Bryant Park Grill gets lifeline to remain open – Business News
Hold the molten chocolate cake — no less than for now.
Michael Weinstein’s Bryant Park Grill gained a short-term 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 Court Judge Anar Rathod Patel barred the nonprofit Bryant Park Corporation from shutting down the Grill, which has served park-goers for almost 30 years, till an April 22 listening to on Weinstein’s lawsuit in opposition to the company.
However, it wasn’t clear why the Grill needed such a reprieve since its lease runs till April 30.
Michael Weinstein’s Bryant Park Grill gained a short-term courtroom reprieve from its landlord’s plan to exchange it with a fancier eatery run by famed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Steve Cuozzo
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 renew its lease.
Vongerichten’s empire contains his flagship Jean-Georges at Columbus Circle, Four Twenty Five on Park Avenue and The Fulton on the Seaport. Ark’s 20-odd US eating places embody Robert atop the Museum of Arts & Design at Columbus Circle.
If Vongerichten prevails in courtroom, park-goers might face a summer season with out food different than from snack stands. Biederman instructed Community Board 5 the plans embody a year-long closing to redesign the venue, as The Post beforehand reported.
“We’re all crying but we have hope the court will keep us here,” stated a Grill worker who wouldn’t share her title on a sunny Tuesday afternoon.
If Vongerichten prevails in courtroom, park-goers might face a summer season with out food different than from snack stands. Getty Images for Haute Living
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 the nation’s highest-grossing eating places.
Ark claims that Biederman’s alternative of Seaport Entertainment 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 dismissed the truth that Ark’s bid of $3.3 million was $1 million more 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.”
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 the nation’s highest-grossing eating places. Steve Cuozzo
But Biederman insisted the selection of Vongerichten was totally lawful. He instructed the group board that Vongerichten’s company “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 Corporation will prevail.
“The judge stated she will not prevent the landlord from commencing eviction proceedings against Ark” after the lease expires, Biederman instructed The Post.
A consultant for Vongerichten didn’t instantly get back to us.
