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Flatiron Valentine's Day Gift Guide

Can't Go Wrong With Dessert 

Eataly Flatiron (200 Fifth Avenue) has a wide variety of artisanal Italian Chocolate sets and housemade Italian pastries like heart-shaped pastries, full cakes, special filled-to-order cannolis made with fine Italian Ingredients like pistachios from Sicilia and hazelnuts from Piemonte.

Love is in the air at the bakery Leonelli Focacceria (7 East 27th Street) where you can pick-up heart-shaped cookies, XO cookies, and a special Hazelnut Rocher filled with milk chocolate mousse, hazelnut praline, and passion fruit caramel.

French cafe maman (22 West 25th Street) will be offering NEW pastries to celebrate Valentine's Day including a heart-shaped Nutella Beignet, a heart-shaped Rasberry Rose Macaroon, a Strawberry Vanilla Cruffin, a heart-shaped Oreo with pink filling, and maman's favorite Nutty Chocolate Chip Cookies are available for $40/dozen.    

French bakery Patisserie Chanson (20 West 23rd Street) is offering the romance of Paris in a pastry with its new Lychee Raspberry Mousse Cake, layered with chocolate cake over white chocolate fueilletine. You'll have your pick of various macaroons, cakes, and tarts as well. 

Along with their usual pastry spread (their chocolate tart is incredible), Bourke Street Bakery (15 East 28th Street) is offering Valentine's dark chocolate chip shortbread cookies with some cute/cheeky sayings like "I'm Single... It's fine... I'll have Pizza!" 

A Thoughtful Gift

Rituals (172 Fifth Avenue) bath and skincare products are sure to impress, and special Valentine's Day gift sets are 20% off. For the bookish baes, pick-up an exciting new read at Rizzoli (1133 Broadway). The White Company's (155 Fifth Avenue) selection of candles, scents, silk robes and fleece blankets make for the perfect cozy surprise. The gift shop at The Museum of Sex (233 Fifth Avenue) offers a curated selection of top quality products for romance and desire. Bradelis (66 Madison Avenue) is a playful Japanese lingerie chain known for custom fittings & an array of styles.  

Share a Nice Bottle of Wine 

Some favorite local wine shops are Flatiron Wines and Spirits (929 Broadway), Wine & Spirits Market (676 Sixth Avenue), and Vin Sur Vingt wine bar (1140 Broadway).  

Keep it Classic with Flowers & a Card

Pick up a beautiful floral arrangement from Blooming Affairs (925 Broadway), Flower You (122 East 25th Street), and Il Fiorista (17 West 26th Street). Grab a card from Papyrus (655 Avenue of the Americas) or (940 Broadway) and take advantage of their closing sale deals. 

Surprise Someone With Pampering (They Need It) 

The gift of a little R&R can go a long way, like a facial service from Silver Mirror Facial Bar (20 West 22nd Street), and Heyday (1130 Broadway). Treat someone to a massage or spa service at Dyanna Spa (40 East 21st Street) or Living Fresh Men's Spa (44 West 22nd Street). 

Header Photo Credit: maman
Thumbnail Photo Credit: Leonelli

Flatiron Foodies: Il Fiorista's Elysian Fields Lamb Loin

Flowers are synonymous with Valentine's Day, so a restaurant that celebrates them in their edible form is a fitting place to enjoy a romantic meal. Il Fiorista (Italian for “The Florist”) is a restaurant crafting dishes that showcase the diverse benefits of flowers and herbs. Executive Chef Garrison Price partners with local and regional farmers to curate a Mediterranean-inspired menu. The restaurant serves brunch, lunch, and dinner alongside a floral boutique.  

For Valentine's Day, Il Fiorisa is serving a pasture-raised lamb loin with a rose hips glaze. The lamb is sourced from their farmer friends at Elysian Fields in Western Pennsylvania who uphold an uncompromising philosophy of care and respect for the animals that they raise. Il Fiorista is excited to highlight rose hips, the fruit of the rose plant, in this dish. The rose hips are cooked with pomegranate juice and cabernet wine vinegar to achieve a luscious glaze that takes on a tangy, floral tomato flavor. The lamb is paired with roasted sweet potatoes and a fresh salad of pomegranate seeds and tart sorrel leaves. Reserve a table at Il Fiorista to take advantage of this special dish, or impress your loved one by creating the dish yourself. 

