The proprietor of the famed Bryant Park Grill – a mainstay close to the Public Library in Midtown for 3 a long time – was left fuming after his lease was not renewed in favor of a fancier eatery helmed by movie star chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.
Michael Weinstein claimed he received’t go down with no struggle regardless of the Bryant Park Corp. awarding a brand new, 18-year lease to Vongerichten on Monday.
Weinstein mentioned his bid was superior, with annual lease at greater than $3 million, in comparison with the $2 million a 12 months that Seaport Leisure Group, which owns 25% of Vongerichten’s restaurant empire, has agreed to pay.
His 1,000-seat restaurant, which helped gentrify the realm when it first opened, is without doubt one of the nation’s highest grossing eating places, producing $28 million a 12 months — and 72 members of its 250-person employees have labored there for the previous 25 years.
“Why are they taking something that is very successful and throwing it out and giving it to a new guy who doesn’t have a history in the hospitality business,” mentioned Weinstein, referring to Seaport Leisure, which was spun off from actual property big Howard Hughes Company final summer season.
“We are a hugely successful restaurant even though we are handcuffed — the restaurant closes at 10 pm during the week, our outdoor seating is weather permitting, and we don’t do bottle service and turn into a nightclub.”
The deal, first reported by Crain’s, is awaiting approval from town’s Parks Division.
“Parks will review the award for this concession; however, Bryant Park Corporation has not yet submitted a selection for our review,” a spokesperson for the Parks Division instructed The Put up on Tuesday.
A spokesperson for Jean-Georges Vongerichten declined to remark.
Weinstein, whose present contract ends on Could 1, referred to as out Biederman for what he referred to as a short-sighted resolution – particularly because the venue is anticipated to go darkish for as much as 10 months whereas Vongerichten builds out his new restaurant.
“Dan Biederman and his board are turning their backs on the park. The lease they’re considering with Jean-Georges would mean less funding for the park, higher menu prices for midtown diners, and 250 New Yorkers put out of a job.”
Matt Partridge, CFO of Seaport Leisure Group, which owns 25% of the JGV operation, instructed CB5 that it has dedicated to holding costs inexpensive, whereas additionally having elevated choices — and that Vongerichten is “on brand” with the general public park.
“Jean-Georges has been here since the 1980s. He’s a huge proponent of New York,” mentioned Partridge, including that present staff can interview for brand spanking new jobs.
The Bryant Park Grill options inexpensive menu choices contemplating its prized location, with the highest-priced merchandise coming in at $45 for a steak frites.
It serves 3,000 meals “on a good day” and hasn’t raised costs like different close by eating places, Weinstein famous.
“We are more concerned with value and quality for our customers,” he mentioned.
We hear … Town’s most glamorous house retailer, Jung Lee NY, simply received a lift — of caffeine. A brand new cafe and flower store has simply launched inside the house retailer, throughout from the Ace Lodge on W. twenty ninth St. Floral Cafe, which launched final Friday, options espresso and espresso from Deovicon; matcha, chai and tea from Bellocq in Brooklyn; and Really feel Good Booch Kombucha. There’s additionally guava pastries, croissants and gluten free/vegan muffins from Pabade in East Harlem and Levain’s famed chocolate chip and double chocolate chip cookies.
“I’ve been wanting to do this for 15 years — ever since I opened my shop,” mentioned Lee, an occasion planner and entrepreneur who jet units the world producing occasions, from presidential state dinners on the White Home to New York’s Tony Awards to weddings and particular occasions for hedge funders, billionaires and tech entrepreneurs, like Fb co-founder Chris Hughes, actor Hugh Jackman, writer Jann Webber and inside designer Thomas Filicia. “I really like that we will supply top quality espresso and our flowers, which final far longer than something from the flower market as they’re shipped on to us by the farmers after reducing the stems.
Between nice florals and nice espresso and matcha, there’s nothing higher to brighten up my day!” TV character Tamron Corridor, creator and ICI director Renaud Proch and artwork curator Jill Brienza attended final Friday’s opening. The store has one thing for everybody, from $3 recent lower stems to a set of six shot glasses that vary from $75 for one set to $635 for an additional set — to $45,000 set of Puifororcat sterling silverware for 20 settings.
