“Hell’s Kitchen is Fun, Vibrant and Full of Energy That Feels Quintessentially New York” — Karen Loc’s West Side Story

Interior designer Karen Loc is a lifelong New Yorker who now calls Hell’s Kitchen home. She enjoys trying new things — like improv comedy — despite how challenging they seem. This is Karen’s West Side Story.

So what’s your New York story? Born here, or just arrived?
New York City has been my home since I was born. My parents met at a local restaurant in Chinatown that my mom frequented. I spent all my years of schooling here and attended Pratt Institute to study interior design. I was lucky enough to land my first design job after college shortly after the Great Recession. And ever since, my work opportunities have kept me here. I occasionally flirt with the idea of living in another city, but there’s something special about New York that always pulls me back.

What was your first job? What do you do now?
My very first job was during my freshman year of college where I worked as a barista at Barnes & Noble in downtown Brooklyn. I loved being around books and the employee discount seemed like a good perk along with having some extra spending money. Now, I’m the founder and principal designer of Lore, a full service interior design firm specializing in residential interior renovations and decorative projects.

What’s your favorite New York minute (or moment) so far?
One of my favorite New York moments happened on the subway during high school. I was hanging out with three friends on the six train and we reached the last stop at Brooklyn Bridge. Instead of leaving the train, we decided to stay on to see if the train would switch tracks to go uptown. We waited and sure enough the train started moving. Chugging along a very long dark tunnel, all of sudden everything became illuminated. We hadn’t arrived on the uptown side but were passing through what we later learned was the abandoned City Hall Station built in the early 1900’s. Its Guastavino arches, intricate tile work, and stained glass were still impressive, even for a few teenagers in the early 2000s.

Share with us why you love Hell’s Kitchen
Hell’s Kitchen is fun, vibrant, and full of energy that feels quintessentially New York. The restaurants and bars are plentiful and diverse which add color and vitality to the neighborhood. Within a single city block, there is a range of activities from dance and music to shopping and yoga. No two days or nights in Hell’s Kitchen are ever the same. And its proximity to other neighborhoods makes it a convenient location for traveling to and from.

What’s your superpower or hidden talent?
If I had to name a hidden superpower it’s my ability to explore the unknown and try something new. Years ago, the scariest thing I tried was doing improv comedy. Last year, I learned how to do digital photography. And this year I have my eye on learning to sew. I love the discovery and the journey of something new while being able to share my newfound wisdom with friends and family.

What else should we know about you?
New York will always be precious to me because it’s where I grew up. After all these years and the longer I stay, I realize it’s the people that make this city one-of-a-kind. Everyone comes from all over the world with a dream and ambition. They bring that energy to the city, and it’s part of what lights it up. It’s inspiring to be around. No dream is ever too small because there’s something here for everyone and there are people who will help you along the way.

Karen’s Favorite Hell’s Kitchen Places

Der Krung Thai Cuisine — 860 9th Avenue
The staff at Der Krung are always smiling and very welcoming. Their menu includes Thai dishes that I haven’t seen on other menus like the chicken dumplings and curry puff pastry. They balance sweet with savory and pair well with any of their classic curry dishes. The green curry is my favorite.

Alfie’s Kitchen & Craft Beer Bar — 800 9th Avenue (at the corner of W53rd St)
I love the energy in Alfie’s which is always buzzing with neighborhood locals. For a hearty brunch, I like to order the steak and eggs or the short rib hash. Both dishes are large and satisfying which is especially great after a morning work out session.

44 & X — 622 10th Avenue (at the corner of W44th St)
44 & X is one of my favorite spots for classic brunch fare. The brown and white striped awning and white box planters decorate the storefront creating a quaint and welcoming appearance. Once inside, I’m always excited to receive their basket of assorted mini muffins with jam and butter. They’re a nice treat before the main dishes arrive.

Mémé Mediterranean — 607 10th Avenue (at the corner of W44th St)
Mémé’s menu of mediterranean delights always satisfies my craving for something light, fresh, and bright for dinner. I like to share their combination platter in a group or enjoy it as a main dish all to myself. The lemon branzino is one of my favorites as a main entree and the ambience feels intimate and cute for date nights or having lunch with friends.

Pocket Bar 57 — 469 W57th Street (bw 9/10th Ave)
Pocket Bar is my go-to place for a low-key night or having one-on-one time with a friend. The bartenders are warm and fun to talk to with great stories to share. I especially love the playful atmosphere they’ve created with the funky figurines encasing each bar tap and the Gumby action toys they leave you with while you’re enjoying your beverage.

You can check out more from Karen’s interior design business at Lore Interior Design . If you know someone who would make a great West Side Story (or you would like to nominate yourself), please fill in this form — w42st.info/WSSnominations .

You can check out more West Side Stories and reader recommendations on W42ST’s Hell’s Kitchen Local App .

The post “Hell’s Kitchen is Fun, Vibrant and Full of Energy That Feels Quintessentially New York” — Karen Loc’s West Side Story appeared first on W42ST .