"The restaurant has been engulfed by a high-profile scandal involving alleged pervasive sexual misconduct tied to its former leadership: a New York Times investigation accused one co-owner of unwanted advances and public groping and described a private third-floor space employees nicknamed the “rape room,” while another high-profile investor is accused of assault now under criminal investigation. The fallout led to the departure of its longtime chef and owner, and the current development — a plan announced by James Beard Award–winning chef Gabrielle Hamilton to partner with the accused co-owner and become chef-owner, with her wife Ashley Merriman reported as co-owner and co-chef — is being framed by Hamilton as an effort to clean up the mess and effect institutional change. The prospective deal is not yet finalized and has provoked shock among industry insiders because of the venue’s fraught history and the reputations of those involved." - Hillary Dixler Canavan