Montclair Restaurant Owner Defies Gov. Murphy’s Orders Again: PD

MONTCLAIR, NJ — A Montclair restaurant owner continues to defy Gov. Phil Murphy’s executive orders on dining amid the coronavirus crisis, authorities say.

Last weekend, Domenic Restaino – who owns Cuban Pete’s on Bloomfield Avenue – was handed his third citation since the pandemic began for allegedly violating the state’s COVID-19 restaurant protocols, Montclair police said.

Authorities said the restaurant went over the 25 percent capacity limit on indoor dining on Saturday, inspiring “multiple complaints.” READ MORE: NJ Indoor Dining To Resume Amid Coronavirus Crisis

According to the Montclair Police Department:

“Montclair police and representatives from the Montclair Health Department responded to Cuban Pete’s Restaurant and Tapas after receiving multiple complaints regarding the business violating Gov. Murphy’s executive order regarding indoor dining. The health department personnel conducted a head count of patrons eating indoors and determined the restaurant was in violation of the order, as the number of people eating inside exceeded the number based on the 25 percent occupancy order. The owner, Domenic Restaino, was cited for violation of Executive Order 183.”

Restaino was cited twice in August for allegedly allowing customers to eat indoors. At the time, New Jersey restaurants were restricted to limited outdoor service, takeout and delivery only.

• See related article: Cuban Pete's Let People Eat Indoors – Again, Montclair Police Say

“If I have to, I will go to jail,” Restaino told a reporter from NorthJersey.com, commenting on his latest citation. He said the restaurant can't make ends meet under the current orders because it needs to be fully staffed to be effective.

Cuban Pete's has consistently ranked among the most popular eateries in town, once making a list of the top 50 places to eat in Essex County.

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