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Disgraced restaurateur Ken Friedman hits snag in Long Island comeback
Spotted Pig owner was accused of groping and forcibly kissing staffers
UPDATED, April 1, 2019, 4:25 p.m.: Spotted Pig owner Ken Friedman has been… spotted on Long Island.
The disgraced restaurateur has applied for a liquor license on the North Fork, an area that has been described as the “Brooklyn of Long Island,” Eater reported. His partners on the new project are Jennilee Morris and Jessica Dunne of North Fork Roasting Company, a local coffee roaster and restaurant.
(Update: After this story’s initial publication, Morris and Dunne of North Fork Roasting Company issued the following statement: “While we had preliminary discussions with Ken Friedman about pursuing this new local business opportunity, there was no formal agreement in place. After thoughtful consideration, we’ve decided against moving forward with this venture and instead will continue to focus our efforts on our current business.”)
In 2017, Friedman was accused by at least 10 women of various “unwanted sexual advances,” which included groping, forcible kissing and requests for nude photos. Friedman split with longtime business partner April Bloomfield soon after.
Dunne told Eater that the partners are “not ready to reveal more details” about the venture, which is located at 57125 Main Rd. in Southold, under an LLC with the name “Days of Wine and Roses.” She declined to comment on the allegations against Friedman.
Such “comeback” attempts by accused restaurateurs have faced criticism in the wake of the #MeToo movement. Friedman saw another venture fall through in September, when chefs Gabrielle Hamilton and Ashley Merriman ditched a plan to help run the Spotted Pig.
Friedman has denied the allegations against him and is also facing a number of lawsuits from partners. [Eater] — Kevin Sun