What’s New

Support Local Businesses

Updated 3/16/2020

Businesses are being affected by the new Coronavirus (Covid-19) in tangible ways across New York City. There are ways that community members can still help support the local economy and our beloved small businesses in the midst of the related economic slowdown. This is a rapidly changing situation and we urge everyone to follow the guidelines and protocols, including social distancing, put forth by public health officials.

Effective 8PM Monday, March 16, crowd capacity is to be reduced to 50 total people, and 50% occupancy rates. Restaurants and bars that serve food will be shifting to takeout/delivery ONLY. It is being reported that alcholic beverages will now also be available for delivery.

All gyms and fitness centers and movie theatres must also close at 8pm tonight. 

1. Order Delivery:  When ordering delivery from your favorite spot consider ordering from a business's website directly, instead of thrid-party outlets that collect commission fees, which ensures more of your dollars go directly to the business
   
   
2. Shop Locally Online:  Support local retailers by purchasing items for delivery. 
   
   
3. Buy gIft cards: Retailers, restaurants, fitness studios, cultural amenities and services may be offering online gift cards for purchase. Buying one now for future use gives businesses some much needed shirt-term income.
   
   
4. Essential staff lodging: If your essential personel are needed close to work, many area hotels have reduced rates. 
   
   
5. Give good reviews: Use your time to give businsses you love great reviews on various platforms and like and share their social media posts.
    
6. If possible, don't ask for refunds. If a changing situation means you're no longer in need of their service, consider not asking for a refund. 

Our interactive, digital Flatiron Guide that maps out the district is a helpful resource to become aware of local businesses. You can filter by business type for easy searching.  Note that many businesses may have closed completely so double check their website for delivery or gift card availability, or give them a call. 

Again, stay up to date on current conditions in New York City and please stay home, even if you don't feel sick.

For more infomation on local updates, you can visit our resource page. You can also visit the New York City Department of Health General Info Page.

Thumbnail Photo Credit: @fleurs_de_sel

Saint Patrick's Day Take Out/Delivery in Flatiron

Updated 3/16/2020:

Effective 8PM Monday, March 16 Restaurants and bars that serve food will be shifting to takeout/delivery ONLY. The Governor also announced that alcholic beverages will now also be available for delivery, as a part of this rule. This is not a permanent change and would only be in effect for the duration of the mandatory closures.

The below bars and eateries do all have food menu items, and may be offering their St. Pat's specials via delivery. Please visit their social media or websites, or call the restaurant directly for confirmation:

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Everyone's a little Irish on St. Patrick's Day. In celebration of Paddy's Day, we've rounded up local pubs (and a bakery) inviting you to celebrate with some themed fun.

Baked by Melissa, 111 East 23rd Street, between Park and Lexington, (212) 842-0220
Order a pack of St. Patrick's Day-themed mini-cupcakes such as the "Pot O' Gold" 25-pack.

The Churchill Tavern, 45 East 28th Street, between Madison Avenue and Park Avenue South, (646) 476-8419
Not exactly Irish, but the festive, the English-themed bar the Churchill Tavern. 

The Globe, 158 East 23rd Street, between Lexington Avenue and Third Avenue, (212) 477-6161
Old-school (since 1886) Irish pub The Globe offer traditional Irish dishes.    

Gold Bear, 377 Park Avenue South, between 27th and 26th Streets, (646) 850-1400
Gold Bear, is known for its impressive cocktail program and tasty menu. 

The Storehouse, 69 West 23rd Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, (212)-243-8898
Order some St. Patrick's Day fun from Irish-style sports bar The Storehouse.

Again, please call each location to confirm delivery availability. 

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

Photo Credit: Manhattan Sideways of Storehouse

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

Support Women-Owned Businesses in Flatiron

In honor of Women's History Month this March, we rounded up a list of women-owned businesses to support when you spend time in the neighborhood. Flatiron proudly boasts a number of women-led businesses across a variety of sectors.

Fitness 

Chaise Fitness, 40 East 23rd Street, at Madison Ave, (212) 432-6100
Chaise Fitness offers a patented fusion workout of ballet, Pilates, and strength. Mother/daughter power duo Lauren and Rachel Piskin created ChaiseFitness, both inspired by their respective backgrounds in competitive figure skating and ballet and their lifelong passion for health and wellness.

