Chez Ann Salon & Day Spa

Montreal Pop-Up Chinese New Year Dinner Ends in Disaster | Eater Montreal

"During a Chinese New Year pop-up dinner at Chez Ann in Little Italy, I heard from the chef and multiple guests that owner Kimberly Houston became aggressively confrontational, leading to Chef Seven Yuan, her visiting kitchen staff, and most diners being thrown out partway through the Feb. 4 multi-course meal. Yuan, who runs the Nice To Meat You pop-up, said she encountered major disorganization and that Houston appeared to be drinking throughout the evening; guests and staff alleged Houston poured beer on a table’s plates, threw a plate at Yuan in the kitchen, accused a kitchen worker of theft and kicked him out, and repeatedly hurled insults and profanities while ordering everyone to leave. The incident reportedly began when one (or, according to a server, several) tables brought their own alcohol — the event page stated the dinner was not BYOB, although the official Chez Ann account commented “Bring your own bumps” — and Houston defends her actions by saying patrons brought alcohol in knapsacks and that she faces consequences for illegal drinking on premises. Yuan says she paid for all the food herself, received no compensation from the restaurant, had to throw away much of the meal, and was nevertheless proud of her sous-chefs; guests later voluntarily transferred money to her. The night also featured poor communication and limited prep access beforehand, conflicting accounts about past collaborations, and an unsettling moment when Houston left and returned with an unfamiliar man who allegedly threatened patrons." - Tim Forster