Hell’s Kitchen Local

Their Ceviche Limeño with diced corvina, lime juice, red onions, cilantro and rocoto pepper is not to be missed — every visit feels like a quick, fun trip to Peru.

Magick Balay, the demonstrator and owner of Don’t Blink Magic Shop, has such incredible energy! He is so keen to show anybody who walks through the door amazing close-up magic.

Italian food! It’s my upbringing, and I love the staff, who can clock that I’m also Italian when I walk in. You can’t underestimate the quality of a classic Italian meal or a stuffed artichoke.

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.

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.

I’ve made VERS Bar a pseudo second home base for this campaign, bringing the community together first for a Summer House Watch Party with my wife, Darya, and Jackie Cox, then for the LGBTQ+ for Bores canvassing launch earlier this month. There’s something special about a space where you can have a serious conversation about what’s at stake in this election and then turn around and cheer at reality TV together.

I am a beer-on-tap drinker. Rudy’s is wallet-friendly, unpretentious and welcoming to everyone. No attitude, no judgement. Easy to strike up a conversation. Rumored to have been a speakeasy. One of New York’s first liquor licenses. And the pig in front is iconic!

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!!

When I walk back from Westerly Health food, I know if my bags are heavy, I can stop in the little open plaza by The Sheffield and take a break. Or have my soup, or make a call. I love the statue, I call her "Nippertiti" (a take off of Nefertiti), except she looks like she's had a nip and tuck, LOL! I adore the greenery and all the wonderful dogs and the openness of the space. I get to connect with nature, people watch, and I’m so grateful for all public spaces in NYC — they ground us.

My favorite place to grab a Guinness and some wings, or my current favorite, their braised-beef brisket tacos (formerly sliders) after a long day or week.