☞ SHOP: N Harlem Boutique Opens on Lenox

N Harlem boutique has officially opened on 171 Lenox between 118th and 119th Streets. We were a bit worked up last week in hopes that the facade activity portended a new awning but found only an upgraded vertical security gate system in place this weekend. The signage is probably behind schedule, so the owners went ahead and opened the boutique today. Come stop by and support Harlem's first designer boutique featuring menswear and womenswear collections. This new store is by the Mount Morris Park Historic District and is close to all the other new shops in South Harlem. The nearest subway is the 2,3 at 116th and 125th Street. See our previous post on N Harlem and the boutique culture of Harlem: LINK. Photos by Ulysses

☞ SHOP: N Harlem Boutique on Lenox

N Harlem Boutique, which we like to think of as the Barney's of Harlem, will be opening up in the former Purple Reign space on Lenox. The location is a smart move since their original retail space on 116th Street was a bit overcrowded and lacked charm. We love that the location between 118th and 119th Street on Lenox Avenue is basically in Mount Morris Park and that this part of Lenox will really be happening by fall with all the restaurants, shops and cafes nearby. One thing the boutique might want to look out for is to get rid of the drop ceiling in the former shop. Nothing says "cheap office space" like a drop ceiling and big fluorescent lights. See our previous post on N Harlem and the boutique culture of Harlem: LINK. Photos by Ulysses

☞ SHOP: Harlem Flowers For Mother's Day

Sunday is the big day for celebrating all of the mothers in Harlem so make sure to drop by the many local florists to get a bouquet.

Harlem Flo, 2292 FDB/8th Avenue at 123rd Street.  The FDB corridor's main floral boutique has an amazing affordable special perfect for the holiday: LINK

Katrina Parris Flowers, 191 Lenox Avenue at 120th Street.  The Mount Morris Park neighborhood's designer floral boutique delivers and also has an online selection: LINK

Carolina Too Florist, 1952 ACP/7th Avenue, between 117th and 118th Street. Harlem's oldest floral shop is also the one the supplied Billie Holiday with Gardenias but has had financial issues this past year: LINK

Franz James Forist,  2114 FDB/8th Avenue and 114th Street.  Harlem's newest boutique opened in recent months: LINK

Barbara's Flower Shop, 2522 FDB/8th Avenue and 134th Street.  Central Harlem's main designer floral shop: LINK

Urban Garden Center at La Marqueta, 116th Street and Park Avenue. Manhattan's largest outdoor garden center has officially opened in East Harlem and is fully stocked since our last visit: LINK

☞ SEE: Around Harlem this Weekend

Friday, January 27th, Red Tails screenings in Harlem, AMC Magic Johnson Theater, 2309 FDB/8th Avenue and 124th Street. The film based on the World War II Tuskagee airmen will be showing at Harlem own AMC Theatre starting this weekend.  For more details and times, check out the Fandango page: LINK

Saturday, January 28th, 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Harlem Flo Lifestyle Boutique event, 2276 FDB/8th Avenue at 122nd Street. Check out the Grand Opening of the Harlem Flo's Lifestyle Boutique with many featured artists and designers. From Paris- Jewelry designer to the stars Kareenm Fadika and the tunes from DJ Stormin Norman. For more details, contact:  info@HarlemFlo.com

Sunday, January 29th, 1:00 PM, Kira Lynn Harris: The Block | Bellona at the Studio Museum in Harlem, 144 West 125th Street . Enjoy an interactive and informative tour of Kira Lynn Harris: The Block | Bellona led by a knowledgeable Museum educator. Kira Lynn Harris reimagines The Block (1971), Romare Bearden’s iconic, six-panel, eighteen-foot-long collage depicting life in Harlem. Bearden’s “block” is occupied by a church, a grocery store, a barbershop, apartment buildings and the people of Harlem who inhabit those spaces.  RSVP for this free tour: LINK

