New York City - FS New York to Close L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon June 30

I am new here--tried to search but nothing came up. Although I have been hearing the rumors for weeks, the FS NYC finally announced that L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon will shut down effective the end of June.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-05-30/robuchon-four-seasons-to-close-new-york-atelier-june-30

I've only eaten here twice as I prefer to eat out of the hotel in New York but had good experiences although I am not a fan of counter seating. Not the best restaurant in NYC, but yet solid French cuisine--I'd pick Per Se any day over L'Atelier. I thought that Joel Robuchon in the Mansion in Vegas was superior in both, service and food.

It will be interesting to see what opens in this space next-- I just hope it has more tables and less counter seating. Given how FS has been successful chain-wide with their new hotel-owned restaurants (Culina in LA, deca & Allium in Chicago, Edge in Miami--maybe more?), it is possible that a FS owned restaurant could work in this space. At least the Businessweek article is insinuating that it's not going to be Guy Savoy (it's not as if we need another Paris to Las Vegas to NYC transplant!)

Ciao!

Read that this fine restaurant is closing as of June 30th. I really enjoy eating there. IMO the food there and the one in Paris are the best of the chain. The service is superb. A sad loss for NY. And for the FS NY. Wonder what will happen to all the staff?

I called the hotel when I read about the closer and it was confirmed to me. I ate there just a few days ago. In all honesty I think this one and the one in Paris, not the one at the Champs, are the best. I do enjoy the bar seating, prefer it to the tables. Even though I like Per Se I really do get bored when eating and socializing takes forever. I have always enjoyed talking to the crew, one of them even helped me plan my daughter's birthday menu (held at another restaurant). I wonder what would be the last menu, maybe I will hop over and have dinner there for the last time. I rarely made reservations yet have always been seating. The food was very good and the service better. I wonder what will happen to the crew? I really wish them well, very professional staff.

Hmm, the hotel's flagship restaurant is closing on June 30, and the newly-appointed director of food and beverage "won’t be involved with the replacement"? And the space is closing on June 30, but "Nothing has been planned as of yet" for the replacement? These two assertions seem a bit odd. I guess the latter is just corporate spin for "we haven't finalized the replacement yet."

I love L'Atelier, though haven't been to the New York location. It's a great place for dining alone, especially impromptu with no reservation.

Hmm, the hotel's flagship restaurant is closing on June 30, and the newly-appointed director of food and beverage "won’t be involved with the replacement"? And the space is closing on June 30, but "Nothing has been planned as of yet" for the replacement? These two assertions seem a bit odd. I guess the latter is just corporate spin for "we haven't finalized the replacement yet."

Sounds like they are leasing out the space and the new operator wants to manage PR in their own particular way.

Sounds like they are leasing out the space and the new operator wants to manage PR in their own particular way.

They could also be adding it to their catering/meeting space, ala Lava Lounge at Hualalai and Boston's Aujourd'hui.

I've enjoyed my meals there, but prefer the Atelier in the 7th in Paris (though I'd rank the NY one ahead of London)--I will try to make a farewell visit this month.

They could also be adding it to their catering/meeting space, ala Lava Lounge at Hualalai and Boston's Aujourd'hui.

Good point: it would be strange to leave the Four Seasons in New York without a signature restaurant however.

Travelsig,

I agree with you--I doubt they will leave it open for long or even make it a catering venue. In the hotel's press release the GM, Christoph Schmidinger, said, "New York City is one of the greatest cities in the world and we look forward to introducing our guests to a new and exciting venue soon." (http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/blogs/dinersjournal/Atelier-Release.pdf)

Makes it seem like a new restaurant will enter the space and due to its location so close to the entrance on 58th and being across the stairwell landing from the lively bar.

Ciao!

Travelsig,

I agree with you--I doubt they will leave it open for long or even make it a catering venue. In the hotel's press release the GM, Christoph Schmidinger, said, "New York City is one of the greatest cities in the world and we look forward to introducing our guests to a new and exciting venue soon." (http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/blogs/dinersjournal/Atelier-Release.pdf)

Makes it seem like a new restaurant will enter the space and due to its location so close to the entrance on 58th and being across the stairwell landing from the lively bar.

Ciao!

Perhaps something similar to Yew at the FS Vancouver which seems to be a great success?

