We've rounded up picnic-ready food options within the district for your next socially-distanced date. Enjoy the summer sun in Madison Square Park, or have an indoor picnic on a rainy day, and support local businesses while you're at it!

Blackbarn's Picnic Basket
Blackbarn's new picnic baskets offer gourmet charcuterie and cheese (three of each) plus fruits, nuts, and pickles, and house-made double chocolate cherry cookies. You then add two food items of your choice (a selection of sandwiches and salads) and a bottle of wine or cocktails for two. All baskets come with two cutlery packs, napkins, salt & pepper, and wet towelettes, so you don't have to prepare a thing. 

Bourke Street Bakery's Pastries & Savory Dishes
The Australian bakery offers a variety of pastries, savory dishes like a ham and cheese baguette, quiche, and a Smoked Salmon toast, plus 4-packs of craft beer and cider. BSB is closed on Mondays, but open for takeaway from 9 am to 3 pm daily, and you can preorder. 

Eataly's Picnic Basket for Two
Eataly's Picnic for Two includes an insulated, handcraft basket and all the fixings including dining-ware and Italian treats. Find other bundles here.

Hill Country BBQ's Barbeque Special
Feed four with a Hill Country barbeque. Can't miss out on their equally delicious sides like sweet potato mash, longhorn cheddar mac n cheese, and confetti coleslaw. 

Leonelli Focacceria's Benno Boxes
The classic Italian bakery offers killer sandwiches and focaccia pizza. Named after their head chef and founder, they offer a lunchtime Benno Box that includes your choice of focaccia, a small side salad, and three cookies. 

maman Lunchtime Menu
For a French-inspired picnic, maman has you covered with a pastry assortment for two, sandwiches, salads, jams, candied nuts, and a variety of iced coffees and teas. 

Mangia's Lunch Boxes
Order a custom lunch box from Mangia. Choose from Teriyaki Salmon, Herb Roasted Chicken Breast, or a sandwich of your choice and add on a tossed salad. Lunch boxes must be ordered online or through the phone: 212-582-5882. You can use code "MANGIA10" for 10% off at checkout. 

Patisserie Chanson's Box Sets
Satisfy your sweet tooth with a macaron box, croissant box, or kouign amann box, and finish off with a box of joe. A selection of beautifully crafted sandwiches is also available. 

ROLLN Sushi Meals 
Sushi is best when shared. Customize your own sushi meal for two, for four, or try a bit of everything. Our favorites are the Jalapeno Yuzu Yellowtail Roll and the Tempura Crunch Shrimp.

Sweetcatch Poke's Summer Poke Sliders
Bring on summer with a Hawaiian take on picnic favorites. Think Lobster Poke Salad with Yuzu Aioli, Sriracha Shrimp Poke Salad, and Hawaiian Crab Salad—all served on Hawaiian sweet slider rolls. If you're in the mood for a bowl, choose from these new poke bowls that scream summer.

Zucker's Bagels & Smoked Fish's Bagel Sandwiches 
Enjoy a classic NYC-style picnic with bagels. Zucker's offers staple bagel breakfast sandwiches (BEC) plus hot and cold signature sandwiches like the smoked turkey + brie, pastrami, and BLTs. 

Photo Credit: Blackbarn

June's news media updates revolve around outdoor dining, adapting to reopenings, and the continuing effects of the pandemic on local restaurants, businesses, and real estate. Stay up-to-date with the latest Flatiron District News. 

Restaurants & Bars

• Outdoor dining pushed New York City restaurants like Cote to rethink their menus. The Michelin-starred Korean-style steakhouse's regular beef-dominated bill of fare now has been supplemented with a classic, picnic-minded favorite: fried chicken (via The Wall Street Journal).
• Chef Dan Jackson, culinary director of Fields Good Chicken, recalls the high-paced atmosphere of the Eleven Madison Park kitchen after it topped San Pelligrino's list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2017 (via Inside Hook).
•  Eataly's Flatiron location — the global Italian food hall for meats, cheeses, and fluffy focaccia — is the perfect place to get a restaurant-made picnic spread in New York City (via Eater).
• A new rooftop bar and lounge at 234 Fifth Avenue may soon take shape in NoMad pending approvals from the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (via New York YIMBY).

• Blackbarn and La Pecora Bianca are highlighted as two New York City restaurants open for outdoor dining (via TechGeeked).

BID Businesses

• Raul Àvila an event planner with a retail store on West 22nd Street was “very, very happy. After three months of being home, I could not wait to get back to work,” when interviewed about Phase 1 reopening (via CBS New York).

