There’s a reason that everyone wants to have their office in Flatiron—in addition to being easily accessible from basically any part of the city, its streets are chock-full of great restaurants, bars, and shops. We’re regulars in these neighborhoods on the weekends, too, as the combination of Union Square Farmers Market, Chelsea Market, and Eataly makes it a great place to get errands done. Chelsea’s also a major destination for aesthetes, with amenities like the High Line, plus many of the city’s best private art galleries.
Activities & Culture | Bars & Restaurants | Hotels | Shop
Gagosian Gallery
555 W. 24th St., Chelsea | 212.741.1111
The jewel of Larry Gagosian’s gallery empire is a gargantuan, museum-standard center in Chelsea: The space alone is worth a visit for its sheer monumentality. And fittingly, the stable of artists displayed there consists of the art world’s heavyweights from Ed Ruscha, to Taryn Simon and Jeff Koons. There are multiple outposts in the city (including a second location on 21st street) along with galleries around the world.
Haven’s Kitchen
109 W. 17th St., Chelsea | 212.929.7900
We’re pretty smitten with the concept here: Founder Alison Cayne transformed a carriage house into a cooking school/supper club, where area chefs lead classes on everything from cooking Vietnamese food with fresh herbs to gluten and allergen-free baking. Once the meal is made, participants grab chairs and eat the spoils together.
Luhring Augustine
531 W. 24th St., Chelsea | 212.206.9100
Founded in 1985 by co-owners Lawrence R. Luhring and Roland J. Augustine, this Chelsea gallery focuses on representing an international group of contemporary painters, sculptors, photographers, and multimedia artists. The roster is a roll-call for some of the world’s most celebrated artists from Larry Clark to Joel Sternfeld, Pipilotti Rist, Janine Antoni, and more. There’s also a location in Bushwick for larger scale projects.
Matthew Marks Gallery
523 W. 24th St., Chelsea | 212.243.0200
With a stable of some of our favorite contemporary artists and photographers—Luigi Ghiri, Nan Goldin and Terry Winters—gallerist Matthew Marks has made a name for himself for his offbeat, yet totally on-point exhibitions. There are three outposts in Chelsea.
Museum of Mathematics
11 E. 26th St., Nomad | 212.542.0566
While the name might invoke childhood memories of fear and loathing for the subject, this super interactive museum might inspire an affection for math. It revolves around hands-on rides and activities that employ mathematical concepts to function—a tricycle with square wheels that rolls across a track, a chair that drifts across a pool of acorn shapes—meaning that a few hours spent here will be both fun and insightful.
The High Line
This elevated public park that runs from the Meatpacking District all the way to Midtown is perhaps the best thing to happen to the city’s landscape in decades. Set on abandoned railway tracks suspended above the city streets, the restoration project by Diller Scofidio + Renfro in conjunction with James Corner Field Operations began in 2006 and continues to this day, now focused on a huge development in the original Rail Yards at the end of the line in the west 30’s. Boasting views of the Hudson, a seasonal landscaping program, and art installations throughout, the High Line draws crowds of city-dwellers and tourists looking for a little respite from the streets below.
15 East
15 E. 15th St., Union Sqaure | 212.647.0015
They use incredibly fresh fish in particularly inventive ways here, which has earned them a well-deserved Michelin star. We like to dine at the bar and give in to affable chef Masato Shimizu’s omakase, which is full of some pretty unusual and surprising flavor combinations—not always the easiest thing to achieve when it comes to sushi.
ABC Kitchen
35 E. 18th St., Union Square | 212.475.5829
Helmed by Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, this airy, all-white space—attached to ABC Home—is a temple to inventive, seasonal, and local cooking sourced from nearby farms and cooperatives. It doesn’t come as much of a shock that the fare is GMO-free, and also grown and made without pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, insecticides, antibiotics, and hormones. It’s not surprising because you can taste the well-sourced provenance on the plate, whether in the form of housemade ricotta ravioli or fried organic chicken in a hot butter sauce. (We never said that the offers are ascetic.)
All’onda
22 E. 13th St., Greenwich Village | 212.231.2236
Chef Chris Jaeckle teamed up with restaurateur Chris Cannon (Michael White’s former business partner) to open this well-dressed restaurant in the village. The first floor—occupied solely by the bar—is generally packed, thanks in no small part to the fact they are currently not taking reservations for two. The menu is Venetian with touches of Japan—evidenced by the crudos (a la Marea). Everyone these days has their version of the uni bucatini, but Jaeckle has one of the best we’ve tried.
