Grand Brasserie to open in Grand Central, replacing City Winery

The biggest restaurant story of the year — at least by square footage — was hidden in plain sight for six months.

The massive new Grand Brasserie will open next week in Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall, replacing City Winery. The huge construction project unfolded behind a curtain for months without a single inch of media coverage – even though a Grand Brasserie sign was clearly visible above it.

The Rockwell Group-designed site encompasses approximately 16,000 square feet. It’s the brainchild of Rick Blatstein, who recently sold his OTG restaurant empire of 350 locations in U.S. airport terminals and launched a new company called Vizz Group, according to MTA spokesman Aaron Donovan.

“Vizz Group comes to Grand Central with deep experience in restaurant development and management,” said Donovan.

When reached by The Post, Blatstein said he preferred not to share too many details until the Brasserie is fully operational. But he said the menu will be a popular French format and the place will operate daily from 5.30am to 2am – the entire time the terminal is open.

The change of hands – and of design and cuisine – came as a surprise. City Winery opened in the terminal in early 2022 to much fanfare and had at least one year left on its lease when it closed earlier this year.

The MTA said City Winery asked the agency for permission to assign its operating agreement to Vizz. Gothamist reported in 2022 that the Winery would lease the space for at least three years with an option for two more years.

Her licensing fee was $500,000 and 8% of gross sales for the first year, rising to $1 million plus 10% of sales for the third year, Gothamist reported. However, it was not known if the terms of Blatstein’s deal are the same.

The west half of Vanderbilt was formerly the Great North Food Hall.

Meanwhile, as part of restoring luster to Grand Central’s pandemic-hit dining scene, the MTA said plans are on track for Cipriani to open Palladino’s Steak & Seafood restaurant on the main concourse’s northwest balcony, which was previously Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse.