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Harlem Restaurant
Categories: Restaurants Southern Restaurants Cajun/Creole Southern, Cajun/Creole [Edit]
67 Richmond St EToronto, ON M5C 1N9
Neighbourhoods: Corktown, Downtown Core
(416) 368-1920
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 11 am - 11 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 12 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
37 reviews for Harlem Restaurant
Review Highlights
"Had the southern fried chicken and waffles."
(in 4 reviews)
"Great food, friendly staff, and live music some nights."
(in 6 reviews)
"...was so stuffed that I almost didn't try the mac and cheese."
(in 15 reviews)
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37 reviews in English
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Review from Justine H.
Toronto, ON
12/7/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Restaurant: Harlem
Cuisine: Southern/Soul
Location: Downtown
Address: 67 Richmond St E
Price Range: $10-15
1: Poor 2: OK 3: Good 4: Very Good 5: Excellent
Food: 4
Service: 3
Ambiance: 4
Overall: 3.5
Extra information:
*Open for lunch
*2 locations in Toronto Downtown
*Live Jazz Music upstairs during Dinner
One of the first few restaurants that I found on Yelp which I've been wanting to try forever is Harlem. If you didn't know, I am in love/obsessed with Southern food. I love Southern fried chicken, ribs, mac&cheese, collard greens, potato salad....just thinking about it makes me drool!!
I've been to the famous Sylvia's in Harlem, NY where I had THE best fried chicken and potato salad (which you can check out here at FoodigatorJ EATS on my blog). Plus many small hole-in-the-wall locations in Bronx where they would sell 3 pieces of fried chicken in a paper bag. It always made me sad how they didn't have any restaurants in Vancouver serving Southern/Soul food. So when I found Harlem that was so close to my house, I was SO excited to try it out!
I visited Harlem for dinner on a Tuesday night around 6o'clock. My friend and I were the first ones there and a friendly waitress greeted us and told us we could sit whereever we want. Inside of the restaurant is dark with deep red walls and has a very laid back feel to it. I believe it does get busier later during the night.
CORN BREAD 3/5
*This was complimentary (for dinner)
*Small loaf cut into thin slices
*Served hot with butter
*This is pre-made and then microwaved before it's served to you
*Cornbread was light and airy
*These were decent but it wasn't done how it's suppose to be
*Usually they should served in squares and have rougher texture (grainy with cornmeal)
*They were ok considering it was complimentary, but I wouldn't order them
Ordered: SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN 4.5/5
*3 pieces of fried chicken served with collard greens and mac&cheese for $16.95
*Chicken pieces are huge covered with crispy batter and sweet chili sauce on top
*Portions are huge here, served with 2 sides this could enough for 2 girls
*This was different from regular buttermilk battered chicken because the seasoning comes from the chili sauce, not the batter
*Chicken was crispy and the chili sauce complimented the dish without over-powering
*The batter was just right and the meat was juicy, tender and cooked just right
*If you never had collard greens, it will take some time to get used to
*It was cooked just right and worked as a nice palate cleanser between pieces of fried chicken
*Mac & Cheese comes piping hot in the huge bowl
*Huge size for a side (could be a meal on it's own)
*Very cheesy and buttery but not overly rich
*I couldn't even finish the sidedishes and I almost cried leaving some behind cause it was so good
Ordered:JERK SMOKED BBQ CHICKEN 3.5/5
*3 pieces of Chicken served with collard greens and coconut bean rice for $17.95
*Chicken pieces are huge, again, very big portion
*She got the beans and rice instead of Mac & Cheese
*It had very strong BBQ sauce flavor, couldn't really taste the Jerk flavor
*Beans and rice was kind of on the dry side and it was just mediocre
*Chicken was juicy with lots of meat
*I wish it could have had more of that jerk chicken flavor because it tasted just like BBQ chicken to me
I went back for lunch one more time after the first visit, so I will include that in here as well
Ordered: ROASTED JERK CHICKEN SANDWICH 5/5
*Roasted jerk chicken with sweet fried plantain, Monterrey Jack, scotch bonet mayo served on toasted coco bread for $10.00
*I didn't know what to expect when I ordered this
*Their lunch portions are huge
*Because I ordered Mac&Cheese as a side, I went with a salad
*Salad was simple and light with vinegrette dressing which went perfectly with somewhat heavy sandwich
*Jerk chicken pieces with fried plantain, cheese, mayo was a strange yet excellent combination
*This was my first time trying coco bread, it's basically like hamburger bun but with potato bread texture (crispy on the outside)
*plaintain pieces added soft texture and sweetness to the sandwich, while jerk chicken gave it that kick
*mayo and cheese just combined everything together and made this an excellent sandwich
Note: 2nd time I went back, I ordered their Mac&Cheese again and it wasn't very good. The cheese sauce was really runny and the macaroni was over-cooked. So keep in mind that this restaurant CAN be inconsistent.
