There’s a whole lot of shaking going on in Harlem these days. Well, shaking as per the cool moves made famous by Al B started in the eighties, but now there is a namesake that is catching a lot of the action. The Harlem Shake opened recently on 124th and Lennox and brings a retro nostalgia to the area. The Queen of Soul Food spot has been taken by Sylvia’s, and Marcus Samuelsson draws big crowds with his chic Southern ( and Swedish ) menu at Red Rooster. Over the road the dusty and sadly demised Lennox Lounge is rumoured to soon become a new Nobu Japanese restaurant, so the arrival of an archetypal diner in the heart of Harlem puts the classic burger back on the map.

Even though the decor is new made to look old, the burger is completely authentic American style. The bun is a Martin’s potato roll, soft, and made with Pennsylvania potatoes and cane sugar. The meat patties are thin and ‘smashed’ onto the grill, and many of the condiments like the spicy pickled relish are made in house. So the burger looks exactly the same as it did in the 40’s, the era that the Harlem Shake recreates. Their sodas carry an even longer tradition. Vernor’s is the oldest surviving ginger ale in the United States ( it has been around since the Civil War ) and Cheerwine has been produced by the same family for nearly 100 years. This is obviously a point of great pride for the owner, Jelena Pasic, who ‘always had a dream to bring culture and food together’. It took her four years to find the spot in Harlem, and detail has been important in connecting with the local community and bringing small iconic producers back into the mainstream.

I really liked the ginger ale – it was delicious. But wait, what about a red velvet milkshake…?! Where else but America would you find a cake blended into a milkshake? It was sweet and creamy, tasting like a strawberry thick shake, and everyone I’ve told wants to go there just to try it. It seems I have discovered a popular culinary clique that I didn’t know existed. That’s the thing about New York and it’s collection of different neighborhoods all joined together – discovering them is all part of the fun. But whether you are after taste or tradition, you’ll really need to shake your booty if you want to wear those shorts…