-- Ato opening in 700-square-foot space at 28 Grand Street between Thompson Street and Sixth Avenue--

Eastern Consolidated’s Retail Leasing Division has arranged a five-year, 700-square-foot lease at 28 Grand Street in SoHo for Ato, a restaurant that will feature Japanese dishes with a French twist.

Eastern Consolidated Senior Director and Principal James Famularo represented the landlord and the tenant in the transaction.

“This is a beautiful space that will be ideal for a casual Japanese restaurant delivering fine food and great service,” Famularo said. “The site enjoys heavy foot traffic from both locals and tourists and is near high-end hotels including The James, SoHo Grand, Trump SoHo, Mondrian SoHo, and 60 Thompson.”

Named after the Japanese pronunciation of “Art,” Ato will offer seasonal lunch and dinner menus inspired by Japanese ingredients and culture and prepared with modern techniques. In addition to on-site dining, the restaurant will offer delivery and take-out.

Together Ato’s owners, executive chef William Shen and manager Katar Varivarn, have spent nearly 25 years in the hospitality industry. Shen is a graduate of the prestigious Culinary Institute of America and has worked in such renowned restaurants as Jean-Georges, Morimoto, Masa, and Midtown luxury hotel Langham Place. Varivarn has worked at Coi at the Bryant Park Hotel, Jean-Georges, the Gramercy Park Hotel under Danny Meyer, and as a manager at the Langham Place Hotel.

The space at 28 Grand Street is located in the midst of high-end SoHo retailers and a short walk to major subway lines—the A, C, E trains at Canal and Thompson; 1 at Canal Street and Varick; and J, N, and Q on Canal.

Eastern Consolidated

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