Elysian Fields Lamb Loin Recipe (Serves 2)

 Ingredients: 

• 8-ounce boneless lamb loin with the fat unless to prefer to have your butcher remove it.
• 4 small sweet potatoes.
• 1/2 cup fresh pomegranate seeds.
• 1 bunch of sorrel leaves or arugula can be substituted.
• Sea salt and black pepper for seasoning.
• 4 tablespoons olive oil.
• 4 tablespoons rosehip glaze from the recipe below.
• For the Rosehip Glaze:
• 1 cup rosehips, crushed, seeds removed.
• 2 cups cabernet wine vinegar or good quality red wine vinegar.
• 1 cup pomegranate juice.
• 1/2 cup organic sugar.
• 1 teaspoon of sea salt.

Directions: 

1. In a saucepan combine rosehips, vinegar, pomegranate juice, sugar, salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to a low simmer and cook the rosehip mixture until it has reduced by 2/3. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve and return the liquid to a saucepan over medium-high heat to continue to reduce until the sauce begins to thicken and coats the back of a spoon. Reserve the rosehip sauce until you are ready to serve. This sauce can be made several days in advance and will keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 month because of the sugar content.

2. For the sweet potatoes and lamb, preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Coat the sweet potatoes lightly with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast the sweet potatoes on a baking sheet for about 20 minutes at 325 degrees Fahrenheit until tender when pierced with a fork. 

3. While the sweet potatoes are roasting, season the lamb loin generously with salt and pepper. Heat a saute pan over medium-high heat, coat the pan with about 2 tablespoons of olive oil and sear the lamb loin on each side for about 2 minutes until well caramelized. Transfer the lamb loin to a baking sheet and place it in the oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for about 12 minutes until an internal thermometer read 118 degrees Fahrenheit for medium-rare. Remove the lamb loin from the hot baking sheet and allow it to rest on a cutting board for at least 10 minutes before serving.

4. To serve, combine the pomegranate seeds and sorrel leaves in a mixing bowl, season lightly with olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Slice the lamb loin into 8 to 10 slices and place on a serving plate. Next, slice the sweet potatoes similarly and place them next to the lamb. Then add the sorrel leaves and pomegranate seeds over the top. Finish the dish with generous spoonfuls of the hot rosehip glaze and enjoy it with your sweetheart.


Pictured Below: Executive Chef Garrison Price. 

January News Roundup

The start of 2020 marked some notable media highlights for the neighborhood such as grabbing several "best of" titles, the opening of exciting establishments.  Stay up-to-date with the latest Flatiron District News with our monthly roundup of notable highlights.

Restaurants & Bars

• James Beard Award-winning restaurateur Stephen Starr opened his newest destination concept in Fotografiska, the new, New York location of the Stockholm-based photography museum. The European café-inspired restaurant, Verōnika doesn’t shy away from the opulence in its own design, with luxe brass chandeliers, a marble bar and a bohemian mural of a forest. “The design is pretty awe-inspiring, very sexy,” he said. “I’m inspired by the whole space and the fact that it is a museum celebrating photography.”(via Yahoo Lifestyle).
• Named one of the Most Exciting Coffee Shops of 2019: ‘The Counter by Joe’ with Todd Snyder Collaboration: The cozy, quick-service cafe with bar and table seating for 16 guests plus standing room represents a collaborative effort between Joe and the Todd Snyder New York flagship store for menswear at Madison Square Park in Manhattan (via Daily Coffee News). 
• The Clocktower and Junoon (two Michelin starred restaurants in Flatiron) landed spots on Thrillist's "Best Restaurant Week Spots" list Now closed Flatiron Lounge was named one of the "14 Bars That Changed Cocktails Forever in America" (via Thrillist).
• The newest Urbanspace food hall opened up in Midtown this month with 15 vendors and plenty of options for the lunch crowd including Flatiron oldest sandwich spot Eisenberg’s opening an outpost. Eisenberg's is offering a slightly reduced menu of its classic NYC deli sandwiches and their famous milkshakes and egg creams (via 6 Sq Ft). 
• Cosme's Husk Meringue was named one of the Best Desserts in NYC grabbing the title "Best for wanting to lick your plate" (via Thrillist). 

