Inqlings: January 19, 2006

The party's very much over: Promoter is suing

By Michael Klein

Happy sue year.

Party promoter Anthony DiMeo III has gone after the Rittenhouse Square restaurant Le Jardin over a New Year's party from hell.

I reported two weeks ago that DiMeo's $100-a-head shindig broke up well before midnight as food-and-alcohol-deprived guests got out of control. In the confusion, two works by artist Antonio Puri were lifted from the Art Alliance, which houses Le Jardin.

The blame game commenced apace. DiMeo - who walked out in the middle of the hubbub - called restaurateur Athmane Kabir ill-prepared. Kabir - who had summoned police to quell the masses - countered that too many people had shown up.

DiMeo, a South Jersey blueberry heir who operates a public-relations and promotions firm called Renamity, got to the courthouse first. His lawyer Alan Nochumson filed suit Jan. 10. In a widely circulated e-mail yesterday, DiMeo accused Kabir and his public-relations rep, Patti Klein, of misstatements.

DiMeo said Kabir feared losing money because the restaurant would be closed to dinner patrons that night. DiMeo said Kabir got "cold feet" at that prospect and tried to back out of their agreement.

DiMeo said he and Kabir then struck a verbal contract to double the size of the event - which as reported two weeks ago brought the guest list to about 600 - and add a cash bar at the end. But, DiMeo said, Kabir still wanted to serve dinner patrons, who were seated before the party's 9 p.m. scheduled start. "All chaos broke loose because Mr. Kabir obviously bit off more than he could chew," the statement said.

Le Jardin staff was preoccupied with the dinner patrons and so did not prepare for the party, DiMeo said.

Le Jardin attorney Andrew Touchstone did not return a call for comment. Klein wouldn't speak about it, other than to say Kabir would countersue.

The Art Alliance, caught in the middle, is exploring its own legal options. The nonprofit's Melissa Caldwell says the missing mixed-media works have not been returned. She's taking a no-questions-asked position if someone wants to give them back.

Puri graciously replaced the works, and the Art Alliance has scheduled a special closing reception on Jan. 27 for his show.