Get to know Harlem with 5 Chefs!
Ever wonder where your favorite chefs eat? Or what they can”t live without? Today we”re talking to Andy Ricker, Carla Hall, JJ Johnson, Jose Garces, and Kenichi Tajima to learn all about their favorite Harlem haunts. Harlem is a neighborhood with hidden gems around every corner, a place steeped in history and brightened by innovation, a part of New York City drenched in diversity. These qualities make Harlem and Bordeaux a perfect pairing, historic flavors with diverse influence. Our love of Harlem inspired us to ask Chefs participating in the Second Annual Harlem EatUp! to share what they cook at home, where they go in Harlem and what they love most about the cooking.
ANDY RICKER
Hometown: Portland, OR
Restaurant / City: Pok Pok NY, Brooklyn, NY
Spice you can’t live without: Makwhen, a relative of the prickly ash (Szechuan Peppercorn)
3 Things You’ll Always Find In My Fridge: Beer, Mango Fruit Leather, Half & Half
What I Make Myself For Dinner: Fried egg sandwich
NEIGHBORHOOD FAVORITES IN HARLEM
Favorite coffee shop: Lenox Coffee
Best cheap eats: Charles Country Pan Fried Chicken
Favorite Place: Graffiti Hall of Fame
CARLA HALL
Hometown: Nashville, TN
Restaurant / City: Carla Hall”s Southern Kitchen, Brooklyn, NY
Spice you can’t live without: Cumin
3 Things You’ll Always Find In My Fridge: Lemons, Eggs, Butter
What I Make Myself For Dinner: Omelette and greens
NEIGHBORHOOD FAVORITES IN HARLEM
Favorite coffee shop: Make My Make, slice of red velvet and a cup of tea….mmmmmmm
Best cheap eats: Big Belly Roti shop
My Favorite Place: The Big Hill in Central Park (Harlem Hill)
JJ JOHNSON
Hometown: Poconos, Tobyhanna, PA
Restaurant / City:The Cecil/Mintons – Harlem, NY
Spice you can’t live without: Bird’s Eye Chilli
3 Things You’ll Always Find In My Fridge: Rib eye, Gatorade, bourbon
What I Make Myself For Dinner: Rib eye with butter potatoes
NEIGHBORHOOD FAVORITES IN HARLEM
Favorite wine bar / shop: Wine Shop
Best cheap eats: Melba’s – 300 W 114th St. NY, NY 10026
My Favorite Place: The Gym (BeFitNYC) 
JOSE GRACES
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Restaurant / City: Amada / Philadelphia & NYC
Spice you can’t live without: Spanish Smoked Paprika
3 Things You’ll Always Find In My Fridge: Berries, Greek Yogurt, Almond Milk
What I Make Myself For Dinner:Wood-grilled salmon with grilled asparagus (when in season) and maple-glazed roasted sweet potatoes, all in my Big Green Egg.
NEIGHBORHOOD FAVORITES IN HARLEM
Favorite wine bar / shop:Vinateria
Favorite coffee shop:Les Ambassades
Best cheap eats:Streetbird Rotisserie
My Favorite Place:Showman”s
KENICHI TAJIMA
Hometown:Tokyo, Japan
Restaurant / City:Tastings Social presents Mountain Bird
Spice you can’t live without:Saffron, Pepper, Mustard, Four Spices and Vanilla Beans.
3 Things You’ll Always Find In My Fridge:Wine, Chocolate and Cheese.
What I Make Myself For Dinner: A lot of vegetables and whole grains & fish or meat (it’s basically similar to what I cook in my restaurant for our guests).
NEIGHBORHOOD FAVORITES IN HARLEM
Favorite wine bar / shop:Vinateria, Barawine, The Grange Bar & Eatery/Winery
Favorite coffee shop:Uptown Roasters – 135 E 110th St (b/t Park Ave & Lexington Ave)
Best cheap eats:Harlem Public – 3612 Broadway
My Favorite Place:St. Nicholas Park (especially the hill at 135st)
Want to discover more about Harlem? Head over to our Harlem EatUp! website!Harlem photos and head shots of Kenichi Tajima and JJ Johnson by Lydia Lee