There must be more to the story here. I hope the gossip eventually comes out. There is a shortage of restaurant seating at this FS and I could see FS just making it into a non-signature restaurant. I never had to wait to get in to L'Atelier and never had to make a reservation -- this may be part of the problem. Try that at FS HK and you get laughed at. I'm not a foodie so my opinion would add nothing to this thread. I do remember frantically asking the front desk at checkout to put the $750 on a separate bill so that my significant other didn't see the damage. And would somebody tell me how to avoid drinking so much when consuming an 8-course 'pairing' menu?

Ty Warner is a difficult owner, allegedly. He took over management of FS NY Spa not long ago, giving it to La Rafael. Looks like he's doing the same thing with l'Atelier.

What he should be doing is remodelling the rooms!

Perhaps something similar to Yew at the FS Vancouver which seems to be a great success?

Exactly--I have not talked to anyone I know at the hotel but I'd say unless they are willing to go with another "celebrity chef" like Michael Mina in DC and now Baltimore, I'd bet on them going with a Yew or Culina in LA or Edge in Denver and Miami... (all seem to be doing better than the restaurants they replaced)

Vuitton does make a good point (like usual!) about Ty and maybe we should look at the Santa Barbara property's restaurants...Bella Vista seems like a pretty generic FS italian restaurant...:td: I just hope Ty isn't in the name but I'll cross my fingers for that.

and yes, Vuitton, I do hope he puts $$ into rooms and suites. The speciality suites are quite nice but everything else is showing their age (just look at the TVs!)

Ciao!

I am new here--tried to search but nothing came up. Although I have been hearing the rumors for weeks, the FS NYC finally announced that L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon will shut down effective the end of June.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-05-30/robuchon-four-seasons-to-close-new-york-atelier-june-30

I've only eaten here twice as I prefer to eat out of the hotel in New York but had good experiences although I am not a fan of counter seating. Not the best restaurant in NYC, but yet solid French cuisine--I'd pick Per Se any day over L'Atelier. I thought that Joel Robuchon in the Mansion in Vegas was superior in both, service and food.

It will be interesting to see what opens in this space next-- I just hope it has more tables and less counter seating. Given how FS has been successful chain-wide with their new hotel-owned restaurants (Culina in LA, deca & Allium in Chicago, Edge in Miami--maybe more?), it is possible that a FS owned restaurant could work in this space. At least the Businessweek article is insinuating that it's not going to be Guy Savoy (it's not as if we need another Paris to Las Vegas to NYC transplant!)

Ciao!

L'Atelier was unforgettable. Call it laziness, but Per Se is a much shorter trip from my residence at 15 Central Park West.

There was nothing worth eating at L'Atelier, so I figured i'd spare the ozone from the unnecessary fumes of my 65 AMG, (or spare my Tom Ford suit from sweat) and stick with my environs, no matter the cost.

I would reconsider making the trip if something fabulous were to set up shop at the Four Seasons. It is a wonderful space and a great restauranteur could do wonders with it.

.................

We were at FSNY last week and asked the concierge for dinner recommendations for 3 nights. Not once did they even mention or recommend L'Atelier. They always sent us off property.

seems clear some hotels arent particularly worried about dining. as mentioned, FS has done some complete removals of dining outlets. in NY, RC central park is still without replacement.

chicago hotel restaurants incl both FS - http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=resources/lifestyle_community/food&id=8428299

seem to recall some negative discussion of some of the newer FS restaurants. definitely recall negative discussion of some recent "scenes" at newer FS.

There was nothing worth eating at L'Atelier, so I figured i'd spare the ozone from the unnecessary fumes of my 65 AMG, (or spare my Tom Ford suit from sweat)
This is hysterical -- positively gauche!

...my residence at 15 Central Park West...my 65 AMG...my Tom Ford suit

mercedes and tom ford? cmon, you have to put some effort in.

15 CPW from $1.9mm and condo, not coop

820 fifth ave coop for example >
http://realestalker.blogspot.com/2009/05/peep-into-and-poke-around-820-fifth.html
reported...must pay all cash for their apartments and they must be able to show at least 10 times the purchase price of the unit in liquid assets
although 2 of the 12 units are "less expensive" - i wonder how much.

Ty Warner is a difficult owner, allegedly. He took over management of FS NY Spa not long ago, giving it to La Rafael. Looks like he's doing the same thing with l'Atelier.

What he should be doing is remodelling the rooms!

Warner is very hard to deal with. The manager keeps apologizing to me whenever something doesn't work out. I really feel very bad for him.

