BOOZE BLUES AT CIPRIANI
By HASANI GITTENS
May 9, 2008 -- Chic restaurant chain Cipriani could be in the soup come June, as the State Liquor Authority moving to revoke its booze license, The Post has learned.
The paperwork, yet to be served on haute cuisine magnate Giuseppe Cipriani, lists the famed namesake locations at 110 E. 42nd St., 376 West Broadway and 200 Fifth Ave., as well as Socialista, a Cuban restaurant in which he has a stake, at 505 West St.
The 14-page complaint focuses mainly on the October tax-evasion convictions of Giuseppe and his father, Arrigo Cipriani, in which they got no jail time and were ordered to pay back $10 million.
The SLA also charges that Giuseppe made his license available to people who were not permitted to use it, including his father, Arrigo, mother Carmela, and sister Giovanna.
Giuseppe has until June 11 to respond to the SLA charges.
"No charges have been formally served and we anticipate a resolution of this whole matter shortly," said Cipriani publicist Chris Giglio
Cipriani Empire Charged With Violating State Laws
By BRUCE LAMBERT and CHARLES V. BAGLI
Published: May 9, 2008
The Ciprianis may have to stop serving their celebrated bellini cocktails and other alcohol at the Rainbow Room, Harry Cipriani, and the rest of the family’s empire of Manhattan restaurants and catering halls that are favored sites for prominent society events.
The State Liquor Authority on Wednesday charged several affiliated establishments operated by Giuseppe Cipriani and his father, Arrigo Cipriani, with multiple violations of state laws. The authority is threatening the maximum penalty: revocation of their liquor licenses.
The fate of the Cipriani family’s operations has been in doubt since last August, when the Ciprianis pleaded guilty to charges related to tax evasion and were fined $10 million.
While citing the tax evasion crimes as grounds for revoking the liquor licenses, the authority went on to accuse the Cipriani organization of filing false information about its ownership and allowing its licenses to be used by unauthorized relatives and companies.
The relatives were the father, Arrigo, and two sisters, Carmela and Giovanna Cipriani, the authority said. The companies cited were Cipriani International, Jacaranda Investissements, Servizi Finanziari and Cipriani Acquisitions.
“They have serious charges against them,” said Bill Crowley, a spokesman for the liquor authority.
A hearing on the charges was scheduled for June 11.
Chris Giglio, a spokesman for the Ciprianis, said: “We anticipate a resolution of this whole matter shortly.”
Stanley Arkin, a lawyer for the Ciprianis, said that the family had been in negotiations with the authority and that he thought there had been a resolution.
The Cipriani restaurants have been the sites of many high-visibility parties. Liza Minnelli held an AIDS fund-raiser at the Rainbow Room. Citymeals-on-Wheels, the Rainforest Foundation, the Council of Fashion Designers and PEN American Center all hold parties at Cipriani catering halls.
Financial titans like Edgar Bronfman, Ronald O. Perelman and Leon Black patronize the Cipriani restaurants and sometimes entertain lavishly at the catering halls.
Full Version: Cipriani Saga Continues
The Forum @ PX This. > theLounge [ membership is not required to view/read this forum ] > • the Industry
you know my take, buddy
given Cipriani's ummmm "influence" (?) i say:
i'll believe it when i sees it.
given Cipriani's ummmm "influence" (?) i say:
i'll believe it when i sees it.
QUOTE (abbe @ May 9 2008, 12:56 PM) 
you know my take, buddy
given Cipriani's ummmm "influence" (?) i say:
i'll believe it when i sees it.
given Cipriani's ummmm "influence" (?) i say:
i'll believe it when i sees it.
true.................
Imagining a Cipriani Dining Place Without Those Family-Invented Bellinis
Evan Sung for The New York Times
A busy moment in November 2007 at Cipriani, Fifth Avenue and 59th Street, as the bartender pours the house specialty.
By ERIC KONIGSBERG
Published: May 10, 2008
A Cipriani restaurant without a liquor license: aphorisms about dogs without bones spring to mind. How could it go on? And would it even be possible?
On Wednesday, the State Liquor Authority charged several affiliated Manhattan restaurants run by Giuseppe Cipriani and his father, Arrigo, with multiple violations of state laws, and threatened the maximum penalty: revocation of their liquor licenses.
