What’s New

Flatiron Public Plaza Kiosks Open Friday, August 23rd

The triumphant return of the food and beverage kiosks to the Flatiron Public Plazas is finally here! Both the Flatiron Plate and Eataly kiosks open this Friday, August 23rd. 

South Plaza: Flatiron Plate 

Breakfast returns to the South Plaza with restaurateur Perry Mallas' Flatiron Plate kiosk, home of the available-all-day Classic Egg Sandwich and locally-roasted MUD Coffee. Mallas, who also operates Benvenuto Cafe in TriBeCa and the Astor Plate kiosk in Greenwich Village, previously operated Flatiron Green Cafe on the South Plaza. 

"We're really thrilled to be back in Flatiron. We opened our first restaurant on this corner in 1998, and since then it's been our pleasure and privilege to serve the community by providing healthy, natural Mediterranean comfort food in an easygoing atmosphere. This feels like coming home to a neighborhood where we have very deep roots," said Mallas.

In addition to the classic breakfast sandwich combo, Flatiron Plate features a full all-day menu with baked goods, Greek yogurt, sandwiches and wraps, salads, smoothies, fresh-squeezed juices, and a full array of hot and cold drinks. Flatiron Plate has a beer and wine license and offers a daily happy hour (details TBD).

Flatiron Plate will be open from 7 am to 10 pm Monday through Friday, and from 8 am to 8 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

North Plaza: Eataly in Flatiron Plaza

On the north side of 23rd Street, Eataly's kiosk will launch at 11 am highlighting two Eataly staples - Pizza al Padellino and artisanal gelato - across Fifth Avenue from its flagship store. The new kiosk, called Eataly in Flatiron Plaza, is outfitted with a custom design by Patrick Vale, the acclaimed British artish based in Brooklyn and features life-like sketch drawings of the Italian countryside and the Flatiron cityscape.

From 12 pm to 2 pm this Friday, be one of the first 50 people to arrive and purchase a Pizza al Padellino and receive a complimentary cup of gelato! Eataly will also serve samples of its newest pizza. The kiosk will feature the new Pizza al Padellino menu, house-made gelato and sorbetto, and a variety of Italian sodas and sparkling water with beer and wine coming later this year.

Eataly in Flatiron Plaza will operate from 11 am to 9 pm seven days a week.

Photo Credit: Eataly

Flatiron Foodies: Quality Eats' Scalloped Sunchokes

Quality Eats is a contemporary steakhouse that features interesting twists on classic steakhouse dishes. Quality Eats challenges the notion that a steakhouse visit is exclusively for special occasions. Enjoy  Executive Chef Craig Koketsu walks us through Quality Eats' new take on scalloped potatoes. 

QUALITY EATS' SCALLOPED SUNCHOKES

Ingredients

• 2 shallots, thinly sliced
• 3 tablespoons  butter
• 8 cups  sunchokes, washed well and sliced into 3/16” thick discs
• 1 tablespoon Wondra flour
• 1 quart whole milk
• 1 pint heavy cream
• 2 cups aged gouda, grated
• 2 cups  parmesan, grated
• Salt & pepper

Method

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Prepare a large, oven-proof casserole dish by spraying with PAM and wiping clean with a paper towel.  In a large pot, sweat shallots in butter until completely limp.  Add sunchokes and sweat.  Season with salt and pepper.  Dust with wondra and continue to sweat.  
3. When sunchokes become starchy, add cream and milk and simmer until sunchokes are cooked through. 
4. Add cheeses and mix in until smooth, being careful not to break up the sunchoke slices.
5. Spoon sunchokes into the casserole, making sure that they are evenly spread out.  Bake for about 10 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown.

Pictured below: Executive Corporate Chef Craig Koketsu

Quality Eats, 3 East 28^th Street, between Fifth and Madison Avenue, @quality_eats, 212-257-8882

Flatiron Summer Series 2019 Recap

The Flatiron Summer Series has come to a close after eight weeks of free programming -- for the community, by the community.  

The Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership helped New Yorkers and visitors alike make the most of summer with eight fun-filled weeks of free events, which included educational and cultural talks on "Talk Tuesdays", fitness classes for "Wellness Wednesdays," and nostalgic games, kids' workshops, live entertainment, and frozen treats on "Throwback Thursdays". Over the course of the summer, over 2,100 people attended the series.

