Wild Olive

Wild Olive Market is getting closer to opening their doors. The organic grocer projects it should be open in the next two weeks. It will be nice to have yet another healthy option in the neighborhood. (Photo: D.Bell)

harlem is….Theater screening at The Dwyer

Forgoing the wicked weather that has cast a wet blanket over the New York area for the past few days, Harlem’s theatre elite turned out in full force on Tuesday night to screen Jamal Joseph’s latest production. Joseph, a respected professor at Columbia and a former Black Panther, worked in concert with New Heritage Films… [Read more…]

Sunday Night Jazz at 67 Orange

67 Orange Street 2082 Frederick Douglass Blvd at 113th St Date: Sun, Mar 28th Time: 4:05am Cost: Free Sunday Night Jazz 67 Orange Street is named for the last known location where Almack’s – one of the first black owned speakeasies of the prohibition era – once stood. Owner Karl Franz Williams brings the vibrant… [Read more…]

There goes the neighborhood

The Guardian published an article titled, “There goes the neighbourhood: change sweeps black America’s cultural home.” There is a deluge of sensationalized doom and gloom articles that take a sweeping view of Harlem and put it into print. This article is just one more to add to the collection. Harlem is a complex place that… [Read more…]

Shemekia Copeland brings soulful songs to Wolf Trap | Washington Examiner

Shemekia Copeland brings soulful songs to Wolf Trap | Washington Examiner.

Photo of the Day: Dorrance Brooks Square

Dorrance Brooks Square, Harlem. II, originally uploaded by Eric K. Washington.

Four Paws & Whiskers Pet Care

Harlem landlords from hell

Think that you have a landlord from hell? What until you read some of the stories that Harlem residents have to tell about their living conditions. The Village Voice published a two part series about New York’s Ten Worst Landlords last week that showcased the city’s worst slumlords in all of their wretched glory. Check… [Read more…]

Seen in Harlem: Project Runway

We kept hearing about Project Runway coming to Harlem to shoot an episode, but we didn’t get a chance to check the episode out until now.  Emilio Sosa, a Dominicano who grew up in the Bronx, but now seems to live uptown, chose the historic neighborhood as his inspiration for the weekly challenge on episode 7.… [Read more…]

Sparks fly at 5 & Diamond

Harlem’s newest gem on Frederick Douglass, 5 & Diamond, is stirring up more than just fresh flavor on the Harlem restaurant scene. Gothamist reports that the volatile chef, Ryan Skeen, has already lost his general manager and front of house staff. The GM, Gwen Butler, allegedly “assaulted” him according to Grub Street. There was a… [Read more…]

Narmer’s Newsstand

For Drug Users, Coalition Serves as Voice in Albany[NYT] Despite Much Rezoning, Scant Change in Residential Capacity [NYT] Transit Agency Approves Cuts, and More Bad News Looms [NYT] Future dreams – a neighborhood’s hope for the Sherman Creek Esplanade [MT] 5 Notable women of the past and present (special series part 7): Comic Jackie “Moms” Mabley… [Read more…]

NY Times weekend events – uptown edition

MUSEUM OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK Saturday at 3 p.m., “Ladies Singing the Blues: A Tribute to Blues in New York City,” a performance featuring the singer Ghanniyya Greene, in celebration of Women’s History Month. Through May 16, “Charles Addams’s New York,” featuring works by that cartoonist for The New Yorker. Museum hours: Tuesdays… [Read more…]

Sundays in Washington Heights

The New York Times took a trip up to Washington Heights for their Local Stop section the other day. My long time friend Marge Eliot was featured for her ongoing public service of providing free jazz concerts in her living room at 555 Edgecombe every weekend. Read the article: The New York Times

Seen in Harlem: The First lady and the girls

On Tuesday Harlem was the focus of First lady Michelle Obama and her daughters as they enjoyed spring break. The Obama group toured the Studio Theater [Ed. note: wonder if they meant the Studio Museum in Harlem?] and the world famous Apollo Theater. They later dined with Harlem’s own celebrity Chef Marcus Samuelsson at Aquavit.… [Read more…]

Through the camera’s eye

As you may well know, this site is a fan of “feel good” stories, especially those that pertain to Harlem. The following story appeared in the New York Times last week and warmed our hearts. We are looking forward to an exhibit of the girl’s work on display at the Studio Museum in Harlem. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/18/arts/artsspecial/18STUDIO.html

Nycgo names tasty fare in Harlem

Whenever lists of this type appear in mainstream media it almost always leaves us feeling dismayed, but also a bit relieved that some of the best places in Harlem weren’t mentioned. Yes, the good places need the business, but we all know that once a place goes mainstream the quality goes right along with it.… [Read more…]

http://cnn.com/video/?/video/us/2010/02/…

http://cnn.com/video/?/video/us/2010/02/17/cooper.rebuilding.harlem.cnn

458 West 145th Street (formerly OH) is on the market

Remember all the hoopla surrounding the semi-private lounge that Odell Holland formerly of Sugar Shack generated?  Well, the townhouse that housed OH (formerly Sugarhill Bistro and Baton Rouge) is back on the market. Check out the real estate listing which mentions the current liquor license obtained by the short-lived eatery and lounge.  Someone was just… [Read more…]