Summary: Overall, I really enjoyed dining at Harlem. It brought me memories back from when I was lucky enough to visit real Southern restaurants down in the States. Personally I feel like their dishes are little tamed down (flavor wise) compared to real soul food, but overall the food is tasty and the service is excellent. I would like to visit during their busy night with live music! -
Review from Eugene M.
Toronto, ON
2/5/2012
Went here for brunch and enjoyed the food. It was a bit of a shame that Cora's has a line-up out the door while we were the only ones in this place. Though the food does some a bit over priced (similar to Cora's in that regard).
Our server was very polite, though the cooks took a little longer than expected. Other than that, the experience was good (we had the Harlem Benny and the Harlem Mash-up). The Mash-up was a bit more conventional than I was expecting, but sweet potato patty and cornbread were both good (there was some shell in my eggs and they were a little over done). The Benny was really good, and is strongly recommended.
Definitely worth a brunch visit. -
Review from Tamara D.
Toronto, ON
11/8/2011
Visited this restaurant for the first time on a Saturday night, with reservations. Res was for 7pm - the 3 piece jazz/r&b band started playing at 7:30 (and they were great, by the way). I believe the musicians change from week to week. I had requested to be seated in the upper floor, where the band plays, so I did not get much of a look at the bottom floor. The atmosphere is nice, with exposed brick walls, colourful paintings and chandeliers. I will say that the space is very small, we were fortunate that for the first half of our dinner the tables on either side of us were empty - I can see this place feeling a bit cramped when it is at full capacity.
The menu here is not huge, but offers plenty of tasty-sounding options that you can't get at every other restaurant in the city. I had the corn bread to start (deeelish) and a my main, the jerk smoked chicken with mac n' cheese and collard greens on the side. The jerk smoked chicken had an amaaaazing flavour, very saucy (probably too much for some people, but I enjoy sauciness!). The Mac N Cheese was ohhhhh so creamy, and a very generous helping - the waitress, bless her, suggested I add some crumbled bacon to it, and how could I say no to bacon?? The collard greens were really tasty! First time i have tried them - definitely not for the veggie hater; if you like spinach or swiss chard I think you will be ok with these. For dessert, split the feature that day which was a mango cheesecake, very light and full of flavour.. If you're having a drink - give the squeeze tease a try - rum and gingerale with a little lemon - goes down very nicely :)
The server was very friendly, helpful when asked for menu recommendations. I did not find the service slow as others have mentioned but again - the place really didn't start filling up until I was nearing leaving (9:30ish).
Overall, great place, nice change from the usual, I will definitely be back in the future to enjoy some good tunes and try out some of the other menu items. -
Review from Natalie B.
Toronto, ON
2/11/2012
I was here for my birthday dinner a few years ago, with work people more recently, with friends over the summer and also once with a former flame- a somewhat experienced cornbread eater/critic, who declared that this was the best cornbread he had ever eaten. Each time I've been to Harlem has been a pleasure. I like the laid-back vibe, the great music they play and of course, the scrumptious FOOD! I haven't been dissatisfied with anything I've eaten here. The Catfish Lafayette - oh lord, YUM. Tangy deliciousness to the max. This is comfort food with flare. I have yet to try their brunch but am tempted.
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Review from Mel C.
9/16/2011
I've written a review on the Harlem Restaurant on Queen St W so check that out if you want to compare the two restaurants because this one on Richmond St isn't as good.
I ordered Montreal jazz and the Cajun okra and my friend ordered fish and chips and deep fried pickles. We both got sweet potato fries with our entrees.
So the deep fried pickles was a slightly smaller portion than the one on Queen West. Taste-wise it was the same.
