Welcome to the weekend. Here’s our review of what’s been happening this week in Hell’s Kitchen.
Earlier in the week, I said to a friend that the bombardment of opening times and mask rulings felt like I was being told that “it’s ok not to wear a seat belt in the driver’s seat anymore”. The conditioning to mask wearing has become deep-set.
On Thursday, the CDC said that the vaccinated can end their mask wearing. We asked yesterday whether you were ready to show your smile again. Thanks for your responses. Also, the percentage of readers vaccinated more than confirms the report in the New York Times that “while only 30 percent of Black adults and 37 percent of Latino adults in New York have received at least one dose — in some areas of the Upper West Side and Hell’s Kitchen, the total is over 75 percent.” Has Hell’s Kitchen hit herd immunity?
World-famous food festival Smorgasburg is now just a hop over the Hudson River. It is reopening May 29, launching its first-ever New Jersey location at Harborside on the waterfront in Jersey City! More here…
Congratulations to Hell’s Kitchen resident Anna Pakman and her film Social Fitness. They won the 2021 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge. The film was produced to help raise awareness for greater representation of disability in media. Check it out…
We don’t think we’ve seen Hell’s Kitchen looking more stunning! Thanks to Gary Hershorn for this sunset portrait of our home.
We took a trip to check out The Green at Lincoln Center. The hard paving stone plaza around the Revson Fountain has been transformed into a welcoming outdoor space. Check out the dog-friendly lawn…
How many of you would describe yourself as kind? It’s not the first adjective that comes to mind for most when thinking of a typical New Yorker, and in a survey conducted last month, only 1% of 1,021 New Yorkers who responded said they would describe themselves as being kind. And yet, new data released by fundraising giant GoFundMe shows that the pandemic has brought out a “New York state of kind.” From January 2020 to March 2021, New Yorkers raised over $150 million on the platform, with donations made roughly every 30 seconds. Read about how kind Hell’s Kitchen has been…
More open space is coming to the west side… They are working into the night to get Pier 76 ready for Governor Cuomo’s deadline of June 1 to open as a public park. Cycling along Hudson River Park, there are plenty more night moves going on with construction at Gansevoort Pier for the new beach and the finishing touches being added to Little Island ready for opening. Cuomo took a visit to Pier 76 this week to check on progress after opening the Javits Convention Center extension across the road.
Back in December, a humpback whale was spotted playing in the Hudson River at Pier 84. This week, Jim Lahey from Sullivan Street Bakery videoed a seal swimming off the same pier. Check out this and other Hudson wildlife…
We asked W42ST readers where their favorite empanadas were in the neighborhood, and while some places were obvious, other hidden gems in Hell’s Kitchen completely surprised us. Here is our list and all the reasons why these places are the best.
Soon you’ll be able to experience Hell’s Kitchen from soaring heights — via One Vanderbilt’s immersive observatory, Summit One Vanderbilt, which will include two fully transparent glass boxes that jut out from the building and overlook W42nd Street for a dizzying but spectacular view. Details here…
Our pandemic bubble buddies, Paul and Alex, are gluten-free. It’s been a challenge to find places that will accommodate their needs. While we are getting into the habit of making “Best of Hell’s Kitchen” lists, can you give us your recommendations for local GF dishes and places? Tell us here — and you’ll also be entered into a sweepstake for a $50 Fresh from Hell gift card.
Setting up a new business from her Hell’s Kitchen apartment in the middle of a pandemic definitely sent textile and wallpaper designer Alexis Audette on a mazy path. Here’s her West Side Story.
The future of two Hell’s Kitchen restaurants — Casa Del Toro and Le Privé — is in doubt after their owner Sanjay Laforest was arrested. The restaurateur was indicted along with his parents and sister and charged with embezzling $17 million from Atlas Acon Electric, a NYC electric contractor where his mother, Sabitri Laforest, worked as a controller. The restaurants were closed on Wednesday, but reopened for service again on Thursday evening. Read our report…
What we’ve been reading
Struggling to find workers? It’s complicated… (The City)
Don’t throw away your shot if you’re a member of the Hamilton cast or crew. (Eyewitness News)
How is FiDi returning to business? (Bloomberg)
Busy rehearsal studios offer a sign of hope. (CBS)
It’s really starting to come together at the new Irish Arts Center! (IAC)
Freeze Frame
Thanks to Richard Rothstein for this wonderful photo of sunrise over Hell’s Kitchen. His title for the image — “I sing the morning electric…”
Have a great weekend. See you Monday…