☞ REMEMBER: Murals on Fifth circa 1930

An old photo from 1930 shows a luxury Fifth Avenue apartment facing Fifth Avenue and the distinct decorative details found within.  This location is actually between 101st and 102nd Street on the east side and is considered East Harlem but the wealth of its residents is apparent through the details of the interior.  Stone flooring covers this apartment hallway with an intricate mural painted along its walls and leaded glass decorating the windows.  Today this building still stands but it is unclear if any of these original details remain.

Samuel H Gottscho, Walter Siligman residence. General view of window and hall mural, January 23, 1930 via the digital collection at the Museum of the the City of New York

☞ DWELL: 532 West 148th Street Townhouse

OPEN HOUSE:  Sunday, February 12th, 2:30PM-3:30PM.  The townhouse showcased in this week's Wall Street Journal is non other than Number 532 West 148th Street in West Harlem.  This house  has been on the market since last September and is currently asking for $1.595 million. We guessed that an artist must live in this gut renovated abode and this week's Journal confirms our theory.  Check out additional photos after the jump.

☞ SUPPORT: The Harlem Arts Festival

The founders of the Harlem Arts Festival which will support artists and the free public events at the Richard Rodgers Amphitheater have started a Kickstarter campaign to raise $12,000 by March 18th. A little over $1,300 has been funded at this point so those who want to support the local arts should donate at Kickstarter: LINK

☞ SHOP: The Harlem Last Minute Valentine's List

Here's the annual Harlem Valentine's Day Check List for all the last-minute Romeos out there. Red Rooster will probably be booked all night so here are some other selections that might be easier to get a table at. Florists are also listed.

Central Harlem

Flora Expressions, Harlem oldest florist at 135th: LINK

Barbara's Flowers, a florist on upper FDB: LINK

Mobay, Caribbean restaurant at 125th: LINK
Chez Lucienne, French Bistro on Lenox: LINK
Sylvia's, The soul food classic on Lenox: LINK
Yatenga, French Bistro on ACP: LINK

South Harlem
Harlem Flo, florist on FDB: LINK
Katrina Parris, florist on Lenox: LINK
Franz James, FDB's newest florist: LINK
Cedric, Harlem's new French bistro: LINK
5 & Diamond, expensive but one of the best restaurants uptown: LINK
Lido, the newest Italian restaurant on the FDB corridor: LINK
Melba's, contemporary southern on FDB: LINK
Nectar Wine Bar, modern and minimal on FDB: LINK
Native, contemporary and cozy with a touch of southern: LINK
Settepani, modern Italian on Lenox: LINK
Zoma, sleek, minimalist Ethiopian on FDB: LINK

East Harlem
Ceviche Tapas Bar, Peruvian Cuisine on 2nd Avenue: LINK
Lexington Social, downtown ambiance on Lexington: LINK
Ricardo Steak House on 2nd Avenue: LINK
Moustache, East Harlem branch of the West Village favorite: LINK

West Harlem
Bettolona, contemporary Italian in Manhattanville: LINK
Pisticci, popular traditional Italian also in Manhattanville: LINK
Covo, Italian served up in a former Manhattanville train station: LINK

☞ SEE: Around Harlem this Weekend

Friday, February 10th, 7:30 PM, José James at Harlem Stage, The Gatehouse Theatre,150 Convent Avenue and 135th Street. Soulful, Poignant, inspirational…only a few words to describe the breathtaking voice of José James. In a landmark event, Harlem Stage welcomes him back for the first live performance of all new material from his upcoming album No Beginning, No End. Four Shows! Fri & Sat • 7:30 & 9:30pm • ONLY $20 for MEMBERS: LINK

Friday-Sunday, February 10th-12th, The Harlem Fine Arts Show at Riverside Church, 490 Riverside Drive at 120th Street.  The Harlem Fine Arts Show has attracted over 10,000 visitors during its weekend run in the past so don't miss out on this major cultural event.  Works of over 100 artist will be represented at this show that has traditionally been established for the past decade at downtown's notable Puck Building and has appropriately set up recently in Harlem.  Check out the organization website for tickets and more details: LINK

Saturday, February 11th, 3:00pm - 5:00pm, Feng Shui and Love Workshop at Land Yoga, 2116 Frederick Douglass Blvd. How to Find Love and Invigorate Existing Relationships w/Maria Gorens: New York State Licensed Acupuncturist and Feng Shui consultant with 15 years practical experience. Graduate of BTB Professional School of Feng Shui and Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. Find out how the hidden power of colors, shapes, and sounds will bring instant changes into your life.

This special event will have wine, coffee, chocolate and more. Food and Drink Donations by Lido Restaurant, Lenox Coffee, Bohemia Realty Group, and Tonnie's Minis. Since there will be limited space, guest must RSVP at: landyoga@gmail.com

Saturday, February 11th, 3:00 PM-5:00 PM, 4th Annual Chocolate day: The Mystery of Chocolate at the Morris-Jumel Mansion,  65 Jumel Terrace between 160th and 161st Streets. Kick off Valentine's Day weekend with the popular Chocolate tasting event in one of the city's oldest free-standing mansions. Chocolate has always had a connection to the ritual of courtship. Celebrate the romance and mystery of “the food of the gods,” at the Morris-Jumel Mansion masquerade ball where history will come to life as you encounter the ladies of the house who will tell you about their intriguing lives. Tickets are $25 per person and $20 for members. Pre-paid advanced registration is required. Call 212.923.8008.  More details at the MJM website: LINK

☞ REMEMBER: Winter at the Claremont Inn

A reader sent in a link to the blog called Westside Rag which ran an in depth story on the Claremont Inn from materials drawn from the New York Historical Society.  The above photo shows the historic landmark circa 1930 at Riverside Drive at about 124th Street.  All of the intricate Victorian woodwork was still in place at the time but the inn's popularity dimmed in the 1940's and the city started to dismantle it within the next decade.  One of the watch crew accidentally set the entire place on fire with a lantern during that time and the rest is history.  More photos and details at the Westside Rag: LINK

Photo courtesy of the library at the New York Historical Society