Two-Michelin-Starred Cesar Faces Class-Action Lawsuit Over Wage Violations
A class-action suit alleges that chef Cesar Ramirez and his partner Adriana Rodriguez violated labor laws at their Hudson Street restaurant, Cesar.
Employees of the two-Michelin-starred restaurant Cesar have filed a class-action lawsuit accusing chef Cesar Ramirez and his wife Adriana Rodriguez of multiple labor law breaches. Former captain Oscar Molina, dismissed in July, joins at least three active workers in alleging that 333 Hospitality Group siphoned tips to managers, paid staff below the legal minimum, and required them to understate hours worked. The suit, lodged in U.S. District Court, names all past and present service staff—estimated at up to 40 individuals—as the class.
Ramirez’s lawyer, Aaron Nathaniel Solomon, offered no comment, and the defendants have until September 14 to respond. Plaintiffs’ counsel, Michael Digiulio, says the claim could generate damages in the millions. Cesar, a flagship venue in Hudson Square with annual revenue exceeding $500,000, earned its stars shortly after opening in 2024 and has previously been involved in legal disputes linked to Ramirez’s tenure at Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare.
Why it matters
The case highlights potential exploitation of workers in high-end dining, raising broader concerns about labor practices in the restaurant industry.
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