Adriana Greaves, a personal trainer, fitness instructor, and vlogger, arrived in Hell's Kitchen from Massachusetts in the middle of the pandemic, and the area feels like home. This is Adriana's West Side Story.
So what's the New York story? Were you born here or did you just come here?
I arrived three years ago, in February 2021, in the middle of a pandemic. I lived with him in his home in Massachusetts for 10 months and decided I needed to get out. I have to live my life. I can no longer be with my parents in suburban Massachusetts. So when I finally decided where to move, New York made the most sense. It was still close to home, I didn't need a car, and it was work-related. I was lucky enough to get a pandemic deal and get a studio apartment in the Doorman Building, with an elevator and laundry in the building, and just a 25-minute walk from work. Fortunately, the rent hasn't increased much since then.
What was your first job? What are you doing now?
In fact, my first job was as a resident assistant for a summer intensive at the boarding school I attended, North Carolina School of the Arts. After graduating from high school, I spent a summer there working with her 12-year-old and her 13-year-old girls, who were all dancers. I am currently coaching at Orangetheory Hell's Kitchen. I have been involved in fitness for the past 8 years as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor, and have been a coach at Orangetheory Fitness for about 6 years. I helped open Hell's Her Kitchen and have been there ever since.
What is your favorite moment (or moments) in New York so far?
It's hard to say really…but I really like how the trajectory of the day changes so quickly here. For example, you wake up in the morning with no plans and end up wandering around the city, traveling to three different boroughs, and visiting a few friends at various points in the day.
I was talking to a friend the other day and he was saying that New York is getting really busy again. I remember when I first moved here, I was in quarantine for five days to make sure I didn't get COVID-19 or bring it with me. And the only place I could get a coronavirus test was at New York University on the East Side. Langone Hospital. So I walked across town at 8am on a Tuesday morning in mid-February. When I walked through Times Square, I think there were about 5 people, but I didn't see many cars. And I thought I would never experience something like this again in my life.
Why do you love Hell's Kitchen?
I love Hell's Kitchen because it really has a neighborhood feel. I mean, I live and work nearby too, so that helps. I've been working in this neighborhood for the past year and a half, and I've been spending more and more time here, and I now have a lot of friends who live in the same neighborhood. It feels like a little family, and it feels like a college campus where you walk around and meet and greet people you know. It doesn't feel like a big city anymore.
What is your superpower or hidden talent?
I feel like I've noticed this recently. My superpower is that I can turn any bad situation around and find the positive in it. Don't let life knock you down, you just have to take what life gives you and make the most of it.
What else should we know about you?
I have a YouTube channel. I video blog about my life and have been doing so for several years. He started out as a travel vlog in 2019, but since moving here he has been mainly sharing his life in New York in his weekly vlogs. It's like my little home video and it's fun. The first video you'll see on my channel, which I've only watched virtually due to Corona, is me receiving the keys to my apartment for the first time and checking out.
Adriana's Favorite Hell's Kitchen Place
molly pitcher club — 675b 9th Avenue (W. 46th/47th St.)
They make the best drinks! This is a real cocktail bar with great music and a good atmosphere. Underrated.
Orangetheory Hell's Kitchen — 730 9th Avenue (bw W49/50th St)
Orangetheory Hell's Kitchen is truly my second home. It's been a little over a year since the studio opened, and he's truly honored to have played a big role in bringing the Hell's Kitchen community to the studio from the beginning. Sharing my love of fitness and forming lasting friendships with my neighbors in the process has been more fulfilling than I ever imagined.
fortune bowl — 746 9th Avenue (West 50th/51st Street)
I love going to Fortune Bowl for lunch between classes at Orangetheory. My favorite is the shrimp grilled rice bowl!
Rudy's Bar & Grill — 627 9th Avenue (West 44th/45th Street)
Literally the best deal in town. I'm not really a fan of hot dogs, but what about the fact that you get a free hot dog with your drink? My favorite beer is Rudy's Red. Two beers, two hot dogs, and dinner cost him $10 including tip. I've been going there since before I lived in the neighborhood and was just visiting New York.
Becco — 355 W46th Street (bw 8/9th Ave)
Best pasta I've ever had and $30 wine! Sinfonia di Paste (all you can eat pasta) is amazing! There are usually three types of pasta to choose from, which change daily.
Follow Adriana on Instagram (@adriana_greaves) and check out her YouTube channel. If you know someone who would make a great West Side Story (or would like to nominate one yourself), please fill out this form at w42st.info/WSSminations.
Check out W42ST's Hell's Kitchen local app for more West Side Stories and reader recommendations.
