Celebrity Chef Mike Isabella Files For Bankruptcy: Report

GREENBELT, MD — Celebrity chef and restaurateur Mike Isabella filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Thursday in Maryland, the Washington Business Journal reported. The filing follows six months of strife for Isabella, including a sexual harassment lawsuit and the closure of several restaurants.

Most notably, Isabella closed his 40,000-square-foot Isabella Eatery in Tysons Galleria in late August, telling The Washington Post, "Perhaps the space was too grand or perhaps the dining public was just not as excited as we were about a 'restaurant emporium' like the one we tried to provide. Whatever the reasons, we gave it our best shot."

Four of his restaurants have closed amidst the lawsuits, the Post reports. Requin Brasserie at the Mosaic District closed this spring and Graffiato in Richmond closed in June. Isabella's original Graffiato in DC's Chinatown closed in July.

Earlier in the year, a woman who previously worked for Isabella, Chloe Cara, filed a lawsuit in DC Superior Court that alleged Isabella and his partners repeatedly sexually harassed her. The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington said Thursday it will rescind two nominations for its annual RAMMY Awards for Isabella's restaurants in light of the allegations of sexual harassment in his workplaces.

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Cara worked as a regional general manager for Mike Isabella Concepts from January 2015 to July 2017, and as director of operations for Isabella Eatery in McLean, Virginia, from July to December 2017.

The lawsuit says that Isabella and his partners touched Cara in inappropriate ways, made vulgar and explicitly sexual remarks to her, called her sexist insults and made up rumors about her sexual history, according to The Washington Post.

Isabella later settled the sexual harassment lawsuit against him and his partners. The settlement includes an undisclosed amount of money, according to a statement by Pikrallidas Law.

Isabella told the post Thursday that the bankruptcy filing will help him "stop the bleeding" and avoid further restaurant closures.

“The bankruptcy is a tool for me to basically restructure my finances and have an opportunity for a fresh start,” Isabella told the Post.

The filing specifically names Mike Isabella Concepts, along with several open restaurants, the Journal reports. Those are Kapnos Taverna in Arlington and College Park, Pepita, Yona and Arroz.

Read more on Patch:

• Chef Mike Isabella Settles Sexual Harassment Lawsuit
• Isabella Eatery Suddenly Shuts Down: Report
• Chef Mike Isabella Cut From RAMMYs After Sexual Harassment Suit

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