Lunch at Red Rooster
I've been a big fan of Marcus Samuelsson since his early days at Aquavit. I can still remember the first time I had brunch there with Mr. T's family about 12 years ago. It was a smorgasbord of pickled veggies, cold seafood salads and just about every single kind of herring imaginable. All of us kids were expecting a brunch more heavy on bacon and eggs than herring but we dove right in and made the best of it. I remember having one shrimp salad that was almost florescent pink in color. It was an enlightening experience to say the least...
Obviously my tastes towards Nordic cuisine have since changed but that wouldn't even matter at Samuelsson's newest place. The Red Rooster celebrates American cuisine and the culinary traditions of the neighborhood of Harlem. Actually the only Swedish thing I saw all afternoon was a special holiday Glogg everyone was drinking
Red Rooster offers two lunch menus; a special 3 course prix fix for $25 with choices like Roasted Salmon and Mac & Greens or the regular a la carte menu. Usually a prix fix lunch is my bread and butter but I was pressed for time so I went a la carte with the Rooster Chopped Chicken Salad.
This had all the components of a classic Cobb Salad with bacon, egg and avocado but the difference was the chicken. Instead of grilled chicken strips these were big chunks of juicy roasted chicken. Some white meat, some dark; some with skin, some without and all served with two types of dressing a light mustard vinaigrette and a creamy Ranch that made this one of the best salads I've ever tasted.
And if your looking for a lively place to do some afternoon dining I highly recommend coming here. This place was absolutely bumping at lunchtime with great music and a steady crowd of people streaming in and out. I can't wait to come back when I can actually hang out and have a bit more fun!
310 Lenox Avenue between 125th & 126th
Harlem, NY 10027
Comments