Have you heard about the Gotham West Market yet? It's all the way in west, west Hell's Kitchen. I'm talking 45th and 11th folks. No man's land. But despite it's far west location, the place is awesome. A retail and dining destination that features eight artisanal food purveyors. I stopped in last week for a little friends and family opening and fell in love. This is one smartly curated market. All the purveyors are wonderful in their own right.

I started with a great iced coffee from Blue Bottle coffee, then grabbed a clam and posole dish from the Little Chef. Splendid.

Next came a super fabulous braised beef shank sandwich from Court St. Grocers. I love their sandwiches at their Brooklyn location, and Hell's Kitchen is lucky to have them. Sublime. Also, had the best rugula cookie I ever consumed from here too!

Next I walked to the southern end of the Market (50 feet) to Genuine Roadside, AvroKO's classic American stand. I got me a delicious cheeseburger with smokey bacon. True burger perfection.

Next, I took a seat at tapas master Seamus Mullen's El Colmado. The perfect place for great wine and tapas. We dug into some fine octopus a la plancha, garlic shrimp, and then one of the best dishes I've had all year. Arroz Negra; Black rice with sea urchin, and sepia. The perfect balance of sweetness, saltiness, and spiciness. I fell in love with this dish, as I fell in love with the entire Gotham West Market. A Foodie's dream come true..on the west side!

(Not to be missed (didn't make it that night) also, is ramen junkie himself Ivan Ramen's Slurp Shop, and charcuterie experts The Cannibal.)

Gotham West Market

600 11th Avenue (bet. 44th and 45th St.)

New York, NY 10036

212-582-7940