Interviews with people in the restaurant business on Friday suggest that it would not be easy or even practical for the Ciprianis to continue to operate as a dry minichain, but that resourcefulness might go a long way. “They should look at it as an opportunity to get creative,” said Karine Bakhoum, a restaurant publicist.
The Ciprianis run the Rainbow Room, Harry Cipriani and several other restaurants and catering halls in Manhattan. The famous Harry’s Bar in Venice, opened in 1931 by Arrigo Cipriani’s father, is the flagship property of the empire. Ernest Hemingway was its best-known patron, and the bellini — Champagne with peach purée, juice or schnapps — its primary contribution to civilization.
Ms. Bakhoum said that in 2006, she represented Novo, a restaurant that had just opened on Hudson Street before being granted its liquor license. “It had a wonderful Latino menu, so we did a campaign with a water bar and fresh juices,” she said. “You could design your own water, with fruits and extracts. We made it a differentiation point rather than a detraction point. We found that many people weren’t interested in drinking alcohol because of the caloric content.”
Still, restaurateurs say that alcohol sales can account for more than half their revenue — with much higher profit margins than from food sales. The Cipriani chain’s logo depicts a bartender mixing drinks. Can you imagine a bellini built on fortified water?
Another point of inspiration might be called the Club Kalua strategy. Club Kalua is the nightspot in Queens where Sean Bell was shot to death by police officers in November 2006. The subsequent loss of the club’s liquor license became an opportunity to unburden the dancers of bikini tops, and it became a topless club (serving virgin passion-fruit mojitos and Red Bull cocktails).
“You lose a lot of business,” said Roger Duran, Club Kalua’s owner. Still, he said, “It’s working very well for me at the moment.” The patrons who stayed? “They go for the girls, basically.”
Adam Perry Lang, who owns Daisy May’s BBQ and also served as the executive chef of Robert’s Steakhouse in the Penthouse Executive Club, declined to speculate on whether the presence of naked women could compensate for an absence of alcohol.
“When I was involved with it, it was a serious restaurant,” Mr. Lang said of the steakhouse. “We received positive feedback and made a lot of people happy.”
Perhaps the biggest problem for the Cipriani restaurants is that few go there for the food. In November, Frank Bruni of The New York Times, reviewing Harry Cipriani, on Fifth Avenue, gave it a “poor” rating (zero stars), though he cited the excellent people-watching. “You rarely see blondness this improbable, cosmetology this transparent, wealth this flamboyantly misspent,” he wrote (a bowl of minestrone cost $18.95, and a steak was listed at $66.95).
Jimmy Bradley, the chef and owner of the Red Cat, in Chelsea, said he had always heard that when Ian Schrager and Steve Rubell went back into the nightclub business after serving prison terms for tax evasion: “They had an attorney who would file every single day for a one-day cabaret license, which was basically a one-day permit to serve alcohol. And they did it for years.”
And the second idea: “They could give the wine away. And so maybe your lamb chops normally cost $35. But now, you charge $55 for lamb chops and the wine is free.” This, he conceded, would work better at a neighborhood restaurant than at the Rainbow Room. “I think the lower your profile, the more you can get away with something like that.”
The liquor authority cited tax evasion crimes — the Ciprianis pleaded guilty last August to related charges and were fined $10 million — as grounds for revoking the liquor licenses, and accused the Ciprianis of allowing licenses to be used by unauthorized relatives and companies.
A lawyer for the family said on Thursday that the Ciprianis had been in negotiations with the liquor authority. Giuseppe Cipriani did not return calls for comment. A hearing on the charges was scheduled for June 11.
With sympathy for the Ciprianis, Mr. Bradley said of any impending punishment: “I don’t know why it needs to be a forever thing. Wesley Snipes might be in jail for tax evasion. But he’s going to get to make movies again.”
John Eligon contributed reporting.
Imagine New York without Cipriani?
Evan Sung for The New York Times
A busy moment in November 2007 at Cipriani, Fifth Avenue and 59th Street, as the bartender pours the house specialty.
By ERIC KONIGSBERG
Published: May 10, 2008
A Cipriani restaurant without a liquor license: aphorisms about dogs without bones spring to mind. How could it go on? And would it even be possible?
