Historic Harlem Barbershop Revived As A Traditional Creole Restaurant

HARLEM, NY — A taste of Louisiana has arrived in Harlem.

The space, which was a barbershop in the 1940s, is now the home of Lavitta's Creole. This new Creole restaurant, created by Executive Chef and Owner Jimmy Thomas, evolved from a series of underground pop-up brunches that Thomas used to refine his menu.

Located at 218 Malcolm X Blvd. on West 121st Street, Lavitta's Creole opened its doors to the community last week.

Thomas says he is honoring his mother, Lavitta—whose name symbolizes “ambition,” “beauty,” and “inspiration”—and celebrating his family’s Creole recipes with a creative, gourmet twist. He aims to enrich the vibrant cultural tapestry of Harlem with an approachable take on Louisiana Creole cuisine, employing farm-to-table practices and local seafood.

"For years, Harlem has been a beacon of culture, celebrating jazz, comedy, and theater in a way that is uniquely its own. As a well-known tourist destination, it offers a rich cultural tapestry, yet there was a void—the lack of a restaurant that truly represented authentic New Orleans Creole cuisine," Thomas said.

Thomas, recently nominated as a semi-finalist in the 2024 Favorite Chef Competition alongside Carla Hall, brings a rich culinary heritage and a passion for authentic Creole cuisine to Harlem.

Trained by his mother and grandfather—both esteemed restaurateurs and chefs—Thomas honed his skills at Michelin-starred establishments such as Blackbird and OTOM Restaurant. His culinary journey also took him to Paris, where he immersed himself in the local food scene, and to New Orleans, where he meticulously studied authentic Creole dishes.

His expertise earned him a spot on Food Network's "Supermarket Stakeout," and as an entrepreneur, he has showcased his catering talents at prestigious events throughout the Tri-State area.

Lavitta's menu offers a diverse selection of dishes, including Lamb and Grits, featuring eight-hour braised lamb with red eye gravy over stone-ground grits. The Wild Shrimp Po' Boy includes wild shrimp, lettuce, tomato, mayo, hot sauce and pickles on crusty bread.

For brunch, the menu features Blueberry Pancakes with fresh blueberries and real maple syrup, Crawfish Cakes served with Creole aioli, and freshly baked Tomato Focaccia bread alongside chicken sausage.

Desserts include the mango cheesecake parfait, which features mango curd, pecans, whiskey rice Krispies, milk chocolate and lemon-lime zest, as well as beignets dusted with confectioners' sugar and strawberry powder.

The restaurant, with 32 seats, is located in a landmark building that was originally a barbershop in the 1940s and later a salon. The space has been transformed into a restaurant featuring an open kitchen, allowing diners to watch the preparation of their meals.

To honor the building's barbershop history, Thomas said he decorated the restaurant with antiques and memorabilia from the era.

The bar itself is crafted from a refurbished Chicago gym floor from the 1970s and '80s. The interior is adorned with African American antiques, books, magazines, and photographs dating back to the 1930s.

Lavitta's Creole is open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursdays, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays, 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays, and 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays.