Sad news: Ginger Park has gone dark. The South End restaurant, called Banq up until last year, underwent a makeover as a contemporary Asian eatery. And when it did, people were psyched. The Union Park location was great. The space was majestic. And the kitchen was helmed by likeable, big-name New York City chef Patricia Yeo. What could possibly go wrong?
At first, nothing. Not to sound all New Age-y, but we loved Ginger Park’s muted vibe and Yeo’s positive energy. It was so quiet. So peaceful. So, so … cavernous and empty. Even despite the killer duck confit and Chinese sausage fried rice sunny side-up egg. So why no love for Yeo?
She’s so darn likeable, and so’s her food. She’s been so well-known for so long. And she tries so hard! Heck, she uprooted herself for the gig after casting about for jobs in various cities like a commoner, despite her big-name cred. But she’s had a rocky ride of late. Yeo — who entered the culinary fray as Bobby Flay’s right-hand woman — was formerly at Sapa and Monkey Bar in New York. Then she bounced briefly to New York’s Broadway East, in between projects, before soldiering North. As we reported in the past, she came to Boston in part to seek a healthier work-life balance. (And a year ago, when we checked in with her post-move, she was wowed by Bostonians’ friendliness. Really? Geez.)
Thankfully, Yeo will rise, Aniston-like, once more. As the Feast reports, she’s going to give the Ginger Park concept another go a few blocks down Washington Street, in a more intimate venue with a smaller, refocused menu. Her staff’s sticking with her (gotta have friends), and she hopes to open the spot in May. Now she just needs Chelsea Handler on her side, and her new restaurant will be the biggest thing ever.
Earlier: New York Chef Patricia Yeo Finds Surprises in Boston
