Chaos at Babbo’s Grand Reopening

The much-anticipated reopening of the famous Italian restaurant Babbo turned chaotic when a giant inflatable rat—known as “Scabby the Rat”—was brought out front, leading to an unexpected intervention by the NYPD at the upscale venue.

The union Unite Here Local 25 decided to inflate the rat outside in protest against the restaurant’s new owner, Stephen Starr, and his treatment of workers.

Starr was busy welcoming patrons inside while the commotion unfolded outside. This was a significant moment as Babbo had been closed for several years following founder Mario Batali’s sexual misconduct allegations in 2017.

“I showed up around 6:45 a.m., prepped the rats, and inflated them,” Mike Haak, a senior researcher for the union, recounted. “Before long, someone came out from ‘corporate’ saying we weren’t allowed to do this.”

Haak noted that the corporate representative threatened to call the police. “I assumed he did,” Haak continued.

Things escalated when Haak heard a noise and turned to see another individual emerging from the restaurant. “He had a small paring knife,” Haak said, adding that the unidentified man quickly reentered the restaurant.

Moments later, Haak realized something was wrong when he noticed a sizeable tear in the inflatable rat—”an 8-inch hole right in the thigh,” he explained.

Interestingly, Haak observed that onlookers seemed amused by the events. “I think they found it funny at least,” he thought.

Haak then called 911, and within minutes, several NYPD officers arrived, sirens blaring. Meanwhile, customers were perusing the extensive menu priced at around $100 for lasagna.

Haak and the officers scoured the restaurant in search of the knife-wielding man. The restaurant’s management initially resisted, claiming the union representatives weren’t welcome. However, police insisted on speaking to Haak, the only witness available.

Haak suspected the man likely escaped through the kitchen, which had not been searched.

While this was happening, “Scabby” was slowly losing air, and Haak fretted about leaving it unattended on the sidewalk during the search.

As they stepped out, an officer requested security footage from the restaurant, but Haak was told that the policy required a subpoena for such requests.

Neither Starr Restaurants nor the NYPD gave any comments on the incident.

A union representative mentioned that it was unsure if the $7,000 inflatable rat could be repaired, noting it was the first time in a decade that their inflatable rats had been damaged.

This reopening was supposed to mark a triumphant return for Babbo under Starr, who acquired the restaurant from Batali’s business partner, Joe Bastianich.

Batali was found not guilty of sexual misconduct in a criminal trial, although he had settled other allegations with the New York State Attorney General’s Office for $600,000.

Starr, who owns several well-known establishments, including Buddha Can and Pastis, has also faced union scrutiny in other cities, with efforts to organize workers at his restaurants.

Interestingly, veteran restaurateur Zane Tankel suggested that despite sustaining some damage, Scabby may have effectively accomplished its goal of drawing attention.

“The rat’s aim is to make headlines, and they certainly did that,” he remarked.

Some New Yorkers, however, might feel a sense of satisfaction at the sight of a deflated rat, as one former restaurateur reflected, “Any business owner would be pleased to see a rat go down.”