yah so. last night was kinda fascinating-- i got to sit in on an enthralling discussion between two prominent restaurateurs who both have busy popular eateries.
and after a whole mess of heated badinage about the DCA, the DOB, the DOH etc, it culminated with the realization: "YAH, how come there's no official Restaurant Association?!"
[david-rabin's Nightlife Assoc doesn't really extend to restaurants. and the speculation was he may be trying to "get out" anyways, cuz "they probably WORE HIM DOWN."]
apparently, there is a NY State Restaurant Association, but one quick perusal of their website reveals it's kinda a little wack, and doesn't really cater to the certain needs of a particular kind of dining establishment or whatever.
but anyhoo like for example-- one anecdote i was able to contribute to the conversation was the story of how the DCA shut down a restaurant for three days. the violation? setting out two tables in front of the premises for smokers (in DECEMBER) while the sidewalk permit was technically in process of renewal.
benches alone, mind you, would have been okay. two tables WITHOUT chairs-- also okay. tables WITH chairs however "indicates an intent to serve." (in DECEMBER. whatever!)
the punishment? not a warning, not a monetary FINE, oh no. shutting down the establishment for three days and posting a sign: "these premises have been closed for operating without a permit."
furthermore, the punishment REQUIRED no other signage be posted to provide ANY further information to patrons, employees, etc-- no information providing details AT ALL (not even when the restaurant would reopen) were allowed.
now
when you think about it, who benefits from this ?
- not the employees, for sure.
- definitely not the state-- three days of lost sales tax, and NO FINE to be paid. (but the taxpayers DID pay for the visit by DCA, the legwork, the paperwork... blah blah blaah).
- probably not the neighborhood-- closed/abandoned storefronts are never a good thing, not to mention: what, no fucking malfatti?! bogus!
kinda stupid when you think about it, no ?
another great part of the discussion was the questionable righteousness of empowering ANONYMOUS complainers with the 311 system.
costs to the state of running 311 : $4.5million dollars. mmhmmp-- sounds like a bargain, right ?
sure. until you take into account abuses to the system. ohhh like say: disgruntled former employees making false claims about "rats" for example. an anonymous complaint such as this evidently warrants FIVE DOH VISITS IN SIX WEEKS. and although NOT ONE visit uncovers ANY violation, somehow the state thinks it's okay to keep spending taxpayers' money to continually visit the premises, simply because an ANONYMOUS CALLER keeps whining.
lovely, isn't it?
and there was a whole mess of engrossing chitchat about "Vacate Premises" orders and "Stop Work" orders etc etc etc. i mean--
did you know that even if a Stop Work order is declared "not rightfully instituted" it can still take months and months (over a year even!) to rescind the order just because of red tape and paperwork and bureaucracy bullshit?
in the meantime, this is essentially months and months and months of peoples NOT being given employment opportunities and the state NOT being able to collect multiples of thousands of sales tax dollars.
an additional beef is: "why torture the small businessperson? do you have any idea the kind of shit BIG corporations are allowed to get away with?!... anonymous 311 callers are allowed to complain about noise or crowds or drunkenness, but wasn't it giuliani who wanted to build a yankee stadium and now bloomberg who wants to build a jets stadium on the west side of manhattan?!"
one restaurateur evidently paid tens of thousands of dollars "to install soundproof windows on an apartment hundreds of feet away" and STILL has to contend with complaints and constant calls to 311 from the same person.
ANYHOO
these two awesome prominent restaurateurs are "totally on board" to help form a restaurant/smallbiz coalition. they are planning to look for attorneys to help lobby for change, so if you know anybody-- holla.
oh but they don't want just any bored unemployed self-serving flunkies. they want influential bulldog no-shit-taking type candidates. hhahahaaahha
"what would it cost?" "how much would we need to raise?" "I'LL GLADLY PAY MY PART." <--- these are direct quotes.
oh and i take it they also want peoples to consider leading the association of restaurateurs, because somehow i get the feeling they both are worried they may be too busy to dedicate the amount of time and energy needed for leadership.
in any case
think about it, mutherfukkers.
