The city has selected a Philadelphia nightclub and creperie operator to run the famed Tavern on the Green, Crain’s reported. The legendary Central Park venue has been shuttered since 2009, and previous attempts to reopen the restaurant have stalled because of negotiations with the New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council, the union that represents workers The new operator is the Emerald Green Group that runs the L’Etage nightclub and Beau Monde eatery in an old venue on Philadelphia’s South Street. They plan a casual restaurant and outdoor cafe, and have already reached an agreement with the workers union.
The chef will be Katy Sparks, who worked at Mesa Grill, Bolo and Quilted Giraffe. The Tavern will reopen in the fall of 2013, after the city renovates the building, which will seat up to 3,000.
Emerald beat out a partnership of City Winery and Great Performances and Legends Hospitality Management, among others, in the request for proposals. “[Tavern] might not allow for some of the freedom New York entrepreneurs expect and prefer, but for someone entering the market, in collaboration with a local chef, this could be perfect,” restaurant consultant Clark Wolf told Crain’s. [Crain’s] — Adam Fusfeld