Lawsuits

Vongerichten Sues Developer Over Matsugen Space

Matsugen, back in the days of bustle and buckwheat.
Matsugen, back in the days of bustle and buckwheat. Photo: Noah Kalina

Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s restaurant company is suing the developer Yitzchak Tessler for failing to pay $400,000 in exchange for its lease at 66 Leonard Street, the Real Deal reports. Papers filed in State Supreme Court allege Tessler agreed to pay Vongerichten’s group the sum in exchange for terminating its lease in Tribeca, once home to 66 and soba restaurant Matsugen. The building was sold and Tessler’s firm later told the chef’s group that the new owners would pay the fee, but the buyers say they weren’t aware of any such arrangement. It was announced last month that the restaurant space, vacant since March of last year, will next become an as-yet-unspecified concept operated by a Russian-American group that is already “involved with ten restaurants worldwide.” [Real Deal, Earlier]

Vongerichten Sues Developer Over Matsugen Space