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....