Tag Archives: Harlem

New York is a gastronomy haven for those that love food! I want to share a different NYC dining experience that will take you on a journey around the world, called Your Friend’s Kitchen!

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Events On Going Your Friends Kitchen NYC Dining Experience Fernanda Paronetto Chef Linda Meenakshi

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I was invited to enjoy a unique NYC dining experience, different from what I have already done around New York City. And believe me, I have done countless experiences around town.

But this time, I was called for a Vegan African Feast at Chef Linda’s home! I was intrigued from the start, considering that not only would Chef Linda cater a totally new menu, but she was going to open her home to host us for this super special night!

I was excited and extremely curious too!

Chef Linda (aka Linda Adria Sebisaho) is was born in the Eastern part of Congo, in Africa and moved to New York at the age of 15! Initially, she dreamt of getting into medical school, but totally changed her mind and became a math teacher! Her cooking talent kicked in a bit later.

Today, she runs her own catering company. She loves these types of social dining experiences, having meals with strangers, that leaves as friends by the end of the night!

She says, “it’s a form of art”, and we couldn’t agree more!

That said, Chef Linda was thrilled to co-host this night with Your Friends Kitchen, created and founded by Meenakshi lala.

So, let me tell you a bit about how the night unraveled!

Chef Linda’s home is in Harlem, a neighborhood I love exploring with all its Jazz spots and amazing restaurants like Seasoned Vegan. I headed up with a friend, that was just as excited!

As we arrived, everyone there warmly greeted us! The table was decorated with colors inspired by the African culture, setting the mood of the night to come.

In addition, they printed a beautiful menu with what we were going to eat during the night! The menu had this beautiful illustration of an African woman wearing one of the gorgeous fabric head arrangements, already bringing us into the journey that was about to start!

Chef Linda introduced herself and in no time, the feast had started! The event is “B.Y.O.B. – Bring Your Own Bottle”, so be sure to bring any drink that makes you happy!

Here is what the menu looked like:

Starter #1: Yucca – Mashed Yucca stuffed with chickpeas or cheese
Starter #2: Sambusa – Fried dough filled with spiced carrots, peas and potatoes
Salad: Sachumbari – East African salad made from tomatoes, onions, cucumbers and lime
Main #1: Yassa Aubergine – Harissa spiced eggplants, pilau rice and ginger caramelized onions
Main #2 (a surprise!): Plantain with white beans, onions and tomato sauce
Dessert: Beignets – Savory fried African doughnut served with strawberries

Events On Going Your Friends Kitchen NYC Dining Experience Plantain

Events On Going Your Friends Kitchen NYC Dining Experience Sambusa

Events On Going Your Friends Kitchen NYC Dining Experience Salad Sachumbari

Events On Going Your Friends Kitchen NYC Dining Experience Yassa Aubergine

Events On Going Your Friends Kitchen NYC Dining Experience Beignets

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Each dish was explained by Chef Linda, where she would tell us a quick story of its meaning, influence and ingredients.

Portions were extremely generous, beautifully arranged and the best of it all: we had truly a great time, laughed all night long with the stories everyone shared and made some interesting business connections.

Chef Linda amazed us with her talent and we left having a new group of friends that we hope to stay in touch with and explore other dining experiences by Your Friend’s Kitchen!

Last, but definitely not least, I’d love to thank Meenakshi, for inviting us to be part of this special night! We are happy to be part of this new community she’s building and will definitely be back for more!

More information about Your Friend’s Kitchen:

How It Works:

Your Friend’s Kitchen is an authentic food experience, a new take on going out for a meal. Your Friend’s Kitchen aims to bring people together to share an experience that is comforting and familiar, yet not like any other.

Whether they are home cooks or food lovers, our hosts share a passion for bringing people together, one meal at a time!

The Founder:

Meenakshi is a passionate foodie, avid traveler and founder of Your Friends Kitchen. She discovered her love for cooking when she first moved to the United States from India. A foodie at heart, she has traveled to 25+ countries and explored street foods and fine dining alike.

Her passion for cooking food and hosting inspired her to create a platform for others to enjoy dining in the comfort of a warm, cozy, intimate setting and enjoy a delicious meal prepared with love and passion.

Her goal at your friend’s kitchen – Bring people together, one meal at a time!

For you to learn more about Your Friend’s Kitchen and also check out the upcoming events, be sure to go to their website where you can book everything directly!

In addition, if you have a corporate group coming to town and you need help organizing all the experiences, dinners, events, our experts can help you out!

www.yourfriendskitchen.com

Photo Credits: ©Behind the Scenes NYC and Courtesy of Shir A.

4 Unexpected Places You Can Visit In New York [NYC Secrets]

May 24, 2019

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Although NYC is one of the busiest cities in the world, it’s also the home of countless secrets. Take a look below to see 4 unexpected places you can visit in New York!

4 Unexpected places to visit in NYC FDR Track 61 Waldorf Astoria — Track 61, underneath the Waldorf Astoria Hotel – ©BehindTheScenesNYC

New York City, or the “Big Apple” as it is well known, is one of the busiest cities in the world. It is home to millions of people, as well as thousands of tourists who come to see the wonders and marvels of its huge economy and millions of businesses. We love exploring unexpected places you can visit in New York.

There’s a lot to plan when you visit New York, from deciding which attractions are absolute must-sees to getting all your tickets and travel insurance in order. (Oh! Did you know that one week in a US hospital can cost $30,000, for example? It’s definitely not something you want to forget!).

Most tourists flock to the famous sites and top attractions such as the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty. But, the experience in these places might not be as expected because of the huge crowds taking photos, walking around or just standing there idle.

There are, however, other lesser-known places where you can go and have a better, less tourist-centric experience.

Here are 4 unexpected places you can visit in New York:

Track 61

You may well not have known, but there was a secretive presidential train platform deep under the Grand Central Terminal, called Track 61 one of NYC’s subway secrets.

It was mostly used by the heads of state to secretly commute to the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, first in the late 1930’s by the then-president General John J. Pershing, and second by Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the early 1940’s.

President Roosevelt hid from the public due to his physical condition, after he contracted polio at the age of 39 and was confined to a wheelchair.

