New Neighbor: Sticky's Finger Joint
We are excited to welcome Sticky's Finger Joint to Flatiron at 24 East 23rd Street, the chain's ninth outpost in New York City. Sticky's was born out of a love for chicken fingers and a desire to get creative with how to serve them.
“We're super excited to bring Sticky's to the Flatiron District. There's a high demand in this neighborhood for innovative, premium quality, fast-casual options, so we can't wait to bring you the best damn chicken finger you've ever tasted” said Founder and CEO of Sticky’s Finger Joint, Jon Sherman.
Sticky's menu features chicken in almost every variety you can think of including sandwiches, wraps, salads, and of course, a diverse array of chicken fingers including the classic crunchy chicken finger, bite-sized poppers, grilled chicken fingers, and veggie fingers served over a bed of french fries or greens. Sticky's sources ingredients locally and uses farm-raised, antibiotic-free, hormone-free chicken. And you'll have your pick between 18 homemade, globally-inspired dipping sauces. 
A number of Signature Creations dress up the chicken with sauces, toppings, and garnishes such as the Thai Fiesta including Mac sauce, Thai sweet chili, taco seasonings, and sesame seeds, and the Salted Caramel Pretzel made with caramel, pretzel salt, and fried pretzel bits. Expect a spin on some classic flavors as well like buffalo, honey bbq, and general tso. The baskets of fries are worth a trip too. Along with classic fries, there's cajun, bacon mac, truffle parm, and S'mores (fries dressed with marshmallow sauce, chocolate sauce, crushed graham crackers, and mini marshmallows.)
In addition to striving to serve "the best damn chicken finger you have ever tasted,” Sticky's prides itself on passion, creativity, and inclusivity. They find local graffiti artists to put up original murals on their walls, play energetic music, and stay open late. Sticky's also hires people from all different backgrounds and wants to make everyone feel at home walking into a store. 
Sticky's Finger Joint is open seven days a week from 11 am to midnight.
Sticky's Finger Joint, 24 East 23rd Street off Madison Avenue, 917-423-8215
New Neighbor: Renaissance New York Chelsea
The Flatiron Partnership is thrilled to welcome the Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel as a "Friend of the Flatiron" at 112 West 25th Street off Sixth Avenue located just outside of the district. The impressive property stands 39 floors tall, features an artistic, floral design and was crowned with one of the highest rooftop pools in City scheduled to open this spring.
“Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel is set just around the corner from the Flatiron District, amongst the charm of antique shops that are essential to Chelsea's fabric,” says the hotel’s General Manager, Chris Rynkar. "Playing on the contrasting dichotomy of the hotel’s industrial, antique and floral market surroundings, the hotel’s design truly captures the DNA of the neighborhood.”
Positioned as a hidden retreat in the concrete jungle, the hotel's design brings to life the illusion of a secret garden escape. Behind a stone-walled arcade, the entry features a private, open-air courtyard studded with lush foliage and seating for guests to lounge in. A massive two-story installation of antique knobs, locks, and keys created by local artist Laura Morrison, takes center stage as the backdrop to the lobby staircase. Guests are encouraged to touch and interact with these whimsical wares as they pass through the space. Secret garden motifs are visible in custom pieces around the hotel including a collection of upside-down birdcages, and leather tiles made from vintage belts coating elevator walls.
Earth tones dominate the color palette of the 341 guest rooms and suites. The rooms are outfitted with wood-paneled printed wallcoverings and unexpected playful touches like gnome desk lamps and rabbit coat hooks. Guest bathrooms evoke a quaint garden shed with concrete sinks, porcelain tiles, and mirrors etched with silhouettes of wildflowers.
(Rendering of rooftop pool set to open this spring).
Serving as an urban oasis 430 feet in the air, the hotel’s bi-level lounge and rooftop pool, Somewhere Nowhere, (scheduled to open this Spring) offers an escape from the busy streets. A hidden passageway – made by repurposing a loading dock and transforming it with spray-painted murals of fireflies and mischievous gnomes, neon signs, and old-fashioned lantern scones – transports guests to one of the highest havens in the city with an open-air pool and 360-views of Manhattan’s majestic skyline. Hotel guests will also be treated to weekly activations and performances by local musicians and artists alike to provide them with an even deeper connection to the hotel’s neighborhood.
