NEW HARLEM EATERY NUMBER 10: SETTEPANI

Between the still lingering ill-perception of excessive crime and somewhat over-priced commercial retail demands, Harlem's dining scene has had its ups and downs over the years.   With that in mind, we thought it would be appropriate to go over the newish establishment that were pioneers not so long ago and who have since helped change the dining scene in Harlem.

NUMBER 10:  SETTEPANI 196 LENOX AVENUE AT 120TH STREET

Harlem's first major cafe would become a notable Italian eatery in latter years but definitely took a gamble by investing over a million in the combined storefront space over in the Mount Morris Park Historic District.  Most other businesses in the area were smaller startups that did not cater to a better market and Settepani was one of the first to do so back in 2001.  This very grownup space has a sleek, bright interior which is a little more Milan than it is Florence and has attracted a very loyal clientele in the past decade.  Settepani is especially nice when the weather warms up since this is the time when locals like to dine al fresco along the wide boulevard sidewalks. The restaurant Native also opened nearby within the same year but has since transformed into another business called La Bodega.