What a surprise! Below was copied from the New York Times. See NYT website for complete article.

"One of Manhattan's premier French restaurants, Lespinasse, announced it would close next week because it couldn't turn a profit in the current economic climate."

How sad!

Probably a combination of an 8.8% unemployment rate in NYC, one of the most expensive menus in the city, and the informal boycott of all things French.

Unbelievable! I think it's the classiest restaurant I've ever been to. And it's my BF's favorite. He'll be extremely disappointed.

Le Grenouille could be another which would break my heart. I love that restaurant. Last time I was there it was extremely slow, during peak power lunch time. In restaurants of this caliber the line between profitability and disaster is quite slim. LMF

Isn't Lespinasse the restaurant in the St. Regis? What a loss for that landmark hotel as well. I haven't stayed there in ages. The last time I did, Salvador Dali was still staying there. The feeling ancient, LilMsFoodie.

Does anyone still believe that the "trickledown" theory works?

Only with leaky pipes

There was a report that Alain Ducasse in the Essex House Hotel closed for an evening this week due to few bookings. The restaurant opened 3 years ago offering a $250 per person menu. Prior to opening, they had a list of 2700 reservation requests. How times have changed.

I hate to break it to tyou but a restaurant like Lespinasse is much more likely to be patronized by French and Germans than by anyone "boycotting" them. This is not an issue in NYC - and most guests are local - we're not boycotting anyone except restaurants that are very expensive and have become less trendy.

Restaurants have a life cycle - unless they manage to lure in hordes of unaware out of towners - like Tavern on the Green or have become one of the very few lasting standards among a certain traditional group - like 21. Otherwise trendy drives out elegant eventually in many cases.

NYT, did you notice you were replying to a 3 year old post? LMF

LMF,

NYT was responding to a troll whose post has since been deleted by the editors.

Jim