Harlem’s Legendary Melba’s Restaurant Is Going to Hollywood in New Apple TV+ Series
Harlem, stand up. Melba’s Restaurant is finally getting the recognition it deserves and honestly, it feels like a win for the whole hood. The beloved soul food staple, world-famous for its signature Southern fried chicken and waffles, is now headed to Apple TV+, bringing its Harlem story to an even bigger spotlight far beyond New York City.
The iconic food joint is headed to Hollywood, as Oprah Winfrey and Kenya Barris develop a new comedy series inspired by the life of Melba Wilson and her legendary Melba’s Restaurant. Titled “American Comfort,” the show follows Wilson — a restaurateur, caterer, cookbook author, and Food Network personality — with Oscar and Emmy nominee Danielle Brooks set to star and executive produce. The project is written by Kenya Barris, who also serves as executive producer.
Backed by Harpo Entertainment, Oprah Winfrey’s production company, “American Comfort” brings to screen a long-standing Harlem landmark that has unapologetically shaped community life for more than two decades. According to Wilson, the storyline came to her in the midst of the COVID pandemic, and over time everything fell into place, ultimately shaping a project poised to shine a light on this beloved Black restaurant in a meaningful way.
“There’s a story here… a story about people who come together through food. Food is a common denominator — it doesn’t care how you look, who you love, how many degrees you have or you don’t have. The only thing it cares about is that you sit down and enjoy,” Wilson said. She first shared the idea with director Neema Barnette, who passed it along to producer Aaron Kaplan, eventually making its way to Oprah Winfrey — and, as Wilson put it, the rest was “herstory.”
The Harlem-born, James Beard Award-winning chef has turned her mouth-watering vision into a growing empire, bringing her signature flavor to locations across Central Park, Grand Central Terminal, and Newark’s Prudential Center. Her craft is rooted in legacy, shaped in part by lessons from her aunt Sylvia’s Restaurant, as well as experience at Rosa Mexicano and Windows on the World.
It’s about time folks put some respect on Melba’s name. Known for her signature chicken and waffles — made with eggnog and served alongside maple syrup and berry butter — she brought her famous dish head-to-head against celebrity chef Bobby Flay on his Food Network series “Throwdown! with Bobby Flay,” walking away with the win and stealing the spotlight. The Harlem-born chef turned that moment into momentum, cementing her reputation as one of the city’s most beloved culinary influences. Now, she’s embarking on her next chapter — one that adds to the legacy Black folks have long known and supported.
While anticipation is already building, especially among New Yorkers, details regarding the show’s premiere date and episode count are still in the works.