• In February, right before New York was put on lockdown, menswear designer Todd Snyder held a made-to-measure suit fitting at his stores on Madison Square Park and West Broadway (via Business of Fashion).

Real Estate & Commercial

• Madison House, NoMad’s tallest residential skyscraper of 805 feet at 126 Madison Avenue, is undergoing final touches (via New York YIMBY).
• Four condo units at Madison House, an unfinished luxury development in the city’s NoMad neighborhood, went into contract in the past month at market prices collectively worth at least $6 million (via Crain's New York).
• Hair Lounge hair salon signed a ten-year retail lease for 1,314 square feet of space on the second floor of 668 Sixth Avenue (via Globe St). 
• The 479-foot-tall residential tower at 30 East 31st Street nears completion. Designed by Morris Adjmi Architects, the high-rise mixes Neo-Gothic and Art Deco styles present in the historic NoMad neighborhood to create one of the most distinctive new buildings in the city (via 6sqft).
• Allen Gross’ GFI Capital has upped its stake in the 337-key James Hotel and now controls around 80 percent of the hotel at 22 East 29th Street (via The Real Deal).
• Heitler Houstoun Architects' proposal to replace aging facade at 1177 Broadway is now under review by the Landmarks Preservation Commission (via New York YIMBY)
• Buyers are turning to virtual tours to safely view properties from home. At 21 East 22nd Street, Douglas Elliman agent Frances Katzen hosted a tour over Zoom for buyers (via U.S. News & World Report).
• According to rental site Zumper, median rents for a one-bedroom in the Flatiron District are hovering around $4,100, compared to a $3,235 one-bedroom median for New York as a whole (via Hoodline).

In the Neighborhood 

•  Area Business Improvement Districts rise to challenge COVID-19 realities and recount how COVID-19 and cases of looting have impacted their usual public programming, and how they’re maintaining the areas that have been hit particularly hard (via Chelsea Community News).

Photo Credit: Inside Hook

More and more Flatiron & NoMad restaurants are reopening with outdoor dining facilities in order to get back on their feet after facing three months of hardship, and many are attempting this as a new part of their business model.

The current climate is also a change for patrons. so we've compiled some pointers to help best support the businesses safely:

• Stay home if you feel sick, or if you have reason to think you've been exposed to COVID-19.
• Bring your own hand sanitizer and wear your mask as much as possible throughout the dining experience. Other than when you are eating and drinking, your mask should be on!
• When ordering, try to place the order and other requests all at once to reduce the number of trips the waiter has to make from the back of the kitchen to outside the restaurant.
• NY State law requires staff to wear PPE to protect public health (including yours and theirs) - so please don't joke about or make fun of staff in masks.
• Tip service staff generously! If you cannot afford to do so, consider ordering takeout. Waiters are risking their health to make a living and stay afloat.
• Be extra courteous. Restaurants are trying their best to adapt, so be understanding of longer wait times and slower service. Be extra patient, and adjust your expectations for our new reality. 
• After enjoying your meal, leave in a timely manner. Restaurants are operating at such low capacity limits. Recognize that faster table turnover allows them to make higher profts, which is vital right now to stay afloat.
• Maintain social distancing guidelines throughout your dining experience. Keep your kids close to your table, and refrain from interacting with other restaurant-goers when entering and exiting the dining space.

You can adapt these tips to all business interactions as we continue to resume activity during the pandemic. Many of these are applicable to your retail and services expereinces as well.

When in doubt, follow all posted signage, defer to all staff requests, and get in an out as quickly as possible. For our business community to survive, and to keep all New Yorkers healthy, we all need to do our part.  

Feeling confident about these tips? Visit our list of Phase 2 Dining Options in the district to see which local restaurants you can support while enjoying your outdoor dining experience.

Photo Credit: (Header) Bread & Tulips; (Thumbnail) Cote

Celebrate Dad and the special men in your life this Father's Day, June 21st, with online exclusives from Flatiron businesses.

Even though Father's Day will be celebrated differently this year, make the most of Dad's special day. Our Father's Day roundup highlights gift and delivery ideas that are sure to make him feel special while supporting district retailers and local restaurants.Order early to avoid possible delivery delays.

Gifts

Place your orders online ahead of time to ensure on-time delivery. Shipping may be affected by COVID-19.

Destination XL (DXL) Men's Apparel
An all-inclusive one-stop-shop for apparel and shoes for 'Big and Tall' men with Father's Day specials including their buy one get one 75% deal, using the code BIGDEAL. 

