Cédric Durand

Tastings Social Presents GAUDIr

Chef Durand’s mother is from Spain, but he grew up in France, where he fell in love with food from a very young age. Growing up and spending a lot of time in Spain, both north and south, drove his passion for Spanish food and culture.

Cedric has a Michelin star background, having cooked in kitchens of chefs Michel Portos in Bordeaux and Yannick Delpech in Toulouse.  He has always found a way to put a modern twist on traditional food to deliver a unique taste that showcases his talents.

GAUDir is an authentic Spanish style restaurant that resonates with the community; the decision was clear to use the tapas format which brings people together socially, breaking boundaries and creating connections by making the dishes shareable.

Antonio Settepani & Leah Abraham

Settepani

Antonio 'Nino' Settepani' migrated from Palermo to Williamsburg with his parents and twin brother Biagio, shortly after the official opening of the World Trade Center and the CBS sold the New York Yankees in 1973. It was not an easy transition for 13 years old Nino Settepani at the time, but despite his limited English, Nino's determination and discipline facilitated the opportunity to further his culinary interests while completing his studies at New York University.

It was while at NYU that Nino's first venture in entrepreneurship commenced. He partnered with Biagio to open their first bakery and together, the teenagers raised the money to buy the concept. Upon completing his education at NYC, Nino continued to master his expertise at the French Culinary Institute, under the leadership of giants like Jacques Pepin and Alian Sailhac and alongside students like Bobby Flay. His grand design has brought a few successful concepts, including the famed Cafe Bondi, to satisfy the vibrant. New York crave for the Italian food culture.

Now after tow decades, Nino's latest concept, 'Settepani', still continues to indulge the palettes, memories and desires of both natives and tourists alike.  He continues to guide the kitchen at Settepani Harlem with with innovative dishes rooted in the tradition.

Raymond Zamanta Mohan and Leticia "Skai" Young

LoLo's Seafood Shack

Chef Raymond Mohan and Leticia Skai Young are elated to share their passion for travel and island flavors at LoLo’s. The LoLo’s experience is inspired by the Locally Owned, Locally Operated seaside eateries; referred to as lolos, they encountered while living abroad in the British West Indies. Chef Mohan has created a variety of nostalgic offerings from island styled BBQ to coastal comfort foods of the Cape to Caribbean street eats like johnny cakes.

Born on a market street in Guyana, Chef Mohan’s culinary interest developed as a child while accompanying his mother to the market to shop for the family’s roadside stand. They sold Guyanese specialties such as mavi, sardine sandwiches, and Indian specialties. Mohan’s love of culture and food set the stage for his career once they moved to United States.  A graduate of New York Restaurant School, Chef Mohan apprenticed under renowned chefs, Wayne Nish at March Restaurant; Jean-Georges Vongerichten at Vong; and David Burke before becoming Douglas Rodriguez’ Chef de Cuisine at Patria, Aquarella in Puerto Rico; Pipa, and Chicama, a Peruvian ceviche bar.  

Leticia was born in East Harlem and is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and the entrepreneurship program of the French Culinary Institute.  

LoLo’s Seafood Shack was awarded Best New Harlem Eats 2015 by the Amsterdam News and is a NY Times Critic pick featured on ABC, CBS, NBC, Eater, NY Post, and the NY Daily News amongst others.  We invite you to dive on in to our secret backyard!

Charles Gabriel

Charles’ Country Pan Fried Chicken

After 30 years in business, Charles Country Pan Fried Chicken continues to be a hot spot for Harlem residents seeking authentic fried chicken and Southern cuisine at affordable prices. They also feature an “all you can eat” buffet for $15 per person.

Located on 132nd Street and Frederick Douglass Boulevard, Charles Country Pan Fried Chicken is known for its skillet-fried chicken and communal atmosphere. Popular dishes include fried chicken, smothered pork chops, turkey wings, chicken and waffle, collard greens, yams, black-eyed peas and a mixture of okra, tomatoes and corn. He pan-fries his chicken.

One of Charles’ famous customers was Whoopi Goldberg. Charles has been featured on the Food Network, Daily News, New York Magazine, Time Out Magazine, G Q Magazine, Village Voice and Crain’s. Charles had a Zagat Rating of 27 in 2002.

“I cook Southern…People that are from the South, they know how Southern food tastes and how it’s prepared,” said Charles Gabriel, 67, owner and founder of the restaurant.

His hard water fried chicken was featured in “Fried & True: More Than 50 Recipes for America’s Best Fried Chicken and Sides,” a book published in May by Lee Brian Schrager and Adeena Sussman. The authors described his food as “the most authentic Southern fried chicken” found “smack in the middle of Harlem.”

Gabriel was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina with 12 brothers and eight sisters. Since the age of seven, he and his siblings sharecropped. At home, they would cook fried chicken, biscuits, rice and gravy as well as make sandwiches.

He worked at Copeland’s Restaurant for 12 years. The entrepreneurial spirit hit him so he sold food at a table in the park and eventually in a truck. In 1984, he opened his restaurant.

The restaurant gives back to the community, too. Gabriel has provided food at no cost for neighborhood block parties and some nonprofit organizations.

The restaurant is located on 2461 Frederick Douglas Boulevard at 132nd Street and is open Monday to Thursday 11 a.m. – 2 a.m., Friday 11 a.m. – 4 a.m., Saturday 11 a.m. – 4 a.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. – 2 a.m.

Yvette Leeper-Bueno

Vinatería

Yvette Leeper-Bueno owns Vinatería, the charming and beloved Harlem neighborhood restaurant and wine bar at 2211 Frederick Douglass Blvd. A lifelong New Yorker, Yvette maintains longstanding roots in Harlem- from her parents first meeting on 122nd Street in the fifties, to the renovated townhouse on 112th St. she has shared with her husband and sons for 12 years. 

Before opening Vinatería in early 2013, Yvette was already an entrepreneur, opening her own clothing design/manufacturing business and children’s clothing boutique, Leeper Kids. Eventually her entrepreneurial spirit, love for good food and fashion, and devotion to the Harlem community led her to open Vinatería on its up-and-coming strip of Frederick Douglass Blvd. Vinatería was the first restaurant of its kind in this neighborhood, fostering a spirit of inclusivity and offering an accessible but extensive wine program with rare finds, a thoughtful menu of Spanish and Italian-influenced seasonal dishes, a convivial atmosphere and fresh, contemporary design.

Almost three years later, the neighborhood has seen a resurgence that some have compared to a second Harlem Renaissance, and Vinatería remains a pioneer in this transformation. From subtle details like the herbs lining the windowsills, to the art selected for the walls, Yvette’s gift for all things aesthetic and her attention to detail is clearly manifested throughout the space. 

Last year, Vinatería was named by the Financial Times as one of the five best Italian restaurants in New York City. Vinatería has also been featured in the New York Times for its unique design and décor.