Mediavore

French Drinking Less Wine; Payard May Move

• In what is likely a distressing economic indicator, the French drank 10 percent less French wine last year than in 2007. [NYP]

• If Payard’s landlord implements a proposed rent hike; the patisserie will close in August. [Crain’s]

• A federal judge has temporarily blocked a New York law that would have required return deposits on water bottles. [Crain’s]

• East Village lounge Stay caught on fire early yesterday morning. [EV Grieve]

• Tim Zagat offers his opinion on the Zagat guide’s top-rated restaurants: turns out he’s never been to Lucali. [Urbanite/amNY]

Top Chef Masters judge Jay Raynor on the show’s panel: “You know, we all thought we were all hired to be the bitchy one.” [Feedbag]

Bobo is now offering brunch. [Fork in the Road/VV]

French Drinking Less Wine; Payard May Move