Maintain the molten chocolate cake — at the very least for now.
Michael Weinstein’s Bryant Park Grill gained a brief courtroom reprieve from its landlord’s plan to exchange it with a fancier eatery run by famed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, who created the usually copied dessert.
Manhattan Supreme Courtroom Decide Anar Rathod Patel barred the nonprofit Bryant Park Company from shutting down the Grill, which has served park-goers for almost 30 years, till an April 22 listening to on Weinstein’s lawsuit towards the company.
Nevertheless, it wasn’t clear why the Grill wanted such a reprieve since its lease runs till April 30.
The more and more bitter dispute has roiled the leafy Midtown oasis since company president Dan Biederman selected Vongerichten over Weinstein’s Ark Restaurant Corp. to resume its lease.
Vongerichten’s empire contains his flagship Jean-Georges at Columbus Circle, 4 Twenty 5 on Park Avenue and The Fulton on the Seaport. Ark’s 20-odd US eating places embrace Robert atop the Museum of Arts & Design at Columbus Circle.
If Vongerichten prevails in courtroom, park-goers might face a summer time with out meals aside from from snack stands. Biederman advised Group Board 5 the plans embrace a year-long closing to revamp the venue, as The Publish beforehand reported.
“We’re all crying but we have hope the court will keep us here,” mentioned a Grill worker who wouldn’t share her identify on a sunny Tuesday afternoon.
The Grill, together with its satellites within the park, Bryant Park Cafe and The Porch, reportedly took in $28 million in income in 2024, making it one of many nation’s highest-grossing eating places.
Ark claims that Biederman’s selection of Seaport Leisure Group, which might handle Vongerichten’s restaurant, was “a sham process” as a result of he didn’t sufficiently publicize the request for proposals and he disregarded the truth that Ark’s bid of $3.3 million was $1 million greater than Vongerichten’s.
“This is a public concession in a public park,” Weinstein fumed. “Bryant Park is not private property to do as you wish. You have to follow the law.”
However Biederman insisted the selection of Vongerichten was fully lawful. He advised the neighborhood board that Vongerichten’s firm “presents the best combination of operating record, financial strength, and creative talent in the food and design field.”
Biederman expressed confidence that the Bryant Park Company will prevail.
“The judge stated she will not prevent the landlord from commencing eviction proceedings against Ark” after the lease expires, Biederman advised The Publish.
A consultant for Vongerichten didn’t instantly get again to us.