Also set to open this upcoming Spring, Chef Fabrizio Facchini brings a bold twist on authentic Italian cuisine through Cotto. 10-foot-high, floor-to-ceiling windows, an indoor family-style dining room, and lounge, a 14-seat bar are all set within a romantic scene. The mystical space is accented with mason jar lamps creating the feeling of firefly jars.
The restaurant will serve daily breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch with special dishes like burrata al tartufo with freshly shaved summer truffles and paccheri al pistachio di Bronte with a creamy saffron sauce and pistachio pesto. Keeping in line with the floral and nature theme, Facchini has also developed an innovative mixology experience to incorporate a selection of spirits, fruit, and herb-infused ice cubes into the cocktail programming.
We are thrilled to welcome the Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel to the growing hospitality scene in the Flatiron/Chelsea/NoMad neighborhoods with a reimaged, engaging guest experience.
Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel, 112 West 25th Street, between Sixth and Seventh Avenues, (212) 206-1522.
New Neighbor: Verōnika
The Flatiron Partnership welcomes an exciting new dining destination to the neighborhood. Located on the second floor of the newly opened photography museum Fotografiska New York, Verōnika is a restaurant that is romantically reminiscent of grand European cafés serving elevated French and Eastern European cuisine.
The eatery is the brainchild of James Beard Award-winning restaurateur Stephen Starr and spearheaded by Executive Chef, Robert Aikens, the name behind The Rainbow Room.
Verōnika, a nod to the patron saint of photography, is appropriately housed in Fotografiska New York, a global outpost of the Stockholm-based destination for photography. The venue and restaurant are inspired by the moody qualities of the medium of photography in its earliest forms and celebrate European history, culture and cuisine.
Chef Aikens' pan-European menu pays homage to Escoffier-era France, Viennese cafes, and show-stopping Eastern European favorites. The dinner menu features appetizers like Oysters, Beef tartare, Escargot, and a selection of caviars. Entree options consist of thoughtfully executed Chicken Kiev, Lamb Goulash, and Black Cod dishes. Overall, Aikens’ menu prioritizes seasonality and sustainability.
To add a perfect happy ending to your meal, you can't go wrong with the dessert menu created under the direction of Executive Pastry Chef Becca Punch of Eleven Madison Park. Presented on a dessert trolley for your choosing, options include a Viennese Chocolate Cake and a Russian layer cake made with burnt honey cream and bee pollen.
The dining experience is enhanced by the opulent interiors of the restaurant. A dimly-lit bar at the entrance features a bohemian forest mural by painter Dean Barger and offers a focused cocktail list along with extensive wine offerings. The restaurant itself is visually impressive including 20-foot tall ceilings, warm brass chandeliers, archways of the landmark building, velvet banquettes, and leather chairs. The walls of Verōnika serve as an extension of Fotografiska as the restaurant plans to exhibit several framed photographs rotating regularly throughout the year. The large 146-guest space has become a part of the innovative, expression haven, that is Fotografiska providing a 360 experience for visitors.
Plus, when you dine at Verōnika you can take advantage of discounted tickets to view the photography exhibits in the museum.
Verōnika is currently open every day for dinner: Sunday through Wednesday from 5 pm to 10 pm, and Thursday through Saturday from 5 pm to 11 pm. Brunch and lunch are to follow.
Verōnika, 281 Park Avenue South at 22nd Street, (646) 993 6993, @veronika_nyc
Photo Credit: Adrian Gaut
New Neighbor: LL Studio by Laughing Lotus
We are thrilled to welcome LL Studio by Laughing Lotus, an institutional yoga center moving to Flatiron after 20 successful years in the nearby Chelsea neighborhood. The single-studio concept opened its doors on the second floor of 166 Fifth Avenue. The studio serves as a home for party and transformational yoga practice and offers a celebrated yoga instructor training program.
