Founded in 1998 by Cathy Huang, Pearl East in Manhasset is a cherished Long Island institution known for its loyal following and beautiful dishes. Pearl East has a menu that is both unique and rooted in tradition; many of the dishes are inspired by family recipes from Cathy’s mother, Jui-Hsia Tseng Chen.

Before creating the Pearl East that we know today, Cathy co-founded with her late husband another restaurant in Queens called Peking House — one of the first upscale Chinese restaurants in the region, which redefined Chinese cuisine for a new generation. After the tragic passing of her husband, Cathy became a single parent to her two children and took over Pearl East. Under her guidance, the restaurant has become a beloved staple in the community, serving elegant and delicious Chinese American dishes hard to find as expertly crafted elsewhere.

Cathy’s children have continued her entrepreneurial legacy: her daughter Roslyn, a Juilliard-trained violinist, operates a music school with her partner David Gale called Pluckd Studio. Her son Eric, a Culinary Institute of America-trained chef, became a sous chef at Eleven Madison Park, helping it earn the title of the number one restaurant in the world, and now runs Pecking House (a nod to his family’s former restaurant), which gained national attention during the pandemic for its viral fried chicken. He and his wife Margaret Huang hope to bolster the family’s legacy of great restaurants in Long Island with a new concept of their own very soon.

Below is a family photo of Roslyn (left), Eric, and their grandmother enjoying a meal; food has been a beloved and integral part of the Huang family for generations. We are so grateful to share that tradition with every guest at Pearl East.