More than 180 neighborhood business owners, employees, and residents gathered for the 14^th annual Celebrate Flatiron Partnerships networking event on November 5^th. Held at an exciting new venue, The Space at Flatiron, the event featured a select bar and passed hors d'oeuvres catered by type:social. Guests mingled with Flatiron colleagues, celebrating our dynamic community and 13 years of service by the Flatiron/23^rd Street Partnership.

Later in the evening the event’s co-chairs, Flatiron Partnership Board Chairman Michael T. Cohen and  Board Member Nick Athanail, the Partnership's Marketing Committee Chair, delivered welcoming remarks. “We’ve had a lot to celebrate in the neighborhood, with so many new things happening here,” Athanail noted. “It’s fitting that we have the terrific new venue, The Space at Flatiron, for this great event.”

“We are all very lucky to be part of this Flatiron/NoMad community which continues to grow and become even more vibrant,” Cohen said. “The Partnership has played an important part, keeping the area clean and safe so that all businesses and stakeholders can thrive.”

Next, the Partnership’s Executive Director James Mettham also addressed the crowd, praising the neighborhood’s growth during the Partnership’s 13 years in operation and looking ahead to the BID’s expansion plan. “Through the Partnership, over $30 million dollars have been invested in this neighborhood to ensure that it continues to thrive,” he said. “As we move to expand the BID’s boundaries, we want to extend our impact and reach further into NoMad and surrounding blocks to the south and west, to form a more cohesive, clean and safe neighborhood.”

Following the remarks, attendees took turns in a fun photo booth getting snapshots to commemorate the evening with friends, colleagues and neighbors.

The Partnership is grateful to Celebrate Flatiron Partnerships 2019’s sponsor, the Flatiron-based advertising company Xandr.

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New dining concepts debuted, Flatiron coworking spaces were labeled as some of the coolest spaces to work in NYC, and several renovation projects begin in the neighborhood during the month of October. Stay up-to-date with the latest Flatiron District News with the BID’s monthly roundup of notable highlights.

Restaurants & Bars

• Honeybrains, a fast casual restaurant and cafe based on neuroscience opened its second location at 34 West 22nd Street. “The Flatiron neighborhood is as health and wellness focused as it is iconic" says Marisa Seifan, founder of Honeybrains. (via QSR Magazine). 
• Meet Timothy Brierley, the Head Sommelier at Trattoria Italienne. After college, when Timothy moved to New York City where the only job he could find happened to be at a Michelin starred restaurant. From then on, Timothy knew what he wanted to do with his life (via Broadway World). 
• Simon Kim of Korean Steakhouse Cote sat down with Eater to detail his path to the Flatiron-based restaurant. Kim spent time working the front desk at the MGM Grand, which was less than glamorous. But he quickly learned how to take care of any issue guests raised. (via Eater).  
• Eataly Flatiron unveiled its magical winter-themed rooftop restaurant, Serra Alpina by Birreria. The menu focuses on truffles, winter squashes, and celery root, but the showstopper is the Fonduta Valdostana DOP, an Italian-style fondue (via Timeout New York).    

BID Businesses

• Wellness dentistry startup Tend opened its first location in Flatiron. Tend is hoping to reinvent the dentist’s office and convince more people to care about their teeth. The experience is designed to help you feel relaxed (via Fast Company). 
• A.L.C., the Los Angeles-based women’s fashion brand from Andrea Lieberman recently opened a showroom at 210 Fifth Avenue in the Flatiron (via Fashion Network). 
• Female-focused tech firm, Progyny is one of several companies on Crain's Fast 50 list, ranking as one of the most rapidly-growing companies in the metro area. The company located in Flatiron at 243 Fifth Avenue manages fertility benefits for businesses and covers about 1.4 million employees (via Crain's Business). 

