What I mean when I say “Gourmet Comes to Harlem” is not this:
It’s this:
This new, welcome, trend in Harlem has, despite gentrification, transformed the word “gourmet” to a populist term.
At the gourmet deli, alongside fruits, vegetables, and homemade soups, you can also purchase a phone card.
Some delis have flashing and streaming neon lights, offer free delivery, and even sell fashionable hats and sunglasses.
Others have beautiful photographic displays of the delicious dishes they prepare along with the many combination options.
If you are short of cash, the gourmet deli conveniently provides the services of an ATM, with only a small, $2 to $5 surcharge.
Many of the gourmet delis also offer, along with soda and chips, games of chance like Lotto.
Depending on the religious convictions of the owner, beer is often available at the gourmet deli and sometimes even wine.
But religious convictions are never a consideration or factor regarding cigarettes.
Here’s one that hasn’t even opened yet. Welcome to the neighborhood A&A Gourmet!
Fried Neck Bones...and some home fries 
Just visited Harlem (I live in Europe) and was pleasantly surprised with all the deli’s. Didn’t realize it was a new development though.
That they are “gourmet” is the development, Ann. In the past the same gourmet delis were just known as “bodegas.” Thanks for checking in.