Is there anything surprisingly good in Hell's Kitchen?

[edward_g_robincat]

I've lived in the northeast end of Hell's Kitchen (close to Columbus Circle really) for a year and a half and the only place west of me that I've genuinely enjoyed is Shimizu. The expensive restaurants are usually pretty good, but it seems like all the "normal-price" (affordable or even a little splurgy) or cheap joints are completely forgettable. The one exception IMO is Gazala's Place, which seems like it was a good find.

I'm not looking for anything in particular, just food that is much better than the prices would suggest. Lunch, dinner, whatever. I guess this is an open forum. My feeling is that the food in Hell's Kitchen, especially 9th Avenue, for the most part, kind of sucks. I haven't tried everything but I've just about given up looking for a place that turns out to be surprisingly good. I'm not totally cheap but every now and then I'm satisfied to eat at Rudy's. Anyway, I get the sense that I'm missing something and it will be a revelation: i.e. both my stomach and wallet are optimistic.

Let me add that I used to live on Northern Blvd in Jackson Heights, where everything was always surprisingly good.

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Shimizu
318 W 51st St, New York, NY 10019

[asiansupper]

afghan kebab house is pretty tasty

[sgordon]

I'll second Tehuitzingo, begrudgingly, as many of us who like it try to keep it a secret.

For more upscale Mexican, Toloache is solid.

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Tehuitzingo
695 10th Ave, New York, NY 10036

Toloache
251 West 50th Street, New York, NY 10019

[edward_g_robincat]

Thanks for the responses. I have only been to a couple of the places mentioned so I'll have to give the other ones a shot before I close the book on eating in my 'hood!

[orthorunner]

I beg to differ with ExFlexitarian. There are certainly some good finds for the price, some of which are mentioned below. Second Azuri Cafe, Kyotofu, and Casellula. Sullivan Street Bakery and Amy's Bread are excellent spots both for their bread as well as other options (pizza at the former, desserts es cake at the latter) Newer spots that I haven't had the time to try out myself but which have gotten some good reviews include Totto Ramen, Press/Print in the Ink 48 hotel, and Zigloini's pizza. What else have you tried that you haven't been as impressed by?

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Casellula
401 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019

Sullivan Street Bakery
533 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036

Azuri Cafe
465 W 51st St, New York, NY 10019

Amy's Bread
250 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014

Kyotofu
144 W 18th St, New York, NY 10011

Totto Ramen
366 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019

[edible n]

I think that Five Napkin is one definitely a great spot to go. I think they have a great selection of beers and burgers. I would say I'm there about once a month or once every 6 weeks and haven't had a disappointing experience yet. I also like Hell's Kitchen. Great tortilla chips and a lot of good dinner options. On the cheaper end, not sure how Pam Real Thai hasn't been mentioned. I've eaten a lot of Thai food in Manhattan and think it's the best of all of them, granted I think you can get better Thai in Queen's.

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Pam Real Thai
404 W 49th St, New York, NY 10019

[daffyduck]

i've never eaten in that area much but i like kyotofu, little pie company, and i liked the salmon ceviche and ice cream at agua dulce. there's also xie xie which I haven't tried. i heard the viet beef sandwich and 1000 yr egg sandwich is good.

[joelguilbert]

There definitely are good finds: A couple further west: The tacos at Tehuitzingo on 10th btw 47+48. BBQ at Daisy Mays, 46th + 11th, Bello on 9th+56th, falafel at Azuri, near 10th on 51st, Thai at Olieng on 10th btw 45+46 , Ethiopian at Meskerem on 47th btw 9+10th.

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Tehuitzingo
695 10th Ave, New York, NY 10036

Azuri Cafe
465 W 51st St, New York, NY 10019

Meskerem
468 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036

Olieng
644 10th Ave, New York, NY 10036

[ExFlexitarian]

Casellula the lone bright spot in that area. Riposo 46 is OK for their flatbreads, but i'm usually drunk at that point, so anything tastes good.

I agree, HK is a terrible food neighborhood - i'm moving back to the East Village as soon as my lease is up.

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Casellula
401 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019

Riposo 46
667 9th Ave, New York, NY 10036

[newbiechick]

i like riposo 46!
dafni for greek isn't so bad, either.