The track has since stopped being used and is mostly abandoned. As of now, it’s currently completely closed to the public and the MTA doesn’t allow anyone to visit the location. But, there is an amazing tour of the Grand Central Terminal secrets that we love and you can explore too!

Unfortunately today no one can access there anymore due to security reasons.

Location: Underneath the Waldorf Astoria Hotel

Brooklyn Heights’ Hidden Subway Ventilator

4 Unexpected places to visit in NYC Brooklyn Heights Joralemon Street Fake Subway Ventilator Credit: UntappedCities by Michelle Young — Fake Subway Ventilator at Joralemon Street in Brooklyn Heights – ©UntappedCities by Michelle Young

Joralemon Street; number 58, the faux facade, is in the middle. – ©UntappedCities by Michelle Young

A walk through Joralemon Street, in Brooklyn Heights, might seem like nothing out of the ordinary, from the beautiful brownstones to the relaxing environment and being steps from the East River, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Brooklyn Bridge Park.

However, what is unknown to many is that 58 Joralemon Street looks exactly like the rest of the houses, but is actually a subway ventilator used as an emergency exit. (OBS: In the picture above, the fake house is the one in the middle.)

It was a residential home before being converted in the 1800’s during the subway extension from Manhattan to Brooklyn. The house is heavily guarded by the NYPD, so getting close to it might be a problem. Yikes

Location: 58 Joralemon Street

The Blockhouse

Located in the northern part of the Central Park, right by lower Harlem, is The Blockhouse. It is said to be the second oldest thing in the park and dates back to the early 1800’s during the war with the British.

The Blockhouse was supposed to help the Americans defend themselves, but was never used, because the British never reached the city. The building is always locked, in time lost its wooden roof and is totally abandoned.

While visiting it, take your time to walk to the East side of the park and take a peek at other spots like: Fort Fish, Fort Clinton, Nutter’s Battery and Charles A. Dana Discovery Center…all located around the Harlem Meer. Oh! Meer means “Lake” in Dutch!

Location: West Side at 109th Street and Central Park West.

Tribeca’s Dream House

4 Unexpected places to visit in NYC Dream House. Credit: IDK Tonight — Dream House – ©IDK Tonight

Established in the early 1990’s by La Monte Young and Marian Zazeela, the house is secretly located in Tribeca, just off Church Street. It acts a quiet peaceful space where anybody can go, sit, take a deep breath and just relax.

The incense, sound art and light installation in the room are therapeutic and will leave you calm and fresh. The mellow looped music changes depending on your position in the room, whether you are upright or relaxing on your back.

The place is currently under La Monte Young’s foundation known as MELA and is financed by the Dia Art Foundation.

Location: 275 Church Street

www.melafoundation.org

If you want to explore other unique and unexpected places you can visit in New York, be sure to go to Industry City to see what this Brooklyn neighborhood is all about or plan to visit these 5 offbeat museums in NYC.

And, of course, continue searching out website, since NYC secret spots away from the touristy scene, are totally up ou alley!

Photo Credits: ©Behind the Scenes NYC, Central Park Conservancy, ©UntappedCities by Michelle Young and IDK Tonight
*Last Update on March/2020.*

Must-See Jazz Spots In Harlem

September 11, 2018

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We visited and shot a pretty cool YouTube video at a few of the must-see Jazz spots in Harlem with a super special guest: Zé Luis Oliveira. Come explore these fantastic spots with us!

Harlem is a neighborhood that is constantly growing and new businesses are opening all the time. Real Estate is also booming and prices are going up!

But, it’s also known for being the best neighborhood if you’re into true Jazz. Why? Because some of the most traditional jazz spots, where world-famous musicians have performed, are hidden throughout the streets.

I decided to invite an extremely special guest to host this YouTube video with me! Zé Luis Oliveira that is not only an amazing musician, but is also a composer, producer, arranger and multi-instrumentalist.

Zé carries a few Grammy nominations too and knows absolutely everything about the Jazz scene. So, it was impossible to not invite him!

We had a musical chat with him at 3 different-style must-see Jazz spots in Harlem: Minton’s Playhouse, Shrine Harlem and Paris Blues.

Minton’s Playhouse

Nightlife Bars Jazz Spots Harlem Mintons Playhouse Tables

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So, Henry Minton founded Minton’s Playhouse in 1938, but did you know that he was a tenor saxophonist, just like our guest, Zé Luis? Yup! Plus, all the big names like Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald have played there.

In the 1940’s when the bebop jazz style was created, musicians gathered for musical sessions at Minton’s to play and record. On the video above, Zé told us a bit about the bebop, so check it out!

As they say: “The energy and spirit of the Playhouse are a unique and a perfect way to continue your already festive evening. Minton’s Playhouse is home to only the exceptional musicians who will sweep you away with outstanding performances. The highest quality music with the highest quality service and drinks in a fun, one of a kind establishment.”

Oh! Minton’s is not only a great place for Jazz nights, but they also have a restaurant called The Cecil Steakhouse. So, go there for dinner, before the show!

Hours: Daily from 6pm – 12am

Location: 206 West 118th Street

http://mintonsharlem.com

Shrine

The Shrine, is a bit different from the other spots we visited, since it a modern/contemporary world music and Jazz venue. It opened only in 2007 as a multimedia arts and culture venue.

“We are dedicated to art and culture in all mediums: film, theater, dance, and live music. Shrine World Music Venue’s mission is to establish a positive creative atmosphere for both artists and audiences from all backgrounds.”

They host mostly great emerging artists and musicians, that are not only focused in Jazz, but also rhythms and styles, like funk! But, they also have some amazing established artists every now and them!

They are considered one of the top 10 jazz spots to visit in NYC, so be sure to go and check it out!

Hours:
Sunday – Friday: 4pm – 4am
Saturday: 3pm – 4am

Location: 2271 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd

www.shrinenyc.com

Paris Blues

We finished off in grand style! We were hosted at Paris Blues by the super well-known owner, Sam! It was truly an honor to meet and have a great musical talk with him!

Paris Blues, in the heart of Harlem and founded by Samuel Hargress Jr, or Sam like I mentioned, back in 1968. They have Jazz 7 nights a week, no cover, free food and great drinks, right?

People go there to listen not only to the super traditional 20’s Jazz, but also to some rhythms of the 90’s funk!