Real Estate

• Two Flatiron coworking spaces were called out as some of New York's "coolest coworking spaces that will launch your empire" - NeueHouse and Bond Collective. Productivity never looked this good. (via The CEO Magazine). 
• Squarefoot labeled the Flatiron District as one of the best neighborhoods in NYC to rent an Office in 2019.  “Clients love the general feel of Flatiron. You’re getting a trendy vibe, similar to SoHo, without having to pay SoHo office prices,” says SquareFoot broker Rob Carinci (via Squarefoot). 
• La Prairie, a Switzerland-based skincare brand, will move its New York City offices from Midtown to the Rudin family’s 41 Madison Avenue in the Flatiron District. The company signed a 10-year lease for 8,200 square feet on part of the 40th floor of the 42-story tower (via Commercial Observer). 

Around the Neighborhood

• Baruch College Campus High School will dedicate at least 34% of next year’s seats to students who receive free or reduced-price lunches in an effort to increase diversity (via New York Daily News).  
• The base of the William H. Seward statue in Madison Square Park is being replaced. The Madison Square Park Conservancy is leading the project. If all goes according to plan, the project will be completed well before Thanksgiving (via Wall Street Journal).
• Scaffolding around the Flatiron Building was installed as the building undergoes a nearly year-long renovation (via New York YIMBY). 

Header Photo: Trattoria Italienne by Ken Goodman Photography
Thumbnail Photo: Neuehouse 

Whether you're looking to find a last-minute costume, hit the town on Halloween night/weekend, or find a spooky themed daytime festivties, Flatiron has it all! We've rounded up some neighborhood Halloween activties and parties for you, your pup, and your family. Happy haunting! 

The 40/40 Club, 6 West 25th Street, 212-832-4040
This upscale American sports bar and lounge is hosting a Nightmare on 25th halloween party on October 31st from 9 pm to 3:30 am. A complimentary sponsored open bar will be available from 9 pm to 10 pm. Limited number of advance discounted tickets available now. Enjoy live DJ perfromances.  General admission tickets can be purchased for $20 here.  

Abracadabra NYC, 19 West 21st Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, 212-627-5194
On the hunt for a last-minute costume? Head over to the Halloween store Abracadabra for all the things you need. The store is open for extended hours every day through Halloween:10 am to 10 pm. 

Bounce Sporting Club, 55 West 21st Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, 212-675-8007
Bounce is hosting a weekend of Asylum-themed parties on Friday, October 25th and Saturday, October 26th with live DJ performances. Doors open at 10 pm and close at 4 am. General admission tickets are available for $20 here. Table packages also available.

Il Fiorista, 17 West 26th Street between Broadway and Sixth Avenue, 646-490-82409
Il Fioista is a restaurant serving flowers and herbs in their edible forms that also hosts educational classes. On Saturday, October 26th from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm, artist Leanne Shapton leads a Halloween Potato And Pumpkin Printing class using paints, inks and archival paper. Sharp tools will be used, so small children must be accompanied by a parent. Children are allowed between the ages of 5 and 14 years old. Guests will leave with their decorated produce! This class costs $60 for adults and $15 for children.  

La Scuola, Eataly's Cooking School, 200 Fifth Avenue, off 23rd Street, 212-229-2560 
Eataly Flatiron presents "Saints, Symbols and Spaghetti" class with Professor Rocky Ruggiero for the celebration of The Feast Day of All Saints on November 1st. The class is fropm 6 pm to 8 pm and is $125 per perosn. In this class guests will learn about The Festa d'Ognissanti and the fascinating representations of saints and martyrs in Italian art, enjoy a three-course menu created and prepared by our Chef at La Scuola di Eataly NYC Flatiron, and enjoy two Italian wine selections specifically chosen to pair with your meal.

Leonelli Focacceria, 7 East 27th Street, 212-451-9495
Leonelli is a bakery and café inspired by the great bakeries of Rome and New York's rich history. Through Halloween, stop by to pick up some limited edition pumpkin-shaped, chocolate cookies with vanilla filling. 

Madison Square Park's Howl-O-Ween, 11 Madison Avenue, 212-520-7600 
Celebrate Halloween with your local dog community by dressing up your doggo in a costume and heading over to Madison Square Park.There will be trick-or-treat giveaways, family portraits at the onsite photobooth, and a costume paw parade that will begin at noon. *RAIN RESCHEDULE: This event is now taking place on Saturday, October 26th from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm.

