An elevated new Chinese concept is making its way to Hell’s Kitchen later this year.
Yingtao is a brand new fine-dining restaurant concept currently expected to open up in Hell’s Kitchen. The new restaurant is the latest concept from owner Bolun Yao, a relative newcomer in the hospitality scene who recently graduated from NYU with a Master’s Degree in Food Science (Go Violets!). Positioning himself as a “culinary ambassador” for one of the world’s great civilizations, Yao is dedicated to interpreting contemporary Chinese cuisine with a uniquely New York edge. By incorporating modern cooking techniques with local culinary specialties and heritages, Yao intends to deliver an authentic Chinese culinary experience with the flair and prestige of a New York fine dining restaurant.
Named after Yao’s beloved grandmother, Yingtao is currently expected to open up later this year at 805 Eighth Avenue. The new restaurant will not feature a DJ or roadbed seating, but Yao does intend to play recorded music for background entertainment. While he hasn’t revealed the name, Yao has also “engaged an architect who has designed several Michelin-starred restaurants to provide a first-class aesthetic”. The location is currently expected to seat 38 guests at the tables, with an additional bar that will seat 8 guests.
For the menu, you can look forward to an elevated take on traditional Chinese cuisine. Yingtao is expected to offer hot and cold appetizers like orange chicken, congee, and a “thousand-year egg” as well as hors d’oeuvres like dim sum and brioche. For the main curse, Yingtao will offer dishes like grilled fish, Peking duck, and a premium “wagyu bowl” for the local bon vivants. Excitingly, the real star of the show will be Yingtao’s 8-course tasting menu, which will be offered with an optional wine-pairing experience.
Right now, Yao and his team are getting ready to apply for a beer and wine license for the space. They are proposing operating hours of 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM, every day, seven days a week. While you wait for more information, you can follow Yingtao on Instagram for regular updates as the restaurant continues to develop.
