Hell’s Kitchen Local

While it might look like a run-of-the-mill deli, Healthy Market aka Abdul’s Deli has served as a hub of Hell’s Kitchen’s community for over three decades. It’s the watering hole of HK – here, you’ll find locals catching up on the latest hood politics, transplants enamored by the authenticity of the place, and late-night bar crawlers craving either a chopped cheese, a conversation they won’t remember, or a shoulder to cry on.

"Forty-Four-and-Ten" features clever takes on classic American dishes like meatloaf, mac-and-cheese, and (shades of my youth) wedges of iceberg lettuce with blue cheese dressing. There are modern, innovative dishes too. We like taking out-of-town visitors to 44&X because there's always something for everyone on the menu.

Yummy, yummy lemon ricotta pancakes and more. Plus fun and caring staff make for a great vibe!

The $15 bottomless brunch is insane. Also, the staff is really funny and kind and interesting to talk to. And there are always great conversations to be had at the bar with whomever happens to sit down next to you!

A great date spot that I like to go to. Their Caesar salad and burrata are quite yummy!

The best grocery store in all of Hell’s Kitchen, the independently owned Westerly Natural Market, is a unicorn in many ways. Despite chain grocery store competition on every other block, the Westerly has thrived at the corner of 54th Street and 8th Avenue since 1966. That’s almost 60 years!

The la mama margarita is the perfect size!

Norma has the best Neapolitan pie. They do the cheese sauce ratio and crust perfectly for the style they make.

It’s so juicy. It tastes the best out of all the burgers I’ve had in Hell’s Kitchen. Not too salty. And the portion sizes are great. Plus the customer service is outstanding and that always affects the meals I’m having

I love taking the jazz class with Lillian Colón, the first Latina to dance with the Rockettes. Her class is sassy, fun, technical and full of joy. The music is great, and many of the students are former Broadway dancers. Lillian’s energy is contagious — she’s a total joy to learn from.