Hell’s Kitchen Local

I love sitting at the bar at Bocca di Bacco. It is a great place to meet a friend or date for civilized conversation, a glass of wine and appetizers.

It’s the perfect place to grab a pastry and some Colombian bites while I enjoy reading my book. The ambiance is cozy, making it easy to lose track of time. Plus, I love that I can bring my dog along, and they even have treats for her! It’s a great little haven for both of us.

I’m endlessly fascinated by it visually — the neon, saturated colors, characters and sheer absurdity of it all. I may not always love navigating the tourist crowds, but as a visual storyteller, it’s difficult not to be fascinated by the spectacle.

This is where I go for fruits and vegetables. The produce is always fresh, and I love the feeling of picking out whatever looks best that day.

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.

I love the Hudson River and spend a lot of time in Hudson River Park, especially Pier 84. It’s such an important green space for our neighborhood and we’re lucky to have it. I’ve spent so many afternoons there with my daughter at the water sprays when she was younger and now with a good book she’s older. As a member of the park’s Advisory Council, I’m especially excited about the improvements coming. It’s only going to make an already special place even better.

If you want amazing Italian pizza, Don Antonio is the place. The pizzas are made in a beautiful wood-fired oven and you can really taste the difference. The waiters are incredibly friendly — it honestly feels like going to a friend’s house for dinner. And the dessert is a must: their fried pizza with Nutella is absolutely unforgettable.

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.

Their Ceviche Limeño with diced corvina, lime juice, red onions, cilantro and rocoto pepper is not to be missed — every visit feels like a quick, fun trip to Peru.

Cubby’s is run by my good friend Charles, my old coworker at Pastis! I remember we would talk about our futures together on our breaks — his dream of opening up his own establishment and my passion for public service. I visited again recently and it was quite emotional to see where we have both ended up.