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If you know Cantonese food you know Big Wong, and now they’re making themselves even more known–as if that was possible–as they have officially expanded to Hell’s Kitchen, as reported by Eater.
The restaurant has been a popular go-to Cantonese spot since they first opened on Mott Street in 1978–one of our must-visit spots when we find ourselves in Chinatown.
Their vibe is casual but their food is anything but–it’s authentic, priced reasonably, and includes all the classics (some of their most popular dishes are their congee and roast duck).
The new outpost is located at 683 Ninth Avenue in Hell’s Kitchen–formerly home to Tipsy Shanghai which opened in the spot just last fall.
According to Eater, much of Tipsy Shanghai’s interior was left over and repurposed.
This isn’t the first time Big Wong has expanded, however.
Just this past March they opened a new outpost in Williamsburg (135B North Fifth Street, between Bedford Avenue and Berry Street)–its first expansion in 40+ years–where they added 25+ dim sum options to the menu.
Big Wong’s new Hell’s Kitchen location can be found at 683 Ninth Avenue. It’s open daily 11:30 a.m. through 9:30 p.m.
Harlem Bespoke: The spring season will have more on the calendar for everyone and local live events are some of the things to watch our for in the coming month. Keep it all in the neighborhood and help support uptown’s small businesses!
Thursday, April 20th, 7:00PM, Louis Armstrong’s Black and Blues in-theater screening at Maysles Cinema, 343 Lenox Avenue by West 127th Street.
One night only! LOUIS ARMSTRONG’S BLACK AND BLUES offers an intimate and revealing look at the world-changing musician, presented through a lens of archival footage and never-before-heard home recordings and personal conversations. This definitive documentary, directed by Sacha Jenkins, honors Armstrong’s legacy as a founding father of jazz, one of the first internationally known and beloved stars, and a cultural ambassador of the United States. More details and purchase online tickets at the Maysles Cinema site: LINK
Harlem Bespoke: The renowned Amateur Night at the Apollo returns in 2023 after almost almost a two years absence and tickets are now on sale for November.
Wednesday, April 19th, 7:30PM, Amateur Night live at the Apollo Theater, 253 West 125th Street between 7th and 8th Avenue. Local events have been selling out way in advance recently so those who want to get a head start on good seats should do so sooner than later. More details and advance online tickets at the official Apollo site:LINK
Harlem Bespoke: Number 730 St. Nicholas Avenue at 147th Street has recently had a price reduction from $4.45 million to $3.99 $3.595 million for the stately corner castle-like limestone townhouse.
As previously mentioned, this large landmark historic 2-family home also has a garage included and pretty much all of the original details intact which make things quite ideal for residential purposes once polished up. This block on St. Nicholas is also one of the most impressive ones in the neighborhood and a whole lot of charm factor is included. Express trains are also just across the street which makes this location one of best on Sugar Hill. More details on Streeteasy: LINK
Harlem Bespoke: We stopped and looked at the Tree of Hope statue on the 7th Avenue mall by 131st Street recently and still kind of wonder if maybe one day a tree stump sculpture replicating the original might be added on to the site. Legend has it that entertainers during the Renaissance years would rub on the stump for good luck before arriving at one of the nightclubs in the area and the memory of the tree has since endured. Harlem definitely went through a few decades in the mid century that only modern things were deemed relevant and an abstract tree was placed on the site in 1972 after the stump was removed.
The original tree was such an interactive monument to the neighborhood and local children would touch it to make a wish. Maybe one day a bronze cast of the stump can be placed on site so that the full history can be shared with the neighborhood and bring back the actual tradition of touching this this mythic artifact from a century ago. More on the Tree of Hope can be found in our past post: LINK
