'The Restaurant' backer sues TV series' DiSpirito

Nation's Restaurant News, Feb 23, 2004

NEW YORK -- China Grill Management, which invested $3 million to launch the Italian eatery whose troubled opening here last year was chronicled on the NBC series "The Restaurant," sued chef-restaurateur Rocco DiSpirito for alleged mismanagement of the establishment, published reports said.

New York-based China Grill Management reportedly is seeking full ownership of Rocco's on 22nd Street and unspecified monetary damages. The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, asserted that Rocco's had sustained more than $600,000 in operating losses since it opened seven months ago because DiSpirito had devoted insufficient time and effort to its food and service.

In a written statement, DiSpirito explained that he chose the wrong business partners and expressed confidence that the court complaint would be shown to be meritless.

China Grill Management operates several upscale restaurant concepts, including China Grill and Tuscan.