• Did you know that jazz great Billy Strayhorn–who famously composed "Take the A Train" for the Duke Ellington orchestra–lived at 315 Convent Avenue? Discover those details and more in this fun guide to Hamilton Heights. [amNY]
• Large, affordable apartments and plenty of green space are two great reasons to move to Inwood. (I can think of another big one that the article forgot to mention: Choc NYC!) [NY Times]
• New York magazine's excellent annual Cheap Eats roundup includes newish Ethiopian spot Benyam. While there, the critic overheard an Ethiopian expat announce that the restaurant's doro wat was the best in the city. [Grub Street]
• Built in the '60s, Lasker Park is finally getting a much-needed makeover. Officials believe the new design will improve access between the Harlem Meer and the North Woods in Central Park, among other enhancements. [Daily News]
• Charles' Country Pan Fried Chicken serves one of the city's perfect pieces of fried chicken, according to this roundup. I wholeheartedly agree. [Eater NY]
• Also, Levain Bakery and Hungarian Pastry Shop make "decadently delicious cookies." [Eater NY]
• I dream of one day being invited to eat at chef Alexander Smalls's home in Hamilton Heights. Here's Carla Hall of "The Chew" visiting his apartment with Cicely Tyson and others. [The Chew]
• I pass by City College's gorgeous Alumni House all the time and wonder why it's still boarded up. It seems the renovation costs grew out of control. [NY Post]
• Considered Harlem's first-ever vegan restaurant, Seasoned Vegan made this list of "11 Essential Vegan Restaurants You Need to Visit in New York City." [LiveKindly]