Bar Jamón
125 E. 17th St., Gramercy | 212.253.2773
This is a Batali-Bastianich collaboration, so expect nothing less than delicious tapas—excellent meats, manchego cheese, boquerones—all served up as authentically as if you were in Madrid. If you come just for drinks, you won’t be disappointed by the list, and you can pretty much make a meal out of a few of their authentic offerings. (If you’re still hungry, head next door to Casa Mono.)
Beechers
900 Broadway, Flatiron | 212.466.3340
While it’s pretty hard to screw up a grilled cheese sandwich, the oversized, overstuffed versions here are made using Beecher’s own cheese, a lot of which is made right on site (watching the cheese makers do their thing through the massive windows is nothing short of mesmerizing). The main café is ideal for weekday lunches and the Cellar downstairs is a more dressed-up small-plates-and-wine restaurant. And if you need a hostess gift but are short on time, the nuts, jams, small but mighty selection of wine, and of course, cheeses, pack up nicely.
Casa Mono
125 E. 17th St., Gramercy | 212.253.2773
Mario Batali and Andy Nusser’s tiny tapas spot opened over a decade ago, but the vibe and food is still just as great—particularly on those days when you’re really missing Spain. The menu leans pretty heavily on proteins, but the more veggie-driven dishes (asparagus with octopus, spring leeks vinaigrette) hold their own, too. Meanwhile, Mono’s sister property next door, Bar Jamón, is great for a post-dinner nightcap. Both spaces can accommodate full buyouts for private parties.
Cosme
35 E. 21st St., Flatiron | 212.913.9659
So NYC has never really gotten snaps for its Mexican food, but Cosme is said to break the trend. It’s probably because it’s from chef Enrique Olvera, of Mexico City Pujol fame—trust us when we say he’s legit. The PDR is just as sleek and modern as the rest of the restaurant, and while it’ll cost you, a prix-fixe private meal here is an incredibly special experience.
Eleven Madison Park
11 Madison Ave., Flatiron | 212.889.0905
A meal here is a total treat. This Michelin-starred, Art Deco-esque restaurant is also an investment, both in time and money. But it’s absolutely worth it, as the kitchen, which is now under the direction of chef Daniel Humm, sends forth molecular gastronomy-inflected dishes that are pristine and precise. On the tasting menu, you’ll choose the main ingredient—the rest is up to the kitchen, meaning that each dish is a wonderful surprise.
Gallow Green
542 W. 27th St., Chelsea | 212.564.1662
Gallow Green is actually the rooftop of the McKittrick Hotel. When you first walk in, you might expect a woodland nymph to pop out from behind one of the lush arches. The cozy garden vibe here is neither pretentious nor touristy, and the views of the city are some of the best. Their unusual cocktails are keeping with the theme, with names like the Green Grass (a mezcal drink with pineapple syrup and thai spices) and the Dahlia (vodka steeped with roses, orange, and cranberry).
Gramercy Tavern
42 E. 20th St., Gramercy Park | 212.477.0777
For over 20 years, this venerable Danny Meyer restaurant has been continually packed, thanks to the delicious, seasonal, and local American cuisine, a movement that’s currently stewarded by chef Michael Anthony, of Blue Hill fame. The woodsy dining room, complete with Robert Kushner’s vegetable mural, is so comforting. Their private room is a great classic spot for a private event.
Le Coq Rico
30 E. 20th St., Flatiron | 212.267.7426
The name—try saying it three times fast—translates to “The Bistro of Beautiful Birds,” and is an offshoot of three-star Michelin chef Antoine Westermann’s original poultry-focussed restaurant on Rue Lepic in Paris. Before opening, Chef Westermann spent more than a year traveling through Hudson Valley and Pennsylvania, meeting with local farmers to learn their farming practices and philosophies. (As a result, all the birds come from small family farms.) Come for the slow-cooked egg and Plymouth barred rock chicken, and don’t hesitate to order the quarter rotisserie chicken or the macaroni au gratin. There’s an entire section devoted to dishes featuring pasture-raised eggs, too.
