By Michael Crump

On the cliff of Harlem on the uppermost west side, lies the best kept secret. Overlooking the arteries of the highways off the 155th Street Bridge and the lights of Yankee Stadium will find Flash Inn. This small on the outside social club is tucked between a car wash, a garage, and a Laundromat, but manages to stand alone. If you are not careful you will miss it. Flash Inn is the benchmark for the clichŽ "don't judge a book by its cover".

Surviving by the patronage of a dying breed of long time regulars, Flash Inn has the feel of a mafia social club. On a Friday night you will see the luxury cars parked sardine style in front of the modest eatery. Upon entering, you are greeted by the red tuxedo jacket of the concierge. The bar is old school with top shelf favorites on display with very little fanfare. The dining room looks like a movie set with intimate tables, white linen, carpet and white Christmas style lights. The plate glass windows provide light from the highway and the Bronx skyline. The juke box features Frank Sinatra, Johnny Taylor, Nancy Wilson, Otis Redding and Tony Bennett.

Flash Inn is not just a "quiet tip, down low, hide away", it has good food. There is no other place in Harlem where you can get a seafood stuffed lobster tail, garlic bone-in prime rib steaks, and lobster bisque or grilled salmon. Italian pasta favorites such as Penne with Vodka Sauce, Chicken Parmesan, and Shrimp Scampi are on the daily menu. Ask for the hand written daily specials. The food is "downtown" in quality and "downtown" in price. This is definitely a place where you will pay for what you get. I will guarantee this; the atmosphere, the service and the food quality are second to none. This is a "special occasion" spot that can be enjoyed in the community.

The owner "Tony M." will often buy you a round. He'll be wearing the dark glasses, slacks and the open collar shirt. Be sure to leave room for the artistically constructed desserts. If you have one too many, the coffee is strong and fragrant. This is the number one "down low" spot in Harlem. SHHHHHH!

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