Full Version: what, no Restaurant Association ?
The Forum @ PX This. > theLounge [ membership is not required to view/read this forum ] > • the Industry
This reminds me of the time that the owner of where I work talked about the type of people that go to community board meetings. "It's always 1 or 2 bitter old women that act like loons causing all the trouble.They just need to get laid." 
Check your email. 
QUOTE (abbe @ Mar 12 2009, 02:19 PM) 
yah so. last night was kinda fascinating-- i got to sit in on an enthralling discussion between two prominent restaurateurs who both have busy popular eateries.
and after a whole mess of heated badinage about the DCA, the DOB, the DOH etc, it culminated with the realization: "YAH, how come there's no official Restaurant Association?!"
[david-rabin's Nightlife Assoc doesn't really extend to restaurants. and the speculation was he may be trying to "get out" anyways, cuz "they probably WORE HIM DOWN."]
apparently, there is a NY State Restaurant Association, but one quick perusal of their website reveals it's kinda a little wack, and doesn't really cater to the certain needs of a particular kind of dining establishment or whatever.
but anyhoo like for example-- one anecdote i was able to contribute to the conversation was the story of how the DCA shut down a restaurant for three days. the violation? setting out two tables in front of the premises for smokers (in DECEMBER) while the sidewalk permit was technically in process of renewal.
benches alone, mind you, would have been okay. two tables WITHOUT chairs-- also okay. tables WITH chairs however "indicates an intent to serve." (in DECEMBER. whatever!)
the punishment? not a warning, not a monetary FINE, oh no. shutting down the establishment for three days and posting a sign: "these premises have been closed for operating without a permit."
furthermore, the punishment REQUIRED no other signage be posted to provide ANY further information to patrons, employees, etc-- no information providing details AT ALL (not even when the restaurant would reopen) were allowed.
now
when you think about it, who benefits from this ?
- not the employees, for sure.
- definitely not the state-- three days of lost sales tax, and NO FINE to be paid. (but the taxpayers DID pay for the visit by DCA, the legwork, the paperwork... blah blah blaah).
- probably not the neighborhood-- closed/abandoned storefronts are never a good thing, not to mention: what, no fucking malfatti?! bogus!
kinda stupid when you think about it, no ?
another great part of the discussion was the questionable righteousness of empowering ANONYMOUS complainers with the 311 system.
costs to the state of running 311 : $4.5million dollars. mmhmmp-- sounds like a bargain, right ?
sure. until you take into account abuses to the system. ohhh like say: disgruntled former employees making false claims about "rats" for example. an anonymous complaint such as this evidently warrants FIVE DOH VISITS IN SIX WEEKS. and although NOT ONE visit uncovers ANY violation, somehow the state thinks it's okay to keep spending taxpayers' money to continually visit the premises, simply because an ANONYMOUS CALLER keeps whining.
lovely, isn't it?
and there was a whole mess of engrossing chitchat about "Vacate Premises" orders and "Stop Work" orders etc etc etc. i mean--
did you know that even if a Stop Work order is declared "not rightfully instituted" it can still take months and months (over a year even!) to rescind the order just because of red tape and paperwork and bureaucracy bullshit?
in the meantime, this is essentially months and months and months of peoples NOT being given employment opportunities and the state NOT being able to collect multiples of thousands of sales tax dollars.
an additional beef is: "why torture the small businessperson? do you have any idea the kind of shit BIG corporations are allowed to get away with?!... anonymous 311 callers are allowed to complain about noise or crowds or drunkenness, but wasn't it giuliani who wanted to build a yankee stadium and now bloomberg who wants to build a jets stadium on the west side of manhattan?!"
one restaurateur evidently paid tens of thousands of dollars "to install soundproof windows on an apartment hundreds of feet away" and STILL has to contend with complaints and constant calls to 311 from the same person.
