Black Oak Nights – New York

Interested in an afterwork spot that can reinsert the soul into your New York City lifestyle after 10 hours of work has sucked the energy right out of you? Well, try anyone of these establishments, as they are sure to comfort your afterwork quest for relaxation and a peaceful mind before you have to get up and go back to work all over again!

Tillman’s – 165 W. 26^th Street, New York, NY
How can someone go to Tillman’s and not like it? It’s one of the best experiences in all of New York City, and there is no doubt that it’s a place where anyone can fit in. The music selection is on point, with both new and old musical choices from the hip-hop, R&B and soul genres. They even have the occasional live performance at Tillman’s. Of course, the weekend DJs (such as Qool Marv) add some true class to the joint, with an onslaught of Neo soul, Afro-beat and underground hip-hop. Tillman’s is also a great place to just chill. With swinging barriers that give each patron or party a since of privacy, it’s wise to come with a partner or a group of people if you’re interested in stirring up conversation. As for the food, it’s first rate—what you might call—gourmet soul food. In fact, “The Mack” (macaroni and cheese), which is made with sage, peas, mascarpone, bacon and bread crumbs, is reason enough to come to Tillman’s. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 37%

Tired of same old work during the day go to the bar at night routine? Well, here are a couple of alternatives to get you outside this season. These three places are not only unique to the usual New York City experience, but they keep you out in the sun—while you still have it!

Sushi Samba
With two locations to choose from, you don’t want to mess this up! If you’re going to go to Sushi Samba, you could go to the less frequented option in midtown and have a less crowded experience. But if you’re truly looking to embrace this “Sex and the City” hot spot, then you must check out the West Village location, where you can join the company of financial analysts, lawyers actors and rich kids as you sit on top of a roof staring out at the downtown Manhattan skyline. I didn’t even bring up the food, which is a cultural blend of Brazilian, Asian and Latin foods and spices that combine to give your taste buds a run for their money. I’m pretty sure there’s nowhere else in New York City where you can eat sashimi and churrasco on top of a roof. Correct me if I’m wrong!

Water Taxi Beach
Now with 3 New York City locations to choose from Water Taxi Beach is the place to be for fun and cheap food! You could check out the Long Island City location in Queens, where you can play beach volleyball and peer out at the Midtown Manhattan skyline. Then there is the South Street Seaport location, where there is tons of sand and a miniature golf course to take advantage of. And at the new Governors Island location, you can bask in the beauty of the island and go to independent movie screenings, all the while taking in both the Manhattan and Brooklyn waterfronts. Plus, the Governors Island location is boasting a series of musical performances throughout the warm-weather season, so you can enjoy performances from an onslaught of musicians set to perform this year, including Erykah Badu, Mos Def and Turntables on the Hudson.

Brooklyn Promenade
As if there was actually another promenade worth naming? The Brooklyn Promenade rest high above sea level, giving you a fantastic view of Manhattan and its waterfront. Of course, during the night, you can take your significant other out to the promenade, where you can enjoy gazing at the water as the moon and lights reflect off the water, and the glistening boats whiz by the harbor. And you can make an entire date of this location alone. Right alongside the Promenade on Montague Street, you have a plethora of Brooklyn Heights’ finest restaurants, with everything from Indian food to Greek. And after you walk off those tantalizing meals at the promenade, you can stroll over to the nearby Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream Shop, where they give you plenty of cream for your cash.

Popularity: 11%

There are a lot of eating choices when you are in Harlem, New York City—some good for you, and some that aren’t. But as a youngster just looking for something to eat, all you care about is taste and price. So here are a couple of reasonably-priced options for the foodie in economical armor.

Fishers of Men – 121 W. 125th St., New York, NY
It’s not quite dine-in material, but Fishers of Men still offers one of best seafood platters in all of Harlem. If you were familiar with the original Fishers of Men on 130th Street, then you know that the new location on 125th Street is the place to be. Fishers of Men serves up one of the best fried whiting platters you’ll find—and they do it for a very good price! On the menu, they have several different kinds of fried fish, chicken, soul food sides (I recommend the macaroni and cheese), as well as a choice of several palatable dessert items. For $6-$8, you can get one of the most complete meals you will find on 125th. The fish, chips and soda platter is exactly $6, and my glutton behind loves the $10 “heaping of whiting” with sides, which usually takes more than just one sit-down to finish.

