Hell’s Kitchen Local

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

PS Kitchen on W48th Street is a fully vegan restaurant that proves plant-based food in this city can be genuinely great, not just a compromise. Beyond the food, they donate 100% of their profits to charity and hire people who’ve faced barriers to employment; it’s the kind of small business that makes the neighborhood come to life.

Flex is a great neighborhood bar. I love the crowd and there’s always a crowd in there. It’s got a fun Happy Hour.

Easily my favorite bar in the area with great staff and ambience. If you want to snack, I’d highly recommend the brussels sprouts. They’re fabulous!

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.

Small businesses keep Hell’s Kitchen and our city great. The Little Pie Company boasts incredible pies, made from scratch with fantastic ingredients! What’s not to love?!

Greenery, people, bikes, kids, dogs, diversity and even some of the tacky kiosks, it’s all part of NYC charm — need I say more?

Yum! I loved this place when it was Taboon and was so sad when it burned down. I was overjoyed when it reopened as Frena. The food, cocktails, and the owners — who were so gracious when I accidentally crashed their soft opening — are awesome.

Reliable, hearty and consistently excellent. Their pad kee mao, the drunken noodles with tofu and mixed vegetables, is my comfort food of choice. When I am under the weather or just exhausted, this is my go-to spot for delivery.

The New Dramatists has a striking Gothic aesthetic that has always captivated me. Long ago, the building served as a church, and that history can still be felt throughout its halls and architecture. Before the pandemic, it was a vibrant gathering place filled with activity and community.