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    Melba's Restaurant

    3.8 (2.1k reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 11:00 pm
    Updated 3 weeks ago

    Melba's Restaurant Reservations

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    MELBA'S RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Melba's Restaurant

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    Catfish Dinner w/ Macaroni and Cheese & Collard Greens with an Arnold Palmer
    Yaz E.

    Melba's is one of those Harlem spots you should probably experience at least once, especially if you're looking for classic soul food in a lively, comfortable atmosphere. I went with the catfish, which seems to be one of the more consistently loved items on the menu, and I can understand why. It's definitely one of the safer bets here and something I'd order again. The restaurant itself has a warm, distinctly Harlem feel. It's casual but full of personality, with music, art, and enough energy to make it feel like you're actually out somewhere rather than just stopping in for a meal. It can get busy, especially during brunch and dinner, but that's also part of the atmosphere. Service was welcoming, and that seems to be one of the things Melba's generally does well. From what I've experienced and what I've seen from other diners, the food can be a little more inconsistent depending on what you order, but the catfish is definitely a standout. Overall, I'd give it above average. Good soul food, great Harlem energy, and worth trying. I'd come back, but I'd probably stick with the catfish or try one of the other dishes they're best known for.

    Rum punch with cognac
    Nicole J.

    If you want good soul food in the city, this is the place to go. The vibe is so cool. Laid back, good music, not overly fancy, feels comfortable. Clean. The good was good, not great, but soul food is in my bloodline so I'm comparing it to some true down home soul food. But for most people without southern roots, this is pretty good. Well seasoned. Service was pleasant and attentive. Didn't try dessert but wish I had. The sweet potatoes were sweet enough to be dessert!

    Kenya M.

    I highly recommend making a reservation. The restaurant is small and very crowded, and we overheard a walk-in wait time of about two and a half hours. The space and volume seemed to overwhelm the staff at times. Service was friendly and welcoming but also frazzled and disorganized. We never received our appetizer until we reminded them, and our drinks (sweet tea and lemonade) also had to be requested again after a very long wait. To their credit, they did pack up the crab cake appetizer to go and removed it from the bill, which we appreciated. The fried chicken, mac and cheese, and yams were all served on top of each other. If you dont like for your food to touch, this place will be a nightmare for you. I ordered fried catfish, collard greens and potato salad. The fried catfish was served swimming in collard green juice (there's a picture of it). It was also surprising that you only get one piece of catfish, which felt underwhelming for the price, especially since it was soggy. The potato salad was served in a small separate bowl, which is typical in many Southern restaurants for ALL side dishes. The mac and cheese had good flavor but the cheese wasn't fully melted. The yams were dry and not very sweet despite the menu description. The collard greens were on the sweeter side, which may work for some but wasn't my preference. The potato salad the only thing that was solid. Overall, it felt overpriced for the portion sizes and execution. The bartender seemed very skilled, and the drinks we saw being made looked great, though we didn't order any. After the long wait and missing appetizer, we skipped dessert and went elsewhere. The bathroom also needed attention and was not well maintained AT ALL! Ew The restaurant is very loud which didn't bother me at all but an FYI. It is also handicapped accessible and kid friendly. I really wanted to love the experience, but it fell below expectations in terms of service, cleanliness, and value. I might give them another try but no time soon.

    Melissa A.

    My daughter and I dropped in for brunch two Saturday's ago. She ordered the fried catfish sandwich and it is amazing!! I was so mad I didn't get it. She also had the Arnold Palmer, which was great. Comes with fries which were good. I had the oxtail, with a side of garlic mash and Mac n cheese. Yes! Lots of carbs, don't judge me! lol The oxtail were pretty fatty and fell short in flavor, I also wasn't impressed by the sides. My drink, sexy sangria was delicious, strong and the service was A1, Brian was great and so was the server. Sampled the hot sauce, very good. My one critique of the establishment, smelled a little like wet mop. But the playlist was bumping and overall great vibes, love the art on the walls.

    Equana D.