I do like both the one in the7th and the one at FS equally. No wonder they didn't change to the summer menu and put my favorite the tomatoe salad. :(. I will fly over for a last dinner before they close.

Apparently everyone I met at the hotel since the announcement was surprised. I am lucky to have found a seat for dinner tonight. I was told that they might do a few dinner where they would bring back the old time favorites. I asked to be on the mailing list and I would come back for a few meals. Just and FYI.

I will fly over for a last dinner before they close.

Unless you have some very special memories at this restaurant, it hardly seems worth it.

Apparently everyone I met at the hotel since the announcement was surprised. I am lucky to have found a seat for dinner tonight. I was told that they might do a few dinner where they would bring back the old time favorites. I asked to be on the mailing list and I would come back for a few meals. Just and FYI.

Did you actually fly to NYC today to have this dinner?

Actually I really do enjoy the food there. Very good without the hassles of a 3 star. I do enjoy Le Bernardin and Per Se and I think the food at L'Ateliet is in the same league. But am not sitting there for a few hours.

And no I haven't flown in, as it happens I am in NY and at the FS. But I will fly out and have dinner before they close, of they at planning on a special menu.

It was good for a hotel restaurant, will I miss it? Not really. Would I even bother arranging a last meal there? Absolutely not. There's always Paris for that & NY has way too many good places to not care about this one going.

Warner is very hard to deal with. The manager keeps apologizing to me whenever something doesn't work out. I really feel very bad for him.



Sounds like Warner can't get out of his own way?

Sounds like Warner can't get out of his own way?

I wonder if that will change when the Park Hyatt moves in a block or two west on 57th next year. Seems to me that competition never hurts!

I wonder if that will change when the Park Hyatt moves in a block or two west on 57th next year. Seems to me that competition never hurts!

Hopefully updated rooms and suites...spending $4k on what they now call the Manhattan One-Bedroom Suite, which hasn't been touched in many, many years is just a travesty.

It will be interesting to see the service levels of the Park Hyatt due to the types and price points of condos in One57 (Park Hyatt)...

Ciao!

first, as i see i forgot earlier - thanks OP for posting ^

spending $4k on what they now call the Manhattan One-Bedroom Suite, which hasn't been touched in many, many years is just a travesty.

price points of condos in One57 (Park Hyatt)


FS studios look pretty nice and manhattan might upgrade to royal
PH is 210 rooms 135 condos
upcoming FS will be 186 rooms 143 condos but still no financing?

im not sure i believe $90mm at PH especially considering press
recent $88mm was a shelter attempt
although wynn did just pay $70mm at RC CP (millenium founder selling after selling hotel.. for $105mm...)

will be interesting to see if martinez duplex at one central park ever changes hands ($55mm shell, peter marino designed) http://www.departures.com/fashion-trends/manhattan-high-life i found it interesting he didnt choose MO

Actually I really do enjoy the food there. Very good without the hassles of a 3 star. I do enjoy Le Bernardin and Per Se and I think the food at L'Ateliet is in the same league. But am not sitting there for a few hours.

And no I haven't flown in, as it happens I am in NY and at the FS. But I will fly out and have dinner before they close, of they at planning on a special menu.

So you didn't "fly over" for a dinner...more like took the lift down a few levels? Then walked up some stairs?

From your prior post, it sounded line you were planning a special trip for a farewell meal.

Glad you are there....hope you enjoy the final meal!

I'm glad to hear they are working on obtaining a flagship restaurant. One can only hope that it will be......Italian!;0)

My experience of FS's restaurants has been very good, and improving, this past year I've enjoyed The Beachtree (Hualalai), The Restaurant (FS Palm Beach), and Amaranto (London). Of those three, the FS Palm Beach new lunch and dinner menus were delicious (breakfast has always been a highlight).

I'm glad to hear they are working on obtaining a flagship restaurant. One can only hope that it will be......Italian!;0)

My experience of FS's restaurants has been very good, and improving, this past year I've enjoyed The Beachtree (Hualalai), The Restaurant (FS Palm Beach), and Amaranto (London). Of those three, the FS Palm Beach new lunch and dinner menus were delicious (breakfast has always been a highlight).

Yes- if there is one thing every Four Seasons needs it is an Italian restaurant!

.........................

Kind of a bummer I had a dinner scheduled there with my daughters last month but missed it because of a delayed flight. They ended up having a very nice dinner there by themselves, but it looks like I'll miss the chance for a rain-check.

