The Sophisticated Life
  • Home
  • About
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Wine
  • Work With Me
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
The Sophisticated Life
  • Home
  • About
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Wine
  • Work With Me
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
The Sophisticated Life
No Result
View All Result
Home Blog

Good Times & Great Eats @ Red Rooster Restaurant in Harlem!

by Nadeen
February 20, 2017
A A

I am a big admirer of the chef Marcus Samuelsson. His story is so unique and his rise to success commendable. Chef Samuelsson was born in Ethiopia then adopted and rasied in Sweden where he fell in love with cooking thanks to his Grandmother. After graduating from culinary school in Sweden he came to the US in 1991 and was an apprentice and later executive chef at Aquavit restaurant. The rest as they say is history. He went on to win several James Beard Foundation awards including in 1999 for “Rising Star Chef” and in 2003 for “Best Chef in New York City”.  You can read more about Marcus Samuelsson here on the website in our review of his memoir “Yes, Chef“.

marcus samuelsson
Marcus Samuelsson. Picture courtesy of www.samuelssongroup.com

I first became aware of Chef Samuelsson on cooking shows such as Top Chef, Iron Chef America and Chopped. I was drawn to his creativity, talent and charisma . Therefore, I have been trying to get to his restaurant “Red Rooster” in Harlem NYC for years! I had heard great things about the food as well as the lively atmosphere.

All of this is true and more. Red Rooster is located in the heart of Harlem on Lenox Avenue a few blocks from the famous Apollo theater. There is a large outdoor patio and inside you will find a front bar area then a large dining room. From the moment I walked in I knew I would like this place. Although there were quite a few people waiting by the hostess stand, I checked in for my reservation and was seated within 5 minutes. I loved the decor of recipes and paintings on the walls as well as large portraits of Black Americans. The bar and dining areas were separated by shelves filled with wine bottles, glasses, books and framed inspirational quotes from past and present leaders in the Black community such as Maya Angelou. The music was pumping with R&B and neosoul including one of my favorites-Dwele.

Processed with Moldiv

We sat at our table and the excellent service continued. I was literally starving so I barely sat down before ordering the cornbread. It was warm, moist, filled with real corn and best of all it came out in minutes! Our drinks soon followed. Their drink menu is extensive with specialty cocktails as well wine by the bottle or by the glass. I opted for the “Brownstoner” which was nutmeg-infused bulleit bourbon, campari and sweet vermouth. Delicious!

red rooster corn bread

There were so many appetizing foods being carried by the servers as well as in view at the open kitchen in the rear of the restaurant. Two things that kept catching my eye were the “Fried Yardbird”  and the “Triple-Double” burger. However, since I love short ribs and the description by our server sounded tempting, I went with that as well as the lobster “Mac & Greens”. Described as a “Pot of Spiced Braised Short Rib” it had coconut flavors and served with flatbread. To my delight, within the container of flat bread was warm roti used by West Indian’s for many traditional dishes. I literally used it to sop up the remaining juices and pieces of the short ribs in the bowl!

red rooster short ribs

This was followed by the lobster mac & greens filled with chunks of lobster, NY cheddar and topped with collard greens. I loved this Southern twist on a classic dish! All the dishes were served promptly and hot! When asking a few questions that my server was not aware of he didn’t look at me with a blank stare but instead went to find out the answers and let me know. The manager stopped by to check on us and ask how things were going. Don’t you just love this? I never get sick of it.

red rooster lobster mac and greens
Lobster Mac and Greens

While we were eating a live band with a saxophone player started playing in the bar area. Sounds of classics from Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding and Stevie Wonder could be heard throughout the restaurant. People got on their feet and started dancing! Oh and did I mention this was all on a Sunday night at 9pm? Although the dessert menu had a variety of decadent choices I was so full I settled on the vanilla bourbon and rum raisin ice creams. My fellow Jamaicans will appreciate rum raisin ice cream being on the menu!

red rooster restaurant

I was very impressed with Red Rooster restaurant and I am so glad I finally made it there. The food, service and ambience guarantees my return. My only disappointment is that Marcus Samuelsson was not there! I last saw him doing a cooking demo at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival in February and I hope to meet him one day. If you have time, be sure to also check out Ginny’s Supper Club downstairs from Red Rooster. It is open Thursday through Saturday serving drinks and dinner with live music.  For more information visit the website for Red Rooster and Ginny’s.

