Landlord Replaces Unwanted French Bistro With, Um, French Bistro
Back in March, this reporter was dismayed to discover that charming restaurateur Toney Edwards had finally lost his long, drawn-out legal fight to protect his beloved French bistro Le Madeleine from the wrecking ball.
Landlord Mark Scharfman was reportedly planning to tear down the single-story structure on West 43rd Street and replace it with a multi-story residential building.
Now, adding insult to injury, I come to find out, via the blog Lost City, that Mr. Scharfman has installed a new tenant in Le Madeleine's place -- specifically, another French bistro called Le Petit Un Deux Trois. Incroyable!
"...it has to make you wonder by the landlord insisted on kicking Le Madeleine to the curb. Was it personal between the landlord and the restaurant owner, Tony Edwards, who always insisted Scharfman couldn't legally tear the building down. Did the economy foil Scharfman's plans? Or maybe Un Deux Trois just offered more money."
35 West 23rd Street
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My guess is the economy made the decision for the landlord. If the LL could get financing, tare down what is there and put up another building he would have. Not offering the past tenant a new lease doe not mean it was personal either, just maybe a better business decision.
As someone not native of New York City I've always found it mildly amusing how tenants believe they should have say over the property. If people want rents to drop they need to a lot more open to old buildings being replaced by newer taller ones. Frankly it seems to be lost on people that New York City really because the New York City of today in a short period between 1895-1915.
This article is nonsense. The landlord had every right to make the decisions he made. Le Petit Un Deux Trois, in my opinion, is just as good and even better then Le Madeleine. And the decision made by the landlord was truly a strategic business one and should not be considered anything but that. I encourage all readers of this article to try this new restaurant and come to there own conclusions.
The truth is that there is an existing ordinance in that limits new construction to 6 stories and under. Toney, just pointed out the ordinance, and most NYC landlords aren't going to renew a lease following that kind of court case.
What's sad is that the replacement restaurant is not on par with its predecessor; sloppy service, mediocre food, and a sound system that must be haunted. Skip it, and go... well, anywhere else. It isn't as though there aren't a plethora of options nearby.
I frankly am just happy that there is a restaurant in the space that is affordable and I find it delicious.(Especially the Lambshank).
My comment to the statement above is that the new one should be given a chance and all will be perfect once they get their bearings...just like the big Cafe Un Deux Trois
We loved the LeMadeleine, but were willing to give the new place a try - what a disappointment! The staff was inexperienced and untrained. The icing on the cake was the extreme rudeness and lack of professionalism of the owner. The food is average and doesn't come close to LeMadeleine. We miss Toney and LeMadeleine...
Just got back from a visit to NYC to see family. We eat at the new restaurant that is mentioned in this article and it was very good. I highly recommend Le Petit especially if you are looking for an affordable place that serves good food for the whole family. And to top it off, the service wasn't bad either, which is hard to find in NYC these days.