They have a full bar, so you’ll be sure to enjoy every single moment and every single music, with your favorite drink beside you! Have fun!

Hours: Daily from 12pm – 3am

Location: 2021 7th Avenue

https://parisbluesharlem.webs.com

If you enjoyed this post and the video on the top Jazz spots in Harlem, but still haven’t subscribed to our channel, be sure to do so! We post a new video on Mondays, at 10am!

Take a look at one of my favorite restaurants in New York, this one obviously located in Harlem! It’s truly a hidden gem and worth the trip!!!

Videography: Black3 Agency
Photo Credits: Black3 Agency and courtesy of the venues
Beauty: Leila Soldeira
Styling: Érika Mesentier and Camilla Adão
*Last Update on March/2020.*

Seasoned Vegan: A Harlem Restaurant That Will Change Your Life

April 9, 2018

BTSNYC

Dining No Comments

We love Harlem and everything about it! Seasoned Vegan is Harlem’s very 1st full-service Vegan restaurant and is truly a hidden gem in the neighborhood.

Dining Seasoned Vegan Harlem Raw Lasagna

Dining Seasoned Vegan Harlem Mac N Cheese

Dining Seasoned Vegan Harlem Stuffed Avocado

Dining Seasoned Vegan Harlem Chicken Nuggets

Dining Seasoned Vegan Harlem Red Velvet Cupcake

Dining Seasoned Vegan Harlem Brenda and Aaron Beener

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The food you love, veganized.

A while ago, we were invited by a dear friend of ours, to go up to Harlem and try this amazing local vegan restaurant.

Our answer immediately was “Yes! Of course!”. Our Founder is vegetarian, going on vegan and we just love everything we can learn about this growing lifestyle.

We really enjoy Harlem and everything about that neighborhood, from the restaurants, to the vibe, to the shops and nightlife. Everything there has a special taste. The uniqueness is hard to describe.

Getting there was, of course, super easy and in no time, we dropped off 110 Street Station Central Park North, on the 2/3 (red line).

Just a 5-minute walk from there, we arrived at Seasoned Vegan, Harlem’s very 1st full-service Vegan restaurant.

We were very lucky to be hosted exclusively by the owner, Brenda and her son Aaron Beener.

Our restaurant specializes in preparing a very unique type of cuisine: gourmet vegan soul food. We use the term “soul food” loosely because we are not referring exclusively to the typical cuisine of the Southern region of the United States.

This sounds great and extremely normal, right? Now, imagine back in the 1980’s, when Brenda decided to go vegan with her family! The entire community judged them and didn’t really get what they were doing, nor why.

In the beginning of this journey, during Thanksgiving celebrations, no one would invite them over after this dietary decision. Brenda even mentioned that they literally felt as if they were aliens.

But, as time went by, little by little people from their community started to open up, tried her dishes and now, every-single-person wants to be invited to her Thanksgiving parties! Haha!

The restaurant was finally founded in 2014 and is quite spacious, with great natural light that certainly give it more life! You can see through inside the kitchen and peek in to see how everything is prepared.

The dishes are organic and 100% vegan! If you’re the carnivore type, we truly recommend you to give it a chance and stop by. We are certain they won’t disappoint you.

It’s incredible how all the dishes we’ve tried are extremely flavorful and clearly made with love.

So, you might want to try:

Lemon Crusted “Chicken” Nuggets: fermented soy chicken nuggets breaded and fries
Stuffed Avocado: one avocado sliced, pitted and filled with almond meat and topped with cashew “cheese” and pico de gallo. Seasonal and Gluten free
Raw Lasagna: raw zucchini sliced and cashew “cheese” layered into shredded spinach, topped with homemade raw marinara. Gluten free

In addition, for dessert we ate one of the best Red Velvet cupcake of our lives!

And still, if you’re not able to go there, or if you need to schedule a quick pick-up, you can do it all online, though their website. Also, take a look at an IGTV Video we did during one of our visits!

For the master chefs out there, stay tuned! Brenda has had plans of launching her own vegan cook book with yummy recipes. We hope it comes out soon!

Be sure to enjoy and explore the neighborhood before or after going to Seasoned Vegan!

So, if you’re also a fan of Harlem, you might enjoy some of the places that the beauty Africa Miranda shared with us!

Finally, to try some cooking at home and be sure how to stay fit and healthy, take a look at these bodybuilding meal plans for vegans. And try the handcrafted, dairy-free and SO delicious bite-size vegan cupcake flavors at Baked By Melissa!

Hours:
Tuesday – Thursday: 5pm – 10pm
Friday: 5pm – 2am
Saturday: 11am – 2am
Sunday: 11am – 9pm

Location: 55 Saint Nicholas Avenue

www.seasonedvegan.com

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Kim-Julie Hansen
*Last Updated on Feb/2020.*

The 7 Best NYC Social Dance Venues To Have Fun

February 9, 2018

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New York City certainly has it all! The recognized ballroom dancer, Olga Kochnova, shared with us the 7 best NYC social dance venues. We are sure to get you on your feet in no time!

Curiosities Our Bucket Lists 7 Best NYC Social Dance Venues Olga Kochnova — Olga Kochnova inside Central Park. Photo Credit: MagNat Photography.

Olga Kochanova is a prominent, internationally recognized ballroom dancer from Saint-Petersburg, Russia. She is the founder of Brooklyn Dance Lessons – a NYC-based dance company that offers private lessons of ballroom, social, and wedding dance.

Olga has been a practicing ballroom dancer for over 20 years. She has studied all major styles of ballroom dance as well as rhythmic gymnastics. Olga is proficient in the International Standard, Latin styles as well as in American Rhythm and Smooth.

Having participated in over 200 prestigious competitions, Olga has garnered many awards along the way. Among these trophies are two first place awards from the Saint-Petersburg Ballroom Competition and first place in the Petrozavodsk City Ballroom Competition.

In 2001, she joined the Professional Ballroom School, Esperanza – the number one school in Saint-Petersburg. There she studied under Radik and Eve Bagautinova, two professional Latin-style Ballroom dancers.

Throughout the years, she has trained under professional dancers and world champions like Karen Hardy, Andrew Sinkinson, Goran Nordin, Gherman Mustuc, Iveta Lukosiute, Daniel Heroux, Patty Contenta, and Gennadiy Gunko.