Having stayed at both the FS & MO NYC this year, I'd agree that it's about time the FS invested in the whole product, not just the restaurant. The lobby aside (which is timeless), the whole place needs a revamp IMHO. Most features were viewed as unfavourable compared to the MO which is priced at the same point.

As Le Caprice is getting booted out of The Pierre (and is my fav London restaurant), I'd love to see it at the FS!!

What constitutes a good and suitable restaurant for FSNY is a matter of personal taste - rather than another ubiquitous Italian restaurant in NY, I would like to see a highly ambitious new Le Cinq or Caprice ala NY, which would add to the whole NY restaurant scene. IMHO as non-NYer Per Se and Daniel are genuinely good - Le Bernardin, 11MP and JG less so and face a tough comps from the Modern among others

Not to side-track the discussion terribly, but I'm not sure that your logic follows. Le Bernardin just received (yet again) four stars from the NYT, and JG gets equal praise as well. The Modern isn't in the same league as these two.

Hopefully updated rooms and suites...spending $4k on what they now call the Manhattan One-Bedroom Suite, which hasn't been touched in many, many years is just a travesty.

It will be interesting to see the service levels of the Park Hyatt due to the types and price points of condos in One57 (Park Hyatt)...

Ciao!

Seems like Warner spent all of his money into the Ty Warner suite. :)


What constitutes a good and suitable restaurant for FSNY is a matter of personal taste - rather than another ubiquitous Italian restaurant in NY, I would like to see a highly ambitious new Le Cinq or Caprice ala NY, which would add to the whole NY restaurant scene. IMHO as non-NYer Per Se and Daniel are genuinely good - Le Bernardin, 11MP and JG less so and face a tough comps from the Modern among others

High-end, formal French-inspired restaurants don't really do well for hotels.


As Le Caprice is getting booted out of The Pierre (and is my fav London restaurant), I'd love to see it at the FS!!

It is? When? Why? What are the plans for both Le Caprice and the space that it will abandon?

.....................

Actually I really do enjoy the food there. Very good without the hassles of a 3 star. I do enjoy Le Bernardin and Per Se and I think the food at L'Ateliet is in the same league. But am not sitting there for a few hours.


Several of the NY 3 stars have lounge areas where you can order individual plates off the main dining menu.

The lounge at Daniel is luxurious and the service is super attentive. A basket of warm mini madeleines is offered at the end of the meal just like in the main dining room.

You can also order anything off the JG main dining room menu when sitting at Nougatine.

I had a light dinner a few months ago in the lounge area at the newly renovated Le Bernardin. Too bad it was underwhelming.

Even Per Se has a "Salon" where individual plates may be ordered.




High-end, formal French-inspired restaurants don't really do well for hotels.


You mean like Le Cinq, Caprice at FS HK, and Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester?


It is? When? Why? What are the plans for both Le Caprice and the space that it will abandon?

Perhaps Taj will finally place a good restaurant in that space.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/27/dining/reviews/27rest.html?pagewanted=all

You mean like Le Cinq, Caprice at FS HK, and Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester?


I would argue that the NY luxury hotel restaurant market is a different market than those places.

IMHO as non-NYer Per Se and Daniel are genuinely good - Le Bernardin, 11MP and JG less so and face a tough comps from the Modern among others

I was with you on all accounts until I saw Modern, which has no business being compared to all of the above listed restaurants except Jean-Georges (which is the worst of the bunch, IMO). I used to like EMP but then they switched their menu around and lost me along with it.

As a lazy New Yorker who doesn't cook and eats out most nights, Daniel is the most consistent one based on my weekly dinners there.

Several of the NY 3 stars have lounge areas where you can order individual plates off the main dining menu.

The lounge at Daniel is luxurious and the service is super attentive. A basket of warm mini madeleines is offered at the end of the meal just like in the main dining room.

You can also order anything off the JG main dining room menu when sitting at Nougatine.

I had a light dinner a few months ago in the lounge area at the newly renovated Le Bernardin. Too bad it was underwhelming.

Even Per Se has a "Salon" where individual plates may be ordered.





You mean like Le Cinq, Caprice at FS HK, and Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester?



Perhaps Taj will finally place a good restaurant in that space.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/27/dining/reviews/27rest.html?pagewanted=all

The Pierre's new Executive Chef, Ashfer Biju is a real star - massively talented - so I would expect him to do something wholly original and excellent here. I won't miss the Caprice.

