Scabby the Rat Joins the Line for Babbo in Greenwich Village

"The long-awaited reopening of what's now Stephen Starr's Babbo is one of the hottest reservations in town, a caldron of buzz for more reasons than one. Starr hired Mark Ladner, Mario Batali's former right hand, who started at sibling spot Lupa (that Starr also purchased) and rose the ranks to lead the kitchen at what became the Michelin-starred Del Posto. But Babbo also has ghosts to contend with: Batali exited the company in 2017 after a sexual harassment scandal. Now, outside its soon-to-open doors, Scabby the Union Rat and protestors hold "BOYCOTT BABBO" signs."

"The rat has come up from D.C., where activists have pushed to unionize workers and filed complaints against Starr with the National Labor Relations Board over alleged labor law violations at three of his biggest D.C. restaurants: Starr's nearly two-year-old French bistro Pastis, seven-year-old steakhouse St. Anselm (the original NY locations of each are not involved in any unionization efforts), and Le Diplomate, Starr's perennially packed brasserie on 14th Street since 2013."

"United Here 25 has been targeting these D.C. restaurants since January, alleging "unjust working conditions" like lack of health insurance and sick time. Some workers, along with a Starr restaurant rep, claim the union used "coercive tactics" to intimidate workers to side with the union particularly at St. Anselm, "promising immigration assistance in exchange for voting yes ... unfairly and inappropriately influenced" the results. (Pastis staff voted no and the union is still pushing for Le Diplomate.)"

Stephen Starr has reopened Babbo with chef Mark Ladner leading the kitchen, offering classic dishes such as the 100-layer lasagna. Ladner previously worked at Lupa and Del Posto, where he rose to lead a Michelin-starred kitchen. The reopening was delayed slightly, according to a spokesperson, but not because of protests. Activists and a Scabby the Union Rat mascot are picketing outside with "BOYCOTT BABBO" signs. United Here 25 has targeted Starr's D.C. restaurants—Pastis, St. Anselm and Le Diplomate—alleging lack of health insurance, sick time and other unjust working conditions. Some workers allege coercive union tactics at St. Anselm; Pastis staff voted no.

Read at Eater NY