Melba's Restaurant

06/03/2026

Happy Birthday to my dear friend ! 🎉

Wishing you a beautiful birthday filled with love, laughter, and everything good.

Grateful for your friendship, your kindness, and all the memories through the years. 🧡

06/02/2026

June is National Soul Food Month, and there’s no better place to celebrate than right here at .

This is what we were built on: comfort, culture, tradition, and love on a plate.

Come get a taste of soul. 🧡

06/01/2026

Join us tomorrow at as we support campaign for Maryland State Delegate, District 25. Details on flyer!

06/01/2026

You can.
And you will. 🧡

Walk into this Monday knowing that you are capable of more than you think. Be phenomenal. Be successful. Protect your peace. And don’t let anybody throw you off your path today.

Send this to someone who needs that reminder this morning!

05/31/2026

Sometimes in life, we get overwhelmed. We get uncertain. We get uncomfortable. We forget to be still long enough to listen.

This video touched me because it’s such a powerful reminder that even in our hardest moments, God’s voice still has a way of bringing peace, comfort, and clarity. 🧡

No matter what this week looked like for you, I hope you remember this today:

You are loved.
You are covered.
And God is still speaking.

Happy Sunday, family.

🎥

05/30/2026

You asked so Tuesday Open Mic Nights are officially BACK at . 🎤✨

Hosted by American Idol winner , the mic is hot and every week the room has been FULL of talent, energy, and good music.

So whether you’re coming to sing, support, or just catch a vibe after work, pull up.

05/29/2026

It’s Feel Good Friday… and fans are feeling REAL good right about now. 🧡💙🧹

One thing about New York: when our teams are winning, the whole city feels it. Now let’s keep that same energy going into the Finals!🏀

05/27/2026

Big smile. Full heart. Blessed life. 🤍

📸:

05/26/2026

Crispy. Sweet. Savory. Every single time. 🐟🧇

05/25/2026

Today, I’m remembering what Memorial Day truly asks of us.

Before it became a federal holiday, before it became cookouts and long weekends, Memorial Day began with remembrance.

And one of the first Memorial Day observances happened on May 1, 1865, in Charleston, South Carolina, led by newly freed Black men, women, and children.

A former race course had been turned into a Confederate prison camp, where Union soldiers died and were buried in a mass grave. After emancipation, Black Charlestonians gave those soldiers a proper burial. They decorated their graves with flowers, sang, marched, prayed, and honored them as “Martyrs of the Race Course.”

That history touches me deeply. My family roots are in South Carolina, where this story began. And here in Harlem, Melba’s sits on Frederick Douglass Boulevard, named for a man who never let America forget the truth of what the Civil War was about.

As Douglass said, “We must never forget that victory to the rebellion meant death to the republic.”

So today, yes, we gather. Yes, we cook. Yes, we love on our families.

But we also remember.

Memorial Day is rooted in sacrifice, freedom, and the fight to make this country live up to its promise. And we honor that truth with clear eyes, full hearts, and deep gratitude.

05/24/2026

Sunday mornings always hit a little different when there’s praise in the room. 🧡

This video stopped me in my tracks. Watching and the pause rehearsal to honor reminded me how powerful it is to give people their flowers while they can still feel them.

And that message in the song? Whew.

“God’s gonna really blow your mind… you ain’t seen nothing yet.”

Somebody needed that reminder today.

Keep the faith. Keep going. Keep singing your song. Your story isn’t over yet. ✨🙏🏾

05/23/2026

Last week, I had the honor of attending the 30th anniversary celebration for the Foundation.

Thirty years of creating opportunities, pouring into young people, and changing lives is something truly worth celebrating.

Congratulations to , , and the entire Turn 2 team for continuing to lead with purpose, impact, and heart. 💚

05/22/2026

It’s Feel Good Friday… and today, I’m sending a whole lot of love to my sister-friend . 🧡

Yesterday may have been the final episode of , but one thing about Sherri: her light, her joy, and her gift for making people feel good is bigger than any one stage.

I’ve laughed with her, prayed with her, eaten with her… and yes, apparently even had her mistaken for another celebrity while she was trying to get herself some comfort food at . 😂🍗

That’s the thing about Sherri. She brings warmth everywhere she goes. On screen and off.

So for this Feel Good Friday, we’re celebrating YOU, Sherri. Thank you for the laughter, the love, the honesty, and the heart you’ve shared with all of us every single day.

And something tells me this is nowhere near the end. ✨

05/20/2026

Happy Birthday to the beautiful and talented ! 🎉

Sharing this special memory from Netflix’s dinner for “Straw”, surrounded by powerful women, creative energy, and so much inspiration in the room.