    The food here is incredible. Large portions and prices that are refreshing to see in this economy. I was visiting from the south and had given up on finding a solid, delicious dinner until I lucked up on this restaurant. Service was great and the restaurant was pleasant and filled with natural light. We didn't have a reservation but there was no problem to be seated quickly and served promptly. Took off one star because a member of my dinner party had trouble returning their side of collard greens due to it being too salty. A staff member who wasn't our original waitress, pressed them to choose another one. So I'm not sure if this restaurant allows you to take an item off the bill if it misses the mark but I'd still return in a heartbeat.

    Signature Southern Fried Chicken Sandwich and Fries
    Prav S.

    My friend and I visited Melba's for her birthday and it was amazing! Melba's menu serves up Southern comfort food classics like fried chicken and waffles, catfish, short ribs, collard greens, mac and cheese, candied yams and sauteed spinach. The restaurant's website says "dining at Melba's is like coming home for dinner, whenever you're away from home." We ordered 2 "comfortizers:" Melba's Hand Cut Sweet Potato Wedges and Country Catfish Strips. My friend ordered Melba's Signature Chicken & Eggnog Waffle for her main dish and I got the Signature Southern Fried Chicken Sandwich. We also ordered a side of Creamy Tres Mac & Cheese and Homemade Lemonade. The food was delicious. The chicken was tender, succulent, and juicy. I really really loved the chicken sandwich. I wish I had more to eat when I was done. Our waitress, Tatiana was friendly, helpful and answered all our questions. She even brought my friend a free piece of red velvet cake for her birthday, which was extra sweet. Melba's atmosphere is unassuming as one feels welcomed and at home. We can't wait to go back!

    smothered chicken
    Abrar T.

    Melba's delivered that Southern hospitality from start to finish. I was warmly greeted right away, and the staff took the time to actually chat while my table was being prepared, which made the whole experience feel genuine and welcoming. The food is the real spotlight. The smothered chicken with collard greens and mac and cheese is a must. The yams were perfectly done but definitely on the sweeter side, so just something to keep in mind. I already know I need to come back to try the fried chicken next time. If you are looking for a traditional Southern brunch at a true neighborhood staple, this is the place. I only wish I lived closer.

    Xenia M.

    Been wanting to try Melba's for some time now and finally got a chance to over the weekend. This is down home good soul food! My faves included the collard greens, mac, and catfish! Everything was seasoned perfectly! Service is also fast and friendly.

    garlicky spinach. YUM.
    Jennifer B.

    sooo good! Work has me up in the Bronx, and on my break, I came down to Melba's. The server was nice enough to give me a sample deviled egg because she described the filling as an "acquired taste." My taste is acquired, baby, so I ordered an entire plate of 'em. DEE-LISH. And some good old garlicky spinach for obligatory iron intake. I will be back.

    Fried Catfish & Eggnog Waffles
    Tavin B.

    A visit to Melba's feels like coming home. From the moment we walked in, the warmth and hospitality wrapped around us--you could feel the love in the room before the food even hit the table. Every bite reminded me of home. The smothered chicken was tender, rich, and seasoned just right; the mac and cheese was creamy, comforting perfection; and the greens were cooked the way they're supposed to be--full of flavor and soul. And let me tell you... THAT iced tea was a HIT!!!! Smooth, refreshing, and exactly what you want alongside a true Southern-style meal. Melba's isn't just a restaurant--it's an experience. Welcoming, heartfelt, and delicious from start to finish. If you're looking for food that feeds both your stomach and your spirit, this is the place.

    Sweet potato pie
    Shanel J.

    The brunch is where it is at! The egg nog waffle and chicken wings were absolutely amazing! And the grits and shrimp, the shrimp wasn't over cooked. The fried catfish wasn't overfried or to much batter. The sangria is strong but it is so good! And the sweet potato isn't too sweet but prefect spiced

    Bbq short ribs
    Rosie P.

    We enjoyed such a delicious lunch here. From the moment we arrived the staff was welcoming. The restaurant has separate dining areas, yet it still feels cozy. Our server was so friendly and helpful. The food was served hot and everything from the appetizer to our main dishes were freshly made. We ordered: -cheeseburger sliders -oxtail with mashed potatoes & collard greens -bbq short ribs - with Mac n cheese and potato salad -bbq short ribs with French fries & Mac n cheese We will definitely return to try more of their delicious dishes. Highly recommended.

