W42ST Daily 3/23/2020 - Time goes fast 🚀 and then slow 🐢

Time is a strange thing. Just 10 days ago seeing a story saying that what was happening in Italy was ahead of us by 11.5 days. We started to make plans – with a feeling of incredulity. Within 24 hours we’d launched this daily newsletter – today is Day 10.

Last night at 8pm, my phone buzzed with a couple of alerts telling me that I was (we were) “mandated to stay home”. Time has moved very, very fast – and I suspect for many of us in the coming weeks (and likely months) it will take another turn. Time will move very, very slowly.

Last week, I said goodbye to my son, Joe, for a while. He headed back to the UK early. On Saturday, my friend Paul chummed me for part of my Hell’s Kitchen bike ride. We’ll have to make do with virtual happy hours for now. I shared the last Guinness from the pipes at Lansdowne Road with my buddy, Pat. We parted at 9th and 45th – I don’t know when we will see each other face to face for a while.

I’m over in Woodside, Queens, for the lockdown. Ruth will be in Hell’s Kitchen, and Sandra (our social media editor) is in Blackpool, UK. Together, we will produce our new daily services. There’s always been a virtual element about W42ST. We’ve got this. We will make sure we keep you updated and upbeat…. We’re in this together, keep us updated too 🙂

Continuing on my Saturday journey through Hell’s Kitchen. Below are some of the businesses that I found open. They are all heroes.

First up for those with a sweet tooth. I found Huascar & Carlos at Huascar & Co.

After there I found Eleaonora at Il Baretto on 11th Avenue. They still have their gelato as well as pizza and coffee. I popped by and met with Matthew at Donna Bell’s Bake Shop underneath World Wide Plaza. He said they “would continue to stay open until they drag us out of here!”. As mentioned yesterday, Schmackary’s is planning on being open 10-10 every day. Amy’s Bread is OPEN – I just messed up my video with Joshua! Maybe I can get Amy to record a message for a future newsletter!?

There’s a great selection of coffee shops still up and running. When I called in on Saturday, one of my favorite coffee shop owners was not around. We will be featuring Murat from The Jolly Goat in a future issue (he’s open 8am-3pm daily, with a little help from Burak). This is a picture from our recent photo shoot (those eyes!)

You can also head to see Brandon and Mary at Bird & Branch. They are just opening mornings until noon during the week and 1pm at weekends at Rex Coffee. Mark at Kahve tells us that both locations are open from 8am-6pm. UT47 is open from 8:30am to 8pm every day – it has a wide selection of foods in addition to coffee. I arrived at Romeo and Juliet on W42nd St just as they were closing for the day – but they are open too.

I was pleased to see that Gotham West Market is still open – and the majority of the food vendors are offering delivery and pick up. Here’s Andrew from Dell’Animo with its opening hours.

Nick at local pizza favorite, Corner Slice, was there. Karof gave us a laugh at Ivan Ramen. I know it’s about time that I sample the newest addition to GWM – Don Wagyu & Sushi on Jones. Ben was on hand to tell us when it is going to be open.

And talking of new additions, Kings of Kobe is open on W42nd St – 11/12th Ave. Worth giving its burgers and dogs a try on your way back from a run or dog walk on the Hudson River. Etai gave us the low down – I messed up the video again … but he’s open 1-8:30pm (go support the new kid on the W42ST block).

There is such a variety of food still to chose from around Hell’s Kitchen. Check out what Jacqueline has on offer at Poulette (chicken and sides). There’s Brazilian food at Rice ‘n’ Beans from 12 to 8pm every day. You can grab Italian dishes and pizza from Antonio at La Vela.

I know, I know… you’d like a drink with that. Well, there’s obviously champagne and fun on offer at The Back Pocket Bar with Suzy and Pip. I was spotted leaving the bar in daylight (and sober). That doesn’t happen often (had a bike to ride!).

Mandy at Ardesia is now offering wine, cheese and small bites. Over at Ninth Avenue Vintners you can pick up beer, cheeses and amazing looking roast beef from Hector. You can get the usual fabulous wine selections from Jeremy at Veritas Studio Wines on 45th St.

Finally, if you need something from the hardware store, a trip to American Home Hardware is to be recommended. And if you’ve not met Felix, you are in for a treat. His was the only video that I had to edit… if you know him, or meet him after this, you will know why. One of Hell’s Kitchen’s characters.

We will be publishing videos from those who have had to close their stores in the next few newsletters, along with updates on other businesses. Here’s a message from Steve Olsen at West Bank Cafe. He closed up on Saturday – but it hoping to be back this week after re-ordering food. He’s been 42 years on W42nd St. He’s a survivor!

Keep reading – and please tell your friends to subscribe to our daily newsletter to keep updated and upbeat in Hell’s Kitchen.

So many have lost their livelihood at the moment. We’ve brought together a list of local service staff with their Venmo details. If you are coming through this crisis with an income and the ability to make small gestures of support, please do send a tip with love from you and W42ST.

If you are Hell’s Kitchen service worker and would like to be added to this list. Please go to this form and add your details. We will refresh the list daily.

It’s Ruth sending you the newsletter tomorrow, so expect fun and gifs galore. Keep safe and keep smiling. We’ve got this….