Lady Blue: an upgrade to Restaurant Row
Hell’s Kitchen Hospitality strikes again, but this time on Restaurant Row! Over the summer, I visited another HKH restaurant, Peachy Keen, and absolutely adored it. So, when Kim from HKH reached out about Lady Blue, I was beyond excited to see their latest and greatest.
Lady Blue is a 70s’ inspired cocktail bar and lounge that was introduced in Fall 2022. The spot was named after Lady Blues, who is a character from the award winning Broadway play Torch Song Trilogy by Harvey Fierstein.
Lady Blue sits next to some famous spots such as Don’t Tell Mama and Swing 46 making for some steep competition. Hot Take: I think the newest addition that is Lady Blue will be the biggest competition for the OG Restaurant Row hot spots.
To say I was impressed with my visit is an understatement.
I walked in and began my Lady Blue experience with a warm welcome from the host and was offered a choice of seating along a row of booths or some tables in the back. I picked a table in the back and had a lovely view of the entire lounge from where I sat.
The color palette of Lady Blue is a combination of dark blues, gold and some varying shades of green. The lighting is relatively dim providing a warm and cozy atmosphere. The gold decor contrasting with the dark blues gives off a classy vibe throughout the lounge. The goal was, “to create something with a modern aesthetic that still managed to be timelessly New York”. I’d say mission accomplished!
While I sat and admired the decor of Lady Blue, the manager, Michelle, came over to chat and share some of her Lady Blue faves. Michelle has been with HK hospitality for about five years. She previously worked as a bartender and server at House of Brews which is the previous restaurant in this spot that was also owned by HK Hospitality.
Michelle lives locally and was born and raised in New York City, so she is an expert in the area. She sincerely believes that Lady Blue is a, “breath of fresh air on Restaurant Row” and give the locals a spot that feels like home.
Now that you’ve heard me gush over the place, let’s get to the good stuff.
The Drinks
I knew I needed the cocktail bar experience, so I tried a couple of different bevs during my visit and enjoyed each one!
Detox Mama – this mossy green colored cocktail has a strong basil taste but it is nicely cut by the cucumber. It’s very light and refreshing. The Detox Mama came with a black salted rim for some aesthetic flare.
Golden Turmeric – this cocktail is STRONG. There is a powerful mezcal taste, meaning it has a very smokey flavor. The garnish is super cute and fits the 70s’ theme very well with it’s colorful flowers that accent the bright orange drink.
Banana Split – this cocktail is basically dessert and for that reason I loved every sip. There’s a banana chip garnish making it a photogenic cocktail. The Banana Spilt is a creamy beverage which was all the rage in the 70s’ and therefore fits the theme of Lady Blue perfectly.
The Food
Lady Blue offers a selection of small bites if you’re looking for something savory to go along with your cocktails.
Polenta Croquettes– these small bites were crunchy but soft and packed with flavor. There was a generous truffle taste that won me over immediately. I could have eaten a whole plate of just these!
Chicken Sandwich – as classic and thus underwhelming as this next item may sound, Lady Blue’s chicken sandwich was the star of the show. As someone who is quite picky when it comes to meat, I was so pleased with how well the chicken was flavored and cooked. It was a quality piece of meat and wasn’t loaded with grease. Best part? IT CAME WITH BACON! I have come across few, if any chicken sandwiches that come with bacon. Total game changer.
Truffle Fries – You can’t not order truffle fries when you see them on a menu. This giant basket of fries was just what I was looking for after a few drinks and complimented the chicken sandwich well.
Lady Blue doesn’t skimp on quality and experience which makes it the perfect bar for bar goers of New York City. I cannot recommend visiting enough. It’s a prime spot for any occasion from an intimate date night to a night out with your besties to a cozy, post-work, happy hour with some colleagues.
Some fun news — Lady Blue is now open for brunch 11-4 on Saturdays and Sundays! The brunch vibes are similar to the dinner menu and offers a collection of small bites so you can have a little bit of everything. Like, how delicious do French Toast Squares topped with seasonal macerated berries and mascarpone cream sound?! I cannot wait to go back to test out that menu!
Be sure to check out Lady Blue and all of HKH’s restaurants!
