Well, that was quick. After the high-end Madisonville eatery Alara closed without warning June 9, another restaurant is already moving in.
Celebrity chef Fabio Viviani, who opened the Italian restaurant Zingaro in the same Madison Square development on Medpace’s campus this past spring, will take over the former Alara space, at 5410 Medpace Way, to open a brand-new concept.
Titled Lorena Mediterranean Brasserie, the new restaurant will offer homemade Mediterranean cuisine and fresh seafood options cooked over fire.
“The place will have a hint of French bistro, the share plates of a Spanish Osteria as well as coastline favorite(s) from Morocco and Greece,” Viviani told CityBeat.
The restaurant will have a bright feel both indoors and outdoors, he added.
It will open in late 2026.
Viviani is best known for multiple appearances on “Top Chef” and several other cooking shows like “Chopped,” “Beat Bobby Flay” and “Cutthroat Kitchen: All-Star Tournament.” His restaurant group owns over 40 different restaurants in the U.S., and he has several best-selling cookbooks.
