Legendary restaurateur Michael Chow has finalized a deal to extend his lease at his Tribeca restaurant, ensuring the establishment will remain at its 121 Hudson Street location after 20 years. Reports in April had suggested the lease was being taken over by Olio e Più, an Italian restaurant chain.
Chow, 87, confirmed to Page Six that he has reached an agreement to stay put, a move that will be welcomed by the restaurant's regular patrons. The Tribeca eatery, known for its distinctive steel wrap-around terrace, opened in 2006. This followed Chow's establishment of his first New York restaurant on 57th Street in 1979, after founding successful venues in London and Beverly Hills. The original Midtown location became a popular spot for artists and celebrities including Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Madonna, John Lennon, and David Bowie.
Chow also expressed ambitions to innovate within the food industry, drawing a parallel to Amazon's transformation of goods distribution. "It's always been man-to-goods, and Amazon has made it goods-to-man," he stated. "We're going to do the same with food." He envisions a future where upscale dining can be transformed in a similar manner, referencing his past collaboration with Nobu to establish a downtown dining scene with a significant Asian influence. Chow indicated a desire to work with Goop Kitchen, which opened a Midtown kitchen in April and plans an Upper West Side location in the fall, to bring this vision to fruition. Olio e Più did not respond to requests for comment regarding the lease situation.