Good morning and Happy Friday! We were out on the streets last night giving out runners up awards to local businesses. We got a great reception and discovered that at 7pm the Q Club on 8th Avenue is a very cozy piano bar. Here’s owner Frankie Sharp with his newcomer award.

Our shortlist of Best Service Providers in the W42ST Best of Awards 2021 (sponsored by Wells Fargo and supported by HYHK Alliance and The Durst Organization) included a real estate broker, a dog walker and a personal organizer — but the competition became Hell’s Kitchen hot when readers voted for how they look and feel. Hair salons and nail spas were fighting it out.

W42ST readers found a clear winner — and like Best Coffee Shop winner Amy’s Bread, they have been in the neighborhood for 30 years. Also, by coincidence, the owner is Sicilian — like the Newcomer winner, Norma!

Congratulations to Maria Lanza and David Ryan Salon for their award. More details here…


As Hell’s Kitchen emerges from the doom and gloom of the pandemic, the streets of the neighborhood are coming alive with holiday light displays created by businesses, homeowners and block associations. Which ones are your favorites? Here’s our selection…


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What we’ve been reading

“Zoning for Accessibility” brings a bigger billionaire’s row skyscraper in exchange for two subway elevators. (Patch)

New York City is building an oyster reef out of discarded shells. (Bloomberg)

The story of a homeless guy keeping his block clean. (amNY)

The Beacon School on W44th Street makes this high school guide. (New York Post)

Kochi adds to its Michelin star with a TimeOut NYC best restaurant award. (TimeOut)


Freeze Frame

While we were down on the streets looking at the lights, Stephen Webber captured this picture last night. “Dusk from the crib,” he said on Instagram.

Keep an eye on the skies at 2pm this afternoon, there is a planned flyover on the Hudson River. In support of the Army Navy game (that’s what all those noisy military helicopters have been about this week), three F-18 jets will fly at approximately 2,500 feet.

Happy birthday to Philippa Lynas.