In response to yesterday's post on the Orchard, Paige Restaurant Group owner Matt Shendell writes:

• Dip was open 7yrs and VERY successful. Rachel ray filmed shows from there, and we were extremely busy for a long time
• Honey was sold due to a landlord issue
• The new place is being called "Ainsworth"...and will be a brunch/happy hour lounge with full a/v capabilities for large events

I'd appreciate any corrections that can be made ...
Matt Shendell
PAIGE Mngmt

Consider it corrected, Matt. Perhaps you may want to update your website as well.

Matt Shendell is at it again. The former owner of the not so successful Dip and Honey, and current owner/operator of the more successful The Hill, Axe Lounge at Dune and Garden of Ono will be opening the Orchard, a new restaurant and lounge on West 26th Street in Chelsea. That's kind of northwest from the rest of the places, so we will go with it. According to a LB, the 5500 SF space is still under construction, as is the final menu. But they promise DBTH that they are working on it, with an opening slated for September 2009. Until then . . .

Want a preview of what the revitalized Garden of Ono will look like this summer? This comment in the original post should tell you all you need to know:

Guys,

This rumor is true. I have just signed a deal with Shendell for Ono Garden 2009.

Yours Truly,

David Jaffee

Shudder.

Don't call it a comeback, but according to a Little Birdy, "Matt Shendell of Paige Management Group has joined forces with China Grill Management to bring the Garden of ONO back to life as premiere happy hour and weekend destination." We guess this means that the rumored collaboration between Iron Mike Satsky and China Grill never materialized, and that Chodorow and Shendell will look to fill this place with visitors, tourists and weekend warriors who head over to the MePa looking for some action and can't get into 675 Bar. Good times all around.