(212) 947-4208

523 9th Ave
New York, NY 10018 40.7566 -73.994

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Neighborhoods: Garment District, Midtown

Price:

$$$

Last updated 10.17.11

Category:

Restaurants, Bars & Pubs

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Notable Beer List, Late Night Dining, Brunch, Outdoor Dining, Theater District Dining, Family Style Dining, Lunch Spot, Happy Hour, Food Delivery

Cuisine:

Traditional American, Mediterranean

What People Are Saying About H K

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – The initials stand for Hell's Kitchen. An industrial-styled coffee shop, lounge and bar, it offers something for everyone at every hour. Customers can order a lavish breakfast or brunch in the morning, nurse coffee drinks and bagels during the afternoon, enjoy a French-American dinner or stop in late for cocktails and a savory snack.

Editor's Tips

Know Before You Go:
Breakfast is served from 7am-11:30am. Lunch is served from 11:30am-5pm and dinner is served from 5pm-1am.
ambiance
95.27999877929688% positive
  1. On a positive note, the service was friendly, fun and attentive, but I am not sure our waiter was friendly with the chef.
  2. The staff is nice, courteous and sincere and service is great which adds to the fantastic atmosphere which is classy and laid-back but A WHOLE LOT OF FUN and honestly, this place doesn't have bad nights.
  3. truly recommend H.K to anyone with high standards in food, service, and atmosphere.
  4. Without exception, the food is always good, the staff friendly, the drinks quality an the atmosphere trendy yet somehow relaxed and easy.
  5. The second time we returned was on a weekday for lunch and we were pleasantly susprised to find the same accomodating service and a very comfortable, yet different ,vibe than on the weekend.
  6. The first time I went was on a Saturday where they serve brunch with great breakfast drinks (mimosas, bellinis, etc) which was fun after wandering around the street fair that literally is right next door.
  7. when brought our drinks, he took our food order and we enjoyed the nice wheather and warm atmosphere until our food arrived.
  8. hk lounge is one of the best spots in Manhattan the food is delicious and the atmosphere is amazing, the staff was more then helpful, good looking too!
  9. the lighting was low with a romantic candle on the table and we both had a really nice time.
  10. Space: Nice location on corner.
  11. The decor is fierce and the food is absolutely delish.
  12. During the day, the place looks hip and modern, at night softens into a romantic, candlelit dining room.
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. The food was delicious--we tried everything from drinks to dessert!
  2. generous and delicious with the most delicious french desserts.
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. we had to wait about 10 minutes for a table because it was so packed, but we luckily nabbed a seat at the bar and chatted with the friendly bartender over a cocktail while we waited.
  2. The drinks are awesome too, but OMG you have to see the new HK Lounge.
  3. when brought our drinks, he took our food order and we enjoyed the nice wheather and warm atmosphere until our food arrived.
  4. the drinks were great.
  5. Its a great place to unwind, have a few drinks and to meet some of the hot locals from Hells Kitchen.
  6. Without exception, the food is always good, the staff friendly, the drinks quality an the atmosphere trendy yet somehow relaxed and easy.
  7. On a bright, sunny day this is the perfect spot to come and have a few drinks with good friends to get the Saturday started a little earlier.
  8. After your drinks there is an amazing street fair literally next door.
  9. The first time I went was on a Saturday where they serve brunch with great breakfast drinks (mimosas, bellinis, etc) which was fun after wandering around the street fair that literally is right next door.
  10. definitely recommend this place to anyone who likes good food, drinks, service, and a real cute staff!
  11. total trendy scene BUT you are safest if you order drinks only.
  12. The food was delicious--we tried everything from drinks to dessert!
food quality
85.19000053405762% positive
  1. Pumpin music, eye candy galore, and fantastic food.
  2. As this is my first post, I do admit that my writing this review was prompted by the poor food I was served at HK.
  3. Arugula and bocconcini salad - small and underwhelmed by the cold, roasted tomato.
  4. when brought our drinks, he took our food order and we enjoyed the nice wheather and warm atmosphere until our food arrived.
  5. The food is good but usually takes so long to get that you forgot what you ordered.
  6. really enjoy this place, the food is really great and the interior is very pleasant to look at.
  7. The decor is fierce and the food is absolutely delish.
  8. said to him that we had been up front for 5 minutes and that we wanted to order food and wondered if they were still serving since no one could be bothered with serving us.
  9. My order had a hair in it and the other order was the wrong eggs benedict.
  10. the food was great.
  11. our service was great and the food was delicious.
  12. hk lounge is one of the best spots in Manhattan the food is delicious and the atmosphere is amazing, the staff was more then helpful, good looking too!
  13. definitely recommend this place to anyone who likes good food, drinks, service, and a real cute staff!
  14. love, love, love the food!
  15. beautiful restaurant that actually has good food.
  16. The service was fabulous, the girls were sweet and attentive, our food was delicious, and the prices were very reasonable.
  17. have to say this sandwich was absolutely amazing!
  18. i'm a big fan of food and have had a lot of it.
  19. This is such a delicious cool spot to eat.
  20. bad food, bad service, bad, bad, bad, bad.
  21. And the food is mediocre and also pretty expensive.
  22. The food is good, if you can get over being completely ignored by the host and wait staff.