The concept is the product of two yogis within the Laughing Lotus family who are excited to become apart of the growing Flatiron "Fit" District:
"There is a special mystique and energy about the Flatiron District that stems in part from the Flatiron Building. It’s a hub between so many places of interest, Madison Square Park, Chelsea, Union Square, etc. The neighborhood teems with life and diversity all day, all night," says Ulises Liceaga, LL Studio's CEO & Architect.
"Flatiron is where we put down our roots 20 years ago, and it is the vortex for fitness and positivity in NYC," adds Dana Trixie Flynn, Mama Yogi & Co-Founder, who originally co-founded Laughing Lotus in 1999.
As you walk into the Flatiron LL Studio, you enter a cozy check-in space equipped with a boutique offering branded swag with sayings like "Namaslay" and "Given-chi," along with a make-up station with a selection of hair and body glitters for your choosing. The LL Studio space is colorful, bright, and sleek. The space is enlivened by a floor-to-ceiling graffiti illustration of a Tiger, and playful adjoining walls - one that is neon pink, and the other features graffiti tags shouting out words of empowerment and names of the studio's yoga instructors. When the lights are dimmed, the ceiling is transformed into an illuminated, starry sky with blue twinkle lights used to relax yogis.
(Credit: @caitlinbee94)
LL’s signature playlist, lighting, and the use of essential oils create an immersive yoga experience. Signature flow classes include offerings for beginners, experienced yogis, expecting moms and those in recovery. Classes such as SoulSweat (basics or intermediate) increase strength and flexibility, Candlelit Resto serves mellow vibes and a daily dose of calm, and Lotus Flow™ is an uplifting, musically-infused traditional practice. Laughing Lotus also trains and certifies yoga instructors through its own yoga school.
There will be approximately 50 mats per class and classes can be booked through MindBody. Yogis can sign up early to reserve their spot. A single class costs $30 and will include 1 mat and 1 reg towel. First-time students can take advantage of a buy one, get one deal (good for two weeks). Multi-class packages, monthly memberships, and annual memberships are also available. A class schedule can be found on LL's homepage.
LL Studio by Laughing Lotus, 166 Fifth Avenue, 2nd Floor, between 21st and 22nd Streets, (212) 414-2903, @llstudiobylaughinglotus
New Neighbor: Fotografiska
The Flatiron Partnership is thrilled to introduce Fotografiska New York, the new destination for photography and culture in the Flatiron District. First showcased by the Partnership at our Annual Meeting in 2018, the new museum opened to the public on December 14, 2019, with five distinct solo exhibitions of photography by Ellen von Unwerth, Tawny Chatmon, Adi Nes, Helene Schmitz, and a partnership with TIME featuring the work of Anastasia Taylor-Lind.
"We are so excited to be in the Flatiron District, as it's such a beautiful and accessible neighborhood in Manhattan," says Executive Director, Pam Harris. "We chose this specific, historic landmark building to call home because it has so much character, and we knew it would be the perfect location to bring the vision of Fotografiska New York to life."
Photo: Fotografiska
Located at 281 Park Avenue South (at 22nd Street), the six-floor, 45,000 square-foot historic landmark building will be home to Fotografiskas multi-concept venue, featuring three floors of exhibition space as well as a soon to be opened dining room and bar operated by the award-winning STARR Restaurants and designed by Roman and Williams Buildings and Interiors. Esteemed architecture and interior design firm CetraRuddy led the design and renovation of the historic property. Higgins Quasebarth & Partners consulted on the restoration of elements like stained glass windows on the second floor and the intricate limestone and granite façade.
Photo: Adi Nes - Last Supper
Founded in 2010 in Stockholm, Fotografiska is guided by the principle of inspiring a more conscious world through photography. Fotografiska has built a safe haven of innovation, inclusivity, and self-expression by combining art, culturally eclectic event programming, exceptional dining experiences, and curated retail into one destination. Their unique exhibition model features a broad range of rotating photography shows, from easily accessible to hardcore conceptual, shot by grandmasters and emerging talent alike. All that matters is the communicative power of the image.
