Hell’s Kitchen Local

Live jazz and a great atmosphere.

I absolutely love MNN. It is publicly funded TV and podcast studio that allows anyone who wishes to, to start their podcast or talk show. I have used their facility for over two years now and this is where I produce my talk show Carte Blanche, where I invite guests for unscripted conversations about New York City. At MNN, the commitment to freedom of speech takes a physical incarnation. It is remarkable that the city makes such a robust financial commitment to the freedom of expression.

As a rescue dog mom, any dog run is my happy place but I particularly like the one at DWC. I bring my dog Bailey here and in his younger years he could run for hours. Now 14, he just enjoys the canine company. It’s one of those places where you always end up chatting with neighbors and dog people are the best people. In a neighborhood like ours, I value having a space like this to just be outside and unplug.

I always go to VIV when I’m in the mood for Thai food. The vibe here is just so great!

I’ve been going to Glass House Tavern for YEARS. It’s my go-to spot for a post-show drink or snack and I’ll always find a friend here. It’s like my own personal Cheers. Even with the change of management over the years I’ve always felt at home here.

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!

Hell’s Kitchen Park is a real neighborhood park, made even more so by the local volunteers who help maintain the plantings, and those who promoted the new mural on the east building facing the park. This is exactly the kind of public space this City needs more of. It became one of my favorite places and a core memory from this campaign: standing in that park surrounded by the labor leaders and rank-and-file members from the unions backing this race, looking out at a crowd of working New Yorkers who built this city and still fight to make it work for everyone. That’s the coalition I’m running with, that’s the neighborhood I’m running for, and Hell’s Kitchen Park is where it all came together.

I’ve been coming here since I worked at Waachtell.

Our favorite restaurant is this delicious Mexican spot that opened in 2001. You’re not going to get better Mexican food in Hell’s Kitchen, thanks to the owners Jesús and Irma Verdejo, who are two of the hardest working people in the neighborhood. They always welcome us warmly when we eat there for hearty cheese enchiladas and vegetarian nachos or take home a fat torta with queso blanco. If there’s one Hell’s Kitchen restaurant I recommend, it’s this one.

I love bringing relatives here for breakfast when they are in town, or stopping by with my co-workers for brunch after an early morning matinee. Great pancakes!