The Queen of Hang: Sheila E. Anderson

Copeland's Closes!!

SAD NEWS:

Heart, soul of Harlem dining saying farewell on Sunday, July 29, 2007. 

Last weekend I had a chat with my friend, Gregory, about the soul food restaurants in Harlem.  We both agreed that Copeland's had the BEST potato salad!  At times I would buy a bucket for my brunches and serve it as though I had made it.  However, after everyone raved about the salad and asked for my recipe I had to confess.  So, on Monday, the potato salad will be a mere memory.

Copeland said he is calling Sunday's brunch, which starts at 1 p.m., "the Last Supper" and will feature all of his specialties. His book, due out later this year, is titled, "You Got to Love What You're Doing and I Still Do: Calvin Copeland and the Story Behind the Legendary Harlem Restaurant as told to Mary Ellen Gardiner."

I have never had brunch there but I'll be front line and center on Sunday at 1 p.m....oh well, I guess it is better LATE than NEVER!  It will be hard to imagine my neighborhood without Copeland's, thankfully, I have many fond memories.  It was there that I had chittlin's vinaigrette, had some fun dates and heard lot's of music...Calvin, thanks for the memories.

FINE FOOD!

Trattoria Dell 'Arte
900 7th Avenue South
(between 58th & 57th)
NYC

Yesterday I had lunch at Trattoria Dell 'Arte. It has been a long time since I've eaten there but I must say, the food is still incredible. I ordered the grilled Octopus appetizer then had a pasta that melted in my mouth. The next time I go there I plan to order the tuna(I LOVE FRESH TUNA), I was told by my friend, Eulis, that it is excellent.

This week I am attending the IAJE Conference at the Hilton hotel in NYC. No matter where it is held, LA, Toronto, or in NY, it is considered to be the biggest jazz hang. More often than not, I can be found hanging at the bar or by the wbgo booth but this time I am attending seminars. On Saturday afternoon I will be a member of the panel, "Ask the Experts."
This week I am attending the IAJE Conference in NYC. No matter where it is held, LA, Toronto, or in NY, it is considered to be the biggest jazz hang. More often than not, I can be found hanging at the bar or by the wbgo booth but this time I am attending seminars. On Saturday afternoon I will be a member of the panel, "Ask the Experts."

Fine Dining

Ristorante BaBBO Enoteca
110 Waverly Place
New York, NY 10011
212-777-0303
www.babbonyc.com

This week I went with my friends, Ellen and Doug to this critically acclaimed “HOT SPOT.” Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca opened by Mario Batali and Joseph Bastianich in June 1998. It is an exuberant celebration of the best of Italian food, wine and lifestyle. We were there to celebrate Ellen’s birthday, something that we have done for several years. She is a woman who signifies being fabulous in her 50’s. Unfortunately, she is single. Ellen is attractive, loaded and loves to travel with Italy being one of her favorite places to visit. So, if anyone is looking…I digress-LOL.

Babbo is located in the home of the old Coach House, which closed for good in 1993, after suffering ups and downs in its later years. My sister, Michele, had taken a friend and me to dinner there, in the early 1980’s. She was horrified that we had shown up late and so casually dressed-I remember what I wore, hey, I was a hick then. It was her treat thanking us for helping her out. We knew that it was an upscale restaurant but we did not heed her dress code warning.

I arrived at 6:00 for our 6:30 pm reservation. The reason being is that I chosen to get the subway so not to deal with parking. If you choose to drive, parking on that block and other surrounding streets, Bleeker, for one, becomes available at 6:00 pm. As for meter parking, some meters on Waverly end at 7:00 pm, but, Sixth Avenue meter parking ends at 10:00 pm.

The bar area was filled to capacity, standing room only (there was almost no room for me to stand). There are tables in the bar area that seats a total of twelve people, each seat was taken. Most people sitting at the bar were also eating or ordering food. The bartender, L.R. took my drink order. He was friendly and eager to serve. The attention to the customer paid by the bartenders equals that of the dining table Waite staff. The wine is poured into carafes before being poured into the glasses.

You are not allowed to pay for your drinks at the bar if you are waiting to be seated; they put the cost on your tab. As L.R. said, we keep up with your drinks. Also, you do not need reservations to sit at the bar or those tables. This is a good thing because it is almost impossible to get reservations at Babbo. Ellen explained that she had called upon the concierge services of American Express Platinum card to make it happen. If you travel frequently that is a great card to have because of the abundance of services that they offer. Hey, American Express has its privileges.

Two people seated at the bar were leaving when Doug arrived. I noticed that they had barely eaten their plates of pasta and home fries so I inquired about the food. They were from Houston, Texas and said that they go there often. The gentleman told us that the food was wonderful and that we had to try the pastas because there was none better. After Doug cracked about the prices he told us that they were not steep and that the portions are large (I saw what they ordered, tough plentiful, I could have consumed their entire plate.) After all, as he explained to us, he eats in Houston, pays as much, if not more, for food and what he gets there is not half as good as the food at Babbo.