Jane DO, 24 West 23rd Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, (210) 938-1000 (ext. 4)
Founded by two former Radio City Rockettes who were fed up with fitness stereotypes, Jacey Lambros and Danielle DeAngelo launched a studio where women can workout confidently offering cardio, dance, and strength training classes. 

Y7 Studio, 25 West 23rd Street, between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue, (646) 820-0781
The candle-lit studio's mission is to make yoga practice inclusive and accessible. Founder Sarah Levey started the concept because of her own frustrations with yoga studios that she visited stating that she would often feel uncomfortable, inadequate, and desperate for some fun. 

Wellness

Alchemy 43, 40 East 21st Street, (917) 970-3743
An aesthetics bar specializing in cosmetic microtreatments from the neck up. LA-based founder and CEO, Nicci Levy, founded Alchemy 43 in an attempt to apply a new approach to the industry that removes the shame around injectables. 

Gotham Glow, 1123 Broadway #417, (212) 592-0368
In the neighborhood since 2011, Gotham Glow is an airbrush tanning salon and industry leader in the New York City area. The salon was founded by owner Tamar Vezirian and is well-known for creating an effective tanning formula that doesn’t give off an unpleasant odor and is FDA-approved. 

WTHN, 20 West 22nd Street, (646) 558-9846
An acupuncture studio and herbal shop meant to be ultra-modern, personalized, and convenient for you. The studio was founded by Michelle Larivee, an acupuncture advocate, and Dr. Shari Auth, a holistic health practitioner. 

sundays, 51 East 25th Street, at Madison Avenue, (646) 998-5711
sundays set out to revolutionize the traditional manicure with custom-designed non-toxic vegan nail polish in a space fit for meditation. Founder Amy Ling conceptualized the studio after her experience in beauty school and working as a chemist to study nail care products upon receiving her MBA from Columbia University. 

Flatiron Pediatrics, 27 East 22nd Street, (212) 460-5600
In the neighborhood since 2014, Flatiron Pediatrics specializes in exceptional medical care for kids and strives to build a beautiful, welcoming, comfortable space that clients enjoy visiting. The practice was founded by Dr. Victoria Riese, a pediatrician who has amassed a wealth of knowledge and experience over the course of a career that spans nearly a decade.

 Dining 

maman, 22 West 25th Street, (646) 838-0700
Beloved French café and bakery is home to New York’s famous Nutty Chocolate Chip Cookie and serves a selection of to-stay or to-go breakfast and lunch options. Founder Elisa Marshall conceptualized maman to bring her childhood favorites from the south of France and the U.S. back to life. 

Om Juice Bar, 62 Madison Avenue, (917) 409-5900
With a strong eye for freshness and health, Om Juice Bar touts its juices and smoothies as mindfully delicious and made with organic produce. Inspired by a meditation retreat, founder Anastasia Kulinich felt compelled to open her own juice bar after experiencing the wellness benefits of adopting a plant-based diet herself. 

Taïm, 64 West 22nd Street, (212) 966-7364
The acclaimed Tel Aviv-inspired vegetarian and kosher restaurant offers signature falafel and cauliflower shawarma to both vegetarians and carnivores alike. Founder Einat Admony realized many people did not know exactly what Israeli/Jewish food looked like, and she wished to change that. 

Culture & Hospitality 

Lois Lane Travel, 230 Fifth Avenue, 212-243-5277 
For over 25 years, Lois Lane Travel has provided clients with expert advice on airfare, hotels, and car rentals. Founder Lois Eida, takes great pride in her work and serves as a major advocate for the Flatiron community at large. 

Pen and Brush, 29 East 22nd Street, (212) 475-3669
A 125-year-old publicly supported not-for-profit showcasing the work of excellent female artists and writers with the ultimate goal of effecting real change within the marketplace. Under the presidency of accomplished writer and suffragist Grace Seton, Pen and Brush became an established legal corporation.  

Poster House, 119 West 23rd Street, between Sixth and Seventh Avenues, (917) 722-2439
Poster House is the first museum dedicated to posters in the United States with a mission to showcase posters from all over the world and highlight the history, design, and cultural context. Val Crosswhite organized supporters and founded the museum to recognize the art and social impact of posters. 

