![\"Erik](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NYC-Hospitality-Erik-Gale-SM.jpg\")
Hell\u2019s Kitchen councilmembers Erik Bottcher and Gale Brewer were included in the NYC Hospitality Alliance\u2019s second annual District Dining Guide. Photos: Phil O\u2019Brien<\/p>\nWhen asked about their favorite local restaurants, Manhattan\u2019s councilmembers served up a buffet of neighborhood flavor \u2014 but Hell\u2019s Kitchen readers may do a double-take at one pick on the plate.<\/p>\n
Hell\u2019s Kitchen councilmembers Erik Bottcher and Gale Brewer were included in the NYC Hospitality Alliance\u2019s second annual District Dining Guide. Photos: Phil O\u2019Brien<\/p>\n
In the NYC Hospitality Alliance\u2019s second annual District Dining Guide<\/a>, Councilmember Gale Brewer, who represents the Upper West Side and the northern section of Hell\u2019s Kitchen above W55th Street, selected Manny\u2019s Bistro<\/a>, a French spot known for its warm neighborhood atmosphere and the owner\u2019s occasional turn as singer. Her go-to order? Mussels and salad \u2014 a classic. \u201cThere is never, never a brown leaf,\u201d Brewer told NY1<\/a>. \u201cEverything has to be super fresh. That\u2019s what makes Manny\u2019s so good \u2014 and the neighborhood keeps coming back.\u201d<\/p>\n When it comes to dining out in Hell\u2019s Kitchen, Brewer recommends Kashkaval Garden<\/a>, where she enjoys the atmosphere, cheese fondue and the local clientele. Brewer notes she helped the owners navigate the city bureaucracy to solve a problem once and they were very appreciative.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, further downtown, Councilmember Erik Bottcher \u2014 whose District 3 covers the heart of Hell\u2019s Kitchen \u2014 left some locals scratching their heads with his choice: Carmine\u2019s<\/a>. Yes, that Carmine\u2019s \u2014 the cavernous, Times Square Italian restaurant with locations from Las Vegas to DC to Atlantic City, best known for feeding crowds family-style and packing in tourists pre-theater.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen my family visits from the Adirondacks, we almost always go to Carmine\u2019s,\u201d Bottcher said. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing quite like good Italian food served family-style.\u201d His go-to order? Baked clams.<\/p>\n Last year, Bottcher\u2019s pick was Cafeteria<\/a> in Chelsea \u2014 a stylish, 24-hour haunt more closely tied to his home turf and neighborhood nightlife. This year\u2019s jump to one of Midtown\u2019s most tourist-trafficked eateries is, if nothing else, a bold choice.<\/p>\n W42ST checked in with CM Bottcher for his Hell\u2019s Kitchen favorites\u2026<\/p>\n Arriba Arriba<\/a> \u2013 This is a local classic when you feel like just letting your hair down and not taking yourself too seriously (with a fishbowl margarita).<\/p>\n West Bank Caf\u00e9<\/a> \u2013 Tom and Michael D\u2019Angora have continued the legacy of Steve Olsen and supercharged it (you never know which Broadway star you\u2019ll be sitting across from).<\/p>\n Hudson VU Rooftop<\/a> \u2013 If you haven\u2019t been to this rooftop restaurant atop the Ink 48 Hotel, definitely check it out for the best views of Hell\u2019s Kitchen.<\/p>\n \u2019ritas<\/a> \u2013 Across the street from Arriba Arriba and a notch higher brow \u2014 a great place to sit outside and watch Hell\u2019s Kitchen go by.<\/p>\n Turco Mediterranean Grill<\/a> \u2013 Try the chicken soup that comes with their homemade bread!<\/p>\n Across the five boroughs, however, councilmembers largely stuck to local charm. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams picked Compass Caf\u00e9<\/a> in Jamaica, Queens for its lattes and crepes. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso gave props to Kashkar Caf\u00e9<\/a>, a rare Uyghur restaurant. Bronx Councilmember Oswald Feliz stayed true to Arthur Avenue with Roberto\u2019s<\/a> chicken parm, and Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine leaned Dominican with mofongo at Malecon<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Kashkaval](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/kashkaval-garden-2.jpg\")
Brewer recommends Kashkaval Garden<\/a>, where she enjoys the atmosphere, cheese fondue and the local clientele. Photo supplied.<\/p>\n![\"Carmine's\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Carmines_4466.jpg\")
Carmine\u2019s in Times Square is best known for feeding crowds family-style and packing in tourists pre-theater. Photo: Phil O\u2019Brien<\/p>\n