Major Food Group, a leading hospitality company founded by Mario Carbone, Rich Torrisi, and Jeff Zalaznick, has recently partnered with Altamarea Group, founded by Ahmass Fakahany, to expand the highly successful Marea restaurant brand across the Globe.
With a proven track record of success in New York City and Miami, this collaboration aims to bring the exquisite flavors of Marea to new markets, captivating diners with unparalleled culinary experiences.
“It’s the beginning of an exciting new chapter in our company, where we’ll be buying brands that we love,” Zalaznick noted.
Marea joins Major Food Group’s portfolio of more than 50 restaurants around the world. This includes Carbone outposts in New York, Las Vegas, Miami, Dallas, Hong Kong, Doha and Riyadh.
The Marea restaurant in New York City has long been hailed as one of the city’s most iconic dining destinations. Since its opening in 2009, it has garnered critical acclaim, earning two Michelin stars and numerous awards.
Carbone, Torrisi, and Zalaznick have crafted a dining experience that seamlessly combines traditional Italian seafood dishes with contemporary flair, resulting in a truly exceptional gastronomic journey.
The success of Marea in New York City can be attributed to the meticulous attention to detail in every aspect of the dining experience.
From the warm and inviting ambiance to the impeccable service, every element is carefully curated to create an atmosphere that complements the culinary masterpieces served.
The menu boasts an array of delectable seafood creations, highlighting the freshest ingredients from both local and international sources.
Marea’s commitment to excellence has established it as a culinary institution in the city, attracting discerning diners and industry professionals alike.
Building upon their triumph in New York City, Major Food Group and Altamarea Group have set their sights on expanding the Marea brand to Miami.
With its vibrant culinary scene and diverse clientele, Miami presents the perfect opportunity to introduce Marea’s unique flavors to a new audience.
The partnership aims to replicate the success of the original Marea restaurant while infusing it with the vibrant energy and cultural richness of the Miami dining scene.
“Miami would be a logical first step for us, and we’re definitely looking at that,” Zalaznick said.
“But you never know with us. We’re identifying locations based on places we put our own restaurants. We think it’s a perfect fit within our portfolio.”
The collaboration between Major Food Group and Altamarea Group has been a testament to the power of visionary leadership and a commitment to culinary excellence.
By combining their expertise and resources, these industry leaders have successfully expanded the Marea brand across two major cities, solidifying its position as a culinary powerhouse.
Looking ahead, Major Food Group and Altamarea Group have ambitious plans to expand the Marea brand further across the World.
With their proven track record of success, it is evident that their partnership will continue to redefine the dining landscape, captivating diners with extraordinary culinary experiences.
The goal for Major Food Group is expanding Marea, not revamping it.
“Marea is a distinct thing,” Zalaznick says.
“The brand will stay intact. What we’re going to do with Marea and other great brands is not change them, but celebrate them. Marea has been a part of my life, and Rich and Mario’s lives, since it opened. It was an inspiration to us when it opened and has continued to be one of the few restaurants in New York that we all go to and we all think is a fantastic restaurant.”
There’s no reason to change something Major Food Group loves. So there’s not going to be spicy rigatoni, veal parm or a tuxedoed captain making Caesar salads tableside at Marea.
Marea guests will continue to enjoy langoustine crudo, truffle-topped risotto and the restaurant’s beloved fusilli with octopus and bone marrow.
Marea’s born-in-2009 Central Park South flagship and the Marea that is opening soon in Beverly Hills are not part of this partnership with Major Food Group, which is focused on future outposts.
“The idea is to continue to create the magic that exists in New York and bring it to other cities,” Zalaznick noted.
“It’s no different than what we’ve done with our own restaurants. It’s part of the family.” Zalaznick sees the next-level expansion of restaurants like Marea as a new vertical for Major Food Group.
Zalaznick, Carbone and Torrisi, who recently debuted the world’s first private Carbone at the new ZZ’s Club in Hudson Yards, will continue to create their own in-house concepts as well.
“This is not slowing down any development on the Major Food Group side of things,” Zalaznick concluded “We’ll continue to do what we do.”
As Major Food Group and Altamarea Group continue to push boundaries and elevate the standards of fine dining, it is clear that their collaboration will leave an indelible mark on the culinary world.
The expansion of the Marea brand across the United States not only showcases the power of collaboration but also reinforces the significance of delivering exceptional dining experiences that transcend geographical boundaries.
