For years I’ve heard that there’s lots of positive change happening in Harlem. My visit was sparked by learning about the Harlem Art Crawl and a desire to go to the iconic Sylvia’s.

Sylvia’ Restaurant
Sylvia's is the only original Harlem soul food restaurant still in business. Despite its large size, Sylvia’s is warm, cozy and full of hospitality.

My table faced where the food was arriving from the kitchen. I saw what was ordered and saw how briskly the wait staff got the piping hot dishes...

The closest view of Lady Liberty other than from a boat, the famous Steve’s Key Lime Pies and the Red Hook Winery are within a block of one another. Some consider Red Hook as "off the beaten trail" because subway and bus transport options are skinny. But if you are heading there by car, there is ample free street parking. Or if it’s a beautiful sunny day, there’s ferry service from Manhattan.

When you arrive, don’t let the look of the neighborhood fool you. It’s mixed industrial and...

“There’s an Improv/Commedia Dell’Arte show in Fort Green, Brooklyn, wanna go?” I said “Yes” despite not knowing what this actually was. It was a chance to discover this form of comedy first hand and though I lived in Brooklyn most of my life, I don’t recall visiting this neighborhood.  

“Two of my improv teachers from the Funny School of Good Acting-Chris Bayes’ and Virginia Scott’ are putting it on. It’s going to be bawdy and over the top. I know some of the players and they are amazing...