On Wednesday, the State Liquor Authority charged several affiliated Manhattan restaurants run by Giuseppe Cipriani and his father, Arrigo, with multiple violations of state laws, and threatened the maximum penalty: revocation of their liquor licenses.
Interviews with people in the restaurant business on Friday suggest that it would not be easy or even practical for the Ciprianis to continue to operate as a dry minichain, but that resourcefulness might go a long way. “They should look at it as an opportunity to get creative,” said Karine Bakhoum, a restaurant publicist.
The Ciprianis run the Rainbow Room, Harry Cipriani and several other restaurants and catering halls in Manhattan. The famous Harry’s Bar in Venice, opened in 1931 by Arrigo Cipriani’s father, is the flagship property of the empire. Ernest Hemingway was its best-known patron, and the bellini — Champagne with peach purée, juice or schnapps — its primary contribution to civilization.
Ms. Bakhoum said that in 2006, she represented Novo, a restaurant that had just opened on Hudson Street before being granted its liquor license. “It had a wonderful Latino menu, so we did a campaign with a water bar and fresh juices,” she said. “You could design your own water, with fruits and extracts. We made it a differentiation point rather than a detraction point. We found that many people weren’t interested in drinking alcohol because of the caloric content.”
Still, restaurateurs say that alcohol sales can account for more than half their revenue — with much higher profit margins than from food sales. The Cipriani chain’s logo depicts a bartender mixing drinks. Can you imagine a bellini built on fortified water?
Another point of inspiration might be called the Club Kalua strategy. Club Kalua is the nightspot in Queens where Sean Bell was shot to death by police officers in November 2006. The subsequent loss of the club’s liquor license became an opportunity to unburden the dancers of bikini tops, and it became a topless club (serving virgin passion-fruit mojitos and Red Bull cocktails).
“You lose a lot of business,” said Roger Duran, Club Kalua’s owner. Still, he said, “It’s working very well for me at the moment.” The patrons who stayed? “They go for the girls, basically.”
Adam Perry Lang, who owns Daisy May’s BBQ and also served as the executive chef of Robert’s Steakhouse in the Penthouse Executive Club, declined to speculate on whether the presence of naked women could compensate for an absence of alcohol.
“When I was involved with it, it was a serious restaurant,” Mr. Lang said of the steakhouse. “We received positive feedback and made a lot of people happy.”
Perhaps the biggest problem for the Cipriani restaurants is that few go there for the food. In November, Frank Bruni of The New York Times, reviewing Harry Cipriani, on Fifth Avenue, gave it a “poor” rating (zero stars), though he cited the excellent people-watching. “You rarely see blondness this improbable, cosmetology this transparent, wealth this flamboyantly misspent,” he wrote (a bowl of minestrone cost $18.95, and a steak was listed at $66.95).
Jimmy Bradley, the chef and owner of the Red Cat, in Chelsea, said he had always heard that when Ian Schrager and Steve Rubell went back into the nightclub business after serving prison terms for tax evasion: “They had an attorney who would file every single day for a one-day cabaret license, which was basically a one-day permit to serve alcohol. And they did it for years.”
And the second idea: “They could give the wine away. And so maybe your lamb chops normally cost $35. But now, you charge $55 for lamb chops and the wine is free.” This, he conceded, would work better at a neighborhood restaurant than at the Rainbow Room. “I think the lower your profile, the more you can get away with something like that.”
The liquor authority cited tax evasion crimes — the Ciprianis pleaded guilty last August to related charges and were fined $10 million — as grounds for revoking the liquor licenses, and accused the Ciprianis of allowing licenses to be used by unauthorized relatives and companies.
A lawyer for the family said on Thursday that the Ciprianis had been in negotiations with the liquor authority. Giuseppe Cipriani did not return calls for comment. A hearing on the charges was scheduled for June 11.
With sympathy for the Ciprianis, Mr. Bradley said of any impending punishment: “I don’t know why it needs to be a forever thing. Wesley Snipes might be in jail for tax evasion. But he’s going to get to make movies again.”
John Eligon contributed reporting.
Imagine New York without Cipriani?