Wishing you a birthday filled with joy, love, blessings, and continued success. 🧡

05/19/2026

I’ve been holding this news in my heart for a long time and now I can finally say it out loud.

“American Comfort,” a new comedy inspired by my life and the journey of building , is officially in development at Apple TV+!!

To see my story, my community, and the spirit of Harlem being brought to life by this incredible team feels surreal. And to have the unbelievably talented stepping into this role? Whew. What a blessing!

Thank you to , , , and everyone who saw something meaningful in a story rooted in family, faith, food, resilience, and community.

What started as one restaurant built with love has grown into something bigger than I ever could have imagined. And through it all, Harlem is still at the heart of it. Always.

This moment means so much to me. Thank you all for being part of the journey. 🧡

05/16/2026

Looking for a good time? My friends Royale and Ross Watkins host a monthly comedy show at that is guaranteed to make you laugh. Go tomorrow, laugh your socks off and tell them Melba sent you!

05/16/2026

Some things you don’t rush, and my BBQ Braised Short Ribs are one of them. 🧡

Slow-braised. Deeply seasoned. Fall-off-the-bone tender. That rich, smoky, sweet-and-savory flavor in every single bite.

This isn’t just barbecue. It’s comfort. It’s tradition. This is love, served on a plate.

What sides are you pairing with yours: my Tres Mac & Cheese, Low Country Collard Greens, Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes… or all? 👇🏽As

05/16/2026

05/15/2026

Somebody needed this today (including me). 🧡

“Everything always works out for me.” Not because every day is easy. Not because every door opens right away. Not because every plan goes exactly how I imagined.

But because I’ve lived long enough to know this:

What’s for me finds me. What’s meant for me grows me. And what tries to break me usually ends up building me.

So on this Feel Good Friday, I’m saying it out loud: Everything always works out for me.✨

Now you say it! 😘

05/14/2026

Let’s be honest: a plate might get your attention… but the sides? That’s what keeps people coming back. 😉

My Tres Mac & Cheese is rich, creamy, and baked until that top gets just right.

My Low Country Collard Greens are slow-cooked, seasoned with love, and rooted in generations of tradition.

And when you put them next to those fall-off-the-bone BBQ Braised Short Ribs? Now that’s how comfort is supposed to taste.

What’s the one side at Melba’s you absolutely can’t order without? 👇🏽

05/13/2026

Happy Birthday to the legendary Stevie Wonder. 🎂

It’s not every day you get to celebrate a musical genius… and not every birthday celebration comes with this much love, joy, and soul.

I’ll never forget the day Stevie chose to spend part of his special day with us here in Harlem. That’s a memory I’ll always treasure.

Wishing you continued health, peace, love, and many more beautiful years ahead.

Join me in wishing Stevie an amazing birthday in the comments! ✨

05/12/2026

Happy Birthday to the one and only ! 🥳

Wishing you a year filled with continued success, good health, big joy, and all the love you so generously pour into the world.

Join me in wishing Carla an amazing birthday in the comments! 🎂

05/11/2026

Mic check… 1, 2. 🎤✨

Who’s ready?

Open Mic Night is officially coming to !

Starting Tuesday, May 12, and every Tuesday after that, from 6 PM–9 PM, we’re opening the floor to singers, storytellers, rising stars, and anybody bold enough to step up to the mic.

Whether you’re coming to perform, cheer somebody on, or just take in the vibe, I want to see you in the room.

📍 300 W 114th St,
New York City, NY 10026

Tag an artist. Tag a singer. Tag somebody whose moment might be waiting on a Tuesday night. 🧡

05/09/2026

This Sunday, we’re celebrating the women who hold families together, lead with love, and somehow always make everybody feel at home. 🫶🏾

Join me at Melba’s for Mother’s Day and treat Mom to a meal made with love, comfort, and a whole lot of flavor.

I’ll be serving up a special Mother’s Day plate made just for the occasion… because Mom deserves more than flowers. She deserves to eat GOOD. 😉

Reservations are strongly encouraged.
Book your table on OpenTable or call 212-864-7777.

📍 300 W 114th St, New York City, NY 10026

Tag the moms, bonus moms, grandmothers, aunties, and mother figures you’re celebrating this weekend. We’ll save you a seat.

05/08/2026

Some nights just feel like Harlem… turned all the way up. ✨

Last weekend, before the Met Gala madness officially began, Sa and I stepped out to celebrate one of Harlem’s very own. , at The Dirty Rose.

Beautiful people. Powerful women. Incredible performances. And the kind of energy that reminds you just how deeply Harlem continues to shape culture.

Loved catching up with my girl , watching powerhouse performances from everyone including the phenomenal , and most of all… sharing moments like this with my son . That part means everything. 🧡

All in all, the evening was a great reminder that Harlem doesn’t just show up, Harlem sets the tone!