The Montreal jazz was such a disappointment. I tasted the bread more than the actual fillings. I think the bread is the same bread as the Harlem but for the Harlem you can actually taste the fillings!
This was the first time I've ever tried Cajun okra so I can't say if it was made well or not but taste-wise it was mediocre.
Maybe I just like consistency if I know two restaurants are related to each other. I have to say I really enjoyed Harlem on Queen West more ... even the atmosphere seems better. -
Review from Ricardo M.
Toronto, ON
With a relaxed atmosphere, delicious foot and cool vibes. You can't go wrong. This is a spot for the ones that know where cool lives.
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Review from Renay R.
Toronto, ON
7/3/2011
I went here today for brunch. I sat on the patio which was a nice space - its kind of a cut-out between the buildings with awnings to provide shade and murals on the walls. My friend and I were both saying how we'd like to come back in the evening to see what it looked like.
I had the Harlem sandwich which was ham, jerk chicken and cheese with sweet potato fries. The sandwich was really good. My friend had the Harmel eggs benny and she wasn't crazy about the pancake bottom instead of the usual english muffin.
The service was really slow - the guy was really nice - it just took forever for him to come out to the patio to look after us.
All in all, it was fun and I'd go back - but I'd go for dinner to see the vibe at night. -
Review from Jo M.
Toronto, ON
5/8/2011
I took my mom here last year for their Mother's Day buffet. Everything from the service to the food was perfect, so I decided to take her again this year. Wow. I can't believe how the quality changed. First, the buffet was set up in the middle of the restaurant so it was hard to get food when everyone else was. Second, there was HAIR in the jambalaya; everyone in the restaurant saw it. Third, the food was COLD, COLD, COLD. We wanted to ask to use the microwave. The fried chicken was drenched in the honey chili sauce, but it was good and so was the jambalaya. The mac & cheese was tasteless. They didn't have fruits at all this time. AND they automatically added a 15% gratuity (there was 4 of us); pretty presumptuous given the service and quality they provided.
Overall, quite a disappointment and I feel bad I took my mother to such a horrible place. I wish I could ask for my money back. -
Review from Dazzer L.
Toronto, ON
9/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
If you want soul food, especially fried chicken, definitely come! There's also a cool vibe and the staff is amazingly attentive and sweet.
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Review from Jay W.
Markham, ON
2/23/2011 1 photo
When I heard they had chicken and waffles on the menu I knew I had to try it out. I think it's only available on their brunch menu, so come early if that's what you're looking for. The other brunch menu items were pretty standard and kind of forgettable, so we didn't try anything else other than the chicken 'n waffles.
It comes with 2 drumsticks, one thigh, a whole Belgian style waffle, and spinach?!? Definitely could've done without the spinach cuz it just didn't work, but it did give some colour to the dish I guess.
The star of the dish was the chicken of course, but they were all overcooked. How can you overcook fried chicken you ask? Well the top layer of chicken meat was really dried out and the batter was burnt (dark brown). But the center of the chicken was still juicy enough and the batter was tasty. It was sinful eating the skin, but it was so crispy that it didn't seem like I was eating skin!
It was good, but I think the next time I get a craving for chicken 'n waffles, I'll go to the Stockyards, which is still king of Toronto's FC joints in my opinion. -
Review from Anupa M.
Toronto, ON
9/19/2010
I went here for my 25th birthday dinner so my eyes were particularly scrutinous that night. Luckily, we had a great experience!
I called ahead to book enough space for my large-ish party and they put us in a room on the top floor which is really just a private table. Very cool and intimate, but kind of sucks in terms of adding last minute guests to your table (which happened).
There was live music there the night we went which was unbelievably fantastic. Paired with the fact that it was December and cold out, the upstairs was cozy and dimly lit and there was this beautiful guitar player on stage at this packed restaurant, I couldn't have asked for better ambiance.
There were so many of us so we ordered everything. Drinks were reasonably priced and strong. They sent over extra birthday shots for me which was super nice. Highlights (if my memory serves) included: the jambalaya, the fried chicken, the jerk chicken quesadillas and the candied yams (which are seasonal I believe and soooooooo worth a winter visit).
Disappointments? The mac n cheese. I'm obsessed with the stuff and Harlem's wasn't up to par, but the great service in face of an overwhelming party made up for that! -
Review from Em J.
