Tag: New York City

Friday, 9/9/11

Posted on by Marcia Mayne

It’s the weekend of the 10th anniversary of September 11th and I really didn’t want to be in New York. I want to be someplace far away where there’s no television blasting wall-to-wall coverage, no extra police presence, no threats of terror threats.

All this is probably why my brain feels like it’s shut down. Why I feel like I’m under siege.

September used to be a pleasant month for me. I looked forward to the Labor Day weekend, the changing leaves, the inevitable slowing down of life’s hectic pace. The days go by smoothly until the 11th rises like an unexpected roadblock, one that some years feels easier to go round. Not this one. I feel anxious; I want to hide.

While I didn’t lose anyone in the World Trade Center, I feel deeply for and empathize with those who did. In one week, I lost a significant friendship and before I could even begin to grieve, I received word about my mother. We had spoken just hours before. Seven months later, my grandmother was also gone. These losses changed my life in many fundamental ways.

September 11th also changed our lives. As I write, police sirens screech in the distance. It could be for reasons totally unrelated but it’s hard not to connect it to the upcoming anniversary.

An unexpected consequence of that day is that flying, in particular, is not as pleasurable as it used to be. A simple thing like opening a bank account is now subject to deeper levels of scrutiny, and the government has broader powers to spy on us and intercept our communications. But are we truly any safer?

Life has returned to Lower Manhattan and the World Trade Center site but it’s difficult to see it and not remember.

A 9/11 Memorial, a tribute to those who fell will open to the families on Sunday and to the public on Monday, September 12th. Maybe I’ll visit.

Getting There:

If you’re in the New York City area and want to visit, passes must be obtained before you go and can be  obtained by going to the website.

The best way to get there is by public transportation. Several subway (A, C, J, M, R, Z, 4, and 5) and bus lines (M5, M20 and M22) stop within walking distance, and the E, 1, 2, and 3 and New Jersey PATH trains to go directly to the WTC terminal.

Hours: Monday-Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekends and holidays.

An Art Walk in Harlem’s Historic Strivers Row

Posted on by Marcia Mayne

The Strivers Art Circuit (SAC) is a free, self-guided walking tour that will take place on October 8th and 9th, in the Historic Strivers Row area of Harlem (130th street to 145th street, 5th Ave to St Nicholas Ave).

The Circuit allows participants to view some of Harlem’s visual and craft artists at work in their galleries and studios.

The Strivers Art Circuit was created to develop a hub of arts activity and thereby gain increased visibility and exposure for SAC participants.

Strivers Art Circuit

Opening reception: Friday, October 7th from 6:00 p.m.

Tour Dates: Saturday, October 8th and Sunday, October 9th from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The event is free to the public. However, if you plan to attend, click here to RSVP. Strivers Art Circuit Participants

The Harlem Arts Alliance is a sponsor of the Srivers Art Circuit.

 

 

Harlem’s Cotton Club

Posted on by Marcia Mayne

I heard about the Cotton Club long before I moved to Harlem. It was one of the places I knew I wanted to see. But the Cotton Club I saw was not the one of legend.

The old club was located at 142nd Street and Lenox Avenue, the site of the Club De Luxe, which was owned by the black boxing champion, Jack Johnson. Owney Madden, a well-known mobster and bootlegger, bought the Club De Luxe in 1923 and renamed it the Cotton Club, an interesting name given the kind of clientele the establishment would serve.

Continue reading “Harlem’s Cotton Club” →

Goodbye, Irene

Posted on by Marcia Mayne

I woke up to glorious sunshine this morning. All that’s left of Irene, the latest hurricane to hit the east coast of the U.S., is the damage and the cleanup.

For a storm that massive that was predicted to pass over the New York area on Saturday evening as a Category 1 hurricane, we were very fortunate that Irene was downgraded to a tropical storm by the time it reached us. As a result, we had far less damage that what was anticipated.

There have been flooding, mostly in flood-prone areas, trees uprooted trees, power lines brought down and cut off electricity in some areas. There has also been some loss of life but thankfully, not as many as could have occurred if the storm had remained as strong as was forecasted.

Continue reading “Goodbye, Irene” →

Travel Photo Thursday – Plaza Hotel

Posted on by Marcia Mayne

 

Plaza Hotel, New York
Plaza Hotel, New York
Plaza Hotel, New York
Plaza Hotel

Located on the east side of Grand Army Plaza at Fifth Avenue and 59th Street, the Plaza is a luxury hotel in New York City. After extensive renovations, the Plaza reopened in 2008 with 282 hotel rooms and 152 private condominium units. In 1986, it was designated a National Landmark building.

Shaking in New York City

Posted on by Marcia Mayne

I was sitting at my desk checking messages on my phone when my chair started shaking. At first, I thought my chair was wobbly but the shaking was rhythmic. It was a side to side movement that was gentle and definitely perceptibly.

