Tavern on the Green to go out in style

[WildflowerNJ 136]

This is so sad....such a beautiful place to go for a special meal...:085:

Tavern's New Year's farewell

By ADAM NICHOLS

Last Updated: 9:05 PM, December 9, 2009

Posted: 3:43 AM, December 9, 2009

It's going to be one hell of a wake!

Central Park's legendary Tavern on the Green will bid goodbye in style -- with a huge New Year's Eve party, including a fireworks display.

The doors will close at 4 a.m. and won't open again until Jan 13 -- but it won't be for dining.

Instead, everything from table settings to crystal chandeliers will be sold off to satisfy the Tavern's 450 creditors.

It may be as long as four years before the famed eatery reopens under new ownership.

But the last night will be one to remember.

It will "fulfill any New Year's fantasy," current owner Jennifer LeRoy promised.

CATHERINE NANCE

GREEN FADES TO BLACK: Tavern on the Green will go out in style with a New Year's shindig.

That is, any New Yorker with $125 to $350 to spend on dining and dancing the night away.

For some, the celebration is "going to be emotional," said Gordon von Broock, the event planner billed as the last night's "co-host."

LeRoy was forced to file for bankruptcy in September. The new operator, Dean Poll, who already owns the Boathouse Restaurant in Central Park, will take control Feb. 1.

Shortly after winning the Parks Department bidding, Poll said it may take him up to four years to completely renovate the space.

LeRoy and New York City are involved in a lawsuit over who owns the name Tavern on the Green -- which can be licensed to other restaurants and is estimated to be worth $19 million.

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/out_with_bang_DGRn2ib1oNjdGsIkDm3BzO#ixzz0ZQ0yNE1B

[WildflowerNJ 136]

[SingsInFrench 262]

That's a shame.

[Yer so bad 4]

It´s a pity

[Magnolia 171]

So glad I got there once. On one of our visits to NYC with the kids we took them to the Tavern for lunch. Such a beautiful place. So sorry it's closing!

[Echosoftom 3]

What a sad ending for this legendary NYC restaurant.

[WildflowerNJ 136]

It is sad....I am not sure if the new owner can use the name Tavern on the Green. Will have to wait and see what he does...

They also have a gift shop in the Tavern...I will go in next week and see what they have. I love the logo with that beautiful deer....

[weird monkey 0]

When my friend took me for a walk through Central Park last month, we were headed that way, but it got dark, so we left the Park at the Dakota, having come from the Shakespeare theater. There is simply too much to see and do!

However, on the local news while I was in NYC, they said it would reopen under new concessionaires in February with a name similar to Tavern in the Park, or something like that.

[WildflowerNJ 136]

Just wanted to share this brochure I got from Tavern on the Green. If you look close you will see the city landscape turn into mountains...and mountains becoming deer with trees as their antlers. I think it is a beautiful painting....

[LizzieB 0]

That's beautiful, Beth. I read today that they are going to auction off all the fancy stuff from inside the restaurant (Baccarat and Waterford chandeliers, Tiffany stained glass, etc.). So even if that new guy gets to use the name, it just won't be the same at all. (They might call it Tavern in the Park if the judge rules the previous operators own the name.)

I'm really sorry I never got to visit. I always planned to go on the "next trip". I am happy we sent Brent's sister and brother-in-law their for their 25th anniversary!

[WildflowerNJ 136]

The lighting fixtures were just so beautiful, Liz. The one hallway had mirrors on both sides so the stained glass looked like it went on and on. I read about the auction that none of the "paper goods"..meaning menus, things with the printed logo of the Tavern will be sold.

Hopefully, they will bring back the restaurant soon....Tavern in the Park would be a good name.