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contentious battle is brewing over the Bryant Park Grill, a beloved Midtown eatery. The nonprofit Bryant Park Corporation (BPC) has chosen world-renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten to take over the popular restaurant, but Ark Restaurants, its current operator, refuses to vacate despite lease expirations this month.

    Ark owner Michael Weinstein is suing several entities, including the BPC and Vongerichten's management company, Seaport Entertainment Group. He claims the selection process was flawed and designed to favor Vongerichten from the start. The lawsuit also targets the Parks Department and the New York Public Library, which has an advisory role in the park.

    A state Supreme Court judge rejected Ark's request for an injunction last week, calling their dissatisfaction with the outcome "mere" and not evidence of bad faith. Following this ruling, the BPC intends to proceed with evicting Ark from the site.

    The Bryant Park Grill is a high-volume restaurant with $25 million in annual revenue, making it one of the nation's top-grossing eateries. The BPC believes Vongerichten will bring greater prestige and revenue to the park over time, despite his proposal offering lower rent payments than Ark's current lease.

    Weinstein has no intention of shutting down the Grill or its outdoor cafes as long as he is in litigation. A court filing suggests that Vongerichten's team may need to close the restaurant for 10 months or longer for a redesign, which would be funded by the BPC with $2 million. However, an eviction is not imminent, and Weinstein is expected to stay at the Grill through the spring and possibly summer months.