News

Marcus Samuelsson Opens New Kitchenette, Streetbird Rotisserie, April 2

Posted March 31, 2015

Located on the historic and newly revived Frederick Douglass Boulevard at 116th Street, Marcus' kitchenette will highlight the namesake 'bird' with complementary dishes that reflect Marcus' multicultural upbringing from Ethiopia to Sweden. The rotisserie chicken is offered with a variety of house-made sauces that include smoky bbq, jerk sauce, sweet soy, hot sauce and more, alongside other dishes with pop-culture references like General Ye's Chicken with crispy chicken, green beans, mango and peanuts, and a rich Bird Broth with kimchi and nori. The 'Bird and Bread' section includes dishes like the Swediopian with doro wat chicken stew, injera, fresh cheese and a boiled egg, and taco-like Tack Tack, house-fermented tortillas that come with fillings like ripped rotisserie chicken, mole, pickled red onions, lettuce and cilantro or piri-piri spiced fish, pickled cucumber and avocado; the 'Noodles and Rice' section features dishes like Sho' Nuff Noodles with stir-fried noodles, cabbage, scallions and choice of chicken, shrimp, vegetables or tofu; and salads include The Fly Girl with black kale, romaine, green beans, toasted rice, and lime-coconut dressing; and sides include daily rotisserie vegetables, roasted green beans with chiles and peanuts, cornbread, pickles, fries, and others. Desserts like fresh warm cookies and the Sweet Dog, Marcus' take on the traditional Swedish dessert with brioche, almond paste and whipped cream, round out the menu. Cocktails, wine, beer and fresh fruit juices are also available.


As a member of the board of trustees at MoMA and board of directors at The Apollo Theater, Marcus’ focus on the art and design of Streetbird is a vital part the experience and reflection of its inspiration: inspired by the hip-hop and graffiti culture of the late 70s to early 90s, as well as community events such as cookouts and block parties. With a design inspired by that era, Marcus called upon friends like iconic hip hop graffiti artist Cey Adams, the founding creative director of Def Jam Recordings known for his work with The Beastie Boys, Run DMC and De La Soul and profiled in legendary PBS documentary Style Wars, to create exclusive graffiti art directly on the walls of the space, as well as two graffiti-style canvas typography pieces. Anthony Vasquez (aka AVONE) created a floor-based collage throughout the entrance, and it showcases layered, vintage images of various Harlem eating institutions and street activities. The entry also features a high-top counter made with domino tiles, representing the nostalgia for the games played at cookout community gatherings; while an interactive installation of old boom boxes, including one taken from Marcus' childhood home in Sweden, plays interviews from notable New York personalities via headphones available to guests. Acclaimed photographer Janette Beckman installed several vintage photographs that reflect the sense of community and spirit of the era, from a Run DMC portrait taken in 1984, to a scene at a Coney Island hip-hop concert in 1986. Repurposed materials of locally derived wood and West African fabric create a layered aesthetic that highlights the use of indigenous materials and the diverse groups that encompass Harlem. Other elements include authentic subway tile flooring and Harlem church pews repurposed as benches and covered in vintage designer textiles from labels like Adidas, Gucci and Louis Vuitton. The open kitchen, inspired by classic Harlem diners, features quilted steel and white tile and counter seating, while the centrally located rotisserie allows guests to see the cooking birds. Windowed garage doors leading out to the sidewalk will stay open most of the year to create an open-air feel.

Streetbird Rotisserie is located at 2149 Frederick Douglass Boulevard at 116th Street and open seven days a week from 11:30am through 10:00pm. Tables are available for walk-ins only and there is a separate section for take-out only. Delivery will be made available in upcoming weeks. For more information, visit www.streetbirdnyc.com.