Hell’s Kitchen Local

I LOVE THIS STORE. They have so many cute trinkets. You can always find a cute little gift here or a fun card. This store is so cute and the staff is always so nice.

I have such a sweet tooth and love to stop by to check out their rotating menu of cookies and other desserts.

Grind is a relatively new (at least for my long HK history) addition to Hell’s Kitchen. The coffee is very good and they have a nice selection of breakfast and lunch options. If you sit in the window, it makes for excellent people watching.

Poseidon Greek Bakery has been doing the job of providing Hell's Kitchen with sweetness for the past 100 years. My favorite is the koulourakia, a delicious brittle and crispy cookie sprinkled with sesame seeds. I love indulging with a cup of strong espresso.

Rudy’s is such a classic. It’s one of those places people from all around the world somehow end up at because of the famous promos and the fun atmosphere. Having it here is such a gem. I’ve gone there so many times with friends — it’s always a great, easy spot to grab a drink, laugh, and just enjoy the night.

Hells Kitchen Pilates makes me happy because it’s more than just a place to train — it’s where I’m building a new pilates community. I’m meeting friends who are also my neighbors, and I’ve found the perfect space to focus on my body and practice what I love. I actually discovered it by chance one day while walking through the neighborhood. I decided to take a different street than usual and saw Nadya, one of the owners, with her beautiful dog Lucky, cleaning a new space that said “Pilates.” I asked her about it and told her I would love to work there — and now I get to be part of this amazing community every day.

This was my home for 10 years while dancing with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in the early 2000s and again for the past six years as I’ve been teaching at Ailey Extension. I love teaching Pilates Fusion on Sundays at 11am. My students are of all ages and levels but are all so open and receptive to my unique style which combines Pilates, dance, yoga, mobility, stability, muscle activation and breath work. I have people in-studio and from all over the world online as well. Then I get to teach dance classes to the kids and teens. I love getting to help shape young dancers and share what I’ve learned throughout my journey as a performing artist.

Red Eye has it all. It’s a coffee shop, it’s a cabaret space, it’s an event venue, it’s a club. I love seeing Marti Gould Cummings’ Stage Fright show, Justin Carter-Van Pelt’s Horror Movie Night: Movie Mausoleum, their underwear nights and drag events. Check out all their events, there is something for everyone!

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.

The Vanilla Gorilla Cafe is my go-to coffee shop for meeting up with friends. It’s spacious and bright with great beverages and bakery treats. My current favorite is the Hot Cinnamon Spice Tea.