SDNY Zagat's Initiative Brings First Lawsuit: Rosa Mexicano

See this story in the New York Observer, which begins:

Rosa Mexicana is a favorite of New Yorkers hungry for upscale guacamole and well-mixed margaritas, but the restaurant has not been sitting well with the U.S. Attorney’s office, which has filed suit against the popular eatery for non-compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

The restaurant is the first “most popular” Zagat pick to be sued for ADA non-compliance after the U.S. Attorney’s office launched an initiative targeting the guide’s 50 most beloved eateries last year. In its 2012 guide, Zagat called the restaurant, which has three Manhattan locations, a “jumping” joint that “gets it right” with “flavorful” food and “personable service.” But the feds claim that the restaurants’ entrances, waiting areas, dining rooms, bars and bathrooms get it wrong, blocking disabled diners from enjoying the hot spot’s South of the Border cuisine. 

“When it comes to restaurants, New York City is arguably the world’s crown jewel, and the purpose of this initiative is to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to its offerings. With today’s lawsuit alleging multiple violations of the ADA at three Rosa Mexicano locations in the City, that is exactly what we are doing,” said Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara in a release about the lawsuit. “As alleged, neither the ADA, nor the warnings from this Office were enough to convince these restaurants to comply with the law, and the goal of this lawsuit is to see that they finally do.”