Charles Masson Explains Why He Left La Grenouille

Charles Masson, the long-time manager of La Grenouille, sets the record straight about why he left his post at the restaurant over the weekend. He tells Grub Street that although he managed the restaurant since the age of 19, when his father passed away, he had "never owned a single share of the restaurant." His brother Philippe, who has now taken charge of the dining room, is the majority owner, and drove Charles off with his "micromanagement to an obsession."

Philippe tells the Times that Charles' departure has been in the works since November, and it's worth noting that the conflict runs much longer than that. Charles left Philippe to manage the restaurant from 1993 to 2000 over a similar argument, and only returned when Philippe left with the intention of becoming a priest.

Charles also confirms that he is working on a new restaurant, but can't say yet whether it will be uptown or downtown, as rumored. He says it will be a "a younger, friskier little sister to La Grenouille," with "great classic French cuisine."

· La Grenouille's Charles Masson Talks About His Departure and Future Plans [GS]
· La Grenouille's Mainstay Leaves Amid Family Rift [NYT]
· All Coverage of La Grenouille [~ENY~]
[La Grenouille by Krieger]