• Streetbird Rotisserie is now the third Harlem business in recent weeks to surprise its fans by closing, joining Morningside Coffee and Artist & Craftsman Supply (A&C won't actually shut its doors until June 8). Chef Marcus Samuelsson's casual spot on 116th Street served its last meal this past Sunday, but the good news is that Southern food favorite BLVD Bistro is moving in. Side thoughts: I wonder what will happen to the classic "Old Fashion' But Good!" neon sign Samuelsson saved from the trash heap of history? And a fond farewell to my favorite Harlem bathroom, an amazing ode to Grace Jones! [NY Times]
• Starting Monday, Hamilton Heights will lose 20 street parking spots as part of a new Department of Transportation initiative that will carve out space in some city neighborhoods for car-share companies like Zipcar. [NY Times]
• Now that the city's Landmarks Commission has designated a new historic district in Central Harlem (West 130th-132nd Streets between Adam Clayton Powell and Malcolm X Boulevards), you'll definitely want to check out its beyond-awesome interactive story map. Did you know composer Scott Joplin once lived in this beautiful row house neighborhood? [NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission]
• Actress Alysia Reiner of "Orange Is the New Black" takes NY1 on a tour of her Harlem neighborhood and talks about why she loves it so much. "It reminds me of my childhood. I grew up on the Upper West Side, and in the '80s it felt like what Harlem feels like now," she says, pointing to the area's diversity and "small creative ventures." Her favorite spots include Vinateria, Sugar Hill Creamery, Harlem Grown, and Lenox Coffee. [NY1]
• Curbed NY asked its readers to guess how much a newly listed two-bedroom in Washington Heights was going for, and everyone went above $420,000, the actual price. What did they miss? [Curbed NY]
• Retail rents are climbing on 181st Street in Washington Heights, but a wave of big chains hasn't hit yet (although Chipotle is headed there soon). [Commercial Observer]
• The ice rink at Riverbank State Park is now a groovy spot for rollerskating–adults-only nights are on Wednesdays and Fridays. [amNY]
