Taco Shop, Queer Bar Among Hell's Kitchen's New Restaurants

HELL'S KITCHEN, NY — A taco shop, a queer nightlife spot and a multi-story restaurant are among the trio of new eateries set to open in Hell's Kitchen.

The three businesses were both presented Wednesday to Community Board 4's business license and permits committee as their owners sought the board's approval to obtain alcohol licenses.

They come on top of at least 16 other new restaurants and bars that Patch has reported on over the past three months — another indication of the industry's rebound from the pandemic.

Here's a rundown of the new businesses we learned about this week:

Planet Taco (705 Ninth Ave., between West 48th and 49th streets)

• This will be the second location for the taco shop, which opened in March in the East Village with what Eater called "a bewildering-yet-delightful" menu.
• Moving into the storefront formerly occupied by Otto's Tacos, Planet Taco will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. — or 1 a.m. from Thursday–Saturday. The interior seats 26 people at nine tables.
• A menu submitted to the board includes a staggeringly long list of tacos, from global options inspired by Cuban, Japanese and Italian cuisine to "out of this world" tacos named after planets.

Red Eye (355 West 41st St., between Eighth and Ninth avenues)

• Though no official business name has been submitted, the owner of this establishment is Red Eye, a company specializing in "highly caffeinated queer nightlife & concerts." It will move into the space most recently occupied by the dive bar Tobacco Road.
• The owner, Daniel Nardicio, formerly ran Club Cumming in the East Village. Red Eye will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 4 a.m., featuring DJs and live music, seating up to 72 people.
• A menu submitted to the board includes breakfast bites like bagels and egg sandwiches, coffees, and a number of specialty cocktails.

Unnamed bar (312 West 58th St., between Eighth and Ninth avenues)

• This bar will occupy the storefront previously home to Gleason's Tavern, and before that, Coliseum restaurant. The owner of the new bar is Daniel Grace, whose other businesses include the Irish pubs Grace's on West 14th Street and Hartley's in Brooklyn.
• The bar will be open daily from noon to 4 a.m., with a seated capacity of 92 spread across two floors.
• A submitted menu includes typical bar bites like chicken wings, popcorn and Irish soda bread, plus hearty mains like salmon, burgers, pork ribs and a vegan sandwich. It also includes a long cocktail menu, plus a selection of beer and wine.

It was unclear when any of the new businesses expected to open.

Other, previously reported eateries coming to Hell's Kitchen in the coming months include a ramen spot on Ninth Avenue, an upscale deli on Restaurant Row and a cafe in Bella Abzug Park, among many others.

More Hell's Kitchen restaurant coverage:

• New Hell's Kitchen Restaurants: Ramen, Sushi And 5 Others
• Here Are 2 More Restaurants Coming To Hell's Kitchen
• These New Restaurants Are Coming To Hell's Kitchen