Hell’s Kitchen Local

The recently re-imagined restaurant atop the Marriott Marquis is an elevated (pardon the pun) updated version of the original. The food is excellent and the relaxed atmosphere makes Times Square seem quaint 48 floors below.

Their $16 Siesta Lunch Special is one of the finest deals in the neighborhood. My rotating order includes the lamb barbacoa braised in Negra Modelo with salsa borracha and serrano chilies, the crispy Gulf shrimp taco with guacamole, pico de gallo, and the beer-battered mahi mahi with poblano slaw and lime aioli on a flour tortilla. Bright, satisfying and always a treat.

I'm here every day at least once, since my rescue dog Ruthie loves the doggie pools in the summer and is a social bug. There is an amazing dog owner community that often hosts holiday events and social hours there, and great neighbors who help clean and maintain that space (thank you).

Some days when I’m running from event to event, I need some carbs, and the pastries here are my favorite!

Rain or shine, late night or early morning, this food truck has been a reliable affordable food option. With incredibly friendly habibis (Issam and Sa’id) and the three brothers (Saleh, Mo and Abdul) whose family have run business for generations, they serve what I think is some of the best halal food in NYC.

A great, easy neighborhood spot for burgers, hot dogs and fries. The staff is always friendly, and having board games at the tables while you wait makes it a fun place to hang out.

I love to cook, and when I crave making ox tail or lamb neck stew, this is where I go. They stock cuts you won’t find in the more curated parts of Manhattan, along with produce that still assumes people actually cook. It is also remarkably affordable. I love walking into their meat refrigerated chamber. I admit to visiting the store with ulterior motives in the very hot summer months just to be able to walk into the refrigerated meat chamber. During a heat wave, it amounts to finding heaven, (only to be sent back to hell).

This restaurant on W44th and 10th is always welcoming and friendly, and the chicken kabobs are terrific. They have red and green harissa and I strongly recommend them both.

This restaurant has delicious catfish, Cajun fries, lobster mac and cheese and cocktails to-go, which I’ve packed for summer picnics in Central Park. The mango margarita has a real kick!

“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.