Marcus Samuelsson’s Fave Harlem Eats

Food

This week’s New York Magazine featured restaurants the top chefs frequent in their neighborhood and Harlemite Marcus Samuelsson also included his favorites. Kitchenette (at 123rd and Amsterdam) received best brunch honors for their pancakes, Settepani (Lenox and 120th) was a cafe selection along with Les Ambassades (FDB/8th Avenue and 118th Street). East Harlem’s El Aguila (116th and Lexington) received a thumbs up for their pork tacos. Central Harlem’s Charle’s Country Pan Fried Chicken (FDB/8th and 151st) seems to always be the winner for the southern food category and Chef Samuelsson also agrees. Check out the rest of the list:

1.Charles’ Country Pan Fried Chicken
2841 Frederick Douglass Blvd., nr. 151st St. 212-281-1800
For really good fried chicken, I go here. I like the dark meat best ($12 buffet).

2. Sisters Caribbean Cuisine

47 E. 124th St., at Madison Ave. 212-410-3000
In Harlem there’s a lot of steam-table food; this hidden spot has some of the best. Their goat curry ($10.99) is fantastic.

3. El Aguila
137 E. 116th St., nr. Lexington Ave. 212-410-2450
This is a great taquería right by the 6 train. I love their pork tacos ($2.72), and they’re open 24 hours.

4. Settepani

196 Lenox Ave., nr. 120th St. 917-492-4806
A real Italian place with great teas, coffee, and housemade biscotti ($4/plate). It’s nice for socializing.

5. Les Ambassades
2200 Frederick Douglass Blvd., nr. 118th St.; 212-666-0078
This Senegalese place has fantastic croissants ($1.75), the way they are in Paris, nice and buttery. They also make ginger juice ($3), great when you’re getting a cold.

6. Zoma

2084 Frederick Douglass Blvd., at 113th St. 212-662-0620
I go to this Ethiopian restaurant for kitfo ($17)—a kind of beef tartare served on sourdough pancake bread.

7. Nectar Wine Bar
2235 Frederick Douglass Blvd., nr. 121st St. 212-961-9622
I trust whatever wine and bar snacks ($4 and up) they have at this little bar.

8. Kitchenette Uptown

1272 Amsterdam Ave., at 123rd St. 212-531-7600
They do wonderful brunch; I go for any of the pancakes ($10.50 for mixed berry).

NYMag