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Forbes
27-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
It's All About The Biscuits At This Harlem Café
Melvin 'Boots' Johnson with his beloved Harlem biscuit, at his shop in the middle of Harlem. Coourtesy of Harlem Biscuit Company Melvin 'Boots' Johnson was a chef at Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill in NYC in the early 2000's, vanquished him head-to-head in 'Beat Bobby Flay' on the Food Network, but when it came to opening his own café, he turned to something from his childhood: biscuits. In 2020, when the pandemic was just picking up steam, Johnson opened the Harlem Biscuit Company on 135th Street off of Adam Clayton Blvd. Johnson was raised in Compton, Calif. outside of LA., but his family roots hail from Mississippi and New Orleans, so as he puts it, 'biscuits are in your blood when you are a Southern Black man.' He describes his cooking style as 'Cajun/Creole, Southern and contemporary flavors.' His nickname Boots rose from his mom buying him red cowboy boots as a youth, removing them, which he would put back on in the middle of the night. When Johnson launched his business, he was very ingenious about starting on a tight budget. He opened out of his home garage, and then transitioned into his friend's speakeasy, and spread the word virally. He then opened Harlem Biscuit on 135th Street in a shared space with the restaurant Exquisite Vibez, from 8 a.m. and closing at 2 p.m. and the restaurant starts at 4 p.m. When he debuted, Johnson admits that he was surprised there was no other biscuit place in a 'predominantly Black neighborhood with many people migrating from the South.' Harlem Biscuit and Exquisite Vibez share the costs 50/50. Inventive Johnson reached out to 20 different food influencers and TBO Harlem (The Best of Harlem) to help spread the word on Instagram. When influencers started posting stories, it went viral on TikTok as well. Biscuits Sell in Harlem After 5 years, it has become so successful, despite only being open 6 hours a day, that it generated a million dollars in revenue over the last two years, Johnson indicated. 'We fill a void. Most everything else for breakfast near us in Harlem is a bacon, egg and cheese from a bodega,' he points out. Named After Harlem's Literary History He has dedicated many of his best-selling biscuit specialties to the venerated literary history of Harlem including: the Langston, named after poet Langston Hughes. the fried chicken biscuit; the Frederick, for Frederick Douglass, consisting of pork sausage, egg, cheese and jerk honey, and Zora named after writer Zora Neale Huston, for vegan sausage, and of course, the classic bodega made with bacon, egg and cheddar cheese. It also offers a wide array of breakfast platters, biscuit bowls, consisting of crumbled biscuit, bacon eggs, potatoes and chicken sausage gravy, and sides such as grits, and also homemade lemonade. For people who are more health-conscious, he recommends the vegan sausage biscuit, which uses egg whites but still contains buttermilk. 'It is what it is,' Johnson states. Johnson's goal is 'To be the bagel shop for New Yorkers but in biscuit form.' He says its demographic is quite eclectic but most of all attracts people who gravitate toward Southern food. He also recommends the everything biscuit, which he says is like an everything bagel, and is known for its garlic and salt flavor. Deliveries Generate 50% of Sales Though it seats 50 people inside and 6 people in the backyard, it does a healthy to-go and delivery business to the tune of about 50% of its business. It opened during Covid when Uber, Door Dash, Grubhub and ChowNow kept them alive, and still does. Johnson With 3 Assignments But Johnson is also a multi-faceted entrepreneur and chef who can't be held to one business. Indeed he serves as executive chef of the Victoria Restaurant, which is inside of the Renaissance NY Hotel, which has been garnering a strong reputation and is located adjacent to the Apollo Theatre on 125th St. He describes the food served there as 'elevated Southern food for a sophisticated pallet.' And that's not all. He also own Boots and Bones, a BBQ restaurant, in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Island. Since one chef/owner can't be at three places at once, he relies on his Biscuits manager Pernell Boatright, Scott Rodriguez who runs Boots and Bones, and Ian Woods, his assistant at the Victoria, all of whom have been with him for at least 8 years. Asked if he has considered opening a second Harlem Biscuit Company, Johnson replies that if he could find an investor that would speed things up. He'd love to open in downtown Manhattan but if Brooklyn calls, he'd venture there. He'd prefer to be somewhere below 50th Street, which is the end point of his delivery services. He's also exploring turning his beloved biscuits for sale as a consumer-packaged good in supermarkets. His main task is identifying a co-packager which could reproduce the biscuit. 