The Park 112 in Harlem (Review)

We recently visited The Park 112 for dinner on a Wednesday night in December.  The Park is conveniently located on Frederick Douglass Boulevard and 112th Street (Harlem Restaurant Row) sandwiched in-beween 67 Orange and the 5 and Diamond Restaurants.  Great atmosphere.  Its large open multi optional space provides many different seating options.  The attractive long raised center communal table sets the mood for potential large get togethers or a table for two sitting across from one another.  There are two additional raised tables separate from the communal table near the back.  Along the south wall comfortable leather banquettes run the full length of the place with 2 and 4 top seating.  The opposite (north) wall is a long attractive bar scene that was festive and full of life when we arrived.  We will definitely be back for drinks in the near future.

We arrived early and there were only a few tables but by 9 pm the restaurant was comfortably full.  They have a great section in the way back that would be an ideal VIP area or place for a private party with high grand tufted leather banquettes (see photos of interior below).

The speciality cocktails are delicious.  I recommend The Park 112 – sparkling wine, pavan orange blossom liqueur, crop meyer lemon vodka & pomegranate in a champagne flute glass.  Also The Frederick Douglass – bullet bourbon, chili passion fruit puree, rimmed with chili sugar.  WARNING it is hot!  I enjoyed the extra heat but another person in my group found it too hot.  They also have a Self-Serve Wine Machine.  A unique exploration of respectable wines through self-service enomatic machines.  This allows the patron to enjoy tastes, half glasses and full pours of a continually rotating list of favorite vintages.   Definitely a unique concept and cool addition for Harlem restaurant row.

We spoke extensively with owner Lewis Tucker and chef Kingsley John who were both enthusiastic and accommodating with information about the Park 112 finally opening.  Lewis Tucker who has lived in Harlem, Westchester and the Bronx for years, was the president of Sean Combs Enterprises and he ran Bad Boy Records. Tucker’s list of credentials are too long to list and include being a co-founder of Essential Sports.  No stranger to the scene, he explained he wanted to bring a downtown vibe uptown and literally picked this location and designed it with this purpose in mind.  In addition to the large interior space, there will be an outdoor private patio in the back once the nice weather rolls around in late Spring.  We saw the raw fenced in space and were surprised by how large it was.  This has the potential to be very trendy for the summer months ahead and unique to this area.  We have a lot of sidewalk seating now in the neighborhood for the summer months – Harlem Food Bar, Vinateria, Harlem Tavern, Harlem Shake, The Corner Social, Jado Sushi, etc., but no private outdoor patio options with the excepotion of Ricardos in East Harlem and one or two other spots.

The menu is multifaceted.  Globally inspired small and large plates I would describe as American /Global Fusion/Caribbean with several options for every budget.  We ordered before we met chef Kingsley John and after speaking with him we were all left wanting to come back to try recommendations that we hadn’t ordered.  Chef John, a native of the West Indies, has worked in the kitchen under Marcus Samuelsson at Aquavit and is passionate about the small and large plates he has created.  I’m not a big soup fan  but was encouraged to try the carrot ginger soup.  It was so good.  We also enjoyed the duck lettuce wraps, lobster spring rolls, teriyaki lollipops and crispy prawns.  Next time I’d like to try the smoked sea scallops and fried oysters which looked tasty at the table next to ours.  The butterflied branzino with head on (large plate) was delicious!  Priced at $28 but worth the coin.  We also had the spiced crusted rack of lamb and the park 112 steak frittes rib eye.  The fries with the steak were decoratively sculptured side by side forming a sort of circular cup-like design.  A+ for presentation.  There is something for everyone here on the menu.  After speaking with Kingsley, we discussed our next visit and how we’d like to focus exclusively on all the Caribbean dishes.

Great desserts.  I could have one of their chocolate mousses (pictured below) every day.  We sampled several desserts together including the lava cake but I ultimatley stopped sharing the mousse and claimed it as mine.  I need it again soon.  They are now also open for Sunday Brunch.  Visit their menu for all small plates, large plates and brunch items.  Another great addition to the neighborhood.  Stop in and check out the Park 112 for yourself.

MENU

* Large space
* Good bar scene
* American New/Global Fusion/Caribbean
* Downtown chic meets uptown vibe
* Private outdoor dining (Spring 2014)
* Great service
* Friendly atmosphere

The Park 112
2080 Frederick Douglass Blvd.
New York, NY 10026
(646) 524-6610