Four Seasons Restaurant to Auction Off All Its Contents

Julian Niccolini and Alex von Bidder are sending out emails promoting wine dinners because they are "cleaning out the wine cellar'' before their iconic Four Seasons restaurant serves its last meal this summer, but the duo is selling more than fine vintages. In July, the landmarked restaurant will hold an auction of its contents, down to the furnishings. "We will auction everything — even the silverware and banquettes deigned by Philip Johnson,'' says Niccolini. "Every day, people call and say 'I want 10 chairs,' or when they come in they say 'Remember, this is my banquette!'"

Details are being finalized now, but the sale will be handled by a top auction house. The duo behind the longtime power lunch spot is leaving the landmarked space this summer so that Major Food Group can take it over. But Niccolini and von Bidder won't be leaving the restaurant scene. They have said that they plan to open a new restaurant within five minutes walking distance of the original.