Category Archives: Harlem

Marcos Leatherlab Shoe Repair coming to Harlem’s Frederick Douglass Blvd

Posted on January 18, 2012 | Leave a comment

Looks like one business person is going to mix it up on Harlem’s Frederick Douglass Blvd by not open up a dining establishment, but by opening up a shoe repair store. Marcos Leatherlab has paper signage up on one of the retail spaces in the Gateway Tower/Condos saying they are coming soon! How soon? I don’t know. Hopefully in 2012.

I checked out Marcos Leatherlab’s website and it says they are a long time family shoe repair business from the Bronx.

I think this is a nice change to the area and a much-needed service. It is not a diner, which some people have left comments here asking for, but for those that need shoe repair close by this should help. What do you think? Do we need a cobbler in this part of Harlem?

20120118-080329.jpg

20120118-080339.jpg

Leave a comment

Posted in business, commercial real estate, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, restaurant row

Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

More tickets available to see President Obama at Harlem’s famous Apollo Theater, January 19

Posted on January 16, 2012 | Leave a comment

I just checked out the Facebook page of Harlem4Obama and its says there are more $100 tickets available to the January 19 event, which is The Obama Victory Fund Concert. Go to this link here and get your $100, $300 or $5000 tickets. They just added more this evening.

I am going with another fellow Harlemite. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I don’t want to miss it! Hope you will join me in seeing President Obama at the Apollo!

Leave a comment

Posted in 125th Street, art and culture, Community, education, Events, Harlem, history, New York, New York City, NYC, Red Rooster Harlem, The Apollo Theater

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Dear Harlem: If we could only clone Martin Luther King Jr.

Posted on January 16, 2012 | 1 comment


As we celebrate Martin Luther King Day today, all I can think about are a few things, such as why do all the good ones have to die young?, what would MLK think of our leaders today?, and if only we could clone Mr. King? My answer to these posed questions. They just don’t make him [leaders] like MLK anymore. Oh, how we need leaders like MLK. I miss that about America. We just don’t see leaders on a national stage who can move and inspire us anymore. Hopefully that will change one day. I am hopeful.

To learn more about Martin Luther King Jr., turn to the History Channel.

1 Comment

Posted in art and culture, Community, education, Harlem, history

Tagged , , , , ,

Christina Ricci dressed in red in Harlem

Posted on January 13, 2012 | 2 comments

This slideshow requires JavaScript.


The ABC television show ‘Pan Am’ was filming once again in Harlem (they’ve filmed in West Harlem as well) and one of its stars was seen walking the streets in uptown Manhattan dressed in period piece red! Actress Christina Ricci looks fabulous in this red coat! Hope she got to go out in Harlem in that red coat! That look fits right in Harlem-even if she was in costume as a stewardess from the 60s.

2 Comments

Posted in Community, entertainment, fashion, film, Harlem, Lenox Avenue, New York, New York City, NYC

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Layers start to unfold on story around Harlem church and Livmor developer

Posted on January 10, 2012 | 2 comments

20120110-001726.jpg
In December, I wrote about how Londel’s Supper Club is planning to open up a second location in Harlem, specifically in the Livmor Condos’ commercial space, located on the corner of 115th and Frederick Douglass Blvd. That blog post garnered some interesting/revealing comments. I recommend reading them.

Fast forward to today, January, where Crain’s New York is reporting that there is a serious dispute taking place between Harlem’s St. Stephen Community Church and the developer of the Livmor. It’s not a good situation, according to the article. And I am guessing the folks that bought (or those that might want to buy) in that building are a wee-bit pissed that this dispute is starting to be played out in the trade press.

I hope this get’s resolved soon. I went by Livmor Condos in Harlem January 9 to take a picture of where the church is supposed to be and as usual there was someone there, who clearly does not have a home and probably needs help, camping out on the front door. It is like that practically every day. And no, the person(s) camping out there is not someone from Occupy Wall Street.

God, hear my prayer. Help resolve this!

2 Comments

Posted in apartments, business, commercial real estate, Community, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, real estate

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

David Martinez out, Darryl Burnette in as new chef at 5 and Diamond Harlem

Posted on January 6, 2012 | Leave a comment

20120106-120908.jpg
New York Magazine’s Grub Street reported yesterday that Harlem’s 5 and Diamond has named a new chef…for the third time! It’s Darryl Burnette, who was with BG at Bergdorf Goodman and has been the guest chef at 5 and Diamond Harlem for their Supper Club events.

We have tasted Darryl’s food creations and let us say, it did not disappoint. He is a highly skilled chef and can cook up some great dishes! My only concern is the high turnover rate for this restaurant. It has not been open that long! Maybe chefs and management/owners are like dating? Ya gotta keep dating until you find the one! Once you find the right chef, you’ll marry them and food will be created happily ever after.