Amy Ruth’s – 113 W 116th St, New York, NY 10026-2521
Venture down to West 116th Street and you will find one of the most soulful places in all of New York City. Amy Ruth’s isn’t one of those cookie-cutter soul food spots though, it is down to earth, real home cooking, with a touch of reality on the side. Located in the same building that it opened up in, Amy Ruth’s continues to be an oasis for good food in the middle of Harlem, despite having outgrown its current set up long, long ago. So what’s on the menu? Heck. What isn’t? From smothered porkchops to “chicken & waffles,” Amy Ruth’s keeps the food choices Southern and deep fried. Their fried chicken is far better than the colonel’s, and their collard greens beat anything you would find in a 5-star restaurant. Speaking of restaurants, eating at Amy Ruth’s completes the comfort food experience, with a sound wait staff and a home ambiance, that makes it hard to beat this Harlem favorite.

Sylvia’s – 328 Lenox Ave, New York, NY 10027-3702
Sylvia’s, on the other hand, has mastered the transformation from Harlem hot spot to city, state and national recognition. Frequented by senators, ambassadors and Presidents, Sylvia’s choice soul food platters have gained renown all over the country. I quite frankly think that some of the celebrity (and cash money) has gone to their heads, but many, ex-President Bill Clinton included, think that Sylvia’s offerings of seasoned catfish, candied yams, coconut layered cake and smothered beef ribs are still made from the best stuff on earth. I won’t deny them this, they do have some of the best peach cobbler I have ever had, and as far as the ambiance goes, this is the place to be. Nevertheless, I could do without the sideshow and the desserts, as I would much rather prefer a more eclectic menu and better prepared food…but to each his own.

Popularity: 7%

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Taj
48 W 21st St
New York, NY 10010

Popularity: 5%

Date: Sunday January 20^th, 2008 – MLK Weekend
Title: Black Magic (All Black Attire)
Where: Providence Night Club
Address: 311 W. 57th (between 8th & 9th Ave), New York, NY 10019
Doors Open at 10pm, ladies free before 11pm with RSVP (rsvp@blackoaknights.com) And for any fellas (and ladies who come after 11pm), just say “Black Oak Nights” at the door.

Come out and celebrate Black Oak Nights’ first event of 2008 with ThreeKings at Providence night club on Sunday, January 20, 2008.

Providence is located at 311 W. 57^th Street (between eighth & ninth Avenues), New York, NY.

This is a black out, so make sure you’re wearing nothing but your finest black-hued attire, and I don’t mean your birthday suits.

Providence is one of the sexiest and classiest settings in Manhattan, and so you are sure to have a good time. Besides it’s MLK Weekend, so you know you don’t have to do anything come Monday. So why not get your butt out of the house Sunday night, January 20th, and enjoy sleeping-in the next morning, because you won’t get another opportunity to do that for quite some time!

Ladies RSVP for free admission. (rsvp@blackoaknights.com)

Popularity: 5%

New Year’s Eve!

Still looking for something to do this New Year’s Eve?

Popularity: 5%

Popularity: 5%

This Saturday, December 1, 2007, “Black Oak Nights: New York City” is inviting you to one of the best clubs you’ve never heard of.

Last week, Black Oak Nights was at Lea Lounge (230 Park Avenue, Corner of 46^th Street), and it was evident from you all, that Lea does nightlife right.

• From 10 to 11:30pm there will be 2 for 1 drinks on anything at the bar.
• And the Bottles are going cheap, including:
• Bacardi: $150
• Alize: $150
• Hennesy: $200

We are also giving the 100th RSVP $40 worth of drink tickets. So make sure you get in that RSVP as soon as possible!

DJ BeyondRest will be spinning on the 1’s and 2’s, so make sure you bring out your dancing shoes, because BeyondRest is no joke with the hip-hop, rap and diverse music selection.

Ladies, you will get in FREE up until 1a.m! Just RSVP here and tell the bouncer you’re on the Black Oak Nights list and you will be all taken care of.

That’s right ladies! There is no cover for you all the way until one in the morning. However, don’t take too long to head out, because those 2-for-1 drink specials end at 11:30pm.

Guys, unfortunately…it’s FREE for you too! Only you have to get there a little earlier. Get to Lea Lounge before 11pm, and there is no cover for you either, just RSVP and mention Black Oak Nights at the door. It will cost you $10 to get in before midnight, and it’s reduced price thereafter.

The dress code is trendy, so make sure your attire doesn’t include baggy clothes.

Guys, if you wear jeans, make sure you wear a button down shirt with them.

Ladies, wear your usual dress to impress attire and you’ll be just fine.

You have to be 21 and over to get into this party, so all of you fresh faces need to make sure you have your ID’s (old faces too!).

Tell your friends to come out to Lea Lounge this Saturday, December 1, 2007, to experience yet another “Black Oak Nights: New York City” affair. Remember, NO COVER for anyone before 11pm, and ladies are FREE until 1a.m, just RSVP and say those magic words (Black Oak Nights) at the door!

Lea Lounge
230 Park Avenue East
New York, NY 10017

RSVP Now To Get In For Free!

(Just leave your Name and # of Guests)

And always remember:

Popularity: 5%