QUOTE (MONEYMAN @ May 12 2008, 01:17 PM)
Imagine New York without Cipriani?
i can't.
but i can totally imagine Cipriani with $85 bowls of pasta and free bellinis. ha haaaa
Frpm what I hear, it was alot of fancy footwork that kept them out of jail. I wouldn't be surprised if they have a few tricks left up their sleeves. 
Cipriani may get a repreve after all...............talk about timing
http://www.crainsnewyork.com/apps/pbcs.dll...E&nocache=1
I LOVE THIS TOWN
http://www.crainsnewyork.com/apps/pbcs.dll...E&nocache=1
I LOVE THIS TOWN
CIAO CIPRIANI: LEASE TO END IN '09
ROOM FOR RENT: There's still plenty of space left at 7 World Trade Center.
Last updated: 3:24 am
July 1, 2008
THE bitter war between the Cipriani organization and its landlord at 200 Fifth Ave. is over.
Ending a year of litigation and public mudslinging, the owners of the former Toy Building on Madison Square Park and the Ciprianis have "amicably" agreed that the high-end caterer will end its lease there on Jan. 31, 2009 - years before its scheduled expiration.
The mostly confidential settlement in Manhattan Supreme Court brings to an end a bitter dispute that started last summer, when L&L Holding Co. tried to evict Giuseppe Cipriani's much-in-the-news company.
The mutual decision to end Cipriani's lease will let L&L, headed by Chairman David W. Levinson, complete interior renovations and retail repositioning at the building.
It simultaneously allows Cipriani to focus on "identifying new projects in the city" consistent "with the company's portfolio of historical landmark properties," according to a joint announcement to be released today.
L&L is converting 200 Fifth Ave., between 23rd and 24th streets, into a first-class office address and recently signed advertising giant Grey Group as its anchor tenant. The building also has about 50,000 square feet of retail space, most of it vacant.
Last year, L&L tried to boot Cipriani over its indictment for tax fraud, which resulted in Giuseppe and his father, Arrigo, agreeing to pay $10 million to settle the charges.
The Ciprianis, in turn, sued L&L for $20 million, claiming the case was irrelevant to its 200 Fifth Ave. tenancy and that the landlord was "maliciously and wrongly" interfering with the company's use of the premises.
The Cipriani space has about 15,000 square feet.
With the space freed up, L&L is expected to begin aggressively marketing it as a first-class restaurant destination, possibly in combination with the retail space.
Reps for L&L and attorneys for Cipriani declined comment.
I LOVE THIS TOWN!!!
ROOM FOR RENT: There's still plenty of space left at 7 World Trade Center.
Last updated: 3:24 am
July 1, 2008
THE bitter war between the Cipriani organization and its landlord at 200 Fifth Ave. is over.
Ending a year of litigation and public mudslinging, the owners of the former Toy Building on Madison Square Park and the Ciprianis have "amicably" agreed that the high-end caterer will end its lease there on Jan. 31, 2009 - years before its scheduled expiration.
The mostly confidential settlement in Manhattan Supreme Court brings to an end a bitter dispute that started last summer, when L&L Holding Co. tried to evict Giuseppe Cipriani's much-in-the-news company.
The mutual decision to end Cipriani's lease will let L&L, headed by Chairman David W. Levinson, complete interior renovations and retail repositioning at the building.
It simultaneously allows Cipriani to focus on "identifying new projects in the city" consistent "with the company's portfolio of historical landmark properties," according to a joint announcement to be released today.
L&L is converting 200 Fifth Ave., between 23rd and 24th streets, into a first-class office address and recently signed advertising giant Grey Group as its anchor tenant. The building also has about 50,000 square feet of retail space, most of it vacant.
Last year, L&L tried to boot Cipriani over its indictment for tax fraud, which resulted in Giuseppe and his father, Arrigo, agreeing to pay $10 million to settle the charges.
The Ciprianis, in turn, sued L&L for $20 million, claiming the case was irrelevant to its 200 Fifth Ave. tenancy and that the landlord was "maliciously and wrongly" interfering with the company's use of the premises.
The Cipriani space has about 15,000 square feet.
With the space freed up, L&L is expected to begin aggressively marketing it as a first-class restaurant destination, possibly in combination with the retail space.
Reps for L&L and attorneys for Cipriani declined comment.
I LOVE THIS TOWN!!!
