The owner of the famed Bryant Park Grill – a mainstay near the Public Library in Midtown for three decades – was left fuming after his lease was not renewed in favor of a fancier eatery helmed by celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.
Michael Weinstein claimed he won’t go down without a fight despite the Bryant Park Corp. awarding a new, 18-year lease to Vongerichten on Monday.
Weinstein said his bid was superior, with annual rent at more than $3 million, compared to the $2 million a year that Seaport Entertainment Group, which owns 25% of Vongerichten’s restaurant empire, has agreed to pay.
His 1,000-seat restaurant, which helped gentrify the area when it first opened, is one of the country’s highest grossing restaurants, generating $28 million a year — and 72 members of its 250-person staff have worked there for the past 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,” said Weinstein, referring to Seaport Entertainment, which was spun off from real estate giant Howard Hughes Corporation last summer.
“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 the city’s Parks Department.
“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 Department told The Post on Tuesday.
A spokesperson for Jean-Georges Vongerichten declined to comment.
Weinstein, whose current contract ends on May 1, called out Biederman for what he called a short-sighted decision – especially since the venue is expected to go dark for up to 10 months while 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 Entertainment Group, which owns 25% of the JGV operation, told CB5 that it has committed to keeping prices affordable, while also having elevated options — and that Vongerichten is “on brand” with the public park.
“Jean-Georges has been here since the 1980s. He’s a huge proponent of New York,” said Partridge, adding that current employees can interview for new jobs.
The Bryant Park Grill features affordable menu options considering its prized location, with the highest-priced item coming in at $45 for a steak frites.
It serves 3,000 meals “on a good day” and hasn’t raised prices like other nearby restaurants, Weinstein noted.
“We are more concerned with value and quality for our customers,” he said.
We hear … The city’s most glamorous home store, Jung Lee NY, just got a boost — of caffeine. A new cafe and flower shop has just launched inside the home store, across from the Ace Hotel on W. 29th St. Floral Cafe, which launched last Friday, features coffee and espresso from Devoción; matcha, chai and tea from Bellocq in Brooklyn; and Feel Good Booch Kombucha. There’s also 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,” said Lee, an event planner and entrepreneur who jet sets the world producing events, from presidential state dinners at the White House to New York’s Tony Awards to weddings and special events for hedge funders, billionaires and tech entrepreneurs, like Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes, actor Hugh Jackman, publisher Jann Wenner and interior designer Thomas Filicia. “I love that we can offer high quality coffee and our flowers, which last far longer than anything from the flower market as they are shipped directly to us by the farmers after cutting the stems.”
“Between great florals and great coffee and matcha, there’s nothing better to brighten up my day!” TV personality Tamron Hall, author and ICI director Renaud Proch and art curator Jill Brienza attended last Friday’s opening. The shop has something for everyone, from $3 fresh cut stems to a set of six shot glasses that range from $75 for one set to $635 for another set — to $45,000 set of Puifororcat sterling silverware for 20 settings.
