I walk by one of my favorite food spots in Harlem today, the Chocolat Restaurant Lounge at 2217 Frederick Douglass Avenue, on the corner at 120th Street and found a “Closed” sign on the door (sorry for the blurry photograph).In closer reading the notice of closure is based on “health and mental hygene” issues.
We did see owner Leon Ellis who had no comment regarding the matter.
If you have more information do not hesitate to contact us.
Editor’s Note: Chocolat is open again after afew days closed. We are so happy we can have the fab Mac and Cheese again.
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It’s bc they really failed their 2 most recent health inspections. I checked them out on the health dept’s website, and its some pretty gross stuff happening back there.
“Violation points: 37
Sanitary Violations
1) Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas.
2) Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage-associated (FRSA) flies present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas. Filth flies include house flies, little house flies, blow flies, bottle flies and flesh flies. Food/refuse/sewage-associated flies include fruit flies, drain flies and Phorid flies.
3) Hand washing facility not provided in or near food preparation area and toilet room. Hot and cold running water at adequate pressure to enable cleanliness of employees not provided at facility. Soap and an acceptable hand-drying device not provided.
4) Personal cleanliness inadequate. Outer garment soiled with possible contaminant. Effective hair restraint not worn in an area where food is prepared.”
http://a816-restaurantinspection.nyc.gov/RestaurantInspection/SearchDetails.do
We always seem to be our worst enemies in the black community, we hurt each other with bullets and now we are hurting our black owned businesses in the pretense of journalism. Let’s not be so quick to pass judgement, please tell me how does this article help our community? This restaurant has been open for at least a year and they seem to be doing well, kudos to them. I see that they employ people from our community where the unemployment is over 25%, they deserve our complete support. I’m happy to report that Chocolat is open, I had dinner there on Saturday night; the food was excellent. The restaurant was full, I’m really happy about that. Tell that to your readers and subscrbers!
I would like to know whether this publication has ever made an attempt to write a supportive article about this wonderful restaurant, if you haven’t, you should be ashamed of yourself.
If you need assistance in writing a supportive article, reference:
http://www.examiner.com/writing-in-new-york/chocolat-restaurant-harlem-new-york
We always seem to be our worst enemies in the black community, we have the reputation of hurting each other with bullets but now we are hurting each other with words under the pretense of journalism.
Chocolat is a wonderful restaurant that has been open in the Harlem community for at least a year and they seem to be doing well. The employ people from the black community where the unemployment rate is well over 25%, that’s what your article should be about. I had dinner at Chocolat on Saturday night and I’m happy to say that the food and service were excellent, the restaurant was also full; I’m really happy about that.
I would like to know whether you have ever attempted to write a positive article about this restaurant, if not, you should be ashamed of yourself.
Rose,
Our job is to report what happens in the community and not take sides unless it’s an OpEd. If we do not report on what happens some would say we are not doing our job, if we do report what happens some would say we are not doing our job. As we mentioned in the post Chocolat is one of our favorite food places.
Thank you,
Editorial Staff,
Harlem World Magazine
Chocolat did reopen on Saturday.
I would also like to add that I looked on the Department of Health site & DID NOT see the violations that the first commenter stated that they saw. Those same listed violations were listed for Pizza 123 which is subsequently closed and had a total of 40 violations and was located across the street from the precinct.
Chocolat is also a favorite of mine & my girlfriends. We will continue to patronize this establishment with the great food, drinks, staff & atmosphere as well as its sister bar diagonally across the street Moca.
I have dined on numerous occasions at Chocolat Restaurant. The allegations stated in the previous posts are questionable. I have always encountered cleanliness and professionalism at the establishment. My question to the editor is now that Chocolat is now up and running do you plan to do a follow up story? Hopefully this time you will be able to speak with the owner. Mr. Leon Ellis who is a business man and fine pillar to the community has always been friendly and approachable. I find it hard to believe that Mr. Ellis stated, “no comment”. Maybe at the time he was unable to respond to the allegations and I am sure Mr. Ellis would graciously sit down for a non biased interview.
Dr. Sparks,
We’ve produced editorial on Cholocat since it’s inception and have worked with Mr. Ellis for over a decade. Harlem World Magazine remains unbiased in our coverage reporting all that happens in the community we and our readers love. As someone once said, “when someone thinks you report too much and someone else thinks you don’t report enough then you’re probably on the right track.”
Thank you,
Daniel
HW
Poor Chocolat – When this place first opened, I was just in love with the fact that there would another great culinary stop in Harlem, and one somewhere other than Lenox Avenue. Well, just over a year later, I’ve watched this place slowly reduce itself to a sub-standard shell of the potential they opened with. The kitchen AND bar are ill-managed. Should you sit at the bar, you’ll be inundated with complaints from the staff about each other, management and…..THE CUSTOMERS. I don’t get it! It’s a pity because it’s quite cozy there, but no one has the acumen to run this place efficiently it seems. There’s no way in hell I’d watch my restaurant dissolve into a puddle of nothingness right before my very eyes without attempting to salvage what I could. It’s still not too late Chocolat, but you must clean house.