  23. Our party decided to order "family" style and share our food, so that could explain why I was not completely satisified and left hungry, but the attempt by HK to have innovative dishes failed in my book.
  24. truly recommend H.K to anyone with high standards in food, service, and atmosphere.
  25. generous and delicious with the most delicious french desserts.
  26. Without exception, the food is always good, the staff friendly, the drinks quality an the atmosphere trendy yet somehow relaxed and easy.
  27. The food was delicious--we tried everything from drinks to dessert!
menu variety
50.0% positive
  1. The menu is not extensive, but definitely high in quality.
overall
86.66999816894531% positive
  1. great place but bad service
  2. Is so great to find a good place for brunch and just have a great time with friends, the waitresses are very attentive and freindly.
  3. Its a great place to unwind, have a few drinks and to meet some of the hot locals from Hells Kitchen.
  4. The staff is nice, courteous and sincere and service is great which adds to the fantastic atmosphere which is classy and laid-back but A WHOLE LOT OF FUN and honestly, this place doesn't have bad nights.
  5. The service is really good, the bruch is a great deal for your money, besides the place is beatiful :)
service
75.2899980545044% positive
  1. the service was great.
  2. The food is good, if you can get over being completely ignored by the host and wait staff.
  3. Without exception, the food is always good, the staff friendly, the drinks quality an the atmosphere trendy yet somehow relaxed and easy.
  4. our service was great and the food was delicious.
  5. Bravo to the people over at HK, you just gave birth to your favorite customer.
  6. great place but bad service
  7. The music was energizing, the staff was delightful, and even the owners are HOT!
  8. Everyone on staff was very pleasant and accomodating and I left with the feeling of one of the best experiences I've had in the city in a long time.
  9. On a positive note, the service was friendly, fun and attentive, but I am not sure our waiter was friendly with the chef.
  10. love it but i have to say the service is usally pretty bad.
  11. The staff is nice, courteous and sincere and service is great which adds to the fantastic atmosphere which is classy and laid-back but A WHOLE LOT OF FUN and honestly, this place doesn't have bad nights.
  12. Also, I wish HK hired better looking staff again, back then their staff were full of pretty and sweet women from all over the world.
  13. we had to wait about 10 minutes for a table because it was so packed, but we luckily nabbed a seat at the bar and chatted with the friendly bartender over a cocktail while we waited.
  14. The bartender responded to me in the most condesending, obnoxious manner I have EVER encountered.
  15. truly recommend H.K to anyone with high standards in food, service, and atmosphere.
  16. If you ask the server for something you get a nice roll of the eyes and an "ok fine.
  17. The second time we returned was on a weekday for lunch and we were pleasantly susprised to find the same accomodating service and a very comfortable, yet different ,vibe than on the weekend.
  18. If the staff actually got it together and showed some customer service this place would be good.
  19. The bartenders were rude.
  20. definitely recommend this place to anyone who likes good food, drinks, service, and a real cute staff!
  21. The service is really good, the bruch is a great deal for your money, besides the place is beatiful :)
  22. The staff is wonderful and attractive.
  23. The staff is super friendly and for the most part keep up with the crowd.
  24. bad food, bad service, bad, bad, bad, bad.
  25. From there on in, we were provided with polite but less than attentive or quick service.
  26. think the staff is choosen for a certain look and not so much a particular behavior; think pretty but slightly dull and about as quick witted as cold molassis.
  27. hk lounge is one of the best spots in Manhattan the food is delicious and the atmosphere is amazing, the staff was more then helpful, good looking too!
  28. The service is a bit slow.
  29. The service was fabulous, the girls were sweet and attentive, our food was delicious, and the prices were very reasonable.
  30. Is so great to find a good place for brunch and just have a great time with friends, the waitresses are very attentive and freindly.
  31. And we had like the best server ever her name is Ricky and she rocked (just ask for her and you will be happy).
  32. Attitude and poor service
  33. Great service without the attitude.
  34. Fantastic waiter and great service.
value
80.0% positive
  1. little did we know there is a huge club attached to the restaurant.
  2. The service was fabulous, the girls were sweet and attentive, our food was delicious, and the prices were very reasonable.
  3. The service is really good, the bruch is a great deal for your money, besides the place is beatiful :)
  4. generous and delicious with the most delicious french desserts.
  5. And the food is mediocre and also pretty expensive.
wait time
75.0% positive
  1. we had to wait about 10 minutes for a table because it was so packed, but we luckily nabbed a seat at the bar and chatted with the friendly bartender over a cocktail while we waited.
  2. Everyone on staff was very pleasant and accomodating and I left with the feeling of one of the best experiences I've had in the city in a long time.
  3. noticed Fat Sal's Pizzeria across the street after a good 20-minute wait for the first course.
  4. think the staff is choosen for a certain look and not so much a particular behavior; think pretty but slightly dull and about as quick witted as cold molassis.
  5. said to him that we had been up front for 5 minutes and that we wanted to order food and wondered if they were still serving since no one could be bothered with serving us.
  6. The food is good but usually takes so long to get that you forgot what you ordered.
  7. The service is a bit slow.
  8. From there on in, we were provided with polite but less than attentive or quick service.
1 Star Rating: Poor

