Rainbow Room to close restaurant, citing economy

[marcinny]

NEW YORK – The recession has reached the ritzy Rainbow Room, the special-occasion spot that overlooks midtown Manhattan from high above the tourist-attracting Rockefeller Center skating rink.

WNBC-TV reports that the owners plan to shutter the Italian-themed Rainbow Grill restaurant temporarily while keeping the establishment's bar, banquet space and dinner-dancing going on the 65th floor of the RCA building.

The Rainbow Room has symbolized glamour since it opened in 1934, during the Great Depression.

Cipriani International chief operating officer John Higgins told WNBC the decision was "due to the current economic crisis" and a lease dispute.

A spokeswoman for landlord Tishman Speyer didn't immediately respond to a call seeking comment Saturday.

 

[Duckman]

At least it's "temporary".

 

[justlooking]

With all the problems the Cirpiani organization has been having, it's hard to believe this is really "recession-related".

Someone will rent that space. Someone always does.

 

[marcinny]

Cipriani International chief operating officer John Higgins told WNBC the decision was "due to the current economic crisis" and a lease dispute.

In the recent years, every restaurant that is closes in NYC has had "a lease dispute". Not sure whether it's true or just an excuse (blame it all on the last straw...)

Anyway, it did sound true, every time, because of the hype of the real estate in the City.

Cipriani's case could be related to other problems as jl pointed out. I doubt they would do this kind of announcement just to play hardball with the owner for a better lease.