• The program kicked-off with a Summer Solstice Sundial in partnership with the National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath), celebrating the Summer Solstice on Thursday, June 20th participants became a human sundial using the solstice sun and their bodies to tell the time.
  
  
• New this year, "Talk Tuesdays" consisted of educational and cultural talks on topics like female empowerment, thoughtful urban planning, and user experience design. These talks are lead by instructors from neighborhood businesses and institutions, including General Assembly, which has been a program partner since 2012.
  
  
• Fitness enthusiasts enjoyed free yoga, dance, HIIT, and other sweat-inducing workouts on "Wellness Wednesdays". Each session was taught by instructors from local studios. Post-workout, participants quenched their thirst with free lemonade from Argo Tea as well as gift bags with fun goodies from various local businesses. 
  
  
• The Home Depot became a program partner this year, joining The Center for Book Arts, Fujifilm Wonder Photo Shop and Playday NYC for fun kids' workshops every Thursday from noon to 2 pm. Nostalgic games could be found for some lunchtime fun. Wonder Photo Shop also provided Instax cameras allowing attendees to take home a memory of the series. In the evening, local musicians & improv troupes offered all-ages entertainment. And for three very special days, Eataly and Shake Shack provided sweet treats for our attendees to enjoy.

Thank you to our partners for a successful program this year! 

• Argo Tea
• Baruch College Division of Continuing and Professional Studies
• bodē NYC
• Broadway Bodies
• City Acupuncture
• DanceBody
• Dharma Yoga
• Eataly
• exhale Flatiron
• General Assembly
• Hill Country Barbecue Market / Hill Country Live
• Iconoclast Fitness
• Made by We
• Mangia
• Maxwell Medical 
• National Museum of Mathematics
• New York Health & Racquet Club
• North Coast as seen at The PIT
• Pen + Brush
• PLAYDAY 
• Rituals
• Shake Shack
• Silver Mirror
• Sweetcatch
• TADA! Youth Theater
• The Center for Book Arts
• The Home Depot
• The Jazz Gallery
• The Peoples Improv Theater
• ThoughtMatter
• Uplift Studios
• Van Alen Institute
• Wagamama
• Wonder Photo Shop by Fujifilm
• Wthn

And a special thank you to The Home Depot for allowing us to bring even more family fun to the plazas this year!

Interested in participating in Flatiron Summer Series next year? Email info (at) flatirondistrict (dot) nyc.

Eataly Kiosk Opening August 23

The Flatiron Partnership is pleased to announce that Eataly, owner of 39 Italian food markets around the world, including their 200 Fifth Avenue flagship store, will open its first-ever outdoor kiosk on the Flatiron North Public Plaza on Friday, August 23. The new kiosk will highlight two Eataly staples - Pizza al Padellino and artisanal gelato.

Pizza al Padellino is a specialty of Torino, where Eataly was born in 2007, and over time it has become a popular style of pizza found throughout Italy. Eataly's Pizza al Padellino is made with a blend of organic stone-milled and type 0 Mulino Marino flours. The dough is naturally leavened for more than 24 hours, stretched directly onto a pedellino pan, left to rise again, and then topped with high-quality, fresh ingredients. Initial offerings will include Margherita (San Marzano tomato sauce, house-made mozzarella, fresh basil), Gricia (house-made mozzarella, onion, Tempesta Guanciale, Percorino Romano DOP), and a seasonal vegetable pizza (Liuzzi Ricotta, local gold bar zucchini, local green zucchini, local zucchini flowers, fresh thyme).

All of Eataly's gelato is made in-house daily in small batches using local, pasteurized whole milk from Hudson Valley Dairy farm. The sorbetto is made with fresh whole fruit and is both dairy-free and egg-free. Standout flavors at the kiosk will include Fior di Latte (Hudson Valley Milk), Nocciola (Hazelnut Piemonte IGP), and Sorbetto al Limone.

