A hidden gem of Hell’s Kitchen
hells kitchen

From then moment you walk through the wood style doors on 38th street and 9th avenue you’re immediately transported to your favorite Hamptons style eatery; bringing in all occasions such as date nights, business meeting and old friends catching up on their lives while enjoying a cocktail at The Restaurants stylish bar.
Designer and owner Joseph Ienuso goal was to create a space that contrasts the hustle and bustle of midtown New York City. It all began with the as Joseph Ienuso describes rope and a few Boy Scouts skills.
“Your eyes follow lines. When I first walked in I noticed the space is narrow and ceiling aren’t that high, so I immediately thought of rope. I didn’t know I was gonna go this crazy *he laughs. The rope is 6,000 ft which is equal to about 2 miles. The details go from the floor to the ceiling, I wanted people to come in here and feel like they’re leaving the chaos of honking traffic to like a nice relaxing feeling.”
Opening its doors the first time only weeks before the covid lockdown back in 2020. Joey describes that time as a huge struggle for the restaurant business as a whole, especially one just starting out. Event through that obstacle Ienuso was the first to open, using his location to provide aid and a flavorful escape for the men and women battle the covid crisis in the Jacob Javits center.
“We didn’t know the Javtis center would turn into the largest hospital in New York City five weeks after opening. We were the first to reopen in the neighborhood and I wanted to reopen to help out the people working out of the Javits Center. There was the national guard there and no food open besides on Taco Bell and a McDonalds, this was 2020 May. That was the reopening, it was me and chef with a limited menu. And the rules were changing. It was you could stay out til midnight than ten pm, then no one at the bar. So I could show you some funky pictures where I said its really sad to come into a bar and no one is there, so I put stuffed animals at the bar.”
As New York began to reopen the Hell’s Kitchen gem began to shine again catching the attention of New York culture, packing its seats from front to back. Even the stuff animals have to make reservation. What brings these costumers back? Well if the enchanting decor doesn’t keep you in your seat, the extraordinary flavor and aroma coming from the kitchen will make The Restaurant a fan favorite with a signature menu.
“Three things go into a menu. One is chef specialty, you always wanna highlight what your chef can do. So we have out Octopus dishes with out different curries, our wild chicken and our salmon really highlights chefs abilities to utilize the products and spices and flavor profile.
Second thing that goes into the menu is you gotta read your neighborhood, you gotta see who’s walking through your door.
And the third thing is multiple menus. We have a lunch menu, brunch menu and we are actually thinking of creating a late night menu to stay open to 2am”. As we walking through The Restaurant and sample its incredible cuisine you can catch a glimpse of Joseph Ienuso’s proud smile as he reflects on his passion ands creation come to life. The restaurant filled with costumers enjoy each and every moment from the spice of the curry sauce layering the Salmon to the tender octopus topped over the flavorful rice plated ever so elegantly. So for your next dinning experience check out The Restaurant, New York City’s newest hidden gem.



There’s always been a little confusion about where Hells Kitchen ends and Theater District begins, and vice versa. Newly opened bar “Dutch Fred’s” at 307 W. 47th looks to, if anything, be the boundary line: Dutch Fred, a police officer around 1900 said while patrolling in the area, “Hell is a milder climate, this is Hell’s Kitchen.” The name stuck for the neighborhood, and finally there’s a bar acknowledging the curious reality. We were able to spend some time at Dutch Fred’s on a warm June evening, exploring the space and tasting the menu.
Located in a prime section of theater and arts venues just west of the real craziness, Dutch Fred’s is close enough to be a stopover before a show, but far enough to not send shivers down a New York native’s spine when invited there. If anything, Dutch Fred’s feels comfortable and authentic. A long bar frames the room with wood all around. Ornate detailing on the floor and ceiling made the entire space feel like the interior a luxurious old sailing ship. Selections of hightop tables dotted the room and, an open air space towards the front was perfect for a private event. Not to mention an eager and educated waitstaff who seemed to actually enjoy being there.
We started the evening with a few mixed drinks, a dramatic (literally) selection of drinks include “Astaire Sipper”, with Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Campari, Antica, and chocolate bitters as well as “Hell is a milder climate” (hey!), which involved tequila, Campari, Grapefruit, bitters, Agave, and lime. These drinks pack a punch, certainly, but are complex enough to enjoy at a measured pace. Some lighter drinks include “Kinky Boots”, a bright and ambitious drink composed of little more than Vodka, lemon St. Germain, and raspberries. Simple, but totally satisfying. My personal favorite was Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang, which is composed of Brockman’s gin, blackberry puree, lemon, and champagne. It was fun but approachable, substantiated by the gin and lemon.
As for food, we took pleasure (perhaps a bit too much) and indulged in a perfectly executed Ahi tuna, beef sliders done just right, with a just-right amount of juiciness, a soft, curried crostini topped in egg and jalapeños, as well as a selection of beef and cauliflower tacos. The food was small enough to get through with just your fingers, but share a few dishes and you could easily fill one’s stomach.
After inviting a few friends to finish with us, with pleasure can we say Dutch Fred’s was delicious, inspired, and totally accommodating. We can’t wait to go again soon!
We hope Dutch Fred’s lodges itself in the mind of the population as well as the Hell’s Kitchen name did so many years ago. We’re feeling confident: the team behind bars such as Tanner Smith’s, Three Monkeys, and The Mean Fiddler is responsible for Dutch Fred’s.
Dutch Fred’s
307 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036