Michael White Fights Against Morini Expansion Backlash

Michael White's attempts to expand Osteria Morini into a neighboring space have been on hold for months now, in the face of serious neighborhood opposition. Back in May, CB2 voted against a zoning change that would allow the expansion to happen, and the State Liquor Authority decided that the application violated the 500-foot rule that dictates how many liquor licenses can be in a given area.

DNAinfo reports that White's lawyers have filed a petition with the State Supreme Court, asking for that SLA decision to be overturned. The neighboring space would be for private dining and would be accessed though the regular Osteria Morini entrance, which the petition argues should only require an alteration of the restaurant's current liquor license, not a whole new one.

The case will be heard February 4. If the decision is not overturned, it's unclear whether or how White would continue fighting for that private dining space.
· Chef Michael White Turns to State Court in Bid to Expand [DNAinfo]
· All Coverage of Osteria Morini [~ENY~]
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