Kappo Masa

One of NYC’s Priciest Restaurants Is Sued for Alleged Wage Violations | Eater NY

"On the Upper East Side, an omakase restaurant owned by chef Masa Takayama and art dealer Larry Gagosian is the subject of a class-action suit from ex-employees alleging the restaurant withheld tips, underpaid staff by about 12% (which the suit says can add up to hundreds or thousands of dollars per day over six years), and retaliated against a named plaintiff for reporting the alleged tip theft; the plaintiff is represented by Orin Kurtz and Daniel Kovel. The restaurant’s legal counsel, Carolyn D. Richmond, says they intend to vigorously contest the allegations and believe the restaurant has complied with state and federal wage laws. The venue projects a premier luxury image—its website lists two $350-per-person experiences and the venture grew out of a reported 30-year friendship between Takayama and Gagosian—but critics have been harsh: New York Times critic Pete Wells gave it a one-star review in 2015, calling the cost “brutally, illogically, relentlessly high” and out of proportion to the pleasure you may get." - Emma Orlow