State Charges Red Hook Winery Owner for Illegally Producing Moonshine

Red Hook Winery busted for alleged moonshine operation

The State Liquor Authority reportedly busted Red Hook Winery this weekend, arresting owner Mark Snyder for allegedly illegally distilling an Italian-style brandy called grappa on the premises. The four gas-fired stills were declared explosion hazards, and Snyder was handcuffed and charged with “the illicit manufacturing of alcoholic beverages.” It’s a class-E felony and can come with one to four years in prison. Snyder told the Post it was simply “an administrative issue and a misunderstanding.” State officials told the Post it was the first arrest of a bootlegger in NYC since 1960.

The SNL afterparty included spendy sushi

Midtown East Japanese restaurant Zuma was the venue of choice for comedian Amy Schumer after she hosted Saturday Night Live this past weekend. Schumer and musical guest Kasey Musgraves, along with much of the cast, dined at the celebrity magnet restaurant, eating robata dishes and sushi. Zuma recently also attracted Jay Z, who dropped $13,000 at the restaurant in February.

Flushing Chinese stall sues Philadelphia restaurant to stealing recipes

Chinese Flushing dry pot restaurant LaoMa Malatang is suing Philadephia restaurant Chu Shang Spicy for allegedly stealing its recipes. The lawsuit alleges that Jialiang Huang and Meiling Liang of Chu Shang Spicy approached LaoMa Malatang to franchise and paid $10,000 to learn the recipes. But, Liang then walked away from the deal and later opened the Philadelphia restaurant using “the same technique, system and LaoMa sauce,” the suit claims.

Three coming attractions and a likely closing

The owners of East Pole are working on a bar in Tribeca at 285 West Broadway at Canal Street that will likely have dancing, if approved. On the Upper West Side, Mediterranean restaurant 8th Hill is taking over the old Isabella’s space at 77th and Columbus, while a restaurant called Frankie and Matt Hamburgers is headed to Columbus Avenue between 84th and 85th streets. Alphabet City bar Santatorum has been dark for the last few weeks, leading locals to think the bar has closed.