BID Businesses

• Warner Bros. released proposed renderings for its first official Harry Potter flagship store in the heart of New York City next to the iconic Flatiron building at 935 Broadway. Spanning three floors and over 20,000 sq. ft., the space will provide fans with a number of exciting retail experiences that evoke the magic of the Wizarding World including everything from personalized robes and Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans to a brand-new range of house wands with a design exclusive to the New York location (via Cision PR Newswire).
• Stationery chain Papyrus, which once had over 450 stores throughout the U.S., is shutting the doors of its standalone stores. The company that has operated the retail chain is reportedly closing all of its locations nationwide, citing "current challenges of the retail industry." Two Papyrus stores are located with Flatiron: 655 Sixth Avenue & 940 Broadway (via Fortune magazine).  
• Learn about the architecture and design of the Poster House museum - "The design... responds to both the unique qualities of the institution within the cultural landscape of New York City and the exceptional urban conditions of its site in the Flatiron district near Madison Square Park" (via E-Architect). 

Real Estate & Commercial 

• The first installation of the glass windows has begun on COOKFOX Architect’s 24-story Flatiron District project at 39 West 23rd Street featuring a two-tower residential complex. 39 West 23rd Street looks like it can be completed by the end of 2020 or sometime in early 2021 at the latest (via New York YIMBY). 
• Haven Life Insurance Agency (Haven Life), the customer-centric life insurance innovator backed and wholly owned by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual), today announced its inclusion in Built In NYC's list of Best Places to Work in 2020. Companies are selected based on compensation data and employer benefits (via Yahoo Finance). 

Around the Neighborhood

• Stuffed Koslas popped up all over NYC to raise awareness for Aussie Wildlife including a plush koala spotted clinging to a Flatiron District pole (via Pedestrians TV). 
• The New York Times Sunday Review's feature reminded people to "Look Up" from our phones more often to take in wonders around us like the Flatiron Building (via New York Times). 

Header Photo: Harry Potter renderings via Warner Bros. 
Thumbnail: The Counter by Joe’ with Todd Snyder by Kathryn Sheldon

Valentine's Day Dining Guide in Flatiron

Whether you’re sharing Valentine's Day with a special someone or friends and family, don’t miss out on celebratory, limited-edition specials from some of the best restaurants in Flatiron. 

American Cuisine

Bouley Test Kitchen, 31 West 21st Street, between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue, (212) 255-5828
Chef David Bouley will serve a special Valentine's Day meals. A Lunch Tasting (3 courses for $55 and 5 courses for $75) & Dinner Tasting (4 courses for $115 and 7 courses for $195) will be offered on February 14th and 15th. Optional wine pairings are available. To secure Valentine's Day Table, a prepayment form will be emailed to you.

Giorgio’s of Gramercy, 27 East 21st Street, between Broadway and Park Avenue South, (212) 477-0007
Order an exceptional meal from eclectic American restaurant Giorgio’s of Gramercy. Giorgio's seasonal menu and Valentine’s Day specials will be available for your romantic evening. 

Harding’s, 32 East 21st Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, (212) 600-2105
Enjoy Harding’s handcrafted cocktails and cozy atmosphere while you dine on a special Valentine's Day dinner specials including scallops, lamb chops, beet salad, and a Cupid’s Heart Dessert. 

Park Avenue Winter, 360 Park Avenue South, corner of 26th Street, (212) 951-7111
Park Avenue Winter serves only the best that each season has to offer. On Valentine’s Day, Park Avenue Winter will be offering its ever-changing seasonal menu.

Sarabeth's Park Avenue South, 381 Park Avenue South, (212) 335-0093
Treat your special someone to Valentine's inspired specials while you listen to a live jazz band playing at Sarabeth's restaurant serving classic American cooking fresh, locally sourced ingredients. 

Italian Cuisine

Benno, 7 East 27th Street, between Fifth and Madison Avenue, (212) 451-9495
Showcasing French technique and contemporary Italian cooking, Benno is a fine-dining experience sure to impress. Benno will serve its normal a la carte menu along with a five-course chef's tasting menu available February 13th through 15th. 

