“The Heart of the City is Alive and Well in Hell’s Kitchen” — Ignacio Orellana’s West Side Story

Photographer, videographer and thrash metal drummer Ignacio Orellana is spicing up his life with a new venture — Aceite Diablo chili oil. Here, Hell’s Kitchen resident Ignacio shares his West Side Story.

So what’s your New York story? Born here, or just arrived?
After 15 years living in the Poughkeepsie area of Upstate New York, where I did a lot in terms of music, I moved to Astoria and then to Manhattan.

What was your first job? What do you do now?
I have performed a lot throughout my life and have been lucky to have been on the stages of some of the best known venues in Manhattan, at least for the kind of music I do (Thrash Metal). I’ve toured and performed with national acts such as Sacred Oath & Ronny Munroe (former singer of Metal Church) but most of all with Pirosaint, a band that started out in 1989.

My first job was a TV director for a cable channel back in 1997. My degree is in TV producing and directing, so working with artists, bands and later business owners has let me improve my skills after many years of practicing and mastering photography and videography. I also have a photography business called My Experience NYC LLC, where I get to be a full-time photographer in Manhattan.

What’s your favorite New York minute (or moment) so far?
Noon time on a Sunday at Central Park. I guess the air combined with the clear sky and the people walking around looking for that moment of peace. That is my favorite minute in New York City.

Share with us why you love Hell’s Kitchen
In short, everything is within walking distance from my apartment. The heart of the city is alive and well at all times and that is the best part of being here in Hell’s Kitchen. Love it.

What’s your superpower or hidden talent?
Patience. It has been something that I have come to learn and cultivate. There are so many things happening at all times that you need to be clear and focus in front of all the decisions and roads that you have to take and being very patient will allow you to see further into the unknown. I would say that is my superpower. It has served me well so far.

What else should we know about you?
I have recently launched a new venture called Aceite Diablo LLC which produces chili oil and we are excited to show it to the world.

We are located in Hell’s Kitchen, where there are a number of restaurants around us with a variety of cultures. We enjoy going out to eat at different restaurants and learning about new foods and flavors. After tasting many foods, we decided to create a product that would complement flavors from other cultures, while adding a little spice to it. Our product doesn’t change the original flavor of the food, but instead adds a kick!

We only work with approved products to ensure that our customers consume only high quality spices. All of our ingredients are FDA approved, therefore our product is safe and delicious!

Ignacio’s Favorite Hell’s Kitchen Places

Rancho Tequileria — 741 9th Avenue (at corner of W50th St)
The people that work there are great. Food is awesome, drinks are awesome but the people are that specific factor that makes me come back here every week.

Don Antonio — 309 W50th Street (bw 8/9th Ave)
They have the best gourmet pizza available around here. I know there are a lot of pizza places in Hell’s Kitchen, but from my experience, no one gets close to their quality and service.

Il Divino — 400 W50th Street (at corner of W50th St)
Italian food and wine is what you can find here. Definitely a place to visit when you are looking for a quiet dinner time.

Jasper’s Taphouse & Kitchen — 761 9th Avenue (at corner of W51st St)
Brunch time can’t happen at any other place. I also come here for beer and burgers because it is just down the block from my apartment. Jasper’s is one of the top five for me.

Gossip — 733 9th Avenue (bw W49/50th St)
Lots of different beer and an Irish vibe. I always get the fish and chips (with mashed potatoes instead), because there is no other place to find solid fried fish. It does the trick, always.

Anything else you’d like to tell us?
I’d like to say thank you to W42ST for taking the time to talk to us about our new endeavor, Aceite Diablo. I hope that you guys have the chance to try it and can share your opinions. Keep up the good work and much success always.

You can follow Ignacio at Instagram at @iorellanaphoto and purchase Aceite Diablo locally at Amish Market at 731 9th Avenue (bw W49/50th St). 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 .

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

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