ANYHOO
these two awesome prominent restaurateurs are "totally on board" to help form a restaurant/smallbiz coalition. they are planning to look for attorneys to help lobby for change, so if you know anybody-- holla.
oh but they don't want just any bored unemployed self-serving flunkies. they want influential bulldog no-shit-taking type candidates. hhahahaaahha
"what would it cost?" "how much would we need to raise?" "I'LL GLADLY PAY MY PART." <--- these are direct quotes.
oh and i take it they also want peoples to consider leading the association of restaurateurs, because somehow i get the feeling they both are worried they may be too busy to dedicate the amount of time and energy needed for leadership.
in any case
think about it, mutherfukkers.
and after a whole mess of heated badinage about the DCA, the DOB, the DOH etc, it culminated with the realization: "YAH, how come there's no official Restaurant Association?!"
[david-rabin's Nightlife Assoc doesn't really extend to restaurants. and the speculation was he may be trying to "get out" anyways, cuz "they probably WORE HIM DOWN."]
apparently, there is a NY State Restaurant Association, but one quick perusal of their website reveals it's kinda a little wack, and doesn't really cater to the certain needs of a particular kind of dining establishment or whatever.
but anyhoo like for example-- one anecdote i was able to contribute to the conversation was the story of how the DCA shut down a restaurant for three days. the violation? setting out two tables in front of the premises for smokers (in DECEMBER) while the sidewalk permit was technically in process of renewal.
benches alone, mind you, would have been okay. two tables WITHOUT chairs-- also okay. tables WITH chairs however "indicates an intent to serve." (in DECEMBER. whatever!)
the punishment? not a warning, not a monetary FINE, oh no. shutting down the establishment for three days and posting a sign: "these premises have been closed for operating without a permit."
furthermore, the punishment REQUIRED no other signage be posted to provide ANY further information to patrons, employees, etc-- no information providing details AT ALL (not even when the restaurant would reopen) were allowed.
now
when you think about it, who benefits from this ?
- not the employees, for sure.
- definitely not the state-- three days of lost sales tax, and NO FINE to be paid. (but the taxpayers DID pay for the visit by DCA, the legwork, the paperwork... blah blah blaah).
- probably not the neighborhood-- closed/abandoned storefronts are never a good thing, not to mention: what, no fucking malfatti?! bogus!
kinda stupid when you think about it, no ?
another great part of the discussion was the questionable righteousness of empowering ANONYMOUS complainers with the 311 system.
costs to the state of running 311 : $4.5million dollars. mmhmmp-- sounds like a bargain, right ?
sure. until you take into account abuses to the system. ohhh like say: disgruntled former employees making false claims about "rats" for example. an anonymous complaint such as this evidently warrants FIVE DOH VISITS IN SIX WEEKS. and although NOT ONE visit uncovers ANY violation, somehow the state thinks it's okay to keep spending taxpayers' money to continually visit the premises, simply because an ANONYMOUS CALLER keeps whining.
lovely, isn't it?
and there was a whole mess of engrossing chitchat about "Vacate Premises" orders and "Stop Work" orders etc etc etc. i mean--
did you know that even if a Stop Work order is declared "not rightfully instituted" it can still take months and months (over a year even!) to rescind the order just because of red tape and paperwork and bureaucracy bullshit?
in the meantime, this is essentially months and months and months of peoples NOT being given employment opportunities and the state NOT being able to collect multiples of thousands of sales tax dollars.
an additional beef is: "why torture the small businessperson? do you have any idea the kind of shit BIG corporations are allowed to get away with?!... anonymous 311 callers are allowed to complain about noise or crowds or drunkenness, but wasn't it giuliani who wanted to build a yankee stadium and now bloomberg who wants to build a jets stadium on the west side of manhattan?!"
one restaurateur evidently paid tens of thousands of dollars "to install soundproof windows on an apartment hundreds of feet away" and STILL has to contend with complaints and constant calls to 311 from the same person.
