The Iconic Four Seasons Restaurant Is Closing For Good

by Stephanie Maida · June 10, 2019

    After a headlining-making move from the Seagram Building to a $40 million revamped new space on East 49th Street, the iconic Four Seasons restaurant is shutting its doors... for good. Originally opened in 1959, the upscale spot was known as a go-to for power lunches and see-and-be-seen dinners. In recent years however, its spotlight took on a darker hue; one of the restaurant's managing partners, Julian Niccolini, pleaded guilty to sexual assault in 2016 and was forced to resign this past December after critics and patrons called out management for keeping him on board.

    The bi-level venue did receive some positive feedback despite the new lens through which it was considered, but it seems society's collective shift away from the Old Guard has expanded to include its favored watering holes. As glamorous as it is, a place like the Four Seasons represents an era of ill repute, even if it is sugarcoated with cotton candy.

    According to a statement from the restaurant's PR, "Regretfully, after nearly 60 years, The Four Seasons Restaurant will close the week of June 10th. Alex von Bidder, The Four Seasons managing partner, noted that the cost of running a restaurant in New York City, using the best ingredients possible continued to be a challenge despite best efforts."

    The spot will close on Tuesday after one final power lunch service. 

    https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"... stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd">
    View this post on Instagram
    Lunching with such an elegant, well dressed, handsome older man 😀🤓
    A post shared by Janis Spindel (@janisspindelpersonal) on
    https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"... stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd">
    View this post on Instagram
    Escape the hustle and bustle of the city when you step inside our glamorous Bar room. #TheFourSeasonsRestaurant (#📷 @fernandogguerra )
    A post shared by The Four Seasons Restaurant (@thefourseasonsrestaurant) on