This list does not encompass all women-owned businesses within the district. If you are a business in the district and would like to be featured, please contact us at info@flatirondistrict.nyc. 

Photo Credit: New York Times, of Taim founder Einat Admony

February News Roundup

February marked some notable media highlights for the neighborhood such as grabbing several "best of" titles for cultural and dining institutions. Stay up-to-date with the latest Flatiron District News with our monthly roundup of notable highlights.

Restaurants & Bars

• Cote, an upscale Flatiron District Korean barbecue restaurant, is ladling out Chapaguri ram-don ($18): Korean instant ramen noodles with American wagyu beef, inspired by a dish in Best Picture-winner “Parasite.” “It’s salty and spicy and packed with flavor,” says Cote owner Simon Kim (via NY Post).
• Veggie Grill landed a spot on the "10 Places to Find Vegan Nachos in NYC" list (via Veg Out Mag) calling out the classically constructed Mondo Nachos made with nacho chickin’ and queso chorizo sauce.
• Priyanka Chopra is reportedly partnering with the Lambs Club guru David Rabin and longtime friend Maneesh Goyal on a new Indian eatery in the Flatiron District slated for an early summer opening, with chef Hari Nayak tapped to create the cuisine (via Page Six). 
• Omakase by Teisui (246 Fifth Avenue), landed a spot on "Where to Eat Sushi Omakase for Under $125 in NYC" list for offering some of the best and affordable omakase in NYC. The article claimed that the small restaurant serves high-quality sushi with a side of education as the menu includes information about fish sourcing (via Eater New York). 

BID Businesses

• The Museum of Mathematics was named one of "The Best Things to do in New York City With Kids" citing that the under-the-radar museum features a ton of hands-on exhibits showing how science, technology, engineering, and math inform every element of our lives (via Curbed New York). 
• After a quarter of a century in the Flatiron District, Safavieh moved its home furnishings retail showroom to a larger space in the Chelsea neighborhood less than a mile away at 89 Seventh Avenue where it occupies a 30,000-square-foot footprint (via Home Accents Today).
• Dermatologist David Colbert at New York Dermatology Group (NYDG) in the Flatiron District tends to the complexions of actors, models, editors, and even other dermatologists. Spanning 7,000 square feet, the space houses two cryotherapy machines, an IV-infusion suite, and eight treatment rooms that are larger than most New York bedrooms (via The Cut). 

Real Estate & Commercial

• After four years, developer Ian Bruce Eichner found a buyer to purchase two penthouses atop his Madison Square Park Tower condominium for $45 million. The trophy units, which span 13,000 square feet across two floors, were most recently listed for $52 million (via The Real Deal). 

In the Neighborhood 

• The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) issued its annual report highlighting the significant impact of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) across New York City, including the Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership.
• Google Maps marked its 15th anniversary with a multi-day event on the Flatiron North Public Plaza which included a life-sized location pin and giveaways (via Forbes Magazine). 

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. 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources & Updates

Updated Friday, March 31 at 5:06 pm 

The Flatiron/23rd Partnership Team is working hard to collect resources and information on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak as it becomes available. 

If you have questions or needs? Email the team directly: Covid19@FlatironDistrict.nyc

Takeout/Delivery: Here is a running list of Flatiron Businesses offering takeout/delivery. 
Essential Retailers: A list of essential retailers that are open in the neighborhood. 
Virtual Experiences & Online Classes: A running list of online resources from Flatiron/Nomad businesses and Institutions.
Local Business Fundraisers: Ways you can support the businesses you love.  

Scroll to the bottom for additional resources.

BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS:


Please visit our Financial Resources Page for financial resources to support small businesses, nonprofits, and nonessential businesses and workers impacted.

New York City Unemployment Resources. 

For expert advice on a variety of topics: funding, legal issues, government regulations, staffing, marketing, real estate, health care, technology, etc, Businesses can utilize the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce help desk. No need to be a member, this is currently open to all who need it.  