Eataly in Flatiron Plaza, the name of the kiosk, will be outfitted with a custom design by Patrick Vale, an acclaimed UK artist based in Brooklyn, who specializes in life-like sketch drawings of urban cityscapes, His work on the kiosk will pay homage to Italy and Flatiron. The kiosk installation will be fully revealed on opening day and will likely rotate seasonally.

During Eataly's opening on Friday, August 23, 12 pm to 2 pm, be one of the first 50 people to arrive and purchase a Pizza al Padellino and receive a complimentary cup of gelato!  Eataly will also serve complimentary tastes of its newest pizza. From then on, The Eataly in Flatiron Kiosk will be open daily from 11 am to 9 pm, serving the new Pizza al Padellino menu, house-made gelato and sorbetto, and a variety of Italian sodas & sparkling water – wine & beer to come later this year.

We first introduced food and beverage kiosks to the Flatiron Public Plazas in 2013. A concession license agreement with the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) allows for the operation and management of food and beverage kiosks in the public spaces. The Partnership selected the proposals by Eataly and Flatiron Plate (for the Flatiron South Public Plaza) following an RFP process earlier this year, on the basis that they would enhance the atmosphere and experience of the plazas and the surrounding neighborhood. Under their agreements with the Partnership, Eataly and Flatiron Plate will each operate its kiosk for a five-year term.

Photo Credit: Eataly

New Neighbor: Le Tea

The Flatiron Partnership is excited to welcome Le Tea to the District. Le Tea is a sophisticated, upscale tea boutique crafting game-changing tea beverages with an artistic aesthetic and a desire to mitigate environmental impact. Originally from China, this shop at 1134 Broadway marks Le Tea’s first U.S. location.

Le Tea strives to incorporate the culture of its store's community inside the space with each store encompassing a different theme inspired by its neighborhood. "Le Tea is an innovative tea brand inspired by surrounding community cultures. Compared to other famous neighborhoods in bustling NYC. we chose the Flatiron District as our first location due to its all-inclusiveness when it comes to arts, cultures, finance, and commerce," said Bruce Yan, Founder of Le Tea. "The building itself is a symbol of history, novelty, and revolutionary architecture.”  With this in mind, Le Tea wanted to create a revolution in contemporary tea culture, and adopt "revolution" as the theme of its Flatiron location.

Le Tea was built out of Yan's inspiration for the artistic lifestyle. Walk into Le Tea, located on Broadway between West 25th and 26th Avenues, and find comfort in the design and details of this modern tea shop. The founders of Le Tea are fashion graduates of The New School's Parsons School of Design in New York City's Union Square neighborhood. Their knowledge of the consumer experience through a design lens is clearly represented. At the core of their brand, Le Tea draws a close connection between art and life and becomes that liaison for its customers. The sleek and modern interior is accented with comfortable seating, lively plants, and paintings of historical figures playfully holding Le Te cups. 

Le Tea relies on an international supply chain of high-quality fruit puree and authentic Chinese tea sources to provide each customer with an exclusive tea tasting experience. Le Tea's Special Fruit Teas are made with fresh fruit pulp and high-quality fruit puree. Le Tea’s menu also includes Milk Tea consisting of Black Tea or Jasmine Green Tea with your milk selection. Le Milk combines the fresh fruit puree and a milk of your choice mimicking an experience close to a smoothie that is unique on its own. Various kinds of milk can be used, including almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, or whole milk, and coconut milk is on its way to the list. Hats (toppings) such as Bubble, Aloe, Mini Taro Ball, Mashed Taro, Milk Foam, or Cake Foam, can be added to any tea at an additional cost. Some of the most popular items include the Mixed Berry & Milk Foam fruit tea, Premium Dragon Well, Mango Le Milk, and Cake Milk.

(Photo Credit: @ceci_eats)

The raw, pure tea ingredients used at Le Tea are of high, healthy quality on both the tea and fruit side. Guests also have the option to customize the sugar level of drinks with options of no sugar, less sugar, half sugar, and regular. In addition to beverages, Le Tea offers Mille Crêpes, a decadent twenty-layer crepe cake with pastry cream separating each crepe. Original, Chocolate, Matcha, Rainbow, and Rose flavored Mille Crêpes are available.