QUOTE (MONEYMAN @ Jul 1 2008, 12:26 PM)
The Cipriani space has about 15,000 square feet.
With the space freed up, L&L is expected to begin aggressively marketing it as a first-class restaurant destination, possibly in combination with the retail space.
With the space freed up, L&L is expected to begin aggressively marketing it as a first-class restaurant destination, possibly in combination with the retail space.
Great. Flatiron is the new MPD?
QUOTE (MONEYMAN @ Jul 1 2008, 12:26 PM)
With the space freed up, L&L is expected to begin aggressively marketing it as a first-class restaurant destination, possibly in combination with the retail space.
Yeah, nice new trend of all the landlords taking over the spaces no one can afford, and running the businesses themselves. Good luck with that.
well
i'm kinda hearing things may not be going so well. supposedly there's a new trial scheduled for august 26th (or was it 27th maybe ?) which may result in the Cipriani's losing their liquor license. allegedly, possibly even jail time, despite them having dodged the bullet once already. apparently, the last trial was for the IRS, and this one is for some federal sumpn sumpn having to do with the operators' names on the licenses having been convicted. something like that, i think you get picture.
also: the 'prediction' i heard is that the new CFO maybe "won't last six months." again, that's just a speculation based on an opinion. i only mention it at all cuz i knoooooow a certain somebody out there might be interested in that little tidbit.
in any case
sigh.
that's all i'm sayin.
i'm kinda hearing things may not be going so well. supposedly there's a new trial scheduled for august 26th (or was it 27th maybe ?) which may result in the Cipriani's losing their liquor license. allegedly, possibly even jail time, despite them having dodged the bullet once already. apparently, the last trial was for the IRS, and this one is for some federal sumpn sumpn having to do with the operators' names on the licenses having been convicted. something like that, i think you get picture.
also: the 'prediction' i heard is that the new CFO maybe "won't last six months." again, that's just a speculation based on an opinion. i only mention it at all cuz i knoooooow a certain somebody out there might be interested in that little tidbit.
in any case
sigh.
that's all i'm sayin.
QUOTE (abbe @ Jul 18 2008, 12:11 PM)
well
i'm kinda hearing things may not be going so well. supposedly there's a new trial scheduled for august 26th (or was it 27th maybe ?) which may result in the Cipriani's losing their liquor license. allegedly, possibly even jail time, despite them having dodged the bullet once already. apparently, the last trial was for the IRS, and this one is for some federal sumpn sumpn having to do with the operators' names on the licenses having been convicted. something like that, i think you get picture.
also: the 'prediction' i heard is that the new CFO maybe "won't last six months." again, that's just a speculation based on an opinion. i only mention it at all cuz i knoooooow a certain somebody out there might be interested in that little tidbit.
in any case
sigh.
that's all i'm sayin.
i'm kinda hearing things may not be going so well. supposedly there's a new trial scheduled for august 26th (or was it 27th maybe ?) which may result in the Cipriani's losing their liquor license. allegedly, possibly even jail time, despite them having dodged the bullet once already. apparently, the last trial was for the IRS, and this one is for some federal sumpn sumpn having to do with the operators' names on the licenses having been convicted. something like that, i think you get picture.
also: the 'prediction' i heard is that the new CFO maybe "won't last six months." again, that's just a speculation based on an opinion. i only mention it at all cuz i knoooooow a certain somebody out there might be interested in that little tidbit.
in any case
sigh.
that's all i'm sayin.
Has Cipriani's Fizz Gone Flat?
by Joshua David Stein
Ironic how that Ignorasshole has done nothing but criticize us since this forum started, but if this forum didn't exist, he wouldn't know jack shit.
QUOTE (Inkslinger @ Jul 28 2008, 01:12 PM)
Has Cipriani's Fizz Gone Flat?
by Joshua David Stein
Ironic how that Ignorasshole has done nothing but criticize us since this forum started, but if this forum didn't exist, he wouldn't know jack shit.
by Joshua David Stein
Ironic how that Ignorasshole has done nothing but criticize us since this forum started, but if this forum didn't exist, he wouldn't know jack shit.
