Zeidel & Associates Guides The New York Historical Through Change in Food and Beverage Management

The New York Historical, the oldest museum in New York City, has re-launched full-service restaurant, Clara, its coffee bar and multiple event spaces for catered events. Zeidel & Associates was retained to negotiate a separation agreement with the current food and beverage manager, providing for the termination of the existing food and beverage management agreement, as well as a new agreement with a replacement food and beverage manager, Great Performances, in partnership with Food Network star Alex Guarnaschelli and Chef Michael Jenkins. The new management agreement addressed re-concepting the food and beverage outlets, conditions surrounding exclusivity, the maintenance of appropriate staffing levels and consistent operating hours, remedies in the event that the manager fails to meet key performance standards and health department standards – all issues of critical importance to the museum’s key stakeholders. Clara is named in honor of Clara Driscoll (1861 – 1944), head of Tiffany Studios’ women’s glass-cutting department, whose creations are on display in the Museum’s Gallery of Tiffany Lamps. The restaurant re-opened under new management in Spring 2025.