[InvisibleChurch]

Premier NYC French Restaurant to Close
Premier French Restaurant in NYC, Lespinasse, to Close Next Week Because of Economy

The Associated Press



NEW YORK April 11 —
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.

The 12-year-old restaurant in the midtown St. Regis Hotel was favored for its sumptuous beige and gold antique decor and prize-winning wine list and cuisine.

Lespinasse was one of six Manhattan restaurants with a four-star rating from The New York Times.

The owners and St. Regis managers said business had fallen off, due in part to world events that have kept patrons at home. The restaurant will close April 19.

Guenter H. Richter, managing director of the St. Regis, said, "We carried it as long as we could. Any reopening will be determined by the pace of the economic recovery."

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, though no formal boycott was evident.

[Timesink]

sumptuous beige

Two words that should NEVER appear next to each other.

[Atlas Sneezed]

"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."

To paraphrase a collegiate sophomoric cheer:
"More Beer! Lespinasse!"

I guess that Frenchmen have less military skill, less judgement, and less courage. It makes sense that they have Lespinasse."