Hell’s Kitchen Local

Afali and baklava are heavenly! They’re my dad’s favorite treats when he’s visiting town. He’s been going there for decades.

This new coffee shop and eco-friendly sundries store has become one of my favorite places to get an afternoon coffee and tea (the hibiscus iced tea is to die for). They also sell a terrific line of vibrantly scented homemade candles — the chocolate covered strawberry actually smells like chocolate covered strawberries. I love supporting this shop because, according to its website, it’s an “employment social enterprise” where most of the employees are on six-month long job placements, “learning new skills and gaining the confidence and resume to find permanent work.”

Angelina’s bombolones are the best. I like to get two and share with whomever I am meeting with: usually a glazed and one of the many filled flavors.

I love Irish arts and literature, and it's incredible to have a globally significant center for Irish arts right here in the district. It’s also an amazing story of a small but mighty organization that was able to give life to an old historic Hell’s Kitchen building.

This is a great way to get out any stir crazy feelings or Seasonal Affective Disorder behavior — go rock climbing at the gym! I love to do this especially in the winter, where you can self belay up walls with different rock climbing routes, or try bouldering. It’s hard!

I love the square-sliced pizzas from Claudio’s. They’re crispy, cheesy, and hit the spot every single time. Plus, they stay open late, which makes them one of my top go-to spots after a long day. Honestly, their pizza beats a lot of the more “famous” New York places.

This place is just fantastic, and my daughter gets to eat for free! The quality of the food is incredible, and the small sushi bar that they have on the island is surprisingly good.

This is my go-to place whenever I’m craving tacos since it’s the closest spot nearby. The tacos are always solid, the prices are unbeatable, and I love that they also serve churros — it’s the perfect combo. Definitely the best-value tacos in the neighborhood.

Ballet is one of my favorite hobbies and pastimes, and it’s way harder than it looks! Ballerinas do not get the respect they deserve! Hell’s Kitchen is home to so many incredible dance studios, but The Ailey is my go to.

A perfect location for a celebratory dinner and drinks — great vibes and fabulous margaritas!