Photo: Tawny Chatmon - Castles, The Redemption
In addition to the exhibition floors, Fotografiska will be home to the restaurant Verōnika, brought to life by STARR Restaurants. With the highly anticipated opening date soon to be announced, Verōnika is a nod to Veronica, the patron saint of photography, and the interior is inspired by the moody qualities of the medium in its earliest forms as well as the tone, texture, and timbre of the “grand cafés” that populated Europe before the turn of the 20th century. Helmed by executive chef Robert Aikens, the menu draws inspiration from northern France, Austria, and Eastern Europe, in an eco-conscious manner that prioritizes seasonality and sustainability. Verōnika’s interior seamlessly incorporates the building’s original ceilings, cornices, and archways with new stone and plasterwork, opulent fixtures, dramatic murals and colored glass that imbues natural light with a gauzy, impressionistic glow.
Photo: Ellen von Unwerth - Bathtub, Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss (for Vogue US)
To celebrate the grand opening, Fotografiska will host a dynamic series of artist conversations, dinners, members-only gatherings and more, ringing in the inaugural season of exhibitions with programming for everyone to enjoy. The full schedule of programming will be announced in December and take place through March 2020.
In an effort to be accessible, Fotografiska is open Sunday through Wednesday, 9 am to 11 pm, and Thursday through Saturday, 9 am to 12 am.
Ticket Information:
General Admission: $28
Members: Free
Seniors (62+ with ID)
Students (w/school ID): $18
Children under 12 in groups less than six: Free
Advance online ticket reservations are encouraged, but not required
Programming and special events require a ticket.
Membership
Annual membership: $150
Annual membership benefits include:
- Unlimited visits
- 2 Guest Passes
- Invitations to members-only previews
- First access to select programs and events
- 10% year-round discount at the Store, plus monthly special offers
- 10% discount at the lobby level Café
- Free admission to Fotografiska Stockholm and Fotografiska Tallinn
Fotografiska New York, 281 Park Ave South at 22nd Street, @Fotografiska.ny
Header Photo: © Fotografiska New York
New Neighbor: Veggie Grill
"We are so excited to open the first New York City location of Veggie Grill in the vibrant Flatiron neighborhood," said CEO Steve Heeley. "As a hub for both work and living, it is the perfect spot for people to enjoy our 100% plant-based handcrafted food. Plus, there is a wealth of fitness options nearby, which highlights the high concentration of mindful eaters that share our belief around making food matter more."
Inspiring the world to make a meaningful impact through food choices, Veggie Grill has set out to craft plant-based meals for all kinds of eaters–vegetarians, vegans, and the general lovers of food striving to eat healthier without sacrificing flavor. The approachable menu is free of meat, dairy, eggs, and other animal products, and therefore, free of antibiotics and hormones. Veggie Grill is a celebration of eating vegetables in innovative and creative ways. The menu aims to challenge the stereotype that vegetables are underwhelming. The company's slogan promises you'll be asking, “More veggies, please!”
(VG Beyond Burger)
(Paleo Zucchini Noodles with Beyond Sausage)
Veggie Grill’s Flatiron location is open seven days a week from 10:30 am to 10 pm on Monday through Friday, 11 am to 10 pm on Saturday, and 11 am to 9 pm on Sunday.
New Neighbor: Summer Salt
The Flatiron Partnership is thrilled to welcome Summer Salt to the neighborhood! Bringing Baja-style beach food to 23rd Street between Madison & Park, Summer Salt features freshly made tacos, burritos, and sides that immediately call to mind salty ocean air and San Diego sun.
Owner Danny Lyu lives locally, and Summer Salt is his third food-related venture. Lyu also owns the beloved Cemitas El Tigre in Sunnyside Queens and the catering company Head Over Meals. He built Summer Salt around Southern California surf culture and the food that rolls with it — food from Baja — like the crispy fried fish tacos Lyu ate as a kid growing up in Southern California.
(Carne Asada Cali Burrito with french fries)
Summer Salt's menu features burritos, burrito bowls, tacos, and a selection of sides like chips and guac. For anyone craving the California Burritos stuffed with shoestring potatoes that are popular on the West Coast, they've got you covered. You can even make a burrito bowl California style with a base of shoestring fries. If you prefer Mission Style with rice and beans, they've got that too. Their corn tortillas are also authentically nixtamalized, a traditional way of preparing tortillas which includes soaking the maize (corn) in limewater. You may not be familiar with the process, but you will be plenty familiar with the delicious results.
