Amy Ruth's Chicken & Waffles

Being from the South, I know good soul food. I mean, I really know good soul food. Whether it was my upbringing in Maryland, or my latter years in Texas, soul food, southern cuisine and home-cooked everything is almost a religion to me. That said, it’s hard to get really good soul food up north unless you happen to have a grandmother from Alabama living somewhere within the New York City Metropolitan Area. For those of you who don’t, there are still a few havens that get the five star nod on soul food—most of them even compete with your Grandmother’s homemade dishes.

Here is our list of the Best Soul Food in New York City, “Black Listed” style.

Londel’s Supper Club
2620 Frederick Douglas Blvd, Harlem, Manhattan
If you’re interested in trying a different take on soul food, Londel’s has exactly what you’re interested in. With a find-dining take on the soul food experience, Londel’s takes southern cuisine to another level, mixing gourmet flavors with the soul food experience, combining to create one of the most palatable menus in all of New York City. Leave the jeans and t-shirts at home though; Londel’s is an upscale restaurant with upscale clientele. But they will make you feel right at home with live R&B or Jazz music on the weekends, and who can’t get comfy when you’re enjoying one of the best chicken & waffle platters you’ll ever have in your life?

Amy Ruth’s
113 116th Street, Central Harlem, Manhattan
“Soul Food at its finest.” That’s a quote from the Black Oak Night’s restaurant reviewer, and we haven’t heard anything to the contrary yet. Open for just a mere 12 years, Amy Ruth’s has managed t change the soul food landscape in Harlem with relative ease. From heapings of cornbread to pork chops smothered in heaven’s own gravy, Amy Ruth’s will fill you up with southern-food staples that will make you forget you’re stuck in the concrete jungle of the northeast.

Miss Mamie’s Spoonbread Too
366 West 110th Street, Central Harlem, Manhattan
When it comes to soul food, it’s hard to bet Miss Mamie’s Spoonbread Too. Norma Jean Darden is a former model and the owner of this place, and boy does she continue to draw a crowd in her post modeling days. Everyone from lowly Columbia students to VIP’s like Bill Clinton have frequented this area establishment, and the reviews have been nothing short of amazing. Spoonbread takes you back to a time when the kitchen actually was the best place in the house, because the food in the kitchen was actually worth eating. Since most of us young, working, New York City professionals are too busy to stir it up in the kitchen, Miss Mamie’s is taking caring of us one plate at a time. Try the Louisiana Catfish, or even give the meatloaf a try. But of course, you can’t have a real soul food spot without smothering something; thus their smothered chicken platter is a staple at this fine establishment.

Soul Fixins
225 W 28th St, Fashion District, Manhattan
Remember that episode of Seinfeld about the “Soup Nazi?” Eh, who am I kidding. Black people don’t watch Seinfeld. Anyway, trust me, this place reminds of that episode. Not because the service is bad, because it’s quite the contrary. However, the food is worthy of standing in a long line, in a bland building, with a bland interior. Fortunately, the food is anything but bland, which is why the line is so long in the first place. After you’re done with their huge portions of barbeque spare ribs or their succulent meatloaf, you won’t be able to stand, so you mine as well get it in while you can.

Five Spot
459-461 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn
If you’re looking for a nice, heaping plate of soul food, look no further—but do travel far. Brooklyn’s own Five Spot Soul Food Restaurant serves up huge platters of smothered chicken, pork chops and catfish. You would be hard pressed to find a soul food diner with bigger servings and larger selections; so if you’re hungry, this is the place to be. After all, your boy Biggie Smalls used to eat here, and with no disrespect to the deceased, he looked like a brotha who knew a thing or two about a good meal.

Not Included on this list: Sylvia’s
328 Lenox Avenue, Central Harlem, Manhattan
I used to love Sylvia’s when I first got here, but over the years, they have started to let the success go to their heads. And look, I’m not going to fault them for that. What’s good for the business of Sylvia’s is good for Harlem as a whole, and as long as people keep coming in their doors, Sylvia’s is doing the right thing for Sylvia’s. But from a non-business standpoint, and as a true southerner at hear, Sylvia’s current service and quality of food is from what it used to be only 6 or 7 years ago. Hopefully, Sylvia’s will get back to its roots in the near future, but until then, they don’t get the pleasure of being “Black Listed!”

Related Posts

1. Black Owned Restaurant Profiles: Sylvia’s Soul Food Restaurant of Harlem
2. Best Fried Chicken in New York City
3. Italian Food for the NYC Soul

Negril Village

I remember hearing about El Nino all the time when I was younger, and back then, it seemed so “special” that I would have sworn it was a once in a lifetime event. Unfortunately, El Nino has struck again, including this latest snowfall that took sprinkled Manhattan with an inch of snow last night. Nevertheless, that little bit of snow is not going to affect anything going on in Tuesday’s Nightlife Rundown for February 16, 2010.

