OnMouthing Off, Kate Krader shares the news that some changes are afoot at the Graydon Carter–ownedMonkey Bar, the storied and lacquered restaurant not exactly known for its food. (Our ownNew YorkMagazine called the cooking “D-grade.”) The first change: Belinda Chang — who won theOutstanding Wine Service Awardfrom the James Beard Foundation this spring for her work atthe Modern— has joined Monkey Bar as wine directorandgeneral manager. “We’re going to turn things around,” she tells Krader, “the wine list, everything, is going to be super fun.” Chang discusses plans to bring on lots of magnums of wine, and she’ll also hand-pick special by-the-glass wines for specific celebrities. Hence, Lady Gage will be served a “crazy Italian spumante,” perhaps one that’s “nutty and voluptuous and decadent.” The report also says a “notable chef” will be joining Monkey Bar “sometime soon.” [Mouthing Off/F&W;,Earlier]
