Japanese Club-Restaurant Megu Plans Return to NYC in Dream Hotel

Mega-lounge Megu is making a comeback to New York, this time in Chelsea’s Dream Downtown hotel. Jon Bakhshi of Beautique — a restaurant once called a "playpen for millionaires" — purchased the rights to Megu last year, and his first new version of the clubstaurant will be a 5,000-square-foot, 145 seat behemoth in the shuttered Cherry Izakaya space. The Japanese-themed restaurant is expected to open mid-July.

Megu previously had locations in Tribeca and Midtown for years, but both suddenly closed in 2014. The brand also expanded internationally to New Delhi, Moscow, Doha, and Gstaad, locations that are still open. The new outpost in Chelsea will be run by chef Francis Tariga-Weshnak, who previously worked at Catch restaurant. Dishes will largely be the same as the past Megus, which were known for being flush with Kobe beef, but Tariga-Weshnak will making additions like a wagyu and foie gras croquette.