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The Cost of Fine Dining: Claims of Sexual Harassment and Union-Busting at D.C.'s Elite Restaurants
While the elite of Washington, D.C., enjoy expensive meals at famed restaurants such as Pastis, Le Diplomate and Rasika, the workers behind the scenes have reportedly contended with sexual harassment, union-busting or both.
STARR Restaurants, the high-end hospitality group led by CEO Stephen Starr, owns several hotspots, including Le Diplomate, St. Anselm and Pastis, as well as restaurants in Philadelphia, New York City, South Florida and Nashville.
According to Unite Here Local 25, a union representing D.C.-area hotel, restaurant and casino employees, two workers at Pastis were subjected to sexual harassment by a supervising chef. The union claimed that the women experienced unwanted touch and verbal harassment, such as being grabbed by the neck from behind, being asked to kiss the chef and being called “babygirl” and “princess.”
Although the workers reported him to STARR human resources, the chef remains employed at Pastis—and according to Local 25, one of the employees who came forward about the alleged harassment was later scheduled to work alongside him.
The union claimed that during an anti-union town hall, STARR management reportedly responded to the sexual harassment claims by saying that such behavior occurs “everywhere,” without taking specific responsibility.
Local 25 and its allies, including the Feminist Majority Foundation (FMF) (publisher of Ms.), are mobilizing against STARR Restaurant Group.
On May 29, FMF led a delegation to Pastis to demand that STARR take a stand against sexual harassment and delivered a letter to the restaurant management. FMF was joined by Reproaction, the National Domestic Workers Alliance and Unite Here Local 25 as well as the women who were said to have experienced the harassment by the Pastis chef.
Beth, one of the workers who spoke out, addressed the delegation to share the emotional toll of STARR’s indifference:
“Emocionada porque siento que esta vez sí se va a escuchar nuestra voz, tanto para mi hermana y para mí. Ella salió porque ya no quería más ver a ese hombre ahí.”
“[I’m feeling] excited because I feel like this time our voice is really going to be heard, for both my sister and me. She left because she didn’t want to see that man there anymore.”
STARR Restaurants, the high-end hospitality group led by CEO Stephen Starr, owns several hotspots, including Le Diplomate, St. Anselm and Pastis, as well as restaurants in Philadelphia, New York City, South Florida and Nashville.
According to Unite Here Local 25, a union representing D.C.-area hotel, restaurant and casino employees, two workers at Pastis were subjected to sexual harassment by a supervising chef. The union claimed that the women experienced unwanted touch and verbal harassment, such as being grabbed by the neck from behind, being asked to kiss the chef and being called “babygirl” and “princess.”
Although the workers reported him to STARR human resources, the chef remains employed at Pastis—and according to Local 25, one of the employees who came forward about the alleged harassment was later scheduled to work alongside him.
The union claimed that during an anti-union town hall, STARR management reportedly responded to the sexual harassment claims by saying that such behavior occurs “everywhere,” without taking specific responsibility.
Local 25 and its allies, including the Feminist Majority Foundation (FMF) (publisher of Ms.), are mobilizing against STARR Restaurant Group.
On May 29, FMF led a delegation to Pastis to demand that STARR take a stand against sexual harassment and delivered a letter to the restaurant management. FMF was joined by Reproaction, the National Domestic Workers Alliance and Unite Here Local 25 as well as the women who were said to have experienced the harassment by the Pastis chef.
Beth, one of the workers who spoke out, addressed the delegation to share the emotional toll of STARR’s indifference:
“Emocionada porque siento que esta vez sí se va a escuchar nuestra voz, tanto para mi hermana y para mí. Ella salió porque ya no quería más ver a ese hombre ahí.”
“[I’m feeling] excited because I feel like this time our voice is really going to be heard, for both my sister and me. She left because she didn’t want to see that man there anymore.”
https://msmagazine.com/2025/06/21/union-dc-sexual-harassment-starr-restaurants-employee-union/