    Oxtail, greens and mac n cheese at the top and the same sides with beef short ribs at the bottom.
    Edmond C.

    As 2025 winds down, I recognize Melba's Restaurant, along with Shaw-nae's House on Staten Island as the Queens of Southern Soul Food in the five boroughs. It's an increasingly competitive genre in NYC, with Amy Ruth's, my previous favorite yielding only slightly with its incredible Beef Short Rib and waffle choices and the venerable Charles Pan Fried Chicken still leading the charge with his fried chicken. Competition is fierce and there will be people who legitimately bring Make My Fish to the conversation as well. What you get at Melba's is a diverse menu with all your favorites and each of them looks picture perfect. Have you ever seen better looking fried chicken or candied yams...? I'm waiting... Nothing is oversalted or overcooked. Case in point: the collard greens, made with smoked turkey and well seasoned, without the sodium penalty. The chefs are paying attention to the details we crave: Mac n Cheese with perfectly cooked elbow macaroni then baked with a multi cheese combination to a crusty top and edges with cheese pull. We see Melba's preparing the side dishes with great care, tastefully, and looking as good as they taste. I have not had the fish here, but I have recommended vegetarians who are pescatarians as well, and those individuals have put Melba's on repeat. The beef short ribs I ordered here bow down to those at Amy Ruth's. The beef short ribs are very good, but the cut was not trimmed of excess fat, leaving these savory beef short ribs short of those at Amy Ruth's. Yet, the story doesn't end there at Melba's. I have had their fried chicken and it is superb down to the bone, tasting like they brine the chicken. It's so appealing to look at when it arrives, matching the picture perfect candied yams, a combination that must be experienced on a plate to be believed. The crispy chicken here is matched by the chicken and chicken sandwiches Melba's serves up at Grand Central. If chicken doesn't rock you, try their oxtail and you'll experience all the tender flavors for which oxtail was recognized by our people until its broad appeal pushed the price of oxtail at the supermarket. Melba's is like a lot of Harlem institutions on Sundays: jammed packed with after church brunchers. It's a mark of its appeal, like Amy Ruth's, Sylvia's and Chocolat, but better. Service is good from my experience. Atmosphere is very nice at Melba's, but bested by the wraparound warmth and intimacy of the smaller Shaw-nae's House. I realize this competitive genre will generate some controversy and some will disagree with me. If so, I am open to your feedback and reactions. For me, Melba's has an extensive menu that showcases great care by the chefs and it shows on the plate and palate. Melba's shares the Crown with Shaw-nae's House and you can dine here with confidence, experiencing the best of Southern Soul Food in Manhattan and across the five boroughs. 4.5 Stars!

    Rum punch and one of their new items-coquito!

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    4 months ago

    Scrawny, unseasoned, but crispy, fried chicken over sweet fluffy waffles, in an impossibly noisy room.

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    The food is good. A little wait but it's worth it. I love the meatloaf and also the catfish is my favorite.

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    Page 2 of 53

    Melba's Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Melba's Restaurant

    Do they have gluten free options?

    I am not sure about gluten free items.

    How do you make a reservation online?

    Yes

    I have been following Melba's ratings from the NYC Health Department for years and have never seen them with an "A" rating? Do they have an "A" rating now?

    Their pineapple coconut cake gets an A+ rating from me.

    Does Melba's take reservations?

    Pre COVID-19, yes. Right now, they do for outdoor seating ONLY.

    Are they kid friendly?

    Yes

    Pre fixe menu available for private party tables?

    Idk

    Are greens and potato salad available at brunch?

    No not at brunch only at Dinner time

    There's no prices on the menu; I hate when restaurants do that. Can somebody give me an idea of the prices? Thank you

    If you go to my photos of the menu that is in the restaurant you will see the prices- entrees range from $16.95 to $28.95. Hope that helps you. You can also call them for prices or ask them to fax you a menu.

    Are Chicken and Waffles only served during brunch?

    No. We had it at dinner

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Jacob's Pickles - Black Eyed Peas & Collards

    Jacob's Pickles

    4.2(6k reviews)
    1.1 miUpper West Side
    $$

    Hi there! My name…read moreis Melissa- an ex DoorDash employee and former restaurant manager in NYC. My experience at Jacob's Pickles was incredible and I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone for any occasion. This special southern gem has it all figured out. They beat the myth of having "too big of a space" or "too large of a menu". Their speed and service is extremely fast. Waitstaff are very friendly and collaborate very well together. GREEN FLAG that they are always busy with very rare downtimes. I recommend to secure a reservation if possible. The menu has a wide variety of options. As a repeat customer, I can conclude the consistency of quality is 100%. Favorites: Biscuits and Fixins Chicken Caesar Wrap Shrimp and Grits Lobster Mac and Cheese Fried Chicken and Gravy (not pictured) Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich (not pictured) I will definitely be returning. I will be posting their content on Instagram at @village.nyc.eats. Feel free to follow along or message me! Melissa.s.joubert@gmail.com

    I was back at this restaurant a while ago, having previously eaten at their own location, which was…read moreloud and a bit too dark, almost feeling more like a gastropub than a Southern spot. By comparison, the new one is much better and much more fitting, while still being moderately loud but not earsplitting, presumably due to both the ceilings being a lot higher and the tables being more spaced apart. It's also a lot brighter, with plenty of mirrors on the wall and larger tables. As mentioned by most others, the portions here are rather massive for NYC, even in comparison to some diners and delicatessens, which makes the prices pretty reasonable. Our large group went here for something I rarely do: brunch. The servers were reasonably overwhelmed, but still friendly. Knowing how big the portions are, I only ordered the $22 Spicy Chicken Sandwich, which is typically served with pepper jack cheese, crispy onions, and hot sour pickles on a home-baked brioche bun. I did something I rarely do, which was ask for a substitution. In this case, it was cheddar instead of pepper jack, and it was obliged. The sandwich was quite large and a bit difficult to pick up, as it was pretty messy, but the flavor was nice. The chicken was juicy, the batter was pretty light, and there was a load of crispy onions. The pickles added a bit of sour crunch and a bit of heat, and the bun did just well enough to keep it all together. Overall, it was tasty. In terms of other dishes, there were a ton. I had one of the many tasty Deviled Eggs for $15, served with pickled mustard seed, smoked paprika, and pickle chips. From the same appetizer section, I particularly enjoyed the $13 Okra & Chilies, made from smoked & pickled okra, red pepper flakes, and scallion. I liked the smokiness, and the okra had some good grill marks, with this being the lightest dish on the table, outside of the Pickle Sampler someone else got. If you're looking to have a heart attack, I would order the decent $19 Poutine. Featuring fries smothered in brown gravy, cheese, and a hollandaise drizzle, I would compare it more to disco fries or other forms of loaded fries. This was due to the lack of cheese curds and the style of gravy. Outside of the comically massive portion, it's fine. In terms of other mains, a few had the two types of Smothered Chicken, either with sausage or mushrooms, for $24. Someone else ordered the non-spicy version of the same sandwich I got. Finally, another got the gigantic $24 Chicken & Waffles, consisting of buttermilk fried chicken, a golden waffle, house maple butter, and powdered sugar. There was also another entree, but I don't remember the details. I preferred this experience a lot more than the previous time and would recommend them for brunch, at least. Just come very hungry.

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    Blueberry Lemon Bread Pudding

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    Sweet Chick - Storefront

    Sweet Chick

    4.0(2k reviews)
    5.8 miLower East Side
    $$

    Sweet Chick in the Lower East Side was one of our favorite unexpected discoveries of the trip…read more Located right across from our hotel it turned out to be a total hidden gem. The vibe inside is so cool, chill hip hop music playing throughout and I genuinely added about five songs to my music library before we even finished eating. That kind of atmosphere is hard to find. The food was incredible. I ordered the buffalo chicken tenders with waffles and everything about it was perfect. The tenders were crispy and glazed beautifully in buffalo sauce. The waffle was not your average waffle, it had this wheat cinnamon style to it that made it stand out, soft, fluffy and absolutely delicious. It came with butter and what I believe was an herb butter as well and whatever it was it was incredible. My fiancé ordered eggs Andy style, scrambled with bacon and toast, and the real standout on his plate were the potatoes. Crushed style, perfectly seasoned with what tasted like brown sugar and paprika. We are still talking about those potatoes. Service was amazing and the whole experience just felt effortless and fun. If you are in the Lower East Side and looking for an incredible brunch spot with amazing food and even better vibes, Sweet Chick is the one. Do not sleep on this place.

