Florent Out of Gas and Almost Out of Business

The beloved 24-hour French diner Florent will be closing on Saturday with a big send-off, and lines have often been out the door as the end approaches. Today is no exception, as Eater reports, with the restaurant still packed despite the fact that the gas has been shut off. Reached today (his birthday) by phone at his lake house in New Jersey, owner Florent Morellet tells us that the gas was shut off over a week ago so his plumber could do some work, but attempts to get Con Ed to turn it back on have been fruitless. And he's unsure whether there will be gas before Saturday's closing, telling us that "Con Ed is a little bit like old Russia."