🚕 La Grenouille Becomes Beijing Duck House in Luxe Midtown Flip

Good Morning NY!

From a landmark Midtown dining room trading soufflés for lacquered duck to a petite French chef who’s putting a price on punctuality, change is on the menu.

We’ll also peek at a pizza festival rising as fast as its dough and drawing bigger crowds each year.

Pride month’s most spirited bars and bites are on our radar, ready to toast equality with every pour.

And because no newsletter is complete without cravings, we’ve scouted six dishes so compelling they might rewrite tonight’s dinner plans.

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A French Classic Reimagined with Crispy Duck and Shanghai Flair

La Grenouille, a crown jewel of NYC fine dining, has closed its chapter as a French icon.

In its place now stands iDen & Quanjude Beijing Duck House, bringing a new era of upscale Chinese cuisine to Midtown.

The restaurant’s signature look—red banquettes, golden walls, soft lighting, and lush flowers—has been preserved in full.

Only the paintings have changed, now showcasing Belle Époque-style Chinese artwork.

Owner Andy Zhang, who bought the building for $14.2 million, kept the décor out of respect for its storied past.

Chef Allen Ren, of Vancouver's Michelin-starred Quanjude, leads the kitchen with dishes like tableside-carved Beijing duck and beef Zhajiang noodles.

Despite some early service bumps, the space has returned to its elegant roots after a more eclectic, cabaret-style phase.

This is not just a restaurant makeover—it’s a cultural crossover served in velvet and gold.

No-Show? That’ll be $17, Merci

At L’îlot, a 20-seat French restaurant in Amboise, Chef Olivier Vincent has introduced a controversial new fee.

Guests who arrive with a different number than their reservation, whether fewer or more, are charged about $17.

Vincent says last-minute changes disrupt prep, waste resources, and throw off service in his tightly-run operation.

One group reportedly changed their party size around ten times before arriving with fewer guests than expected.

There was no apology, no notice—just confusion for the staff and an incomplete table.

The policy is meant to hold diners accountable and protect small restaurants from operational chaos.

Online responses have been divided, with some diners calling the rule extreme.

Others argue it’s a fair and overdue way to deal with unreliable customer behaviour.

In the post-pandemic hospitality world, restaurants are pushing back—and this tiny French bistro is leading the charge.

NYC’s Ultimate Pizza Party Keeps Getting Bigger

The One Bite Pizza Festival is quickly becoming a can’t-miss tradition for NYC pizza lovers.

Created by Barstool’s Dave Portnoy and event company Medium Rare, the festival launched in 2023 at Coney Island.

Over 5,000 attendees showed up to sample slices from more than 35 renowned pizzerias nationwide.

Portnoy’s live “One Bite” reviews added to the hype, alongside music and free pizza all day long.

The 2024 edition moved to Randall’s Island and doubled its draw with 10,000 attendees and two sold-out sessions.

Fan favourites like Frank Pepe, Lucali, and Sally’s Apizza returned to serve the crowds.

This time, the event also served a cause—Portnoy donated proceeds to Santillo’s Brick Oven Pizza after a fire damaged their shop.

A GoFundMe for the New Jersey pizzeria raised over $32,000.

From great pies to community support, this festival is more than just one bite—it’s a full slice of pizza culture.

Where to Celebrate Pride with a Drink, a Bite, and a Show

NYC’s LGBTQ+ bar and restaurant scene is in full celebration mode this June.

From beloved dives to stylish newcomers, these venues are hosting Pride-themed happy hours, drag performances, and festive drink specials all month long.

Eater’s latest roundup highlights both the familiar and the fresh in queer nightlife.

New additions like Animal, Three Dollar Bill, and Boyfriend Co-Op showcase the evolving landscape of inclusive spaces across the city.

These aren't just places to party—they’re year-round hubs for community, safety, and expression.

Whether you’re looking for a chill evening cocktail or a high-energy night out, there’s a spot for every vibe.

Each venue plays a unique role in supporting queer culture and visibility through food, drink, and atmosphere.

This Pride, raise a glass where it matters—and support the spaces that keep NYC’s LGBTQ+ spirit alive all year long.

6 Must-Try Dishes Around NYC This Week

Eater’s latest roundup spotlights some of the most exciting dishes across NYC right now.

At Bar Italia on Madison, the seafood spaghetti comes loaded with Mediterranean fish and slow-simmered cherry tomatoes.

Claud in the East Village offers a standout half-chicken topped with lovage and pickled peppers—don’t skip the housemade bread.

Mama’s Too in the West Village continues to impress with its spicy “Angry Nonna” square slice and a perfectly balanced round classic.

Over at Naks, the Kanto fried chicken is ultra-crispy, boneless, and stays hot longer than you’d expect.

In Long Beach, Lost and Found serves up a bison strip loin with chimichurri that’s as bold as it sounds.

And in Crown Heights, Bottega’s tuna sandwich—stacked with artichokes, fontina, and lemon aioli—is a refined take on the classic melt.

These are the dishes making waves across the city this week.

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