Anthony and Janique Edwards's NYC Spots

BLVD Bistro

"When we go out to eat, we almost always go out for brunch," says Janique. Among the couple's top spots is BLVD Bistro in Harlem. "We always like to get a spread-a mix of savory and sweet. That's our approach to brunch," says Janique. "They sometimes play gospel music, and I grew up in a church (my dad was a pastor), so to go to a restaurant and hear old-school stuff I grew up on is really cool for me." Favorite dishes: catfish and grits (Janique) and blueberry pancakes (Anthony and Bradley).

Beets Cafe

"Sometimes Anthony and l like to go for a walk at the top of the day, just to clear our heads," says Janique, "and we'll stop at Beets to get a cup of coffee or a smoothie. They make great smoothies and really good patties: The salmon patty is super flaky and really savory, and they have a jerk plantain patty that's really blends sweet and savory so well." Favorite dishes: PG-13 smoothie with passion fruit and lychee (Janique), Green Mile smoothie with spinach and kale (Anthony), salmon patty.

Brunch Harlem

"This place is dear to our heart because it was one of the first businesses we visited when we built EatOkra," says Anthony. "We introduced the app to a regular customer, and she started sharing it with her network—it kind of launched us in Atlanta! B Squared is a woman-owned spot that has beautiful decor, great cocktails, and delicious food. It's so cute and intimate, a perfect date-night spot for couples." Favorite dishes: "hands-down the best" shrimp and grits, catfish, coconut pancakes.

ININE Bistro

"I always used to pass by this strip of Bruckner Avenue when I was a kid growing up in the Bronx," says Janique. "It was vacant then; I always thought it would be such a good place for some businesses! And now a lot of busineses are starting to pop up in the area. ININE has a really great outdoor seating area." "Their brunch is also really good," says Anthony: "The French toast is crazy-it's French toast with whipped cream and blueberry purée." Favorite dishes: French toast, wings, crab cake.

Happy Cork

"Happy Cork is a wine shop just up the road from us, and we really love going there," says Janique. "I don't think there's another shop that has a more expansive list of Black-owned spirit brands. The owner, Sunshine is very supportive of other Black businesses in her community, so you'll see a lot of other Black-owned products in her store.' Favorite bottle: "That was the first place I discovered Uncle Nearest. It's a Black-owned whiskey brand we now drink all the time."

Make My Cake

"Make My Cake has a special place in my heart," says Janique, "because they made our wedding cake! It's been around for forever and has multiple locations across the Upper West Side and Harlem. It all started with recipes from the grandmother; this is one of those businesses that's been passed down from generation to generation. They treat you like family." Favorite dishes: red velvet cake, vanilla cake (Janique), chocolate cake (Anthony), carrot cake, cupcakes.

BCakeNY

"This is a specialty cake shop with designs like you've never seen before —and the cakes also taste good!" says Janique. "The owner, Miriam, is fantastic - always so nice and supportive of us. They're super creative and have a large celebrity clientele. If you want a beautiful cake -I'm talking beautiful cake-go to BCakeNY." Favorite dish: "She did a cake for EatOkra's App award, and we were super happy to have her do that."

BKLYN Blend

"This café provides healthy food options, specifically in communities where it can be hard to access healthy food. They make really great smoothies," says Janique, "and I like the sandwiches, too. If they have salmon patties available, you can't pass up the opportunity to get one; they're so flaky and delicious." Favorite dishes: Eastern Parkway Express smoothie (passion fruit, mango, and more), salmon patty, Park Slope Salmon Sandwich, Saratoga Shrimp Sandwich.

Kokomo Caribbean Restaurant

"This is a beautiful date-night spot," says Anthony: "They have great drinks, a great happy hour, and an awesome menu." "Because of how nice the space it, it motivates you to want to look nice when you go there," adds Janique. "The happy hour gives you the opportunity to have a cocktail and try a lot of different small plates from the menu." Favorite dishes: flatbread pizza, crispy fish tacos, jerk wings.