'When it reaches Wal-Mart, I know I've completed my task,' he says. Johnson just turned 57 years old, and he expects to retire at age 58 as chef but still maintain ownership. How will he juggle his 3 restaurant assignments? He laughs and says he uses the Ring camera in his apartment, and watches what is going on in his 3 kitchens. Asked the keys to Harlem Biscuit Company's success, Johnson, who has a vibrant sense of humor, replies, 1) Cook like a 70-year-old Black woman because everyone has a grandmother and recalls the sense of calm when they consumed their first biscuit, 2) Always stay consistent.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
This Milton restaurant served their fan-favorite dish to Kid Rock, Randy Travis and more
Milton Southern cooking and seafood staple The Cutting Board served up a slice of home at country music star Jamey Johnson's star-studded Tennessee wedding May 20, with the help of some Pensacola area vendors. Owner Nan Foster was selected to plan and cater the wedding at Graystone Quarry in Franklin, Tennessee, for longtime friend and 'In Color' singer Johnson and his bride, Brittney Eakins. Foster and her husband, hometown cook Steve House-Gregory, even recreated a hit from their restaurant's menu called Seafood Sensation for a crowd of 350 packed with the big names of country music. Some of the guests included Kid Rock ('All Summer Long'), Randy Travis ('Forever and Ever, Amen'), Zac Brown ('Chicken Fried'), Lee Brice ('Hard to Love'), Gary Allan ('Watching Airplanes"), Ella Langley ('You look Like You Love Me,'), Riley Green ('There Was This Girl') and many more. Get to know The Cutting Board here: The Cutting Board reopens in new location, serving up seafood and Southern specialties There was one guest on the list who left a particularly big impression. 'Randy Travis is the greatest human,' Foster said. 'I mean, he is an incredible human who is gracious in spirit and just is always a pleasure to speak with.' Since the wedding was centered around Southern elegance, The Cutting Board's cuisine fit perfectly in the picture. They brought in highlight dishes from the Panhandle, delighting guests with regional favorites such as mini muffulettas, cups of Louisiana gumbo, and, of course, fresh, local seafood. Seafood Sensation, known at The Cutting Board as Andy's Sensation, was one of the first dishes she ever fed Johnson when they met many years ago. 'We knew going in that we would include that because that's one of his (Johnson's) favorite dishes,' Foster said. 'These guys want good, enjoyable food. It doesn't have to be fancy, it doesn't have to be over the top, it just has to be good.' For dessert, Foster had Johnson's beloved guitar replicated into cake form, with Mississippi-based vendor Cakes By Iris capturing every detail, even the guitar's scribbled signatures. Foster also looked locally for vendors to assist, with The Thirsty Ranch mobile beverage cart serving up his and her style cocktails of hand grenades and blueberry moonshine margaritas, and professional photos shot by Pensacola area photographer, Addie J Photography, that were featured in People Magazine. 'It's just a fantastic opportunity for local vendors to have the opportunity to go to something of this caliber. It gives us a great opportunity to showcase our town, our community, and the kind of people that we have,' Foster said. Foster said one of the highlights of the experience was sharing a piece of the Panhandle with the celebrity guests, some of whom even messaged her after the wedding, trying to get hold of her recipes. 'Absolutely not,' Foster teased about sharing them. She said the event was special not only for her business but also to draw attention to the Panhandle and show what it has to offer despite its small size. 'You never know when you meet someone if you're going to have an opportunity to bring a slice of your world into someone else's world,' Foster said. 'And for us, that's been the most unique experience is being afforded the opportunity to showcase our small-town Panhandle community into such a large world dynamic.' If you want to try the Seafood Sensation for yourself, you can order it from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday at The Cutting Board, 8855 State Road 87 S. in Milton. Foster can be reached at 850-516-0975 for questions or catering inquiries. Stay updated on the latest restaurant news by subscribing to our free Pensacola Eats newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Wednesday. Sign up for the newsletter at This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Jamey Johnson wedding planned and catered by Milton's The Cutting Board
