107 West is a cozy little restaurant tucked away into a non-descript row of store-fronts as eclectic as they are expected on the block of 187th Street at Fort Washington Street in the Hudson Heights/Inwood Section of upper Manhattan. It is the one of two 107 West locations, the original is actually located at 107th & Broadway on the West Side. Which location is better depends almost wholly on personal preference. This writer’s just happens to be for the less accessible enclave situated in Hudson Heights. But the staffs at both locations are equally attentive. The themes at each restaurant are different, but both are equally inviting as places to unwind at the end of a long day or to begin a romantic evening.

At the 187th Street location the fare is American and Mexican inspired with occasional flourishes that make their way to the menu seasonally. Dishes such as jambalaya made of Andouille sausage, smoked chicken, shrimp, calamari, crawfish & clams in corn & sweet pepper etoufee with cajun rice, an all veggie platter of roasted assorted vegetables, tofu, mushrooms, brown rice & tahini sauce, jumbo Maryland crab cakes, sautéed creole chicken and shrimp, and quesadillas round out the menu. Admittedly, and to the chagrin of many, I feel their strongest dishes are the ones that include good old fashioned cow. The burgers and steaks will leave meat lovers aching for more. The pan seared hanger steak, prepared to your liking, with sautéed sweet onions, mashed potatoes and country collard greens is hands down their most memorable meal and actually tastes just as good from one visit to the next. But fret not, their fried chicken is crisp and succulent and will leave you satisfied to the very last forkful. Nor are they lacking in Italian and seafood selections, and their vegetarian considerations welcome the most discriminating Vegans. The bar is more than adequate with several varietals to accompany your meal. The mimosas aren’t especially dry and make for a great daytime pairing.

The sides alone could carry a review. The French Fries always come piping hot, but hardly heavy. There’s not much of a desert selection for those of us with nut allergies, but if you’re not held down by such limitations, feel free to round out your meal with a slice of macadamia oat apple crisp, frozen mocha mud pie or an evil looking slice of chocolate mousse cake. Or you can simply opt for a cup of coffee.

Art for sale lines the walls of the narrow Hudson Heights location and is rotated on a regular basis. You’ll be surprised to see an occasional celebrity sitting alone or with company enjoying a quiet meal. I once had the interesting pleasure of being seated beside Dr. Ruth Westheimer, but I didn’t bother her with any questions.

107 West is the place to go when you can’t really make up your mind what to eat, but know for sure you want memorable food and a memorable experience.

107 West

811 West 187th Street
New York, NY 10033
Tel: 212-923-3311
www.107west.com

Photo credit: Eric Payne

Harlem is home to Nectar, a wonderfully sublime and sexy wine bar tucked away into the edifice of a new apartment building on Frederick Douglas Boulevard  at the corner of 121st Street. By day it is a clean and open, almost reminiscent of gallery space, clearly visible from the street. But after sunset it takes on the austerity of speakeasy, with its’ tiny foyer which is shades its entrance from the beauty behind it.  Two steps in, your eyes will take notice of the dark stone concrete floor beneath your feet before traveling upward, drawn to the white light emanating from the rectangular bar and held suspended slightly above it by its muted gray walls. Unwillingly you continue to delight in the aesthetics, white barstools, chairs and tables, dramatic, sweeping white sailcloth panels that grace both wall and ceiling along with few ebony wood baffles suspended from the ceiling. Quickly you might even think you’re in a cozy, swank sound studio. Not a wine bar. And not a wine bar in Harlem. It’s only after you see the back wall rack of wines, which are visible from the street, do you remember why you’re there. Your pupils should be fully dilated now and you’re glad you’ve come before sitting down and before indulging in your first pour.

Conveniently located a few short blocks from 125th Street and open Monday through Sunday from 4pm to 1am, Nectar is the child of proprietors Jai Jai Greenfield and Eric Woods who also own Harlem Vintage, the wine shop next door that preceded Nectar’s existence as a growing Harlem staple. The bartenders’ knowledge is up to speed with the establishment’s broad and eclectic offering of wines and beer. Neither shy nor standoffish, the staff is willing and able to aid you in your selections. Conventional is another word you can scratch off their list. I’m no neophyte to this place, but during a recent visit on a chilly fall evening, the manager introduced me to my first ever, beer cocktail, a concoction of Lineman’s Lambic Frambroise (this writer’s current favorite Belgian beer), pineapple juice and champagne.

And the food? Nectar has a little bit for everyone keeping focus on what is poured and not cooked. The food menu is arranged in four easy categories and is considerate of Vegans: artisanal cheeses, charcuterie (salted and cured, economical meats), nibbles such as olives, dates, duck and pistachio pate, and paninis for those in need of a little more than a pairing for the palette with their wine or beer of choice.

Here’s where existing side by side with your older brother is a plus. If, while patronizing Nectar, you come across something new or a favorite you must take home for further enjoyment, you’ll only have to go as far as next door to Harlem Vintage to buy a bottle or a case of it.