    This one honestly hurt my heart…read more.. Y'all... this review hurts my heart to write because I am a Sweet Chick fan. Not a "I tried it once" fan. A real fan. I've been going to Sweet Chick since there was only one location in Brooklyn. I was literally traveling from Jersey to Brooklyn just for the food, the drinks, and the experience, and I never minded doing it because it was always worth it. So when they opened the Ludlow Street location, I was excited because now I didn't have to make the trip to Brooklyn every time I wanted my chicken and waffles. Back then, Sweet Chick was an experience. They had the big specials board with rotating waffles, desserts, and seasonal items. Their chicken and waffles never missed. I honestly can't remember ever leaving disappointed. So this review is really hard for me. Back on June 26th, after work, my mom and I decided to grab dinner. I work in the LES, and she suggested Sweet Chick. I did tell her my brother Robert had gone recently and said it had changed a lot, but we figured we'd see for ourselves. We got there around 9-ish. The first thing we noticed... It was HOT. Not warm. Hot. Like, "why does it feel like a sauna in here?" hot. We've had enough hot weather this summer, so walking into a restaurant with little to no air conditioning was honestly uncomfortable. We actually debated leaving before we even ordered, but decided to stick it out. Unfortunately... it never got better. The service also wasn't what I remembered. I'm really big on customer service, and Sweet Chick has always had amazing service whenever I've gone. This time it just felt different. The attentiveness wasn't there, and the overall vibe just felt... off. Even the menu has changed. My mom used to love their kale salad, but now it's made differently with things like dates, and she wasn't interested in it anymore. For drinks, my mom ordered an espresso martini, and unfortunately she really didn't enjoy it. It was pretty bitter, and we couldn't quite figure out what was off about it. If I'm ordering an espresso martini, I have certain expectations, and this one just didn't hit for her. I ordered the Queen of New York, and I actually really enjoyed my drink. No complaints there. Now... the food. I ordered the Maple Chipotle Chicken & Sweet Potato Waffle. And this is where my heart really broke. Years ago, when they first introduced the sweet potato waffle as a special, I remember it actually tasting like sweet potato. This one... Honestly just tasted like a regular waffle. I kept looking for that sweet potato flavor, and it just wasn't there. The chicken itself was crispy and cooked well, but the maple chipotle sauce wasn't evenly coated. Some bites were really good, while other pieces were dry because they barely had any sauce on them. Another thing longtime Sweet Chick fans might notice is the butter service. I remember getting three or four different flavored butters, each in their own little container. This time we got two flavors together in one cup. It's a small thing, but it was one of those details that always made Sweet Chick feel special. My mom ordered the Carolina BBQ Chicken with the Grilled Corn Waffle. I'll be fair--her waffle absolutely tasted like a corn waffle. I tried it, and it was really good. She enjoyed her meal more than I did, although she also had a few pieces of chicken that weren't evenly coated with sauce and were a little dry. Overall, she thought it was okay. And I think that's really the word for this visit. Okay. Not terrible. But not the Sweet Chick we remembered. Maybe that's why this visit hit me so hard. When you've loved a place for years, you naturally compare it to what you know it can be. I genuinely hope this was just an off night because I have so many great memories here, and I'd honestly love to come back one day and have the Sweet Chick experience that made me fall in love with it in the first place. Because this restaurant has meant a lot to me over the years, and I'm rooting for it. I really am.

