• Tuesday, December 8, 2009. 3:30PM – Kanye West lingering outside a dark SUV parked in front of a luxury residential building on West Houston St, with two bodyguard types, a driver, and a very talented young man— who was serenading him acapella right there on the sidewalk. No joke.
• Monday, December 14, 2009. 8:00PM – Sean Paul, with friend, using an Apple MacBook Pro in the American Airlines Admirals’ Club at Miami International airport.
• Sunday, December 13, 2009. 9:30PM – Steve Stoute (with entourage) having dinner and chatting with Michael Chow at Mr.Chow in Miami Beach.
• Wednesday, December 10, 2009. 6:00PM – John Utendahl and Merv Matheson having a drink (and chatting with Sasha Muniak) at the Standard Grill— because "the boom boom" was booked/closed for a private corporate holiday event.
• Tuesday, December 8, 2009. 8:30PM – Matt Dillon, Andre Balazs, Ric Pipino, Justo Artigas, Mark Baker, Cat Wei, Nur Khan, Roy Liebenthal, Ronnie Madra, Natalie Kates, Sasha Muniak, Nick Rytting, and (of course) Sante D’Orazio at the opening night party for the Barely Private exhibit at Milk Studios.
Chef Anne Burrell et al Sued for Discrimination…
PX This has recently obtained the official Supreme Court docket (Index No. 108471-2008 Filed: March 23, 2009) for Susan Kendall Bradford, Jennifer Sue Lim, and Sarra Hennigan VS Anne Burrell, Centro Vinoteca, Sasha Muniak, and George Elkins alleging that the plaintiffs were subject to "discrimination" and "retaliation" in violation of the Human Rights Law. Among the plaintiffs complaints are the accusations that (former Centro Vinoteca chef) Anne Burell subjected the plaintiffs to persistent ridicule and disparagement, at times calling the plaintiffs (all formerly employed by Centro Vinoteca) such derogatory terms as "slutty," "saggy," "ho," "whore," and "stupid dumb whore… idiot." The plaintiffs also assert Burell persistently addressed them mockingly, commenting on their "cleavage," and "harassing" them with such offensive remarks as, "have you fucked that [co-worker] yet?" The plaintiffs further allege they were wrongfully terminated in "retaliation" for their "complaints" about Burrell.
The lawsuit charges that Elkins and Muniak were aware of these circumstances but failed to address the situation in a manner consistent with the NY State Human Rights Law.
According to the docket, the defendants Elkins and Muniak sought to dismiss these claims "as asserted by all plaintiffs, and as asserted by Hennigan against Burrell, …the Complaint is devoid of any allegation against either Muniak or Elkins or of any actionable comments made by Burrell."
"Additionally, plaintiffs have failed to adequately allege that they suffered adverse employment actions by Muniak and Elkins. As to the remaining allegations which do not involve Burrell, such allegations do not identify (1) who allegedly told Bradford to dress nicely for New Years’ Eve, (2) the manager who allegedly told Lim and Bradford to work during brunch, (3) who allegedly replaced Lim after she left for a few days when her mother passed away, (4) who fired Bradford and gave Bradford’s shifts to the new bartender, (5) who allegedly fired Lim, told her she was being suspended, or which manager never returned her calls, or (6) who allegedly terminated each of them Bradford or Lim, or constructively terminated Hennigan. And,to the extent my of the above-allegations constitute adverse employment actjons, plaintiffs have failed to allege individual liability against Muniak or Elkins under New York law. Their names a re absent from all such allegations, and plaintiffs do not specifically allege that Muniak or Elkins were personally involved in any of said conduct. In addition, those allegations made ‘collectively’ against defendants are similarly insufficient. Thus, plaintiffs failed to state causes of action against Muniak and Elkins."
The Supreme Court, however, disagreed and found, "the Complaint sufficiently alleges Muniak’s, Elkin’s and Burrell’s alleged managerial roles at Centro, their ability to hire and fire plaintiffs, their failures to sufficiently investigate the complaints made against Burrell, and the ultimate termination of Lim and Bradford, and constructive termination of Hennigan." Furthermore, "…plaintiffs’ complaint sufficiently alleges that defendants terminated or constructively terminated the plaintiffs after defendants received complaints concerning Burrell’s alleged discriminatory conduct."
As it currently stands, "dismissal… is denied." The case is presently ongoing.
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For more information on Anne Burrell, read PX This Too – The Sequel to PX This – Coming Soon in the Autumn of 2010
• Friday, November 20, 2009. 9:30PM – Stephen Gan, Glenn O’brien, Andre Balazs, Jacqueline Schnabel, Ann Dexter-Jones, Geoffrey Zakarian, Jason Pomeranc, Kenny Kenny, Ronnie Madra, Richard Johnson & Sessa Von Richtofen, Anna Sui, Willem Dafoe, Lauren Ezersky, Lyor Cohen, Tory Burch, Carmen d’Alessio, Merv Matheson, Marc Bagutta, Sean MacPherson, John MacDonald, George Wayne, Steven Greenberg, Sasha Muniak, Liev Schreiber & Naomi Watts, Kamil Parchomienko, Heikki Sorsa, and (of course) Nadine Johnson, Jean-Marc Houmard, Huy Chi Le, Jorg Rae, and Susan Wanzer at the Indochine 25th Anniversary Party.
• Friday, November 20, 2009. 11:50PM – Michael Bay, Caroline Murphy, Liev Schreiber, Thom Filicia, Greg Callejo, Heikki Sorsa, Sasha Muniak, and Kevin King at The BoomBoom/BonBon at the Standard Hotel.