ANYHOO
these two awesome prominent restaurateurs are "totally on board" to help form a restaurant/smallbiz coalition. they are planning to look for attorneys to help lobby for change, so if you know anybody-- holla.
oh but they don't want just any bored unemployed self-serving flunkies. they want influential bulldog no-shit-taking type candidates. hhahahaaahha
"what would it cost?" "how much would we need to raise?" "I'LL GLADLY PAY MY PART." <--- these are direct quotes.
oh and i take it they also want peoples to consider leading the association of restaurateurs, because somehow i get the feeling they both are worried they may be too busy to dedicate the amount of time and energy needed for leadership.
in any case
think about it, mutherfukkers.
Not to mention the Donald Trump issues.
QUOTE (Inkslinger @ Mar 13 2009, 12:58 PM)
Not to mention the Donald Trump issues.
Yeah, whatever happened with that?
QUOTE (Captain Kangaroo @ Mar 12 2009, 05:41 PM)
This reminds me of the time that the owner of where I work talked about the type of people that go to community board meetings. "It's always 1 or 2 bitter old women that act like loons causing all the trouble.They just need to get laid."
LOL.
Problem solved! Who needs high-priced attorneys?
If elected to lead the NYC Restaurant Association, I, Dick Johnson, pledge to provide affordable, tax-free dildos for everyone!
Thank you for your support.
Good example of how State Rest&Tavern Assoc isn't in touch with the needs of the owners. Not allowing BYO does not help emp situation or raise tax dollars for city and state. Paterson wants to make selling wine at groceries legal so the BYO law doens't even make sense. Another ridic law that needs to be changed.
QUOTE (Dick Johnson @ Mar 13 2009, 03:35 PM)
LOL.
Problem solved! Who needs high-priced attorneys?
If elected to lead the NYC Restaurant Association, I, Dick Johnson, pledge to provide affordable, tax-free dildos for everyone!
Thank you for your support.
You have my vote Dick!
yah so-- got another prominent manhattan chef/restaurateur on board that ha ahaa we are even trying to convince he should lead. apparently, he already was (or is? or wanted to be?) the umm oh shit what's it called ?? like the community omsbudsman/liason type dude. for the neighborhood where he lives in brooklyn. the-- oh fuck i totally forget what it's called. and did he tell me they "did away with those" anyways ? ugh i only had one glass of wine.
anyhoo. this one's primary issue is the new proposed increase of PAYROLL TAXES. because evidently if the tax goes up, he "will have to lay off like two people."
i'm just sayin.
anyhoo. this one's primary issue is the new proposed increase of PAYROLL TAXES. because evidently if the tax goes up, he "will have to lay off like two people."
i'm just sayin.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2...ties_raid_.html
Authorities raid State Liquor Authority on suspicion employees were accepting bribes for licenses
Authorities raid State Liquor Authority on suspicion employees were accepting bribes for licenses
"A small army of "expediters" - often former state liquor authority employees - were found to offer help to get a liquor application through the red tape, for a fee.
"The handlers take a fee, then go to the SLA office and grease one of their contacts, who bumps that liquor license to the top of the heap," a law enforcement source said."
It's almost unbeleivable that they are only figuring this out now?
"The handlers take a fee, then go to the SLA office and grease one of their contacts, who bumps that liquor license to the top of the heap," a law enforcement source said."
It's almost unbeleivable that they are only figuring this out now?
QUOTE (Dishwasher @ Apr 9 2009, 09:59 AM)
"A small army of "expediters" - often former state liquor authority employees - were found to offer help to get a liquor application through the red tape, for a fee.
"The handlers take a fee, then go to the SLA office and grease one of their contacts, who bumps that liquor license to the top of the heap," a law enforcement source said."
It's almost unbeleivable that they are only figuring this out now?
"The handlers take a fee, then go to the SLA office and grease one of their contacts, who bumps that liquor license to the top of the heap," a law enforcement source said."