NY Kids Club, 38 East 22nd Street, 212-375-1100 
Stop in for a spell at NY Kids Club for some Halloween fun for the kiddos. One-off events and celebrations available for purchase. 

• Spooktacular Halloween Celebration on Friday, October 25th Street from 4:30 pm to 6 pm. Your little trick-or-treaters will have a blast singing festive songs, showing off their costumes and their favorite moves during our disco dance party in the play gym. With a fang-tastic pizza dinner, adult buffet, and special party favors, you'll have a scary good time! $60 for first child, and $48 for additional children. 
• PJ Party: Trick-or-Treat on Saturday, October 26th from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Children will participate in a mummy relay, play Pass-the-Pumpkin, fly like witches, and hunt for ghosts in the play gym. Painting spider webs, going through a haunted house, and dancing under a full moon will make this PJ party absolutely eerie-sistible! Pizza will be served for dinner and graham crackers for dessert. $40 for first child, $28 for additional children.   

The People's Improv Theater, 123 East 24th Street, 212-563-7488, Calendar
Established in 2002, the PIT is an award-winning comedy theatre that hosts nightly shows including comedy skits, open mic, and musical improv. Enjoy spooky themed comedy sketches and performances to get in the spirit including a Horror Comedy Musical! 

SLATE NYC, 54 West 21st Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, 212-989-0096
Slate NYC presents its annual Halloween Tribute with Zombie Apocolapse party on Saturday, October 26th. Doors open at 9 pm and close at 4 am. All tickets include a one house vodka open bar from 9 pm to 10 pm. $50 tickets are still available for purchase here.  

SPiN, 48 East 23rd Street, between Madison & Park Avenue, 212-982-8802
Modern ping-pong lounge SPiN invites you to two themed parties: 

• For its Dance Til' Your Dead party on October 26th from 10 pm to 4 am, Spin will be transformed into a massive haunted nightclub fit for nearly 1000 brave souls. Costumes encouraged, but not required. Sometimes it's scary enough to just be yourself. There will be a complimentary open bar from 10 pm to 11 pm.  Music by Dxvid Jxmes, Exstra, & Wellnez. Tickets start at $30.
• Enjoy a Halloween Parade Afterparty, Wyld Things, on October 31st from 9 pm to 4 am. The party is co-hosted with House of Yes and Kostume Kult featuring an impressive DJ lineup. Costumes are required for entry. Priorty entry tickets for $40 and 1 am entry tickets for $20 are still available.

Studio at the Freehand New York hotel, 23 Lexington Avenue, between 23rd and 24th Streets, (212) 475-1920
The second floor restaurant is hosting two special Halloween events: (RSVP at rsvp.nyc@freehand.com with the event's name in the subject line) 

• Things That Go Bump In The Night (A Kid's Halloween Party): Saturday, October 26th from 12 pm to 3 pm, Studio is hosting a spooky kid's Halloween party. Put on a costume and stop by for a special performance by The Band Books, tricks and treats, facepainting, and arts and crafts. 
• Scream Factory: Grab your scariest mask and for a night of mischief in Studio. Special performances by DJs Aden Tuite and Wade Oates. Free entry. Event id from 10 pm to 2 am.

Trader Joes, 675 Sixth Avenue, 212-255-2106
Stop into Trader Joe's Flatiron store for a Halloween Spooktacular on Saturday, October 26th, from 9 am to 1 pm. Celebrate with games, treats, prizes, arts and crafts, and face painting. Costumes welcomed! 

Flatiron District businesses: have a Halloween special or deal that we are missing? Email us at info (at) flatirondistrict.nyc!

Header Photo: Abracadabra
Thumbnail Photo: Il Fiorista

Located at 22 West 23rd Street, Mangia is a neighborhood gem serving artisanal Italian cusine with a focus on fresh, farm-to-table ingredients. In Italian, “mangia” is a simple, loving command that only means one thing: eat! In New York City since 1981, the family business instills the same level of passion into beloved signature favorites and exciting seasonal dishes like its Butternut Squash Soup.