Eataly
To celebrate fathers everywhere, Eataly has carefully curated a selection of the highest quality food, drink, and gift boxes perfect for Dad. For home-cooked Italian comfort this Father's day, pick out Dad's favorites in the store, and Eataly will package and ship the items to his doorstep.

The Home Depot
Shop tools, gift cards, and more for all of Dad's home improvement desires. 

Johnston & Murphy
Help Dad look his best with Johnston & Murphy's Father's Day Gift Ideas complete with stylish apparel, accessories, and shoe

L’Occitane En Provence
Celebrate Dad with luxury skincare essentials and fresh aromatic scents in Provençal gifts. Gift prices range from $5 to $90, and products available include creams, shaving duos, and fragrances. 

The Manhattan Saddlery
Whether your Dad rides horses or simply enjoys an equestrian look, the Manhattan Saddlery provides has an assortment of gift items perfect for this Father's Day. Can't decide what to get him? Gift cards range from $25 to $1,000 so Dad can choose what suits him best. 

Premier Indoor Golf
Although its doors are closed temporarily, you can still purchase a virtual golf lesson for dad available via video conferencing. 

Rizzoli Bookstore
Rizzoli Bookstore offers a wide collection of books from photography and travel, to sports and foreign literature.

Scarpetta
Support a Father-favorite and local restaurant by purchasing a unique Scarpetta experience that can be scheduled for a later date. Choose from pasta-making, a private dinner party, or an in-home-chef experience through #SaveNYCEats. 

Thursday Boot Company
Shop the highest quality boots for Dad at an honest price.

Todd Snyder
Head over to Todd Snyder to shop the Father's Day Collection for Dad, featuring timeless menswear classics with New York sensibility. 

WTHN
Give the special man in your life the gift of self-care this Father's Day. For preventative or healing measures for Dad, pick up a gift card ranging from $50 to $150 for herb remedies, sound meditations, and more. 

Fitness & Spas
Though some establishments are temporarily closed due to COVID-19, order a gift card for a future visit, and support a local business!

Brrn (212) 352-3132

Dyanna Spa (212) 995-2355

Living Fresh Men's Spa (212) 366-9080

Premier Indoor Golf (646) 657-01745

Restaurants for an Impressive Meal
Place your orders online ahead of time to ensure on-time delivery. Delivery hours may be affected by COVID-19.

Atoboy | Delivery or Pick-up | Call 646-476-7217 or via Caviar | Offering Family Meal Packages for 2-3 people and 4-6 people | 12 pm - 8:30 pm

Bazar Tapas | Delivery or Pick-up | Happy hour prices available all day, every day. | 11:30 am - 11 pm

BLACKBARN | Curbside Pick-up | 212) 265-5959, Grubhub & Seamless | Every entree purchase will buy a meal for homebound elderly through City Meals on Wheels. | 4:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Cote Korean Steakhouse | Delivery or Pick-up to order Food To-Go, A selection of meats from their Butcher Shop, or Wine | via Caviar | 4 pm - 9 pm

Dos Caminos | Delivery via DoorDash (Free Delivery), Grubhub, or Seamless & Pick-up | 212-294-1000 | Tues-Sun: 11:30 pm - 8 pm

Flats Fix | Delivery or Pick-up | Call 212-353-2400 | Delivering food, cocktails, beer, and mixed drinks, including fresh lime margaritas and Palomas.

Flatiron Wines | Delivery or Pick-up | Call 212- 477-1315 | Local, neighborhood same-day delivery is free. For wider NYC, next-day delivery available via FedEx and Courier | 12 pm - 8 pm

Giorgio's of Grammercy | Delivery or Pick-up | 5 pm - 9 pm

Hanjan | Email hooni@danjinyc.com | Heat & Serve Meals Available ($135) - feeds a family of 4 for 2 meals. Free delivery! In your email, please include your name, phone number, and address. Check Hanjan's IG page for details on the weekly meal kits.

Hill Country Barbecue Market | Delivery or Pick-up | Order combos, boxes, and meals | M/T: 5 pm - 9 pm, W-Sun: 12 pm - 9 pm

Mexicue | Delivery or Pick-up | Margaritas available! When your food order is $40+, enjoy a round of free margaritas. In the cocktails menu, hit  "Round of Margs" and use code "THOMAS." | 12 pm - 9 pm

Rocco Steakhouse | Delivery or Pick-up | 212-696-9660 |12 pm - 8 pm

Shorty's | Delivery or Pick-up | Order directly from the website and save 10% | 11 am - 11 pm

The Smith | Delivery via Caviar, Doordash, Grubhub, Seamless, UberEats or Pick-up | Expanded menu offerings, family-style dinners for two, cocktails, beer & wine available | 11:30 am – 9:00 pm

