The owner of a celebrity hotspot finds himself in the middle of a bitter battle with locals and police as they declare war on his swanky new restaurant.
Scott Sartiano, the 49-year-old owner of New York’s ultra-exclusive Zero Bond club, is facing backlash over his new venture at the historic Hedges Inn in East Hampton.
The businessman rents the property and hopes to buy it soon. His original plan was to create a spin-off of the infamous Zero Bond, the The Wall Street Journal reported.
But the hotspot, called Sartiano’s at The Hedges Inn, has become ground zero for a clash between big-city glitz and small-town vibe since it opened in July.
“I don’t trust this guy,” East Hampton Village Mayor Jerry Larsen told the outlet. “Residents don’t trust him.”
The upscale restaurant, located in the John Cumming-owned Hedges Inn, has been frequented by celebrities including Taylor Swift and Kim Kardashian and figures including Meghan Markle and Elon Musk, who can indulge in caviar cannoli for $52.
Celebrity hangout owner Scott Sartiano (pictured) is in the middle of a bitter battle with locals and police as they declare war on his swanky new restaurant.
The businessman rents the property and hopes to buy it soon. His original plan was to create a spin-off of the infamous Zero Bond
“I don’t trust this guy,” East Hampton Village Mayor Jerry Larsen told the Wall Street Journal. “The residents don’t trust him.”
“The Hedges Inn is transforming into a culinary stage for Sartiano’s, an offshoot of the upscale SoHo restaurant bringing a dynamic dining experience to East Hampton,” its website reads.
‘This weekly experience is a celebration of innovative cuisine created by the renowned talent behind Sartiano’s.’
But locals fear it is a celebrity-packed party palace that is destroying their peaceful paradise.
The drama began when Sartiano first floated plans to bring a Zero Bond-style club to the picturesque village.
Local residents were immediately concerned about the nightly outings that were disrupting their village.
Town officials quickly closed ranks and passed new laws to thwart Sartiano’s plans, including banning service after 11 p.m. and nightclubs in the historic district.
“I’m sure it shocks a lot of people in New York City,” Village Manager Marcos Baladrón told the outlet, “but we’re not going to move.”
Sartiano changed his plans to open a private club and opened a restaurant, but the battle was far from over.
On opening night, building inspectors sprang into action, forcing diners to leave the outdoor area mid-meal due to a dispute over floral installation.
But the upscale spot, called Sartiano’s at The Hedges Inn, has become ground zero for a clash between big-city glitz and small-town vibe since it opened in July.
The drama began when Sartiano first floated plans to bring a Zero Bond-style club to the picturesque village.
But locals fear it is a celebrity-packed party palace that is destroying their peaceful paradise.
Since then, there has been all-out war.
Police cars roam the area, ready to attack at the slightest noise complaint.
One night, officers even claimed that Sartiano’s liquor license prohibited any music.
But when he pulled out a decibel meter showing “background office noise” levels, they were forced to retreat.
“I don’t know how to make pasta. I may not know what wine goes with branzino. But there are some things I know a lot about, and one of them is liquor licenses,” Sartiano said.
“And the other thing is the noise, because I owned nightclubs for 25 years, sometimes in residential neighborhoods,” he added.
Hostilities have reached a new level, with conspiracy theories now flying everywhere.
Town officials are even accusing Sartiano of filing false noise complaints to embarrass them.
But Sartiano insists he’s just a family man looking to create a healthy place.
The mayor insists he has no vendetta.
“I don’t have any revenge. Is it because I don’t like veal parmigiana? Or is it for some other reason? I don’t know. Why don’t you explain to me what revenge is?” he said.
Anti-nightclub bumper stickers have appeared all over the neighborhood, reading ‘Zero chance, neighbors united against nightclubs.’
The chic restaurant, located in the John Cumming-owned Hedges Inn, has been frequented by celebrities including Taylor Swift and Kim Kardashian and figures including Meghan Markle, Mayor Eric Adams (pictured) and Elon Musk, who can indulge in caviar cannolis for $52.
“He is absolutely determined to bring Zero Bond (pictured) to the town of East Hampton,” Town Manager Baladron said.
Many believe Sartiano’s restaurant was simply a ‘filler’ while he was preparing to open a nightclub.
“He is absolutely determined to bring Zero Bond to the town of East Hampton,” said Town Manager Baladron.
According to Baladrón, Sartiano told him that he would go against the town and open a nightclub even if the town opposed his idea.
“He said, ‘Well, you know, I’m going to use nuclear power,'” Baladrón said.
The mayor has stressed that he has no plans to visit the restaurant in the near future, at least in his free time.
“I’m not going to the restaurant,” he said.