Friday, 4 April, 2014 – USA Food and Wine Tour
I get up this morning after not much sleep again. We have a very busy schedule for today. Outside, it is rainng – not hard but raining just the same. Colin had indicated that if it was raining the morning 8:00 AM walk would not proceed so we decided we would not be going. Nevertheless 10 of the group head out for a walk.
We decide that we will go out on the second walk which is to explore the architecture of Harlem, especially the Brownstone houses.
Originally we were going to a local diner but Colin and Doug had found a nice French bistro Maisonharlem for Brunch. This place was one of my highlight meals of the trip so far, simple but good food.
http://maisonharlem.com/index.php?id=menu
It was very nice and spicy, I really enjoyed it. The usual mountain of fries, most of them not finished.
When we leave, Julie and Di decide to prance around to various shops – they were gone for over 3 hours. I went back to the room and had a solid sleep, probably 3 hours – best on the trip. I don’t get up until JV & Di return with their goods.
That night we are to go to start at another soul food place the Dinosaur Barbeque.It was a small place started by a couple of guys which now has outlets all over town. It is still raining a bit and it is a bit of a walk so some of us take a taxi while the others walk – they made rapid time considering. Inside, it is a big barn of a place with lots of people waiting for tables. We managed to get a drink before the main group show up. Our reserved table is not ready and I think here we go again but the delay for the table is not bad.
We had selected a fixed menu of soul food. We select, for red any way, a South African Syrah which was quite good.
https://www.dinosaurbarbque.com/
It was a good night but nowhere near over yet. We start walking back and stop at a jazz bar called Showmans.
The band was playing at the other end of the room and they were quite good. I had a good conversation with a well to do African American couple at the eend of the bar who are regulars of Showmans.
http://www.showmansjazzclub.com
Still not done, we go to the famous Apollo Theater for music from an African type band. It is part of a four day “Africa Now” festival.
The band played quite loudly. JV got up and danced with the crowd. I am told, but cannot believe, that I fell asleep for a while while the loud music was playing.
https://www.apollotheater.org/
Back to the hotel after a fine night. Thanks, Colin.