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I am off to the brand new Sugarhill Java Cafe located on 145th Street right below St. Nick Ave.  The area has been in desperate need of a sit down cafe and I’m sure Sugarhill Java will be giving Dunkin’ Donuts a run for its money. Pictures and an update on this topic after I have sampled their offerings.

Right next door to the Java Cafe a new restaraunt called Raw Soul has opened its doors.  Raw Soul offers organic vegan and vegetarian meals for take out or table service. It has piqued the interest of people in the neighborhood who have been trickling in since its doors opened earlier this month.  Raw Soul offers a great alternative to the fish spots and chinese restaurants that saturate the area with unhealthy food selections.

A couple of blocks away I am anxiously awaiting the grand opening of Maroons Uptown, the sister restaurant of the location in Chelsea.  Sugarhill is certainly sweetening up once again.

Who knew that there was a Harlem Tennis Center? I happened to catch a fleeting glimpse of it while sitting in the back of a speeding dollar cab the other day.  As it turns out tennis star James Blake played there as a kid and the legendary tennis pro Althea Gibson taught tennis at the inconspicuous location also known as “The Armory.” Unfortunately I may have discovered this fact a little too late because my internet investigations pulled up a disconnected phone number and several postings in MSN forums pleading to “Save the Harlem Tennis Center.” How sad to lost this much needed facility if it has indeed closed.  The surrounding area is quickly changing and there will certainly be a demand for an alternative to Riverbank State Park and Jackie Robinson.  Tennis would be a great way to work off those pounds that are sure to arrive with the many restaurants popping up around the area.