Man about town — and Heidi Klum’s boyfriend — Vito Schnabel was the one who connected the guys behind Major Food Group and real estate mogul Aby Rosen, which led to the restaurateurs striking a deal to take over the fabled Four Seasons Restaurant space next summer.
Art dealer Schnabel, 29, is an investor in Major’s Italian restaurant Carbone, and a friend of both Rosen and Major co-owner Jeff Zalaznick.
“It is how Aby and I got to know each other,” said Zalaznick, who runs Major with Rich Torrisi and Mario Carbone.
The introduction was made a year ago, and last week, a deal was announced for Major to open eateries occupying the Four Seasons and Brasserie restaurant spaces in Rosen’s Seagram Building. Rosen will be a partner in the venture.
Renovation will begin next summer, and Zalaznick says Four Seasons regulars need not fear, “We’re going to make sure to do everything we can to make sure the regulars are equally comfortable and excited in the new place.”