The Pierre's new Executive Chef, Ashfer Biju is a real star - massively talented - so I would expect him to do something wholly original and excellent here. I won't miss the Caprice.


I heard rumors of this and I finally found confirmation--the space goes from Le Caprice to Le Cirque II:

"Meanwhile, Sirio Maccioni of Le Cirque fame will open an Italian eatery in the space after Labor Day, when Le Caprice finally exits, confirmed Mauro Maccioni, who is working with his father. They have recruited Chef Filippo Gozzoli from the Park Hyatt in Milan to run the kitchen, and they will open a sidewalk café."

------

http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20120325/SMALLBIZ/120329924#ixzz1x2pqXG8a

Ciao!

Read that this fine restaurant is closing as of June 30th. I really enjoy eating there. IMO the food there and the one in Paris are the best of the chain. The service is superb. A sad loss for NY. And for the FS NY. Wonder what will happen to all the staff?

Wow. I have only eaten there once but it was splendid. Sorry to hear that.

As a lazy New Yorker who doesn't cook and eats out most nights, Daniel is the most consistent one based on my weekly dinners there.

Daniel and Gramercy Tavern...while slightly different experiences...I find to be some of the most comfortable and consistent deluxe restaurants in the City. The formula of being consistently good and comfortable is a tough one to crack...these two have done it.

Overall, in NY, compared to the number of truly good, deluxe restaurants and good hotels, there are relatively few destination-worthy hotel restaurants.

This has been under fairly intensive discussion in the luxury hotels forum for the last few days. Here's the link: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1351731&referrerid=14479

I ate at the L'Atelier in LAS. (1)I did not like the bar seating, (2)even thought the menu was just a "tasting", the portions were extremely small (but well prepared) [I commented in a thread in the LAS forum here on FT, that "they should supply a magnifying glass and tweezers":D.]
In LAS JR has two restaurants, the L'Atelier and his regular one--the kitchen (which is located in the L'A) is the same for both.
Did the one in NY also serve small portions?

I ate at the L'Atelier in LAS. (1)I did not like the bar seating, (2)even thought the menu was just a "tasting", the portions were extremely small (but well prepared) [I commented in a thread in the LAS forum here on FT, that "they should supply a magnifying glass and tweezers":D.]
In LAS JR has two restaurants, the L'Atelier and his regular one--the kitchen (which is located in the L'A) is the same for both.
Did the one in NY also serve small portions?


I've only eaten at Joel Robuchon in Vegas (not the L'Atelier) and L'Atelier in NYC.

In Vegas, my partner did not want to do the 16 course degustation so instead we did 6 course degustation and the serving sizes were perfect. Not huge but I most definitely did not need tweezers.

In NYC, the portions were a bit smaller than Vegas but the regular sized portions were ample to fill me up (and I eat a good amount). I don't recall but I think we had the 9 course menu in NYC and everything was sized properly for the number of courses.

Hope that helps.

Ciao!

What I really appreciated of the NY Atalier is the 2 Michelin star quality of food without the pompousness of the stars. I got to eat what I liked when I wanted to eat it. Without the covers and all the brohaha... This is why I am saddened that it is closing. Now to eat a good meal. I have to go back and use the forks and sauce spoons the fish forks etc etc etc...I ate very well being very comfy... I will miss it when I am in NY. I should have known something was different, when they didn't offer the tomato salad while Paris already was serving it.

This thread now seems to be more about restaurants in NYC than about the FS hotel. It's had a good run here and so it seems appropriate to move it over to the NYC forum where it will be combined with another thread there on the same topic.

RichardInSF, moderator, luxury hotels

This thread now seems to be more about restaurants in NYC than about the FS hotel. It's had a good run here and so it seems appropriate to move it over to the NYC forum where it will be combined with another thread there on the same topic.

RichardInSF, moderator, luxury hotels

And now the existing, short NYC Forum thread has been merged into this longer Luxury Hotels thread that's been relocated here to NYC. :)

dstan
NYC Forum Moderator

Id prefer an original outlet to the third spoke of a chain, no matter how good it may be. I'd like to taste something local. I like what was done at Baltimore. I can live with the celebrity chef affiliation; the menu is interesting, and incorporates local tastes. The service needs considerable work however. The bar too, is not among my favorites. It's essentially a sports bar with all of those TVs.

I was told that L'Ateleir is NOT abandoning NY, they are looking at properties along 5th Ave. Good news there.