Tren’ness Woods-Black, granddaughter of Sylvia Woods, of the legendary Harlem restaurant Sylvia’s took us on a walking tour of the neighborhood to explore her favorite spots, in anticipation of Harlem Eatup!:
Return of the Mac. (Tanya Blum)
1. Streetbird Rotisserie. 2149 Frederick Douglass Blvd. (between 115th and 116th streets), 212-206-2557, StreetbirdNYC.com
The latest addition to Marcus Samuelsson’s restaurant group, Streetbird Rotisserie is a casual and fun place to drop by (no reservations). Executive chef Adrienne Cheatham, an eight-year veteran of Le Bernardin, helms the kitchen. The creamy mac ’n’ cheese is a must—and the bird, of course, the bird. Herb Karlitz has a pithy assessment of the cornbread: “illegal stuff.”
No reservations here. It maintains Streetbird’s casual vibe. (Tanya Blum)
2. LoLo’s Seafood Shack. 303 W. 116th St. (near Frederick Douglass Blvd.) 646-649-3356. LoLosSeafoodShack.com
LoLo’s Seafood Shack transports you right to the Caribbean. Don’t miss the Belizean conch fritters, which are to die for.
Soft shell Crab & Bake at LoLo’s Seafood Shack. (Courtesy of LoLo’s)
3. What’s a stroll with Tren’ness without a few shopping stops thrown in? First stop: Bébénoir. 2164 Frederick Douglass Blvd. (between 116th and 117th Streets, 212-828-5775, Bebenoir.com. Great collection of stylish accessories and jewelry—here Tren’ness picks up one, two, three jewelry pieces, and a knapsack.
Tren’ness Woods-Black shops at Bébénoir. (Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times)
4. Patisseries des Ambassades. 2200 Frederick Douglass Blvd. (at 119th St.) 212-666-0078, PatisseriedesAmbassades.com. Is it us or did those pastries just call to be eaten? The offerings behind the glass displays are tantalizing. Give in to the almond croissant and there will be no regrets.
Patisserie des Ambassades (Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times)
5. Vinateria. 2211 Frederick Douglass Blvd. (at 119th St.) 212-662-8462, VinateriaNYC.com
The cuisine is seasonal, rooted in the cuisines of Italy and Spain. Woods-Black loves the cocktails here, some named after Pedro Almodóvar films, such as the High Heels (mint, mezcal, Averna Amaro, lemon juice, tonic water).
Vinateria. (Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times)
6. Settepani. 196 Malcolm X Blvd. (at 120th Street) 917-492-4806, Settepani.com
Chef Antonio Settepani, who hails from Palermo, cooks Italian and Mediterra- nean at this restaurant. Favored by Woods-Black for a quiet date night.
Settepani. Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times)
7. Chéri. 231 Lenox Ave. (between 121st and 122nd Streets), 212-662-4374, CheriHarlem.com
At Chéri, you’re truly in the chef’s hands. Alain Eoche lives upstairs, and the restaurant is an extension of his home. The menu is conceived each day, with the provisions from local farmers’ markets, as if it were for a private dinner party.
Chéri. (Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times)
8. Harlem Haberdashery. 245 Malcolm X Blvd. (between 122nd and 123rd Streets) 646-707-0070. HarlemHaberdashery.com
The place for all things stylish and dap- per, including custom-made apparel. A go-to spot for celebrities, recording art- ists, and sports stars.
Trenness Woods-Black and trends specialist Louis Johnson Jr. at Harlem Haberdashery in Harlem on April 23, 2015. (Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times)
9. Sylvia’s. 328 Malcolm X Blvd. (between 126th and 127th Streets) 212-996-0660. SylviasRestaurant.com
Ever since the days of Tren’ness’s grandmother, Sylvia Woods, this restaurant has been a classic in Harlem. It’s all about the fried chicken and the ribs, just abandon all pretenses and ditch the utensils and leave some room for dessert.
All in the family at Sylvia’s: (L–R) Tren’ness Woods-Black, Crizette Woods, Bedelia Woods, and Taniedra McFadden. (Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times)
