Menu: Sylvia's seeks unpaid intern

DNAInfo, the online news source that reports on seemingly every-little-thing-even-as-small-as-your-DNA (is that where the name comes from? and how do they do it?), writes that Sylvia's is seeking an unpaid intern for the summer:

While unpaid internships are standard practice in publishing, journalism and other industries, restaurant internships are relatively rare.

[Breanna Williams, who posted the ad for Sylvia's] said she hadn't heard of any other restaurants in the city that are currently doing the same.

But she said her staff is stretched, and instead of hiring a paid employee, “I thought it would probably be best to hire an intern who could learn and go on to make something of their own one day.”

Williams said she hopes the internship will prove valuable for students looking to break into the business. "They can really see what it takes," she said.

Hey, God bless 'em.  If they can find somebody to work for free to see  how a restaurant works, they've either found somebody who is so smart to see an opportunity that most wouldn't see or somebody who is a little slow on the uptake.  Then again, a lot of folks in the restaurant industry argue that they almost work for free anyway, so what's the difference?

And what about the folks that say unpaid internships shouldn't exist?  Well, I don't know.  Nobody's forcing anyone to take such a position.  Some people do take unpaid or low-paying internships and leverage it into their own success.  And if somebody does take the Sylvia's position - if - they must see some value to it other than hourly pay.

Menu: Just Wingin' It - Grand Opening Party coming soon

First mentioned in the blogosphere back in January and April, Just Wingin' It is now open and serving wings!  It's been a "soft open" the last 4 weeks and they will host an official grand opening of the store will be in about 2 weeks.  They're taking email addresses to notify locals of the party, so stop by or call them (212.222.6576) to give them your info.

Located at the northeast corner of Frederick Douglass Blvd and West 118th Street, it's convenient and the wings are good.  Was told when deliveries start in a few weeks, they'll deliver as far north as 127th and as far east as Fifth Avenue (which is great for the Mount Morris Park area!).  We had a good experience this afternoon and the seating area is small, but nice.

In case anyone was wondering, Walter Lewis (the firefighter owner featured in Discovery Channel's Construction Intervention) still owns the place, but has taken on a different business partner.  Let's hope that the problems which plagued the old restaurant are corrected in this iteration of what looks to be a great wings place.  Together with delivery, good customer service, and a focus on quality, this place has all the makings of a winner!

Menu: Wild Olive Market wildly popular

This isn't exactly today's news, but it IS good news, so it's worth repeating.  Wild Olive Market, located at 10 East 125th Street, has finally opened after teasing us with new awnings and seemingly never-fast-enough progress on the interior build-out.

So is it the most amazing grocery store I've ever been in?  No, but it is pretty great and I have stopped in 4 or 5 times since it opened last Friday.  And I couldn't help but smile each time I walked in.

And it's not just me - I've witnessed folks walking in for the first time and squealing with delight, pumping fists in the air and otherwise spontaneously celebrating the fact that this grocery had opened.  I overheard a young lady tonight telling people - anyone who would listen, it seemed - that she was fighting back tears, she was so happy about this store.  Not kidding.

Fresh fruits and vegetables, clean store, well stocked, friendly staff, wonderful meat and fish counter - all fill a great unmet need.  And the owner, Tasos Mastakours, is virtually always there and eager to speak to his customers about what they want to see stocked in the store.  Smart guy, in my estimation.  He and his brother have owned Mani Market Place on the UWS for almost 20 years, so they know what they're doing.

I may still endure the crowds and the lines at Pathmark once a month just to stock up on dry goods, because their prices are so cheap.  But Wild Olive Market is my new spot for everything else.  BTW, they're open every day from 7am (Sundays, 8am) to 9pm.

Menu: Lee Lee's Baked Goods to close May 31, unless...

Lee Lee's Baked Goods is not a store I was familiar with until just recently.  I walked past the store a few weekends ago for the first time and peered into the window (the store was closed).  No products on the shelves and the refrigerator in the front looked like it needed some cleaning.  If I'm being honest, there was no way I intended to return.

What I did not realize is that the owner was making arrangements to close up his store.  Lack of business was the cause.  I also did not realize just how good his baked goods are.

So I'm joining a last ditch effort to save a local Harlem business, whose products are apparently superb (we love superb local food products!), but whose business has nonetheless suffered.

Please place an order - as large as possible! - today and throughout the weekend.  But also support Mr. Lee by letting him know from a customer perspective what is needed for him to succeed. So much of owning a business is guess-work about what your customers need and expect - so many simply vote with their feet instead of giving honest feedback.  Ideas for marketing, how do you rate cleanliness of his store, what would make the store more inviting, are prices in line (should he charge more/less), are the store hours consistent (and what store hours are best for you the customer?), etc.

Lee Lee's Bakery is at 283 West 118th Street, between Frederick Douglass Blvd (8th Avenue) and St. Nick. Telephone: 917-493-6633.

UPDATE, Saturday 5/29:  I walked over to Lee Lee's this afternoon at 3pm to show support, purchase some of his rugelachs and hopefully keep a local baker in business.  And the store was closed!  In the middle of the afternoon.  May be a great baker and wonderful guy, but that's a terrible way to do business.

Menu: Fruits of Life juice bar closed by police for marijuana sales

The funky and independent Fruits of Life juice bar at 57 East 125th Street (on the north side, near Madison Avenue) has apparently been closed by police and for sales of marijuana.  At least that's what the sign posted on the front of the establishment said yesterday.

So, where will rappers Capone, Noreaga and Styles P hang out now?  The guys hanging out on the steps of Marcus Garvey Park's northwest entrance seem to have enough ganja for a party.