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Seafood Restaurant Brings Mango Ceviche and Seafood Towers to West Harlem

By Gustavo Solis | September 17, 2014 3:07pm

WEST HARLEM — Up until recently, if you wanted seafood in Manhattanville, you'd need a fishing rod — but that's about to change.

A new eatery called BTH is opening Thursday, bringing purified oysters, crab legs, mussels, lobster tail and jumbo shrimp to the neighborhood.

The restaurant, which stands for by the Hudson, on 712 W. 125th St. features sweeping views of the river and a menu that combines Mediterranean and Caribbean flavors.

Half of the restaurant's walls are massive floor-to-ceiling windows that let in plenty of light, while the lounge-style interior is furnished with dark wood and earth tones. They plan to feature live Jazz bands during weekend brunch service.

Co-owners Fernando Reynoso and Giulio Tata said they looked throughout Harlem and Washington Heights for the right location and ultimately picked west 125th Street, right next to Dinosaur BBQ, because they wanted to contribute to the area's ongoing development.

“This place was vacant for nearly seven years,” said Reynoso, who grew up in the Bronx and lived in Washington Heights, “When people saw the cranes outside they were excited about a place opening up here.”

He said he wanted to open his restauraunt in upper Manhattan to serve locals.

The menu features a collection of entrees — with prices ranging from $16 to $42 — including scallops and polenta cakes served with an heirloom tomato relish, dark chocolate and chili shavings that are something you can’t get anywhere else in town, Reynoso said.

Chef Lusianie Otero learned to cook in her native Puerto Rico and was trained in Seville, Spain. Her menu combines both traditions and mixes in American favorites like sliders and mac & cheese. 

“If you live in Harlem you should be able to hang out in Harlem,” Reynoso said. “When you talk about gentrification in Harlem, we wanted something that would open up to everyone in the neighborhood.”