Gotham Bar and Grill, a 40-year-old icon in Greenwich Village, has closed temporarily after losing $45,000 in a cyber-scam. The restaurant’s owners, Cassandra and Bret Csencsitz, are working with their bank to recover the stolen funds. The closure is intended to last through August, during which the restaurant plans to pause regular dining services for a creative refresh.
This is the second time the restaurant has shuttered since 2020, with the first closure happening after 36 years of operation due to the pandemic. The Csencsitzes hope to reopen with a new direction by the end of the summer, although the financial loss from the scam has made this period particularly challenging. Employees were informed of the situation through an email from Bret Csencsitz, who expressed regret and appreciation for their understanding.
The cyber-scam involved an email that appeared to come from the restaurant’s payroll company. The business realized the scam “within hours,” but weeks later, they had still not recouped the lost money. This financial setback has pushed the already struggling operation to pause its services and consider its options for the future.
Despite the challenges, the Csencsitzes remain hopeful that the restaurant will reopen as planned. They have communicated to Eater that they may reopen with a bar and grill menu as early as July. The couple is hopeful that most of the staff will return and is planning special events during the closure period. The former head pastry chef and current head chef, Ron Paprocki, continues to be a key figure in the restaurant’s future plans.
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