Made-up New York restaurant goes from internet joke to one-night-only reality

The idea behind Mehran's Steak House might have been cribbed from an earlier faux opening in London six years ago

A fake steakhouse" that started as an elaborate joke" between a group of tech industry friends has gone viral after putting on its first sitting, for 140 people and members of the media, in New York City.

Mehran's Steak House, which had previously only existed as a Google Maps listing created by the roommates of Mehran Jalali, the 21-year-old founder of an AI startup, drew diners to its first - and last - night on Saturday.