72 Hours in Harlem
Spent a full weekend in New York City for the 26th Harlem Book Fair. Here's everywhere I ate and drank in one of New York's most historic Black neighborhoods.
I’m still in my hosting era, so when the opportunity to moderate the Black romance panel at the 26th Harlem Book Fair came about…
Companion vlogs: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3
I haven’t been to New York in years, which is a damn shame since I was born and raised there. But it was nice spending significant time in Harlem, which I didn’t do much of as a child.
Traveling between DC and New York
Chile. The trains are as expensive as the planes UNLESS you book early. I seriously debated flying DCA to LGA, but the added commute from the airport to Harlem would’ve been a headache versus a 20ish minute drive from Penn Starion. ALSO: Megabus done folded over the summer and The Jet costs as much as the train. AND I DON’T DO BRIDGES, so driving is never an option.
I took the Amtrak Acela high-speed train between Union Station in DC and Moynihan Train Hall in NYC. It was less than three hours each way, and only has business and first-class seating. It’s truly the best and quickest way to get to New York City (unless you’re going to Queens) from DC.
Staying at Aloft Harlem
2296 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY 10027; website
Marriott was the hotel partner for the Harlem Book Fair, so it was between the Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel and Aloft Harlem for accomodations. I chose the latter. The location was great, and the hotel bar was quite popping hosting Harlem Fashion Week and dance meetup events during my stay. However, I had higher hopes for the rooms. I’ve stayed in quite a few Aloft Hotels, and the Harlem rooms were lacking the airiness, freshness and brightness I’m used to.
Working from NBHD Brûlée
2620 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY 10030; website
I was still on the clock Friday, so I needed somewhere to work after checking into my hotel early. NBHD Brûlée was about an 18-minute walk from the hotel. The Black-owned coffee shop has a neighborhood feel with indoor and outdoor seating and is perfect for working and meeting with friends. The food was OK. I’m still thinking about its lemonade. The vibes and reggae/dancehall music were immaculate. Why don’t I go to coffee shops in DC?! I also find the cool ones everywhere else.
Happy Hour at The Edge Harlem
101 Edgecombe Ave, New York, NY 10030; website
By the time I was done working remotely for the day, I walked over to The Edge Harlem for happy hour. It took about four minutes from NBHD Brûlée. The Black-owned restaurant is a nod to the owners’ British-Jamaican heritage. I was looking for small bites to tide me over until dinner, so I had the crab cakes and jerk wings. Just OK, but I’ve heard good things about the menu. Maybe, I’ll try them for dinner or brunch in the future. I must say: it was bustling for a Friday evening. Lots of friends meeting up and dates. Make a reservation if you want to sit at a table indoors.
Dinner at The Victoria Theater Restaurant
233 W 125th St, New York, NY 10027; website
My cousin came up from Queens to assist me at the Book Fair, so I let her pick the Friday night dinner spot. She saw some Reels about the newish Victoria Theater Restaurant.
The Harlem Renaissance-themed restaurant is on the fifth floor or the Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel, right next door to The Apollo. The cocktails and Southern dishes were really good. The fried catfish is some of the best I’ve had in my life. Very vibey for a Friday night with lots of girls’ nights and birthday dinners going on and a live cover band. I easily tipped the band $30 I had a such a good time.
The Victoria also has the only rooftop bar in Harlem (so I’ve been told), so I’ll put it on my list for the future.
Brunch at Red Rooster
310 Lenox Ave, New York, NY 10027; website
After the Book Fair, Corry and I headed to Lenox Ave for brunch. It was between Red Rooster and Corner Social. The former won, because I can’t show my face at the latter. Let’s just say the drinks drunk me back that one time in February 2019.
The eatery, co-owned by celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson, serves up comfort food to a soundtrack of 70s and 80s R&B. The appetizers were OK. I really enjoyed the cocktails and breakfast pasta. We got a table for two without a reservation, but make a reservation to be on the safe side.
Happy Hour at Sugar Monk
2292 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY 10027; website
After the best afternoon nap, we went next door to Sugar Monk for drinks. The speakeasy is accessed by ringing the door bell on the solid gray door. The space is very intimate and moody. Perfect for date night or drinks with a friend. Delicious cocktails and solid music. And lucky for us: Saturday happy hour!
Dinner Party at Cafe Melo
345 Lenox Ave, New York, NY 10027; website
As I mentioned earlier, I was in New York for the Harlem Book Fair. I started the day hosting an amazing Black romance panel with authors Natasha Bishop, Olivia Linden and Dr. Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith. And I had the honor of ending the day at a small gathering of authors, activists, publishers and book content creators.
The dinner party at Cafe Melo, an intimate event space for rent in Central Harlem, was hosted by Black Women’s Lives Matter. We spent the night sharing how we can all support each other to promote Black books and authors, and celebrating the launch of Casey Kelley Media Agency! Casey literally ushered me into my hosting era this year, so I’m so excited for her new venture producing book events, and managing authors and bookfluencers.
Brunch at Angel of Harlem
2272 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY; website
After checking out of my hotel nearly a hour late, I walked over a few blocks to Angel of Harlem. Corry suggested it the day before when texting me a flyer for its R&B Sing-A-Long Brunch. I’m like, “Why are you sending my old-tailed self to a turn-up brunch alone?”
I don’t know if the R&B Sing-A-Long ever started, but Angel was popping on Sunday afternoon. I wouldn’t even call it a turn-up brunch, but everyone was dressed-to-impressed and the music was bumping.
The food was good, but standard brunch fare. I got a table for one easily, but most walk-in parties were waiting up to 60 minutes.
Reading at Double Dutch Espresso
2194 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY 10026; website
After my post-brunch walk toward Central Park, I spent a few hours at Double Dutch Espresso. The coffee shop was busy for the gorgeous Sunday afternoon. The lavender lemonade and quaint backyard patio was perfect for reading.
Drinks at Ampersand
294 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10010; website
So, this dark and moody bar isn’t in Harlem, but it was close to the train station. I caught up with my cousin Sheya over delicious cocktails and not-so-great tacos. Ampersand in Manhattan’s Gramercy neighborhood is great for dates and one-on-one time.
You are AMAAZING! Thank you so much.