Toronto, ON
8/3/2010
After a long afternoon on the beach I was pretty hungry and southern food served on a patio seemed like just the thing. I ordered the fried chicken.
I got a big plate with three pieces of fried chicken (it seemed to be a breast and two thighs), a dish of mac and cheese, and a helping of collard greens. The chicken was pretty good -- moist on the inside and crunchy on the outside, although in places the coating was inexplicably sweet, not really what I was expecting. The mac and cheese was creamy and mild and the collard greens were crunchy and, well, green-tasting. The patio was dark pleasant despite the giant bright tv taking up one wall.
I was only able to finish about half of my food, and the server boxed up the rest for me. I spent the next morning day-dreaming about my left over chicken, mac and cheese, and collard greens. But, when I cracked open the styrofoam container, the greens where nowhere to be found! What's the deal Harlem? I want my collard greens back ... -
Review from Shiona R.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 6/15/2011
I had written a review recently and have decided to update it since having dinner there twice. Harlem is quickly becoming a firm favourite...southern fried chicken is fantastic as is the jerk chicken, corn bread is stil sweet and delicious. I ate so much tonight that I thought I might end up in a food coma! Had the southern fried chicken and waffles...collard greens on the side, love collard greens so I am a happy gal!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/29/2011
I can only say my experience of Harlem was good! The cornbread is sweet and tasty, I ordered the… Read more »
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Review from Steph L.
8/4/2010
Dirty south mind blown
Dirty south bread
Cat fish fired up, dirty south fed.
Yes, this is quote from a Ludacris song and no, the remainder of the lyrics aren't appropriate for a Yelp review.
Recently, I've been obsessed with fried chicken, so a friend and I decided to check out Harlem after shopping at the nearby Eaton Center.
It's like a taste of the south, but a bit pricier than places you've seen on the Food Network's "Diner's, Drive-Ins and Dives".
We started with the Jerk chicken quesadillas accompanied with a some greens and slaw. Very sweet and a good portion.
I ordered the fried chicken as my main and it was tasty. Three pieces battered chicken, crispy on the outside and moist and juicy on the inside. I sorta wished for two chicken breasts since the legs served up seemed small. I found the batter sweet and tasty, but I prefer batter with a kick.
The macaroni and cheese was not quite cheesy enough.
The cheese sauce was a bit thin.
The collared greens were collared greens.
My friend had the braised short ribs, they were tender fall apart soft with a sweet tangy sauce. The basmati rice she got as a side was less than exciting.
I really liked the drink selection!
I can't remember what I ordered... all I remember was it was strong and easy going down.
I liked that they had live music.
Great atmosphere.
Slow service...but have a drink or two, you won't even notice.
Good food.
I'll be back to try the catfish. :) -
Review from Angela L.
Updated - 8/3/2010
On a humid mid-summer night, there was no better place to hideaway than on Harlem's dark and atmospheric alley-like patio. The muraled walls, iron detailed windows, perception-altering red lights and trio of magnificent spinal column-inspired sculpted street-facing bar stools do well to distract from the sea of wonky plastic IKEA chairs and obnoxious game of baseball blaring from the wide screen TV.
Considering both the intense heat and my peckishness on this late evening, I opted for a couple of appetizers to pick at rather than a full entree. The avocado hummous & spiced walnut pate, which arrived as a small yin-yang of saucy blobs, should really have been called a paste. Maybe this is a typo and they have forgotten the crucial 's' because a pâté has a very different consistency by definition. Consistency aside, the flavours of interest just weren't there. I was sorely disappointed in this dish and would caution anyone else from wasting your $7 on it.
In contrast, the seafood fondue was much better. Again, maybe I'm being silly with the semantics, but the point of menus are to connote to the diner an accurate description of the product, no? In any case, this delightfully spicy creamy concoction should have really been called a 'warm seafood dip' rather than a 'fondue' and the following descriptors should be included on the menu: '(baby) shrimp, (imitation) crab meat, and white fish in a (decadently) rich (and spicy) mushroom cream sauce'. I enjoyed spooning this flavourful but soupy mess straight into my mouth, but had really been excited (and then let down) about a dippably thick creamy fondue. Both appetizers were served with Harlem crisps, which are essentially beautifully fried extra thick wonton wrappers.
