Red Rooster Harlem Awards

Red Rooster Harlem Restaurant Review:

A neighborly yet refined addition to Harlem, Marcus Samuelsson’s Red Rooster is both a gathering place for locals and a Manhattan destination restaurant. Named after a former Harlem speakeasy, the comfortable, buzzy restaurant feels like a loft, with an open kitchen, walls decorated with artwork by Harlem residents, and shelves crammed with a collection of nostalgic tchotchkes from several generations. The menu is as eclectic as the décor, anchoring itself in soul food but tracing a clear path to the chef’s Swedish and Ethiopian roots. Select a potent infused bourbon cocktail with subtle touches of peanut, fig or pear to whet your appetite. Appetizers and main courses span the globe. To start, try the silky gravlax, served with purple mustard; or Helga’s Swedish meatballs, a staple from the chef’s beginnings at Aquavit. Cornbread with honey butter and African-spiced tomato jam harkens back to the South as do three standout main courses: blackened catfish, rich macaroni and cheese or the restaurant’s signature fried yard bird (chicken) served with mace gravy and a shaker of spices. A side of smoked collard greens is a must. You’ll want to leave room for the sweet potato donuts or cheddar-crust apple pie, washed down by a mug of rich African java or fragrant green tea, so you can linger and enjoy the atmosphere. Consider visiting for lunch or brunch when a reservation is easier to score. There's sparkling wine on tap, and a wine list including bottles from Austria, South Africa and Argentina. Downstairs at Ginny's Supper Club, listen to live music or savor a classic gospel brunch.