Harlem Tavern

The best part about working with Prudential DOUGLAS ELLIMAN, the industry leading full service real estate brokerage, is that our office space in Harlem (we have 60+ offices in New York City alone) is on the same block as the HARLEM TAVERN!

My first full week in the Harlem Office, I ate at the Harlem Tavern for lunch…yes, the full week! I am a HUGE fan of their ROASTED BEET SALAD topped with wild arugula, goat cheese, candied walnuts, and a balsamic coriander vinaigrette. I’m also crazy about their SOUTHWEST STEAK SALAD – sirloin, poblano pepper, heart of palm, avocado, sweet corn, queso fresco, and pumpkin seeds, splashed in a cilantro lime vinaigrette. I had their Flatbreads (admittedly, I want to see how they stack up against my own) on a Wednesday and Thursday – the FRIED GREEN TOMATO Flatbread is just mozzarella, ricotta, basil & arugula pesto and the equally delicious SPICY CHICKEN FLATBREAD has Thai chilies, peanuts, red curry cream cheese, rice flakes, and mint. They looked like I made them, but the Chef must have a few ingredients that I do not use and so I found them to be tastier than mine. Friday’s Lunch, I had the HARLEM STEAK SANDWICH which is a NY strip steak, slow roasted tomato, and an amazing chimichurri sauce – HEAVEN!!

Henry was tired of me talking about my lunches, so he decided to “assist” me in tackling the Harlem Tavern Dinners, Cocktails, Wines, and Beers.  Harlem Tavern has a massive outdoor beer garden and patio lined with reclaimed brick and is the perfect setting for hosting any events, party, or special dining experience. With live music every Tuesday, Wednesday, and live JAZZ Saturday, the atmosphere is lively and inviting.

Sheri Wilson Daly (although we have NOT officially met, I see her all the time) and her husband Stephen Daly are the masterminds and co-owners of Harlem Tavern as well as other Restaurants in NYC.

Our 1st dinner was on a Tuesday, everything on the menu looked so delicious! They had a themed “Lobster Tuesdays” that was very tempting – I’m a lobster FREAK! But we also wanted to have some steak or maybe try their seafood. We really couldn’t decide so we went with drinks (of course I had to have their fresh-fruit Sangria and Henry had a few beers) and nothing but appetizers! We’re talking a POT OF MUSSELS (with white wine & garlic, spicy chorizo & tomato, or West Indian curry), SMOKEY GRILLED WINGS glazed with Chipotle BBQ or homemade hot sauce, CRISPY SEMOLINA CALAMARI with spicy pepperoncini, pesto aioli, and a tomato basil sauce, CRAB CAKES with lemon creme fraiche and a citrus salad, and we couldn’t resist the SMOKED MOZZARELLA & RICOTTA FRITTERS which comes with a tomato basil sauce for dipping. OH MY GOODNESS!! Everything was delicious and you can tell/taste that the Chef (have to get his/her name) took great pride in his culinary craft. Again, it was 5 appetizers but looked like a banquet of “Good Eats” when it arrived. Then servings of Lobster Dinners started to zip passed us and I almost cried. I said in a low voice, “We HAVE to come here for Lobster Tuesdays!” Henry pointed out that I have not been this excited about a Restaurant’s Food in a long time!! Suprizingly (and I say that respecfully because of the quality of the food) the price points are very affordable so coming out to the Amazing Harlem Tavern 5,6 times a month is not going to break your bank.

We left with our bellies full, smiles on our faces, some extra cash in our wallets, and a promise of another dinner reservation. So we decided to come the following Friday. Henry tried the CEDAR PLANKED SALMON with olives, peppers, tomato confit, and a zesty citrus herb vinaigrette. I went for the BOURBON BRAISED BEEF SHORT RIBS with mashed potatoes, sauteed spinach, and a bourbon veal jus. The salmon looked like a piece of art and I could tell right away that it was succulent (I insisted on tasting it jajajaja). My Beef Short Ribs were so tender atop that fluffy mash and so full of flavor that I asked in a sullen tone, “Do you want some?” To my delight, he said no. Then he laughed and said, “It’s all for you.” jajajajajaja! We were drinking cocktails with our dinner; he a WATERMELON CRUSH (Riazul Silver Tequila, Watermelon Schnapps, Triple Sec & sour mix) and I had the KANPAI COOLER (Pama Pomegranate Liquor, TYKU Liquor, sour mix & tonic) – they were so sensational we ordered two more!!

We had room (not really, but…) for dessert. Henry went with the WHITE CHOCOLATE AMARETTO CHEESECAKE and I of course had the BAILEY’S CRÈME BRULEE. They were Perfection, you know- not too sweet, not too rich, and definitely not too much.

You have to meet the Owners, Managers, Chef(s), Wait Staff, Hostesses, and Runners – they are ALL fabulous and they ALL take part in making sure that you have a GREAT experience while dining at the Harlem Tavern (of course, we’re in love with Faith!!) They have many themed nights, full of delicious cuisine and entertainment. We have to try out, then tell you all about their LIVE JAZZ BRUNCH. The menu looks like it’s right up our alley and afterwards, I can take about 50 steps and sell some homes out of my Harlem Office.

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