Map No. 14: South Harlem -- New York Magazine

Map No. 14: South Harlem

Gourmet restaurants next to old-school beauty salons, designer boutiques, and locally produced T-shirts—and one-bedrooms for around $200,000! Wherever your feelings on the gentrification debate, there’s no doubt South Harlem is changing for good.

By S.Jhoanna Robledo
Published Jan 28, 2007

Map by Jason Lee

Harlemade

(Photo: Lisa Kereszi)

1. Harlemade
174 Lenox Ave., nr. 119th St. 212-987-2500
This high-ceilinged, wood-floored store was the first to stake a claim on Lenox Avenue, long before it became the happening commercial strip it is today. Long-sleeve, all-cotton tees (with Harlemade’s distinctive, swoosh-like logo designed by president Murphy Heyliger) go for $30; a denim tote silkscreened with an afro-d profile is $30.

2. Posh Paws of Manhattan
2121 Frederick Douglass Blvd., nr. 115th St.; 212-662-7674
The local pet shop stocks high-end dog shampoos and conditioners (Cain & Abel, $10.99 apiece), eau de toilette (by Woof Cosmetiques), and jewelry (cubic zirconia–studded necklaces and name collars) for its fancier clients, but the friendly and knowledgeable staff will happily discuss the various merits of gourmet pet foods, including Newman’s Own and Merich, at length.

3. Amy Ruth’s Restaurant
113 W. 116th St., at Lenox Ave.; 212-280-8779
Southern-style comfort food in all its so-good-yet-so-bad-for-you glory. Dishes are named after prominent African-Americans, including the Ludacris (fried chicken wings), the Roger Toussaint (smothered turkey wings), the Doug E. Fresh (waffles with fried whiting) and the C. Virginia Fields (country bread pudding). Try the Al Sharpton (chicken, fried or smothered, with waffles, pictured). All entrées are under $20.