Fashion Week Party – 7 PM - La Pomme (37 West 26th Street): Go ahead and break bread with some of the trendiest people in New York City at this Fashion Week party thrown by The Overtime Group. As if meeting some of the most knowledgeable (and attractive) people in fashion was not enough, there will also be a 1-hour Vodka open bar to kick off the night. You can win a pair of tickets to Fashion Show in Bryant Park, which is all the more reason to get here early. And if you decide to arrive “fashionably” late, don’t fret, because this party is over at 10:30, but there’s no doubt that some of the night’s best after parties are going to be unveiled before the night is over.

Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball Benefit – 7 PM
Element (225 Houston Street): If you are feeling charitable, want to celebrate Fat Tuesday, or just flat out want to have a good time, then this Masquerade Ball is probably the place to be. This benefit is in behalf of the Lower Eastside Girls Club, whose mission is to provide a place for girls and young women to learn, have fun and develop confidence. You can purchase tickets at girlsclub.org. For $22 you will gain admission to Element (which isn’t far off their usual asking price), a live musical performance, comedian Jonathan Ames and an open bar from 7pm to 8pm. It almost sounds too good to be charitable.

Comedy Cipha Sounds & Friends – 8:30 PM
Comix (353 W. 14th Street): Your favorite DJ and Sucker Free Countdown host will be at Comix and he is bringing friends. There’s no telling which comedians will be on the stage, because Cipha always likes to keep that under wraps. However, you can be sure that it will be someone you have heard of as Cipha has never failed to deliver quality talent to this event in weeks past. There is a $20 dollar cover charge, as well as the usual two-drink minimum during the show, but with “colorful” comedians, great music and required alcohol, you won’t find another comedy event like this in New York City. Besides, how many other DJs do you know with comedians for friends?

Soul4Real Open Mic – 9 PM
The Shrine (2271 ACP Blvd.): You have to hit up this one of a kind original open mic night in Harlem! Hosted at The Shrine, this event is sure to be very entertaining; not to mention thought provoking. There will be plenty of musical, comedic and poetic performances on the night. So if you’re looking for something different from your usual dance and drink afterwork routine, then this stop in Harlem may be the place for you tonight.

Lost: The Final Season Watch Party – 9 PM
Southern Hospitality (1460 2nd Avenue): It has come to my attention that this “Lost” program is a pretty popular show. So for those of you who are interested, you ought to check out the watch party happening over on the East Side at Southern Hospitality. The show obviously starts at 9, but I would get there early if you want to fully take advantage of $10 pitchers, $6 frozen drinks and $3 Dharma shots. Then after you’re all liquored up on a Tuesday night, drown out some of the alcohol with some of Southern Hospitality’s great barbeque and watch an episode of Lost with other fanatics just like you!

Luxurious Tuesdays – 5 PM
Negril Village (70 W. 3rd Street): Once again, you have to take advantage of Luxurious Tuesdays at Negril Village. This is one of the best spots for food, alcohol and dancing in all of the New York City, and their afterwork parties are legendary. There will be nothing but hip-hop and reggae on the 1’s and 2’s, and the dress code is strict so you can rest assure that the swag level will be turned up. Trust me, if you are looking for something to do on a Tuesday evening afterwork, you can’t go wrong with Luxurious Tuesdays at Negril Village.

Related Posts

1. Tuesday Rundown: March 16, 2010
2. Tuesday Rundown: February 9, 2010
3. Tuesday Rundown: May 18, 2010

Tillman’s Bar & Lounge (165 W. 26^th Street): Check out the live soul music going down at Tillman’s tonight. There are few places in New York City where you can get soul music live and uncut, and Tillman’s is one of them. You can actually come to Tillman’s at 8pm on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday and get the same live soul music from the Igmar Thomas Trio with Yuki Harano & Daru Jones, as well as an array of other performers, especially on Friday nights.

Kaotic Wednesdays
Star Lounge (222 W. 23^rd Street): Kaotic Wednesdays (starting at 6pm) is a weekly event with plenty of young, black professionals frequenting this venue every week. Yes, the snow is coming down hard today, and that may affect tonight’s turnout, but for future reference this event is worth the trip. From 6pm to 7pm the drinks are free and there is complimentary buffet as well. They are claiming no cover at the door, but at the very most we’re talking $10 here, and for that price, the free meal and drinks you get make it all worth the fee.

