Cat Cora Sues Fatbird Partner for Withholding $400K [Updated]

Looks like there’s bad blood between celebrity chef Cat Cora and the partner in her newer Meatpacking Southern restaurant Fatbird: Cora is reportedly suing Charissa Davidovici for a $400,000 fee she says she was never paid for use of her her name, likeness, and recipes.

The Post reports that Davidovici, who also owns Sugar Factory, hasn’t made a single payment toward the fee, according to the suit. Update: The suit is in full below.

Fatbird opened in June to unfavorable reactions, with Eater critic Robert Sietsema taking a first look and finding a poorly executed restaurant. The suit reportedly references the restaurant’s performance, saying, “Cora has received the brunt of the blame for the restaurant’s lackluster performance which has caused irreparable injury to Cora’s brand.”

Cora is suing for the $400,000 she was “promised,” according to her lawyer Terrence A. Oved, plus damages.

Fatbird is the second standalone restaurant for the TV star, whose name is plastered on restaurants in airports and casinos across the country. Late last year, she opened a burger restaurant in Santa Barbara, California.

Update: Fatbird Restaurant Group declined to comment, while Cora’s attorney said in an email, “Our suit seeks to put Ms. Cora where she should have been had the Defendant’s performed their obligations to her pursuant to the parties agreement.”

• Cat Cora accuses Fatbird partner of stiffing her out of $400K [NYP]
• Cat Cora’s Fatbird Flies and Crashes in the Meatpacking District [ENY]