Maialino
2 Lexington Ave., Gramercy | 212.777.2410
Maialino is NYC restauranteur Danny Meyer’s trattoria outpost at Gramercy Park Hotel. The kitchen is helmed by Nick Anderer, who previously had stints at kitchens in Rome and Milan and Italian ones Stateside, like Mario Batali’s Babbo. (Anderer is also still a big part of the pizza joint, Marta, too.) The dinner menu is very well done, and they have a nice, separate space for private parties. But less expected is that this is also an ideal spot to grab a cup of coffee or stay and sit for a bit if you find yourself in Gramercy during the afternoon.
Marta
29 E. 29th St., Nomad | 212.651.3800
After Shake Shack’s IPO, Danny Meyer has moved on to a comfort food that’s actually even more precious to New Yorkers than a burger and fries: pizza. Marta, his pizza venture with Chef Nick Anderer, is situated on the first floor of the Redbury Hotel, in a high-ceilinged space with a mezzanine and a generous bar. They’re open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and yeah, the pizza is insanely good.
Miznon
435 W 15th St., Chelsea | 646.490.5871
In a city full of habibi carts, Israeli celebrity chef Eyal Shani’s Chelsea Street Market restaurant goes beyond serving just the Middle Eastern classics. He’s known for pillowy pita bread, but instead of the usual suspects (shawerma, falafel), Miznon’s fills it with ratatouille, hake, and even a cheeseburger. The whole roasted cauliflower, which is first pressure cooked in saltwater, then roasted whole with just olive oil, is served with Israeli-imported tahini and is absolutely delicious.
Maman Nomad
22 W. 25th St., Nomad | 646.838.0700
If you’ve visited Marché Maman, or one of the other Maman cafés, you’re familiar with founders Benjamin Sormonte and Elisa Marshall’s talent for creating utterly chic, French-inspired spaces you want to live in. They’re latest outpost, Maman Nomad, checks all these boxes. The first uptown presence for the duo, the gorgeous café and restaurant serves up decadent lunch and brunch options, including healthy homemade soups and quiches, plus their famous nutty chocolate chip cookies. Go for a relaxed brunch or afternoon coffee–or if in a pinch, grab something to-go.
Ruby’s
442 3rd Ave., Gramercy | 212.300.4245
This hangout for Australians (for real) offers an insanely delicious burger, along with meal-worthy salads, making it a great pit-stop for a quick bite. Due to its popularity, the original location in Nolita has doubled in size (expanding into next door’s space) since opening in 2003. This is actually their second location.
The Nomad
1170 Broadway, Nomad | 212.796.1500
Daniel Humm of the Michelin starred Eleven Madison Park runs a food program here that is as delicious as it is elegant, all appropriate to the Jacques Garcia-designed surroundings. Choose between the clubby Parlour with velvet seats and Persian rugs or the shimmering Atrium under a massive skylight for your meal’s venue—both are a treat. There are several private rooms available here, but opt for the rooftop if possible—you can actually stage a small table in the hotel’s iconic cupola.
Sarabeth’s
381 Park Ave. S., Gramercy | 212.335.0093
Sarabeth’s started out as a bakery in Chelsea Market in the 80s, where owner Sarabeth Levine perfected cookies, scones, and cakes (with unabashed amounts of sugar, flour, and butter). After she became legendary, she opened Sarabeth’s and basically launched the craze that is weekend Brunch. Years later, it’s still hard to get a breakfast reservation at any of her roomy, all-American, restaurants, but it’s so worth it for luscious pancakes and french toast, not to mention ideal omelettes. There are additional locations in the Upper East Side, Midtown, Upper West Side, and Tribeca.
The John Dory
1196 Broadway, Nomad | 212.792.9000
This is another great April Bloomfield accomplishment. Her inventive, incredibly flavorful fish dishes—they’re not afraid to use a little salt or a few anchovies—are complimented by a colorful, kitschy space. Besides lunch or dinner, this is also a great spot for an impromptu afternoon drink along with a couple of fresh oysters.
Upland
345 Park Ave. S., Flatiron | 212.686.1006
Come to Chef Justin Smillie’s (formerly of Il Buco Alimentari) Upland (named for the chef’s hometown) for a taste of California in the heart of NYC. Designed by Roman & Williams, the space is understandably warm and inviting—the light-filled dining room’s checkered tablecloths and wooden accents compliment the menu’s rustic, ingredient-driven offerings: sausage-and-kale pizza, salt-cured torchon of foie gras, cioppino, and a bourbon-spiked pecan pie.
