Red Rooster

Around two weeks ago my best friend Jorge and I found each other in the heart of Harlem for brunch.  What we didn't know was that it was going to turn into such a cultural and soulful one.







For a long time I have been meaning to visit Marcus Samuelsson's (who won Bravo's Top Chef Masters) Red Rooster in Harlem but even though it's only a subway ride away it always seemed too far when hungover.  So as a true "manhattanite" we made the field trip into Harlem (I know it sounds awful specially when Harlem is in Manhattan but many locals will understand that it's a whole new world up there) to find this well known place.  After getting off on 125st station, walking pass the Apollo theater, and running into the African American Parade (which to be honest I've never heard of it) we made it to Red Rooster.

Lets just begin by saying that the restaurant is beautiful.  The place is decorated with old photos which include past Jazz singers, retro signs and even a bookshelf filled with old books and items that marked the old school Harlem.  While we waited on the bar for our table I soon realized that this place was not so much about the food but the experience.  While enjoying a "Savoy" (a drink composed of vodka, lemon, muddle grapes, and agave) a lady sang the blues through the crowd, integrating the people in her soul/gospel chorus.  This improv feeling gave the place a lot of character and the Deviled Eggs (probably the best I've had in a long time) that were put in front of me complimented the 360 degree experience.

I will be honest, the food is good but not great.  I had the fried chicken with gravy and mashed potatoes (when in Rome) and Jorge had the burger.  The place is not an "eat and go" kind of place but rather a place to sit and take in all the ambiance.  I found out through the staff that they also have a speakeasy themed Jazz bar in the basement that opens from Thursday to Saturdays called Ginny's Supper Club.


Although many will consider the place catered for the "white people" in the area, I believe it is a good and respectful representation of the roots of American Cousine and will recommend it to anybody on a nice Sunday afternoon.  Now when it comes to Baton girls twerking on the previously mentioned parade I don't know....

The Art of Picnic

With the fall season here and the summer finished so is the season of picnic.  In hindsight, I come to the following realization: Doing a picnic is not only seasonal but cultural.
Every summer Central Park in NYC gets full with thousands of people doing picnics.  You gather with a group of friends in the park for a chill out afternoon of food and even games.  The menu tends to be always quite the same: you have the inevitable hummus (which everyone thinks for some reason that they are the only ones bringing it and then you end up with 20 of them in the blanket),  fruits, cookies, salad, peanuts, cheese....all of this paired with a nice wine (usually white 'cause of the heat).


 *Side note for cheese: Cheese during a picnic is an interesting topic since this is the one item that defines and categorizes people.  Some people will bring Gouda, Goat, Brie (this are the ones that actually know and enjoy real cheese) and then you have the ones that buy the cubed cheddar that comes on the box with the pre-cut ham from Kraft (the one that you eat at kids parties with a toothpick..that one)! Needless to say that the ones that bring the Kraft ones never eat their own cheese but the Brie...


For me doing a picnic was a learned thing since growing in PR we never do.  The idea of me grabbing a blanket and going to eat in a park in PR was very farfetched.  I would like to see my friends face if I even make such a suggestion.  I believe it is because our equivalent for this kinda of activity is the beach.  When we go to the beach, we "picnic" in the sand.  Usually with games, music and beer as the alcoholic drink of choice (also because of the extreme heat).  The closest in PR that I've been to a "picnic" it's a kid's birthday in the park but there is usually a gazebo that is used.  Again, the idea of me sitting on the grass where dogs most likely poo is unheard of.

A picnic was something that I grew watching in movies believing that it was also one of Hollywood's biggest lies.  I couldn't believe who will actually grab a basket and a blanket and actually do this.  It makes me wonder, are places with a nearby beach like PR, Miami, LA not into doing picnics at all?  Is it a cultural thing?  What do you think?

Penelope's

Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day.  Whomever invented the concept of brunch has a seat assigned in heaven in my eyes.  Don't you hate when you wake up late and hungover and all you want are eggs and bacon and the place is already serving lunch?  So having breakfast at 2 in the afternoon is an act coming directly from God's orders.

There are so many places to go to brunch in NYC on a Saturday or Sunday it all depends if you want really good food, classical or the party kind.  A few years back my best friend was visiting from PR and she took me to Penelope's (its funny how it took someone that doesn't live here but then again its in Murray Hill and there was no way I was gonna run into it otherwise).  

                                         It was love at first sight!  I don't know about people but when it comes to restaurants it does exist.  With  the appearance of an old wooden house this little restaurant lives up to its look.  Although there is usually a waiting time they have complimentary coffee while you wait as so to make you feel at home.  The food is very creative mixing some old school omelets and eggs plates with more complex sauces like balsamic mayos or a side of apple/chicken sausage.  If you are on a sweeter mood the Nutella French Toasts made on baguette bread are to die for.  But the plate which they are known for is their Pumpkin Waffles, which are topped with cranberry's and cinnamon butter....do I need to say more.  All of you Pumpkin pie lovers will go insane when you try this delicacy but be careful because it's only found during Fall and Winter season.

The service is good and friendly.  Everything is organic and fresh and has this "country" feeling that makes you feel that you are at some good ol' bed and breakfast.  I wouldn't recommend large groups but trust me when I say its worth the wait.

So next time you are feeling a little adventurous, head to Penelope's for a food experience  that will leave you with a smile on your face.  Won't promise that you will find much more of interest on that neighborhood but its worth the trip.