I finally made it to Marcus Samuelsson’s Red Rooster in Harlem after waiting nearly a month for my highly sought-after reservation. Considered to be one of the hottest new restaurants in NYC, Red Rooster has received a complimentary review and a two star rating by Sam Sifton of the New York Times and was the site of President Obama’s recent $30,000 a plate fundraiser.
When we walked in the restaurant we were greeted by a funky shaped bar that preceded the dining area. The striped mahogany bar was in the shape of three semicircles all looping into each other. The brightly lit bar wall that also doubles as a divider between the bar and the dining room, displays various bottles of liquors and wines. There was plenty of room at the bar for comfortable movement and conversation. At the left of the bar is a café-like area with bar stool s and tables next to a rustic wooden book shelf that artistically displays books, plates and photos. At the right of the bar are the hostess, the coat check room and the entrance to dining area. We waited for our table at the bar and enjoyed a nice variety of mixed drinks. One particular drink that I really enjoyed was The Savoy, made with vodka, lemon, muddled grapes and agave, it was very fruitful and tasty.
The main dining room was pretty cool, a semi open kitchen with a communal table next to it. On wall panels that resemble a blackboard’s surface, there is large stylized writing in chalk which adds to the hip, artsy yet subdued decor. Also on the walls, are appropriately hung contemporary paintings. The design concept is reminiscent of DBGB Kitchen downtown. Red Rooster has a very chic and hip atmosphere.
The buzz of the crowd is audible but never loud or noisy. The beauty of this uptown restaurant in the heart of historic Harlem, is the diversity of the crowd. Persons of various races and ethnicities, the mid-town crowd, business men and women in suits, fashionable hipsters, locals, etc, all coming together having a great time and enjoying Samuelsson’s dishes.
Red Rooster serves American comfort food with a twist of Scandinavian cuisine. I came here for dinner and really enjoyed it. I started out with the Gravlax with Purple Musta for my appetizer; the salmon was very good and tasty. I then had the Grilled Red Snapper made with sour tomato broth and Israeli couscous for my entrée. My first reaction to this meal was it seemed to be too watery, it me made me feel like I had ordered a soup with fish. But when I tasted the dish it was so good!!! It has a sour taste from the broth that compliments the fish. I had a taste of my friends’ entrees: Ox tails and Lemon Chicken, both were great. For dessert I had the sorbet which was good but didn’t stand out from other sorbets I’ve had. The food prices are affordable, no entrée exceeded $33.
Unfortunately Marcus was on vacation when we dined there but I did meet Tiffany Derry who was a contestant on Top Chef Season 7 and Top Chef All star Season 8. She was cool, we chatted for a bit about Top Chief.
For those who are creatures of the downtown and midtown restaurant scene, Red Rooster is definitely worth the trip uptown to Harlem. The food is good and so is the service; the atmosphere and the vibe are also great, what more can you ask for in a restaurant? With the addition of Red Rooster alongside other noteworthy restaurants in the neighborhood, Harlem is a forced to be wrecking with in NYC dining scene.
Red Rooster
310 Lenox Ave
(between 125th St & 126th St)
New York, NY 10027
(212) 792-9001
Official Website
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