Keens, a storied steakhouse that has been a part of New York's culinary fabric since 1885, has been acquired by billionaire Tilman Fertitta for $30 million. The Midtown landmark has changed hands but vows to maintain its traditional atmosphere and storied past, which has attracted a host of notable figures over its long history including Teddy Roosevelt and Babe Ruth, as reported by Eater New York.
With rich ties to the city's lineage, Keens is home to one of the world's largest assemblies of churchwarden pipes, a throwback to its former life as a smoke club. Overseeing the transition is the famed Midtown spot's general manager, Bonnie Jenkins, having served under the previous owner George Schwarz, who passed in 2016. As reported by Crain's New York, the sale of the steakhouse deliberately sought an assurance of continuance for the establishment's unique character and dining experience.
"We looked for a buyer that agreed to allow our team to continue to operate and manage Keens in the same tradition it has been for the past 140 years," Jenkins said in a statement provided to Eater. Reflecting on the arrangement, Jenkins shared her belief that "George would be happy to know that our new owner, Tilman Fertitta, is committed to maintaining the legacy of our historic brand."
The venerated establishment, which recently hosted cookbook author Alison Roman's wedding and has been championed by the late Anthony Bourdain, is set to operate without change to its historic ambiance and management. Fertitta, who is also the CEO of Landry's, a group owning several restaurant chains layers into his portfolio this standalone New York fixture, pointedly investing in a space with a unique dining experience that stands apart from the Rainforest Cafes and Bubba Gump Shrimps that are typically associated with his name.
