Word on the street is where we will be posting tips and rumors like the following one from a reader:
Word on the street is that they [Harlem Grill] weren’t paying their rent…business had slowed down. There is a sign on the door but I did not read it. The inside has been gutted.
Anyone with the inside scoop on how and why Harlem Grill slid off the radar, let us know. Note: website is still live.
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TRULY Close friend of Allen West
June 25, 2008
To the Anonymous Poster above, your rant about Allen being a thief is irresponsible and uncalled for.
He is FAR from a con man.
Misguided? Yes!!! Irresponsible? Again, YES!!! You wouldn’t even get an argument from me that Al is a fanciful dreamer. But at least he had the courage to dream and then pursue his dream!!!
His problem is that he is a visionary, NOT a manager.
He shunned those of us with the business acumen to help him manage a successful enterprise and took company with seedy “investors” and didn’t honor his commitments to the well intentioned financiers who did financially support the restaurant. He had a great support team to begin with (Tyson, Acantha, Kasine, Frank, etc.), but he got caught up in the “glamor” of the scene and lost his head.
So indeed, money was mismanaged, NOT by intent, but because he took too much time hob-nobbing and stunting.
BOTTOM LINE: Allen is a good hearted person, who made some serious business errors and didn’t strategize this venture long-term. He arrogantly believes he knows the restaurant business better than most and needs to learn to work better within a consortium of business professionals. But DO NOT LOSE TRACK that he IS THE VISIONARY behind BOTH the Den and the Harlem Grill.
To the disgruntled, instead of always kicking a man when he is down, take the time, REALLY do something honorable and forgive him while helping him find his way to restoration.
SIDEBAR: If Tyson does ANYTHING, I beg the community to support him. He is a truly phenomenal person and he understands how a restaurant should be successfully run.
Friend of Allen West
February 20, 2008
Well i am a close friend of Allen’s and I will agree he was in over his head. I was there before the resturant even open. looking at all the renovtions he was doing and what not. I asked him then .. damn how much are u looking to do so soon. As a close friend of his , once the doors opened, I think i went to HG twice. I really did ot care of all the outside activity and people hanging arond the door. Was not a good look
Anonymous Insider
November 29, 2007
The managing partner, Allan West, mismanaged the HG from the outset. Truth be told, he was in way over his head from a business aspect and he did not have the guts to admit it. He came over from the Den, hoping to gain a reputation as a savvy businessman and visionary for the community. However, a combination of foolish pride and an inability to cope with the demands of the restaurant business lead to the demise of the HG. He single-handedly took a promising restaurant and drove it into bankruptcy. He mislead investors and failed to honor numerous legal contracts. He turned out to be nothing more than a charming con man, losing (some would call it stealing) hundreds of thousands of dollars from numerous, well-intentioned investors. Mr. West should never be trusted by anyone considering going into business with him. Be forewarned – he is a thief. That is the real deal…..
NARMER
November 14, 2007
That spot has not been good for business since Wells closed years ago.
Upset Customer
November 14, 2007
MY friend and I was thinking about trying HG is it Closed???
Anonymous Says:
October 16, 2007
I wish i would have see this site sooner. i had eaten at HG on nuerous occasions and the food was excellent. As the above reply states “it a true loss to the community”. I recently moved back to harlem and i here there original chef Tyson Jordan? will be opening another eatery in harlem in the near future. Hopefully it will be a solo project, he seemed to be the only one there with his !@#$ together
Sean
April 4, 2007
While HG was decent enough, it was not inviting at all. With no windows, it seemed seedy at first glance. Once inside it wasn’t bad. It’s too bad it closed down. The sign says it was seized by the landlord.
Neighborhood resident
April 2, 2007
I went to HG last night for a drink at the bar. Only to discover a rent plaque on the outside of the buildging and signs of a closed business,ie gutted interior. What a true loss to the community! I wished I had found this site before last night.
reefinyateef
March 7, 2007
Man, I just drove past there and suggested to my wife that we try it out. What a shame!
To the above poster, I’m pretty sure that the Den is still open. I still see crowds outside the doors …
Anonymous
March 6, 2007
Wasn’t HG opened by one of the founders of The Den? (132nd & 5th) Some dispute or something drove to leave The Den?
I’ve had some pretty good food at HG but I only went there a couple times. Most of these Harlem spots (Mocha, Den, HG,) lack the density to have the kind of business models they have in place with their pricey drinks.
When you lack the local demographic density of singles looking to mingle and socialize, you have to be a frequent destination for standard dining to your locals. These places should be restuarants first, bars/clubs second, instead of the other way around.
BTW, I tried to access The Den’s website and it says the account is suspended. Are they still in business? Makes no sense to be in business and not have your website up and operating.
Tam
March 5, 2007
Interesting. I’ve noticed the gradual slow down in business, accompanied by (or because of??) the dwindling menu selection. I tried to go to Harlem Grill a few weeks ago on a Friday night and was told that the dining room was closed for remodeling and they were only serving appetizers at the bar. Sad to hear they haven’t reopened at all.