Business & Tech
Wash Heights Dominican Restaurant Fails CB Liquor License Renewal
La Esquina de Nagua failed to meet the basic requirements for approval, with officials expressing concern over pest issues and late hours.
INWOOD, NY - A Dominican bar and restaurant failed to have its liquor license renewed and transferred to a new owner after a 2-3 vote from Manhattan Community Board 12’s license committee Wednesday night.
The liquor license transfer in question would be from D&C Restaurant Bar & Grill Corp. to La Esquina de Nagua Restaurant Corp. at the La Esquina de Nagua Restaurant at 2244 Amsterdam Ave.
An individual representing the restaurant’s owner appeared before the committee during the Wednesday hearing, noting that a former staff member at the restaurant has since assumed ownership.
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However, during the hearing, licensing committee chair Isidro Medina noted several resident complaints over the late hours of operation of the restaurant, as well as a less-than-appetizing food health inspection completed in August 2022. That inspection allegedly found live mice, live roaches and no hand washing.
“For [the owners] not to show up to this committee, knowing fully well that we have some issues with this establishment, for this license to be transferred to a new ownership, and for the owners not to be here, I have a problem,” Medina said.
Find out what's happening in Washington Heights-Inwoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
You can view the full meeting agenda here.
New York business records show that Carlos Duarte has owned the establishment since 2017. Before that, the building housed several other restaurants including Entre Amigos and El Nuevo Conquistador.
You can watch the full meeting below:
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