Urbanology

Harlem Restaurant Week

By: W.A.Rogers

For the past 11 years the Harlem Park to Park organization (www.harlemparktopark.org) lead by Nikoa Evens-Hendricks the organization’s Executive Director has been the primary sponsor of Harlem Restaurant Week. This year’s event will take place from Monday October 19th to Saturday October 31st and could not have come at a better time.

Harlem Restaurants have had an exceedingly difficult time due the COVID lock down. Recently the Mayor and Governor have agreed to allow many of the New York City restaurants to have indoor dining on a limited basis. The City will allow ongoing sidewalk and curbside dining which will become a challenge during the coming winter.

If you visit www. harlemrestaurantweek. com you will be able to find a listing of the over 40 restaurants that are providing specials during the week. Harlem Restaurant Week will be the only neighborhood restaurant marketing program that will take place this Fall according to Valerie Wilson whose public relations firm is responsible for the marketing and promotions of this annual event.

Founded in 2009 Harlem Park to Park has taken a leadership role in developing economic development programs for Harlem Businesses including a Harlem Local Vendor program in partnership with Whole Foods Market and Columbia University, an annual Harlem Battle of the Bars: The Art of the Mix Competition, and a Harlem Festival and Shop Harlem Vendor Fair.

Although all the Harlem based restaurants have taken an economic hit during the Cities battle with COVID, many have provided much needed food support for the many community and civic organization who provide meals . The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce currently provides over 1,700 meals per day this to contributions from restaurants such as Lucille’s, Field Trip, Charles Southern Kitchen, Renaissance Harlem and Manna’s.

The great thing about the many restaurants in Harlem is the cultural diversity along with popular Harlem restaurants such as Sylvia’s and The Red Rooster, we have East Indian cuisine at Chaiwali, vegan dishes at Lyn-Genet’s Kitchen, the poultry focused French bisro Mountain Bird which is run by a Japanese couple are but a few.

The Uptown Grand Central on Pleasant Avenue organization will organize an East Harlem open street popup of local favorites such as Bistro Casa Azul and Fonda Boricua, during Restaurant Week. On the Weekends Frederick Douglass Blvd will be closed from 110th Street to 122nd Street to support New York’s extended outdoor dining program.

If you visit the above mentioned Harlem Restaurant Week website you will be able to get detailed information on the restaurants participating in HRW 2020, If you have not had the opportunity to eat out in a while this will be a special week to do so and support Harlem restaurants. They all need your help to weather the economic down fall caused by COVID-19.

Even if you don’t see your favorite restaurant on the listing, this is a find time to try something new or to come out and support your neighborhood eating place if they don’t get your support they might not make it through the winter. For further information visit the above websites send an email to valerie@valincpr.com or call 917 405-5917

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