Marcus Samuelsson’s Red Rooster – A Delightful Experience in the Heart of Harlem

 

Marcus Samuelsson’s Red Rooster with its  haute cuisine soul food mixed with a dash of multicultural clientele is a one of the highlights of my dining experiences in New York City and I was happy that it was my birthday restaurant choice. We chose to make reservations for Saturday lunch because trying for an evening or  the Sunday gospel brunch was just too much of a wait. (I would highly recommend the Saturday lunch around 1:30 to avoid the crush of people that starts coming in around 3.)

Upon exciting the subway at 125th Street and Lenox Avenue, you can’t miss the Red Rooster awning as it stands in contrast to the guys on the corner selling packs of contraband Newports. The location has to be a calculated move on Samuelsson’s part to find a location that would not scare non-whites who might not feel comfortable “exploring” Harlem.

As you walk into the restaurant, you can’t help but notice the squared-shaped mahogany bar with it’s huge bourbon filled jugs. Because it was a post-lunch Saturday lunch when we arrived, I truly enjoyed the Small’s Paradise cocktail (Ketel One Vodka, Domaine de Canton, Agave Nectar and Muddled Mint)  was quite relaxing. I do imagine that at night, the bar is packed.

The dining room sits behind a wall of liquid bottles from the bar, is filled with the colorful art of Harlem artists. And don’t miss the framed menu from President Obama’s visit as you head to the loo.

Our table went for a variety of dishes that included Fried Yard Bird, Helga’s Meatballs and Lemon Roasted Chicken.

 

I opted for the “Yard Chicken” which was the best Fried Chicken I have ever eaten surpassing my late Nana’s Crisco Fried Chicken. What makes The Red Rooster’s secret for great fried chicken: they brine the chicken in salt and soak it in buttermilk for three days. Wow! I tasted the Helga Meatballs with ligonberries and mashed potatoes. All I can say is just plain delicious. As someone who has only eaten Ikea’s Swedish meatballs, quelle difference. Samuelsson’s knows how to bring his roots to the forefront with his home country’s national dish. For those not in the know, Samuelsson is from Sweden.   I also tasted the Lemon Roasted Chicken, and just plain moist and flavorful.

We all shared Coffee and Doughnut which was incredibly rich and truly decadent. My only bugaboo is that name is misleading, it should be Coffee Doughnut or Coffee in Doughnut because we thought we had ordered coffees and low and behold, not. The coffee is in the doughnut.

All in all, I recommend making the trek to Harlem for one of the best meals you will have. We all decided to head back for dinner.

 

Red Rooster Harlem
310 Lenox Avenue  between 125th and 126th Streets
212-792-9001
New York, NY
redroosterharlem.com