3 Harlem Restaurants Added To Prestigious Michelin Guide

HARLEM, NY — If Harlemites needed any further proof that their neighborhood has emerged as a full-fledged culinary destination, they got it on Tuesday, when three neighborhood restaurants were added to the prestigious Michelin Guide.

They are among 30 New York City eateries to join the newly updated guide, Michelin announced — and are now eligible to receive extra-prestigious stars or other awards at an Oct. 6 ceremony.

The three Harlem restaurants just added to the guide are: Clay, Contento, and Reverence.

Here's what Michelin had to say about each one.

Clay (553 Manhattan Ave.):

"Clay is located on a charming brownstone-lined street just south of the cacophony of 125th Street. Pastas are the highlight of the menu, with offerings like squid ink calamarata with crab, Fresno chile and crispy garlic."

Contento (88 East 111th St.):

"A concise, clever wine list is poured into Austrian crystal to accompany a range of sophisticated dishes that bear a Peruvian accent. Sample the ceviche classico revealing diced pieces of wild striped bass in a leche de tigre with cancha and slivered red onion."

Reverence (2592 Frederick Douglass Blvd.):

"Proudly Californian, Chef Russell Jackson switched coasts and now commands Reverence. Set along Harlem’s historic stretch of Strivers’ Row, it is one of the most exciting restaurants in northern Manhattan."

Clay and Reverence both celebrated the recognition in Instagram posts on Tuesday.

"We are overjoyed to be recognized by [Michelin] ... and are so grateful to each of our stellar team and guests," Clay's post reads. "Congratulations to all on the list, and especially our dear friends and Harlem neighbors [Contento.]"

This is not the first honor bestowed on Contento, a Peruvian-inspired restaurant that opened last year with a focus on wine and accessibility. Months after its opening, Contento was named one of America's best new restaurants by Esquire magazine.

They join eight other Harlem restaurants already listed in Michelin: Barawine, Abyssinia, Melba's, Red Rooster, Fumo, Oso, Miss Mamie's Spoonbread Too, and Jin Ramen.

Browse the full Michelin guide here.