Víva la Grasshopper Wrap King! Sure he’s dapper, handsome, unassuming, modest, notoriously press-shy and the ultimate, consummate gentleman, but did you know he’s been busy like a fiend?!
Aside from recently having licensed two outposts (and growing) in Seoul, Korea, Mangia is now expanding to include a Mangia Organics at 45 West 39th St, "featuring all organic and/or locally-grown/sustainable ingredients." Plus—
Oh hell, it’s just too much. Let’s go straight to the awesome press release:
Mangia Cafe and Catering has been servicing New York City area for over 28 years, and we’ve been busy! From our first shop in 1981, we’ve expanded to 5 different locations in the heart of the city, as well as overseas. We’re Manhattan’s No. 1 corporate caterer, with over 4,000 accounts such as Burberry, Oscar De La Renta, Viacom, JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, and McGraw Hill. Says The New York Times, "Mangia is an upscale takeout lunch factory, offering everything from soups to salads to pastries to designer sandwiches to filling main courses. The identity is Italian… but much of the food is American. The sandwiches, made to order, are best." Gayot Guide calls us "A favorite quick-and-chic lunch spot for young hip professionals."
As good as the reviews are, we have been busy building a greater experience for our customers while still adhering to the tastes that put us on the map in the first place. Mangia is pleased to announce updates on our services, including:
-Free WiFi at our 23rd street cafe, perfect for business lunches or just checking your email while you enjoy one of our acclaimed paninis.
- Executive Chef Ferran Mallol’s new menu at our 48th street restaurant location, as well as full liquor selection, and a new view from our upstairs windows.
-The soon-to-be-launched Mangia Organics at 45 west 39st (212 921 9100) featuring all organic and/or sustainable/locally-grown ingredients.
- Our new bakery at our 57th St site (delivering to all 3 Mangia locales), offering mouthwatering treats and original desserts from consummate pastry chef Patrick Coston.
This of course, is in addition to our renowned antipasto bar, mouth-watering baked goods, hot soups, pressed sandwiches, and great service that Mangia earned its reputation on, all at an affordable cost to our customers during tough economic times. And don’t forget about the Mangia Cookbook, which gives away some (but not all!) of our special recipes!
But that’s not all: Times have changed, and it’s no longer enough to simply be conveniently located and delicious. That’s why in addition to Mangia’s delivery and catering services, we are also expanding our online presence. Find our daily menu on our website, and check out our Facebook and Twitter. Check daily for specials exclusive to our Internet friends and followers, including happy hours, food discounts, and the occasional Mangia giveaway.
Congratulations on the latest, and to the entire crew of Mangia as well.
YOU THE MAN, DAWG. WE LOVE YOU! LONG LIVE THE GRASSHOPPER WRAP KING!
:)
"It’s been a remarkable year, but I have decided to continue pursuing my culinary education abroad," says Executive Chef Leah Cohen. So far, cursory plans include possible months-long stints in Spain, Italy, and Asia to further enhance her knowledge and technique, "I am very thankful for the opportunities that Sasha Muniak and his team have given me, but I do feel that now is an opportune moment to travel and study and continue to develop myself into a more well rounded chef."
"We are very proud of Leah and what she has accomplished for both herself and the restaurant," adds proprietor Muniak, "I have no doubt Leah’s enthusiasm in furthering her education will benefit her and her career immensely."
Current sous chef Richard Furey (formerly of The Grand Hotel Amrâth, Amsterdam) will take over control of the kitchen. "It’s been my experience that in transitional phases such as this, it’s best to prevent disruption in the kitchen as much as possible. I’ve been very happy with the success of Leah Cohen rising up from sous chef under Anne Burrell, and with Saul Montiel (Gusto Ristorante) taking over the kitchen after his ample experience as sous under both Jody Williams and Amanda Freitag."
Muniak further remarks, "Leah Cohen was very much in demand after her appearance on Top Chef. The team very capably handled her absence while she was called away to represent Centro Vinoteca in both off-site events and TV appearances. I am confident Richard and the team will competently live up to their new challenge."
Gottino’s Michael Bull is in Litigation with Partner/Chef Jody Williams
Members and/or followers of theForum @PX This might well recall chef Jody Williams’s long, convoluted history. Almost a year ago, speculation arose that things might not be all that verdant in Denmark. Much more recent rumors have been swirling that Michael Bull has indeed filed a lawsuit against Jody Williams, alleging (among other things) she may have illicitly misapproriated up to “$95,000.00 of company money.”
A source familiar with the story quotes Michael Bull as having stated, “The gloves are off and the fight is on… I will close [Gottino] down if I have to.” Some former employers of Williams have also been pre-informed they may be subject to court deposition. Williams might best hope Keith McNally is not one of them, as he recently remarked in an interview with Restaurant Girl that he “did not enjoy working with her.”
Williams was the opening chef for McNally’s first foray in Italian cuisine. She left Gusto Ristorante (located several blocks form Morandi) amid a flurry of unsubstantiated gossip in the Spring of 2007. She was fired from Morandi in the Spring of 2008.
Gusto proprietor Sasha Muniak, when asked to comment on the lawsuit, replies, “… I did briefly discuss it with Keith… I know how [Bull and McNally] feel… I guess [Williams's leaving] was a blessing all along.”
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For more information on Jody Williams, read PX This Too (the Sequel to PX This) – Coming Soon in the Autumn of 2010
= "personne extraordinaire"