Sunday, January 29th, 7:30PM, COMEDY COVO at COVO's upstair lounge, 701 West 135 Street and 12th Avenue. Come check out the monthly comedy show with some of NYC's best comedians in one of Harlem's most unique lounges (top of a former railroad station). Hosted by NYC comedian William Mullin, this Sunday night show features comics Dan St. Germain, Naomi Ekperigin, Carmen  Lynch, Bernadette Paulie and DJ legend Chris Washington. This FREE comedy event also features half price paninis, $3 beer and $5 drink specials. www.CovoNY.com

☞ WALK: The Lenox Avenue Boutique Shops

Historic Mount Morris Park's Malcolm X/Lenox Avenue is turning into Harlem's boutique row. If you have been under a rock and have not noticed what is arguably Harlem's most picturesque main street, come walk by to see it for yourself. Settepani was one of the pioneers on the strip alongside the restaurant Native (top two photos). Then Il Caffe Latte came along and, most recently, the Katrina Parris floral boutique next door (fourth photo down). As of last month, the Harlem Yoga studio opened up on the corner. The last two shots are that of the new location of N Boutique, which will provide the most extensive designer collections to be found above 110th Street, and then there's One Bar that is slated also to open soon. As mentioned in the previous post, Tonnie's Minis has the lines forming for their cupcakes a block further up the street. All this is happening from 124th Street to 118th Street, and there are still many charming, brownstone store fronts available for rent. The nearest subway is the 2,3 express on 116th and 125th Street. Photos by Ulysses.

☞ INTRODUCING: More Harlem Boutique Florists

It used to be that the floral district was in Midtown several years back but seeing that many are getting priced out of that neighborhood, could Harlem be the next niche market destination for cut plants?  A sign just appeared at the The Douglass condo retail space (north of 114th Street and FDB/8th Avenue) announcing the arrival of Franz James floral boutique on the corridor that already has a similar business a few blocks up. Franz James now joins a group of recently opened Harlem floral shops which include Harlem Flo on FDB at 123rd Street, Katrina Parris Flowers on Lenox just north of 119th, Pollen Nation on 125th Street and the new Urban Garden Center at La Marqueta in East Harlem.  Retail rents are less expensive uptown and many of these boutiques don't necessarily rely on walk-in customers since a large part of the business is planned around events or shipping floral arrangements off site.  It's a micro trend right now but these boutiques definitely are a welcoming sight when walking down their respective Harlem blocks.

☞ SHOP: Cossoguy and Stella at N Boutique

Tuesday, April 20th, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at N Harlem Boutique. Check out the Spring 2010 Maxime Cossoguy men's denim collection tomorrow night at the event that will feature complimentary drinks from sponsor Stella Artois. Come support one of the best local boutiques uptowns and the Harlem based designer who uses premium denims from Italy and Japan. The nearest subway is the 2,3 at 116th and 125th Street. See our previous post on N Harlem and the boutique culture of Harlem: LINK. Photo by Ulysses

☞ MEET: Yvette Leeper-Bueno

We continue our style series that interviews some of the new faces of Harlem with this feature on Vinateria owner Yvette Leeper-Bueno who also happens to have very deep roots in the neighborhood.  More details on the said new eatery located on Frederick Douglass Boulevard can be found at:  www.VinateriaNYC.com


HB: Your look is so current right now with all of the late 80s and 90s references happening in fashion. What are your style influences? 

YLB: As a woman, I'll have to admit that I have plenty of style influence. I grew up in the fashion business and folks that know me well will definitely tell you about how much I adore fashion. My inner 90's kid is definitely excited to see all the latest 90's fashion influences happening right now in fashion. I like to be on-trend, however many of my go to staples in my closet are of classic lines. In college, even with a fully stacked course load, I still found the time to feed my incessant collecting of international fashion magazines. Fashion is one of my guilty pleasures that share top billing along with great red wine, dark chocolate and a relaxing bath with all of the luxurious fixings.


HB: We have noticed that folks in Harlem like to dress up when they go out. Do you find this true?

YLB: Yes, I have found that folks in Harlem do like to dress up when they go out. I grew up hearing my mother recant stories of how 125th street during the 40s, 50s and 60s was filled with shop after shop selling beautiful fashions for both men and women. 125th Street was the place folks went to promenade and show of your 'Sunday's finest'. Fashion was one of the areas where Blacks could freely and lavishly express themselves. While folks might dress up in Harlem to go out, the intention is that people feel very comfortable at Vinateria and definitely come as you wish.