Amazing, right?

Currently living in New York, we invited her to share the 7 best NYC social dance venues:

Swing 46

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Curiosities Our Bucket Lists 7 Best NYC Social Dance Venues Swing 46 Mojito

Curiosities Our Bucket Lists 7 Best NYC Social Dance Venues Swing 46 Bar Snacks

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Curiosities Our Bucket Lists 7 Best NYC Social Dance Venues Swing 46 Bar

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“Swing 46 is one of the oldest restaurants in NY that plays live music and has a dance floor for its guests. It is not a big dance floor, but you can show off your basic moves or watch amazing swing dancers making their performances.

Here, live bands usually play a mix of some ballroom music, like Foxtrot, Rumba and Swing, as well as some hits from Lindy Hop and Jitterbug Era. They are open every evening for dancing and lessons start at 9pm. To get in you need to pay music charge of $15 – $20, depending on the day of the week.

I would recommend to go in the beginning of the week if you would like to dance, and Thursday to Saturday if you would like to watch.”

This Jazz and Swing Dance Club was founded in June of 1997 in Hell’s Kitchen. They offer a good menu with American Fare dishes prepared with the carefully sourced ingredients. Their sauces and dressings are homemade, as well as their freshly baked bread.

If you’re in the mood for Happy Hour, they have it daily from 5pm to 7pm, with half price drink specials at the bar.

Hours: Daily from 5pm – 1am

Band starts playing:
Sunday – Thursday: 8:30pm
Friday & Saturday: 9:30pm

Location: 349 West 46th Street

Rainbow Room

“Hidden on top of Rockefeller Center, the Rainbow Room is an absolute NYC favorite spot.

This fancy restaurant with Manhattan’s skyscrapers view on 65th floor, has a dance floor in the center area. They started organizing social dance events since mid 20th century!

On Monday evenings you can enjoy your date night with Empire State Building view, 3 course dinner, live music and your favorite cocktail. It is definitely not the cheapest option in New York, but it’s well worth it!”

Their grand opening dates back to 1934 and was one of the best late night destination spots in town. Famous of their charity events, they attracted the biggest names to attend their gatherings.

It’s a great place to go for dinner, drinks and even to celebrate a special date or host a corporate event.

But, definitely try their nights with world-class dining and dancing with live music!

Hours: Check their website for the different hours in each of their spaces.

Location: 30 Rockefeller Plaza, 65th Floor

https://rainbowroom.com

Midsummer Night Swing

“It’s been 30 years since Midsummer Night Swing started and yet it is still one of the most popular places to dance in New York. Every summer, the Lincoln Center organizes the “Midsummer Night Swing” – 3 weeks of unforgettable evenings with popular bands and a big dance floor, under the open sky.

Events start at 6:30pm with a dance lesson for people of all levels, conducted by some of the leading instructors in New York City. Lessons are included in the ticket price. Live music starts at 7:30pm and lasts until 10pm.

The organizers present a large selection of artists, reflecting the different musical styles of New York. Jazz, disco, ballroom dancing, rhythm and blues, salsa, tango and west cost swing are among the most popular one.”

Schedule:
6:00 pm – Dance floor opens
6:30 – 7:15 pm – Group dance lesson
7:30 – 8:30 pm – First live set (unless otherwise noted)
9:00 – 10:00 pm – Second live set (unless otherwise noted)
10:00 – 11:30 pm – Silent Disco (June 29 and July 8 only)

Single Tickets:
In advance – $17
Day-of – $20

www.lincolncenter.org

Tatiana Restaurant & Nightclub

Curiosities Our Bucket Lists 7 Best NYC Social Dance Venues Tatiana Women Dancing

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Curiosities Our Bucket Lists 7 Best NYC Social Dance Venues Tatiana Coney Island

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“If you want to see something more original and authentic, you can visit one of the oldest Russian restaurants in New York: Tatiana Restaurant & Nightclub.

It became very popular for its colorful dance performances on Saturday nights, that presents traditional Russian dances.

You can also try Russian food and, since it happens to be located at Coney Island’s boardwalk, you can combine the visit with nice day at the ocean, during the hotter months.”

So, what to expect? As they explain:

“The scene that opens up is something out of a James Bond movie “From Russia with Love”. Its Sex in the City mixed in Sleepless on Brighton Beach. Vodka and Cognac pours like fountain Di Trevi in Rome.

Ladies hang on to your husbands and guys don’t forget to shave, because there are plenty of people to impress. You do not need a red carpet invitation to see city’s top fashion worn in style and such sex appeal that is even desired by many celebrities.”

Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 10am – 10pm
Friday: 10am – 11pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10am – 1am

Location: 3152 Brighton 6th Street, Brooklyn

http://tatianarestaurant.com/nyc

Plus, for salsa lovers, there are plenty of places to go. Some of them are:

Taj II

Curiosities Our Bucket Lists 7 Best NYC Social Dance Venues Taj Entrance

Curiosities Our Bucket Lists 7 Best NYC Social Dance Venues Taj Seating

Curiosities Our Bucket Lists 7 Best NYC Social Dance Venues Taj Bar

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“Every Monday evening Taj II has salsa parties that are popular amongst both beginners and professional dancers. With live music and sometimes professional performances in between, this event is very popular between New Yorkers.

It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been dancing, people are very friendly here and will invite everyone who wants to join them on the dance floor – even if you are an absolute beginner.

You can also book a table and just enjoy your food watching impressive dancers. The entrance is $12.”

Located in the Flatiron District, this spot impresses from the start with its opulent and majestic décor. If you’re still a bit shy to go to the floor and dance, feel free to just watch!

Hours:
Monday & Tuesday: 5 pm – 1 am
Wednesday – Saturday: 5pm – 4am
First Sunday monthly: 12pm – 7pm for Brunch

Location: 48 West 21st Street

www.tajlounge.com

Sunset Salsa

“On Tuesdays, during the months of July and August, everyone can enjoy the most scenic dance event in New York: Sunset Salsa.

Located in the Hudson River Park on Pier 45, in the Greenwich Village, you’ll find best Latin DJs and hundreds of dancers. The view of New Jersey and Manhattan itself is already worth the trip.