It's almost unbeleivable that they are only figuring this out now?
i'm assuming the state employees that were allegedly bribed are going to have to start naming their "expeditors" in order to help save their own asses ??
tsk tsk
yah.
hmm, i can think of at least one particular stupid idiot fuck-- if he hadn't been so asinine and greedy as to mark his OWN mailing address as the forwarding/delivery address of all his "clients" follow-up notices and renewal apps and 'official' mail and whatnot--
he might actually still have a tidy little business going, wouldn't he ?
R I P mutherfukker
Nice.
Daniel Boyle Is Done as State Liquor Authority Chairman
http://www.observer.com/2009/daily-transom...hority-chairman
Mr. Rosen has extensive experience investigating violations of New York State laws regulating the sale of wine and spirits. From September 2005 to December 2006, he was the lead attorney in a statewide investigation of pay-to-play practices within the industry. The investigation concluded with many of the liquor industry’s largest manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers agreeing to court orders which imposed heavy fines and ended various pay-to-play practices that had created an unlevel playing field.
http://www.observer.com/2009/daily-transom...hority-chairman
Mr. Rosen has extensive experience investigating violations of New York State laws regulating the sale of wine and spirits. From September 2005 to December 2006, he was the lead attorney in a statewide investigation of pay-to-play practices within the industry. The investigation concluded with many of the liquor industry’s largest manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers agreeing to court orders which imposed heavy fines and ended various pay-to-play practices that had created an unlevel playing field.
QUOTE (Hello Kitty @ Jun 13 2009, 04:23 PM)
The Sky Is Absolutely Falling: Nightlife Preservation Community Launches
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/05/dining/05lice.html?_r=1 Liquor License Delays Add to Restaurants’ Pain
It has to get worse before it vcan get better??
It has to get worse before it vcan get better??
QUOTE (Arthur Kade @ Jun 13 2009, 04:35 PM)
Clubs are seperate from F/B, and the problems that clubs cause can worsen the backlog b/c of the fake promises to serve food when it's not the intent.
QUOTE (Dishwasher @ Aug 5 2009, 11:28 AM)
Clubs are seperate from F/B, and the problems that clubs cause can worsen the backlog b/c of the fake promises to serve food when it's not the intent.
after seeing this, i don't even care about clubs anymore, & i have never even worked in the rest'nt biz!
QUOTE (Dishwasher @ Aug 5 2009, 10:28 AM)
Clubs are seperate from F/B, and the problems that clubs cause can worsen the backlog b/c of the fake promises to serve food when it's not the intent.
mmhmmm
QUOTE
http://www.downbythehipster.com/blog/2009/...ll-illegal.html
Automatic Gratuities Are Still Illegal
In response to Goldbar's automatic gratuity charge, a helpful commenter calling themselves SLA Rep reminds us that this practice is entirely illegal unless an establishment clearly states the policy in writing.
If you realize you have been charged a Gratuity on ANY check that has not been stated clearly in writing that a charge will be given(Re: 8 persons or more at a table) on the menu- IT IS ILLEGAL.
Ask for an ITEMIZED receipt- Keep the receipt, make a copy of it with your Credit Card Statement showing the charge(or cash receipt) and leave a verbal complaint along with a return receipt USPS mailed copy to
A) The Better Business Bureau at (212)533-6200 AND the SLA at (212) 961-8378.
The establishment will get a fine, a written warning, and could induce a visit from the IRS to go over the accounting and Tip procedure.
With so many customers ordering drinks without consulting a menu, it seems that even if Goldbar displays its tipping policy, it is still operating in a grey area. 10 Birdy points to the first person who can mail us a copy of their cocktail menu.
http://www.downbythehipster.com/blog/2009/...ll-illegal.html
Automatic Gratuities Are Still Illegal
In response to Goldbar's automatic gratuity charge, a helpful commenter calling themselves SLA Rep reminds us that this practice is entirely illegal unless an establishment clearly states the policy in writing.
