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New York restaurant La Sirena to close

Mario Batali concept is latest to suffer in wake of misconduct allegations

Lisa Jennings, Executive Editor

September 19, 2018

1 Min Read
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B&B Hospitality Group’s New York City restaurant La Sirena is scheduled to close after the end of the year, the company confirmed on Tuesday.

The Michelin-starred restaurant is the first of Mario Batali’s New York restaurants to close since the chef and restaurateur was accused of sexual harassment and sexual assault last year, according to Eater.

In a statement, a spokesman for B&B said La Sirena will close after Dec. 31.

“We are very proud of our hard-working, dedicated professionals who deliver great dining experiences to our guests every day. Our guests know just how special La Sirena is, and we’re grateful for their patronage,” the statement said.

Batali, who co-founded the company with partners Joe and Lidia Bastianich, opened La Sirena in 2016. According to Eater, the restaurant began struggling even before Batali was accused of sexual misconduct. Batali is the subject of both civil and criminal investigations.

Batali, meanwhile, is in the process of divesting his interests in the company. B&B Hospitality officials said negotiations over Batali’s divestiture are proceeding, but it has not yet happened.

Three of Batali’s restaurants in Las Vegas have closed and Batali was reportedly fired from the TV show “The Chew,” which was later cancelled after seven seasons.

Contact Lisa Jennings at [email protected] 

Follow her on Twitter: @livetodineout

About the Author

Lisa Jennings

Executive Editor, Nation's Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality

Lisa Jennings is executive editor of Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She joined the NRN staff as West Coast editor in 2004 as a veteran journalist. Before joining NRN, she spent 11 years at The Commercial Appeal, the daily newspaper in Memphis, Tenn., most recently as editor of the Food and Health & Wellness sections. Prior experience includes staff reporting for the Washington Business Journal and United Press International.

Lisa’s areas of expertise include coverage of both large public restaurant chains and small independents, the regulatory and legal landscapes impacting the industry overall, as well as helping operators find solutions to run their business better.

Lisa Jennings’ experience:

Executive editor, NRN (March 2020 to present)

Executive editor, Restaurant Hospitality (January 2018 to present)

Senior editor, NRN (September 2004 to March 2020)

Reporter/editor, The Commercial Appeal (1990-2001)

Reporter, Washington Business Journal (1985-1987)

Contact Lisa Jennings at:

[email protected]

@livetodineout

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-jennings-83202510/

 

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