Bread & Tulips, 365 Park Avenue South, between 26th and 27th Streets, (212) 532-9100
Sit down for a romantic, candle-lit meal at Bread & Tulips on Valentine's Day. Enjoy specials and a complimentary Prosecco toast. 

Eataly, 200 Fifth Avenue, between 23rd and 24th Streets, (212) 937-8910
Eataly’s rooftop winter wonderland, SERRA ALPINA by Birreria, is taking Valentine’s Day to the next level with a four-course tasting menu dinner lit only by candles for $125 per person. At Eataly's Manzo, enjoy four-course tasting-menu highlighting simple but decadent ingredients for $105. Elevate the romance with an optional $45 wine pairing.

La Pecora Bianca, 1133 Broadway, corner of 26th Street, (212) 498-9696
La Pecora Bianca will be serving a special three-course dinner menu ($75 per person) for Valentine's Day! The menu highlights Pecora Bianca classics and specials for two like a Wild Mushrooms and Asparagus appetizer, a Ribeye Steak, and Tiramisu. 

Scampi, 30 West 18th Street, between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue, (212) 888-2171  
Scampi, a Southern Italian inspired restaurant, invites you to spend your Valentine's Day with their decadent four-course meal featuring specials like Caviar & Burrata, Braised Pork Ravioli, and Branzino. $89 per guest. 

Tarrallucci e Vino, 44 East 28th Street, between Madison Avenue and Park Avenue South, (212) 779-1100
Recently named the best Italian restaurant in NYC by Gambero Rosso, celebrate San Valentino at Tarallucci e Vino! Enjoy a specialty menu that includes a glass of bubbly. 

Trattoria Italienne, 19 West 24th Street, between Broadway and Sixth Avenue, (212) 600-5139
Featuring culinary traditions from France and Italy, Trattoria Italienne is offering a three-course Lover's prix fixe menu for $85 per guest featuring lobster, scallops, and a New York strip from February 13th through the 15th. Italienne's regular a la carte menu will be available.  

Indian Cuisine 

Junoon, 27 West 24th Street, between Broadway and Sixth Avenue, (212) 490-2100
Celebrate Valentine's Day dinner at Junoon's Main Dining Room with an eight-course tasting menu for $135 per guest and enjoy live piano music starting at 7:30 pm. Optional wine pairing is available for $75. 

French Cuisine 

Patisserie Chanson, 20 West 23rd Street, between Fifth Avenue between Sixth Avenue, (929) 205-5856
If you're looking for something more casual, or a mid-day treat with your Galentine, step inside this French cafe for a fondue experience for two. You have your choice of reserving a Cheese Fondue Pot ($55) served with Paris Ham, Prosciutto, and bread bites, or a Chocolate Fondue Pot served with dried and fresh fruits, marshmallows, and a mini croissant. Fondue pots must be reserved in advance (call or email). 

Mediterranean Cuisine  

Il Fiorista, 17 West 26th Street between Broadway and Sixth Avenue, 646-490-82409
Il Fioista, a restaurant serving flowers and herbs in their edible forms, is an ideal place for a Valentine's Day celebration. A four-course menu and themed cocktails will be available from 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm for $85 per person. Enjoy east and west coast oysters for the table, start with scallops, select a lamb loin as your main and end with a rose chocolate cake. A seasonal flower bouquet designed by Il Fiorista's Floral Designer Mindy Cardozo is included with the Prix fixe menu. 

ilili, 236 Fifth Avenue, between 27th and 28th Streets, (212) 683-2929 
ilili is celebrating Valentine’s Day by offering a four-course prix fixe dinner from 5:30 to 10 pm. The dinner includes two mezze plates, one entree, one dessert and a complimentary glass of champagne. Special menu items include Long Island Duck Breast, Lobster, and a Prime NY Strip.

Are you offering a Valentine's dinner special? Please email info@flatirondistrict.nyc

Header & Thumbnail Photo by Eataly Flatiron

Where to Watch the Big Game

It's almost GAME TIME. Whether you're pulling for San Francisco or Kansas City on Sunday, February 2nd, root for your team at one of these Flatiron spots. Please contact restaurants directly for more information.

