Did Perrier Really Ask Le Bec Fin To Drop His Name?

This morning, news broke that Georges Perrier (or someone in his camp) had requested that the new Le Bec Fin remove his name from the subterranean bar that bore his moniker. New owner Nicolas Fanucci decided on calling it Chez Georges in honor of his decades of influence and creativity to the Philly food scene, and the indelible mark the restaurant has left on the lives of many locals.

But, when Eater asked Perrier why he requested to have his name removed from the masthead, he said this was the first he had heard of it.

"They can do whatever they want with it, I don't own it," Perrier told Eater. "But, I didn't know about it, and I didn't ask them to do it."

Fanucci said that it's possible Perrier knew nothing about it first-hand, but, that Georges' people said it would be confusing for his brand to be on the property, and that it should come down.

Hmmmm. That reasoning seems pretty damn flimsy, since they've known about the naming of the bar for quite a long time, and the timing is a real head-scratcher.

So, what do you think is really going on over at 1523 Walnut Street? Is the ship already sinking? Was there a big ol' brouhaha in the kitchen? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. Stay tuned, though, as you know isn't over just yet.

· Perrier Wants His Name Back [The Insider]
· All George Perrier Coverage [~EPHI~]