The Grand Central is the latest foray into North Side nightlife by the team that owns the trifecta of Bar Celona, Matisse and SoPo. While bargoers who frequent their other properties will feel at home, they’ll also notice some distinct changes.

For one thing, The Grand Central is spacious. The two-room setup offers plenty of room to move around, especially when compared with its counterparts (tiny Matisse can feel downright cramped, even on weekdays). Rounded booths line the side wall, flanked by a piano (Tuesday through Saturday there’s piano music until 10 p.m.). Retro fans, tiled floors and the eponymous subway tiles on the walls complete the classic vibe. But wait--it's all countered by evenly-spaced flat screen TVs and top 40 tunes reminiscent of any other Lincoln Park sports bar. The place generally bustles with Lincoln Parkers, a typical mix of preppy neighborhood locals, fresh-faced DePaulians and, occasionally, a smattering of parental types.

The Grand Central’s menu is probably too upscale to attach the title “pub grub” to. It’s a yuppie’s dream mix of martinis and paninis, rounded out with a decent mix of appetizers, salads and sandwiches. Start out with the strawberry baby spinach salad or the ahi sushi salad, then move on to some zucchini corn quesadillas, Grand Central ribs or roasted red pepper and pesto hummus. The sandwich menu includes a variety of paninis, from prime rib to chicken/pear, a pecan chicken wrap, a shrimp dish, and the requisite burgers. A small selection of entrees (surf ‘n’ turf pasta and Mediterranean chicken are solid choices) rounds out the menu.

Centerstage Reviewer: Jacqueline Ostrowski