Harlemis famous for having given amajor
thrust to American culture through the
genius and recklessness of its most
illustrious inhabitants. Synonymous with
the hippest of (black) music scenes back
in the 1930s thanks to the (whites-only)
Cotton Club and Apollo Theater, this
historic New York neighborhood is
currently very much on the rise.
Once we exit the 125th Street subway stop,
Brandice Henderson, founding
director of Harlem’s Fashion Row,
(harlemsfashionrow.com), will guide us
on a tour of this bustling – and newly safe– hub of coolness.

THE PLACE TO BE
One great way to discover this relatively
unvisited area of Manhattan is to stay
there, for example at the Aloft near the
Apollo Theater and Central Park.

A lovely boutique hotel with haute design décor, a wonderful bar, gym and billiard room
(www.aloftharlem.com), it’s in a perfect location for visiting the former 1930s burlesque hall and subsequently temple of soul, jazz and funky. The list of legendary musicians who through the decades performed at the Apollo includes, among others: Billy Holiday, Count Basie and his
Orchestra, Sammy Davis Jr. (whomade his debut here), Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonius Monk, Stevie Wonder.

SHOPPING THERAPY
Now’s the time to move beyond Madison Avenue and SoHo. Latest-generation shopaholics head to Harlem, in particular to the Wing Boutique at 1960 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard (swingnyc.com). This is a unique

concept store where we can find the creations of famous edgy designers and up-and-coming names, curious gift ideas, a line of baby clothing, all kinds of beauty products and haute design objects. It also stocks a collection of funny Harlem-theme Tshirts.
For fans of the Beyoncé and Pharrell Williams style, rather, there’s Bebe Noir at 2164 Frederick Douglass
Boulevard (bebenoir.com). Stores are not open on Sunday, so we’ll take advantage of the situation to enjoy
some fabulous gospel music at the First Corinthians Baptist Church.

HARLEMCUISINE
A hugely popular restaurant that attracts the likes of Bono Vox and AngelaMissoni, the Red Rooster (310 Malcolm X Boulevard, www.redroosterharlem.com) may have a cosmopolitan ambiance but the menu

is all about organic comfort food celebrating the roots of American cuisine and Harlem’s diverse culinary traditions. Other features are the open kitchen, the incredible bar and Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s flawlessly exquisite creations. As for the name, it comes from an old neighborhood speakeasy that sold alcohol on the sly during the Prohibition. Another fine option for dining out is Sylvia’s at 328 Malcolm X Boulevard. This
is where Sylvia Woods set out to conquer the world with her delectable soul food: a.k.a. fried chicken wings, scrambled and poached eggs, bacon, shrimp & coconut salad, etc. Then after appreciating contemporary black art at the Studio MuseumHarlem
(www.studiomuseum.org), nothing beats a relaxing drink at the lowkey Nectar Wine Bar (2235 Frederick

Douglass Blvd.), the first of its kind to grace the neighborhood.