It’s a crime what they are doing to Chef Mateo
Posted by Admin on December 19, 2010 in Training
As many of you know, I consider Rafael Mateo to be one my closest friends. He is by all accounts a tremendous human being, in person and in character. He is wise beyond his years, super intelligent and academically accomplished, multi-lingual, a several-degree black belt across four different martial arts, a chef, a wine expert, and a restaurant owner. Pata Negra is a small tapas/wine bar in the East Village and few places in NYC do what they do; serve the best Spanish ham and other tapas impeccably paired with Spanish wines. Rafael launched Pata Negra on his own about three years ago. It’s been a favorite haunt of mine ever since, not only because it gives me another opportunity to see my great friend, but because the staff, food, ambiance, and atmosphere all offer something special. I feel connected to the place.
Now, it appears Pata Negra’s future is truly in jeopardy. The culprit? The very city that hosts the restaurant. Rafael is being harassed, abused, and vilified by the city’s bureaucracy. They’re not picking on him per se; he is simply a victim, one of many, who are subject to what our government inexplicably does to people. His voice, as a singular business owner, is a small one, but I am reminded of how the smallest voices and people can have huge impacts. Rafael is neither small in stature nor in the tenor of his opinions. To wit, he has decided to tell his story. Below please find links to the Wall Street Journal and Rafael’s blog, both of which address this very tragedy.
And, please do take it upon yourself to visit Pata Negra as soon as you can. I hope it will be around for a long time, but just in case it isn’t, treat yourself to some of the best ham and wine in NYC.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704034804576025953190847470.html?mod=WSJ_NY_MIDDLETopStories
http://blog.chefmateo.com/?p=429
http://www.patanegratapas.com/
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