Grand Central Terminal is set to unveil a substantial new Italian dining and retail destination next month. Osteria Centrale, a full-service restaurant, and Mercato Centrale, a gourmet market, will collectively span approximately 8,500 square feet on the terminal's main level.
The new establishments are strategically located at the junction of Grand Central Terminal and the One Vanderbilt office tower, a high-traffic area. Vizz Group, founded by Rick Blatstein, will operate the venues. The company also manages Grand Brasserie within the terminal's Vanderbilt Hall.
According to David Florio, the MTA's head of real estate, the expansion of hospitality options at Grand Central aims to make the station a more prominent destination for people and events. This initiative also contributes to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's objective of reducing a $300 million deficit projected for fiscal year 2027.
The restaurant's design, overseen by Rockwell Group, features seating for 250 patrons around a 50-seat bar. It will operate from lunch through late-night. The adjoining market will offer over 500 grab-and-go items. The design incorporates shades of amber, cherry red, and capri blue, with windows facing the entrance to Summit, One Vanderbilt's observation complex.
The lease agreement with the MTA includes a base rent of $630,000 annually for the first 15 years. Additionally, the operator will pay 11% of gross sales to the MTA once revenue surpasses $630,000, offering a potential revenue stream for the authority. The base rent is equivalent to $74 per square foot.
Chef Guillaume Thivet plans to focus the Osteria's menu on traditional Italian cuisine, emphasizing shared dishes, with offerings such as cichetti (small bites), antipasti, mozzarella bar selections, sandwiches, and main courses like branzino baked in parchment. David Rockwell, founder of Rockwell Group, expressed his admiration for Grand Central, describing it as "one of my favorite places in New York."