Something caused me to look in the direction of the table lamp. Without a doubt, the shade was shaking. No mistake about it.

Maybe the breeze is stronger than I think it is, I say to myself. But no, the leaves on the trees aren’t moving. Not as much as my chair is.

I looked at my watch. How long has this been? Could this be an earthquake?

Continue reading “Shaking in New York City” →

Harlem Eats – Where to Find Good Food in Harlem, Part 1

Posted on by Marcia Mayne

When I moved to Harlem more than 10 years ago, you could count on one hand the number of restaurants and banks on 125th Street and surroundings and still have fingers left over. Now, I can sample Senegalese, Jamaican, Cuban, French, American, Italian, Ethiopian, Chinese, and some new fusion foods without having to take a subway downtown.

Oh, and now I have my pick of several branches of the major banks just on 125th Street alone.

Here are a few of my favorite restaurants, the same ones I recommend to friends who come from out of town.

  • Red Rooster – Chef and author, Marcus Samuelsson, brings his award winning cooking uptown to Red Rooster, his new restaurant which features traditional American fare. The restaurant got its name from a Harlem speakeasy that was located on 138th Street and 7th Avenue where Harlem’s glitterati like Nat King Cole, Adam Clayton Powell and James Baldwin used to meet and eat. Samuelsson was a Top Chef Masters winner, and guest chef at the first State Dinner of the Obama Administration. Red Rooster, 310 Lenox Avenue, 212.792.9001. I’ve been for lunch and brunch. The food was excellent but be prepared to wait. Reservations recommended for dinner.
  • Chez Lucienne  – Next door to Red Rooster at 308 Lenox is Chez Lucienne. Before Red Rooster popped up, Chez Lucienne was the spot to go for good French food without the downtown prices. I’ve taken friends and clients here for lunch and dinner and was never disappointed. I’ve been promising to order the whole red snapper next time just so I can watch the waiter debone my fish. Drop by on Friday nights for the jazz as well. Chez Lucienne’s owned by Jerome Bougherdani, who worked at Le Bernadin and Daniel, downtown establishments. Chez Lucienne, 308 Lenox Avenue. 212-289-5555.
  • Ristorante Settepani – Opened originally as a café selling scrumptious pastries, Settepani underwent extensive renovations and reopened as a restaurant serving Mediterranean fare a little over a year ago. I fell in love with the seafood pasta dish that was cooked in parchment paper – had it several times — but it doesn’t seem to be on the latest menu. Not to worry, the owners, Leah and Nino Settepani, have maintained the same attention to detail as they did at the original café. Ristorante Settepani, 192 Lenox Avenue, 917-492-4806.
Ristorante Settepani
Ristorante Settepani
  • Native – Funky and unpretentious Native offers an excellent variety of foods – for vegetarians and those who still love some fried chicken or burger.  Native Restaurant, 161 Lenox Avenue, 212-665-2525.
Native Restaurant, Harlem
Native Restaurant
  • Mobay Uptown – Billed as a “Caribbean soul fusion” restaurant, Mobay Uptown has been in Harlem for about 8 years – one of the first upscale restaurants to open in the community. Combining Southern, Caribbean, Chinese cuisine, Mobay and its owner, Sheron Chin-Barnes, have been featured on Bobby Flay’s Throwdown. Mobay Uptown Restaurant, 17 West 125th Street, 212-876-2300
  • Melba’s – When I’m feeling for some comfort food, I head down to Melba’s Restaurant, named after owner Melba Brown. Melba’s been a fixture in the neighborhood since 2005 and is famous for their Southern Fried Chicken and Eggnog Waffles. Melba’s Restaurant, 300 W 114th Street, 212-864-7777.
  • Le Baobab Restaurant – Generous portions, good prices. Whenever I go to Le Baobab, I always have left overs. My favorite – the fried fish, whole fish fried crispy with a sauce on the side. I usually back that up with some couscous and friend plantains and top it off with a glass of their homemade ginger drink. Le Baobab Restaurant, 120 W 116th Street, 212-864-4700.
  • Amor Cubano – Yucca fries, ropa vieja, arroz con pollo, mojitos, and other traditional Cuban fare is on offer at Amor Cubano. So until the embargo on travel to the island nation is lifted, if you want a taste of good Cuban food, Amor Cubano is the place to go uptown. Amor Cubano, 2013 3rd Avenue, 212-996-1220.

Last week, the buzz was about Cedric, a new French bistro that had its grand opening on Monday night. Named after Cedric Lecendre, the general manager at Le Bilboquet, an eatery on the Upper East Side, Cedric is the latest chef to open an outpost in Harlem. Word is that on opening night, uptown and downtown, including Chris Noth of Law and Order, and Sex in the City fame met at Cedric.

If you ever come uptown, make sure to check out one of these restaurants. I’ll share more in another post later this week.

Bon Appetit!