Freehand New York
23 Lexington Ave., Flatiron | 212.475.1920
We were this close to booking the first flight to NYC when we heard that Freehand was opening a new Roman and Williams-designed property. The first Freehand location in Manhattan (after Miami, Chicago, and LA) is in the Flatiron district, right on the border of Gramercy. (It’s a couple of subway stops south of Grand Central, if you’re coming in by train.) In Freehand’s signature style, the rooms vary from hostel-style bunkbeds to corner kings. Commissioned artwork from nearby Bard College students and alumni is displayed throughout, and there’s an overall collegiate feel to the hotel. The George Washington Bar on the mezzanine level is decked out in leather and wood like a handsome old library. There’s an old-school game room next door, another expansive lounge space full of potted plants where you can do work and drink cocktails simultaneously (if you can?), and the all-day restaurant Studio is like a classic New York diner, if it won the lottery, redecorated, and hired world-class chefs to do the cooking. We plan to try Simon & Whale, the street-level restaurant by Chef Matt Griffin, next time and be back for Freehand’s rooftop opening, too.
The Gramercy Park Hotel
2 Lexington Ave., Gramercy Park | 212.920.3300
Not only is this opulent and over-the-top hotel decked out with pieces from Basquiat, Warhol, and Botero, but it’s also adjacent to the magical Gramercy Park, which is only accessible—via key—to residents of the neighborhood (and, as luck would have it, guests of the hotel). The Baroque vibe is theatrical and fun, and there’s an on-site Italian restaurant (and bakery) from Danny Meyer that makes room service a treat.
High Line Hotel
180 10th Ave., Chelsea | 212.929.3888
This 60-room boutique hotel sits on ground that was actually an apple orchard in the early days—though the federally protected historic building (formerly the General Theological Seminary) wasn’t built until the 1800s. The rooms themselves are modern but very comfortable, furnished with antiques and one-of-a-kind pieces that were sourced in and around the city. As for the downstairs amenities, you’ll find a cozy little courtyard restaurant protected from the street, and Chelsea Market just a few steps away. As the name indicates, you’re also right near the High Line—we like to pick up a coffee from the on-site Intelligentsia to nurse during the walk.
The Inn at Irving Place
56 Irving Pl., Gramercy | 212.533.4600
This quaint spots looks like just another family brownstone on a lovely street. As the kind of place you could easily move into, it’s no surprise that this 12-room hotel does have residences available for longer stays. You’ll sleep in Frette linens and take strolls around Gramercy Park. The Inn has the sweetest tea room in town, too, called Lady Mendl’s.
The Nomad Hotel
1170 Broadway, NoMad | 212.896.1500
Situated next to the newly-opened Maison Kitsuné (and just blocks from the Ace), this section of NYC is arguably never anyone’s first choice—though it’s actually incredibly convenient if you want to strike both uptown and down. The rooms here are hushed, dimly-lit, and opulent—while small, they get the job done. (The onsite restaurant is excellent, too.)
ABC Carpet & Home
888 Broadway, Flatiron | 212.473.3000
Each level—antiques, contemporary furniture, lighting, and accessories—looks like a page ripped out of an interior design magazine. You can call and make an appointment with a sales associate who will walk you through everything you need to decorate your home, or simply spend a few hours browsing their tastefully jam-packed floors. The best part? At ABC, health, sustainability and the environment are a part of the ethos, thus organic upholstery and wood sourced from sustainable sources are available. Don’t miss lunch at Jean George Vongerichten’s ABC Kitchen: Fittingly, the innovative yet simple food is local, organic and has won the James Beard award for Best New Restaurant. There’s also a below-ground carpet outlet across the street that has some amazing bargains.
Ann Sacks
37 E. 18th St., Chelsea | 212.529.2800
If you’re renovating, this is the place to go for absolutely any style of tile. Their library is vast and they carry a variety of materials including stone, wood, leather, and porcelain. There’s also a location in Midtown.
