East Harlem at Tribeca Film Festival

DNAinfo.com has a great piece and accompanying video about the film Nightlife, which is part of the Tribeca Film Festival. The film centers around the "unexpected bond between a pair of Manhattan teens — one from a Harlem project, the other from the tony Upper East Side."

Read the full piece here.

Nightlife is playing Saturday, April 30 at 4 p.m. (AMC Loews Village) and Sunday, May 1 at 7 p.m. (Tribeca Cinemas Theater).

New Harlem East -- Another Nickname for East Harlem?

We just recovered from SpaHa (short for Spanish Harlem) and now the Wall Street Journal notes that new business owners are starting to call the eastern side of 125th St, where new businesses are popping up like Wild Olive Market and Sade Skincare, "the New Harlem East." "It contrasts with the many cellphone-, linen- and sneaker-store-lined strips nearby."

Neighborhood nicknames always remind me of an episode of How I Met Your Mother where two characters are convinced of the merits of a certain area of New York City called DoWiSeTrepla. They are told it's "the hottest neighborhood in NYC. The deals are amazing. Much more affordable than Dumbo or Tribeca." They later find out DoWiSeTrepla stands for "Down Wind from The Sewage Treatment Plant." Neighborhood nicknames make me nervous.

Read about the new businesses in New Harlem East, East Harlem or whatever you want to call our neighborhood here.


I love the new stores, but I'm not sure about the new name. What do you think about SpaHa or New Harlem East? Do you like these nicknames or does East Harlem work for you?

New York Magazine finds Earl's

In the latest edition of New York Magazine the Underground Gourmet guys make their way up to East Harlem's Earl's Beer and Cheese, and they give it a stellar review!

...on several forays to this northern hinterland, we found much more: an ebullient but civilized young crowd mercifully free of frat-house yahoos, good tunes played at conversation-friendly decibel levels, and a bar-food menu that never failed to surprise or satisfy. Having said that, culinary pilgrims should note that the space is tight and, unlike most of the city’s so-called gastropubs, it’s decidedly a bar rather than a restaurant. You are kindly asked to order from the bartender, and depending on the night and the hour, if you’re not lucky enough to wriggle into an inside seat at the single communal table...

And you thought it was crowded before! Here's hoping East Harlem residents can still squeeze into our favorite pint-sized pub!

Read the full review.


Earl's Beer and Cheese
1259 Park Ave
(between E. 97th & E. 98th sts.)
212-289-1581

James De La Vega Edited

I AM Becomeing Your MY Dream

It's a Beautiful Day for a Woodland Walk

Central Park Conservancy organizes monthly Harlem Meer Social Hours and this month's event, a Woodland Walk, is scheduled for this evening. Get to Central Park's Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, located inside the park near 110th Street between Fifth and Lenox Avenues, by 6:30, and you'll experience the beauty of the park at dusk. The walk is guided by Central Park Conservancy horticulturalists.

Next month's event is Seasonal Picnic Recipes. Meet at the same spot on Thursday, May 12 at 6:30 and Chef Margaret Hoffman will show you how to incorporate fresh Greenmarket products into picnic menus. Complimentary refreshments will be provided.

See the Central Park Conservancy Website for more information.

Earl's in New York Press

I'm very excited to have my review of Earl's Beer and Cheese, the new bar that opened on Park Ave between 97th and 98th aves, in the latest issue of New York Press.

If you haven't been to Earl's yet, perhaps this preview of the piece will entice you:

If the allure of microbrews and the 1970s basement vibe isn't enough to draw you uptown, perhaps the seasonal pickle plate ($6) and selection of local cheeses ($9-$15)—what Earl's humbly calls "bar food"—will. Cescari and co-owner Adam Clark originally thought they'd serve only cheese-focused bar food, but when they gave free reign over the menu to chef Corey Cova, who recently spent time in Momofuku Ssam Bar, the menu was upgraded. Cova is constantly trying out new dishes, but one semi-regular standout is the Beer-Cheese ($6). Inspired by a dish Cova had in a beer hall in Prague, it's a basket of toast with raw garlic to rub over it, served with a spicy cheddar and cream ale sauce. Another standout is the grilled cheese with cheddar, kimchi, pork belly and a fried egg ($8).

Earl's Beer and Cheese
1259 Park Ave
(between E. 97th & E. 98th sts.)
212-289-1581

James De La Vega, Running Coach

While running the women's half marathon in Central Park yesterday it seemed that every time I looked down I saw James De La Vega's motivational message written out in caulk. These little notes all along the running loop kept me going strong.

(Updated) James De La Vega's East Harlem

A collection of artist James De La Vega's work throughout East Harlem.


James De La Vega, Running Coach

Here Comes the Sun

Mattress Message

De La Vega Fine Art

Swimming Up Stream

Dresser Dreams

Spring Awakening

Among the Snow and Trash

A Busy Day

Dreams Nearly Washed Away

The Sidewalk Philosopher Strikes Again

Become Your Dream…

Recession Advice from an East Harlem Couch