Mojo in Harlem, photo by: Mike Street
Back in January we brought you a First Look at Harlem’s new hot spot, Mojo on 119th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue. Last week the bar/restaurant finally opened full-swing. Now with a full menu of Mediterranean-inspired dishes and varied list of premium drinks and a top-notch staff, Mojo seems to have even more charm and appeal. (So much appeal that even in this recession my cheap behind went twice in one week; luckily, the prices are reasonable).
While the drink prices are a bit on the high end for uptown, it reflects the more top-shelf line of liquor Mojo’s skilled bartenders use in their cocktails. They also carry a number of quality wines with typical NYC prices, about $8 a glass, and $30+ for a bottle. The dinner menu has a good mix of healthy and indulgent appetizers and desserts in the $8 range, and the main courses also reasonable in the $13-21 range.
For those prices one would expect decent quality, and Mojo more than delivers. My friend ordered a cocktail from the special drinks menu. When he realized he didn’t like that particular cocktail, our waitress kindly offered for him to switch it for another drink. He went for a tried-and-true vodka martini, which he deemed to be “very good.” He forgot to ask what kind of vodka they used, but he said it was very well made drink and worth the price. For dinner I had the roasted chicken. It was excellent, full of flavor. I switched my side for the garlic fries which turned out to be a good choice. My friend ordered the lamb chops, also very good. When I returned on Tuesday I had the grilled skirt steak; it was well-seasoned, a quality cut and made just right. Honestly, this is the first time I’ve had a decent steak in Harlem. Too bad it wasn’t one of my preferred cuts (NY Strip, filet mignon, whatever) but I’ll take what I can get! Clearly the people in the kitchen know what’s up… and as time progresses and business picks up maybe the menu can be expanded from this already strong start.
When we went on Saturday, we were surprised to find a good-sized crowd had already discovered the place. It was a good-looking and diverse crowd (staff and patrons), and we were greeted at the door by enthusiastic and professional staff. The place was definitely happening and live. Mojo offers more intimate table settings — very good date spot – as well as an intimate bar, a cozy windowed corner with comfy sofas for lounging and drinks with a small group of friends and/or colleagues, as well as some larger table settings larger groups. On Tuesday of course it was pretty quiet, but still enough going on given the space’s comfortable and intimate scale. The owner, Moun (pronounced ‘moon’) is friendly and makes sure that his guests are comfortable and in good spirits. The staff are attentive and friendly in delivering true service and style that matches Mojo’s decor and vibe, complete with some chill and pleasantly familiar yet eclectic music. It’s a good and welcome complement to the collection of places up and down the FDB/8th Ave Corridor — Society, Melba’s, 67 Orange, Moca, Billie’s Black, 17 Below, Nectar, etc.
I will be a frequent patron, and encourage everyone to try out Harlem’s newest spot for dinner and drinks to see for yourselves. We’re told that they will offer a brunch menu as well in a few weeks.
So, it turns out Damaa was right in her earlier post, Harlem does have its mojo back!
MOJO
119th and St. Nicholas Avenue
Harlem, NY
E. Shani
April 19, 2009
I’m not sure if Mojo is trying to be a restaurant or a lounge. I kinda wish they were more of a lounge. The concept is too much like Native (not at all like Moca), and I don’t think Harlem needs another one of those. The space is just a little cramped for all the tables and the menu is too limited.
I enjoyed the appetizers and my entree wasn’t bad. But my companion ordered lamb chops medium rare and they made them well done. I ordered one drink off the cocktail menu and one of my own, and both were pretty bad.
Worst of all, as with many Harlem establishments, the service was lacking. But we were especially peeved to see better service being provided to “others”. I guess we didn’t look important.
That said, Mojo is so close to my apt that I will probably be back, but I think I will have a love-hate relationship with it. Still, it’s nice to see new restaurants popping up in Harlem. Progress is progress.
HarlemHouse
April 16, 2009
HarlemCondoLife loves them some MOJO TOO!
http://harlemcondolife.com/2009/04/15/mojo-harlem/
D. Bell
April 13, 2009
The pat down policy at Moca is not new. I think private or semi-private events don’t require it.
Jess
April 13, 2009
I too was surprised by Moca’s “pat-down” policy. this must be fairly new? Also,
has anyone visited Svntn Below? I’m curious how it is in there. The one time I and a friend attempted to visit earlier this year, the bouncer told us it was $10 plus mandatory coat-check. All that at before 10p? We walked out.
D. Bell
April 11, 2009
I agree that calling people fools was out of line and really counterproductive. All the previous points made became insignificant. We can disagree and state our opinions without name-calling.
Justin
April 11, 2009
I hear you… it is very off-putting. They must have had some incident in the past… but things change and they should revisit their door policies.
‘Fools’ is a strong word don’t you think? Even if you wouldn’t go to a place for that reason, and even though it’s an absurd policy, to call someone a fool for patronizing a local business is a bit much.
I live near Moca, and to me it’s important that in these tough times that I do what I can to support the small businesses in my area. There is a line and hear where you’re coming from… Les Ambasades on the other block treats me like crap because I’m not african or french speaking or white/asian or whatever… I don’t spend a dime there… But the pat-down at Moca is at the end of the day about security, I’m sure they do it for a reason… and they just need to get with the program that that’s not necessary to ensure safety. No reason to boycott the place.
Anonymous
April 10, 2009
I would never cater a business where I was or had to be “patted down”. That’s sign #1 that I am at the wrong spot. You all are fools to spend a dime in such a business.
Justin
April 10, 2009
yeah… that’s what I was thinking.. that it’s a different vibe, but they somehow complement each other. For instance, if you went to Moca and weren’t feeling it, Mojo might be just the thing.. or vice versa, just a block away. I have to admit… in my opinion Mojo is better, lol. A couple nights before going to Mojo for the first time, we went to Moca.. and yes, experienced the ‘pat down’ and then in our little seating area the security guy was being a butthead about letting us move a table so we could actually like turn to face each other while talking. And then it’s such a pick-up spot that guys were literally hovering over the single ladies in our group… It was just not comfortable or enjoyable because of the weird ‘being-watched’ environment in there. Mojo is really a lot more relaxed to me personally. But then Moca is larger, more active.. room to dance a little if you want. Mojo there isn’t really room .. not while people are having dinner anyway. Not that you’re really supposed to/allowed to dance at either place.
D. Bell
April 10, 2009
I think Mojo attracts a different crowd than Moca. AND you don’t have to be violated at the door with the pat down! Both are nice spots to pop in for a drink though.
MzVirgo
April 10, 2009
Mojo is a very sophisticated and sexy spot. It’s running neck and neck with Moca. I think this will become my new spot from now on.