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temporary reprieve has been granted to Michael Weinstein's Bryant Park Grill, sparing it from a potentially abrupt eviction. The Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Anar Rathod Patel issued the stay until April 22, when a hearing will be held on Weinstein's lawsuit against the Bryant Park Corporation.

    The dispute centers around the corporation's decision to replace the Grill with a new eatery run by Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Despite its lease expiring on April 30, the Grill has been a beloved fixture in Midtown for nearly three decades, generating $28 million in revenue last year alone.

    Weinstein claims that the selection process was flawed, citing a lack of transparency and favoritism towards Vongerichten's bid. The corporation, however, maintains that its choice was lawful and based on Vongerichten's impressive track record and financial strength.

    The outcome of this battle will have significant implications for park-goers, who may face a summer without the Grill's offerings if Vongerichten prevails. A year-long closure is planned to redesign the venue, leaving only snack stands as an alternative.

    As the court case unfolds, employees of the Grill remain hopeful that they will be able to continue serving the community. "We're all crying but we have hope the court will keep us here," said a Grill employee on a recent sunny afternoon.

    The Bryant Park Corporation is confident in its position, with president Dan Biederman stating that the judge's decision does not prevent eviction proceedings after the lease expires. Vongerichten's team has declined to comment, citing no signed contracts.