This does not look good.............Another Roman Empire may fall.................best of luck GC
QUOTE (Inkslinger @ Jul 28 2008, 01:12 PM)
I can assume by the tone of that story ... which is largely a rehash of old news... that the Cipriani establishments can be counted among the numerous places where rat-faced, bottom-feeding, Joshua David Stein wasn't welcome.
Keep that face pressed up against the window, Josh - it's almost as good as being inside.
QUOTE (Don Logan @ Jul 29 2008, 04:57 AM)
I can assume by the tone of that story ... which is largely a rehash of old news... that the Cipriani establishments can be counted among the numerous places where rat-faced, bottom-feeding, Joshua David Stein wasn't welcome.
Keep that face pressed up against the window, Josh - it's almost as good as being inside.
Keep that face pressed up against the window, Josh - it's almost as good as being inside.
Ohhhhhhhh, snap.
The writing is on the wall
http://www.nypost.com/seven/08062008/enter...lose_123177.htm
I LOVE THIS TOWN!!!
http://www.nypost.com/seven/08062008/enter...lose_123177.htm
I LOVE THIS TOWN!!!
The writing is on the wall..................Karma is inescapable
http://www.nypost.com/seven/08062008/enter...lose_123177.htm
http://nymag.com/daily/food/2008/08/cuozzo...r_new_york.html
Let the bidding begin
I LOVE THIS TOWN!!!
http://www.nypost.com/seven/08062008/enter...lose_123177.htm
http://nymag.com/daily/food/2008/08/cuozzo...r_new_york.html
Let the bidding begin
I LOVE THIS TOWN!!!
QUOTE (MONEYMAN @ Aug 6 2008, 11:05 AM)
http://nymag.com/daily/food/2008/08/cuozzo...r_new_york.html
"New York can live without Giuseppe Cipriani."
"New York can live without Giuseppe Cipriani."
Yeah, but if it was Jean-Georges that was in trouble, Grub Street would be kissing ass alot more than Cuozzo. Hypocrites.I like how they act like they can't believe Cuozzo would write that about Cipriani, when, of all people, they should know the press always plays up to their favorites. Funny how they conveniently forgot about Cuozzo's great review of Cipriani 55 Wall.
QUOTE (Inkslinger @ Aug 6 2008, 11:21 AM)
Yeah, but if it was Jean-Georges that was in trouble, Grub Street would be kissing ass alot more than Cuozzo. Hypocrites.I like how they act like they can't believe Cuozzo would write that about Cipriani, when, of all people, they should know the press always plays up to their favorites. Funny how they conveniently forgot about Cuozzo's great review of Cipriani 55 Wall.
Don't you think the multi-million dollar lawsuits are enough trouble for JG
I bet if GC could cut a check for a few miilion and retain his license, he would in a NY minute...............wait pr newswire!!!
New York State Liquor Authority Accepts Settlement Offer From Cipriani
Resolves Outstanding Issues Pertaining to Cipriani's Liquor Licenses
NEW YORK, Aug. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- The New York State Liquor Authority
accepted a settlement offer today from Cipriani that resolves Cipriani's
outstanding issues pertaining to its liquor licenses. The following is a
statement from Cipriani: "We are grateful that this resolution ensures that
service will continue uninterrupted at Cipriani's world-class locations
across New York City. Cipriani is a vital part of New York City's economy
and is proud to currently provide work for nearly 3,000 individuals across
the City. We are eager to continue serving our clientele by providing them
with the same high-class dining, events and hospitality that they have come
to expect from the Cipriani family over the past 80 years."
http://www.observer.com/2008/real-estate/c...-license-fiasco
WOW ONLY 500K........WHAT A DEAL!!!..................YOU GOTTA LOVE THOSE GC MOVES.............RIGHT AGAIN ABBE
I LOVE THIS TOWN!!!
ahhaha ha yah i can't say i'm ENTIRELY surprised but i must admit i was a little anxious for them, for a minute there.
seriously though, with all the major heavy hitters that got giuseppe's back, like the weinsteins and fergies and briatores and burkles and nevos and parsons and utendahls etc etc etc
ya know. i mean--
come on now.
seriously though, with all the major heavy hitters that got giuseppe's back, like the weinsteins and fergies and briatores and burkles and nevos and parsons and utendahls etc etc etc
ya know. i mean--
come on now.
