#TheHarlemFamilyInstitute #mother #school #parent #community #coordinator #spirits #children #taxdeductible #worship #daughter #president #donor #history #diversitysensitive #degree #PsyA #center #clinical #neighborhood #Harlem #East #tickets #Fundraiser #Holidays #music #multicultural #mastersdegree #Holiday #information #LangstonHughes #training #psychoanalyts #public #Family #adolescents #social #culture #diversity #motherbaby #communications #buy #child #NewYork #psychotherapy #HFI #longterm #lowcost #education #son #PhD #friends #psychotherapist #food #parentchild #father #NYC #adults #supporter #baby #Soiree #kids #PsyD #buyyourtickets #special #psychoanalyst #underserved #House #Institute #emotional #December #evening #dinner #challenges #events #NY #chairman #dynamic

By Miles Marshall Lewis @MMLunlimited; Video by Nenman Walbe @soulrebelpro Post powered by Harlem Commonwealth Council As the undisputed capital of black America, Harlem holds its reputation as a longstanding microcosm of African America nationwide. And yet pocket communities of other ethnic groups stretch back even longer than Ben E. King’s sixties hit, “Spanish Harlem.” Besides that famed Nuyorican neighborhood, France plants its flag near the New York French American Charter School of West 120th Street, and the African diaspora flourishes up and down 116th. All of which lends an international flavor to uptown cuisine far beyond the preconceived notions of soul food one might expect. Satisfying a jones for African cooking in particular means grappling with the diversity within the continent. No one speaks of “European food”—the wide range of cooking found on Italian, French and Spanish menus is a given. Africa, likewise, contains 54 different countries, and flavors span widely from the jollof rice of Nigeria to the couscous of Morocco to the fish stew of Angola. Our recent crawl of the African-owned Ponty Bistro (Senegal), Zoma (Ethiopia) and Safari (Somalia) restaurants highlights Harlem’s continent-wide collection of tastes. Ponty Bistro 2375 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard “The technique of cooking is French, but the spices we’re using have to be all African,” says chef Ejhadji Cisse, co-owner—with cousin Cheikh Cisse—of Ponty Bistro. Located at the corner of 139th Street and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard, the Harlem outpost of this French-Senegalese restaurant opened in 2010 as an uptown branch of the original Ponty Bistro in downtown Gramercy (since closed). The Cisses hail from Dakar, Senegal, though culinary school and chef residencies took them through Paris before their arrival in the states in 1995. “I don’t want to say: alright, I’m African, I’m just getting African customers,” says Cisse. “I want everybody to come to my place, able to eat what we have and have the experience we have in here.” Specialties like braised branzino sea bass with sweet plantains (poisson braisé à la Guet Ndar) align with attractions like a late-night weekend DJ to make Ponty Bistro a staple of rapidly gentrifying Harlem. Zoma 2084 Frederick Douglass Boulevard “Ethiopian dishes are largely vegetarian,” says restauranteur Henock Kejela, owner of Zoma (established in 2006). “And the others, the meat dishes, are braised dishes. Most Ethiopian food is eaten on a family-style platter with injera, which is the bread.” That spongy flatbread scoops collard greens, spicy chickpeas and lentils; other dishes include fish (zoma assa, assa tibs), beef (tibs wett, kitfo, and more) and chicken (like doro alitcha stew). As another Ethiopian signature, the tej honey wine is a must-taste. A decade ago, The New York Times described Zoma’s interior as “a sea of wobbly black tables set against sparsely adorned walls,” but the low-key, low-lit atmosphere only adds to the charm. Located at the corner of West 113th Street, the eatery’s proximity to Central Park allows diners to walk off their meals with panache. Safari 219 West 116th Street Calling the patch of Harlem surrounding 116th Street a West African Chinatown would be trite for several reasons, and yet the greatest concentration of NYC immigrants from the continent’s left coast seem to have settled here. Still, the neighborhood nickname of “Little Senegal” ignores the heavy Somali presence evidenced by chef Shakib Farah’s two-year-old Safari. “Somali cuisine is pretty much a meat-eating society,” he says. “The food has to have aroma, so the spices and seasoning are very important: cinnamon, cardamom. That’s what makes it unique.” The roasted goat of hilib ari served with Basmati rice and basbaas sauce is a Safari favorite. (Speaking of sauce, Safari also produces its own hot sauce for sale.) Beef and chicken suqaar as well as a trio of steaks (including thinly sliced flank steak and grilled hanger steak) serve carnivorous diets that might find goat too adventurous. But a catch-of-the-day chef’s special—served in a homemade lime zest sauce and basbaas rub—ensures Safari covers all the bases. Click here for info on other African restaurants in Harlem.