Since I already know and love their jambalaya, I should have been better braced for the gamble that is trying new dishes. Although the tall ice cold glass of guava juice ended up being the highlight of my meal, the two Harlem first-timers who I had brought with me were very happy with their food (which I'll let them Yelp about themselves). Otherwise, the service from Ivan, our ultra chilled out Mexican server for the night, was great.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/9/2009
I'd heard nothing but wonderful things about Harlem, so was really excited to finally pay a visit… Read more »
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Review from Betty T.
Toronto, ON
12/13/2010
By the look and smell of the place, Harlem would've been a great place for my birthday dinner - if they hadn't ERASED (given away) my reservations that I made a week prior.
Not only did I make the reservation with ample time for the restaurant to plan, but I also confirmed my reservations 2 days prior. Unfortunately, when I arrived, they told me I did not even have a reservation. After talking to several people, I came across someone (who appeared to be the manager) who remembered talking to me on the phone. One of the staff at Harlem admitted they made a mistake with my reservatons, and told me they were working on it. About 15 minutes later, I was told that there was nothing they could do except perhaps give me reservations on an alternate day. (Yes, because my party of 10, all with busy schedules and meeting to celebrate my birthday, could come back next week just like that).
I was thoroughly disappointed with the lack of customer service. I understand that a mistake was made, but I do not understand why they could not at least offer a token of their apologies such as a dinner voucher. Harlem left my friends and I stranded on a Saturday evening for what should've been a strees-free celebration.
Perhaps my case was a one-off mistake, but I would recommend for any future Yelp-ers with group reservations to double/triple confirm your reservations especially on the day of your event. -
Review from Nicole B.
Toronto, ON
I had always heard great reviews about Harlem. I already loved going to Irie's Food Joint, Harlem's sister restaurant on Queen. My friends decided to take me to a surprise dinner at Harlem's so I was not only thrilled by the surprise but ready to try some good soul food.
The decor is reminiscent of Irie's with the hair portraits on the wall. They really are amazing art but the pictures slightly freak me out (I mean, where on the human body is the hair from? *slight shudder*).
I ordered the BBQ chicken and a side of mac and cheese. We also got drinks first. I wasn't really a fan of what my friends had ordered for me (which I could remember!) but the food made up for it. The BBQ chicken was heavenly. The meat fell off the bone and the BBQ sauce was finger-lickin' good. I was so stuffed that I almost didn't try the mac and cheese. I told myself I would only have a bit because it looked very watery and the cheese looked more white than yellow. But one bite had me hooked and I soon cleaned that bowl. I wasn't a fan of the cornbread but I think that's because American cornbread & West Indian cornbread are made very differently so my palette was a bit judgmental for that.
We were there on a Sunday and the owner and chef came out to talk to us and ask us if everything was okay. He invited us upstairs for a free birthday drink and, never to pass on something FREE, we all finished our meals and headed upstairs. There was a live R&B/Jazz band, which was a real treat. We couldn't stay long but we enjoyed our drink with the owner and listened to a bit of music. It was a great atmosphere with the musicians interacting with the audience--they even called out to us when we all got up to leave!
All and all, I had a great birthday dinner and would definitely go back to Harlem again. -
Review from Leighann F.
12/5/2009
Two things you can do at Harlem for relatively little money? Warm your soul and fill your stomach. With plantains a plenty, fish and chips, mac and cheese and corn fritters on the menu, there's little way to deny the comfort-food focus--a welcome diversion from fancy foods during a chilly winter afternoon.
Easy going vibes and service that's friendly but bordering on slow, Harlem provided a cozy escape from the cold during a busy lunch hour. The food is very good, from the sweet plantains appetizer and the "Nice Lady" sandwich (pressed into a crisp wrap), to the fish & chips (served with vinegary coleslaw and thick sweet potato chips). That last dish was clearly the winner of the three, and isn't always available, so get it while you can!
The hair art is interesting and no doubt creative, but it's hardly what I want to have in my face while eating. Thoughts of pieces making their way into my food never really left my mind while trying to enjoy my lunch.Listed in: Toronto Eats
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Review from Reg A.
Mississauga, ON
5/19/2009
All I gotta say... Soul Food in Toronto! Can't go wrong here people!
A very very comforting venue. Great service! I feel once you want in, they treat you like family. Chefs will come out and talk to the guests. They explain the ingredients, how it's prepared, spices, etc etc.
