A Neighborhood in Transition

From A Neighborhood in Transition

Food

Food is an essential part of everyday life. An individual's cravings may vary from a hamburger to Fillet Mignon. Here in Morningside Heights, all these needs are capable of being met. With an array of cafes, delis and restaurants, Morningside Heights caters to everyone's desires, while in general still remaining affordable to the average person. The slow, but steady process of gentrification that has enveloped Morningside Heights has transformed the composition of these eateries, both in quality and price. This change can be especially seen within the area surrounding Columbia University.

Contents 1 A Microcosm of Cultures and Foods 2 Gentrification Has Shaped The Price Range And Quality Of Food 3 Personal Experiences Of The Food 4 A List Of All The Restaurants In The Area 5 References

A Microcosm of Cultures and Foods

Up to the early part of the 20th century, Morningside Heights used to be predominantly white. Irish, Germans, and Italians all experienced upward mobility, both socially and economically, putting those days in the slums behind them and progressing to the higher-scale Upper West and East Sides. A wave of African-Americans arriving from the south and latin americans fleeing from economic and political trouble in their home countries in the early part of the 19th century would shape Morningside Heights' demographics forever; it would go from having a 90.01% white composition to a 6.55% white composition in 2006; in this same span of time the percentage of africans americans residing here increased by 59.4%. This neighborhood has truly become a microcosm of New York, representing many races, cultures and languages. This, in turn, has led for the need to satisfy or cater to the cuisine preferences of all these ethnicities. If your craving is Chinese food, then Peking Garden or Panda are the places to go, both offering a wide variety of dishes while being affordable.If pizza is what's on your mind, then grab a slice at Famous Famiglia or V&T Pizza, where one can do so in a nice, quiet atmosphere. For those craving delicious buffalo wings, visit Atomic Wings, where they're "spicy but sweet, crispy yet luscious." If Latin-American cuisine is the only thing that can satiate your appetite, then go to Havana Central, which serves the "highest quality, classic Cuban food in an atmosphere that combines the energy, excitement, entertainment and fun of old Havana." When Halal-food is your preference but you don't have the time or money for a fancy restaurant,you can easily pick up some falafel or kabobs from the various Halal- food carts distributed around the neighborhood. If you're not in the mood for any type of foreign cuisine in particular, then pay a visit to Community Food & Juice, which offers an "American eclectic" menu at reasonable prices.

Gentrification Has Shaped The Price Range And Quality Of Food

The Upper West Side has always been a wealthy and white neighborhood, with rents too expensive for the new immigrants to move in, such as those who migrated to Little Italy, Chinatown, and the Village; therefore moving to areas like Harlem. Morningside Heights used to be known for its small, overpriced French restaurants until the start of the 21st century, and now has transformed to be a conglomeration of restaurants from all parts of the world. Meanwhile, areas in Harlem had many cheap fast food restaurants, but little access to high quality food. But, only about fifty years ago, Morningside Heights was not distinguishable from Harlem in the public eye, and now one can definitely see how the gentrification process has taken over. Morningside Heights currently has upper-class cafes and restaurants, while Harlem still keeps their fast food restaurants and cheap delis. If one walks up from 130th Street in Harlem, to about 113th Street in Morningside Heights, the change in the food places can be seen. First, one would pass an Associated Supermarket in Harlem, then Fairway Supermarket, and then Morton Williams Supermarket in Morningside Heights. Associated Supermarket and Fairway Supermarket are known to be cheap and relatively for the lower class, while Morton Williams Supermarket is expensive and fairly for the upper class.

Columbia University is located in Morningside Heights, which plays a huge role in the gentrification process of the neighborhood. Columbia University owns most of the retails spaces along Broadway and Amsterdam; therefore brining in higher quality eateries. The University tries to get businesses in the neighborhood that will appeal to their students, for that reason, they try to get the highest quality food with the cheapest price. There are even Columbia students who also feel that the restaurants in the area lack diversity. Ricardo Saavedra, SEAS ’09 admits that the food also lacks diversity, but for weekday meals, “I wouldn’t venture too far away.”

Busy, hungry students go to these restaurants and supermarkets because it is convenient, not because they offer the best dishes for a reasonable price. Some students even go uptown to 125th street to the different groceries and delis to buy their food because of the price. Food places in Morningside Heights range from Havana Central to Chipotle to Pinkberry. It has almost any type of food one is looking for. Some of the most famous would include Chipotle and Pinkberry, which have lines spilling out the doors. They have good food and desserts for a reasonable price. Other restaurants are good for the nightlife of the neighborhood. Consequently, there are no such restaurants or eateries as you go up the streets. As you go past 125th Street towards the Bronx, you start seeing Kentucky Fried Chicken, Chinese Take out, and McDonalds.

The recent closing of Empanada Joe’s can be seen as one form of gentrification, and that also due to the lack of business in the restaurant. They ran out of business,” Frank Brcha, manager of Famous Famiglia pizzeria, said. Initially, Empanada Joes put up brown paper over their windows with a sign saying “closed for renovation,” and that it would open in February. Several months have passed, and it has yet to be opened. “The sign was just a sign. They are not reopening.” Brcha said after he spoke directly with Empanada Joe’s manager. Chipotle and Empanada Joes are on the same street, however one Mexican restaurant stands strong, while the other closes down. What could this mean about Morningside Heights?

