Rumor has it that there's been a split between Fate chef Johnny Chu (who recently opened Sens, the sake bar that I just reviewed) and owner/landlord Norman Fox, and that one of the key players involved in the restaurant has taken the liquor license. From the looks of the sign hanging outside of Fate today (above), at least that much seems clear. There's also word that employees were spotted moving boxes out of Next Door, Fate's adjoining bar, at lunchtime.
Earlier today, a restaurant
Johnny Chu is locked out of Fate, the downtown Asian restaurant he created six years ago.
Longstanding disagreements between him and partner/landlord Norman Fox boiled over last Wednesday afternoon, when Chu says he discovered that Fox had changed all the locks on Fate and Next Door, and obtained a restraining order against him. Chu says he hasn't been able to get his personal belongings from the premises, adding that Fox has threatened to fire employees who talk to him.
Fox has not return
Three years ago, Mayor-elect Phil Gordon promised to make it easier for small businesses to renovate old buildings. But the problems faced by one indie restaurateur show that, if anything, it's harder than ever
