Restaurant giant Landry’s Inc., owned by Texas mega-billionaire Tilman Fertitta, is taking over bankrupt Fireman Hospitality Group’s three most successful restaurants as part of a $22 million purchase with a third company, Ciao Hospitality Group, that will let Ciao operate Fireman’s other venues.
The deal gives Landry’s control of Manhattan’s high-volume Trattoria dell’ Arte, Fiorello’s and Bond 45. The first two are across the street from Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center respectively, while Bond 45 is on a West 46th Street block with three Broadway theaters.
Ciao CEO Jeff Crivello told The Post his company and Landry’s were co-bidders for the Fireman empire. He said Landry’s assigned rights to Ciao to operate Fireman’s other venues — Paris Bar in the Le Meridien Central Park Hotel at 120 W. 57th St., hotel rooftop venue Le Jardin, Brooklyn Delicatessen, and two Manhattan branches of Brooklyn Diner.
The deal gives hope that all the Fireman venues will survive.
“Fertitta only wanted Fireman’s top three places with great locations, which was why Landry’s original bid for the company was only $9 million,” a source told The Post.
“But the bankruptcy judge wouldn’t allow an offer for only part of the Fireman company,” the source said. So Landry’s teamed up with Ciao to more than triple the original bid, in part because there were other bidders.
Among those vying for the company was former Fireman Hospitality CEO Ben Grossman, our source said. Grossman didn’t respond to requests for comment.
Several Fireman venues faltered after Covid-19. The death at 93 of visionary company founder Shelly Fireman last October accelerated the downward spiral, which included nearly $10 million in secured claims.
Thirty year-old RedEye Grill, the “home of the famous dancing shrimp,” served its last meal in July.
Fertitta, owner of the Golden Nugget casino in Las Vegas and the NBA’s Houston Rockets, is rapidly growing his hospitality business even as he tends to his duties as US Ambassador to Italy.
Landry’s owns such popular restaurant brands as steakhouses Morton’s, Mastro’s, Del Frisco’s and Strip House; Mexican cafe chain Dos Caminos; and sushi/seafood brand Blue Fin. All have large footprints in Manhattan.
Fertitta also owns 50% of New York’s Catch Group, which includes high-profile Corner Store, The 86 and Do’resh, and historic Keen’s Steakhouse which he bought as an individual investment.