Alan Richman Hates M. Wells, Is Accused of Sexual Harassment

By Lauren Shockey Tue., Aug. 16 2011 at 10:16 AM

Alan Richman's M. Wells dinner probably didn't look as jovial as this.

"Never in my professional life has anyone in the restaurant business questioned my conduct. Not until I ate my third meal at M. Wells," is how GQ restaurant critic's fascinating article about the soon-to-shutter diner begins. And it only gets more scandalous from there!

Richman dines at the restaurant with some colleagues initially and has a good meal, so much so that he introduces himself to the restaurant owners and schedules a time for an interview. He then dines at the restaurant for a third time, but "what stands out is the heat and the long waits." And then comes the drama!

Richman receives an email from Sarah Obraitis, one of the restaurant's owners, which reads:

I am a bit distressed by the feedback I received after your visit last night. Either you had despicable service or you guys were in an awful mood. It seems we couldn't make you happy, several servers heard you complain and ask for more attention. One of those servers, a female, received a hardy pat on the ass from you. Totally unacceptable in our world. I don't know what to think or how to proceed. But I must relay my worry.

Richman replies saying that it's 100 percent untrue and a lie, but includes the somewhat questionable line "I thought one of the men in my group was totally out of line with his mouth and his comments." If that's the case, why didn't he say something to his friend? Richman then posits that Obraitis made it all up in order to intimidate him and to stop having a restaurant critic from writing an unflattering review. Quel scandale, as the Quebecois would say, no?

In the end, nothing really gets resolved, though Richman concludes with several ruminations on the general decline in service in restaurants, which rings somewhat true. But the facts of the story remain still very much "he said, she said." But one truth that comes out of the story: It's unlikely that Richman will be dining at the new M. Wells.

For more dining news, head to Fork in the Road, or follow us @ForkintheRoadVV, or me @ldshockey.

Location Info

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M. Wells - CLOSED

21-17 49th Ave., Long Island City, NY

Category: Restaurant

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Alan Richman, M. Wells, service

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Sexual Harassment Lawyers

OMG! I can't believed Alan Richman can do this kind of sexual harassment..

Just Meat It

Having been to M. Wells several times and loving every second, sounds like it and LIC are a bit too much for someone of such high and snooty stature like Richman, his friends and their GQ egos. You liked M. Wells so much you went back for a 3rd time, the one that your colleagues attended which didnt go so well. Sounds like you were embarrassed in front of them

M.Wells is a spirited bunch that made their dreams come true by having a restaurant and serve up great food and a fun atmosphere. Like you said in the beginning parapgraph, sometimes customer service isnt always up to standards but stick with what you know Richman, professional restaurant critic

Why bring the allegations, etc. to the public forum? Not like she went all Twitter on you.

Mak

I think that an important omission in the headline should be corrected. It is true that Richman was accused of conduct which would amount to sexual harrassment, but I think that it must also be pointed out that that accusation seems to have been withdrawn in Obraitis' follow up email.

Shadyglen20

so Alan Richman is an asshole, too. along with his obnoxious friend.

Josh

"I thought one of the men in my group was totally out of line with his mouth and his comments. I just couldn't get him to shut up"Full quote from Richman's article. It appears he did try to get his friend to pipe down. Disingenuous reporting is disingenuous.