Chef & Restaurateur Marcus Samuelsson has several restaurants in the NYC and Chicago areas as well as in Sweden! He is also currently promoting his new book “Marcus Off Duty. Recipes I cook at Home” Visit his website for more information and tour dates. Personally I am looking out for some Atlanta dates!

Have you ever been to Red Rooster? If so share your thoughts with us!

N.S.W.

Join over 2k travel enthusiasts on The Sophisticated Life email list & get access to travel updates, exclusive content & offers!

+ Get the Pandemic Travel Checklist FREE

Thank you! Check your email for your checklists!

Tags: Ginny's supper clubharlemmarcus samuelssonred rooster restaurantrestaurant reviewsupper club
Previous Post

10 Must Do Things in Maui!

Next Post

A List of Must Try Foods in Australia!

Nadeen

Nadeen

Dr. Nadeen White is a "Blogger by Day, Physician by Night". She is an award-winning travel blogger, Amazon bestselling author and speaker. The Sophisticated Life Blog covers affordable luxury travel, culinary travel and wine. Her domestic and international travel guides gets people to the destinations of their dreams. So, if you are living the sophisticated life or desire to do so, this is the blog for you!

Related Posts

Macy's Culinary Council with Chef Marcus Samuelsson for his Red Rooster Cookbook Event!
Atlanta

Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s Red Rooster Cookbook Event!

September 19, 2019
Atlanta

Restaurant Review: BoccaLupo: Italian-American “Soul Food” Cookery!

September 19, 2019
Atlanta

Restaurant Review: Kevin Gillespie’s GUNSHOW!

September 19, 2019
Food

Review of Marcus Samuelsson’s “Yes Chef. A Memoir “

February 26, 2017
Next Post
spaghetti

A List of Must Try Foods in Australia!

Tammy Stokes Lifestyle

Relax & Get Fit @ The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Atlanta!

Comments 6

  1. Janene says:
    8 years ago

    I didn’t know Red Rooster was Chef Samuelssons! He is a boss in the kitchen….one of my favorites. I always wished I could try his food

    • Nadeen says:
      8 years ago

      yes it is one of his many restaurants! thank you for reading and commenting!

  2. Chanel | Cultural Xplorer says:
    8 years ago

    I live down the street from this restaurant and have yet to get there! I will have to make sure I swing by in the near future 😀

    Interesting fact about him having several restaurants in the NYC and Chicago areas as well as in Sweden, I had no idea!

  3. Pascha says:
    8 years ago

    OMG! I never heard of him or Red Rooster but it’s on my list if I get to go to NY next year. I am a big foodie and everything looked so good.

    • Nadeen says:
      8 years ago

      Yes Pascha he is awesome. He has recently been on The Taste on TV. Thx for commenting!

  4. lovecompassionatelee says:
    8 years ago

    Great review! The restaurant looks like it has great ambience, as well as high quality meals. I am glad you enjoyed yourself thoroughly. Enjoy a restful Sunday evening, Nadeen 🙂

No Result
View All Result
Subscribe for updates!

Subscribe for updates!

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Best-selling Travel Ebooks Available for Download

Travel Guides to Your Favorite Destinations

USA Wine Guide for Travelers

Culinary Travel Guides: Food & Wine

Recent Posts

Wine

Sonoma County Wineries & Restaurants.

by Nadeen
December 13, 2021
Wine

2021 Wine & Spirits Holiday Gift Guide Featuring Black-Owned Businesses!

by Nadeen
November 27, 2021
  • Martha’s Vineyard #ᴘʜᴏᴛᴏᴅᴜᴍᴘ 
Trying to focus on something positive & spread some joy on your timeline after the disastrous news yesterday. #roevswadeoverturned 😠😠

***Save & Share for your trip to #marthasvineyard 

Soooooo last summer my husband @parrishu70 and I rented a house 🏡 for a week in Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard. It was the most relaxing 😌 vacation! 

My first stop is always @lookouttavernmv for their warm lobster 🦞 roll. Trust me you will drool and it’s the biggest one I have ever had anywhere!! 

