Meltingpot Readers,
Many of you know I've been a long time fan of chef Marcus Samuelsson, not only because of his culinary talents but because he has such a fascinating life story which he consistently uses to fuel his professional passions. His cookbooks, philanthropy work and yes, even his restaurants, always embrace the theme of cultural cross-pollination. His latest restaurant, Red Rooster Harlem is no exception.
Check out the New York Times review of the restaurant and you'll see what I mean. Here's the bit that intrigued me the most and it's not even about the food:
" New Yorkers are accustomed to diversity on sidewalks and subways, in jury pools and in line at the bank. But in our restaurants, as in our churches and nightclubs, life is often more monochromatic.
Not so at Red Rooster Harlem, which the chef Marcus Samuelsson opened in December. The racial and ethnic variety in the vast bar and loft-like dining room are virtually unrivaled. The restaurant may not be the best to open in New York City this year (though the food is good). But it will surely be counted as among the most important. It is that rarest of cultural enterprises, one that supports not just the idea or promise of diversity, but diversity itself."
Reservations are recommended a month in advance, so if you're planning a trip to the Big Apple, call now. Then tell us all about it!
We're listening.
Peace!
2 comments:
Me thinks the editors and author of that review don't get out much, as someone mentioned earlier today on twitter (@carolynedgar). Or perhaps they are accustomed to visiting establishments that tend to be quite white in terms of patrons(@NiaTrue). Because the kind of diversity in red Rooster isn't rare in Harlem or in other establishments all over New York City. I suspect this is just the first time that reviewer ventured outside of their lily-white bubble.
Anon,
I wondered about that myself as a former NYer. But there are prolly a lot of people like the reviewer who only eat at segregated eateries, prolly many of whom read the NYT, so for all of those folks, it will seem innovative. For the rest of us, just a cool place to hang with our homies!
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