Cava Grill opens today on 4th Avenue

Back in May we noted that a Cava Grill was coming to Fourth Avenue between 13th Street and 14th Street. And now, the D.C.-based Greek-Mediterranean restaurant chain, which serves grain bowls, pita wraps and salads, opens its first NYC location today.

Our 1st #NYC location at Union Square opens THURSDAY, August 25, FREE lunch! https://t.co/wufVvJ06uw @UnionSquareNY pic.twitter.com/kmI4SXoWOL

— Cava Grill (@CavaGrill) August 20, 2016

The Wall Street Journal had a brief preview yesterday:

“We want customers to have the ability to choose ingredients that fit their nutritional needs or dietary attributes,” said Cava Grill’s chief executive and co-founder Brett Schulman, adding that the average cost for lunch is about $10.

For its New York location, Cava Grill is hoping to keep things as local as possible, getting produce from Hudson Valley, Long Island and New Jersey farms.

The official opening is tomorrow (Friday). Cava is offering a free lunch today ... while encouraging diners to donate to Grow to Learn, an organization that helps NYC public schools set up gardens.

Cava sells various dips and spreads at retail outlets, such as the Whole Foods Market Union Square®.

The space here at 143 Fourth Ave. was previously Lan's Spa.

Cava Grill is the latest quick-serve restaurant to open along Fourth Avenue. PokéSpot debuted on Fourth Avenue and 12th Street on Aug. 12. And a Melt Shop is coming soon to 135 Fourth Ave.

Cava Grill coming soon to 4th Avenue

The signage has arrived here on Fourth Avenue between East 13th Street and East 14th Street. (In a storefront last occupied by a spa/nail salon.)

Here's more about Cava Grill via their website:

Started by three childhood friends Ike Grigoropoulos, Chef Dimitri Moshovitis, and Ted Xenohristos, Cava Grill celebrates the flavors of their families’ traditional Greek and Mediterranean cooking in a casual modern setting.

This will be the first NYC location for Cava Grill, whose restaurants are mainly located in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.

You may be familiar with their products/spreads (try the eggplant and roasted red pepper dip!), which the sign says are available at Whole Foods Market Union Square®.



Meanwhile, a few doors to the south, Desi Shack remains closed... with the new Pakistani Kitchen letters...