Red Rooster Harlem

This was my first time and I must say from the moment I walked in the hospitality was aswesome. The food was great and the service was awesome. I will surely return in the near future!!

My wife is a big fan of Marcus Samuelsson, so when a friend suggested we go to the RR I was all for it But a disaster followed from top to bottom. Ill explain. We split an appetizer (macaroni and cheese with corn bread) and fried yard bird (i.e. fried chicken.) Tastewise it was very mediocre--a big disappointment. KFC is better.

The staff was very courteous & friendly. We had no reservations, we were told the wait would be approx 20 mins, so we sent to the barr where the Bar Tenders were very very attentive, sufficiently friendly and very professional. I asked for a Cosmo..more sweet than tart, and it was perfectly made. We were seated in approx 10-15 mins. We had the Tandoori Salmon, (which they no longer have on the menu, don't know why, it should be there permanently)., with garlic mashed potatoes, and greens. it was excellent. There was a DJ who played really great music. I had not heard some of that soca music in years..it was so sweet hearing this music, and he gradually moved up to 2013 music..He was on point!! It was a sufficiently loud, mature crowd...very lively. I love the decor..I got a sense of a homey/modern/African kinna feeling. I didn't want to leave. I returned another time with my family, and we loved it just the same.

Second time for brunch (first was shortly after it opened) and food is no better now than it was then. Yes, service was better. Food still mediocre. I ordered the goat cheese omelette very soft and it was hard and tasteless. Cornbread slices were good. Butter was soft, the way it should be. Cheese grits were tasteless. Chicken sausages just ok. Chocolate nut tea was delicious! But I didn't come to Red Rooster for the tea. Music was way too loud. Singer stood right over us, which made conversation virtually impossible. Just can't understand what all the raves are about, when you can't eat ambience.

I was invited by friends who raved about the place. They had eaten there many times before. My first impression was that the ambiance was ok, nice even. The entertainment was loud and the singer, though talented, was literally singing behind me....loudly. So much for conversation. The service was not great. The food....let's just say I've had better food at a diner. I had the goat cheese omelet which was sub par. I could only stomach about 1/3 of it. The best thing about the place is the cornbread which is very good. In the end we were sitting awkwardly with 3 strangers because that's just how they seat ppl here. Also we tried to add one more to our group and were told that we could not add anyone else to our party. Check please!

So disappointing. Bland, oily, zero flavor. So not worth the journey. Red ceasar could have been from the salad bar at Ruby Tuesday. Better fried chicken from a diner. Save your money and time and go elsewhere!

Went to Marcus Samuelsson's place in Harlem for lunch, not worth it. Small portions. For $17.00 had meatball hero with parmesan frites. The frites divine, the meatballs tiny, cold and had no taste. My husband had five grilled medium shrimp with dirty rice, and a piece of sauteed lettuce, nothing special for $24.00 At lunch? We saw the cupcake our neighbors got from the very limited dessert menu and passed on dessert. We tasted our meal while sitting at a crowded communal high table, my purse kept sliding off my lap, listening to everybody's conversation and feeling their elbows. It was either that or face a long wait. The locale is very attractive and service efficient.