The drama at chic Seasalt and Pepper continued this week when executive chef Alfredo Alvarez along with his sous and pastry chefs walked out over the weekend.
Someone should pitch this as a telenovela. Odio y Comida might be a good working title.
See also: Seasalt and Pepper to Open Modern Garden; Partners' Lawsuit Settled
The cooks cited "a hostile work environment, mismanagement by restaurant's current experienced owners, and quality standards he does not want to be associated with," according to the statement.
However, Seasalt's fare was poorly review by New Times despite drawing a flood of crowds and celebrities. Alvarez's departure may mean an overhaul for the gorgeous riverside restaurant's menu, though the statement said "Seasalt and Pepper has been running their Kitchen with no experienced chef since last week."
Yesterday, a long-running dispute between partners Carlos Miranda and Stephane Dupoux was settled with Miranda taking over the restaurant in exchange for an undisclosed, six-figure sum, according to the Daily Business Review. He quickly moved to announce Modern Garden at Seasalt and Pepper will open this fall. The restaurant and lounge, adjacent to Seasalt, will seat about 60 indoors with patio space for an additional three dozen. The menu, still in the works, will feature mostly crudos and cold dishes.
See also: Former Seasalt and Pepper Manager, DJ Sue Posh Restaurant
Since opening, the multimillion-dollar restaurant has been embroiled in lawsuits with investors as well as legal action from former employees alleging wrongful termination.
Still, if Seasalt is pulling in $300,000 weekly, as Dupoux claimed in his lawsuit, all of those concerns may slowly work themselves out as the hotspot expands into the neighboring space.
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