Click here to donate

The Holidays are back in full swing and Harlem has everything you need. This year’s guide gets even more creative to make this year’s holiday season unlike any before! View Now

There’s no place like Harlem, and with scores of local entrepreneurs, small businesses, artists and artisans, there’s no better place to shop for all of your holiday needs. While you’re doing that, ring in the season with rich cultural events for family, friends and neighbors, all infused with the energy that has made Harlem an iconic community. Ho! Ho! Ho! from us at EXPERIENCE HARLEM —Harlem doesn’t have a St. Nicholas Avenue for nothing, you know. KEY GUIDE: Men = M Women = W Kids = K Home = H Pets = P GIFTS FOR HIM Delight and dress up the men or male-identified folks on your list this holiday with picks from the following Harlem shops: Harlem Haberdashery 245 Lenox Ave, 646 707 0070, www.harlemhaberdashery.com Just stepping inside of Harlem Haberdashery is an experience worth savoring. The retail expression of 5001 Flavors almost exclusively features unique designs; and inventory ranges from unique Ts to more bespoke accessories, like the fast selling two-tone scarf, which can dress up any look. M, W Flamekeepers Hat Club 273 W 121st St, 212 531 3542, www.flamekeepershatclub.com The chapeau is a fine expression of style and cool, and at Flamekeepers, you’re sure to find the perfect fit for the modern man (or woman) in your orbit! Stop here to impress those for whom good taste is a must. M, W Bébénoir 2084 Adam Clayton Powell, Jr Blvd, 212 749 0400, www.bebenoir.com This upscale boutique for the fashion-conscious shopper is a must. Collar-less shirts with Afrocentric details are the hot item this season, and there are loads of shimmering holiday dresses for her, too. M, W GIFTS FOR HER Harlem is ground zero for all the women and femmes you want to impress this season—from church mothers and co-workers to girlfriends and sorors. The Brownstone 24 E 125th St, 212-996-7980, www.thebrownstonewoman.com The Brownstone dresses women for the important moments in her life with ethnically-inspired fashions like leather trimmed shawls or funky jewelry that are sure to be conversation starters. There are also one-of-a-kind gifts for home and special holiday cards, too. W, H Harlem Skin & Laser Clinic 2119 Frederick Douglass Blvd, 917 309 6607, www.harlemskinclinic.com They say true beauty lies within, but if you want your outer to reflect your inner, there’s no better place. From facials and chemical peels, to laser hair removal and waxing, HS&L has only one objective: to make skin beautiful. W, M Polished Finger Tips 2119 Frederick Douglass Blvd, 212 222 4466, polished4.vpweb.com Treat the well-groomed woman in your life to a salon 10 levels beyond the average nail shop. With an environment drenched in the sweet smells of aromatherapy, Polished offers unique treatments such as its extended manicure, an experience you’re sure to remember fondly. W, M GIFTS FOR KIDS Ground the children in your life with unique, culturally-diverse gifts that can’t be found anywhere else. A2Z Children’s Boutique 2220 Frederick Douglass Blvd, 212 932 2220, www.a2zchildrensboutique.com Make the children in your life exceedingly cool with unique and fashion-forward finds at A2Z, whether it be a straw fedora for boys or faux fur vest for girls. There’s also baby gifts, shoes, and accessories. From newborn to size 14. K Grandma’s Place 84 W 120th St, 212 360 6776, www.grandmasplaceinharlem.com Pick up ethnically diverse dolls, books (ages toddler through pre-teen), action figures, wooden puzzles, games and puppets—all hand selected and curated by Grandma herself, a retired Teacher of the Year award winner. K Schomburg Center Gift Shop 515 Lenox Ave, 917 275 6975, www.nypl.org/locations/schomburg The Schomburg gift shop features all sorts of sweet chotskies for children drawing from an extensive selection of books through young adult reading levels, to culturally reflective dolls, posters, pins and buttons. K, M, W, H Harlem Underground 20 E 