Pricing ranges from reasonable to respectable and is still considerably lower than most establishments south of Harlem.  With an ambiance that oozes smooth and cool you’ll never have to out talk the music playing overhead while imbibing with friends or the one you love. Although when it’s crowded you may have to speak to be heard over everyone else speaking as it can get lively when the house is full on Saturday and Sunday evenings. Most impressive is the diversity of the patrons. Whether you’re a neighborhood regular, hail from the outer boroughs or greater New York are, or are simply a tourist passing through, all are welcome here. Don’t be surprised if you get drawn into a great conversation with strangers at the bar and find yourself not wanting to leave.

The nectar of Harlem just happens to flow from a place called Nectar. It’s Harlem’s wine bar destination.

Nectar Wine Bar
2235 8th Ave
New York, NY 10027-6175
(212) 961-9622
www.nectarwinenyc.com

This past weekend my girlfriends and I headed out (in the rain) for our friend’s birthday to what on the outside appeared to be  just a small Italian restaurant. The restaurant, Mangia e Bevi, (which means Eat and Drink) is located in the Theater District on the corner of West 53rd and 9th Ave.

When we first arrived the line was literally out the door; in front of us, 2 large bachelorette parties of girls dressed up in heels, hair and make up perfectly done- standing in the rain with umbrellas that were only barely keeping them dry. Why?

The reason is simple. While the menu could be described as your typical italian cusine, Mangia e Bevi is not your typical italian restaurant.

Offering reasonably priced pre-fixed options (in addition to their a la cart menu) which include sangria, a parade of appetizers,  a generously sized entree and dessert, it is not until the waiter has your orders- that the fun begins.

Reservations are spaced out every 2 hours like show times. Once all guests have ordered, each table is handed tambourines, and within minutes the waiters are belting out Mambo Italiano and dancing with the guests. These musical outbursts happen about  every 10 minutes or so, with songs ranging from “That’s Amore” to “Just Like a Prayer”.  The guests are not only encouraged to sing along with the waiters, but they are encouraged to get on their chairs and dance too… and nearly everyone does.

These outbursts of songs happen approximately every 10 minutes, during breaks your meal is served… and then its back to dancing on your chair again.

While this may not be best choice for a romantic night out, the over all experience is both memorable, fun, and unlike any itailian restaurant you’ve been to before. Making it the perfect place to grab a bite for a girls night out.

As a single mom, I don’t get out much.  Well, let me restate that.  As a single mom, I don’t get out much to grown-up events.  I have an extremely full social life, except that it mostly revolves around kiddie concerts, toddler play dates and trips to the playground at the end of my block.  Don’t get me wrong; I love being a mother.  Taking my son out on the town in the Big Apple always means he will be exposed to the kinds of sights and sounds that will ensure a sophistication rarely seen in most two year olds elsewhere.  Why, just today we were regaled with the sounds of African drums beating out the exciting rhythms of Brazilian Samba at the Brazilian Festival in Midtown Manhattan.  Just two days ago we got to see a troupe of German street jugglers, and last week we just happened to run into a puppet show in front of a church. This city never leaves you with a shortage of wondrous experiences – and experiencing them with a child brings to them a new sense of wonder and appreciation.    I love showing my beloved city to my son.

Going out with an adult every now and then, however, would be greatly appreciated.

I’ve decided that I will no longer allow myself to be a Mom-hermit.  You know what I mean – you go out to tons of events for the little ones but as soon as someone invites you to an adult function you begin to mentally weigh the effort of getting into a dress that actually fits against the pleasure of vegging on the couch with a pint of ice cream and a good book (that doesn’t rhyme or have pictures in it), and the couch starts to win every time.  Does that sound like you?  Welcome; you are now a Mom-hermit.

Well, no more.  Uh-uh.  Not me.  And not you either!  We must rejoin society and reclaim the last bit of individuality we have left.  Come on, you know you want to somewhere really deep inside.  So to that end, I am going to put together a “Save the Mom-hermit Campaign”.  This campaign involves getting my friends with more of a life than I have (i.e. all of them), to go out on the town with me to the most non-mom places in the city.  My first stop?  Buddakan.  This restaurant not only has some of the swankiest décor in Manhattan, it has that fun, hip, Sex and the City feel that every woman-about-town wants once they’ve been given an evening pass by their warden…I mean, secured a babysitter for their darling children.  For you married Moms, leave the hubby at home, grab the girls, and head over to Buddakan for some fabulous drinks, delicious food, and the absolute most important thing: fresh-out-of-GQ Magazine eye candy.   Who cares if they probably won’t even notice that you’ve walked into the room – they are there to serve you.  Well, at least they are in your fantasy when you get back home later on that night. 

After leaving Buddakan, stroll on over a few blocks to the Gansevoort Hotel’s rooftop bar, Plunge.  The drinks are yummy and the view of the New York City skyline is breath-taking.  Exposed to all of this fabulousness, by the time you get home you will have most certainly kissed the Mom-hermit blues away.  Even a month’s worth of Dora and Diego won’t be able to take away that heady feeling.

So, stay tuned, Ladies.  The “Save a Mom-hermit Campaign” will be going to other New York City hot-spots – feel free to join us at the actual locations, or via my articles from the safety of your couch (it’s okay, I won’t tell).

Photo by EsperAgi / Stock Xchng