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With a little work we could have an Angel in Harlem
I find it nearly impossible to walk past any restaurant or café whose walls are littered with pictures of musicians, especially when said artists include Jimi Hendrix and the Beatles.
And it was no different when I noticed Harlem Café sitting on the spot previously filled by Reno’s/Larry’s Piano Bar and Wild Willy’s Steak House in Bedford Street at the weekend. The décor, music and atmosphere gives the café a somewhat bohemian theme that makes you want to sit down and enjoy a coffee.
Opened just under two months ago, Harlem Café still needs to find its feet. Inside’s eclectic mix of iconic images and posters, and the reams of hard-backed books on art and sex and more, works well in a strange way.
But the service has some way to go. On entry we were greeted by the hostess who seemed to also be the owner (at least I hope she is as she told one table near us that they didn’t open on Sundays because then she’d have to work seven days a week).
She was attentive and quick to make sure we got a table and was down shortly after to see if we were ready to order, followed a minute later by a waiter who asked us the same question. When we were finally ready to order we’d fended off more advances than a teenager at a DUP conference looking start-up capital to open a small café, and it took some time to get their attention.
The selection at Harlem is a mix of sandwiches, paninis and specials made on the day. On offer at the weekend was a beef pie, quiche and a seafood chowder as well as something forgettable (a specials menu wasn’t available, rather the waiting staff rhymed off a list instead).
Mrs F opted for pie and chips and I settled for quiche and salad. Our two-year-old daughter, who was kept very entertained by a hat rack which sported three bears carved into it as well as a nearby psychedelic Jimi Hendrix poster, ate from both our plates.
The quiche, for a dish that had been made up earlier that day, was perfectly cooked – a soft body with crumbly pastry underneath and the perfect amount of vegetables inside. Maybe it was the unconventional surroundings that made me ask for salad instead of chips, or maybe it was the January blues taking its toll, but either way the side dish was pretty good too.
While I thought the pie was perfect, Mrs F, who had the fact that she ate most of it on her side, thought it needed a lot more gravy. That’s a small negative though.
The problems with the confusion among waiting staff came to light again when we decided to order a slice of carrot cake (which was one of the tastiest I’ve eaten in some time) and an espresso after finishing our lunch.
After waiting close to 10 minutes for someone to clear away the plates, we finally went to the counter to order dessert from the fourth different member of the service staff we’d dealt with (our lunch was brought to the table by someone from the kitchen).
It’s this lack of knowing who is in charge of a table that seems to be holding back the service at Harlem.
When I paid the bill, there didn’t seem to be a ticket with my order, rather I had to call it out and when I got home I noticed on the receipt they’d overcharged me by adding an extra portion of chips at £2.50. Without those chips, £22.75 would have been reasonable value.
It’s early days of course, with the city-centre café only open eight weeks – any new entry on to the market needs time for management and staff to bed down and fully understand their roles. Hopefully as time moves on there’ll be more clarity on the floor – many online reviews have slated the service, and whilst it seems a little harsh to criticise within a few weeks of opening, it’s one side of the business that’ll need to change swiftly if it’s to build up a reputation its food deserves. Then maybe we will have our own Angel in Harlem.
Harlem Cafe, 34 Bedford Street, Belfast BT27FF. Tel: (028) 90244860
Quiche and salad £6.25
Pie and chips £6.75
Chips (the pesky overcharge) £2.50
Carrot cake £3.50
Drinks £6.25
Total £25.25
Food: ***
Service: **
Value: ***
Overall: ***
6 Responses to “With a little work we could have an Angel in Harlem”
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fattakin said on Monday, February 8, 2010, 15:24
Good luck on that site, its been a no mans land over the last few years. I had to laught at “It’s this lack of knowing who is in charge of a table that seems to be holding back the service at Harlem.”
Makes me sudder, try the french village for sunday brunch for an example of that.
When are we getting a reader reviews section.. oh the libel!
johnferris said on Monday, February 8, 2010, 15:41
Ha ha ha, funny Fattakin, it’s been something I’ve been pondering over the last few weeks. I think it would be a better addition to the site… but those libels lol, it is something I’m thinking long and hard about!
