Premier NYC French Restaurant Lespinasse to Close

The Associated Press ^ | 4/11/03 | The Associated Press

[Mihalis]

I agree, boycotting American businesses just because they have a French name is not smart.

On the other hand, the public's distaste for anything French is the result of a justified outrage.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Comme vous partez, ne laissez pas la porte frapper vos 'asses'.

[Snuffington]

I hope this closure is not a result of such boycott.

The closure was probably a combination of hard economic times, NY tourism being down post 9/11, and a reading that some people are turning against all things remotely French (read some comments in this thread if there is any doubt about that last one).

[usastandsunited]

We'd be only hurting the US economy and our own communities

I'd like to see the data on that analysis.

[putupon]

Iraq, US/French relations not withstanding, how can you have an authentic French resturant in a city where you can't smoke cigarettes?

[eastsider]

There was no indication that the closing was due to anti-French sentiment over France's opposition to the war in Iraq. The city tourism agency, NYC & Company, said some French restaurants have suffered from tense U.S.-French relations, though no formal boycott was evident.

"There is no boycott."

[KarlInOhio]

but I don't remember eating any good food in one. Geez! these folks eat snails and find them "filling".

Maybe you should have ordered the sauerbraten and spaetzle. Good solid food for marching through the French countryside along their tree-line roads. :-)

[Consort]

[jimbo123]

If more French restaurants that go out of business, more business will be available for non-French restaurants.

[Alberta's Child]

I have a friend in the restaurant business (Italian, not French), and he says that the economic climate is the primary cause for the difficulties these restaurants are facing. His corporate clientele has dried up substantially.

Fortunately, he's managed to protect himself from a major collapse by also owning a very successful pizza joint in a modest area.

[jimbo123]

How can you have an authentic French restaurant in a country where the people bathe and use deodorant?

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

said some French restaurants have suffered from tense U.S.-French relations, though no formal boycott was evident.

No evidence? Except for the Headline of your own article, pretentious AP.

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

said some French restaurants have suffered from tense U.S.-French relations, though no formal boycott was evident.

No evidence? Except for the Headline of your own article, pretentious AP.

[BillyBonebrake]

Remember the frog farmer who became the frog national hero for smashing up the local MacDonalds with a sledge hammer?

[Calico Cat]

I wouldn't care if every French restaurant went out of business, myself. I prefer Italian and Chinese food--French cuisine must be the single most overrated cuisine in the world.

[twigs]

I never understood it either. It has always made me sick. When I grew up, if you wanted to go to a good resturant, it meant French. Today, as my experience has widened, it is probably the only ethnic cuisine I don't like. Give me German, ME, Indian, Chinese, probably in that order. Do NOT give me French.

[SkyPilot]

Les Libéraux Sont des Idiots to take its place.

[demnomo]

Serves them right.

[jimbo123]

Here's their menu...

[N. Theknow]

The makers of French's Mustard made the following recent statement:"We at the French's Company wish to put an end to statements that our product is manufactured in France. There is no relationship, nor has there ever been a relationship, between our mustard and the country of France. Indeed, our mustard is manufactured in Rochester, NY.

The only thing we have in common is that we are both yellow".