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.

The life within that building combines world-class artistry with true community access. The Ailey building is home to one of the greatest dance companies in the world and yet its doors are open to everyone. My son spent 10 years dancing there from 4th to 12th grade. I spent most afternoons and every weekend hanging out there, meeting other dance moms (and dads), exploring the neighborhood and watching these incredible kids do their jam. The Ailey tradition represents our city’s legacy and our future.

As the new kid in Hell’s Kitchen, Spitfire has become an instant favorite. My parents owned a small cheese shop when I was growing up so places like this hold a special place in my heart, especially ones as homey and delicious as Spitfire. If you ever can’t reach me, this is probably where I am. A few recommendations: the tuna melt is amazing, the iced cardamom vanilla matcha latte is my new favorite and don’t miss the small basket of “walking cheese” at the checkout counter.

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).

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.

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.

Amy Scherber opened her bakery on 9th Avenue in 1992, when plenty of people doubted a small, hand-built business could make it in this part of the city. More than 30 years later it is still here, still turning out some of the best bread and pastry in the neighborhood, and still the kind of independent shop that gives Hell’s Kitchen its character instead of another bank branch.

Planet Taco is good at 5pm and its great at 2am. I’m from Texas so I love a taco and this place never disappoints. They have a variety of salsas that you can top your tacos off with too. Yum!!

I stumbled into this place on a whim a couple years ago when I was doing a show down the street and it quickly became my go-to nail studio. The staff here is so sweet and they always get me together when I need it!

I kicked off my Life Time journey at our SKY location, and it is hands down one of the most stunning spots in all of Hell’s Kitchen! From top-notch classes (catch me at 10am on Saturdays!) to the breathtaking rooftop pool — where I also moonlight as the backstage director for the annual New York Swim Week — SKY delivers a true luxury athletic-club experience right in the heart of HK.