Andrew said on Thursday, February 25, 2010, 22:43
After reading the reviews on the site I was a bit worried that “Harlem Cafe” wouldn’t live up to it’s predecessors, “Wild Willy’s Steakhouse” & “Larry Piano’s Bar”.
After visiting Harlem today am VERY happy to say this is the best place I’ve ever eaten in. I went in with my sister & my niece (who is only 8 months old)& sat down near the door (Just in case my niece decided to scream the place down & we could make a quick escape! She never ever does but we just decided to play it safe anyway!) Once we sat down this lovely lady (Who was dressed different from the other staff, think she may have been the floor manager but am not sure) came up to us and said, “Hello & welcome, are you ok sitting up here” We replied yes but then she said, “We have a lovely table down the back, come on and follow me and we will seat you better” So we followed her and we went down the back where there was these 2 lovely leather sofas (You sat down on them and you just melted into them!)Minutes later I noticed the menus on the desk where you pay, so I went up to get two, the lady saw me and said, “oh please, let me take them off you, I will bring these over to you” She did and then asked if we wanted a drink while we decided want we wanted to eat.
My sister just ordered a coke and I ordered a plain coffee. She saw my niece sitting on the sofa (Loving it because it was so comfy!) and then started talking away and asking questions about her, which I thought was really nice of her. A couple of minutes later the coke and coffee arrived which was brought to us by a waiter, she started to talk away and started talking to my wee niece and playing with her etc… (Which again, I thought was really nice as did my sister) She took our order which was two club sandwiches, we waited 10/15 minutes before they came which I was totally fine about, I hate food being served on double quick time, I would rather chat and relax before getting food down my mouth. Between this time my wee niece was dancing to the music playing which brought over another waiter who talked to her/us, she also seen the flowers the floor manager was setting up and the floor manager seen this and came over and again started talking to her/us.
I also noticed the floor manager (If that was her job, apologies if not!)talking to the people that was there on their own which I thought was really nice of her.
So the service was the best I have ever received so ZERO complaints.
The food was gorgeous, I know it was only a club sandwich but it was the best one I have ever had (& not to sound snobby but I’ve eaten club sandwiches in 5 start hotels and they weren’t as nice as Harmelms) The bread was fresh as was everything that was in it, the mayo was to die for & we got chips on the side which where lovely also. My sister agreed 100%
The coffee was fine, I know some people complained about the coffee but it tasted fine to me.
The price was £17 and so many penny’s, it is slightly dearer than most places but this doesn’t bother me in the slightest as the service & the niceness of the staff well for made up any queries I would have with the price.
The staff (especially the floor manager lady) the music, the feel, the decor & the food were all absolutely fantastic & anytime I get the chance I will be going back to Harlem Cafe (As will my sister who thought it was equally fantastic)
In fact am going back next week with two of my friends and I can’t wait.
I can’t praise this place enough, it reeks of awesomeness & I hope and pray that it’s a success and stays around unlike it’s predecessors.
Andrew.
John Ferris said on Friday, February 26, 2010, 10:17
Andrew, thanks for your take on things. Though aren’t you getting a little over excited to say that Harlem is the best place you’ve ever eaten in? The food is pretty good granted, but I’m not sure it’s “best in the world” calibre.
Andrew said on Wednesday, March 3, 2010, 22:09
Hi John;
I was probably getting a little over excited (That’s just me, lol) but I just love this place & really hope it success, I said in my review the club sandwich was the best I ever had which it was, I have yet to taste the other food they offer but I will at a later date, I was back today and once again the service was top notch, lovely staff and once again the club sandwich was lovely, my friend has the stew and she loved it as well.
John Ferris said on Thursday, March 4, 2010, 9:49
Ha ha, I don’t think my review was overly negative, I just felt there was a lot needed sorting on the service side of things. The food was good and I’m a big fan of club sandwiches so I must give it a try some day.