Melba’s
Melba Wilson is Harlem royalty. The niece of Sylvia Woods, founder of the iconic soul food restaurant Sylvia’s, Wilson learned her trade from her aunt and has had a thriving eatery of her own for over 20 years. She famously bested Bobby Flay on his TV show Takedown, taking him down with her chicken and waffles. (Secret ingredient? Egg nog in the batter…year round.) Frankly, we much prefer her restaurant to Sylvia’s, which is now overrun by bus tours. Melba’s is still a locals’ joint, with paintings of Black celebrities and politicians brightening the brick walls, and serves the best collard greens in the state. As for those chicken and waffles: they’re still championship level. Tip: Melba’s hot sauce is on the milder side of spicy but mighty flavorful. You can buy a bottle to go for $8, a nice souvenir.
Melba Wilson is Harlem royalty. The niece of Sylvia Woods, founder of the iconic soul food restaurant Sylvia’s, Wilson learned her trade from her aunt and has had a thriving eatery of her own for over 20 years. She famously bested Bobby Flay on his TV show Takedown, taking him down with her chicken and waffles. (Secret ingredient? Egg nog in the batter…year round.) Frankly, we much prefer her restaurant to Sylvia’s, which is now overrun by bus tours. Melba’s is still a locals’ joint, with paintings of Black celebrities and politicians brightening the brick walls, and serves the best collard greens in the state. As for those chicken and waffles: they’re still championship level. Tip: Melba’s hot sauce is on the milder side of spicy but mighty flavorful. You can buy a bottle to go for $8, a nice souvenir.
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