Authentic Chinese syndrome

So long General Tso’s chicken. Authentic Chinese food could soon overtake the American version of the popular cuisine.

The Chinabased owners of Hao Noodle & Tea are helping lead the charge in New York, with plans to open a flagship restaurant in Greenwich Village by December.

The eatery will feature organic and traditional Chinese noodles served with tea in a “tranquil” setting, a spokesperson said.

The spot is the first North American eatery for the group, which plans to open as many as 50 more on the East Coast over the next five years.

The 4,800 squarefoot space, at 401 Sixth Ave. between Greenwich Avenue and Waverly Place, is a central spot for neighborhood denizens and New York University.

The twostory building is owned by Walter & Samuels. The restaurant features 2,400 square feet of groundlevel space with high ceilings and an open kitchen, as well as 2,400 square feet in the basement, said David Berley, Walter & Samuels’ chairman.

Lee Block, Dana Albert and Ross Burack of Winick Realty Group represented Walter & Samuels, while John Cinosky of ATCO represented the restaurant.

After 20 years inside the Sutton Hotel, Il Valentino, at 330 E. 56th St., has closed.

But fans of the neighborhood Italian joint, including UN diplomats, will be pleased to know that a new version of the restaurant, Il Valentino Osteria, has reopened, at 1078 First Ave. at 59th Street.

Restaurateur Mirso Lekic renovated the smaller space, which includes a brick oven, with Dan Sehic of C3D Architecture.

The revamped menu comes by way of executive consulting chef Erminio Conte, of Serafina restaurant fame, and sous chef Lauro Sucuz, formerly of Petaluma and celebstudded Elios.

WE HEAR … EXKi, a vegetablecentric, locally sourced fast casual chain from Europe, is renovating its first New York City location. The 1,500 squarefoot space, at 257 Park Ave. So., will reopen on Sept. 17 with more seating and a new look … the Third Annual Taste of Gramercy Neighborhood takes place Sept. 26.