NEWSLETTERS TO HELP KEEP YOU INFORMED:

• Daily coronavirus email updates from the State of New York.
• New York Times Coronavirus Briefing Email Updates 
• For restaurants and other hospitality businesses, sign up for the New York Hospitality Alliance for timely email updates. 
• Stay in touch with Local Elected Officials:
• District 2: Councilwoman Carlina Rivera newsletter
• District 4: Council Member Keith Powers newsletter
• District 3: Speaker Corey Johnson newsletter
• Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer newsletter 

 GENERAL RESOURCES:

• Know Your Rights: Information about testing, insurance, unemployment, mortgages, utilities, and price gouging. 
• Data on NYC Testing, Case Counts, & Hospitalizations
• File for Unemployment
• File a Price Gouging Complaint
• Testing is free to all eligible New Yorkers as ordered by a health care provider or by calling the NYS COVID-19 hotline at 1-888-364-3065. Your local health department is your community contact for COVID19 concerns.
• Mental Health Support: Call (888) NYC-Well (692-9355) or NYC.gov/nycwell

 
UPDATES FROM NEW YORK STATE AND CITY OFFICIALS: 

MTA: For the latest updates, visit their Essential Service Page and Subway & Bus Service Details Page to find up-to-date information about service changes. 

New Guidance on Face Coverings - 4/2
The City of New York has issued new guidance on face coverings. People who do not show symptoms may still be able to spread COVID-19. A face covering can help prevent you from spreading COVID-19 to other people, so you should wear one whenever you leave the home. More details here. 

Free Meals for all New Yorkers - 4/2
NYC Department of Education has extended its free meal plan to students to all New Yorkers. Any New Yorker who wants one can get three free meals a day at more than 400 Meal Hubs across the city at designated times. Read the details here. 

Governor Andrew Cuomo: (Updated 3/31)

• New York on Pause has been extended through April 15.
  
  
• All non-essential construction must shut down except emergency construction. More information about what constitutes essential construction can be found here.
  
  
• 100% of the nonessential workforce must stay home. This excludes essential services such as food delivery/take-out, pharmacies, grocery stores, and other similar services. This previous Executive Order provides guidance on what is considered "Essential Workforce"
  
  
• NY, CT, NJ, and PA will temporarily close all barbershops, nail & hair salons, tattoo shops, & similar services effective as of Saturday, March 21st at 8 pm.
   
• New York will implement a 90-day moratorium on evictions for residential and commercial tenants.
  
  
• NYS will direct mortgage payments be waived for 90 days based on financial hardship (with no late fees and no negative impact on credit).
  
  
• Announcement of new Matilda's Law to protect New Yorkers age 70+ and those with compromised immune systems. This law directs the public to remain indoors, pre-screen visitors by taking temperature, ask visitors to wear masks and stay six feet away from others.
   
• NYS is "on pause". Non-essential gatherings of individuals of ANY size for ANY reason are canceled at this time.
   
• Public transportation will keep running to get nurses, doctors, law enforcement officers, and other essential personnel where they need to go. Everyone else: Limit the use of public transportation to only when absolutely necessary.
  
  
• Tax Day Postponed: Federal Tax Day has been moved from April 15 to July 15. 
  
  

Mayor Bill de Blasio: State of Emergency issued for NYC. (3/13) 

Governor Andrew Cuomo issued an Executive Order for the State of NY regarding the temporary suspension or modification of laws relating to disaster emergency. (3/13)

For real-time New York City COVID-19 updates, text "COVID" to 692-692. 

For the Latest Health Updates from the City of New York visit: nyc.gov/coronavirus

For the Latest Updates from the State of New York visit: coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home

CALL FOR PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPTMENT (PPE) AND SPACES 

• Critical need for Personal Protection Equipment: New York has a critical need for Personal Protection Equipment including gloves, gowns, and masks. NYS needs companies to be creative to supply the crucial gear our healthcare workers need. NY will pay a premium and offer to fund.

• Need Funding? 212-803-3100
• Have Unused Supplies? 646-522-8477
• The call volume is high! You can also email COVID19supplies@esd.ny.go
• More info on Donating/Producing PPE or other products for New York State
• More info on Donating/Producing PPE or other products for The City of New York: 
  The NYC Economic Development Corporation is seeking businesses with the ability to source and/or make products to support the City’s COVID-19 response work. Learn more here.

