194385 Tue Apr 02 10:15:26 -0800 2002 6 18 Manhattan 0 1037453 I just finished a post re: Sylvia's on Lenox Ave. and dining in Harlem in general and suddenly realized I was still on the outer boroughs board! My apologies. Any thoughts on dining in Harlem would be appreciated, or see my recent posting on the outer boroughs board. Tue Apr 02 10:15:26 -0800 2002 0 JOHN C 1 1037461 Forget Sylvia's. Too much of a touristy destination and, frankly, too easy and obvious a reach. (Especially for white folks whose only venture up to Harlem is to Sylvia's.) I'm fond of Amy Ruth's, 116th and Lenox, a great, fun and totally health-free soul food place. My wife and I have made it our Valentine's Day ritual... Bayou at 126th and Lenox is and OK cajun place, very nice, but I didn't find the food to be teriffic. Charles Kitchen is also great Southern/Soul food, a bit further uptown, 8th ave and 151st, but not very pretty, which is part of its charm. Tue Apr 02 11:02:41 -0800 2002 1037453 0 higgins 2 1037467 I'm also a big fan of Amy Ruth's. Daily specials plus standards like fried chicken, and great sides. They actually do make some concessions to a healthy diet, like using smoked turkey instead of ham hock in the collard greens--which some see as a lack of authenticity, but is just fine with me considering everything else you're putting in your body when you eat there. Desserts—the red velvet cake, sweet potato pie—are also excellent. Tue Apr 02 11:43:43 -0800 2002 1037461 0 Adam B. 3 1037468 Using smoked turkey (specifically smoked turkey necks) in collard greens has become fairly common in many black families when greens are prepared for a large gathering. There are inevitably some folks who for religious or other reasons no longer consume pork products - this accomodation ensures that everyone can eat greens. I happen to like them this way. I love leftover greens but there's something a bit creepy about the amount of congealed fat on refrigerated greens that were cooked with ham hocks or other fatty pork products. I've also had them prepared with no meat products included and if they're the right quality greens fixed the right way they can be very tasty indeed... Tue Apr 02 12:01:16 -0800 2002 1037467 0 Owen O'Neill 4 1037578 Is Amy Ruth's open for Sunday brunch? Wed Apr 03 15:13:50 -0800 2002 1037468 0 Redaroo 5 1037603 I believe so... Wed Apr 03 17:28:52 -0800 2002 1037578 0 higgins 1 1037624 I haven't eaten there yet, but Native opened about a month ago at 118th and Lenox. It is owned and operated by the original owner of Bleu Evolution. It looks like quite a nice place. SettePani is a new bakery at 120th and Lenox (they also have locations on Lorimer St in Brooklyn and in Dobbs Ferry. I think the baking is done at the Brooklyn location). They have bread, butter cookies, tarts, cakes, and confections. The cookies and tarts that I've had have all been good. Guess I have a sweet tooth as I haven't tried anything else yet. The staff is very friendly and the atmosphere is very pleasant and peaceful. Wed Apr 03 22:05:38 -0800 2002 1037453 0 Joe Schumacher