EXCLUSIVE: Chef Alex Capasso Charged With Assaulting a Customer
A couple of weeks ago, I reported in Taste Daily that tiny Blackbird Dining Establishment in Collingswood had a stunning 827 reservations for the South Jersey Restaurant Week, which was co-founded by Blackbird’s chef/owner, Alex Capasso. It seems the pressure may have been too much for him.
According to Collingswood police captain Richard Sarlo, a dispute took place on Wednesday, October 24th, between Capasso and a group of hungry customers who felt that he had given their table away to another party. A confrontation ensued in front of a packed room of diners, and Sarlo says that Capasso “pushed and shoved” the customers. Eventually, the fight went outside, where, according to the police report, Capasso punched one of the men in the eye. The man was treated by an ambulance but refused to be taken to the hospital. Police were called, and Capasso was arrested and charged with simple assault. The punched man was also arrested and charged with harassment.
Capasso posted bail and has a court date scheduled in Collingswood at 9:30 tomorrow morning. Reached by phone this morning, Capasso said he couldn’t comment without his attorney present, but did say “I was the one that was assaulted.” — Victor Fiorillo
Editor’s note: See our update on this item.
PHOTO: Philly.com
October 30th, 2007 at 1:00 pm
I was there that evening and witnessed a drunk man erratically srceaming at the hostess, a few minutes later the Chef came out an asked the man to leave several times before then opening the front door and motioning him to exit. The drunk man then grabbed the chef and was pushing him. They ended up outside of the front door where I seen another man ,who was with the drunk man, grab ahold of the chef from behind, while the drunk man was pulling at his chef coat. Chef Capasso was obviously attacked by these men who I assume where drunk and angry about a table. I dine out frequently and have never seen a customer act so violently and immature. I hope Chef Capasso is doing well. I have contacted Blackbird and volunteered to be a witness.
October 30th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
Wow, what a twisted account of what happened at Blackbird! The “gentleman” claiming he was assaulted was the one who should be receiving the bad press — he was the one who was doing the assaulting. First he harrassed the hostess, eventually yelling at her when another party’s table became available ahead of his, and then when the chef came to her aid, he caused a major scene and grabbed the chef by his coat. The man refused to step outside and calm down, and his behavior continued to escalate when he finally did get outside. At one point, he was grabbing, shoving and swinging at the chef while his buddy held the chef from the back! All of this over a table at a restaurant! He should be ashamed of his behavior and I hope he is seeking some anger management therapy.
October 30th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
I wasn’t there that night, but I have known Alex for over 10 years and the story does not even fit who he is as a person. People who publish these types of stories should get their facts straight before the make something public.
October 30th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
It’s ashame to see that yellow journalism still exists. Sensationalism for pure ratings is how i would descibe this article. This article is not an accurate account of the events that occured that evening. My name is William my wife and I were at Blackbird dining establishment that evening and what we saw was an out of control “gentleman” verbally asaulting a pregnant hostess. Chef Capasso came to the aid of his employee and asked this irate “gentelman” to leave. Refusing to leave the customer grabbed Mr. Capasso with both hands. The next thing i saw was the second man of the party grab Mr. Capasso as well. It’s obvious to me that Mr. Capasso was cleary threatened by the actions of these two ignorant and irrational men an acted accordingly. I have contacted Mr. Capasso to volunteer to be an eyewitness It’s ashame that Mr. Fiorillo has gone the way of tabloid stories to try to gain viewership. I would expect this article from the national inquirer not Philly Mag.
October 30th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
WHAT A LIE! THAT MAN CAME IN BLACKBIRD DRUNK!
HE WAS SCREAMING AT THE HOSTESS POINTING IN HER FACE CAUSING A SCENE. HE GRABBED THE CHEF AND ONE OF HIS GUEST JUMPED ON HIS BACK.THAT MAN WAS CRAZY AND WAS BEGINING TO SCARE ME. I SURE HOPE HE WOULDN’T TALK TO HIS PREGNANT WIFE LIKE THAT.
October 30th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
Phila Mag keeps sinking lower & lower.
Check your facts folks! These kinds of errors won’t up your readership & soon may lose you advertisers First Craig LaBan now a sucessful chef.
October 30th, 2007 at 4:33 pm
I am curious why the names of the two customers involved in the altercation were not disclosed by Fiorillo . Hmmm.
October 31st, 2007 at 3:51 pm
Alex came to the defense of his hostess, who is 8 months pregnant. The guy verbally abused her, Alex tried to get them to leave because they were getting louder and more abusive. It was Restaurant Week so tables were backed up.
I want a guy who backs up his staff! PhillyMag, you got this one wrong.
November 3rd, 2007 at 12:05 pm
It is about time that a restaurant owner stood up to a customer that was abusive to an employee. Buying a meal does not entitle you to disregard politeness and human decency. We in the service industry bend over backwards to satisfy our customers but I know from my own experience that they are NOT always right.