With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Revered Beverly Hills Restaurant Urasawa Under Investigation For Labor Practices
A plate of random sashimi, since Urasawa doesn't allow photography (Photo byKevin Dooley on Flickr)
()
Urasawa has always been one of those Holy Grail restaurants that we've sworn we'd dine at the day we "made it." (Or switched to a career in finance. You can imagine that on a journalist's budget, dropping over a grand on a meal for two might seem slightly unattainable.) But recent news that the Beverly Hills restaurant is under investigation by the California Labor Department for denying kitchen staff overtime pay and forbidding them from taking breaks has left us with a bad taste in our mouths -- and feeling a little bit better that that moment hasn't yet arrived.
Things at the restaurant seem pretty bad, especially considering the giant wads of money that were being thrown at the chef/owner for his Japanese cuisine.
Says the New York Times:
The chef and owner, Hiroyuki Urasawa, is battling state and civil claims that he withheld tens of thousands of dollars in wages and overtime from workers. One former employee who left the restaurant last year said he resorted to urinating in the sink meant for cleaning mops after being told the men’s restroom was for customers only during business hours.
Support for LAist comes from
For a man who seems to be all about the rules (he doesn't allow photography in the restaurant, food must be eaten within 10 seconds of it being dropped at the table, and no itemized bills are allowed to be brought outside of the restaurant), Urasawa seems to be skirting the ones that are most important to the well-being of his staff, and perhaps eventually, his restaurant.
In addition to the aforementioned offensiveness, former employees are claiming that. much like the case of Amy's Baking Company and countless other restaurants throughout the country, their tips at the Beverly Hills restaurant were withheld. This is hardly uncommon practice, unfortunately. A study conducted by the Labor Center at the UCLA found that there was an average of $26 million worth of wage violations each week in Los Angeles alone.
So while Urasawa is hardly the only one breaking the rules, it certainly does shed light on an issue that's plaguing the industry here.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol. -
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails. -
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight. -
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious. -
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress. -
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent.
Best of LAist