Frenchette team recreates a celebrity hangout on Upper East Side, facing challenges from the present.
When Robert Gerber relocated to New York City in 1979, he quickly became friends with artist Andy Warhol and socialite James Mellon Curley. The trio enjoyed a vibrant nightlife, often starting with drinks at the Plaza hotel, hitting the dance floor at Studio 54, and ending the night with dinner at Le Veau d’Or, a cozy French restaurant on the Upper East Side. Despite being less flashy than other nearby French eateries, Le Veau d’Or was a favorite among celebrities like Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Orson Welles due to its intimate atmosphere and affordable yet delicious French cuisine.
After years of being overshadowed by trendier spots downtown, Le Veau d’Or was revitalized in July by acclaimed chefs Lee Hanson and Riad Nasr, known for their successful restaurants Frenchette and Le Rock. The revamped restaurant has retained its classic charm while receiving updates like shiny red banquettes and modern decor elements like calf-shaped creamers as planters. Gerber, who visited the new Le Veau d’Or, was impressed by the quality of dishes like crispy duck and chilled lobster with radish and fennel. However, he noted a change in the ambiance, feeling that it was no longer as quiet and lacked familiar faces from the past.
The reopening of Le Veau d’Or has brought renewed attention to this historic establishment, attracting both loyal patrons and new visitors eager to experience its classic French cuisine in a refreshed setting. The restaurant’s rich history and connection to the city’s cultural elite make it a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts and those seeking a taste of old New York charm.
Source: The NY Times
