By Carly Moore, Chief of Staff, Bond Collective
Flatiron, Manhattan: Maybe the most centralized, convenient and (in our opinion) gorgeous part of Manhattan. There are endless food and entertainment options for even the pickiest New Yorkers or out-of-towners.
Bond Flatiron is Bond Collective’s first ever shared workspace location, originated in 2014, and has grown to be one of the most vibrant and homey communities across all locations. With Madison Square Park a stone’s throw away and only a slightly longer throw to Union Square, Bond Flatiron offers its members a ton of options for dining, things to do and sites to see. Whether you are in the mood for Shake Shack, a green juice, to shop or exercise, the community team prioritizes a work/life balance by encouraging members to experience the best of what the neighborhood has to offer.
I sat down with our Bond Flatiron Community Team, Lara Gould and Jim Krapf, the dynamic duo that keeps our mid-Manhattan space running, to pick their brains on their favorite spots in the city.
Q&A:
What is your favorite spot for a quick lunch if you wanted to pop out of the office?
Lara: I’m a creature of habit, so I’m happy getting Just Salad for lunch pretty much every day if I don’t meal prep ahead of time. There are endless salad combinations, but I’m a pretty huge fan of the California Health Cobb and the Thai Chicken Crunch Salads. The spicy thai peanut dressing is SO addicting!
Jim: Cava. No hesitation. There is nothing better than this Mediterranean chipotle-style eatery where you build-your-own bowl. They are generous with portions and will sure to leave you just the right amount of full. The green harissa sauce is a must have, and my secret trick is ordering ahead online to beat the long line at the door!
How about if you’re meeting a friend and want a nice sit-down experience?
L: The Smith is such a classic, and it has everything from loaded burgers to roasted chicken. It’s reliably good food, and I recommend it to everyone who’s meeting friends, colleagues or even parents for lunch. Pro Tip: you’re seriously missing out if you don’t get their mac & cheese. If you want a healthier option, the steak salad with goat cheese is my absolute favorite.
J: The Flatiron Room is my go-to. I’m an old soul and a big whiskey/bourbon guy. Between their upscale 1950’s interior and their hundreds of spirit varieties the Flatiron Room makes for a perfect sit-down experience. They also host a lot of local Jazz groups. Easily my favorite place in the city for dinner and a show!
If the day is crazy busy, how do you treat yourself?
L: We do monthly happy hours with Gregory’s Coffee, and if I’m going to do an afternoon pick-me-up it’s usually a caffeinated beverage of some kind. So I’ll do a medium vanilla almond latte (iced now since it’s summertime!) from Gregory’s on Park Ave and take a stroll around Madison Square Park if the weather is nice!
J: If I have the time I like to take a stroll down to Rothman’s. It’s a men’s clothing store that carries a lot of my favorite brands. Particularly, Ted Baker. I’ll either get a small accessory or shirt as a nice pick me up. If not, the walk helps me clear my head.
Okay say you’re meeting someone for drinks after work, where’s your go-to spot?
L: I’m a wine girl year-round, so I love Adalya or Pierre Loti on Irving, they’re both really adorable wine bars. Across the street from those is Cibar, and that’s a perfect little cocktail bar. These are my hidden gems though, so don’t tell anyone about them!
J: Thanks to Lara I am a huge fan of Ampersand. It’s a cozy little bar with great custom cocktails and delicious appetizers. If I’m looking for something a bit more casual and easy I’ll take a walk over to Flatiron Hall for 1 or maybe 10 beers!
Is there a place in the area you’d recommend to see a show or concert?
L: Irving Plaza is only a few blocks away from Bond Flatiron, so that’s a really convenient place to see a concert if you’re going to hang out in the area after work! They have pretty fun shows, and they always have great drink deals at their venue bar.
J: You can never go wrong with Gramercy Theater. They always have back-to-back shows, so it’s great for a last minute outing. The drinks are reasonably priced as well! Given that it has multiple floors it never gets suffocatingly crowded.
The weather is amazing and you want to meet someone on a rooftop to soak in those UV Rays, where do you go?
L: It can get pretty packed so I definitely suggest going on the earlier side, but the Eately Rooftop, SERRA by Birreria, is perfect for a rooftop frose. Plus once you’ve had a few cocktails you don’t feel guilty about going downstairs and buying anything and everything from Eately. Their cheese counter is one of my favorite places in the entire city.
J: Given that they are not in the Flatiron area I do have some fond memories on the Gansevoort and Brass Monkey rooftops. However, The Freehand Hotel just opened their rooftop and I will be venturing over there very soon!
We hope this gives you an idea of where to stop by when you’re in the area, and don’t hesitate to reach out to us at flatiron@bondcollective.com for more recommendations!