Our routine consisted of morning walks (or runs for him) along the beach 🏖, stopping for iced coffee and breakfast in town along circuit avenue @lindajeansrestaurant is a must!!!

Walking back home past beautiful gingerbread houses and yachts 🛥 (I need one in my life!) to pack up our lunches and snacks for the beach. 

Spending the afternoon on the beach 🏝 there are several to choose from all over the island (see my previous MV guide) or strolling around Edgartown with all the cute shops, discovering the lighthouses on the island AND we even went sailing with @bdtallships it was amazing! 

In the evening we relaxed, got dressed for dinner and headed out. If you love seafood this is the place for you. There are so many great restaurants and outdoor eating, romantic spots. 

Does this sound like a place you would like to vacation? I love #newenglandlife during the summer. The weather is perfect. No humidity! I’m hoping to get back there next summer. Head to my blog (link in profile) for more MV info! 

#marthasvineyard #marthasvineyardlife #oakbluffs #blackdogmv #sunsetsailing #vineyardhaven #newengland #marthasvineyardstyle #marthasvineyardblackdog #blackbloggers #luxurylifestyle #luxurytraveller
  • #roevswade overturned by Frump’s Ultraconservative Supreme Court. As a physician I could not not speak 🗣 about this. I take care of patient’s till they are 21yo and so many will be affected by this ruling. 

Patients who are teenagers, patients who have been raped, victims of incest, who are not physically or mentally ready to become parents, who find out their fetus has life threatening abnormalities….they will be left without a choice…putting their lives in danger and/or traveling to other states in order to exercise their right to an abortion. 

Gun advocates often say-it doesn’t matter if they enact gun control laws because if a person wants a gun they will find a way to get one. Don’t blame the gun, blame the person. So if that’s the case, if a person wants an abortion, they will find a way to get one even if it’s dangerous and puts their life and the fetus’s life at risk. 

Make this make sense?
I am sick about this. 
I really did not think I would be around to see this law overturned. 
But here we are. 

How are you feeling about this?

#roevwade #supremecourt #prolifemovement #mybodymychoice
  • ***Save & Share for your trip to
MARTHA’s VINEYARD! ⛱🌅

Martha’s Vineyard is one of my favorite places to visit during the summer. There are so many reasons to go there. But you need to start planning in advance. As early as 1 year before! Stay tuned for planning tips! 

**Checkout my MV Reel for the visual**!
🌞 perfect weather 
🦞 delicious seafood 
🏡 historic homes and neighborhoods 
🏖 a different beach for every day of the week
 🚲 bike paths 
🌅stunning sunsets & lighthouses all over the island. 

Swipe left to take a look at my guide and get more details on my blog linked in my profile!

Have you been to #marthasvineyard ?! #oakbluffs #edgartown #newenglandliving #luxurytraveler #luxurylifestyles #travelguides
  • Swinging into Monday like….
#MondayMood

I had a blast 💥 popping into the @blacktravelsummit for 2 days this past weekend! Scroll to see my first 360 degree photo! 
More details to come but now I must sleep after a busy nighttime hospital shift. 

How was your weekend? Were you at the Black Travel Summit? 

#blacktravelsummit2022 #blacktravelsummit #voyageincolor #blacktravelers #blackbloggersunited
  • Did you know that National Rosé Day is Saturday June 11th? What better day to purchase & support these Black-owned Rosé wine brands? Sip Sip! 😋😋

I was so fortunate to meet many of the winemakers and sample the ones I had not tried at the @africanamericanvintners 20th anniversary symposium last month! Check out my California highlight reel for all the fun & of course you can find a list of Black-owned winemakers and brands on my website! 

And if you are new to Rosé wines, be sure to read my blog post on Rosé 101: A guide for beginners! 

#nationalroséday #roseday #rosewine #roséwine #rosewine🍷 #blackwinemakers #blackwinelovers #winewithfriends #winebloggers #foodandwinepairing #luxurybloggers
  • ✨✨My theme for the summer-I want to be outside, sipping on some wine 🍷 ,preferably on rooftops but I’ll take garden parties, wineries, parks, yachts…
Send all invites this way!!
Who is with me? 😄😄

✨✨Throwback to the rooftop of @kisseluptownoakland for the @africanamericanvintners Black Vintners Wine Festival last month! 

