Chocolat Restaurant & Bar, Harlem NY

I ordered the crabcakes on the menu. I am from Baltimore. There was so little crabmeat that you couldn't see or taste any. They served with a ton of green spinach. Someone should tell them to get some real lump crabmeat and serve with fries. Will not be back or if I do return, I won't order the crabcakes.

2021 REVIEW:
Today, Friday, 29-October-2021 was my first visit to this restaurant since 2018. I came in not quite sure of the customer volume, but much to my pleasure, since it was only 3pm and I guess most folk are still at work, the restaurant was nice and very few customers were there. Besides, I like going to restaurants during work hours or off peak time. I was greeted by Ms. Sarah who sat me at my table and she was a delight, indeed. I ordered the shrimp and grits w/bacon, a side of salmon or seafood croquettes, two honey butter biscuits, a peach Bellini and a pear cocktail. (please don't judge me; there's not much alcohol in theses beverages and I'm a BIG GIRL. LOL) Every thing was just divine! Ms. Sarah (or Sara) was attentive, pleasant, and lovely. I felt that I was being greedy asking for such an order, which was just for me, but I hadn't eaten in almost 24 hours and I was H-A-N-G-R-Y. She told me "NO, NO! Enjoy your food" and so I did! The music was nice and at a comfortable volume that I enjoyed and rocked back and forth, whilst eating. I also greeted Mr. Leon, the Owner. All in all, after almost 3 years, this restaurant for me is bee's knees! Thank you Ms. Sarah (or Sara) for your gorgeous and lovely attitude. You get! Also, LOVE that Chocolat always has CLEAN & soap-filled "dispensered" bathrooms with paper towels! Thank you also to the other wonderful staff! Hey, what can I say? ‍️ I have a thing for restaurant bathrooms in good or excellent working and tidy order. Tidy restaurant bathrooms to me, speaks volumes. Anyway, keep up the great work

(This post is a previous review 11 months ago. Update is below!) Food and service was great-bathroom had soap, paper towels and was clean! However, the music was not only too loud but offensive as well. I'm aware that not all folks view Sundays anymore as the "Lord's day, " which is their right of course, but some still do and especially after coming from their respective houses of worship, it's uncomfortable listening to such explicit lyrics in the songs that was played. Not all in attendance at the restaurant are of the same age/generation and that should be considered. I asked that the music be turned down and they said no. Its hard having a conversation whilst music such as what they played is extremely loud.

UPDATE 10/2018: My friends and I went back to Chocolat. We love the food so much! The music was at a comfortable volume, our Waiter, Mr. Woody was a delight! As I said before, the place is lovely, clean, the bathrooms have soap, are comfortable. Chocolat is just a lovely experience altogether. Compliments to the chefs, too! Five stars are in order. Keep up the great work.

I have been to this spot once before but this is my first review. The girls and I made reservations for 10ppl for 1pm. When I arrived I had to find steet parking and found parking on the street eventually. I walked over and the hostess told me I had to wait for the rest of the party before they sat me. The place is kind of small and all the big tables were all taken and they didn't look like they were leaving anytime soon. Mind you, I got there like 20 minutes earlier than our reservations. So, some more ladies showed up and it was now about 1: 15 and the larger tables were still unavailable. The restaurant doesn't seem to have seating limits, which they should to accommodate other reservations. It only ended up being 6 of us and they sat us at the top table where there was barely any light up there.

Woody was our server and he was really good. I ordered the red sangria and that was $17. For my entrée I ordered the seafood croquettes and plain grits. When my food came out it was kind of cold so I had to send it back to be warmed. I had to add quite a bit of salt so the grits could taste better and the croquettes were just ok. The girls had different meals. One of the girls had the fried chicken and she said it was more breaded that meat. She said she had to search for the meat. All in all the food was just ok. The bill included gratuity and it was close to $60 for my 2 items. This place is a bit overpriced if you ask me. I had an ok experience.

Omg, it was my first time going to this restaurant. The best food I've ever ate outside of my own. A little pricey, but worth every penny. Red snapper and chicken biscuits airsoft is a must have; it was everything. The drinks are so good it was one and done for me!

First of all this was a great experience Mr Leon the owner was great and the staff was amazing we came here all the way from Chicago the short ribs, Mac and cheese was so good and Let’s get to the honey biscuit it was soooooooooo good I will highly recommend them when your in Harlem️

*chef kiss* delicious great textures and flavors. The drinks in point, definitely going back sometime

Only sat at the bar for a few drinks. I had a mojito and margarita and they were standard.

Must Try This Place Out! The food was fresh & very delicious. The Portion size was also good. I'm definitely going back.

My daughter and I visited Chocolat last week and the food was absolutely delicious! She had the chicken & red velvet waffle along with the potatoes. I had the grilled lollipop lamb chops. Food was seasoned to perfection! I highly recommend this restaurant.

The food was good, but very over priced. Also, if you sit outside the table isn't even so my drink kept sliding

I went here after hearing about it from my son. He said the food was good. I must agree. The red velvet pancakes and the Mac n'cheese bacon flavor is delicious. A little on the pricey side for me.

Excellent Service. Woody our server was pleasant. His service was stupendous. Food was hot and delicious Our go to place.

Great location, items are a bit pricey. I'm a NY'er so when I see $16 for a glass of wine in Harlem I have certain expectations.
We had issues when using Mastercard to pay.servers claim "it happens regularly with MC".
For Vegan folks not many options, so I had a ceasars salad.

Best dinning experience that I have had in years. Sort of pricey for brunch, but absolutely worth it. There was nothing that our party ordered that wasn't good. The food was top notch. We will definitely return.

I love this restaurant. The food and service is always immaculate and amazing. The servers are attentive and the music is always good. I love this restaurant so much, it’s one of my favorites. The range for what they offer food wise is good too. I always recommend this restaurant to my friends. I never have a bad time here. Please check it out, you won’t be disappointed!

Didnt get the tequila shot right AT ALL. How you serve it unsalted then take 30 minutes to give me a salted glass for the shot. That and calamari&fries for $120. Could have been waay better smh.

Great atmosphere! If you're goal is to see and be seen, this is the place for you! If you're interested in a satisfying meal.eat before you come.

PROS:
Beautiful restaurant.
No wait to be seated.
Attentive server. Wilfredo is the best!
Drinks are not fabulous, but satisfying.
We didn't feel rushed to settle our bill as we transitioned from brunch to dinner.

CONS:
Portions are small, small, small.
Overpriced. $14 for a slice of Red Velvet Cake?
Very few seafood options - lots of chicken on the menu.
Pancakes and french toast were undercooked and mushy.

FINAL ANSWER:
Pleasant vibe, good spot to hangout with friends.
Prices and quality of the food are not comparable.
Hungry people, enter at your own risk.

Please do not go here! Flies all over the place. Overpriced food that wasn't even good. The waitress definitely had an attitude because we just inquired about the gratuity. Saying that "we should have asked her about it before we got the bill" lol I had to laugh. Once again when you try to support places in your neighborhood this is what happens. Ridiculous!

Had the red velvet waffles which were amazing! But the fried chicken was mostly bone- this was very disappointing considering the price. An 18% gratuity charge for a party of two was also added automatically.

I love this restaurant I have been for brunch and dinner the food is always good I just wish there drinks came in a bigger glass for the price u pay for