The saga over the status of Bryant Park Grill continues this week, after the Parisian-styled fixture won the right to remain in place while its appeal proceeds at its tony location behind the New York Public Library.
On Tuesday, September 22, an appellate
court ordered a stay on any eviction while Ark Restaurants’ appeal moves forward, meaning its cash cow will remain open for at least several more months. Bryant Park Corp. declined to provide a statement to Eater, pointing to a Wednesday, September 23, “accurate” article on business site Crain’s.
Bryant Park Corp., the nonprofit that runs the prime patch of real estate where the 1,000-seat grill stands, originally declined to renew its lease last year when celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten came knocking. That restaurant deal complete with a proposed renovation died as of this summer, reports the New York Post. Meanwhile, Bryant Park Corp. has continued discussions with Vongerichten.
Glass-enclosed Bryant Park Grill, which sports two outdoor cafes and a huge seasonal rooftop, hit the bidding block in 2024 ahead of its lease expiration date.Jean-Georges Restaurants was the chosen new operator out of 11 candidates, which included the incumbent tenant. Bryant Park Grill’s owner Michael Weinstein sued the park, Seaport Entertainment Group (Vongerichten’s management company), and other affiliated entities in the state Supreme Court, claiming the selection process was “flawed.”
Bryant Park Grill is the crown jewel of publicly traded Ark, the hospitality group behind oyster bars in Alabama, burger places in Vegas, and seafood spots in Florida. In NYC, its landlord has dumped more than $2.6 million in disclosed legal fees into eviction proceedings, with additional litigation in the works, Crain’s reported.
New York State Supreme Court’s appellate division didn’t explain its decision to grant the stay. The next hearing is scheduled for February.