Along with providing an authentic, luxury Chinese tea experience, Le Tea is also committed to limiting their environmental footprint without using any single-use plastics. Instead, Le Tea serves beverages in a high-quality recyclable cup, available in medium (500 ml) or large (600 ml), and complimentary reusable stainless steel "Golden Straws." Le Tea encourages its guests to reuse their golden straws – bring back your straw during each visit, and your tenth drink is free.

In an effort to seek out inspiration for new tea flavors, Le Tea partners with various brands and businesses for limited-edition teas. During the first month of its soft opening, Le Tea collaborated with fashion brand DIESEL. The DIESEL tea featured raspberry, jasmine green tea, butterfly pea tea and aloe jelly that matched the tone of DIESEL’s new season.

Join Le Tea on August 18th for a grand opening event that includes free tea tastings and special promotions. Enjoy 15% drinks all day (limit of two per person), and 30% for the first 80 customers.  The first 18 guests will receive free Le Tea "ArTea" gift sets. In celebration of the grand opening, Le Tea is partnering with the skincare brand Then I Met You for a special TIMY Tea.

Le Tea, 1134 Broadway, between 25th Street and 26th Street, (832) 202-3419

Header Photo Credit: Yelp User Qi Y

Step Inside The Dessert Bar Speakeasy

At 20 West 23rd Street, you'll find Patisserie Chanson, a modern, upscale French pastry shop and cafe with dessert resembling works of art almost too pretty to eat (almost). Buried below, lives The Dessert Bar, an evening-time, sensual dessert experience where pastry chefs prepare a six-course dessert tasting menu and cocktail pairings right in front of you. Executive Chef Rory Macdonald celebrates dessert making as an interactive art form.  

"The Dessert Bar came about for a few reasons: I was inspired by other Chef’s Tables where you could be in the kitchen and see how it's all done. Having worked in restaurants with these and seeing guests reactions, I thought it would be really interesting to try the same thing but with desserts only" says Chef Macdonald.

The Dessert Bar pays homage to its history as the downstairs space once served as a prohibition-era casino academy and speakeasy. The six-course dessert tasting ($75 per person) is intentionally designed to not leave diners crashing from a sugar high. The personalized menu features sweet and savory courses with the dishes starting off more savory, and ending on a sweeter note almost mimicking an actual dinner experience. The plates change seasonally and are meant to stimulate your senses so you see, smell, hear and taste during your dining experience. The courses can be complemented by a cocktail and wine pairing for $58 per person that is optional. 

This month, inspired by the peak of berry season, Chef Macdonald reached out to his favorite tri-state farms to create an eight-course Berry Dessert Bar Tasting Menu, which focuses entirely on fresh, locally-sourced berries, and features an assortment of imaginative interpretations of traditional patisserie. Take, for example, the "French Toast Crunch" that features bruleed french toast, local blackberries, coconut horchata, and basil. Other new desserts include the “Pavlova” dish made with Pell Farms strawberries, yogurt meringue, raspberry sherbet, macerated strawberries, and crème fraiche, and the "Anise Hyssop: Huckleberry" plate featuring Lillet Blanc & Hyssop granita, local huckleberries, cucumber, and an herb flower salad. 

Each item on the menu is created in an entertaining, dramatic fashion right in front of guests. The team of pastry chefs loves to shock people so they never know what to expect. Chef Macdonald intended for the veil to be lifted between the pastry kitchen and guests as the craftmanship of the plate is well worth watching. "There is a lot of technique involved in pastry, and interesting methods of doing things. When a finished plate arrives at your table, it looks great but as a guest, you have no idea how it was made – so I wanted to showcase this, and give the guest an interactive insight into the whole process. Also whereas in the patisserie we are founded in our classic roots, the dessert bar is like our laboratory, where we can try and test new techniques and flavors and push the envelope a little" explains Chef Macdonald. 

Overall, Patisserie Chanson's underground Dessert Bar is meant to wow guests with a theatrical dining experience

The Dessert Bar, 20 West 23rd Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenue. 

The Dessert Bar is open Wednesday and Thursday for an 8 pm seating, & Friday and Saturday for 7 pm and 9:15 pm seatings.

Reservations can be made here.  
 

Sources: Patisserie Chanson.

