News

September News Roundup

Oct 1, 2020

September’s news highlighted indoor and outdoor dining, vibrancy efforts through the Neighborhood Getaways and All in Flatiron programs, and the continued impacts of COVID-19 on the district. Stay up-to-date with the latest Flatiron District News.

Restaurants & Bars

Blackbarn‘s John Doherty shares why he made the tough decision to temporarily close their outdoor dining setup until limited indoor dining reopened. Blackbarn has since reopened (via Fox 5 NY).
More than six months into the coronavirus pandemic, restaurants across the city continue to close en masse, including Bo’s Kitchen and Bar Room and the second location of taqueria Flats Fix (via Eater NY).
Philippe Massoud, CEO and Executive Chef of ilili, discussed how the optional ‘COVID-19 Recovery Surcharge’ would allow his business to survive (via CNN).
Eleven Madison Park and other Flatiron restaurants made negotiations with landlords in order to plan for reopening (via Real Estate Weekly).
Worth highlighted Thyme Bar as a one-of-a-kind experience that makes you feel alive and excited for outdoor dining (via Worth).
The NoMad Hotel spoke with Forbes about the process of creating their outdoor rooftop restaurant complete with chandeliers, elegant rugs, and a brand-new seasonal dinner menu (via Forbes).
After the news of permanent outdoor dining, Dave Ferrara from La Pecora Bianca shared sentiments of hope and relief for the restaurant industry (via Fox 5 NY).
Mia Van de Water, Assistant General Manager at Cote, was announced as a new board member on The United Sommeliers Foundation. Van de Water was previously on the somm team at the acclaimed Eleven Madison Park (via Wine Industry Advisor).
Flatiron restaurants Cote, Laut Singapura, and The Smith were highlighted as indoor dining spots to look forward to (via New York Post).
The NoMad Hotel was featured on The Points Guy UK‘s list of “The 37 Best Hotels in New York City for Each Type of Traveler” (via The Points Guy UK).
As NYC settles into a new normal, restaurateurs are forging ahead with plans to open new spots this fall. Milu, planning to open in October, is a Chinese fast-casual restaurant serving rice bowls, wontons, vegetable sides, and family meals topped with proteins like duck, brisket, and sichuan-spiced cauliflower (via Eater NY).
Telly Hatzigeorgiou, owner of Slate NY, sought guidance for how and when to reopen his nightclub through indoor dining and Open Streets activations (via NY 1).

District Businesses

David Filipiak of Fotografiska New York talked to CBS New York about NYC & Company’s Neighborhood Getaways program where hotels, restaurants, and museums offer special deals to attract patrons (via CBS New York).
Rizzoli Bookstore and other businesses along the ‘NoMad Piazza’ on Broadway from 25th to 28th Street helped create a cluster of dining, retail, and service establishments (via Patch).
The Flatiron-based text marketing company Attentive is now valued at $2 billion dollars after the company finalized a new $230 million investment (via Crain’s New York).
Rio Sakairi, the artistic director of the Jazz Gallery, shared how the jazz scene has taken a particularly hard hit due to COVID-19 (via New York Times).

Real Estate

Mastercard, which has 18,600 employees globally, has pledged to triple its presence in New York City and is set to add nearly 500 office workers by 2024 as it expands into 150 Fifth Avenue (via Payments Source).

Around the Neighborhood

The Architectural Record interviewed architect Nina Cooke John about her career, her passions, and Flatiron’s 2020 Holiday Art Installation (via Architectural Record).
The new Off-Broadway lineup includes digital and outdoor performances including The Busking Project, starring Tony-winner Bill Irwin, which will take place across the Flatiron District with reserved, socially-distanced spots for the audience (via Playbill).
In a special editorial of 13 photographers who are 2020 graduates, Healther Suarez, who has been “addicted” to capturing memories since her sophomore year, completed her shoot in Madison Square Park which was one of the few nearby spaces one could go for fresh air during the height of the pandemic (via Elle).
The All in Flatiron Dining Deals program organized by the Partnership was highlighted as one way local restaurants gained support to overcome unprecedented challenges (via NY 1).