A refurbished Chinese restaurant dedicated to roast duck has reopened this week in Midtown, occupying the former La Grenouille address on East 52nd Street. Service began quietly on Tuesday evening, drawing a mix of longtime La Grenouille patrons and a younger crowd seeking a less formal atmosphere.
The kitchen features a menu centered on Cantonese-style roast duck, with options for half and whole birds. Prices for a whole duck start at $78, with table-side carving available for an added fee. Lunch service is limited to weekdays, with dinner offered nightly.
The restaurant’s management has retained some of the original dining room’s floral motifs but removed the white tablecloths. The bar, once a destination for power lunches, now serves Chinese teas alongside a short cocktail list. Staff say they expect a steady uptick in reservations as the fall season progresses and as Midtown offices fill back up.
Last night, a handful of former La Grenouille regulars were observed comparing notes on the new menu. Some expressed nostalgia for the French dishes, while others welcomed the change. The kitchen is led by Chef Lin Zhao, who previously worked at a Flushing banquet hall.
This opening comes as several Chinese restaurants in Manhattan debut new concepts for autumn, reflecting ongoing shifts in Midtown’s dining landscape.