City Shuts Down Uptown Nightclub Whose Owner Once Tried to Bribe De Blasio

The city temporarily closed La Marina following a multi-agency raid

Uptown hot spot La Marina temporarily closed last week following a multi-agency city raid. Violations included 74 docked points from the Department of Health, underage drinking and noise complaints through the NYPD, and 64 liquor-law violations from the State Liquor Authority. It’s been rough going for La Marina lately, which was hit with a wage theft and sexual harassment lawsuit a year ago that has since been voluntarily dismissed to go through arbitration. Plus, in 2016, co-owner Fernando Mateo was involved in the City Hall corruption scandal after admitting that he tried to bribe Mayor Bill de Blasio with $19,000 to hire a female associate of his and also provide “access and influence in the office.”

The long road to opening Sofreh

Gothamist spotlights Sofreh, the new Persian restaurant in Prospect Heights, telling the story of how it took owner Nasim Alikhani six years to open due to landmark laws. Iranian writer Sai Mokhtari wrote that, “When Iranians in the States get together, we sometimes wonder who among us will break the mold and offer a fresh take on Persian cuisine in a sleek and contemporary environment.” In her view, Sofreh is that restaurant.

An opening and two closures

Now open at 47 Clinton St. on the Lower East Side is cheesesteak specialist Izzie’s, where other offerings also include empanadas, heroes, and veggie burgers. Nearby, acclaimed Thai restaurant East Village Thai closed its doors, offering no reason for the shutter. Asian restaurant Doka Square has also departed the neighborhood.

NYC restaurant group drops lawsuit against Chicago restaurant for copy-catting

Passon & Passon restaurant group, which owns mid-level Italian restaurants scattered across New York City such as Cotenna and Aria, settled its lawsuit against Lago Wine Bar in Chicago. The suit alleged that the restaurant — owned by two former Passon & Passon employees — copied Passon & Passon’s signature menu design, restaurant design, and dishes. Passon & Passon’s restaurants are all pretty similar with slightly different menus and rooms, and Lago does indeed look alike.