Hell’s Kitchen Local

As a year-round soup girlie, Ippudo just can’t be beat. Their hearty ramen bowls and delectable chicken buns keep me coming back, no matter what season it is.

Homemade Taqueria has been my lunch go-to for the past five Saturdays in a row. Sometimes twice a day. The food is amazing — taco al pastor and aqua fresca watermelon. The background music is hip. The staff are super sweet. And the vibe is both modern and old school. I am already a regular — and plan to continue!

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.

This place is like eating a home-cooked meal every time. The food is authentic Italian cooking at its finest. For more than 50 years, this wonderful family has been feeding our community. The people who work there are fantastic, the location is convenient, and the food is both affordable and delicious. If you’re in the area, stop in and enjoy a meal.

I am a beer-on-tap drinker. Rudy’s is wallet-friendly, unpretentious and welcoming to everyone. No attitude, no judgement. Easy to strike up a conversation. Rumored to have been a speakeasy. One of New York’s first liquor licenses. And the pig in front is iconic!

Hudson River Park technically isn’t a business (but it is a non-profit, so similar?). One of my favorite places in Hell’s Kitchen is Pier 84. It’s my happy place, basically. I start and end all my morning runs here, and I often come here to sit and contemplate. Watching the river go by is a good reminder that life is fleeting, that nothing lasts forever, and the best thing to do is enjoy it as much as possible.

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 their Drag Brunch!

The Ink 48 Hotel is where my family spent the first three nights before settling into our apartment. It became a home away from home. A lot of the members from our production team stayed here, so we got to know the hotel staff quite well. They took my son and me on a tour of the penthouse suite, and that’s how we found out about the incredible rooftop bar Hudson VU. The views from the rooftop are unparalleled. I highly recommend everyone visit!

“The Kash” as my sweetie Marty and I call it. I love how the Middle Eastern theme connects so many different regions and culinary delights. The kale salad is by far the best I’ve ever had — what do they massage it with? I’ll never know. But they add roasted walnuts, pecorino cheese and dried figs. The diversity of texture and flavor is delish! Plus the octopus skewers, beet skordalia, walnut pepper spread and spinach feta tapas. My favorite area is the garden room in the back.