Corner Bistro "Victim" and Owner Respond, Confusion Abounds

While many have been insinuating that Nick Haramis is nothing more than a burger-eating boy who cried wolf, Grub Street reports that following an internal investigation the owner has decided to suspend the alleged gay-bashing employee even though he questions Haramis's claims.

In a response to all of the internet feedback, Haramis wrote a follow-up piece, admitting that he and his friends were "probably assholes," but nothing really justifies being thrown to the ground and called a "faggot." One supposed witness even points out that there is a "waiter/busboy who is not one to be messed with," and that he did indeed do what Haramis accused him of—however, when he returned to the restaurant an hour later he was "screaming at the bartender" and threw a salt shaker at him.

Fighting violence with violence is no solution, kids! Grown-up, and owner of Corner Bistro, William O’Donnell has also told Grub Street that he "may fire [the employee] pending a polling of Friday-night regulars. However, he stresses, 'when the dust settles we’ll see these claims are simply untrue.'" Allegedly, according to some accounts they gathered from that night, Haramis's party was belligerent and "the waiter claims to have been struck first."

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Carlson in News on February 6, 2009 5:03 PM

Comments [rss]

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M'icky M'aus

Whammo, that's just lame. You know that's incendiary and makes you sound like a bigot. So apparently you're an out loud and proud bigot. Congrats on coming to terms with that.

As far as Nick is concerned, however, if the video is true he possibly cost a guy just doing his job fired because he and his group assaulted HIM! Nick should lose his job at BlackBook over slander.

Call the police!

Whammo

So it is ok to be an asshole, but to call someone a faggot is going over the line? I mean, the guy is a faggot, is he not?

stollef

Hey Larry, why you not learn speak English good?

Mr Mel

English is obviously not his first language. However, his communication skills are very good, even with the past tense mistakes, he makes himself understood. Many of us have command of a second language at about the same level as Larry. If I'm wrong, I apologize.

snoopydog

Larry? Do you work in the kitchen by any chance? I think I know you.

Larry

I don't by any chance work there nor I have any personal relationship with the establishment. Since it's such a talk about thing I thought I could at least find out what happen. It's wrong to get somebody fired. Attacking a customer is wrong, but the waiter was just defending himself. Imagine working all night, dealing with drunk assholes and next thing you know you get slap in the face by some idiot. Who give a customer the right to hit in the first place?

mattyp4

If you don't have a connection to the establishment, how the hell did you get their surveillance video?!

alan(ator)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2l6-EayKd8

Guest

The video clears it up.

There was a mixed group of about 5 guys and girls total. Two of the girls are sitting at a table, the others are standing. The waiter in question clears the drink glass of one of the girls at the table while she's talking, but catches what he did and calls him on it, probably claiming the glass wasn't empty. The two have a pretty heated back and forth in each others faces, then one of the guys gets between them to separate them and appears to lay an arm on the waiter who then takes him down.

I waited tables and tended bar when I first moved here years ago. You put up with a lot of aholes in the bar biz, it comes with the territory. The waiter should look for a less stressful line of work.

Larry

What did you think about the video? I think the accused is the victim.

Larry

All this stuff about him being gay is just excuse to sue the establishment for money (hate crimes). He wasn't being mistreat because he's gay but the fact that he was a drunk stupid prick. The truth will be out there. I promise you people that. Don't believe him.

Larry

All this stuff about him being gay is just excuse to sue the establishment for money (hate crimes). He wasn't being mistreat because he's gay but the fact that he was a drunk stupid prick. The truth will be out there. I promise you people that. Don't believe him.

Larry

If people really want to see what happen I have the video. If I have enough request I will post it up on u-tube. The truth will be out there. Nick Haramis is big fat lair who tries to make a name for himself. He was the one that attack the staff first I have the evidence he doesn't. It's his words against live evidence. email me at kooolq76@yahoo.com for request on the video.

Larry

First of I want to state that I'm investagaing this case. I have watch the video of the incident from an inside source. The video clearly shows that the employee was attack first. In Nick's statement he said that the waiter grab him by his T-shirt and throw him on the floor, which is a complete fairy tale. The employee was smack in the face first and that's when the waiter push and then threw him on the floor. If you have 5 guys against one, you need to protect yourself and that was the case. It has nothing of him being gay, when you are in anger insulting words will come out, I'm sure everyone knows that. Corner Bistro would never suvive in the West Villiage if they were homophobic but yet they have been there for almost 45 years. I,m pretty sure Nick is trying to make money or to make a name for himself. The truth will be out there once I post the video of the incident on U-Tube once I have permission. Corner Bistro can counter sue for incident. They have video evidence that the employee was attack first. Secondly they can sue of false statement effecting their business. Since Nick and the owner agree to drop charges and call it even, there will be no lawsuit at the moment.

mattyp4

There's something about an official investigator not knowing how to use the past tense of verbs that comes of as a little fishy. Let alone posting his personal e-mail address on an Internet forum.