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    C as in Charlie - Potato nuggets

    C as in Charlie

    4.5(424 reviews)
    5.7 miNoHo

    I came here for dinner during the spring / summer and left me with amazing memories. I came with my…read moretwo close friends and we had such a good time. The staff was so well attentive and organized and also super friendly towards us and took care of us well! When i entered it reminds me of a friends house in old nostalgic fashion and I really enjoyed how intimate it feels! After we had some soju we quickly ordered and food came out pretty fast! We basically almost ordered everything! They're pretty small in dishes so it's perfect to share between 2-3 people. If you have more you'd probably need an extra plate. The popcorn chicken was super yummy and I love the styling they have for movie popcorn but it's chicken! Super cute and quirky way of serving this. Another fun quirky thing is that they put the toast roll in a little egg roll bag that says c as in Charlie which was super fun. This was actually their take on an egg/spring roll and it was SO YUM. The salmon crudo was fresh and yummy - simple but cute! I like that they use mayo and simple seasoning for this as it is well needed amongst the heavily seasoned popcorn chicken and toast roll. We also had the ricotta toast during this time and that was pretty good too. For mains we ordered oxtail cream pasta and the Salisbury steak which was pretty good! I definitely liked the oxtail cream pasta better but one of my Korean friends who come here often is obsessed with the Salisbury steak. In the end of the meal you only really have two options for dessert and the fun option is the b as in banana! We got to draw on it and it was a super fun time with friends. They were busy but they don't kick people out which I love because it's hard to leave. All the dishes were super fun and promising I think this place doesn't scream Michelin in food but it's Michelin in soul!

    My friend heard good things about C as in Charlie and wanted to try it, so the three of us made a…read morereservation a couple Mondays ago. It's a Korean and Southern fusion restaurant where each dish is roughly tapas-sized. The interior is on the smaller side, but it felt warm and intimate. Our server took our orders quickly, and we even got complimentary sake shots before our food came out. I'm a bit of a lightweight, so I was already feeling a teeny bit woozy a few minutes later. Between the three of us, we shared five tapas: FLUKE CEVICHE - 17 Five pieces of fluke swimming in leche de tigre (a citrusy sauce), along with diced tomatoes and pickled onions. The fluke was firm and light in flavor, which contrasted nicely with the bright marinade and pungent onions. This was fine, but not the most memorable ceviche I've had. POPCORN CHICKEN - 17 The popcorn chicken is one of their most popular tapas, and it was a favorite among our table. The chicken was freshly made -- crispy, juicy, sweet, and saucy. My only qualm was that it was a little too sweet, although my friends didn't seem to mind. OXBONE CREAM PASTA - 16 This was a pretty standard white-sauce pasta. I'm not entirely sure where the oxbone comes into play (maybe in the sauce) but it wasn't prominent enough for us to notice. Still, it was creamy and addictive, with generous amounts of bacon and scallion that added plenty of flavor. MUSHROOM BIBIMBAP - 18 This was easily my favorite tapa. The bibimbap was incredibly umami-forward and loaded with different varieties of mushrooms. The poached egg on top was the cherry on top, adding even more creaminess. I'd highly recommend this if you love mushrooms. SEOUL'SBURY STEAK - 16 The hamburger steak itself was just okay and pretty forgettable, but as a huge fan of grits, I loved the grits. They were made with gruyere, which made them rich and cheesy. Overall, the food was pretty good, and nothing we ordered was bad. The pasta and bibimbap were definitely the highlights for me, although I wouldn't say any of the dishes were particularly mind-blowing. C as in Charlie might actually be more memorable for its sheer amount of randomness. At some point during dinner, I went to use the bathroom and noticed a video projected onto the wall. It showed a guy sitting on a 90s-style sofa surrounded by 90s-style decor, casually reciting... numbers. While I was already a little buzzed from the sake, I sat there wondering why I was hearing, "1759... 1777... 1783..." until it finally clicked. They were all prime numbers. So there I was, slightly tipsy, sitting in a restaurant bathroom listening to a random man reciting prime numbers on a wall. I have no idea what the artistic vision was here, but I suppose it succeeded in being memorable.

    Photos
    C as in Charlie - Inside

    Inside

    C as in Charlie - Mushroom bibimbap

    Mushroom bibimbap

    C as in Charlie - Popcorn chicken

    See all

    Popcorn chicken

    Melba's Restaurant - southern - Updated September 2026

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