Ariston Floral Boutique
110 W. 17th St., Chelsea | 212.929.4226
Ariston is a great go-to florist for Manhattan flower deliveries. They have two locations, one in Chelsea and one in Midtown, and the website has a wide array of flowers and plants to choose from: Green cymbidium orchids mixed with hydrangea, peonies, and callas, Bird of Paradise plants, and much more. Their bread and butter, though, is the kind of compact glass-vase arrangements that are particularly brilliant for brightening an office desk.
Bandier
164 5th Ave., Flatiron | 646.360.3345
While so many activewear-centric retailers pride themselves—and their wares—on boosting performance, the focus at Bandier is fashion. Owner Jennifer Bandier gathers luxe brands like Live The Process, Lucas Hugh, and Adidas by Stella McCartney along with the requisite Beats headphones and Nikes to finish off the outfit. The idea that workout gear can be just as cute as it is functional is one we can wholeheartedly get behind. The barely year-old Flatiron store also boasts a fully functioning workout studio, complete with a jam-packed schedule of classes, directly on top of the selling floor.
Fishs Eddy
889 Broadway, Union Square | 212.420.9020
In the past 20 years, Fishs Eddy has established itself as a vintage tabletop institution. They started out selling retired lines of dishware from hotels, camps, airlines, and clubs (and seem to have endless sources for it), but have since branched into their own, often whimsical, collections. They’re also a great resource for old-fashioned, but useful basics, like ceramic berry baskets, pie stands, and egg trays.
Jeffrey
449 W. 14th St., Chelsea | 212.206.1272
At this legendary boutique—an early pioneer in the Meatpacking/Chelsea area—you’ll find all the big brands from Alaia to Dries van Noten to Prada, each with its own rack and an eager sales person nearby. The house DJ in his booth may be a sign of better times now past, but it’s still a worthy shopping venue. (And if you’re ever in Atlanta, you have to go to the original.)
John Robshaw
245 W. 29th St., Ste. 1501, Chelsea | 212.594.6006
John Robshaw continually conjures new designs for textiles and accordingly, the showroom (by appointment only) carries a staggeringly impressive range of his signature colorful, printed bedding, furniture, pillows, blankets, and shams. It’s the perfect place to hit up for finishing touches.
Journelle
3 E. 17th St., Union Square | 212-255-7800
Over the past few years, this lingerie boutique has grown and opened up several shops all over the city. It turns out there was a real hole in the marketplace when it came to lingerie: A place where you can find pretty lingerie that you don’t feel silly wearing everyday, which means a tasteful mix of brands like Bordelle, Stella McCartney, Cosabella, and Princesse Tam-Tam, in both basic nudes and bright colors. There’s also a location in Soho and the Upper East Side.
Mantiques Modern
146 W. 22nd St., Chelsea | 212.206.1494
This is where you should go to to outfit a classy man cave. It’s also a good place to find one-of-a-kind antiques in general. You’ll find big industrial pieces alongside Hermes travel bags, Louis Vuitton trunks, and designer furniture by people like Isamu Noguchi and Jean Prouvé. And, fittingly, come here if you’re looking to outfit a bar.
Posman Books
Chelsea Market, 75 9th Ave., Chelsea | 212.627.0304
Family-owned for 20-odd years, Posman Books has managed to stay both independent and right in the mainstream: Instead of gravitating to quiet neighborhood corners, they look for spaces in two of the city’s most bustling centers—Chelsea Market and Rockefeller Center. It’s wise, because they’re thriving, and offering a great array of books, toys, games, and cards in the process.
Steven Alan Annex
140 Tenth Ave., Chelsea | 646.664.0606
We head to Steven Alan for the perfectly tailored yet lived-in men’s and women’s shirting that comes in an endless variety of plaids and stripes. Beyond that, it’s the relaxed mix of pieces from designers like A.P.C, Isabel Marant, Rachel Comey, that keeps us coming back. The outpost in Tribeca is the flagship and the original, though there are now locations scattered around the city. They have a home goods shop, too.
Tai Ping
860 Broadway, 4th Floor, Union Square | 212.979.2233
Tai Ping’s luxurious carpets, which are handmade in China, can be found in many of the world’ best hotels—but they also make them for homes in custom sizes. Their gorgeous, Asian-inflected showroom space on Union Square is to the trade, so make an appointment and go with an interior designer. Their recent collaboration with Chen Chen & Kai Williams is particularly cool.
