COMMUNITY
My Hell’s Kitchen Ninth Avenue advocate Maribel Liberti shares her neighborhood faves Maribel Liberti is director of the acclaimed Ninth Avenue Association. It was founded in the winter of 1973 to bring attention to the restaurants and merchants along Ninth Avenue. The food festival that the group started is now the oldest and largest continuous food festival in New York City. Tell us about Ninth Avenue Association: who’s in it and what are its aims? At the Association we work to bring attention to the neighborhood merchants, we welcome the new merchants and support several local and national food-related charities. The members are as diverse as the neighborhood – they include founding member Lillian Fable of Poseidon Bakery, Jacqui and Chris of Flaming Saddles, David the Fruit Whisperer from Fruit Stand 43, Josh at Southern Hospitality, Richie Friendly from Mickey Spillane’s, Sean Patrick from Tagg, Mr Sam from The Amish Farmers’ Market, John at Anejo, and Carmela and Mitchel London over at Burgers and Cupcakes. What is your personal experience of Hell’s Kitchen? I began in Hell’s Kitchen, as a vendor at the festival, with my company ‘Drown the Clown’ a ride and entertainment company based in New Jersey. That was in the ’90s when the festival stretched beyond 42nd Street well into the ’30s. We were the premier ride and game vendors and had an entire section of family fun and games. Over time I became involved with the Association, assisting the Founding Director, Evelyn Reggerio, until she passed away. Where do you eat in Hell’s Kitchen? At Eatery NYC for their Chinese Chicken Salad, Mickey Spillane’s for the sliders, City Sandwich for their amazing Kale
Bar for drinks and small bites. Basera for amazing Indian food and Patron for tequila shots. What are you looking forward to in the holiday season? An amazing season for our merchants, peace on earth and of course ‘Good will from men and women toward each other’.
“If I could wave my magic wand and change one thing, it would be the traffic on Ninth Avenue to the tunnel.” Salad, Empanada Mama’s for, of course, the empanadas and margaritas, Green Rancho for the enchiladas and the tequila, Mercury Bar for the wings and beer, and hot dogs at Rudy’s. What bars or cafes would you recommend in the neighborhood? Gossip Bar and Restaurant for a gettogether with friends. Bar Bacon for just about anything that would horrify a vegetarian. Boxer’s for the Boys’ Brunch, a chill hangout at Atlas Bar, Rudy’s for a dive bar experience, Daltons to catch the game and enjoy a beer. Flaming Saddles for the entertainment and drinks, not to mention the Frito Pie! Medi Wine
What do you consider your favorite place in Hell’s Kitchen? Like a good mother with many children I love them all equally, sometimes some more and some less. They are an amazing group of business owners who open their doors and hearts to the world, and feed New York. What one thing do you think could improve the neighborhood? If I could wave my magic wand and change one thing, it would be the traffic on Ninth Avenue to the tunnel. I would make it smooth and easy, with no one blocking the box, ever! What is your favorite street or avenue in the neighborhood? That would be avenue, and of course it is Ninth Avenue but again I love all of our streets, avenues, alleys and passageways equally (like any good mother!). Who do you admire in the neighborhood? We have such a diverse population of amazing individuals who work and live here that it would be unfair and impossible to pick even five. I am inspired on a daily basis, by my merchants, my community board members, the ladies of the association, the artists, the political associations, the union officials, the Broadway community, the fashionistas who make up our front yard – the list goes on...
Maribel’s tips: Flaming Saddles 9th W49th/W50th Southern Hospitality 9th W49th/W50th Mickey Spillane’s 9th W48th/W49th Mercury Bar 9th W45th/W46th Rudy’s 9th W44th/W45th Gossip Bar 9th W49th/W50th Bar Bacon 9th W54th/W55th Boxer’s 9th W50th/W51st Atlas Bar 9th W50th/W51st Daltons 9th W49th/W50th Medi Wine Bar 9th W53rd/W55th Basera 9th W50th/W51st Patron 9th W43rd/W44th Anejo 10th W46th/W47th Burgers & Cupcakes 9th 35th/36th Eatery NYC 9th W52nd/W53rd City Sandwich 9th W45th/46th Empanada Mama 9th W51st/52nd Green Rancho 9th W50th/W51st The Amish Farmers’ Market 9th W49th/W50th Fruit Stand 43 9th W42nd/W43rd Tagg 9th W49th/W50th Poseidon Bakery 9th W43rd/W44th
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