Blujeen
“I have had the lobster Mac and cheese and whipped sweet potatoes twice and both times they were amazing.”
“The Father's Day special, Cauliflower Hash, and Passionfruit Sangrias were excellent.”
“Keep up the good job guys, I predict that you'll be soon one of the main food destination of Harlem.”
Blujeen
Takes Reservations: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
4 reviews
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Blujeen is great for a lot of reasons. For starters, I was kind of mesmerized by the ambience and decor. it was cozy and comfortable. The art was really cool as well. But for most people, we don't go to restaurants to gaze at art. So here's the deal. I enjoyed Blujeen. I had the crab cake salad which was tasty. Friends ordered ribs, mac & cheese and the homemade cornbread. The cornbread was pretty slamming. Here's the deal — if you're into high sadity soul food, then this is your place. If you prefer the sloppy smothered pork chop type of vibe, you should probably look else where. Service was exceptional! We arrived around 11pm and the waiter was knowledgable and patient with the group. I'd totally pay Blujeen another visit. Hoping next time around I can give it 5 stars.
I didn't really understand the vibe here. I am happy to see more restaurant options opening in the area, but it was a little odd.
First, the decor/setup as strange. The furniture was small for the space and the arrangement was a little awkward. Now this is not something that would keep me from liking a good restaurant, but it's just an observation.
Regarding the food and the drinks – they weren't great.
With Harlem gentrification continuing at a steady clip, it's nice to see that some of the newer establishments are black owned. Blujeen is one. On a late afternoon we made this our dining choice. It had gotten good Yelp reviews and when we peered inside and at the menu, everything about it seemed appealing. The décor exuded a comfortable elegance, from walls decorated with vividly colored paintings by the cook's mom to the rustic pale blue cupboard in one corner. Blujeen is spacious; you won't be knocking your neighbors' elbows. The dark cherry tables are big, the wooden chairs ample, and one side even had leather banquettes. The wide windows lent the place a sense of airiness, with the late afternoon sun shining in. But the different mirrors, and assorted lamps gave it a relaxed intimacy. At one side was a long bar. It's as you were entering into a restaurant that used to be someone's home, reminiscent of a few restaurants down South I'm fond of. The food here mirrors the ambience, comfort food taken a notch up. We had the heirloom tomato salad for starters, despite my warning that it wasn't a good year for tomatoes–too short a summer. The salad fell true to my predictions; the colorful grape tomatoes were more sour than sweet, a true disappointment. Blujeen needs to taste the tomatoes they buy and not offer that dish if they aren't good that day. But the pickled shallot vinagrette that dressed it was exceptional, flavorful, delicate and light. Our mains were happily, wonderful. Based on Yelp raves, we knew we had to try the roasted cauliflower hash. All the shout outs were indeed correct. The chef nailed this dish, the flavors intense, the textures intriguing, the taste superb. I suspect you can wean carnivores off meat with this dish. We also had the blackened salmon, with smoked tomatoes, arugula and citrus comeback. Maguerite, our delightfully warm and attentive waitress, mentioned that the chef suggested the salmon be medium rare. We were sharing dishes and my friend wanted it medium more on the done side. I added hurriedly, "but not dry". Well, Maguerite listened and the chef performed his magic. The salmon was perfectly cooked, moist inside, and so fresh under the coating of spices. Not as a creative dish as the cauliflower hash, but delicious. And nothing was overly salted, which I sometimes experience in finer restaurants, the sign I say of an insecure chef. Not this chef. He knows how to cook. Everything was plated beautifully, not captured in my Yelp photos because we were hungry and divvied up the dishes before I thought to do some photography. It was a lovely dining experience, in food, service and ambience. I can't help but hope Blujeen can find a way to add a jazz brunch, or jazz dinner, perhaps in a series even if not permanently. Gilding the lily, as they say. Blujeen is a fine addition to the NY dining scene.
This was our first time at Blu Jeen and we enjoyed it. The restaurant is very nice and I liked the African American Harlem Renaissance arts everywhere. The waiters were professional and well dressed.
Food: the food was quickly made and it was delicious. My friend the henny chicken with sweet potato pancakes and it was delicious! I will return for this meal next time. I had the goat cheese eggs and spinach which was ok but I felt that there was too much goat cheese. My niece has Mac and cheese which was good. Overall, food was great and service was better. I will definitely return to support this black owned and local resto. Also, they had unlimited drinks but we chose not to have any because my friend was driving and I don't like to drink as much these days.
Price: very affordable especially given that it's in Manhattan.