Hell’s Kitchen Local

This is probably my favorite steakhouse in the world, largely because of its incredible atmosphere. It embodies everything I imagine a classic New York steakhouse to be.

I love the Hudson River and spend a lot of time in Hudson River Park, especially Pier 84. It’s such an important green space for our neighborhood and we’re lucky to have it. I’ve spent so many afternoons there with my daughter at the water sprays when she was younger and now with a good book she’s older. As a member of the park’s Advisory Council, I’m especially excited about the improvements coming. It’s only going to make an already special place even better.

A hidden gem for a great massage. Tony and the other therapists here really know what they're doing. I've introduced quite a few friends over the years, and they've all come away impressed. No frills, just skilled hands to help relieve some of the stress and pain of our hardworking Hell’s Kitchen neighbors.

I took my current girlfriend here on one of our first dates.

It has such a cozy environment that feels like home. The Sicilian food is delicious, and their gnocchi is simply amazing! It’s the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy some comfort food.

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 Vanilla Gorilla Cafe is my go-to coffee shop for meeting up with friends. It’s spacious and bright with great beverages and bakery treats. My current favorite is the Hot Cinnamon Spice Tea.

I’m so grateful to have a wonderful, knowledgeable, caring vet, Dr Liff, so close to home. My fur baby Starr gets so much love from everyone there when we go.

Hells Kitchen Pilates makes me happy because it’s more than just a place to train — it’s where I’m building a new pilates community. I’m meeting friends who are also my neighbors, and I’ve found the perfect space to focus on my body and practice what I love. I actually discovered it by chance one day while walking through the neighborhood. I decided to take a different street than usual and saw Nadya, one of the owners, with her beautiful dog Lucky, cleaning a new space that said “Pilates.” I asked her about it and told her I would love to work there — and now I get to be part of this amazing community every day.

While I would never recommend anyone RSVP here, given the ridiculous fee if you cannot hold the reservation or cancel 24 hours before, I have often come to enjoy the view. It is a great date night location since you can get small plates, making it easy to finish up and leave if the vibe is off without being stuck through a big meal.