The fun never ends:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/07/nyregion...amp;oref=slogin
..........enough already
I LOVE THIS TOWN!!!
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/07/nyregion...amp;oref=slogin
..........enough alreadyI LOVE THIS TOWN!!!
QUOTE (Don Logan @ Jul 29 2008, 04:57 AM)
I can assume by the tone of that story ... which is largely a rehash of old news... that the Cipriani establishments can be counted among the numerous places where rat-faced, bottom-feeding, Joshua David Stein wasn't welcome.
Keep that face pressed up against the window, Josh - it's almost as good as being inside.
Keep that face pressed up against the window, Josh - it's almost as good as being inside.
i mean seriously-- OF ALL FUCKING PEOPLE
ah ha ha hahahaa check out who wants to be self-righteously indignant:
QUOTE
http://gawker.com/5034262/why-ciprianis-vi...ster-for-us-all
Why Cipriani's Victory Is A Disaster For Us All
This is Joshua David Stein. I'm back briefly not to discuss Project Runway, which I haven't watched and which Richard and MisterHippity have done quite well already, (consensus: it sucks!) but to discuss the case of Cipriani. It's a topic of abiding interest for me. I wrote a large article on Cipriani for Page Six magazine a couple of weeks ago in which I predicted that empire's demise. Two days ago, however, Jeanique Green, the newest member of the State Liquor Authority which is responsible for deciding who shall and shall not serve liquor in New York State voted to accept a settlement on behalf of Cipriani of $500,000 rather than revoking the liquor licenses of its New York locations. Basically, Cipriani got into the weeds by failing to list Arrigo Cipriani, a felon, on their liquor licenses. Though Cipriani gets to live another day, I argue, Ms. Green's deciding vote may be the pollice verso for a legal and vibrant New York nightlife.
Sure, you can call me out for having sour grapes. It would have been nice if my piece was as prophetic as the Follieri one before it. I had been operating on the premise that the SLA would follow the rule of law, one of the cornerstones of democracy. It is, after all, a premise upon which good governance rests. The equal and impartial application of laws, a government of laws and not of men is crucial to our democracy. As Montesqueieueie writes, "Law should be like death, which spares no one."
Sadly, after heartfelt pleas from the Post's Steve Cuozzo (with whom I work and whose work I generally admire), who claimed closing would "cost more than 1,000 jobs, leave our most iconic celebration spaces empty for the foreseeable future, and knock the fizz out of the city's culture of excess - the golden goose that keeps the talent-fleeing, jobs-hemorrhaging "Empire State" afloat." Substantively what he's saying is, "Well, even though Cipriani broke the law—laws which we, as a community, have voted on as necessary to safeguard public welfare—it would be too disruptive to actually enforce the laws." This is dangerous since it is the same logic that allows sitting heads of state who happen to be war criminals to escape prosecution, the same logic that allows powerful corporations to continue to burgle the public, that keep the rich and powerful and corrupt all of the above. It's disappointing Cuozz would make these bogus and dangerous claims. But it's shocking that Jeanique Green would act on them.
As Chris Shott reports in the Observer, Green explained her shit decision by saying she was concerned with "the impact of our decision on the individuals who are working there." This is myopic and wrong. By letting Cipriani escape unscathed and by seriously undermining the SLA, Green is sending a signal to other restaurateurs of substantial size that they too are above the law. Instead of worrying about Cipriani employees—something the Ciprianis don't do themselves—she should have been concerned at the precedent she's setting. She put a Band Aid on a cut and simultaneously shot herself—and her city—in the foot. What does she care? I'm sure Ms. Green is enjoying some complimentary bellini on the house.
http://gawker.com/5034262/why-ciprianis-vi...ster-for-us-all
Why Cipriani's Victory Is A Disaster For Us All
This is Joshua David Stein. I'm back briefly not to discuss Project Runway, which I haven't watched and which Richard and MisterHippity have done quite well already, (consensus: it sucks!) but to discuss the case of Cipriani. It's a topic of abiding interest for me. I wrote a large article on Cipriani for Page Six magazine a couple of weeks ago in which I predicted that empire's demise. Two days ago, however, Jeanique Green, the newest member of the State Liquor Authority which is responsible for deciding who shall and shall not serve liquor in New York State voted to accept a settlement on behalf of Cipriani of $500,000 rather than revoking the liquor licenses of its New York locations. Basically, Cipriani got into the weeds by failing to list Arrigo Cipriani, a felon, on their liquor licenses. Though Cipriani gets to live another day, I argue, Ms. Green's deciding vote may be the pollice verso for a legal and vibrant New York nightlife.
