Hell’s Kitchen Local

I go here when I crave a home-made empanada and an amazing chai. It’s a cute place and the women working there make it a well-oiled machine. It’s also so nice to sit outside under their umbrellas.

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

Rice and Beans makes me happy because it makes me feel at home in Brazil. I remember when Rice and Beans was still on 9th Ave, and I'm glad they're still going and serving delicious caipirinhas and other Brazilian dishes. Also, try their brigadeiros! They're amazing.

My favorite neighborhood deli. It’s convenient, familiar and one of those places that becomes part of your everyday routine.

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.

Rain or shine, late night or early morning, this food truck has been a reliable affordable food option. With incredibly friendly habibis (Issam and Sa’id) and the three brothers (Saleh, Mo and Abdul) whose family have run business for generations, they serve what I think is some of the best halal food in NYC.

Delicious Pakistani cuisine that eases the ache of missing my mother’s cooking in Virginia. Their seekh kebabs and fresh, piping-hot naan from the tandoor oven are like a small homecoming that satisfy the need until I can make it back down to my family in Virginia.

A great, easy neighborhood spot for burgers, hot dogs and fries. The staff is always friendly, and having board games at the tables while you wait makes it a fun place to hang out.

The recently re-imagined restaurant atop the Marriott Marquis is an elevated (pardon the pun) updated version of the original. The food is excellent and the relaxed atmosphere makes Times Square seem quaint 48 floors below.

Christopher Harrison invented aerial yoga. He is an artist and athlete and a resident of Manhattan Plaza. His technique is both soothing and exhilarating. Who doesn't want to learn how to fly?