HB: You just opened Vinateria on Frederick Douglass and 119th Street this past month. How has business been going? 

YLB: The reception to Vinateria's opening has been extremely warm. It was definitely a long awaited opening. Many of my customers have told me that they have found a home away from home. Hearing this really makes my dream a reality. People in the neighborhood yearn for connectedness with other and to be able to hang out in a place that evokes warmth and soulfulness. My aim was to create an inviting neighborhood spot that could truly bring people together regardless of whether you might be a long time Harlem resident or a recent arrival. This type of charm can be difficult to find in more corporate style restaurants. I have received loads of complements on the Chef Gustavo Lopez's delicious cuisine and Gabriela Davogustto's amazing wine and beverage selections. We've all been focused on developing all of the operating area of this business to have high quality and a very caring touch. I am so delighted that we already have many return customers. Quite a few of these customers are reconnecting with me from previous involvements that I've had, i.e. through my education at Barnard college, my children's schooling or my prior owned boutique at Grand Central Terminal. I do not take all of this wonderful support lightly-- I am very fortunate.


HB: Vinateria is very modern but also has a strong nod to history. How did you come up with the concept? 

YLB:  Developing the decor for Vinateria was extremely exciting for me. I had the great fortune to have worked with an extremely talented designer on the restaurant project. Her name is Jonsara Ruth and she is the head of Interior Design at Parson School of Design. We challenged ourselves to create the neighborhood place I've always wanted to go to myself. You make a very astute observation-- this notion of modern and historical at the same time. My designer will speak of this as being one of her ultimate aesthetic goals. About a year ago she and I embarked on an incredible creative journey. As with my interest in fashion I was fuelled with the process of us putting it all together. I learned SO much about where to research and find fabulous vintage artifacts. You'll notice the lovely historical details of our expansive vintage bar that once had it's home in a Gramercy Park restaurant. One of the main objectives was to infuse the classical with a striking touch of modernity. Hence, we've intentionally chosen a simple, subtle yet elegant palette of materials so as to set the stage where it is the people and the enjoyment that become the main focus. I take such pleasure in noticing the extent to which people have been taking in all the design details when they come in to dine with us.


HB: Tell us more about your family history in Harlem and why you decided to open a restaurant in the neighborhood.

YLB:  My family has been involved in Harlem life for decades. My mother migrated here from Jamaica and my father from North Carolina--both in the 1950s. After High school in 1956, they first met each other just a few short blocks away from Vinateria at nearby Morningside Park. This area holds a lot of history for my family and I. Years later, after marriage they purchased a brownstone building on 112th Street, where I happen to currently reside with my husband and children.

My folks remember when Harlem was such a happening hub that you had little reason to ever want to leave-- shopping, dining, entertainment and church were all readily available in the vicinity. Most left Harlem only for work, school and an occasional trip to Macy's or for the Christmas show at Rockefeller Center. My parents held onto their brownstone after many tumultuous periods of the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. They are delighted that a new Renaissance has come to Harlem with a blending of cultures that was not possible in the Harlem of the 1950s.


HB:  What are your thoughts on the changes happening in the neighborhood?

YLB:  Changes in any neighborhood will inevitably happen. I would say that most of us that reside here welcome the new changes in Harlem. We can all look forward to enhanced services in the area, new businesses and housing and enhanced schools. The role played by such community organizations as Frederick Douglass Boulevard Alliance FDBA, comprised of both residents and local businesses on FDB is positioned play a vital role in effecting positive changes in our area. I am truly excited to see all the new businesses opening in the area. The new residents that have come to live here are now part of the fabric of our Harlem evolution. We need to stay mindful of how much this in turn works towards broadening the awareness of all the greatness we have to offer here. I adore our neighborhood and I am extremely grateful that I have had the opportunity to follow my passions while also serving to contribute to the area's venue options.

