Welcome to Chocolat Restaurant & Bar
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2223 Frederick Douglas Blvd @120th St, Harlem, NY 10026 Hotline: (212) 222-4545
Welcome to Chocolat Restaurant & Bar, a delightful gem nestled in the heart of Harlem at 2223 Frederick Douglas Blvd @120th St. This inviting establishment specializes in Comfort Food with a touch of new-age flair, blending New American cuisine with the rich traditions of soul food, making it a must-visit for both locals and travelers alike.
Upon entering, you’re greeted by an atmosphere that’s vibrant yet relaxed, a perfect backdrop for enjoying delectable dishes and crafted cocktails. The spacious layout ensures that even during their busy brunch hours, the hustle and bustle of the crowd makes for a lively yet manageable dining experience. With a seating arrangement that comfortably accommodates large groups, there’s ample room to unwind and indulge.
One of the standout features of Chocolat is their signature dishes. Noteworthy among them are the Our Famous Red Velvet Pancakes, a decadent creation that has garnered rave reviews for its indulgent, fluffy texture paired with Emily's Sweet Southern Fried Chicken. Patrons have described this dish as “delicious” and the perfect way to treat yourself any time of day. For those who lean more towards savory options, the Emily's Sweet Southern Fried Chicken served with braised collard greens and smashed sweet potatoes is a culinary masterpiece that promises a satisfying explosion of flavors. Customers rave about the crispy exterior and succulent meat, which is expertly complemented by a honey cayenne pepper sauce.
Chocolat also offers a variety of other classics, like the Classic Hamburger made with Certified Angus beef, and the Harlem Famous Shrimp & Grits, which comes highly recommended for those seeking comfort food that warms the soul. The Cinnamon Raisin French Toast is another highlight, perfect for brunch lovers. Moreover, the option of bottomless mimosas and bellinis enhances the dining experience, encouraging guests to linger and enjoy.
The ambiance is further enhanced by a lively bar area where happy hour specials invite patrons to unwind with friends. The bartenders are noted for their efficient service, making it a great spot to kick back after a long day or to gather before a night out in the city. While the music sometimes veers on the loud side, it contributes to the restaurant’s lively energy, making it a wonderful place to celebrate life’s moments.
However, it’s essential to note that while the food and vibe are often praised, customer experiences regarding service can vary. Some diners have mentioned that service may feel rushed during peak times, but this often coincides with the restaurant's bustling energy and popularity.
In conclusion, Chocolat Restaurant & Bar is more than just a place to eat; it is an experience that tantalizes your taste buds with its rich array of flavors, all set within an inviting and vibrant environment. Whether you’re a Harlem local or just passing through, make sure to stop by for a meal that promises both comfort and culinary creativity.
On 25 Feb, my sister and I tracked all the way from Midtown Manhatan to experience the restaurant. The food, customer service, and vibe were delicious and inviting. I ordered the chicken entre--four pieces of fried chicken, collard greens, mashed sweet potatos, and Emily's cornbread. My sister ordered shrimp and grits with bacon-delicious
The music was playing so loud it became difficult to have conversations at the table. Our service also felt rushed. The food was excellent with an ample selection of dishes.
I recently visited Chocolat for the second time in a year. I'm glad to see this Harlem restaurant is still thriving, as it can be considered one of the few long-standing establishments in the neighborhood. I'm pleased that Chocolat has weathered the changes and that new restaurants have also popped up, giving customers more dining choices and creating healthy competition for the area's established businesses to retain their customer base. Chocolat has a very spacious layout - I've never seen the place more than 70-80% full, and even at 90% capacity, the ample space ensures it never feels overcrowded. The bar area, which can accommodate around 15 people, is of standard size. During my most recent visit around 6pm on a Wednesday while waiting for friends, I decided to take advantage of the reasonably priced happy hour specials. The bartender was exceptionally cool and efficient in their service. When my friends arrived, we ordered food, and I chose one of Chocolat's most popular dishes - Emily's Sweet Southern Fried Chicken, which came with braised collard greens and a choice of smashed sweet potato or mac and cheese, with a side of delicious honey cayenne pepper sauce. The fried chicken was perfectly crispy and looked like a work of art, while the mac and cheese was a delicious blend of three cheeses. My friend opted for the classic deluxe burger, which was served with shoestring fries on a brioche bun. The food and cocktail service for our group of four was prompt with no complaints. I especially enjoyed the crispy fried calamari appetizer, which was accompanied by lemon aioli and marinara sauce and earned a solid 5/5 rating from me. Overall, my experience at Chocolat was excellent, with top-notch service, a pleasant ambiance (4.8/5), tasty food (4/5), and reasonable prices ($$$ rating). I will definitely be returning and highly recommend this Harlem gem.
Wonderful black-owned restaurant that offers delicious soul food and known for their red velvet pancakes. The restaurant has a lively but relaxed atmosphere, knowledgeable and attentive staff, and amazing food and drinks. Brunch is offered until 10 pm, with bottomless mimosas for $25 and bottomless bellinis for $30.
So let me preface this by saying that it was mid afternoon and I was starving. That being said, I had a piece of cornbread. It was delicious. I chose the cheese omelette. It came with breakfast potatoes and salad. I added turkey sausages. The omelette was soooo fluffy and cheesy. It was actually one of the best omelette that I have ever had. They used cheddar and mozzarella. The breakfast potatoes and salad complimented the omelette. The sausages were a bonus. I had a lemonade to drink. A bit sweet but good. I was there with a group of women. They had a small dining area for group seating. It was a large party and we had one server. She actually did an amazing job by herself. She was very attentive with everyone, making sure that everyone got their order. There was a little more than 20 of us. She was able to group the bills, which helped make things less crazy. Now remember I said I was starving. I didn't remember to take a picture until I had eaten a lot.
Chocolat is a great go to restaurant in Harlem. I ordered their infamous chicken & waffle - delicious!! The chicken was extra GOOD. The service was a tad bit slow but not unreasonable. Upon entering it took a little while for someone to seat us. No one was at the door, we were waiting and wondering is it seat yourself kinda vibe. Eventually someone came to the front and showed us to our seats. The ambiance was cool...busy on a beautiful Sunday evening. Definitely worth dining here.