Music and amazing vibes from salsa dancers will make you want to learn a couple of moves yourself. In my opinion, it’s one of the best NYC events. The party starts around 7:15pm and is free to everyone!”

There is nothing like a sunset party in New York right? Well, this one will certainly get you on your feet! The beginner’s salsa dance lessons are from 6:30pm – 7:15pm and the DJs start the party at 7:15pm!

Have fun!

Location: Pier 45

https://hudsonriverpark.org

Salsa Brunch

“Salsa Brunch is one of the newest additions to the dancing scene in New York City. Organized by two amazing salsa dancers, its a good event where you can enjoy brunch and kill some calories the same time! Ha!

You will find a DJ, photographers, as well as some pretty good dancers. Table reservation is necessary if you would like to eat.

Sometimes they organize special editions like ‘Salsa meets Hip Hop’, so you can enjoy two different cultures at the same time.

Currently, it happens only once a month on Saturdays, in Harlem.”

Since location changes every now and then, every time they offer a different type of food and drink, so be sure to check online what’s up next!

www.salsabrunch.com

Finally, there are a few other events and restaurants that might be interesting and worth the visit:

Latin Cruise – Vamos A Bailar! From April through November, join NY Party Cruises on a Midnight Cruise this season! They transform the 1st floor of the Harbor Lights Yacht into a Latin Lounge complete with the best of Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Reggaeton and Latin House.

Salsa at the Brooklyn Museum – Their season of salsa continues with a Salsa Party hosted by Balmir Latin Dance Studio. Start the evening with a class led by professional dancers at 6pm, followed by live music, social dancing, and performances by Brooklyn’s best Latin dance teams.

Iguana – One of the most spectacular Mexican Restaurant in New York. Iguana offers 3 floors of dining and dancing. Unwind with one of their famous 28 flavors of Margaritas or Mojitos. Follow that up with a truly exquisite dinner experience.

And, if you loved all of these best NYC social dance venues and you’d like to organize a special and customized corporate event with this theme, contact our experts to assist you.

Photo Credits: Courtesy of MagNat Photography and all the venues.
*Last Update on March/2020.*

Africa Miranda: A Multi-Talented Beautypreneur From Harlem

December 28, 2017

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Africa Miranda, a multi-talented beautypreneur born in Harlem, shared with us her journey and her favorite secret 7 NYC spots! Be sure to add them to your list!

Today we share a fantastic interview with a beautiful woman called Africa Miranda! Many of you probably know her already, but if you don’t, you should!

What are her talents? Countless! As she briefly states on her Instagram: “Beautypreneur. Performer. Travel Maven. Speaker. Host. Black Girl Magician.”

We love it!

Read below her journey and countless accomplishments throughout her career, as well as her 7 best secret places in New York!

“Africa Miranda is a dynamic speaker, host and spokesmodel, with distinctive style and quick wit, that won the hearts of many across the US, and around the globe, as the breakout star of Bravo TV’s ‘The New Atlanta’.

Her unique personal style, sparkling personality, and glorious, attention-grabbing mane, have made Africa an in-demand beauty expert and event host.

Whether she is visiting exotic locales – #AfricasAdventures – representing major brands, or sharing her take on hair trends and celebrity style, Africa brings her brand of accessible glamour to any setting.

A sought after travel and lifestyle influencer, Africa was recently featured in Vanity Fair as one of the VF500 tastemakers to watch and has also been part of major campaigns for Macy’s, Coca-Cola, Revlon, and Kia Motors.

A rising star in the digital media world, she was a Shorty Award Finalist for “Periscoper of the Year,” host of the inaugural Periscope Summit, a keynote speaker at Summit Live, and is a regular podcast guest and panelist for various entertainment and tech platforms, marrying her knowledge of pop culture with her considerable tech savvy. Phiuf!

Africa can now add “beautypreneur” to her list of growing accomplishments.

Her newly launched beauty and lifestyle brand “Beauty by Africa Miranda” , marries her love of travel and her extensive beauty industry experience.

Her first two offerings, the Facial Elixir and Luminous Body Mist, have garnered rave reviews and are fast becoming cult beauty favorites.

“The first offering, the Facial Elixir, is born of Africa’s special connection to the beautiful city of Rio de Janeiro. Lovingly called “Brazil in a bottle,” the Facial Elixir helps to recapture the vacation “glow” using Brazilian ingredients Maraca Oil and Cupuaçu Butter.”

Curiosities Insider Interviews Africa Miranda Facial Elixir — Facial Elixir from Beauty by Africa Miranda.

Some highlights:

“A trip last year to the south of France with Kia Motors was the inspiration for my latest product the Luminous Body Mist. Plus, I hosted a travel show pilot in Curacao called “From Soil to Shore.”

Curiosities Insider Interviews Africa Miranda Kia Stinger — Africa Miranda at the Kia Motors America #StingerRunway.

In addition, my company ‘Beauty by Africa Miranda’ has been featured on Yahoo Beauty, Ebony, Bet, MadameNoire and HelloBeautiful.com.”

Current & Upcoming projects:

Just shot a campaign for Coca-Cola that will be in US, Mexico and Canada – I’m also a commercial model & actress.

I’m the co-host and co-executive producer of the digital series “Beautifully Driven” powered by Kia Motors and Harman Kardon.

This new interview series highlights “Women You Should Know” in the world of art, science, and entertainment.

Finally, I will host of Parlour Magazine’s Travel Fly Solo Weekend to Greece (June 2018).

And, I will be the host of Parlour Magazine’s annual solo trip – hosting over 50 women on an epic bucket list adventure to Mykonos.

Here are my secret 7 favorite NYC spots:

The Edge

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“The Edge is my go to spot in Harlem for brunch, lunch, and everything in between! I was turned onto this great little spot by a friend and fell in love. A great blend of Jamaican and American dishes.”

Located in Hamilton Heights, in Harlem, The Edge is a great spot to visit. Their kitchen opens Mondays through Fridays at 10am, and as they say, they serve “flavors of Jamaica and England, with a little New York attitude”.

Their menu is also divided by these locations. So, you can expect everything from Jamaican jerk chicken, to English grilled cheese sandwich and New Yorker bagels with smoked salmon.

