FORGET THE LOUNGE Gray Kunz’s lounge and event space, Grayz (13-15 W. 54th St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues, 212-262-4600), will soon reopen as a full-fledged restaurant, closing on August 10, and reopening with a new format and a renovated downstairs dining area on September 1.

EASTERN SAGA Publicists for Broadway East (171 E. Broadway, between Rutgers and Jefferson streets, 212-228-3100) have denied that the restaurant’s executive chef, Lee Gross, has departed his post, as reported last week in Kitchen Dish. But a phone call to Mr. Gross yesterday confirmed that he has indeed left the eatery.

OCEANS APART Oceana (55 E. 54th St., between Park and Madison avenues, 212-759-5941) is moving closer to the heart of Midtown after its lease expires in July of next year. The new space, whose location has not yet been disclosed, will be larger, with 200 seats and room for private dining. A bigger, more lounge-friendly bar will also be installed. Much of chef Ben Pollinger’s menu will remain intact, but a raw bar also will be added.

FORGE AHEAD Marc Forgione, former executive chef of BLT Prime, opened Forge (134 Reade St., between Hudson and Greenwich streets, 212-941-9401) last night with partner Chris Blumlo. The restaurant’s name is also the nickname of the chef, who is a son of the renowned Larry Forgione, one of the early promoters of American cuisine.

JG GOES JAPANESE Jean-Georges Vongerichten has reopened the spot that once was 66 as Matsugen (241 Church St. at Leonard Street, 212-925-0202). The specialty is buckwheat noodles, or soba. Yuba, or tofu skin, also is available, as are sea urchin with yuzu jelly, steamed eel, and fatty tuna, or toro.

BIG, EASY BITES Bourbon Street Bar and Grille (346 W. 46th St., between Eighth and Ninth avenues, 212-245-2030) opened quietly last month. Executive chef Tommy Hines started cooking at the restaurants of the Brennan family in New Orleans, best known for Commander’s Palace. That restaurant is famous for its turtle soup, which is available at the new spot, along with traditional Cajun and Creole dishes and not-so-traditional ones, such as a Buffalo alligator appetizer.

JUICING UP Booster Juice, which opened in Rockefeller Center last year, has opened its second city location, on the Upper East Side (1279 First Ave., between 68th and 69th streets, 212-744-4455). The Canadian chain, based in Edmonton, Alberta, offers juices, smoothies, hot drinks — including hot açaí, which you do not see very often — as well as quesadillas and wraps.

SILVER ANNIVERSARY Marco Polo (345 Court St. at Union Street, Brooklyn, 718-852-5015) is celebrating its 25th anniversary this month with 25 wines at $25 per bottle, plus special prix-fixe three-course menus of $19.83 at lunch and $25 at dinner.

Mr. Thorn is food editor of Nation’s Restaurant News. He maintains nrnfoodwriter.blogspot.com.