Type Private Founded 1962 | Industry Food and Entertainment Headquarters New York City, U.S. | |
Founder The Massons, Charles Sr. and Gisèle Key people Cjarles Masson, Philippe Masson | ||
La Grenouille is a historic and award-winning French restaurant located at 3 East 52nd Street (between Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue) in Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Founded in 1962 by former Henri Soulé apprentice Charles Masson, Sr. and his wife Gisèle, later with sons Philippe and Charles, La Grenouille (Fr., "The Frog") became a location of choice among New York, U.S., and eventually international diners, including designers from the nearby New York fashion district. It is the last operating New York French haute cuisine restaurant from the 1960s, and remains, into the new millennium, a highly rated restaurant.
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Location
La Grenouille is located at 3 East 52nd Street, between Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue, in Midtown Manhattan in New York City.
History
The restaurant was founded in 1962 by Charles Masson, Sr., a former Henri Soulé apprentice,[citation needed] and his wife Gisèle. After the passing of Charles Sr. in 1975, Gisele continued to manage the restaurant until 2010. Charles Jr. assisted Gisele with her management duties from 1975 until 1994, when Charles Jr. left the restaurant. At that time, Gisele’s younger son Philippe took over Charles Jr.’s duties until 2000, whereupon Charles Jr. returned and assisted Gisele until 2014. La Grenouille is currently operated by Philippe Masson, and has been since 2014.[2] It is the last operating New York French haute cuisine restaurant from the 1960s,[citation needed] having outlasted other well-known French restaurants like Lutèce, which closed in 2004.[2]
Menu
The menu of La Grenouille is essentially entirely "haute French cuisine," with customer menus presenting the French names of classic and more modern dishes, followed by the English, and an English description.
Renown
Aside from its haute French cuisine, La Grenouille is notable for its clientele, and is considered a location of choice among New York, U.S., and international diners. A segment of this clientele includes designers from the nearby New York fashion district; it has been spoken of as a hotspot for its notables, e.g. Elle magazine creative director Joe Zee.
In addition, the restaurant is famous for its lavish floral arrangements, a tradition started by Charles Masson, Sr. and continued by his son Philippe Masson, and reflected in a decor ranking that places it in the top tier of New York Restaurants.
In 1972 W magazine referred to it one of "Les Six, the last bastions of grand luxe dining in New York." The other five were Lutèce, La Caravelle, La Côte Basque, Lafayette, and Quo Vadis. La Grenouille is the last operating New York French haute cuisine restaurant from the 1960s, a time when it dominated New York City's French haute cuisine.