"Best of" Harlem

The scouting team of L & O put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into Harlem in the past week. Well, sweat and tears anyway. One street gang fight, punch-in-the-back (Kat), and delicious serving of candied yams later, I have compiled a "Best of" list for Harlem:

1) Best air-conditioning: Hands down, Subway. Give those folks at 117 and Frederick Douglass Blvd a hand. While all other establishments have turned off their A/C to "stay green," the good people at Subway keep it crankin'. Extra points for telling me the merits of "Tomato Ranch" versus "Cheddar" flat chips.

2) Funnest bathroom experience: Starbuck's on Frederick Douglass Blvd. The light is out, and there don't seem to be any plans to fix it...but it's the only bathroom on the block, so Kat and I just kept watch for each other. Going to the bathroom in the pitch dark was a little like camping, except it was noon.

3) Best developer to know: "Bill" from K & R Realty. Man, that guy controls everything! He seemed to know our every move, and then suddenly we saw an unassuming guy leaning against a new building. "Law & Order?" he said, casually. "Yes...."I replied. "You called me." "BILL?!" He shifted his weight and said, "You know how to reach me." And just as mysteriously, he sauntered away into the shadows of another new condo construction...

4) Best super to know: Chris Cruz. He broke both his knuckles falling down the stairs, but he still had a smile on his face and also recommended a good Spanish restaurant. Gotta love good people.