Employees at the acclaimed New York City restaurant Cesar have filed a class action lawsuit alleging widespread labor law violations, including illegal tip sharing, below-minimum-wage payments, and overtime theft. The suit, filed last month in U.S. District Court, claims that the restaurant's management, led by chef and owner Cesar Ramirez and his partner Adriana Rodriguez, systematically cheated service employees out of their rightful earnings.
Oscar Molina, a former captain and expediter who was fired in July, is leading the suit on behalf of himself and at least three current employees. The plaintiffs allege that Ramirez "personally" directed them to understate their working hours. The class action could include up to 40 current and former service employees at the restaurant, located on Hudson Street.
Michael Digiulio, the attorney representing the employees, stated that Molina seeks to recover all stolen wages and tips for himself and his colleagues. "He worked extremely hard and devoted his life to this restaurant," Digiulio said. "It is unfortunate that, in return, Cesar treated him, and his co-workers, so poorly and refused to pay them what they are owed."
If the court rules in favor of the plaintiffs, damages could amount to millions of dollars, according to one source. The restaurant, owned by 333 Hospitality Group, reportedly has annual revenues exceeding $500,000. Ramirez's legal counsel, Aaron Nathaniel Solomon, declined to comment on the pending litigation. The defendants are expected to respond to the claims by September 14.
Cesar received its two Michelin stars less than five months after opening in 2024. The Michelin Guide has lauded its "world-class seafood menu" and Ramirez as a top-tier chef. The restaurant was also ranked the No. 1 restaurant in North America by the OAD (Opinionated About Dining) platform, ahead of other highly regarded establishments.
This is not the first time Ramirez has faced legal challenges related to his culinary career. While he was head chef at the three-Michelin-starred Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare from 2009 to 2023, employees sued him and owner Moe Issa in 2014 for alleged labor law violations, a case that concluded with an undisclosed settlement. Prior to that, Ramirez's departure from Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare involved contentious legal disputes, including allegations of theft and false arrest.