Have your pick of classic options like Carnitas, Carne Asada, Pollo Asada, and vegetarian-friendly Tofu & Cauliflower Tinga, or Baja options like homemade spicy Baja Fried Chicken, lightly battered Baja Crispy Fish, Baja Seared Adobo Fish, or Baja Seared Adobo shrimp, both pan-seared with a lime-chili rub.
(Baja Crispy Fish Taco)
Of his new location, Lyu explains, "I chose Flatiron because I'm a neighbor, and I've worked in the neighborhood (just 3 blocks from Summer Salt). The great mix of residents and business people in the Flatiron creates a liveliness like nowhere else in the city. Whether it's tourists posing in front of the namesake building or locals strolling through Madison Square Park, there's a buzz here that gives off some great energy."
Lyu describes himself as food, fishing, and Baja obsessive, ever on the hunt for better beach food. He has tried every taco, burrito, gordita, flauta, and salsa from coast to coast and San Clemente to Tijuana.
The Summer Salt team intends to provide guests with an exceptional, fast-casual experience, perfect for quick or sit down lunches and dinner. Pair any of their food offerings with a selection of beers, margaritas, Palomas and White Claw. The restaurant seats approximately 30 people, and will soon offer online ordering for faster pick up. The restaurant's space calls upon California surf and beach culture with a giant fish decor, sailor portraits, and surfboard wax sold at the register.
Summer Salt is open for lunch and dinner daily from 11 am to 10 pm.
Summer Salt, 30 East 23rd Street between Madison and Park Avenues, 212.209.0648, @summersaltnyc
New Neighbor: Om Juice Bar
The Flatiron Partnership welcomes Om Juice Bar to the neighborhood at 62 Madison Avenue at the corner of 27th Street bring good vibes and good-for-you food. With a strong eye for freshness and health, Om Juice Bar touts its juices as mindfully delicious made with organic produce and cold-pressed to order. The Bar's menu also features a selection of nutritious smoothies, fruit-based bowls, and avocado toast.
Inspired by a meditation retreat, Om Juice Bar's founder Anastasia Kulinich felt compelled to open her own juice bar after experiencing the wellness benefits of adopting a plant-based diet herself. With the intention of not cutting corners with truly nutritious ingredients, Om is committed to offering organic, vegan, wholesome juices and foods.
"I'm so excited to open my first NYC business in the beautiful Flatiron neighborhood. I chose this area because it has a dynamic mix of offices, restaurants, fitness studios, residents, visitors, and parks" said Kulinich. "Already, I have heard from so many guests that they are very happy for a new juice bar here. I'm thrilled that we can offer our fresh juice to everyone."
You have your pick of eight different juices at Om crafted to replenish and revitalize without any hidden ingredients or questionable additives. Calling upon its location, the "Flatiron" juice is made with spinach, green apple, celery, cucumber, ginger, and lemon, and the "Madison Green Garden" is made with kale, pineapple, cucumber, and apple. Several other juices feature citrus, carrot, and apple flavors. All juices are served in fully recyclable glass bottles. Bring back your bottles to reuse and you will receive $1 off of your next juice purchase!
A wide variety of plant-based milks and proteins, spices, seeds, and fresh fruits are used to create nine different smoothies. The "Deep Blue" smoothie described by a google reviewer as "the most unique smoothie of [his] life" is made with coconut milk, cashews, chia seeds, banana, dates, blue spirulina, ginger and sea salt. A classic favorite flavor, the "Mint Chocolate Chip" blends together banana, cacao powder, chia seeds, hemp seeds, dates, mint, cacao nibs, sea salt, and almond milk.
Om's three smoothie bowls are made with fresh fruits, and healthy nuts and seeds. The "Happy Bowl" is made with banana, strawberries, acai, dates, oat milk, and sea salt, topped with banana, strawberries, granola, and coconut flakes. And what appears to be a fan-favorite online, the "Blue Lagoon" bowl is made with banana, mango, pineapple, dates, blue majik, sea salt, almond milk, topped with pear, granola, and chia seeds.
