Fellini owner faces renewed scrutiny after committee hears residents' evidence of repeated outdoor-serving violations

Manhattan City Licensing Committee — Residents and committee members sharply criticized the owner of Fellini (176 Seventh Avenue South) for repeatedly serving alcohol from areas the committee said were not authorized by the license, and for previous enforcement actions that included padlocking of the premises.

Why it matters: Committee members said the episode is an example of a recurring compliance problem that undermines trust between operators and the neighborhood. Several residents said prior enforcement and repeated noncompliance at Fellini and other locations have left them skeptical of promises to follow rules in the future.

At the meeting, long-time resident Nancy Paisley described what she said were recent on-street scenes: “He is serving alcohol. He has wine bottles stored on nice little bar carts outside, in tubs with ice cubes in them outside. I have pictures of it from 2 weeks ago.” Paisley told the committee she had photographed the outdoor service while it continued despite earlier warnings.

Franco Noriega, the operator, acknowledged past errors and told the committee: “I’ve made mistakes. I paid the price for that.” Noriega said he had previously been denied applications and understood the committee’s concerns; he said the business had changed operations and that he planned to comply with any requirements the committee imposed.

Residents and community speakers disagreed that the matter could be resolved by assurances. Augustine Hope of the West Village Residents Association urged the committee to deny approvals to operators who are currently out of compliance, calling a month-long compliance demonstration “an enormous help to the community.”

Committee members and residents pointed to a recent liquor-authority hearing and enforcement action on related cases earlier in the year, saying the pattern shows enforcement gaps and a need for clearer conditions tied to license approvals.

Clarifying details included: residents reporting photographs of alcohol service in outdoor tubs; multiple residents cited prior disciplinary hearings at the State Liquor Authority for similar conduct; and committee members said prior padlocking incidents involving the operator had occurred in the recent past.

What the committee asked for: Committee members told the applicant they must present clear evidence of compliance — permanent barriers, corrected seating diagrams and a plan for service that restricts servers to stanchioned areas — before the committee will consider granting further changes. Several committee members said the business’ history increased the burden of proof the operator must meet.

Ending: Noriega and his representatives told the committee they would cooperate with next steps; residents said they will expect follow-up. The committee will monitor the matter and asked for demonstrable, documented compliance before future approvals.