Hell’s Kitchen Local

When I’m craving Korean food, I often visit this neighborhood spot instead of traveling down to Koreatown on 32nd Street. Their Korean fried chicken, tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), and bibimbap (veggie/meat rice bowl) always hit the spot.

Anybody who knows me knows I love sushi. I love cooking it, but it’s not something I’ve really tried mastering because I love going out for it so much more. Natalie and I are big fans of Fushimi for its great ambience and interior design. The quality of the food easily rivals Nobu (although we still go here), and at a far better price point! You’ll often find us here after a matinee performance.

Can you tell how much Carnegie means to me? I mean, Carnegie is THE temple of music!

I love to have a drink at the bar, chat with local residents or their friendly bartenders and listen to their great jukebox playlist.

My go-to neighborhood pizza spot and, in my opinion, one of the best slices around.

I grew up with ALDI in the Midwest, where it was a staple of everyday life. So you can imagine how thrilled I was to find myself living in New York City with an ALDI only a single block away!! How great is that!!! Love the wide aisles!!! 

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 don't go to fancy hair places but Robert at Barber Shop NYC on the corner of 50th and 8th is my go-to. He offers me a punch card punch every time for a free haircut, and I always decline, because who carries extra cards around these days? I think after all these years I have about 20 free haircuts worth of credit.

This is the only place in the neighborhood where I can find passion fruit juice! As a good Latin boy who grew up in Brazil, I have to get my passion fruit fix.

My favorite outdoor spot in NYC. Pier 84 is where I go for the local vibe, the adorable dogs with lots of personality, and the sunset that lights up the sky in gorgeous hues on a clear day.