About Us

Born in Senegal, first cousins Chef Cisse Elhadji & Chef Cheikh Ali moved to the United States in 1995. Executive Chef Owners of Renaissance Harlem, Chef Cisse Elhadji, and Chef Cheikh Ali Cisse have worked many years under the tutelage of Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Daniel Boulud. They are leading the culinary team by bringing their culinary creations to new heights with the opening of Renaissance Harlem.

With more than 18 years of experience in the restaurant industry Executive Chefs Cisse Elhadji, and Cheikh Ali accomplished their dreams of opening their very first restaurant in Gramercy Park back in 2008. A few years later the pair opened a second Ponty Bistro location in Harlem in 2014. Renaissance Harlem marks their third venture as restaurateurs and their most ambitious project to date. Renaissance’s menu is to reflects creative & succulent cuisine while discovering a succession of flavors that capture the combination of cultures and foods found in Harlem.