11/01/11

WORST CLUB & LOUNGE BUSINESS PARACTICES IN THE CITY

by Harlem 126 at Citysearch

I paid thousands of dollars to rent the downstairs for a private party that was to go without compromise until 2am. The event manager Ariana appeared nice at first but quickly became out of control and shady once she had my $. The night of proved to be the worse birthday party I'd ever had. The door staff held my guest at the door for hours w/their regular weekly patrons (without telling me this wld occur) on top of that they summoned thousands of dollars out of my guests for them to get in. They completely disregarded our contract to allow 200 of my ppl in who had special tickets to identify them.

It was a disaster. The staff was rude, toe slamming & disrespectful to say the least. They also opened the doors and allowed tens of stranger into my private party at appx 12am while my guests were trapped at the door being told they had to pay $400 per bottle to get in with a 2 bottle minimum. Because of the intrusion, one of my guest was struck by an object of some sort & suffered a horrible gash in his face that required 50 stitches to close!! It was insane. I have not been able to reach the owners or the Event manager since!! These are horrible shady business folks. I absolutely DO NOT recommend supporting this venue!! Stay far away! I will be happy to learn when they are shut down & forced to attend some business & ethic classes!!

3 Star Rating: Average

03/29/11

So-So Hells Kitchen Spot

by ptg951 at Citysearch

Brought a small group here for my birthday after hearing good things. This was my first time at the venue...not sure if its novelty has worn off but we were there for dinner at 8pm on a Saturday night and it was DEAD! Maybe 7-8 people besides our party of 6. Food was OK...nothing to rave about. Decor is cool/trendy...keeping in line with the neighborhood.

1 Star Rating: Poor

01/25/11

I will NEVER go back to HK.

by curlbegone at Citysearch

I will NEVER go back to HK. Disaster.

My coat was one of the many stolen on NYE. No one from HK will answer my calls or emails. I call twice a week. I'm out $300 now and to top it all off, the coat check cost $4 in addition to the $80 to get in (and by get in- I mean wait outside an hour and a half past the time on my ticket. they wouldn't let anyone in until well after happy hour began.)

Please, save your coat and do not go here. EVER.

2 Star Rating: Below Average

11/20/10

Cash only during brunch = No-Go!

by bscnyc at Citysearch

Cash only during brunch policy is irritating and pointless (it's not as if the food is cheap!)

Food and atmosphere are decent but irritating management policy means it's off limits for me.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/09/10

Great time, cant wait to go back!

by vexxedlex at Citysearch

I recently visited the city for a brunch/theater afternoon, and was more than pleased with my experience at HK. The service was prompt and friendly, and the food was delicious. Cant wait to return and try something new off their menu!!

The Details on H K

Place Categories:

  • great service
  • good food
  • delightful real cute staff
  • great breakfast drinks
  • good place
  • great date spot
  • bad food
  • nice atmosphere
  • definitely recommend hk
  • not recommend restaurant
  • just love hk lounge
  • sweet women
  • rude bartender
  • accomodating everyone
  • fantastic waiter
  • very attentive waitresses
  • not extensive menu
  • always enjoyed dining experiences
  • nice roll
  • obnoxious manner
  • fun brunch
  • good 20minute wait
  • great city outing
  • amazing street fair
  • full staff