The Citiblog

First Look at the New Grand Brasserie in the heart of Grand Central
August 27, 2024, 1:28.05 am ET

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Photos: Cititour.com

Set to open this Saturday, Grand Brasserie is an exciting, massive new restaurant located in the heart of Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall, in the space formerly occupied by City Winery.

First off, the space is stunning and truly captures the magnificence of this architectural icon. An elegant steel terrace helps create two separate dining and drinking experiences. In the front are bright red, round brass-rimmed tables with café seating that immediately catch your eye. Lush greenery offers a bit of privacy for what awaits inside.

The center of the restaurant is set off by lamps that resemble umbrellas over intimate booths and more table seating. There is a bar spanning virtually the entire length, perfect for a cocktail while waiting for a train or a night on the town. Grand Central’s original chandeliers, works of art on their own, tower high above. An original clock also adds to this space brimming with New York history.

We did manage to get a peak at the menu. There are hors d’oeuvres like Fried Artichokes with fennel pollen; Foie Gras Mousse with brioche toast and cherry gelee; Beef Tartare, Lobster Bisque, Escargot Persillade with garlic and parsley, and Crab Persillade. All are reasonably priced with most in the $17 to $22 range.

Visitors will find an assortment of salads and sandwiches ranging from a traditional Salad Nicoise to a Croque Monsieur and French Dip (as well as a portobello dip with gruyere, caramelized onions and horseradish). Larger plates bring three types of Steak Frites (Filet, Entrecote and Skirt Steak) served with a choice of sauce: Au Poivre, Bearnaise, Matre D Hotel, and Bordelaise.

Other offerings include Trout Almondine with haricots vert and almonds; Moules Frites with white wine and garlic; Duck Confit with pommes salardaise and frisee; Lobster Frites, and Boeuf Bourguignon; among others. And of course there are towers of seafood, large and small, filled with shrimps, oysters, clams, lobster and crab claws.

Signature cocktails include the la Vie En Rose, a vodka rosewater Cosmopolitan; Now or Never, a rum, hibiscus-lavender mojito; and Devotion, a spicy pineapple tequila margarita to name a few. An assortment of wine by glass or bottle are also offered.

As the New York Post first reported, Grand Brasserie is the brainchild of Rick Blatstein, who sold off his OTG eatery empire at airports to create the Vizz Group which has elevated the space for everyone to enjoy. There is also a smaller restaurant, where Agern once stood nearby, with intimate red banquette seating and a separate bar. Grand Brasserie is also bringing nightlife back. Grand Brasserie is open 7 days a week until 2am.

-Thomas Rafael



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