Chef Melvin "Boots" Johnson

The Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel, opened in November 2023, is a landmark project bringing luxury to the Harlem community and challenging stereotypes about the area.

- MELANIE POLEY

This hotel honors Harlem’s rich cultural heritage, especially the Harlem Renaissance, by weaving its history into the hotel’s design. The heart of the Renaissance Hotel is the Victoria Restaurant, led by the talented and welcoming Chef Melvin “Boots” Johnson. A Harlem native, Chef Melvin’s culinary vision focuses on authenticity and creativity, reflecting his strong ties to the black community. His menu, a blend of global flavors, comes from his extensive travels and careful execution. Chef Melvin’s Chicken and Waffles are prepped and cooked unlike any other dish you’ve ever had. Instead of the Belgian waffle, he cooks thin waffles coated in lots of sugar, cinnamon, and butter, and the chicken is a boneless style brined for twentyfour hours. Another one of Chef Melvin’s astonishing dishes is his brown sugar salmon with pineapple salsa. This dish was inspired by New Orleans Hawaiian salmon but with his personal touch and unique sweet and spicy glaze. This food brings comfort to Chef Melvin, as it was what he grew up eating and hopes to bring this comfort to his customers. Each dish carries historical significance, e