Hell’s Kitchen Local

Grind is a relatively new (at least for my long HK history) addition to Hell’s Kitchen. The coffee is very good and they have a nice selection of breakfast and lunch options. If you sit in the window, it makes for excellent people watching.

PS Kitchen on W48th Street is a fully vegan restaurant that proves plant-based food in this city can be genuinely great, not just a compromise. Beyond the food, they donate 100% of their profits to charity and hire people who’ve faced barriers to employment; it’s the kind of small business that makes the neighborhood come to life.

This is my favorite health food store in the city so I’m so happy to have it close to home. I’ve been going here for 26 years and will continue to go for their incredible organic produce, snacks, supplements and clean products.

This place makes me happy every time I walk by thanks to the local artwork displayed in the windows. I’ve worked with them for years, and it’s always been a pleasure. I usually do my own framing, but whenever I’ve entrusted them with a piece, they’ve done exceptional work. It’s an efficiently run business, and I’m glad to see it still thriving in a neighborhood that has lost so many great businesses since the pandemic. If you have a photograph, painting, or treasured piece of art that needs framing, I highly recommend them.

The Intrepid is a preserved piece of history that we are so lucky to have in Hell’s Kitchen. The museum holds so many pieces of military history and I always learn something new.

Everything about Lincoln Center brings joy to my heart. I have so many wonderful memories there. Amazing people work here, the programming is world-class, and there always seems to be something happening that brings the community together. Whether it’s a play, concert, or ballet, I’ve never left disappointed. And in loving memory of our dear friend Ann Dineen, we’ll always cherish our Lincoln Center memories.

For over 100 years the women in my family came together to make a recipe which required suet (yes — raw beef fat). As the years passed, Esposito became one of the only places in the city to get it. Thankfully, we have moved on to the vegetarian version of the same dish!

My favorite place to grab a Guinness and some wings, or my current favorite, their braised-beef brisket tacos (formerly sliders) after a long day or week.

I love that in the middle of Manhattan you can suddenly find a place that feels peaceful and surrounded by nature. I discovered this park while walking around the neighborhood when my parents were visiting me in New York. We were all fascinated by it — how calm it felt and how it exists thanks to the community that cares about it. It’s one of those little hidden places that make the city feel special. I haven’t been there in a while and I really miss it there.

This location routinely hosts the Imperial Court, which is an amazing group that has adopted and supported me during the campaign. I have gotten to know the members of this club, and one of their longtime hosts, Summer, routinely picks Industry Bar — given their support of the LGBTQ community and amazing space for drag performances.