#luxurylife #luxurybloggers #blacktravelbloggers #oaklandcalifornia #kisselhoteloakland #winenot🍷 #blackwineprofessionals #winewithfriends #winelover #summervibes🌞

Black-Owned Businesses

black-owned businesses in asheville north carolina, hood huggers tours, black-owned business in asheville, asheville north carolina, black-owned restaurants in Asheville, downtown Asheville,

Black-Owned Businesses in Asheville, North Carolina.

September 22, 2021
black-owned rosé wine brands to sip on this summer, rosé wines, black-owned wines, rosé wines, summer wines, black-owned wines, black-owned wineries, mcbride wines, black girl magic wines, brown estate wines,

Black-Owned Rosé Wine Brands to Sip on this Summer.

April 27, 2022
atlanta black-owned restaurants, black-owned restaurants in atlanta, atlanta restaurants, brunch in atlanta, atlanta restaurants

45+ Black-Owned Restaurants in Atlanta You Should Support!

May 15, 2022
black-owned wineries, black-owned businesses, black-owned wines, black winemakers, black wines, black owned wines, black owned wineries, black podcasts, wine, wineries, winemakers. wine regions, napa valley, wine tasting

50+ Black-Owned Wineries & Businesses You Should Follow & Support.

March 15, 2022

Explore the U.S.A

photo by Adam chandler courtesy of charleston wine and food festival

2022 Charleston Wine + Food Festival-Recap!

March 31, 2022
sonoma county wineries and restaurants, sonoma, california wine region, sonoma wines, wine tasting

Sonoma County Wineries & Restaurants.

December 13, 2021
things to do in malibu california, malibu restaurants, wine tasting in malibu, malibu beaches, shopping in malibu

Things to do in Malibu California this Weekend.

March 21, 2022
asheville travel guide, things to do in asheville north carolina, places to stay in asheville, where to eat in asheville north carolina

The Ultimate Guide of Things To Do in Asheville, North Carolina!

September 22, 2021
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Myrtle Beach Restaurant Guide for Foodies!

The Best Myrtle Beach Restaurants: A Guide for Foodies!

August 6, 2020
15 fun facts about quebec city canada, travel to canada, canadian

15 Fun Quebec City Facts

August 7, 2018
Diner en Blanc Guide for First-Timers! Everything you need to know to attend this magical event! Includes information on purchasing tickets, preparing for the event, costs and what to expect at Diner en Blanc!

Diner en Blanc Guide for First-Timers!

September 19, 2019
Dubai Trip

Dubai Travel Guide for First Time Visitors!

April 2, 2020
Dubai Trip

Dubai Travel Guide for First Time Visitors!

How I spent 5 Days in Dubai and Abu Dhabi! A Desert Safari, Camel rides, Burj Khalifa, High Tea at Burj Al Arab, Shopping in Souks, Visiting the Grand Mosque and so much more!!

How I Spent 5 Days in Dubai and Abu Dhabi!

Visit Jamaica: Land I Love!

Cruising the Mediterranean Sea on Norwegian Epic!

black owned brunch spots in atlanta, black owned restaurants in atlanta, brunch in atlanta

Black-Owned Brunch Spots in Atlanta

April 27, 2022
photo by Adam chandler courtesy of charleston wine and food festival

2022 Charleston Wine + Food Festival-Recap!

March 31, 2022
sonoma county wineries and restaurants, sonoma, california wine region, sonoma wines, wine tasting

Sonoma County Wineries & Restaurants.

December 13, 2021
black-owned businesses, gift guide, holiday gift guide, wine gifts, wine apparel, wine books, wine and spirits, 2021 wine and spirits holiday gift guide featuring back-owned businesses

2021 Wine & Spirits Holiday Gift Guide Featuring Black-Owned Businesses!

November 27, 2021
The Sophisticated Life

  • About
  • Travel
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

© 2021 The Sophisticated Life

The Sophisticated Life

  • About
  • Travel
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
Menu
  • About
  • Travel
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

© 2020 The Sophisticated Life

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
  • Travel
  • Wine
  • Food
  • Contact
  • Work With Me
  • Privacy Policy

© 2020 The Sophisticated Life