** I recommend going on a Friday or Saturday. No hit against the "other" chef, but they have differences in preparation and presentation. Friday and Saturday, is the main chef. AND go for the Dinner menu. The lunch menu doesn't offer the same items as the Dinner menu.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND...
- Avocado Hummus & Spiced Walnut Pate ($7)
- Jerk Chicken Quesadillas ($10)
- Mac N' Cheese ($5.50)
- Harlem Jambalaya ($20)
- Jerk Beef Meatloaf ($17)
- Southern Fried Chicken ($17) -
Review from KL M.
Toronto, ON
8/4/2010 1 Check-in Here
This is more like a 3.5, but let's round up, shall we? I really wish it were a full 4, but there were a few unfortunate setbacks.
First let's start with the good. I love the concept and it's nice to do something different. 'Soul food' fits the bill. The jerk chicken quasadillas (an app) were very good, as were the mixed drinks. I had the Tequila Sunrise and it was perfectly sweet and salty. For a main, I had the fried chicken and waffles (a novel combination) and liked the chicken, but it could have been spicier. My partner had the Guinness chicken and seemed to really enjoy it, confirming it had more kick.
Now, the bad. My fried chicken was supposed to be accompanied with two sauces I did not receive. Not sure what happened there, but I was looking forward to the gravy and special plum sauce. I didn't realize they were missing until well into the meal; otherwise, I would have asked for them. I also was not impressed by my partner's mac & cheese. It was pretty bland and below expectation at a place like this. The corn bread was a little odd, and I wouldn't order that again either.
All in all, I would definitely return to try other items, and as I said, it's a nice change from traditional American/Indian/Thai/etc. fare. -
Review from Dale M.
Toronto, ON
11/21/2009
Now in two delicious locations!
Since it's the eve of the grand opening of their second location, I thought it fit to pay tribute to my third stop on my epic birthday journey - Harlem's first location on Richmond St E.
On taking care of the customer:
I don't usually make plans to celebrate my birthday; it's just not my style. But on pressing from a friend I caved and agreed that there would be a small dinner get-together for a few close friends. Accounting for significant others, I made a reservation for ten.
Harlem's upstairs dining area happens to have a room that fits ten comfortably and makes for an intimate dining experience. When we arrived, the room was set up for us. Unfortunately, we now numbered 14. When I raised this (apologetically) to our server, he said "that's fine," and proceeded to clear out half of the rest of the dining room and fill it with extra tables they keep in the back. Notwithstanding the presence of another dinner party, our server somehow found a way to accommodate all of us without advance notice of the change. I was impressed and grateful. My only concern with the upstairs is that the entire floor was uncomfortably warm.
On feeding 14:
I have some fussy friends. Some are vegetarian, some don't like unusual food, and some just have strange tastes. I myself am a bit of a tough critic, at least in this price range. With only one hiccup, our entire group left absolutely delighted with their dinners. The menu offers tremendous variety and everything we had was delicious.
I had a Chicken Lafayette appetizer, a Blackened Catfish main that came topped with a fantastic seafood etouffee and a side order of Mac and Cheese. The chicken was a fairly straightforward but very tasty dish, essentially chunks of chicken tossed in what I took to be a Louisiana sauce. I had been craving catfish for a very long time, so the main was a hit - little bits of seafood soaked in a buttery sauce, sprawled over catfish. The Mac and Cheese was good, but not mind-blowing as others have claimed. Not sure I'd bother next time, although half of it made an excellent midnight snack that night.
The cocktails we had were also delicious even the "most girly thing you can think to make" that my friend A.D. was kind enough to sport me as a celebratory libation. But I really enjoy a beer with dinner, especially if it's Cajun food. I wasn't impressed with the offerings, bottles all of them.
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Afterword:
It wouldn't be fair to omit the one issue we had with the food. Before ordering the Chicken Lafayette, I ordered mussels, but they were served undercooked (as in barely open). There's no excuse for this - they were visibly unfit for serving. Still, if I could put this remark in fine print, I would.Listed in: Epic Birthday Bender, My Epic Reviews
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Review from Fabian S.
7/4/2011
This was soul good you have to try.
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Review from Patricia M.
