February 28, 2007
On February 26, famed restaurant chain Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group, Inc. announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement with Patina Restaurant Group, LLC under which Patina will acquire Smith & Wollensky in an all-cash merger at a price of $9.25 per share. Willkie advised the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of Smith & Wollensky on the transaction. As part of the transaction, Smith & Wollensky CEO Alan Stillman will acquire certain assets from the company, including the New York restaurants, and will assume certain specified liabilities. The Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group develops and operates high-end, high-volume restaurants in major cities across the United States, including New York, Miami Beach, Chicago, Las Vegas, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Columbus, Houston, and Boston. The Patina Restaurant Group is a multi-concept premium restaurant and food service operator with locations predominantly in New York and California. Partners Steven Gartner and Michael Schwartz and associates Erika Shalette and Peter Agnetti handled the matter.