Black Oak Nights – New York

Sylvia’s Restaurant of Harlem
328 Lenox Avenue
New York, NY 10027-3711

Located in the heart of Harlem at 328 Lenox Avenue (at 127^th Street), Sylvia’s Restaurant is the spot to be if you are a New Yorker looking for a nice plate of soul food. Everyone goes there, from parents and their children to daters and college students. And while the food is good, it’s the atmosphere that brings most people back. With delicate music, elaborate tables, and both a bar and a sit-at-counter, Sylvia’s is a warm restaurant with plenty of character.

Founded in 1962 by Sylvia Woods, Sylvia’s Restaurant started off in a small luncheonette in Harlem. She purchased that locale by borrowing money from her mother who had to mortgage her farm in order to do it.

Since then, the restaurant has boomed into internationally known restaurant. It is owned by Sylvia and the members of her family who take a hands-on-approach in the operating and management of the restaurant.

The new location at 328 Lenox is no luncheonette. It is a spacious and comfortable space with several rooms, including a separate room for private parties, and an adjacent building for special events.

As mentioned earlier, the clientele at Sylvia’s spans across all ages and, but it also encompasses people of different backgrounds, celebredom and cultures. Famous people such as Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela, and Magic Johnson have appeared at the famed restaurant.

Finally, the menu! Sylvia’s offers up an array of soul foods that are hard to find throughout New York City. They offer American and soul food at all times of the day. Some breakfast specials include Salmon Cakes & Eggs and Country Style Slab Bacon. And in the evening, you can select from all sorts of dishes like the Smothered Fried Chicken, Tasty Carolina Grilled Fish, Chicken & Waffles, and Chicken Livers.

Sylvia’s also has daily specials that include Stewed Chicken and Dumplings on Monday. On Tuesdays and Wednesday, you can try the Meat Loaf with Sylvia’s Secret Sauce. And on Thursdays, there are the Stewed Turkey Wings.

Sylvia’s side orders are so special that they patrons select them individual of the entrée. Most people will recommend the Okra & Tomato Gumbo, Cowpeas & Rice and of course, they make one scintillating dish of Macaroni & Cheese that is second to none.

But there’s plenty more selections to choose from, so take a trip over to Lenox Avenue and sit down and enjoy a truly soulful experience.

1. Black Listed: Best Soul Food in New York City
2. Cheap Eats: Good Food Edition
3. The Joys of Harlem: Activities Galore
4. Harlem Dining: Fishers of Men, Amy Ruth’s, Sylvia’s
5. Black Owned Restaurant Profile: B. Smith’s
6. Black Owned Restaurant Profiles: Amy Ruth’s – Harlem
7. Italian Food for the NYC Soul
8. Best Fried Chicken in New York City