Hell’s Kitchen Local

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.

This Greek bakery serves the most delicious tiropita: a flaky cheese pie made with ricotta, cream cheese, feta and a touch of mint. One cheese pie with a bowl of olives is my perfect lunch. I love that the business is so old school, they use an honest-to-god cash register. Poseidon has been in its 9th Avenue location since 1950, although the business started in 1923 — a true Hell’s Kitchen institution.

On the other hand, my husband is Italian and has a high standard for Italian food. Norma has it. With a wonderful variety of dishes and pastas, the real hit here is the Neopolitan pizza. My favorite is the Norma, it makes sense that both their Norma pizza and pasta hit hard. Their friendly Italian staff and great outdoor seating make this one of my favorite spots to people-watch, enjoy some great high quality food and relax.

I love this place. In a sea of chain stores in Port Authority, this shop is an oasis of creativity. It’s filled with one-of-a-kind clothes and accessories from local designers. I always pop in to see an ever changing stock of unique pieces. I love that it’s in Port Authority.

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

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.

This Korean Vegan restaurant and cafe is my go-to for yummy vegan breakfast, delectable matcha and cocktails with special ingredients like homemade candied ginger, my favorite. Mi-Young Yu, the owner, is an incredibly inspiring woman and entrepreneur who is also quite funny. She makes you feel like you’re a guest in her home and it’s very comfy, yummy and fun.

I try to visit once a month for live music. The second you walk in, it feels like you’ve stepped into a new scene, a different era, and completely out of the city. It draws a great crowd of all ages hanging out, dancing and enjoying music. Plus, Butch Phelps has been playing there since 2021 and always puts on a great show.

Living near It’s Him, I know it is a great place to catch up with friends over a drink, or for a nightcap after a long day. I recently held a campaign event here, and we filled the place! I’m so grateful to the workers for their incredible help that night, and it was a great place to build excitement for our growing campaign.

Although they are three separate spots for three different vibes, Joe Allen, Orso and Bar Céntrale are under one ownership. Mary and her team always put out the welcome mat! The food, of course, is excellent; whether you’re a Broadway star or just a guy looking for some excellent pasta and my favorite roast chicken in NYC, it’s always a go-to.