Marcus Samuelsson Stars In Food Network Special "Savoring Harlem" Tonight!

Chef Marcus Samuelsson loves Harlem. Relocating to the tip-top of Manhattan eight years ago proved his love for the culturally saturated area. And opening Red Rooster, Chef Samuelsson’s Harlem restaurant solidified said love.

Chef Sameulesson will be on The Food Network tomorrow in a network special called, “Savoring Harlem.” He’ll be joined by several tastemakers as they discover all that’s yummy about Harlem.

The show will highlight Harlem restaurants and their varied cuisines and premieres Friday, February 24th at 8PM on the Food Network. On the same day, fans will also get a chance to chat with Chef Samuelsson on the Food Network Facebook page at 3pm. We got a chance to chat with Chef Samuelsson today and here’s what he had to say about Harlem’s tastiest restaurants.

What inspires you most about Harlem’s culture?

The people. Their diversity, the blend between the older more traditional Harlem and the newer, younger people moving uptown.

What’s your favorite restaurant in Harlem?

My old favorite was M&G before it closed. It was a great place to people watch and hear what was happening in the neighborhood. One of my favorites is Charles Pan-Fried all the way uptown. The chicken is amazing.

If you were bringing someone to Harlem for the first time, where would you take them to eat?

I, of course, always want people to come experience Red Rooster when they come uptown but there a lot of gems around the neighborhood. A really cool spot is this Mexican place in East Harlem that has some of the best tacos in New York called El Paso Taqueria.

Do you think Red Rooster embodies what you feel about Harlem?

I definitely think that. Every facet of it is culture, whether it’s in our diverse menu, our live bands, the artwork hanging on the walls and especially our customers who bring so much to the overall vibe of Rooster.

What do you want the viewers to learn about Harlem with this special?

About its soul and heart. Harlem is a truly genuine place with an amazingly rich history and it’s going through a great re-Renaissance that America really should witness.

What have you been able to learn about Harlem by opening Red Rooster?

How supportive the community is of its people. With Rooster, Harlem has supported us from the very beginning and I witness that throughout the neighborhood, with all different businesses and organizations.