In the fall, Mangia’s Butternut Squash Soup is a dish that never gets old - healthy, super creamy, and easy to make with tons of flavor. This soup is also great for entertaining festive gatherings. Mangia and enjoy! 

Mangia's Butternut Squash Soup with Apple Cider 

Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

• 2 medium butternut squash (2 ½ pounds)
• 6 cups fresh apple cider
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 4 ounces crème fraîche, for serving

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Cut the butternut squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Drizzle butternut squash halves with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Wrap the squash in aluminum foil, place on a baking sheet face-down, and bake for 1 hour. Remove and let cool. 
3. In a large saucepan, bring the apple cider to a boil with the ginger, salt, thyme, pepper, and nutmeg. Simmer the mixture for 20 minutes. Let cool and then strain.
4. In batches, use a large spoon to scoop-out the butternut squash flesh into a blender or food processor with the apple cider mixture and puree. The puree should be thick, but easy to ladle. Transfer to a large bowl.
5. Close to serving time, bring the crème fraîche to room temperature; whisk briskly with a fork until it gets smooth.
6. To serve, ladle the soup into a bowl and drizzle crème fraîche on top for some added richness. 
7. If you need to thin the soup, add apple cider until desired consistency.

Pictured below: Mangia's Founder & Restaurateur, Sasha Muniak who is the brains behind Mangia's menu items. 

Photo Credit: Mangia

It is officially cuffing season, so we have the perfect date night roundup for you. Whether it is a nice restaurant, a fun activity, or a trendy bar, we have some memorable places to impress someone special in the neighborhood. 

Exciting Things to Do:

Baruch Performing Arts Center, One Bernard Baruch Way (25th between Lexington & Third), 212-352-3101, Events/Shows
Treat you and your significant other to a night of cultural entertainment. Baruch College's performance center hosting plays, music, and dance showcased in two concert halls & two theaters.

The Jazz Gallery, 1160 Broadway, 5th Floor, between 27th & 28th Street, Calendar
The Jazz Gallery serves as an international cultural center where the youngest generation of emerging professional jazz musicians challenge convention, take creative risks, and lead their field as performers, composers and thinkers. Wine is available by donation to support the nonprofit, and there is no charge minimum. Doors open at 7 pm for seating at 7:30, and 9 pm for seating at 9:30 pm. 

La Scuola, Eataly's Cooking School, 200 Fifth Avenue, off 23rd Street, 212-229-2560 
Guided by a chef, you and your date will learn how to create regional Italian recipes as you enjoy your dishes — with beverage pairings, of course. In other words: dinner and a show. Chef Lidia Bastianich has handcrafted a variety of classes and events, each offering a unique culinary experience. Try your hands at italian dessert classics like tiramisu, pasta workshops, and three-course meal breakdowns. 

Musem of Sex, 233 Fifth Avenue, 212-689-6337
An intimate and daring museum that explores the history and culture of sexuality with rotating exhibitions. Browse the exhibits currently on view, jump around in a themed bouncy castle, and check-out the ground-floor shop for novelty items. Currently, you can preview the upcoming erotic carnival coming to the museum, Super Funland.     

The Magician Show at the NoMad Hotel, 1170 Broadway, corner of 28th Street, 212-796-1500
Sure to be an unforgettable night, experience an intimate evening of magic, mystery, and deception at The Magician show at The Nomad hotel. The interactive show that calls on the audience to participate during the act takes place every weekend starring the talented illusionist Dan White. 

The People's Improv Theater, 123 East 24th Street, 212-563-7488, Calendar
Established in 2002, the PIT is an award-winning comedy theatre that hosts nightly shows including comedy skits, open mic, and musical improv. Notable alum include Ellie Kemper, Nicole Byer, and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Poster House, 119 West 23rd Street, between Sixth Avenue and Seventh Avenue, 917-722-2439
Visit the first museum dedicated to posters in the United States. Poster House's mission is to showcase posters from all over the world, from their origins in the 1860s to present day use. The museum is open 11 am to 6 pm and closed on Tuesdays. On the third Friday of every month, Poster House is open for after hours from 6 pm to 9 pm!