Forbes
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
A Local's Guide To Dining In Downtown Richmond Near Linden Row Inn
Aerial view of Richmond Skyline. Virginia. Set inside a series of beautifully preserved Greek Revival row houses, the Linden Row Inn is the kind of hotel that quietly stuns. It's a portal to another time—complete with antique furnishings, gas-lit charm and a deep connection to one of Richmond's most famous literary sons: Edgar Allan Poe who reportedly courted his first love in the garden. While an on-side restaurant is coming soon, it's also in prime territory for exciting dining. Just steps from Monroe Ward and a short ride from some of the city's most vibrant neighborhoods, Linden Row is perfectly placed for food lovers. Linden Row Inn Exterior To help navigate the city's ever-evolving food scene, we turned to someone with serious local intel. Sarah Leffler, Senior Marketing Manager at Savara Hospitality and the woman behind the brand's buzz-worthy presence online, is also a passionate food enthusiast. She knows exactly where she'd go—and why. Here are her top picks. Mama J's Exterior Just blocks from the hotel, Mama J's is a cornerstone of the neighborhood—and Richmond's go-to for soulful Southern cooking. Leffler calls it a must. 'It's one of those places that feels like home,' she tells us. 'The Southern and soul food here is the real deal and such a staple in the neighborhood.' On any given day, you'll find regulars filling the booths for fried catfish, collard greens, and hot cornbread. The energy is warm, the food hits deep, and you'll be thinking about the mac and cheese long after you leave. Perly's Restaurant & Delicatessen dishes This beloved Jewish deli is a short stroll from Linden Row—and an absolute crowd-pleaser. 'Perly's delivers authentic, crave-worthy dishes,' Leffler says, noting its Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives cameo. From towering Reubens and matzo ball soup to blintzes and brisket, the menu balances nostalgia and creativity. The vibe is retro, the pickles are sharp, and there's always something new on the specials board. Restaurant Adarra Interior Now in its new Oregon Hill digs, Restaurant Adarra remains one of the city's most transportive dining experiences. Leffler loves its intimate, under-the-radar feel: 'It's one of those places that feels like a little secret, everything on the menu is thoughtfully crafted.' The Basque-leaning menu leans earthy and elegant—winter lettuces, lamb belly, or black bass with charred scallion butter—and the natural wine list is impeccably chosen. Lost Letter Dishes Lost Letter is a pasta-and-wine haven in Scott's Addition is Leffler's dream dinner spot. 'If you're into fresh pasta, housemade bread, and a great glass of wine, Lost Letter is a dream,' she says. Settle in on the patio when the weather's right, or grab a candlelit corner inside. The menu is seasonal and subtle, with a focus on technique and texture—simple dishes that hit with precision. Lolita's Hero Shot When the vibe calls for bold flavor and a buzzy room, Leffler heads to Lolita's in Carytown. 'It's my favorite place to kick off a girls' night,' she says. 'Amazing, authentic Mexican food in this super vibey, colorful space.' Standouts include the variety of tacos with homemade tortillas tuna tostadas, and conchinita pibil. Look forward to unique cocktails like the flamenco rosa with tequila, fermented pink peppercorn and raspberry-rhubarb honey, grapefruit soda topped with salted foam. It's a party—whether you show up for lunch or roll in for dinner. Echelon Wine Bar Exterior Echelon Wine Bar in historic Shockoe Slip is where Leffler unwinds after work or meets clients in a more relaxed setting. 'The visible wine cellar adds such a cool touch, and the selection is top-notch,' she says. The space toes the line between refined and unfussy. Think curated dishes, like chef's selection of cheese and charcuterie plates or more substantial options like homemade cavetelli or a Wagyu burger paired with a thoughtful, globe-trotting list of wines. Q Rooftop at Quirk Hotel Just a half-mile from Linden Row Inn, Quirk Hotel is a favorite for rooftop cocktails with a view—Leffler points to Q Rooftop Bar as a great spot to catch the sunset over the Richmond skyline. The hotel restaurant named The Lobby Bar serves seasonal dishes and a well-edited list of Virginia wines in a stylish, art-filled space. The cocktails lean inventive, with fresh herbs and house infusions—like the garden growni, a savory-sweet blend of vodka, Aperol, and tomato-basil syrup. The pastas hold their own, too, like the house-made bucatini in a briny, botarga cream that tastes like summer on a plate.
