what about the plastic animals?

Not Even The Hydrant Remains

The city recently made over 870,000 photos available from the Municipal Archives.  Jen Carlson at Gothamist has been digging through that pile of wonder and has been placing thematic collections online a few times a week.  Friday's gallery of urban bicyclists caught my attention because the top photo here was taken at 119th and Manhattan Ave, which I often walk past on my daily commute.

Almost nothing on this block in the 1931 photo is there today.  The building in the background at left (in front of the elevated tracks) is the only building that remains on the block.  The Ninth Avenue El ceased operation in 1940.  Even the fire hydrant has been replaced (albeit in the same spot)!

The emptiness of this part of Harlem stands out when you look at the aerial photo from 1996.  Sometimes I curse myself for not having the foresight to photograph all the vacant lots when I moved into the neighborhood.

Coming Soon... Royal Pet Care

I noticed a sign for Royal Pet Care recently went up at the old Under D Tree storefront on Lenox Ave.  I miss Under D Tree's great Jamaican food, though I always got the impression they were selling something else as their main source of income.  While I have no need for a pet care store it will be nice to see these grates disappear.

Monday bonus:  If you haven't seen it already take an hour to watch Bruce Springsteen's keynote speech at SXSW 2012.  Be warned that he often drops the f-bomb if that sort of thing bothers you.

That Was Fast

Has Harlem Seafood closed already?  The place only opened a few weeks ago.  I didn't get a chance to take a picture of the futuristic interior.  From what I hear the food was way overpriced for take-out fish.

A bunch of very spatial people are coming into town tomorrow and they will need to be fed and entertained for a few days.  I'll be back next week to continue the march through Illinois.

Welcome to Heavenly Harlem, NY

By Franco the Great at Jacob Restaurant on Lenox Ave.

Neighborhood Update, Lenox Above 125th Edition

This is the last of the neighborhood updates.  All these changes are on Lenox Ave between 125th and 131st Streets. 

Chill Berry, the glasses-wearing frozen yogurt shop, opened last summer.  Not being a frozen yogurt fan I haven't been, but people on Yelp sure do like it. 

Much to my regret a place I did like, La Perle Noire, closed over the summer and was replaced with Island Salad in the fall.  'Tis a shame as I can't really start a long bike ride with a salad instead of a pastry.  Relief on that front may have arrived if the recently-opened Lenox Coffee on 129th can survive until warmer weather gets here.  Everyone seems to like it but on the day I stopped in I was served a lukewarm chai latte and a generic muffin.

The Ambassades Buffet is an offshoot of Patisserie Des Ambassades, French-African maker of giant doughnuts on Frederick Douglass.  The new buffet is a good place to stop in for a change-of-pace take-out meal (Jacob Restaurant just up the street has somewhat better food).

Of course, the new thing that grabbed most of the news this past year was the opening of Red Rooster, Marcus Samuelsson's latest restaurant.

Neighborhood Update, Lower Lenox Edition

In case you're wondering I'll get back to Missouri soon.  Getting closer to home I had to break the Lenox Ave pictures into two parts. 

Lots going on south of 125th Street.  Looking back to last year the Five Star Grill came and went in the space of a few months.  It was soon replaced by US Fried Chicken & Pizza.  This happens a lot with these cheaper take-out places. 

The pizza place at 119th Street never got off the ground and the space remains empty.  Mike's Newstand, which was under sidewalk scaffolding, has been removed.  Will it return?

We have to go back two years to see that the space that was Louise's Restaurant is now 121 Lenox Gourmet Deli.  If you're not in NYC you might not know that when 'gourmet' is prepended to 'deli' it becomes synonymous with 'nothing special'.

Taking the time machine back to 2005 we can see the stirrings of a silly caviar bar at 120th Street.  Be sure to read the last comment on that post to see someone who was really clueless or a shill for the bar.  Auberge Laurent is a new wine bar owned by the person who owns the Pink Teacup in the West Village.

Finally, I would be remiss in not mentioning the recent opening of the controversial Wine and Spirits near 119th Street.

Next time I'll venture north of 125th Street.

Neighborhood Update, Adam Clayton Powell Edition

Continuing the survey of neighborhood changes Carolina Too Florist, Harlem's oldest flower shop and probable supplier of gardenias worn by Billie Holiday, met a sad end and was replaced by Flowers by AB on Adam Clayton Powell Blvd north of 117th Street. 

Overlooked on St. Nicholas

I forgot this building at 220 St. Nicholas.  I'm not the only one!  It is our neighborhood eyesore and looks less done now than in November 2009.

Neighborhood Update, Frederick Douglass Edition

Around the turn of the year I like to take a walk through the neighborhood and see what's changed over the previous twelve months.  What's arrived, what's left and what's coming soon.  Some years I'm more ambitious than others.  Last year I only posted three photos.  Two of the three "coming soon" items came true!

Society at 114th closed its doors

Harlem Tavern opened at 116th

Levain opened in March with a delicious selection of giant cookies

Lido replaced the short-lived Frizzante at 117th

Just Wingin' It never worked out so maybe this yet-to-open seafood place will

Bad Horse is good pizza, if a bit pricey

I forgot to take a picture of Chocolat!  I did take a picture of the much talked about Harlem Shambles, but it doesn't look like much from the outside.

The mysterious Triangle Cafe in the flatiron building at 121st is still not open.  I peeked in the window this weekend and it looks the same as a year ago.  Tables and chairs are set up, there's a meat slicer on the counter and the coffee makers are plugged in.

Smokin' Joe

A tribute to Joe Frazier on St. Nicholas Ave. outside the 125th St. subway station.