BYOB as the First of 4 New Bars and Restaurants Opens in Hell’s Kitchen

If you think you’ve run out of places to eat and drink in Hell’s Kitchen and Hudson Yards, think again — 4 brand-new spots are moving through the Manhattan Community Board 4 liquor licensing approval process and will soon land in the neighborhood. 

First up is Kyuramen, a popular Japanese franchise where “Every Day is Ramen Day”. Kyuramen specializes in handmade noodles and ramen bowls at affordable prices, with favorites like Tokyo Shouyu Ramen (served with, Pork Chashu, Bamboo Shoot, Wakame, Half Marinated Egg, Nori, Corn, Scallion in Pork Broth), Korean Kimchi Ramen (served with, Kimchi, Pork Chashu, Bamboo Shoot, Wakame, Half Marinated Egg, Nori, Corn, Scallion in Pork Broth) and The MEGA Ramen (served with, Pork Chashu, Shrimp, Bamboo Shoot, Wakame, Half Marinated Egg, Nori, Corn, Scallion), available a la carte or as part of a combination platter served with popcorn chicken, pork buns, and matcha pudding. Kyuramen is set to open on Restaurant Row at 315 W46th Street (west of 8th Avenue) in the ground floor of the now-shuttered Vodka Soda / Bottoms Up and will be open each day from 11am to 11pm. Here’s to the perfect pre-theater bowl of ramen before dashing off to Moulin Rouge!

Next is upscale Irish pub O’Toole’s Way in Hudson Yards, brought to you by In Good Company Hospitality (the team behind Parker Quinn, Refinery Rooftop, and nearby Trademark Bar + Kitchen). The two-floor bar and restaurant at 530 W30th Street takes over an empty retail space in Hudson Yards and will feature generous indoor and outdoor seating, including a second-floor enclosed roll-a-cover terrace space. The bar will be open 11am to 4am every day and feature elevated takes on classic pub food from Steak Frites and Pastrami Ruebens to Quinoa and Tavern-style burgers. While the bar won’t be around in time for St Patrick’s Day, if the scene is anything like Refinery Rooftop, we predict that there will be crowds lining up to grab a pint for many spring weekends to come. 

A familiar face on 11th Avenue, American Retro Bar & Grill will be moving to 785 9th Avenue — between W52/53rd Street — when its liquor license is approved. The new location of the well-liked sports bar and restaurant will take the place of previous tenant The Distillery Bar & Grill and will open each day from 11am to 4am for indoor and outdoor dining — and are planning happy hour specials from 11am to 7pm each day! Pull up the bar to catch a game and sample the beer-battered pickles, wings, and one of everything from their signature Tater Tots tasting program — may we suggest the Pulled Pork Tots, Tot-chos (nachos served over tots instead of chips), or Sarah’s Disco Tots (a poutine-style platter named after another Sarah with good taste). 

If you’re getting hungry reading this, we have good news for you — Pozzo Vivo opened last weekend! The newest Italian joint to hit Hell’s Kitchen is at 690 9th Avenue between W47/48th Street and takes over the space from previous neighborhood favorite Thai specialist Room Service (which closed during the pandemic). The Italian restaurant is BYOB for the moment but offers a full menu of Italian favorites like lobster ravioli in vodka sauce, fried zucchini, and brown butter, mushroom, and truffle tortellini. You might recognize some familiar faces from Il Punto down 9th Avenue — Antonino Pecora who founded that restaurant in 2004 is working with chef Donato Deserio on the new eatery.

Pozzo Vivo is currently open for dinner Tuesday through Thursday 4pm to 10pm, Friday and Saturday from 5pm to 11pm, and Sundays from 3pm to 10pm, with plans to open for lunch later on in the month. Pick up a bottle of red, a bottle of whiiiite, whatever kind of mood you’re in tonight… over the road at Ninth Avenue Vintner (669 9th Ave bw W46/47th St) before digging into a tasty bowl of pasta at Pozzo Vivo!

Here’s to four new neighborhood spots — may they live long and prosper in the HK food empire!