Society Billards, 10 East 21st Street, 212-420-1000
A polished, underground pool hall with 19 billiards tables, ping-pong tables, dart boards, and a full cocktail bar. 

SPiN, 48 East 23rd Street, between Madison & Park Avenue, 212-982-8802
Pick-up a paddle and enjoy a fun game of ping-pong with your date. SPiN is a modern lounge with 19 ping-pong courts, full bar service, and dining. $9 gets you unlimited ping pong play after 9 pm Monday through Thursday. 

 
(Photo Credit: Vin Sur Vingt)

Where to Grab a Drink:

BLACKBARN, 19 East 26th Street, 212-265-5959, Menu
An upscale restauant serving farm-to-table American cuisine in a modern barn-inspired setting. Their happy menu is pretty killer: Monday through Saturday 4 pm to 6 pm and 9 pm to 11 pm. Happy hour specials include specials like $5 draft beers, $7 wines, $3 pork buns, $1 wings, 50% OFF Margherita Pizza, Hot Dog, Meatballs, and Burger.

Bo’s Kitchen & Bar Room, 6 West 24th Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, 212-234-2372, Menu
The bar is driven by Bo's passion for making the perfect classic cocktails. The drink menu is curated in-house and updated each season to ensure each cocktail's utmost freshness. Bartenders will tweak any classic cocktail to best suit your palate. Enjoy happy hour all night on Mondays, and 5 pm to 7 pm Tuesday through Friday. Plus, there's live music every Saturday night. 

The Flatiron Room, 37 West 26th Street, between Sixth Avenue and Broadway, 212-725-3860
Classy nightspot with a vintage vibe housing a world-renowned collection of 1000+ brown spirit varieties and offering live music. The muscial line-up is pretty impressive with blues bands, quartets, and jazz. Take a stab at a Whiskey 101 class. 

George Washington Bar, 23 Lexington Avenue, 2nd Floor of Freehand New York hotel,  212-475-1924, Menu
Set inside the former Library Room of the original George Washington Hotel, the GW Bar is a distinguished place inside the Freehand New York hotel. Enjoy sophisticated cocktails and upscale snacks. The space has plenty of character as the room's original mahogany millwork and fireplace have been restored, and upholstered vintage furniture punctuate the dark and moody atmosphere.

The Globe Bar, 158 East 23rd Street, 212-477-6161
Once a speakeasy, the "copper-faced" Globe Bar is old-school (since 1886) Irish pub with a fireplace featuring Guinness & other drafts. Happy runs daily til 7 pm. The inviting, spacious tavern is a low-key spot with good vibes. 

Undercote, 16 West 22nd Street, 212-401-7986 
Hidden beneath Koren steakhouse Cote, Undercote is a subterranean cocktail bar and lounge. Combining dark, plant-filled interiors with ambient beats, Undercote has the feel of a moonlit jungle oasis in the middle of the city, offering guests inventive cocktails and a one-of-a-kind Champagne list. Undercote does not accept reservations.

Vin Sur Vingt, 1140 Broadway, 646-922-7700, Menu. 
VSV NoMad is an intimate French wine bar offering an extensive list continuously rotating 250 wines coupled with a light French fare menu. The space was personally designed to resemble the most authentic Bar a Vin in France featuring cozy, dim lighting and nostalgic melodies playing in the background. Enjoy $10/glass from VSV's rotating selection until 6 pm, 50% off any bottle of Rosé until 7 pm, and 25% off any bottle of wine after 10 pm. 

(Photo Credit: Scarpetta) 

Where to Dine: 

Almond, 12 East 22nd Street, between Broadway and Park Avenue South, 212-228-7557, Menu
This lively bistro serving French comfort food blends farm-to-table culture in a vibrant, comfortable atmosphere. Almond provides seasonal & daily menus that are driven by market-fresh ingredients. Classic dishes include steamed black mussels and roast chicken with crushed potatoes, and roasted whole fish. The thoughtful, hand-picked wine list offers an affordable selection of wines.