125th St, 212 987 9385, www.harlemunderground.com A Harlem staple for almost 20 years, Harlem Underground has a bevy of hats, t-shirts, jackets and sweatshirts that are sure to please even those hard to please teens. From black superheroes to jazz legends, HU is a mainstay because of its contemporary and quirky products. K, M, W GIFTS FOR HOME Whether it’s for your own home during the holidays, your best Martha Stewart/B.Smith-esque bud or hostess gift, the following shops have you covered: NiLu 191 Lenox Ave, 646 984 4926, www.shopnilu.com There’s literally something for everyone at Nilu, but we’ll focus on home. Find everything from framed original photography or collages from local artists, culturally reflective dinner wear, funky pillows and candles, or even disco ball ornaments for your trees. Proprietor Katrina Parris Pinn’s taste is unparalleled and your home finds here will be coveted by one and all. H, M, W, K, P Serengeti Teas & Spices 2292 Frederick Douglass Blvd, 212 866 7100, www.serengetiteasandspices.com At the forefront of African tea gastronomy, Serengeti crafts unique botanical blends, sea salts and the loveliest tea sets in glass or cast iron. A Zen moment isn’t far away… H Studio Museum 144 W 125th St, 212 864 4500, www.studiomuseum.org As with most other museum gift shops, the Studio Museum delivers on wonderful gifts for the home like its best-selling “Black Is Beautiful” mugs and everything you need to celebrate Kwanzaa, including wooden hand-crafted kinaras and unity cups, candles and mkekas. H, K FOR PETS Our four-legged friends are like family, and certainly deserve some TLC during the frenzied holidays, too. Make ’em howl with delight as they’re pampered and primped for prime time. Mia’s Bathhouse for Pets 247 W 145th St, 212 694 8607, www.miasbathhouse.com There’s no hands your pet knows better than yours, so head over to New York’s premiere do-it-yourself dog wash to clean your pooch with your special touch for a fraction of the cost of dog groomers (and let Mia’s worry about the clean-up!), P Harlem Doggie Day Spa 734 St Nicholas Ave, 646 386 7789, www.harlemdoggiedayspa.com If you’re away for the holidays, Harlem Doggie Day Spa has got you covered with the finest cage-free boarding, daycare and grooming facility around. Its 24-hour on-site dog staffing and two locations provides the best, most professional support for your pooch pals so you can rest easy. P EVENTS Harlem for the Holidays Sat & Sun Dec 9-10; Dec 16-17, 12-6pm The Gadson Gallery, 225 W 134th St, 212 694 0262, www.shimoda-accessories.com/event Presented by the Harlem Aesthetic, Harlem for the Holidays focuses on promoting and preserving artists and artisans of the African Diaspora who spin and create everything from sculptured hats and quilts to leather bags and unique jewelry. Free. Harlem Holiday Live! at Harlem School of the Arts Theater Dec 8-10, Dec 15-17; Fri 7pm, Sat 3pm & 7pm, Sun 3pm Harlem School of the Arts Theater 645 St Nicholas Ave, 212 926 4100, www.harlemholidaylive.brownpapertickets.com Celebrate the holiday season with a multi-disciplinary performance by the HSA Theatre Alliance, Dorothy Maynor Singers, HSA Dance Ensemble and HSA Dance Junior Ensemble. $20 Advance, $25 Door, $15 Students & Seniors and Groups of 10 or more. Coca-Cola Winter Wonderland at Apollo Theater Sat, Dec 9, 2pm-6pm Apollo Theater 253 W 125th St, 212 531 5300, www.apollotheater.org The Apollo transforms into a winter wonderland for the family to experience holiday-themed activities including picture taking with Santa Claus and amazing performances. On this day, bring your new or used books, CDs, clothing and toys suitable for boys and girls ages 3 to 18 to benefit a local charity. All donations should be unwrapped. Free. Shop NiLu Sip & Shop Dec 7, 9, 10, 13, 16, 21 NiLu 191 Lenox Ave , 646 964 4926, www.shopnilu.com Pick up a range of uniquely curated and variously priced gifts at Harlem gift shop Nilu, which features a vast range of local creators. Pick up unique gifts from scented candles to funky jewelry and kids books. Check