After a year of speculation, the battle to run Central Park's famed restaurant Tavern on the Green may not end up being a heated fight between the city's biggest restaurateurs after all. Yesterday, the deadline for the submission of proposals to the Department of Parks & Recreation, saw fewer bids than previously expected, with industry heavies Danny Meyer, the Cipriani Group, and Donald Trump opting out of the competition. Among those that are in the running are Dean Poll, the owner of the Boathouse in Central Park, Seth Greenberg of Capitale and Espace, and the LeRoy family, who currently manage the property.
The Parks Department is expected to make a decision in July, and, according to The New York Times, if there are no suitable proposals, the city agency has the option to extend the LeRoy's current lease until the economy recovers from its present downturn.
