Red Rooster Harlem

As someone who comes from a family and friends that cook down home southern food.. I was sorely disappointed because I was expecting something great ... At best I would call it imitation soul food. The decor was great but the food wasn't good for the money.

Don't bother. We thought a top chef would have top quality food. Not really. I had the Fried Yard Bird and was very disappointed. A chicken leg and a back smothered in paprika and cayenne for $21.00 with a few greasy collard greens. Are they kidding? I will never go back.

Its the perfect place to go, if you should happen to have 45 to an hour to waste!- Hopefully you wont be hungry, because this is the expected time frame you'll have to wait prior to receiving your food!! You'd think the fact that I mentioned it was my boyfriend's birthday would've made a difference,... clearly it did not, and excuse me for being slightly annoyed by the fact that one of the mangers had the audacity to question the AMOUNT of time we waiting rather than offer an apology! To compensate for the inconvenience, we were given to watered down house versions of so-called martinis combined with a cupcake as hard as concrete!! SMH!! Do ME a favor, although we've never met, SAVE your money since I cant get mine back.

The title of my review is exactly what I told one of the owners when he approached my table. The Blackened Catfish with a side order of creole grits were filling and seasoned well. My friendgirl said her salad tasted as if it was picked that day from the garden. However, the bread served prior to the meal was tough and cold. Our waiter was was informative and engaging. One of the owners also approached the table. While the first owner shook hands, listened quickly, and left, the second owner was more conversant. It was he I told that the table where we sat was not conducive for conversation. It was more of picnic style, seating six, three on one side and three on the other. The restaurant felt more like three restaurants;the bar;the round tables and then where we sat, in front of the chefs. It took two months to get in. While the food was great, somehow I expected more from the atmosphere and the patrons. President Obama dined here, so I expected to be amazed. I wasn't. Will I return? Sure, but I won't be knocking anybody down to get there.

This restaurant charges a ridiculous high price for disappointing food. I would have been better off staying home and eating a microwave dinner.

Had dinner for three last evening with my daughter and her fiancée. The restaurant was crowded when we arrived at approximately 6:00pm, so we spent a half hour at the bar before being ushered downstairs to our table. I was shocked at this approximately 12’ X 22’ dining area with approximately eight tables-an unfinished basement with a patched concrete floor and poorly lighted-a dungeon. Food at these prices should not be served in such an area. Our waiter was uninformed about the menu; food was bland and small portioned. My daughter and her fiancée enjoyed their meal. My daughter said that she would return to the restaurant. My opinion, this restaurant is overrated and overpriced. Yesterday was my first and last visit.

If this restaurant was not associated with Samuelson or if it wasn't in Harlem, which to some, would make it "cool," it would have closed by now. The restaurant itself is laid out so that while eating, it's quiet & peaceful. However, the food is so ordinary & unexciting, I was baffled, but not surprised, at the hype. Unless you live next door, it's not worth the trip.