Edmonton, AB
6/16/2010
I love this place for many reasons. The atmosphere is hip and casual and the service is above average. The menu selection is diverse (fried chicken with waffles, mac 'n cheese, jambalaya, hummus with pita chips, etc ... you get the idea). The menu is a slick mix of Cajun & creole comfort food.
The food arrived piping hot and fresh enough to be right off the farm. Everything, every fork full burst with flavor. If I am ever back in Toronto I will be back to this place.
The live music and local art on the walls also adds to the very hip feel of this place. It is hard to hear people at times (because the live music can get loud) but I'm perfectly fine with that. -
Review from Kevin F.
Toronto, ON
8/2/2010
Fellow yelper Terry "P-town" recommended this place for our brunch and unlike his selection in furniture stores, it was great.
I had the western 'Omelette du Jour' that was accompanied with a green salad and biscuit. My omelette was fluffy and they didn't skimp on the filling. Brunch is an excuse for alcohol in the afternoon so we both had a martini, which was mixed well (aka lots of booze).
I'd definitely come here again. It has a nice local, trendy feel. P-town complained about the humidity in the restaurant and I agree. They had multiple fans but none were turned on. Aside from that, great place for a Sunday brunch! -
Review from Terry P.
8/9/2010
Kevin F and I had a very enjoyable brunch at Harlem. I love to try something different, so when I saw fried chicken and waffles on the brunch menu, I knew immediately what I would be having. The chicken was obviously a little greasy, but very flavourful, and the waffle was a great (and filling) accompaniment. We were given corn bread while we waited for our meal, which was a nice touch.
Service was casual but polite, and it was definitely a little hot in there. They have a very small selection of cocktails, but that's all you need (one would hope) at brunch. Overall, this was a nice relaxing experience, with good food. I would be interested in giving dinner a try there at some point. -
Review from Mike S.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 1/28/2010
I was back on a Saturday for lunch. The service was friendly but awfully slow considering there were only three tables occupied.
Had the roasted jerk chicken sandwich and a side of mac 'n cheese. The side was massive and I was only able to eat about 1/3.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/24/2009
Alright, so I've pined for a place like this for ages. I'm sad to realize that Harlem has been… Read more »
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Review from Trevor T.
Toronto, ON
3/23/2010
Just got back from my first trip to Harlem, and I'm incredibly impressed. I'd heard whispers and read reviews about the authentic southern cuisine and funky atmosphere, and I can say everything I heard was right on the money!
I had the Southern Fried Chicken with a side of mac'n cheese. The mac'n cheese was ok. I would have given it a bit more spice, as it kind of tasted like macaroni and cheese whiz at times... But that was the one low point. The chicken was spectacular! The best I'd had to date was at Veritas, but this is a close rival. I can't decide which one tops the list, as their both quite different, but this one is worth the trip on its own! The crisp batter is so full of flavour, I found myself trying to pick little pieces off the bone just to try and find what the secret ingredients might be.
Amy, my wife, made a special request and ordered off the lunch menu. I think because she's pregnant, they gave in! It was a catfish, shrimp and avacado sandwhich. And what a sandwhich!!
We finished it of with the Red Velvet Cake, which was a perfect end to a Southern Soul Food extravaganza!
Ok... one more little complaint...
I ordered a pre-dinner martini, straight up, a little dirty with olives. It came with a full slice of lemon on the edge of the glass. Whaaa?? I think it was a rookie mistake, from a terrific waiter who was on his own in a full house, so I'm not going to hold it against them. We actually thought it was quite funny!
All in all, I highly recommend Harlem. Lunch or dinner, the food is to die for! -
Review from Sharky L.
Toronto, ON
8/28/2010
It was a good experience. The ambiance was good, I like eating in the alley way and surprisingly it was very clean. Food took a while but very unique flavour. When I was there there was a great soul performer upstairs, not sure if they have live music every week.
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Review from Colleen M.
Toronto, ON
10/21/2010
I think I may have fallen victim to poor ordering here... Humus avocado dip to start, both dips were under-seasoned and the crackery chip things were wet with the oil they were fried in. My beef ribs were tough, seeming as if they could have used a few more hours of slow cooking. My Dad's stewed chicken on the other hand was delicious with big bold flavour, falling off the bone and very saucy. So many other things on the menu, I am sure that next time I will find my menu match.
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Review from Jennifer L.
