Over the Memorial weekend, amidst birthday celebrations, I met two restaurant moguls.
The first is Marva Layne, founder of Negril Village. She owns three other restaurants and is working on a new one.
Negril Village is the best Jamaican restaurant in Manhattan.
The second is Ai Kumar, the owner of 39 fine-dining restaurants—yes, 39! He is going to open a new restaurant in Times Square this summer.
Mr. Kumar is the father of a former student who took two of my classes. My former student plays a pivotal role in his father’s restaurant empire.
Today, Mr. Kumar gave the birthday celebrants and me a tour (with pomp and circumstance) of Jade Eatery and Lounge, a historic Asian fusion restaurant in Forest Hills.
The ambiance, the service, and the food are top-notch in both Negril Village and Jade.
The organic ginger tea with organic agave is a must-try at Negril Village!
I highly recommend the special salmon dish at Jade.
