Waitresses Sue Cafe Habana for Sexual Harassment

Four waitresses at the super douchey Nolita "hotspot" Cafe Habana are suing the owner for fostering a "sexually charged environment." Known for its celebrity clientele, attractive staff, and Mexican grilled corn, the tiny restaurant has been a favorite of "keeping it real" stars like Josh Hartnett, Serena Williams, Adrien Grenier, and Owen Wilson. In fact, the Marley & Me star is mentioned in the recent lawsuit because one of the waitresses claims she was punished after rejecting his date request.

The lawsuit alleges that Wilson asked waitress Monica Mateo out for a coffee, and as she deliberated, manager Leslie Meenan shouted at her, "You know what coffee means in Hollywood, right? Don't screw this up. Owen's a good customer." But she did "screw it up," and Mateo claims she went from working five nights a week to a couple of days a week after turning Wilson down. She alleges that the schedule change also resulted from her refusal to pose for the "Habana Girls" calendar, which features photos of servers in their underwear and raises money for Habana Works, a non-profit that sponsors free sustainable design workshops.

Another plaintiff, Teliza Adams, claims Meenan wanted her to be the calender cover girl, and told her, "Your schedule can look like whatever you want if you're in the calendar." The lawsuit also accuses Meenan of ordering staffers to dress more provocatively, and firing the plaintiffs after they complained.

Grub Street obtained a copy of the lawsuit, but here's even more damning evidence: Check out this Lenny Kravitz video, in which a Cafe Habana waitress becomes the solution to all his rock star problems, like Gina Gershon's adoration and his sun-drenched apartment. We're not rushing to judgment, but where there's douchey smoke, there's fire. (Just beware of Kravitz's bare ass at the 1:30 mark.)

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By John Del Signore in Food on December 11, 2009 9:40 AM

Comments [rss]

SirDentes

I am undecided. can we see more of the calendar please?

Kojak

""You know what coffee means in Hollywood, right?"

It means sex, & Owen Wilson snorting coke through his large, dented by a football nose.

Guest

His nose looks like a penis, so it's difficult for me to imagine that a (straight) girl would not want to ride that pony.

hotstepper

oy vey.

Roncore

steak sandwich is awesome. So are their fries with chipotle mayo!

theplanetofchuck

The most over used word of 2009: Douche and all its variations. We need a new word.

Guest

Thank you! I still can't figure out why an item that cleanses the most holiest of holies is a synonym for asshole (aka next door neighbor of holiest of holies).

Just call him a Guido. That way we can settle the whole debate about it only belittling Italians.

NannyState

Yeesh, what a deke.

marcasm

Holy Mole'

rasputinsghost

it's pretty tasty.

billybob

no way, the owner of Habana is douchey?:

"About Sean Meenan

Sean Meenan – restaurateur, entrepreneur, environmental activist, artist, worldwide traveler, businessman, photographer, film producer, writer, former NY Metro Light Heavyweight boxing champion and Ray Ban model … What doesn’t this man do?! A fifth-generation born New Yorker, Meenan has devoted his life to anything he feels is socially, politically, and environmentally significant."

nicemarmot

Beware Lenny Kravitz's ass? His ass is the best thing about him!

hotstepper

alright, since you're a Kravitz fan let me ask you something: did you see the liner notes for "Circus"? did he really dreadlock his pubes? what was going on there?

felixthecat2

He has been celibate for many years now. (so he claims)

NannyState

That explains why everywhere you go Lenny Kravitz is playing on Muzak.

zodak

sexual harassment always makes me angry but luckily that calendar is there to make me feel better.

airtech1

is this the place on prince and elizabeth? If so, here I was a frequent patron of their corn w/cojito cheese. I didn't know that grilled corn could be characterized as super douchey.

felixthecat2

Holy f**kballs, the latina behind the counter in Kravitz's video is hot.

ProcedureTurn

The corn is okay but way over-priced. Too small and crowded too.

hotstepper

nice caboose, everything seems to be in order here. i'll take two "coffees" to go.

NannyState

But can you have your coffee black? -oops! another lawsuit!

elpollodiablo

This is great news. The staff, management and ownership of this place are the biggest bunch of cleft, entitled assholes I've ever had the displeasure of dealing with. I hope their shitty, overhyped, overpriced douchebag haven gets sued out of business.

/hate

felixthecat0

Trashy place. Close it immediately.

felixthecat2

Valeriob, I know this is you. Will you use your name. It is ridiculous and misleading to post your comments as mine.

Angelheaded Hipster

its true---you are sort of a national treasure, in my opinion

your real fans will find you, though

felixthecat2

Oh Shucks

felixthecat0

I don't know valerieob, or even what that is. I am felixthecat0. If you don't like it, change your name! How many Stevens are out there? Or Muhammad? Do you see them being asked to change their name? Please STFU and move on or move off of Gothamist.

Snivelling beeyotch....