Toronto, ON
Uggghhhh I've only been here once and it was sooo oooo good. I felt like I was in Harlem itself because the patio decor was all NYC and graffitied out. The vibe was uber cool too. Am I experiencing a night at the Apollo? Is Aretha sitting next to me? Do I see Smokey in the distance? Is Michael Jackson really dead? I actually didn't notice the other patrons because I was too busy shoveling macaroni and cheese and the short ribs into my mouth while downing my very potent martini. I need to revisit this place when I can fork out the big bones for one of the main courses, such as the fried chicken or jambalaya. I am saving my pennies up for the next visit!
Listed in: I Love Meat
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Review from Kat F.
Updated - 12/5/2009 10 photos
There's a new contender for best fish 'n chips in town, and it's Harlem's lunch menu. Not sure if it's a regular thing but yesterday's special of Fish 'n Chips + sweet potato medallions, coleslaw and tangy aioli was dynamite. Definitely the best fish 'n chips I've had in the city - the universal remote-sized filet was juicy, flaky and perfectly battered. I am pretty sure it may have been catfish 'n chips because that kind of drool only pools at the corners of my mouth when I'm eating my namesake.
Listed in: Mac & Cheese, Fish In The City
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/26/2009
Harlem's decor is probably among the most creative and stylin' I've seen in a while - the outside… Read more »
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Review from Ramanan S.
Toronto, ON
7/15/2009
I had an enjoyable meal at Harlem with a couple friends a week back. Harlem serves up Southern comfort food: candied yams, fried chicken, ribs, etc. The food was all very tasty. I'd recommend the fried chicken: it was crispy and delicious. They have a reasonably large cocktail menu, but no beers on tap. Still, it's probably a nice place to sit and have a few drinks, even if you aren't interested in eating. The place isn't loud, making it a nice place to talk. Upstairs there is a larger seating area, and also a stage where performers can play. When we were there a lady singing jazz, accompanied by a guitarist. Harlem is well worth checking out.
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Review from shawn l.
Toronto, ON
11/10/2010
Having ran the streets in Harlem in my younger days this place does not capture the real feel of harlem which cannot be duplicated. The food was average. Honestly, I can make better soul food myself. Seriously, I was taught by the best. The Southern fried chicken was not southern at all. It may have been southern carribean (lol). The mac-n-cheese was bland. Suprising the collards were okay. With all that said it is probably the closest you are going to get to any type of southern cuisine in Toronto. The decor could pass for a nightspot in Harlem but in New York it's all about the people! The music was good but the people were stand offish and did not show the artist any love. I felt so sorry for her. If it wasn't for me clapping it would have been dead silence.
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Review from Tammy L.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 8/6/2010 1 Check-in Here
I went here again recently, and while the food was still good (yum Southern Fried Chicken), there was no AC and it was sweltering hot outside. We sat on the patio and AC condensation from the next door building dripped on us. Service was also spotty and a tad slow with little attention to detail. For those reasons, I am downgrading my rating to a 3-star.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/6/2010
This is a great little place that I have been to many times for lunch and now twice for dinner. The… Read more »
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Review from Deanna W.
11/16/2008
Perfect for comfort food. Harlem features soul food-some of the best fried chicken in Toronto ( love the crust and the spicing), awesome candied yams, mac n cheese to other stick to your ribs fare. The food is nicely done here though it can be somewhat of a wait at times with a one man kitchen and service is sometimes off, especially with big groups present or the nightclub upstairs open. That being said, this is the place I go to for my Soul food in Toronto.
Listed in: Fried Chicken in Toronto
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Review from Victoria S.
Toronto, ON
2/15/2011
the server was so kind, i really want to give them a great review - but it just wasn't as great as i'd hoped... for the prices they charge i want faster, more attentive service. my martini came in a plastic "glass" and the portion seemed small to me. the food was pretty good though. i think i had 4 pieces of chicken and it was cooked perfectly, the sauce was tasty but definitely on the sweeter side. i really enjoyed the collard greens and mac and cheese (although the mac and cheese was a little mild). i think i'd go back there to listen to music but i don't know if i'd ever crave their food enough to go back for dinner. good atmosphere and friendly people.
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Review from Michelle M.
Vancouver, BC
2/13/2010
Great food, friendly staff, and live music some nights. Nice comfortable atmosphere. Get the family-style menu to be able to try a bit of everything.