Floral Classes at Pollen Nation

Pollen Nation, owned by Collin Abraham – floral designer for such names as Beyoncé, Rachel Ray, Diddy and President Clinton – has just announced their Spring 2010 semester of classes. Each class will tackle a different discipline within the realm of floral design, from simple care and handling to arranging, Pavé and Ikebana-style. Pollen Nation… [Read more…]

Textures of Beauty

Who Do You Love

“In the mid-50s, Leonard and Phil Chess gave me, Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, Willie Dixon and others the opportunity to develop a sound and musical style that changed the world! Who Do You Love explores what we laid down on South Michigan Street in Chicago back then, how the development of a record empire and… [Read more…]

Yelp specials in upper Manhattan

Monday Night Steak House – $12.95 Chez Lucienne (Harlem) Free Bowling! Harlem Lanes (Harlem) Haakon’s Hall news flash Haakon’s Hall (Morningside Heights)

Don’t count them out: B. Braxton lives

There had been rumors flying around that B.Braxton, the high-end men’s grooming tonsorial, had closed.  I contacted them to get the real deal and promptly received the following message in my box the following day : Dear Clients, I would like to apologize for the delay in writing, and appreciate your loyalty and patience. Great… [Read more…]

Women’s History in El Barrio

The Women of El Barrio celebrate women’s history month by honoring the following 5 Boricuas: Olga Casanova-Garcia, Community Garden Activist & Founder Patricia B. Rodriguez, Community Activist Stephanie Rivera, Emerging Young Leader Eva de la O Frances Castillo This year’s celebration will be dedicated to Petra Allende, Co-Founder of Women of El Barrio and Community… [Read more…]

Return Rebuild Rebirth

Build your own cupcake with Tonnie in Harlem

Build your own cupcake with Tonnie in Harlem Posted using ShareThis

Harlem’s new political elite – latimes.com

Harlem’s new political elite – latimes.com Posted using ShareThis

We’re 4 years old!

Wow, it just hit me that Uptownflavor has been online for four years as of last month!  While it has been difficult to keep the momentum going, we are going to try to pull another year out of the hat. If you are interested in becoming a regular contributor to our site please send an… [Read more…]

Seen in Harlem: The Samuelssons

As if you needed another reason to shop at Best Yet Market on Frederick Douglass Blvd. Seen on Sunday night, celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson and his gorgeous new bride picking up a few items from the deli department. Stunning couple! Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get a clear photo so I used one from The… [Read more…]

Soft opening of 5 & Diamond

Last Thursday was the soft opening of the newest gem on Frederick Douglass Boulevard (8th Ave.) 5 & Diamond is the brainchild of Chef Ryan Skeen who is bringing a blend of American-Mediterrean to the Harlem food scene.  At first glance it might seem that this is just another downtown chef making his mark uptown,… [Read more…]

I live!

Collapsed roof in Harlem finally cleared

The last wintery storm of the season took its toll on a partially occupied building in Harlem. The heavy snows caused the roof of the building at 144th and Lenox to cave in. The entire block of businesses were forced to close until crews could clear the debris. While the surrounding businesses have reopened, businesses in… [Read more…]

harlem is….THEATER

Community Works launches a special exhibit opening of harlem is… THEATER, which honors the historic legacy keepers and current theater stakeholders in Harlem today. Held at Harlem’s Dwyer Cultural Center on Tuesday, March 30 at 6:30 pm, the opening will premiere the harlem is… THEATER documentary, written and directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Professor Jamal Joseph.

Harlem YWCA razed

The annex to the Harlem YWCA built in the early 1930s has been demolished. This brings Abyssinian one step closer to renovating the former Renaissance Ballroom on Adam Clayton Powell Blvd. between 137th and 138th Street. A 2007 New York Times article had this to say about the dilapidated building: As the Renaissance project moves forward, no… [Read more…]

Save a little

If you have kids you might be interested to know that the local IHOP lets kids eat free Monday through Thursday nights and offers teachers, nurses, school safety guards, and seniors 15% off until 6 PM. Talk about a recession buster! IHOP 2294 Adam Clayton Powell Junior Boulevard @ 135th Street New York, NY 10030-2804… [Read more…]

Train arriving

The MTA is finally using the money raised from fare hikes for something that is useful. Stations are getting electronic signs letting riders know when to expect the next train. Cities like San Francisco and Washington, D.C. have used this model for years. Do you find the signs helpful or a waste of revenue?

Toni’s Touch Closed

Spring is the perfect time of year to get those tootsies back into presentable condition, but sadly there is one less salon in Harlem to visit. Toni’s Touch has left the Harlem small business scene due to the downturn in the economy. Toni decided to close up shop and wait for the economic tides to… [Read more…]

Cheesesteak Factory is shuttered

Cheesesteak, originally uploaded by Uptownflavor Photos. Read our previous post about the closing of Harlem’s only cheesesteak shop.

Hope Kidz Easter Egg Hunt

Harlem Stages A Rockin’ Premiere

The snow didn’t stop them. Neither did the date change. Apparently they were ready for a party and when they got there, that’s exactly what they did. Who and what am I talking about? Harlem Stage opened their Spring 2010 season of Uptown Nights on Sunday, February 28 with a show featuring TreZure as the… [Read more…]