Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Disgraced Founder Of Pure Food & Wine Promises She'll Pay It All Back
By
Scott Heins
Published May 22, 2016
Modified May 22, 2016
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Scott Heins
Published May 22, 2016
Modified May 22, 2016
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Last year, unionized workers at high-price raw vegan restaurant Pure Food and Wine struggled through unpaid wages (more than once), an owner that went AWOL, and the failure of their attempt to start a newer, fairer, employee-owned business.
As Pure fell into crisis, its owner, Sarma Melngailis, disconnected her phone and did not answer repeated requests for comment. "Knowing her, I know she must be miserable and fighting like mad to do whatever she has to," Melngailis's father, John, previously told Gothamist.
Today, Melngailis is in jail, living out what she described to the Post as, "[The worst nightmare you can think of." In an extensive interview, the former restauranteur spoke of plans to set things right: "When I come out, I will find something to do and pay it back."
Melngailis and her partner, Anthony Strangis had been on the lam for 10 months for allegedly embezzling almost $2 million from Pure Wine and Food until they were arrested last week at a Sevierville, Tenn. hotel when police tracked them down through a Domino's delivery order. Melngailis has attested that Strangis was the one behind the delivery order, along with many of her other problems; “Things were going well when I was single,” she told the tabloid.
Serving as a chronicle of two people with astonishing penchants for self-sabotage, the Post's story cites Strangis's struggles with gambling and bullying business practices, as well as one of Melngailis' ex-boyfriends who claims she assaulted him with phones, stools, and grapefruits. The ex-restauranteur has reportedly been denied an all-vegan diet by Rikers, where she and Strangis currently sit, awaiting trial. "She says she makes do with peanut butter sandwiches, bananas, apples, and fresh-sliced cucumber," the tabloid reports.
Altogether, Melngailis and Strangis have been charged with 24 counts of theft, labor fraud and tax crime charges. They face up to 15 years in prison for failing to pay the nearly $1 million owed to Pure Food and Wine's employees and investors.
Tagged
pure food and wine
sarma melngailis
Scott Heins
Scott Heins is a freelance photo and video journalist based in New York City, and a frequent contributor to Gothamist + WNYC. His work often centers around labor rights, housing, and policing. In 2018-2019 he traveled to four states while covering a wave of public school teachers strikes, with work featured in The New York Times, The Intercept, Getty Images, Splinter, and Bloomberg Photos. Scott is a dues-paying member of the National Writers Union's Freelance Solidarity Project.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
Why NYC restaurants are playing coy about sustainability
Though it has multiple benefits, the practice remains popular for one basic reason: it saves money.
By
Samantha Dady
Published Oct 26, 2026
Where are the cheapest drinks in NYC? A new report details the city's average prices.
The median price of a cocktail in the city is now $16, and $9 for a draft beer.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Food
Where are the cheapest drinks in NYC? A new report details the city's average prices.
The median price of a cocktail in the city is now $16, and $9 for a draft beer.
By
Hannah Frishberg
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
By
Robert Sietsema
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .