Austin Hu is opening a retro-style diner and it looks sinful

Here's a project that's been shrouded in secrecy for some months: chef Austin Hu (of awesome sandwich and American eats joint Madison Kitchen and many of the menus at spots like Union Trading Company, Funkadeli's brunch, and Bonobo's new eats) is opening up a retro-style American diner – called Diner – on the prime corner of Wuyuan Lu and Wulumuqi Lu.

Gluttons, delight – this place seems to be boasting the tagline 'Home of judgement-free indulgence,' and after a peek of the evolving menu, be assured it supports that phrase well.

So what's on this sinful menu so far? Noting that all of this is still being developed, expect amped-up American classics that are bound to be the city's next great hangover cures. Egg dishes, burgers, crispy fried foods, loaded 'Disco fries' with gravy, cheese, and meaty stuff, chicken-fried beef cheek, and so on. There are also signs of some pretty serious Bloody Marys.

We're most excited about Hu's three tentative takes on French toast: one classic style with 'fancy French butter' and maple syrup; one 'Fun' with peanut butter and jelly syrups; and one 'Gold standard' with – wait for it – foie gras, brandy gravy and strawberry pepper syrup. OMG. There are three similarly awesome styles of pancakes too.

But take this all with a grain of salt, as Hu says, 'literally nothing is set in stone, the menu may still change as it's still evolving and we're figuring out what we can do realistically in the kitchen' and that 'prices aren't set yet and definitely not opening hours'. Still, even if this is a preliminary sketch of what Diner is bringing, we're psyched. It's opening soon – no details yet as to the exact date yet – but be on the lookout over the next week or so.

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