Hell’s Kitchen Local

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 am a bread lady and I cannot live without a good Amy’s baguette. I go to both the Hells’ Kitchen and Chelsea locations, but I love how intimate the Hell’s Kitchen location is. It’s a great place to meet friends in the neighborhood. It’s always lively.

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!

The age-old question of where should we meet is almost always answered with VERS. From their excellent happy hour, their yummy snacks, to their late night vibes, sexy underwear party and great cabaret and drag shows. This place is upscale enough to come for a pre-show drink, but fun enough to get rowdy with your friends. Perfect spot so close by!

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).

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.

Pier 84 is an incredible green space where I love to go for walks. It also provides a great view of the Hudson River, where I paddle board whenever I can.

I’ve spent years trying to crack the code on health and fitness. There have been plenty of stepping stones along the way, but MFF is where things really clicked. I learned how to set goals I can actually reach, how to stay consistent, how to stop being intimidated by the gym, and how to not take it all so seriously. This place gave me a foundation I can actually build on — and reminded me how good it feels to show up for yourself.

An iconic establishment in Hell’s Kitchen, the West Bank Cafe has been the home to Broadway stars, fans and West Siders alike. I have seen countless incredible shows at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, and many fulfilling meals with friends and family at their restaurant — don’t even get me started on their Risotto Balls! Tom and Michael are great owners and friends.

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.