Thyme Cocktail Bar (New Speakeasy) | Delivery or Pick-up | All food items are 50% Off during Happy Hour from 3 pm to 6 pm, and enjoy 25% off orders of $70 or more with code "25THYME" | Food delivery & pick-up Th-Sat: 3 pm - 8 pm | Drink delivery & pick-up: 8 am - 3 pm 

Vin Sur Vingt Wine Bar | Delivery or Pick-up | Delivery available in Manhattan and the Bronx. Deliveries will be made 1-2 days after an order is placed. | Pick-ups can be made the following day at VSV's NoMad at 1140 Broadway (26th/Broadway) 9 am - 2 pm.

Zero Otto Nove | Delivery or Pick-up via phone at 212-242-0899 | Any pick-up orders over $75 receive a free bottle of wine. | 4 pm - 9 pm.

Zucker's Bagels | Offering a Father's Day Package Brunch for 6 | Direct Website, Grubhub, Seamless, UberEats, DoorDash, & Pick-up | Use code FREEDELIVERY for free delivery via Zucker's website. Delivery available in Manhattan and order cut-off of 2 pm. | 7 am - 2:30 pm

Header Photo Credit: Thursday Boot Company
Thumbnail Credit: Hill Country BBQ

Want to be added to the list? Email: klynch [at] FlatironDistrict.NYC

On May 4th, the Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership launched the Feed Flatiron’s First Responders initiative, raising money to directly support neighborhood restaurants heavily impacted by the economic challenges of COVID-19. The program allowed us to fund daily meal orders delivered to the local emergency responders working tirelessly throughout the crisis to serve Flatiron and NoMad.

To kick-start the program, the Partnership committed $10,000, and pledged to match every donation $1 for $1 up to $10,000. The Flatiron and NoMad communities quickly responded to support the restaurants they love and show appreciation for these frontline workers. We were able to raise an additional $12,000 thanks to these generous donations.

Over the 4-week long meal delivery program, the Partnership used contributions to purchase over 3,200 meals from 30 different local restaurants, delivered to our neighborhood emergency teams every day through the end of May.

We spent a total of $32,000 with these district businesses thanks to the outpouring of support.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who was able to donate, the first responders who serve our neighborhood, and the local restaurants who make our district so vibrant and well-loved. As we transition into reopening, we urge you to support locally-owned businesses by ordering directly and frequently!

Through this initiative, we directly purchased meals from the local restaurants below:

• areppas
• BLACKBARN
• Bourke Street Bakery
• Bravo Pizzeria  
• BXL Zoute
• Dig Inn
• Dos Caminos
• Eataly Flatiron
• Fields Good Chicken 
• Flatiron Plate
• Hill Country Barbecue Market
• Honeybrains
• Leonelli Taberna  
• The Little Beet
• Mangia NYC
• Melt Shop
• Memo Shish Kebab
• Mexicue
• Mira Sushi
• Om Juice Bar
• Skewr Kabob Kitchen
• Sophie's Cuban Cuisine 
• Sweetcatch Poke
• Summer Salt
• Taïm Falafel
• Tarallucci E Vino
• Zero Otto Nove
• Zucker's Bagels & Smoked Fish 

Missed our coverage on the initiative? Check out our Twitter and Facebook for pictures of the restaurants and meals delivered to first responders in May.

As we transition into the upcoming phases of NY Forward, we are excited to welcome local businesses and employees back into the district. However, staying healthy and keeping the curve flat is our top priority. We've partnered with Small Business Servies and the Department of Consumer Affairs to aid in the distribution of face coverings at no cost to small business owners and their employees. We are proud to be a distribution partner in this initiative and will distribute 3-ply surgical masks in multiples of 50 on a first come first serve basis.

*On June 22nd, the Partnership received a second drop-off of free masks from the City.  We are giving out an additional 26,000 masks to local businesses.* To request masks, please email Kim Lynch at klynch@flatirondistrict.nyc with your business's name, address, and number of employees, and include "Face Masks" in the subject line.

If you need to purchase essential products such as hand sanitizer and gloves, we encourage you to purchase from these local businesses and support your neighbors.

Please be mindful of required signage for reopening outlined by the State from the New York Department of Health. The signage is available to download and print here.

Lastly, we are conducting a Flatiron & NoMad Business Recovery Survey to help us gain a better understanding of your business recovery efforts and the challenges you anticipate as NYC, and our neighborhood, begins to reopen. Please complete this brief 5 minute survey, intended for both ground floor retail and upper floor office tenants, to help us learn more about how we can best help you.