"Smyth, the Chicago fine dining restaurant that has been awarded three Michelin stars for three years, has filed a federal trademark lawsuit against Smyth Tavern, a neighborhood restaurant in Tribeca that has been open since 2022. The lawsuit, filed on November 19, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, alleges trademark infringement, unfair competition, and dilution under the Lanham Act, along with related state-law claims."
"The dispute tests how far a successful restaurant's name can extend beyond its home city - and whether prestige and awards are enough to ensure the name belongs to the plaintiff. "While I understand the desire to expand a successful brand," McDonald told Eater, "chef Preston Clark and our dedicated team have spent years building what Smyth Tavern has become in Tribeca. Congratulations to the Chicago restaurant on their well-deserved recognition.""
"Smyth Tavern, which opened in 2022, operates out of 85 West Broadway, at Chambers Street, in Tribeca, inside the Smyth Tribeca hotel. The restaurant is owned by John McDonald and his hospitality group, Mercer Street Hospitality, which includes Lure Fishbar, Bowery Meat Company, and the newly opened Seahorse, among others. Smyth Tribeca is owned by Republic Investment Co. and Capstone Equities, which acquired the hotel from Vanbarton Group, for $39.8 million in August of this year."
Smyth, a Chicago fine-dining restaurant awarded three Michelin stars, filed a federal trademark lawsuit on November 19, 2025, against Smyth Tavern in Tribeca, alleging trademark infringement, unfair competition, and dilution under the Lanham Act plus related state-law claims. The complaint contends that Smyth and its sister restaurant the Loyalist have achieved national recognition and that Smyth Tavern's use of the name causes consumer confusion and improperly trades on Smyth's reputation. Smyth Tavern opened in 2022 at 85 West Broadway inside the Smyth Tribeca hotel and is owned by John McDonald’s Mercer Street Hospitality. The case raises questions about geographic limits on restaurant names and the protective reach of prestige and awards.
Read at Eater NY
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