In the beginning there was Sylvia’s, and New Yorkers saw that it was good. Then in 2004, Sylvia’s veteran Melba Wilson opened her own Harlem soul food destination, and it too won the praise of hungry locals. And now a satellite of Melba’s has sprung up in Central Park. It answers to the name of Melba’s at Wollman Rink.
The restaurant, which will operate out of a kiosk perched above the rink on The Overlook, will dovetail with the recent transformation of the ice skating venue into a ’70s-inspired roller rink experience with live music and DJs.
Among Melba’s offerings, skaters will find fries smothered in cheese and gravy, a chicken and waffle cone, and fried fish strips. For hot days, there will be homemade sweet tea and lemonade to wash the food down, as well as a cocktail called the Melba’s Palmer, concocted with sweet tea, lemonade, and bourbon.
Melba’s at Wollman Rink is open Wednesday to Sunday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