the website for pop-up shops from artisans throughout December. Free. Fantasia Christmas After Midnight: Celebrating Her Hits at Apollo Theater Wed, Dec 13, 8pm Apollo Theater 253 W 125th St, 212 531 5300, www.apollotheater.org Between soulful hits like “Truth Is,” and “When I See U,” Fantasia is a sure crowd pleaser. After wowing in The Color Purple, Fantasia returned to Broadway in 2013 in After Midnight, a dance-focused musical that celebrated Harlem’s iconic Cotton Club during the Harlem Renaissance. See it all at the legendary Apollo. Tickets start at $59. Kwanzaa Celebration: Regeneration Night at Apollo Theater Sat, Dec 30, 2-7:30pm Apollo Theater, 253 W 125th St, 212 531 5300, www.apollotheater.org Since 2006, the Apollo has established an annual show to celebrate Kwanzaa , a joyful evening of dance and music honoring the holiday’s principles around family, community and culture. $14-$35. Hands On: Kuumba Kwanzaa! At The Studio Museum Harlem Sun, Dec 31, 2-4 pm Studio Museum Harlem, 144 W 125th St, 212 864 4500, www.studiomuseum.org Children and adults can join together in celebrating Kuumba, the Kwanzaa principle of creativity. Engage in a variety of special art-making activities, explore the galleries in an interactive scavenger hunt and more! Free. Enter for a Chance to Win a $100 Shop Harlem Gift Card To make your holiday season even merrier, we’re giving away five, $100 gift cards to Experience Harlem newsletter subscribers. Click here to register. #GiftsforHim #ShopHarlem #GiftsforPets #shoplocal #GiftsforHer #Holidaygiftideas

By Kysha Harris, Food Editor, @SCHOPgirl Happy holidays from all us here at Experience Harlem! We know the big day is creeping up on us. After that Indian summer, we thought there might be a mild winter. Alas, ole man winter seems to want to be giving us a white Christmas now. Are you ready? No? Neither are we! So to help all of us Experiencers out, we have compiled some of the Harlem chefs and food makers that will help you shine as bright as the star on the top of your tree. Let us begin with our fearless food editor, Kysha Harris (a.k.a. me, kysha@schopnyc.com). She has been cooking for busy urban professionals for going on sixteen years now. One of her personalized home cooking packages makes the perfect gift those culinarily-challenged loved ones in your life. She also offers event planning and in-home catering packages. As the Talent Manager for Harlem EatUp!, I was introduced to a bevy of talented Harlem chefs serving everything from that good “laissez les bons temps rouler” N’awlins food to modern American food. These chefs are not playing. You will never, ever see Vaughn Moore of Mere’s Viola Catering (violassweetdelights@gmail.com) not dressed to the nines. His fashion is just an indication of the amount of detail he puts in his food. From boudin to baking, Vaughn will give you that bead throwing, Zydeco playing, Mardi Gras good time. One can fall love with food of Darshellia Butler of Skillet Rose (darshellia.butler@yahoo.com) at first sight. It is some pretty, pretty food you cannot stop looking at to eat, but once it hits your mouth…baby…it tastes even better. With her signature hair, Chef Butler is giving you rock-n-roll food with jazz hands. Get into it! There are more Harlem food makers who can make your holiday season a little easier like Adolis Tesfamariam of Lovely Rita (adulis77@gmail.com) who will soon be opening in Harlem. And for those holiday sweets, Raven Palmer of Cupcake Queen Raven (cupcakequeenraven@gmail.com) and Lynee Jordan of Granapoos Creations (lyneejordan@live.com) will deliver the perfect holiday ending. For more awesome Harlem holiday ideas visit our 2017 #ShopHarlem Holiday & Events Guide. Shop local. Eat local. Celebrate local. Christmas in Harlem! Kysha Harris is a food writer and editor, culinary producer, consultant and owner of SCHOP!, a personalized food service in NYC for over 15 years. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram, @SCHOPgirl, on Facebook, /SCHOPnyc, and her blog, www.talkingSCHOP.wordpress.com.