Daniel Boulud to open French steakhouse, market in new Flatiron tower

Michelin-starred chef Daniel Boulud will launch two French-inspired concepts inside a new tower rising in the Flatiron District.

The ubiquitous Big Apple restaurateur signed leases this week at One Madison Avenue to open a French steakhouse, and a cafe and market inspired by the open-air petit marchés of Paris. Terms of the deals were not disclosed.

Boulud – owner of fine-dining palaces including Daniel, Le Pavillon and Le Gratin – plans to open in 2024 inside the SL Green-owned office tower on 23 E. 22nd St., between Broadway and Park Avenue South. 

“For me, it’s where Midtown ends and downtown begins — where business and leisure meet together,” said the French-born chef, who recently became a US citizen.

“Now that I’m American, I can open a steakhouse,” Boulud quipped. 

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, like the Japanese restaurant,” he added, referring to Joji, the secret sushi spot he opened beneath Le Pavillon in Grand Central Terminal in September. 

The space will include an open kitchen with a wood-fired grill designed by David Rockwell’s Rockwell Group.

The cafe and market, also designed by Rockwell, will sell fresh produce, along with gourmet options, seasonal ingredients and prepared meals. Combined with the steakhouse, it will take up 16,000 square feet on the ground floor. The market is set to be 9,500 square feet while the steakhouse will be 6,500 square feet, a spokesperson said. 

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Boulud said the bar-heavy Flatiron District was in need of a steakhouse. 

“The neighborhood doesn’t have very many,” Boulud said

So what makes a steakhouse French? 

“The application of French cuisine, including the vegetable preparation,” said Boulud, adding that “the mix of French and American food and wine are also very aligned. The project is spectacular.” 

One Madison Avenue is slated to be completed next year after a $2.3 billion redevelopment.

Building tenants will have exclusive access to a 7,000 square-foot tenant lounge with food and beverage managed by Boulud in a “private club-style” space. That will be in addition to an 11,000 square-foot roof deck with a 5,400 square-foot indoor event space, designed by  Rockwell and with catering offered by Boulud. 

The event space features high ceilings and oversized windows, sweeping skyline views — and a 5,800 square-foot landscaped patio overlooking Madison Square Park. A 55,780 square-foot Chelsea Piers Fitness center will also be in the building.

SL Green has already signed some big-name companies to take advantage of the perks. Franklin Templeton, an investment management firm, inked a 15-year, 347,474 square-foot lease in September. IBM signed a 16-year, 328,000 square-foot lease last March, a spokesperson said.