Sweet On Marshalls

Ok. So if you venture into Marshall's on 125th Between Lenox(Malcolm X Boulevard) and 7th(Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd) Avenues, I guarantee that you'll be so addicted; especially if you have your own place. Marshall's simply satifies your inner spendthrift. You know that voice that tells you when your'e going overboard with the finances. Marshall's has some of the best deals going in Harlem in terms of sprucing up your space and giving your boudoir "reflection of me" personality.

Here are My faves:

If you are an entertainer like me; you salivate over great kitchen finds. And if your'e depending on your medicine cabinet mirror to get a good look of yourself, you need to run to Marshalls. A glam mirror is the ultimate sign of "grown and sexy" maturity. They have books that make you look like you give a damn about style and literacy, 300 and up thread count sheets for less than $50, Duvets, pillows, towels, all the ish you need to make you look savy.

If your'e creative, and can get someone to lug that "to die for" ottoman up your staircase, you can make your space pop with their one of a kind odd selection of furniture finds. Honest to god, they have furniture that will make you say:"What in the "brass iron rooster" do I need this for? But it may be just the thing your'e looking for.

The shoes I'm not too keen on, but that depends on your style and budget tastes. I tend to be very particular when it comes to matters of the feet, b/c I love my toes and I want to love what I walk in. So my values don't quite mix well with Marshall's selection. But every once and a while you'll find a cute steal that you can rock for the summer. I feel the same way about Payless shoes. Just remember: It's a long arduous path to curing corns, bunions, hammertoes, and all other forms of foot salad. You may be ablet to get away with that four ninety nine shirt from H&M, but choose wisely when looking at that $9.99 shoe.

For shoe deals, I would venture over to the Nine West Outlet over on 125th and St. Nicholas Avenue....

Expectations

When many people come to Harlem, they bring with them deeply held romantic expectations of Black America's most infamous neighborhood. You will see black people, that's for sure. But for some there's a deeper sentimental yearning. Perhaps a stronger sense of a vibrantly congealed community: Well dressed black men in suits, jazzy speakeasies, catching the "holy ghost"from storefront churches, a macaroni and cheese station, The Weed Man, block parties, number runners, house rent parties, and vestiges of activism exemplified by our beloved Malcolm X. However, the cultural renaissance that made Harlem's mark was over seventy years ago. Our latest sustained revival is all about the greenbacks with a touch of cultural panache. And it ain't going nowhere.

When you come to Harlem you've got to dig for remnants of cultural historical relevance. And it can't be done in one day. There's the architecture of Sugar Hill, Striver's Row, Hamilton Heights, and The Mount Morris Park Historic District. Then there's the Lenox Lounge right around the corner. Hot. The newly opened Minton's Place for jazz nostalgics, historians, and lovers. And for grease spoon brick weighing soul food: Amy Ruth's, Ole Reliable's and Slyvia's.

These are all obvious paths to take towards getting to know Harlem better. But I've got the passionate Harlemite aficionado's guide on how to work your stay in Harlem. Hell, you might just move here when I'm through with you.

There's much to be discovered: George Fiason's firehouse, The Harlem Writer's Guild, Parlor Entertainment,The Langston Hughes House, and St. Nick's Pub for starters....doing the damn thing in continuing the legacy of Harlem.

I will break all of these places down in the blogs to come...

Mobay Uptown

When you're in the mood for authentic Jamaican cuisine and "fall off the bone" Barbecue venture to Mo Bay Uptown on 125th between Lenox and 5th Avenues. Normally I wouldn't recommend a thing on 125th; except for the Apollo Theatre, but I must take exception with the ire of this restaurant.

MOBAY is never empty and the food is always dalish. And the drinks are worth the 12 dollars that you plunk, b/c you will surely feel a tinge in all the right places; they do not skimp on the alcohol. They also make this alcohol-free Jamaican punch that will make you put down the Kool-Aide forever. The place is kinda on the small side, and when the house jazz band isn't in, they could use a better soundtrack in terms of their music selection. "Ready for the World's: Let Me Love You Down" is not my idea of music to my ears when I dine out; in fact it's quite distasteful. And sometimes you will have neighbors who simply do not have any table manners when it comes to the dining out experience; the wearing of Yankee caps, obnoxiously loud conversations; and we are all too familiar with ultra rudeness that the invention of the cell phone brought. But that's just snobby me looking for ways to be offended.

The plus plus here is that they have a great restroom; an indicator of good business practices.

No dress code. Reservations are recommend; even though I've never made a reservation ever. Otherwise, give them a call.

MobayUptown