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Tarnished By Sexual Assault Allegations, The Spotted Pig Closes
By
Elizabeth Kim
Published Jan 27, 2020
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By
Elizabeth Kim
Published Jan 27, 2020
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The Spotted Pig, the once acclaimed West Village gastropub that was undone by a series of sexual assault allegations, has closed. The news, first reported by Eater on Monday morning, comes just three weeks after its principle owner Ken Friedman agreed to pay $240,000 and a share of his profits to settle an investigation by the New York Attorney General's Office.
Grub Street pointed out that the restaurant’s chef, Tony Nassif, had written about the closure on his Instagram account. The story cited a source who said that while food will no longer be served at the restaurant, the bar may remain open Monday night.
Nassif confirmed to Gothamist that Sunday was the last night for food. He said he did not know if the bar would continue service.
Employees have also posted the news on social media.
Started in 2004 by a power team of investors that included chef Mario Batali and restaurateur Joe Bastianich, the Spotted Pig quickly became one of the hottest restaurants in New York City with two-hour long lines spilling outside its doors. Its English chef, April Bloomfield, was credited with its imaginative menu and over the years became one of the industry's most influential stars.
But a darker reality lurked beneath the raucous mix of foodies and celebrities. In 2017, female staff members accused Friedman of repeatedly sexually harassing them and retaliating against those who reported the abuse through firings or blackballing. The disturbing stories, which included groping and demands for sex and nude photos, included accusations directed against Batali. One private third-floor space was nicknamed “the rape room” by employees.
Bloomfield, who was accused of quiet complicity for her lack of action, severed her ties with the disgraced restaurateur not long after the scandal. As part of the settlement, Friedman announced that he will step down from managing or operating the Spotted Pig.
In 2018, the chefs Gabrielle Hamilton and Ashley Merriman briefly took over operations of the restaurant in hopes of saving it. But after a few months, they called it quits, saying they were ultimately unable to find a way to convince Friedman to give them full control.
Not long after, Grub Street writer Chris Crowley made the case that the establishment, which had been "a modern nexus of culture and celebrity and a complete distillation of downtown New York," needed to close.
"Now, his restaurant is synonymous with the power dynamics and culture of abuse and harassment that festers in the restaurant world. There is no changing that," he wrote.
Following the news, New York Times restaurant critic Pete Wells tweeted a similar sentiment.
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Elizabeth Kim
Elizabeth Kim is a reporter on the People and Power desk who covers mayoral power. She previously covered the pandemic, housing, redevelopment and public spaces. A native of Queens, she speaks fluent Mandarin. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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