230 FIFTH, 230 Fifth Avenue, corner of 27th Street, (212) 725-4300
Join 230 FIFTH for their annual party! Watch the game on large projector screens. Tickets include 3 drink vouchers and an unlimited buffet that includes everyone's favorite game-day snacks from 7 pm to 9 pm. Advance tickets are $45 per person and $50 at the door. VIP Igloo Packages with private TVs are available for $100 per person.

40/40 Club, 6 West 25th Street, corner of Broadway, (212) 832-4040
Catch the biggest football game of the year at the upscale sports lounge 40/40 Club! Have your choice of a variety of table packages available for groups of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, or 20. Group packages start at $150 and include buckets of beer, food platters, and at least one bottle of liquor. The 40/40 Club is also taking reservations for VIP rooms. Tickets available here. 

Flatiron Hall, 38 West 26th Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, (646) 790-3200
Enjoy the game with hand-crafted brews at rustic Flatiron Hall. Admission to the viewing party includes the game on a massive projector screen and TVs and unlimited wings from 6 pm until the end of the game when you pay your $10 cover charge. Tickets available here. 

The Globe, 158 East 23rd Street, between Lexington Avenue and Third Avenue, (212) 477-6161
Once a speakeasy, the "copper-faced" Globe Bar invites you to enjoy happy hour drink specials while you watch the game. 

Gold Bear, 377 Park Avenue South, between 27th and 26th Streets, (646) 850-1400
Step inside the upscale sports bar known for its cocktail program and tasty menu. Gold Bear features intimate and communal seating and 15 TVs to watch the game. RSVP for free, or purchase an open bar package. Tickets available here. 

Grey Bar and Restaurant, 43 West 26th Street, between Sixth Avenue and Broadway, (212) 532-2643
Sit back with some elevated American pub food while you watch the game at this polished sports tavern packed with plenty of TVs. 

Hill Country Barbecue, 30 West 26th Street, between Sixth Avenue and Broadway, (212) 255-4544
Enjoy barbecue for the big game! Join Hill Country, or let them bring their delicious Texas BBQ to you with packages available for pick-up. Choose from a variety of delicious sliders, chips & dips, and chili-rubbed wings. Email Derrick to place your order directly at dmorrison@hillcountryny.com.

John Doe Bar and Kitchen, 253 Fifth Avenue, between 28th and 29th Streets, (646) 882-4007
John Doe invites you to a party that is sure to add excitement to the game! John Doe will be offering $5 Select Draft Beers, $5 Shots, $30 corona buckets (5), $20 Coors Light or Miller Lite buckets (5) and $1 wings (6 wings minimum). 

Slate, 54 West 21st Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, (212) 989-0096
With over 40 HDTVs, a 20-foot HD screen, $5 Bud Lights, $6 Jack Daniels & Fireball shot deals, and food platters, Slate is a great place for you and your friends to catch the big game. Early Bird General Admission tickets are $10. Slate is also offering special VIP packages that include beer buckets, a bottle of liquor, and food platters. VIP packages range from $300 to $1,800 depending on your party's size. Tickets available here. 

The Storehouse, 69 West 23rd Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, (212)-243-8898
Cheer on your team while you enjoy comfort food, brews and the game on giant projectors at this Irish-style sports bar on two-levels of entertainment space. 

Society Billiards, 10 East 21st Street, between Fifth Avenue and Broadway, (212) 420-1000
Reserve a pool table or ping-pong table at Society Billards and have some active fun while you watch the game this year. Society Billiards features 27 HDTVs to view the game. 

Flatiron District Businesses: Do you have a promotion that we're missing? Email us at info (at) flatironbid.org

Header Image: Gold Bear
Thumbnail Image: Gold Bear 

2019 Community Survey Snapshot

Each year, we conduct a Community Survey to evaluate our work in an effort to better understand the community’s priorities for the neighborhood. Thank you to the 300+ Flatiron neighbors who shared feedback last fall. The Partnership’s work through five programmatic areas – Clean Streets, Public Safety, Social Services & Homeless Outreach, Streetscape Beautification, and Marketing – all received strong approval ratings from respondents. Below is a snapshot of a few key findings and insightful takeaways:

1.  Respondents requested more public art and community programming in Flatiron. The Flatiron Public Plazas were frequently mentioned as the preferred venue for programming including live performances and open streets events akin to Car Free Earth Day and Park Avenue Summer Streets.

