Red Rooster

Red Rooster recently opened in NYC's Harlem at 310 Lenox Ave.

"M", "SE" and "SN" and I went there for Sunday brunch. Although they don't accept reservations for brunch the wait was only 15 minutes versus the 45 minutes the hostess originally estimated. The front room was crowded with it's U-shaped bar. And a duet accompanied by an electric keyboard player served as the "Gospel Brunch" entertainment.

We started out with a serving of corn bread ($5) with clarified butter and tomato jam. The bread was sliced like pound cake and was light and sweet.

"M" and I both had the Nuggets and Toast ($14) - fried chicken nuggets with French Toast. The nuggets were good, but the toast was swimming in watery maple syrup.

Both "SE" and "SN" had the Fried Yard Bird ($18) - two pieces of fried chicken with collard greens. The chicken was good, but not great.

The atmosphere and decor would be reason enough for a return visit to try out some other dishes.

Charle's Country Pan Fried Chicken

I visited the fabled Charle's in NYC's Harlem at 2839 Frederick Douglass Blvd with several friends. I was glad I was with a group because the neighborhood is intimidating at night. Several men were loitering on the sidewalks - talking, smoking and drinking out of brown bags.

There was no one sitting in the miniscule dining room and the 7 of us monopolized the place - all ordering the All You Can Eat Buffet for $13.99.

Even though it was a cafeteria style - you stand up in front of the counter and point to the foods you want while the server behind the glass plates your food - the women who served the food took each plate from behind the counter, walked it the 3 feet distance and placed it at each of our tables with a "here you go, honey".

The fried chicken was good, especially when the fresh round came out and the skin was still crisply and the meat piping hot. The pulled pork was dry (it did not seem to be a good seller as other "to go" customers were not ordering it).

"P" didn't like the smothered turkey wings. "K" liked the regular barbecue chicken.

We all agreed the mac n cheese and mashed sweet potatoes were the best sides. I didn't like the cornbread because it didn't really taste like corn.

The meal also included drinks - your choice of lemonade (too sweet), iced tea (okay) and punch (which none of us tried).

After a second plate we were all too full to have the included dessert of banana pudding.

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que

...is located in NYC's Harlem at 700 W. 127th Street. All demographics dine here from Hell's Angels motorcyclists to "suits" direct from the office.

"C" and I shared the BBQ Salmon Fritters served with creole mustard sauce(3 for $5.95) for an appetizer. There were crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.

"C" had the Churrasco Chicken Steak - 10 oz Mojito marinated, boneless, skinless breast topped with smoked onions & chimichurri sauce ($15.95) and her two sides were simmered greens (collard greens) and

I had the Tres Hombres - bar-b-cue pork, sliced Texas beef brisket and 1/4 rack of ribs ($18.95) and my two sides were mac & cheese and roasted whipped sweet potatoes with spicy nut topping. The brisket was a little dry, the pork was good and ribs were okay.

And we shared a slice of sweet potato pecan pie for dessert ($7) - that was delicious.