☞ SHOP: Harlem Flo Boutique for Valentines

Tuesday, February 8th, 6:00 PM at Harlem Flo Boutique, 2276 FDB/8th Avenue at 122nd Street.  Harlem Flo Boutique's Kiss & Tell event this coming Tuesday will have shopping, champagne and eats with all of Harlem's best providing a taste of what's great uptown.  The Winery, Tonnie's Minis, Make My Cake and Yatenga are donating their goods for the evening and there will be raffle prizes given out throughout the night.  Shopping options include designer trilby caps from bespoke Harlem hatter Rod Keenan in festive crimson alongside a distinct selection of books, cards, vases and other home  furnishings for the Valentine's holiday. Call 212.316.1525 for more details.

☞ SHOP: Harlem Lost and Found at Harlem Flo

Harlem Flo at 2276 FDB/8th Avenue and 122nd Street just received a new shipment of the coffee table book Harlem Lost and Found by notable Harlem historian Michael Henry Adams.  Folks who love the architectural history of the many landmark Harlem neighborhoods should check the book out and drop by the local Harlem boutique florists for other chic home offerings.

☞ SEE: Around Harlem this Weekend

Friday, December 9th, 6:30 PM-7:30 PM, Steeped in Tradition; Creating Family Tea Customs at Harlem Flo Boutique, 2276 FDB/8th Avenue at 122nd Street. Verna L. Hamilton from A Gift of Tea will be on hand and Harlem Flo Boutique's next tea and education event this week. Creating family tea customs will be the point of reflection at this outing which will also serve up tea and small bites.  Admission is $15 per person with limited space so RSVP at: info@harlemflo.com

Friday, December 9th, 9:00 PM, Finotee at Shrine, 2271 Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard (7th Avenue), between 133rd and 134th Street. The band with the Ethiopian name means "the way" and is a blend of soul, reggae and funk. After their initial start in Miami, band members wanted more musical diversity and established themselves in New York City. Check out the Shrine website for more information on the youngest of Harlem's live music venue: www.shrinenyc.com

Saturday,  December 10th, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM, Morningside Park Farmers Market, corner of 110th Street and Manhattan Avenue. Check out the new seasonal and locally grown and produced goods while enjoying Morningside Park: LINK

Saturday, December 10th, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Annual Holiday Concert at the Morris-Jumel Mansion, 65 Jumel Terrace, between 160th and 161st Street. This year's Annual Holiday concert at the Morris-Jumel Mansion will feature Brooklyn Baroque, Gregory Bynum on recorder, and a vocalist. Holiday reception after the concert. Tickets are $25 per person and $20 for members. Advanced registration is required. Call 212.923.8008.  More details at the Morris-Jumel Mansion website: LINK

Saturday, December 10th,  6:00 PM,  Winter Holiday Concert at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 521 West 126th Street, Between Broadway and Amsterdam.  The Harlem Chamber Players will have the students from Opus 118 as part of the Winter Holiday Concert in December. Tickets at $15 General Admission $10 Seniors/Students can be purchased at the day of the event: LINK

Saturday, December 10th, 7:30 PM, Imani Uzuri's MOSAIC Sacred Music Extravaganza at The Gatehouse, 150 Convent Avenue at 135th Street. Featuring a multicultural mélange of contemporary women artists, Imani Uzuri's MOSAIC redefines and expands what we call sacred music. This performance invokes exemplary musical talent from across the globe with an array of healing music from Ragas to Rock. Purchase $25 tickets in advance at the Harlem Stage site: LINK

☞ REMEMBER: The Historians of Harlem

Saturday, February 18th, 4:00PM-6:30PM, Harlem Historians at Harlem Flo Boutique, 2276 Frederick Douglass Blvd at 122nd Street. The Lifestyle Boutique by Harlem Flo will celebrate Black History Month with tea and the company of bespoke Harlem historian Michael Henry Adams and Sharifa Rhode-Pitts along with a reading by Robin Miles from Here in Harlem. More details on the Facebook site: LINK

☞ DWELL: Number 3: The Lower FDB Corridor

Harlem is a large part of Manhattan that changes block by block so we have put together a list of the best micro-nabes in Harlem based on location, architecture, transportation and local amenities. This is our own opinion based on reporting on the neighborhood for a few years and a new post will be made each day until the number one spot has been revealed.