Hours:
Monday – Wednesday: 9am – 10pm
Thursday & Friday: 9am – 11pm
Saturday: 11am – 11pm
Sunday: 11am – 10pm

Location: 101 Edgecombe Avenue

www.theedgeharlem.com

The Back Room

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“The Back Room is speakeasy that takes you back to “old New York.” Once you get past walking underground and through a tunnel you will find this hidden gem. Perfect for a late night drink or a get together with friends. My favorite touch is that all of the drinks are served in teacups!”

Located in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, this speakeasy is certainly a secret spot we love. It’s known to be one of the only two speakeasies in New York City that actually operated during Prohibition Era, in the 1920’s, and is still in existence today.

You’re wondering “Why teacups?” Well, back in the Prohibition Era, that was how alcohol was served, so no one suspected and people could enjoy their drinks.

Monday’s are known to host great live Jazz music, while during weekends, they bring in DJs to entertain the night.

Hours:
Mondays – Thursday: 7:30pm – 3am
Friday & Saturday: 7:30 – 4am
Sunday: 7:30pm – 3am

Location: 102 Norfolk Street

http://backroomnyc.com

Champs Diner

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“Champs Diner is off the beaten path in Brooklyn, but if you make the trek you will get some of the best Vegan comfort food ever! My faves: The Cubano, The Soltero Bowl, and the Girl Scout Milkshake.”

Oh! We l-o-v-e this place. It’s located at the very tip of East Williamsburg, and it’s always pretty packed. They definitely serve some of the best and tastiest vegan American comfort food in New York, hence the huge success.

We recommend not arriving there too hungry, since the waiting time can be crazy.

Hours: Monday – Sunday: 9am – 12am

Location: 197 Meserole Street

www.champsdiner.com

The Crabby Shack

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“My go to for a seafood fix is The Crabby Shack. This family owned business serves up some of the best crab dishes I’ve ever had. The stand out – the crab roll (of course!) and the crab grilled cheese. The IG-worthy decor is a plus.”

Located in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, this is one of the to-go spots if you enjoy seafood. They are well-known for their tacos, rolls and sliders, besides, of course, their different crab dishes.

Don’t forget to try their dessert of the day!

Hours:
Monday: 3pm – 10pm
Wednesday – Thursday: 3pm – 10pm
Friday: 3pm – 11pm
Saturday: 1pm – 11pm
Sunday: 1pm – 9pm

Location: 613 Franklin Avenue

http://thecrabbyshack.com

The Groove

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“Long standing live music spot: The Groove. Great place to get turned on to new soul and jazz artists. Fun fact – my first NYC live performance was here!”

Have you ever wanted a place that played live R&B, Funk and Soul music 7 nights a week? Well, this is the place! Located in the Greenwich Village, in Manhattan, The Groove started back in the 1990’s and showcases some of the best musicians and performers in the city.

They serve a few appetizers like nachos, quesadillas, mozzarella cheese sticks. Plus, you’ll also find buffalo chicken wings, salads & veggies, sandwiches, a few side dishes like French fries and onion rings. And still, bigger entrées like the chicken kebab and the steak frites.

If you have a sweet tooth, you’ll love the hot fudge brownie sundae or their vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce and whipped cream. Perfect place to splurge on your diet-day-off!

Hours: Monday – Sunday: 4pm – 3am

Location: 125 Macdougal Street

http://clubgroovenyc.com

Vin Sur Vingt

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“Very cozy. Very Romantic. V-e-r-y French. Order escargot and champagne and fall in love with Vin Sur Vingt.”

Africa’s preferred location is the one in the West Village, in Manhattan, but they have other 3 spots around the city, besides having a place inside The Plaza Hotel’s famous Food Hall.

Vin Sur Vingt is a classy, French bistro bar perfect for all wine lovers that live or come visit New York City. Their wine list is pretty extensive and the ambience will take you to Paris in a blink of an eye!

Hours:
Monday – Friday: 4pm – 1am
Saturday & Sunday: 4pm – 2am

Locations: 201 West 11th Street
They have other 4 locations – Nomad District, Upper West Side, TriBeCa and inside The Plaza Hotel Food Hall. See website for locations and hours.

http://vsvwinebars.com

Sugar Hill Market

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UNFORTUNATELY THIS MARKET IS PERMANENTLY CLOSED!

“The Sugar Hill Market is a great monthly market that showcases local designers and artisans. I live in Harlem and it is a great way to learn about and support my fellow local entrepreneurs.”

We also love exploring local markets around the city and seeing what local vendors are selling.

You are able to find some of the most unique and one-of-a-kind items at these spots, so be sure to go there will enough time.

Hours: 12pm – 5pm

Location: 259 West 132nd Street

Thank you, Africa, for sharing with us your fantastic journey and your 7 favorite NYC spots! Cheers!

If you enjoyed this interview, you might want to check out some other spots in Harlem, recommended by Kevin Herson, founder of the absinthe, Doc Hersons!

Photo Credits: Courtesy of all the venues.
*Last Update on March/2020.*

Doc Hersons: Story Behind a Harlem-born Absinthe Brand

October 4, 2017

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New York City is known for many things, from being the #1 Fashion Capital in the world, to its tireless nightlife, but did you know it’s also the home of the 1^st and very special, all natural, small batch absinthe producer named Doc Hersons?!

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New York City is known for many things, from being the #1 Fashion Capital in the world, to its tireless nightlife, countless fantastic restaurants and yet a priceless art scene. Of course, there is much more to this list!

But, maybe something you didn’t know: It’s also the home of the 1^st and very special, all natural, small batch absinthe producer named Doc Hersons.

A while ago, we hosted a great tasting event, paired with fantastic acoustic music, at one of Williamsburg’s coolest rooftops. Doc Hersons was the brand we brought in to offer the tasting and share a bit of his journey.

We were so intrigued with the product and their story, that we decided to interview Kevin Herson that founded the brand with his wife, Stacey Luckow.

1) Tell us a bit about your background and what lead you two to start Doc Hersons? Is it a family tradition, or a personal passion?

We started the distillery in 2012 in our basement in Harlem. My day job as a commodity broker ended around 3pm each day, while Stacey would only return home from working at our vintage clothing store in the East Village around 9pm.

