Amy Ruth’s Open All Night

experience more. www.experienceharlem.com

New Year’s Eve@ Body Restaurant & Lounge

Pizza Party Buffet Misses The Mark

For anyone who ever wants to get into the business of a buffet, allow me to share with you a couple tenets that must be followed to ensure some modicum of success. Number 1, make sure you are able to get back the cost of the meal plus a decent profit for each plate you… [Read more…]

December 31: Kuumba

Kuumba (Creativity) To do al

Harlem Year in Review – 2008

10. Several longtime restaurants and businesses packed up for good 9. In exchange for closed businesses Harlem got hella’ new wing places, lots of Dunkin Donuts, more Starbucks, a luxury car dealership, a couple of bike shops, an American Apparel, new gyms, hot yoga, and yet another new wine store (…and a partridge in a… [Read more…]

Reader Query: Where is the Best Tailor

Colleen, a (fairly) new resident to Harlem writes: My husband & I moved into Central Harlem (W 137th between Frederick Douglass & Adam Clayton Powell) this past July and I am wondering if you know if there is an excellent tailor in the neighborhood. I know there’s B. Oyama right around the corner from us,… [Read more…]

December 30: Nia

Nia (Purpose)

Apollo: Donate a Coat and Get in for $10

Tuesday, December 30 at 7:30pm DONATE A GENTLY USED COAT AT THIS WEEK’S SHOW AND YOUR TICKETS START AT $10! After besting thousands of hopefuls, only a handful remain to face the notoriously tough Apollo audience, who will decide who becomes the 2008 Apollo Amateur Night Super Tog Dog champion in this truly nail-biting competition. Featuring the… [Read more…]

Mulchfest 2009

Chip in! Mulch your tree! Help NYC grow! Saturday, January 10 and Sunday, January 11, 2009 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Bring your holiday tree to a designated city park to be recycled into mulch that will nourish plantings across the city! Remember to remove all lights and ornaments before bringing the tree to a… [Read more…]

December 29: Ujamaa

Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)

Bebenoir presents AdeSIJI

Kwanzaa at the African Burial Ground

Kwanzaa December 30, 2008 Celebrate Kwanzaa on Dec. 30 with the National Park Service (NPS). Kwanzaa is a week long African American holiday observed from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1. The name Kwanzaa is derived from the phrase, “matunda ya kwana,” which means “first fruits” in Swahili. The holiday was created in 1966 by Dr.… [Read more…]

Where to Celebrate Kwanzaa in Harlem

Edited Photo and story via NBCNY/MSNBC If you’re not doing anything tonight and you celebrate Kwanzaa, you should check out the party in Harlem. Back by popular demand, The Apollo Theater presents its 3rd Annual Kwanzaa Celebration with Regeneration Night, a multifaceted performance featuring the renowned Harlem-based dance company Forces of Nature Dance Theatre. For… [Read more…]

December 28: Ujima

Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)

New Year’s Eve @ The River Room

Family Craft Fridays

Family Craft Friday At the Dana Discovery Center (Inside the Park at 110th Street between Fifth and Lenox Avenues) Fridays, January 2 – March 27 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm FREE! ALL AGES! Families only; no groups please Come out of the cold, and join us in Central Park as we create a new craft… [Read more…]

Christmas in Harlem

The last of the Holidays in Harlem series.  View the accompanying video.

December 27: Kujichagulia

Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)

Ring in the New Year at Hudson River Cafe

Uptown Shutdown

December 26th Charity Swap

Let’s say your sister-in-law, who happens to be a huge fan of V.S. beauty products, generously shared her love of Dream Angel with you by buying the most expensive holiday gift set in the store.  There’s just a slight problem — you are more of an earth goddess so you prefer the natural scents of… [Read more…]

December 26: Umoja

Umoja (Unity)

Video: Eartha Kitt – Santa Baby 2006.

more about “Eartha Kitt – Santa Baby 2006.“, posted with vodpod

Eartha Kitt: January 17, 1927 – December 25, 2008

Dear Readers: It is with great sadness that we report the loss of an Uptown Darling.  The beautiful and talented Ms. Eartha Kitt has passed away just shy of her 82nd birthday.  It is almost apropos that she passed away during the Christmas season since she is renown for her seductive rendition of “Santa Baby.”… [Read more…]

Closed for Christmas

Hi Everyone: We are closing up shop until the day after Christmas.  Enjoy your time with family and friends. -UPTOWNflavor Family

Gone with the Wind

In my travels through Harlem I noticed a couple of businesses seem to be shuttered.  I mentioned the new-ish juice bar below back in October which is now all packed up.  I also noticed that Butterfly Blue was shuttered possibly due to a fire.  I never got up there to try their food, but check… [Read more…]

Christmas Night in Harlem @ Body

What Ever Happened to Excellent Customer Service?