2. Flatiron is green, and neighbors want more! Requests for additional street trees and seasonal plantings were submitted in large numbers, and the Partnership’s hanging flower baskets (located on 115 district streetlight poles) program was a community favorite. More shade umbrellas and additional tables and chairs on the Public Plazas were mentioned, too.

3. Along those lines, sustainability and resilience is top-of-mind in Flatiron. Respondents requested more and convenient recycling and composting outlets in the public realm, and ‘green’ educational events are wanted to reduce carbon footprints in the neighborhood.

4. Our long-time partnership with Urban Pathways was recognized as “very important” by a record 84.1% of respondents. The two-person outreach team works with individuals living without shelter to understand and address their specific needs with the goal of permanent housing.

5. The majority of respondents (73.2%) stay up-to-date on all things Flatiron via the Partnership’s weekly newsletter, with Instagram a close second (currently 23,700 followers). Our website, FlatironDistrict.NYC, was also frequently cited as a neighborhood resource.

Full Community Survey Report

23 Days of Flatiron Cheer 2019 Recap

The Flatiron Partnership brought three weeks of fun to the neighborhood with our annual holiday program, "23 Days of Flatiron Cheer" kicking off on December 1st. The program enlivened and activated the Flatiron Public Plazas and promoted the neighborhood as a shopping, dining, and cultural destination during the holiday season. Check out what went on in the district: 

Ziggy by Hou de Sousa: Installation Launch & Social Media Contest 

Prior to the official launch, we ushered in the holiday season on Monday, November 18th with the unveiling of the Ziggy by Hou de Sousa to experience the holiday art installation for the first time. The event featured a performance by The Jazz Gallery, Shake Shack's hot chocolate, small bites from Eataly, and premium prize wheel prizes from neighborhood businesses.

All photos of Ziggy shared via a post on a public Instagram account using the #ZiggyFlatiron were entered to win prizes from Flatiron businesses. There were over 1,700 hashtag uses - the largest amount for a holiday installation hashtag usage. 

Live on the Flatiron Public Plaza Giveaways and Events 

Every Friday & Saturday from December 1st through December 23rd, between noon and 4 pm, we invited passers-by to take a break from the hustle and bustle with a free hot beverage from a local fav, a chance to win a gift from a Flatiron business by spinning the Flatiron prize wheel, grab a tote bag filled with shopping discounts, and the opportunity to drop-off donations to benefit  Urban Pathways. Activities and performances were presented by Wonder Photo Shop and SPiN ping-pong lounge.

Over the course of the holiday program, our team handed out over 2,574 prizes from local businesses, nearly 1,495 free hot beverages, and 1,500 branded tote bags full of discounts from 20 businesses.  

Winter Solstice on the Flatiron Public Plaza

We ushered in the official start of winter by celebrating the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. From 4-8 pm on the Flatiron North Public Plaza, the National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath) brought life-sized kaleidoscopes for the ultimate selfie, and hot ramen from wagamama and hot cider from by Smile To Go were served. The Flatiron prize wheel was spinning and visitors were able to snag a discount-filled tote bags.

Winter Wellness Wednesdays

We partnered with six local fitness studios to offer free fitness classes each Wednesday. During the first three weeks of December, neighborhood studios offered 199 free fitness class passes. 

Flatiron Foodies Recipes 

Our holiday-themed community newsletters featured notable Flatiron chefs sharing their favorite holiday recipes. Delicious holiday additions from Park Avenue Autumn, Harding's, Covina, maman, and Trattoria Italienne. 

Holiday Flatiron History Walking Tours

Each Sunday at 11 am, our professional tour guides led visitors on history-packed, holiday-themed walking tours. Our guides took attendees on a 90-minute journey through our vibrant neighborhood, viewing some of the City’s most notable landmarks. 