Atoboy, 43 East 28th Street, 646-476-7217, Menu
The restaurant is adventurous yet well-thought-out, which serves Korean-inspired family-style cuisine in three shareable dishes of your choice. Guests enjoy unique Korean tasting menus in a cozy, minimalist space. Atoboy recently landed a spot on ts 2020 list of Bib Gourmands, restaurants where the caliber of the food is high and a great meal can be enjoyed for less than $40 before tax and tip. 

Bouley at Home, 31 West 21st Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, (212) 255-5828 
Bouley at Home provides a multi-sensory Seven Course Tasting Menu immersing guests in a community of shared culinary knowledge, health and nutrition. Diners sit alongside counters in front of a cooking stations.  

Cosme, 35 East 21st Street, between Park Avenue and Broadway, (212) 913- 9659, Menu
Cosme, a sleek, contemporary Mexican restaurant serving dishes rooted in Mexican flavors and traditions, while also celebrating local and seasonal ingredients from the Hudson Valley and surrounding region. The restaurant was recently named best restaurant in the U.S. on the “2019 Worlds 50 Best Restaurants” list, and Cosme’s Chef Daniela Soto-Innes was named 2019’s “World’s Best Female Chef”.

Cote, 16 West 22nd Street, (212) 401-7986, Menu
Cote, New York City's first Korean steakhouse, is a sophisticated restaurant that marries the interaction and flavors of Korean barbecue with the prime cuts and exceptional wines of the American steakhouse. Mainstays such as shrimp cocktail, wedge salad, steak tartare, and thick-cut bacon are served alongside traditional Korean dol-sot bibimbop, spicy casseroles, and USDA prime steak cuts. 

Hanjan, 36 West 26th Street, 212-206-7226, Menu
Inspired by the old Korean tavern that offered weary travelers good food, good drinks and a place to rest Hanjan's dishes are meant to evoke Korean street markets that offer comfort food. Hanjan's menu features meats raised with no antibiotics or growth hormones, wild-caught wild fish that are not overfished or endangered, and organic and local produce.

Il Fiorista, 17 West 26th Street between Broadway and Sixth Avenue, (646) 490-82409, Menu
A unique, new restaurant serving flowers and herbs in their edible forms. Working with local and regional farmers, Il Fiorista features Mediterranean flavors and carefully curated floral cocktails. Make your date feel special with a custom bouquet you can order ahead or grab on the go. Il Fiorista also hosts flower-related educational classes that make for a creative date activity. 

ilili, 236 Fifth Avenue, between 27th and 28th Streets, (212) 683-2929, Menu 
Creative Lebanese dining with shared plates, entrees. and cocktails served up in a trendy, elegant space. Every dish at ilili has it's own story from the traditional recipes direct from Lebanon, to modern updates that tell the history of its team, cooks, and chefs who have left their mark on ilili's kitchen. 

Little Beet Table, 333 Park Avenue South, 212-466-3330, Menu 
For the health-conscious or vegetarian date, Little Beet is a modern restaurant offering organic, vegetarian-focused, and gluten-free menu. If these dietary preferences do not apply to you, the food is still worth your while. Little Beet provides a comfortable oasis with a warm atmosphere. 

Scampi, 30 West 18th Street, between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue, (212) 888-2171, Menu 
A neighborhood restaurant serving southern Italian-inspired cuisine with an emphasis on seafood. Seasonal, market-driven ingredients are used in each and every dish. The chic interior offers a homey vibe. The Mafaldini Scampi pasta made with gulf shrimp, butter, parsley, and lemon has a cult-following. 

Scarpetta, 88 Madison Avenue, corner of 29th Street, (212) 691-0555, Menu.
An upscale Italian restaurant serving a crowd-favorite tomato-basil spaghetti that lives up to the hype. The cozy, sleek interior, and high-quality food make for a memorable date-night out. 

Header Photo Credit: Society Billiards by Christian Rodriguez featured in New York Mag.
Thumbnail Photo Credit: Vin Sur Vingt Wine Bar