Personal Experiences Of The Food

The City College students were curious as to what the Columbia students would eat on daily basis. We were always stuck eating either cafeteria food or getting food from the surrounding delis when Columbia University is just about fifteen blocks downtown. It is funny how the schools are so close, but Columbia students have a wider range of food to eat. So, one day, we all decided to go to Morningside Heights and check out what we were really missing. We ended up going to this Cuban restaurant named Havana Central. The food was good, but not good enough for price they charged. I mean, we are only college students. The average meal was about twenty-two dollars. We then came to the conclusion that it is indeed very luxurious and expensive to live and go to school in the Columbia area. Here are some photos of the experience:

Personal Experiences of Food on Dipity.

A List Of All The Restaurants In The Area

1 Ajanta1237 Amsterdam Ave | Btwn 120th & 121st St

2 Amir's Falafel2911 Broadway | Btwn 113th & 114th St

3 Amsterdam Restaurant1207 Amsterdam Ave | Btwn 119th & 120th St

4 Atomic Wings2090 Frederick Douglass Blvd | Btwn 113th & 114th St

5 Bengal Cafe1028 Amsterdam Ave | Btwn 110th & 111th St

6 Bistro Ten 181018 Amsterdam Ave | At 110th St

7 Cafe Amrita301 W 110th St | At 8th Ave

8 Cafe Fresh1241 Amsterdam Ave | At 121st St

9 Cafe Nana606 W 115th St | Btwn Bway & Riverside Dr

10 Camille's1135 Amsterdam Ave | At 116th St

11 Campo2888 Broadway | Btwn 112th & 113th St

12 Che' Bella Pizza1215 Amsterdam Ave | Btwn 119th & 120th St

13 China Place3141 Broadway | At La Salle St

14 Columbia Cottage1034 Amsterdam Ave | At 111th St

15 Community Food & Juice2893 Broadway | Btwn 112th & 113th St

16 Deluxe2896 Broadway | Btwn 112th & 113th St

17 Famous Famiglia2859 Broadway | At 111th St

18 Hamilton Deli1129 Amsterdam Ave | Btwn 115th & 116th St

19 Havana Central at The West End2911 Broadway | Btwn 113th & 114th St

20 Kitchenette1272 Amsterdam Ave | At 122nd St

21 Le Monde2885 Broadway | Btwn 112th & 113th St

22 Lyla's Café Creperie1270 Amsterdam Ave | Btwn 122nd & 123rd St

23 M2M - Morning To Midnight2935 Broadway | Btwn 114th & 115th St

24 Massawa1239 Amsterdam Ave | At 121st St

25 Max Caffe1262 Amsterdam Ave | Btwn 122nd & 123rd St

26 Max Soha1262 Amsterdam Ave | At 123rd St

27 Melba's300 W 114th St | At Frederick Douglas Blvd

28 Milano Market2892 Broadway | Btwn 112th & 113th St

29 Mill2895 Broadway | At 113th St

30 New Aroma465 W 125th St | Btwn Morningside & Amsterdam Ave

31 Nussbaum & Wu2897 Broadway | At 113th St

32 Ollie's2957 Broadway | At 116th St

33 P & W's Sandwich Shop1030 Amsterdam Ave | Btwn 110th & 111th St

34 Panda3153 Broadway | Btwn Tiemann Pl & Lasalle St

35 Panino Sportivo Roma1231 Amsterdam Ave | Btwn 120th & 121st St

36 Peking Garden3163 Broadway | Btwn 124th & 125th St

37 Perk's Fine Cuisine553 Manhattan Ave | At 123rd St

38 Pinkberry - Columbia2873 Broadway | Btwn 111th & 112th St

39 Pinnacle2937 Broadway | At 115th St

40 Pino's Cafe501 W 125th St | Btwn Amsterdam & Broadway

41 Pisticci125 La Salle St | Btwn Broadway & Claremont Ave

42 Saga Grill1268 Amsterdam Ave | Btwn 122nd & 123rd

43 Sezz Medi1260 Amsterdam Ave | At W 122nd

44 St SIP998 Amsterdam Ave # 2 | Btwn 109th & 110th St

45 Stop 125 (CLOSED)3143 Broadway | Btwn La Salle St & Tiemann Pl

46 Strokos Pizza1090 Amsterdam Ave | At 114th St

47 Subsconscious1213 Amsterdam Ave | Btwn 119th & 120th St

48 Symposium Greek Restaurant544 W 113th St | At Broadway

49 Tamarind Gourmet3161 Broadway | Btwn Lasalle & Tiemann Pl

50 Taqueria California3151 Broadway | Btwn Lasalle & Tiemann Place

51 Terrace In The Sky400 W 119th St | Btwn Amsterdam Ave & Morningside Dr

52 The Heights Bar & Grill2867 Broadway | Btwn 111th & 112th St

53 Toast3157 Broadway | Btwn Tiemann Pl & La Salle St

54 Tom's3161 Broadway | Btwn Lasalle & Tiemann Pl

55 Tom's Restaurant2880 Broadway | At 112th St

56 V & T Pizza1024 Amsterdam Ave | Btwn 110th & 111th St

57 Vine Sake & Sushi2953 Broadway | Btwn 115th & 116th St

References

1.http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/demographics/20080827/5/2635

2.http://www.morningside-heights.net/rests.htm

3.http://eye.columbiaspectator.com/article/2009/02/27/good-bland-and-ugly

4.http://www.columbiaspectator.com/2009/02/18/empanada-joes-dissatisfies-closes

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