Good morning and happy Saturday. It’s definitely a sleep-in kind of morning if you can swing it. Expect on-and-off rain through about 10am before the sun makes a slow return this afternoon. We’ll top out around 52 degrees — though the wind is staging a comeback. Have a great weekend!
Dust off those platform boots — 11th Avenue could soon be dancing again. W42ST has learned that the dormant block at 613–623 11th Avenue is slated for the second ABBA Voyage venue, the wildly popular London “ABBAtar” experience that’s pulled in over two million visitors. Read more…
Here’s the rest of the news from around Hell’s Kitchen this week…
In an extraordinary moment for one of Hell’s Kitchen’s most storied blocks, four adjacent buildings — including the Sideris family corner, the Ritz Bar & Lounge building, the walkup occupied on the ground floor by Jasmine’s and the former Sushi Seki space — are for sale at the same time. Read more…
Software engineer Chad Lei left the tech industry to start a Vietnamese coffee service that is “part event, part brand experience, and all about connection,” with his girlfriend Thao Nguyen — and First Phin First was born, right here in the neighborhood. This is Chad’s West Side Story…
A three-week rat extermination “blitz” in Hell’s Kitchen Park by the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation has proved successful, according to a senior official. Read more…
Hudson Yards officially flipped the switch on its holiday season Monday night — but this year came with a first: the Vessel got its own dedicated lighting ceremony. Read more…
Less than a month after announcing an emotional November 26 closing date W42ST got the exclusive that the corner mainstay 44&X will, in fact, remain open — with the lights on, the kitchen hot and the regulars relieved. Read more…
Haven’t planned a Thanksgiving menu? Fear not! We’ve updated our annual guide to restaurants in Hell’s Kitchen, offering up tasty prix fixe fare — no cooking required! Read more…
Looking for a freshly-baked pie for Thanksgiving? You’re in luck – Petee’s Pie Company, the New York City landmark that left Hell’s Kitchen when Gotham West Market closed last December, is back. Read more…
An apartment fire at the Clinton Manor complex on W51st Street in Hell’s Kitchen drew a major FDNY response late Wednesday night, sending thick smoke into the cold November sky and residents into the street as firefighters rushed to contain the flames. Read more…
Check out Lifestyle Editor Sarah Beling’s events guide in her “Make Way For The Weekend” newsletter. Read more…
This week at a Manhattan Community Board 4 committee meeting, a very New York story played out. Two seasoned Hell’s Kitchen restaurateurs arrived with a dream — and left watching it slip away. Read more…
New York City’s Curbside Composting program hit a record high last week, bringing in 6 million pounds (3,000 tons) of food scraps and yard waste from residents. Read more…
What We’ve Been Reading
* Stories that might be behind a paywall are marked with a 💰
Copper theft in the Bronx is being blamed by the MTA for subway delays. (Gothamist)
Protestors interrupted the Met Opera’s performance of Carmen last night. (New York Times 💰)
New York LLCs will have to declare their ownership starting January 1 next year. (JDSUPRA)
If you are short on gift ideas for the holidays — here’s a cool list of small NYC stores. (6sqft)
The JPMorgan Union Jack was in fact for a celebration of King Charles III’s birthday. (Wall Street Journal)
Freeze Frame
Hell’s Kitchen is having a celebrity streak this week! Meryl Streep, Martin Short and Victor Garber popped into West Bank Café, where they grabbed a photo with co-owner Tom D’Angora and gave staff and diners a surprise cameo. Tom summed it up perfectly in his Facebook post: “I love owning a restaurant!”
Happy birthday today to Gary Su — and tomorrow to Jeniko Solo and Charles McCarry. Want to add someone to the W42ST birthday shoutout list? Hit reply or fill out this form
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