If you realize you have been charged a Gratuity on ANY check that has not been stated clearly in writing that a charge will be given(Re: 8 persons or more at a table) on the menu- IT IS ILLEGAL.
Ask for an ITEMIZED receipt- Keep the receipt, make a copy of it with your Credit Card Statement showing the charge(or cash receipt) and leave a verbal complaint along with a return receipt USPS mailed copy to
A) The Better Business Bureau at (212)533-6200 AND the SLA at (212) 961-8378.
The establishment will get a fine, a written warning, and could induce a visit from the IRS to go over the accounting and Tip procedure.
With so many customers ordering drinks without consulting a menu, it seems that even if Goldbar displays its tipping policy, it is still operating in a grey area. 10 Birdy points to the first person who can mail us a copy of their cocktail menu.
http://www.downbythehipster.com/blog/2009/...ll-illegal.html
ooooh SNAP.
http://newyork.grubstreet.com/2009/10/sla_..._license_p.html
The State Liquor Authority tells us it has instituted a new Self-Certification Program that allows attorneys to verify that their clients’ liquor-license applications are truthful and their papers in order.
The State Liquor Authority tells us it has instituted a new Self-Certification Program that allows attorneys to verify that their clients’ liquor-license applications are truthful and their papers in order.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/28/dining/2...&ref=dining
Restaurateurs and their lawyers are entitled to their astonishment, since for the past year or so they have suffered the lengthiest liquor license application delays in memory — from six to eight months, and even longer. Reasons include the fiscal crisis and understaffing at the authority, which has also been hobbled by a bribery investigation. Critics have said the delays have caused lost jobs and tax revenues.
Six weeks ago, though, Mr. Rosen put into place new streamlining procedures, most noticeably a self-certification process that allows applicants’ lawyers to legally vouch for important licensing information that used to take months for the agency to verify and approve.
“This is the new S.L.A.
Restaurateurs and their lawyers are entitled to their astonishment, since for the past year or so they have suffered the lengthiest liquor license application delays in memory — from six to eight months, and even longer. Reasons include the fiscal crisis and understaffing at the authority, which has also been hobbled by a bribery investigation. Critics have said the delays have caused lost jobs and tax revenues.
Six weeks ago, though, Mr. Rosen put into place new streamlining procedures, most noticeably a self-certification process that allows applicants’ lawyers to legally vouch for important licensing information that used to take months for the agency to verify and approve.
“This is the new S.L.A.
http://newyork.grubstreet.com/2009/11/stat...ity_how_we.html Pursuant to Executive Order 25, the State Liquor Authority invites comments from regulated entities and interested parties to identify existing regulations (Title 9, Subtitle B of the New York Code of Rules and Regulations) that impose unnecessary, duplicative or unduly burdensome costs, paperwork or other requirements.
Comments are sought that describe and quantify the burden and suggest appropriate remedies that the agency may undertake to eliminate or amend regulations that are unnecessary, unbalanced, unwise, duplicative or unduly burdensome.
Public comment must be received on or before December 31, 2009 and may be submitted in writing to: Paul Karamanol, Esq., New York State Liquor Authority, Office of Counsel, 80 South Swan Street, Suite 900, Albany, NY 12210 or electronically at pkaramanol@abc.state.ny.us and copied to the Governor’s Office of Regulatory Reform at EO25@gorr.state.ny.us
Comments are sought that describe and quantify the burden and suggest appropriate remedies that the agency may undertake to eliminate or amend regulations that are unnecessary, unbalanced, unwise, duplicative or unduly burdensome.
Public comment must be received on or before December 31, 2009 and may be submitted in writing to: Paul Karamanol, Esq., New York State Liquor Authority, Office of Counsel, 80 South Swan Street, Suite 900, Albany, NY 12210 or electronically at pkaramanol@abc.state.ny.us and copied to the Governor’s Office of Regulatory Reform at EO25@gorr.state.ny.us
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