Vivo Trattoria and Wine Bar, a new Italian restaurant in the Hotel at Arundel Preserve, will open to the public Friday night.

The 113-seat restaurant is New York-based George Martin Group’s second in Maryland; the group also owns Grillfire in the same hotel.

George Korten, the George Martin Group’s founder and owner, said he chose the concept to fill a niche for an independent Italian restaurant in the local market.

“I felt that this was the best concept for the area, one, not to compete with myself,” Korten said, referencing Grillfire next door, “and two, to provide a nice Italian restaurant in an area populated with chain restaurants.”

Vivo will serve a full range of housemade pastas, pizzas, salads, and entrees. Korten has spent the past two years getting to know the local market through Grillfire, and he said it’s not uncommon for large groups to show. He expects similar customers at Vivo, so the restaurant will serve portions in two sizes: individual, or for two to three people.

A few of Korten’s favorites from the menu include Nick’s Chicken, a large chicken, sausage and vegetable entree; bolognese pasta; crab imperial pizza; and meatballs.

“We’re trying to walk that fine line between friendly and familiar and cutting edge,” Korten said while sitting at a table inside Vivo.

Korten also has five restaurants in Long Island. Once Vivo gets off the ground, he hopes to open more in Maryland. He was initially drawn to Arundel Mills because it’s a growing area.

“What sold me on the area was the real growth in BRAC and Fort Meade,” Korten said, noting it was challenging at first to get customers to Grillfire because of its location inside the hotel.

“We’ve been very successful with the business travelers,” Korten said. “We would love to be able to drive business from Howard County, from Columbia, from Ellicott City.”

Vivo will be open for dinner only through the end of the year, and the restaurant will also serve lunch starting in January.

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