We found that he was correct about everything. The food was divine, the prices are reasonable and our waiter, Matt, gave great service. Appetizers range from $9.00 to $16.00, pastas $17.00 to $24.00, entrée, $12.00 to $65.00 (Osso Buco for two.) What I love about dining with Doug and Ellen is that we order food that we all share. In our 20 years of dining I do not recall us ever having a disagreement on what to order. Next is our order.

Appetizers:

Warm Lamb’s Tongue Vinaigrette
with Chanterelles and a 3-Minute Egg $12

First Course:

Mint Love Letters
with Spicy Lamb Sausage $18

Black Pepper Pappardelle
with Wild Boar Ragu $23

Second Course:

Spicy Two Minute Calamari
Sicilian Lifeguard Style $23
(Ellen gave 5 stars, Doug, 4 stars)

Braised Beef with Porcini Mushrooms $29

Barbecued Skirt Steak with Endive “alla Piastra” and Salsa Verde $27
(we each gave these two 4 stars, the beef melted in our mouths)

Dessert:

Chocolate Hazelnut Cake
Cranberry Upside Down Cake

As for the clientele, it appeared that they were business people and, perhaps tourists. I was disappointed that I did not see any, noticeable, celebrities. However, because I did not see them does not mean that they were not there. My only complaint was the background music. I had to listen to rock/pop music that was rather loud and annoying. Eventually, thankfully, it abated.

I do plan on "hanging out" at Babbo again, at the bar, of course...

Walker's

16 N. Moore at Varick
New York City
212-226-9519

For the last ten years guitarist, Peter Leitch (www.peterleitch.com ), on Sunday nights, has featured duos of himself and another musician. Most often you will hear him with bassists Sean Smith, Harvie S, Duane Burno or saxophonists, Charles Davis, Pete Yellin or Steve Wilson. The thing about Walker’s is that it is a bar/restaurant. Unless you know that Peter is playing you might not know that there is live music there at all. When you walk in you will see the bar and tables to eat. It is a typical Irish Pub, dark, with table close together. Keep walking and find another room with tables for dining, continue to walk and you will find the even smaller room where Peter is playing. The rooms are so insulated you won’t hear Peter until you enter the room where he is playing.

Peter is seated in front of the window with barely enough room for the other musician to play (he is practically sitting at the table). It may sound uncomfortable having them play in seemingly awful conditions but they make it work. They don’t play to loud for us to have to shout should we want to talk.
The food is good Irish and American fare, you can’t go wrong there. Each meal that I have had has been good.

There is no cover charge and the music goes from 8 PM to 11 PM. I’ve not taken the train there in years so I don’t remember the closest train, sorry.

The River Room

Check out Cafe Un Deux Trois and Mannahatta restaurant's under Cool Places to Hang then scroll down to A fun hang. In the future look in this category for restaurants...

www.theriverroomofharlem.com/index.htm
Riverbank State Park
Riverside Drive at 145th Street
New York, NY 10031
212.491.1500

I love to visit The River Room, not only because I can walk there, but because of the ambiance, the food and good selections of wine. I usually depend on the bartender or the waiter to recommend something so I don’t have a favorite yet. So far, they have never steered me wrong. For those of you who drive, they have valet parking at the modest price of $4.00. You enter The River Room via the park entrance at 145th and Riverside. If you take the train, take the 1/9 line to 145th Street and walk west.

When they are not too busy taking care of customers, I enjoy hanging out with the staff; they are all pleasant and very happy to serve you. How I am greeted at the door often determines the type of experience I will have in an establishment. At River Room, no matter who is at the door, Vernise or Gerard, they greet each customer with an eager smile and welcoming spirit. Also, the bartenders, Kizzi, Michael and Sonny are always calm no matter how busy it gets. Most of my time is spent sitting at the bar but when I am forced to sit at a table my dining has been good. The waiters know how to pace their service so that you can enjoy your company without feeling pressure to order, or to leave when the meal is finished. And, I can’t leave out the ever so present and eager owner, John Lowy. No matter how harried he may seem he will always greet people with a big smile and there to answer questions, suggest what to order or to take your complaint, should you have one.

In this moderately priced restaurant there is no skimping on the amount of food served...Executive Chef, Christopher Faulkner serves up heaping portions of American cuisine with a blend of southern style cooking. The menu is seasonal but some items stay on the menu. I suggest that you have the scrumptious fried oyster appetizer and the macaroni and cheese croquets. If you are a dessert person the bread pudding and the red velvet cake are a must. .Too often I've walked out too full because I've gone overboard and eaten an appetizer, a main course and dessert.

The view is spectacular as it looks onto the George Washington Bridge and upper New Jersey. Since June they have added jazz music on Friday and Saturday nights. During the warmer months they open up the outside patio and fill it with large table and comfortable seating. Should you have that experience you may forget that you are in New York City. Thankfully the music is not too loud or obtrusive. But, one drawback for me is that the sound does not travel as well to the bar area but I can live with that.

So, come on uptown and enjoy the view. No cover charge for the music.