Hell’s Kitchen Local

Homemade Taqueria has been my lunch go-to for the past five Saturdays in a row. Sometimes twice a day. The food is amazing — taco al pastor and aqua fresca watermelon. The background music is hip. The staff are super sweet. And the vibe is both modern and old school. I am already a regular — and plan to continue!

This is a truly unique arts space created by ChaShaMa and its founder, Anita Durst. They provide artists with opportunities throughout the city by partnering with property owners who have vacant storefronts and unused spaces. Instead of letting those spaces sit empty, they give them new life by offering artists and small businesses a chance to transform them into galleries, studios, and creative spaces of their own. It’s a brilliant idea that supports both artists and neighborhoods.

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.

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.

I always recommend this restaurant to friends and family before a show. It’s a fabulous restaurant, with a great staff and a super nice owner. They often keep the kitchen open late for Natalie and me, so it’s our go-to spot.

I don't go to fancy hair places but Robert at Barber Shop NYC on the corner of 50th and 8th is my go-to. He offers me a punch card punch every time for a free haircut, and I always decline, because who carries extra cards around these days? I think after all these years I have about 20 free haircuts worth of credit.

If you’re lucky enough to catch a show here, you’re guaranteed a great time. The 52nd Street Project does so much for children and our community. The mentorship they provide—connecting kids with professional theater artists and helping them develop their creative voices—is truly remarkable. I would absolutely recommend seeing a performance there.

Anybody who knows me knows I love sushi. I love cooking it, but it’s not something I’ve really tried mastering because I love going out for it so much more. Natalie and I are big fans of Fushimi for its great ambience and interior design. The quality of the food easily rivals Nobu (although we still go here), and at a far better price point! You’ll often find us here after a matinee performance.