The main complaint that everyone in Harlem has about the businesses is lack of good customer service.  Nine times out of ten when a business folds in Harlem our readers comment that it was due to a lack of attention to the potential customer.  In reality it can make or break a small business.  Nicole… [Read more…]

Video: Ny’s Joy

Remember a few weeks back I told you about some of the Harlem entrepreneurs I met over at the East Harlem Cafe?  One of them was Nanette who makes Obama Bling and sells it online. She shot me an email today with a link to a video that her son made about her.  It is… [Read more…]

Holiday Gift Guide: Not Just Tea

If you are anything like me then you are always looking for something hot to warm you from the inside out during the frigid winter months. While I am admittedly a coffee lover and hot cocoa is usually the first choice that comes to mind on a cold snowy day, my opinion quickly changed with… [Read more…]

Atomic Wings Opens in Harlem

Photo by: Moises De Pena for JCMD Photography On a chilly December evening I headed up 113th Street to the grand opening of the newest location of Atomic Wings on Frederick Douglass Avenue.  As I entered the double doors I took notice of the clean surroundings that included a twin row of tables, a counter… [Read more…]

Narmer’s Newstand

Ever wonder what 125th Street used to look like? [ENY] Big Ignored my Heroine Tips NYP] No Justice for the African-Americans Targeted After Katrina[ALTERNET] Roswell Rudd / Lafayette Harris Duo Live at the Rubin Museum NYC[ABJ] U.S. Workers Crowding Out Immigrant Laborers [WSJ] Vietnamese GOP successor to Jefferson expressed interest in Black Caucus Seat.[EUR] Fleet… [Read more…]

What’s New in Harlem?

Besides the new bookstore and wing spot, there are few more new places opening up first of the year.  See photos below. Know of something new opening in your part of the neighborhood?  Send it to us at uptownflavor [at] gmail.com. Photos by D. Bell.  All rights reserved ©2008

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

So, here it is Christmas week and you still haven’t bought your tree?  Not to worry because there are still plenty of live Christmas trees to be found around Harlem.  If you are down near 116th Street check out the vendor featured on Harlem Condo Life. If you are farther uptown then you can pick… [Read more…]

East Harlem Cafe Customer Appreciation

East Harlem Cafe would like to wish you and your family the best during this holiday season. As a thank you to our loyal customers who have supported us during our first couple of months, complimentary snacks and refreshments will be available on Wednesday, December 24th from 12:30pm to 2:00pm. I look forward to seeing… [Read more…]

Op-Ed by Michael Henry Adams

Michael Henry Adams, Harlem architectural historian and author wrote an op-ed in the Daily News today.  While he has spoken about the topic of a changing Harlem on both Black Star News and The Daily Voice he brings forth the question once again, will Harlem stay Harlem?  Read the piece below: All New York neighborhoods… [Read more…]

Kwanzaa at the Apollo

Saturday December 27th 2008 7:30

New Banner

You’re in the right place.  I am just experimenting with the header. The banner will be rotating for a while with various images from around the neighborhood.  We are coming up on our 3rd anniversary in February and want to spruce things up a bit.  If you see something you like, let me know. Photo… [Read more…]

Seen in Harlem: Patrick Riley

Patrick Riley, TV personality, fashion stylist, and pop culture commentator was seen at the grand opening of the new Harlem branch of Atomic Wings on Thursday. You can keep up with Patrick and his friends on his website “A Day in the Life of Riley“.

Job Op: US Census Taker

When I was growing up my mom had all kinds of side hustles to bring extra income into the house — from working part time in stores to delivering phone books to working the polls during elections. Perhaps that is why I can relate so well to the parents on “Everybody Hates Chris.” One of my… [Read more…]