Broad St. Luxe Blvd. Grown Folks Talking Cigars Food & Travel Film Sports

September, 2011

Food And Travel / Luxe Blvd. — No Comments
22
Sep 11

Red Rooster Harlem

Last week I made reservations at Harlem,NY hot spot “Red Rooster”. Lately I have been more into fine dining lunch than late evening dinner. It was the personality of renowned Chef Marcus Samuelsson that made my visit a must. I have seen Mr. Samuelsson on tv and read magazine interviews of his passion for food. That and one look at the menu makes riding into Manhattan not far at all for a nice lunch.

Our reservation was for 12 noon. I recommend making reservations. We arrived maybe 5 minutes early,(which is late to me) and were seated immediately. There is indoor, outdoor & bar seating. Some tables are shared seating with other small parties. We sat next to a very nice woman from Arkansas and her mom. This was their first time here as well. Very nice people and atmosphere. Sharing a table was not a problem.

The menu boasts comfort food & classic American Cuisine. Fried chicken, greens,fish & more than you might expect, but prepared not just cooked. We enjoyed the corn bread for starters. Soft,buttery, toasted edges with a seasoned tomato sauce was just great. The blackened catfish with black eyed peas was fresh and blackened not burned spicy and called cajun. The black eyed peas were actually yellow and my woman who doesn’t eat black eyed peas loved them. I had the Fried Yard Bird. This was a large portion chicken breast & leg fried with some of the best seasoned skin I’ve ever tasted. The menu says it is dark meat, but it was white and not dry. There was a side of hot sauce which was really more thick paste instead of watery like red hot and better. Both meals came with collard greens. The Mac & Greens is listed as a meal by itself, but can be shared as we did. The mac & cheese was made with my favorite cheese, gouda, so I especially loved this.

She enjoyed cabernet while I had 2 glasses of a great beer new to me. Keegans Mothers Milk is an ale described as charred wood, vanilla & cocoa. I sipped this ale and wanted to light up a cigar right there in the restaurant. I need this ale it is a must have. For dessert we tried the Whiskey Fudge with macadamia nuts. Yes I tried this just because it said whiskey. These were three bite sized but very rich portions. Good dessert portions for lunch. I would have eaten two more if on the table. Overall the food and service was excellent.

Our experience here surpassed just eating. The Chef, owner & creator of the menu Marcus Samuelsson greated us and just about all guests. With his apron on in between duties(yes he was working) he made sure we were ok and that I shared the mac & greens. The First Lady Michelle Obama also stopped by for lunch with friends. She sat a few tables away & I was honored to be in here presence. Red Rooster Harlem is a must visit right in the heart of Harlem.

Red Rooster Harlem
310 Lenox Avenue
New York,NY 10027

http://redroosterharlem.com

Sports — No Comments
18
Sep 11

Mayweather vs. Ortiz x Knockout!

Last night Saturday September 17th 2011 Floyd “Money” Mayweather faced off against “Vicious” Victor Ortiz in a Welterweight Championship match. The fight ended with some controversy as Mayweather knocked out his 10 years younger champion opponent in the 4th round. Check the video replay of the victory & heated post fight interview with Larry Merchant.

Video source: ParkEntertainment

My opinion is that Mayweather did nothing wrong. He did what he did out of anger, but it was legal. The ref split the two fighters then motioned with his hands to box. The ref said ,box, not hug it out.

Ortiz had already been warned to watch his head earlier in the fight. In the fourth round Ortiz lost a point for an intentional headbutt. Ortiz became frustrated and lost his cool. He showed us he was younger & less experienced after all. After that intentional foul Ortiz set the tone for the rest of the fight.

Mayweather has fun doing his job. I believe he truly enjoys this sport of pugilism with 100% of his heart. You can see in Floyd’s eyes after the butt he felt disrespected. His eyes said,”ok ok that’s how you want to do it…lets go.” That headbutt was meant to finish Mayweather. That wasn’t a defensive get off me tactic it was an attack. There is no hugging when the ref says, fight. Protect your self at all times.

Dont hate Winners! LUXE.

Broad St. / Luxe Blvd. — No Comments
16
Sep 11

Supra Footwear x Boots

OK so summer is over and its getting cold on the North East. Just like every year it gets cold and most bring out the same Timbs and ACG’s. I try my best not to. Now Supra, one of my favorite sneaker/footwear lines has boots for the winter 2011/2012 season. Check them out or stare at mine. LUXE.

Supra Douglas Boot

Supra Skyboot

Supra Henry

Supra’s are very comfortable, many different styles, colors and affordable. And lots of people still not up on these yet. Check more out at SupraFootwear.com

Cigars — No Comments
8
Sep 11

Mr. Beaton Cigar Review x Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial L.E.

Size: 6.5 x 52 (Toro)
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaraguan Pelo de Oro
Filler: 2 types of Cuban Seed Nicaraguan
Strength: Full

The Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Limited Edition starts off with a beautiful
Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. Same as the core Reserva Especial, only with more
shine. The wrapper of this Limited Edition is firm, but has soft spot or two. While
the wrapper of the cigar gives off hints of cedar and spice aroma the foot has very
strong oaky, and earthy aroma.

The pre-light draw on the Limited Edition starts off
with a bitter dark chocolate taste before moving towards a cedar flavor. Upon first
draw after lighting you immediately get hit with strong peppery flavor, you then get
notes of cinnamon and coffee upon second and third draws. The Limited Edition has a
nice burn to it, not a lot of smoke coming off the foot while holding which is a
plus in my book. Ash on the Limited Edition holds for about an 1″ to 1.5″. The
strength of the Limited Edition eases up a little towards the middle of the cigar
smoothing out the smoke. You still get all the flavors from first lite but just not
as strong.

The end Limited Edition is where the strength of the cigar starts to pick
back up again, with every draw you get all the spices noted at the start only with
more heat behind them. I nubbed down the Limited Edition because that’s what I tend
to do with all cigars that I smoke as to ensure that I’m getting my monies worth and
also its full flavor profile. Overall the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Limited
Edition was a good and not great smoke to me. It didn’t seem to have the full body
flavor that it claims to be for my taste, maybe that will be different for another
palette.

Follow me on twitter @MrBeaton