Lao 18 Opening January 18, More From Tony Hu

And the beat goes on for Tony Hu. Over hot tea at Lao Ma La, the venerable Hu offered new details of his fairy tale restaurant empire. His upcoming Hubbard project Lao 18 is opening January 18, focusing on dim sum lunch and an all-star Hu dinner menu; including Tony's Special Chicken, Crispy Shrimp, and Szechuan Smoked Tea Duck. The bar will stay open until 2 a.m., fitting right in with his new neighbors.

After that and his upcoming Michigan Avenue concept (he says he's signing the lease late this week and calls it a "big, big project"), he is discussing a new restaurant with the mayor of Fox Lake in an upcoming suburban multinational restaurant mall. Then he says he'll open his last restaurant in Chicago, a noodle house, before embarking on his national takeover, beginning with a space in Times Square focusing on Peking Duck, Mandarin, and Szechuan cuisines.

Finally, Hu is renovating the second floor of the Chinese street-food themed Lao Ma La, adding a karaoke bar to match the neon interior downstairs. Maybe he'll find a moment to celebrate there. Then again, considering the pace he's on, maybe not.
—Eater Staff
· Tony Hu Planning Michigan Ave Spot; Then NY and More [~ECHI~]
· All Coverage of Tony Hu [~ECHI~]
[Photo via Tony Gourmet Group]