The Rev. Al Sharpton, Amy Ruth’s, Harlem

Janette Rucker’s Red Velvet Cake, Amy Ruth’s, Harlem

Janette Rucker’s Red Velvet Cake, Amy Ruth’s, Harlem

Carl Redding grew up in NYC but spent his summers as a child in the South with his grandmother, Amy Ruth Moore Bass. Shirking off outdoor chores assigned to him and his brothers, Carl often weaselled his way to his grandmother’s side in the kitchen and assisted her as she prepared the meals of the day. As Carl grew up he perfected the art of canning, freezing, and cooking southern soul food under his grandmother’s direction. In 1998 he opened his own restaurant in Harlem and named after Amy Ruth.

After a futile attempt to try to go see the Colosso Colon (it was closed early!) we headed over to Amy Ruth’s to have some down-home cookin’. Everything on the menu is named after influential African-Americans. For example, The Attorney Johnnie Cochran is fried or smothered pork chops and The Rev. Al Sharpton is chicken & waffles. The signature entree is The Councilman Bill Perkins, which is southern honey-dipped fried chicken, made with honey from the restaurant’s rooftop apiary. Side dishes are standard southern fare like grits, collard greens, yams, okra, and macaroni & cheese.

Our waiter had on a nametag on that said “Papa”. Voicing what we were all wondering, Jeannette asked if his name was really Papa. He said “My name is papa, but I’m not a papa.” Overall, I think everyone was pretty satisfied with the food. The waitstaff was attentive and there was no wait to be seated. I would go back. Harlem isn’t even that far. I think it’s farther mentally than it actually takes to get there. If you get on the A Express you go from 59th to 125th with no stops in between. It takes 5 minutes. (Honestly! We timed it!)

More Information:
- Amy Ruth’s website
- Tien’s post on dinner at Amy Ruth’s
- Amy Ruth’s on Citysearch
- New York Magazine’s Review
- On beekeeping in NYC (it’s illegal!)

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