Om also serves a variety of hot drinks including espresso, americano, cappuccino, matcha latte, and golden latte.
When it comes to the Bar's space, the brightly lit shop with bold yellow walls elicits a feel-good feeling upon entering. A stocked grab-and-go cooler at the front allows for quick pick-ups on the run. Each month, the shop will donate 1% of all sales to local animal rescue organizations.
As Flatiron continues to develop as a hub of health and wellness in New York City, we are excited to have Om Juice Bar in the district.
Om Juice Bar is open daily from 8 am to 7 pm.
Om Juice Bar, 62 Madison Avenue, 917-409-5900, @omjuicebarnyc
New Neighbor: Tend
The Flatiron Partnership welcomes Tend, a modern dentist office with a fresh-take on patient experience and oral wellness, to the neighborhood at 29 East 21st Street. Tend is a dental wellness company that touts itself as “the first dentist you’ll actually look forward to." With a sleek studio design and personalized touches, Tend strives to make dental visits a happier experience.
“We're thrilled to officially launch Tend with the opening of our first location in New York's Flatiron neighborhood. There were so many reasons why launching in New York City made sense for us - beyond being one of the largest dental markets, it's one of the top hubs for education in the space. The Flatiron District brings together some of the city's most creative and innovative businesses and people, making it the perfect place for us to introduce Tend,” says Andy Grover, Co-Founder and Chief Development Officer of Tend. “We designed every element of the studio with the patient experience in mind, creating an environment where each guest feels completely tended to. We've been blown away by the response we've seen since launch and are excited for all that's to come!”
Tend's goal is to set a new standard for oral health – hassle free, personalized and straightforward dentistry with a focus on patient happiness. Founded by the former CEO of SmileDirectClub, Doug Hudson, Tend is taking a hospitality mindset to oral health.
Tend offers seamless, one-click appointment booking, and price transparency. Tend will check your benefits and tell you what your visit will cost before you arrive so there are no surprise bills. Tend partners with several insurance companies. Beyond that, the team strives to get to know you with questions about your goals, if you have any anxiety or nervousness, your preference on toothpaste flavor, etc. A few days before your visit, you’ll be sent a Tend Care Kit featuring specialty oral hygiene products.
Tend’s technology and equipment prioritize comfort. This includes an X-ray machine with 80% less radiation that can perform 20-second X-ray scans, digital impressions instead of a putty mold, and gentler low-noise drills. Dentists can visually walk you through each step of your treatment on screens so you can see the process for yourself. There’s also a patient portal that offers access to your records, fill-out paperwork ahead of time, and connect with clinicians directly. Tend offers a full range of services including preventative, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dental services. Tend dentists are not paid on commission so they can focus on providing top-notch care instead of rushing through appointments.
So what’s a visit like?
When You Walk-in: The studio itself isn’t your typical dentist office. Tend's space is designed to be beautiful and calming. Its sleek design invites you to step inside. There’s a cozy waiting room, but Tend claims you’ll barely use it during your visit. When you arrive, a receptionist will guide you to Tend’s “Brushery,” a blue and green colored room equipped with marbled sinks that conjure up images of mouthwash. You’ll be treated to a new Quip toothbrush and have your pick of toothpaste.
When You Enter the Examine Room: Upon walking into your private, sound-proof examine room, a high-tech screen will greet you by name. Dental tools are intentionally nowhere to be seen. You will find a comfortable white/beige room with a hook to hang your belongings, a sink to wash-up, and a basket with brand-name dental products. The reclinable chair will have Bose headphones waiting for you to put-on and watch overhead your favorite Netflix show queued up before you arrive. After your visit, the Tend team aims to help you form healthy oral health habits as well with personalized nutritional tips and product recommendations to encourage preventative care.
Tend wants you to expect compassionate dentists that talk to you, check-in with you, and educate you. Tend aims to provide a holistic approach to dental care that aspires to move beyond a promise of feeling nothing to feeling something great.
Tend is open Monday thorugh Friday 8 am to 8 pm, Saturday 8 am to 4 pm, and closed on Sunday.
Tend, 29 East 21st Street, between Broadway and Park Avenue, (212) 686-3686, @hello_tend
