The Grand Central district has long been recognized as one of the city's most convenient areas for mass transit. What people sometimes overlook, however, is that the neighborhood offers more than convenience. Today, the district is home to some of the city's best shopping and dining establishments, which cater to the thousands who work in the area and the millions of pedestrians who pass through it in the course of a year.

Recently, there has been an especially noticeable influx of big-name retailers. Zara will be opening a store on 42nd and 5th, joining recent new arrivals Sephora, BCBG Max Azria, and H&M, to name a few. Other neighbors include Ann Taylor, Fossil, Brooks Brothers, J. Crew, Kenneth Cole, Banana Republic, Charles Trywitt and Nine West, and, of course, the famed department store Lord & Taylor. There are also the many shops in Grand Central Terminal, along with its extensive food court and gourmet market.

Restaurant options - both within and outside of the Terminal - are more plentiful than ever. One of the newest establishments is Pera, a Mediterranean brasserie at 60 East 42nd Street that is garnering rave reviews. Zagat New York 2008 rated it one of the top five newcomers. Crain's described it as "an eye-catching newcomer deserving of a spot on your must-try list," and the New York Post praised it as "the happiest culinary surprise near Grand Central Terminal" since Sushi Yasuda opened.

Speaking of sushi, Pera's next-door-neighbor at 60 East 42nd Street, Genji Sushi, will open soon. And there are many other great restaurants in the area: Capital Grille, Cipriani, Rossini's, Benjamin's Steakhouse, Ammos, Metrozur, Michael Jordan's Steakhouse, the Oyster Bar at Grand Central ... the list goes on and on.

Today, those who work in, live in or commute through the area benefit from the changes wrought by the Grand Central Partnership (GCP), which was established in the mid 1980's. The organization played a major role in transforming the neighborhood through capital improvements, privately managed sanitation, maintenance and public safety operation, business initiatives, tourism services and social services.

"I love working here," says a tenant of 60 East 42nd Street. "My commute is easy and there's plenty to do. On sunny days I can sit outside in Bryant Park or Tudor City during my lunch hour, and on rainy days I can shop or eat out - and I don't necessarily have to step outdoors to do so. The underground passageways at 60 East through Grand Central go all the way up to 48th Street! In short, it's a great area - and it keeps getting better."