Rockefeller Center Restaurant by Ignacio Mattos to Close This Fall

Lodi’s Closure and the Challenges of Independent Cafés in High-Rent Areas

Lodi, an Italian aperitivo-style café that made its debut in Rockefeller Center in the fall of 2021, is set to close “on or about October 30.” The decision comes as a result of high operating expenses linked to rising costs of goods. This closure marks the end of an ambitious venture that aimed to bring a unique dining experience to one of New York City’s most iconic locations.

Lodi was among the first restaurants to open at the Midtown Art Deco landmark as part of a larger effort led by developer Tishman Speyer. The project brought several notable restaurants to the area, including Le Rock from the Frenchette team, Naro with its Korean-inspired menu, and Jupiter, a pasta and wine spot. Lodi quickly gained recognition, earning praise from critics and even a spot on the New York Times’ list of the 100 best restaurants in the city.

In a statement, Ignacio Mattos, the founder of Lodi, expressed his gratitude to the staff and customers. He noted that while the closure was difficult, it was driven by economic challenges. “We are saddened that economic events drove this closing. It has been an honor to serve our wonderful guests and the community over these years.”

This closure raises important questions about the sustainability of mid-range independent cafes in high-traffic, high-rent areas of the city. Rockefeller Center, in particular, has struggled to maintain its appeal outside of the holiday season. Lodi’s experience highlights the difficulties faced by establishments that aim to balance tourist appeal with local engagement in a challenging economic climate.

Tishman Speyer, which has owned the property since the early 2000s, had embarked on a multi-billion-dollar overhaul of the space. This initiative sparked debates about whether attracting big-name chefs would successfully draw New Yorkers to the area. Prior to Lodi’s opening, there were similar efforts, such as the Market Line food hall on the Lower East Side, which also aimed to bring people to a new location with prominent culinary names. However, the Market Line eventually closed, and Lodi’s closure now represents the first significant setback for the revitalized Rockefeller Center.

Lodi introduced a luxurious new bakery to the city, offering dishes like kale and egg tart, porchetta sandwiches, maritozzo con la panna, and flauto al cioccolato (chocolate croissant). The bakery was overseen by Louis Volle, an alum of Blue Hill at Stone Barns, while Maxime Pradié, who initially ran the kitchen, later became the chef and owner of Zimmi’s, a French spot in the West Village.

The restaurant expanded its capacity by removing its bakery anchor in the fall of 2023, adding around 24 more seats to the dining room. This move increased the total seating to nearly 130, including outdoor tables. Earlier that year, employees attempted to unionize with the Restaurant Workers Union Local 1. Although the unionization effort was ultimately rejected, workers filed unfair labor practice charges against Mattos. A legal battle ensued, and in the spring, an Administrative Law Judge dismissed most of the union’s claims, stating that a rerun election was not justified.

Amid these developments, Mattos also parted ways with his Dimes Square restaurant, the Corner Bar in the Nine Orchard Hotel. Andrew Rifkin, a managing partner at DLJ Real Estate Capital Partners, opened the hotel in 2022. The property is currently being sold to a Texas hospitality group, McGuire Moorman Lambert (MML), which recently hired April Bloomfield of Sailor in Fort Greene to oversee all of their restaurants.

As the future of the Lodi space remains uncertain, many are watching to see what comes next for this once-prominent venue in the heart of Rockefeller Center.