The Grill is a New Jewel for Manhattan

Pulling off a balancing act few thought possible, Major Food Group today unveils its astonishing restoration of the iconic Grill Room at the former Four Seasons Restaurant, now to be known as The Grill. It's the first stage of a complete renewal of the revered modernist dining temple inside the landmark Seagram Building.

The Grill will seamlessly bring together art, food, people, and pleasure the way New York's legendary mid-century midtown restaurants once did. "This is the greatest restaurant space of all time, and we're doing everything we can to honor that," says Major Food Group partner Jeff Zalaznick. "It's the opportunity of a lifetime for us as restaurateurs, and it's explosively exciting for us as New Yorkers." While the room is luxurious, The Grill will feel as warm and welcoming as all of Major Food Group's restaurants, more fun than formal.

Delivered by captains in Tom Ford tuxedos designed especially for the restaurant, The Grill's carefully conceived food will match its surroundings. Chef/Partner Mario Carbone's elegant renditions of chophouse classics will conjure decades of stylish Manhattan dining. Chef Carbone's larger-than-life food, served on tableware inspired by JFK-era White House place settings, reimagines mid-century New York cuisine.

"We're proud to say this menu's a throwback. It reflects hours and hours of research on decades of Manhattan dining culture," Carbone said. "Some are familiar and some are forgotten. But as we do in all of our restaurants, we're making them our own." The Grill's old-school cocktail program will revive famous and obscure drinks sipped at Manhattan bars many decades ago - and boast an extensive menu of classic martinis.

For a restaurant that faithfully reclaims a 60-year-old space, The Grill feels incredibly modern and fresh, revealing new depths of color and nuance. The new Grill experience starts at the grand lobby entrance. A large host stand, topped with extravagant floral designs, greets diners as they enter at street level. Art from 1958, the year the Seagram Building was built, surrounds the entryway, including original pieces by Miro, Calder and Twombly amongst others, curated by Partner and Seagram Building owner, Aby Rosen.

The big reveal comes after walking up The Grill's famous staircase: Lovingly restored and lavishly refurbished, Philip Johnson's awe-inspiring 1959 interiors are glowing again. The space is one of just 117 interior landmarks in New York City, and the only interior landmark restaurant space. Restoration architect Annabelle Selldorf worked within strict requirements to rejuvenate every corner of Johnson's masterpiece, from glass walls to steel beams to the ceiling's complex recessed light fixtures. The refreshed lighting system was designed by the world's premier lighting designer, Herv� Descottes of L'Observatoire International.Richard Lippold's breathtaking, seemingly weightless ceiling sculpture, still occupies pride of place in the dining room.

Sought-after designer William T. Georgis oversaw the reimagining of interior elements. Knoll's curvilinear Brno chairs, created by Philip Johnson, have been reproduced for The Grill in the same iconic shapes as the originals, refreshed in new materials like dandridge ombre horsehair and spinneybeck leather. Marie Nichols' beloved original chain curtains, made of looped aluminum in gold, brass and bronze, have been painstakingly cleaned and restored. A spectacle on their own, they undulate and shimmer in the light. Edward Fields Company, which Philip Johnson chose for his original interior floorcoverings, produced new carpets for The Grill based on its classic designs.

A few thoughtful adjustments amp up The Grill's inimitable atmosphere. As diners enter The Grill's main room, they'll see chefs at work behind an opulent table holding a cornucopia of seasonal meats, fishes and veggies - a signal that food is the focus here. The Grill's elevated balcony has been transformed into a regal perch overlooking the action across the entire room. Four huge square tables now occupy the balcony; their banquettes will sit at its edge, giving balcony diners a priceless view. It may become The Grill's most sought-after spot.

Private dining at The Grill takes place in its own intimate setting off the main room, under the famous "Starry Night" ceiling created for Philip Johnson's original design. A pair of iconic Lee Krasner paintings enhance the privileged atmosphere.

New life also breathes from the passageway connecting The Grill with The Pool, the second restaurant in Major Food Group's restoration of the Four Seasons space in the Seagram building. A wall-size sculpture of abundant, overflowing plants by artist Paula Hayes infuses the passageway with life and optimism. The Pool will debut this summer with a fish and seafood-focused menu by Chef/Partner Rich Torrisi.

The Pool's new Lounge, featuring a handmade bar crafted of mother of pearl, will become the destination to enjoy inventive, lighter cocktails pre- and post- dinner. The Lounge had been a closed-off private dining room. Major Food Group opened doors to give the space more volume and connection, creating a stunning new room that flows into The Pool. The Lounge is a blue-tinted aquatic fantasy with plush custom furniture, rich hand-knotted wall textiles, soaring ceilings, and sweeping views of The Pool.

One of the biggest change is one diners won't see. The former Four Seasons kitchen has been completely overhauled and refurbished. Half of it serves The Grill; half serves The Pool. Half the floor is dark; half is light, and they're separated by a jagged line. It's a flourish that means two of New York's most beloved chefs are cooking side by side again. Cooking suites and equipment, unparalleled in New York kitchens, have been custom-built by pre-eminent makers like Molteni, Hestan, and Wood Stone. Everything down to the pots and pans has been hand-selected by the partners. "It's a dream kitchen now," says Rich Torrisi. "And it's the kitchen that this legendary space deserves."

The Grill is located at 99 E. 52nd St., between Park and Lexington Aves. The Grill will start with dinner only and will be open Monday to Saturday, 5pm - 11pm. Lunch will follow in a few months. For reservations and more information visit thegrillnewyork.com.

About Major Food Group

Major Food Group (MFG) is a New York based restaurant and hospitality company founded by Rich Torrisi, Jeff Zalaznick and Mario Carbone.

The innovative hospitality group operates twelve restaurants in New York City and around the world: Carbone (New York, Hong Kong, Las Vegas), ZZ's Clam Bar, Dirty French, Santina, Parm (Soho, Yankee Stadium, Upper West Side, Battery Park) and Sadelle's. MFG also operates The Lobby Bar at the Ludlow Hotel and provides all F&B and event services for the Ludlow Hotel. More projects are in the works worldwide.

Every MFG restaurant has earned its own stellar accolades, which include 12 New York Times Stars and 3 Michelin Stars.