Food Drive for Urban Pathways 

Throughout the year we partner with Urban Pathways to reach out to homeless individuals in the Flatiron District with the ultimate goal of placement in permanent housing. We hosted a food drive through December 23rd to benefit the clients that they serve. We collected non-perishable foods, toiletries, and gently used clothing on the Flatiron Plaza, and we collaborated with 15 companies in Flatiron to host drives within their offices. In total, 1581 items were donated to Urban Pathways. Cash donations were also collected online. 

Special thanks to offices that hosted a food drive to benefit those living without shelter in and around the neighborhood: Carnegie Fabrics, General Assembly, NYC Seminar and Conference Center, Rockrose, SeatGeek, Select Office Suites, Select Office Suites, Sony, The Assemblage NoMad, the Assemblage Park Ave, ThoughtMatter, WeWork, and Xandr

Thank you to our Sponsors & Program Partners!

Presented by the Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership, Ziggy and the accompanying programming "23 Days of Flatiron Cheer" is made possible with generous support from Presenting Sponsor Meringoff Properties and Supporting Sponsor 212 Fifth Avenue.

The Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership also thanks to local businesses who participated in "23 Days of Flatiron Cheer" through the donation of items for the Flatiron prize wheel, social media contests, and the 23 Days of Flatiron Cheer tote bags, hot beverages; performances; fitness classes; and other festive activities around the neighborhood!

Thank you to 10/10 Optics, Almond, Apple Seeds, Areppas, Athleta, Ballroom Hub, Baruch, Baruch PAC, Bode Yoga, Bouley at Home, Bouley Test Kitchen, Bourke Street Bakery, Broadway Bodies, Center for Book Arts, City Acupuncture, Covina , Dancebody, Dear Sundays, Dharma Yoga, Dos Toros, Eataly, Evelyn, Exhale, FotoCare, Freehand, Fujifilm Wonder Photo Shop, Harding's, Hill Country, Honey Brains, Iconoclast Fitness, Idea Coffee, Jane DO, Jazz Gallery, Karma Kids Yoga, La Pecora Bianca, Le Tea, Maman, Mangia, Merakia, Morton Williams Wine & Spirits, New York Health and Racquet Club, NY Laser Loft, Obica, Origins, Park Ave, Playday, Poster House, Quality Eats, Riccardo Maggiore, Rolln', Royalton Park Avenue, Scampi, Scarpetta, The Seville, Shake Shack, Silver Mirror, Sophie's Cuban Cuisine, Sous Vide Kitchen, SPiN, Standard Dose, TADA! Youth Theater, Taim, Tarallucci e Vino, The Brrrn, The Evelyn, The James New York NoMad, The NoMad Hotel, The PIT, TrainStation NYC, Trattoria Italienne, Wagamama, We Work Now, Y7, and Zucker's.

Flatiron News Roundup: Highlights from 2019

2019 was an exciting year in the Flatiron District with a number of news media highlights. We've rounded up several notable openings, announcements, and accomplishments within the neighborhood. 

A Renovated Subway Station Was Unveiled.  

At the start of 2019, the 28th Street 6 line subway station opened after six months of renovations with striking floral mosaics complimenting the extensive technological and structural upgrades (via Untapped Cities). The station was later named the most instagrammable subway station In NY by Gothamist. 

Two Game-changing Cultural Institutions Debuted in the Neighborhood.  

The country's first museum dedicated to posters, Poster House opened June 20th at 119 West 23rd Street. This museum will host a wide range of rotating exhibitions, a permanent collection of poster art, and interactive spaces where you can be the subject or the designer of your own poster (via City Guide). Fotografiska New York, a destination for photography and culture, debuted in December at 281 Park Avenue South. In addition to the three exhibition floors, Fotografiska will be home to the restaurant Verōnika, a cafe, speakeasy bar, boutique, and penthouse event space. 

The World's Largest Harry Potter Store is coming to Flatiron in 2020.  

Warner Bros is reportedly opening a Harry Potter experience exhibit here in the Flatiron District at 935 Broadway. The expected 35K square foot space would allow visitors to walk through recreations of many of the films’ most iconic locations, including the Great Hall, the Forbidden Forest and the locomotive (via Crain's New York Business). 

Flatiron-based Cosme was named "Best Restaurant in the Country" and "Best Female Chef in the World".

Cosme, a contemporary small-plate Mexican eatery in the Flatiron District, was named the best restaurant in the country by World’s 50 Best Restaurants list (via New York Post). Cosme’s Chef Daniela Soto-Innes was later named the “World’s Best Female Chef” of 2019 (via Eater New York). 

Whole Foods is on its way to Flatiron. 

The Flatiron District is getting its own Whole Foods! The supermarket will be moving into a tower 63 Madison Avenue. The lease includes 10K ground-floor space and 50K sq on the second floor (via Real Estate Weekly).

A Ground-Breaking Life Sciences Research Center is Under-Development. 

The New York City Economic Development Corporation and Deerfield Management, a New York City-based healthcare investment firm, are developing an approximate 300,000 square-foot campus for life sciences at 345 Park Avenue South. The site, designated a NYCLifeSci campus, will bring together scientists, entrepreneurs, and leading organizations from around the world to work shoulder-to-shoulder to conceive of and develop new treatments and better ways to prevent and defeat disease (via HIT Consultant).

The Flatiron Building is Undergoing a Major Renovation. 

The 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 office component of the Flatiron Building closed for the extensive renovation after the departure of publishing house Macmillan, its longtime sole tenant (via Commercial Observer).  

25% of Crain's Fastest-Growing Companies are Located in and around Flatiron District. 

Ranked by their three-year revenue growth, 12 out of New York City's 50 fastest-growing companies are located in the neighborhood. Hungryroot, Policygenius, and Bombas near the top of the list. 

Jeff Bezos Calls Flatiron Home. 

Amazon Chief Executive Jeff Bezos closed on three apartments at 212 Fifth Avenue, scooping up a penthouse and two units that are right under it for approximately $80 million. The deal is reportedly the largest to ever close in New York City south of 42nd Street, and the second-largest deal of the year (via Metro).

Header Credit: Fotografiska New York via Galerie Magazine 

Flatiron Foodies: Sophie's Cuban Cuisine's Picadillo de Res

Sophie's Cuban Cuisine was bred from the Luna family's restaurateur roots in Lima Peru and inspired by a Cuban restaurant the family visited years before the concept came to life. After years of selling food from carts near New York City soccer fields, Sophie's opened its doors on Greenwich Street in June 1997. Today the family-owned and operated business has 10 successful outposts across New York City with one located here in the Flatiron District at 28 East 23rd Street since 2008. 

Sophie's prides itself on its traditional, authentic Cuban menu using fresh ingredients. Food is made in-house and prepared throughout each day in small batches to maintain peak flavors. The menu features dishes like handmade empanadas, classic sandwiches, a wide range of side dishes and entrees, tropical fruit shakes, and classic desserts. 

Sophie's Master Chef Eduardo Morgado shares the recipe for Picadillo de Res, a ground beef stew recipe that he created himself. The hearty stew makes for a flavorful dish that's perfect to curl up to in the winter months. Plus, it's ready in 25 minutes, which is a major check in our book.

Sophie's Cuban Cuisine's Picadillo de Res (Ground Beef Stew) Recipe: 

Ingredients (Serves 4 ppl) 

• 1 lb. lean ground beef
• 1 oz. olive oil
• 1 oz. garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 8 oz. Spanish onions, diced
• 5 oz. green pepper, diced
• 3 oz. red pepper, diced
• 4 oz. tomato puree
• 8.oz. potato, peeled and cubed
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon cumin  
• ½ teaspoon oregano
• 1 oz. green olives, pitted
• 2 oz. raisins 

Preparation 

1. Cook ground beef in a pan until browned and set aside. 
2. In a large skillet on medium heat, add olive oil and garlic. Cook garlic to a golden brown color. 
3. Add diced onions, green and red peppers, and cook for 3 minutes.
4. Add tomato sauce and cook for 3 more minutes.
5. Add salt, ground pepper, cumin, and oregano.
6. Add ground beef and potatoes and cook for 10 minutes.
7. Add raisins and olives and remove them from the stove. 

Tip: You may add 4 oz. of boiling water if a saucy consistency is preferred. You may do this on step 6 before letting the stew cook for 10  minutes. 

Pictured Below: Sophie's Head Chef Eduardo Morgado.