Crazy, Sexy Cool Wednesdays
Slate (54 W. 21^st Street): Slate is always a happening spot on Wednesdays, and this Wednesday is no different. Once again, who knows how the snow is going to affect tonight’s turnout, but if you’re in the area and you’re looking for a place to wind down before you make that long trek home in the snow, Slate is the place to be. They have Happy Hour drink specials starting at 5pm, with well drinks costing just $4 a pop. So if you’ve got a lot of walking to do on your way home, why not warm up with a few glasses of alcohol before you head out in the snow.

Cheap Dining
DBGB Kitchen & Bar (299 Bowery): This trip to the Lower East Side may even be worth the walk in the snow. As a part of the now extended New York City Restaurant Week, DBGB is continuing to serve up low-cost lunches. DBGB serves French cuisine, and believe me; you will be hard pressed to find a better French restaurant serving food at these temporary prices. Hurry up and get there though, their lunch special is $24.07 and the place tends to fill up at these prices. Then again, with the snow coming down like it is, maybe you won’t have to wait irregardless of when you show up.

Open Bar Wednesdays
Skinny (174 Orchard Street): Once again, if you’re looking to stay warm during this blizzard then why not attend an open bar where you can get plenty of warm alcohol in your system! For $20 starting at 10pm, you get 2 hours worth of Absolute-mixed drinks. After that, drinks are $4 all night and shots are $5. Of course, you can get in without paying the open bar fee for $5 (females) and $10 (males). There will be an eclectic selection of music on the 1’s and 2’s; everything from hip-hop and reggae to calypso and 90’s music.

Related Posts

1. Wednesday Rundown: February 24, 2010
2. Wednesday Rundown: May 19, 2010
3. Wednesday Rundown: February 17, 2010

Jean-Luc

507 Columbus Avenue, New York, NY

Go here for a truly diverse time. You can find a multitude of different professionals braving this bar during the after-work hours. From actors and dancers, to investment bankers and broadcasters, jean-Luck has been the trendy destination for some of the Upper Westside’s most notable companies. You can see the shining star of celebrodum running through the establishment every once in a while, especially soap opera actors who film their shows not too far from Jean-Luc. The male to female ration is also fairly balanced, providing for a very festive atmosphere that never ceases to amazes its attendees, even on the most unlikely nights. You may come here during the daytime of the after work hours, but you will end up staying for the nightlife.

Ava Lounge

210 W. 55^th Street, New York, NY

This wonderful bar sits atop of the Dream Hotel just north of Times Square. You can see the magnificence that is the Broadway Avenue view of Times Square from the roof of Ava, and it is just an amazing site even in the twighlight of the after work hours. Ava Lounge is a bi-level penthouse looking bar. The downstairs is seductive and offers a full bar and scenic window views. The upstairs has an array of seating that puts you at eye-level with rooftop views of Midtown West. Ava Lounge is flooded with people who work in the hustle and bustle of midtown, mainly singles who are dressed in their stunning office suits and dresses. And while it is easy to think that the everyone there is so dressed up because they’re coming to work, their fashionable duds just might suggest that work was nothing but an after thought in their choice of attire.

Pazza Notte

1375 6^th Avenue, New York, NY 10019

How about a little Italian after-work? Pazza Notte has an extremely friendly environment, and much like its Italian name would denote it is a great place to spend the evening and night hours after a long day of work. There are plenty of great people and groups who come here on the daily basis. Even though it is primarily a restaurant, the atmosphere of the bar will remind you a chatty lounge, full of conversing business men and women, and hungry after-workers enjoying an array of Italian wine and dishes. Some people who go there cannot handle the noise of the Pazza Notte at these hours, but if you are truly looking for an entertaining way to spend your nightlife, then a little talking will not bother you.

Related Posts

1. Best Fried Chicken in New York City
2. Best Restaurants In New York City
3. Best Places for Young Black Singles in New York City

Rest assure, Black Oak Nights: NYC has you covered. We have compiled a list of some of the most delectable Italian restaurants in the New York City area. We’ve got you covered all the way from amore to ziti!

Barbuto

775 Washington Street, New York, NY 10014

Don’t let the dining area fool you. Because even though Barbuto is located in a converted warehouse and garage, its food is especially marvelous. And its concrete floors, lighting and folding garage doors give this place a relaxed, lower east side club type of feeling. Understand this though; the food compliments the atmosphere well, because it as stimulating and inspiring as Italian food can be. Go to Barbuto with a large group of your friends or coworkers and be sure to order as many dishes as you can in order to take advantage of the entire Italian-style eating experience. Check out the octopus, pork shank, scallops and the pollo al forno. All great family portioned dishes at family style prices!

