The opening of Melba’s in the Grand Central Dining Concourse was a very big deal. Many celebs and dignitaries were on hand to for the event including singer Rhonda Ross Kendricks, talk show host Sherrie Shepherd and Bronx Borough Council President Vanessa L. Gibson. There were three blessings of the new restaurant before big ribbon cutting actually got underway (one from a Baptist minister, one from a rabbi and one from an Islamic officiant to cover all bases, LOL). After the ribbon cutting, guests got to sample boneless fried chicken, collard greens and mac and cheese. Needless to say, everyone has a smile on their faces. I will say that Melba’s mac ‘n cheese is so cheesy that when you put your fork on it, the cheese stretches like on a pizza. Close to 200 people including a lot of food journalists were in attendance. All the speeches were moving as well as the fact that the celebration started off with a rendition of “Oh Happy Day” that got everyone singing along. Melba made it a point to thanks everyone who works with her, customers, her PR firm Hall PR and even her son who will be running this new branch of Melba’s (whose flagship resto has been in Harlem for over 20 years now).
Melba had family members and staffers help cut the ribbon. She was all decked out in a tropical print floor length dress to being a little sunshine out on a dreary winter’s day in New York. Melba’s story of opening her first restaurant is very touching as she saved money by working 70 to 100 hours a week as a cashier at the legendary Sylvia’s on Lenox Avenue and 127th Street. Sherrie Shepherd is a regular there and said during her speech that she heads to Melba when she is feeling blue or just wants to get away from her busy life and have some sweet potatoes or mac ‘n cheese. She mentioned that the Melba’s staff is like family to her and said it is the best place to hand out after you have been ghosted by a date, LOL!
From my personal experience checking out the new restaurant, I noticed that the menu only has a few items in each category and they are pretty classic. They are made fresh every morning and the staff seems to be able to whip together a “go box” with three items in under a minute. Prices are reasonable at Melba’s Grand Central location despite the fact that they are smack dab in the middle of Midtown where everything is pricey.
You can check out Melba’s world class collard greens made the healthy way with turkey as well as their sweet potatoes in the photo above. The authenticity and great taste is there. The food at this Melba’s location is as consistent as at the Harlem resto.
Melba must have taken 70 photos with celebrants at her opening/ribbon cutting event. She is just a person who radiates charm and friendliness and I hope that people who come to the new eatery get to have the experience of meeting her or her handsome and outgoing son—-who seemed to start manning the front line of the Grand Central Dining Concourse restaurant the minute the opening event was over. I assume that he got his great work ethic from his mom. For more info on Melba Wilson and her mouth watering fare, go to http://melbasrestaurant.com.