Sure, you can call me out for having sour grapes. It would have been nice if my piece was as prophetic as the Follieri one before it. I had been operating on the premise that the SLA would follow the rule of law, one of the cornerstones of democracy. It is, after all, a premise upon which good governance rests. The equal and impartial application of laws, a government of laws and not of men is crucial to our democracy. As Montesqueieueie writes, "Law should be like death, which spares no one."
Sadly, after heartfelt pleas from the Post's Steve Cuozzo (with whom I work and whose work I generally admire), who claimed closing would "cost more than 1,000 jobs, leave our most iconic celebration spaces empty for the foreseeable future, and knock the fizz out of the city's culture of excess - the golden goose that keeps the talent-fleeing, jobs-hemorrhaging "Empire State" afloat." Substantively what he's saying is, "Well, even though Cipriani broke the law—laws which we, as a community, have voted on as necessary to safeguard public welfare—it would be too disruptive to actually enforce the laws." This is dangerous since it is the same logic that allows sitting heads of state who happen to be war criminals to escape prosecution, the same logic that allows powerful corporations to continue to burgle the public, that keep the rich and powerful and corrupt all of the above. It's disappointing Cuozz would make these bogus and dangerous claims. But it's shocking that Jeanique Green would act on them.
As Chris Shott reports in the Observer, Green explained her shit decision by saying she was concerned with "the impact of our decision on the individuals who are working there." This is myopic and wrong. By letting Cipriani escape unscathed and by seriously undermining the SLA, Green is sending a signal to other restaurateurs of substantial size that they too are above the law. Instead of worrying about Cipriani employees—something the Ciprianis don't do themselves—she should have been concerned at the precedent she's setting. She put a Band Aid on a cut and simultaneously shot herself—and her city—in the foot. What does she care? I'm sure Ms. Green is enjoying some complimentary bellini on the house.
http://gawker.com/5034262/why-ciprianis-vi...ster-for-us-all
ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhaaa
QUOTE
http://gawker.com/5034262/why-ciprianis-vi...us-all#c7102318
WangWater at 12:23 PM
Aww. Is poor widdle Joshua David Stein all pissy cuz he looks stupid (AGAIN), since the restaurant that won't ever let him have a reservation or allow him into their super-duper swanky private lounge got off "scott free" by writing a HALF A MILLION DOLLAR check? That the SLA is gleefully running off to cash right now?
And cuz Steve Cuozzo of the RIGHTEOUS, UNBIASED, MORALLY IMMACULATE MEDIA wrote a smoochy little love letter in defense of the Ciprianis (who just happen to be very very very popular with some of the richest, most famous, most influential people in the world?)
Give me a fucking break.
http://gawker.com/5034262/why-ciprianis-vi...us-all#c7102318
WangWater at 12:23 PM
Aww. Is poor widdle Joshua David Stein all pissy cuz he looks stupid (AGAIN), since the restaurant that won't ever let him have a reservation or allow him into their super-duper swanky private lounge got off "scott free" by writing a HALF A MILLION DOLLAR check? That the SLA is gleefully running off to cash right now?
And cuz Steve Cuozzo of the RIGHTEOUS, UNBIASED, MORALLY IMMACULATE MEDIA wrote a smoochy little love letter in defense of the Ciprianis (who just happen to be very very very popular with some of the richest, most famous, most influential people in the world?)
Give me a fucking break.
http://gawker.com/5034262/why-ciprianis-vi...us-all#c7102318
Well-played, nutjob.
Gotta love how Grub Street also sounds bitter and resentful, but after Abbester makes Josh Stein look stupid, they do a 180 and change their tune.
QUOTE
"Dude’s probably just annoyed he couldn’t get into Cipriani Upstairs. Next time, bring some models!"
"misspellt insanity"?
grasp at lame imaginary straws much, joshua stupid swine?
go buffy go
grasp at lame imaginary straws much, joshua stupid swine?
go buffy go
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