In Astoria’s popular Vida Steakhouse, the knives are being sharpened for a crossing of the East River, as the modern steakhouse will open a flagship location in Midtown West at 511 9th Ave. When it opens within the coming year, it will be a major expansion for the brand known for its vibrant atmosphere and premium cuts.
Owner Moez Abouelnaga recently told What Now New York that the new location will retain the core identity that made the Queens original a success, including premium cuts of steak like filet mignon, bone-in rib eye, and dry-aged porterhouse. It will also have a full bar with signature handcrafted cocktails. Abouelnaga said he’s slightly elevating the menu to meet the Manhattan set’s demands for a different kind of decadence. Specifically, he plans to introduce high-end offerings that aren’t available in Astoria.
“We’re going to have our fan favorites — the top-selling items will be on the same menu — and then we’ll have a couple of other steaks that cater more to the city crowd, like Wagyu beef,” Abouelnaga said.
Beyond the menu, another key to Vida’s success has been providing an exceptional experience. Refined after Abouelnaga took a more hands-on approach, Vida’s service model feels less based on a training manual, more driven by a liturgy. In Manhattan, as in Queens, Vida will be betting on the allure of a grand, perfectly paced dining experience.
“We created a five-star diamond service that each employee must follow,” he explained. “We created a whole different culture; we made it more of an experience dining where it’s all about making you feel happy.”
Tucked into the shadow of Hudson Yards, the upcoming Midtown location is currently a chrysalis of construction work. The space is being fashioned into what Abouelnaga calls a dining destination, capable of seating up to 250 guests across two floors. With liquor authority approval already secured, a specific opening date has not yet been set. Abouelnaga said he expects the doors to open within the next 11 months.
“It’s going to look like a state-of-the-art steakhouse,” he said.
