson Park has been renovated

And back to 145 Street

Looking East along all the new construction

Hope you've enjoyed

Comments here on the blog are appreciated

Chinatown Brasserie

I was out in the NoHo area and after an event decided to dine here with my group.  I love Asian inspired foods and this looked like a decent spot.  I don’t frequent NoHo often so I can in with no expectations.

Chinatown Brasserie is located in the NoHo section of Manhattan, the name is misnomer, and could be confusing for someone not familiar with the neighborhood.  Located on Lafayette, it’s equidistant between Astor Place or Bleeker Street subway stations.  The area provides provided good pre and post dinner options.

Reservations are simple, I made them through opentable.   There were lots of openings as this was a week night.  The restaurant is casual dining.

Chinatown Brasserie reminds me of a large movie set.  A dark cavernous Chinese restaurant with multiple sections decorated in the stereotypical Chinese decor.  Upon entering there is a bar to your right, in the middle the main dining floor and to the far right a raised seating area that provides a bit more privacy.

 

The space planning is done well, the tables have enough space between so you don't feel as though your intruding on your neighbors space.  We were unable to hear diners at other tables, which made for easy conversation at out table.  Lastly,  you have enough space to navigate around waitstaff and other patrons moving about the restaurant.

For lunch or a weekend, I would take a kid here, but since there is a large bar, I don't think Chinatown Brasserie is kid-friendly for dinner.

The menu is full of familiar Chinese dishes with nice selection of Dim Sum.  The Duck is a house specialties and there are quite a few vegetarian dishes.

We started out with cocktails in the bar while waiting for the entire party to arrive.  The drinks are tasty and well presented.  When our entire group arrived, we transferred the cocktails to our dinner menu with no issues.

For appetizers we ordered vegetable spring rolls, duck rolls, shrimp dumpling and shrimp and snow pea dumplings.  One word:  scrumptious!

The table ordered pork with string beans, Beef and Chinese broccoli, Chicken with Asparagus and mushrooms and a Shrimp Salad.

The entrees were presented nicely and the portions are more than adequate.  Fresh and tasty, however, I felt that the entrees we selected were just average.  They weren’t bad, they just weren’t at a quality that matched the price point.  They were in no way the worst entrees we’ve experienced, but far from being the worst.  

The service at Chinatown Brasserie was solid, from the hostess to the waitstaff.  No lapses in service or table check.  It was a good balance without being obtrusive.

The price at close to $40 per person, including alcohol, was far more expensive than what you could get at restaurants in China Town or at my corner Chinese joint.

Overall I thought this was a middle of the road dinner dining experience that I went into with no expectations. If I were to return, I might start or end an evening here, to explore more appetizers and have good conversation.


Chinatown Brasserie
380 Lafayette Street
New York, 10012
(212) 533-7000
Web:  www.chinatownbrasserie.com