NBHD Brulee — Restaurant in New York

As the founder of a nonprofit that actually supports historically overlooked young adults through real-world crisis and career, I never thought I’d have to write a review like this, especially about this café I’ve been to dozens of times. Here we are.

A young woman in our programme had just gone through a deeply traumatic experience: surviving domestic violence & having her belongings stolen by the perpetrator. At around 8am est, I instructed her to head to NBHD Brûlée, a place I (WRONGFULLY) assumed would offer a neutral, safe space where she could wait, collect herself & simply sit until I arrived to meet her.

She went inside, found a quiet seat and waited. Not causing trouble, not disturbing anyone. She spoke with the owner (a man who was popping in and out of the kitchen that morning) and explained that her credit card and all forms of payment had been stolen and that her friend (me) was on the way to purchase her food. He was fine with her staying & even offered empathy.

But that did not stop a woman working there (roughly 5’7”) from stepping in and demanding that she leave unless she bought something. This was after being told the situation. And after knowing that her friend was on the way the exact exact words she used? “I don’t care.”

Let me be clear: cafés like NBHD don’t sell just coffee or food. We understand that NBHD is a business. We know café is rely on paying customers. The problem is that they claim to be part of the community. But what kind of community is this exactly? One where young people in crisis are treated as loiterers while colonisers are handed Wi-Fi codes without even being asked if they’ve ordered?

It’s not just a bad hospitality it’s a glaring ethical failure.

The woman from our programme calmly explained to the 5’8” female staff member of NBHD Brûlée that her credit card had been stolen, but her friend (me) was en route and would be buying for her. She was not disruptive, loud or occupying a large area. She was just trying to exist. The staff member showed no compassion and made it painfully clear: unless you’ve got money in hand right now you’re not welcome here.

Seeing as the woman from our programme was being forced to leave, she asked if it were possible to save/reserve a table seeing as by this time (8:27) I was already en route to her. What unfolded was a blatant display of hostility, cruelty and what appeared to be thinly veiled racial bias from a female staff member approximately 5’8”. When that staff member stated that tables could only be reserved “depending who is asking for it”.

NBHD, I attended events there before the fire put you out of business and returned upon the grand re-opening. You had a chance to offer warmth (I mistakenly believed was in the lining of this establish) in a moment of profound cold. Instead, you chose elitism over empathy. Policing who gets to sit in a black neighbourhood café send a loud message about who you really think belongs.

Will be directing our supporters, students & partners to spaces that embody community care not conditional compassion. Until your staff undergo training and basic human decency and anti-discrimination you’ve lost trust of at least one organisation doing real work in this...

I heard of this spot from a 20 second Tik Tok video and was blown away by my own experience. It felt warm and welcoming at the door with beautiful black smiles behind the counter and classic songs that made me go back and add to my Spotify. I ordered the Cajun shrimp and grits and I cleaned the bowl. The beautiful barista then recommended her favorite coffee drink which came warm in a cozy big mug. There’s plenty of seating, options to eat and drink, snacks and pastries, and free ice water. The WiFi was glitching on my laptop but everyone seemed to have no issues with WiFi. Plants, posters, and a clean place to get away and chat or do work. The only thing missing was someone’s grandma going around with kisses lol. The coziest spot. Will definitely return with plans on familiarizing myself with staff and locals! 30/10, just stop by! HOWEVER, the employee who came on the 12PM shift, lightskin female with two natural buns or puffs on 9/9 made the place cold on her immediate entrance. Her approach to a client at 1:11PM about needing to order to dine was distasteful, he wasn’t at the establishment more than 2 full minutes before she noticed his outside coffee and assumed he would not spend money with the establishment and barged outside to tensely confront him. Even her response to a vegetarian customer returning a meat dish was cold and transactional. No apology, just coldly collected the plate and with a odd grin returned with the correct dish. Outside of the employee, who also restocked the red straws with no gloves nor clean hands.. the café is a...

i'll try to keep this short... I've lived on this block for 32 years and when I seen the local corner store was being replaced I was so worried because of the changes our neighborhood has been going through making it not feel like home... So I didn't visit when NBHD first opened but after a few months I could help but to go inside after having to admit how attractive and welcoming the place looked from the outside. When I went in immediately I felt positive energy like this place was built on healing stones lol. The lead cashier and store manager has got to be the most attentive lady I've ever met, the place was spotless clean, the music was at the perfect volume with feel good tunes, and the menu was diverse but like home food. Not to mention the interior design is nice, you won't want to leave! So NBHD became one of my fav places... moving forward 1 year later, I got to meet the owner and talk about community and asked if he would support youth initiatives. With few question follow up the owner agreed. Since then I've hosted FREE youth tea parties, book giveaways, and tomorrow we are doing crochet! This cafe was exactly what my hood needed. Its giving luxury service and ownership that cares about the people they serve. I love that for US ALL. so if you are in harlem please visit here often, they deserve our money.... & we need this Brulee more...