Eliminating an awkward, large vacancy on Seventh Avenue in Midtown, all-American steak will soon replace Irish stew at the former home of Rosie O’Grady’s, Realty Check has learned.
Landlord SL Green leased the entire, nearly 28,000 square-foot building at 800 Seventh Ave. to Serafina Restaurant Group. The new eatery at the West 52nd Street corner directly opposite the giant Sheraton New York hotel will likely be called Brasserie American by Michael Lomonaco — named for the popular, former Porter House chef who is now culinary director of the Serafina company’s Brasserie Cognac brand.
SL Green executive vice-president for retail Brett Herschenfeld confirmed the tip we heard on the street. He said Serafina “will put money” into upgrading the space that’s been dark for nearly three years.
“The Serafina guys are true New Yorkers like us,” Herschenfeld said of Italian-born owners Fabio Granato and Vittorio Assaf. “We’re beyond happy to have them. They have done a lot for this city. This is the second deal we’ve done with them,” he said, referring to a new Brasserie Cognac that will open in April at 461 Fifth Ave.
Both new locations mark a welcome return to the dining scene for Lomonaco, who’s been badly missed by food lovers since Porter House closed last year.
Herschefeld said the new American brasserie might open before year’s end. Details of the long-term lease weren’t disclosed.