This left plenty of time for me to experiment in the basement of our Harlem apartment. I started buying distilling equipment and experimented with making Whiskey and Moonshine.

Then I decided to try make some Absinthe, since I had always enjoyed drinking it.

My Chemistry background and knowledge supplied the baseline for which soon became a full functioning Absinthe distillery on 142nd and Broadway, the 1st Absinthe distillery in NYC.

2) We love Harlem! What is it about this neighborhood that relates to the brand and being there during the journey to bring this product to life?

I feel that starting a distillery in a Harlem basement just seems sort of a natural beginning for an Absinthe distillery. Harlem has many great stories and an amazing history, as does the Absinthe.

3) Why absinthe? I feel that not many people know how to drink it, so what are the challenges when trying to introduce this spirit into people’s lifestyle?

Absinthe has an interesting history and many myths associated with it.

I think the spirit is very misunderstood, and the controversy surrounding it was intentionally made well know through the efforts of the French wine industry – read the “History” paragraph on Wikipedia).

Our Absinthe is very unique and we simply enjoy it over ice or in the various different cocktails that call for Absinthe as an ingredient.

I feel the biggest challenge regarding Absinthe is dispelling all the myth’s surrounding it. This will take time, for almost 100 years Absinthe was illegal in the USA so we have some truthful storytelling to do to educate people that Absinthe can be enjoyed just like all the other wonderful categories of spirits out there.

4) So, what’s the biggest myths about absinthe?

Absinthe doesn’t make you hallucinate, it never did and it never will. It’s a unique spirit and the truth is it’s delicious!

5) Tell us a bit about how absinthe is made.

We start by fermenting grains from upstate New York. We then run that ferment through a stripping still to get a raw alcohol, raw meaning all the good and the bad alcohol mixed together.

Then, we take that raw alcohol and transfer it into our pot still, add a bunch of different botanicals from fennel, anise, Grand Wormwood, mint, lemons… etc. That concoction is boiled and fractionally distilled to collect all the good alcohol infused with the flavors and essential oils from all the herbs.

Once we collect the good stuff, we proof it and then add additional herbs for color and flavor, all 100% natural. Finally, we strain off the spirit from the botanicals, let it settle and then bottle it all up to enjoy.

6) Do you know a few curious historical facts about the spirit that you can share?

Wikipedia does a good job of this. However, most people don’t know that Absinthe was originally developed as a Malaria prevention. This was way back when it was first produced, in 1792.

7) What are the main characteristics of each of the 3 products by Doc Hersons?

Green Absinthe: Notes of licorice, mint and slightly bitter
Red Absinthe: Floral Hibiscus, licorice and citrus notes
White Absinthe: Poppy seed, licorice and vanilla woody spice

8) Besides having the drink neat or with ice, when you teach people about how to consume it, what are the best easy mixes with each of the 3 flavors?

Each of our different styles of Absinthe can simply be enjoyed over ice or in the various traditional cocktails that call for Absinthe as an ingredient.

Or, one can enjoy them in the following simple cocktails:

Green Absinthe (1/2 oz) over ice, fill the glass with ginger beer and garnish with a mint leaf
Green Absinthe (1/2 oz) over ice, fill the glass with club soda and garnish with a lemon wedge
Red Absinthe (1/2 oz) over ice, fill the glass with ginger ale and garnish with an orange wedge
White Absinthe (1 oz) over ice and garnish with a jalapeño slice

Or even add 1/2 oz White Absinthe to your favorite Bloody Mary cocktail for an extra note of flavor and fun.

And, if you’re into beer, check out 52Brews to enjoy the great beer as a way of life.

9) Are there any upcoming flavors we can expect to see in the near future?

We are working on some other spirits projects, but as for Absinthe we just produce the three styles traditionally know, Green, Red and White.

10) The bottles and the labels are very unique and give us a delicious, nostalgic feeling. What’s the idea behind the visual communication?

Branding and aesthetics are all centered around classy, simply, elegant and intriguing. Visual representations of what one can expect when they enjoy sipping on our Absinthe.

11) Do you offer any catering service and experience, for people interested in learning more?

People are always welcome to reach out personally to find out more about our Absinthe. They can even email or call to schedule a special distillery tasting/tour. We do both public and private events to promote our brand on a regular basis. Each event is coordinated on a case by case basis.

12) Where can people purchase your products, besides online?

Besides online, there are a number of liquor stores listed on our website DocHersons.com under our “buy” tab. There are also many bar and restaurants throughout NYC and NY State that serve our Absinthe.

13) Any new upcoming project that you’d like to share with us, as a “teaser”?

We are working on a new spirit to be released in February of 2018. Keep an eye out but it’s a surprise!

14) Since you’re a Harlem-expert, we’re curious to know what are your favorite “behind the scenes” spots!

Regarding a couple cool spots in Harlem, I can suggest our favorite spot, Harlem Public. You can ask for Roni the bartender, he is awesome and makes some of the best cocktails in the city.

There’s also a great liquor store there called Pompette Wine. When you get there, ask for Mozel. He owns the store and knows a lot about great local wines and spirits.

We don’t live in Harlem anymore and haven’t for about 5 years, so we are not really current with some of the newer happening spots.

We live in Brooklyn now, so some of the cool spots we like to visit are Le Boudoir and Chez Moi, both in Brooklyn Heights!

Thank you Kevin, and Stacey for sharing your beautiful story with us. It’s certainly an exciting journey, and we will stay tuned for the new spirit launching soon!

If you want to learn more about Doc Hersons, this small batch absinthe producer, take a look at their website.

When you decide to visit the neighborhood, you might want to start by visiting a park we love called Morningside Park. Plus, stop for lunch at Seasoned Vegan, even if you’re not Vegan. We promise, you’ll be amazed with their dishes!

Lastly, if you’d like to be put in touch with them, we can connect you! As Kevin mentioned, they offer very exclusive tasting tours, so let our experts organize it for you! For Corporate requests, for catering or tours, talk to our team.

http://dochersons.com

Photo Credits: Courtesy of Doc Hersons
*Last Update on March/2020.*

Secrets And Fun Facts About Morningside Park In Harlem

September 8, 2016

BTSNYC

City Secrets Curiosities No Comments

A bit a culture and history with our friends from Untapped New York! We love exploring Harlem, so here are some secrets and fun facts about Morningside Park worth sharing!