• NYC Share Your Space Survey: General Info & Take The Survey to Register Your Space. The Share Your Space Survey identifies spaces in your community that could potentially support the City's emergency operations or be used for community outreach events. Registering your community space (a hotel, stadium, parking lot, etc.) is one way you can help support communities during this time.

BEST PRACTICES TO HELP STOP THE SPREAD: 

For the General Public, check out the World Health Organization's guidelines. 

For the workplace for essential personnel, check out the Center for Disease Control's guidelines. 

For Small businesses, COVID-19 Guidance for Business Owners (Updated 3-16-2020)

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: 

• Case Count & Data for NYC 
• COVID-19 Guidance for Business Owners (Updated 3-16-2020)
• COVID-19 FAQ for Businesses & Employers  
• COVID-19 Fact Sheet 
• NYC Department of Health General Info Page 
• NYC & Company Info and Resources Related to Tourism 
• Department of Consumer and Worker Protection - Items in Short Supply
• Paid Sick Leave: What Employers Need to Know
• COVID-19 Guidance and Safety
• cuny.edu/coronavirus/

Header Credit: World Health Organization 
Thumbnail Credit: Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Get to Know: Center for Book Arts

The Center for Book Arts founded in 1974, is the first not-for-profit organization of its kind that promotes the active exploration of contemporary and traditional artistic practices related to books as an art form. The Center is one of few contemporary arts organizations dedicated to the art of books, and the only location in New York City where visitors can view book arts exhibitions in the context of an active, working studio. The exhibits positions the book art practice as an object, media and as a site of resistance.

Located just outside of the Flatiron District boundaries, CFBA supports the work of the Flatiron Partnership as a marketing affiliate sponsor. Executive Director, Corina Reynolds stated, "Center for Book Arts invests in our arts community and seeks to partner with our neighbors in life. The Flatiron Partnership supports the neighborhood and keeps us connected in the same way we seek to uplift the book arts & bring it to new communities.”

The Center bridges communication between the book arts community and the larger spheres of contemporary visual and literary arts. Through exhibitions, classes, readings, presentations and other opportunities for artists, writers, collectors and publications, the Center seeks to facilitate conversation pertinent to the world of book arts and serve as a model organization in the field to champion the cause.

"We try to promote a wider understanding of what an artist book can be and look like, and that's interesting to visitors of our city, as well as fine art collectors," shared Reynolds. 

What's a visit to the Center like? You can glance exhibits on display and get to know the craft behind some of the artwork featured in the galleries. Visitors can walk through the studios and chat with workspace residents to get a deeper experience. Currently, exhibits include an audio installation of Sinan Antoon in the main gallery, moving graphics and lectures by Warren Lehrer in the foyer, and digital archives curated by Faride Mereb in the printshop.   

CFBA also hosts educational classes for individuals interested in the art of bookbinding and the advanced study of book arts. The Education Program strives to engage a wide audience, providing beginner and professional artists alike with a comprehensive and technically challenging curriculum. In addition to foundation coursework in letterpress printing, bookbinding, and works on paper, they provide structured opportunities for working artists from other media to expand their creative practice in bookmaking.

The Spring and Fall Broadside Reading Series is another effort to further the collaboration between visual and literary arts. The Series brings together well known and emerging poets for public readings and provides book artists an opportunity to commemorate the night with the publishing of letterpress printed broadsides relating to the poets’ work. 

The Center will be hosting its annual benefit and auction on Thursday, April 2nd to honor pioneering book and performance artist Alison Knowles. Knowles is a visual artist known for her soundworks, installations, performances, publications and her association as a founding member of the Fluxus movement. She produced what may be known as the earliest book object – a can with 16 offset scrolls of text and dried beans called the Bean Rolls, in 1963. There will be cocktails, dancing, and performances by NIC Kay, Wo Chan, and Vincent Chong in celebration of Knowles’ extraordinary work.

Center for Book Arts, 28 West 27th St, 3rd Flr, New York, NY 10001, (212)-481-0295, info@centerforbookarts.org

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 22^nd Street, (646) 993 6993, @veronika_nyc

Photo Credit: Adrian Gaut