Sylvia's cornbread
Jonathan does it again. After the Natural History Museum, Jonathan, Paul and I traveled to 125th Street in the heart of Harlem to eat dinner at the famed Sylvia’s. People back in Pueblo were awfully nervous about us three venturing to Harlem and eating dinner. It was a superb experience. The people servicing us at the restaurant from the bus boy, to the cook, and the waiter were the most helpful and friendly of any this whole trip. The waiter, who had a deep, deep baritone voice reminiscent of Barry White, allowed us to loiter a bit as we waited on one of Jonathan’s old friends from as far back as elementary school.
While waiting, we nibbled (practically devoured) our sweet cornbread (best I ever ate), and visited while Jonathan and Paul drank their sweet tea. After a long wait, Jonathan ordered the grilled catfish with the macaroni and cheese and black-eyed peas; Paul ordered the Sylvia’s world-famous ribs and fried chicken combination with collared greens and mashed potatoes; I ordered the smothered pork chop with macaroni and cheese and collared greens. Jonathan let me sample the catfish, and it was great, but the star of the show was the house made macaroni and cheese. It was perfect! That’s all there is to say. Paul’s chicken was real good, but the ribs were good, but not outstanding by any means. My pork chop was super, but I also thought the macaroni and cheese was the star of the plate. We engulfed our dinner in no time flat. Jonathan’s guest arrived late and ordered the exact meal I did.
Jonathan's catfish
Paul's ribs and fried chicken
Mark's smothered pork chop
Jonathan and Paul declined dessert, but I asked our very efficient bus boy if he had to choose between the homemade southern banana pudding or the coconut cake which would he choose. Without hesitating he answered in a somewhat playful but defiant tone, “The coconut cake, anything else you want to know.”
I laughed and asked him to tell me if he would pick that same homemade coconut cake over their peach cobbler. He replied that if your going for the best dessert then go for the peach cobbler – no doubt. I was not convinced by his little game of telling me the truth so quickly and confidently. Next, I asked our waiter the same questions. He responded exactly the same way so I ordered the peach cobbler. Wonderful will be the word for that.
Peach cobbler
I rate Sylvia’s a triple. Paul and Jonathan join in with your ratings.
Triple is about right.
What a great way to sample culture. Between this, Little Odessa, and all the other colorful places you have discovered, you have gotten a great sample of the neighborhoods of the city. You could write a book and base it on neighborhoods around the country and the great food offerings that can be experienced! -Sheila