No. 3: Lower Frederick Douglass Boulevard Corridor,  South Harlem, 8th Avenue between 110th and 124th Street.  The lower FDB Corridor's dense stock in new condo buildings and the bustling commercial offerings adjacent to Central Park made it one of the best NYC neighborhoods in 2010 but that was when the rest of Harlem was still starting to develop.  During the recession, a lot of families and home buyers seeking more space took advantage of all the new construction available that was often offered at almost half the price of most downtown or Upper West Side buildings.

The area then transformed into a perfect new middle class neighborhood that could support the boutique businesses that now populate the South Harlem commercial district. On FDB, one can purchase meats at the local artisanal butcher, have a seat at two great Italian eateries,  get a carb fix at the local bakery, sip at a boutique tea shop,  dine at a new Indian eatery,  get some authentic Japanese sushi,  grab a bite of Ethiopian cuisine, send a pet to daycare, sign up for a yoga class, drink at a couple of beer gardens or drop into a hip speakeasy to just name a few choices.  Nowhere else in Harlem can one find such a long list of up and coming shops but those who want a little charm in their neighborhood might find it lacking along the strip.

This section of 8th Avenue had so many open, abandoned lots back in 80s that it basically had to be rebuilt.  The new buildings are decent enough and have all of the updated amenities to them but somehow this makes the neighborhood feel more perfunctory.  If one just wants modern living amenities and easy access to great shops, then FDB fits the bill.  Those who want a little more of what buyers are seeking for in the village downtown or Brooklyn, then this commercial strip might not be the right fit.

☞ SEE: Around Harlem This Weekend

DESIGNER VINTAGE returns to N Boutique this Saturday, November 13th, 12:00 Noon -7:00 PM, 171 Lenox at West 119th Street.  Meet curator Jonathan Boderick of b.o.r.n. Again Vintage when he drops by this weekend at the designer boutique just south of the Mount Morris Park Historic District.

The Harlem Chamber Players will perform Mozart's 'Grand Partita" and Gounod's Petite Symphony with guest conductor Michael Spierman.  Sunday November 14th at 3:00 PM at the historic St. Mary's Episcopal Church, located at 521 West 126th Street (between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue). Tickets are $15 ($10 for students and seniors) and are available at the door or online at the West Harlem group's site: www.harlemchamberplayers.org.

Jewish Harlem Walking Tour, Sunday, November 14th, starting 10:45 AM (approximately 3 hours). Meet at 125 West 125th street, next to the H&M store between Lenox and Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard. Fees: Adults: $18; seniors and students: $16. Save $2 by pre-registering. Go to the tour site for more information: LINK

The Dance Theatre of Harlem will have their first Sunday Matinee this year on Sunday, November 14th, 3:00 PM. Tickets are $18 for adults, $14 for children 12 and under. The program will include music performed by Soprano Willsonia Boyer and jazz pianist Brandon McCune.  Go to the Dance Theatre of Harlem site to buy tickets and get more information: LINK.  Photo courtesy of Andrea Mohin.

EAT: OYSTERS ON THE HALF SHELL IN HARLEM

Harlem Bespoke:  Oysters on the half shell have made a comeback in the city in the past decade and there are some great spots uptown to check out in all parts of the neighborhood.  Outdoor dining is the way to go this summer and curbside seating can be found at all of the eateries listed.  Apparently months with the letter R are peak time to eat the fresh delicacy since they are at their prime during the cooler months but this is pretty much a food myth since oysters are served all year long around the world:

Maison Harlem, 341 St. Nicholas Avenue at the corner of 127th Street.  Harlem's favorite French restaurant has a wildly popular Happy Hour so make sure to come early since the bar fills up quickly even at the beginning of the evening. Best bets are probably earlier in the week when things are less crowded.  More on Maison Harlem in our past post: LINK

