Events

HARLEM RESTAURANT WEEK RETURNS FOR ITS 11TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR

As restaurants came reached early milestones out of the man- during COVID. Places datory COVID like Lyn-Genet’s Kitchlockdown, Harlem’s hos- en, in West Harlem servpitality landscape, while ing vegan fare. Harlem badly shaken, was large- is also home to some of ly standing. The uptown the city’s most sprawldining landscape that had ing sidewalks, making experienced significant outdoor seating and sogrowth over the past 10 cial distance spreading - 15 years found that the more accessible; it enjoys community it served was closed streets along Fredwilling and able to sup- erick Douglass Blvd each port it during challenging weekend to compliment times. And as restaurants the city’s extended outheld on through the Sum- door dining program; and mer and now enter the during restaurant week, cold months, Harlem an open street program Restaurant Week re- organized by Uptown turns for its 11th consec- Grand Central on Pleasant utive season as the only Avenue at 118th Street in Restaurant Week Program East Harlem will feature in a New York City neigh- a popup of local favorites borhood this Fall. The in Bistro Casa Azul inprogram, which will take cluding Mountainbird and place from October 19th Fonda Boricua, among to 31st, is partially a cel- but also for the opportuni- zone. And while most of suit in Harlem and very to creating new products others. ebration of this feat and a ty it presents for Harlem’s the neighborhood’s own- quickly across the coun- to be launched in retail as “We are certainly not welcoming invitation to restaurants and retailers to ers and operators were try. It was also where industry veterans like 67 out of the woods and the rest of the city to see invite New York to visit hit hard by COVID at other such movements Orange Street and Pon- much more help is needed why this special village and eat and continue to the onset, many were developed like the work ty Bistro are doing. “We for this industry to fully has such an enduring spir- support. Restaurants and able to pivot and survive Harlem Grown has done have seen some restau- return. But what we’ve it. retailers are offering prix with positive outlooks with feeding kids out of rants able to accelerate learned is that being a

Harlem Restaurant fixe meal and retail deals for moving into the next school and therefore at their growth plans as a part of a community has Week, created by Harlem during the time period. phase of recovery. hunger risks; and Harlem result of this situation, as its privileges. The comPark to Park, is one of Specials range from of- “Harlem was definite- Park to Park’s initiative others work hard to gain munity has worked with Harlem’s most success- fers under $10 to full meal ly set back with COVID. of feeding furloughed traction while the playing us each step of the way to ful marketing platforms deals and more. For more We saw some permanent hospitality workers with field is leveled,” added help support our businessfor promoting its restau- details, guests can visit closures, like everywhere an ongoing grocery pro- Evans-Hendricks. es. Our numbers are down rant and retail business- www.harlemrestaurant- else, but we have also gram; or Sylvia’s restau- Diners will be able to for participants - at a lites. The program, now in week.com. seen a level of ingenui- rant joining forces with enjoy Harlem staple fa- tle over 60 participants, its 11th year, has helped One of the most sig- ty and resiliency emerge Al Sharpton’s National vorites like Red Roost- we are 25% down from significantly in raising nificant cultural capitals from our businesses that Action Network to supply er, which also recent- the spring pre-COVID awareness and visibility in the world, Harlem also has been inspiring and an open pantry. Harlem’s ly reopened for indoor HRW program. Howfor the neighborhood’s happens to be home to trendsetting,” said Har- restaurants stepped up in and outdoor dining, but ever, we are also hearing many restaurants and re- one of New York City’s lem Park to Park Exec- so many ways to keep also newer instant clas- from restaurants that they tail concepts, while build- most bustling restaurant utive Director, Nikoa its neighbors safe and sics like Chai Wali and are inching closer to preing ongoing support and and dining scenes. Of- Evans-Hendricks. Early healthy during the worst Mountainbird, both of COVID numbers, which followings for the variety fering a cross-section of pivot strategies includ- of the outbreak. which initially closed but is encouraging as we enof eateries found in Upper all that is current in the ed Harlem leading the But businesses also opened this summer. The ter the colder months. Manhattan. This year’s industry - from celebrity charge in feeding health- created pivot strategies neighborhood’s many Even more encouraging Harlem Restaurant Week chefs and restaurateurs to care frontline workers that have allowed them black-owned restaurants is seeing how businesses takes on a deeper signifi- pioneering entrepreneurs when local celebrity chef to stay open or return. give it one of the highest have emerged for growth cance not only for its rec- and a solid hub of nation- JJ Johnson’s FIELDTRIP From creating dedicated concentrations of these from the shutdown and ognition of the restaurants ally recognized black- began feeding hospi- takeout and delivery win- businesses in the country. we want to support that that still remain and Har- owned businesses - Har- tals in Upper Manhattan dows as can be seen at In addition, despite the trajectory as they navilem’s continued viability lem has established itself and gave way to other Ruby’s Vintage with the downturn, several new- gate these new waters,” as a dining destination, as a premier hospitality restaurants following new Sexy Taco popup; er restaurants opened or Evans-Hendricks added.