Famous NY eatery to serve its final meal
Source: Agencies |
December 31, 2009, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
TAVERN on the Green, once America's highest-grossing restaurant, is singing its culinary swan song.
The former sheepfold at the edge of Central Park in New York, now ringed by twinkling lights and fake topiary animals, is preparing for New Year's Eve, when it will serve its last meal.
Just three years ago, it was serving more than 700,000 meals annually, bringing in more than US$38 million.
But that astronomical sum wasn't enough to keep the landmark restaurant out of bankruptcy court. Its US$8 million debt is to be covered at an auction of Baccarat and Waterford chandeliers, Tiffany stained glass, a mural depicting Central Park and other decor that has bewitched visitors for decades.
Even the restaurant's name is up for grabs. At stake is whether another restaurateur taking over the 2,500 square meters of space, owned by the city, can reopen as Tavern on the Green.
For 75 years, since it first opened amid the Great Depression, the Tavern has attracted clients from around the world.
Former owner Warner LeRoy, befitting his heritage as son of a producer of "The Wizard of Oz," searched the globe for the restaurants decor after he took over the Tavern's lease in 1973. He died in 2001, and his wife, Kay LeRoy, and daughter Jennifer LeRoy are now the owners.
As the end of the family's operating license approached, the city sought competing bids.
The LeRoys lost to Dean Poll, who operates the stylish Loeb Boathouse restaurant overlooking the Central Park lake.
The former sheepfold at the edge of Central Park in New York, now ringed by twinkling lights and fake topiary animals, is preparing for New Year's Eve, when it will serve its last meal.
Just three years ago, it was serving more than 700,000 meals annually, bringing in more than US$38 million.
But that astronomical sum wasn't enough to keep the landmark restaurant out of bankruptcy court. Its US$8 million debt is to be covered at an auction of Baccarat and Waterford chandeliers, Tiffany stained glass, a mural depicting Central Park and other decor that has bewitched visitors for decades.
Even the restaurant's name is up for grabs. At stake is whether another restaurateur taking over the 2,500 square meters of space, owned by the city, can reopen as Tavern on the Green.
For 75 years, since it first opened amid the Great Depression, the Tavern has attracted clients from around the world.
Former owner Warner LeRoy, befitting his heritage as son of a producer of "The Wizard of Oz," searched the globe for the restaurants decor after he took over the Tavern's lease in 1973. He died in 2001, and his wife, Kay LeRoy, and daughter Jennifer LeRoy are now the owners.
As the end of the family's operating license approached, the city sought competing bids.
The LeRoys lost to Dean Poll, who operates the stylish Loeb Boathouse restaurant overlooking the Central Park lake.
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