Congrats to Darryl and we wish him the best! And here’s hoping to a third times the charm!
20120106-120914.jpg

Leave a comment

Posted in 5 and Diamond Harlem, Bars, business, drinks, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, restaurant row, restaurants

Tagged , , , ,

Dallas Cowboys owner dines at Harlem’s Melba’s Restaurant hoping for good luck

Posted on January 4, 2012 | Leave a comment

The New York Post reported yesterday (January 3) in their Page Six section that Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas, Texas Cowboy Football team, dined in Harlem this past Sunday before the big game, which they lost to the New York Giants. Jones dined at long time, Harlem establishment Melba’s Restaurant, located on the southwest corner of 114th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd., for some good luck. Jones wanted specific southern dish items, i.e. black-eyed peas and collard greens, but apparently did not get what he wanted. Melba’s was out of those items (wink, wink). I guess this explains why Tony Romo was sacked a couple of times during the game. Jones did not get to eat his lucky meal.

On a personal note, I actually wish I would have seen the Cowboys owner in Harlem myself for a pic! I would have scored major points with some members of my family. I have several family members that love the Cowboys. Next time they visit me in Harlem, how much do you want to bet they’re gonna want to eat at Melba’s?  Why? Cause the food is darn good, try the catfish…and Jerry went there.

Leave a comment

Posted in entertainment, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, restaurant row, restaurants

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Harlem Food Bar, a new bistro, coming to Harlem’s restaurant row

Posted on January 3, 2012 | Leave a comment

20120102-232927.jpg
Back in November 2008, I wrote a post titled: Is Frederick Douglas Blvd becoming the restaurant row of Harlem? I am going to answer that question with another question, how can FDB not be now with another bistro scheduled to open this year (hopefully Spring 2012)? It’s called Harlem Food Bar as reported in The Wall Street Journal. They will be located at 2100 FDB, right across the street from bier international and right next door to Coco Nail Salon.

The owners of Harlem Food Bar are “working it” in the area where they plan on opening by leaf-letting area residents telling them they plan on “opening an old style Parisian bistro” with a hint of modernism. They plan on serving light tapas and hope to have sidewalk seating.

They are also letting Harlemites know that they are applying for an on site liquor license. I wonder if Harlem Food Bar owners know they could get approved, however, their license may be for only 2 AM if Community Board 10 gets their way. Yikes! Hope they’re considering that possibility in their business plans.

Good luck to them and glad to hear they are joining Harlem’s restaurant row!

Leave a comment

Posted in 5 and Diamond Harlem, Bars, bier international, business, Cedric French Bistro and Bar Harlem, Community, drinks, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, Harlem Tavern, Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar, restaurant row, restaurants

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The 5 and Diamond Harlem kicks off 2012 helping Haiti

Posted on January 3, 2012 | Leave a comment

The women behind 5 and Diamond Harlem are starting off the new year by thinking of others. Lia Sanfilippo and Selene Martinez, co-owners of the Harlem restaurant Frederick Douglass Blvd., are organizing a benefit January 5 called Helping Hands for Haiti. All the proceeds, i.e. 100 percent, from the event will be donated to support grassroots efforts in Haiti in the areas of medical, construction and food distribution. If you would like to attend this event, RSVP to info@5anddiamondrestaurant.com. Suggested donations are listed below.

Leave a comment

Posted in 5 and Diamond Harlem, Community, education, Events, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, restaurant row, restaurants

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Harlem, Nancy Wilson wants to know, ‘What are you doing New Year’s Eve?’

Posted on December 31, 2011 | 3 comments


It’s December 31, 2011, New Year’s Eve and we want to know, what are you doing New Year’s Eve?

Are you going to 67 Orange, 5 and Diamond or bier international? What about Harlem Tavern? They are all having festivities tonight with….NO COVER! We also hear Lido Harlem is going to be serving their regular menu along with a bunch of specials. They are not doing a prix fix so you can walk right in and order whatever you want from the menu. Not bad! So head on over to Lido Harlem for New Year’s Eve dinner if you have no dinner plans. Or just walk along Frederick Douglass Blvd tonight and have your pick cause with most of these establishments mentioned above not charging a cover, the night will be blast and you’ll still have money in your pocket!

Have a wonderful evening. Maybe we’ll see you out in Harlem? If not, Happy New Year, Harlem!

Here’s the original song ‘What are you doing New Year’s Eve?’ by Nancy Wilson. Enjoy!

3 Comments

Posted in 125th Street, 5 and Diamond Harlem, Bars, bier international, business, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, Harlem Tavern, Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar, music, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurant row, restaurants, spending

Tagged , , , , ,