Grand Central Oyster Bar To Be Honored With James Beard Design Award

The James Beard Foundation has announced that it will present the Grand Central Oyster Bar in New York City with the foundation's second annual Design Icon Award at this year's James Beard Awards Gala.

The restaurant was considered a landmark for years, but underwent a recent renovation, including the refurbishing of its 200-seat dining room, lounge, counter, saloon, and kitchen.

"We are proud of the grand history of the Grand Central Oyster Bar, and it will be our privilege to accept the Design Icon Award from the James Beard Foundation," the Oyster Bar management team, which includes Janet Poccia, Mohammed Lawal, Sandy Ingber, and Frank Botta, said in a press release. "The Rafael Guastavino Moreno-designed ceilings which were recently restored are part of the fabric of New York and the historic appeal of the Oyster Bar."

The gala will be hosted by Jesse Tyler Ferguson (of the ABC television show Modern Family) on May 1 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

To read about the 2017 James Beard semi-finalists, click here.