Spigolo

1561 2^nd Avenue, New York, NY 10028

Welcome to the Upper East Side, where Italian food is abundant at so many different restaurants. With such a great array Italian family favorites, it is no surprise that the lead chefs at Spigolo are husband and wife. Their delectable menu and dishes are extremely creative. From the salmon tartare to the braised octopus crostini, Spigolo provides its customers with a different treat for every taste bud. And as if the food and family atmosphere were not enough reason to take a cab to the Upper East Side, than how about the fact that you can still get a serving of braised escarole and roasted monkfish medallions up until 2 o’clock in the morning? Now that’s late night the Italian way!

Grimaldi’s Pizzeria

19 Old Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201-1322

Located right by Water Street, Grimaldi’s can be found right beside the Brooklyn Bridge. So for those of you who don’t like to leave Manhattan, this is a close as you can be to the main island without swimming in the water. The atmosphere is perfect for the perfect Italian experience. It is a very relaxed and chatty environment where everyone from friends, family, co-workers and lovers go to. You’ll think you’re sitting in Italian restaurant from “Everybody Loves Raymond,” as you dine on checkerboard-print tablecloths with pictures of Italian idols surrounding you. But it is the food that gets people to make the trek to Kings County. They serve a wonderful pizza (and only pizza) with crisp, thin crust and the most authentic pizza sauce in New York. You can get any topping that you want, and with their homemade mozzarella and house-roasted peppers, you can’t beat the authentic flavor of these bona fide Italian pies. I’ll admit that the service is not their best feature, but nonetheless, if you don’t mind spending a little time there, it’s worth the wait.

Related Posts

1. Black Listed: Best Soul Food in New York City
2. Black Owned Restaurant Profiles: Sylvia’s Soul Food Restaurant of Harlem
3. Cheap Eats: Good Food Edition

Well, I’m ending all debates. Through extensive research, and a lot of eating, I’ve found the places everybody can enjoy, and places that blacks and minorities need to be more prevalent at. Here are some of New York City’s best restaurants.

Blue Water Grill – Union Square; If you want to talk about atmosphere, this is the place. It seats 500 people on three levels and has dimly lit romantic ambiance on the lower leve and an incredible jazz band. Some of the freshest fish can be found here, and the sushi is one of the best in the city. The Meal? Try the Seafood Castle, which is a mountain of seafood that includes lots and lots of shellfish.

Stone Park – Park Slope; Don’t let the putty-colored walls and earth tones fool you, this place packs quite bite…to eat. Stone Park has some of the best American genre food you will find in the city. Their brunch is great, and you should get the Stone Park Omelet should you attend at that time. Their most infamous dishes are the rib-eye steak and the pan-seared halibut with saffron risotto. And if you don’t taste the sweetbread, you’re missing out on life.

Telepan – Upper West Side; Owned by Bill Telepan, a 3-star chef with a published cook-book. His three-course American menu is a culinary experience and is extremely creative in presentation and taste. You can try the New York State foie gras with citrus and almonds, black truffle pierogi or the heritage pork cassoulet. Trust me, with this eclectic menu, you will never order the same thing twice.

Cassa La Femme North – Midtown East; Want to see a truly youth-inspired restaurant? How do white tents, belly dancers, exotic plans and leather ceiling lamps sound? Sounds like Spring Break in Miami, huh? Well, not quite. Welcome to Cassa La Femme North in the heart of New York City. While a little expensive, it is feasible, and well worth the price. Everything is fresh and made from scratch. Start off with the Crab Kofta, and you can then move on to an entree of whole fish or wood-grilled red snapper.

Dos Caminos – Midtown East; If you’re looking for a good time, this is it. The minute you enter, you will feel as if you got an SUV when you only signed up for a Sedan. A mist the packed bar full of New York socialites, you will walk your way to the dining area and enjoy all kinds of exotic drinks. There is an abundance of Tequila choices, and to help you soak up some of that alcohol, have the guacamole which is made right at your table. For dinner, have some baby back rids, roasted chicken or sirloin steak. And for you pescetarians, try the big eye tuna ceviche with chile salsa.

Alma – Brooklyn Heights; Looking for a view? Try Alma, one of New York’s best rooftop restaurants. Sit and dine as you look onto the Manhattan skyline and throw bag tasty margaritas. There Mexican dishes are plentiful and includes every food that ever came from South of the Border. A three-course dinner may run you about $30, but the time you’ll have there is priceless.

Related Posts

1. New York City Sushi Restaurants: Azuki, SushiSamba, Ruby Foo’s
2. Best Burgers in New York City
3. Get Your Barbecue in New York City!