Curiosities City Secrets Morningside Park in Harlem by Untapped Cities — Photo Credit: Benjamin Waldman

Every time we’ve been to Harlem, it’s been a fantastic experience. From the art and fashion scene, to all the delicious restaurants, the neighborhood is so rich and with so much to share!

Furthermore, one of their most famous parks is call Morningside Park and our friends from Untapped Cities shared a few secrets and fun facts about it!

So, come and check it out!

“Morningside Park is experiencing something of a renaissance in recent years, with booming real estate in Morningside Heights and Harlem surrounding it.

The picturesque park seems to have it all – grand landscapes, practical outdoor amenities, landmarked architecture, and commanding views.

Today, we’ll go through some of the most fun secrets and fun facts we came across while researching for a talk we gave with the Design Trust for Public Space inside Morningside Park last week.

10. Morningside Heights is Built Atop Manhattan Schist Up to 30 Million Years Old

9. Morningside Park Was Not Part of the Manhattan Street Grid

8. There Has Only Been One Road to Ever Go through Morningside Park, And It’s Long Been Lost

7. Until a Few Decades Ago, There Was a Blockhouse from 1812 in Morningside Park

6. Morningside Park Had a Vastly Different Original Plan

5. Some of NYC’s Most Famous Architects Worked on Morningside Park

4. There Used to be an Elevated Railway Next to Morningside Park

3. There Was a Massive Columbia University Protest Over a Gym in Morningside Park

2. The Remnants of the Gym Were Converted into a Pond and Waterfall

1. The Saga of the Statue of Lafayette and Washington in Morningside Park

See the original post of the Morningside Park, with many other pictures and infos!

Many of you love and are always craving for more secrets and fun facts about New York, right?

Well, to explore the area in style, contact our experts to cater a customized services and tour for you and your family & friends. For Corporate services and experiences, let our experts assist you and make the experience memorable!

Curiosities City Secrets Morningside Park in Harlem by Untapped Cities Benjamin Waldman — Photo Credit: Benjamin Waldman

Text: Michelle Young from UntappedCities
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Benjamin Waldman

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Benjamin Waldman for Untapped New York
*Last Update on March/2020.*

New York is a gastronomy haven for those that love food! I want to share a different NYC dining experience that will take you on a journey around the world, called Your Friend’s Kitchen!

So, let me tell you a bit about how the night unraveled!

Here is what the menu looked like:

More information about Your Friend’s Kitchen:

How It Works:

The Founder:

Although NYC is one of the busiest cities in the world, it’s also the home of countless secrets. Take a look below to see 4 unexpected places you can visit in New York!

Track 61

Brooklyn Heights’ Hidden Subway Ventilator

The Blockhouse

Tribeca’s Dream House

We visited and shot a pretty cool YouTube video at a few of the must-see Jazz spots in Harlem with a super special guest: Zé Luis Oliveira. Come explore these fantastic spots with us!

Minton’s Playhouse

Shrine

Paris Blues

We love Harlem and everything about it! Seasoned Vegan is Harlem’s very 1st full-service Vegan restaurant and is truly a hidden gem in the neighborhood.

Just a 5-minute walk from there, we arrived at Seasoned Vegan, Harlem’s very 1st full-service Vegan restaurant.

The dishes are organic and 100% vegan! If you’re the carnivore type, we truly recommend you to give it a chance and stop by. We are certain they won’t disappoint you.

New York City certainly has it all! The recognized ballroom dancer, Olga Kochnova, shared with us the 7 best NYC social dance venues. We are sure to get you on your feet in no time!

Swing 46

Rainbow Room

Midsummer Night Swing

Tatiana Restaurant & Nightclub

Plus, for salsa lovers, there are plenty of places to go. Some of them are:

Taj II

Sunset Salsa

Salsa Brunch

Finally, there are a few other events and restaurants that might be interesting and worth the visit:

Africa Miranda, a multi-talented beautypreneur born in Harlem, shared with us her journey and her favorite secret 7 NYC spots! Be sure to add them to your list!

Africa can now add “beautypreneur” to her list of growing accomplishments.

Some highlights:

Current & Upcoming projects:

Here are my secret 7 favorite NYC spots:

The Edge

The Back Room

Champs Diner

The Crabby Shack

The Groove

Vin Sur Vingt

Sugar Hill Market

New York City is known for many things, from being the #1 Fashion Capital in the world, to its tireless nightlife, but did you know it’s also the home of the 1st and very special, all natural, small batch absinthe producer named Doc Hersons?!

1) Tell us a bit about your background and what lead you two to start Doc Hersons? Is it a family tradition, or a personal passion?

2) We love Harlem! What is it about this neighborhood that relates to the brand and being there during the journey to bring this product to life?

3) Why absinthe? I feel that not many people know how to drink it, so what are the challenges when trying to introduce this spirit into people’s lifestyle?

4) So, what’s the biggest myths about absinthe?

5) Tell us a bit about how absinthe is made.

6) Do you know a few curious historical facts about the spirit that you can share?

7) What are the main characteristics of each of the 3 products by Doc Hersons?

8) Besides having the drink neat or with ice, when you teach people about how to consume it, what are the best easy mixes with each of the 3 flavors?

9) Are there any upcoming flavors we can expect to see in the near future?

10) The bottles and the labels are very unique and give us a delicious, nostalgic feeling. What’s the idea behind the visual communication?

11) Do you offer any catering service and experience, for people interested in learning more?

12) Where can people purchase your products, besides online?

13) Any new upcoming project that you’d like to share with us, as a “teaser”?

14) Since you’re a Harlem-expert, we’re curious to know what are your favorite “behind the scenes” spots!

A bit a culture and history with our friends from Untapped New York! We love exploring Harlem, so here are some secrets and fun facts about Morningside Park worth sharing!

“Morningside Park is experiencing something of a renaissance in recent years, with booming real estate in Morningside Heights and Harlem surrounding it.

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New York City is known for many things, from being the #1 Fashion Capital in the world, to its tireless nightlife, but did you know it’s also the home of the 1^st and very special, all natural, small batch absinthe producer named Doc Hersons?!