B2 Harlem, 271 West 119th Street, east of Frederick Douglass Boulevard.  The former Billie's Black still has the same owner but has been transformed into one of uptown's most under the radar seafood restaurants.  This eatery is probably one of the best spots for oysters since there usually is not a long wait to get a table.  More details on B2 Harlem can be found in our past post: LINK

ROKC, 3452 Broadway by 141st Street. The boutique Japanese ramen and raw bar in Hamilton Heights now has limited outdoor seating.  Dropping by early is probably beneficial since lines have been known to form for the critically acclaimed eatery.  More on ROKC can be found in our past post: LINK

Alison, 1651 Lexington at Eas 104th Street. Uptown's newest fine dining restaurant has ample outdoor space to serve up freshly shucked seafood.  There is so much diversity in the East Harlem dining scene nowadays and Alison is definitely one to check out: LINK

HarlemBespoke.com 2020

☞ INTRODUCING: Katrina Parris Flowers

Oprah approved, boutique florist Katrina Parris is moving to the Mount Morris Park Historic District! With the original location on 112th Street near Central Park North, this acclaimed florist makes the bold move of establishing historic Lenox Avenue as boutique central in Harlem. Right next door is Il Cafe Latte, across the street is Settepani and N Harlem Boutique is setting up shop a block south. Stay tuned for opening information. The store will open on Malcolm X/Lenox Avenue between 119th and 120th Street on the west side. Closest subway is the 2,3 on 116th or 125th Street. www..katrinaparrisflowers.com

☞ WALK: N Boutique's New Awning

UPDATE: Only a new veritcal gate was installed as of Saturday morning. The mid November opening of N Harlem Boutique seems to be coming along. We noticed men working on the new front facade awning yesterday so maybe in the next week or so, the new store will be revealed. N Harlem was the first designer boutique to arrive north of 96th Street and moved to the Mount Morris Park Historic District in the beginning of the year. To get the new store location, take the 2,3 express train to 125th or 116th Street.

☞ SHOP: Harlem Shops Ready for Oscars

For Harlem Restaurant Week and in observance of Harlem Oscar nominee Gabourey Sidibe, a couple of businesses around the Mount Morris Park Historic District are having a special get together this Weekend. Sunday, March 7th: Champagne and refreshments at N Boutique from 12:00-6:00 PM. Viewing party at Native Restaurant from 6:00-11:00 PM. Shop at N Boutique, bring your receipt to Native and get a complimentary Mango Tart and Oscar cocktail. Guess the most Oscar winners and receive a $50 N Gift card or dinner for two at Native. Call Native to reserve a spot for this local event. Closest subways are the 2,3 at 116th or 125th Streets. Gabourey Sidibe photo courtesy of V Magazine.

N Boutique is also offering $20.10 off new arrivals & N branded products and Native has a select 3-course menu for $20.10 as part of Harlem's Restaurant and Retail week.

N, 171 Lenox Avenue at 119th Street. Tel. 212.961.9100 www.nharlemnewyork.com

Native, 161 Lenox Avenue at 118th Street. Tel.212.665.2525 www.harlemnativenyc.com

☞ SHOP: N Boutique Set to Open Mid November

After being closed for most of the year, N Boutique will be re-opening shop by the Mount Morris Park Historic District on November 18th. The new location on Lenox Avenue, between 118th and 119th Street will be the first of several boutique style businesses and stores on this ever-growing commercial row in one of Harlem's most charming quarters. Stay tuned. The closest subway is the 2,3 at 116th and 125th Street. See our previous post on N Harlem and the boutique culture of Harlem: LINK. Photos by Ulysses

☞ INTRODUCING: Inside the Harlem Flo Boutique

The new Harlem Flo Boutique just opened this weekend and the owners have recently posted a couple of images of the new space on their Facebook site: LINK.  As readers have pointed out, the big difference here from the Harlem Flo Atelier up the block is that this boutique is more of a home store versus a floral shop. This new store on 2276 FDB/8th Avenue and 123rd Street doesn't look completely stocked up yet but there seems to be some beautiful things on hand just in time for the Holidays. Great home furnishings stores are definitely far and few uptown so it's great to have this place open in the neighborhood.  Read more about Harlem Flo in our original post: LINK