European-Inspired Food Hall Coming To American Dream Meadowlands

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — A European-style food hall is coming to American Dream Meadowlands, adding to the culinary options customers will have when they visit the $5 billion mega-mall when it opens later this year.

Dana McHugh, a spokesperson with American Dream Meadowlands, confirmed that Grisini will bring a food hall and coffee shop to the 91-acre campus, but declined further comment.

The hall will be on the facility's second floor. Grisini will also have a coffee shop on the first and second floors of American Dream. There was no other information available about the project on Grisini's website. According to the location's Facebook page, the facilities will serve lunch and dinner. The coffee shop will have a pastry shop and a small sit-down area for customers.

The food hall will be similar to food halls found in Paris, London, Italy, and throughout Europe, according to the Grisini website. These food halls offer many culinary choices that give places like street food eateries and other restaurants a place to showcase their food, according to the Independent, a U.K.-based publication.

Grisini is a Manhattan-based food service company that has been in business since 1991. The Grisini group has operated many gourmet and organic food outlets in New York City, according to the company's website.

Grisini bill's itself as "bringing the finest foods together in one place for your enjoyment," the company's website states. Grisini has three store concepts: A food hall, market, and coffee shop.

Grisini's Director of Operations Cem Gulden and Marc Verona, director of new locations, did not respond to email and phone requests for comment.

The food hall is one of the many dining options the 30 to 40 million people slated to visit American Dream Meadowlands will have. Half of those people are expected to be tourists visiting New York City.

In an interview with Women's Wear Daily, Don Ghermezian, president of Triple Five Group, American Dream's developer, described the food options as "fun and engaging" and will further add to the entertainment experience.

There will be two "world's first" food options at American Dream: A Kosher fall court and a MUNCHIES food hall. They will feature cuisines from around the world. There will be a huge food court with more than 100 offerings and 15 sit-down restaurants.

MUNCHIES is the food and culture site from media company Vice. The 38,000 square-foot hall will have 18 vendors and "will be a platform for creative and diverse culinary talent." (See related: World's First MUNCHIES Food Hall Coming To American Dream)

MUNCHIES will have demonstrations from visiting chefs and engaging events. Food served there be wholly unique, like the Beef Marrow Cheeseburger and Eggplant Tempura.

"It's about creating a memorable environmental where our customers will interact, learn, and experience food like never before," said Dimitri Lalagos, senior vice president of leasing for American Dream.

Progress is being made on the rest of American Dream Meadowlands, which is slated to open later this spring after years of delays and setbacks. (See related: American Dream Meadowlands Sets Opening Date)

Most of the walls for the stores appear to have been framed up and ready to be turned over to the tenants, according to David Townes, senior director of retail at Cushman & Wakefield, a real estate brokerage firm that has an office near American Dream Meadowlands. Cushman & Wakefield employees recently toured the inside of the 3 million-square-foot facility.

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Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com