Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were smart enough to eat at Melba's while they visited NYC. Rachel Askinasi/Insider
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were in New York to attend the Global Citizen Live concert.
After surprising students at PS 123, the couple dined at Melba's Harlem.
The famous comfort food restaurant was a favorite of mine, and I recommend it to everyone.
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stopped by Melba's Harlem for lunch on their trip to NYC.
Harry and Markle visited Melba's Saturday, September 25, Gotham/Contributor/Getty Images and Rachel Askinasi/Insider
Vanity Fair reported that Harry and Markle were in the city on September 25 to attend the Global Citizen Live charity concert, which promotes vaccine equity.
They had a busy schedule, including a trip to One World Observatory. They also stayed at the Carlyle hotel, which is famous for its royal status.
After visiting PS 123 Harlem, Markle read "The Bench" to her students. They then walked 26 blocks down Frederick Douglass Boulevard to get to the popular restaurant.
The Harlem restaurant is famous for its southern comfort food, which Melba Wilson opened in 2005.
Page Six reported that the couple had shared spring rolls and catfish with each other, as well as collard greens and chicken and waffles.
I tried the entire meal the couple reportedly ate at Melba's. Rachel Askinasi/Insider
Page Six was informed by a person who was eating at Melba's Saturday night that the couple had ordered.
They told the publication that Harry said it was the first time he had ever tried chicken and waffles, and that it was delicious. They also mentioned that Harry had told Markle's mom Doria Ragland how she makes collard greens at her home. This has become a family favourite.
Insider asked Melba for comments on Harry and Markle's visit, but she declined.
So I donned my mask and set off to sample their food.
I was only 40 minutes away from the restaurant. Rachel Askinasi/Insider
To get to Melba’s, it took me 40 minutes to ride the express train. The nine stops were quick, but I couldn't help thinking about the delicious meal I was about consuming.
Since I have a running list of fast-food sandwiches, I eat fried chicken almost every day. But it has been a while since I had a piece of real fried chicken at a restaurant like Melba. It was enough to make my mouth water (it was good that I was wearing a mask).
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I arrived too early to make my reservation so I explored the immediate area.
Looking towards the downtown area from Morningside Park. Rachel Askinasi/Insider
Melba's is located at the corner of 114th Street, just four blocks from Central Park. It is surrounded by beautiful pre-war architecture.
For a pre- and/or post-meal stroll, diners can go south. If you love the historic New York City pre-war architecture, there are plenty of it in the area. You can just let Google Maps or your eyes guide you on your own tour.
Morningside Park was a green space that I found by walking west on one avenue. It had a pond and diverse flora, fauna, and beautiful views of city buildings.
The amazing service was my first impression upon arriving at the restaurant.
One of the two outdoor seating areas at Melba's. Rachel Askinasi/Insider
I arrived at the hotel to make my first reservation. I was treated immediately as if I was a regular.
The staff was more family-oriented than a restaurant service, which I appreciated. Instantly, I felt at ease and was even more excited for my meal.
Melba's was open on Monday afternoon. When I arrived, the outside seating was approximately half full. By the time I left, a few tables were empty. The indoors were quiet. My server answered my question about whether the weekend before the royal couple had been here. He said that weekends are always busy.
Although it was not the bustling scene he described in his description, my Monday lunch crowd exuded positive vibes and there were lots of laughs.
Finally, it was time to order my meal. The spring rolls were the first to leave the kitchen.
For the first course, the team used spring rolls. Rachel Askinasi/Insider
My multi-course meal was perfectly spaced thanks to the helpful and kind staff.
I wrote down everything I wanted, and the team member agreed to let me know which order they should be in. This naturally led to spring rolls as an appetizer. The starter is $9.95
These delicious bites were crispy on the outside, and perfectly tender on the inside.
Cheese can sometimes become overwhelming in a fried dish. These spring rolls were different. Each ingredient was able stand on its own, with just enough cheddar to keep it all together.
Sweet chili sauce was served with the dish, but the rolls can be enjoyed on their own.
As sides, I received Low Country collard greens and candied yams. It didn't bother me in the least.
Fried catfish served with Low Country collard greens, candied yams and low Country collard greens. Rachel Askinasi/Insider
I found a flood of bright flavors when I delved into the sides.
Although the greens were soft, they retained their texture and shape. They were mildly vinegary and had a meat-stock taste, which is understandable since the Melba's online menu states that they are seasoned with smoked turkey. The dish showcased a lot of flavor, which I greatly enjoyed.
Let's now talk about the yams. They were sweet, but not just sugared. They had the texture of mashed sweet potatoes, but were still soft enough to recall them.
Each of the three food items on the plate were a star, but the catfish was my favorite. The entire fish was coated in a thin, but substantial, layer of crispy, peppery, fried goodness. A small cup of chipotlemayo was served alongside the fish.
I paid $18.95 for the dish, which included both the fish and both sides. Side orders of greens and yams would have cost $6 each if I had ordered them separately.
I ended the meal with the signature chicken and waffles. They sealed the deal and promised me I would be back.
I have never had a waffle so flavorful in my entire life. Rachel Askinasi/Insider
The server assured me that white meat wouldn't be dry while I was deciding which cut of meat I wanted to order. I decided to take a chance, and he was right.
Customers can choose from white or dark meat for $18.95.
It was so easy to cut the chicken breast. Every time I took a bite, the fried dredge shattered under my fingers.
The strawberry butter was the real star. While the meat and coating had their own flavor, it was the strawberry butter that really made the difference. The strawberry butter was lighter than I anticipated and packed with real strawberries. It added both tartness as well as texture variety. Maple syrup was also included in the dish, which I thought was a nice addition. However, I have never liked maple syrup on anything.
Melba's eggnog waffles are hands down the best waffles I have ever had. It was delicious on its own. I enjoyed the crisp outer shell and the soft, pillowy interior. Then, the full flavor hit me. I was greeted by vanilla, autumn spices, and the familiar sweetness of a thick buttermilk waffle.
The food was good enough to warrant a reservation. However, it was the service that made this place on my list of recommended restaurants for people out-of-town.
Everything was incredible, even the service. Rachel Askinasi/Insider
According to the restaurant's website, "dining at Melba's feels like returning home for dinner whenever you're not home." I couldn't agree with you more.
The staff welcomed me with warm smiles and playful jokes from the moment I arrived. They also had a real attitude of "make yourself at ease." It's a place where everyone is treated with respect.
I was not pushed from my chair and offered a takeout container for the few scraps that I left. When I ask for crumbs to be taken home, I sometimes have to avoid looking judgmental.
In the end, I can understand why the Duke of Sussex and Duchess opted to visit Melba’s during their New York trip. Everyone should do it.
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