{"id":3396,"date":"2025-10-15T13:19:13","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T13:19:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/3396\/"},"modified":"2025-10-15T13:19:13","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T13:19:13","slug":"rumors-have-swirled-around-beloved-staten-island-restaurant-jade-island-now-owner-puts-them-to-rest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/3396\/","title":{"rendered":"Rumors have swirled around beloved Staten Island restaurant Jade Island; now owner puts them to rest"},"content":{"rendered":"

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 Jade Island, the iconic Polynesian restaurant in New Springville, has signed a new lease\u2014quelling rumors that the beloved Staten Island eatery was preparing to close. The deal also means longtime owner John Yip isn\u2019t retiring anytime soon.<\/p>\n

Yip, who began working at Jade Island in 1986 and took over management in 1994, has spent more than 40 years in the restaurant business. Despite gentle nudges from his wife to consider retirement, he says he\u2019s not going anywhere.<\/p>\n

\"JadeNative Staten Islanders Richard Corash, center, and Paul Hollender are proud regulars at Jade Island. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

\u201cI enjoy my job, so I keep the happiness here. I don\u2019t want to retire,\u201d Yip said with a smile.\u201cNo one else still serves drinks in pineapples,\u201d he added. \u201cMaybe they\u2019re still doing that in San Francisco\u2014but we\u2019re always doing it here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jade Island even gained national attention when the late Anthony Bourdain filmed an episode of No Reservations there with Staten Island native, the late David Johansen of the New York Dolls. The booth where the two legends sat remains a popular request among diners eager to relive the moment or share it with new generations.<\/p>\n

\"JadePuffer fish light fixtures are the envy of any modern interior decorator or social influencer. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

The restaurant\u2019s customer base stretches far beyond Staten Island. Yip recalled a tradition from about 15 years ago when busloads of customers would arrive from Manhattan the Saturday before Mother\u2019s Day.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was something to see\u2014a whole table filled with drinks served in fresh pineapples,\u201d he said, laughing.<\/p>\n

\"JadeWhen you’re a kid, these booths seem small. But as an adult, it’s a different story \u2014 a little more snug, but still a happy fit.(Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

Even former Staten Islanders who\u2019ve relocated to Florida and South Carolina make annual visits back to Jade Island.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey still come to my restaurant. Some food\u2014the egg roll, the noodles, the fresh drinks we make\u2014it brings people back,\u201d Yip said.<\/p>\n

In 2012, Jade Island came close to losing its lease\u2014a fate that had already claimed neighboring Golden\u2019s Deli. But thanks to hundreds of calls from loyal customers to landlord Kimco Realty, the beloved restaurant secured its future.<\/p>\n

\"JadeThe salivary glands get going when the meal starts at Jade Island \u2014 with crispy fried noodles, nasal-clearing mustard and a house-made apricot sauce that puts duck sauce brand names like Saucy Susan to shame.(Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

Today, Jade Island continues to serve its signature Hunan and Polynesian dishes while making subtle updates to its interior, including new carpeting. The cozy bar\u2014with its starfish-embossed lighting fixtures, blowfish pendulum lights, and flaming pu-pu platters\u2014remains part of the experience that has made Jade Island a cherished destination for dates, proposals, family dinners, and celebrations.<\/p>\n

With a new lease in place and no plans for retirement, Jade Island remains a vibrant part of Staten Island\u2019s culinary landscape\u2014still flaming, still festive, and still full of memories.<\/p>\n

\"JadeWhat’s the rave about with Jade Island’s flaming pu-pu platter? Surely you have stories playing with the blue flame. For now, we’re looking at saucy wings, beef on a stick, seriously tempura-ed fan-tail shrimp, bone-in BBQ ribs (hiding behind the sterno) and scrumptious shrimp toast, a delight literally not for the faint of heart. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

Fans on social media were quick to celebrate the news, sharing memories like these: \u201cOne of our favorites\u2026 back in the years I lived on Staten Island (1963\u20132007). We had many enjoyable meals at this restaurant. I currently live in New Jersey.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another wrote: \u201cWe lived in Staten Island for 23 years before moving to Florida. No other Chinese restaurant could compare with their food. Now my grandchildren bring their children there to enjoy the food, atmosphere, and friendly service.\u201d<\/p>\n

And one more: \u201cDo you know I lived on Staten Island for almost 60 years, born and raised, and I\u2019d never gone there\u2014until about a month ago. It was so good, and the place is so beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"JadeBringing a crowd to Jade Island? Best to notify the restaurant a few days ahead of time so the staff can arrange for skids of pineapples.(Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

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