Wellness Week: Rescheduling This Summer's Rain Cancellations

Rain can't stop us this summer! We are extending our free fitness class series for an additional week to reschedule three exciting workout classes that were canceled due to rain. Get ready for Wellness Week; 2 days, 3 classes, the ultimate workout experience in New York's Fit District.

Tuesday, August 13

6:00 - 7:00 pm:
Dharma Yoga: All Levels Yoga 
This is an Open / Mixed Level Dharma Yoga class that welcomes new students and those with regular practice. It is Asana posture-based with Deep Healing Relaxation and Meditation. This series is designed to help advance students in their posture practice. It will support health to the entire bodily system through a series of balancing, stretching, back bending, twisting and inverted variations, including stepping stones to the Headstand. 
Register for Class | Download Waiver

Wednesday, August 14

8:00 - 9:00 am
Iconoclast: "The Transformation" 
“The Transformation” is a fast-paced 45 minute, high-intensity full-body workout. Powered by Afro beats, this class will strengthen and lengthen your muscles, and burn a ton of calories. Ngo Okafor, owner and founder, created The Transformation Class as a way to share his 1-on-1 dramatic transformation program with the masses.
Register for Class | Download Waiver

6:00 - 7:00 pm
Exhale Spa: Barre + Cardio 
Break a sweat, pulse deeper, and burn more. All in one intense, efficient, barre-meets-cardio hour. Spend half the class on your mat as you move through rapid cardio intervals. Then hit the barre for muscle-defining micro-moves. You’ll end the hour feeling accomplished and ready to take on anything.
UPDATE 8/14 (3:36 pm): Class cancelled due to threat of severe weather
Register for Class | Download Waiver

In the event of severe weather, the class will be canceled.
A call will be made by 6:30 am for morning classes or 4 pm for evening classes
on the day of the event.
Follow us on Twitter @FlatironNY for last-minute updates.

New Neighbor: Alchemy 43

The Flatiron Partnership welcomes Alchemy 43 to the neighborhood at 40 East 21st Street. The new aesthetics bar specializes in cosmetic microtreatments from the neck up. LA-based founder and CEO, Nicci Levy, founded Alchemy 43 in an attempt to apply a new approach to the industry that removes the shame around injectables. Alchemy 43, dubbed the "Drybar of Botox," aims to move treatments away from an intimidating medical procedure towards an accessible, comfortable self-care experience that honors the seriousness of cosmetic treatments. 

"Flatiron is home to so many cutting-edge beauty and wellness concepts with clients who share an affinity for staying in tune with what's new," said Nicci Levy, Founder & CEO. "I scoured all of New York for the perfect first location for Alchemy 43 and I kept coming back to Flatiron; I love the energy and how there's always something new to discover... I could get lost in this area all day! It felt like the perfect spot."  

The cucumber-and-lime scented space is meant to be fun and inviting with a neon electric sign saying "BRB... Taking Care of Me", sleek vanities, and an instagrammable lounge featuring a granite tabletop co-working space. Clients can be found enjoying small bites and fruit-garnished sparkling water in champagne flutes. The Alchemy 43 microtreatments are designed to be comfortable, convenient, and customizable to every client's personal beauty goals. Alchemy 43's menu includes eye replenishment, cheekbone lifts, face contour, and lip enhancement. Before making a decision, clients can undergo a 3D consultation that simulates expected results with state-of-the-art Canfield VECTRA® 3D imaging software. Alchemy also offers "Beauty Boosts" that utilize essential vitamins and nutrients to assist metabolism, clear skin, strengthen hair, and improve brain function.

Every treatment at Alchemy 43 is medically effective, minimally invasive, and can be part of an ongoing beauty maintenance regimen. While still maintaining the clinical nature of the treatment, the goal of Alchemy 43 is to provide these services in a more relaxed and accessible manner. A certified and skilled team of professionals including RNs, PA-Cs, and NPs are constantly broadening their already extensive degree of knowledge of the premium products and anatomy of the 43 muscles of the face. Alchemy 43's text message platform lets clients reserve a space within a week’s notice, or clients can simply walk-in. 

