october 2O17 wanna grab a pizza? got one already, babe
ALADDIN’S HELL’S KITCHEN HOTSPOTS, WHERE COMIC CON HEROES HANG OPEN UP GETWHENA LOADTHEY’REOFHUNGRY, A WORD GAME, FOLD-OUT MAP, AND THE BEST PIZZA IN THE HOOD
Nicole Arrington’s
DAYLIST
6:00 AM
RIVER PLACE TENNIS CLUB
W42nd St - 11th/12th Ave
I hit a few balls while taking in the view of the Hudson River. Josh, former professional tennis player on ATP tour, organizes super fun games for singles or doubles play.
11:30 AM
ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHURCH
W31st St - 6th/7th Ave
This is a quiet place to contemplate, find solitude or listen to morning choir singers.
12:00 pM
RIPLEY GRIER STUDIOS
8th Ave - 36th/37th St
I’m indebted to Dennis Blischak and Steve Roath who have made this my home away from home. I love the great acoustics, celebrity sightings from Broadway to Beyonce, and a vending machine that takes credit cards!
6:00 pM
PIER 81 W41st St - 12th Ave
I scout out potential backdrops to photograph my balloon sculptures. Favorite spots are bridge graffiti at Hudson Yards, and here, where the ocean bouys hang on the wall at North River Lobster Company.
8:30 pM
CHIMICHURRI GRILL
Early riser and productivity junkie, NICOLE is a Billboard Top 40 singer songwriter and – yes – balloon artist. She’s currently appearing OffBroadway in Sistas at St Luke’s Theater (balloonsbynickynicole.com)
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For good food and sexy desserts, this place has interesting stories behind the wall decor and a warm, fun vibe for sparking easy conversation with strangers or making awkward first dates less awkward.
IMAGE: PHIL O‘BRIEN
9th Ave - 43rd/44th St
comicalist
Destinations suitable for a Comic Con hero? KTCHLST to the rescue …
1
Game of Thrones
Vynl, 9th Ave - 51st St
In this music-themed bar/diner you’ll find some of the most splendid bathrooms in the city. Choose from the Michael Jackson or Queen Bey restroom, complete with themed decor AND music. 2
Harry Potter
Mud Matters, 10th Ave - 46th St
Once he realizes the world of wizarding is too damned dangerous, perhaps the boy who lived will turn to the more sedate craft of pottery. This studio offers classes for adults and children, including hand-
building and learning how to work the wheel. 3
Star Trek
Intrepid, Pier 86, W46th St - 12th Ave
Family astronomy nights let you chase the stars from the deck of the aircraft carrier-turned-museum. The next event is October 20, with a special appearance from NASA’s Noah Petro talking about Apollo 17’s exploration of the moon. 4
The Incredible Hulk
Green Rancho, 9th Ave - 50th St
If we have to explain the connection, you’re clearly not concentrating. It’s been renamed Rancho Tequileria but
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it’s the same owners and the same friendly staff. Order the guac (because: GREEN) and a margarita. On the rocks. 5
Winnie the Pooh
The Stinger, W44th St - 8th/9th Ave
So called because of the bee hives on the roof, The Stinger incorporates its own honey into the cocktails here. We’re not really sure if Winnie or any of his friends are of drinking age, but we reckon he might go for the Honey Rum Punch: 8-year aged Bacardi, homemade black tea, demerara syrup, fresh squeezed lime juice, rooftop honey, and peychaud bitters.
SPONSORED BY
Gulliver’s Gate
GULLIVER’S Wordlist
WORD SEARCH: WWW.PUZZLER.COM
Gulliver’s Gate is a miniature world in the heart of Times Square ... with some surprises up its sleeve. Can you find the words listed below in the grid? They can read backwards, forwards, up, down, or diagonally.
