Decades-Old Diner Chat ‘N Chew Reopens in Union Square

New Chat ‘N Chew sees new light in Union Square

After opening with a limited dinner menu in February, beloved comfort food diner Chat ‘N Chew is now fully back in action at 10 East 16th St., serving up chicken pot pie, fish and chips, and classic diner-style turkey dinner once again. The diner originally opened in Union Square in 1994 and then closed in July 2014.

Racines taps a fine dining star as temporary executive chef

After spending the past few years consulting at restaurants throughout NYC, fine dining star chef Paul Liebrandt is heading back into the kitchen for the first time since 2015, when he left Williamsburg restaurant The Elm. Prior to that, he ran the kitchen at two Michelin-star Tribeca fine dining restaurant Corton before leaving in 2013. Now, he’s set to return, at least briefly, at Racines in Tribeca, where he will serve as executive chef starting next Monday until May 31. Eric Korsh formerly led the kitchen, but he was dismissed following allegations of sexual misconduct that took place when he worked at North End Grill. Liebrandt will execute three- and five-course menus for $65 and $90 respectively. Optional wine pairings are overseen by Racines’ renowned sommelier Pascaline Lepeltier, as well as Arnaud Tronche. Those new menus will be offered starting next Tuesday.

Other openings and coming attractions

Sunnyside-based pho shop Zen Yai Pho Shop & Coffee has opened an East Village outpost at 518 E. Sixth St., offering pho, noodles, and rice bowls. On the Upper West Side, Joe Coffee opened its latest location at 271 Amsterdam Ave., and by the end of the month, it will be the first location to serve Joe’s kegged-cold brew. Harlem-based bakery Make My Cake has relocated to 795 Columbus Avenue on the UWS, and cocktail and wine bar Lilly’s is now open in the former Riposo 72 location at 50 W 72nd St. The UWS also has a new Thai option in Raenu Thai at 844 Amsterdam.

Critic rants about NYC restaurant annoyances

In a roundup of his latest restaurant pet peeves, the Post critic Steve Cuozzo lambasts useless websites — like that of Omar at Vaucluse, which merely features “random photos of Andy Warhol and Lee Radziwill” — as well as restaurants that have ditched bread like Henry at Life Hotel. He’s also thoroughly over the natural wine trend: “Natural wine lovers are cultish in their enthusiasm for funky vinos made without additives or filtration, but they’re not for everyone.” Small wine glasses, a lack of cheese plates at French restaurants, “forced sharing,” and getting rushed through a meal at the end of the night also receive the critic’s ire.