 Alchemy 43 believes in the effectiveness of incorporating microtreatments into a regular beauty routine. To help clients work microtreatments into their budget, Alchemy 43 offers a membership program called the A43 Society. The $99/month auto-debit collects in the member's "savings account" to be utilized for any future treatments. A43 Society also includes perks like special member pricing and a complimentary $650 microtreatment on your one-year anniversary. 

Alchemy 43's accessibility platform stems from the company's belief that no matter the lifestyle, everyone deserves to look and feel their best. After establishing a strong presence in the Los Angeles cosmetology scene with four locations, the Flatiron District is happy to welcome Alchemy 43 to the strong Flatiron wellness scene. 

Alchemy 43 is open forwalk-in and scheduled appointments Monday through Thursday from 10 am to 7 pm, Friday 10 am to 6:30 pm and Saturday 10 am to 5 pm. The spa is closed on Sunday. 

Alchemy 43, 40 East 21st Street, (917) 970-3743

Sources: Alchemy 43, New York Times, & Fast Company.

July News Roundup

The month of July marked the peak of summer as Flatiron District rooftop bars hit the headlines, health/wellness businesses thrive, and TAMI (technology, advertising, media, and information) companies continue to move into the neighborhood.  Stay up to date with the latest Flatiron District News with our monthly roundup of notable highlights.

• Food & Dining: If you didn't have enough reasons to check out Eataly's SERRA by Birreria, the Flatiron rooftop was recently listed the number one Most Instagram-Worthy NYC Tourist Spot (via YourTango). Broken Shaker is also making media waves with its listing as a tried-and-true rooftop bar in NYC for summer (via TimeOut). Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos, is moving to the Flatiron District, and here is where you can expect to catch him dining near his new $80 million home (via Bloomberg). Daniel Humm and Will Guidara’s dining-room tango is over. The duo behind Eleven Madison Park has split ways eight years after they bought Eleven Madison Park from Danny Meyer and turned it into what’s regarded by many to be one of the world’s destination restaurants (via Grub Street). 
  
  
• BID Businesses: Lester Holt, NBC News Anchor, has been spotted playing covers of songs by Aerosmith, the Police, and Talking Heads in the basement of Hill Country Barbecue (via The New York Times). Gotham Glow, a notable tanning salon that uses an effective FDA approved tanning formula, exhibits its dedication to health and wellness at its Flatiron location at 1123 Broadway (via Digital Journal). The health and wellness benefits of Pilates are undeniable at BK Pilates in the Flatiron District (via WPIX 11). WTHN, acupuncture and herbal medicine wellness service, promises to slow down the effects of aging (via BET). Ralph Lauren's luxury brand Ralph's Coffee new brick-and-mortar location in Club Monaco at 160 Fifth Avenue is the Flatiron District's latest experiential retail location (via Real Estate Weekly). 
  
  
• Real Estate: Owners of the historic Flatiron building, GFP Real Estate, and Sorgente Group announced they will begin an $80 million renovation process on the 117-year-old building (via The Real Deal). The Kaufman Organization announced that a creative marketing and brand strategy agency, School House, signed a 3,000 s/f, five-year lease to expand at 20 West 22nd Street (via Real Estate Weekly). Crush Music, a music management firm, recently bought the eighth floor of an 11-story mixed-use co-op at 49 West 24th Street for $4.3 million (via The New York Times). This July, The Flatiron District made PropertyShark's list of top ten most expensive neighborhoods in NYC for the second quarter of 2019 (via Curbed New York). 
  
  
• Around the Neighborhood: Five years ago, Robert Offley was living on the streets of the Flatiron District, but with the help of the Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership and Urban Pathways, he is now known as the mayor of his building in the Bronx (via Patch).  The basement of the Flatiron Building, constructed in 1902, contains remnants of a power plant with coal-fed boilers and a hydraulic elevator system (via untapped cities.). The Flatiron District landed itself on the list of the 12 Best Places to Live in 2019 (via Outside). Cindy Hulej, who works out of Rick Kelly’s Carmine Street Guitars in New York City, produces bespoke axes out of pine, maple, and oak planks that are reclaimed from some of the city’s holiest institutions including the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Sava in the Flatiron District. 

 
Picture Credit: Eater New York, Broken Shaker