AURORA BOREALIS BUNGEE JUMP CAT PAW PRINTS CROSSROADS DANCING BEARS DON QUIXOTE FIREFIGHTERS GRAFFITI ARTIST
GREEN MONSTER ICE SCULPTURE IMAGINATION LAND OF LARGE PARKOUR PERSPECTIVE POKEMON SAFE CRACKER
SNOWMEN TANGO DANCERS THE BEATLES TIGHTROPE WALKER TIMES SQUARE TOM BRADY WALDO ZEUS
A huge, interactive world of miniatures on W44th St - 7th/8th Ave gulliversgate.com
Ziggy’s eatlist
You want a classic New York slice? We give you the five best in the neighborhood. Cowabunga!
Z
Merilu
Z
9th Ave - 52nd/53rd St Out of all the staples on 9th, I’m often found stapled to the home of this lovely thin square. Until they call the cops.
Corner Slice
11th Ave - 44th/45th St The newest member of the Gotham West Market family. Call it Detroit style, Grandma, whatever. I just call it delicious. A delicious grandma.
Z
Don Antonio
Z
W50th St - 8th/9th Ave When I crave the classic Neapolitan (every other hour, give or take), I head to the master.
Z
Capizzi
9th Ave - 40th/41st St The pizza and that thick pepperoni are most exceptional. The pizza parlor look and feel take you to another place and time: Staten Island circa 2015.
Sacco
9th Ave - 54th/55th St Perhaps the most underappreciated classic New York slice in town. It’s the Donald Trump of NYC Pizza. Yes, I went there!
About Ziggy
Father of two, husband to one, Ziggy has been exploring NYC’s food scene for the past 30 years. Author of the Hell’s Kitchen Survival Guide, he also blogs at www.EatingWithZiggy.com. When he’s not driving his kids around, he leads tourists and locals on food tours in Hell’s Kitchen, Brooklyn, and other neighborhoods. www.eatingwithziggytours.com
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Telly Leung’s
Playlist
SPOONFED W51st - 8th/9th Ave This new restaurant is owned by Randy Witherspoon. He was my dresser on my first Broadway show, Flower Drum Song, but he’s also an amazing chef. He’s been catering and feeding the Broadway community for years with his delicious soul food, and he recently made his dreams come true by opening a restaurant. It’s in the old Vlada space on 51st St. It’s delicious. Go! Go! Go! The mac & cheese is amazing, and the ribs are to die for. ARRIBA ARRIBA 9th Ave - 51st St
This place is so special to us. The margaritas are killer, and our favorite dish is the chicken and spinach. Simple. Healthy. Delish. VYNL 9th Ave - 51st St We love this place. It’s your classic NYC diner with a fun musical twist. The food is always good, and the menu is eclectic. B SQUARED PIZZA 9th Ave - 46th/47th St
This has become a regular joint for us. We love their wine selection, their Moscow mules, and their interesting take on pizza. There’s also a roasted avocado appetizer on the menu that we always get that is delicious. OBAO 9th Ave - 45th/46th St They have a great happy hour, and the appetizers are awesome. You’ll often find me and Jimmy sitting at the bar with a glass of wine and some spring rolls and pork belly.
TELLY LEUNG is the lead
in Aladdin on Broadway. He lives in Hell’s Kitchen with his husband Jimmy (aladdinthemusical.com)
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OPEN
THIS MONTH
A big Hell’s Kitchen welcome to these new neighborhood businesses
$
SoHo Park
8th Ave - 50th/51st St Three floors in a chic space – exposed brick, wooden floor – serving up burgers. And check out their happy hour.
$
The Coffee Pot
W51st St - 9th/10th Ave No prizes for guessing this is a new coffee place, with pastries, bagels, sandwiches, and juices.
$
Playa Bowls
Mercedes Club, W54th St 10th/11th Ave Sushi, poke bowls, salad bowls, coconut bowls, acai bowls, oatmeal bowls … you get the message? It’s healthy food. In bowls.
$
Mom’s Kitchen and Bar
9th Ave - 48th St This newcomer (they’re already well
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established in Astoria) is in the old Jolly Monk space, offering brunch, salads, shakes, and burgers.
$
Craven
W40th St - 8th/9th Ave The man behind Chinese Tuxedo brings a “comfort food menu” to Hell’s Kitchen, featuring cravables, shareables, and unforgettables. Key items include buffalo cauliflower and chicken fried tofu.