New York's Rainbow Room grill closing

NEW YORK, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- The Rainbow Room, which opened for business in 1934 and became one of New York's most celebrated eateries, plans to close its restaurant.

The restaurant, on top of Rockefeller Center, is known for its view of the city.

The Cipriani family, which has operated the restaurant since 1998, said the bar and banquet facilities will stay open, but the grill will shut down, the New York Post reported. John Higgins, the chief operating officer, blamed the closure on a combination of the economic downturn and a dispute with the landlord, Tishman Speyer, and told WNBC that he hopes it will be temporary.

The Rockefeller family selected the Ciprianis, owners of Harry's Bar in Venice, to take over the restaurant. Last year, the Ciprianis tried to get the restaurant designated a historic landmark, which would have prevented its conversion to another use, the newspaper said.