Harlem - Dinner and Brunch

[pamela18]

I need some input on restaurants for dinner and brunch.

For dinner, I have res at Red Rooster - anyone think I should try elsewhere.

For brunch, deciding between Melba's or Kitchenette Uptown. Thoughts? Any other recommendations?

I really appreciate any input.

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Kitchenette Uptown
1272 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10027

Red Rooster
310 Lenox Ave, New York, NY 10027

[gloriousfood]

Chez Lucienne, right next to Red Rooster

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Chez Lucienne
308 Lenox Avenue, New York, NY 10027

Red Rooster
310 Lenox Ave, New York, NY 10027

[Wilfrid]

Bier International serves brunch. The chef is doing some good work there, at modest prices.

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Bier International
2099 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY 10026

[rose water]

Not been for brunch, but it's a great place for hot, crisp fries and beer

[princeofpork]

Right next door to Red Rooster is Sylvia's.

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Red Rooster
310 Lenox Ave, New York, NY 10027

[stephennyc]

Well Melba's Chicken and Waffles were on Throwndown with Bobby Flay (Bobby lost).

What about Amy Ruth's?

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Amy Ruth's
113 W 116th St, New York, NY 10026

[johnindabronx]

I like the chicken and waffles at Amy Ruth's better. Good dinner-brunch entrees too. The smothered pork chops and baked salmon are my favorite entrees if I'm not having chicken and waffles or breakfast. . I don't think they serve alcohol either.

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Amy Ruth's
113 W 116th St, New York, NY 10026

[rose water]

people seem to like red rooster, though i've not been. i'd love to hear about your experience if you go.

on my one trip to melba's, the food was quite good, but the service was atrocious. i hope my experience is not representative, but i have no interest in returning. it's certainly a nicer space than amy ruth's, which has great food. i've not been to kitchenette in years and years, so can't compare. i'd totally recommend against five & diamond brunch.

[uwsister]

re: Five and Diamond,
Really? What about dinner? I was excited about it opening but have not made it there yet.

I wouldn't bother w/ Kitchenette personally. I haven't been there since I graduated from CU but a few times I was there I was totally not impressed and thought it was rather overpriced.

I definitely like Amy Ruth's. Community Food & Juice is a little more South, but they also have very good brunch. Lines can be atrocious though, especially if CU is in session.

[gutsofsteel]

There have been personnel changes in the kitchen at Five and Diamond.

[uwsister]

Oh - is the chef from Allen & Delancey not there anymore?

[gutsofsteel]

Ryan Skeen left in June. David Santos replaced him and then Santos left and was replaced by David Martinez.

Google is your friend :-)

[uwsister]

Yeah, but that's a few extra clicks and I need to conserve the calories.

Shame, the menu looked great in the beginning. You snooze you lose!

[rose water]

when skeene left, they presented santos as the brainchild behind the good stuff,
but then santos left. i don't really know if they've kept the dinner menu or changed it, but my recent brunch experience (ok food served lukewarm after waiting an eternity, really disrespectful bartender): http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/7650... really made me think the place had systematic problems.

another place that hasn't been mentioned on this thread is billy's black. judging from the crowds, it seems to be a very popular neighborhood place for group events. my one meal years ago was ho-hum, and i've not been back, but i'd love to hear others' perspective on the place.

[rose water]

speaking of david santos, this sounds amazing: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/7678...

[c oliver]

Does Amy Ruth's serve alcohol? I've only been for breakfast so never noticed.

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Amy Ruth's
113 W 116th St, New York, NY 10026

[rose water]

i don't think so. my memory is of super sweet lemonade.