Chinese Hit Hao Noodle Will Focus on Drinking Fare for New Meatpacking Location

More details on Hao Noodle and Tea’s Meatpacking location

After opening in Greenwich Village last year, the acclaimed American outpost of a Chinese chain Hao Noodle and Tea by Madam Zhu’s Kitchen is already expanding to the Meatpacking District at 343 West 14th Street. In the sceney neighborhood, expect Chinese food that goes well with drinking — a move that makes sense considering the density of clubs and lounges nearby. There will be pork and cumin-chili lamb skewers, cold appetizers like Shanghai-style drunken chicken and strips of tofu in chile oil, and plenty of noodles. Look for an early 2018 opening. The original NYC outpost of Hao Noodle received two stars from Eater last year; the Times’ Pete Wells also largely enjoyed the restaurant.

James Beard Award-winning food radio show host suspended

WNYC has suspended longtime radio host Leonard Lopate following allegations of inappropriate conduct. Lopate denies all charges, though doesn’t seem to know what they are. He’s been a fixture in food radio for many years with the Friday food segment of his eponymous show, and garnered James Beard Awards in 2006 and 2007 for Radio Show/Audio Webcast. “I am sure any honest investigation will completely clear me. That’s the only thing I’m concerned about — the damage to my reputation,” he told the Times.

GQ takes on Major Food Group as a concept

GQ assesses The Grill and The Pool remakes this week, with writer Brett Martin penning a nostalgia-tinged essay that determines the restaurants “represent the apotheosis of what I think of as the New Nostalgia: a notable pendulum swing back toward the traditional rituals and comforts of fine dining.” Major Food Group, with Carbone and Santina, have certainly had a hand in that trend: “There have been times I've found the gouging obnoxious, and other times when I've reminded myself that New Yorkers who want to spend stupid amounts of money on dinner will certainly find a way to do so with or without the help of Major Food Group,” Martin writes.

Vapiano plots major global expansion

Vapiano, the Germany-based Italian food chain with a location near NYU, has its eyes on major expansion through 2020. While it’s not clear if NYC will receive another location, the goal is to reach 330 stores worldwide. For another Neapolitan-style pizzeria here in NYC, check out Ribalta’s hot dog- and french fry-topped pie: